oor.

CHAPTER XXI

A MYSTERIOUS WARNING

It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nugget
spent the night on the island. As the absence of their companions was
more and more prolonged they became worried and anxious, and gave but
little thought to their own miserable plight.

The rubber coats shielded them from the rain, and by crouching under the
trees they avoided the fury of the wind. Nugget faced the situation with
remarkable fortitude, and uttered but few complaints.

After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less
frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see
how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that
the creek was rising. So rapidly did the flood advance that on the fifth
visit they found the roots of the buttonwood submerged, and the yellow
tide within a few inches of the trunk.

At Clay's suggestion the canoes were dragged out on the island, and all
the baggage was stowed in the hatches. When the task was completed the
canoes were so heavy that the boys could scarcely lift them; and little
wonder, since they held just double their usual load.

The water soon began to trickle over the island, and when it was three
or four inches deep, the boys tied the canoes side by side to a large
tree, and climbed into their seats. Here they sat, protected by rubber
coats and canvas aprons until morning dawned.

The broad yellow expanse of the creek, as it whirled swiftly by the
island with its burden of _debris_ and driftwood, satisfied Clay that
the absent ones had found it impossible to paddle back.

"There is no use in waiting here any longer," he said to Nugget. "The
boys may have been carried far down the creek, and are probably looking
for us at this minute."

"You think they are safe then?" asked Nugget.

"I hope so," replied Clay dubiously. "We'll know to a certainty before
long. Hand me your knife till I cut the ropes. I tied them in a knot."

"Here you are."

An instant later the canoes drifted off the island, and plunged into the
swirling flood. Their heavy loads caused them to sink almost to the
gunwales, and this the boys noted with serious alarm.

"We must keep along shore," said Clay. "If we upset then the danger
won't be so great."

With extreme caution the boys paddled diagonally to the left bank, where
they found the current considerably less rapid. They were drifting along
side by side w