The water ground brown fishing-boats to powder on the golden roofs of Palaces.
Then the wave swept back towards the sea.
'I want to go home,' cried the Psammead fiercely.
'Oh, yes, yes!' said Jane, and the boys were ready--but the learned gentleman had not come.
Then suddenly they heard him dash up to the inner gallery, crying-- 'I MUST see the end of the dream.' He rushed up the higher flight.
The others followed him.

They found themselves in a sort of turret--roofed, but open to the air at the sides.
The learned gentleman was leaning on the parapet, and as they rejoined him the vast wave rushed back on the town.

This time it rose higher--destroyed more.
'Come home,' cried the Psammead; 'THAT'S the LAST, I know it is! That's the last--over there.' It pointed with a claw that trembled.
'Oh, come!' cried Jane, holding up the Amulet.
'I WILL SEE the end of the dream,' cried the learned gentleman.
'You'll never see anything else if you do,' said Cyril.

'Oh, JIMMY!' appealed Anthea.

'I'll NEVER bring you out again!' 'You'll never have the chance if you don't go soon,' said the Psammead.
'I WILL see the end of the dream,' said the learned gentleman obstinately.
The hills around were black with people fleeing from the villages to the mountains.