60 CAMP-FIRES OF A NATURALIST. 



for a second a noiseless calm was over all. Then the 

 two clouds rushed to the top of the intervening ridge, 

 and the space between them seemed filled with one 

 continuous sheet of flame. The whole mountain was 

 the battle-ground and heavenly fire the weapons in 

 this awful contest of the elements. Lightning 

 flashed through the air in all directions. Rocks rolled 

 down the side of the mountain, while a hail-storm sent 

 missiles over the valley. The burros huddled to- 

 gether and trembled at the raging of the elements, 

 while Dyche and Brown threw themselves flat on the 

 ground and sought the shelter afforded by the jut- 

 ting rocks. 



Gradually the uproar ceased. The hail continued 

 to fall until the whole mountain-top was covered 

 to a depth of two or three inches. It was some 

 minutes before the storm, now broken into numerous 

 smaller ones, left the mountain and permitted the 

 naturalists to start down to timber and shelter. 



Within an hour from the time the storm began, 

 the whole country was smiling as if nothing had ever 

 occurred to mar its serenity. Not a breath of wind 

 ruffled the trees. Far down the mountain appeared 

 the little lake, no longer vexed by the wind, and 

 picturing on its breast the wooded hills. A pale 

 blue haze hung over everything, and covered the 

 landscape with a veil which, like distance, lent en- 

 chantment to the view. 



A few days spent here proved that there was 

 neither bear nor elk in this part of the country, and 

 camp was moved, the party going in an easterly di- 

 rection and travelling all day through a wilderness of 



