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244 from going ahead—I mean Blugg and Haskers. Of course we can have Merwell arrested on sight, and Mr. Dillon can have that Staver locked up for trying to steal the horses."

A rush of wind made further conversation just then impossible. So far there had been little thunder and lightning, but now came a flash and a crack that caused the boys to leap to their feet, while the horses plunged and acted as if they wanted to bolt.

"Some stroke, eh?" cried Abe Blower, when the alarm was over. "It must have struck near here."

"It was a little too close for comfort," returned Dave, grimly. "I don't think a spot like this is particularly safe in a storm."

"Oh, ye might git struck down in the valley jest as quick," answered the old miner.

"The rivers will be pretty high after this flood," said Roger.

"Might be as how it will start another landslide, although I hope not," said Tom Dillon, musingly.

"It wouldn't be so bad if the landslide opened up the lost mine," said Dave.

"Oh, thet would be all right, lad,—if we wasn't caught in the fallin' rocks."

Slowly the night wore away, and when daylight came it was still raining. But the wind had gone