MARTIN RATTLER. 175

shelter of the inundated hut as of some advantage,
and had lain down to repose. The water retiring had
left it there buried, and—as we have already men-
tioned in reference to alligators—when the first shower
of the rainy season fell it was led by instinct to
burst its earthy prison and seek its native element.

Before Barney or his companions could recover from
their surprise, they had other and more urgent matters
to think about. The dark clouds burst overhead, and
the rain descended like a continued waterspout—not
in drops, but in heavy sheets and masses. The roof
of the hut gave way in several places, driving them
into a corner for shelter; the river began to rise
rapidly, soon flooding the hut; and when darkness
overspread the land, they found themselves drenched
to the skin and suspended in their hammocks over a
running stream of water !

This event brought about an entire change in the
aspect of nature, and was the cause of a sad and
momentous era in the adventures of Martin Rattler

and his companion.