Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/260

234 captured Boisot sent a message that he was at Nord Aa, but must remain there until the  water rose. They have probably been stranded there ever since.

“Surely, surely!” answered Gysbert. “And what is more, we ought to have a full view from our little window here, if they  come by. For though we are a good distance from the canal, I think we could get a fine sight of a battle, if there is to be one. Oh, I hope there will be a battle!” In a frenzy of excitement, they kept at their work  till darkness fell. Before the last streaks of twilight had faded, they had witnessed the  puddles in the road grow and spread into  small ponds, the ponds widen and join themselves into a shallow lake which lapped  against the walls of the house.

Then came the tempest! The wind raged and howled; the sky was black with high-piled clouds; the tree branches tossed and  groaned, or were split asunder with loud  cracking noises; the walls of the farmhouse