The Wallachians fell upon their knees in silent awe, while the women, who had been standing outside, rushed shrieking down the rocks.
The Decurio drew a pistol from his breast, and approached the cask of gunpowder.
With a fearful howl, they rushed upon him—the shriek of despair was heard for an instant, then a terrible explosion, which caused the rocks to tremble, while the flame rose with a momentary flash amidst clouds of smoke and dust, scaring the beasts of the forest, and scattering stones and beams, and hundreds of dismembered limbs, far through the valley, and over the houses of the terrified inhabitants!
When the smoke had dissipated, a heap of ruins stood in the place of Numa's dwelling!
The sun arose and smiled upon the earth, which was strewed with the last leaves of autumn, but where were those who had assembled at the spring-time of the year?
The evening breeze whispered mournfully through the ruined walls, and strewed the faded leaves upon eleven grassy mounds!
The pen trembles in my hand—my heart sickens at the recital of such misery.
Would that I could believe it an imagination—the ghastly horror of a fevered brain!