Presently the lightning and thunder seemed to die away and the fury of the sudden storm abated. Yet the rain came down steadily and the boys felt it would be foolish to try to go farther until there was more of a let-up.
“We’d get wet to the skin in no time and all of our outfit would get wet, too,” said Jack. “We may as well content ourselves here.”
Getting somewhat tired of standing straight up watching the storm, the boys began to move around the deserted cabin. They found the lower floor consisted of four rooms, one evidently having been used for a kitchen, another for a messroom, and the other two for sleeping quarters. In the latter rooms there were a number of rough bunks against the walls, some still containing straw and other material used for bedding.
“I wouldn’t bunk in one of those places for a farm,” said Fred to Andy. “I’ll bet they’re full of vermin.”
“Looks to me like a dandy place for snakes,” was Andy’s answer. “I’ll wager there are plenty of snakes under the flooring of this building.”
Once or twice the boys had heard some strange sounds not unlike the barking of young dogs. On account of the thunder and the noise made by the falling rain, they had not been able to trace these sounds and had thought they must come from a distance.
“Listen!” cried Jack presently. “Do I hear a dog?”
“Sounds like a terrier,” answered Gif. “But I don’t know where he is.”
Having poked around the cabin, Andy and Fred pushed open a door in what had been the kitchen of the cabin. Here there was a lean-to meant for a pantry, and beyond this another small structure evidently intended for the housing of firewood.
“Beeswax and onions!” exclaimed Andy presently. “Look here, fellows! What do you make of this?” He pointed from a doorway of the pantry which led into the woodshed. He had a flashlight in his hand, and this he now played on a large box in a corner of the shed. Here in a pile of rubbish were several small animals, all barking in a peculiar fashion.