They were just in time, and had scarcely seated themselves among its branches when the rain came down in a way not only that Martin had never seen, but that he had never conceived of before.

It fell, as it were, in broad heavy sheets, and its sound was a loud, continuous roar.
The wind soon after burst upon the forest and added to the hideous shriek of elements.

The trees bent before it; the rain was whirled and dashed about in water-spouts; and huge limbs were rent from some of the larger trees with a crash like thunder, and swept far away into the forest.

The very earth trembled and seemed terrified at the dreadful conflict going on above.

It seemed to the two friends as if the end of the world were come; and they could do nothing but cower among the branches of the tree and watch the storm in silence; while they felt, in a way they had never before experienced, how utterly helpless they were and unable to foresee or avert the many dangers by which they were surrounded, and how absolutely dependent they were on God for protection.
For several hours the storm continued.