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NARRATIVE OP A 



during the two preceding days. The general distress, 

 which had been somewhat assuaged, was thus renewed. 

 The terror now was such, that more than half of the in- 

 habitants determined to abandon the town ; and., notwith- 

 standing the danger attending this step, owing to the 

 wild beasts and tigers that had been frightened out of 

 the forests, and sought the habitations of men, they went 

 forth on foot to seek refuge in the mountains, firmly per- 

 suaded that they should never return to their homes, for 

 they expected nothing less than the total destruction of 

 the town. 



" On the morning of the 24th, about 3 o'clock, the moon 

 and a few stars were visible, as if through a curtain. The 

 subsequent day was clear, although the sun could not be 

 seen. The dust continued to fall, which was now five or 

 six inches deep on the ground. The 25th and 26th were 

 marked with frequent, though not so violent, earthquakes. 

 Many of the people are affected with catarrhs, head-aches, 

 or sore throats, proceeding, doubtless, from the dust. The 

 cattle have also suffered considerably; and numbers of 

 birds may be seen lying dead in the roads, or floating on 

 the sea." 



In the month of February following, a Commission, 

 appointed for the purpose^ went to make observations on 

 the volcano, but could not obtain a distinct view of the 

 scene, owing to the dense smoke which still covered the 

 plains. A forest, which appeared to be as old as the Cre- 

 ation, was found to have disappeared. Two islands had 

 been formed in the sea, one eight hundred yards long, the 

 other two hundred, covered with mineral earth and pumice 

 stones. Some shoals were also discovered, in one of which 

 a large tree was fixed upside down. The river Chiquito 

 was completely choked up, and another had been formed, 

 running in an opposite direction. Within the limits of the 

 eruption were found the remains of all kinds of quadru- 

 peds and birds. 



