One day, Raul was miles away from the small ranch (牧场)house in a large valley. Everything seemed to be all right, yet he felt strange and somewhat uneasy. The wind had picked up, and angry, dark clouds31across the sky. He could smell the rain coming. And it did.32 , the lightning flashed through the clouds, nearly33Raul. The thunder (雷声) was so loud that he buried his head in his hands and rubbed his eyes. Then he heard it — hoof beats (蹄声). He34. There before him stood a tall, white horse. An old man stared down at him from its back.
“Wh-wh-who are y-y-you?” asked Raul. “Oh, my name is Gray Cloud,” the old man answered35 , “come with me.”
Raul followed on with his horse. A36feeling came over him. All37them the rain was pouring down,38not a drop fell on them. They seemed to be39back toward Raul’s home. Raul lost track of time. Then all at once, he found40at the ranch gate. The old man turned his horse, waved his hand, and smiled. Lightning flashed again. The old man and his horse were41 .
Raul’s father ran out across the yard to42him. “We have been43about you. Are you okay? Hurry. Let’s get in out of the44 .”
“Wait,” said Raul. “Have you ever heard of an old man called Gray Cloud?”
“Can’t say I … wait. I believe my great-grandfather used to tell stories about a man called Gray Cloud. He died a long time ago. They all say he was45by lightning during a terrible thunderstorm. Why do you ask?” At this, Raul was really more shocked than puzzled.
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