Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-07-13
A STORM IN TEXAS.
One OF the Pleasures of Sheepherder's
Life-A bad Night Out.

Lhe-A bsn StGht out.
1t was in April, and the weather was
stormy. inky looking clouds were spread
my across the already lesden sky, and
few heavy drops Of rain warned me that
must hastily pen my flock OF sheep, for 1t
is almost impossible to move them during
a heavy rain. | was encamped alone ON
Juniper creek and; retiring into my by
wedge shaped tent, | closed 1t tightly, and
prepared for a sleep. | was very sleeply
from being disturbed the night before by
the constant barking of my dog as he
alternately chased and WAS chased 10y
wolf
/ The place where | was encamped was
open, with no timber save mesquit trees.
Three Of these grew at the three corners
Of my tent, and by the aid of them and
other trees had cut and dragged,
formed a wind break on the east, which
was the back of my tent, and on the south
side. Having confidence in the wind
break thus constructed, | undressed be
fore lying down that | might rest more
than could if should, As caution sug-
gested, lie down prepared for the worst
| The thunder beloved, the lightning
flashed and the rain fell in torrents, but
about two minutes after my head touched
.
| lawuke some time III the night, and
finding the water running into the tent.
got up to open the ditch with my shovel,
and soon went To sleep again. How long
| slept do not know, but | awoke 10 find
the wind had changed from the east to the
south. and the rain, driven with great
/ force against the side of the tent fell
through the strained canvass in such guam
/ titles that reached for my oil coat and
spread il over me.
/ She next instant the tent was blown
down, and the storm shrieked with mad
I violence that | never before witnessed.
! The wind blew in gusts, each gust coming
more lively than the last, until felt the
/ mesquit brush of my wind break pressed
/ between the growing trees bearing down
upon me; and AS the storm increased in
! violence, it seemed that must be swept
I away.
! The tent being wet, II lay fiat and
smooth with the southwest corner peg
! still holding Clutchlng my bedding ami
| oil coat tightly, | braced myself firmly,
and notwithstanding the great protection
! the brush gave me. it was with the great
est difficulty that | could retain my posi-
! ton. The almost continuous lightning
enabled ME to see. With startling rapid
/ ity the wind whipped round to the north.
west, and at the same moment ! became
aware that the water had uvertlowed my
/ bed, and large hail that would weigh from
/ three to five OunC~S began TO tall, one
striking me on the left leg. In great haste
/ | snatched a thin wooden mattress from
under the wet tent and spread it over me
/ for protection, my oil coat having been
/ torn off me with the first change in the dl-
rection Of the storm By this time | had
become wet, and the cold north wind
chilled me thoroughly.
Fortunately The storm abated, and my
/ clothing being saved TO me almost by a
miracle. dressed with wet garments, my
teeth chattering One step brought me
TO where my large provision box had
stood, hut 1t WAS vacant the box Of pro
visions had been blown away, and but
two pieces OF it could be found the next
day-Tom Green County Tex Cor. New
! York Sun