“Do you think it would flow this way?” asked Mr. Graham. “The opposite side of the mountain would give it a freer channel, I think.”
“It is impossible to tell,” said Mr. Bruce. “The whole side of the cliff might open up and let the lava flow into this slope, entirely unobstructed. These volcanoes change their craters and channels so frequently, there is no telling from what direction the lava will come, or which way it will go.”
“It is quieter now,” said Mr. Graham, “and as we cannot be far from the villa, we had better try and reach it.”
Everybody at this started again and were groping along in the dust-filled atmosphere, when they saw, right ahead of them, the bridge. It took them only a minute to cross this and to get through the break in the wall, and to reach the villa and get into its cool and ash-free atmosphere. It was certainly a great relief for these weary, hungry and dust-besmeared travelers to enjoy once more the delights of a bath, and the splendid cuisine of the villa. They were tired out, and had inhaled the thick atmosphere so long, that their lungs had become almost raw, while their eyes were nearly closed, being swollen and sore. But a bath and several applications of sweet honey and wine had made them feel like new persons, and after the evening meal was over, they all declared that such delights as On could offer, were all the more welcome and could be better appreciated after a few days separation from them.
The evening was spent on the terrace, the wind having again shifted, leaving the atmosphere free from the dust and ashes. The column of smoke was very bright to-night, the fire seeming to be nearer the surface, lighting up the great black mass as it poured forth from the crater. In fact at this distance it cast its light, making objects at some distance, quite perceptible. But our friends were surprised to see to what depth the ground about the villa and all the barren waste had been covered by the ashes and dust. Fully one foot of this lay over the surface of the country for miles around. The beautiful lawn here was no more, and the large fields adjoining the villa, which had been used as a pasture for the zebras and cattle were now made useless by the volcano. But this extended only a mile beyond the villa, so said the attendants who had arrived that evening, bringing fresh provisions and ice. This being so, the zebras, cattle and elephants, would be able to find pasturage close at hand, and they were taken there immediately as they were already suffering for food.
But the depth of ashes destroyed the beauty of everything about here; the green lawn, the beautiful trees, all bore the same dull, gray appearance. There was but little enthusiasm then shown by the party on this night, as they walked on to the terrace. The volcano attracted all the attention with its lurid glare, mass of smoke and bright red rocks, which were thrown into the air at times.
“I am afraid we have forgotten our object in coming here,” said Enola to Onrai, as they came on to the terrace.
“No,” said Onrai, “I have not forgotten, but I am afraid the brilliants have met the same fate as all else about here. They are buried beneath the ashes of the volcano.”
“What a pity!” said Enola. “We have thus lost one of the most beautiful sights of On.”
“I am afraid so,” continued Onrai. “But wait, let me think. The field of brilliants extends far to the north, if I remember rightly, and we may reach a point beyond this circle of ashes; but you are too tired to go over there to-night, are you not, Enola?”