Page:Accidents and disasters on land.pdf/19

 men:—A flash of lightning struck a hedge opposite to them, from which they saw an immediate emission of smoke. Where it struck, a quantity of earth had been torn out and scattered about; but a scraggy tree and the thorns of the hedges were untouched. Within a few yards of this spot stood a stable, where two horses were put up in separate stalls, just at the commencement of the storm. When they were visited after it, they were both dead, and fallen contrary ways; nor, except a slight appearance of singeing on one of them, was there the least mark of external hurt. The stable is thatched, and above where the horses stood was filled with loose straw: The door was shut, and no appearance of the electric fluid having been in the place could be perceived. The one horse was the property of, and the other hired by Gilbert M‘Call, an industrious man, who supported his family by carting, &c., with them.

We understand a subscription has been set on foot to alleviate his loss. The lightning also struck the roof of Underwood House; tore off the slates, and left the sarking bare the width of a plough-fur; went down the kitchen vent, passing by a number of children sitting near the fire; struck the opposite wall, following the direction of the bell-wire; tore down the lath and plaster; ascended to the first floor; drove off the washing-board, and broke one of the steps of the stair.