hemlock fell at our feet. Then a shower of pine needles came
slowly down, scattering over us and hitting the timber with a faint
hiss. Before we could look up, a dry stick as long as a log fell
rattling on the platform.

"Never see no sech dom's afore," said D'ri, looking upward.
"Things don't seem t' me t' be actin' eggzac'ly nat'ral--nut jest
es I 'd like t' see 'em."

As the light came clearer, we saw clouds heaped black and blue over
the tree-tops in the southwest. We stood a moment looking. The
clouds were heaping higher, pulsing with light, roaring with
thunder. What seemed to be a flock of pigeons rose suddenly above
the far forest, and then fell as if they had all been shot. A gust
of wind coasted down the still ether, fluttering like a rag and
shaking out a few drops of rain.

"Look there!" I shouted, pointing aloft.

"Hark!" said D'ri, sharply, raising his hand of three fingers.

We could hear a far sound like that of a great wagon rumbling on a
stony road.

"The Almighty 's whippin' his hosses," said D'ri. "Looks es ef he
wus plungin' 'em through the woods 'way yender. Look a' thet air
sky."

The cloud-masses were looming rapidly. They had a glow like that
of copper.