A loud peal of thunder and inky clouds warned her, however, that this would be no trifling shower, so she stopped reluctantly for the curtains to be fastened down over the sides of the cars. The girls got out while the rain-curtains were sought in the box under the seat, and Jim removed numerous items before he reached them in the bottom.
"Gee! everything under the sun was piled in here!" growled he. And by the time he did get the covers out, the rain was falling hard.
While Jim and Mrs. Vernon secured the curtains on the buttons, the scouts transferred the pyramid of camping necessities back into the boxes under the seats. Then when all were snugly sheltered from the rain, the Captain proceeded to start her car. It failed to respond, however. She tried again, with no success. Then she turned and called to Jim.
"Something must be wrong, Jim!"
"Mebbe it's 'cause the wheels is sunk so deep in that soft mud," said he. "It's 'most up to the hubs."
"No—something is wrong with the engine," returned she.
"I'll slip on my oilskin and see," said Jim, finally.
"Oh, Jim! Don't slip on it—just put it on," giggled Julie, the irrepressible.
"Humph!" was all the reply she got at the stale joke.
"Jim, I'll help you," now offered Betty, willingly.