Part 27 (1/2)

”But just look at the river! Must have been a cloudburst, as they call it out in the Rockies, Mr. Mabie says. It's just rising right before our eyes!”

”Then they'll have to change the camp, because by this time the water must be up to where the tents were pitched. Why, see there, Frank! Isn't that water over yonder, too, on the right of us?” asked Bluff, pointing through the woods.

”As sure as you live, and rus.h.i.+ng madly on, too. We are between two rivers, it seems, with the water rising like a tidal wave. Perhaps we may have to take to a tree yet, fellows,” announced Frank after a long look.

”H'm! These trees are sure handy to have around! We s.h.i.+n up one to avoid all sorts of dangers, it seems to me. And by the looks of that wall of water coming down on us just now, the sooner we climb, the better for us!” cried Jerry, suiting his actions to his words, and seizing the lower limb of a friendly oak, into which he clambered hastily, followed by his three chums, just as a five-foot wave swept under them, for all the world resembling a ”curler” rolling in from the ocean and up the beach.

CHAPTER XXIII

THE STAMPEDE

”What d'ye call this, anyway?” exclaimed Bluff, panting with his exertions.

”I'd say it was crowding the mourners, for these things to chase each other so fast, and the elements to make playthings out of four confiding chums,” said Frank.

”Tell me about that, will you! First a scorching, then put to soak, after which comes another hot experience, and now treed by a flood! Upon my word, things are happening a little too rapid even for me,” put in Jerry.

”There!” remarked Will, with a satisfied chuckle. ”I think you three fellows will make a splendid showing, perched along that limb like a lot of crows, and the water rolling along below.”

”Talk to me about the industrious photographer! If that chap hasn't taken our pictures in this ridiculous att.i.tude! Why, they'll believe we've gone back to the old days, when our ancestors used to live in trees.”

”Speak for yourself, Jerry. I refuse to admit that I am descended from a monkey,” declared Bluff indignantly.

”How long do you suppose we may have to hang out here?” asked Will.

”Oh, a day or so, I suppose,” replied Jerry, keeping a straight face.

”A day or so! Listen to him say that without a show of feeling! Why, long before that time elapsed I'd grow so weak from fatigue that I'd have to be strapped to my limb to keep from falling into the treacherous water,” stammered Will.

”And what of me?” burst out Bluff. ”I'd waste away to a mere shadow from hunger. Sooner than submit to that, I'd try swimming ash.o.r.e.”

”Do you think the water will get any higher? Could it possibly overwhelm us in this tree? We could climb up twenty feet if necessary.”

”Well, I hardly think that emergency is going to arise, Will; not at this time, at least. To tell the truth, the water is already receding,”

announced Frank, taking pity on Jerry's victims, both of whom looked worried.

”Oh! do you really think so?” cried Will. ”Then Jerry is only up to some of his old foolishness. Yes, I can see that it does not quite come up to the wet mark on the trunk of the tree. Then perhaps we won't have to stay up here all night.”

”Well, I guess not. I expect that in less than twenty minutes we'll be once more afoot, and on our way to camp. This must have been a genuine cloudburst, and they tell me those sort of things, while severe at the time, are quickly over.”

”Bully for you, Frank! You always look on the bright side of things, while Jerry tries to dash a fellow's spirits. Things have come out pretty well, after all. We've had some strange experiences, come through them all in decent shape, and to cap the whole thing I've captured some dandy views. I can hardly wait to develop them.”

”Go ahead, then. Plenty of water at hand for was.h.i.+ng off the hypo,”

suggested Jerry wickedly.

By the time the twenty minutes had expired the water had subsided so far that the imprisoned chums were able to lower themselves from the tree and once more resume their journey.

Of course, they were an uncomfortable lot, being soaked to the skin, and, as Will declared, looking like a lot of hoboes. Brisk exertion kept them from feeling cold, however; but they were one and all delighted to set eyes on the familiar tents of the home camp.