A sound like the snort of a steam-engine followed, and presently flames were seen bursting from the top of the chimney-like trunk.

The dry mould and dust of ages that had collected inside this shaft had now caught fire, like so much tinder, turning the whole tree in a twinkling into a mighty torch.
"Oh, what have you done ?" cried Zenobia, starting up.

"Do you know that you have killed my father and set fire to the house that sheltered you last night ?" Blanka at first thought the girl was joking, but when she saw Aaron's vexed expression and Manasseh's ruffled brow, she knew that the words must have a meaning that the others understood, though she did not.
"Quick!" exclaimed the Wallachian maiden.

"Mount and away! You have not a moment to lose.

I hasten back to my father.