Scarcely had he uttered those words, when the dogs beneath the prison walls set up a piteous howl, which was followed by a low, rumbling noise--the walls of the prison shook. All started on their feet, consternation and dismay depicted on every countenance;--a thundering crash was heard, as the side of the vaulted chamber was seen to fall outward, carrying with it the unfortunate wretches who were assembled in the windows. Regardless of their cries, the remainder of the prisoners made a rush over the fallen ruins; "Hurra for the earthquake! liberty, liberty!" they shouted, some, with wanton barbarity, seizing the muskets of the guards stationed in front of the prison, and dashing out their brains, before they had time to defend themselves. With wild cries and imprecations, the savage band hurried on, regardless of the dreadful convulsions of nature, attacking, in their blind fury, the affrighted inhabitants, who were flying from their falling houses. They halted not in their mad career till they reached an open space, from whence they could look back on their late abode; and as the second shock came on, when they beheld the prison hurled prostrate to the ground, they uttered wild yells of delight, pointing with gestures of derision towards the spot; in the intoxication of liberty, dancing and singing like a troop of demons. What was it to them, that every instant thousands were suffering the most agonising deaths?--what cared they that a flourishing city was being destroyed?--they had gained their liberty! "Viva, viva to the earthquake! the loss of others is our gain. Viva to havoc and confusion! all is now our prey.--The rich man's wealth is left unprotected,--Death has parted the miser from his gold,--all is now ours!" and on they rushed. Some of their number were killed by the falling ruins, but what cared they for their loss? it was soon supplied by crowds of accursed wretches like themselves, hardened by years of crime, and excited by thoughts of indiscriminate plunder. They met a man flying with bags of gold. "What ho! Dare you to take our property, fool?" and he was hurled lifeless to the ground. The third shock came-- but while others were falling on their knees, with prayers for mercy, they shouted and blasphemed; the wilder the havoc, the greater would be their booty;--what cared they for aught else? Away they rushed through the streets--none dared oppose them. They seized upon arms, which some soldiers had thrown aside. "Hurra, hurra! the city is ours! who is lord now?" they cried.