20

THE ASHTABULA DISASTER.

in their own security, and often looked out, grate-ful for the shelter of their homes.

But to the traveler it was a fearful storm. Thesame clouds which filled the sky with their fleecymasses, became portentous to his gaze. As thedusk of night settled down with more fury in thestorm, a fearful foreboding filled his heart. Therewere many who were impressed with this inde-finable sense of danger. It was not because theyfelt the discomfort of the journey, nor becausethey unconsciously acknowledged the difficultyof the way, but a strange presentiment continu-ally haunted them and filled them with indefina-ble fear. Brave hearts sank within many, as thestrange feeling came over them, that there wasdanger in the air. It was like a pall to the soul.It rested heavily upon the spirits. Stout menhad to reason with themselves to nerve them-selves to undertake the journey.

This presentiment of evil was the common one.Many of the friends urged the travelers to stayand not undertake the fearful journey. Parentsat Buffalo are known to have persuaded a daugh-ter to stay until the storm was over, and only