Chapter 30

           Intheboxcarcampthewaterstoodinpuddles,andtherainsplashedinthemud.Graduallythelittlestreamcreptupthebanktowardthelowflatwheretheboxcarsstood.

           OntheseconddayoftherainAltookthetarpaulindownfromthemiddleofthecar.Hecarrieditoutandspreaditonthenoseofthetruck,andhecamebackintothecarandsatdownonhismattress.Now,withouttheseparation,thetwofamiliesinthecarwereone.Themensattogether,andtheirspiritsweredamp.Makeptalittlefiregoinginthestove,keptafewtwigsburning,andsheconservedherwood.Therainpoureddownonthenearlyflatroofoftheboxcar.

           OnthethirddaytheWainwrightsgrewrestless.«Maybewebettergo’long,"Mrs.Wainwrightsaid.AndMatriedtokeepthem.«Where’dyougoan’besureofatightroof?»

           «Idunno,butIgotafeelin’weoughtagoalong.»Theyarguedtogether,andMawatchedAl.

           RuthieandWinfieldtriedtoplayforawhile,andthentheytoorelapsedintosulleninactivity,andtheraindrummeddownontheroof.

           Onthethirddaythesoundofthestreamcouldbeheardabovethedrummingrain.PaandUncleJohnstoodintheopendoorandlookedoutontherisingstream.Atbothendsofthecampthewaterranneartothehighway,butatthecampitloopedawaysothatthehighwayembankmentsurroundedthecampatthebackandthestreamcloseditinonthefront.AndPasaid,«How’sitlooktoyou,John?Seemstomeifthatcrickcomesup,she’llfloodus.»

           UncleJohnopenedhismouthandrubbedhisbristlingchin.«Yeah,"hesaid.