Toward two o’clock in the morning Dick found Reuben Hinman’s skin becoming decidedly feverish, and began to administer nitre.

“I’d mount our horse, and try to ride for a doctor, if I thought I could get one,” murmured Greg.

“You couldn’t get one here to-night,” volunteered the boss tramp, who had awakened and had risen on one elbow.  “Neither an automobile nor a buggy could be driven over this wild road to-night.  The water is three feet deep in spots—–­worse in some others.”

Though the deluge outside still continued, all would have been cheery inside had it not been for the alarm Dick & Co. felt over the increasing fever of the poor old peddler.  His breathing became more and more labored.

Dave awoke and came over to listen and look on.

“I’ll try to go for a doctor,” he whispered.

“You might even reach one,” Dick replied.  “I’d be willing to try myself, but we couldn’t get a physician through on a night like this.”

“At least I’ll go down and have a look at the road,” muttered Reade, rising, wrapping himself up as best he could, and taking a lantern.

Tom presently returned, looking like a drowned rat.

“It’s no go,” he announced gloomily.  “The road is a river.”

“Sure it is,” muttered the boss tramp, “or—–­as you lads have been so decent to me—–­I’d go myself and try to find a doctor.”

CHAPTER XVII

TWO KINDS OF HOBO

Toward daylight the rain ceased.  Dawn came in heavy and misty, but after an hour the sun shone forth, dispelling the low-lying clouds.

Dick was sound asleep at this time, Tom and Harry having relieved the other watchers.  All of the tramps lay stretched on the hard wooden floor, since none of the high school boys cared to have one of these fellows lying on his cot even when it was not in use.

“Go down and take a look at the road, Hazy,” Tom desired, after the sun had been out for an hour.

“The water’s running out of the road, or drying off, pretty fast” Hazelton reported on his return.  “Still, a doctor would have a hard job getting over the road as yet.”

“Did you see anyone trying to get over the road with a vehicle?” Reade inquired.

“Not a soul or a wheel,” Harry answered.  “As far as travel goes the road might as well be a strip of the Sahara Desert.”

Reuben Hinman’s breathing was so labored that it disturbed the watchers a good deal.

“We’re doing all we can for you, and we’ll get better care for you, just as soon as we can,” Tom explained, resting a hand on the fever-flushed face.

“I know,” wheezed the old man painfully.  “Good boy!”

By eight o’clock all hands were astir.

“Are we going to get any breakfast to-day?” asked the tramp known as Joe.

“Yes,” nodded Dick, choking back the temptation to say something caustic.