"It certainly does, Paul," came the reply, also
in a loud tone; "but bad as this seems I'm afraid from the signs that we'll get even worse before morning!"
"What ought we do then?" asked Paul, his anxiety aroused once more by these words.
"We ought to get out of this as soon as we can. Those trees up there look as if they might fall down on us any time," replied Mr. Gordon quickly.
"But where can we go, sir," cried Paul. "I've heard lots of trees go over, down the side of the mountain. Besides, there's no shelter there for us."
"We will have to make our way along the side of the mountain up here," answered Mr. Gordon, "and trust to luck to run across one of those caves you were speaking about. Shelter we must find as soon as possible. It would be hard on some of the boys to remain exposed to this wind and pouring rain all the night."
"Shall I try to get them together, sir?" asked the patrol leader.
"Yes, round them up near the mess tent, Paul."
They separated, and began to grope around, for it was fearfully dark, save when a flash of lightning came to show the terrors surrounding them. Paul, as soon as he came upon a cowering figure, shouted the directions of the scoutmaster in his ear, and then went on.