“One thing sure, Jack, I hardly think we’ll be 131 able to do much tomorrow, because all the signs point to our having wet weather,” Steve went on to say, with the air of a prophet who could read the signs about as well as the head of the weather bureau at Washington.
“There is a feeling in the air that way,” admitted Jack. “I’ve noticed it myself even if I didn’t say anything about it. So I’m glad, Steve, that you proved a good provider while at home today, laying in a fine stock of firewood that ought to last us through a couple of days. It’ll come in handy in case we’re shut in by the rain.”
“Oh! we’re well fixed for anything like that, Jack,” chuckled the other. “There’s that dandy camp stove we fetched along, and haven’t had a chance yet to try out. I made a place in the tent for it, and Mr. Whitlatch has an asbestos collar to use so that the pipe can’t set fire to the canvas, no matter how red-hot it gets. Why, it would be well worth enduring a rainy spell just to see how the thing works.”
“And I haven’t forgotten either, Steve,” spoke up Toby, “that you promised to make a fine batch of biscuits in the oven of that same camp stove the first chance you got. I want to open that bottle of honey, and have been keeping it to go on hot biscuits–of course providing they’re a success.”
“Now don’t you worry about that,” said Steve, boldly. “I took lessons from our hired girl, and she said my biscuits were mighty near as good as 132 hers. Why, at the table they were sure enough surprised when she told Mom I’d made the bunch.”
And so they chatted and laughed until it was time to turn in again.
133CHAPTER XVI
STORM-BOUND
Well, it rained, just as the weather sharp had so wisely predicted.
Steve chanced to be the first to hear the drops begin to patter down on the canvas covering that sheltered them from all inclemencies of the weather. He gave a snort as he sat bolt upright and exclaimed: