THE COASTS OF SICILY. 27 



sound. The principal crater ejected a broad and 

 expanded jet of incandescent rocks and lava, which 

 nearly reached the platform on which we were 

 standing, and fell with a loud noise, one portion being 

 carried into the sea, and the remainder thrown back 

 into the abyss from whence it had been ejected, 

 whilst the wind blew over us clouds of the black and 

 fine sand and ashes. 



The night had long since closed around us, and 

 our guides were urgent that we should make the 

 descent ; we were therefore compelled to yield to 

 their request, and prepare for our return; but before 

 we made our final retreat, we waited to see another 

 eruption, and this fortunately proved to be most 

 magnificent. The three mouths were playing si- 

 multaneously, and reflecting the reddish brightness 

 of the lava, whilst the triple enclosure of the crater 

 revealed itself once more to our eyes. After we 

 had sufficiently admired this grand spectacle, we 

 took one of the paths to the right, which being 

 entirely formed of fine sand, facilitated our return 

 quite as much as it aggravated the difficulties of our 

 ascent. Our guide had assured us that on this side 

 of the mountain there was not a single stone to be 

 met with, and on the strength of this assertion, M. 

 Edwards and myself set off at full speed, and soon 

 left our more circumspect companions far behind us. 

 There was something very singular in this descent. 

 The blackness of the soil absorbed the faint rays of 

 the stars, while the night was so dark that I could 

 scarcely see the white jacket of our guide at three 

 paces in front of me. Impelled by my own impetus, 



