A YOUNG NATURALIST. 93 



Towards midnight the storm abated a little, and, giving way 

 to fatigue, I fell asleep. 



I had only just closed my eyes when I suddenly jumped up 

 again, deafened as if by a hundred claps of thunder joined in 

 one. The darkness was as thick as ever,, and the wind was still 

 more boisterous ; the echo of the fallen tree had scarcely died 

 away before another colossus groaned and fell. My companions 

 were now all awake. 



" What 's the matter,, M. Sumichrast ? " asked Lucien, in a low 

 tone. 



" It is a hurricane, my boy." 



" One might fancy that a giant was passing through the wood, 

 shouting and whistling, and breaking down all the trees as he 

 went along.'' 



. "I wish that was all," replied Sumichrast; "but it's some- 

 thing much worse J it is the south wind, the sirocco of the 

 Mexican coast." 



"Will it sweep us away, M. Sumichrast?" 



" I hope not ; thanks to the rock which shields us." 



A tree now fell close to us, and covered us with dust. Cling- 

 ing tightly to one another, every moment brought with it a fresh 

 anxiety. We dared not speak of our feelings, for fear of fright- 

 ening our young companion, who pressed close up to me. Amid 

 the universal destruction going on, it only needed a branch 

 driven by the squall to dislodge our shelter, for us to be swept 

 away like chaff before the wind. I had witnessed many a hurri- 

 cane, but this fearful night exceeded all. 



At last daylight appeared; the sun rose gloomily, and ex- 

 posed the disasters of the terrible night. On every side trees, 

 broken and uprooted, lay prostrate on the ground, or, half sus- 

 pended by the creepers entangled in their branches, were balanced 

 like the formidable battering-rams of the ancients. Lucien was 

 speechless at the sight before his eyes. A sudden, cracking noise 

 was heard, and another forest giant slowly bent over, and, de- 

 scribing a rapid curve, crushed its branches against the ground ; 

 ten seconds destroyed the work of centuries. 



L'Encuerado attempted to go two or three yards beyond our 



