Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/276

248 been unroofed, and partially scattered to the winds, and our fruit-trees torn up by the roots; and even whole woods of trees, huge rocks, and entire houses, had altogether disappeared. It was long, however, since such an occurrence had taken place amongst us, and we lived on without apprehension of coming evils.

"But in one night, without any warning beyond an unusual redness in the sky, the horrible and destroying tempest burst upon us. All that was ever told of the loudest thunder, all that was ever seen of the most vivid lightning, would fail to picture the terrific visitation of that night! The earth shook and groaned, and opened wide, beneath us and around us! Forests of gigantic trees were uprooted and tossed high in air, to meet in fearful shocks, and be driven down again upon the ground! Rocks were riven and swallowed up in yawning chasms, or scattered into fragments and dispersed like hail before the tearing wind. Fields of spreading corn were cut to pieces, and set on fire by the lightning; while the thunder of the clouds seemed to find an echo in the vibrating earth below! Cattle were lifted from their feet and