A furious battle was raging around me.

Wild cries and roars of rage, shock of onset, struggle prolonged, all mingled with words articulate, surged in my ears.

Curses and credos, snarls and sneers, laughter and mockery, sacred names and howls of hate, came huddling in chaotic interpenetration.

Skeletons and phantoms fought in maddest confusion.

Swords swept through the phantoms: they only shivered.