The Irish standard., 1903-04-04

red at the horizon. Before Sidney |
and Mr.. Kent had reached the raft,
the breeze had died away. Slowly
the dun arch climbed the heavens.
1t was three o'clock when the raft
reached the place which had been
agreed upon. Sidney fred his rifle
twice as Il signal; and both yelled at
the top of their voices. There was
no response, and they both fired, and
again shouted. Sidney climbed up
the rocks. He called repeatedly,
but there was no reply.
There was Il moaning sound in the
air which seemed to come from the
sea. Everything was bathed in an
unearthly reddish-yellow light. The
trees were motionless as if cast in
bronze.
"See how fast the tide is rising!"
exclaimed Mr.. Kent. "You can see
it rise. Look at that"
lie pointed towards the inlet. A
dark ridge rose out of the lake. On
the opposite shores was u moving
line of white.
Jump ashore. It's tidal bore!"
cried Sidney. The wave came roll
ing towards them like the smooth
pillows in the wake of steamship.
1t lost it's force as the lake widened,
but it was strong enough to ham
lner the raft against the rocks. They
pulled the raft as high on the beach
as they could. The water rose at the
rate of Il foot minute. The roar
of the surf beyond the cliffs was
like the sullen thunder. And as yet
not a breath of air.
Across the bay they saw men on
the stone deck reckoning them to
return. 1t was ha]f-past three
o'clock. They had promised to have
the raft on the south shore at five.
Both agreed that they must wait for
Vincent and Pence. 1t seemed strange
they did not appear.
The arch was overhead. 1t looked
like mass of writhing snakes. The
moan in the air took a higher key.
The lake was shroutled in Il dark
ening pail.
Sidney felt puff of hot air on
his face. The moan from the sea
became a roar. Three hundred feet
above, the crown of palm tree
bowed to the west.
''rhis way, Mr.. Kent" shouted
Sidney. He grabbed the older man
by the arm and they dashed to the
shelter of an overhanging rock
And not Il moment too soon.
The hurricane broke on the island
with fury which seemed incar
nate. A tree which had wthstooo
the storm blasts, of generations was
torn from the heights above and went
whirlng across the lake. In a mo
ment it was dark as night
From where the two men were shell
tered they could judge of the storm
only by the tumult. 1t came from
the southeast and passed over theil
heads. From above there came 6
torrent of water and shower o.
rocks, stones and logs. 1t did no
seem possible u human being coult
survive such storm for a minute
There were occasional flashes o
light. The sky became tremulou
with it's sickening flicker. Gradu
, ally this became more intense. Thel
there was glare as if the universe
> had burst into flame. The hill
seemed to rock in the explosion
which followed. Those who grow
frightened at the puny manifesto
tons of nature in northern thun
derstorm, cannot afford to cavil a
an apparent extravaganza of Ian
guage essential to word picture o
a tropical hurricane.
AS night came on the storm in
creased in fury. They gave Vim
cent and Pence up as lost, and neve
expected to see them alive again
All night long they crouched unde
the ledge of rock; wet and hungr,
and sad at heart. The crash of fall
. ing timber, the rumble of tumblin
!, rocks, the incessant rcverberation o
thunder. the lashing of the rain, an
the spectacle of sky atlame wit
writing skcin of lightning made a
), impression on their minds never t
be ci1aced.
But at five O'Clock there was
. lull in the storm. There was Il fain
!. CLEAN of the dawn of day. Natur
: mustered her forces for one NOR
!, light broke through the clouds. A
!, by magic the hurricane was over
!, The wind died to IL refrcshin
: breeze. OF Il sudden, the foliage o
!, the ridges across the bay was rad
= ant With sunshine.
;, Sidney and Mr.. Kent came froi
: behind the shcltcring rock. They pr,
:, scented sorry sight. Their due
suits were strealled with mud an
!, their faces tense and drawn by e.
', element aud lack of sleep. The
y washed their hands and faces in tn
- lake, and then climbed the ridge
= where they obtained an unbrokc
', view of the bay. TO their deligl
they saw the figures of four me
on the stone pier. Sidney waved HI
hat and was greeted by an answe
- ing signal. The people of the bung;
low shouted across the water, an
- Sidney and Mr.. Kent yelled in II
turn. MIR. Morton. Mr.. Carmody an
= his companions speedily built an
launched Il new raft and were 500
rowing to the relief of the missin
), ones.
x "Where are Pence and Vincent;
- nrared the shore.
"They did not RETURN" said Sit
~, ney. II am afraid they were lost
:, the storm"
- Sidney would not listen to IL
=, proposition that I've return with NJ
: Kent to IEr hunwnInw rhDnUh w,