“And what of me?” burst out Bluff.  “I’d waste away to a mere shadow from hunger.  Sooner than submit to that, I’d try swimming ashore.”

“Do you think the water will get any higher?  Could it possibly overwhelm us in this tree?  We could climb up twenty feet if necessary.”

“Well, I hardly think that emergency is going to arise, Will; not at this time, at least.  To tell the truth, the water is already receding,” announced Frank, taking pity on Jerry’s victims, both of whom looked worried.

“Oh! do you really think so?” cried Will.  “Then Jerry is only up to some of his old foolishness.  Yes, I can see that it does not quite come up to the wet mark on the trunk of the tree.  Then perhaps we won’t have to stay up here all night.”

“Well, I guess not.  I expect that in less than twenty minutes we’ll be once more afoot, and on our way to camp.  This must have been a genuine cloudburst, and they tell me those sort of things, while severe at the time, are quickly over.”

“Bully for you, Frank!  You always look on the bright side of things, while Jerry tries to dash a fellow’s spirits.  Things have come out pretty well, after all.  We’ve had some strange experiences, come through them all in decent shape, and to cap the whole thing I’ve captured some dandy views.  I can hardly wait to develop them.”

“Go ahead, then.  Plenty of water at hand for washing off the hypo,” suggested Jerry wickedly.

By the time the twenty minutes had expired the water had subsided so far that the imprisoned chums were able to lower themselves from the tree and once more resume their journey.

Of course, they were an uncomfortable lot, being soaked to the skin, and, as Will declared, looking like a lot of hoboes.  Brisk exertion kept them from feeling cold, however; but they were one and all delighted to set eyes on the familiar tents of the home camp.

Their welcome was a warm one, for Mr. Mabie had been more or less worried concerning them, owing to the forest fire and the fierce cloudburst.

“We hoped you were safe, and tried to believe it, boys; but at the same time, even a veteran hunter in these parts might have been caught napping, and I tell you we’re mighty glad to see you back safe and sound.  Now, tell us how it happened,” was Mr. Mabie’s greeting as he squeezed a hand of each.

“If you mean the fire, sir, we know nothing about it.  We have not struck a match since leaving here, and only Bluff shot once.  The fire came from an entirely different quarter, I assure you,” said Frank.

“I never doubted that, my lad.  I’ve seen enough of you boys to know that after all I’ve said none of you would be careless enough to endanger things.  But perhaps, after all, the fire was more of a blessing than otherwise, for it probably helped to hurry that rainstorm along, and that has saved our pastures.”

Of course, the boys were for getting into dry clothes at once.  The fire was heaped high with fresh fuel, so that a delightful warmth would be diffused around the immediate vicinity, after which there was a general change of garments.