was coming down in veritable sheets and the water
was running into the lake in hundreds of rivulets.

"There goes something!" screamed Giant, as he caught sight of
an object whirling over their heads. "Looked like a sail."

"It was the boat canvas," answered Whopper. "Maybe the boat will
go next. Say, I'd just as lief be at home in my own little bed,
eh?"

"Don't mention it," replied Giant, with a sigh.

For fully an hour the wind tore around them in a manner that alarmed
the young hunters in the extreme. They could do nothing to save
either themselves or their stores, and wondered what the morning
would bring forth. More than one imagined that that was the last
of the outing and they would have to return home.

But by daybreak the storm let up and the wind gradually died down
to nothing but a gentle breeze. At eight o'clock the sun broke
from under the scattering clouds and then all heaved a long sigh
of relief.

"I never want to put in such a night again," said Shep. "I was
afraid every minute was going to be my last."

"This storm undoubtedly did a great deal of damage," said Snap.
"I shouldn't wonder if---oh, look at the top of yonder tree.
What is that?"

"It's the patch of canvas we had over the stores!" cried Giant.
"The wind took it to the top of the tree. Somebody will have
a climb to get it again!"

"I'll go after it later on," said Snap. "The first thing to do
is to build a big fire and get dry, otherwise we'll all catch
our deaths of cold."

It was no easy matter to find wood dry enough to burn, but once a
blaze was started they found branches enough to pile on. They shed
the majority of their garments, and soon the warmth dried each piece,
much to their satisfaction and comfort.

Whopper had not been idle, and he soon had a pot of hot coffee, to
which they added some condensed milk and water-soaked sugar. They
also got some fish from the lake, and the entire morning was devoted
to "drying out" and getting a substantial meal.

"One comfort," remarked Shep, "we'll not want for firewood while
we are here."

"I shouldn't be surprised if we can pick up quite some dead birds and
small animals," said Snap. "You generally can after such a storm
as this."

After a good meal they felt somewhat better and took a survey of the
situation. Then they brought out their stores and set them to dry on
some stones in front of the camp-fire. A few articles had been
rendered valueless and these