“It never will be missed,” sang Step Hen, feeling particularly joyous over the fact that after all they had come through it all unscathed.
“The rain’s stopped, that’s sure,” Giraffe asserted.
“And that means the danger’s over. We can go out now, when we please,” Step Hen remarked, making a movement as if to rise.
“Hold on, I wouldn’t do that yet,” exclaimed Thad.
“Why not?” asked Step Hen, but at the same time falling back.
“There’s a lot of dangerous electricity in the air still,” said Thad. “You can see that the reports after each flash are as quick and powerful as if a twelve-inch gun on a battleship were being fired. Every bolt strikes just after a storm has passed. Lots of people say the back action is the most dangerous time of all.”
“Oh! all right, Thad. Guess I’ll stay awhile longer. No need of a feller takin’ more chances than he has to,” and Step Hen settled down again; for if there was any danger of being struck by lightning, no one would find him careless.
“But this is the end, ain’t it, Thad?” asked Giraffe, still rubbing at his leg.
“I reckon it is,” replied the patrol leader.
“Wonder how our fellers in camp stood the racket. Hope the tents didn’t get blown away,” Step Hen remarked.