Everybody that was not crushed to death ran out into
the large places, and those near the river ran down to save
themselves by boats, or any other floating convenience,
running, crying, and calling to the ships for assistance; but
whilst the multitude were gathered near the riverside, the
water rose to such a height that it overflowed the lower part
of the city, which so terrified the miserable and already
dismayed inhabitants, who ran to and fro with dreadful cries,
which we heard plainly on board, that it made them believe the
dissolution of the world was at hand; every one falling on his
knees and entreating the Almighty for His assistance.... By two
o'clock the ships' boats began to ply, and took multitudes on
board.... The fear, the sorrow, the cries and lamentations of
the poor inhabitants are unexpressible; every one begging
pardon, and embracing each other, crying, Forgive me, friend,
brother, sister! Oh! what will become of us! neither water nor
land will protect us, and the third element, fire, seems now
to threaten our total destruction! as in effect it happened.
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