“To Volvic,” cried Guettard,

“Volcani vicus!”

They seized their staffs again;

Halted at Moulins, only to break a crust

Of bread and cheese, and drink one bottle of wine,

Then hastened on, following the giant trail,

Milestone by milestone, till the scent grew hot;

For now they saw, in the wayside cottages,

The black stone under the jasmine’s clustering stars;

And children, at the half-doors, wondered why