A sharp flash of lightning struck upon the old man's eyes, and
obstructed his vision for the moment. "The storm will soon be at its
height," thought he; "I will watch the tents, and see how they stand up
against its force." Then the rain came pattering down, and the wind
howled louder than before. In a minute or two the darkness became so
intense that he could hardly find his way back to the tents. He turned
round, but could not see, for he was blinded by the heavy rain. As
nothing could be done, he went into the tent and sheltered himself from
the storm, although he would not lie down, lest his services might be
required. The others had retired to bed, but with the exception of
Tommy and the children, they had not taken off their clothes.



Chapter XVIII

The storm now raged furiously, the lightning was accompanied by loud
peals of thunder, and the children awoke and cried with fright, till
they were hushed to sleep again. The wind howled as it pressed with all
its violence against the tents, while the rain poured off in torrents.
One moment the canvas of the tents would bulge in, and the cords which
held it strain and crack; at another, an eddy of wind would force out
the canvas, which would flap and flap, while the rain found many an
entrance. The tent in which Mrs. Seagrave and the children reposed was
on the outside of the others, and therefore the most exposed. About
midnight the wind burst on them with greater violence than before. A
loud crash was heard by Ready and Mr. Seagrave, followed by the shrieks
of Mrs. Seagrave and Juno; the pegs of the tent had given way, and the
inmates were exposed to the fury of the elements. Ready rushed out,
followed by Mr. Seagrave and William. So strong was the wind and