"I tripped and fell--just as I was afraid I'd do. Better go slow--unless you want to break an ankle or skin your nose." "The storm is coming," said Dave, as he came to a stop. "Much hurt?" "Not very,--scratched my hand, that's all. Phew! listen to the wind!" The sky overhead was black with clouds, but to the north and the south were great patches of light. The wind was increasing steadily. "Maybe it will be more wind than rain," said Dave. "I hope so, too, for I have no fancy for getting drenched to the skin." "I don't like a wind storm--when I am in a big woods like this," answered the shipowner's son. "I am always afraid a tree will come down on me." "Well, we have got to look out for that--if we can," answered Dave, gravely. "I don't like it myself, but it can't be helped." They continued on their way. The wind increased rapidly, and soon it grew so dark they could see little or nothing under the thickest of the trees. They came to an open space, and there the wind struck them with great force, almost hurling them flat. "Say, I think--we had--had better wait a--a bit!" panted Phil, as he clutched Dave by the arm. "Let us get over to yonder rocks," answered Dave. "We'll be a little safer there than between the trees." Hand in hand the chums crossed the glade and made for a series of rocks looming between the trees beyond. The wind was now blowing with almost tornado force, and with it came a few scattering drops of rain. Just as they gained the rocks something whizzed past their heads. "What was that?" gasped Phil, ducking after the object had passed. "It was a small tree limb," answered Dave. "We've got to watch out. Hark!" They listened, and above the whistling of the wind heard a great crash. "It's a tree being blown down!" cried Phil. "Come on, let us get between the rocks, before something hits us on the head!" Much alarmed, both boys leaped for the shelter of the rocks, and in the darkness felt their way until they reached a split that was seven or eight feet deep and a foot wide at the bottom and twice that at the top. "I guess this is as good a place as any, Phil," remarked Dave, when he had regained his breath sufficiently to speak. "It won't be much protection if it rains hard," grumbled the shipowner's son. "Well, I don't see that we can do better." "Neither do I." Further conversation was cut off by the wind and the rain. The former shrieked and whistled through the woods, sending down branch after branch with tremendous crashes that awed the boys completely. The rain was light, but the drops were large and hit them with stinging force. For fully half an hour the blow continued, and then it appeared to let up and the rain stopped entirely. "Shall we go on?" questioned Phil, standing up and trying to pierce the darkness around them. "Better hold up a while, Phil," answered Dave. "This is as safe a spot as any, with the wind blowing down the trees all around us."