Skaptaa. This river every where ran through
deep vallies and between lofty cliffs, which
were in many parts from four to five hundred
or even six hundred feet high ; yet the
fire-stream not only filled up these cavities,
but actually overflowed a considerable tract
of land on both sides. It is only in a
few places that there are still to be seen
above the lava some of the tops of the
highest mountains that formerly enclosed
the Skaptaa.
§ V.
T£ £ S E ? * 14 is impossible to find
°ntjune2th°f language that will convey an
adequate idea of the horrible circumstances
that accompanied the first eruption, and
made this day peculiarly dreadful.—A dark
and dismal bank arising in the north-west
and pouring forth ashes, sand, brimstone,
and the hard greyish substance before alluded
to.—An intolerably stinking and suffocating
smoke, concealing the face of the
sun and absorbing its brilliant and beneficent
rays.—Seldom could this luminary be perceived
through the thick and sulphureous
steam, and when it now and then became
visible it had the appearance of a globe of
a gloomy and blood-red color.—Constant
shocks of earthquakes, innumerable fire-
spouts in the north, a dreadful foaming
stream of fire rushing down into the Skaptaa,
indescribable sounds in the air, heavy
subterraneous thunders, noises from the
mountains and continued lightnings, filled
every breast with the greatest terror, and
led the poor inhabitants to expect every
moment that heaven and earth would be
annihilated. Nor is this to be wondered at;
for none of the wrenched people could tell
how soon they and their property might
become the prey to such powerful and
visible means of destruction.
§ VI.
The progress The stream of fire, though now
of the .fire. running wjth incredible fury, for
the most part, along the channel of the Skaptaa,
nevertheless, here and there extended
itself over the old lava-tracts on the sides of
the river. Great cracklings and noises were
heard, when many pieces of red-hot lava fell
together into holes in the rivers, where the
water had been previously evaporated by the