They shriek aloud; they snatch with impious hands
The food of altars; firs and flaming brands,
Green boughs and saplings, mingled in their haste,
And smoking torches, on the ships they cast.
DRYDEN, _AEneid_, BOOK V.

The ships were now on fire and the alarm quickly reaching the men,
they rushed to the shore and endeavored to subdue the flames, while
the women already regretting their folly, fled in terror from the
scene. But in spite of the efforts of the men the fire rapidly spread,
and it seemed as if the entire Trojan fleet was doomed to destruction.
Then the pious AEneas, with upraised hands, prayed to Jupiter for
help, and immediately there came a great rain-storm, and the water
descended in torrents, until every spark was extinguished. Four of the
ships, however, were destroyed.

AEneas was much distressed by this misfortune, and he began to think
that it might be better, even in disregard of the fates, and the
prophecies, to remain in Sicily, than to make any further attempt to
reach the promised Italian land. But one of his people, an old and a
very wise man, named Nau'tes, strongly urged that the will of the gods
ought to be obeyed. As to those who were weary of the enterprise--the
aged, the feeble, and such of the women as were not willing to undergo
further fatigues at sea-he advised that they should be left under the
protection of Acestes, who, being himself of Trojan blood, would
doubtless grant them a settlement in his kingdom.

"Your friend Acestes is of Trojan kind;
To him disclose the secrets of your mind;