No other words were necessary. Without stopping to gather up any of their effects, they all turned their faces and rushed for higher ground.
A second, a third, and a fourth farmhouse came into view, and as she flashed by, the girl hurled her warning at each.
Half a mile below lay the little town of Stanley. It was for this that Shirley was headed, in her race with the rushing water.
The roar behind her became louder, and Shirley, leaning over her horse’s neck, urged him to further efforts with soft and coaxing words.
The noble animal, seeming to realize that he was upon a message of life or death, responded, and it seemed that he must have winged feet, so lightly and swiftly did he fly over the ground.
But the roaring wall of water came closer.
Shirley uttered a cry of relief. Before her she made out the first house in the little town. The sounds of the clattering hoofs on the hard macadamized road drew the residents from their homes. Several had gathered in a little knot as Shirley approached. Evidently they had not heard the sound of the roaring waters.
“The dam has gone!” cried the girl, as she came up to them, and rode by without checking the speed of her horse. “_Fly_ for your lives!”
Instantly all became bustle and confusion. The word was passed like a flash and almost as one man the town poured from its homes and dashed for safety.
Clear through the town the young girl rode, calling out her warning. Then, and not until then, did she check her horse and turn his head toward the safety that lay in the east.
“The Hendersons!” he cried. “They left here not five minutes ago in their buggy. The water will catch them on the road!”
Without a word, Shirley turned her horse and would have dashed forward had not the man caught the bridle.
“It’s death to them if I don’t make it!” cried Shirley.
She dug her heels into the animal’s flanks and the horse shook off the detaining hand with a quick twitch of his head. Evidently he, as well as the girl, realized his responsibility.
Once more, under the guiding hand, he dashed forward as if it were wings that carried him so lightly and swiftly over the ground. And as he flew on, Shirley patted him softly on the neck and spoke low words of encouragement.