“Who’s crazy now?” chanted Alex. “Give my regards to Herald Square.”
“I believe you are both afraid to make the journey back to the boat,” Clay laughed. “Hence these meaningless observations.”
“Who’s afraid?” demanded Jule.
The next instant he was out in the rain, his flashlight shining in front of him like a headlight to a locomotive. When the others called out to him to wait a second and give them the benefit of his light, there was no reply. Nettled at the seeming taunt, he had started off alone toward the Rambler.
It was dark, and the rain fell in torrents, and the wind was tipping over great trees in the forest, but the boys started out toward the river hoping to come upon Jule with his searchlight before long.
Presently they saw it, coming toward them through the trees, and then they heard the boy’s voice, raised to a great pitch to combat the clamor of the wind and rain.
“I’ve found the Rambler,” he said, “but Case isn’t there!”
“Nice quiet excursion this,” said Alex, with an answering whoop.
CHAPTER XXII.—A BATH IN THE NIGHT
“A nice, quiet excursion, all right!” agreed Clay. “This is one of Frank’s nature-loving trips!”