Reflected from the clouds, they illuminated the atmosphere for a great distance.

A crackling, as if of many burning trees, was heard.
Had a fire spontaneously broken out?
And to what cause was it due?
Lightning could not have started the conflagration; for no thunder had been heard.

True, there was plenty of material for fire; at this height the chain of the Blueridge is well wooded.

But these flames were too sudden for any ordinary cause.
"An eruption! An eruption!" The cry resounded from all sides.

An eruption! The Great Eyrie was then indeed the crater of a volcano buried in the bowels of the mountains.