STORMS. 13 



with such rapidity, spreading out as it conies 

 along, with the edges becoming more and 

 more ragged and angry-looking, that it is as 

 well to hurry home or to a shelter, as the rain 

 often pours down within twenty minutes of the 

 first appearance of the cloud. Sometimes the 

 wind is so high that the cloud is blown right 

 over to the opposite horizon without a drop 

 of rain falling. 



Hailstorms also sometimes occur, and I re- 

 member one in November 1876 when the hail- 

 stones were as large as walnuts, and as it had 

 been a very hot day, we immediately rushed 

 out to secure some for "iced drinks," although 

 our heads suffered much from the hard knocks. 



I have twice since seen these hailstorms, but 

 the stones were never again quite so large. 

 The violent rushing noise heard when they are 

 approaching, and before anything very threaten- 

 ing is to be seen, is most alarming. 



My first thought during a storm is always, "I 

 hope my cottage will not be struck by light- 

 ning," as it stands so high ; my second, " Are any 



