3IO DICK SANDS, THE BOY CAPTAIN. must have been the sudden overflowing of some stream to cause such a déluge over the low-Iying plain. It could not be proved that the ant-hill was not aiready under water, so that escape might be no longer possible, even from its highest point With all Dick's courage, it was yet évident that he was very uneasy; he did not know what to do, and asked himself again and again whether patient waiting or décisive action would be his more prudent course. It was now about three o'clock in the moming. AU within the ant-hill were silent and motionless, listening to the incessant turmoil which told that the strife of the éléments had not yet ceased. Presently, old Tom pointed out that the heîght of the water was gradually increasing, but only by very slow ascent. Dick could only say that if the flood continued to rise, howevcr slowly, it must inevitably drive out the air. As if struck by a sudden thought, Bat called out, — " Let me try and get outsîde. Perhaps I might dive and get through the opcning." "I think I had botter make that experiment myself," answcred Dick. " That you never shall/* interposed Tom peremptorîly ; " you must let Bat go. It may not be possible to get back, and your présence is indispensable hère. Think, sir, think of Mrs. Wcldon, and Master Jack," he addcd in a lower tonc. " Wcll, wcll," Dick asscntcd, "if it must be so, Bat shall go. And turning to Bat, he continued, " Do not try to come back again ; we will try, îf we can, to foUow you the same way ; but if the top of the cône is still above water, knock hard on it with your hatchet, and we shall takc it as a signal tiiat wc may break our way out Do you undcrstand .^" " All right ! " he said, " all rîght, sîr." And aftcr wringing his father's hand, he drew a long breath, and plunged into the water that filled the lower section of the ant-hill.
