"That stuff smells good. What is it?" asked the boss tramp. "Ginger tea. We've made some to give to Mr. Hinman." "Will you give us some, too?" asked the tramp. "We're all of us chilled and hoarse." "I will," Dick nodded, "if you men will undertake to fill the buckets before you try to dry yourselves. Otherwise, we shall run out of water." Grunting, the boss tramp and one of his companions listened while Dick directed them where to find running water. Out again into the storm they lurched, and soon had all the water buckets filled and in the tent. While the tramps dried their clothing, Prescott kept his word about making ginger tea. "This seems like the best stuff I've had since I was a baby," remarked the boss tramp, in a somewhat grateful voice. "Maybe that's because you've worked for it," suggested Reade thoughtfully. "I wonder," grunted the hobo. "I wonder." Later on Dick and his chums prepared a supper, of which all partook except the peddler, who needed sleep and warmth more. The tramps slept on the floor, later on. Tom, Dave and Harry slept on their cots, while the other three high school boys remained awake. Toward two o'clock in the morning Dick found Reuben Hinman's skin becoming decidedly feverish, and began to administer nitre. "I'd mount our horse, and try to ride for a doctor, if I thought I could get one," murmured Greg. "You couldn't get one here to-night," volunteered the boss tramp, who had awakened and had risen on one elbow. "Neither an automobile nor a buggy could be driven over this wild road to-night. The water is three feet deep in spots---worse in some others." Though the deluge outside still continued, all would have been cheery inside had it not been for the alarm Dick & Co. felt over the increasing fever of the poor old peddler. His breathing became more and more labored. Dave awoke and came over to listen and look on. "I'll try to go for a doctor," he whispered. "You might even reach one," Dick replied. "I'd be willing to try myself, but we couldn't get a physician through on a night like this." "At least I'll go down and have a look at the road," muttered Reade, rising, wrapping himself up as best he could, and taking a lantern. Tom presently returned, looking like a drowned rat. "It's no go," he announced gloomily. "The road is a river." "Sure it is," muttered the boss tramp, "or---as you lads have been so decent to me---I'd go myself and try to find a doctor." CHAPTER XVII TWO KINDS OF HOBO Toward daylight the rain ceased. Dawn came in heavy and misty, but after an hour the sun shone forth, dispelling the low-lying clouds. Dick was sound asleep at this time, Tom and Harry having relieved the other watchers. All of the tramps lay stretched on the hard wooden floor, since none of the high school boys cared to have one of these fellows lying on his cot even when it was not in use.