Etruscanprophecywhichsaith，\"Whenthemountainopens，thecityshallfall——whenthesmokecrownstheHilloftheParchedFields，thereshallbewoeandweepinginthehearthsoftheChildrenoftheSea。\"Dreadmaster，ereIleavethesewallsforsomemoredistantdwelling，Icometothee。Asthoulivest，knowIinmyheartthattheearthquakethatsixteenyearsagoshookthiscitytoitssolidbase，wasbuttheforerunnerofmoredeadlydoom。ThewallsofPompeiiarebuiltabovethefieldsoftheDead，andtheriversofthesleeplessHell。Bewarnedandfly！’
’Hearme，’answeredArbaces，risingcalmly，butwithagitationvisibleinhisface。’Thismancametothreatenthathewouldmakeagainstmethechargehehasnowmade，unlessIwouldpurchasehissilencewithhalfmyfortune：Iremonstrated——invain。Peacethere——letnotthepriestinterruptme！Noblepraetor——andye，Opeople！Iwasastrangerintheland——Iknewmyselfinnocentofcrime——butthewitnessofapriestagainstmemightyetdestroyme。InmyperplexityIdecoyedhimtothecellwhencehehasbeenreleased，onpretencethatitwasthecoffer—houseofmygold。Iresolvedtodetainhimthereuntilthefateofthetruecriminalwassealed，andhisthreatscouldavailnolonger；butImeantnoworse。Imayhaveerred——butwhoamongstyewillnotacknowledgetheequityofself—preservation？WereI
guilty，whywasthewitnessofthispriestsilentatthetrial？——thenIhadnotdetainedorconcealedhim。WhydidhenotproclaimmyguiltwhenI
proclaimedthatofGlaucus？Praetor，thisneedsananswer。Fortherest，I
throwmyselfonyourlaws。Idemandtheirprotection。Removehencetheaccusedandtheaccuser。Iwillwillinglymeet，andcheerfullyabideby，thedecisionofthelegitimatetribunal。Thisisnoplaceforfurtherparley。’
’Hesaysright，’saidthepraetor。’Ho！guards——removeArbaces——guardCalenus！Sallust，weholdyouresponsibleforyouraccusation。Letthesportsberesumed。’
’What！’criedCalenus，turningroundtothepeople，’shallIsisbethuscontemned？ShallthebloodofApaecidesyetcryforvengeance？Shalljusticebedelayednow，thatitmaybefrustratedhereafter？Shallthelionbecheatedofhislawfulprey？Agod！agod！——Ifeelthegodrushtomylips！Tothelion——tothelionwithArbaces！’
Hisexhaustedframecouldsupportnolongertheferociousmaliceofthepriest；hesankonthegroundinstrongconvulsions——thefoamgatheredtohismouth——hewasasaman，indeed，whomasupernaturalpowerhadentered！
Thepeoplesawandshuddered。
’Itisagodthatinspirestheholyman！TothelionwiththeEgyptian！’
Withthatcryupsprang——onmoved——thousandsuponthousands！Theyrushedfromtheheights——theypoureddowninthedirectionoftheEgyptian。Invaindidtheaedilecommand——invaindidthepraetorlifthisvoiceandproclaimthelaw。Thepeoplehadbeenalreadyrenderedsavagebytheexhibitionofblood——theythirstedformore——theirsuperstitionwasaidedbytheirferocity。Aroused——inflamedbythespectacleoftheirvictims，theyforgottheauthorityoftheirrulers。Itwasoneofthosedreadpopularconvulsionscommontocrowdswhollyignorant，halffreeandhalfservile；
andwhichthepeculiarconstitutionoftheRomanprovincessofrequentlyexhibited。Thepowerofthepraetorwasasareedbeneaththewhirlwind；
still，athiswordtheguardshaddrawnthemselvesalongthelowerbenches，onwhichtheupperclassessatseparatefromthevulgar。Theymadebutafeeblebarrier——thewavesofthehumanseahaltedforamoment，toenableArbacestocounttheexactmomentofhisdoom！Indespair，andinaterrorwhichbeatdownevenpride，heglancedhiseyesovertherollingandrushingcrowd——when，rightabovethem，throughthewidechasmwhichhadbeenleftinthevelaria，hebeheldastrangeandawfulapparition——hebeheld——andhiscraftrestoredhiscourage！
Hestretchedhishandonhigh；overhisloftybrowandroyalfeaturestherecameanexpressionofunutterablesolemnityandcommand。
’Behold！’heshoutedwithavoiceofthunder，whichstilledtheroarofthecrowd；’beholdhowthegodsprotecttheguiltless！ThefiresoftheavengingOrcusburstforthagainstthefalsewitnessofmyaccusers！’
TheeyesofthecrowdfollowedthegestureoftheEgyptian，andbeheld，withineffabledismay，avastvaporshootingfromthesummitofVesuvius，intheformofagiganticpine—tree；thetrunk，blackness——thebranches，fire！——afirethatshiftedandwaveredinitshueswitheverymoment，nowfiercelyluminous，nowofadullanddyingred，thatagainblazedterrificallyforthwithintolerableglare！
Therewasadead，heart—sunkensilence——throughwhichtheresuddenlybroketheroarofthelion，whichwasechoedbackfromwithinthebuildingbythesharperandfierceryellsofitsfellow—beast。DreadseersweretheyoftheBurdenoftheAtmosphere，andwildprophetsofthewrathtocome！
Thentherearoseonhightheuniversalshrieksofwomen；themenstaredateachother，butweredumb。Atthatmomenttheyfelttheearthshakebeneaththeirfeet；thewallsofthetheatretrembled：and，beyondinthedistance，theyheardthecrashoffallingroofs；aninstantmoreandthemountain—cloudseemedtorolltowardsthem，darkandrapid，likeatorrent；
atthesametime，itcastforthfromitsbosomashowerofashesmixedwithvastfragmentsofburningstone！Overthecrushingvines——overthedesolatestreets——overtheamphitheatreitself——farandwide——withmanyamightysplashintheagitatedsea——fellthatawfulshower！
NolongerthoughtthecrowdofjusticeorofArbaces；safetyforthemselveswastheirsolethought。Eachturnedtofly——eachdashing，pressing，crushing，againsttheother。Tramplingrecklesslyoverthefallen——amidstgroans，andoaths，andprayers，andsuddenshrieks，theenormouscrowdvomiteditselfforththroughthenumerouspassages。Whithershouldtheyfly？
Some，anticipatingasecondearthquake，hastenedtotheirhomestoloadthemselveswiththeirmorecostlygoods，andescapewhileitwasyettime；
others，dreadingtheshowersofashesthatnowfellfast，torrentupontorrent，overthestreets，rushedundertheroofsofthenearesthouses，ortemples，orsheds——shelterofanykind——forprotectionfromtheterrorsoftheopenair。Butdarker，andlarger，andmightier，spreadthecloudabovethem。ItwasasuddenandmoreghastlyNightrushingupontherealmofNoon！
ChapterV
THECELLOFTHEPRISONERANDTHEDENOFTHEDEAD。GRIEFUNCONSCIOUSOF
HORROR。
STUNNEDbyhisreprieve，doubtingthathewasawake，Glaucushadbeenledbytheofficersofthearenaintoasmallcellwithinthewallsofthetheatre。
Theythrewalooserobeoverhisform，andcrowdedroundincongratulationandwonder。Therewasanimpatientandfretfulcrywithoutthecell；thethronggaveway，andtheblindgirl，ledbysomegentlerhand，flungherselfatthefeetofGlaucus。
’ItisIwhohavesavedthee，’shesobbed；nowletmedie！’
’Nydia，mychild！——mypreserver！’
’Oh，letmefeelthytouch——thybreath！Yes，yes，thoulivest！Wearenottoolate！Thatdreaddoor，methoughtitwouldneveryield！andCalenus——oh！
hisvoicewasasthedyingwindamongtombs——wehadtowait——gods！itseemedhourserefoodandwinerestoredtohimsomethingofstrength。Butthoulivest！thoulivestyet！AndI——Ihavesavedthee！’
Thisaffectingscenewassooninterruptedbytheeventjustdescribed。
’Themountain！theearthquake！’resoundedfromsidetoside。Theofficersfledwiththerest；theyleftGlaucusandNydiatosavethemselvesastheymight。
AsthesenseofthedangersaroundthemflashedontheAthenian，hisgenerousheartrecurredtoOlinthus。He，too，wasreprievedfromthetigerbythehandofthegods；shouldhebelefttoanolessfataldeathintheneighboringcell？TakingNydiabythehand，Glaucushurriedacrossthepassages；hegainedthedenoftheChristian！HefoundOlinthuskneelingandinprayer。
’Arise！arise！myfriend，’hecried。’Savethyself，andfly！See！Natureisthydreaddeliverer！’HeledforththebewilderedChristian，andpointedtoacloudwhichadvanceddarkeranddarker，disgorgingforthshowersofashesandpumicestones——andbadehimhearkentothecriesandtramplingrushofthescatteredcrowd。
’ThisisthehandofGod——Godbepraised！’saidOlinthus，devoutly。
’Fly！seekthybrethren！——Concertwiththemthyescape。Farewell！’
Olinthusdidnotanswer，neitherdidhemarktheretreatingformofhisfriend。Highthoughtsandsolemnabsorbedhissoul：andintheenthusiasmofhiskindlingheart，heexultedinthemercyofGodratherthantrembledattheevidenceofHispower。
Atlengthherousedhimself，andhurriedon，hescarceknewwhither。
Theopendoorsofadark，desolatecellsuddenlyappearedonhispath；
throughthegloomwithinthereflaredandflickeredasinglelamp；andbyitslighthesawthreegrimandnakedformsstretchedontheearthindeath。
Hisfeetweresuddenlyarrested；for，amidsttheterrorofthatdrearrecess——thespoliariumofthearena——heheardalowvoicecallingonthenameofChrist！
Hecouldnotresistlingeringatthatappeal：heenteredtheden，andhisfeetweredabbledintheslowstreamsofbloodthatgushedfromthecorpsesoverthesand。
’Who，’saidtheNazarene，’callsuponthesonofGod？’
Noanswercameforth；andturninground，Olinthusbeheld，bythelightofthelamp，anoldgrey—headedmansittingonthefloor，andsupportinginhislaptheheadofoneofthedead。Thefeaturesofthedeadmanwerefirmlyandrigidlylockedinthelastsleep；butoverthelipthereplayedafiercesmile——nottheChristian’ssmileofhope，butthedarksneerofhatredanddefiance。Yetonthefacestilllingeredthebeautifulroundnessofearlyyouth。Thehaircurledthickandglossyovertheunwrinkledbrow；andthedownofmanhoodbutslightlyshadedthemarbleofthehuelesscheek。Andoverthisfacebentoneofsuchunutterablesadness——ofsuchyearningtenderness——ofsuchfondandsuchdeepdespair！Thetearsoftheoldmanfellfastandhot，buthedidnotfeelthem；andwhenhislipsmoved，andhemechanicallyutteredtheprayerofhisbenignandhopefulfaith，neitherhisheartnorhissenserespondedtothewords：itwasbuttheinvoluntaryemotionthatbrokefromthelethargyofhismind。Hisboywasdead，andhaddiedforhim！——andtheoldman’sheartwasbroken！
’Medon！’saidOlinthus，pityingly，’arise，andfly！Godisforthuponthewingsoftheelements！TheNewGomorrahisdoomed！——Fly，erethefiresconsumethee！’
’Hewaseversofulloflife！——hecannotbedead！Comehither！——placeyourhandonhisheart！——sureitbeatsyet？’
’Brother，thesoulhasfled！Wewillrememberitinourprayers！Thoucanstnotreanimatethedumbclay！Come，come——hark！whileIspeak，yoncrashingwalls！——hark！yonagonizingcries！Notamomentistobelost！——Come！’
’Ihearnothing！’saidMedon，shakinghisgreyhair。’Thepoorboy，hislovemurderedhim！’
’Come！come！forgivethisfriendlyforce。’
’What！Whocouldseverthefatherfromtheson？’AndMedonclaspedthebodytightlyinhisembrace，andcovereditwithpassionatekisses。’Go！’saidhe，liftinguphisfaceforonemoment。’Go！——wemustbealone！’
’Alas！’saidthecompassionateNazarene，’Deathhathseveredyealready！’
Theoldmansmiledverycalmly。’No，no，no！’muttered，hisvoicegrowinglowerwitheachword——’Deathhasbeenmorekind！’
WiththathisheaddroopedonHisson’sbreast——hisarmsrelaxedtheirgrasp。Olinthuscaughthimbythehand——thepulsehadceasedtobeat！Thelastwordsofthefatherwerethewordsoftruth——Deathhadbeenmorekind！
MeanwhileGlaucusandNydiawerepacingswiftlyuptheperilousandfearfulstreets。TheAthenianhadlearnedfromhispreserverthatIonewasyetinthehouseofArbaces。Thitherhefled，torelease——tosaveher！ThefewslaveswhomtheEgyptianhadleftathismansionwhenhehadrepairedinlongprocessiontotheamphitheatre，hadbeenabletooffernoresistancetothearmedbandofSallust；andwhenafterwardsthevolcanobrokeforth，theyhadhuddledtogether，stunnedandfrightened，intheinmostrecessesofthehouse。EventhetallEthiopianhadforsakenhispostatthedoor；andGlaucus（wholeftNydiawithout——thepoorNydia，jealousoncemore，eveninsuchanhour！）passedonthroughthevasthallwithoutmeetingonefromwhomtolearnthechamberofIone。Evenashepassed，however，thedarknessthatcoveredtheheavensincreasedsorapidlythatitwaswithdifficultyhecouldguidehissteps。Theflower—wreathedcolumnsseemedtoreelandtremble；andwitheveryinstantheheardtheashesfallcranchinglyintotherooflessperistyle。Heascendedtotheupperrooms——breathlesshepacedalong，shoutingoutaloudthenameofIone；andatlengthheheard，attheendofagallery，avoice——hervoice，inwonderingreply！Torushforward——toshatterthedoor——toseizeIoneinhisarms——tohurryfromthemansion——seemedtohimtheworkofaninstant！ScarcehadhegainedthespotwhereNydiawas，thanheheardstepsadvancingtowardsthehouse，andrecognizedthevoiceofArbaces，whohadreturnedtoseekhiswealthandIoneerehefledfromthedoomedPompeii。Butsodensewasalreadythereekingatmosphere，thatthefoessawnoteachother，thoughsonear——savethat，dimlyinthegloom，GlaucuscaughtthemovingoutlineofthesnowyrobesoftheEgyptian。
Theyhastenedonward——thosethree。Alas！whither？Theynowsawnotastepbeforethem——theblacknessbecameutter。Theywereencompassedwithdoubtandhorror！——andthedeathhehadescapedseemedtoGlaucusonlytohavechangeditsformandaugmenteditsvictims。
ChapterVI
CALENUSANDBURBO。DIOMEDANDCLODIUS。THEGIRLOFTHEAMPHITHEATREAND
JULIA。
THEsuddencatastrophewhichhad，asitwere，riventheverybondsofsociety，andleftprisonerandjaileralikefree，hadsoonridCalenusoftheguardstowhosecarethepraetorhadconsignedhim。Andwhenthedarknessandthecrowdseparatedthepriestfromhisattendants，hehastenedwithtremblingstepstowardsthetempleofhisgoddess。Ashecreptalong，anderethedarknesswascomplete，hefelthimselfsuddenlycaughtbytherobe，andavoicemutteredinhisear：
’Hist！——Calenus！——anawfulhour！’
’Ay！bymyfather’shead！Whoartthou？——thyfaceisdim，andthyvoiceisstrange。
’NotknowthyBurbo？——fie！’
’Gods！——howthedarknessgathers！Ho，ho！——byyonterrificmountain，whatsuddenblazesoflightning！’——Howtheydartandquiver！Hadesisloosedonearth！’
’Tush！——thoubelievestnotthesethings，Calenus！Nowisthetimetomakeourfortune！’
’Ha！’
’Listen！Thytempleisfullofgoldandpreciousmummeries！——letusloadourselveswiththem，andthenhastentotheseaandembark！Nonewilleveraskanaccountofthedoingsofthisday。’
’Burbo，thouartright！Hush，andfollowmeintothetemple。Whocaresnow——whoseesnow——whetherthouartapriestornot？Follow，andwewillshare。’
Intheprecinctsofthetempleweremanypriestsgatheredaroundthealtars，praying，weeping，grovellinginthedust。Impostorsinsafety，theywerenotthelesssuperstitiousindanger！Calenuspassedthem，andenteredthechamberyettobeseeninthesouthsideofthecourt。Burbofollowedhim——theprieststruckalight。Wineandviandsstrewedthetable；theremainsofasacrificialfeast。
’Amanwhohashungeredforty—eighthours，’mutteredCalenus，’hasanappetiteeveninsuchatime。’Heseizedonthefood，anddevoureditgreedily。Nothingcouldperhaps，bemoreunnaturallyhorridthantheselfishbasenessofthesevillains；forthereisnothingmoreloathsomethanthevalorofavarice。Plunderandsacrilegewhilethepillarsoftheworldtotteredtoandfro！Whatanincreasetotheterrorsofnaturecanbemadebythevicesofman！
’Wiltthouneverhavedone？’saidBurbo，impatiently；’thyfacepurplesandthineeyesstartalready。’
’Itisnoteverydayonehassucharighttobehungry。Oh，Jupiter！whatsoundisthat？——thehissingoffierywater！What！doesthecloudgiverainaswellasflame！Ha！——what！shrieks？And，Burbo，howsilentallisnow！
Lookforth！’
Amidsttheotherhorrors，themightymountainnowcastupcolumnsofboilingwater。Blentandkneadedwiththehalf—burningashes，thestreamsfelllikeseethingmudoverthestreetsinfrequentintervals。Andfull，wherethepriestsofIsishadnowcoweredaroundthealtars，onwhichtheyhadvainlysoughttokindlefiresandpourincense，oneofthefiercestofthosedeadlytorrents，mingledwithimmensefragmentsofscoria，hadpoureditsrage。
Overthebendedformsofthepriestsitdashed：thatcryhadbeenofdeath——thatsilencehadbeenofeternity！Theashes——thepitchystreams——sprinkledthealtars，coveredthepavement，andhalfconcealedthequiveringcorpsesofthepriests！
’Theyaredead，’saidBurbo，terrifiedforthefirsttime，andhurryingbackintothecell。’Ithoughtnotthedangerwassonearandfatal。’
Thetwowretchesstoodstaringateachother——youmighthaveheardtheirheartsbeat！Calenus，thelessboldbynature，butthemoregriping，recoveredfirst。
’Wemusttoourtask，andaway！’hesaid，inalowwhisper，frightenedathisownvoice。Hesteppedtothethreshold，paused，crossedovertheheatedfloorandhisdeadbrethrentothesacredchapel，andcalledtoBurbotofollow。Butthegladiatorquaked，anddrewback。
’Somuchthebetter，’thoughtCalenus；’themorewillbemybooty。’Hastilyheloadedhimselfwiththemoreportabletreasuresofthetemple；andthinkingnomoreofhiscomrade，hurriedfromthesacredplace。AsuddenflashoflightningfromthemountshowedtoBurbo，whostoodmotionlessatthethreshold，theflyingandladenformofthepriest。Hetookheart；hesteppedforthtojoinhim，whenatremendousshowerofashesfellrightbeforehisfeet。Thegladiatorshrankbackoncemore。Darknessclosedhimin。Buttheshowercontinuedfast——fast；itsheapsrosehighandsuffocatingly——deathlyvaporssteamedfromthem。Thewretchgaspedforbreath——hesoughtindespairagaintofly——theasheshadblockedupthethreshold——heshriekedashisfeetshrankfromtheboilingfluid。Howcouldheescape？hecouldnotclimbtotheopenspace；nay，wereheable，hecouldnotbraveitshorrors。Itwerebesttoremaininthecells，protected，atleast，fromthefatalair。Hesatdownandclenchedhisteeth。Bydegrees，theatmospherefromwithout——stiflingandvenomous——creptintothechamber。
Hecouldendureitnolonger。Hiseyes，glaringround，restedonasacrificialaxe，whichsomepriesthadleftinthechamber：heseizedit。
Withthedesperatestrengthofhisgiganticarm，heattemptedtohewhiswaythroughthewalls。
Meanwhile，thestreetswerealreadythinned；thecrowdhadhastenedtodisperseitselfundershelter；theashesbegantofillupthelowerpartsofthetown；but，hereandthere，youheardthestepsoffugitivescranchingthemwarily，orsawtheirpaleandhaggardfacesbytheblueglareofthelightning，orthemoreunsteadyglareoftorches，bywhichtheyendeavoredtosteertheirsteps。Buteverandanon，theboilingwater，orthestragglingashes，mysteriousandgustywinds，risinganddyinginabreath，extinguishedthesewanderinglights，andwiththemthelastlivinghopeofthosewhoborethem。
InthestreetthatleadstothegateofHerculaneum，Clodiusnowbenthisperplexedanddoubtfulway。’IfIcangaintheopencountry，’thoughthe，’doubtlesstherewillbevariousvehiclesbeyondthegate，andHerculaneumisnotfardistant。ThankMercury！Ihavelittletolose，andthatlittleisaboutme！’
’Holla！——helpthere——help！’criedaquerulousandfrightenedvoice。’Ihavefallendown——mytorchhasgoneout——myslaveshavedesertedme。IamDiomed——therichDiomed——tenthousandsestercestohimwhohelpsme！’
Atthesamemoment，Clodiusfelthimselfcaughtbythefeet。’Illfortunetothee——letmego，fool，’saidthegambler。
’Oh，helpmeup！——givemethyhand！’
’There——rise！’
’IsthisClodius？Iknowthevoice！Whitherfliestthou？’
’TowardsHerculaneum。’
’Blessedbethegods！ourwayisthesame，then，asfarasthegate。Whynottakerefugeinmyvilla？Thouknowestthelongrangeofsubterraneancellarsbeneaththebasement——thatshelter，whatshowercanpenetrate？’
’Youspeakwell，’saidClodiusmusingly。’Andbystoringthecellarwithfood，wecanremainthereevensomedays，shouldthesewondrousstormsenduresolong。’
’Oh，blessedbehewhoinventedgatestoacity！’criedDiomed。’See！——theyhaveplacedalightwithinyonarch：bythatletusguideoursteps。’
Theairwasnowstillforafewminutes：thelampfromthegatestreamedoutfarandclear：thefugitiveshurriedon——theygainedthegate——theypassedbytheRomansentry；thelightningflashedoverhislividfaceandpolishedhelmet，buthissternfeatureswerecomposedevenintheirawe！Heremainederectandmotionlessathispost。ThathouritselfhadnotanimatedthemachineoftheruthlessmajestyofRomeintothereasoningandself—actingman。Therehestood，amidstthecrashingelements：hehadnotreceivedthepermissiontodeserthisstationandescape。
Diomedandhiscompanionhurriedon，whensuddenlyafemaleformrushedathwarttheirway。Itwasthegirlwhoseominousvoicehadbeenraisedsooftenandsogladlyinanticipationof’themerryshow’。
’Oh，Diomed！’shecried，’shelter！shelter！See’——pointingtoaninfantclaspedtoherbreast——’seethislittleone！——itismine！——thechildofshame！Ihaveneverownedittillthishour。ButnowIrememberIamamother！Ihavepluckeditfromthecradleofitsnurse：shehadfled！Whocouldthinkofthebabeinsuchanhour，butshewhoboreit？Saveit！saveit！’
’Cursesonthyshrillvoice！Away，harlot！’mutteredClodiusbetweenhisgroundteeth。
’Nay，girl，’saidthemorehumaneDiomed；’followifthouwilt。Thisway——thisway——tothevaults！’
Theyhurriedon——theyarrivedatthehouseofDiomed——theylaughedaloudastheycrossedthethreshold，fortheydeemedthedangerover。
Diomedorderedhisslavestocarrydownintothesubterraneangallery，beforedescribed，aprofusionoffoodandoilforlights；andthereJulia，Clodius，themotherandherbabe，thegreaterpartoftheslaves，andsomefrightenedvisitorsandclientsoftheneighborhood，soughttheirshelter。
ChapterVII
THEPROGRESSOFTHEDESTRUCTION。
THEcloud，whichhadscatteredsodeepamurkinessovertheday，hadnowsettledintoasolidandimpenetrablemass。Itresembledlesseventhethickestgloomofanightintheopenairthanthecloseandblinddarknessofsomenarrowroom。Butinproportionastheblacknessgathered，didthelightningsaroundVesuviusincreaseintheirvividandscorchingglare。Norwastheirhorriblebeautyconfinedtotheusualhuesoffire；norainboweverrivalledtheirvaryingandprodigaldyes。Nowbrightlyblueasthemostazuredepthofasouthernsky——nowofalividandsnakelikegreen，dartingrestlesslytoandfroasthefoldsofanenormousserpent——nowofaluridandintolerablecrimson，gushingforththroughthecolumnsofsmoke，farandwide，andlightingupthewholecityfromarchtoarch——thensuddenlydyingintoasicklypaleness，liketheghostoftheirownlife！
Inthepausesoftheshowers，youheardtherumblingoftheearthbeneath，andthegroaningwavesofthetorturedsea；or，lowerstill，andaudiblebuttothewatchofintensestfear，thegrindingandhissingmurmuroftheescapinggasesthroughthechasmsofthedistantmountain。Sometimesthecloudappearedtobreakfromitssolidmass，and，bythelightning，toassumequaintandvastmimicriesofhumanorofmonstershapes，stridingacrossthegloom，hurtlingoneupontheother，andvanishingswiftlyintotheturbulentabyssofshade；sothat，totheeyesandfanciesoftheaffrightedwanderers，theunsubstantialvaporswereasthebodilyformsofgiganticfoes——theagentsofterrorandofdeath。
Theashesinmanyplaceswerealreadyknee—deep；andtheboilingshowerswhichcamefromthesteamingbreathofthevolcanoforcedtheirwayintothehouses，bearingwiththemastrongandsuffocatingvapor。Insomeplaces，immensefragmentsofrock，hurleduponthehouseroofs，boredownalongthestreetsmassesofconfusedruin，whichyetmoreandmore，witheveryhour，obstructedtheway；and，asthedayadvanced，themotionoftheearthwasmoresensiblyfelt——thefootingseemedtoslideandcreep——norcouldchariotorlitterbekeptsteady，evenonthemostlevelground。
Sometimesthehugerstonesstrikingagainsteachotherastheyfell，brokeintocountlessfragments，emittingsparksoffire，whichcaughtwhateverwascombustiblewithintheirreach；andalongtheplainsbeyondthecitythedarknesswasnowterriblyrelieved；forseveralhouses，andevenvineyards，hadbeensetonflames；andatvariousintervalsthefiresrosesuddenlyandfiercelyagainstthesolidgloom。Toaddtothispartialreliefofthedarkness，thecitizenshad，hereandthere，inthemorepublicplaces，suchastheporticoesoftemplesandtheentrancestotheforum，endeavoredtoplacerowsoftorches；buttheserarelycontinuedlong；theshowersandthewindsextinguishedthem，andthesuddendarknessintowhichtheirsuddenbirthwasconvertedhadsomethinginitdoublyterribleanddoublyimpressingontheimpotenceofhumanhopes，thelessonofdespair。
Frequently，bythemomentarylightofthesetorches，partiesoffugitivesencounteredeachother，somehurryingtowardsthesea，othersflyingfromtheseabacktotheland；fortheoceanhadretreatedrapidlyfromtheshore——anutterdarknesslayoverit，anduponitsgroaningandtossingwavesthestormofcindersandrockfellwithouttheprotectionwhichthestreetsandroofsaffordedtotheland。Wild——haggard——ghastlywithsupernaturalfears，thesegroupsencounteredeachother，butwithouttheleisuretospeak，toconsult，toadvise；fortheshowersfellnowfrequently，thoughnotcontinuously，extinguishingthelights，whichshowedtoeachbandthedeathlikefacesoftheother，andhurryingalltoseekrefugebeneaththenearestshelter。Thewholeelementsofcivilizationwerebrokenup。Everandanon，bytheflickeringlights，yousawthethiefhasteningbythemostsolemnauthoritiesofthelaw，ladenwith，andfearfullychucklingover，theproduceofhissuddengains。if，inthedarkness，wifewasseparatedfromhusband，orparentfromchild，vainwasthehopeofreunion。Eachhurriedblindlyandconfusedlyon。Nothinginallthevariousandcomplicatedmachineryofsociallifewasleftsavetheprimallawofself—preservation！