These engines propel our great steam-ships and steam-boats and drive
machines of all kinds in mills and factories.
Many of you have seen water, clear and cool, trickling from the rocks in
the side of a hill. This water first forms a spring.
From this spring, the water escapes in a tiny stream, called a rivulet
or creek, and flows along until it enters a river. Many springs make
many rivulets; many rivulets make large rivers.
Rivers sometimes receive such great quantities of water that they
overflow their banks, and destroy much valuable property. This is called
a freshet or a flood.
Many people who live near some of our rivers have lost their houses,
furniture, and cattle, which were all swept away by these floods.
In the winter of 1883, the Ohio River received so much water from the
thousands of rivulets flowing into it, that it overflowed its banks.
The result of this overflow was one of the greatest floods ever known,
and many, no doubt, who read this, were there to see its terrible
effects.
But where does all this water come from? you may ask.
Let me see if I can explain it to you.
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