CHAPTEE IV. 



STORMS. 



THE atmospheric phenomena of the plains are on the 

 most magnificent scale. Thunderstorms are rare on the 

 high plains, but when they do occur they excel in all 

 the elements of grandeur and sublimity. Nowhere is 

 the lightning-flash a more vivid and blinding glare. 

 Nowhere is the crash of the thunder more stunning, nor 

 its roll more deep and prolonged. Nowhere does a man 

 feel more intensely the nearness and power of the Creator. 

 For at least six months, from November to April, of 

 every twelve, ' the wind is never weary on the high 

 plains,' and wind-storms may occur at any season. The 

 storms of each locality generally come from one parti- 

 cular direction, and, at whatsoever season occurring, are 

 often perfect tornadoes, overturning and destroying 

 everything movable. 



Scarcely a military post on the plains but suffers 

 yearly from these storms in torn roofs and wrecked 

 houses. In May and June these storms are not unfre- 

 quently accompanied by hail. For fury, xiestructiveness, 

 and size of the stones, the hailstorms of the country 

 about Fort Lyon far excel any it has ever been my 

 misfortune to encounter. Two occurred in the summer 

 of 1870, which did immense damage, splitting the 

 shingles of the roofs, breaking palings or fences, killing 

 wild birds, domestic fowls, and all young or small 

 animals exposed to them. It was estimated that at least 

 a hundred calves were killed by these two storms. 



