222 THUNDER-STORM. 



sand, over which I walked. We reached the lake to the west 

 of its most southerly point, and distinctly saw the shore run 

 ning north on each side of us. The beach along which our 

 road lay was so soft, that almost all the party walked to ease 

 the horses, who showed unequivocal symptoms of distress. 

 It was now about nightfall, and our guide from Niles, who 

 had carried the mail over the country, assured us we were 

 twenty-eight miles from the nearest house. It appeared to 

 me doubtful if the tired animals could accomplish the journey 

 under any circumstances, and hopeless to think of them doing 

 so with all the passengers in the waggon. I therefore pro 

 posed to walk the distance, and set out with such a view by 

 myself: but reflecting that I was altogether unacquainted 

 with the country, and might pass the resting-place without 

 noticing it, I left the shores of the lake, and botanized on the 

 sand hills until I could no longer distinguish plants. 



On returning to the waggon, the party were all reseated, 

 with the exception of the Nottawa Sepee farmer and Indian 

 trader, and I could not refrain from remarking the want of feel 

 ing evinced by some of the gentlemen in oppressing the horses, 

 then moving at the rate of three miles an hour, dead to the 

 whip, and occasionally coaxed on with water in a pail. The 

 evening was agreeably cool, the moon and aurora borealis shone 

 in splendour, and the ripples of the lake, and the wheels of 

 the waggon, passed without noise on the smooth beach. By 

 and by, the sound of distant thunder was heard rolling on 

 the waters flashes of lightning could be distinguished, and at 

 length the clouds from which both proceeded came directly 

 over our heads, accompanied by torrents of rain. At this 

 time the farmer and trader also betook themselves to the wag 

 gon, and I continued to walk on foot. It is impossible for 

 me to convey in words a correct impression of our situation. 

 Peal after peal of thunder followed each other for two suc 

 cessive hours. The lightning was so vivid, that every flash 

 deprived me of vision for a few seconds, and, unable to see 

 the way, I laid hold of the waggon with one hand. The 

 horses seemed unwilling to proceed, and the guide was mounted 

 on one of the leaders to urge them along. At this time the 

 wind had sprung up, and the rain fell in such torrents, that, 



