THE ADTESTCJOSS OP A FOOTS SATUMAUST. 149 



they hailed me as a conqueror. The terrible trials of the 

 day before seemed to be entirety forgotten; even Laden 

 had recoTered aU bis lirefine^ L"Encuerado took die rab- 

 bit, and in an incredible short space of time had it skinned, 

 and placed to brofl on die burning coals. 



Wefl ! what do you think of hurricanes V asked Sumi- 

 chrast of Lueien, who was watching him cleaning his gun. 



"They are most awful! I should never hare thought 

 dial the wind, which is invisible, could have blown down 

 and broken up trees as big as that one which almost f tfl 

 upon us." 



" Were yon much frightened?" 



"Rather; and so were you, for you were quite pale.** 



" The danger was much greater than you imagined. If 

 the uprooted tree had pitched on our rock, it would have 

 upset h, and crushed us beneath.'* 



"Then the wind must be much stronger in forests than 

 in towns?" 



"No; for die hurricane of yesterday probably destroyed 

 entire villages. It was one of those tropical storms which 

 happfly only break out at long intervals. Many an Indian 

 is at this moment rebuilding his destroyed hut" 



Lueien looked very thoughtful, and went and sat down at 

 die foot of a tree. When I passed near him, I saw he had 

 tears in his eyes. 



What's the matter?" I asked. 



I was thinking of mamma nd my brothers. ILSumi- 

 chrast told me that die tempest must have demolished 

 whole villages; 00 perhaps our home has met with some 



"Don't be frightened, my dear boy! Thank God ! stone 

 walls can generally stand against wind. Besides, diis hur- 

 ricane can hardly have been felt at Orbava. At afl events, 

 your mamma has more reason to be anxious about u*,for 



