The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1886-08-28
A STORM IN TEXAS.
One OF the Pleasures of Sheopherder's
Life-A had Night Out.

One Of the Pleasures of . sheopherder's
Life-A had Night Out.
It was in April, and the weather was
stormy, inky-looking clouds were spread
ing across the already leaden sky, and u
few heavy drops of rain warned me that
must hastily pen my flock of sheep, for it
is almost impossible to move them during
heavy rain. l was encamped alone on
Juniper creek and; retiring into my by
wedge-shaped tent, closed it tightly, and
prepared tor sleep. l was very sleepy
from being disturbed the night before by
the constant barking of my dog as he
alternately chased and was chased by
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 l had cut and dragged, !
formed wind break ON the east, which
was the back of my tent, and on the south
side. Having confidence III the wind
break thus constructed. undressed be-
fore lying down, that | might rest more
than could if l 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
the pillow was sleeping soundly.
awoke some time in 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 I do not know, but awoke to 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 it over me.
She next instant the tent was blown
down, and the storm shrieked with mad
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
away
The tent being wet, it lay fiat and
smooth with the southwest corner peg
still holding. Clutching my bedding and |
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 l became |
aware that the water had overfiowed my |
bed, and large hail that would weigh from
three to five ounces began to fall, one
striking me OH the left leg. In great haste
snatched thin wooden mattress from
under the wet tent and sDread It over me-
for protection, my oil coat having been
torn off me with the first change in the di-
rection OF the storm. BY this time had
become wet, and tho cold north wind
chilled me thoroughly.
Fortunately the storm abated, and my
being saved to me almost by q
miracle, dressed with wet garments, my
teeth chattering. One step brought me
to where my large provision box had
stood, hut it was vacant, the box of pro-
visions had been blown away, and but
two pieces of it could be found the next
dayton Green County (Tex) Cor. New
York Sun,