ers. A
cocoanut crashed down, striking the ground near Piang; another fell,
and yet another. Then the rain came in torrents. It fell unevenly
as if poured by mighty giants from huge buckets. The ground beneath
Piang was swaying, undulating. A tree crashed to the ground, tearing
away vines and ferns. As he began to experience the motion of a boat,
Piang became thoroughly alarmed and, dashing aside the banco, sprang
to his feet.

Terror flashed into his heart. What was happening? He had landed on
the mainland and put his banco under a big tree, and now this tree
was pitching and swaying, its branches sweeping the ground. The tree
was being uprooted, and the earth at Piang's feet was plowed up as
roots tore through the surface. The next tree was being felled in the
same manner, and as his eyes darted about, he beheld everywhere the
same terrifying picture. These mighty monuments of time, trees older
than man, were being torn from their beds and thrown to the ground
or left standing against each other for support. It seemed to be
only the trees in Piang's vicinity that were doomed to destruction,
and, although it was a dangerous thing to attempt, Piang decided to
seek another shelter. He took a few difficult steps forward and was
almost stunned by the immense fall of water. It dashed into his face,
beat upon his head in a stinging, hissing mass; it ran in streams
down his arms and legs, making him heavy and clumsy. As he caught at
a tree for support, it groaned under his weight and crashed to earth;
the ground was giving way, and he felt himself sinking. With a scream,
he freed himself, and, jumping to a fallen tree, clung desperately,
hoping to escape flying missiles. Just as he gathered himself for
another advance his heart gave a jump. Through the mad rage of the
typhoon, he could hear quick breathing! The ground tipped and swayed
alarmingly, tossing trees about like masts on a ship in distress.

"_Linug!_" ("Earthquake!") moaned Piang. Bravely the boy crept forward,
knife in hand. Whatever it was, hiding under that log, Piang must
take his chances; if he remained where he was he would certainly be
killed by falling trees. His feet made a sucking sound; a vivid flash
of lightning blinded him, and it was all he could do to force his
way through the wall of water that was pounding down upon him. With
a desperate effort, he pulled himself along by vines, hoping to pass
the unknown animal before it could leap; but the bran