"Quiet, foolish child," said one of the prison guards. "If you keep your peace, you will be free tomorrow."
"There will be no tomorrow!" wailed poor Tony. "Oh, believe me and let us all run! Run from Pompeii!"
"Ha! Ha!" laughed the guard. "You are only a lying little beggar! Nobody believes lying little beggars!"
"But I am telling the truth!" insisted poor Tony. "I am! I am! You must believe me!"
But it was useless.
As time went on the black cloud grew larger. Suddenly, a great rumbling started. An immense wall of fire-red stones came crashing down the mountain, destroying everything in its path.
The city was plunged into darkness. People began screaming and running from their houses. Everything rocked back and forth.
"Let me out!" cried Tony. "Oh, save me! Madonna mia, never again will I lie or steal! Oh, never! Save me! Save me!"
He held Tina tightly. She wriggled and tried to break away. All at once she began to squeal. He had never heard a dog squeal like that!