Well, That Cloud Increased In Size With A Rapidity You Could Never
Imagine, And Soon The Sun Was Obscured As If By An Eclipse.
It became
darker and darker, and by the time we got opposite the post trader's
there could be heard a loud, continuous roar, resembling that of a
heavy waterfall.
Just then Lieutenant Baldwin grasped my bridle rein on the right and
told Lieutenant Alden to ride close on my left, which was done not a
second too soon, for as we reached the officers' line the storm struck
us, and with such force that I was almost swept from my saddle. The
wind was terrific and going at hurricane speed, and the air so thick
with sand and dirt we could not see the ears of our own horses. The
world seemed to have narrowed to a space that was appalling! You will
think that this could never have been - that I was made blind by
terror - but I can assure you that the absolute truth is being written.
Lieutenant Baldwin's voice sounded strange and far, far away when he
called to me, "Sit tight in your saddle and do not jump!" And then
again he fairly yelled, "We must stay together - and keep the horses
from stampeding to the stables!" He was afraid they would break away
and dash us against the iron supports to the flagstaff in the center
of the parade ground. How he could say one word, or even open his
mouth, I do not understand, for the air was thick with gritty dirt.
The horses were frantic, of course, whirling around each other,
rearing and pulling, in their efforts to get free.
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