Guards were posted near the dam to give the warning, should it threaten to burst. Vigil was kept day and night, while the residents of the countryside were prepared to flee at the first warning of imminent disaster.
But the dam had finally burst so suddenly that the warning came almost too late. Shirley, Mabel, Lois, her father and mother were at supper when the telephone jangled furiously. Lois, who was nearest, quickly put the receiver to her ear, and then turned to the others with a cry:
Then it was that those in the farmhouse attempted to repeat the warning down the valley, and it was discovered that the wires were down. As has been told, it was then that Shirley made her wild dash, that might have resulted fatally.
When Shirley had disappeared, the others, after seeking in vain for her, had finally given it up as hopeless.
“She is probably safe some place,” said Mr. Geddis. “Come, we must hurry.”
They started for the highlands, which they reached safely, and from there watched the mountains of water as they swept down, flooding the valley.
“I believe I know what has happened to Shirley,” said Mabel quietly.
“I believe she went down the valley to warn the people.”
“I’m not sure about that,” said Mabel quietly. “You see, I know Shirley a little better than you do. If there is one way by which she can reach safety, Shirley is sure to find it.”
“I do hope she will not be harmed,” said Lois, beginning to cry.
Refugees fled to the highlands in droves, leaving everything behind. Mr. Geddis and his party advanced, just on the edge of the high ground, down the valley. Here they came upon others who had been forced to flee for safety.
“How did the warning reach you?” asked Mr. Geddis of one of the men.
“Girl on horseback,” was the reply. “She came dashing down the road like wind. If it hadn’t been for her, hundreds would have perished.”
Mabel, who overheard this conversation, cried out in alarm:
“I don’t know,” was the reply. “She was headed straight for the village.”
“Come,” she cried, “let’s go farther. Perhaps we can find Shirley.”
With a word to her father, Lois followed her friend. They came, at last, to a part of the ground directly behind the little village of Stanley, now lying beneath the water. Here they plied the refugees with question after question, and finally came upon the man who had seen the girl wheel her horse and dash down the road after the Hendersons.