Just as night fell, Joe called out, "I say, Mas' Tommy, it's gwine to rain bucketsful." "I wish it would," said Tom, looking up to the black clouds which as yet he had hardly observed at all.

Just then a sharp flash followed by a sudden peal of thunder almost stunned the boys.
"Dat didn't strike fur from here," said Joe.
"No, it must have hit a tree down the river a little way," said Tom.
The rain followed in torrents, and little Judie came out of her hiding-place to beg the boys to come in lest the lightning should strike them.

They were encouraged by the rain, however, to continue fighting the fire, and resumed operations at once.
"Hush!" said Tom presently, "there's Indians about.

I heard 'em walking in the brush.

Run around the hammock quick, and let's hide." All ran without a moment's hesitation, and secreting themselves in the drift awaited results.
Presently they heard footsteps in the alley-way, and the voice of their big brother called out.
"Where are all you, little people, and what do do you hide from me for ?" The Indian they had heard was Sam creeping around to see who it was that was burning the drift.