Scarcely had he spoken when a rumble of thunder echoed through the woods. A few drops of rain filtered down between the thick canopy of leaves.
Then, wind and rain came on with a rush which sent the two boys deeper into the woods for shelter.
Though they flattened themselves against the lee side of two large oaks, they could find no protection. The rain began to fall in a torrent. It lashed their faces, streamed down their slickers and soaked their shoes.
Limbs loosened by the wind came crashing down. Now and then a vivid flash of lightning etched an electrical pattern across the dark sky.
“It’s not very safe here,” Brad said, ill at ease.
“We ought to seek shelter deeper in the woods, or get out entirely,” agreed Dan, buttoning his slicker tighter about him.
Even as he spoke, a brilliant flash of lightning etched across the sky, so bright that momentarily it blinded the two boys. And the following roar of thunder made them jump.
Simultaneously, came a ripping, tearing sound which told them that the heart of a mighty tree had been struck.
“Gosh! It’s that big oak!” Dan exclaimed, squinting through the rain.
The big tree came crashing down, smashing away smaller saplings and bushes in its path.