ters of Loch Malcolm were rising。
A great wave； unfurling like a billow； swept up the bank and broke against the walls of the cottage。 Simon caught his wife in his arms； and carried her to the upper part of their dwelling。
At the same moment； cries arose from all parts of Coal Town； which was threatened by a sudden inundation。 The inhabitants fled for safety to the top of the schist rocks bordering the lake； terror spread in all directions； whole families in frantic haste rushed towards the tunnel in order to reach the upper regions of the pit。
It was feared that the sea had burst into the colliery； for its galleries and passages perated as far as the Caledonian Canal。 In that case the entire excavation； vast as it was； would be pletely flooded。 Not a single inhabitant of New Aberfoyle would escape death。
But when the foremost fugitives reached the entrance to the tunnel； they encountered Simon Ford； who had quitted his cottage。 〃Stop； my friends； stop！〃 shouted the old man； 〃if our town is to be overwhelmed； the floods will rush faster than you can； no one can possibly escape。 But see！ the waters are rising no further！ it appears to me the danger is over。〃
〃And our rades at the far end of the works……what about them？〃 cried some of the miners。
〃There is nothing to fear for them；〃 replied Simon； 〃they are working on a higher level than the bed of the loch。〃
It was soon evident that the old man was in the right。 The sudden in