"No, nothing worth mentioning; merely cut and bruised. I came as soon as I had fixed my father safe in the square. I thought you might need help." "Mr. Houghton, you are overwhelming us--" "Please don't think and talk that way. God knows, a man should give help where it is most needed at such a time. This is Mrs. Bodine?" "Yes, she fainted before the first shock. We have been unable to revive her. At the last shock my daughter carried her down." "Miss Bodine!" exclaimed George in surprise and admiration. She gave him a swift glance through her tears, and then, dropping her eyes, resumed her efforts to revive her cousin. "You may well exclaim," said her father. "How she did it I do not know. Excitement gave strength, I suppose." "Everything these kind friends and I can do for her seems useless," Ella faltered. "Let me get my wind a little," said George, eagerly, "and I will carry her to the square, where my father is. A good physician is with him." At this instant came a third and severer shock than the last, and with it the new terror which sickened the bravest. "O God," cried Ella, "will there be no respite?" Then observing for the first time the pillars of light and smoke rising at different points, she cried in still deeper fear, "Oh, papa, can those be volcanic fires?" "No, no, my child." "I saw a fire kindling in a deserted house as I came," George added excitedly. "Truly, Captain Bodine, this is no place for your family; or," turning to the groups near, "for you either, friends. Ah, see! there is a house almost opposite beginning to burn. Come;" and without further hesitation he lifted Mrs. Bodine and strode away. Not only Ella and her father followed, but also the others, those who were the strongest supporting the feeble and injured. They had gone but little way before Bodine said, "Ella, I must go and see if Mara has escaped. I cannot seek safety myself unless assured that she is safe." "Oh, papa, it will be almost suicide for you to go through these streets alone." "Ella, there are some things so much worse than death. If you and cousin were alone I would not leave you, but with a strong helper and a physician in prospect I must go. How could I look Mara in the face again if I made no effort in her behalf? Explain to Mr. Houghton." He dropped behind, then turned up a side street and carefully yet quickly halted over and around the impediments strewn in the way. Aware of the danger of delay, George went forward with a rapid stride. "Can you keep up?" he asked. "Yes," Ella replied. "We must get by and beyond these higher buildings. I have the horrible dread that they may fall on you any moment." "You never seem to think of yourself, Mr. Houghton." "I must now," he said after a moment or two. "Here is a corner at which we can rest, for there are no high buildings near;" and he sank on the ground with Mrs. Bodine still in his arms. "Oh, you are killing yourself!" she cried in deep distress.