Page:Dave Porter on Cave Island.djvu/228

212 "If it last several days, we'll have a time of it getting food," broke in the senator's son.

"We'll watch out for fish and turtles," said Billy Dill. "Nothin' like turtles when you are good an' hungry."

"That's true," answered Dave. He had not forgotten the big turtle the old tar had managed to catch down on one of the islands in the South Seas.

Soon it was raining so hard that but little could be seen beyond the entrance to the cave. The wind moaned and shrieked throughout the cavern, which happened to have several entrances. Once it became so strong that it almost lifted the boys from their feet. The rain drove in at times, and they had to get into a split in the rocks to keep dry.

"Hark! what was that?" cried Roger, during a lull in the wind.

"I heard thunder; that's all," answered Phil.

"I think a tree must have been struck by lightning," answered Captain Sanders. "The lightning is getting pretty fierce," he added, as a brilliant illumination filled the cavern.

"Wonder where Jasniff and Merwell are?" whispered Phil, to his chums, "I'll wager this storm scares 'em half to death."

"Yes, and those four Englishmen," added Dave. "Don't forget that they were coming to this island."