“This is certainly a downpour,” remarked Professor Strong, when they were out of it. “See how the water is rushing along the roadway.”
He was right, the rain was coming down as if there had been a cloudburst. There was a little lightning and thunder, but not enough to cause alarm. But the heavy fall of water made the very roof of the old warehouse sag.
“I never saw the water come down like this before,” observed the professor, as the downfall continued. “It will certainly wash things out in the valley.”
For over an hour the heavy fall of rain continued. It was coming through the roof of the warehouse and they had trouble in keeping even comparatively dry. But now the thunder was rolling up to the northward, and it slacked a trifle.
“Hark!” cried Sam, presently.
“What did you hear?” came from several of the others.
“Thought I heard somebody calling for help. Listen!”
They listened, and the cry was repeated. It came from down a side trail which joined the highway just in front of the old warehouse.
“Somebody is in trouble down there!” ejaculated Mark. “Let us go and investigate.”
Without waiting to obtain permission from the professor, he started down the side trail, with the others following. The trail led downward into something of a bottom, full of loose rocks, with here and there a patch of mud.