The automobile itself was bumping along as if, indeed, it was floating down some stream, or had gone to sea like one of Mr. Brown’s boats.  The dogs had ceased their whining now.

“I guess they were scared, out there all alone,” said Bunny, when he was nearly dressed.  “I’m glad they’re in here with us now.”

“So am I,” said Sue, as she came out into the sitting room, where Mother Brown had turned on the electric lights.  It was a bit cool in the auto, for the storm had taken all the heat from the air, but there was danger in lighting one of the stoves.  Though he did not let the children know, Mr. Brown thought there might be a risk of fire if the gasolene stove were lighted, because the big car might overturn.

“Now to see what it’s all about,” said Mr. Brown, when he and Uncle Tad were fully dressed.  “We’ll find out if we are adrift on the Atlantic or Pacific ocean, and how to get to shore.”

He was putting on his rubber boots and raincoat, and Uncle Tad was doing the same thing.  Then Mr. Brown got a lantern and lighted it, for he was going to open the back door of the car to look outside, to see where the flood was taking them.  For he was sure now, by the motion of the automobile, that the heavy rain had turned a small stream, near which they had stopped for the night, into a small-sized river, and that had risen high enough, or had come down with force enough, to sweep the big auto-van ahead with it.

But no sooner had Mr. Brown and Uncle Tad opened the back door of the automobile, that a gust of wind blew out the lantern, for there was a hole in the glass enclosing the flame and the wind puffed right through the lantern.

“Well, I can’t very well see in the dark,” said Mr. Brown, as he came in to light the lantern once more.  “It’s a very strong wind.”

Again he opened the door, but in a second the lantern was blown out once more.  Only the electric lights, kept aglow in the car by the storage battery, remained gleaming.

“I ought to have one of those pocket flash lights,” said Mr. Brown.  “I meant to get a strong one, but I forgot it.”

“I have one, Daddy,” said Bunny.

“Where?  Give it to me!” called his father quickly.  “We must do something at once.”

“I don’t know where it is,” Bunny had to confess.  “I was playing with it the other day, but I must have left it somewhere——­”

“Never mind, I’ll try the lantern again,” said Mr. Brown.

“It’s sure to blow out,” said Uncle Tad.

“Perhaps we can paste something over the hole,” suggested Mrs. Brown.

“Oh, Daddy,” cried Sue, “take my Teddy bear!  Her eyes will give you almost as much light as Bunny’s flashlight.  Maybe more, ’cause she has two eyes.  She won’t mind the rain, for I can put on her water-proof cloak.”

“Hum!  That isn’t such a bad idea,” said Mr. Brown.  “We’ll try it.  Bring out your Sallie Malinda Teddy bear, Sue.  Her eyes will certainly need to shine brightly to-night, for it’s very dark.  It’s a good thing you have her along.”