The professor, as usual, remained up to arrange the specimens he had collected during the day, making entries in his book by the light of a lantern suspended over a butter tub which he used as a table. He was still at this when the boys fell asleep.
Ned was dreaming that he was in swimming and that Bob and Jerry was splashing water on him, when he awoke with a start, to find he was soaking wet. It was pitch dark, and Ned, at first, did not know what to make of it. It seemed as if some one was dashing a pail of water over him as he lay on the ground.
“Here! Let up!” he cried.
“What’s the matter?” asked Jerry, awaking at the same time. Then Bob added his inquiry, and the professor, who had retired at midnight, called to the boys.
“It’s raining cats and dogs!” cried Ned, scrambling to his feet. “I’m wet through. The lanterns are drowned out! We should have put up the tent!”
“Raining!” exclaimed Jerry. “I guess it’s a cloud-burst from the way I’m getting it!”
It was a drenching downpour, but otherwise the storm was not violent. It had begun to shower gently and from that had rapidly increased to a torrent of water dripping from the clouds.
“Light a lantern somebody!” called Ned. “Let’s make for the boat! We can keep dry there!”
“My matches are all wet!” announced Jerry.