ometimes dark and spotted, as it was
more or less impregnated with earth and cinders.

"This extraordinary phenomenon excited my uncle's philosophical
curiosity to take a nearer view of it. He ordered a light vessel to be
got ready, and gave me the liberty, if I thought proper, to attend him.
I rather chose to continue my studies, for, as it happened, he had given
me an employment of that kind. As he was passing out of the house he
received dispatches: the marines at Retina, terrified at the imminent
peril (for the place lay beneath the mountain, and there was no retreat
but by ships), entreated his aid in this extremity. He accordingly
changed his first design, and what he began with a philosophical he
pursued with an heroical turn of mind."

THE VOYAGE TO STABIAE

"He ordered the galleys to put to sea, and went himself on board with
an intention of assisting not only Retina but many other places, for the
population is thick on that beautiful coast. When hastening to the place
from whence others fled with the utmost terror, he steered a direct
course to the point of danger, and with so much calmness and presence of
mind, as to be able to make and dictate his observations upon the motion
and figure of that dreadful scene. He was now so nigh the mountain that
the cinders, which grew thicker and hotter the nearer he approached,
fell into the ships, together with pumice-stones, and black pieces of
burning rock; they were in danger of not only being left aground by the
sudden retreat of the sea, but also from the vast fragments which rolled
down from the mountain, and obstructed all the shore.

"Here he stopped to consider whether he should return back again; to
which the pilot advised him. 'Fortune,' said he, 'favors the brave;
carry me to Pomponianus.' Pomponianus was then at Stabiae, separated by
a gulf, which the sea, after several insensible windings, forms upon
the shore. He (Pomponianus) had already sent his baggage on board; for
though he was not at that time in actual danger, yet being within view
of it, and indeed extremely near, if it should in the least increase, he
was determined to put to sea as soon as the wind should change. It was
favorable, however, for carrying my uncle to Pomponianus, whom he
found in the greatest consternation. He embraced him with tenderness,
encouraging and exhorting him to keep up his spirits; and the more to
dissipate his fears he ordered, with an air of unconcern, the baths