132 THE COUNTRY BOY 



storm as it tore past was something awful to 

 hear. It had that effect that night air and 

 rain sometimes have of making the brave fear. 

 It was just the night that would cause the 

 bravest of men to shudder and quiver like a 

 leaf. We got hold of the slamming upstairs 

 barn door, and held it fast as it slammed shut 

 with the noise of a cannon. After tying it 

 safelj% we delayed before starting back to the 

 house. We wished our bed and dry clothes 

 were there in the barn so that we could stay all 

 night. We looked at the cows and horses, all 

 showing fear, as they listened to the storm. 

 We were so cold we had to start. 



We couldn't make a mad dash, because in 

 the fury of the storm and the absolute black- 

 ness of the night, we couldn't keep our bear- 

 ings and were liable to hit a tree. Father 

 suggested that we go back through the barn- 

 yard to the street, then hold to the fence along 

 the sidewalk to the house, which we did. 

 Through some miracle the lantern stayed lit. 

 We had just reached the sidewalk and were 

 feeling our way toward the house, when a dog 

 came into the dim glow of the lantern and 

 shook himself. It was old Prince, Jake JNIc- 



