Teja.
How long hast thou stood at thy post? Watcher. Since early yesterday, Sire.
Teja.
Where are thy two companions? Watcher. They remain above, as thou hast commanded, Sire.
Teja.
Good, then what saw ye? Watcher. The smoke of Vesuvius, Sire, descended upon the sea, beyond the promontory of Misenum. Thus we saw nothing until to-day about the sixth hour of the evening. Then suddenly the ships appeared five in number quite near the shore, there where it is said a city of the Romans lies buried in ruins.... One of us determined to hasten away, since----
Teja.
Stay! What signal bare the ships? Watcher. The foresail bound crosswise and----
Teja.
And? Watcher. A palm branch at the stern.