"All right! I'm coming."
He glided out to join Andy a little later, and when he heard the sounds he said:
"It is rain. The storm's coming. No need to stand watch now. Let's make everything snug and stay in the tent."
Hardly had they done so when the downpour began, and it was a hard one. Fortunately the tent was waterproof, but it was sorely tried, for the wind was strong.
It was no fun getting breakfast the next morning, but they managed to boil coffee, and then, still in the downpour, they set out for the cave.
"No one's been here!" cried Andy in delight, as they saw that the bushes were not disturbed. "Now for the gold!"
They soon discovered that the cave was large enough to shelter them and their animals, and the patient beasts were glad enough to get in out of the wet.
Hardly had they made all snug, and prepared with torches and lanterns to explore the cavern, when there came a terrifying sound outside. It was like a great clap of thunder, followed by a roaring of waters. Billy rushed to the mouth of the cave.
"Fellows!" he cried, "we didn't get here a minute too soon. There's been a cloudburst, and the whole place below us will be flooded in another minute!"