into the room: the brightness of the gleam was dazzling, yet it
afforded me an exact knowledge of my situation. I had mistaken my
way, and discovered that my knees nearly touched the bedstead, and
that my hands at the next step, would have touched my father's
cheek. His closed eyes and every line in his countenance, were
painted, as it were, for an instant on my sight.

The flash was accompanied with a burst of thunder, whose
vehemence was stunning. I always entertained a dread of thunder,
and now recoiled, overborne with terror. Never had I witnessed so
luminous a gleam and so tremendous a shock, yet my father's slumber
appeared not to be disturbed by it.

I stood irresolute and trembling; to prosecute my purpose in
this state of mind was impossible. I resolved for the present to
relinquish it, and turned with a view of exploring my way out of
the chamber. Just then a light seen through the window, caught my
eye. It was at first weak but speedily increased; no second
thought was necessary to inform me that the barn, situated at a
small distance from the house, and newly stored with hay, was in
flames, in consequence of being struck by the lightning.

My terror at this spectacle made me careless of all
consequences relative to myself. I rushed to the bed and throwing
myself on my father, awakened him by loud cries. The family were
speedily roused, and were compelled to remain impotent spectators
of the devastation. Fortunately the wind blew in a contrary
direction, so that our habitation was not injured.

The impression that was made upon me by the incidents of that