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THE MOTOR BOAT
67

had been driven from their homes, and forced to go to the hotels, and, as several of these hostelries had been rendered uninhabitable, those that escaped the flood were taxed to the limit of their capacity.

"It's a good thing my other actors decided not to come along," remarked the manager, as he and the boys, with Mr. Piper, found that all the accommodations they could get were two small rooms, fitted up with cots. "But we won't be here any longer than we can help. I'm going to charter a boat, and start on the search for the missing ones."

"And if this rain ever lets up we'll get some pictures," declared Blake.

At the hotel were many whose homes had either been washed away, or rendered uninhabitable, and they were being cared for by the relief committee, that had been hastily formed. Most of these persons were poor, having their homes in the lower section of the city, and many pathetic stories were told. There had been some lives lost, and a number had been injured by being thrown into the water, and struck by floating debris.

"Now the first thing to do," said Mr. Ringold, after the party had eaten a hasty meal, "is to find out where our friends were last seen. Then