He could be gloomy when there was no particular danger, save what he imagined was in prospect. And then, when a crisis came, he rose to the emergency, and was a real help.
The sun tried to break through the clouds, as Joe and Blake finished their pictures, for they did not want to give too much film space showing the mere work of strengthening the levee.
"We want to save some in case—well, not to make a gloomy prediction—but in case the levee breaks," said Blake.
"And it looks to me as though it would go—if this rain keeps up and the river continues to rise," said Mr. Ringold. "I don't know that we can do much else here, so I think we might as well start off again, and continue our search."
They had taken rooms at the hotel the evening before, but they had had very little use of them, since they had spent the night on the levee. Their motor boat had been tied up at a dock.
"Well, let's go up to the hotel, wash, have breakfast, and then continue our voyage," suggested Blake. "Might as well do that as to try to cook aboard. We'll have more room at the Mansion House."
His companions agreed with him, and they were soon enjoying the luxury of a bath and a good meal.
