132 THE HIVE OF THE BEE-HUNTER. 
bronze, and to heighten this almost unearthly effect, the 
forest trees that lined its most distant shores, rose up 
like mountains of impenetrable darkness, against clouds 
burning with fire. 
The thunder cracked and echoed through the hea- 
vens, and the half starved wolf, nearly dead with fear, 
mingled his cries of distress with the noises without, 
startling us with the momentary conviction, that we 
heard the voices of men in the agony of death. 
Hours passed away and the elements spent their 
fury; and although the rain continued falling in tor- 
rents, it was finally unaccompanied with lightning. So 
sudden, indeed, were the extremes, that with your eyes 
dilating with the glare of the heavens, you were, a mo- 
ment after, surrounded by the most perfect darkness. 
Confused, bewildered, and soaking wet; we followed 
the stoical example of our Indian guide, and settling 
down in a crouching attitude, waited most impatiently 
for the light of the morning. 
The rain continued to descend in gusts, and the same 
deep darkness was upon us; my companions soon fell 
asleep as soundly as if they were at home; the long 
drawn respirations added to my misery. Wound up to 
the highest pitch of impatience, I was about starting to 
my feet to utter some angry complaint, when the In- 
dian, whom I thought in a profound slumber, touched 
me upon the arm, and with a peculiar sound, signified 
that I must be silent and listen. 
