"That doesn't matter. Come away, do, please."
Not wanting to worry his mother, Jed obeyed. Hardly had he moved back when there came a terrific crash. It was so loud, and sounded so close, that, for a moment, every one in the room was stunned.
"That struck somewhere around here!" cried Mr. Crosby, as soon as the rolling thunder sound had died away.
"I should say so!" added Will. "You can smell the sulphur."
There was a noticeable odor in the room, like when an old-fashioned match is lighted.
"Oh, dear! I'm afraid it hit the house!" cried Mrs. Crosby. "We'll all be killed!"
"If it struck the house we wouldn't be sitting here," replied Jed. "We'd be knocked off our chairs. Come on, Will, we'll go see what damage it did."
Following that one terrible clap the storm seemed to let up a bit, though it rained harder than ever. The two boys, taking heavy coats, from nails in the kitchen, went out. No sooner had they reached the porch than Jed cried:
"It struck our cow barn! The place is on fire! Come on and get the cow out!"
His cry was heard in the sitting-room, and his father and the miner ran out. They did not need to be told what had happened. The cow shed, a small structure, near the barn, but not attached to it, was in flames.