er and fastened, not a
star was to be seen.

"We are going to have a wild night, Tom, I think," said Uncle Richard;
and as he spoke there was a rumbling noise amongst the woodwork
overhead, caused by a passing blast. "There, let's go in."

Coffee was waiting when they went in, after leaving all safe, and very
welcome, for they were both shivering. Soon after bed was sought, and
Tom dropped into a deep sleep, from which he was roused by a rattling at
his door, while some one else seemed to be shaking his window. Then
there was a rumble like thunder in the chimney, and the beating at the
door.

"Tom! wake up, lad!"

"Yes! All right!" cried the boy, springing out of bed. "Anything the
matter, uncle?"

"Yes. Terrible storm. The big shutter has been torn open, and is
beating about on the top of the mill."

"All right; I'll go and fasten it," cried Tom, beginning to dress
rapidly, and waking up more and more to the fact that a wild storm was
raging. Every now and then, after a great deal of shrieking and
howling, as if the wind was forcing itself through crack and cranny,
there came a loud heavy bass booming sound, as a vast wave of air broke
upon the house, making the windows seem to be on the point of falling
in, while the slates upon the roof clattered and the chimneys shook.

"My word, it blows!" muttered Tom, as he buttoned up his jacket tightly,
and hurried down-stairs, to find that there were lights in the kitchen
and dining-room, while in the hall stood Mrs Fidler, in a wonderful
costume of dressing-gown, shawl, and night-cap.

"What a storm, my dear!" she said.

"You up?"

"Oh yes, my dear; it was impossible to lie. I've lit the kitchen fire,
for poor cook is in hysterics, and Maria is sobbing and crying--quite
helpless."

"How silly!" muttered Tom. "Where's uncle?"

"Here I am. Ready?"

For Uncle Richard appeared with a ready-lit lantern and the keys.

"We shall have to go out by the front door, Tom; the wind's worse on the
other side of the house."

"I'm ready, uncle."

"Pray take care, sir," said Mrs Fidler. "If one of the sails of that
mill is blown off--oh, dear, dear, what am I thinking about?"

"What indeed, Mrs Fidler! Be ready to close the door after us, for the
wind has tremendous force.--Come along, Tom."

He led the way, opened the door, and the wind rushed in, banging others,
setting pictures swinging, whisking a couple of hats off their pegs, and
rushing up into the