170 Trails to Woods and Waters 



been all the better, but this deluge put all 

 thoughts of our long planned trip out of 

 mind. 



I sat on the back porch bewailing my hard 

 luck and watching the downpour. There 

 was some satisfaction in that, even if the 

 storm had spoiled my fun. 



It was a regular duck's day, and no mis- 

 take. No creature that was not oiled from 

 head to foot could stand such a drenching as 

 this. 



If I had been a girl, I might have had the 

 consolation of crying, but as I was a boy and 

 expected to celebrate my eleventh birthday 

 soon, even that comfort was denied me. 



Presently a tall, dark figure loomed up 

 through the mist, coming down the pathway 

 leading across the mowing at the back of the 

 house. At first I thought I was mistaken, 

 for sometimes I could see it, and then a vio- 

 lent gust of wind and rain would blot it out, 

 but soon it drew nearer, and I made out old 

 Ben, coming at his accustomed long stride. 

 In another minute he was hurrying up the 



