Page:The New-Year's Bargain (1884).djvu/163

 Please hold my hand tight, Reggy,' she said.

Oh dear!' sighed Emmy. 'Was that a drop of rain on my nose? I do believe it's going to sprinkle! And we haven't any umbrellas.'

What did the people in the book do when it sprinkled?' asked Reginald. 'Or didn't it ever sprinkle there?'

Only in the "rainy season, replied Emmy; 'and then they shut themselves up in a cave. It must be nice to have "rainy seasons," and know just what to expect. Here, it just rains whenever it likes, and catches you!'

"No more drops came, however; and before long sleep fell upon the group. So sound were their slumbers that when, some hours later, a horned creature stuck his head through the bushes, and then retreated with a loud bellow, nobody stirred except Reginald. He, half-awake, started up, muttering drowsily, 'There's the buffalo: we'll fix him to-morrow.' But the noise died away; and he tumbled down again, and was asleep in a minute.