fell upon the broad leaves with a soft, plashing
sound; and now and then a quick, short puff came snorting along, and,
seizing the feathery frondage of the palms, shook them with a spiteful
and ruffian energy.

The long green stripes, after oscillating a moment, would settle down
again in graceful and motionless curves.

A low sound like the "sough" of the sea or the distant falling of water
came from the north; while at intervals the hoarse bark of the _coyote_
and the yelling of terrified monkeys could be heard afar off in the
woods.

"_Tapa la casa! tapa la casa_!" (Cover the house!) cried Don Cosme as
soon as he had fairly got his head above ground. "_Anda_!--_anda con
los macates_!" (Quick with the cords!) With lightning quickness a roll
of palmetto mats came down on all sides of the house, completely
covering the bamboo walls, and forming a screen impervious to both wind
and rain. This was speedily fastened at all corners, and strong stays
were carried out and warped around the trunks of trees. In five minutes
the change was complete. The cage-looking structure had disappeared,
and a house with walls of yellow _petate_ stood in its place.

"Now, Senores, all is secured," said Don Cosme. "Let us return to the
drawing-room."

"I should like to see the first burst of this tornado," I remarked, not
wishing to intrude upon the scene of sorrow we had left.

"So be it, Captain. Stand here under the shelter, then."

"Hot as thunder!" growled the major, wiping the perspiration from his
broad, red cheeks.

"In five minutes, Senor Coronel, you will be chilled. At this point the
heated atmosphere is now compressed. Patience! it will soon be
scattered."

"How long will the storm continue?" I asked. "_Por Dios_! Senor, it
is impossible to tell how long the `_norte_' may rage: sometimes for
days; perhaps only for a few hours. This appears to be a `_huracana_'.
If so, it will be short, but terrible while it lasts. _Carrambo_!"

A puff of cold, sharp wind came whistling past like an arrow. Another
followed, and another, like the three seas that roll over the stormy
ocean. Then, with a loud, rushing sound, the broad, full blast went
sweeping--strong, dark, and dusty--bearing upon its mane the screaming
and terrified birds, mingled with torn and flouted leaves.

The olives creaked and tossed about. The tall palms bowed and yielded,
flinging out their long pinions like streamers. The broad leaves of