'Twas summer, and a sultry day
Was drawing to a close,
One cloud, along the northwest lay,
Which tardily arose.
Along a winding path we strayed,
Which through the forest led,
While not one gentle zephyr swayed
The branches overhead.
Deep mutt'ring thunders soon were heard,
Dark shadows gathered round;
The trees, at intervals, were stirred
By gusts of threat'ning sound.
The hurricane arose in wrath,
The rain in torrents poured;
Huge trees were flung across our path,
Loud crashing thunders roared.
When vivid lightnings round us blazed,
He told me not to fear;
My little trembling hand he seized,
And checked the rising tear.
Loud thunders through the forest pealed;
He smiled, and cheered me on,
Exclaiming, "we'll soon reach the field,
Then all the danger's gone."
But soon, in hurried tones he said,
"Run, sister, run with me,
Look! look! directly o'er your head,
Behold that falling tree!"
But, while I heard the warning sound
Rise o'er the raging storm,
Its double trunk had clasped around
My little trembling form.
Why did my brother linger there,
Nor strive to gain the field?
Torn branches filled the darkened air,
Huge trees above us reeled.
Like some stern warrior on the field,
'Midst danger, death, and strife,
He stood, determined not to yield,
Until he saved my life.
That awful tempest, and thy care,
My mem'ry still retains,
Engraved upon those tablets fair,
'Twill live while life remains.