Change after change went on; new scenes and new
characters appeared, and yet the life seemed orderly and natural.
Suddenly there came a warning of danger. The sky grew fearfully
dark; fierce lightning burned through the air, and the giant tempest
swept down upon the earth with resistless fury. Next a flood was
upon them. And now he was seized with the instinct of
self-preservation, and in a moment had deserted his helpless family,
and was fleeing, alone to a place of safety. From thence he saw wife
and children borne off by the rush of waters, their white, imploring
faces turned to him, and their hands stretched out for succour. Then
all his love returned; self was forgotten; he would have died to
save them. But it was too late! Even while he looked, they were
engulfed and lost.
From such a dream Markland was awakened into conscious life. The
shadowy twilight had been succeeded by darkness. He started up,
confused and affrighted. Some moments passed before his bewildered
thoughts were able to comprehend his real position; and when he did
so, he fell back, with a groan, horror-stricken, upon the bed.
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