et about carrying it
out. In this way the wind could not get at the tent; and the consequence
was, that later on it would be found safely held under the press.

Paul darted to the next tent, where another lot of scared boys were
holding on for dear life; while the thundering of the storm beat in
their ears, and almost demoralized the entire troop.

It was his intention to assist them in the same way he had his immediate
chums; but just as he reached the spot there arose a combined shout.

"Look out! there she goes!"

With a ripping sound the tent was torn from the grasp of the four
scouts, and went sailing off into the pitchy darkness. Paul could only
hope that it might become fast in some friendly tree, and be found again
when daylight arrived.

Not satisfied with stopping there he darted to the next bunch who were
apparently still able to hold to their canvas. They did not know what he
meant to do, and when the tent suddenly collapsed loud were their cries
of distress. But Paul was quickly among them, shouting orders in their
ears similar to those he had given in the other case.

So he kept on. A third and a fourth tent he treated in the same way, and
by now many of the scouts began themselves to grapple with the solution
of the problem, so that he was able to call upon these for assistance.

When he made for the big round top that covered the provisions Paul was
agreeably surprised to find that it was already down, and snugly gripped
by half a dozen heavy stones, at the corners and elsewhere.

From this he knew that Mr. Gordon, who had spoken to him about this
relief measure in case of sore necessity, must have been there.

All these things took place in really less time than it requires to tell
them. Perhaps it seemed hours to some of the alarmed boys; but only a
few minutes had actually passed between the arousing of the camp, and
the final scene where the last tent was thrown down and secured.

So far as Paul knew only two had blown away. Considering the fearful
violence of the wind that howled along the plateau, crossing the lake,
and throwing the water high in the air, this was doing very well indeed.

And what a sight the camp presented when that moment arrived! Paul could
hardly keep from laughing at the picture that he saw when the lightning
flashed; even though his heart was still beating like a trip-hammer with
excitement.

It certainly looked as though a cyclone had struck Camp Surprise. Ruin