A voice quite near replied, “It is even now time for him to come back from Chimo, whither he went a few days since.”
Luta was overjoyed. What were these dangers if she was not forgotten? What was death if Veris shared it? Her face lighted rosily as she looked around her, half expecting to see him speeding through the blinding showers of ashes and rain. Then she seized Celesa’s arm, and said in exultation, “Now Priest Kluto, can I follow thee even unto death!”
Thus, when Priest Kluto had given his other arm to the first handmaid, did the four stand abreast, and look up to the summit, and at the volcano’s light beyond undauntedly. They began to move upward, upon their faces coming the expression of the loving, trusting martyr. In amaze, the people beheld them; and could not but show some reflection. One cried: “They will die well. Why cannot we?” Then he, being a singer, commenced a hymn to Amen. So magnetic were his tones that the people about him joined in; a moment more, and the multitude was swelling the refrain. To this music, the four ascended to the summit, there to kneel before the temple of Poseidon and Cleito.
But along by the palace was coming a horseman from the west, his horse smoking and foaming, for he had fairly flown over the country between Chimo and this place. As horse and rider came in among the chanting multitude, the singing ceased, and many voices cried, “Veris! Veris!”
Veris, as he walked his horse in among them, shouted, “The island sinketh! Everywhere as I came across, rise the streams! Already hath the sea laid Chimo half under water!”
He had been nearing the temple gateway. In a few moments more, he was looking through with most anxious face. Then he said, “I will go in.”
“Veris, look not there for Luta,” called an islander who had been running after him.
“Whither shall I look?”
“Herself and two other handmaids have gone with Priest Kluto to the temple above to pray.” And the man pointed in the direction.
“I will join them.” Then, in happy tones, Veris thanked his friend, shook his hand, and turned to mount the hill; and as he mounted, the rain began to fall in sheets, the thunderbolts to strike.