Chapter 12 WHAT HAPPENED IN BILLYCOCK CAVES
The little company in the tent were amazed. Why should aeroplanes take off from the airfield¹ in themiddle of a stormy night?
'For experiments in storms, perhaps?' said Dick. 'No - that would be rather unnecessary.'
'Perhaps they were aeroplanes landing there, not leaving,' suggested Anne.
'Possibly - perhaps seeking the shelter of the airfield when they were caught in this storm,' said Dick.
But Julian shook his head.
'No,' he said. 'This airfield is too far off the ordinary air-routes - nobody would bother about it; it's sosmall for one thing - more of a little experimental station than anything else. Any aeroplane indifficulties could easily go to a first-class airfield for shelter or help.'
'I wonder if Jeff went up in one of the two we heard,' said George.
Anne yawned. 'What about bedding down?' she said. 'This tent is so hot and stuffy² that I feel half-asleep.'
'Yes - it's getting late,' said Julian, looking at his watch. 'You two girls and Timmy can have this tent- it will save you going out into the rain. Fasten the flap after we've gone - and yell if you wantanything.'
'Right. Good night, Ju, good night, Dick,' said the girls, and the boys scrambled³ out into the rain.
Anne fastened the flap of the tent, and wrapped her rug round her. She burrowed⁴ into her heatherybed and made herself comfortable. George did the same.
'Good night,' said Anne, sleepily. 'Keep Tim on your side. I can't bear him on my legs, he's so heavy.'
The Five slept soundly and awoke the next morning to a dismal⁵ scene of rain and dark clouds.
'How disappointing!' said Dick, peering out of his tent. 'We ought to have listened to the weatherforecast to see if it would clear today. What's the time, Julian?'
'Just gone eight,' said Julian. 'My word, we are sleepy these days! Well, it's not raining so very hardnow - let's see if the girls are awake, and put on our macs and go and wash at the spring.'
They all had breakfast - not quite so merry as usual, because it was a bit of a crowd in the tent and notnearly so much fun as having it in the sunshine. Still, the day might clear, and then they could godown to see Toby at the farm.

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