XXI.

Sudden was heard the appalling cry of--“Fire!” One moment mortal terror hushed each heart; The next, outburst a shriek of anguish dire, For flashed the Demon red o’er every part. The crackling flames across each window dart, And cast a lurid glare o’er faces pale With dread, or screaming till their eyeballs start Wild, frantic, terrible. The bravest quail, For, ah, so dense the crowd no means of ’scape avail.