The thunder notified with every burst the fact that it was coming speedily; the lightning became vivid and constant.

A premonitory sweep of the wind--and the clouds gave out their treasures of rain and hail with tremendous fury.

The lightning was terrible now, and the darkness of the intervals between so great that the company could scarcely see each other's faces.

This was more than some of the party had bargained for, and there was a degree of confusion.

Screams from a few of the ladies and exclamations of terror from others were mixed now and then with words that sounded very like an oath to Daisy's ear, though they were not spoken in levity.