"Very well!" said the clergyman, catching the hatchet with the dexterity of an Indian as Hugh threw it down; "go back to the horses, Mr. Warrington. We can attend to the ladies."
Under his direction an impromptu wigwam was speedily built of long boughs, with the high rock as a background; this was thatched with bushes, and the shawls and cloaks spread over the whole as the first muttering of thunder was heard. "Oh!" said Edith Chase, "what shall I do? I cannot stand the lightning!"
"Come inside with me!" said Aunt Faith; "you can hide your head in my lap."
The ladies hurried inside the wigwam, Aunt Faith, Sibyl, Rose Saxon,
Edith Chase, Lida Powers, Bessie, Annie Chase and Gem.
"I see there is room for the gentlemen, too," said Gideon Fish, creeping in.
"I really think we had better all be together," said Graham Marr, following his example.
"Tom!" called Aunt Faith, pulling aside a cloak that formed part of the wall, "come inside directly."
"Oh, Aunt Faith! we've found a splendid cave up here; it holds Jim and me first-rate," answered a voice from above.
"They've squeezed themselves into a little cranny in the rock, Mrs. Sheldon," said Mr. Leslie, looking up and laughing to see the 'splendid cave;' "I think they will keep dry by force of compression."
"Aren't you coming inside, Mr. Mount?" said Lida Powers.