raise one third more calves from an equal number of cows.

The weather continued hot and sultry. Several times storms hung
on our left for hours which we hoped would reach us, and at night
the lightning flickered in sheets, yet with the exception of
cooling the air, availed us nothing. But as we encamped one night
on the divide before reaching the Smoky River, a storm struck us
that sent terror to our hearts. There were men in my outfit, and
others in Lovell's employ, who were from ten to twenty years my
senior, having spent almost their lifetime in the open, who had
never before witnessed such a night. The atmosphere seemed to be
overcharged with electricity, which played its pranks among us,
neither man nor beast being exempt. The storm struck the divide
about two hours after the cattle had been bedded, and from then
until dawn every man was in the saddle, the herd drifting fully
three miles during the night. Such keen flashes of lightning
accompanied by instant thunder I had never before witnessed,
though the rainfall, after the first dash, was light in quantity.
Several times the rain ceased entirely, when the phosphorus, like
a prairie fire, appeared on every hand. Great sheets of it
flickered about, the cattle and saddle stock were soon covered,
while every bit of metal on our accoutrements was coated and
twinkling with phosphorescent light. My gauntlets were covered,
and wherever I touched myself, it seemed to smear and spread and
refuse to wipe out. Several times we were able to hold up and
quiet the cattle, but along their backs flickered the ghostly
light, while across the herd, which occupied acres, it reminded
one of the burning lake in the regions infernal. As the night
wore on, several showers fell, accompanied by almost incessant
bolts of lightning, but the rainfall only added moisture to the