FIRE FLIES. 17 



the sudden lightning, rending the gloom, succeeded 

 by the rolling, rattling thunder-peal, that made the 

 horses jump, not to mention our own pulsations. 

 Brushed every few steps by an overhanging branch, 

 as if struck by a mysterious hand, we kept resolutely 

 on — the good horses picking their way like Alpine 

 mules, and the road proving itself to be far better 

 than our fears. 



At length, just as the heavy drops began to fall, we 

 emerged into a little valley, in which nestled a rude 

 village, the meadows of which seemed to be one mass 

 of phosphorescence. The fire flies hung in countless 

 numbers over the surface, forming almost a solid body 

 of light. The effect was indescribable ; all around 

 was Egyptian darkness, except that single level spot 

 on which the incessant flashes made a constant, yet 

 ever tremulous light. At first, it seemed an illusion, 

 so fluctuating and confused did everything appear ; 

 but as the eye, aided by the judgment, got accus- 

 tomed to the scene, it became a beautiful creation, 

 made on purpose to cheer the night and lessen the 

 gloom that overhung the world. 



All ! how delicious it is after such a ride to stand 

 under a roof and hear the big drops dashing against 



