Page:Barbour--Metipoms Hostage.djvu/295

Rh shook in every timber. When David sprang again to his post Sequanawah and those who  had dared with him were gone. Close to the granary some forms emerged swiftly into the  shadows and disappeared from his sight. From below came cries of alarm and consternation, for the flames from the cart were already eating at the building.

“Look!” exclaimed Nathan Lindall. “The granary is on fire! A lightning bolt has struck it!”

So it was, and David, peering forth, saw not only the flames bursting from the high-peaked roof, but the forms of many Indians  swiftly fleeing from its shelter. One shot he sped, and then a second time the heavens  opened with appalling radiance, again the  thunder crashed, and, ere its last rumble had  died away, from the sundered sky descended  a torrent of rain such as none there had ever  witnessed!

Straight down it came, a veritable cataract, and the noise of its falling on the shingled  roof close above their heads was well-nigh  deafening. Gazing into it was like looking through a solid sheet of water. For an instant only the flames of the burning houses showed through the hissing deluge. Then