"Those who managed to find places of comparative shelter will now descend into the level lands and try to hunt up the sites of their homes. If only some plants and grain have been preserved they can, after a fashion, begin to cultivate the soil." "But there _is_ no soil," said the President, shuddering at the recollection of the devastation he had witnessed. "It has all been washed off." "No," replied the professor, "there's yet a good deal in the low places, where the water rested." "But it is now the middle of winter." "Reckoned by the almanac it is, but you see that the temperature is that of summer, and has been such for months. I think that this is due in some way to the influence of the nebula, although I cannot account for it. At any rate it will be possible to plant and sow. "The whole body of the atmosphere having been raised four thousand feet, the atmospheric conditions here now are virtually the same as at the former sea-level. If we can find the people and reassure them, we must take the lead in restoring the land to fertility, and also in the reconstruction of homes." "Suppose the flood should recommence?" "There is no likelihood of it." "Then," said the President, putting his face between his hands and gazing sadly into the fire, "here is all that remains of the mightiest nation of the world, the richest, the most populous--and we are to build up out of this remnant a new fatherland." "This is not the only remnant," said Professor Pludder. "One-quarter, at least, of the area of the United States is still above sea-level. Think of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, the larger part of California, Wyoming, a part of Montana, two-thirds of Idaho, a half of Oregon and Washington--all above the critical level of four thousand feet, and all except the steepest moutainsides can be reclaimed. "There is hope for our country yet. Remember that the climate of this entire region will now be changed, since the barometric isobars have been lifted up, and the line of thirty inches pressure now meets the edge of the Colorado plateau. There may be a corresponding change in the rainfall and in all the conditions of culture and fertility." "Yes," sighed the President, "but I cannot, I cannot withdraw my mind from the thought of the _millions, millions, millions_ who have perished!" "I do not say that we should forget them," replied Professor Pludder; "Heaven forbid! But I do say that we must give our attention to those that remain, and turn our faces steadily toward the future." "Abiel," returned the President, pressing the professor's hand, "you are right. My confidence in you was shaken, but now I follow you again." Thus they talked until midnight, and then got a little rest with the others. They were up and off at break of day, and as they mounted higher they began to encounter immense rocks that had come tumbling down from above.