nature's magnificence. To the left, the Dunderberg reared its woody
precipices, height over height, forest over forest, away into the deep
summer sky. To the right, strutted forth the bold promontory of Antony's
Nose, with a solitary eagle wheeling about it; while beyond, mountain
succeeded to mountain, until they seemed to lock their arms together and
confine this mighty rive in their embraces.

3. In the midst of this admiration, Dolph remarked a pile of bright, snowy
clouds peering above the western heights. It was succeeded by another, and
another, each seemingly pushing onward its predecessor, and towering, with
dazzling brilliancy, in the deep blue atmosphere; and now muttering peals
of thunder were faintly heard rolling behind the mountains. The river,
hitherto still and glassy, reflecting pictures of the sky and land, now
showed a dark ripple at a distance, as the wind came creeping up it. The
fishhawks wheeled and screamed, and sought their nests on the high, dry
trees; the crows flew clamorously to the crevices of the rocks; and all
nature seemed conscious of the approaching thunder gust.

4. The clouds now rolled in volumes over the mountain tops; their summits
still bright and snowy, but the lower parts of an inky blackness. The rain
began to patter down in broad and scattered drops; the wind freshened, and
curled up the waves; at length, it seemed as if the bellying clouds were
torn open by the mountain tops, and complete torrents of rain came
rattling down. The lightning leaped from cloud to cloud, and streamed
quivering against the rocks, splitting and rending the stoutest forest
trees. The thunder burst in tremendous explosions; the peals were echoed
from mountain to mountain; they crashed upon Dunderberg, and then rolled
up the long defile of the Highlands, each headland making a new echo,
until old Bull Hill seemed to bellow back the storm.