The great windfalls, where trees were jammed together in dozens, showed the savagery of the storms.

Wherever a single monarch lay uprooted there had sprung up a number of ambitious sons, jealous of one another, fighting for place.

Even the trees fought one another! The forest was a place of mystery, but its strife could be read by any eye.

The lightnings had split firs clear to the roots, and others it had circled with ripping tear from top to trunk.
Time came, however, when the exceeding wildness of the forest, in density and fallen timber, made it imperative for Helen to put all her attention on the ground and trees in her immediate vicinity.

So the pleasure of gazing ahead at the beautiful wilderness was denied her.
Thereafter travel became toil and the hours endless.
Roy led on, and Ranger followed, while the shadows darkened under the trees.