ate in the year for that,
ain't it?"

"Oh, we sometimes hear it even in winter. But, you see, the day has
been unusually close and muggy. I felt a storm in the air this
morning, and I'm not surprised. But I would be glad to see Jerry show
up," continued the other, as he tapped each pin a few times, to send
them in more securely.

The muttering in the distance increased constantly in volume.

Frank, as an old campaigner, knew what was to be done. Under his
directions Toby and the two boys made everything as snug as could be
expected. They also concealed some dry wood in the hollow of a tree
nearby, so that later on they might be prepared for making a fire.

The storm came at last, with a furious wind, and a heavy downpour of
rain.

"Wow!" exclaimed Bluff, as he looked out from the tent, "ain't I glad we
got here before that came. One ducking satisfies me; I'm not greedy."

The afternoon waned, and night came on, still there were no signs of
Jerry. Frank worried some, but stopped speaking of the matter, for he saw
that old Toby was beginning to shake with fear, as the wind increased in
fury, and the tents wobbled about at a great rate.

"I hope they hold out," said Frank to himself.

He even donned a waterproof he had brought along, and going outside,
tapped the pegs all around again. Everything seemed secure so far as he
could see. Still, he knew that if one peg gave, the balance could not
resist the additional strain, and a catastrophe must result.

Old Toby was really too much alarmed to retire to his fly; so Frank told
him he could remain with him when the other boys went to their tent.

None of them expected to obtain much sleep. The wind came in fierce
gusts, the trees groaned and writhed, and once or twice Frank really
heard a crash in the forest that told of a rent in the timber.

"I only hope nothing of that kind happens around here; a falling tree
might pin us all under, and be our death," he said to himself.

At length they concluded that it was time to separate and try to get some
sleep, though both Bluff and Will declared they knew they would not close
their eyes so long as that howl kept up without, and the canvas fluttered
with each wild gust.

Just as they were about to make a run for it, Frank caught them by the
arms.

"Wait!" he shouted, for there was a terrible crash close by, and the
earth seemed to tremble as a forest monarch was laid low.

At the same minute with a shriek the wind d