Ascalon fled as a frightened animal flees, silently and under cover.
They rode now through a shrieking wind, burdened with sallow smoke and dreadful odors.

Denser and denser the cloud grew till the streets ahead were hidden in yellow vapor and near-by houses loomed with dim outlines as if far off, and even the sounds of death and disaster became choked in the immense prevalence of smell.

Blinded, with scarf and kerchief wrapped over mouth and nostril, the fleeing party swept down upon the very heart of that stifling mystery.

Through it presently, as the houses thinned out, they saw cores of great heat surmounted by black-tipped flames that crackled savagely.

Momus, now in the lead, turned sharply to his right and the next instant had the wind behind him.