There was no help for it, and tired, wet, and disgusted, all crawled forth into the darkness of the night. They did not bother to hitch up the mule, but with two in front and two behind, pushed and hauled the wagon to a higher spot. Here were a few sturdy young trees which had not been affected by the wind, and they tied fast to these. "If going to California was all like this, I'd be for turning back right now," declared Mark, as he wiped the water from his face. "Ditto here," came from Bob, who was wringing out his jacket. "But don't worry, the sun will shine again." "An' be good an' hot too, don't forget that," put in Si. About four o'clock in the morning the wind gradually died down and the rain slackened up. Then one after another did what he could to make himself comfortable and get a few winks of sleep. But it was a sorry-looking crowd that gathered outside three hours later. "I'd like to have some of that hot sunshine right now," said Mark to Si. The sky was still heavy and threatening. It was difficult to obtain firewood dry enough to burn, and they wasted several precious matches in starting a blaze. But once the fire was going they heaped on the wood and then dried themselves as best they could. They also made a generous pot of coffee, which they emptied while it was steaming. "Coffee is the thing to warm a feller up," said Si. "Beats liquor all holler." And Mark and Bob nodded in affirmation. They did not move on until after dinner. By that time the sky had cleared and the sun was peeping from behind what was left of the clouds. But the trail was wet and heavy and they had to make many a detour, to avoid mud-holes and dangerous washouts. "Hullo, look at this!" cried Mark, when they were looking for a camping spot for the night. "Socket's in trouble, sure!" He was right, Josiah Socket was indeed in trouble. His wagon had gone deep down into a mud-hole, with Mrs. Socket and the girls on board. On the outer edge of the hole stood Josiah and his three boys, gazing at the disaster in dismay and wondering how the females and the outfit were to be rescued. "Jest like you, Josiah Socket!" Mrs. Socket was saying, as she stood up on the front step and waved her arms in the air. "It's a wonder me an' the gals didn't all tumble in the mud or git our necks broke! Sech a careless man I never did see in all my born days! Now what are we going to do, answer me that?" "I don't know, Ann," answered the husband, meekly. "We can't sit here all day, nor stand nuther!" "You can jump out if you want to." "Land sakes alive! Jump out in all that mud! Ain't you ashamed to suggest sech a thing? If you was a man that was a-looking out for your own, you'd--you'd----" "What would I do, Ann?" "You'd do something, that's what you'd do. I shan't stay here, that is all there is to it!" "Maybe I kin git a board an' help you out that way," said Josiah Socket, and gazed around helplessly; for nothing like a board was anywhere in sight.