218 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA, 
and close the flaps, before the rain came down in torrents, 
thunder boomed and rattled like a park of artillery, and 
the lightning glittered almost incessantly. 
Mr. Button was not much worried about Hugh, for 
Solomon was a host in himself, and would doubtless find 
shelter for himself and the boy somewhere. At the 
worst, only a thorough ducking could result. 
The storm lasted all the forenoon, and left both ground 
and bushes so wet that it was decided to be impracticable 
to go on before the next day. A musket was discharged 
three times, therefore, to recall the wanderers. As they 
did not come in at once, the signal was repeated. By six 
o'clock the party began to worry a little, and Peeschee, 
with Carlo, was sent on to hunt up the two absentees. 
At ten o'clock, just after sunset, he returned with news 
of grave import. 
He had followed the trail for fully three miles, when he 
came on a collection of Indian huts, from which smoke 
was ascending, showing that some members of the tribe 
at least were at home. He saw nothing of them, how- 
ever, nor of the missing ones. Whether the natives were 
hostile or not, he could not tell. The huts or wigwams, 
he said, looked something like the work of coast Indians, 
but had this peculiarity, that they were covered with 
skins of the brown bear, instead of the more ordinary hides. 
At this the Chilkats pricked up their ears. 
Well, w^hat is it, man ? Speak out ! " said Dick to 
the nearest, slapping the stock of his rifle impatiently. 
