16 THE ADIRONDACK. 



trunks and blackened stumps, and last though not least, 

 important, the horses, with my driver at their head. 

 An instantaneous and utter blackness followed- — fall- 

 ing on everything like a mighty pall — and then came 

 the sullen thunder, swelling gradually from the low 

 growl into the deep vibrating peal that shook the hills. 

 It was my turn to feel nervous now, and the idea of 

 walking out a thunder-storm at midnight, in these 

 mountains, was not to be entertained a moment. 

 Unfortunately, I can bear the worst fate better than 

 suspense ; so calling out in a tone not to be mis- 

 taken, I said, " come, get in and drive on, and 

 drive fast, too — if we break down, we will bivouack 

 the rest of the night under the wagon, but as for 

 going at this snail's pace, and a thunder storm gather- 

 ing over our heads, I will not permit it." With a grunt 

 at my rashness, he clambered in and started on. 

 " Come," said I, " whip up, neck or nothing, I 

 can't stand this." Getting into a smart trot, we 

 passed rapidly along, expecting every moment to 

 feel the shock that should stop us for the nighty 

 or find ourselves describing the arc of a circle, 

 down some declivity, + he bottom of which, we 

 could only speculate upon. Ever and anon came 



