Finn Family Moomintroll by Tove Jansson Read Free Book Online

their things safely under cover, while the thunder rolled nearer and a little wind came sighing anxiously through the trees.
    'I'll go and see what the weather's like out on the point,' said Snufkin, and, pulling his hat firmly down over his ears, he set off. Alone and happy he ran out to the farthermost point of rock and put his back against a large boulder.
    The sea had changed. It was dark green now with white-horses, and the rocks shone yellow like phosphorus. Rumbling solemnly the thunderstorm came up from the south. It spread its black sail over the sea; it spread over half the sky and the lightning flashed with an ominous glint.
    'It's coming right over the island,' thought Snufkin with a thrill of joy and excitement. He stood facing the storm as it advanced over the sea. And suddenly he saw a small black rider on something black, like a horse with short legs. Only for a moment were they visible against the creamy white crest of the cloud-bank, the rider's cloak billowed out like a wing, they rose higher... Then they were lost in a blinding network of lightning, the clouds obscured the sun and rain was driving like a grey curtain over the sea. I have seen the Hobgoblin! thought Snufkin. It must have been the Hobgoblin and his black panther! They really exist, they aren't just an old fairy-tale.
    Snufkin turned, and skipped back over the stones. He just reached the tent in time, for heavy drops of rain were already hitting the sail-cloth and it was being whipped about in the wind. Sniff had rolled himself completely in a blanket as he was rather afraid of thunder, and the others sat hunched-up next to one another. The tent smelt strongly of the Hemulen's botanical specimens.
    Now there was a terrific clap of thunder right over their heads and their little refuge was lit again and again by flashes of white light. The thunder rumbled round the sky like a great train while the sea hurled its biggest waves against Lonely Island.

    'What a blessing we aren't on the sea,' said Moominmamma. 'Dear me, what weather!'
    The Snork Maiden put her trembling paw in Moomintroll's, and he felt very protecting and manly.
    Sniff lay under his blanket and screamed.
    'Now it's right over us!' said Moominpappa. And at that moment a giant flash of lightning lit up the island, followed by a rending crash.
    'That struck something!' said the Snork.
    It was really a bit too much. The Hemulen sat holding his head. 'Trouble! Always trouble!' he muttered.
    Now it began to move off to the south. The thunder claps got farther and farther away, the lightning became fainter, and at last there was only the rustle of the rain and the sound of the sea as it broke on the shore.
    I won't tell them about the Hobgoblin yet, thought Snufkin. They are scared enough as it is.
    'You can come out now, Sniff,' said Snufkin. 'It's all over.'
    Sniff disentangled himself from the blanket, yawned and scratched his ear. He was a bit embarrassed because he had made such a fuss. 'What's the time?' he asked.
    'Nearly eight,' answered the Snork.
    'Then I think we'll go and lie down,' said Moominmamma. 'All this has been very disturbing.'
    'But wouldn't it be exciting to find out what the lightning struck?' said Moomintroll.
    'In the morning!' said his mother. 'In the morning we'll explore everything and have a bathe. Now the island is wet and grey and unpleasant.' She tucked them up and then went to sleep herself with her handbag under her pillow.
    Outside the storm redoubled its fury. The voice of the waves was now mixed with strange sounds: laughter, running feet and the clanging of great bells far out to sea. Snufkin lay still and listened, dreaming and remembering his trip round the world. Soon I must set out again, he thought. But not yet.



Chapter four
    In which owing to the Hattifatteners' night attack the Snork Maiden loses her hair, and in which the most remarkable discovery is made on Lonely Island.
    IN the middle of the night the Snork Maiden woke up with an