[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

to take charge. He had been prepared for just such an emergency.  Into the
mess hall!
People began scurrying towards the shelter of the building, the Algonkian
staff and some of the campers carrying the various plates of food. Chip
grabbed the huge platter of potato salad and began to run across the already
muddy ground towards the mess hall. Rudy, Mike and Jeffrey watched as, with a
strangled cry, Chip slipped on the wet grass, then tripped over the doorstep
and fell full-length into the mess hall, his face buried in the potato salad.
The screen door blew shut, closing on Chip s mid-section. He lay there, his
head in the salad, his legs in the rain.
Frank and Dave came running to the door and hauled Chip inside. The awkard
silence that followed was broken by a peal of laughter from Jeffrey Miller.
This set Mike off, and soon the whole mess hall campers, counsellors and
parents alike was rollicking with mirth.
Sticky and humiliated, Chip ventured out into the raging storm to go to the
wash station to clean up.
 I may have been wrong about this camp! piped up Jeffrey enthusiastically.
 This is fun!
Rudy stared at Jeffrey and then at Mike. Mike looked back intently.
* * *
 Man, this is the worst storm I ve ever seen! exclaimed Chip.  It s been
coming down like this for over an hour!
 I ve never seen it rain so hard, moaned Frank.  What are we going to do with
the parents for the rest of the afternoon? Everyone s getting restless.
 We sure can t have the soccer game, agreed Chip, gazing out the screen door
of the mess hall where all were still trapped by the downpour.  The field s
flooded. Hey, the field s flooded!
There was a stampede of counsellors to the door.
 The field should be wet, but it shouldn t be flooded like that! exclaimed
Jack.
 Look at the water! gasped Chip.
 There must be fifteen or twenty centimetres of it! cried Frank.  Mr. Warden!
Where s Mr. Warden?
 In his cottage, said Pierre.  He took off when the rain started. I suppose
I d better go and get him. Elias would have wanted the captain to go down with
the camp. He dashed off through the mud and the rain towards the camp
Page 66
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
director s cottage.
 What s going on? called one of the parents.
 Nothing to worry about, smiled Frank reassuringly.  Everything is under
control.
 Under control? howled Chip.  Under control? It s a flood!
There was a murmur throughout the mess hall as people began to feel uneasy.
 Unless I miss my guess, said Ralph in a low voice,  that water is spreading
in this direction.
Rudy and Mike pushed their way to the door.  What s going on? asked Rudy
mildly.
 Get out of here, Miller! barked Chip.  We ve got enough trouble. We don t
need you!
The two boys and their counsellors stood in open-mouthed amazement as the
water came on in a steady, shallow flow. It engulfed the mess hall and
continued towards the cabins and other buildings, surrounding them and flowing
on towards the lake.
 It s coming in! shouted Chip.
The water had begun to seep in through the door and from under the floor
boards. Soon everyone was up to the ankles in water, and still more was
seeping in.
 Wow, exclaimed Mike in the general excitement,  a disaster? A natural
disaster! Rudy, our natural disaster!
Rudy s studied poker face began to disintegrate. His eyes gleamed, then
danced. A smile cracked the veneer of his normally expressionless face. It
grew until it extended from ear to ear. Rudy Miller laughed. He put his head
in his hands and began to laugh uncontrollably, splashing his way over to the
wall for support.
Mike was thunderstruck. He had never even seen Rudy smile, let alone laugh,
 Cut it out, Webster! snapped Chip.  It isn t funny!
 It s not me! Mike protested, almost speechless.  It s him! He pointed at
Rudy who was still doubled over with mirth, tears now streaming down his
cheeks.
Chip stared in amazement.  Miller. Miller!
Pierre staggered in the door, completely drenched.
 Did you get him? asked Frank anxiously.  Where s Mr. Warden?
 Trapped! gasped Pierre.  His cottage is in a valley and the water is up over
the windows! He waved at me from the attic. He s okay.
 But we re not okay! roared Frank.  What are we going to do?
 There must be a blockage in the creek, suggested Pierre.  If a few of us can
get in there and unblock it, the water will eventually either evaporate or
drain into the lake, once it stops raining. Come on. I need eight or ten
guys.
 Mike and I will go, choked Rudy.
 Just counsellors, ordered Frank.  Chip, Chip!
 Miller was laughing, said Chip abstractedly.
 He would be, said Frank.  I always knew it would take a disaster to get
Miller to crack a smile. Now, come on. We ve got to go and unblock the creek.
A dozen counsellors sloshed their way out the door and headed towards the
woods.
 Boy, Ma, exclaimed Jeffrey Miller loudly,  terrific stuff happens here! Can
I go to camp here next year?
* * *
 Ah, said Rudy Miller, his poker face reassumed,  things are looking up for
the desperate flood victims. The sun is shining and Alcatraz is in ruins.
Perfect.
Mike had long since stopped laughing and had sobered.  Our stuff, he
lamented.  It s going to be ruined! Your radio! My guitar!
 Take heart, announced Rudy dramatically,  for your guitar has been located.
And she s seaworthy. Look.
Mike stared. A rainbow swept in a great colorful arc across Algonkian Island.
Page 67
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
The flood waters had begun to recede and an assortment of books, clothing, [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]