16 NATURE IN A CITY YARD 



probably because we do not look for it; 

 so we are surprised when at sunset the red 

 lights play over a web that tents in the 

 whole sky; and as the lights change in 

 color and climb higher with the falling of 

 the sun, we see that it is not merely one 

 film of cloud, but one on another; half a 

 dozen, perhaps. Yet we said that the sky 

 was clear. What weak seers we are ! 



In storm, especially a hot- weather one, 

 the riding up of the celestial navy to fire 

 its bolts is a glorious sight. The sky is an 

 inverted ocean, and whirling on its tem- 

 pestuous surface come the black and threat- 

 ening squadrons, pennants of darkness 

 streaming in their wake, woolly films 

 wreathing at their bows. They speed 

 across the void, whirling, twisting in mael- 

 stroms, rising and falling, occasionally lost 

 behind the black sails of swifter craft, 

 emerging to view again, darker and more 

 wicked than ever. Then comes the shot 

 we listen for : the air blazes, and a roar of 

 wrath goes out. The musketry of rain fol- 

 lows; and when the impenitent earth has 

 been properly battered and drenched, the 



