Page:A child of the Orient (IA childoforient00vakarich).pdf/59

 nursery, where I watched the storms, it looked as if it were just around the corner. In vain, however, on that day did we wander around many corners, on Djimlah's grounds: we could find no beginning.

The storm grew fiercer and fiercer. The whole sky was dark lead-coloured, and black clouds rushed along as if a tremendous force were pushing them from behind. The lightning, like a vicious snake, was zigzagging over the sky. Then there came a bang! and a crash of thunder. By that time we were far from the house, and on the cliffs. Djimlah put her arm within mine.

"I am possessed with fear," she gasped; "for Allah is wrathful."

Her tone was full of awe, and it subdued me. "Let us go back," I said.

"No, it will overtake us, and crush us," Djimlah answered. "I don't want to die—not just yet. We must hide somewhere."

At this time I was being taught my Bible, and felt that I knew a great deal about religious subjects.

"We can't hide from God," I explained. "He sees us everywhere—even in the darkest corner of a dark closet."

"I don't want to hide from God," Djimlah corrected, "I want to hide from the thunder. Come! I know where we can go—to the Hollow of Allah's Hand."