the tall trees, went hissing
along the ground like fiery serpents. Blast succeeded blast, until
suddenly the whole roof of the hut, being lifted together, was carried
off, the inmates knew not where; when down came the rain in a sheet of
water, rather than drops. The lads were thankful that they had got on
their clothes, at all events, and had time to slip into their
waterproofs.

"We must go and see what is happening at the house. I only hope the
fencing won't be blown down, or we shall have work enough to-morrow to
collect the stock again," cried Paul.

In spite of the storm, and the danger they ran from falling boughs, they
commenced making their way towards the house. Sometimes it was so dark
that they could not see a foot before them. Then, in an instant, a
bright flash would illumine the whole scene, and they rushed forward
again, stopping when darkness came upon them. At length they calculated
that they must be close to the house. A flash revealed it to them, but
it appeared as if the roof had gone. No one was to be seen. They
shouted, but no reply came. They tried to open the door, but it was
fastened within. Perhaps those they loved had been crushed by the
falling roof. The thought was too dreadful. Paul and Harry shook at
the door, and shouted again and again.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

THE BOYS GO TO ASSIST THEIR FRIENDS--PAUL AND HARRY ENTER THE HOUSE
THROUGH THE ROOF--ALARM OF THE FAMILY--FEARS OF THE RIVER RISING--PAUL
SETS OFF TO OBTAIN PROVISIONS.

Paul and Harry, who had run on first, kept knocking and knocking at the
door, and shouting at the top of their voices, but the creaking of the
verandah posts, the rattling of the shingles on the roof, the continuous
roar of the thunder, and the howling of the wind among the trees,
completely drowned their voices. They ran round to try and find an
entrance by one of the windows or back door, but the shutters were all
closed. At length Mr Hayward and Reggy came up, but they were not more
successful in making the inmates hear when they knocked and shouted at
the front door. Harry proposed climbing up and dropping down through
the opening in the roof. A large portion of the verandah had been torn
away, but the beams remained.

"You forget, Harry," shouted Paul in his ear, "we may reach the roof,
but how shall we get down without the risk of breaking our legs over the
fragments which may have fallen in, or the tables and chairs? Stay a
moment!