“Say,” snapped the other as quick as a flash, “forget what I said, please, fellows; it came from the lips, but not from the heart. I didn’t mean it, that’s right. Perk isn’t the chap to think of himself first; there never was a more loyal comrade, or one who wanted more to be of service to his pals.”
That was Wee Willie all over—too ready to say things of which he immediately repented, when he would strive to make amends. But Elmer liked him all the better on account of his quick temper, and habit of speaking without considering the result; Wee Willie had his faults, but to Elmer’s mind he was an angel compared with some sly fellows who seemed to have a perpetual sneer in their tones, and a curl to their upper lips.
“Wasn’t that distant thunder I heard then?” asked Amos.
“Just what it was,” Elmer admitted; “so we didn’t hit far out of the way when we decided we were in for a storm.”
“But it’s a long way off yet,” urged the other.
“That’s true, but when the wind starts to blow it doesn’t take long for a gale to strike home,” the boy with the lighted lantern reminded him.
“About how long would you give us before it arrives?” continued Amos.
“Anywhere from ten minutes to half an hour,” he was told. “Sometimes they take a notion to swing around, and attack from a new quarter; which holds things up more or less.”
“Huh! you never can tell what a crazy old storm will do,” grunted Wee Willie. “I’ve had ’em die down on me, but just when I was taking a good breath, slam bang! and the game was on again, the second edition being a heap worse than the original dose. It pays to keep right on the job when there’s a twister working your patch of the woods.”
“It pays to keep on the alert, no matter where you are. Preparedness has won many a battle on the field, in business, and with private affairs. The fellow who is ready has three chances to one for the shiftless chap caught off his guard.”