Presently thin suggestions of light, variously tinted, began to
thread the inky mass. These grew brighter and more vivid, until
at last, in fantastic contortions, they appeared to rend the
swart concave asunder, revealing through the jagged clefts a
lurid waste of the most intensely glowing fire. The coming and
going of these amazing brightnesses, combined with the Egyptian
dark between, was completely blinding. So loaded was the still
air with electricity that from every point aloft pale flames
streamed upward, giving the ship the appearance of a huge
candelabrum with innumerable branches. One of the hands, who
had been ordered aloft on some errand of securing a loose end,
presented a curious sight. He was bareheaded, and from his hair
the all pervading fluid arose, lighting up his features, which
were ghastly beyond description. When he lifted his hand, each
separate finger became at once an additional point from which
light streamed. There was no thunder, but a low hissing and a
crackling which did not amount to noise, although distinctly
audible to all. Sensations most unpleasant of pricking and
general irritation were felt by every one, according to their
degree of susceptibility.
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