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Rh very anxious to reach Gundabook that night, and saw no reason why they should not, they dismounted. Amy was in general so reasonable and so accommodating that they knew her terror must be real and great, and they gave way to her and endeavoured to soothe her fears. Allan hobbled the horses so that they could not wander far from the place, and they prepared to spend the night in the scrub without supper, bed, or breakfast, and with the chance of a ducking.

"If it rains hard you will all be drenched to the skin, and there are no hollow trees to take shelter in, even if it was safe on account of the lightning," said Allan.

"And my beautiful new habit will be spoiled, and that will be a sad pity," said Amy. "I wish I was not such a coward, but I cannot venture on horseback again till this is over. There is the thunder again. Oh dear! oh dear!" and she took Allan's hand and clung close to him for protection.

They sat huddled together for an hour, in which the storm continued. There was a little rain, but not so much as might have been expected. Amy rejoiced that her habit was not ruined by the wet. But the night closed over them before she could make up her mind to