_A real hero must have presence of mind as well as courage in times
of danger._
To-day we are going to learn how a man saved a whole village from
destruction. The little village was built on the banks of a river,
and a few miles above it was a great dam holding back the water
until it looked like a large lake. It was very beautiful on bright
sunny days to see the great sheet of water, and to watch the falls
of the dam.
It had been raining for many days and the lake was becoming larger
and larger. The water rose until it came to the very level of the
dam; but everybody thought it was safe, for the great rocks looked
as strong as the hills themselves. So one night after the rain had
stopped all the people of the village went to sleep as usual. Late
in the night the water ran over the dam and tore a rock loose. Then
a larger rock followed, and then another and another. By daybreak a
great hole was in the dam and the sides were tottering.
Collins Graves, a young farmer, rose early and went on his way to
the mill.
“I believe I will go by and take a look at the dam,” he said to his
wife, as he started off. It was well he did so. When he came to the
lake he noticed how the water was going down. Then he went over to
the dam and saw the great hole in it, and saw it was growing bigger
and bigger every minute. As he stood watching it the whole dam gave
way and the lake was emptied into the river.
“The village! the village!” he cried. “I must save the people!”
and with that he leaped upon his horse and began a race with the
flood. Five miles down the river lay the village asleep. Onward
went the waters in a wave big enough to wash down the mill and all
the houses of the people. On swept the brave horse as fast as he
could race. Graves threw away his bags, his coat, even his hat to
lighten the load, and called to his horse to run for the lives of
the people.
He passed the big wave--gained on it--then rode a mile ahead of it
and dashed into the village as the people were getting up.
“Run for your lives! The dam has broken and the waters are coming!
Save the children and the stock--nothing else, for the wave will be
here in a minute!” he cried out at the top of his voice. “Be quick!”
The people rushed from their houses, carrying the babes in their
arms and calling for the children. The barns were opened and the
stock ran, scenting the danger. Up to the hills they flew--all of
them--not a soul was left in the village; and the great wave rolled
over their houses, barns, bridges and fences.
“Thank God for Collins Graves!” shouted the people, “one minute
more and we should all have been drowned in the flood!”