1 80 THE WALKS ABROAD OF 



can be seen with a good magnifying power in the 

 transparent web or membrane uniting their toes. 

 And we must not forget the green frogs, whose duty 

 it is to act as cheap barometers." 



"And who are worth about as little as they cost," 

 ejaculated Bene" who still entertained a malicious feel- 

 ing towards barometer No. 2. 



Just then a prolonged rumbling was heard in the 

 distance ; and while the doctor and Leon were listen- 

 ing with eagerness, "It is some heavily laden vehicle 

 going by," added the Parisian. There was, however, 

 no further possibility of mistake : a few minutes after- 

 wards the first gleams of lightning, precursors of 

 an approaching storm, were seen behind the great 

 trees. 



"Look, obstinate man!" said Leon. "These, I 

 presume, are the lamps of your vehicle ! " 



The storm rapidly increased ; the cloud, at first 

 distant and almost imperceptible in the blue sky, 

 increased, and soon the azure firmament was covered 

 as if with an immense dark veil of slatey grey. 



For a moment the little caravan stopped discomfited. 

 But as they were less than a mile from Touques, it 

 was decided to push on to there, and take shelter in 

 the meantime. 



The doctor drove on the equipage with a heavy 

 stroke or two of the whip, and a few minutes afterwards 

 they reached one of the first houses. It was an inn, 



