Mrs. C - - just reached her brother's clearing a few minutes
before a great oak fell on her very path. What thunther! - what
lightning! Misthress, dear! - it's turn'd so dark, I can only jist
see yer face."
Glad enough was I of her presence; for to be alone in the heart of
a great forest, in a log hut, on such a night, was not a pleasing
prospect. People gain courage by companionship, and in order to
re-assure each other, struggle to conceal their fears.
"And where is Mr. E - -?"
"I hope not on the lake. He went early this morning to get the wheat
ground at the mill."
"Och, the crathur! He's surely drowned. What boat could stan' such a
scrimmage as this?"
I had my fears for poor John; but as the chance that he had to wait
at the mill till others were served was more than probable, I tried
to still my apprehensions for his safety.
The storm soon passed over, after having levelled several acres of
wood near the house and smitten down in its progress two gigantic
pines in the clearing, which must have withstood the force of a
thousand winters. Talking over the effects of this whirlwind with my
brother, he kindly sent me the following very graphic description of
a whirlwind which passed the town of Guelph in the summer of 1829.
