Early in January Nature concentrated her forces, as if bent upon a supreme effort to shake the determination and courage of the little army striving so valiantly upon the rock. On the night of New Year’s Day the clouds assumed an ominous appearance, and accordingly the workmen were not surprised to meet a stormy and rainy reception when they made their way to their duties the following morning. The weather grew worse on the third day, the spray enveloping the rock and drenching the men, while the wind blew so fiercely that they could scarcely keep their feet. During the next two days it increased in force, while the sea grew angrier. On the 6th the elements were raging in torment, and in the afternoon Ballantyne, taking stock of the meteorological signs, came to the conclusion that the party “were in for it.” A hurricane, or possibly a tornado, was looming. The tools were being swung with infinite difficulty, when suddenly came the signal “Stop work!” Ballantyne urged them to set to at once to lash everything securely. At six o’clock in the evening the hurricane burst, and the workmen witnessed a sight such as they had never seen before. The whole coast was in the grip of a tornado, of which the Tillamook Rock was the vortex, whereon the elements concentrated their destructive forces. The huge rollers assumed an uglier appearance than ever; the broken water rushed up the steep sides into the air, where it was caught by the whirling wind and dashed on the tiny camp. It was impossible to escape that savage attack, as it was driven home from all sides simultaneously. The men took to their permanent quarters in silence and very gloomy. By midnight the roof was being peppered with huge masses of rock, which, detached by the waves, were caught up and thrown clean over the rock. Ballantyne urged the men to stay in their bunks, to keep up their spirits, and to seek a little rest. [Illustration: FAMOUS UNITED STATES LIGHTHOUSES OF TWO CENTURIES. The rear tower was built on Cape Henry in 1789, with stones shipped from Great Britain. Owing to the sand thrown up by the sea, another light had to be provided nearer the water, and was completed in 1879. The old light is retained as an historic building.] But sleep was impossible. The quarrymen were scared out of their wits, and there was every cause for their dismay. It seemed as if the very rock itself must succumb to the savage onslaught. The din was deafening; the rock shivered and trembled as the breakers hurled themselves upon it.