CHAPTER XII
TOMMY FALLS OUT OF BED
The night was far spent, and the air at their altitude was crisp and
chill. Below them a fog had settled over the canyons and gullies,
blotting the landscape entirely from the sight of any one above the
mist line. But, though there was no moon, objects could be made out
with reasonable distinctness on Sokoki Leap, where the girls, their
guardian and the guide were sleeping more or less soundly. Toward
morning, however, Tommy awoke with a start. She twitched and jerked,
rolled herself into a ball, straightened out again and twisted and
turned, wide awake and nervous. Her rope being long, the guide was not
disturbed--at least, not then.
An owl hooted high in a ledge above their camping place. It hooted
three times. Tommy rose, throwing off her blanket. She stood
shivering in her kimono, for the air had grown chilly, undecided
whether to awaken the camp or lie down again. Finally she sank down
and rolled over and over in her blanket, this time determined to wrap
up so snugly that the cold could not reach her.
Then came the interruption, starting with a scream so terrifying as to
awaken every member of the party and to frighten the owl into sudden
silence.
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