224 THUNDER STORM. 



foliage of the trees that shadowed its banks. 

 With some difficulty and danger we se- 

 lected a spot to wade through, — the water 

 reaching considerably above the girths ; we 

 then wound along the ravine, following its 

 course until we came to a part where the 

 mountains expand, and leave a consider- 

 able space, where we found a cottage, and 

 a maize plantation. At this moment a 

 heavy thunder-storm was coming on ; we 

 therefore hastened to the cottage, unsad- 

 dled our animals, and turned them loose 

 in an enclosure, to graze ; we then betook 

 ourselves to the shelter of the cottage, as 

 the rain commenced falling in torrents, with 

 heavy thunder, and a good deal of very vi- 

 vid forked lightning. We were detained an 

 hour, but did not lose the time,— employ- 

 ing it in making a most substantial lun- 

 cheon, and quaffing a good bowl of punch, 

 which put us in spirits to commence our 

 search, as soon as the storm was over; 



