noon
Even Jack seemed to know that something unusual was on hand and hung closer about the house , for fear he might be left behind . Softly at last , one night , came the patter of little feet on the roof and passed -- came again and paused ; and then there was a rush and a steady roar that wakened Chad and thrilled him as he lay listening . It did not last long , but the river was muddy enough and high enough for the Turner brothers to float the raft slowly out from the mouth of Kingdom Come and down in front of the house , where it was anchored to a huge sycamore in plain sight . At noon the clouds gathered and old Joel gave up his trip to town . `` Hit 'll begin in about an hour , boys , '' he said , and in an hour it did begin . There was to be no doubt about this flood . At dusk , the river had risen two feet and the raft was pulling at its cable like an awakening sea-monster .