de forward with renewed vigor.

The path led gradually upwards, along the mountain-side, which soon
became so encumbered with brushwood that I had much difficulty in
pushing my way, and at last began to doubt whether I might not have
wandered from the track. The darkness was now complete; night had
fallen, and a heavy crashing rain poured down upon the tree-tops, but
could not penetrate through their tangled shelter. The wind, too,
swept in loud gusts above, and the long threatened storm began. A
loud, deafening roar, like that of the sea itself, arose, as the leafy
branches bent before the blast, or snapped with sudden shock beneath
the hurricane; clap after clap of thunder resounded, and then the rain
descended in torrents,--the heavy drops at last, trickling from leaf to
leaf, reaching me as I stood. Once more I pushed forward, and had not
gone many paces when the red glare of a fire caught my eye. Steadfastly
fastening my gaze upon the flame, I hurried on, and at length perceived
with ecstasy that the light issued from the window of a small hovel,
such as I have already mentioned. To gain the entrance of the hut I was
obliged to pass the window, and could not resist the temptation to give
a glance at the interior, whose cheerful blaze betokened habitation.

It was not without surprise that, instead of the figure of a shepherd
reposing beside his fire, I beheld that of an old man, whose dress
bespoke the priest, kneeling in deep devotion at the foot of a small
crucifix attached to the wall. Not all the wild sounds of the raging
storm seemed to turn his attention from the object of his worship;
his eyes were closed, but the head thrown backwards showed his face
upturned, when the lips moved rapidly in prayer. Never had I beheld
so perfect a picture of intense devotional feeling; every line in his
marked countenance indicated the tension of a mind filled with one
engrossing thought, while his tremulous hands, clasped before him, shook
with the tremor of strong emotion.

What a contrast to the loud warring of the elements, that peaceful
figure, raised above earth and its troubles, in the spirit of his holy
communing! how deeply touching the calm serenity of his holy brow, with
the rolling crash of falling branches, and the deep baying of the storm!
I did not dare to interrupt him; and when I did approach the door it was
with silent step and noiseless gesture. As I stood, the old priest--for
now I saw that he was such-