Tom Slades Double Dare | Page 7

and threw a white spray in the faces of the boys as it
beat against the fallen tree. It seemed strange that they could be so
close to this paroxysm of the elements, in the very center of it as one
might say, and yet be safe. Nature was in a mad turmoil all about them,
yet by a lucky chance they stood upon a little oasis of temporary
refuge.
"There are two things that have to be done--quick," said Tom.
"Somebody has got to pick his way down the west shore back to camp.
It's through the mountains and maybe two of you had better go. Here,
take my compass," he added, handing it to Westy. "Have you got some
matches?"
"I've got my flashlight," said Roy.

So it fell out that Westy and Roy were the ones to make the journey
back to camp.
"Keep as close to the shore as you can, it's easier going and shorter,"
Tom said. "Anyway, use the compass and keep going straight south till
you see the lights at camp, then turn east. You ought to be able to do it
in an hour. Tell everybody to get busy and throw everything in the
water that'll help plug up the passage. Chuck in the logs from the
woodshed."
"How about the remains of Pee-wee's signal tower?"
"Good, chuck that in. Throw in everything that can be spared. Most of
it will drift over here and get caught in the rush. If the wind dies it will
all come over. Hurry up! I'll stay here and try to get in place anything
more that comes in in the meantime. There are a lot of broken limbs
and things around here. Hurry up now, beat it! And don't stop till you
get there.... Don't let anybody try to start over in a boat," he called after
them.
Scarcely had they set off when he turned to Hervey Willetts, placing
both his hands on the boy's shoulders. The rain was streaming down
from Hervey's streaked hair. The funny little rimless hat cut full of
holes which he wore on the side of his head and which was the pride of
his life had collapsed by reason of being utterly soaked, for he had very
early discarded the oilskin "roof" in preference for this old love. One of
his stockings was falling down and he hoisted this up as Tom spoke to
him.
"Hervey, I'm glad you're going alone, because you won't have to do any
stunts for anybody's benefit. You're going to keep your mind on just
one thing. Understand?"
"I can think of nine things at once," said Hervey, blithely, "and sing
Over There and eat a banana at the same time. How's that?"
"That's fine. Now listen--just two seconds. You're to hit right straight
up through this country--north. You notice I gave the compass to Roy?

That's because I know you can't get rattled when you're alone and when
you put your mind on a thing. You're to go straight north till you reach
the road. I'll have to keep the lantern here, but you won't need it.
You've got about a quarter of a mile of rough country and then easy
going. Straight north beyond the road is Crows Nest Mountain. Turn
around, that's right. Shut your eyes. One--two--three--four--five. Now
open them suddenly. You see that black bulk. That's Crows Nest. Now
you know how to see a dark thing in the dark...."
"Do you know how to tell time with a clothespin?"
"Never mind that. About every ten minutes stop and shut your eyes and
old Crows Nest will guide you. Don't get rattled. When you get to the
road wait for the bus and stop it. If it has passed by now, we can't help
it. I'm afraid it has. But if it hasn't, there are two troops in it and their
lives depend on you. Now get out of here--quick!"
"What was that?" Hervey said, pausing and clutching Tom's arm.
"What was what?"
"That sound--away off. Hear it?"
Amid the wild clamor of the tempest, the dashing of the impeded water
close by, and the ghostly voices up in that mountain wilderness, there
sounded, far off, subdued and steady, a low melodious call, spent and
thin from the distance, and blended with the myriad sounds of the
raging storm.
"It's the train," said Tom.
Still Hervey did not move, only clutched his companion's arm. One
second--two seconds--three, four, five, six. The sound died away in the
uproar of wind and rain.... Still the two paused for just a moment more,
as if held by a spell.
"A mile and a half--four miles," said Tom. "Four miles of road. A mile
and a half of hills and swamps. They're at the station