“I flee not because I wish death. Every moment have I longed for it—as thou shouldst have done—since thy daughter vanished!”
A shout of derision went up for the benefit of the hidden Puppo, whose habitual discretion forbade further speech for the while.
“Monon,” shouted a young man at his right, “I, for one, will stand by the island to the last!”
Vociferous became the outcries in accordance. When these were subsiding, a scream was heard from the wife of the galley captain: and then the words, “Look, look! Luith floweth up over the bank; and higher—higher!”
They followed her glance to perceive that the stream was rising even above its banks, whilst the affrighted islanders thereon were beginning to flee, shrieking. The beholders, in their terror, swayed as one; and then groveled to implore mercy.
But in wilder terror, at once arose to shake off the gray dust that was beginning to fall everywhere. And one voice shrieked, “The ashes from the mouth of the mountain! To the sands—to the sands!”
The mass stood irresolute, dazed. Then went up the cry, “Yea, the sands—the sands!”
They parted to hasten toward that goal, youths supporting the aged, parents bearing their tender young. But they had not gone far, when, from the east, came one running as if pursued by demons; and he was crying:
“We are lost! We are lost! The sea riseth even to cover the great pile of rocks! It will be upon us!”
Therewith he fell senseless among them.