For besides Hooker's pea- shooter and the dismal prophecies he kept calling in to them of the terrible fate that awaited them on their return to Templeton, they found the dust and heat very trying.

All that, however, was as nothing to the panic produced by a sudden rumour of a shower, and the possible descent of the whole of coach five into the interior.

Happily for them Jupiter Pluvius changed his mind at the last moment, and sheered off.

But the two minutes they spent in expecting him were calculated considerably to curtail the natural life of both.
It was hard lines, too, to hear all the festivities going on above and be able to take no part in them.

They dared not even sit up for fear of becoming visible to the occupants of the box-seat of coach six, who had a full view of their interior.