It opened with loud thunder and some brilliant flashes, then the rain came down and deluged us, the water running two inches deep over the grass; and when the rain ceased the wonderful electric storm as described continued for an hour longer.

The danger was over; but the sight was awe-inspiring in the extreme.

Night-herding too during such a storm was a strange experience.

No difficulty to see the cattle; the whole herd stood with tails to the wind; the men lined out in front, each well covered by his oilskin slicker, and his horse's tail likewise turned to the storm; the whole outfit in review order so to speak, the sole object of the riders being to prevent the cattle from "drifting." This book contains no fiction or exaggeration; yet it will be hardly believed when I state that hail actually riddled the corrugated iron roof of my ranch house--new iron, not old or rusty stuff.

The roof was afterwards absolutely useless as a protection against rain.
Mirages in the hot dry weather were a daily occurrence.