enjoy the scene.

In a short time the two boys had approached the spot where a low,
jutting rock of red sand-stone, around which the roots of a large tree
were seen clinging, narrowed the path; so that there was only the
space of a few feet between the base of the rock and an abrupt and
fearful precipice.

Austin was looking down on the river, and Brian was holding his cap to
prevent it being blown from his head, when, between the fitful blasts,
a loud voice, or rather a cry, was heard. "Stop, boys, stop! come not
a foot farther on peril of your lives!" Austin and Brian stood still,
neither of them knowing whence came the cry, nor what was the danger
that threatened them; they were, however, soon sensible of the latter,
for the rushing winds swept through the wood with a louder roar, and,
all at once, part of the red sand-stone rock gave way with the giant
oak whose roots were wrapped round it, when the massy ruin, with a
fearful crash, fell headlong across the path, and right over the
precipice. Brian trembled with affright, and Austin turned pale. In
another minute an active man, somewhat in years, was seen making his
way over such parts of the fallen rock as had lodged on the precipice.
It was he who had given the two brothers such timely notice of their
danger, and thereby saved their lives.

Austin was about to thank him, but hardly had he began to speak, when
the stranger stopped him. "Thank God, my young friends," said he with
much emotion, "and not me; for we are all in his hands. It is his
goodness that has preserved you." In a little time the stranger had
led Austin and Brian, talking kindly to them all the way, to his
comfortable home, which was at no great distance from the bottom of
the wood.

Scarcely had they seated themselves, when the storm came on in full
fury. As flash after flash seemed to rend the dark clouds, the rain
came down like a deluge, and the two boys were thankful to find
themselves in so comfortable a shelter. Brian's attention was all
taken up with the storm while Austin was surprised to see the room all
hung round with lances, bows and arrows, quivers, tomahawks, and other
weapons of Indian warfare together with pouches, girdles, and garments
of great beauty, such as he had never before seen. A sight so
unexpected both astonished and pleased him, and made a deep impression
on his mind.

It was some time before the storm had spent its rage, so that the two
brothers had some pleasa