This was the most awful gale Hiram, at least, had ever been out in. And for the four of them to raise the light ladder was one of the most serious tasks one could imagine.
Meanwhile the silo was weaving back and forth in a threatening manner. Hiram had selected a ladder long enough to enable him to reach the upper ring intended for the second cable. Two of his helpers had to hold the ladder steady, however, while the other handed him the end of the wire cable. It took more than half an hour of hard fighting to secure both ends of the two wire ropes.
Two of his helpers had to hold the ladder steady while the other handed him the end of the wire cable.
The silo rocked back and forth, the vibrations seeming, of course, much greater than they really were. But the cables—or good workmanship—held it in place. The four got back to the living shack and cowered therein in darkness for another two hours before the wind really ceased blowing. The rain had stopped long since, and beyond the hurrying shreds of cloud the moon and stars appeared.
Drenched as everything had been by the first tempest, the ground was now fast becoming dry. The water drained away quickly from the knoll on which the Sunnyside buildings stood.
As soon as the danger from the big wind was over, however, Hiram had thought for another thing. He lit a lantern and said to Orrin:
"Come on down the road and take a look."