THUNDER STORM. 31 



the richest variety of sunset hues. The west was in a 

 perfect blaze, and everything assumed a ruddy tinge. 

 Presently, however, we saw that the clouds grew darker 

 and more threatening, and a most extraordinary lurid 

 glare was cast on everything. The whole effect was 

 such as I had never before witnessed, and grand in the 

 extreme. It was now evident that a fearful storm was 

 impending, and the thunder, at first distant and indis- 

 tinct, rapidly drew nearer; and, as it rolled from hill 

 to hill, and was echoed from side to side in each 

 valley and ravine, the roar was completely overwhelm- 

 ing, and utterly beyond the power of language to 

 depict. 



We reached the cottage just as the first heavy drops 

 were falling ; and now succeeded one of the most fear- 

 ful storms I ever beheld. The flashes of lightning, as 

 they played about the mountain-sides, lit up each gully 

 and ravine, and seemed to disclose each fissure in the 

 face of every crag, while ever and anon deafening roars 

 pealed forth, as though some huge mountain had fallen, 

 rent and shivered by the storm. The pelting of the 

 rain outside made us thankful that we were comfortably 

 sheltered within ; and when the storm gradually sub- 

 sided, and a sweeping wind succeeded, Donald was in 

 perfect raptures, for that wind, he said, would drive 

 the deer like sheep into some deep corrie, which he 

 mentioned as near at hand, and sport would be certain 

 on the morrow. With this cheering prospect therefore 

 before us, we sat down to our supper ; and, plain as 

 were the viands, so much had our day's work sharpened 

 our appetites, that had they been the choicest delicacies 

 we would scarcely have enjoyed them more. We retired 

 to rest, or rather lay down on a straw and heather 

 pallet, in the same room, with the wind still howling, 

 having given directions to a shepherd, whose shieling 



