340 THE EXPLORATION OF THE NIGER As we sat at table we would discuss the situation : what would the tornado do this time ? Would our huts be able to bear up against it ? Would much water come in ? " Make haste, Fill, bring us that nougat before it rains!" said Bluzet, And were the barges securely moored ? Had the sentry got his cloak? and so on.

Father Hacquart became as time went on, quite an expert meteorologist, and only once or twice made a mistake in his predictions about the weather. The terrible arch of clouds peculiar to a tornado, meanwhile, goes up and up till it nearly reaches the zenith. Behind it in the east is a great glow of light, resembling the