Dave Porter and the Runaways Part 43

"So it might,--but I don't know. I wish this camp was on the sh.o.r.e, instid o' this island."

"So do I," answered Dave, bluntly.

A fire had been started in the stove and a lantern lit, and Jerry Blutt rather reluctantly began preparations for the evening meal. But he kept peering out of the doorway of the cabin, and from the lean-to, and his eyes always rested on the river, with its rain-swept, swollen surface.

"I don't like it at all!" he said, finally. "I wish we had moved over to the sh.o.r.e."

"Don't you think it is safe to stay here?"

"It ain't as safe as it might be. If I was alone----" The man stopped short.

"What would you do?"

"I hate to say it, but I think I'd go over to the sh.o.r.e, till the storm was over and I knew jest how thet dam was a-goin' to act."

"Well, I don't blame you," answered Dave. "And if you want to go, go ahead."

"Want me to go alone?"

"If you wish to go, yes."

"But it ain't no safer fer you than it is fer me."

"That's so, too. But I want to see those other fellows--in fact, I must see them. If I went to the sh.o.r.e I might miss them."

"You could come back later on."

"But I want to warn them of the danger from the dam."

"You could write a letter and stick it up where they couldn't help but see it. Then---- What's that?"

The camp-worker stopped short, as a distant cry reached their ears, sounding out above the wind. An instant later the cry was repeated.

"That is Ben Ba.s.swood's voice!" cried Dave. "They must be coming back!"

Soon another voice sounded out, and our hero recognized Buster Beggs's tones. He ran to the cabin door. All was dark outside, and the rain was being driven in sheets by the wind.

"h.e.l.lo! h.e.l.lo!" he yelled, and catching up the lantern, he swung it out in one direction and another. Then he saw two forms approaching on the run, each dripping with water.

"Ben! And Buster!"

"Why, if it isn't Dave!"

"Where in the world did you come from?"

"Where is Phil?" demanded our hero.

"He is somewhere behind us," answered Buster. "Oh, what a time we've had!" and entering the cabin, the fat youth sank down on a bench all but exhausted.

"We've had to tramp for over two miles in this rain," explained Ben.

"And of course we had to ford to the island. Say, the current is something fierce now! And the water is getting higher every minute!"

he added.

"Did you say Phil was behind you?" demanded Dave. He still held the lantern on high.

"I thought he was--sure, he must be," answered Ben. "Give him a hail, will you? I'm too tired," and he sank on the bench beside Buster.

"Phil! Phil!" yelled our hero, at the top of his lungs. "This way!

This way!" and he swung the lantern to the right and left.

"Did you say the river is rising?" demanded Jerry Blutt. "How high is it? Over the White Bar yet?"

"Yes, the Bar is a foot under water," answered Ben. "Oh, this is a great storm!"

"A foot under water!" murmured the camp-worker. "Say, we better git out! First thing you know this hull island will be under! An' if thet dam breaks----"

"Oh, the dam!" gasped Buster. "I forgot about that! They say it isn't safe at all! That is why all the other campers got out! Yes, we must leave the island and go to the sh.o.r.e." He turned to Dave. "Did you come alone?"

"Yes, Buster. I'll tell you all about it later. But now we must find Phil."

"I thought he was right behind me," came from Ben. He looked greatly distressed. "I wonder if anything happened to him? Maybe he slipped off the rocks into the river!"

"We must look for him!" cried Dave, and reached for his coat and cap.

"Show me the way you came, Ben."

Ben was nothing loath, and side by side the two chums ran outside into the storm, and in the direction of the upper end of the island. They had gone but a short distance when they reached a low spot and here suddenly found themselves in water several inches deep.

"h.e.l.lo, you are taking me into the river!" cried Dave.

"This isn't the river!" answered Ben, with a gasp. "Gos.h.!.+ how the water is rising! This was dry when I came over it before!"

"Dry!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed our hero. "Ben, are you sure?"

"Positive! Say, the water is rising to beat the band! I guess we had better get out! If we don't we'll have to swim for it!"

"Phil! Phil! Where are you?"

Standing in water up to his ankles, our hero called again and again, and Ben joined in the cry. The lantern was flashed in all directions.

But nothing was seen or heard of the missing student.

"I am sure he started to follow us across the river," said Ben.

"Buster was in front, I came next, and Phil was in the rear. I asked him twice if he was all right and he said he was. Then it blew so hard, and the rain got so heavy, none of us said any more. Oh, Dave, what shall we do?"

"I don't know Ben--wish I did."

"Do you think he slipped off the rocks and was--was--drowned?"

"I hope not."