TORNADOES. 163 



stantly to the south, bearing slowly west. This movement will take you away 

 from the forward and return action of the tornado cloud. Another case, suppose 

 your position to be the same as just given, viz : at any point in the central line of 

 movement, but that the tornado cloud had just crossed over that line to the south- 

 ward. In this event you should move instantly and directly to the north bearing 

 slowly west. This movement will also, as in the case previously cited, take you 

 away from the forward and return action of the tornado cloud. 



To recapitulate in regard to tornado cloud motions and the manner of move- 

 ment with respect to them. Remember, that under no circumstances, should you 

 move to the northeast, east or southeast. Never wait until the tornado cloud is 

 almost upon you before you move. When watching the cloud in order to deter- 

 mine the course of its movement and decide upon the manner in which you will 

 act in regard to its motions, place yourself directly in front of and as nearly as 

 possible in a direct line with the advancing cloud. By thus selecting your posi- 

 tion for observation you can determine more easily than in any other way the 

 prevalence of characteristic motions, the change from one to the other and the 

 most desirable moment in which to act in regard to any motion. 



How TO Act on Its Formation. — The following remarks apply to your 

 manner of action when the evidences of the existence of the tornado cloud are 

 undeniable. At this juncture the actual tornado cloud is not yet in sight but 

 other infallible signs (heretofore given) of its formation and probable approach 

 from a point possibly below your horizon, are present Act immediately, judi- 

 ciously and with the utmost rapidity, but never for one instant allow yourself to 

 become excited or reckless in anything. Take the situation as calmly as possi- 

 ble, knowing as you ought (or probably will) the terrible power you have to deal 

 with. Do not with an over-weening sense of fancied security or an inclination 

 to a superstitious feeling that your life is mysteriously over-shadowed by a pecu- 

 liarly beneficent power, think and act leisurely about the matter of self-protection. 

 A tornado cloud never sends forward a flag of truce or even solicits the "right 

 of way." There are certain indications which we have heretofore spoken of that 

 frequently, if not always, manifest themselves from half an hour to two or three 

 hours in advance of the tornado cloud. Do not wait to make sure of the exist- 

 ence of the cloud or call into play a telescope to detect the charateristic outlines 

 of the intruder and see if he corresponds with the regulation standard. It will 

 pay you to run the chance of being trifled with, or disappointed if you so prefer 

 to call it, several times rather than be compelled (when the opportunity to relieve 

 yourself was once within your grasp) to weather a storm of this character. Of 

 course you may get through alive, but then it is not such a change of scene and 

 situation, so unusual and delightfully frisky in its nature, that you will needs pass 

 through life with a stinging regret that you might have actually experienced 

 this chief of "twisters." Even though you may feel an uncontrollable desire to 

 serve the interests of science and those of the United States Weather Bureau, cast 

 such ambitious and patriotic thoughts aside and prepare to flee, your back to 

 the foe. Many foolhardy acts have been committed (perhaps through fear and 



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