The only thing to cause alarm was the fact that this storm was but the beginning of the summer season, during which rain might be expected each day, and thus the danger of fever while crossing the low lands would be greatly increased.
"The sentinels will certainly keep under cover during such weather as this," Cummings said in a tone of satisfaction, "and we may be able to get over the range without a hand to hand fight, as I had anticipated."
Under such climatic conditions the meat would not keep sweet many hours, and Poyor set the entire stock before his companions, saying as he did so:
"What cannot be eaten must be thrown away, therefore he is fortunate who can now swallow enough to prevent the pangs of hunger from being felt during the next forty-eight hours."
"But we certainly won't be forced to stay here that length of time," Neal replied. "It can't rain all the day and night."
"It is safe to count on a long storm," Cummings added. "This is the beginning of the bad season, and there will be a certain amount of water fall each day."
"Did you take the fact into consideration when you made ready to visit the Silver City?" Neal asked.
"Of course, and if there had been nothing to prevent the carrying out of my plans we would have been clear of the swamp by this time, or so near the edge that but a few hours traveling must have taken us through."
It was worse than useless to talk of what might have been, and the little party settled down to make themselves as comfortable as possible under the circumstances.
Overhead the rock sheltered them from the rain; but now that every crevice had been turned into a stream it was difficult to protect one's self from the innumerable tiny crevices through which the water was pouring, and each member of the party lay down in turn only to find himself literally flooded out before it was possible to gain any rest.