A few drops of rain splashed the leaves.

A lightning stroke so near and sharp that I fancied I could hear the hiss was accompanied by a savage thunder-clap.

Then came the roar of wind in the trees by the roadside and down came the rain.

I put up my umbrella and began to run.

We have few "tempests" in Denboro, those we do have are almost worthy of the name.
I had reached the grove of birches perhaps two hundred yards from the Shore Lane when out of the wet darkness before me came plunging a horse drawing a covered carriage.