This operation showed all concerned what a giant they were dealing with; while the sluices were being lifted, the noise and tremor of the pipes were beyond experience and conception.  When, after vast efforts, they were at last got open, the ground trembled violently, and the water, as it rushed out of the pipes, roared like discharges of artillery.  So hard is it to resist the mere effect of the senses, that nearly every body ran back appalled, although the effect of all this roaring could only be to relieve the pressure; and, in fact, now that those sluices were opened, the dam was safe, provided it could last a day or two.

Lights were seen approaching, and Mr. Tucker, the resident engineer, drove up; he had Mr. Carter, one of the contractors, in the gig with him.

He came on the embankment, and signified a cold approval of the sluices being opened.

Then Ransome sounded him about blowing up the waste-wear.

Tucker did not reply, but put some questions to a workman or two.  Their answers showed that they considered the enlargement of the crack a fatal sign.

Upon this Mr. Tucker ordered them all to stand clear of the suspected part.

“Now, then,” said he, “I built this embankment, and I’ll tell you whether it is going to burst or not.”

Then he took a lantern, and was going to inspect the crack himself; but Mr. Carter, respecting his courage and coolness, would accompany him.  They went to the crack, examined it carefully with their lanterns, and then crossed over to the waste-wear; no water was running into it in the ordinary way, which showed the dam was not full to its utmost capacity.

They returned, and consulted with Mountain.

Ransome put in his word, and once more remembering Little’s advice, begged them to blow up the waste-wear.

Tucker thought that was a stronger measure than the occasion required; there was no immediate danger; and the sluice-pipes would lower the water considerably in twenty-four hours.

Farmer Ives put in his word.  “I can’t learn from any of you that an enlarging crack in a new embankment is a common thing.  I shall go home, but my boots won’t come off this night.”

Encouraged by this, Mr. Mountain, the contractor, spoke out.

“Mr. Tucker,” said he, “don’t deceive yourself; the sluice-pipes are too slow; if we don’t relieve the dam, there’ll be a blow-up in half an hour; mark my words.”

“Well,” said Mr. Tucker, “no precaution has been neglected in building this dam:  provision has been made even for blowing up the waste-wear; a hole has been built in the masonry, and there’s dry powder and a fuse kept at the valve-house.  I’ll blow up the waste-wear, though I think it needless.  I am convinced that crack is above the level of the water in the reservoir.”

This observation struck Ransome, and he asked if it could not be ascertained by measurement.