The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-08-05
a STORM IN TEXAS. i.
Ono OF tho Pleasures OF Sheepherder'o
Life-A Dad Night Out.

Life-A BAD Night Out.
It was in April, and tho weather was
stormy, inky-looking clouds were spread
ing across the already leaden sky, and q
few heavy drops Of rain warned me that l
must hastily pen my flock Of sheep, for 1t
Is almost impossible to move them during
heavy rain. I was encamped alone on
Juniper creek and retiring into my by Z
wedge-shaped tent, I closed it tightly, and
prepared for sleep. I was very sleepy
from being disturbed the night before by
the constant barking Of my dog as he
alternately chased and was chased by q
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 I had cut and dragged, !
formed 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, I undressed be-
fore lying down, that might rest more
than could If I 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 fleeping soundly.
awoke some time in the night, and
finding the water running into the tent,
got up to open ths 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 quan
titles that reached for my oil coat ana
spread it over mo.
She next insta 1T the tent was blown
down, and the storm shrieked with mao
violence that I 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 doWr
upon me; and as the storm increased II
violence, 1t seemed that must be SWEEP
away.
The tent being wet, It lay fiat ane
smooth with the southwest corner PEI
still holding. Clutching my bedding ano
oil coat tightly, braced myself firmly,
and notwithstanding the great protection
the brush gave me. 1t 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 overfowed my
bed, and large hail that would weigh from
three to five ounces began to fall, on'
striking me on the left leg In great haste
I snatchad thin woolen mattress from
under the wet tent and spread 1t over ms
for protection, my oil coat having bee!
torn off me with the first change in the di
rection Of the storm. BY this time I hae
become wet, and the cold north wint
chilled me thoroughly.
Fortunately the storm abated, and my
clothing being saved to me almost by
miracle, dressed with wet garments, m.
teeth chattering. One step brought m.
to where my large provision box hac
stood, bat it was vacant, the box OF pro
visions had been blown away, and bu
two pieces of it could be found the mex
DAYTON Green County (TeX.) Cor. New
York Sun.