At that moment a violent storm of thunder and rain burst upon us with a fury well known in the tropics.
The rain fell like a waterspout, and the throng immediately fled for shelter.

So violent was the storm that not a man was to be seen; some sheltered themselves under the neighboring rocks, while others ran to their villages that were close by.

The trader's people commenced a fusillade, firing off all their guns lest they should get wet and miss fire..