WIN OR LOSE
The dying mission of that noble tree suggested a thought to Tom. The
water from the lake was pouring over it, though checked somewhat by the
tree and the boat. If this tree, firmly wedged in place, could be made
the nucleus of a mass of wreckage, the flood might be effectually
checked, temporarily, at least. One thing, a moment's glance at the
condition of the cove showed all too certainly what must have happened
at the road-crossing. That the little rustic bridge there could have
withstood the first overwhelming rush of the flood was quite
unthinkable. Berry's garage too, perched on the edge of the hollow, must
have been swept away.
[Illustration: THE TREE POKED ITS BRANCHES UP OUT OF THE BLACK WATER
AND GUIDED THEM TO SAFETY. Tom Slade's Double Dare. Page 25]
[Illustration: (Transcriber's note: Map including Black Lake, the rustic
bridge, and Berry's Garage.)]
And where was the lumbering old bus? That was the question now. If it
had been a motor bus its lights might have foretold the danger. But it
was one of those old-fashioned horse-drawn stages which are still seen
in mountain districts.
In all that tumult of storm, Tom Slade paused to think. All about them
was Bedlam. Down the precipitous mountainside hard by, were crashing the
torn and uprooted trophies of the storm high in those dizzy recesses
above, where eagles, undisturbed by any human presence, made their homes
upon the crags. The rending and crashing up there was conjured by the
distance into a hundred weird and uncanny voices which now and again
seemed like the wailing of human souls.
The rush of water, gathering force in the narrow confines of the cove,
became a torrent and threw a white spray in the faces of the boys as it
beat against the fallen tree. It seemed strange that they could be so
close to this paroxysm of the elements, in the very center of it as one
might say, and yet be safe. Nature was in a mad turmoil all about them,
yet by a lucky chance they stood upon a little oasis of temporary
refuge.
"There are two things that have to be done--quick," said Tom. "Somebody
has got to pick his way down the west shore back to camp. It's through
the mountains and maybe two of you had better go. Here, take my
compass," he added, handing it to Westy. "Have you got some matches?"
"I've got my flashlight," said Roy.
So it fell out that Westy and Roy were the ones to make the journey back
to camp.
"Keep as close to the shore as you can, it's easier going and shorter,"
Tom said. "Anyway, use the compass and keep going straight south till
you see the lights at camp, then turn east. You ought to be able to do
it in an hour. Tell everybody to get busy and throw everything in the
water that'll help plug up the passage. Chuck in the logs from the
woodshed."
"How about the remains of Pee-wee's signal tower?"
"Good, chuck that in. Throw in everything that can be spared. Most of it
will drift over here and get caught in the rush. If the wind dies it
will all come over. Hurry up! I'll stay here and try to get in place
anything more that comes in in the meantime. There are a lot of broken
limbs and things around here. Hurry up now, _beat it!_ And don't stop
till you get there.... Don't let anybody try to start over in a boat,"
he called after them.
Scarcely had they set off when he turned to Hervey Willetts, placing
both his hands on the boy's shoulders. The rain was streaming down from
Hervey's streaked hair. The funny little rimless hat cut full of holes
which he wore on the side of his head and which was the pride of his
life had collapsed by reason of being utterly soaked, for he had very
early discarded the oilskin "roof" in preference for this old love. One
of his stockings was falling down and he hoisted this up as Tom spoke to
him.
"Hervey, I'm glad you're going alone, because you won't have to do any
stunts for anybody's benefit. You're going to keep your mind on just one
thing. Understand?"
"I can think of nine things at once," said Hervey, blithely, "and sing
_Over There_ and eat a banana at the same time. How's that?"
"That's fine. Now listen--just two seconds. You're to hit right straight
up through this country--north. You notice I gave the compass to Roy?
That's because I know you can't get rattled when you're alone and when
you put your mind on a thing. You're to go straight north till you
reach the road. I'll have to keep the lantern here, but you won't need
it. You've got about a quarter of a mile of rough country and then easy
going. Straight north beyond the road is Crows Nest Mountain. Turn
around, that's right. Shut your eyes. One--two--three--four--five. Now
open them suddenly. You see that black bulk. That's Crows Nest. Now you
know how to see a dark thing in the dark...."
"Do you know how to tell time with a clothespin?"
"Never mind that. About every ten minutes stop and shut your eyes and
old Crows Nest will guide you. Don't get rattled. When you get to the
road wait for the bus and _stop it_. If it has passed by now, we can't
help it. I'm afraid it has. But if it _hasn't_, there are two troops in
it and their _lives depend on you_. Now get out of here--quick!"
"What was that?" Hervey said, pausing and clutching Tom's arm.
"What was what?"
"That sound--away off. Hear it?"
Amid the wild clamor of the tempest, the dashing of the impeded water
close by, and the ghostly voices up in that mountain wilderness, there
sounded, far off, subdued and steady, a low melodious call, spent and
thin from the distance, and blended with the myriad sounds of the raging
storm.
"_It's the train_," said Tom.
Still Hervey did not move, only clutched his companion's arm. One
second--two seconds--three, four, five, six. The sound died away in the
uproar of wind and rain.... Still the two paused for just a moment more,
as if held by a spell.
"A mile and a half--four miles," said Tom. "Four miles of road. A mile
and a half of hills and swamps. They're at the station now. You _can't_
do it, kid. But you'd better fail trying than not try at all. What do
you say?"
There was no answer, for Hervey Willetts had already plunged into the
torrent, by which hazardous act ten minutes might be saved. Or
everything lost. Tom caught a glimpse of that funny perforated hat
bobbing in the rushing water of the cove, pulled tight down over its
young owner's ears. Sober as his thoughts were in the face of harrowing
peril, he could not repress a smile that Hervey should toss his life so
blithely into the enterprise and yet be careful to save that precious
hat. He was more proud of it than of all his deeds of reckless valor.
Tom knew there was no restraining him, or advising him. He knew no more
of discipline than a skylark does. He was either the best scout in the
world or no scout at all, as you choose to look at it. He was going upon
this business in reckless haste, without forethought or caution. He
would stake his life to save twenty yards of distance. There was no
discretion in his valor. Blithe young gambler that he was, he would do
the thing in his own way. No one could tell him. Tom knew the utter
futility of shouting any last warnings or instructions to him.
For Hervey Willetts was like a shot out of a rifle. With him it was a
case of hit or miss. He had no rules....