JULY. 



119 



was loaded into the carts, which were handy 

 in the field. Every nerve seemed to be 

 strained as they beheld the cloud, rising and 

 blackening, and assuming every moment 

 some new and fantastic shape, as they heard 

 the frequent thunder nearer and nearer ; and 

 now another cloud was seen swiftly rising 

 in the north, and thunder answered to thunder 

 as the hollow sound reverberated from one 

 quarter to the other ; and as the clouds darken- 

 ed, the frequent lightnings seemed to play with 

 greater brilliancy as they darted from cloud to 

 cloud. By this time the hastily loaded teams 

 were hurried to the barn ; the well fed and 

 managed oxen partaking of the spirit of the 

 times, swiftly, and with apparent ease drew 

 their ample loads to a place of safety. And 

 now, without the loss of a single moment, the 



men commenced raking what remained 



They were not a little amused with their 



