But Jonas did not answer, and Hugh, upon going up to the platform, discovered that he had started homeward with his cart, having first harnessed the four-in-hand. The horses were standing tied to the trees, but they looked uneasy, and one of the leaders pawed the ground restlessly. "I shall have to stay here with them," thought Hugh, "or they may break away when the storm strikes them." He ran back and called over the edge of the cliff. "Jonas has gone home, Mr. Leslie, and I shall be obliged to stay with the horses; but here is the hatchet." "Very well!" said the clergyman, catching the hatchet with the dexterity of an Indian as Hugh threw it down; "go back to the horses, Mr. Warrington. We can attend to the ladies." Under his direction an impromptu wigwam was speedily built of long boughs, with the high rock as a background; this was thatched with bushes, and the shawls and cloaks spread over the whole as the first muttering of thunder was heard. "Oh!" said Edith Chase, "what shall I do? I cannot stand the lightning!" "Come inside with me!" said Aunt Faith; "you can hide your head in my lap." The ladies hurried inside the wigwam, Aunt Faith, Sibyl, Rose Saxon, Edith Chase, Lida Powers, Bessie, Annie Chase and Gem. "I see there is room for the gentlemen, too," said Gideon Fish, creeping in. "I really think we had better all be together," said Graham Marr, following his example. "Tom!" called Aunt Faith, pulling aside a cloak that formed part of the wall, "come inside directly." "Oh, Aunt Faith! we've found a splendid cave up here; it holds Jim and me first-rate," answered a voice from above. "They've squeezed themselves into a little cranny in the rock, Mrs. Sheldon," said Mr. Leslie, looking up and laughing to see the 'splendid cave;' "I think they will keep dry by force of compression." "Aren't you coming inside, Mr. Mount?" said Lida Powers. "No. I shall go and help Hugh with the horses; you had better come too, Walter. We may have some trouble with them." "Mr. Leslie, you will join us, I hope?" said Rose Saxon, peeping out from between the leaves. "I think not, Miss Rose. I am hardened, you know; I have camped out in winter storms too many times to dread a July shower. But I insist upon Mr. Gay's going inside. The 'Boston man' will now have an opportunity; he can 'to a wigwam with a squaw go,'" quoted Mr. Leslie, helping the old bachelor under the overhanging branches. In a few moments the storm was upon them; first a tornado of wind, then intense and almost continuous lightning, followed by heavy rolling thunder. Edith Chase trembled, and buried her face in her hands. "This war of the elements affects my nerves," whispered Graham to Sibyl, by whose side he was crouching. "Does it?" she replied coldly; "I was not aware you were so timid."