d a lantern lit, and Jerry
Blutt rather reluctantly began preparations for the evening meal. But
he kept peering out of the doorway of the cabin, and from the lean-to,
and his eyes always rested on the river, with its rain-swept, swollen
surface.

"I don't like it at all!" he said, finally. "I wish we had moved over
to the shore."

"Don't you think it is safe to stay here?"

"It ain't as safe as it might be. If I was alone----" The man stopped
short.

"What would you do?"

"I hate to say it, but I think I'd go over to the shore, till the
storm was over and I knew jest how thet dam was a-goin' to act."

"Well, I don't blame you," answered Dave. "And if you want to go, go
ahead."

"Want me to go alone?"

"If you wish to go, yes."

"But it ain't no safer fer you than it is fer me."

"That's so, too. But I want to see those other fellows--in fact, I
must see them. If I went to the shore I might miss them."

"You could come back later on."

"But I want to warn them of the danger from the dam."

"You could write a letter and stick it up where they couldn't help but
see it. Then---- What's that?"

The camp-worker stopped short, as a distant cry reached their ears,
sounding out above the wind. An instant later the cry was repeated.

"That is Ben Basswood's voice!" cried Dave. "They must be coming
back!"

Soon another voice sounded out, and our hero recognized Buster Beggs's
tones. He ran to the cabin door. All was dark outside, and the rain
was being driven in sheets by the wind.

"Hello! hello!" he yelled, and catching up the lantern, he swung it
out in one direction and another. Then he saw two forms approaching on
the run, each dripping with water.

"Ben! And Buster!"

"Why, if it isn't Dave!"

"Where in the world did you come from?"

"Where is Phil?" demanded our hero.

"He is somewhere behind us," answered Buster. "Oh, what a time we've
had!" and entering the cabin, the fat youth sank down on a bench all
but exhausted.

"We've had to tramp for over two miles in this rain," explained Ben.
"And of course we had to ford to the island. Say, the current is
something fierce now! And the water is getting higher every minute!"
he added.

"Did you say Phil was behind you?" demanded Dave. He still held the
lantern on high.

"I thought he was--sure, he must be," answered Ben. "Give him a hail,
will you? I'm too tired," and he sank on the bench beside Buster.

"Phil! Phil!" yelled our hero, at the