CHAPTER XVII.
A FAMINE.
The river having gone down until no water remained on the sandy bank, Tom reported the fact and added, "Now let's move back again to the root-fortress.

It's a safer place than this, by a good deal, if it isn't quite so big or quite so comfortable." "No, we mustn't go back yet," said Judie, who had visited the fortress before Tom had, "because the sand in there is as wet as can be, and I can't let my big sick brother lie on it." "There, Tom," said Sam, "my doctor forbids my return yet awhile, and a sick man always must obey the doctor you know.

Besides, Judie is right.
It won't do for any of us to lie on wet sand; we must wait till it dries; but that won't be very long if the river continues to go down." Accordingly they spent one more night in the drift cavern.

Early the next morning Judie went to the fortress, and returning said, playing doctor.
"Now, then, Mr.Hardwicke, the floor of your lower house is quite dry, and I think it will be safe to move back again.

Will you have your breakfast first, or will you wait until you get back home again before eating anything ?" "Oh, let's wait, by all means, and eat breakfast in the dear old root-fortress," said Tom, and as Sam made no objection, it was so arranged.
By nine o'clock the moss carpet was laid in the root-fortress and the little party was back in its old quarters again.