“And Bumpus, I reckon he’ll be put to his wit’s ends to know what to do at such a time as this,” but Thad noticed that when he said it, Giraffe really betrayed an undercurrent of respect in his manner.
Bumpus was no longer a complete ignoramus; Bumpus had raised himself wonderfully in the estimation of his chums.
Just then there was an unusually brilliant flash. The thunder seemed to really accompany it, showing that the bolt struck near at hand.
“Wow! that hit something, as sure as you live!” exclaimed Giraffe.
“Thought I heard branches crashing down, and I reckon it must have been a tree,” remarked Step Hen, who had given a nervous jump at the brilliant and dazzling illumination.
“It did shatter a tree, and over in the very place we came from, too. To tell you the truth, fellows, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if it was that same big tree that had so splendid a hollow in its butt.”
Step Hen turned very white when he heard Thad say this, and a painful silence fell upon the little group of scouts under the friendly ledge.
CHAPTER XIV.
STEP HEN LOOKS OUT FOR THE PROVISIONS.
Some little time passed. Gradually the storm was passing away in the distance, where they could still hear the constant growl and mutter of the thunder. But those near-by crashes had really ceased.
As the boys were cramped, and becoming restless, Thad saw no reason why they should not get out in the open again.