The atmosphere was in motion, and a white scud began to drive across the heavy, dark masses of clouds that lay far back against the sky in mountain-like repose.
How grandly now began the onward march of the tempest, which had already invaded the sun's domain and shrouded his face in the smoke of approaching battle.

Dark and heavy it lay along more than half the visible horizon, while its crown invaded the zenith.
As yet, all was silence and portentous gloom.

Nature seemed to pause and hold her breath in dread anticipation.

Then came a muffled, jarring sound, as of far distant artillery, which died away into an oppressive stillness.

Suddenly from zenith to horizon the cloud was cut by a fiery stroke, an instant visible.