"I hope you people are satisfied," Max reiterated. It was the fourth time he had said it.
"Of course we're satisfied!" cried Sally, with spirit. "Who wants a camping party without any adventures? We can't have bears here in our pine grove, so we have thunderstorms."
"Thunderstorms! That was a cyclone, if it was anything!" growled Max.
"If it was, we're safe from ever having another!" cried Bob. "They never hit the same place twice, I'm told. Hello, there comes a lantern through the hedge. Thought Mr. Ferry'd be looking us up."
"Ship ahoy!" called a hailing voice. "All hands on deck? Shall I man a lifeboat? Well, well," in astonishment, as he came nearer, "where are you, anyhow? Where's the tent?"
"Don't look so high up!" Jarvis called back. "Lower your glass to the horizon line. We're out in the open sea!"
Ferry surveyed the group by the light of his lantern. "Anybody get wet?" he asked. "Yes, I should say you did. See here, you wet ones, don't delay a minute, for the storm has made the air twenty degrees cooler. Run over to our house. Mother's expecting you all."
"We can't all get inside your house!" chuckled Bob.
"Let's go into our own," urged Sally. "Max has the key, and we can carry in the cots—they're not wet—and have a fire in the big fireplace—"
Bob pinched her arm. "Say, Sis, it's a chance for you to get into the house."