ything I ever
saw or heard of in the Highlands; and now that the worst is over I would
not have missed such a thing for a good deal."

"What do you think of it, Sam?" said Frank.

Sam had cuddled down between Mr Ross and Mustagan, and, at the advice
of the latter, had taken the precaution to double up a blanket like a
shawl and throw it over his head and shoulders. Very little wet had
reached him, yet he had to confess that he had been terrified by this
storm, which had excelled any dozen ever witnessed before in his life.

"Think of it!" said, he; "faith, I have just been thinking which is the
worst, being chased by a fierce old bear or frightened out of a year's
growth by a tornado. Next time, if I am to choose between the two, I'll
tackle the bear."

This answer caused a hearty laugh, and even the Indians, who had
remained so quiet, yet alert to watch for any change in the storm,
smiled at it and exchanged significant glances, and said that the boy
would yet redeem himself.

After a time the rain ceased, the blue sky appeared, and the sun shone
out again. But what a change met their gaze as they came out from under
their quickly improvised tent and wandered about! The beautiful forests
seemed about ruined. In one direction, like as though a great reaper
had gone through a splendid meadow, and cut clean to the ground a great
swath of grass, so had this cyclone gone through the forest. In the
centre of its path, not a tree had been left standing. Every one had
gone down before this irresistible force. Fortunately it had swerved a
little to the right as it passed by our friends, or they would not have
escaped so well. As it was, great trees had fallen all around, and it
was a providential escape that had been theirs, and for this they were
more than grateful as they saw by investigation more and more of the
fury displayed by the effects of the tempest as it passed. The spot
where the canoes had been hid away was, of course, one of the first to
which their steps were directed. A great tree had fallen across one of
them, that had not been placed low enough in the hollow between the
rocks, and it was so crushed and broken as to be absolutely worthless.
The others, however, had escaped, and were none the worse of the storm,
although fallen trees were all around them.

Blankets, supplies, and other things were overhauled, and everything
that had caught the rain was soon drying in the warm sun, which was now