re, look yonder."

"What at, uncle?"

"What at? Why, at the clouds gathering there in the wind's eye. You
see Captain Chubb's right, and we shall have the rain pouring down again
before long."

Rodd laughed as if he did not believe it, but making no farther
opposition, they began to descend towards the harbour; but before they
were half-way there the wind had increased to a furious pitch, the sea
became a sheet of foam, and with wonderful rapidity the clouds had
gathered overhead, till a black curtain was sweeping right over, and a
few heavy drops of rain began to fall. Then down came a drenching
shower, and they were glad to run for refuge to the nearest shelter,
which presented itself in the shape of a great barrack-like building
that seemed to be built about a square, and at whose arched entrance a
couple of sentries with shouldered muskets were pacing up and down.

As Uncle Paul and Rodd approached at a trot, with the intention of
getting under the archway, both sentries stopped short, and one of them
held his weapon across breast high, scowling fiercely, and barred their
way.

"Here, it's all right," cried Rodd. "We only want to shelter out of the
rain for a few minutes;" and he pressed forward. "Come on, uncle.
Never mind him!"

"_Halte la_!" cried the sentry.

But Uncle Paul's hand went to his pocket, and drawing out half-a-crown
he pointed quickly at the falling rain and the archway under which they
now stood, taking out his handkerchief the while, and beginning to brush
off the drops which bedewed his coat.

The man glanced at the coin, then at his brother sentry, and both looked
inward at the square behind them. The exchange of glances was very
quick, and then the first sentry opened one hand, but kept it very close
to his side, again looking inward to see that he was not observed,
before grumbling out--

"_Eh bien! Restez_!" And then as if perfectly unconscious of the bribe
he had received, he resumed his slow pace up and down under the shelter
of the great archway.

It was all a matter of minutes, but long enough for the wind and rain to
have gathered force, and while the former raved and shrieked, down came
the latter in a sheet, or rather in a succession of sheets which made
the roadways seem as if full of dancing chess pawns, and the gullies
turn at once into so many furious little torrents tearing down the
slopes towards the harbour.

"Nice, isn't it, uncle?" said Rodd merrily.