JULY. 



121 



to the tree for shelter, but they were told of 

 the danger, and that the open field was the 

 most secure place ; and soon they were con- 

 vinced of this, for immediately there came a 

 flash of lightning that seemed to envelope the 

 whole meadow with fire, accompanied by such 

 a deafening clap of thunder, as almost to stun 

 the amazed spectators, and fill them with as- 

 tonishment as they saw the tree rent, and its 

 limbs scattered over the ground. They now 

 with rapid speed, made their way to the house, 

 carefully avoiding the trees, whose prostrate 

 branches showed the fury of the tempest. 



Henry reached the house, as wet as if he 

 had been in the brook ; but soon had his wet 

 clothes exchanged for dry ones. The shower 

 now seemed to have spent its fury : the thun- 

 der appeared less heavy, and at a greater dis- 

 tance — some seconds intervening between 

 the flash of lightning and the report ; the rain 

 9 



