The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1883-08-23

the thunder seemed more distant. and,
though constant, appeared to be reced-
ing. There was, however, stiffness IN
our immediate vicinity that was omi-
nous of something impending and to fol-
low but what? We could not divine.
All at once the thunder ceased entire
". and the silence was then truly dread
full to bear. AT last a flash of bright
snd white flame dartcd across the black
arch hanging over us, illuminating the
vast dome, but revealing no outlet for
our escape, could we have urged the
horses To move. All was darkness,
dread and quictness. The horses sud
denly. without perceptible cause,
crowded together, and so quick was
their action that we were nearly I'M
seated. They kept pressing against
each other, and with such force that
our positions were becoming painful.
Their ears were extended. with their
ncckS archcd, they were looking intent
~ in one direction. and apparently at
one point. The air was getting more
close, and the difficulty in our breath
ing was becoming greater, but still
more awful became the now perfect
stiffness.
THE beA ing of ourown hearts
Was Az he sound we heard.
Again and again. in rapid succession,
flashes of lightning shot athwart the
sky. followed instantly by short claps
of thunder, which evidently was COM
ing nearer to us. Our horses, if posi-
BILE, more frightened than before. were
now crouching so near the ground that
our feet nearly touched. A double
flash of glare lightning lighted up the
dark vault above us with such bril-
liancy that our eyes were dazZled, and
we had to close them. Still another
burst of lightning came, bluer and yet
brighter than the former flashes, with
a peal of thunder instantly following,
that seemed to rend the earth beneath
us. The last flash and pealing thunder
was succeeded by another streak of
light, so bright that everything near us
was made plain as MONDAY, and re-
vealed the doctor with his hands
pressed together as if in prayer. and,
when the quiet followed, the words:
Prom lightning and tempest and from
sudden death, good Lord, deliver us. "
were plainly heard, as | was listening
intently to catch any syllable that might
fall from his lips.
A mOment'or two more of stiffness
followed. when there was an opening
in the gloomy darkness, and from
thence came burst of flame, neither
white, nor blue. nor any color we had
ever seen. 1t was really horrid, chill
ingly, dreadfully depressing and
frightful. 1t was evident that the
horses were sinking under the fright
they had so long felt. Their limbs
trcmblcd under them, and the CULVER
ings of the poor beasts impaired a
trembling to their riders. We both no.
ticcd how they invariably looked
toward one point of the compass,
seeming to strain every nerve to catch
sight of something. as if led to do so
by instinct. Suddenly the doctor
grabbed my arm, and yelled out with
piercing shrek that startled the
horses as well as myself. See! Good
God what is that?'
Far off to the northwest, and high up
in the dome that now appeared larger
than ever, was a small blue speck, alone
in the deep black darkness. 1t seemed
like star, vet so intensely blue that the
eve became dazzled in an instant, and
the sight had to he averted, unable to
heads away at the same moment.
Again we looked at the blue ball that
was rapidly approaching us. As it
ncared our spot the bluenesS became
still more brilliant, until the sun at
MONDAY was not more powerful in
brightness of light. All at once the
ball, as if propc led from gun, burst
into ring with Il bright blue center.
its extreme outer edges of fierce and
glaring orange color. and charging as
it deSccnGe until it was several feet in
diameter, and striking the ground,
from which n circle of flame shot up
and myriadS of sparks filled the air near
to us.
The horses. at the instant the ring of
fire struck the earth, whrled round,
and only by chance did either of us
keep in our saddles. As if relieved
from the fright they had so long
suffered. they started off at gallop,
it taking us some minutes before we
could quiet them down to an ordinary
trot, their heads. in spite of our efforts,
kept turning toward the spot where
the lightning. or meteor, or electricity,
or whatever it was, had scared the
ground. The rain was now coming
down in torrents, and the horses feet
were SplaShing, "a they trotted along in
the Indian trail they followed. The
darkness was soon dissipated, and in a
few minutes we could begin to distin-
glliSh the outline of the thickets and
timber that skirted the prairie, and by
the time we reached the Lighthouse from
whence | started, the storm, with the
exception of the lighter rain, some few
flashes of distant and fast-receding
lightning. with an occasional clap of
thunder, was nearly over.
How was the sick woman when
you got there9" asked one of the list
enerS.
She was found by the doctor sitting
up all right. and smoking her pipe" Ca
common practice in those days. was the
answer.
Then you had your ride for moth
ing?' said another.
ITO have been out in such a storm,
and see one of those circles made, was
worth half lifetime"
"Did you go to the place the next
day."
Yes, and we found that the ground
was scared into the distance of several
inches. All the grass was burned off in
a ring about fifteen or eighteen inches
wide, and about twelve or fifteen inches
| across. On the inside, where the grass
was not burned at all the rain STONED