Nor did it, for the heavy rain must have fallen all along the stream, which was rising very fast, and was likely to continue to do so for several hours to come. A flood at this late summer day was doubtless a rare occurrence; but, then, the Missouri has always been known to do the least expected of things, so, with such a cloudburst to help along, even that was liable to happen. "But thank goodness the rain seems to have stopped, even if the clouds are still hanging overhead," Roger declared, as he drew his stiffened figure from under the overhanging ledge, and tried to straighten up. Then the two went, first of all, to see if the horses were there, and to their satisfaction found the poor beasts standing under a tree, as wet as they could possibly be, but apparently not otherwise harmed by the storm. Afterwards they turned to survey the raging flood. Between the island and the shore, where the horses had easily waded, there now rushed a torrent that must have been over their heads, and so fierce that even the hardiest swimmer could never have held his own against its power. "That's bad enough," admitted Roger; "but just see how the water is still creeping up on us. It looks to me as if the whole island would soon be covered!" CHAPTER XXIII THE RISING WATERS "IT _is_ rising, Roger," admitted the older boy, seriously, as he surveyed the tumbling waters, rushing along with a noise like the churning of a score of grist mills, such as the one near the St. Louis settlement. "Do you think it will keep on increasing all day, Dick?" asked the other, with a ring of alarm in his voice. "It may," was the reply. "That will depend on how far up the river that heavy rainfall extended. If it covered the whole watershed, then the river here must keep on getting bigger for a good many hours before it reaches a crest." "But we never knew the Missouri to rise at this late time in the summer, did we, Dick?" "Not anything like this, that's sure, Roger. Of course, after a heavy storm it always creeps up. But this is really a flood, and will bother the exploring expedition for a day or two, I think." "Oh, but they have boats, and will think little or nothing of it, Dick," the younger boy went on. "But what a bad fix it finds us in! What if the water does keep on coming up and up all day; won't it cover this little island and perhaps wash it away?" "Oh! hardly that," Dick hastened to answer. "It has stood many floods in the spring time, because these trees have had a chance to grow." "But even if that rushing water only covers the island, where will we be then, I'd like to know? Ugh! it makes me shiver to think of it," and Roger turned to look once more at the roaring river.