"Don't anybody let go yet!" commanded Paul; equal to the occasion.
He darted into the wildly agitated tent, and with all his strength tore the central pole from its hold. The tent instantly collapsed, amid the howls of the upset boys, who really thought it was tearing away from their grasp.
"Now pile some rocks on top!" ordered Paul, as he crept out from under.
They seemed to grasp his idea, and immediately set about carrying it out. In this way the wind could not get at the tent; and the consequence was, that later on it would be found safely held under the press.
Paul darted to the next tent, where another lot of scared boys were holding on for dear life; while the thundering of the storm beat in their
ears, and almost demoralized the entire troop.
It was his intention to assist them in the same way he had his immediate chums; but just as he reached the spot there arose a combined shout.
"Look out! there she goes!"
With a ripping sound the tent was torn from the grasp of the four scouts, and went sailing off into the pitchy darkness. Paul could only hope that it might become fast in some friendly tree, and be found again when daylight arrived.
Not satisfied with stopping there he darted to the next bunch who were apparently still able to hold to their canvas. They did not know what he meant to do, and when the tent suddenly collapsed loud were their cries of distress. But Paul was quickly among them, shouting orders in their ears similar to those he had given in the other case.