g what was going to happen next, while the wild uproar raged on
around them, and it seemed as if the rush of cattle would never cease.

"There must have been thousands and thousands of cattle that have gone
past," said Rupert, rubbing his lips with his hand before he ventured to
speak, because of the thick dust upon them.

"I should think that every one of those great mobs we have been passing
all day must have turned round and bolted back by the way they came,"
said Sylvia. "But what I don't understand is how it came about that the
wagon was bowled over."

"That is my fault," groaned Nealie. "I made Rocky back it on to the
slope, because I thought that we should be more sheltered from the
terrible wind, and I knew that the boys would not be in so much danger
of a wetting if it rained. Then the cattle, charging down the side of
the hill in the dark, must have blundered up against the wagon and just
bowled it over. They are so big and clumsy, you see, and when once they
start there is no stopping them. Now, if the wagon is badly damaged, we
shall be put to no end of expense because of my carelessness."

"But it was not carelessness if you did it for our comfort, and it is no
use thinking that the wagon is badly damaged, and getting worried about
it, until you know," said Rupert. "Of course we can't do anything
towards finding out, or putting it straight, until morning, for we might
only make matters worse, and invite more disaster still."

"Will it be long before it is morning?" asked Billykins in a voice of
misery. "I am quite dreadfully cold, and most horribly hungry."

"So am I, and I wish that we were back at Mrs. Warner's," said Don in a
dismal tone.

"I don't expect that it will be very long now, and if you curl up under
this rug, if it is a rug, you may go to sleep, and then you will forget
about being hungry," said Nealie, gripping something which felt like
drapery, and dragging it towards her.

"That is my frock!" cried Sylvia. "Creep in here, close to me,
Billykins, and then you will help to keep poor Ducky warm. There is room
for Don too. Don't sit on more of the lump sugar than you can help, as
it is very uncomfortable, I find; but if you were to eat some of the
lumps, perhaps they would warm you a little, for I have heard somewhere
that there is a great deal of warmth in sugar."

"I have found a lump. Will you have it, Nealie?" asked Ducky, groping in
the darkness for her elder sister, and feeling t