AFTER THE STORM. 415 



to me, that supposing the wagon was struck, what a 

 tremendous explosion there would be if my store of 

 gunpowder became ignited! Such a casualty happening, 

 there could be no doubt that every human being, yes, 

 and animal, near or at present taking shelter under it 

 would be killed. 



My fears I communicated to Umganey ; to the 

 others he said only three or four words, and in an 

 instant, as if by magic, all tumbled and scrambled out 

 from under the wagon and rushed for shelter to the 

 nearest tree. Taking with me the mare, I followed 

 their example. For over an hour the storm appeared to 

 stand still, in fact it looked as if for that space of time 

 we formed its vortex. It was an awe-inspiring period 

 a period in which one feels that every breath may be his 

 last, every moment his final one of life. But why fear 

 death, particularly in such a form? It is but the sensa- 

 tion of an instant, and we have but returned to the clay 

 out of which we were moulded. It is not to die we 

 dread, but it is to die unprepared, and how few can say 

 they are ready to meet their God ! 



But the battle-field where waged the strife, where 

 the hottest part of the action had so long lasted, began 

 to sustain a lull, for the warring elements visibly com- 

 menced to move farther to the north. The rain by 

 degrees became lighter and lighter, till it gradually 

 ceased, and the face of the glorious sun was revealed in 

 all his grandeur, rapidly hurrying to submerge himself 

 behind the western horizon. How often, when alone in 

 the Great Thirst Land, when I have felt sad and dull, 

 when I have thought of one whom I loved, and who 

 played me false, of one who held my destiny in her 

 hands, and drove me to be a wanderer, how often have I 



