58 THE FORESTS OF UPPER INDIA 



gather about the hilltops. Out of the silence there 

 came a rushing sound caused by the approach of a whirl- 

 wind, which carried along a pillar of dust and leaves 

 wrenched from the trees, which were borne upwards into 

 the sky, presaging a storm. Tumbling and threatening 

 masses of clouds came up rapidly, and suddenly there 

 was nothing to be seen but white mist. Punoo was not 

 at a loss, but soon discovered a cave under broken rocks, 

 where shelter could be got from the coming storm ; and 

 we proceeded to make the place shipshape for the night. 

 Dry juniper boughs were collected, and a comfortable 

 fragrant couch was made ready. Some snow was brought 

 from a ravine near by to melt for water. A fire was lighted 

 of dry sticks, and the kettle put on. Soon the storm burst, 

 with torrents of rain changing to hail and snow, like the 

 report of a lOO-ton gun close to our ears, accompanied 

 by a blinding flash ; the lightning seemed to cleave the 

 mountain, where we cowered crouching into the recesses 

 of the cave. The echoes from the hills came back at 

 intervals, as if every mountain was falling in universal 

 chaos. The pinnacle under which we sheltered shook 

 with a terrible vibration as the thunder rolled, and tottered 

 as if about to topple over into the valley 7,000 feet below. 

 The flash of the lightning soon became a continuous 

 discharge, and the thunder one perpetual roar, quite 

 blinding and deafening ; but, strange to say, no harm 

 was done us. The storm raged above and below. The 

 electric fluid seemed to go right through one and perv^ade 

 all space. Being on board an ironclad in action sur- 

 rounded by a whole fleet could not be more deafening 

 or more terrifying. I have experienced innumerable 

 thunder-storms, but never one like this, so near and with 

 such grand and impressive surroundings. Even the 

 natives who li\'ed in this region were senseless with fear, 



