The rain fell in torrents, and both girls by this time were drenched to the skin.
They hurried down a steep declivity in the road. There was one more hill to climb, and then the long walk from the pike to the house.
They reached the top of the hill ten minutes later and turned in at the first gate.
“I thought Cato would be here,” said Shirley.
But there was no sign of horse or buggy.
The two girls hurried down the road, now muddy from the downpour. It was hard walking, and they made slow progress.
“I’ll bet the creek has overflowed,” said Shirley. “If so, we will wade part of the way.”
“I am very much afraid you are right,” said Mabel.
Now they came to the second gate, and passed through it. They descended the little hill toward the creek slowly, for there was no telling how high the water might be.
It was good they had been so cautious. They had hardly walked ten paces when Shirley drew back suddenly. She had come upon water.