Glancing towards the islanders, these unfortunates were seen running towards the raft, and then flocking up on it with all possible dispatch, while filling the air with dismal, howling cries.
"God help the poor wretches!" cried Mary.
"Paddle ahead, paddle for life!" screamed Turk, as the cliff, with a din as if the very earth were being rent in twain, tumbled to pieces, rock upon rock, apparently drowned in a sea of fire, amid which the forms of the doomed natives on the cliff were also seen to disappear. Sky air and sea looked as if aflame.
The whole universe seemed to rock and tremble.
The crimson waves rose high around the frail canoe; while the raft nearer to the beach, was at once engulphed with its living freight.
"God help us!" cried Mary.
"We are lost!" shouted Brand, shutting out the fearful aspect of sea and heaven, by putting a hand to his eyes.
"Hush!" said Harry, sternly, "I trust we may escape."
All round the island the waves were now seen trembling in great colliding, clashing walls of hissing boiling water.
From these walls streams of fire, like lightning flashes, shot continually upward.