Beta Book

The impulse was but momentary, and Bob laughed at
himself as it passed.
"Something hid beyond the ranges," he quoted softly to himself.
Suddenly he looked up, and gathered his reins.
"John," he said, "we're going to catch that storm."
"Surely," replied the old man looking at him with surprise; "just found
that out?"
"Well, we'd better hurry."
"What's the use? It'll catch us, anyhow. We're shore due to get wet."
"Well, let's hunt a good tree."
"No," said California John, "this is a thunder-storm, and trees is too
scurce. You just keep ridin' along the open road. I've noticed that
lightnin' don't hit twice in the same place mainly because the same
place don't seem to be thar any more after the first time."
The first big drops of the storm delayed fully five minutes. It did seem
foolish to be jogging peacefully along at a foxtrot while the tempest
gathered its power, but Bob realized the justice of his companion's
remarks.
When it did begin, however, it made up for lost time. The rain fell as
though it had been turned out of a bucket. In an instant every runnel
was full.


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