The storm continued to rage the whole of the following day, and even the day after, with the same violence.

Happily our tree stood firm, though several branches were broken; amongst others, that to which Francis's wire was suspended.

I replaced it with more care, carried it beyond our roof, and fixed at the extremity the pointed instrument which had attracted the lightning.

I then substituted for the hammocks before the window, strong planks, which remained from my building, and which my sons assisted me to raise with pulleys, after having sawed them to the proper length.

Through these I made loop-holes, to admit the light and air.