OUT IN THE NIGHT. 



'55 



" He's too thick-headed to be hurt. I wouldn't care if he did get a rap or two, 

 if might take some of the ugliness out of him." 



" I don't wonder that such a flash of lightning my gracious ! " 



At that instant, a volley of wind shot under the wagon cover and whipped it 

 from its fastenings. The boys made an instinctive grab for it, but were unable to 

 check its flight. They caught a glimpse of the white sheet, whipping and turning 

 like a sail in a gale, as it vanished in the gloom. 



So strong was the wind that, as the canvas struck the earth, it rolled and tum- 

 bled and doubled over itself in the oddest way, but all the time skimmed along 

 the ground with a speed hardly less than the wind itself. 



" It'll never do to lose that 1 " exclaimed Dick, leaping out of the wagon and 

 starting on a run after it. 



Such was his haste that he never thought of taking his gun along. Fortunately, 

 Bob was more thoughtful, and, as he sprang from the rear of the vehicle, but a few 

 paces behind his cousin, he had his rifle with him. 



The whole proceeding was reckless and uncalled-for. Had either Mr. Godkin 

 or Jack Harvey seen it, they would have ordered the boys back again on the instant. 

 The roll of canvas had to go but a short distance to pass beyond sight. It was not 

 likely to be carried far, however, and could be recovered on the morrow. 



But you know how impulsive the most sensible boy is at times. It was natural 

 that they should make the attempt to recover the canvas, though Dick had not run 

 far before he felt he had committed a mistake. 



The gloom around him was so profound that he was literally unable to see a 

 foot in any direction. The only means of guidance was the glimmer of the camp- 

 fire behind them, which shone over the plain like the eye of some great ogre. 



By and by the electricity began to accumulate disproportionately, either in the 

 sky or earth, so disturbing the equilibrium that faint flashes appeared, accompanied 

 by mutterings of thunder. 



" The lightning will come," was the thought of Dick, " and then I'll gain a glimpse 

 of what I'm looking for ; it can't be far off." 



Inasmuch as it was evident that it was only a waste of time to continue forward, 

 the youth came to a halt and waited for the illumination which was to end the wild 

 hunt. Dick was unaware that his cousin had followed him, for his own flight was so 

 hurried that he paid no heed to anything except the skurrying canvas, which he 

 hoped to catch before it went too far. 



But Bob was hard after his comrade, though he could see nothing of him, after 

 his leap from the wagon and dash into the darkness. Not doubting that he was 

 close at his heels, Bob kept at a brisk trot until he must have gone several hundred 

 yards, when he stopped. 



" Helloa ! Dick," he called, " we may as well give it up and wait till morning ; 

 don't you think so ? " 



To his surprise, there was no answer, and he repeated the call in a louder tone, 

 keeping it up until his lungs could stand no more. 



