It was then that giant clouds, like evil beasts bent on havoc and destruction, began to show head above the horizon. Rapidly they rose, battalion on battalion, phalanx on phalanx.
There were low mutterings even now, and flashes of fire in the far distance. But it was not until the sky was entirely overcast that the storm came on in dread and fearful earnest. At this time it was so dark, that down in the raft saloon an open book was barely visible. Then peal after peal, and vivid flash after flash, of blue and crimson fire lit up forest and stream, striking our heroes and heroine blind, or causing their eyes for a time to overrun with purple light.
So terrific was the thunder that the raft seemed to rock and shiver in the sound.
This lasted for fully half an hour, the whole world seeming to be in flames.
Peggy stood by Dick on the little deck, and he held her arm in his; held her hand too, for it was cold and trembling.
"Are you afraid?" he whispered, during a momentary lull.
"No, Dick, not afraid, only cold, so cold; take me below."
He did so.
He made her lie down on the little sofa, and covered her with a rug.
All just in time, for now down came the awful rain. It was as if a water-spout had broken over the seemingly doomed raft, and was sinking it below the dark waters of the river.