CHAPTER IX, 



THE SOUTH WIND. THE HURRICANE. A FEARFUL NIGHT. 



THE UPROOTED GIANT. THE S ARS AP ARILL A-PL ANT. 



GRINGALET DISCOVERS A SPRING. OUR BIVOUAC. 



X 'ENCITERADO'S prediction seemed as if it was likely 

 to be realized. About three o'clock in the morning 

 we were awakened by a hoarse roaring; the trees seemed 

 to shiver ; sometimes the uproar appeared to grow less and 

 almost to cease, and then broke out again louder than ever. 

 I hastened to warm some coffee ; but two or three times 

 the intermittent squalls scattered the burning fagots of our 

 fire, and the hot ashes nearly blinded us. This mishap was 

 owing to the open glade being so near to us, across which 

 the wind rushed furious and unrestrained. Almost before 



