By and by another came, a little stronger.
Then another.
Then a faint moan came sighing through the branches of the forest and the boys felt a fleeting breath upon their cheeks, and shuddered with the fancy that the Spirit of the Night had gone by.
There was a pause.
Now a weird flash turned night into day and showed every little grassblade, separate and distinct, that grew about their feet.
And it showed three white, startled faces, too.
A deep peal of thunder went rolling and tumbling down the heavens and lost itself in sullen rumblings in the distance.
A sweep of chilly air passed by, rustling all the leaves and snowing the flaky ashes broadcast about the fire.
Another fierce glare lit up the forest and an instant crash followed that seemed to rend the treetops right over the boys' heads.
They clung together in terror, in the thick gloom that followed.