Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/261

Rh shook, the windows rattled, and pandemonium itself seemed let loose! The children trembled, half with awed admiration at this  war in the elements, half with delight at what  this would mean to the besieged city, and  clasped their hands convulsively at every  louder roar of the wind or crash of huge  trees falling. Down below it was evident that panic and disorder reigned supreme. Cries and shouts of dismay mingled with the shrill screaming of a woman’s voice. Once they heard Vrouw Hansleer splash out into  the flooded yard, calling to someone unseen  in the darkness:

“Come, Wilhelm! come and help me move my furniture! Oh, my beautiful furniture! it will all be ruined!”

“Zounds, woman!” responded the voice. “Dost thou think thou canst save thy wretched furniture in this pass? Thou shalt he thankful to get off with thy life! Take what thou canst carry and be quick, for the Kirk-way is broken through, and the flood