Wyatt drove as fast as he could along the muddy roads. Dawson sat beside him. He had now lived through a battle and the first half of a hurricane, and was no longer a frightened man. He felthe had learnt more about danger and fear than he had ever known before. Perhaps his next book would be better because of that. He felt grateful towards Wyatt this honest, brave, stubborn young man, who seemed to have no fear for himself at Dawson wanted to help him in this crazy search for his girl all. I don't understand Manning, Wyatt said suddenly. "He's English, isn't he? Why is he fighting for Favel and San Fernandez? He's a soldier who goes where the work is," replied Dawson. Oh, I see. He does it for the money It's not only for the money," said Dawson. He chooses which side he fights for, you know. He believes that Favel will be a much better president for the people of San Fernandez than Serrurier was. He's an interesting man. I had a long talk with him. back in St Pierre." He smiled. Perhaps I'll put him in my next book. Don't put me in any of your books," warned Wyatt. Dawson laughed. Why not? You'll be a famous man because of your hurricane After four kilometres they had to leave the car. Floods had washed the road away, and it had disappeared down the hillside in a sea of mud. They began to hurry east along the top of the valley. Down below them the flooded Negrito river lay like a small sea. Everywhere, the ground was covered with fallen trees and broken branches. Trees that were still standing had lost all their leaves. Dawson looked over to the south and saw that the sky was already growing dark again. Lightning flashed through the great black clouds. "Mabel will be with us soon," he said. Wyatt stared desperately up the valley. "Yes. We'll have to stop. We'll move down lower and find a place to dig in Dawson looked at Wyatt's worried face. "Julie's a sensible girl. She'll be all right.' "I hope so," Wyatt said unhappily. Quickly, they dug a shallow hole in the stony ground and lay down in it. The wind rose to a thin, high scream.
50-51,4 Julie and the others had lived through the first half of the hurricane, but it had been a bad night. Their little cave under the rocks was safe from the wind, but not from the water. The rainwater had run in rivers down the hillside and over the rocks above them. It fell in a wall of dirty brown water on their legs as they lay in the cave. Then the wind grew stronger began and to blow the water into the cave. Several times were nearly they drowned in a sudden flood. The night passed, and daylight brought the calm eye of the hurricane. The three of them crawled thankfully out of the cave and sat on a low rock. Down below, the bottom of the valley was covered with a great sheet of water. The Negrito river had flooded, and destroyed roads and bridges and farms. They could see people moving about above the floods. Rawsthorne looked up at the grey sky. "The wind will be back soon, I think. Didn't Wyatt tell us that, my dear?" he said, turning to Julie. think so," she said. "After about an hour. Her body was tired and aching, but her clothes were already drying in the hot, still air Don't be stupid," said Mrs Warmington crossly.
"The storm has finished. There's no wind at all now.' She stood up and pulled her skirt straight. "I'm going down into the valley. I'll find someone there who'll take me to the US Navy Base.' he began to walk down the hill You'll be safer up here in our cave," Julie called her, but after Mrs Warmington did not listen. Julie turned to Rawsthorne, and immediately forgot about Mrs Warmington. Rawsthorne's eyes were closed and his lips were grey. Mr Rawsthorne, are you all right?" Julie asked in a worried Voice. Rawsthorne opened his eyes"Hurricanes aren't good for an old heart like mine. But don't worry, my dear." He smiled tiredly, and closed his eyes again Julie stayed by his side. He was clearly too ill to walk down the hill, and there was no time to get help. And where would she get help from Soon the wind began to drive fiercely up the valley. It sang wildly in the leafless branches of the tall tree just behind their rock.'I think it's time to get back into our cave, Julie said gently. She helped the old man to his feet. The wind gave a sudden howl above their heads and there was a terrible tearing sound from the tree. Julie looked up, and saw the tree beginning to fall towards them Look out!" she screamed But they could not move quickly enough on the muddy ground. The tree crashed down on top of them, and the world went black.