THE CLOUDS 101 



the service of the earth, in the firm knowledge that 

 one per cent, of the total provision will be utmost 

 abundance for the need of every living thing. 



But let us watch this homeward hastening cloud. 

 Is there any magnetic sympathy between it and the 

 source of yonder great river, issuing first in a trickling 

 stream from the bosom of a great mountain on the sea 

 coast ? At first we are tempted to say, " Eidiculous ! 

 these matters are ruled by law, the law of averages ; 

 but here the law of chance plays a conspicuous part." 

 Perhaps so, but I for one would fain hold the fantastic 

 idea that the cloud is a conscious messenger of good, 

 and that from the time of its loading in the doldrums 

 it is steadily bent upon reaching a given spot where 

 its cargo may be discharged, just like the faithful ship 

 informed by the spirit of her master, and hastening 

 homeward with her load of food for the hungry, 

 unthinking, and ungrateful people. True or not, the 

 fancy is a favourite one of mine, and I believe is quite 

 an innocent play of the imagination. Let us, then, 

 imagine the still laden cloud in the firm embrace of a 

 strong shoreward wind, being hurried straight to its 

 destination. There rises before it a range of mountains 

 which it hails as its goal. They mark the conclusion 

 of its life work. To this end was it born; for this 

 one purpose has it existed ; and now its reward, the 

 successful accomplishment of its mission, is at hand. 

 Hurried onward with ever-accelerating speed, it pre- 

 sently reaches the serrated peaks of the mountains, 

 and is rent asunder thereby, while its precious burden 

 goes foaming downward into the hidden springs, from 

 whence it will presently emerge to bless and preserve 

 the inhabitants of the country below. 



