he change
was immediate. They came into quarters comparatively still, but there was
a new danger. A tree, snapped through its mighty trunk by the hurricane,
fell across the bayou directly in front of them. It was lucky that no
canoe was in its way.

"Out, men, with axes!" shouted Adam Colfax, and a dozen leaped to obey his
command. The tree was quickly cut apart and a score more dragged the two
halves up to the banks, leaving a passage once more for the fleet. This
was repeated further on, and now they began to look anxiously for more
open country. Only good fortune had saved them so far.

The bayou ran on narrow and deep, and they pulled and paddled with all
their might, until at last they came to a place that was fringed only by
high bushes. The forest on either side was two or three hundred yards
away, and Adam Colfax, despite his stern New Hampshire nature, did not
repress a cry of joy. Here they were safe, alike from the Mississippi and
the forest.

"Tie up!" he shouted, and the boats were soon fastened to the bushes in
parallel rows on either side of the bayou. Then they hurried to make
shelter for themselves. The supplies were already covered. The skies were
now at the darkest, a solid circle of heavy black clouds. The lightning
and thunder alike ceased, and then, borne on the swift wind, came a mighty
rain. It was so heavy, so steady, and so searching that they were put to
their utmost labor and ingenuity to keep their precious cargo dry.

"If the rain were not so tremendously heavy I would look through the
forest to see if any enemies were about," said Henry to the leader.

Adam Colfax glanced up at the water which was falling in sheets and
laughed, a laugh of genuine relief from a great strain.

"Why, Henry," he said, "I don't believe that a man could keep his feet out
there in all that pelting flood long enough to go many miles. I wish I
was always as safe from attack as I feel now."

It was certainly far more comfortable in the boats than it could possibly
be in the sodden forest, where little lakes were already forming. In
addition, night, very dark, was coming on, and no cessation of the rain
was promised. It was useless, in the face of the deluge, to attempt to
build fires on the shore, and huddling in the boats under tarpaulins,
sails, and blankets, they ate cold food. But Adam Colfax, as a precaution,
allowed a little brandy to be served to every man.

"It's medicine in this case, boys," he said