eremptory message.
Hooliam returned, cap in hand, his whole attitude changed. He expressed
a willingness to start immediately; but deprecatingly pointed out that
a storm threatened; and apologized for the unseaworthy condition of the
_Loseis_. This time he had reason on his side; for angry clouds were
heaped about the setting sun; and the orb itself was peering luridly
between parted curtains of crimson rain. Garth, still suspecting him,
was yet taken at a disadvantage. He thought of Natalie on board the
shelterless _Loseis_ in a rainstorm; and finally announced his wish
to remain where they were for the night. Hooliam smirked demurely,
in ill-concealed satisfaction.

All returned to the _Loseis_ for what was needed during the night. The
preparations to secure the York boat against the threatening storm were
highly characteristic of her hit-or-miss crew. A stake was driven in the
sand of the lake bottom, at either side the stern, and the rudder-post
lashed between. This flimsy apparatus was designed to keep the boat
from being driven broadside on the bar. The practical Garth frowned
impatiently at its utter insufficiency; but the breeds could scarcely
contain their impatience to resume their gambling with the other crew;
and presently they dashed off, leaving the _Loseis_ to her fate.

Garth pitched his camp under the shelter of a line of willows, marking
the edge of higher ground along the wide waste of sand. The two crews
with their ceaseless tom-tom on the shore of the creek, were upward of
half a mile away. Natalie was made comfortable in her tent; and Garth
and Charley, collecting a pile of firewood, covered it with a tarpaulin,
against the coming rain. Charley, who had slept during the afternoon,
was to watch until two o'clock; and Garth, covering himself with a
piece of sail-cloth, lay down at the door of the tent.

It seemed to him he had no more than fallen asleep, when Charley shook
his shoulder to awaken him.

"It's one o'clock," the boy said. "I think something has happened in the
camp over there. They quieted down; but now they have started up again,
and have built up their fire. Looks to me as if somebody had arrived.
Thought I'd better wake you, while I sneaked over and took a look."

Charley was gone more than an hour. Returning, as soon as he had entered
the circle of the firelight, Garth saw by his face that something
important was in the wind.

"I was right," the boy said. "Nick Grylls has come.