A RESIDENCE AT JUJA 



cially would bark and stamp and stand their ground, 

 and even come nearer out of sheer curiosity. I have 

 thus been within fifty yards of them, right out in 

 the open. At such times it was as though the sky, 

 instead of rounding over in the usual shape, had 

 been thrust up at the western horizon to the same 

 incredible height as the zenith. In the space thus 

 created were piled great clouds through which 

 slanted broad bands of yellow light on a diminished 

 world. 



It rained with great suddenness on our devoted 

 heads, and with a curious effect of metamorphosing 

 the entire universe. One moment all was clear and 

 smiling, with the trifling exception of distant rain 

 squalls that amounted to nothing in the general 

 scheme. Then the horizon turned black, and with 

 incredible swiftness the dark clouds materialized 

 out of nothing, rolled high to the zenith like a wave, 

 blotted out every last vestige of brightness. A 

 heavy oppressive still darkness breathed over the 

 earth. Then through the silence came a faraway 

 soft drumming sound, barely to be heard. As we 

 bent our ears to catch this it grew louder and louder, 

 approaching at breakneck speed like a troop of 

 horses. It became a roar fairly terrifying in its 

 mercilessly continued crescendo. At last the deluge 

 of rain burst actually as a relief. 



391 



