` ` The little vessel continued to beat its way seaward, and the ` ` ironclads receded slowly towards the coast, which was hidden still by ` ` a marbled bank of vapour, part steam, part black gas, eddying and ` ` combining in the strangest way. The fleet of refugees was scattering ` ` to the northeast; several smacks were sailing between the ironclads ` ` and the steamboat. After a time, and before they reached the sinking ` ` cloud bank, the warships turned northward, and then abruptly went ` ` about and passed into the thickening haze of evening southward. The ` ` coast grew faint, and at last indistinguishable amid the low banks of ` ` clouds that were gathering about the sinking sun. ` ` ` ` Then suddenly out of the golden haze of the sunset came the ` ` vibration of guns, and a form of black shadows moving. Everyone ` ` struggled to the rail of the steamer and peered into the blinding ` ` furnace of the west, but nothing was to be distinguished clearly. A ` ` mass of smoke rose slanting and barred the face of the sun. The ` ` steamboat throbbed on its way through an interminable suspense. ` ` ` ` The sun sank into grey clouds, the sky flushed and darkened, the ` ` evening star trembled into sight. It was deep twilight when the ` ` captain cried out and pointed. My brother strained his eyes. ` ` Something rushed up into the sky out of the greyness--rushed ` ` slantingly upward and very swiftly into the luminous clearness above ` ` the clouds in the western sky; something flat and broad, and very ` ` large, that swept round in a vast curve, grew smaller, sank slowly, ` ` and vanished again into the grey mystery of the night. And as it flew ` ` it rained down darkness upon the land. ` ` ` ` ` `