I could just see them through the cracks engaged in making everything fast.

In vain I banged at the door and called at the top of my voice--they heard nothing.

Reluctantly I became convinced that there was no alternative but to leave my shelter and face the rapidly increasing storm once more.

My bungalow was not more than half a mile away, but it took me an age to accomplish this short distance, as I was only able to move a few steps at a time whenever the lightning showed me the way.

It was necessary to be careful, as the road was raised, with a deep ditch on either side; several trees had already been blown down, and lay across it, and huge branches were being driven through the air like thistle-down.