"Fancy not knowing what frightened them!" said Jack.

The fact was that both Jack and Horace were a little overtired, and perhaps
a little jealous of the eventfulness of the Slowcoach's day.

They had been talking so hard that they had not noticed the sky; and the
splashing of raindrops was the first knowledge they had that a storm was
coming. It was nearly seven, and suddenly they all knew that they were very
tired and hungry and rather chilly. Kink stopped Moses and suggested
camping at once.

"Where?" said Robert.

"Here," said Kink. "Under these trees. There'll be a downpour soon: better
get your supper at once."

They therefore did not make any effort to find a farm, but instantly
unpacked. Hitherto everything had gone smoothly, but this was a bad
evening. Nothing seemed to be in its place, and Hester, whose duty it was
to get enough dry wood, had forgotten all about it, and by the time a new
bundle could be brought it was damp. Then the matches blew out, and then,
when at last the fire was alight, the wind scattered the flames so that
there was no heat under the pot for more than a moment at a time. This
often happens when you are on caravan excursions.

Mary had arranged for a stew, but she soon discovered that there was no
chance of its being done for hours unless it could be moved into the
Slowcoach and cooked over the Beatrice stove; but when they got Beatrice
out, she was found to be empty, and no more oil was in the can.