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The “Thunder Child”
Thecoastgrewfaint,andatlastindistinguishableamidthelowbanksofcloudsthatweregatheringaboutthesinkingsun.
Thensuddenlyoutofthegoldenhazeofthesunsetcamethevibrationofguns,andaformofblackshadowsmoving. Everyonestruggledtotherailofthesteamerandpeeredintotheblindingfurnaceofthewest,butnothingwastobedistinguishedclearly. Amassofsmokeroseslantingandbarredthefaceofthesun. Thesteamboatthrobbedonitswaythroughaninterminablesuspense.
Thesunsankintogreyclouds,theskyflushedanddarkened,theeveningstartrembledintosight. Itwasdeeptwilightwhenthecaptaincriedoutandpointed. Mybrotherstrainedhiseyes. Somethingrushedupintotheskyoutofthegreyness—rushedslantinglyupwardandveryswiftlyintotheluminousclearnessabovethecloudsinthewesternsky; somethingflatandbroad,andverylarge,thatsweptroundinavastcurve,grewsmaller,sankslowly,andvanishedagainintothegreymysteryofthenight. Andasitflewitraineddowndarknessupontheland.
