"Because it will be converted into rain, and fall. A fog disappears always either by rising and floating away, or by falling in the shape of rain; and this one means to fall, I should say, if I may judge by the way it is coming down now."
It had, indeed, begun to pour. The condition of the boys was thus rendered still more uncomfortable than before, but at least their prospects were brightened by way of compensation, and as the steady downpour cleared the air of the dense fog, their spirits bounded up again in spite of all the discomforts of their situation.
"I say, Jack," said Charley, "are you a prophet or a weather witch?"
"Neither, so far as I am informed," replied Jack; "why do you ask?"
"Only because I suspect that you either foresaw this fog or created it."
"I don't see the force of your suspicion," said Jack.
"Don't you remember how you croaked about slips between the cup and the lip when Ned and I were so sure of getting to Bluffton?"
"Yes, of course; but I didn't really expect any thing of this nature. I only spoke generally."
"Out of the abundance of your wisdom. But I won't make fun, for you were right."
"And, besides," said Ned, "the situation just now isn't a bit funny. There's a young river running down my back, and I'm in for a good scolding from Maum Sally when I see her. She'll scold me for overstaying my time, for wrecking the boat, for losing my boots, for spoiling my clothes, and for every thing else she can think of. And yet, though you'll hardly believe it, I heartily wish I could be sure of getting that scolding very early this morning."