OUT IN THti NIGHT. 



The strong canvas cover shut 

 off their view in most directions, 

 but through the opening at the 

 rear they had a view of the camp 

 as shown by the glare of the fire. 

 The sight was picturesque 

 and striking. The wind, which 

 was blowing more strongly every 

 minute, had fanned the blaze, 

 whose reflection showed almost 

 every member of the camp. 



The handsome face of Jack 

 Harvey, as he stood erect, look- 

 ing around with an inquiring 

 expression, as if to make sure 

 that everything was safe; the 

 pale, thoughtful Mr. Godkin; the 

 sallow countenances of the na- 

 tives, who stared here and there, uncertain from what 

 point the fatal bolt would come, glancing furtively 

 now and then at the animals, who were no less 

 alarmed than they: these were the most prominent 

 points in the picture which met the eyes of Bob and 

 Dick, who formed no insignificant part of the scene 

 themselves, as they peered out from the canvas- 

 covered wagon. 



Naturally, the expectation was that such a prodigious electric explosion wouki 

 be quickly followed by others, but the exchange between earth and sky seemed to 

 have restored the equilibrium for a time, and the darkness remained unbroken by 

 any blinding flashes. 



Suddenly every one was startled by a rattling as of a million bullets. Hailstones 

 of large size came down with such fury that every person ran for shelter, and the 

 animals bellowed and whinnied with terror and pain. 



Fortunately, however, the flurry lasted but a few minutes, when the fall of hail- 

 stones ceased as abruptly as it had begun. Mr. Godkin, Jack Harvey and the natives 

 returned to their stations, while the boys crouched in the wagon and wondered 

 what was coming next. 



The wind blew strongly, and now and then large drops of rain pattered around 

 them, with a noise like that of the hailstones, which lay in winrows about camp. 



"We didn't make preparations for anything like this," said Bob, "and I'm 

 afraid our captives have suffered. If some of the little ones got pelted on the head 

 with those stones, they may have had their brains knocked out." 

 "How about the baboon^" 



" IT VANISHED IN THE GLOOM.' 



