“Well, I wouldn’t do it for anyone else,” said the operator, “but you’re a plucky boy to come here with the copy when everyone else is thinking of getting away, so I’ll send the dispatch for you. After this you may find me in a temporary office in a tent up on the hill.” “I’m much obliged to you,” said Larry, handing over the copy. He waited until he saw the operator send it off, and then the man, taking some of his instruments with him, left the office. As he did so a small stream of water began to run down the middle of the street. “Flood’s coming!” exclaimed the telegrapher. “You were just in time!” Then he began to run, and Larry, abandoning his wheel, did likewise, for he knew because of the formation of the ground that there might be deep water there soon. The rain had stopped once more, and this time it seemed as if it might let up for some time, as the clouds grew lighter. But that was too late to prevent the damage by the rising waters, which continued to increase in depth. Fortunately most of the people in that section of the town had been given plenty of warning and had left their homes, taking all their most valued possessions with them. However, there were some who lingered too late, and they were now fleeing with only a few necessaries. They made for the other side of the place, where the high ground around the hotel offered a chance for safety. Larry and the operator hurried along, the former aiming to reach the hotel, and the telegrapher to make arrangements to set up a temporary office. At the hotel Larry found Mr. Newton, surrounded by a number of newspaper men, waiting for him. “Did you make it?” asked Mr. Newton. “Just in time. It was the last message,” said the boy. “What’s that, Newton?” asked some of his acquaintances. “I just sent a wire about the dam bursting,” was the answer. “You don’t mean you’ve got another beat on us?” “Well, I guess Larry did the biggest part of it,” replied Mr. Newton. “Well, you two are a great team,” said some of the other reporters, disgusted at being beaten again. CHAPTER XXXIV UNDER WATER The town was now a scene of wild confusion. The people were nearly out of their senses with fear, for they were alarmed lest the waters reach even the high places. Cooler heads did their best to quiet the excited ones, but it was hard work. Boats were plying everywhere, taking people from the second stories of their houses in some cases, and saving some from possible death by drowning. The waters, which were now turned into a raging torrent, were filled with débris brought down from up country. Sometimes whole houses or barns would be borne along, and when they struck a building in Stoneville there was a crash that could be heard for some distance and the stationary residence would be knocked from its foundation and carried away.