as in commotion.

Immediately every hand was brought in requisition to fasten the tent
poles more securely, and by the time it was accomplished, the storm,
with all its fury burst upon them, while they were straining every
nerve to fasten the tarpaulin covers on the wagons to protect the
contents from the storm, should the rain penetrate the tent. The cover
on Mrs. Duncan's wagon they had succeeded in fastening, and were
proceeding to the next, when a terrible crash was heard near them, that
shook the ground.

"There is high wind to-night," said Howe. "It must have taken more than
ordinary force to have blown down that tree--there goes another--crash!
what a fearful night it is!"

"The smoke from the burning prairie has formed itself in clouds, which,
becoming overcharged with moisture, are discharging themselves,"
remarked Mr. Duncan.

"A glorious cooling we shall get, after being nearly baked," remarked
Sidney.

"Oh! what is that!" cried Mrs. Duncan, as a heavy body fell against the
tent, crushing it as if it had been a feather.

But no one could answer, for in a twinkling their light was out, and
the rain in torrents pouring in upon their water-proof wagons. The
whole family had taken refuge in Mrs. Duncan's wagon, after having
secured the covers in their proper places; and it is well they did, or
they would have been deluged in an instant; for it seemed as if the
heavens had opened their windows, and were pouring from thence a flood
of water. They could only catch a glimmering of the mischief done to
their tent by the flashes of lightning; but they saw enough to
ascertain that a tree had fallen across it, and had crushed one of the
wagons beneath its weight. They had escaped unhurt, being buried
beneath the falling canvass by its splitting in the centre. Gradually
the storm spent itself, and by morning, but a few flitting clouds were
seen above the horizon.

Less stouter hearts than those of our pioneers would have been dismayed
at the destruction which had been going on in the night, and which the
light revealed. Their tent, rent in a dozen pieces, one of the wagons
badly broken, and everything out of the wagons saturated with water.
Right manfully, however, they went to work. The tent was spread where
the sun would fall upon it, and everything that had been wet during the
night, together with the blackened suits that went through the fiery
ordeal the day before, were taken to the brook-side by Mrs. Duncan