‘Master!’ cried the natives, as they clambered upon tables and chairs, ‘the sea has burst its bounds; the sea is coming on us; the whole cantonment will be under water!’ ‘Close the doors and windows!’ I exclaimed loudly; but no one stirred, and I attempted to set them the example of doing as I said, but it was too late. I perceived a dark volume of water stealing stealthily upon us from all sides, and even as I advanced towards the verandah, a huge wave dashed against me, washing me to the middle, knocking me backwards on the drawing-room table, and carrying away a chair as it retreated. At the same moment, a scream from the women’s apartments told me that the sea had reached that quarter; and with no thought but for the safety of those dear to me, I dashed without ceremony into Miss Anstruther’s room. I found her pale and trembling, but just awakened, sitting on the side of her bed with her bare feet in a river of sea water. ‘What _is_ the matter?’ she gasped as I entered. ‘The sea has overflowed the cantonment,’ I replied hastily, as I quickly lifted her in my arms; ‘but trust to _me_, Lionne, and I will take you to a place of safety.’ She shuddered but made no resistance, until I had carried her to the dining-room, now half full of water, and was preparing to wade with her through the verandah, and place her on the roof of the house. ‘But where is Janie?’ she exclaimed, as she looked with horror on the advancing mass of water; ‘oh, where is Janie?’ At her question I nearly dropped my burden; for the moment I had entirely forgotten my poor wife, whose screams were patent from the adjoining room. ‘Go to her,’ said Lionne, as she struggled from my embrace, and slid down into the cold waves, against the violence of which she could hardly support herself. ‘Go at once! What were you thinking of? She will drown, if you do not take care.’ ‘I am doing as much as I can,’ I answered hurriedly. ‘Let me place you in safety first, and then I will return for her. I cannot carry two at once.’ ‘And you would leave her to the last?’ she said indignantly; ‘she, in whom two lives are wrapt in one! Oh, Robert! I did not think it of you.’ ‘But, my beloved—’ I commenced, in an agony at her delay. ‘Go!’ she said authoritatively; and I left her to her fate, and went. I found my poor little wife wet through and screaming for help; and lifting her in my arms, I carried her, buffeting with the water as I went, through the dining and drawing-rooms to the outer verandah. ‘Hold fast—take the greatest care of yourself,’ I exclaimed in an agony of fear, as I battled past the white-clad figure which was clinging to the door-posts. ‘I will return, Lionne, as soon as ever I can.’