"Lead your ponies to a safer place, further up the stream," he ordered.
This hurried departure from their camp was a good deal of a mystery to the Overland Riders.

They did not understand why, nor did Tom Gray tell them.
"Hippy, help me tie the horses," he said, after having gone several rods further up stream.

"One at a time with the ponies, folks, then go make yourselves as comfortable as possible under the bluff of the bank.

The bushes there will offer you more protection from the wind and rain than the trees would." Shortly thereafter Tom and Hippy joined their shivering companions, and the party, with blankets stretched over their heads, huddled miserably as they sat on the wet ground under the blanket roof, Hindenburg on Hippy's lap, and Henry outside in the rain licking the water from his dripping coat of fur.
"How are you, J.Elfreda ?" teased Grace.
"Saturated and satiated," answered Miss Briggs briefly.
"I wonder what the voices of nature are saying at the present moment ?" mused Hippy.

"If they feel anything like I do, their remarks are more forceful than elegant." "Even if you were to hear them you would be mo wiser," observed Emma.
"Only persons with unusual minds can read the messages that nature conveys." Someone under the blanket roof giggled, and Hippy articulated "Ahem!" "As I was about to say--What's that ?" he exclaimed sharply.
A boom, that reminded all who heard it of the explosion of a high-powered shell at a distance, smote the ears of the Overland Riders.
Then a succession of resounding reports and terrific crashings shook the earth.
"Stay where you are!" shouted Tom Gray as, with single accord, the girls sprang to their feet and started to run.