Once he saw a cradle come gyrating along, and, urging all his might, intercepted it, but hardly knew whether he was more sorry or relieved to find it empty.
When he was about half-way to the Mains, a whole fleet of ricks bore down upon him.

He boarded one, and scrambled to the top of it, keeping fast hold of the end of his line, which unrolled from the barrel as he ascended.

From its peak he surveyed the wild scene.
All was running water.

Not a human being was visible, and but a few house-roofs, of which for a moment it was hard to say whether or not they were of those that were afloat.

Here and there were the tops of trees, showing like low bushes.