AT THE FIRE


Holding the Teddy bear so the light from its eyes shone all about, the
two men stood on the back steps of the automobile and looked around
them.

All about was swiftly running water. The evening before, in coming to a
stop for the night, Mr. Brown had noticed, not far away from their
camping place, a small stream. Behind it were some high hills or small
mountains, but, though the storm was a hard one, no one thought the
little brook would turn into such a river.

"But that's what it's done," said Uncle Tad. "It's risen so high that
it's covered the side of the road near where we were, and it's floated
us off."

"Yes. I fear we'll soon be flooded inside."

Bunny, listening at the outer door of the big car, heard above the noise
of the flood and the rain, his father say this. For a moment he was
frightened, then he happened to think:

"Well, I've got rubber boots, and if the water comes in here I can wade
around and get things. But I guess I won't tell Sue and Momsie about it.
They might be scared."

Bunny Brown was a brave little chap when it came to something like this.
In fact he had shown his bravery more than once, as those of you who
have read the other books about him and his sister well know.