The storm was abating, the rain had nearly ceased to fall, and the wind to
lash the waves into fury; the flashes of lightning were fewer and fainter
and the heavy claps of thunder had given place to distant mutterings; they
would not be wrecked by the fury of the tempest, yet alas, there still
remained the more fearful danger of devouring fire.
It was a night of terror; no one thought of retiring, and few but young
children closed an eye.
Every preparation was made for taking to the water at a moment's warning;
those who had life preservers--and all our party were supplied with
them--brought them out and secured them to their persons; boats were made
ready to launch, and those who retained sufficient presence of mind and
forethought, selected, and kept close at hand, such valuables as it seemed
possible they might be able to carry about them.
The Travillas kept together, Mr. Dinsmore with them, and young Leland
also.
He was to them only an ordinary friend, but one of them he would have died
to save, and almost he would have done it for the others for her sake.
Poor Molly had never felt her helplessness more than now; fastened to her
chair as with bands of steel, there was less hope of escape for her than
for others.
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