t they can no longer be carried up by the ascending
currents, and fall to the ground."

"No wonder hailstones sometimes get so big!" exclaimed Fred. "I've seen
them as big as pigeon's eggs. I never could understand it."

"I've seen hailstones that weighed more than half a pound," the
Forecaster answered. "Not so very long ago, two ranchers and six hundred
head of cattle were killed by hail in one Texas storm. Not a single
animal was left alive. The loss from hail in our Western states is so
large that most of the progressive farmers pay heavy hail insurance.
Jagged bits of hail the size of a child's fist are not at all uncommon.
If I'm not mistaken," he continued, "we may have some hail this
afternoon, but nothing like that. This county isn't in the regular
hail-belt."

During the description of the storm, Tom had been reeling in his kite
and after the week's observations had been duly made and recorded, the
boys prepared to scatter. Before they left, the Forecaster turned to
them, his hand on Anton's shoulder.

"I think you boys ought to know," he said, "that I received a letter the
other day from the Chief of the Weather Bureau. He's going down to New
Orleans next month, and has promised to drop off here and spend the
night with me. We were chums at college. He ought to meet the
Mississippi League of the Weather."

An excited cheer went up from the boys.

"And what's more," the Forecaster went on, "I can tell you this--that
just as soon as Anton is old enough, there will be a place waiting for
him in the Bureau. He knows almost enough now to pass the Civil Service
Exam, and in a couple of years he'll be as well equipped to enter the
Service as any of the boys that are going in. I miss my guess if we
don't find out, some day, that Issaquena County has given to the United
States one of the best meteorologists of the next generation."

"Three cheers for Anton!" shouted Fred.

They were given heartily and the boys separated in groups, excitedly
discussing what they ought to do to prepare for the visit of the Chief
of the Weather Bureau. Anton and Ross drove home to Anton's place
together, Ross driving and the crippled lad, with his eyes glowing with
enthusiasm, talking about the work he intended to do in the ranks of the
Weather Bureau.

Meanwhile, the storm grew nearer and nearer. The thunder, which had been
rolling menacingly, now came with shorter and sharper claps.

"I wonder if we'll get home before the r