t a gale of contrary wind stopped him, and he
was fain to accept the hospitality of a farmer's tent. That night the
storm raged with fury. Thunder and lightning added to the grandeur as
well as to the discomfort of the scene. Some time after midnight a gust
of wind of extreme fury threw down the farmer's tent, and the pole hit
the farmer on the nose! Thus rudely roused, he sprang up and
accidentally knocked down Peegwish, who happened to be in his way. They
both fell on the minister, who, being a powerful man, caught them in a
bear-like grasp and held them, under the impression that they had
overturned the tent in a quarrel while he was asleep.

At that moment a cry of fire was raised. It was found that a spark from
a tent which stood on the windward side of the camp had caught the long
grass, and a terrestrial conflagration was added to the celestial
commotions of the night. It was a moment of extreme peril, for the old
grass was plentiful and sufficiently dry to burn. It is probable that
the whole camp would have been destroyed but for a providential deluge
of rain which fell at the time and effectually put the fire out.

Of course Mr Cockran became very anxious about those he had left at
home, for the storm had increased the danger of their position
considerably. Happily, with the dawn the gale moderated. The
improvement did not, indeed, render canoeing safe, for the white-crested
waves of that temporary sea still lashed the shores of the new-made
islet; but the case was urgent, therefore the clergyman launched his
canoe, and, with Peegwish and the faithful Wildcat, steered for the
station.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

WINKLEMANN AND OLD LIZ GET INTO TROUBLE.

At the parsonage, before the storm had fairly begun, the canoe party was
thought of with considerable anxiety, for Mrs Cockran knew how frail
the craft was in which her husband had embarked, and among the
sixty-three persons who had taken refuge with her not one was capable of
taking command of the rest in a case of emergency. Great, therefore,
was her satisfaction when Herr Winklemann appeared in his canoe with a
request for a barrel of flour.

"You shall have one," said Mrs Cockran, "and anything else you may
require; but pray do not leave me to-night. I can give you a
comfortable bed, and will let you go the moment my husband returns. I
fully expect him this evening."

"Madam," answered the gallant Winklemann, with a perplexed look, "you is
v