Barney's countenance instantly fell.
"What's the matter, Barney ?" inquired Martin, as he observed his companion gaze anxiously up at the sky.
"Och, it's comin', sure enough." "And what though it does come ?" returned Martin; "we can creep under one of these thick bushes till the shower is past." "Did ye iver see a thunder-storm in the tropics ?" inquired Barney.
"No, never," replied Martin.
"Then if ye don't want to feel and see it both at wance, come with me as quick as iver ye can." Barney started up as he spoke, stuck his cutlass and pistol into his belt, and set off towards the woods at a sharp run, followed closely by his wondering companion.
Their haste was by no means unnecessary.

Great black clouds rushed up towards the zenith from all points of the compass, and, just as they reached the woods, darkness so thick that it might almost be felt overspread the scene.

Then there was a flash of lightning so vivid that it seemed as if a bright day had been created and extinguished in a moment, leaving the darkness ten times more oppressive.

It was followed instantaneously by a crash and a prolonged rattle, that sounded as if a universe of solid worlds were rushing into contact overhead and bursting into atoms.

The flash was so far useful to the fugitives, that it enabled them to observe a many-stemmed tree with dense and heavy foliage, under which they darted.