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an obscure grave； where they will bury and forget me！〃
As the author concluded his dolorous moan； the extinguished
embers arose and settled down and arose again； and finally flew
up the chimney； like a demon with sable wings。 Just as they
disappeared； there was a loud and solitary cry in the street
below us。 〃Fire！〃 Fire！ Other voices caught up that terrible
word； and it speedily became the shout of a multitude。 Oberon
started to his feet； in fresh excitement。
〃A fire on such a night！〃 cried he。 〃The wind blows a gale； and
wherever it whirls the flames； the roofs will flash up like
gunpowder。 Every pump is frozen up； and boiling water would turn
to ice the moment it was flung from the engine。 In an hour； this
wooden town will be one great bonfire！ What a glorious scene for
my nextPshaw！〃
The street was now all alive with footsteps； and the air full of
voices。 We heard one engine thundering round a corner； and
another rattling from a distance over the pavements。 The bells of
three steeples clanged out at once； spreading the alarm to many a
neighboring town； and expressing hurry； confusion； and terror； so
inimitably that I could almost distinguish in their peal the
burden of the universal cry；〃Fire！ Fire！ Fire！〃
〃What is so eloquent as their iron tongues！〃 exclaimed Oberon。
〃My heart leaps and trembles； but not with fear。 And that other
sound； too； …deep and awful as a mighty organ；the roar and
thunder of the multitude on the pavement below！ Come！ We are
losing time。 I will cry out in the loudest of the uproar； and
mingle my spirit with the wildest of the confusion； and be a
bubble on the top of the ferment！〃
From the first outcry； my forebodings had warned me of the true
object and centre of alarm。 There was nothing now but uproar；
above； beneath； and around us； footsteps stumbling pell…mell up
the public staircase； eager shouts and heavy thumps at the door；
the whiz and dash of water from the engines； and the crash of
furniture thrown upon the pavement。 At once； the truth flashed
upon my friend。 His frenzy took the hue of joy； and； with a wild
gesture of exultation； he leaped almost to the ceiling of the
chamber。
〃My tales！〃 cried Oberon。 〃The chimney！ The roof！ The Fiend has
gone forth by night； and startled thousands in fear and wonder
from their beds！ Here I stand；a triumphant author！ Huzza！
Huzza！ My brain has set the town on fire！ Huzza！〃