CHAP. vi. A TERRIBLE NIGHT. 99 



pected a wild night, as lie had seen the storm brew- 

 ing before he left home. Nevertheless he went out 

 as usual. 



He had always regarded a thunderstorm as one 

 of the grandest sights. He rejoiced in the warring 

 of the elements by day, and also by night when the 

 inhabitants of the earth were wrapped in sleep. As 

 he approached old Boyndie, the storm burst. The 

 clouds were ripped open, and the zigzag lightning 

 threw a sudden flood of light over land and sea. 

 Torrents of rain followed, in the midst of which 

 Edward ran into the churchyard and took shelter 

 under a flat tombstone supported by four low pillars. 

 There was just room enough for him to lie down at 

 full length. The storm was not yet at its height. 

 The thunder pealed and crashed and rolled along the 

 heavens, as if the universe were about to be torn 

 asunder, and the mighty fragments hurled out into 

 infinity. It became louder and louder nearer and 

 nearer. The lightning flashed in red and yellowish 

 fiery streams ; each flash leaving behind it a suffo- 

 cating sulphurous odour. Then followed torrents of 

 rain and hail and lumps of ice. 



After the thunderstorm, the wind began, lightly 

 at first, but, increasing rapidly, it soon blew a hurri- 

 cane. The sea rose, and lashed its waves furiously 

 along the coast. Although Edward had entertained 

 no fear of the thunder, he now began to fear lest 

 the tremendous fury of the wind would blow down 



