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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Fire Island, by G. Manville Fenn
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Fire Island
+       Being the Adventures of Uncertain Naturalists in an Unknown Track
+
+Author: G. Manville Fenn
+
+Release Date: May 4, 2007 [EBook #21307]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FIRE ISLAND ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
+
+
+
+
+
+Fire Island, by George Manville Fenn.
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+
+This is good vintage Fenn, with dreadful situation following dreadful
+situation, and the heroes (mostly) managing to get out of it somehow.
+Right up to the last chapter the reader never knows how the problems
+that throw themselves upon a little group of naturalists and the sailors
+that brought them to the island on which all these frightening events
+occur, will be solved.  NH
+
+___________________________________________________________
+
+FIRE ISLAND, BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ONE.
+
+WILD TIMES.
+
+"Do I think it would be wise to put on a life-belt, Mr Lane?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+The words were shouted into the ear of one of the speakers, and yelled
+back as, like others about the vessel, they clung to the side, now to be
+raised high, now to be plunged down again, as the _Planet_, with only a
+rag or two of storm canvas set, rode over a huge wave and seemed as if
+turned into some new and ponderous kind of diving apparatus about to
+seek the wonders at the bottom of the eastern seas.  But after her
+tremendous plunge right into a hollow she rose again, shook off the
+water which deluged the deck and staggered on.
+
+Just then a dimly seen figure sidled up to the two speakers, held on
+tightly, and shouted--
+
+"I say, Mr Rimmer, isn't that man steering very wildly?"
+
+"Who's to steer tamely, sir, in a sea like this?  Man has enough to do
+to keep from being washed overboard."
+
+The newcomer nodded and took a fresh grip of the top of the bulwark as a
+sea came over the bows again, and swept along the deck, leaving them
+breathless and panting, with the water streaming from oilskin and
+mackintosh.
+
+"Don't you want to put on a life-belt, too?" shouted the first speaker,
+as in the darkness of that terrible night his words seemed to be
+snatched away as soon as uttered.
+
+"Yes; it would be safer; where are they?"
+
+"Bah!  Nonsense!  Look down there.  Suppose you had on a life-belt, what
+could you do in such a sea?  You'd both be knocked to pieces or have the
+breath choked out of you in five minutes.  Stick to the ship while you
+can.  That's good advice."
+
+"Is there any danger?" shouted the young man who was nearest the last
+speaker.
+
+"Of course there is.  No one could be in such a tornado without being in
+danger."
+
+"But shall we be wrecked?" asked the fresh-comer.
+
+"Heaven only knows, sir.  We're all amongst the islands and reefs, and
+if one of them is in our way nothing can save us."
+
+No words were spoken then for some time, and every man on board the
+_Planet_ brig, which after a short stay at Singapore was off on a voyage
+of discovery along the coast of New Guinea, clung to bulwark, shroud and
+stay, or sheltered himself the best way he could from the waves which,
+like the wind, seemed ready to pluck them from their hold.
+
+Everything possible in the way of navigation had been done when the
+frightful storm came on, after scant warning in the way of a falling
+barometer.  Then nothing was left for the unfortunates on board but to
+hold on and wait for the end of the hurricane as they were swept along
+swiftly in its course.
+
+Three days before, they had been sailing gently within sight of the
+towering volcanoes of Java.  Now, as Mr Rimmer, the chief mate, said,
+they were "anywhere," the wind having veered round as if blowing in a
+vast circle, and all government of the brig being pretty well at an end.
+
+Matters had been bad enough while it was daylight.  When darkness came
+on the little hope which had remained was pretty well quenched; and
+Oliver Lane began to think of the home in England that he might never
+see again, and of how different the reality of the expedition was from
+all that he had pictured in his rather vivid imagination.
+
+When the trip was planned, and he obtained permission to join it through
+the influence of his father, a famous naturalist, he saw himself sailing
+amid glorious islands, with gorgeous tropical foliage hanging over seas
+of intense blue, glittering like precious stones in the burning
+sunshine; coral reefs seen through transparent water with their groves
+of wondrous seaweeds, and fish of brilliant tints flashing their scale
+armour as they swam here and there.  Then, too, his thoughts had run
+riot over the shore trips among lands where the birds were dazzling in
+colour, and the insects painted by nature's hand with hues impossible to
+describe; but, instead of these delights to one of eager temperament,
+they had encountered this fearful storm.  The captain and man after man
+had been disabled, and for the rest as they tore onward through the
+spray, mist and darkness, grim death seemed to be just ahead, for a
+touch upon one of the many reefs which studded those seas meant instant
+destruction, since no boat could have been lowered to live.
+
+"Never say die," shouted Ezra Rimmer, the mate, in his ear.  "We may
+ride it out."
+
+Oliver Lane made no reply.  He was half stunned by the deafening roar,
+and his mind after the many hours of suffering had grown confused; but
+as the last comer twisted a line about his waist and secured it to the
+belaying-pins close at hand, the mate went on shouting a few words from
+time to time as he tried to make out their unfortunate companions.
+
+"These storms end suddenly," he shouted.  "Don't understand 'em--
+electricity or something to do with the volcanoes.  Keep a stout heart,
+sir.  If we do have to die, I don't think it will be very bad.  Hold
+tight whatever you do.  As aforesaid, `Never say die.'"
+
+Oliver Lane turned his head to him and tried to make out the expression
+on the face of a man who could speak so coolly about death.  But it was
+too dark, and turning back to the companion who had joined them, he
+reached his arm farther round the shroud he was clinging to and touched
+him.
+
+The young man raised his drooping head.
+
+"Where's Drew?" shouted Oliver Lane; but the wind bore away his words,
+and he yelled out his question again.
+
+"Cabin!" came back in a temporary cessation of the turmoil of roaring
+wind, hissing spray, and creaking and groaning of the vessel's timbers.
+
+Oliver Lane tried to ask another question, but the wind caught him full
+in the face with such force that for a few moments he could only gasp
+and try to recover his breath, while directly after the vessel gave so
+tremendous a pitch and roll, he was jerked from his footing and hung by
+his hands with the sensation of having his arms jerked from their
+sockets.
+
+But the young Englishman had been engaged in similar struggles for
+hours, and recovering himself he shouted, "Panton?"
+
+"Hullo!"
+
+"Is Drew hurt?"
+
+"Yes.  So am I."
+
+"So we are all, Mr Panton," yelled the mate.  "If we get through this
+we shall all be covered with bruises, let alone broken ribs and other
+bones--Yah!--Hold on."
+
+The advice was not needed, for the two young men with him had suddenly
+seen something grey loom up in front, and taught by experience that it
+was a mass of foaming water, they clung for dear life, sheltering
+themselves as well as they could beneath the bulwark as the wave curled
+over and thundered along the deck with a hideous crashing din that
+literally stunned them.  When it had passed over Oliver Lane shook his
+head and tried with his smarting eyes to get rid of the water and make
+out whether his companions were safe.
+
+To his horror Arthur Panton was hanging from the belaying pin to which
+he had lashed himself, with his head down and his hands close to his
+feet, apparently lifeless, while the mate was gone.
+
+It is good medicine for the mind to see others in peril, for it rouses
+to action the best feelings in our nature and subdues the love of self.
+
+In an instant Oliver had forgotten his own sufferings, and, holding on
+by one hand, he tried to raise his companion to his old position, but
+for a few moments in vain.  Then the reaction came, and the young man
+made a brave effort to assist, and soon after he was upright and
+clinging with his arms over the bulwark, gasping heavily to recover his
+breath.
+
+Oliver Lane's next movement was to help the mate, whom he could dimly
+see lying across the deck half buried and wedged in amongst ropes,
+gratings, and the smashed-up wreck of one of the boats, which had been
+torn from the davits by the weight of the water.
+
+He had to crawl to him, and then dragged away a great tangle of rope and
+several pieces of broken woodwork before the mate moved.  Then he began
+to struggle, dragged himself out by the help of Oliver Lane's hands, and
+crawled back with him to the side, where he crouched down under the
+bulwark.
+
+"Nice lark this, sir," he groaned.
+
+"Much hurt?" shouted Oliver Lane.
+
+"Tidy," came back.  "Don't know yet, sir.  Hah!  Don't think I could
+stand much more of it, nor the old _Planet_, neither."
+
+These words were uttered during a temporary lull.  Then the wind came
+along with a fiercer rush than ever, bearing with it a perfect deluge of
+spray in great stinging, blinding drops torn from the surface of the
+waves, and forcing all on board to shelter their faces from its
+violence.
+
+There was no more possibility of making one another heard for the
+furious blast.  Every nerve and muscle had to be devoted to the task of
+holding on, and in this way hour after hour of that awful night slowly
+passed away till one and all of the crew strained their eyes, though
+vainly, for the coming of the day.
+
+"At last!" shouted the mate.
+
+Oliver Lane looked up in his direction, so thoroughly exhausted and weak
+that he could not comprehend the meaning of his companion's words.  Then
+by slow degrees he began to realise that the wind was falling fast,
+though the vessel was labouring as much as ever.
+
+Then he managed to grasp the fact that it was some time since the deck
+had been flooded by a wave, and with a faint gleam of hope crossing the
+darkness which had enshrouded them, he said with an effort--
+
+"Lulling a little?"
+
+"Lulling?" cried the mate.  "You couldn't have talked to me like that a
+couple of hours ago."
+
+"Then we have escaped?"
+
+"I don't know yet.  All that I know is that we are getting through the
+storm, and the sooner it is daylight the better I shall be pleased."
+
+Some hours passed.  The wind had died out and the sea was rapidly going
+down, but a strange feeling of uneasiness had come upon the occupants of
+the little vessel.  Visit after visit had been paid to the cabins, and
+the watches which had been consulted and doubted were now acknowledged
+to be trusty and truth-telling, for the chronometers supported their
+evidence and announced that it was well on toward noon of the next day.
+Though to all appearance it was midnight of the blackest, dense clouds
+shutting out the sky, while the long-continued darkness had a singularly
+depressing effect upon men worn out by their struggle with the storm.
+
+Arthur Panton, the mineralogist of the little expedition, had pretty
+well recovered from the battering he had received, and he at once gave
+his opinion as to the cause of the darkness.
+
+"I cannot speak learnedly upon the subject," he said, "but these
+terrible storms, as Mr Rimmer says, do appear to be somehow connected
+with electric disturbances, and often enough these latter seem to be
+related to volcanic eruptions."
+
+"And you think there is a volcanic eruption somewhere near?" asked Lane.
+
+"I do not say somewhere near, for the wind may have brought this dense
+blackness from hundreds of miles distant but certainly I should say that
+one of the many volcanoes in this region is in eruption."
+
+"If it were, sir, we should be having fine ashes coming down upon us,"
+said the mate, gruffly, "and--"
+
+"What's that?" cried Panton, holding up his hand.
+
+"Thunder," said the mate, as a deep, apparently distant concussion was
+heard.
+
+"No, the explosion from some crater," said Panton.  "Hark!"
+
+Another deep muttering report was heard, and soon after another and
+another.
+
+"Only a bad thunderstorm," cried the mate.  "There, let's go and get
+some food, gentlemen, and see how our friends are.  I daresay we shall
+be having a deluge of rain before long, and then the sun will come out
+and I can take an observation."
+
+He led the way to the cabin, where the steward had prepared a meal and
+retrimmed the lamps, going about with a scared look on his countenance,
+and turning his eyes appealingly from one to the other as the
+thunderlike reports kept on; but, getting no sympathy from those to whom
+he appealed silently, for they were as nervous as himself, he sought his
+opportunity and, following Oliver Lane into a corner, he began,--
+
+"Oh, sir, the destruction's awful."
+
+"But the ship is sound yet, and making no water."
+
+"I mean my china and glass, sir," said the man, "I shan't have a whole
+thing left."
+
+"Never mind that if our lives are saved."
+
+"No, sir, I don't; but will they be saved?"
+
+"Oh, yes, I hope so."
+
+"But it's so dark, sir.  Oh, why did I leave London with its safety and
+its gas?  Why am I here, sir?  I want to know why I am here?"
+
+"Because you were not a coward," said Lane.
+
+"Eh?  You're not joking me, sir."
+
+"No, I am serious."
+
+"Then thank you, sir.  You're quite right.  That's it, I'm not a coward,
+and I won't say another word."
+
+The man nodded and smiled and went about his work, while Lane turned to
+a young man of seven or eight and twenty, who sat evidently suffering
+and looking pale and strange in the sickly light.
+
+"I say, Lane," he said, "is this the end of the world?"
+
+"Not to-day, Mr Drew," cried the mate: "Is no end to the world, it's
+round."
+
+"To-day!  It's noon, and as black as night."
+
+"Mr Rimmer thinks we are going to have a tremendous rain storm now,"
+said Oliver Lane, wincing with pain as he sat down.
+
+"Then it is going to be a rain of black ink."
+
+"Oh, no, sir, heavy thunderstorm and then the light will come.  The
+clouds look almost solid."
+
+"But surely that cannot be thunder," cried Oliver Lane, excitedly.
+"Hark!"
+
+"No need to, sir," said the mate, smiling.  "It makes itself heard
+plainly enough.  By George!"
+
+He sprang from the table and hurried out on deck, for a roar like that
+of some terrific explosion close at hand was heard, and Lane and Panton
+followed, expecting to see the lurid light of a fire or the flash of
+lightning forerunning the next roar.
+
+But all was blacker than ever, and the sailing lights and a ship's
+lantern or two swung to and fro as the vessel rose and fell on the
+unquiet sea.
+
+"What do you make of it, Smith?" cried the mate to one of the watch.
+
+"Can't make nothing on it at all, sir," said the man, taking off his cap
+and scratching his head, while his face, like those of his companions'
+had a peculiar scared aspect.  "'Tar'nt like a thunderstorm, cause there
+ar'n't a drop o' lightning."
+
+"_Bit_, matey," said one of the man's comrades.
+
+"Get out," growled the first man, "how can it be a bit, Billy Wriggs,
+when yer can't touch it?  I said a drop and I mean it."
+
+"Don't argue," said the mate, sharply.  "Do you mean to say, all of you,
+that you saw no flash?"
+
+"Not a sign o' none, sir," said the first man.  "There?"
+
+Another fearful detonation came with startling violence to their ears,
+and as they stood upon the deck the report seemed to jar them all in a
+dull, heavy way.
+
+"Warn't no flash o' lightning there, sir."
+
+"No, I saw no flash," said Oliver Lane, uneasily.
+
+"No, there aren't been none, sir.  Lightning allus flickers and blinks
+like, 'fore you hear any thunder at all."
+
+"These dense black clouds might hide the flashes," said Lane.
+
+"No," said Panton.  "I should say that a flash of lightning would pass
+through any cloud.  I don't think it's thunder."
+
+"What, then, a naval action going on?"
+
+"No war," said the mate, "it must be thunder."
+
+Another detonation, louder than any they had heard before, made the ship
+literally quiver, and the men pressed together and turned their startled
+faces towards the mate as if for help and protection.
+
+"World's coming to a hend," muttered one of the men.
+
+"If I was skipper here," said another, "I'd just 'bout ship and run for
+it."
+
+"Where to?" said Wriggs.
+
+"Can't run your ship out o' the world, matey," grumbled the first sailor
+who had spoken, while the mate and the cabin passengers stood gazing in
+the direction from which the detonations seemed to come, and tried to
+pierce the dense blackness ahead.  "Sims to me as there's something
+wrong in the works somewhere.  I never see anything like this afore."
+
+"Nor you can't see nothing like it behind, matey," said Wriggs.  "It's
+like playing at Blind Man's Buff shut up in a water tank."
+
+Another awful roar, ten times as deafening as that of the loudest peal
+of thunder, now struck them heavily--short, quick--sudden, but there was
+no echoing reverberation or rolling sound as with thunder, and now
+convinced that it could not be the effects of a thunderstorm, the mate
+turned to his companion, and said,--
+
+"It's a big volcano hard at it somewhere, gentlemen, and these are not
+rain clouds shutting us in, but smoke."
+
+"But what volcano can it be?" said Lane, as a peculiar nervous tremor
+attacked him.
+
+"You tell me whereabouts we are, and I'll tell you what burning mountain
+that is.  If you can't tell me, I can't tell you.  Wait till the clouds
+open, and I'll get an observation.  First thing, though, is to make sail
+and get away."
+
+He knew the folly of his remark as he spoke, for the wind had completely
+dropped now, and it was noted as strange that no rush of air came after
+each explosion.  There was the heavy concussion and then a terrible
+stillness, the air being perfectly motionless, and this appearing the
+more strange after the frightful tornado through which they had passed.
+Silence absolute, and a darkness as thick as that of the great plague of
+Egypt--a darkness that could be felt.  And now, making no headway
+whatever, the vessel rolled heavily in the tossing waves, which boiled
+round them as it were, as if there were some violent disturbance going
+on far beneath the keel.
+
+"I never see nought like this," whispered the first sailor Smith, as if
+he were afraid of his words being heard.  "Ship's going it like a
+dumpling in a pot."
+
+"And I never felt anything like it, gentlemen," said the mate in a low
+awe-stricken tone.  "But we mustn't show any white feathers, eh, Mr
+Lane?  Ah, Mr Drew, come to give us your opinion?"
+
+This to the gentleman they had left in the cabin.
+
+"I have come to bring terrible news, Mr Rimmer," said the fresh-comer,
+gravely.  "A few minutes after you had left the cabin, Captain White
+rose suddenly upon his elbow.  `Fetch Mr Rimmer,' he said; `no: don't
+leave me.  He can do no good.  It's all getting dark.  Tell Mr Rimmer
+to do his best but I know he will.  Stay with me to the last, Mr Drew.'
+I should have run and called for help, but it was all too plain, Mr
+Rimmer.  He was dying, and directly after he sank back on his pillow,
+gave me one sad look as if to say good-bye, and all was over."
+
+The terrible silence seemed to be more profound at this announcement,
+which came like a chill upon the little group already sufficiently
+unnerved.
+
+The silence was broken by the mate, who said, softly,--
+
+"God be merciful to him, and take him unto His rest!  We've lost a good
+captain, gentlemen, and I a very faithful old friend."
+
+Another deafening roar came from ahead.  Away to the east it appeared to
+be one minute--to the west, south, north, the next, for the needle of
+the compass was all on the quiver, and appeared as if it followed a
+wandering magnetic attraction in the air.
+
+Silence again, all but the hissing and splashing of the troubled sea,
+and the creaking of the beams as the brig rolled slowly from side to
+side.
+
+The crew were all grouped together close by the mate, who had succeeded
+to the command of the little vessel, and as he stood there gazing over
+the side, thoughtfully, the three young men glanced at each other, and
+then at the man who had their lives in charge.
+
+At last the mate turned, and the light of one of the lanterns shone full
+upon his haggard countenance.
+
+"There's no doubt about it, gentlemen," he said, "we're near some
+volcano in a terrible state of eruption, and there is nothing to be done
+but wait.  I am perfectly helpless till we get light and a breath of
+air.  Ah, here's a change.  There's no doubt now.  I was wrong; we have
+got something to do."
+
+For as he spoke the thick darkness suddenly became blacker; inasmuch as
+before it was all overhead, now it appeared to have gradually settled
+down upon the sea and obscured the light of the lanterns.  For plainly
+enough there was the convincing proof of their being in the
+neighbourhood of some volcanic disturbance in the mighty band which runs
+through the Eastern Archipelago.  The air became suddenly full of a
+thick, fine ash falling softly upon the deck, and to such an extent that
+the gangways were thrown open and the crew were set to work to sweep the
+powder off into the sea.
+
+Here too, a strange effect was produced, for the ship gradually began to
+roll less violently, the soft fine ash which fell being sufficiently
+buoyant to float, and it became so thick that the rough waters were
+quieted, and the surface was rapidly covered with a thick coating of
+floating ash.
+
+At first this dust settled softly down upon the deck, then it came down
+more thickly, lodging on the yards and sails, every rope and stay, too,
+taking its load till it was filled up so that it could bear no more, end
+consequently every now and then avalanches of ash were started from on
+high and came down with a soft rush and a heavy thud upon the deck.
+
+This rapidly accumulated, and the men had to work harder and harder
+shovelling it to the gangways where others threw it overboard, where it
+fell silently and without a splash.
+
+"Work away, everyone," cried the mate.  "It will soon be all down, and
+then we shall get light."
+
+But the fearsome detonations continued, and it was evident that at every
+discharge fresh clouds of the volcanic dust were formed, and the
+darkness remained as profound as ever.
+
+"This can't go on," said Oliver Lane, in a husky whisper to his nearest
+companion as they both paused breathless, dropping with perspiration,
+choked, and blinded by the volcanic dust.
+
+"I hope not," was the reply.  "It seems to fall more quickly than we
+shovel it off."
+
+"What's that?" cried Lane excitedly, and a low murmur full of horror and
+despair, arose from the ship as men threw down shovel and broom and made
+for the boats, for following close upon another of the awful explosions
+there was a sudden rushing noise, evidently in the opposite direction,
+and the vessel quivered from stem to stern as if it had suddenly, and
+without warning, struck upon a rock.
+
+So startling was the concussion that the immediate conclusion was that
+she was going down, and it was not until a couple of similar concussions
+had been suffered that it was realised that the blows were shocks
+communicated through the water, which was once more in a fearful state
+of disturbance.
+
+"We're in for it now, gentlemen," said the mate, in awe-stricken tones.
+"Look out!" he roared, directly after.
+
+"Hold on everyone, rope and stays."
+
+His words were hardly heard, for there was once more a deafening roar
+apparently somewhere ahead, and almost simultaneously a heavy sea struck
+them astern, making the vessel heel over as the wave swept the deck, and
+as she recovered herself another and another deluged her, and for the
+moment it seemed as if she must sink.
+
+But the buoyant vessel rose again as the falling ashes were succeeded by
+cinders which came rattling and crashing down, literally bombarding the
+deck, while to add to the horror the black darkness began to give place
+to a blood-red lurid glare.  Toward this they were now being drawn,
+slowly at first, then faster and faster: as, after the three waves that
+had struck the vessel, another came towering on astern, threatening to
+engulf them, but plunging beneath the stern, lifting and bearing them
+along upon its tremendous crest with a rush and deafening hissing roar.
+Faster and faster, and on and toward the deep glow now right ahead.
+
+Oliver Lane was clinging to the fore shrouds and awake to the fact that
+his two friends, Panton and Drew, were at his side, for their faces
+loomed out of the black darkness, lit up by the blood-red glow from
+which now came a perceptible sense of heat.  The next moment they were
+joined by the mate, who yelled to them, his voice plainly heard over the
+hiss and roar,--
+
+"Earthquake wave!  It's all over now."
+
+He said no more, and they all clung there, with the vessel still
+balanced accurately upon the huge crest and borne on at almost express
+speed.
+
+In his agony of despair and horror Lane now glanced to right and left to
+see by the blood-red glow the rolling hill of water upon which he rode
+spreading out to right and left, while from the clouds above it was as
+if the whole of the firmament were casting down its stars in one great
+shower of light as the fiery stones came rushing, hissing into the sea
+and many of them crashing upon the doomed ship.
+
+Death was upon them in its most awful form, and as the young man was
+conscious of two hands gripping his arms, a voice close to his ear
+shouted,--
+
+"The end of all things, my lad; we can never live through this!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWO.
+
+A BIT OF BLUE.
+
+As if to endorse these words there was once more a deafening explosion,
+the blood-red glow toward which they were being driven suddenly flashed
+out into a burst of light so dazzling that all present covered their
+blinded eyes; a spurt of fiery blocks of incandescent stone curved over
+and fell into the boiling sea, and as the occupants of the deck were
+driven prostrate by the shock which followed, silence and darkness once
+more reigned.
+
+"Much hurt, sir?"
+
+Oliver Lane heard those words quite plainly, and lay wondering who it
+was that was hurt, and why he did not answer so kindly an inquiry.
+
+Then, as a hand was laid upon his shoulder, he grasped the fact that it
+was the mate who was speaking, and that he was the object of the
+sailor's solicitude.
+
+"I--I don't know," he said, making an effort to sit up, and succeeding.
+"Whatever is the matter?  My head aches a good deal."
+
+"No wonder, my lad, seeing how you were pitched against the mast.  But
+you won't hurt now.  I doctored it as well as I could.  It bled pretty
+freely, and that will keep the wound wholesome."
+
+"Bled?" said the young fellow wonderingly, as he raised his hand, and
+found that a thick bandage was round his forehead.
+
+"Yes; we were all thrown down when she struck, but you got the worst of
+it."
+
+"She struck?--the ship?  Then we have all been wrecked?"
+
+"Well, yes," said the mate, giving his head a vicious kind of rub; "I
+suppose we must call it a wreck.  Anyhow, we're ashore."
+
+"And it isn't so dark?" said Oliver, rising to his feet and feeling so
+giddy that he caught at the nearest rope to save himself from falling.
+
+"No, it isn't so dark, for the clouds are passing away.  We shall have
+daylight directly."
+
+"Morning?"
+
+"No; it's quite late to-morrow afternoon," said the mate grimly.
+
+"But I don't hear that thundering now?"
+
+"No; it's all over seemingly, thank goodness," said the mate, as his
+injured companion looked wonderingly up at the thick, blackened clouds
+still hanging overhead, and listened quite expectant for the next
+terrible detonation.  "I began to think we were going to be carried
+along full speed into some awful fiery hole on the top of that wave, and
+that when we struck the water was going on to put out the fire, and I
+suppose it did."
+
+"What?" cried Lane, looking round him, and then at the mate, to see if
+he were in his right senses.
+
+"Yes, you may look, Mr Lane," he said.  "I'm all right, only a bit
+scared; I know what I'm saying, and as soon as it get's light enough
+you'll see."
+
+"But I don't understand."
+
+"No, nor anybody else, sir, but Nature, who's been having a regular turn
+up.  I s'pose you know that we were in for a great eruption?"
+
+"Yes, of course."
+
+"And somehow mixed up with the storm, there was an earthquake?"
+
+"No, I did not grasp that, only that we were being carried toward a
+burning mountain; but I don't see any glow from the volcano now."
+
+"No; it's all out, and I ought to have said a sea-quake.  It seems to me
+it was like this: a great place opened somewhere, out of which the flame
+and smoke and thunderings came, till it had half spent its strength, and
+then the sea mastered it, and ran into the great hole and put out the
+fire, but it took all the sea to do it."
+
+"I say, Mr Rimmer," exclaimed Oliver Lane, staring hard at the mate,
+"did you get a heavy blow on the head when we came ashore?"
+
+"No; I had all my trouble before the shock came that sent you down, I
+mean when we struck I'm as clear as a bell now, sir, and know what I'm
+saying."
+
+"But the sea--I don't hear any waves now.  There are no breakers, the
+deck is not flooded, and yet you say we are ashore?"
+
+"You can't see any breakers, and they can't," said the mate, pointing to
+a group dimly seen through the gloom clustered together and looking over
+the vessel's side, "because it's as I tell you, the earth opened with
+that eruption, and the seas all ran down the hole."
+
+"Mr Rimmer!"
+
+"That's right, sir.  We're ashore, but it's on the bottom of the sea."
+
+"Nonsense!" cried Oliver Lane.
+
+"Oh, very well, look over the side, then.  Where's the water?  I've been
+looking and listening, and there isn't a drop to be heard; it's too dark
+to see anything yet.  Now, listen again."
+
+"I can hear nothing," said Oliver.
+
+"No, not a splash, and the great volcano is put out.  That isn't smoke
+which makes it so dark, but steam rising from the big hole in the
+earth."
+
+"Oh, impossible!" cried Lane.
+
+"All right, sir, then make it possible by explaining it some other way.
+But, as far as I can make out, our voyage is over, and we've got to walk
+all the way home, and carry our traps."
+
+"Wait till it gets light," said Lane confidently, "and you'll see that
+you are wrong.  Who's that, Drew?"
+
+"Yes.  Are you better?"
+
+"Oh, yes, only a little giddy.  Where's Panton?"
+
+"Over yonder.  I say, what do you think of this?  Isn't it awful!  You
+know we are ashore."
+
+"Mr Rimmer says we're on the bottom of the sea, with all the water run
+out."
+
+"Well, it does seem like it, but that's impossible, of course.  We're
+not in a lake."
+
+"I don't know where we are gentlemen," said the mate, "only that I feel
+like a fish out of water, and I'm quite in the dark."
+
+"Wherever we are," said Drew, "we have been in the midst of an awful
+natural convulsion, and if we can escape with life, I shall feel glad to
+have been a witness of such a scene."
+
+"I'm thinking about our poor ship, sir," said the mate.  "She's of more
+consequence to me than Nature in convulsions.  Oh, if these clouds would
+only rise and the light come so that we could see!"
+
+"It is coming," cried Lane.  "It is certainly clearer over yonder.  How
+still everything is!"
+
+_Scree-auh_!
+
+A long-drawn, piercing, and harsh cry from a distance.
+
+"What's that?" cried Drew.
+
+"Fish," said the mate, drily.  "Found there's no more water, and it's
+going to die."
+
+"Mr Rimmer," cried Lane, "what nonsense!"
+
+"Nonsense?  Why, I've many a time heard fish sing out when they've been
+dragged on board."
+
+"That was a bird," said Lane, as he shaded his eyes to try and pierce
+the gloom around them.  "There it goes again."
+
+For the cry was repeated, and then answered from behind them, and
+followed directly after by a piping whistle and a chirp.
+
+"We're ashore with birds all about us," said Oliver Lane decisively.  We
+were carried right in by that earthquake wave, and the water has retired
+and left us stranded.
+
+"Have it your own way, gentlemen," said the mate.  "It's all the same to
+me whether my ship's left stranded at the bottom of a dry sea or right
+away on land.  She's no use now--that's plain enough."
+
+Just then the darkness closed in again, and save for the murmur of
+voices in the obscurity, the stillness was terrible.  So utterly dark
+did it become that anything a yard away was quite invisible, and once
+more, suffering one and all from a sensation of dread against which it
+was impossible to fight, the occupants of the deck stood waiting to
+encounter whatever was next to come.
+
+Oliver Lane was at the age when a youth begins to feel that he is about
+to step into a fresh arena--that of manhood, but with a good deal that
+is boyish to hold him back.  And in those moments, oppressed and
+overcome as he was by the long-continued darkness, he felt a strong
+disposition to search out a hand so as to cling to whoever was nearest,
+but he mastered the desire, and then uttered a sigh of satisfaction, for
+Drew, his companion, suddenly thrust a hand beneath his arm and pressed
+towards him.
+
+"Company's good," he whispered, "even if you're going to be hanged, they
+say; let's keep together, Lane, for I'm not ashamed to say I'm in a
+regular stew."
+
+"So's everybody," said the mate frankly.  "I've been through a good deal
+at sea, gentlemen, but this is about the most awful thing I ever did
+encounter.  I wouldn't care if we were only able to see what was to
+happen next."
+
+A cheer broke out from the crew at that moment, for right overhead the
+blackness opened, and a clear, bright ray of light shot down upon the
+deck, quivered, faded, shot out again, and then rapidly grew broader and
+broader.
+
+"Blue sky!" yelled one of the sailors frantically as a patch appeared;
+and in his intense excitement he dashed off into the rapid steps of a
+hornpipe.
+
+"Bravo, my lads!" cried the mate, who was as excited as the men.  "Cheer
+again.  Three cheers for the bit of blue!"
+
+The men shouted till they were hoarse, paused, and then cheered again,
+while Panton turned now to where his friends were standing with the
+mate, and with the tears welling in his eyes, began to shake hands with
+first one and then another, all reciprocating and beginning in their
+hysterical delight to repeat the performance double-handed now, as the
+light grew broader and clearer.  A soft, warm mellow glow, which grew
+and grew till the huge dense steam clouds were seen to be rolling slowly
+away in three directions, in the fourth--the north evidently, from the
+direction of the golden rays of light--there was one vast bank of
+vapour, at first black, then purple, and by degrees growing brighter,
+till the men burst forth cheering wildly again at the mass of splendour
+before them.  For far as eye could reach all was purple, orange, gold
+and crimson of the most dazzling sheen, then darkness once more; for the
+sun, of which they had a momentary glimpse, was blotted out by the
+rolling masses of cloud which were floating away.
+
+But it was the darkness of an evening in the tropics.  The light had
+been, and sent hope and rest into their breasts, giving them the
+knowledge of their position as they lay stranded upon an open plain with
+the terrible convulsion of nature apparently at an end.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THREE.
+
+"JUST NOWHERE!"
+
+"One must eat and one must sleep," said Oliver Lane, "even if a fellow
+has been knocked on the head and nearly killed."
+
+Every one was of the same opinion; but though there were a few attempts
+at jocularity, the mirth was forced, and all knew that they were trying
+to hide the deep feelings of thankfulness in their hearts for their
+safety, after passing through as terrible an ordeal as could fall to the
+lot of man.
+
+There was another reason, too, for the solemnity which soon prevailed;
+the captain lay dead in the cabin--the man who not many hours before was
+in full possession of health, and now sleeping calmly there, beyond
+sharing the hopes and fears of those whom he had left behind.
+Consequently, men went to and fro as if afraid of their steps being
+heard, and for the most part conversed in whispers for some time, till
+the question arose about keeping watch.
+
+"There's only one thing to keep a watch for to-night," said the mate to
+Oliver,--"savages."
+
+"If there are savages here, would they not have been drowned, Mr
+Rimmer?"
+
+"Perhaps--or burned to death.  Then there's nothing to watch for."
+
+"Not for the wave that may come and carry us back to sea?"
+
+"No; that would be too long a watch, sir.  Such an eruption as we have
+encountered only comes once in a man's lifetime.  I'm in command now,
+and I shall let every poor fellow have ten or a dozen hours' good sleep,
+and I am so utterly done up that I shall take the same amount myself."
+
+The consequence was that all through that natural darkness of night dead
+silence reigned.
+
+But not for ten or a dozen hours.  Before eight of them were passed,
+Oliver Lane was awake and on deck, eager and excited with all a
+naturalist's love of the wild world, to see what their novel
+surroundings would be like.
+
+The sun was shining brilliantly; low down in the east the sky was
+golden, and as he raised his head above the hatchway, it was to gaze
+over the bulwarks at a glorious vista of green waving trees, on many of
+which were masses of scarlet and yellow blossom; birds were flying in
+flocks, screaming and shrieking; while from the trees came melodious
+pipings, and the trills of finches, mingled with deep-toned, organ-like
+notes, and the listener felt his heart swell with thankfulness, and a
+mist came before his eyes, as he felt how gloriously beautiful the world
+seemed, after the black darkness and horrors through which he had
+passed.
+
+Then everything was matter-of-fact and ordinary again, for a voice
+said,--"Hullo! you up?  Thought I was first."
+
+"You, Drew?  I say, look here."  Sylvester Drew, botanist of the little
+expedition, shaded his eyes from the horizontal sunbeams, and looked
+round over the hatchway as he stood beside his companion, and kept on
+uttering disconnected words,--"Beautiful--grand--Paradise--thank God!"
+By one impulse they stepped on deck and went to the bulwarks, to stand
+there and look around, astounded at the change.
+
+From where they had obtained their first glimpse of their surroundings
+they only saw the higher ground; now they were looking upon the level--a
+scene of devastation.
+
+For they were both gazing upon the track of the earthquake wave, and all
+around them trees were lying torn-up by the roots, battered and stripped
+of their leafage, some piled in inextricable confusion, others half
+buried in mud.  Some again had soft white coral sand heaped over them.
+Here, the surface had been swept bare to the dark rock which formed the
+base of the island or continent upon which they had been cast; there,
+mud lay in slimy waves, some of which were being disturbed at the
+surface by something living writhing its way through the liquid soil.
+
+"Might have given a fellow a call," said a voice, and Panton came up to
+them.  "You fellows are as bad as schoolboys; must have first turn."
+
+"Never thought of calling you," said Drew.
+
+"Not surprised at you," said Panton to Oliver Lane, "you are only a
+schoolboy yet; but you might have called me, Drew."
+
+"Don't take any notice, Oliver, lad," said Drew.  "Panton always goes
+badly till he has been oiled by his breakfast."
+
+"My word!" cried Panton, as he grasped the scene around them.  "Look
+here, Drew!  Look at the earth bared to its very bones.  Volcanic.  Look
+at the tufa.  That's basalt there, and look where the great blocks of
+coral are lying.  Why, they must have been swept in by the wave."
+
+"Don't bother," said Drew.  "I want to make out what those trees are in
+blossom.  They must be--"
+
+"Oh, bother your trees and flowers!  Here, Oliver, lad, look at the
+great pieces of scoria and pumice.  Why, that piece is smoking still.
+These must be some of the fragments we saw falling yesterday."
+
+"Can't look," said Oliver, "I want to know what those birds are, and
+there's a great fish in that muddy pool yonder, and, if I'm not greatly
+mistaken, that's a snake.  Here, quick!  Look amongst those trees.
+There's a man--no, a boy--no.  I see now; it's alive, and--yes--it's
+some kind of ape."
+
+"Well, we can't go on fighting against each other, with every man for
+his own particular subject," said Drew, "we must take our turns.  We've
+been cast on a perfect naturalist's paradise, with the world turned
+upside down, as if for our special advantage."
+
+"Yes," said Panton; "we could not possibly have hit upon a place more
+full of tempting objects."
+
+"But what about our exploration in New Guinea?" said Oliver.
+
+"This may be the western end of that island," said Panton.  "But where's
+the volcano that has caused all this mischief?"
+
+"Yonder," said Oliver, pointing, "behind the cloud."
+
+The others looked at a dense curtain of mist which rose from the earth,
+apparently to the skies, and hid everything in that quarter, the
+desolation extending apparently for a couple of miles in the direction
+of the curtain, beyond that the ground rose in a glorious slope of
+uninjured verdure, and then came the great cloud of mist or smoke
+shutting off the mountain, or whatever was beyond.
+
+"But where is the sea?" said Oliver.
+
+"All run down through a big hole into the earth, I say," said a deep
+voice.  "Well, gentlemen, how are you?"
+
+"Ah, Mr Rimmer, good morning," cried Oliver, shaking hands.  "How are
+your hurts?"
+
+"Oh, better my lad, and yours?"
+
+"Only a bit stiff and achy.  But who's to think of injuries in such a
+glorious place?"
+
+"Glorious!" said the mate, screwing up his face.  "Look about you.
+Everything's destroyed."
+
+"Oh, yes," said Drew; "but in a month it will be all green again and as
+beautiful as ever!"
+
+"Except my poor brig," said the mate.  "Why, she's regularly planted
+here in the mud and sand, and, unless she strikes root and grows young
+vessels, she's done for."
+
+"But where is the sea?" cried Oliver.
+
+The mate looked round him and then pointed south-west.
+
+"Yonder, if there is any," he said.
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"Trees all standing in the other direction, and yes, there are others
+out that way," he said, pointing.  "It's plain enough, the wave swept
+right across this low level.  You can see how the trunks lie and how the
+rocks and the shells have been borne along.  Far as I can make out the
+wave has cleared a track about a dozen miles wide.  May be twenty.  Why,
+you gentlemen seemed to be quite pleased."
+
+"Why not?" cried Oliver.  "It's grand.  Look at the work cut out for us.
+We want all the British Museum staff to help."
+
+"Better have my crew, then, for there's nothing for us to do.  The
+brig's fast settled down on an even keel.  I say, Mr Panton, kick me or
+pinch me, please."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"Because I must be asleep and all this a dream.  No, it's real enough,"
+he said, sadly; "wait till I get a glass."
+
+He went back to the cabin and returned directly with a telescope.
+
+"I'll go up to the main-top," he said, "and have a look round."
+
+The three naturalists were too much taken up by the endless objects of
+interest spread around them to pay much heed to his words, so that he
+had mounted to the main-top and then to the topgallant masthead before
+his words took their attention again, just too, as plainly enough they
+could make a huge animal of the crocodile kind slowly crawling along the
+edge of a pool about a quarter of a mile away.
+
+"Here you are, gentlemen," the mate shouted.
+
+"Yes, what is it?" cried Oliver, in answer to his hail.
+
+"You can trace it all from here with the glass.  There is some sea
+left."
+
+"So I suppose," said Panton drily.
+
+"Lies about four miles away to the east-'ard, and the land's swept right
+up to us, and then away north-west for a dozen miles, I should say, to
+the sea on that side."
+
+"Can you make out the mountain?"
+
+"No; there's nothing but cloud to the norrard.  I expect it's there, and
+not very far away."
+
+"And how far-off is the nearest sea?" asked Oliver.
+
+"'Bout four miles."
+
+"And what do you make this out to be--an island?"
+
+"Can't say, sir.  Island or peninsula.  Can't be mainland.  But I shall
+be able to settle that before long."
+
+He reached the deck just as the men were coming up from the forecastle,
+and they were soon at work swabbing the planks, squaring yards, shaking
+out the sails to dry, and getting the vessel in order just as if she
+were at sea, while the cook and steward attended to their work as coolly
+as if nothing had happened.
+
+At mid-day the mate had taken his observations and marked down their
+position on the chart just where the map showed a broad blank in the
+Arafura Sea.
+
+"But are you right?" said Oliver, as he followed the mate's pointing
+finger.
+
+"As right as my knowledge of navigation will let me be, sir," said the
+mate quietly.  "That's where we are."
+
+"But where is that?"
+
+"Just nowhere, sir."
+
+"But--"
+
+"We're very cunning, sir, and think we know the whole world and
+everything there is; but now and then we find out that we are not so
+clever as we thought, and that there is just a little more to learn.  I
+said that we were nowhere just now, which isn't quite correct, because
+we are here; but it strikes me that we're in a spot where no civilised
+vessel ever was before."
+
+"What, right on shore?" said Oliver, smiling.
+
+"No, sir, I didn't mean that.  I meant no vessel ever touched here
+before, or it would have been marked down in the chart.  Savages have
+been, perhaps.  Maybe they're here still, but they have been frightened
+into their holes by the eruption."
+
+Oliver looked out of the open cabin window as if expecting to see a
+party of the people coming, but he only made out something living in one
+of the pools left by the flood wave.
+
+"I'm very sorry, gentlemen, the captain and I undertook to cruise with
+you along the New Guinea coast; but man proposes and--you know the rest.
+Here we shall have to stay till some vessel comes in sight to take us
+off, and to that end I propose that to-morrow morning we begin to make
+expeditions to the coast, and set up a spar here and there with a bit of
+bunting showing for a signal of distress."
+
+"No, don't--that is--not yet," said Oliver, excitedly.  "No place that
+you could have found would have equalled this."
+
+"If we have no more eruptions," said Drew.
+
+"And earthquake waves," added Panton.
+
+"I think we have been most fortunate," cried Oliver.
+
+"Oh, well, if you're satisfied, gentlemen," said the mate, "I'm sure I
+am.  You mean to begin looking for your bits of stone and butterflies
+then, here?"
+
+"Of course," cried Oliver; "and we can live on board just as if we were
+at sea."
+
+"Oh, yes," said the mate drily; "and you'll always be able to find the
+brig.  She won't stir just yet, and there's no need to lower down an
+anchor.  Very well, then, gentlemen, so be it; and now, if you please,
+we'll go down and make our way across yonder where those trees are
+standing, and do our duty by our poor dead friend."
+
+Silence fell upon the group at this, and an hour later the whole of the
+crew were standing upon an eminence about a couple of miles from the
+ship, where the earthquake wave had passed on, leaving the beautiful
+trees and undergrowth uninjured, and save at the edge they had escaped
+the storm.
+
+Here in the wonderful solitude, where the sun's rays fell in silver rain
+upon the newly turned black earth, the dead captain was laid to take his
+long last sleep; and sad, but still lightened in heart, the party
+returned to the _Planet_ to talk over their plans for the morrow, when
+the first exploration of the unknown land was to commence.
+
+Still weary from the shock and exertions of the past days, bed was
+sought in pretty good time, and Oliver Lane lay in his berth close to
+the open cabin window for some time in a half dreamy fashion, inhaling
+the soft warm air, and fancying now and then that a puff of hot
+sulphurous steam was wafted in through the window.  Then he listened to
+a dull low singing and murmuring noise, quite plain now in the distance
+as if steam was rising from the ground.  Anon came a loud splashing and
+wallowing as of some large beast making its way through water, and this
+was followed by a series of heavy blows apparently struck on the land or
+liquid sand.  Gasping sighs, the smacking of lips, and then again hisses
+and noises, which made the listener ask himself whether there could be
+dangerous beasts about, and whether it was wise for the mate to have a
+couple of stout planks laid from the gangway down to the sand in which
+the brig was bedded.
+
+But somehow these things ceased to trouble him.  The noises were
+undoubtedly caused by fishes or crocodiles, which would not come on
+board, and he dropped off to sleep, and then awoke, as if directly, to
+lie staring at the dim cabin lamp against the roof, and wonder what was
+the meaning of the heavy feeling of oppression from which he suffered.
+
+"Was it a nightmare?" he asked himself.  Certainly there was something
+upon his chest, and it was moving.  He could feel it plainly stirring
+all over him, and he was about to give himself a violent wrench when
+something passed between his eyes and the cabin lantern--something so
+horrible that it froze all his faculties into a state of inaction.  For
+he saw distinctly the glistening of burnished scales, and a serpent's
+head at the end of an undulating neck, and directly after a forked
+flickering tongue touched and played about his face.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+SNAKES.
+
+"It's only a dream-nightmare; but how horribly real," said Oliver Lane
+to himself, as a feeling of resignation came over him, and he lay there
+waiting for his imagination to be darkened over by a deeper sleep.
+
+For there was an utter cessation of all sense of fear, and in quite a
+philosophical fashion, he began to think of how clear it all was, and
+how his mind could occupy mentally the position of a spectator, and look
+on at the vivid picture in which his body was playing so important a
+part.
+
+"I know how it is," he thought; "I asked myself this afternoon whether
+the writhing creatures I saw moving about in the mud were sea-snakes,
+and directly after I began looking away among the trees, and wondering
+whether there were any big boas among their branches.  One generally can
+trace one's dreams."
+
+And all the time the weight upon his chest increased, and the pressure
+grew more suffocating, while the serpent's head played about his lips,
+touching them from time to time with its moist, cool tongue.
+
+He felt then that, in accordance with all he had read, the monster would
+now begin to cover him with what the wild beast showman call "its
+serlimer," and then proceed to swallow him slowly, till he lay like a
+great knot somewhere down its distended body, while the reptile went to
+sleep for a month.
+
+"And that wouldn't do for me," thought Oliver, as he felt quite amused
+at the thought.  "I want to be up and doing; so, as all these horrible
+nightmare dreams come to an end, and as writers say, just at the most
+intense moment--then I awoke, I think I've had enough of this, and that
+it's time I did wake up."
+
+At that moment a shudder ran through him, and he turned cold.  A deathly
+dank perspiration broke from every pore, and he lay absolutely
+paralysed.
+
+He was awake.  He knew it well enough now.  No nightmare could be so
+vivid, and in no dream was it possible for him who had it to, as it
+were, stand aside from the sufferer, as he had imagined.  Yes, he was
+wide awake, and this great reptile had nestled to him for the sake of
+heat, after being half drowned by the flood.  For after undulating its
+neck for a few moments longer, it lowered its crest, and in place of
+seizing him with its widely distending jaws, let its head sink down upon
+his throat and then lay as if enjoying the warmth from his body, and
+about to settle off to sleep.
+
+What to do?
+
+It was plain enough; so long as he lay perfectly still there was nothing
+to fear, for the reptile's visit was neither inimical nor in search of
+food.  It had evidently glided up the plank slope and through the
+gangway to escape from the chilling wet ground, then made its way into
+the cabin and found the young man's berth pleasantly attractive.  But
+Oliver felt that the slightest movement on his part might incense the
+creature and rouse within it a feeling that it was being attacked and a
+desire to crush its aggressor.
+
+He knew well enough how wonderfully rapid the motions of a reptile were,
+and that in all probability if he stirred he would the next moment, be
+wrapped with lightning speed within its folds, and crushed to death.
+
+The muscular strength of these creatures was, he knew, prodigious; even
+an eel of two or three feet long could twine itself up in a knot that
+was hard to master, hence a serpent of fifteen or twenty feet in length
+would, he felt, crush him in an instant.
+
+Oliver Lane lay sick with horror.  The weight upon his chest grew
+unbearable, and the desire to cast it off stronger minute by minute, as
+he lay motionless, with his oppressor quite invisible now.
+
+Panton was in the berth above him, Drew upon the other side of the
+cabin, and along the beams there were guns and rifles hanging ready for
+use, while a faintly heard tread overhead told him that the watch was on
+the alert.  But though help and means of defence were so near and ready,
+they seemed to be too far-off to avail him much, and hence he still did
+not stir.
+
+Twenty or thirty feet he felt the creature must be, and of enormous
+thickness.  They could not, then, be upon an isle, he thought, for such
+a creature must be an inhabitant of the mainland.  But what could he do,
+with the weight increasing now?  He could not possibly bear it much
+longer, for the reptile must be far longer than he had first imagined--
+forty feet at least.
+
+At last, after vainly hoping that the serpent might grow restless and
+leave him, he felt that he must make some effort, and determined to call
+to his comrades for help.
+
+But he hesitated, for what would be the consequences?  The monster would
+be aroused by the noise and the first movement he made; and if it did
+not attack him, it would seize Drew or Panton, who would wake up in
+complete ignorance of the danger at hand.  They could not use their guns
+there, in the narrow cabin, and the serpent would be master of the
+field.
+
+No; he dare not call for them to help him, nor speak till some one came
+into the cabin, for in all probability Mr Rimmer was on deck and would
+come down soon.
+
+A hundred wild thoughts flocked through Oliver Lane's brain, as he lay
+there half-suffocated, and felt how hard it was to have escaped from the
+terrible dangers of the volcanic eruption to find his end in the embrace
+of a loathsome serpent.
+
+At last his mind was made up to what seemed to be the only way of
+escape.  He determined to try and collect his energies, and then, after
+drawing a long deep breath, suddenly heave the monster off him on to the
+cabin floor.  This he knew--if he were successful--would enrage it, but
+at the same time it might make for the companion-way and escape on to
+the deck--to attack the watch!
+
+He hesitated at this for a few moments, but self-preservation is the
+first law of nature, and the watch would hear the alarm and be able to
+ascend the rigging, out of the creature's reach.
+
+"I must do it," thought Oliver, "before I become too weak, for he's
+sixty feet long if an inch," and beginning softly to draw in a deep
+breath, he felt, to his horror, a slight gliding motion on the part of
+the reptile, as if the heaving up were making it uncomfortable.
+
+Oliver Lane lay motionless again, gathering force for his great effort.
+His mind was now wonderfully active, and the serpent had grown to fully
+a hundred feet long.  Feeling that it was sheer cowardice to be passive,
+he was about to make a desperate effort to throw off his incubus, when
+there was a shout on deck, answered by Mr Rimmer's voice, evidently in
+a great state of excitement, but what was said could not be made out in
+the cabin.  In fact, Oliver had his own business to mind, for at the
+first sound from the deck the serpent raised its head, and he could see
+its tongue quivering and gleaming in the light, and the neck wavering,
+while the whole of its great length began to glide over him in different
+directions, as if every fold was in motion.
+
+The noise on deck increased; there was the sound of yells and shouts;
+then came a crack, as if someone had struck the bulwark a heavy blow,
+which was followed by the quick trampling of feet and the mate's voice
+giving directions.
+
+By this time the serpent's head had been lowered, and as the movement of
+its body increased, Oliver knew that the reptile was gliding down from
+the berth on to the cabin floor and to endorse this came the feeling of
+the weight passing off from his chest.
+
+"What is it?  What's the matter?" cried Panton, waking up, and, directly
+after, Drew asked what was "up."
+
+"Don't know," cried Panton.  "Where's Lane?  Hi!  Lane, old chap, wake
+up!  There's something wrong on deck."
+
+He made a movement to swing his legs out on to the floor and Oliver
+tried hard to utter a word of warning, but he could not.  His tongue was
+tied--the power to speak utterly gone; and he could only lie there,
+feeling the last folds of the serpent glide out of his berth as his
+friend lowered his bare feet, and then uttered a yell of horror, and
+dragged them back again, just as, consequent upon his action, a quick
+rustling sound was heard.
+
+"What is it?" cried Drew, excitedly.
+
+"Snake--serpent!" groaned Panton.  "I put my feet right upon its back."
+
+"Ugh!" grunted Drew, drawing back his own feet as the quick rustling
+sound went on.  "Look!  There it goes out of the door.  A monster.
+Where's Lane?"
+
+"Here!" sighed the young man in a voice which he did not know for his
+own.
+
+"Look out!  Big snake!"
+
+"I know it," panted Oliver.  "Woke up--on my chest."
+
+"Here, get a gun, someone," cried Panton; "the brute must be in the
+companion-way in ambush."
+
+But no one stirred.
+
+"I say, Lane, can't you reach a gun without getting out of bed?" said
+Panton, in a piteous tone of voice.  "They're over on your side."
+
+"Yes; as soon as I can get my breath," replied Oliver.  "I'm rather
+giddy and stupid yet."
+
+"I don't know about giddy," grumbled Drew.
+
+"Then you think I am the other thing?" said Oliver, rather huskily.
+"All right; but if you had had that great brute upon your chest this
+last hour, you would be stupid."
+
+"Oh, I beg your pardon, old fellow!" cried Drew hastily.  "I really
+didn't know.  But, I say, what is going on upon deck?"
+
+The answer came at once from Mr Rimmer, who hurried into the cabin.
+
+"Here, gentlemen, for goodness' sake come on deck!" he cried, as he
+snatched down a double gun.  "We've got a visitor there."
+
+"Yes, I know--a great serpent," said Oliver.
+
+"Eh!--how did you know?" cried the mate, as he examined the piece to see
+if it was loaded.
+
+"Lane has had it in bed with him."
+
+"What!  That's nice!  Look sharp, gentlemen; bring your guns and I can
+promise you some nice shooting, though it's rather dark.  The brute has
+taken possession of the deck, and we've been hitting at it with
+hand-spikes, but every crack only made him wag his tail and hiss at us.
+There; hark at them; they must have got him into a corner."
+
+For the shouts and the sound of blows came again, louder than ever.
+
+"There, I'm off; but make haste; and mind how you shoot, for it's rather
+dark--only starlight."
+
+The young men hurriedly slipped on their trousers, and each took a
+double gun and proceeded to load.
+
+"Swan shot?" suggested Oliver.  "It's a huge brute."
+
+"Never fired at a snake in my life," said Panton; "but I owe this brute
+something for scaring me.  Ready?"
+
+"Yes, ready," was the response; and they all stepped up on deck to go
+cautiously forward with their pieces at full cock to where the noise and
+confusion were still going on.
+
+"Hi!  Look out!" cried Oliver, as they advanced, and, raising his piece,
+he fired at something shadowy which he made out by the light of the
+stars gliding slowly along beneath the bulwarks.
+
+The gun flashed, and the report was followed by a loud hissing, and a
+violent blow, as if some enormous whip had been lashed at the three, who
+were thrown to the deck, their legs being swept from under them.
+
+"Hi!--this way," cried the mate from forward.  "We've got him here."
+
+They sprang up and hurried forward, Oliver recharging his piece with a
+fresh cartridge as they went, but only in time to hear another report,
+for the mate fired, and the men uttered a shout as a more violent
+scuffling noise arose.
+
+"That's settled him," cried the mate.  "Here, get the lanterns down;
+we'll soon have him out of that.  Big one, isn't he?"
+
+This to Oliver, who looked down at the deck to see, heaving and
+throbbing as if there were plenty of life in it still, about seven or
+eight feet of the tail part of a great serpent, the rest of the reptile
+being down in the forecastle, into which it was making its way when the
+mate gave it a shot.
+
+"Yes, the brute!" cried Oliver excitedly.  "It woke me by crawling into
+my berth."
+
+"Well, he won't do that again.  Smith had a cut at him with an axe, and
+I a shot.  Now, then, lay hold, some of you, and let's haul the beggar
+out."
+
+The men hesitated, but the mate ejaculated and seized the tail, which
+immediately twitched and threw him off, making everyone laugh.
+
+"Oh, that's nothing," said the mate, taking a fresh grip.  "I know I
+gave it a death wound.  Come along, lay hold, you're not afraid of a
+snake?"
+
+Two of the men came up rather unwillingly, and, seizing hold together,
+they gave a sharp drag and drew it out, writhing and twining still, and
+beating its bleeding head upon the white deck.
+
+"Shall I give it another shot?" cried Oliver excitedly.
+
+"Waste of a good cartridge, sir," said the mate.  "It is nearly dead
+now.  Muscular contractions, that's all."
+
+"Ahoy!  Hi!  Look out!"
+
+"Oh, murder!" shouted someone.
+
+"Why didn't you speak sooner, mate?" cried another from where he lay
+close up under the bulwarks.  For the wounded serpent had suddenly
+lashed out with its tail, and flogged two of the men over with its
+violent blows.
+
+"I say, sir," said the first man, "hadn't I better cut his muscular
+contractions off with a haxe afore he clears the deck?"
+
+"No, no, Smith, don't do that," cried Oliver, "you would spoil its
+skin."
+
+"Well, sir, but if he don't, he'll spoil our'n," said the sitting man.
+
+"That's a true word, Billy Wriggs," said Smith, in a grumbling tone, as
+he began to rub himself.  "If I'd my way, I'd chuck the beggar
+overboard."
+
+"What's the good o' that, matey, when there arn't no water?  You can't
+drown sarpents in dry earth."
+
+"Hi!  Look out!" shouted the men in a chorus, for the reptile began to
+beat the deck again, as it twisted and twined and flogged about with its
+muscular tail, which quivered and waved here and there, sending the men
+flying.  One minute the creature was tied up in a knot, the next gliding
+here and there, as if seeking a way to escape.
+
+Gun after gun was raised to give it a shot, but its movements were so
+eccentric, that the best marksman would have found it a difficult task
+by daylight; there in the shadowy darkness it would have been
+impossible.
+
+No one present had any hesitation about giving the brute a wide berth,
+and at the end of a minute or two it uncoiled itself and lay in
+undulations, showing its length pretty plainly.
+
+"That was its flurry," said the mate, advancing now, and the men came
+down from the shrouds, the top of the galley, and out of the boats where
+they had taken refuge; "but perhaps we had better pitch it over the side
+till morning."
+
+A low murmur arose from the men.
+
+"What's that?" cried the mate sharply.  "Are you afraid of the thing?"
+
+"Well, sir, not exactly afraid," said Smith respectfully, "only you see
+it arn't like handling a rope."
+
+"Yah!"
+
+A tremendous shout or rather yell from away aft, and the sailor who had
+taken refuge in that direction, now came running forward.
+
+"What's the matter, Wriggs?" cried the mate.
+
+"Seen his ghost, sir," groaned the man, who looked ghastly by the light
+of the lanterns.
+
+"What?" cried the mate, as the three naturalists headed the shout of
+laughter which rose from the crew.
+
+"Ah, you may laugh," grumbled the man, wiping the perspiration from his
+face, "but there it is all twissen up by the wheel and it made a snap at
+me as I got close up."
+
+"You're a duffer," roared the mate.  "Look here, my lads, he has seen
+the big hawser."
+
+"No, sir," cried Wriggs, striking one hand heavily into the other, as a
+burst of laughter arose.  "I see that there sarpent's sperrit twissen up
+round the wheel and the binnacle, and if you don't believe me, go and
+see.  Ah!  Look out: here it comes."
+
+The man made a dash to get right forward out of the way, but, in his
+excitement, tripped over the body of the serpent lying gently heaving
+upon the deck, went headlong, yelling in his fear, and rolled over and
+over to the side.
+
+But little attention was paid to him, the men thinking of nothing else
+but retreating, for from out of the gloom aft, and making a strange
+rustling in its serpentine course, a reptile, largely magnified by dread
+and the gloom, came gliding towards them with its crest raised about
+eight inches from the planks.
+
+For a moment or two, as the men hurried away, the little party from the
+cabin stood staring in wonder.
+
+"Run, gentlemen, run," shouted Smith.  "He'll be orfle savage.  T'ain't
+a ghost, it's t'other half.  I knowed I cut him in two when I let go
+with the haxe."
+
+"I know," cried Oliver, excitedly.
+
+"Yes, sir.  It's t'other half, sir," yelled Smith, who had swung himself
+up on one of the stays, where he clung like a monkey.  "Shoot, sir,
+shoot, or it'll grow out a noo head and tail and be worse and more
+savager than ever."
+
+"Yes," said Oliver to himself, "I'll shoot," and he fired both barrels
+of his piece as soon as he had a chance.
+
+The effect was instantaneous.  One moment the monster was writhing
+itself into a knot, the next it had rapidly untwined, and was gliding
+over the bulwarks, the later part rolling over rapidly, like a huge
+piece of cable, dimly seen, as it was carried down by an anchor.
+
+"That's him," cried Smith; "but you didn't kill him, sir, or he wouldn't
+have got over the side like that.  It was best half on him.  My: what a
+whopper!"
+
+Oliver ran to the side, followed by his friends, but they could see
+nothing below in the darkness, only hear the rustling noise of the beast
+writhing farther and farther away, the sound ceasing at the end of a
+minute, when they turned inboard.
+
+"You didn't kill the other half," said Mr Rimmer, laughing.
+
+"No, I wish I had," cried Oliver.  "That was the beast that startled me.
+These things go in pairs, and the one you killed there was the second
+one come in search of its mate.  Is it dead?" he continued, giving the
+long lithe body of the reptile upon the deck a thrust with his foot.
+
+The answer came from the serpent itself, for it began to glide along
+under the bulwarks once more, making now, blindly enough, for the
+gangway, and as no one seemed disposed to stop it, the creature
+disappeared through the side and down the sloping planks to the earth.
+
+"Look at that!" said Smith to one of his mates, as he lightly dropped on
+deck, "young Mr Lane thinks that's another sarpent, but we knows
+better, eh, lad?  I chopped that there beggar clean in half, and one bit
+went forrard and t'other went aft."
+
+"Yes, that's it," said Billy Wriggs, "and it was the head half as went
+aft."
+
+"Nay, it was the tail," said Smith.  "This here was the head bit."
+
+"Now, what's the good o' bein' so orbstinit, mate," said Wriggs,
+reproachfully.  "Think I don't know?  I tell yer it was the head bit as
+went and twissened itsen round the binnacle and wheel, a-lying in wait
+for us poor sailors to go there and take our trick, when he meant to
+gobble us up.  Don't matter how long a sarpent is, he can't bite you
+with his tail end."
+
+"No; but he could sting with it; couldn't he?" said another man.
+
+"Well, yes," said Smith, thoughtfully, "he might do summat o' that sort.
+If so be as we finds him lying dead.  But I doubts it.  Them sort o'
+beasts, mates, is full o' bad habits, and I shouldn't a bit wonder if
+this here critter crawls right away into the woods and lay hisself
+neatly together to make a fit, and then waits till it all grows together
+again, like graftin'."
+
+"Think so, mate?" said Wriggs.
+
+"Ay, that I do.  Nat'ral hist'ry's the rummiest thing as I knows on, and
+that there young Mr Lane, as is a nat'ralist by purfession, knows a
+wonderful lot about it.  Talk about conjuring; why, that's nowhere.  I
+see him one day take a drop out of a bucket o' water on a slip o' glass
+and sets it on the cabin table."
+
+"Why, you don't live in the cabin," growled one of the men.
+
+"Yes, I do, mate, when he asts me to carry him in a bucket o' water, so
+now then!  Well, matey, he goes then to a little m'ogany box and he
+takes out a tool like a young spy-glass, and sets the slip under it, and
+shoves his eye to one end and screws it about a bit, and then he says,
+says he, `Now then Smith, would you like a peep into another world?'
+`Yes, sir,' I says, `I should.'  `Then just clap yer hye here,' he says,
+and I did, and there you could see right into a big sea, with a whacking
+great brute lying in the bottom, like a sugar hogshead, with a lot o'
+borcome structures got their heads in, and their long tails all waving
+about outside.  He said it was a fusorior or something o' that kind, and
+all in that drop o' water, as looked as clear as cryschal when he took
+it out o' the bucket.  Ah, he can show you something, he can."
+
+"I know," said Billy Wriggs, "it was a mykreescope."
+
+"Dessay it was," said Smith.  "It might ha' been anything.  It's
+wonderful what there is in nat're, my lads.  Pity though as a man's
+hands and legs and arms don't grow again, as some things does."
+
+"Tchah!  They don't," said Billy Wriggs.
+
+"What?  Why, they do, lots of 'em.  Don't lobsters' claws grow again,
+and lizards tails, and starfishes arms?  What yer got to say to that?
+Mr Lane tells me that there's some kinds o' worms as when you cuts
+their heads off they grows again, and their tails too.  There we are,
+though--to-morrow morning."
+
+The man was right, for day was breaking, and, after the manner of the
+tropics, where there is scarcely any dawn, the sun soon rose to light up
+the desolation around the ship, where the earthquake wave had swept
+along, piling up sand and rock with heaps formed of torn-up trees, lying
+near the pools of water which remained in the depressions of the sand.
+
+"Swabs," cried Mr Rimmer, coming forward, and buckets of water being
+fetched, the unpleasant stains left by the wounded serpents were soon
+moved, though the shot marks remained.
+
+While the men were cleansing the deck and removing the traces left by
+the storm, a little party of three, all well armed, set off to try and
+trace the serpents and to get a truthful knowledge of their size, the
+darkness having given rather an exaggerated idea of their dimensions.
+In addition, if found dead, it was proposed to skin them for specimens,
+and to this end Smith accompanied them, declaring his willingness to
+master his fear of the reptiles and help in any way.
+
+Before leaving the ship they took a good look round, at what promised to
+be a beautiful resting-place, as soon as the vegetation began to spring
+again, as it was certain to do in that moist tropical heat.  Then taking
+it for granted that the serpents would make for cover, the steps of the
+little party were directed towards the nearest trees, a clump upon a
+broad elevated spot which had escaped the devastations caused by the
+wave and not many hundred yards from the ship.
+
+"Seems rum, gentlemen," said Smith as they shouldered their guns, and
+strode off with a wonderful feeling of elasticity and freedom, after
+their long cooping up on board ship.
+
+"What does?" said Oliver.
+
+"The brig, sir.  Ups and downs in life we see.  Here was she built
+ashore, launched and then goes on her voyages, and then all at once she
+is launched again t'other way on, as you may say, and run up on land to
+stay till she dies."
+
+"Unless we dig a canal back to the sea and float her, Smith," said
+Oliver.
+
+"Zackly so, sir, but you'd want ten hundred thousand niggers to do the
+work."
+
+"And the weekly wages bill would be rather big," said Drew.
+
+"Look out," said Oliver, who was bending down and carefully examining
+the ground.
+
+"What for?" asked Panton, cocking his piece.
+
+"The serpents.  Here is some dried blood."
+
+"And here's a mark, sir," added Smith excitedly.  "One of the bits come
+along here."
+
+"Yes.  I can see another mark," cried Panton.  "Look."  He pointed to
+what resembled the impression that would have been made by a large yard
+laid in a patch of half-dried mud in a depression, for either going or
+coming, a serpent had evidently passed along there.
+
+The trees were close at hand now, and covered a far greater space than
+they had imagined.  The spot was rugged too, with great masses of stone,
+which showed amongst the trunks and undergrowths, while opposite to them
+there was a black cavernous rift, as if the rock had been suddenly split
+open, all of which had been previously hidden by the dense growth.
+
+"This is going to prove a lovely place," said Oliver eagerly.
+
+"Ah!  Too late.  Did you see it?"
+
+For a bird had suddenly hopped into view over the top of a bush, and,
+before the young naturalist could bring his gun to bear, darted out of
+sight among the foliage, giving those who saw it the impression of a
+vivid flash of fiery scarlet passing rapidly before their eyes.
+
+"You're all right now," said Panton.  "There are plenty of birds."
+
+"Yes, and so are you two," replied Oliver.  "Look at the rocks and
+trees."
+
+"Hi!  Gents, look out," cried the sailor.  "Here we are."
+
+The gun-locks clicked as the man started back after pointing before him
+at the narrow opening in the rocks, and upon Oliver carefully advancing,
+there lay just visible some dozen feet within the gloomy rift, about ten
+or a dozen inches of a serpent's tail, the reptile having taken refuge
+in the cavernous place.
+
+"Here's one of them evidently," said Oliver, holding his gun ready.
+
+"Yes, sir, tail end of him."
+
+Oliver laughed.
+
+"Have it your own way.  But come along, Smith.  Here's a chance to
+distinguish yourself.  Step forward and lay hold of the end, and pull
+the thing out.  We'll cover you with our guns."
+
+"You don't mean it, sir, do you?"
+
+"Indeed, but I do."
+
+"Well, sir, begging your pardon, as a man as wants to do his duty, it
+ar'nt to be done."
+
+"All right, I'm not your captain, but if you will not, I must!"
+
+"No, no, you'd better not," cried Panton.
+
+"Pooh, the brute's dead, or nearly so.  Will you go, Drew?"
+
+"What, and pull that thing out of its hole?  No.  If it was a strange
+plant."
+
+"Yes, or some wonderful mineral, but a huge snake.  Ugh!"
+
+"Hold my gun, Smith," said Oliver.  "I mean to have that fellow's skin,
+but I expect he will be pretty heavy."
+
+He handed his gun to the sailor, and stepped cautiously forward,
+separating the tangle of creepers, which hung down from above, and
+clambering over loose fragments of lava-like rock, found that he was at
+the entrance of what was evidently a rift penetrating far into the
+bowels of the earth, while a strange feeling of awe came over him, as he
+now became aware of low hissing and muttering sounds, evidently from
+somewhere far below.
+
+"Quick's the word!" said the young man to himself, and stepping boldly
+in he seized hold of the serpent's tail with both hands, and at his
+touch galvanised it into life, for it gave a violent jerk, which dragged
+him off his feet.  At the same moment, the loose blocks of stone beneath
+him gave way, and to the horror of his companions, there was a rustling
+sound as of an avalanche being set in motion, Oliver uttered a loud cry
+as he disappeared; then came a hollow booming roar, a whispering echo,
+and all was still.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+LANE'S ESCAPE.
+
+"Lane!" shouted Panton, hurrying forward toward where his friend had
+disappeared.
+
+"Mind! take care!" yelled Drew.  "Here, you Smith, run back to the ship
+for ropes and help."
+
+"And leave him like that, sir?" cried the sailor.  "Not me; I'm a-going
+after him, that's my job now."
+
+The man stepped quickly forward to where Panton had paused, holding on
+by a mass of lava, and peering into the huge rift.
+
+"Hold on a moment, sir," cried the man, who had now set aside his dread
+of the serpents, and placing his hand to his mouth, he sent forth a
+tremendous "Mr Lane, ahoy!"
+
+His voice echoed right away into the depths, and set some fragments of
+stone falling with a low whispering sound but there was no reply.
+
+"Mind!" cried Panton, excitedly, and seizing the sailor's arm, he jerked
+him away so roughly, that the man caught his heel and fell backwards
+over and over among the stones and creeping growth at the mouth of the
+rift, while Panton himself beat a rapid retreat.
+
+"I see him," grumbled Smith, "but I warn't going to him now," and he
+rose to his knees, as the wounded serpent so rudely seized by Oliver
+Lane glided by him, hissing loudly; "I say, never mind that thing now,
+gents.  Come and help Mr Lane."
+
+A couple of reports came close upon his words, for Drew had fired at the
+escaping serpent, which now writhed in amongst the bushes, evidently in
+its death throes.
+
+"Why, here's t'other bit under me," said Smith, as he rose to his feet
+and looked down at where, half hidden, the other serpent had crawled
+back to its lair to die.  In fact the man had fallen upon it, and its
+soft body had saved him from a severe contusion.
+
+But somehow the horror of the reptile was gone in one far greater, and,
+trembling with eager excitement, Smith began to make his way cautiously
+inward again, stepping carefully on till a stone gave way, and fell
+rattling down what was evidently a very steep slope.
+
+"I shall have to go down," muttered the man, "I can't leave the poor lad
+there.  Ah, that's right!" he cried as Panton's voice rang out,--"Ropes.
+Bring ropes."
+
+"Yes, I may as well have a rope round me," muttered Smith.  Then loudly,
+"Mr Lane, ahoy!"
+
+There was no answer, and he called again and again without avail.  Then
+a thought striking him, he got out his matchbox, struck a light, lit
+several, waited till the splints were well ablaze, and let them fall
+down burning brightly, but revealing nothing.
+
+"I can't stand this here," he muttered, and feeling his way cautiously,
+he lowered himself down till he could get good foothold, and was in the
+act of descending farther, when steps approached, and the mate's voice
+was heard in company with Panton's.
+
+"Here, one of you, run back for a lantern," cried the mate as he hurried
+to the mouth of the chasm.  "Ahoy there, Mr Lane; Smith!"
+
+"Ahoy it is, sir," came from below.
+
+"Hold hard, my lad, and make this rope fast around you.  Know where Mr
+Lane is?"
+
+The man made no answer for a minute, as he caught and secured the rope
+about him.
+
+"No, sir, I can't make out, but I'm a-going to see," he muttered between
+his teeth--"I mean feel, for we're having nothing but darkness this
+voyage."
+
+"I'll send a lantern down after you directly, my lad.  Ready?"
+
+"Ay, ay, sir.  Lower away."
+
+"No, better wait for the light.  It is like pitch down there."
+
+"Ay, 'tis, sir, but that poor lad's waiting for help."
+
+"Yes, I know, my man, but you must try to see where he is.  Hi! anybody
+coming with that light?"
+
+"Yes, the man's coming," cried Drew.
+
+"What's that?" said the mate, sharply, as he leaned over the yawning
+hollow, rope in hand; "that peculiar odour?"
+
+"What, that smell, sir?" said Smith.  "I dunno, sir, it's like as if
+someone had been burning loocifers.  Why, of course, I struck some and
+let 'em fall."
+
+"Ah, that's better!" cried the mate, as a lantern was handed to him by
+Panton; and, passing the free end of the rope through the handle, he ran
+it along till it was all through, and he could let the light glide down
+to the sailor.
+
+"That's all right, sir.  Now, then, shall I climb or will you lower me
+down?"
+
+"Try both, we'll keep a good hold.  Heaven help him, I hope he has not
+gone far.  Take hold here.  No, Mr Panton, let the men.  They are
+better used to handling a rope.  Now, then lower away."
+
+Smith began to descend with the lantern, and, as the mate and Panton
+gazed down, they could dimly make out that below them was a wide jagged
+crack, descending right away; while in front, a portion of the crack
+through the stone ran forward at a gradual slope, forming a cavern.
+
+"Keep a sharp look out, my lad.  Ah! mind! don't kick the stones down."
+
+"Can't help it, sir.  It's all a big slope here, with the stones waiting
+to go down with a jump."
+
+Proof of this came directly, a touch sending pieces bounding and rushing
+down in a way that must have been fatal to anyone below.
+
+The mate uttered a low ejaculation, and Panton drew in his breath with a
+peculiar hiss, as they heard the fragments go on bounding and rebounding
+below in the awful darkness, while the peculiar odour which the mate had
+noticed came up more strongly now.
+
+"See him?" cried Mr Rimmer.
+
+"No, sir.  Lower away."
+
+"Lower away, my lads.  Here, you Tomlin, run back and get a couple more
+lengths.  Quick."
+
+The man darted off, and his comrades lowered away, while Panton and Drew
+stood with their heads bent and eyes strained to catch a glimpse of
+their friend in the dim light cast by the lantern now far below.
+
+"It's all one slope, sir, right away down," cried Smith.
+
+"Yes, can you make out the bottom?"
+
+"No, sir.  Don't seem to be none.  Lower away."
+
+"Ahoy.  Help!"
+
+The cry was faint, but it sent a thrill through all gathered at the
+mouth of the chasm.
+
+"Ahoy!" roared Smith, as he violently agitated the rope.  "All right, my
+lad, coming.  Aloft there with the line.  No, no, no, don't lower; haul.
+I'm too low down now."
+
+The men gave a cheer, and began to haul up till the mate checked them.
+
+"That right?" he cried to the sailor.
+
+"Little higher, sir.  Couple o' fathom.  He's on a bit of a shelf,
+'cross a hole, and I shall have to swing to him."
+
+"That do?" cried the mate in the midst of the breathless excitement.
+
+"Yes, that's about it, sir.  Now, then, make fast.  I'm going to swing."
+
+"Right!"
+
+Then the lantern began to pass to and fro, like a pendulum, and at every
+thrust given with his feet by the swinging man, the loose blocks of lava
+and pumice went rumbling and crashing down, sending up whispering echoes
+and telling of a depth that was absolutely profound.
+
+"Can you manage?" shouted the mate.
+
+"Yes, sir.  That was nearly it," came from below.  "This time does it."
+
+They saw the light swing again a couple of hundred feet beneath them.
+Then it was stationary, and every man's breath came with a catch, for
+all at once the stones began to glide again; increasing their rush till
+it grew tremendous, and the watchers felt that all was over, for the
+light disappeared and the odour that ascended was stifling.
+
+"Haul!  Haul!" came from below, sending a spasm of energy through all at
+the mouth as they pulled in the rope.
+
+"Steady, steady, my lads," cried the mate.  "Got him?" he shouted.
+
+"Ay, ay!  Haul quick!" came in a stifled voice, and the mate and his
+companions felt a chill run through them as they grasped the fact that
+Smith was either exhausted or being overcome by the foul gas set at
+liberty by the falling stones.
+
+"Haul steady, my lads, and quick," said the mate, as he went down on one
+knee.  "No; walk away with the rope."
+
+His order was obeyed, and the next minute he was reaching down as the
+dimly seen lantern came nearer and nearer, revealing Smith's ghastly
+upturned face and the strange-looking figure he held.  Then, almost flat
+upon his chest, the mate made a clutch, which was seconded by Drew,
+Panton aiding, and Oliver Lane was lifted out of the chasm and borne
+into the open sunshine, slowly followed by Smith, as the men cheered
+about the peculiar-looking figure--for clothes, face, hair, Lane was
+covered with finely-powdered sulphur, in a bed of which he had been
+lying.
+
+"Better get him back to the brig," said the mate.
+
+"No, no!" cried Oliver, rousing himself.  "I shall be better directly; I
+struck my head against a block of stone, or one of them struck me.  It
+was so sudden.  They gave way all at once, and it was hardly a fall, but
+a slide down.  I was stunned though for a few moments."
+
+"A few moments!" cried the mate with a grim laugh.  "Why, my lad, we
+were ever so long before we could make you answer."
+
+Oliver looked at him wonderingly, and then turned and held out his hand
+to Smith.
+
+"Thank you," he said.  "It was very plucky of you to come down and fetch
+me up."
+
+"Oh, I dunno, sir," said the sailor in a half-abashed way.  "Course I
+come down; anyone on us would.  But it arn't a nice place, is it?"
+
+"Nice place!" cried Panton, who was full of eager interest as he
+examined the fine sulphur clinging to his companion's clothes.  "Why it
+must be one of the old vents of the mountain.  You can smell the gases
+here."
+
+"You could smell 'em there, sir," said Smith gruffly.  "'Scaping orful.
+Thought they'd be too much for me.  Felt as if I must let go."
+
+"I'm better now," said Oliver, rising and drawing a long breath.  "I
+say, Mr Rimmer, I'm very sorry to have given you all this trouble."
+
+"Don't say a word about it, sir; but don't go tumbling into any more of
+these holes."
+
+"Not if I can help it," said Oliver, smiling.  "But the serpent--what
+became of it?"
+
+The mate laughed and shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"We've got them both out here," said Drew.
+
+"Both bits, sir?" asked Smith eagerly.
+
+"Both nonsense, my man: both serpents!  There were two.  Here they are,
+pretty well dead now."
+
+Oliver forgot all about the sickening blow he had received, and his
+narrow escape, in his eagerness to examine the reptiles which had caused
+so much alarm, and his first steps were to ask the men to put a noose
+around each, and draw them out into the open.
+
+There was a little hesitation, but the men obeyed, and the two long
+tapering creatures were soon after lying in the sun.
+
+"Hadn't you better come and lie down for a bit?" said the mate.
+
+"Oh, nonsense!" cried Oliver good-humouredly.  "Just for a crack on the
+head?  I'm right enough, and I want to take the measurement of these
+things before they are skinned."
+
+"As you like," said the mate.  "Then we may go back."
+
+"That looks as if I were very ungrateful," cried Oliver, "and I'm not,
+Mr Rimmer, believe me."
+
+"Believe you?  Why, of course I do, my lad," cried the mate, clapping
+him warmly on the shoulder.
+
+"And you don't want me to lie up for a thing like that, do you?"
+
+"I want you to take care of yourself; that's all, sir.  There, don't
+give us another fright.  I daresay you'll find plenty of other dangerous
+places.  But what did you say, Mr Panton--that great hole was a vent of
+the mountain?"
+
+"Yes, undoubtedly."
+
+"What mountain, sir?"
+
+"The one that was in eruption."
+
+"Yes, but we don't see one!"
+
+"We see its effects," said Panton, "and I daresay we shall see it as
+soon as that line of vapour begins to clear away."
+
+He pointed to the long misty bank in the distance, which completely shut
+off the view beyond the stretch of forest to the northward.
+
+"Well then, gentlemen, as I have a great deal to do on board, I suppose
+I may leave you?"
+
+"Unless you'd like to stop and help skin Lane's snakes?"
+
+"Not I," said the mate merrily.  "There, don't get into any more
+trouble, please."
+
+"We'll try not," said Panton; and after the men had neatly coiled up the
+lines, they went back with the mate, all but Billy Wriggs, who offered
+to stop and help skin the snakes.
+
+"You don't mean it, do you, Billy?" whispered Smith.  "Thought you was
+too skeered?"
+
+"So I am, mate; but I want to be long o' you to see their games.  It's
+unnatural like to be doin' dooty aboard a wessel as ain't in the water."
+
+"But you won't touch one of they sarpents?"
+
+"Well, I don't want to, mate; but it's all in yer day's work, yer know.
+I thought you said it was only one in two halves?"
+
+"So I did, mate--so I did--and so it ought to ha' been, 'cording to my
+ideas, and the way I let go at it with a haxe.  But there, one never
+knows, and it was in the dark now, warn't it?"
+
+"Seventeen feet, five inches," said Oliver, just then, as he wound up
+his measuring tape, "and sixteen feet, four--extreme lengths," as Panton
+entered the sizes in Oliver's notebook for him.
+
+"Hark at that now!" said Billy Wriggs in a hoarse whisper.  "Why, I
+should ha' said as they was a hundred foot long apiece at least."
+
+"And, arter all, they ain't much bigger than a couple o' worms."
+
+Five minutes later the two men were hard at work skinning the reptiles;
+the example set by Oliver in handling them shaming both into mastering
+the repugnance they felt, and first one skin and then the other was
+stretched over the limb of a tree to dry; while the bodies were dragged
+to the cavernous chasm, and tossed down "to cook," as Smith put it.
+
+Meanwhile Drew had been busy examining the trees and plants around; and
+Panton had been fascinated, as it were, by the place, picking up
+fragments of stone and sulphur-incrusted lava--when he was not listening
+to a low hissing, gurgling sound, which told plainly enough that
+volcanic action was still in progress, somewhere in the depths below.
+
+"There!" cried Oliver.  "I'm ready.  Where next?"
+
+"Are you fit to go on?" asked Drew.
+
+"Fit?  Yes.  Let's get to a pool and have a wash, and then I'm ready for
+anything."
+
+"Some water over yonder, sir," said Smith, pointing to where the sun
+flashed from a spot beyond the trees.
+
+"Then let's get to it," said Oliver.  "What do you say to exploring
+onward toward the mist bank?"
+
+"I say yes, and let's go through it," cried Panton.  "I want to look at
+the mountain.  What's the matter, Smith?  See anything?"
+
+The man held up his hand.
+
+"Hinjun, sir," he whispered.
+
+"Eh!  Where?" cried Drew, cocking his piece.
+
+"Just yonder, sir, past that lot of blocks like an old stone yard; I see
+one o' their heads peeping over, and they've got a fire, cooking
+something, I should say, for--phew! they can't want it to warm
+themselves, for it's hot enough without."
+
+They looked in the direction pointed out, and there, plainly enough, was
+the light, fine, corkscrew-like wreath of a pale blue smoke, rising
+slowly up beyond quite a wilderness of coral rock, swept there by the
+earthquake wave.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIX.
+
+HOT SPRINGS.
+
+"Tommy Smith, old matey," whispered Wriggs, "why warn't you and me born
+different?"
+
+"That 'ere's a question for your godfathers and godmothers, Billy, as
+stood sponsors for you when you was born.  But what d'yer mean?"
+
+"Why, so as to be like these here gents and have plenty o' money to
+spend in tools o' all kinds."
+
+"Ay, 'twould ha' been nicer, I dessay, matey."
+
+"Course it would.  You see they allus has the right tackle for
+everything, and a proper pocket or case to keep it in.  Look at Mr
+Panton there, with that there young double-barrelled spy-glass of
+his'n."
+
+"Ay, they've each got one-sidy sort o' little barnacle things as they
+looks through to make bits o' stone and hinsecks seem big."
+
+"Now, we wants to wash our hands, don't us?"
+
+"Ay, we do, matey," said Smith, raising his to his nose.
+
+"Mine smell a bit snakey and sarpentine, I must say."
+
+"Steam or smoke?" said Drew.
+
+"Both, I think," replied Panton, closing his glass.
+
+"Then the savages has got the pot on and it's cooking," whispered Smith.
+"I hope it don't mean a mate."
+
+"Whatcher talking in that there Irish Paddy way?" grumbled Wriggs.
+"Can't you say meat?"
+
+"Course I can, old mighty clever, when I wants to.  I said mate."
+
+"I know you did, Tommy, and it's Irish when you means cooking meat."
+
+"Which I didn't mean nothing o' the sort, old lad, but mate.  I meant, I
+hoped the savages hadn't got hold of one of our messmates and was
+cooking he."
+
+"What!  Canniballs?" whispered Wriggs, looking aghast.  "Why not?
+There's plenty on 'em out in these 'ere parts, where the missionaries
+ain't put a stopper on their little games, and made 'em eat short pig
+i'stead o' long."
+
+"Come, my lads, forward!" said Oliver, who seemed to have quite got over
+his adventure.
+
+"Beg pardon, sir," said Smith, "we ain't got no weepons 'cept our
+jack-knives; had we better scummage up to 'em?"
+
+"Skirmish?  Oh, no; there is nothing to mind."
+
+"That's what the farmer said to the man about his big dog, sir, but the
+dog took a bit out of the man's leg."
+
+"But that wasn't a dog, Smith, it was a cat."
+
+"What, out here, sir, 'long o' the savages?  Think o' their keeping
+cats!"
+
+"No, no, you don't understand.  There are no savages here."
+
+"Why, a-mussy me, sir, I see one looking over the stones yonder with my
+own eyes."
+
+"You saw a big, cat-like creature, with its round, dark head.  It must
+have been a panther, or leopard, or something of that kind."
+
+The sailor looked at him and scratched his ear.
+
+"Mean it, sir?" he said.
+
+"Of course I do.  Come along."
+
+Oliver went on after his two companions, and the sailors followed.
+
+"How about the canniballs, Tommy?" asked Billy Wriggs with a chuckle.
+
+"Here, don't you spoil your figger-head by making them faces," said
+Smith, shortly.  "I was right enough, so own up like a man."
+
+"You says, says you, that it was canniballs as had got a pot on over a
+fire, and that they was cooking one of our mates."
+
+"Loin! how I do hate a man as 'zaggerates!  I only said I hoped it
+warn't.  It's you as put the pot on."
+
+"I didn't!"
+
+"Yes, you did, old lad, and I dessay I was right arter all, 'cept as it
+was only one canniball, and he'd got four legs 'stead o' two."
+
+Billy Wriggs chuckled again, and then smelt his hands, looked disgusted,
+and scooped up a little moist earth to rub them with.
+
+"Look sharp, they're close up," said Smith, "and I want to see about
+what fire there is, and how it come."
+
+"I know; it's one o' they red hot stones as come down and it's set fire
+to something."
+
+A minute later they were within fifty yards of the rising vapours, when
+Wriggs roared,--"Look out!" and began to run.
+
+For there was a peculiar rushing noise close overhead, followed by a
+duet of hoarse cries, and they had a glimpse of a couple of great,
+heavily-billed birds, passing close to them in the direction of their
+leaders.
+
+Oliver took a quick shot at one and missed, the smoke hiding the second
+bird, and they passed on unharmed.
+
+"Hornbills!" he cried, excitedly.  "Come, we shall be able to collect
+here."
+
+"Hear that, mate?" whispered Smith, "hornbills, and can't they blow 'em
+too?"
+
+They stepped in among the stones and found the cat-like creature's lair
+just beneath one of them, and plenty of proofs of how it lived, for
+close around lay many of the brightly-coloured feathers it had stripped
+from different birds.
+
+"Evidently preyed upon these," said Oliver, eagerly, picking up some of
+the feathers to examine.
+
+"Hear that, Tommy?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Ain't it gammon?"
+
+"No; nat'ral histry's all true, lad."
+
+"But I never heard o' cats being religious.  I've heard o' their being
+wicked and mischievous enough for anything."
+
+"'Ligious!  Why, what have you got hold of now?"
+
+"Nothing.  You heard him too.  He said as the cat prayed on them
+feathers."
+
+"Get out.  Don't be a hignoramus.  Wild cats is beasts o' prey."
+
+"He said beasts as pray, and I don't believe it."
+
+"And I don't believe your head's properly stuffed, mate.  Yes, sir," he
+continued, as Oliver spoke.  "You call?"
+
+"I said if you want to wash your snakey hands, here's a good chance."
+
+The sailor stepped down into a hollow, above which a little cloud of
+vapour hung over a basin of beautifully blue water, enclosed by a fine
+drab-coloured stone.  It was not above a foot deep, save in the centre,
+where there was a little well-like hole, and a dozen feet across, while
+at one side it brimmed over and rippled down and away in a tiny stream,
+overhung by beautifully green ferns and water-plants, which were of the
+most luxuriant growth.
+
+"Looks good enough for a bath, gentlemen, when you've done," said Smith.
+
+"Try your hands first," said Oliver.  "But wait a moment," and he took a
+little case from his pocket, and from it a glass tube with a mercury
+bulb.
+
+"Look at that!" whispered Billy Wriggs.  "Tools for everything, mate.
+What's he going to do--taste it first?"
+
+"I dunno," said Smith, watching Oliver Lane attentively, as the young
+man plunged the mercury bulb in the water, and held it there for a few
+moments, and then drew it out.
+
+"Go on, my lads," he said.  "Like some soap?"
+
+As he spoke he took a small metal box out of his pocket, and opened it
+to display a neatly fitting cake of soap.
+
+"Look at him," whispered Smith to his companion--"ay, tools for
+everything.  Thank-ye, sir," he added as he took the soap, stepped down
+close to the edge of the basin, and plunged in his hands, to withdraw
+them with a shout of excitement.
+
+"What's the matter?" said Drew, laughing.
+
+"It's hot, sir.  Water's hot!"
+
+"Well, my lad, it is a hot spring.  There's nothing surprising in that.
+We're in a volcanic land."
+
+"Are we, sir?" said the man, staring at him.  "And is this volcanic
+water?"
+
+"Of course."
+
+"But where does it get hot, sir?"
+
+"Down below."
+
+"What! is there a fire underneath where we are standing?"
+
+"Yes; deep down."
+
+"Then where's the chimney, sir?"
+
+"Out beyond that smoke and steam, I expect.  There, wash your hands.
+It's not hot enough to scald your hard skin."
+
+"No, sir; take a deal hotter water than that; but if you'll excuse me,
+gents, I'll get away from here, please.  It don't feel safe."
+
+"Give me the soap," said Lane, handing his gun to Panton.
+
+"There, Smith, my lad, a man who comes to such a place as this mustn't
+be frightened at everything fresh he sees."
+
+"Oh, I'm not frightened, sir, not a bit," said the man.  "Am I, Billy?"
+
+Wriggs grunted, and this might have meant anything.
+
+"Only you see, sir," continued Smith, "it seems to me as it's a man's
+dooty to try and take care of hisself."
+
+"Of course," said Oliver Lane, as he laved his hands.  "What beautiful
+soft, silky hot water.  We must come here and have a regular bathe.  It
+is nicely shut in."
+
+This to his companions, while Smith stood looking on in horror, and
+turned to his messmate.
+
+"Look at him, Billy!  Ain't it just awful?  Come away 'fore we gets let
+through, and are boiled to rags."
+
+"Hold yer tongue," growled Wriggs.  "You'll have the gents hear yer.
+Ask 'em to let us go back."
+
+"You'll have to analyse this water, Panton," said Lane, as he went on
+with his washing.  "There must be a deal of alkali as well as carbonate
+of lime in solution."
+
+"Strikes me, mate, as it won't have us in slooshum?" whispered Smith.
+"Don't ketch me slooshing myself in it."
+
+The water assumed another shade of blue where Oliver Lane was washing,
+while Panton chipped off the petrification formed round the basin, and
+Drew examined some peculiar water-plants which grew just where the hot
+water issued to form the little stream.
+
+"Be a fortune for anyone if he had it upon his own land in England,"
+said Panton.  "Can you see where the spring rises?"
+
+"Yes, down here in the middle, there's quite a pipe.  This must be
+similar to what we read about, connected with the geysers?" said Oliver.
+"Here, you two, don't be so cowardly.  Come and wash.  Catch!"
+
+He threw the soap to Wriggs, who caught it, let it slip from his
+fingers, and it went down into the beautiful blue basin of water with a
+splash.
+
+"There, fetch it out!"
+
+Accustomed to obey, Billy Wriggs stepped forward, plunged in his hands,
+caught the soap, and kept his fingers beneath the surface.  "Why, it's
+lovely, matey!" he cried reproachfully to Smith.  "Here, come on."
+
+"Oh, very well," was the reply, and the sailor approached the basin.
+"What's good for you's good for me, mate.  Who's afraid?  Well, I am!"
+
+He was now kneeling, and was in the act of plunging in his hands, when
+there was a low gurgling noise, and, as if by magic, the water in the
+basin was sucked rapidly down the round central hole that had been
+almost invisible, leaving the basin perfectly empty.
+
+"Nearly lost the soap," said Billy Wriggs.
+
+"And I ain't got the wash," cried Smith, in an ill-used tone.
+
+"Beg pardon, sir, what time'll it be high water again?"
+
+_Bang!  Roosh_!
+
+"Murder!" yelled Smith, throwing himself backward and rolling over, for
+with an explosion like that of steam, the water gushed up from the
+central hole, playing some twenty feet up in the air, filling the basin
+and deluging Wriggs before he could escape, and then dragging him back
+towards the central hole, down which it began to run, while the man
+roared lustily for help.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+A CROCODILE.
+
+As soon as he could get upon his feet Smith ran as he supposed for his
+life, but his messmate's call drew him back and he ran as quickly to his
+help.  Too late though to render any assistance, for Drew, who was
+nearest, leaned forward and caught Wriggs' hand, stopping his progress
+toward the centre for the moment, and then his feet glided from beneath
+him on the smooth, sloping tufa and he too went down, and had to be
+aided by Oliver and Panton, who drew both out just as Smith reached the
+edge of the basin.
+
+"Why don't yer mind!" roared the latter, excitedly.  "Want to lie down
+there in the hot water and drowned yerself?"
+
+"No, matey, can't say as I do," growled Wriggs, shaking himself as he
+edged farther and farther away.  "But this here's about the dangerousest
+place as I was ever in as I knows on.  Been dowsed a good many times in
+my life, but not like this here.  Got yourselves very wet, gentlemen?"
+
+"Oh, no, only splashed," said Oliver.  "Here, you two had better get
+back to the brig."
+
+Smith looked at his messmate.
+
+"Feared, mate?" he said.
+
+"Eh?" replied Wriggs, rubbing his ear well.  "I dunno 'bout feared now.
+I'm werry wet."
+
+"Then go back and change your things," said Oliver.
+
+Wriggs scratched his head now and hesitated.
+
+"Beg pardon, sir, I couldn't help letting go, 'cause I thought we was
+all going to be sucked down that hole, and yer couldn't tell whether yer
+was coming up again; and though I'm a tidy swimmer, I never tried hot
+water; but if so be as you don't mind, me and my mate'd rayther go on
+along with you."
+
+"But you're so wet, my lad."
+
+"Well, sir, that'll only be a job for the sun to dry us, and it's been a
+good wash for us and our duds too."
+
+"Oh, if you don't mind," said Oliver; "I don't think it will hurt you.
+What do you say, Wriggs?"
+
+"I didn't say nothing, sir; I was only squeezing the hot water out o' my
+trowges."
+
+"But do you mind being wet?"
+
+"No, sir.  I was born aboard a canal boat, and often tumbled in and had
+to be fished out by my father with the spitcher.  I rayther like it."
+
+"That's right, Billy.  You don't want to go back, do you?"
+
+"No, matey, I want to continue on my travels, and see this here cur'us
+land; only if we air to have another adventer I should like it to be a
+dry 'un, if it's all the same to the gents."
+
+"Then come along," said Oliver, "you'll soon get dry."
+
+"Oh, yes, sir," said Smith; "but if it's all the same to you, sir, I
+should like to know how that there thing works."
+
+"Ah! that's more than I can tell you," replied Oliver, looking at the
+basin, which was once more clear blue, and as smooth as if it had never
+been disturbed.  "It's a geyser, of course."
+
+"Yes, sir," said Smith, as Oliver looked at him as if expecting he would
+speak; "I thought it was some'at o' that sort."
+
+"And such things are not uncommon in volcanic countries."
+
+"Arn't they though, sir?" said Smith, with a puzzled expression.  "But
+it warn't byling hot."
+
+"Oh, no, not within some seventy degrees."
+
+"Then how come it to byle over, sir?  Ain't that rather cur'us?"
+
+"Yes, very curious indeed."
+
+"Yes, sir, and this seems to be a rather cur'us place."
+
+"Yes, Smith, and very grand and wonderful.  We have been extremely
+fortunate to get ashore in such a naturalist's paradise."
+
+"Paradise, sir?" said Smith, with rather a curious look.  "Well, sir, I
+shouldn't have called it that."
+
+"Look here," cried Oliver to his two companions, "shall we wait and see
+if the geyser plays again?"
+
+"Oh, no," said Drew, "I want to get forward.  We shall have plenty more
+opportunities, and this forest ahead looks grand."
+
+"Yes, come along," cried Panton, rising from chipping a piece of rock.
+"Look here, this is evidently volcanic and full of iron.  The mountain
+must be tremendous.  Do you think it is always shut in by those clouds?"
+
+"No," said Drew; "depend upon it they are caused by the late eruption.
+That tremendous roar was the end, and I fancy it was caused by the water
+rushing in from the sea.  This is only the steam rising.  Here, Lane,
+you have fallen into the right place and can fill the British Museum if
+you are industrious."
+
+They were now coming to the end of the barren tract made by the
+earthquake wave sweeping the rock in places bare, in others covering the
+surface with _debris_ of coral sand, rolled pebble and shell from the
+sea; but before reaching the band of verdure which stood at the top of a
+slope, they had to pass two or three depressions in which mud and water
+still lay, and upon reaching one of these they found to their surprise
+that it was _far_ more extensive than they had anticipated.  For there
+before them stretched acres upon acres of a muddy lagoon, dotted with
+islands, and evidently alive with fish swept in from the sea.
+
+"Hi! look-ye there, Billy Wriggs!" cried Smith, excitedly.  "See that?"
+
+"Course I can, matey; it's water."
+
+"Well, I know that, stoopid, but look what's in it.  Over yonder on that
+bank--there close alongside o' that lump o' white rock."
+
+"What of it?" said Wriggs.  "Only a trunk of an old tree."
+
+"Ay, four-legged 'un, with a head and tail, having a nap in the
+sunshine.  Why, it's one o' them eft things as we used to ketch with a
+worm in the ponds when we was boys."
+
+"Get out!  You go and play tricks with some 'un else, matey," said
+Wriggs, contemptuously.  "Think I don't know no better than that?"
+
+"You are a clever one, Billy, and no mistake," growled Smith.  "I never
+did see a chap more ready not to believe the truth.  If you hadn't been
+born a Christian, mate, nobody wouldn't never have converted you, and
+you'd ha' been a regular heathen savage all your days."
+
+"Go it, matey!  Much more on it?  Let's have it all while you're about
+it."
+
+"You shall, Billy, because a good talking to'll do you good, and knock
+some o' the wanity out of you.  You see, you don't know everything."
+
+"And you do, eh, Tommy?"
+
+"Nay, not quite," said Smith, giving his head a roll; "but I do know as
+that's one o' the same sort o' things as I used to see lying in the mud
+as I was once going up to Calcutta.  That's a halligator, matey, on'y
+some folks calls the big uns crockydiles, and the niggers out there
+muggers, 'cause they've got such ugly mugs."
+
+"What! do you mean to tell me as that log o' wood with the rough bark on
+it's alive?"
+
+"Yes, all alive O!"
+
+"Get out," cried Wriggs, scrutinising the brute searchingly as it lay
+about fifty yards away.  "That there's a trunk of a tree with all the
+branches rubbed off.  Well, I never did!"
+
+For at that moment the reptile crawled a little further from the water,
+raised its head, and looked to right and left, and then subsided again
+in the hot sunshine, sinking partially into the mud.
+
+"Rummy sort o' tree that, eh, Billy?" said Smith.
+
+"Sort o' tree!" cried Wriggs, in a tone of thorough disgust.  "Why, I
+call it a himposition.  What does a thing mean by going on like that?  I
+could ha' sweered as it warn't alive."
+
+"Hold your row, the gents is a-going to shoot."
+
+They stood watching, for Drew had been busy changing one of the
+cartridges in his gun for another containing a ball.
+
+"It's of no use to shoot it," said Oliver, "and I don't think you could
+hit it in a vital place."
+
+"I'm going to try," said Drew quietly, as Panton followed his example.
+
+"Yes," said the latter, "if we are to stay in this island or whatever it
+is, we can't afford to share the place with a creature like that.  These
+things are very dangerous."
+
+"Hist!  Tommy," whispered Wriggs, excitedly, "he can hear what they
+says, and he don't believe they can hit him and hurt him.  Did yer see
+him smile?"
+
+"Well, I call it a laugh, matey.  Yes, they've got a nice open sort o'
+countenance, them crockydiles.  What a time it must take'm to clean
+their teeth of a morning!"
+
+"Ay, and to pick 'em after dinner.  Would one o' them tackle a man?"
+
+"Yes, or a cow either.  They've got a way of--I say, just look at him."
+
+Wriggs was all attention, and the three naturalists as well; for, after
+opening its mouth and displaying its tremendous gape, the reptile slowly
+turned round so as to face toward the water from which it had crawled,
+and then subsided, lying so close and still in the sand and mud that it
+more than ever resembled the trunk of some old tree.
+
+The position now for a shot was not so satisfactory, as it in all
+probability meant the disappearance of the reptile at its first plunge;
+but all the same Drew raised his piece and gave his companions a sharp
+look, Panton raising his double gun as well for the next shot.
+
+But Oliver held up his hand.
+
+"Don't shoot," he whispered.  "I want to watch the brute for a few
+minutes.  Let's see."
+
+He had a reason for speaking; naturalist-like, he never lost an
+opportunity for observing the habits of the different creatures he came
+across, and he had noticed a couple of crane-like birds coming stalking
+along from the far side of the bank on their long stilt-shaped legs.
+Like everything the wrecked party had encountered, the birds seemed to
+know no fear of man, acting as if they had never seen such a being
+before.  Hence they were coming straight over to the side opposite to
+the little party.
+
+Oliver's little double glass was out in a moment, focussed and fixed
+upon the objects, while, with all a naturalist's love of the beautiful,
+he feasted upon the bright eyes, drooping crests, and lovely grey and
+white plumage of the two birds which showed in every way their wonderful
+adaptability for the life they led.
+
+"Look here," said Panton, "we want to shoot that loathsome reptile."
+
+"And I want to look at the cranes.  If you fire you'll scare them."
+
+"Shoot them, then," said Drew.
+
+"No, no, don't, or you'll startle the crocodile.  I don't want to shoot
+them," said Oliver; "I want to study their habits a bit, and they'll go
+into the water here close to us."
+
+Just then the second crane, which was stalking gravely behind its
+companion, stopped short, and uttered a warning cry.  It was too late.
+Simultaneously, the crocodile, which had been cunningly watching the
+bird; made a scythe-like blow with its tail, and swept the foremost,
+broken and helpless, into the lagoon.  Then, springing up as the second
+bird took flight, the reptile was making a rush for the water, when
+Drew's gun spoke out, and Panton's followed with such good effect, that
+the crocodile's progress was checked, and it swung itself round to lie
+with its tail in the water, thrashing about, and raising a muddy spray,
+which spread for far enough, spattering upon the water like so much
+dirty rain.
+
+"Just sarves you right, my smiling beauty," cried Smith, excitedly.
+"Strikes me you won't break no more birds' legs for some time to come.
+Hit him again, sir."
+
+Drew's second barrel was fired as he spoke, for the reptile was
+gradually working round, as if to plunge into the water, but the bullet
+it now received in the side of the head checked it, and a fourth from
+Panton made it sink down almost motionless, save that it made a few
+feeble snaps with its jaws.
+
+"And I'm precious glad on it," said Billy Wriggs, who had taken the most
+intense interest in the affair.  "Like me to walk in and fetch out that
+there bird, sir?" he continued, pointing to where the crane floated upon
+the surface of the lagoon.
+
+"I should like the bird," said Oliver, "but I don't think it would be
+safe for you to wade in, Wriggs.  Perhaps it will float ashore."
+
+"I'm so wet, sir, a drop more water won't hurt me."
+
+"I was not thinking about your getting wet," replied Oliver, who was
+intently watching the bird, which was apparently quite dead, "but of the
+risk of your encountering another crocodile."
+
+"What, in there, sir--in the water?"
+
+"Yes, I daresay there are several about."
+
+"Oh," said Wriggs, softly, "I didn't think of that," and he stood
+scratching his head, and wrinkled up his face, as he looked at the
+prostrate reptile.
+
+"Didn't yer know as they was amphibilious animals, Bill," said Smith, in
+a low voice.
+
+"What's amphibilious animals?" growled Wriggs.
+
+"Things as gets their living in the waters, and sleeps outside."
+
+"Oh, that's it, is it?" said the sailor, thoughtfully.  "And what would
+one o' they chaps do, if he was to meet my legs?  He couldn't hit out
+with his tail in the water."
+
+"No lad, he'd hoperate with his head."
+
+"Then I don't think, Tommy, as we'll come here when we wants a swim,
+eh?"
+
+"No lad.  Strikes me that--I say; look ye there!"
+
+The appeal was needless, for every one was looking toward where the
+light breeze and the spreading rings caused by the lashing of the
+crocodile's tail had carried the dead crane, which Oliver was longing to
+get as a specimen of bird life unknown, he believed, to science, for all
+at once, there was a faint, rippling movement visible close to it, then
+a violent agitation.  A long, lithe creature suddenly made a dart partly
+out of the water, and quick as lightning, they saw its yellowish folds
+wrapped round the bird, which was directly after borne down out of
+sight.
+
+"Sea-snake, I think," said Oliver, eagerly, in answer to his companions'
+questioning looks.
+
+"Hear that, Billy?" whispered Smith, giving his friend a nudge.
+
+"Oh, yes, I hear," growled Wriggs; "says he thinks it's a snake, but it
+warn't.  I see it, and it was a heel.  Didn't yer see how it tied itself
+up in a knot round the long-legged bird?  I say, I mean to set a
+night-line, and ketch that gentleman.  Heels is about the best fish to
+eat as swims."
+
+"But aren't you going to wade across and fetch the crocodile over,
+Billy?"
+
+"No, matey, I aren't.  'Cause why?  It's much safer ashore."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHT.
+
+INTO THE MIST.
+
+The lagoon was skirted, and after rather a toilsome ascent among rocks
+half smothered in creepers, the edge of the forest was reached, and a
+halt called under the shade of a great fig-tree, among whose small, ripe
+fruits a flock of brilliant little scarlet and green lories were
+feeding; and here, seated about on the great, projecting roots, the
+party partook of a delicious meal, feasting their eyes at the same time
+upon the prospect around.  For, from the elevation at which they now
+were, they were able to look right over the low land that had been swept
+by the vast wave, to where there was another slight elevation clothed
+with trees.
+
+As far as they could see, the low ground was spread with scattered
+blocks of coral and lava, while here and there, little bright patches
+told of shells that had been ground and polished thin by the action of
+the waves, and now showed their glistening, pearly material.
+
+Another look to the left across blocks of white coral, and over pools
+slowly evaporating in the hot sunshine, showed the course the ship had
+taken from where the sea beat against the reef-girdled shore.  It was
+all plain enough; that was the edge of the land, with a belt of calm,
+blue water, and beyond that, as far as eye could reach to right and
+left, a barrier reef of coral, upon which the great billows curved over,
+flashing in the sun, and crested with their soft, white foam.
+
+"It seems beyond belief," said Oliver at last.  "Who could imagine that
+our vessel could be borne right inland here and set down upon an even
+keel almost uninjured?"
+
+"And without the smallest chance of ever sailing the sea again," said
+Panton, quietly.
+
+"I say, look here, you two, we're not going to settle down here like so
+many Robinson Crusoes, are we!" cried Drew.
+
+"Only just so long, I say, as it will take us to make complete
+collections of the natural history of the place," said Oliver, "for I
+begin to be in hopes that the land is quite new, and that no one has
+ever set foot upon it before."
+
+"Then you think it is an island?" said Drew, who was eating with one
+hand, collecting specimens of plants with the other.
+
+"If he doesn't, I do," cried Panton, taking out a little bright steel
+hammer and beginning to chip at a block of stone held fast by one of the
+roots of the big tree under whose branches they were seated.  "Look at
+this--slag.  I say that we are on a volcanic island, formed by a
+mountain rising out of the sea and pouring out its streams of lava, and
+throwing up its blocks and stones and cinders."
+
+"What about the coral, then?  The place is covered with scattered
+blocks."
+
+"Oh, those were carried in by the great wave," continued Panton.  "Once
+an island like this is thrust up from the bottom of the sea, the coral
+insects soon begin to be busy and build all round it.  Look at the reef
+yonder."
+
+"Then you think the volcano is in the middle of the island?" said Drew,
+taking out his pocket lens to examine a tiny blossom.
+
+"That doesn't follow," said Panton, oracularly, as he chipped off a
+fragment of lava, which fresh fracture glistened brightly.  "The
+mountain may be just at the edge of the island, possibly on a cape.  I
+should say this one is, and cut off from sight by that wall of mist,
+which seems to be rising from a gulf extending right across.  What are
+you men muttering there about tools?"
+
+"Beg pardon, sir," said Smith, "I only said to my mate as you gents
+seemed to have tools for everything."
+
+"There," cried Oliver, "time's getting on, and I want to reach that
+mist, get through, and see what the place is like on the other side.
+Ready?"
+
+For answer the others sprang up, all being eager to see more of the
+country upon which they had been so singularly cast, and for the next
+hour they were fighting their way through the dense forest, every cut
+and slash they made with their pocket-knives to rid themselves of
+creeper and thorn, destroying growth which was of intense interest to
+Drew, while Panton damaged his shins over blocks of stone he longed to
+chip, while dislodging insects and scaring birds and quadrupeds, of
+which Oliver got but a glance.
+
+They were constantly stopping to mop their faces, for the heat was
+tremendous, and their progress very slow, but still they got on, some
+open patch caused by the falling of a great tree rotted away by age, or
+strangled by some creeper, giving them light and a breath of the soft
+sea air overhead.
+
+Everything here was beautifully green and fresh, the eruption having
+left it unharmed, till, at the end of another tedious hour's work over
+gradually rising ground full of jagged rifts and tumbled together
+stones, which told of a convulsion of nature far back in some distant
+age, when, in place of towering forest trees all must have been
+absolutely bare and level.  Smith, who was in front, cutting and
+slashing with his jack-knife, uttered a shout.
+
+"Land ho!" he cried, for they were evidently nearly through the sea of
+verdure, the sky showing beneath the huge branches.
+
+"At last!" cried Oliver, who was panting with the exertion, while his
+companions' faces were torn and bleeding.  "We must get Mr Rimmer to
+let the men cut a way through here."
+
+"Now then!" shouted Wriggs from somewhere ahead just then.  "None o'
+them tricks.  D'yer hear?"
+
+"Come, come, my man," said Drew, sternly, "keep to your work.  This is
+no time for playing."
+
+"All right, sir, but please speak to Tommy Smith.  Man don't want big
+nuts chucked at his head."
+
+"Who's a-chucking nuts?" cried Smith, indignantly, and he began to force
+his way back into sight of his companions.
+
+"Why, you did, and hit me just now."
+
+"Sweer I didn't!" cried Smith.  "Here, hullo!  Drop that, will you?  Who
+was that?"
+
+A great nut, half as big as a man's head, had struck the speaker on the
+shoulder.
+
+"Why, there's someone up in that tree throwing at us!" said Drew.
+
+"Yes, I see him," cried Wriggs, "that big tree, just where it's getting
+light.  Here, I see you: leave off will yer?"
+
+"It's the natives, sir," said Smith, in a warning voice.  "Get your guns
+ready, they'll be shooting pysoned arrows directly."
+
+"I see him plain, now, sir.  He's only a little black chap.  Yes,
+there's two on 'em.  Well, upon my word, if they aren't two monkeys!"
+
+Another big nut came with a crash through the branches and, before
+Oliver could check him, Drew raised his gun and sent a shower of shot
+peppering through the leaves over the heads of the two occupants of the
+great tree, with the result that two large apes went swinging from bough
+to bough, chattering indignantly, and disappearing at once.
+
+"You shouldn't have done that," cried Oliver.  "I wanted to have a look
+at the creatures."
+
+"I daresay you'll have plenty more chances, for, if this proves to be an
+island, they can't get away."
+
+"But the fact of there being large creatures here, proves that it is not
+an island," said Oliver.
+
+"Not a bit of it," said Panton, oracularly.  "There are plenty of
+islands peopled with animals, because they were occupants of continents
+now submerged.  Look at Trinidad, for instance.  That was once the
+north-east corner of North America, and all her flora and fauna are
+continental."
+
+"Oh, I say, don't be so horribly scientific," cried Oliver, "let's get
+out into the open where we can breathe.  Look at the butterflies in that
+sunshiny patch.  Really we have dropped into a land of wonders."
+
+"And stinging insects and thorns," said Panton.  "I say, what was that
+rustling away through the leaves?"
+
+"Snake, sir, big 'un.  I see his tail wiggle," cried Smith.
+
+"Better be careful," said Oliver, gravely, "there may be poisonous
+snakes about the edge of the forest.  Ha!  What a relief!"
+
+For he had suddenly stepped out through a dense curtain of a creeping
+plant into the bright sunshine, to find that for some distance in front
+the earth was clothed with a low, bush-like growth; then there was a
+broad, blackish grey stretch of land, and again beyond that the veil of
+vapour rising right across their way to right and left.
+
+The little party stood out for a few minutes looking round, with the
+portion of the island or peninsula they had left cut off now by the
+forest which rose right behind them like a huge green ridge of verdure.
+Then, full of excitement, they began to advance through the low bushes
+toward the long line of white vapour slowly curling like a bank of
+clouds, for the one desire now among all was to stand face to face with
+the mountain which had partially burned up the face of the beautiful
+tropic land.
+
+It soon became evident that they were traversing a stretch of newly
+springing up trees, for everything was of a young and tender green, but
+after a time there was a parched, dried-up aspect; then they came upon
+withered patches, and by degrees the vivid green gave place to a dull
+parched-up drab and grey, every leaf and blade of grass being burned up
+or scorched by heat and some destructive gas.
+
+They hurried across this desolate band, for the wall of mist was but a
+short distance in advance, and a curious feeling of eagerness attacked
+the party, even to the two sailors.  For beyond that curtain was
+evidently the centre of the mysterious volcanic force which had been
+answerable for their presence there, and doubtless upon passing through
+the vapour behind which it was hid, they would be able to grasp their
+fate; whether a certain amount of journeying would bring them to the
+habitations of men, or show them that they were shut up in some unknown
+isle.
+
+"Come along," said Drew, "and let's know the worst."
+
+"The worst!" cried Oliver.  "You mean the best?"
+
+"Well, we might be worse off," said Panton, laughing; "but be careful,
+all of you.  This steam, or whatever it is, may be rising from some
+great gulf, and mists are rather confusing.  Shall I lead?"
+
+"By all means," said the others, and he stepped out for a few yards, and
+then, to the surprise of Oliver, who was next, it was as if they had
+entered the mist unconsciously, though it was thin to a degree, and the
+only effect was to make Panton look magnified, so that twenty yards
+farther on he had grown as it were into a giant.
+
+Oliver looked back and saw that those who followed had the same aspect.
+
+"Don't see any rift or chasm," said Panton; "but come cautiously, for
+the ground feels soft and spongy."
+
+His voice sounded distant and strange to Oliver, who said loudly,--
+
+"Is it bog, or are we getting on volcanic soil?  I say, take care, the
+ground's quite hot here."  For he was conscious now of a peculiar
+reeking as of steam, but his voice sounded as if it had been thrown back
+in his face, and, growing slightly uneasy, he turned round and called to
+those behind him,--"Take care how you come."
+
+He stopped short, for there was no one in sight, and, turning sharply,
+the dim, giant-like figure which had represented Panton was invisible.
+
+"Hi!  Panton, where are you?" he cried, in doubt now whether he had
+turned completely round, and in his excitement he made a fresh step or
+two, then, feeling that he might have gone wrong, he tried to return,
+but only to become confused as he was conscious of the heat growing
+stifling, of a strange ringing in his ears, and either of a peculiar
+dimness of vision or the sudden thickening of the mist.
+
+Then, with his heart beating heavily, he tried to raise his voice as he
+shouted with all his might,--
+
+"Panton!--Drew!  Where are you?"
+
+There was a low hissing sound apparently rising from somewhere by his
+feet, otherwise all was silent as the grave.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINE.
+
+BEYOND THE CURTAIN.
+
+Oliver Lane's sensations were for the moment horrible.  He knew now that
+the steamy vapour into which they had penetrated must be full of gas
+perilous to human life--that the emanations from the volcanic soil were
+asphyxiating, and he completely lost his head, and tottered feebly here
+and there.
+
+But in a few moments this passed off, for he made a desperate effort to
+command himself, knowing full well that if he did not act his case was
+hopeless.  His only chance was, he knew, to rush out through the mist
+into pure air.  But which way?  He had lost all idea of the direction by
+which he had come; he dare not stoop down, and try to trace his
+foot-prints, because of the vapour being certainly more dense and
+dangerous closer to the surface, and all that was feasible was to make a
+rush, chancing whether it was forward into greater danger, to right or
+left, hoping only that his instinct would lead him back by the way he
+came.
+
+Strong now in his intention, he drew a hot stifling breath, set his
+teeth and ran for a few yards; then staggered a few more, growing blind,
+and feeling that his senses were fast leaving him.  Then his brain
+throbbed, a peculiar trembling weakness came over him, and, almost
+unconsciously, he tottered along a few steps more, reeled, and fell
+heavily upon the ground.
+
+His senses did not quite leave him, for he knew that he was trying to
+crawl through what seemed to him to be something like soft liquid opal,
+with its wonderfully bright tints before his eyes, bluish, golden,
+creamy, fiery, and pale, then there was a darkening around them as if he
+were crawling into shadow; and again, directly after, as it appeared, he
+could see a bright glow, toward which he involuntarily struggled, for it
+was an instinctive effort now to preserve his life.  And as he crawled
+onward, the glow grew brighter, he could breathe more freely, and the
+light gradually assumed the hue of bright sunshine, where he fell
+passive beneath the dense foliage of a huge tree.
+
+Everything was very dreamy now for a time.  His head throbbed and felt
+confused, and a sickly, deathly sensation made his brain reel.  By
+degrees this passed away, and he lay gazing at the strange opalescent
+something through which he felt that he had passed, and by degrees he
+realised that he was watching the great curtain of mist made glorious by
+the sunshine, and easily understood now why, in his strange
+semi-insensibility, this had seemed to be a liquid through which he had
+crawled while breathing the strange mephitic air.
+
+"Then I did go in the right direction," was his next thought, as he
+still lay feeble and languid, and as if regaining his senses after
+taking some powerful opiate.
+
+He felt a kind of satisfaction at this, and luxuriously drew in great
+draughts of soft warm air.  For it was a delight to breathe freely, and
+lie there without making any exertion.  The trees were so green and
+bright, and the flowers of such delicious tints, especially those he
+could see climbing up and up, and spreading their wealth of blossoms in
+one spot, till that was one lovely sheet of colour.
+
+"It doesn't matter."
+
+These words pretty well expressed Oliver Lane's thoughts for some time
+before he attempted to move.  The past, save and except the dim memory
+of his having been in some trouble in a mist and losing his way, had no
+existence for him, and the young man lay there in a state of the most
+intense egotism, utterly prostrate, but supremely content.
+
+Then all at once there was a change.
+
+He felt a sensation of discomfort, and his hand began to stray about
+him, and he found that his double-barrelled gun, slung by a strap across
+his shoulders, was beneath his back, and the lock was pressing against
+his ribs.
+
+He changed his position so as to lay the gun beside him, and the
+movement shot an acute pain through his head.
+
+It did more; it sent a pang of mental agony through his brain; and he
+scrambled up to his knees, to bend down, pressing his hands to the sides
+of his head as if to keep it from splitting apart as he recalled all
+now, and stared wildly about him in search of his companions.
+
+The sensation of selfish enjoyment had all passed away, and he was in
+full possession of his faculties.
+
+He had found his way back, then, out of the mist, but where were they?
+
+No; he was wrong; he had not found his way back as he fancied at first,
+for where they entered the land around was burned up and bare; here
+everything was glorious with tropic growth; there were lovely
+butterflies, inches across the wing, and metallic in tint; brightly
+plumaged birds, too, were darting past his eyes.  He must have passed
+right through the mist to the farther side and reached the place they
+sought.
+
+He involuntarily turned, and there, about a couple of miles away
+apparently, and rising far up in the clear blue sky, with a huge
+ball-like cloud suspended above the conical top, was the great volcano,
+bare, stern, and repellent, without a scrap of verdure to relieve the
+eye.  It stood up tremendous in height, and in his rapid glance Oliver
+Lane could see how all round had been blackened, or charred into a
+greyish ash-colour, save in two places, where broad blackish bands
+reached from a chasm near the top of the crater, right down the sides,
+till they were hidden by the tall trees still standing, and apparently
+spreading from the gentle eminence upon which he knelt for about a mile.
+
+Where, then, were his friends, he asked himself, and recovering his feet
+now, he had to seize the nearest bough and hold on, for a sudden
+giddiness assailed him, and he nearly fell.  But this passed off in a
+few moments, and he stood looking round to see if they too had passed
+through.
+
+But as far as he could see, he was alone in an open jungly spot, teeming
+with all that was bright and beautiful in nature, and shut off from his
+companions by the curtain of mist they had set out to pierce.
+
+He hailed and hailed again as loudly as he could, and a faint cry
+answered him, but a few repetitions made him aware of the fact that it
+was only his own voice, echoed back from the mountain-side, and a
+strange sense of loneliness and despair attacked him now.
+
+For as he recalled his own adventure, it was evident to him that he had
+had a very narrow escape from suffocation, the mist being evidently a
+volcanic exhalation, rising from the earth in a long low portion
+extending for miles in a curve, perhaps being the extent to which the
+mountain had reached in some far-off time; in fact, there might have
+been an old crater here only a little raised above the sea.
+
+But he shook off the despondency, and fought back the idea that his
+companions might have been overcome by the escaping gases, and forced
+himself to believe that if they were not somewhere on his side hidden
+from him by the trees, they had safely made their way back to the side
+from which they had started.
+
+He knew he had no grounds for all this, as they must necessarily have
+been as much confused and overcome as he, but he came to the conclusion
+which he wished to be true, and after mounting to the highest bit of
+ground in his immediate neighbourhood, he hailed again and again,
+listening patiently in the intervals for some reply.
+
+There was a musical piping whistle twice, and once he was aware of a
+curious grunting sound from some trees away to his right, and this was
+repeated on his hailing again.  Then all was silent once more, and he
+stood, now looking round, now watching the line of mist from which he
+hoped to see his companions emerge.
+
+There were moments when he felt convinced that they had reached the same
+side as he, and he set to work hurrying here and there as fast as the
+tangled growth of the pathless forest would allow, hailing from time to
+time, but all in vain, and at last, dripping with perspiration, panting
+and exhausted, he leaned against a tree.
+
+He had something else to combat now besides weariness, a terrible
+feeling of depression, for the thought would keep on coming with
+constant recurrence that his friends had perished in the mist.
+
+He mastered this thought as the feeling of exhaustion passed away, and
+was ready to laugh at the sense of dread caused by his loneliness.  For,
+as he told himself, it was probably all imagination respecting his
+friends, and there was nothing to mind.  He was only separated from the
+vessel by a comparatively short distance, and sooner or later an effort
+would be made to reach him.  It might not be possible to pass through
+the foul gases, but surely the long line of mist could be circumvented;
+and he climbed to the highest point he could then find to try and see
+its ends.
+
+There was nothing to fear, for he had his gun, plenty of ammunition, and
+a little provision left.  The place was wonderfully beautiful, and
+offered a tempting number of objects to a naturalist, as soon as he
+could make himself sufficiently calm to begin to investigate.
+
+And it was in the above spirit, feeling quite certain that sooner or
+later he would see a party coming in search of him, he began to examine,
+turning his attention first towards the huge volcano, which rose up grim
+and forbidding away to the north, with the globular cloud poised over
+its highest part, which seemed as if cut right across in a slope.
+
+Once he could turn his thoughts from the idea of peril, he began to be
+interested and eager; for he was in the position so dear to a lover of
+nature, there in a land surrounded by bird and insect forms for the most
+part entirely fresh to him.
+
+But there were other things to think of first.  Principally, there was
+that important discovery to make whether they were surrounded by the
+sea, and to try and find this out he sought a higher point than any he
+had yet mounted, and, taking out his little glass, followed the face of
+the mist till it reached the glittering waters of the sea, and then
+tried to trace the coastline towards the volcano.
+
+This he was able to do with pretty good success, but as his glass was
+directed to the lower and eastern slope of the mountain, he found that
+he was as wise as ever, for the base of the mighty cone completely shut
+off all view in that direction.
+
+Turning to the mist again, he followed its edge to the west as far as he
+could reach, but the inequalities in the surface baulked him here, and
+he could not make out the sea in that direction.
+
+He closed his little glass and turned to the mist curtain, that
+mysterious dim line glistening with opalescent colours, and determined
+as a last resource to walk quietly as close to it as he could, before
+the gases began to affect him, then to draw back a few yards, take a few
+deep inspirations, so as to fully inflate his lungs, and then rush
+straight through; for he argued to himself, if he could pass through
+once unprepared and taken by surprise, he could certainly reverse the
+action.
+
+In this spirit, and so as to get a little encouragement and inspiriting
+for another task--in other words, so as to enjoy the feeling that a way
+of retreat was open to him--he walked back toward the depression along
+which the vapour rose, examining every step of the way, and noticing
+that by degrees all growth ceased as he approached, and that the ground
+gradually grew softer and then spongy to the tread, as if he were
+walking over a bog.
+
+The air remained very clear and good to breathe as he went on nearer and
+nearer, seeing now that the fumes rose softly all along one jagged line
+such as might have been formed by the earth opening right before him.
+But there was no opening.  As far as he could penetrate the dim mist,
+the earth looked perfectly level, but the vapour rose from it as it does
+or appears to do from a swampy meadow on a fine autumn evening; and it
+was evident to him that he might try and dash through without fear of
+running headlong into some chasm.
+
+Just then, as he stood gazing down at the bottom of the curtain, the
+idea struck him that perhaps there had been a wide rift right across to
+right and left; that it had been filled up by volcanic matter, and the
+vapour was caused by this lava or hot liquid mud slowly cooling down.
+
+Convinced that this must be so, he had full endorsement of the
+correctness of his theory, for on lifting one foot to go on, he found
+that the other was sinking slowly, and a little further investigation
+showed him that a faint thread of vapour was rising from the spot where
+his heel had been.
+
+The meaning of this barren space, and the reason for the earth feeling
+spongy, was plain enough now, and he knew that he was walking over so
+much half-fluid volcanic pitch, whose surface was slightly hardened and
+formed the elastic springy band.
+
+If it gave way!
+
+The thought was enough to make the stoutest shudder, and feeling now
+that his safety lay in movement, he took a few more steps towards the
+vapour, finding himself, before he was aware of the fact, and without
+the slightest mistiness being visible, within its influence.
+
+He started away in alarm, for he was suffering from a slight attack of
+vertigo, which did not pass off for a minute or two, and he walked, or
+rather staggered, back, with the tough elastic film over which he walked
+now rising and falling with an undulatory motion beneath his feet.
+
+"Only as a last resource," he muttered, as he breathed freely once more;
+and he could not repress a shudder as he stepped once more on solid
+ground, plainly enough marked by the abounding growth, and grasping
+fully how horrible a quagmire of hot slime was hidden by the partially
+hardened crust over which he had passed.
+
+Turning his face now toward the mountain, he hesitated for a few
+moments, and then determined, as the distance seemed so short, to try
+and do something now he was there; and in the intent of climbing a few
+hundred feet up its side so as to get a view beyond, he marked out what
+seemed to be the most open way, and started for the foot of the great
+slope.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TEN.
+
+A NIGHT IN THE FOREST.
+
+It required no little steady determination to attack that ascent.
+Oliver's nerves had been terribly shaken by that which he had gone
+through.  The heat was intense beneath the trees, where hardly a breath
+of air reached him, and it was impossible to keep off the sense of
+loneliness and awe brought on by the knowledge that he was in the home
+of Nature's most terrible forces, and that the huge mountain in front,
+now looking so calm and majestic, might at any moment begin to belch
+forth showers of white-hot stones and glowing scoria, as it poured
+rivers of liquid lava down its sides.  At any moment too he knew that he
+might step into some bottomless rift, or be overcome by gases, without
+calculating such minor chances as losing his way in the pathless
+wilderness through which he was struggling, or coming in contact with
+some dangerous beast.
+
+But he set his teeth and toiled on, dragging thorny creepers aside,
+climbing over half-rotten tree-trunks, whose mouldering bark gave way,
+and set at liberty myriads of virulent ants.  Once or twice he grasped
+leaves which were worse than the home-growing nettle.  But he struggled
+on, though, with the feeling growing stronger, that if he got through
+the patch of forest before dark, it would be as much as he could manage,
+for the difficulties increased at every step.
+
+Suddenly he stopped short, and caught at the nearest tree-trunk to save
+himself from falling, for the giddiness returned, and he stood panting,
+trying to master the horrible sensation by drawing a deeper breath.
+Then he clung more tightly to the tree, and knew what this sense of
+vertigo meant; for it was no vapour that had overcome him, but the
+sensation of the earth heaving beneath his feet, with a strange
+quivering, as if some vast force were passing, and a dull muttering, as
+of subterranean thunder, made the tree quiver in his grasp.
+
+A few seconds later, as he waited for a repetition of the earth-tremor,
+knowing now full well that he had for the first time experienced a
+couple of earthquake shocks, there came from away in front a deep heavy
+boom, following a strange rushing sound, evidently from the summit of
+the volcano--the huge safety-valve from which the pent-up forces of the
+earth escaped to the open air.
+
+Oliver struggled forward a few yards into a clearer spot, where he could
+just catch a glimpse of the crater of the mountain, and, as he had
+expected, there was the great globe-like cloud riven into rags of
+vapour, while dark-looking bodies were falling in various directions
+about the summit.
+
+As he gazed, the rain of falling fragments ceased, and the torn-up
+flecks of cloud seemed to be drawn slowly together again by the currents
+of air on high, first one and then another coalescing, as the tiny
+globules of spilt mercury glide one into another, till all are taken up.
+And it was so here, the mysterious attraction blended the flying
+vapours into one great whole, which floated above the mouth of the
+burning mountain.
+
+"And I might have been somewhere on the slope, when that burst of stones
+was falling," thought Oliver.  "Still, I might climb up a hundred times,
+and no eruption occur.  I'm getting cowardly, instead of being
+accustomed to the place."
+
+He smiled to himself as he marked the top of the mountain, and aimed as
+straight as he could for its side, before plunging again into the
+bewildering maze of trees, whose wide-spreading foliage made all beneath
+a subdued shade.
+
+But a dozen steps had not been taken before he stopped short, with his
+heart beating, and listened eagerly, for a distant shout had fallen upon
+his ear, coming as he felt sure from behind him, and to the right.
+
+Then there was utter silence for a few seconds, before a second shout
+arose, to be heard plainly enough, but away to his left.
+
+His heart sank again, and the hope died out.  That was no cry uttered by
+one of his companions, but came from a savage, or some wild beast, which
+he could not say, but he suspected that it must be from one of the apes
+of which they had seen specimens that morning.
+
+There it was again, rather a human cry, such as a boy might give vent to
+in a wood, when calling to his fellows, and a few moments afterwards the
+sound was repeated.
+
+Whatever animals they were who called, they were answering each other,
+and certainly coming nearer.
+
+The remembrance of the strange-looking face he had seen peering through
+the leaves directly after the great nut had struck Wriggs, came back to
+Oliver as he resumed his arduous journey, now finding the way easier
+where the bigger trees grew, now more toilsome where there was an
+opening caused by the fall of some forest monarch, which had rent a
+passage for the sunshine, with the consequence that a dense mass of
+lower growth had sprung up.
+
+In these openings, in spite of heat and weariness, the young naturalist
+forgot all his troubles for a few brief moments in his wonder and
+delight, till the knowledge that he must push on roused him once more to
+action.  For there before him were in all their beauty the various
+objects which he had come thousands of miles to seek.  Beetles with wing
+cases as of burnished metal crawled over leaves and clung to stems;
+grotesque locust-like creatures sprang through the air, through which
+darted birds which in their full vigour and perfect plumage looked a
+hundred times more beautiful than the dried specimens to which he was
+accustomed in museums and private collections.  Here from a dry twig
+darted a kingfisher of dazzling blue, not upon a fish, but upon a
+beetle, which it bore off in triumph.  Away overhead, with a roar like a
+distant train, sped a couple of rhinoceros hornbills, to be succeeded by
+a flash of noisy, harsh-shrieking paroquets, all gorgeous in green,
+yellow, crimson and blue, ready to look wonderingly at the intruder upon
+their domain, and then begin busily climbing and swinging among the
+twigs of a bough, whose hidden fruit they hunted out from among the
+leaves.
+
+One tree close at hand was draped with a creeper of convolvulus-like
+growth, hanging its trumpet-shaped flowers in every direction, ready for
+a number of glittering gem-like birds to hover before them, and probe
+the nectaries for honey or tiny insects, with their long curved bills.
+So rapid in their movements were some of these, that their insect-like
+buzzing flight was almost invisible to the watcher, till they hovered
+before a blossom in the full sunshine, when their burnished, metallic
+plumage, shot with purple, crimson, and gold, flashed in the sun's rays,
+and literally dazzled the eye.
+
+Oliver was in the home of the sun-birds, the brilliant little creatures
+which answer in the old world to the humming-birds of the new, with
+their crests and gorgets of vivid scales.
+
+"It's grand, it's wonderful," he muttered, with a sigh.  "But I must get
+on."
+
+He forced his way through these openings, with the birds so tame that he
+could easily have knocked them down with a stick, or caught them with a
+butterfly-net.  But leaving his collecting for a future time, he pressed
+on, satisfied with the knowledge that he was in the midst of nature's
+wonders, for the farther he progressed the more was he impressed with
+the conviction that he and his companions had happened upon a place
+which exceeded the most vivid paintings of his imagination, so rich did
+it reveal itself in all they desired.
+
+The progress he made was slower and slower, for he was nearly at the end
+of his forces, and the matted-together tangle seemed in his weakness to
+grow more dense.  Where there was opening enough overhead he could see
+that the sun was sinking rapidly, and he knew that it would be dark
+almost directly it had disappeared.
+
+"It is hopeless," he said to himself; "I shall never get out to-night;"
+and with the idea forced upon him that he must be on the look-out for a
+resting-place, or an opening where he could light a fire, and, if
+possible, at the foot of some tree, in whose branches he could make
+himself a shelter, he still toiled on.
+
+This proved to be a less difficult task, for before long, as he crept
+beneath the tangle of a climbing cane-like palm, he saw that it was more
+light ahead, and in a few minutes he reached one of the natural
+clearings, close to a huge short-trunked, many-branched fig.  There was
+dead wood in plenty, shelter, and fruit of two kinds close at hand,
+while, greatest treasure of all, a tiny thread of water trickled among
+some ancient, mossy fragments of volcanic rock, filling a little
+basin-like pool with ample for his needs.  To this he at once bowed his
+head and drank with avidity, sublimely unconscious of the fact that a
+tiny, slight, necklace-like snake was gliding over the moistened rock
+just overhead, and that a pair of bright gem eyes were watching his
+every motion from the great fig-tree, where its branches rose in a
+cluster from the trunk.
+
+"Hah!" sighed Oliver, as he rose from his long deep drink.  "What a
+paradise, but how awfully lonely!"
+
+He noted then that the top of the mountain was in view, but apparently
+no nearer; and setting to work he soon collected enough wood for a fire,
+and lit it as a protection, before gathering some of the little figs and
+some golden yellow fruits from a kind of passion-flower, both proving
+agreeable to the palate.  These supplemented by the food he had in a
+satchel, formed a respectable meal, which he ended as the last light
+died out; while before him as he sat by his fire there was a great
+glowing ball of light high up, one which resolved itself into the cloud,
+evidently lit up by the glowing lava within the crater.
+
+"A nice companion for a traveller," said Oliver, half aloud.  "Now,
+then, for my cool lofty bedroom in the tree-fork.  I wonder whether I
+shall sleep?"
+
+His inner consciousness said immediately "No;" for as he made his way in
+among the buttress-like roots of the tree to try and climb up, there
+came from within a few feet of his face a deep-toned snarling roar.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ELEVEN.
+
+A FIGHT WITH FATE.
+
+"Aren't had a drop, sir.  Swear I aren't," cried Smith.
+
+"Silence man, silence," said Panton, as he sat upon the burnt-up earth,
+holding his head with both hands, while Wriggs staggered about close at
+hand, laughing idiotically.
+
+"But I can't, sir," cried Smith, in a whimpering tone.  "If I'd been
+ashore somewhere and met mates, and we'd been standing treat to one
+another, I wouldn't keer, but I'm sober as a hundred judges, that I am."
+
+"Will you be silent, man?  I want to think," said Panton, as he rocked
+himself to and fro.
+
+"Yes, sir, d'reckly, sir, but don't you go thinking that of a man.  I
+know I can't stand straight, for all the bones has gone out of my legs,
+and soon as I move I go wobble-wobble like cold glue."
+
+"Yes, yes, I know, I'm unsteady, too," said Panton impatiently.
+
+"But is it fits, sir?  And do they take you like that?"
+
+"No, no, my man, I suppose it's the gas."
+
+"Gas, sir," cried Smith, looking round stupidly.  "What's it been
+escaping again?  Gammon, sir: they aren't got no gas out here.  I say,
+Billy Wriggs, don't make a hexibition of yourself.  Keep quiet, will
+yer?"
+
+"I can't, mate.  It's a rum 'un, it is.  What have the guvnors been
+givin' of us to drink?"
+
+"I d'know, Billy.  But do stand still."
+
+"I can't, mate, my legs will keep going and gettin' tangle up like one
+along o' the other, and knocking themselves together."
+
+"Then lie down afore I hits yer."
+
+"You won't hit me, Tommy," said the man, with a silly laugh.
+
+"Tell yer I shall.  You aggravate me so, doing that there."
+
+"Will you two men leave off talking?" cried Panton, angrily.  "I can't
+think.  Your words buzz in my brains like a swarm of bees.  Ah, I have
+it now.  Where is Mr Lane?"
+
+"Mr Lane, sir?" said Smith, feebly, as he looked round, and then with
+his eyes staring and blank, he began to feel in his pockets.
+
+"Yes, yes, man.  Where is he?"
+
+"I d'know sir.  I aren't seen him.  Where's Mr Lane, Billy?  You got
+him?"
+
+Wriggs chuckled as if he had been asked the most ridiculously comic
+question he had ever heard.
+
+"I d'know, matey," he said.  "It's o' no use to ask me."
+
+Smith lurched at him with his fists clenched, as if about to strike, but
+the intention was stronger than the power, and resulted in the sailor
+blundering up against his mate, and both going down together, and then
+sitting up and staring at each other in a puzzled way as if they found
+it impossible to comprehend their position.
+
+At that moment Drew came staggering toward them out of the mist with his
+gun over his shoulder and his head down as he gazed at the ground,
+looking as if at any moment he would fall.
+
+"Ah!" cried Panton, excitedly.  "I had quite forgotten you, Drew."
+
+"Eh?" said the botanist, stopping short.  "Someone call?"
+
+"Yes; I--Panton.  Come here."
+
+"He's got it, too, Billy," said Smith.  "I say, what's the matter with
+all on us?  Was it that water we drunk?"
+
+"No, I aren't drunk!" cried Wriggs, suddenly dropping his good-tempered
+idiotic manner.  "If you says I'm drunk, Tommy Smith, I shall hit yer.
+Smell that!"
+
+He placed a big tarry fist close under his messmate's nose, and then, as
+if amused thereat, he began to laugh again.
+
+"I never said such a word, Billy," said Smith, taking the big fist,
+opening it out again, and clapping his hand into it loudly before
+pumping it affectionately up and down.  "I said it was the wa--_tlat
+tlat tlat_--Oh, I say, matey, I am thirsty."
+
+"Eh?" said Drew, dreamingly, in answer to a question.  "Where's Lane?
+Yes, where's Lane?"
+
+"Ah!" cried Panton, starting up now, and looking wildly round.  "Yes, I
+understand, I think.  It was the gas--the volcanic gas in that mist.
+For heaven's sake rouse yourself, Drew.  Lane's in there still, and we
+must fetch him out.  Here, all of you come and help."
+
+He made for the pale, misty curtain before them, but only tottered a few
+steps, and then fell heavily upon his face with a groan.
+
+"He's deal worse than us is," said Smith, who was now beginning to think
+more clearly.  "Billy, old man, it was that water we drank, and the
+natives have been pysoning it to kill the fishes, and killed us
+instead."
+
+"Eh!  What!"
+
+"Native savages been trying to pyson the fishes, and pysoned us instead,
+matey.  I said it afore, Billy Wriggs--I says it again, and I'll go on
+saying on it for a week if that'll do you any good."
+
+"I'm all right, matey.  I'm all right, Tommy.  But what do the native
+savages want to pyson the fishes for?  Never did the savages any harm."
+
+"Billy Wriggs, you'd better get a noo head, mate, and send this one to
+be cleaned."
+
+"Ay!  You're right, mate, for this here one won't go at all.  Feels as
+if some'un had been sifting sea-sand into the works.  But what had the
+fishes done?"
+
+"Nothing.  Pyson 'em to float atop, and ketch 'em to eat.  Now come and
+help sooperior officers as have tumbled down all of a heap."
+
+As he spoke, Smith rose from the ground to which he had fallen, and
+reeled toward Panton and Drew, slowly, and as if he could only see them
+dimly at a distance, while Wriggs followed his example, and came on in a
+zigzag, idiotic way.
+
+Suddenly Smith stood up erect, and uttered a hoarse cry, as he stared
+wildly at his companions.
+
+"Here!" he yelled.  "Help!  I know now.  Mr Lane.  He went in there
+with us, and he aren't been out.  Come on!"
+
+His strength and honest manly feeling had come back with the flash of
+light which had illumined his brain, and rushing straight for the mist,
+they saw him begin to grow bigger as if looked at through a magnifying
+glass, increasing in size till he was monstrous, indistinct and blurred,
+and then completely disappear.
+
+The man's cry and subsequent action roused them, and all staggered after
+him with their power of thinking clearly returning, and with it a
+feeling of horror as they grasped the fact that two of their party were
+now lost in the strange belt of vapour, whose fumes had so strangely
+overcome them.
+
+"We must help them," cried Panton wildly.  "Come on: follow me."
+
+He started for the mist before them, but before he could reach it, Smith
+staggered and reeled out, striking against him, and then catching his
+breath as if he had been held under water, or as a man rises to the
+surface after being nearly drowned.
+
+"Stop!" he panted, with his eyes seeming to start out of his head.  "You
+can't go.  A man can't breathe in there.  I'll try again, d'reckly,
+gentlemen, but--but! oh, the poor, brave, handsome lad!  I--I--"
+
+The big, strong, rough fellow's voice became indistinct, and the sobs
+rose to his throat, nearly choking him in the weakness he vainly strove
+to hide.
+
+"Come, come," said Panton hoarsely, as he supported the man, Drew trying
+hard the while to shake off the effects of the vapour and be of some
+service.
+
+"He liked him, gents," growled Wriggs, an the strange intoxication
+seemed now to have passed off.
+
+"Yes," cried Smith, hysterically.  "Course I did, gentlemen, and I'm
+going in again to try and fetch the poor lad out.  But," he continued
+feebly, "you can't breathe in there, and it takes hold on yer somehow
+and sucks the strength out of yer.  It's like when poor Joe Noble went
+down in the hold among the foul air, and it killed him right off at
+wunst."
+
+"There, hold up," said Panton, firmly now.  "I'll go this time."
+
+"Yes, sir, and we'll go together and take hold of hands," cried Smith.
+
+"Ay, all on us," growled Wriggs, "and take hold o' hands and fetch him
+out afore we've done."
+
+Drew said nothing, but as Wriggs caught hold of Smith's hand, he seized
+Panton's, and, moved as if by one mind, they stepped quickly forward,
+feeling at the end of a dozen paces that there was a difference in the
+air they breathed, which grew thicker as their sight became less clear
+and their motions more heavy.
+
+But hand clenched hand with more convulsive violence, and in step they
+kept on till first one and then another reeled and staggered, and it was
+only by turning suddenly round and stumbling back over their track that
+they were able to reach the free fresh air before, to a man, they
+staggered and fell to the ground.
+
+Panton was the first to speak.
+
+"I'd try again," he groaned, "but I have not the strength."
+
+"Ay, and I'd go, sir, but it's as I said!" cried Smith piteously.
+"Think he can be alive yet?"
+
+"Heaven only knows," sighed Panton, as he tried to sit up, but sank back
+again, while Drew turned his face toward them and gazed at his
+companions with a strangely vacant expression that in its helplessness
+was pitiful to see.
+
+"Tommy!" gasped Wriggs suddenly, as he lay flat on his face, "hit me,
+will yer, matey--hit me hard.  That there feeling's come all over me
+again, and I don't know what I'm a doing, or what I'm a saying.  It's
+just as if I'd been struck silly and my legs had run away."
+
+"Try--try again, Smith," groaned Panton.  "Give me your hand.  I think I
+am stronger now."
+
+"Not you, sir," replied the sailor.  "Here, hi!  Billy Wriggs, whatcher
+doing on?"
+
+For the man had slowly raised himself upon his feet again, and was
+tottering toward the mist.
+
+"I'm a-going, matey, to fetch that there young natooralist out o' yonder
+if I dies for it: that's what I'm a-going to do."
+
+He spoke in a low muttering growl, and the man's looks and actions as he
+reeled and groped his way along were those of one stupefied by some
+strong narcotic.
+
+"But yer can't do it, lad," cried Smith, rising to his knees.  "Come
+back."
+
+"I'm a-going to fetch out that there young natooralist," muttered
+Wriggs, as he staggered on.
+
+"But I tell yer yer can't," shouted Smith.
+
+"Quick, let's try again," said Panton, struggling to his feet once more,
+and now with Smith also erect and grasping his hand, they two came on in
+Wriggs' track, just as Drew rolled over quite insensible.
+
+They did not advance a dozen paces, for Wriggs, who had tottered on
+strong in his determination to do that which his nature forbade, gave a
+sudden lurch and fell heavily, head in advance, and the others knew that
+he must be within the influence of the mephitic vapour.
+
+It was hard work to think this, for, as Smith afterwards said, it was
+like using your brain through so much solid wood; but in a blind
+helpless fashion they tottered on, and, bending down, each caught one of
+the man's ankles, and dragged him back by their weight more than by any
+mechanical action of their own, each movement being a kind of fall
+forward and the natural recovery.  The result was that step by step
+Wriggs was dragged from where the vapour was inhaled till Drew was
+reached, and they sank upon the bare burnt earth again, bewildered, and
+lacking the power to think, as if the mists had gathered thickly in
+their brains, and they could do nothing else but lie and wait for the
+return of strength.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWELVE.
+
+THE HELP THAT CAME.
+
+Hours passed, during which the little party lay utterly exhausted and
+overcome, sunk in a deep sleep, which partook more of the nature of a
+swoon.  They were only a few yards away from the mist, and in such a
+position that, had a breeze arisen to waft it toward them, the
+probabilities were that they would never have awakened more.
+
+It was Panton who first slowly opened his eyes to look round and gaze
+wonderingly at his companions, then at the golden mist, whose deeper
+folds were orange and warm soft red.
+
+For it was evening, and as he turned toward the sinking sun it was some
+minutes before it occurred to him that it would be tropic night almost
+directly after, and that his companions should be roused.  At the same
+moment came the recollection of why they were there, but without the
+strange confusion from which he had before suffered, the long sleep
+having carried it off.
+
+The others started into wakefulness at a touch, and stood staring at him
+helplessly.
+
+"Are you ready to try again?" he said in a low voice full of emotion.
+
+"Yes," came spoken simultaneously.
+
+"Then come on, we must find him now."
+
+He took a step or two forward, and the others followed, but a moment
+later Smith seized him by the arm.
+
+"No, sir," he cried.  "It won't do, and I should be no man if I let you
+go."
+
+"Loose my arm!" cried Panton, angrily.  "Recollect, sir, who you are!"
+
+"I do, sir," said the man stoutly; "but you're not my officer, only a
+passenger; and if our poor old captain was alive, or if Mr Rimmer was
+here, he'd say I was quite right."
+
+"What do you mean, sir?" cried Panton, whom the exposure to the mephitic
+gases had left irritable and strange.
+
+"I mean, sir, as it's my dooty to stop you from going to sartain death,
+and you may say what you like, and call me what you like, but me and my
+mate, Billy Wriggs, is going to stop you, so there."
+
+"Such insolence!" cried Panton angrily.
+
+"All right, sir.  You're going to do as I do, aren't you, Billy?"
+
+"Course I am, Tommy.  And you give in, sir.  He's got a horful long head
+has Tommy Smith, and what he says is right; we aren't going to let you
+go."
+
+"Cowards!" cried Panton angrily.
+
+"That's right, sir, you just go on like that a bit, and call us names.
+It'll ease your mind ever so.  We don't mind, do we, Billy?"
+
+"Not us," growled Wriggs.  "He's right, sir.  Give it to us."
+
+"Brutes!" cried Panton, as the darkness began to approach with wonderful
+speed.  "Here, Drew, we must go together.  We cannot desert our comrade
+at a time like this."
+
+"No," said Drew, "it would be the act of cowards if we could do
+anything; but the men are right.  You cannot go."
+
+"What?  You side with them?  Cowards!  Yes, worse.  How could we ever
+face his friends unless we had striven to the last?"
+
+"We have striven to the last, man.  Look!  In a few minutes it will be
+black night, and to attempt to plunge into that horrible vapour would be
+madness, weakened and overwrought as we are."
+
+"I thought so," cried Panton.  "The poor fellow has but one who will
+make a fight for him."
+
+"Stop!" cried Drew, clinging to his arm.
+
+"Let go!"
+
+"I say you shall not."
+
+"Let go, or take the consequences," cried Panton furiously, and he
+raised his gun as if to strike at his companion with the butt.
+
+"Here, Smith, Wriggs, help me, he is half mad.  He must not, he shall
+not go alone!"
+
+"Then come with me, cowards!" cried Panton.
+
+"No, sir, we aren't a coming to see you die," said Smith quickly, as he
+seized the hand which held the gun.  "Now, Billy, ketch hold behind."
+
+The struggle began, but it was a vain one.  No one present was gifted
+with much strength; but it was three to one, and as the darkness fell
+the four shadowy forms looked dim and strange, writhing here and there,
+Panton striving hard to free himself from the restraining hands as he
+made a brave fight, but gradually growing weaker till, all at once,
+Wriggs, who had retained his position behind during the struggle,
+suddenly clasped his hands round the poor fellow's waist, and lifted him
+right from the ground.
+
+"That's got him," he growled.  "Now, Tommy, you get hold on his legs,
+and we'll lie him down."
+
+"Right!" cried Smith, and in this ignoble way Panton would the next
+minute have been thrown down, had not a shout suddenly come out of the
+gloom behind them.
+
+The effect was magical.
+
+Smith let go of Panton's legs, and Wriggs unclasped his hands to place
+them to his mouth and give forth a tremendous yell.
+
+"Ahoy!  Ship ahoy!" he cried.
+
+"Ahoy!" came from very near at hand, followed by a couple more distant
+calls, and another so faint as hardly to be heard.
+
+"Ahoy!  Here away!" shouted Smith, and the next minute there were
+footsteps, and a familiar voice said,--"Where are you?"
+
+"Here!" cried Drew eagerly.
+
+"Thank goodness!" cried Mr Rimmer.  "Found you at last.  I was afraid
+something had happened to you, gentlemen.  Ahoy!"
+
+His shout, intended to rally his followers, was echoed four times, and
+as soon as he had replied he turned to the breathless party.
+
+"Hallo, gentlemen, been running?" he cried.  "I didn't like to leave you
+longer for fear anything might have gone wrong, so I came on with half a
+dozen men.  How plaguey dark.  Hallo!  Where's Mr Lane?"
+
+There was an ominous silence and Mr Rimmer repeated his question.
+
+"Don't say anything has happened to the lad," he cried.
+
+Then Drew spoke and told him all.
+
+"What, and you stand there like that without making another try!" said
+Mr Rimmer fiercely.
+
+"There!  You hear?" cried Panton.  "I'll go with you, Mr Rimmer.  The
+poor fellow must be saved."
+
+"By acts, Mr Panton, not by talking," said the mate, sternly.  "This
+way, my lads," he cried, as first one and then another of the _Planet's_
+crew hurried to his side.  "Here's fresh work for you, I've found some
+of the party, but young Mr Oliver Lane's missing.  Volunteers to find
+him?"
+
+"All on us, sir," came eagerly.
+
+"That's right," said the mate.  "Now, then, which way did he go in?"
+
+"Mr Rimmer, you don't know the danger!" cried Drew.
+
+"No, sir, nor don't want to till after the job.  Now, then, point out
+the nearest spot as far as you can recollect."
+
+"I think I can guide you," said Panton.
+
+"Hold hard, please, sir, just a moment," cried Smith.  "You don't know
+what it is, sir, as you're going to do."
+
+"Silence, sir! who spoke to you?" snapped the mate.  "Wait till your
+advice is asked."
+
+"Tommy Smith's quite right, sir," growled Wriggs.
+
+"Silence, sir."
+
+"Right, sir, but I stands by my mate," growled Wriggs.
+
+"Now, then, Mr Panton, I am waiting.  Quick!"
+
+"I cannot let you go into that terrible danger without making another
+protest," cried Drew.  "Mr Rimmer, we have done everything that man
+could do in the way of trying to save the poor lad's life."
+
+"Possibly, Mr Drew, but I have not done all I mean to do.  Now, then,
+Mr Panton, forward."
+
+The gentleman addressed stepped forward at once, and with the mate and
+the six men who had accompanied him close behind entered the curtain of
+mist, invisible now save as increasing the darkness and shutting out the
+sparkling stars.
+
+"No, no, don't you go, Smith," cried Drew just then, as the sailor made
+a movement to follow the others.
+
+"But he'll think I'm scared, sir, if I don't go," cried Smith.
+
+"Ay, I am coming, too, Tommy."
+
+"No; it is utter madness," cried Drew.  "Stand here both of you, ready
+to help them when they come out."
+
+"Mean it, sir?" cried Smith.
+
+"Yes, of course, man."
+
+"Hear that, Billy.  Well, the mate didn't tell us to come arter him, and
+they're safe to come back."
+
+"Ay, they air--if they can," said Wriggs gruffly.
+
+"Ah, if they can, mate.  That's a true word," cried Smith, "Hi!  Look
+out.  They've had enough of it a'ready."
+
+For at that moment one of the sailors ran staggering back through the
+darkness and fell heavily.
+
+"Help, someone, help!" came in the mate's voice, and by a tremendous
+effort he too staggered out, half bearing, half supporting Panton, and
+both falling heavily before they could be supported.
+
+"Hi!  All of you this way!" roared Smith, but his words were evidently
+not heard.  However, they were unnecessary, for first two together and
+then three, the party of sailors tottered out overcome by the fumes,
+only one of them being sufficiently master of himself to sit down and
+hold his head; the others fell prone on the dry burnt ground.
+
+"They'll believe us now," said Smith with a dry laugh.
+
+"Man, man, don't talk.  Try and help them," cried Drew.  "Hah, look
+here."
+
+"Can't, sir! too dark."
+
+"Feel those men whether they have water-bottles with them; Mr Rimmer
+here has."
+
+"Right, sir.  Here's one."
+
+"Give them water, then," cried Drew, setting the example and pouring
+some of the cool fluid between the lips of first Panton, and then of the
+mate.  But it was some minutes before it had the slightest effect, and
+there was a time when it seemed as if a fresh calamity was to be added
+to their other trouble.
+
+But first one and then another began to mutter incoherently before
+sinking into a heavy sleep, the mate, who was the most vigorous man
+present, having the hardest fight of all, and when he did cease babbling
+as he lay there in the darkness there was a coldness of hand and
+weakness of pulse that was startling.
+
+Then came a weary time of waiting in the darkness beneath the glittering
+stars till all at once Smith suggested that he should light a fire.
+
+"We don't want it to warm ourselves, sir," he said, "but it'll make the
+place more cheery like and keep off the wild beasties if there are any
+about."
+
+"Where are you going to get your wood from, matey?" growled Wriggs.
+
+"Ah, I never thought o' that, mate.  There aren't none about here,
+that's certain."
+
+"And you don't want none," cried Wriggs, for suddenly the mist was lit
+up by a bright glare of light and above it the globular-looking cloud
+became illuminated as if from some burst of light below.  "That's good
+enough to see by, aren't it?"
+
+Drew rose to his feet to stand gazing wildly at the bright illumination
+which showed plainly enough the overcome men lying in uneasy attitudes
+as they had fallen.
+
+The two sailors sprang to their feet, for there was a quivering motion
+of the earth, whose surface heaved as does a cloth held at the corners
+and shaken.  The next moment there was a tearing, splitting sound
+running apparently toward them, and by the reflected light, there,
+plainly enough, a rift could be seen opening slowly, more and more
+widely, and evidently going straight for where Panton lay.
+
+"Earthquake!" shouted Drew.  "Quick! help!!"  But the two men stood
+shivering and helpless as if unable to stir, and the fate now of the
+young geologist and the mate seemed to be sealed.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
+
+BILLY WRIGGS' BACCY-BOX.
+
+It was dull, heavy, slow-going Billy Wriggs who saved their lives.  One
+moment he stood scratching his head, the next he had made a rush like a
+bull, thrown himself down on his side, and somehow managing to get a
+good grip of the mate's waistband, had swung him over towards Smith.
+
+"Run him farder away," cried Wriggs, and he shuffled himself then to
+Panton just as the rift opened widely.
+
+There was a quick rustling sound, and a dull thud as Panton was gripped
+hard--flesh as well as clothes, and swung over the sailor into
+comparative safety.
+
+But it was at the man's own expense, for he began to glide downward in a
+slow, gradual way, first his legs, then his body, till only his chest
+was visible as he dug his fingers into the ground and tried to hold on.
+
+At such a time it might have been expected that the man would shriek out
+in agony and despair, slowly subsiding as he was into a rift which
+promised a death so horrible, that those who looked on were paralysed
+for the moment beyond affording help; but Billy Wriggs' words did not
+indicate suffering or terror, only a good-hearted friendly remembrance
+of his messmate, for he shouted out as if by way of farewell,--
+
+"Tommy, old mate, I leave yer my brass baccy-box."
+
+The words galvanised Smith into action.  He had seized and dragged
+Panton away in time, but as he saw his companion sinking into the crack
+which grew slowly longer and wider, he stood with his eyes staring and
+jaw dropped till the words "baccy-box" reached his ears.  Then he made a
+rush to where Wriggs' head and shoulders only remained above ground,
+stooped quickly, and seized him by his thin garment, and held on,
+checking further descent and gazing wildly at his messmate, whose rugged
+features upturned to the red glow of light appeared to be singularly
+calm and placid.
+
+"Steady, mate," he said mildly.  "Don't tear my shirt."
+
+"Won't I!" cried Smith, savagely.  "Where's that theer box?"
+
+"Breeches' pocket, mate."
+
+"That's you all over," snarled Smith, as his hands got a better grip,
+first one and then the other, and his voice sounded like an angry growl
+between his set teeth.  "Promise--a chap--a box--and then--going to take
+it with yer.  Yer would, would yer?  But yer just won't."
+
+"Let me take my skin, then," cried Wriggs.  "Don't tear it all off," as
+he winced beneath the savage grip which checked his descent.
+
+"Nay I weant, mate," growled Smith.  "I wants it, too, and hold tight,
+Billy, the deck's giving way.  Heave ho!"
+
+Smith threw himself backward as he made a tremendous heave, and none too
+soon, for a great patch of the earth at the side gave way where he
+stood.  But he had thrown all a strong man's force into one mighty
+effort, and as Drew stood trembling and helpless, he saw the two men
+clasped in each other's arms, rolling over and over into safety, just as
+a horrible fume rose from the rift which now ran on in a zigzag split,
+like a flash of lightning in shape, and as rapid.  Then followed a sharp
+report as of subterranean thunder and the earth closed again.
+
+"Would yer bite--would yer bite!" grumbled Wriggs, as he stared at the
+earth.
+
+"Well, of all the onsartain dangerous places as ever I was in," said
+Smith, in a low growl, "this here's about the worst."
+
+"Ay, 'tis mate," said Wriggs.  "Sea's safest arter all.  I say, though,"
+he continued as he softly rubbed himself about the ribs, "might ha' took
+hold of a fellow a bit easier, Tommy.  You've made me feel all loose."
+
+"Sarve yer right, chucking yerself down like that.  Why, if it hadn't
+been for me, you'd ha' been nipped fast there.  Now, then, where's that
+there 'bacco-box?  Hand over."
+
+"Nay, I said I'd leave it to yer, mate.  I was making o' my will.  Going
+to use it a bit longer, mate, but I'll give yer a quid."
+
+"What an escape, my lads," panted Drew, who now came up and shook hands
+with them both warmly.
+
+"Well, it weer pretty close, sir," said Wriggs, as he went on gently
+rubbing his sides.  "But I'm beginning to think as Tommy Smith had
+better ha' left me alone.  His fingers is as hard as a brass statoo's.
+But there, mate, I forgives yer.  How's the gents, sir?"
+
+Drew shook his head, and after the mate and Panton had been carried some
+little distance from where the earth had split open and re-closed, the
+party seated themselves in a despondent state to watch the golden cloud
+which hung high in air, like a huge ball of liquid fire, and lit up the
+place while they waited for morn.
+
+Panton and Mr Rimmer both seemed to be sleeping heavily, and one of the
+sailors remained similarly affected, but their state did not appear now
+to be so alarming after the past experience, and Drew contented himself
+with satisfying himself from time to time that they were breathing
+comfortably, while he waited and thought sadly about their young
+companion.
+
+"If I could only feel satisfied that we had done everything possible to
+save him," he said to himself, for his conscience reproached him for
+idling there when he might have perhaps schemed some way of dragging him
+out from the mist.
+
+Just about the time when his spirits were at the lowest ebb he became
+conscious of the fact that the two sailors, Smith and Wriggs, were
+engaged in an argument with one of the rescue party, and he listened to
+what was said.
+
+"Look-ye here," growled Smith, "what's the good o' you talking that way?
+You see how it was; yer couldn't hardly breathe, and what yer could
+breathe warn't fresh hair, but a rum sort o' stuff as comes out o' the
+earth and knocks yer over 'fore you knows where you are.  I never felt
+nowt like it, did you, Billy?"
+
+"No; and never wants to smell it again.  Yer didn't feel it, yer smelt
+it, lads, and then you was nowheres.  Say, Tommy."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"Wonder what it's like down below, inside like.  You hauled me out 'fore
+I'd half a chance to find out."
+
+"Why didn't yer say yer wanted to see?  Then I'd ha' let yer go."
+
+"Nay, you wouldn't, Tommy," said Wriggs, with a chuckle.  "Be too warm,
+wouldn't it?"
+
+"But what I was saying, mates, was as I don't think we tried hard enough
+to find Mr Lane.  We ought to have done something."
+
+"Ay; but how are you going to do it?" said Wriggs, shortly, just as the
+man's words had gone like a pang through Drew's breast, making him feel
+that even the men were judging him adversely.  "That's the worst o' you
+clever ones: you says, says you, `We ought to do some'at,' but you don't
+say what."
+
+"That's a true word, Billy Wriggs," cried Smith, clapping his messmate
+on the shoulder, "they don't say what.  Why, 'fore you chaps come, Mr
+Panton and Mr Drew--"
+
+"And Tommy Smith," growled Wriggs.
+
+"Well, I did try a bit, mate, and so did you, till we couldn't do no
+more.  I don't believe a hangel could ha' done more than Billy did."
+
+"Oh, I say, mate," grumbled Wriggs, modestly.
+
+"I says it again, `could ha' done more than Billy did.'  But it's like
+this here, mates, the onpossible's just a bit too hard for a man to do,
+and whether he likes it or whether he don't, he's got to put up with it,
+and that's what clever people calls flossify."
+
+"And quite rightly, my man," said Drew, coming close up.  "Smith and
+Wriggs behaved like brave, true men, my lads."
+
+"Easy, sir, please.  We only tried same as you did."
+
+"You think, then, that we tried everything that was possible to save my
+friend?"
+
+"Think, sir?  Why, Billy and me's sure on it, eh, Billy?"
+
+"Sartain."
+
+"Hah!" ejaculated Drew, "you have done me good, my lads, for my heart
+felt very sore and my conscience reproached me cruelly for not doing
+more."
+
+"It's all right, sir," cried Smith, cheerily.  "You wait till the
+morning comes, and then we shall see a way o' sarcumventing this gas, as
+you calls it, and I daresay we shall find Mr Lane somewhere all right
+on t'other side."
+
+"If I could only feel that, I could rest till morning," said Drew.
+
+"Then just you feel it, sir," said Smith.  "It's what I feels strong."
+
+"So do I, sir, now," put in Wriggs.  "If Tommy Smith mays so, it's all
+right."
+
+Drew tried to think that it was, but the pleasant, hopeful sensation
+would not come, and he sat now with the men, now beside the mate and his
+friend Panton, waiting for the morning, the first hints of its approach
+being in the gradual paling of the golden light from the cloud over the
+volcano, and the appearance of the softer, more natural glow, that came
+in the east, bringing with it a more diffused light, and the hope that
+rides in with the dazzling rays of a new day.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
+
+CHEAP LODGINGS AND CATS.
+
+Oliver Lane's double gun gave forth two sharp clicks as his thumb
+pressed back the cocks, and then, raising it to his shoulder, he waited,
+with his eyes searching among the thick leaves of the fig-tree, and
+trying to penetrate the orchids which clustered where the trunk forked
+and sent forth a dozen or so of minor boughs.
+
+But the snarling sound had ceased, and there was not the slightest
+rustle among the leaves to indicate the spot where the animal was
+hidden.  But in imagination he could see some big, lithe, cat-like
+creature crouching there in the tree-fork, ready to spring, its head
+looking flattened with the ears drawn down, teeth gleaming in a fierce
+snarl, eyes flashing with green phosphorescent-like light, and sharp
+claws alternately protruded and withdrawn.
+
+All this was pictured by his active brain, but there was nothing visible
+save a gleam here and there, where the light from a fire-fly shone
+faintly from some leaf.
+
+A minute passed, all eager watchfulness, and at the slightest rustle
+indicating action on the part of the animal Lane would have drawn
+trigger.  But all remained still, and the young man asked himself what
+he had better do.
+
+There were other trees about, but not one which offered such a
+satisfactory lodging, so easy to reach.
+
+"One oughtn't to mind a cat on the premises," he laughingly said to
+himself at last.  "It would keep away nuisances, but this is too much of
+a cat, and wants to have all the bed to itself."
+
+He hesitated about firing into the tree to scare the beast, partly from
+the idea that it might irritate it into springing and taking him at a
+disadvantage, for as he stood there the light was behind him, so that he
+must be plain to his invisible enemy; then, in the smoke, he would be
+unable to make out his foe, and there would be no chance or time to take
+aim with the second barrel, and he knew what the result would be--the
+brute seizing him with teeth and claws, holding on fast while it tore
+him with its hind legs, as a cat does a rat.
+
+"A miserable end at the beginning of one's life," thought Lane.
+"Discretion's the better part of valour," he muttered.  "I'll go back
+and find another tree."
+
+He stood for a few minutes longer, in the utter silence, listening for
+some movement from his enemy, but there was none.  Then he began to hope
+that it had stolen away, and he moved slightly--drawing back to go in
+search of fresh lodgings.  But at the first step there was a savage
+growl, such as might have been uttered by a magnified cat, and his
+fingers moved to press the trigger, as he stood firm, with the butt of
+the piece pressed to his shoulder, and his cheek against the stock.
+
+The snarling ceased and all was dead silence again, while, oddly enough,
+the old story of the Irish soldier came to Lane's mind:
+
+"Please, sor, I've caught a Tartar prisoner."
+
+"Bring him along, then."
+
+"Please, sor, he won't come."
+
+"Then come without him."
+
+"Please, sor, he won't let me."
+
+For, in spite of his excitement and its accompanying alarm, Lane could
+not help smiling at his predicament.  He knew that if he beat a retreat
+the beast would spring at him, and taking into consideration the fact
+that he would be better off if he took the offensive and advanced, he at
+once acted upon the latter course.
+
+Taking a step forward, there was another savage snarl, and he aimed, as
+nearly as he could guess, at the spot whence it came, and waited, but
+the animal did not spring.
+
+He moved forward again and there was another snarl--a pause--a slight
+movement--another snarl and a scratching noise, which meant the tearing
+at the bark of the trunk upon which the animal crouched.
+
+"I must fire," thought Lane, and bending forward again, the snarling was
+resumed and he drew trigger.
+
+Almost simultaneously with the shot there was a fierce yell, and the
+young man received a tremendous blow in the chest, which knocked him
+backwards right amongst the thick growth; then came a loud rustling, the
+sound of the animal dashing through the tangle of undergrowth, and then
+all was still.
+
+"Killed, or escaped wounded?" muttered: Lane, as he gathered himself up,
+and stood with his gun ready to deliver the contents of the second
+barrel.  But at the end of ten minutes or so there was no sound to break
+the silence, save a peculiar rending, tearing noise at a distance,
+followed by a rumbling boom, as of thunder under ground, and a sensation
+as of the earth quivering beneath his feet.
+
+This passed away, and feeling safe for the moment, Lane opened the
+breech of his piece, threw away the empty cartridge, and replaced it
+with one containing heavy shot before stepping up to the tree, and
+climbing up the trunk easily enough by the help of the cable-like
+parasite which enlaced its great buttresses.
+
+He had not far to mount, for the main trunk ended about twelve feet from
+the ground, and after a little feeling about amongst the dense orchid
+growth, he soon found a position where he could sit astride, and support
+his back in a comfortable half-reclining posture, perfectly safe from
+all risk of falling, so that there was every prospect of a good night's
+rest.
+
+"I hope they will not fidget about me very much," he said to himself, as
+he thought of his companions.  Then, utterly tired out, and with his
+perceptions somewhat blunted by fatigue, he gave his friends the credit
+of thinking that he would be able to take care of himself, and leaned
+back.
+
+"Jolly," he muttered.  "Cheap, comfortable lodgings if it don't rain,
+and the leopard, or whatever it was, does not come back to turn out this
+trespasser.  Hah! how restful and nice.  Can't fall: but I'm not going
+to cuddle this gun all night."
+
+He began to feel about for a place where he could lay the gun down
+safely, and at the end of a minute his hand touched something warm and
+furry, which began to stir about and utter a whining, mewing noise.
+
+He snatched away his hand in dread, then extended it again to begin
+feeling his discovery.
+
+"Pups!" he exclaimed.  "Kittens I mean!  Two of them; fine fat ones,
+too.  They're harmless enough if their mother does not come back," and
+going on patting and feeling the little animals, he fully realised now
+the reason for their mother's ferocity, though he felt that it might
+have been their father.
+
+"No," he said, half aloud, "it must have been the mother, for she would
+make her nursery somewhere in hiding, for fear that papa should want to
+play Saturn, and eat his children up."
+
+The cubs whined softly a little, and nestled their soft heads against
+his hand.  Then they sank down in the nest-like hollow of a decayed limb
+of the tree and went to sleep, while Oliver Lane found a tough vine-like
+stem behind which he was able to tuck his piece safely.  And a few
+moments after, regardless of volcanoes, earthquakes, tidal waves, foul
+gases, and ferocious beasts, the young naturalist went off fast asleep,
+and did not stir till he heard, mingled with his dreams, the shrill
+shrieking of a flock of paroquets, which were climbing about among the
+smaller branches of the tree high overhead, and feasting upon the fast
+ripening figs.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
+
+PLUTONIC ACTION.
+
+It took Oliver Lane some time to pass from a sound sleep gradually
+through half-waking dreams to the full knowledge of his position, and
+then, albeit somewhat cramped and stiff, feeling rested and bright, he
+lay back listening to the calls and answers of the birds, and watching
+them with a true naturalist's intense delight.  For there he was in the
+very position he had longed to reach, right amongst nature's gems in
+their own abode, full of life and vigour.  He had seen these birds
+before, but as attractively-plumaged dry specimens.  Here they were
+hanging, crawling, and climbing about, busy, with every feather in
+motion, their eyes bright, and beaks and claws all abloom with colour.
+Now their feathers were tightly pressed to their softly-curved bodies,
+now standing almost on end, giving the birds a round, plump aspect that
+was delightful when the sun gleamed through, and flashed from the golden
+green, bright scarlet, or vivid blue, with which they had been painted
+by nature's loving hand.  Others were entirely of a beautiful green, all
+save their heads, which glowed with a peach bloom, while, again, others
+bore the same leafy uniform, and, for decoration, a dark collar, and
+long, pencil-like-produced feathers in their tails.
+
+There was the gun close at hand.  Lane had but to take it from beneath
+the creeper which held it fast; but, at this time, it never occurred to
+him that he might secure two or three splendid specimens for the
+collection he sought to make, so occupied was he by the action of the
+flock in the tree.
+
+It was all delightful to him to watch the soft, easy, deliberate way in
+which the paroquets climbed with beak and claw, hooking on with the
+former, and then raising one foot with its soft, clasping, yoke-toes to
+take a firm hold before bringing up the other; then, holding on by both,
+and swinging gently to and fro, the beak was set at liberty, and the
+bird hung head downwards, to feast upon some luscious fig.
+
+"If they only had a sweet note, instead of their harsh scream," thought
+Lane, "what lovely creatures they would be."
+
+He sat there watching them for about an hour, but far from satiated, for
+there was always something fresh to see, and the birds were so tame,
+that he often had them within a few feet of his head, some soft,
+round-headed creature turning itself on one side to gaze at him with its
+keen eye as if in wonder, before going on with its feeding, satisfied
+that it would not be hurt.
+
+Then the delightful scene came to an end with the climbing birds and the
+foliage lit up by the horizontal rays of the sun, for, all at once,
+there was a deafening explosion, and, shrieking loudly, the flock took
+flight, while Lane sat there appalled, listening in expectation of
+another report, the former having evidently come from the mountain; but,
+as he listened, there was in place of the explosion, a loud hissing, and
+then a loud, heavy pattering, accompanied and followed by thud after
+thud, and he knew, though he could not see for the dense foliage, that a
+volley of heavy stones and masses of pumice had been fired into the air,
+to fall from various heights back to earth on the mountain slopes.
+
+"Ah, I must go and see that," he said to himself, as he seized his gun.
+"Not my department, but none the less interesting.  I wish Panton was
+here."
+
+A soft, whining noise took his attention then, and, glancing beside him,
+he saw that the cubs which had been his companions all night were
+straining about, climbing over each other, and falling back, evidently
+wanting their morning meal.
+
+"And I suppose I have killed their mother," thought Lane, as he bent
+over and patted the two furry animals.  "Poor little things!  I must
+come back and get them, and take them with me to the ship, if I can
+cross the belt of mist.  First of all, though, the mountain--I must go
+up that as far as I can climb."
+
+So, descending and shouldering his piece, he strode to where the ashes
+of his fire lay and then brought his gun down to the present, for there
+was a quick, rustling sound to his left, and he caught a glimpse of
+glossy, spotted fur, as an animal passed amongst the dense undergrowth.
+Then, before he had time to fire, had he felt so disposed, a huge,
+lithe, cat-like creature bounded on to the trunk of the tree he had just
+left, uttering a strange, purring cry, and disappeared in the orchids
+which clustered about the fork.
+
+"Then I did not shoot the mother," thought Lane.  "So much the better."
+
+Then, as all was still and no danger to be apprehended there, he
+shouldered his gun and strode off towards the more open ground, which he
+reached at last, forgetful of everything but the intense desire to try
+and ascend the cone-shaped mountain which stood before him, capped with
+a dense pall of smoke and steam.
+
+After tramping about an hour, the sight of trickling water down amongst
+some stones suggested to him the fact that he had not broken his fast
+that morning, so sitting down upon a block of stone, he brought out the
+remains left in his wallet and ate them, stale as they were, as he
+looked round him, finding that he had climbed to higher ground than he
+expected; but though he looked eagerly toward the part where the ship
+must have lain in the middle of the wave-swept plain, everything was cut
+off by a dull, misty appearance.  Not the clearly marked band of sunny
+haze he had seen from low down on the level therewith, but a foggy,
+indistinct state of the atmosphere.
+
+Away to his right, he feasted his eyes upon the enormous mass of stone
+and ash which towered up in a beautifully regular curve, with apparently
+nothing to hinder him from walking up the steep slope to the crater,
+into which he felt an uncontrollable desire to gaze.
+
+"I ought to get up to the top in two or three hours," he thought, as he
+mentally mapped out his course, seeing nothing likely to hinder him but
+rough blocks of stone dotted about in all directions.  Nothing in
+themselves, but ominous of aspect when he took into consideration the
+fact that they must have been hurled upward from the mountain, and
+fallen back on the slope in all probability white-hot.
+
+"One will have warning," he thought, "and there may be no more fall
+to-day."
+
+Finishing his last mouthful, he took out an india-rubber cup, and
+stooping down, filled it from the trickling course, raised it to his
+lips, and then spurted out a mouthful in disgust, for it was hot,
+bitter, salt, and had a most objectionable odour.
+
+"Ugh!" he ejaculated, "mustn't depend on you."  Then giving another
+glance round, he shouldered his gun, and commenced the ascent, leaving
+all vegetation behind him, and soon finding that his way lay over loose
+scoria and finely-powdered pumice, into which his feet sank at every
+step.
+
+But as the difficulties and steepness of the ascent increased, so did
+the desire to climb higher and see more of the volcano, and also more of
+the country into which fate had brought him.  Once a few hundred feet
+higher, he felt he would be able to set all doubts at rest as to whether
+they were surrounded by the sea; and to get this proof Oliver Lane
+pressed on.
+
+After a time he got more into the knack of climbing without slipping
+back so much, but the sun was getting higher, and its beams grew warm,
+while he was conscious of a sensation as of heat striking upward from
+the ashy substance of which the slope was composed, and at last, to
+gratify his curiosity, and to clear away a doubt, Lane stooped down to
+lay his hand flat upon the ash, and snatch it away again, for it was
+quite hot.
+
+For a moment or two after this, he hesitated, but there above him rose
+the cone with its crest of smoke, and apparently nothing to hinder him
+from climbing steadily to the top, and from thence getting a bird's-eye
+view of the country round.
+
+That was enough to start him on, and setting himself manfully to the
+task, in less than half an hour he found that he had reached an
+atmospheric band where the breeze blew pleasantly cool and invigorating.
+The cloud over the summit of the cone had floated away, and all was
+clear and bright as he resumed the ascent, feeling now that an hour
+would bring him to the top, when all at once he fell upon his knees, and
+then threw himself at full length.  For the mountain quivered beneath
+his feet, and produced a giddy sensation as the surface rose and fell in
+waves, whilst almost simultaneously there was a terrific roar, and he
+saw a dense cloud driven out from above, and ascending to a tremendous
+height, as if shot out by an internal explosion.
+
+His first feeling was, that he must turn and rush down: his second, that
+it would be madness to stir, for the side of the mountain was opening
+and shutting in a network of fissures, and the next minute, the cloud
+which he had seen blasted upwards proved itself not to be so much mist,
+but a storm of ashes and scoria mingled with huge masses of rock, which
+now curled over like a fountain, and were falling back in all
+directions.
+
+Oliver Lane tried to anchor himself to the shifting ashes as he lay
+there, feeling that his last hour had come, for darkness was now added
+to the other horrors, and the mountain-side was in strange quivering
+motion, gaze wildly whichever way he would.
+
+The fall of a mass of glowing cinders, so close that he could feel the
+scorching heat against his cheek, roused Oliver Lane to the fact that it
+was more dangerous to stay than to rush down-hill, running the gauntlet
+of the falling shower; and, after a moment's hesitation, he turned and
+ran for his life.  The white-hot stones and cinders fell around him as
+he bounded down, having hard work to keep his footing, for at every leap
+the loose scoria gave way as he alighted, and slipped with him in an
+avalanche of dust and ashes from which he had to extricate himself.
+
+Once he had pretty well dragged himself out when the ashes for far
+enough round began to glide downward, the thick haze of volcanic dust
+around adding to his confusion, while every step he took in his frantic
+efforts to keep on the surface resulted in his sinking more deeply till
+he was above his waist in the loose gliding stuff and awake to the fact
+that it was scorchingly hot.
+
+But all at once, as despair was beginning to enfold him in a tighter
+hold than the ash and cinder, the gliding avalanche suddenly stopped,
+and as it was not like the Alpine snow ready to adhere and be compressed
+into ice, he was able to extricate himself and slide and roll down for
+some distance further.
+
+Then all at once he found that he was in the sunshine again, and that
+the stones had ceased to fall and the mountain to quiver; while, as he
+gazed upward, it was to see that the dark cloud was slowly floating
+away, giving him a view of the edge of the crater where it was broken
+down for some distance in the shape of a rugged V, and just at the
+bottom, every now and then, there was a bright glow of fire visible.
+The glow then sank completely out of sight, but only to rise up again,
+and this was continued as the young naturalist watched, suggesting to
+him the fact that the crater must be full of boiling lava which rose to
+the edge in its ebullitions and then dropped below the rugged wall.
+
+Ten minutes later the glowing stones which had fallen, looked black and
+grey; the cloud was at a distance, and there was nothing to indicate
+that the beautifully shaped mountain ever presented another aspect than
+that of peace.
+
+Oliver Lane stood looking up with the longing to ascend to the edge of
+the crater growing strong once more, but he was fagged by his exertions,
+bathed in perspiration, and aware of the fact that an intense glowing
+heat rose from the surface all around him, while the air he breathed
+seemed to produce a strange suffocating effect when he turned his face
+from the wind which swept over the mountain slope.
+
+In a few minutes he decided that it would be madness to persevere, and
+that it would be wise to wait until the volcano was in a more quiescent
+state, for at any minute there might come a fresh explosion from the
+mouth from which he might not be able to escape so easily.
+
+He looked longingly round to try and make out something of value to
+report as to their position, but the mountain shut everything off in the
+direction lying north, and he was reluctantly about to continue his
+descent when he felt the stones beneath his feet tremble again.  Then
+came a report like that of a huge cannon, and what seemed to be an
+enormous rock shot upward for hundreds of feet, hung for a moment or two
+in the clear air, and then fell back into the crater.
+
+That was enough.  A burning thirst and a sensation of breathing
+something which irritated his lungs, awakened him to the fact that he
+must find water, and, regardless of the heat, he once more began to
+hurry downward toward the level plain from which the mountain curved up
+in so beautiful a cone.
+
+Oliver Lane soon found that he was not returning upon his steps, and
+though apparently not far from where he ascended, it was plain enough
+that, even if they had not been obliterated by the falling ash and
+cinders, the fragments flowed together again like sand.  A greater proof
+still was afforded him in the fact that about a quarter of a mile lower
+down his farther progress was checked by a rugged chasm running right
+across his path, apparently cutting him off from the lower portion and
+extending to right and left farther than he could see.
+
+He approached it with caution, but found that he must not risk a near
+approach, for he set the loose scoria in motion, and it trickled on
+before him, and went over out of sight with a rush.
+
+Anchoring himself as well as he could against a huge block of lava, he
+paused to consider whether he should go to right or left, and then
+shrank away with a shudder, and began to climb back as fast he could,
+for, slight as had been his bearing upon the block, it had been
+sufficient to start it off, and, to his horror, it went on gliding down
+about twenty yards, and then dropped over the edge.
+
+He stood listening, in the hope of hearing the block stop directly, as
+proof of its being only a few feet down, and passable if he lowered
+himself and then climbed the opposite edge; but a full minute elapsed
+before he heard a dull, echoing roar, which continued for some time,
+and, after a pause, was continued again and again, giving terrible
+warning of the depth, and his own insignificance upon that mountain
+slope.
+
+He now had his first suggestion of panic--of how easily, in the face of
+so much peril, anyone could lose his head, and rush into danger, instead
+of escaping the risks by which he was surrounded.  For his strong
+impulse now was to start into a run, and to begin to ascend the slope
+diagonally.  But at the first dozen steps, he found he was loosening the
+ashes, which began to glide toward the chasm faster and faster, and that
+if he continued with so much energy, there would soon be a swift rush,
+which would carry him with it into the awful gulf.
+
+Warned by this, he stopped, and then proceeded cautiously, going nearly
+parallel, but increasing his distance as far as was possible.
+
+The intense heat of the sun combined with that which radiated from the
+mountain-side was exhausting to a degree; his thirst grew almost
+unbearable, and he fully realised the imprudence of which he had been
+guilty in attempting the ascent alone.  The only thing now was to
+extricate himself from his perilous position, and, after a halt or two
+to collect himself and try to make out how much farther the rift
+extended, during which he hesitated as to whether it would not be wiser
+to go back and try the other way, he started onward again, slowly and
+steadily, becoming conscious of a peculiar puff of stifling vapour,
+which he felt sure must come from the gaping rift below.
+
+And now the idea came to him that it was impossible that the chasm could
+have been there when he ascended, but had opened during the fresh
+eruption in which he had so nearly been overwhelmed.
+
+At last, when his sufferings from the heat were growing unbearable, and
+his head swam with the giddy sensation which supervened, the rift
+appeared to close in about fifty yards further on.  He sheltered his
+swimming eyes, and endeavoured to steady himself, as, with sinking
+heart, he tried to make out whether this really were so, or only fancy.
+But it seemed to be fact, and, pressing cautiously on, he lessened the
+distance, and then stopped appalled, shrinkingly facing a way of escape
+to the lower part of the mountain, but one terrible enough to make the
+stoutest-hearted shiver.  For the chasm came to a sudden end, and
+recommenced two or three yards farther on, leaving a jagged, narrow
+strip of lava extending bridge-like from side to side.
+
+"I dare not," he muttered, as he approached slowly, noting the shape,
+and trying to make out how far down the mass of rock extended, so as to
+see whether it would prove firm, or only be a crust which might give way
+beneath his weight, and then--He shuddered, for he knew that whoever
+ventured upon that narrow pathway did so facing a terrible death.
+
+He looked wildly forward to see if the gap still went on to any
+distance, and he could trace it till it was lost in a hot haze.
+
+"I must do it," muttered Lane, for he felt that if he kept on longer
+upon the upper edge, he must soon sink and perish from heat and
+exhaustion.
+
+Knowing that if he stopped to think, he would grow less and less
+disposed to venture, and taking one long eager look at the green trees
+far below in the distance where there would be shelter and refreshing
+water, he gathered himself together, and walked slowly and steadily over
+the yielding ash and cinders to the beginning of the bridge.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTEEN.
+
+THE DESCENT.
+
+Hope came with the first step, for it was upon hard slippery rock, and
+gathering courage from this, the young naturalist kept one foot firm,
+and stamped with the other to try whether the rock was brittle and
+likely to give way.
+
+But it seemed firm, and fixing his eyes upon the other side, Oliver drew
+himself up erect and walked boldly on to the narrow bridge, profoundly
+conscious of the fact that there, on either side where he dare not look,
+the walls went down almost perpendicularly into a gulf too awful to
+ponder on, even for a moment.
+
+Onward slowly, step by step, with the glistening crisp bridge some yards
+wide where he started, but as he went on, it grew narrower and narrower,
+while the farther side of the gulf which had appeared so short a
+distance away when he was high up and looking down, now looked far-off
+to his swimming eyes.
+
+The giddy feeling increased as he neared the middle, and then he stopped
+short, and dropped upon his knees.  For suddenly, with the profound gulf
+on either side, there came a loud resonant crack, and a piece of the
+lava split away and fell.
+
+Lane knew that he ought to have rushed onward now, literally bounding
+across, but the horror of his position, as he felt that the frail bridge
+was giving way beneath his feet unnerved him, and he could not stir, but
+knelt there seeing the rock before him seem to rise and fall while he
+listened for what seemed as if it would never come, the echoing roar
+when the mass which had fallen struck below.  Even if the lava on which
+he knelt had followed, he would not have stirred, only knelt there
+gazing at the remainder of the bridge in front as it undulated, rising
+and falling slowly, while the fume which arose from the chasm added to
+the giddy swimming in his head.
+
+At last!  A deafening, reverberating roar, and Lane clutched at a piece
+of the rock, and closed his eyes, feeling that all was over, but opened
+them again directly to see that the bridge before him was not
+undulating, and he knew that it was an optical illusion due to the heat
+and the giddiness from which he was suffering.
+
+Nerving himself once more, he rose cautiously, and holding his gun
+across him with both hands, as if it were a balancing pole, he stepped
+cautiously forward a dozen steps or so, feeling the brittle, glassy rock
+quiver beneath his weight; and then with the lower side, and safety, not
+a dozen yards away, he was unable to contain himself, and springing
+forward he nearly ran, ending by making one great bound and landing
+safely as the whole mass over which he had passed gave one crashing
+sound and fell.
+
+Oliver Lane dropped on his knees a few yards from the edge he had left
+behind, and gazed wildly at the broad opening till a terrific roar arose
+from the depths below.
+
+For some moments his senses must have left him, and he was hardly
+himself when he rose to his feet and reeled and staggered downward.  But
+this passed away; his consciousness fully returned, and no longer acting
+upon the blind instinct which urged him to escape, he began to hurry on
+more steadily toward where, far below, he could see the green trees, and
+as his dry lips parted he, in imagination, saw clear, cool water waiting
+to quench his awful thirst.
+
+But during the next two hours his progress grew more and more
+mechanical, and there were times when he went on down and down the loose
+slope like one in a dream.  There, though far below, was the object
+which guided him, a glistening thread of silver water from which the
+sun's rays flashed, and down by which he fell at last to bathe his face
+in its cool depths and drink as he had never drunk before.
+
+It was as if he had imbibed new life when he finally drew away from the
+water and lay gazing up at the mountain slope, and the summit whose
+highest parts were hidden in the rounded cloud of smoke and steam which
+rested there.  Danger was apparently absent, and Oliver Lane felt ready
+to imagine he had exaggerated everything, and been ready to take alarm
+without sufficient cause.  He was ready now, in the pleasant restful
+feeling which came over him, to laugh at what he mentally called his
+cowardice.  But this passed off in time, and he knew that he had not
+only been in grave peril, but that even now his position was far from
+free of danger, it would soon be night again, he was without food, and
+that line of mist was like an impassable wall between him and his
+friends.
+
+As he arrived at this point in his musings, he tried to spring up,
+knowing that he must make an energetic effort to regain them.
+
+But there was very little spring in his motions, for though the cool
+draught of water had been delicious, and reclining there restful to a
+degree, the moment he stirred every joint moved as if its socket was
+harsh and dry, so that he would not have been surprised had they all
+creaked.  He began to walk with pain and difficulty, with his mind made
+up as to what he should do.  For there below him to his right was the
+long line of mist, and his object was to keep along parallel with it
+till he could pass round the end, which must be somewhere toward the
+shore, over which they had been carried inland.  Once there, he would be
+able to reach his friends who ought, he felt, to have made some effort
+to find him in a similar way to that which he now proposed trying
+himself.
+
+"And by the same rule," he said half aloud with a bitter laugh, as he
+shifted his gun from one shoulder to the other, "I ought to have gone at
+once to try and reach them instead of attempting such a mad adventure
+all alone."
+
+It was too late for repentance, and he tramped wearily on, trying to
+make out in the lower ground upon which he gazed down to his right, the
+dense forest and the huge fig-tree in which he had passed the night.  He
+laughed the next minute as he saw the impossibility of his search, for
+he looked down upon the rounded tops of hundreds of such trees rising
+like islands out of a sea of golden green shot with orange in the glow
+of the sinking sun.
+
+Before long he found that he must be on the look-out for another
+resting-place, and that as there would not be time to reach the band of
+trees at the foot of the mountain, he must find some patch of rocks on
+the slope along which he was painfully walking.  Then, finding that he
+had left himself but little time, he halted by some greyish cindery
+blocks whose bases were sunk in volcanic sand, and hungry and faint with
+thirst, he threw himself down to lie looking up at the golden ball of
+illumined steam floating above the top of the volcano high up in the
+wonderfully transparent heavens till the light began to fade away, and
+then suddenly went out, that is to say, seemed to go out; for, in spite
+of hunger, thirst, and weariness, Oliver Lane's eyelids dropped to open
+as sharply, directly, as it seemed to him, and he lay staring with
+dilated eyes upward at the object he had last seen.
+
+But it had changed, for the cloud, instead of looking golden and orange,
+as it glowed, was now soft, flocculent and grey.
+
+"There it is again," he said, excitedly then.  "I thought it was part of
+my dream."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
+
+FRIENDS IN NEED.
+
+He was quite right; it was solid reality, and he was looking at the
+broad back of a man standing a few yards away, with his hands to his
+mouth, and who now sent forth a tremendous shout, which was answered
+from a distance before the man turned, and stepped quickly to his side,
+displaying the rugged features of Billy Wriggs.
+
+"Ain't dead, are yer, sir?" he cried, sinking on one knee.  "Here, have
+a drink."
+
+He placed his water bottle in the young man's hand and watched him.
+
+"No; dead man couldn't drink that how," he said softly.  "Go it, sir;
+I'll fill it up again.  Take a reg'lar good deep swig.  Fine stuff,
+water, when you're thirsty, so long as it aren't hot water, and all
+bitter and salt.  Go it again, sir," he cried, as his rugged face
+softened into a weak grin of satisfaction.  "Ahoy-a!  Ahoy!  This way."
+
+This last was a tremendous roar through his hands, sent in the direction
+of the forest below, and as soon as it was answered, the man turned
+again to Lane.
+
+"Only to think on it being me as found yer, sir.  I do call it luck.  I
+come out o' the wood, and I says to myself, `I shouldn't wonder, Billy,
+old man, if Muster Lane's over yonder, among them rocks, for it's just
+the sorter place to make a roost on,' and I come along, and see yer fast
+asleep, and here yer are, sir, not a bit dead, are yer?"
+
+"No, no, I'm all right, Wriggs, only so stiff, I can hardly move."
+
+"Course yer are, sir.  But never you mind about that.  You wait till
+Tommy Smith comes up, and us two'll give yer a real 'poo, sir--none of
+yer sham 'uns--and make yer jyntes as lissom as injy rubber.  Why, sir,
+we begun to think you was a goner.  How did yer get here?"
+
+"Tell me first how you got here."
+
+"That's me as will, sir," cried the man with alacrity, as he keenly
+watched Lane's efforts to rise, and lent him a hand.  "Yer see, we
+couldn't get through that steam as runs all along across the low land."
+
+"Was any one the worse for getting through?" cried Lane, eagerly, and
+Billy Wriggs scratched his ear.
+
+"Well, sir, yer see, none on us weren't none the wuss for getting
+through, 'cause we didn't get through; but lots on us was all the wuss
+for not getting through.  My heye!  Talk about too much grog when yer
+ashore, it's nothing to it.  It's the tipsyest stuff I ever swallowed.
+How did you manage, sir?"
+
+"I--I don't know; I struggled through it, somehow, and then fell down
+insensible."
+
+"Onsensible, course yer did, sir.  It knocks all the gumption out on yer
+'fore yer knows where yer are.  Ahoy! mate!  This way, Tommy.  Here he
+is!"
+
+The trees below them had been parted, and, all scratched and bleeding,
+Smith appeared, and as soon as he caught sight of Lane, he slapped his
+legs heavily, turned round, and yelled aloud.
+
+Then he ran up at a trot, grinning hugely.
+
+"That's you, sir," he cried, "and I'm glad on it.  They said as we
+should only find yer cold corpus, and `No,' I says, `if we finds his
+corpus at all, it won't be cold but hot roast.  There's no getting cold
+here.  But I knows better.  Too much stuff in him,' I says.  `He'll
+sarcumwent all the trouble somehow.  Master Oliver Lane aren't the lad
+to lie down and give up,' and I was right, warn't I, Billy?"
+
+"Ay, mate, you was right this time."
+
+"Course I was, Billy; but yer needn't ha' been in such a hurry to find
+Mr Lane all to yerself.  But yer allus was a graspin' sort o' chap,
+Billy."
+
+"You're another," growled Wriggs; "but don't stand hargeying there.
+Here's Mr Lane that stiff he can't move hisself, and he wants us to
+give him a real 'poo."
+
+"Whatcher mean, mate?"
+
+"Well, a shampoo, then."
+
+"Hold on.  Don't you try them games, mate, for you was never cut out for
+the work.  He thinks that's a joke, Mr Lane, sir.  But do you want your
+jyntes rubbed a bit?"
+
+"No, no, I shall be better directly," cried Oliver.  "Oh, yes, I can
+walk.  Only a bit stiff.  Where are the others?"
+
+"Coming through that bit o' wood, sir, where it's all thorns and
+fish-hooks.  Mr Rimmer's there and your two messmates."
+
+"But how did you get through the mist?"
+
+"We didn't, sir.  We got a boat down to the shore, launched her and
+rowed doo north for a bit, and then landed and come along hunting for
+yer.  Why, that there mist goes right down the shore and out to sea,
+where you can smell it as it comes bubbling up through the water."
+
+"But how did you get a boat down?" cried Oliver.  "It must be a good two
+miles."
+
+"Nay, sir, seemed to us like a bad four mile," grumbled Wriggs.
+
+"Yah! not it, Billy.  Oh, we did it, sir.  Took the littlest, and the
+carpenter made a couple o' runners for it out of a spare yard, and so
+long as we picked our way she come along beautiful.  Yer see we meant to
+do it, and o' course we did it, and here we are."
+
+"Ahoy!" yelled Wriggs again, and an answer was heard from close at hand,
+as Panton suddenly came into sight.
+
+"Found him?" he shouted, but he caught sight of his companion at the
+same moment, and rushed, out of breath and streaming with perspiration,
+to catch Lane's hands; his lips moved as he tried to speak, but not a
+word would come.
+
+"Ahoy!" yelled Wriggs again, and Smith followed his example after
+turning his back to the two young men.
+
+A minute later Drew came into sight, and then Mr Rimmer, and somehow,
+he, too, seemed to be affected like Drew and Panton, for he could only
+shake hands and try to speak, but not a word came.
+
+"Lost all my wind," he cried, at last, but in a husky, choky voice.
+"All right now, and jolly glad to see you again, sir.  Hang it, what's
+the matter with my throat?  I know: it's those nuts I picked as we came
+along.  Phew! how hot it is."
+
+"Lane, old chap," whispered Panton, "we thought you'd left us in the
+lurch."
+
+"That we did," said Drew, blinking his eyes, and then blowing his nose
+very loudly.  "But, I say, are you all right!"
+
+"Yes, only stiff and very hungry."
+
+"Hungry?" cried the mate.  "Hi! who's got the prog bag?"
+
+"Them two's got it, sir," said Wriggs.  "Here they come."  As he spoke a
+couple more men came into sight, and deferring all farther questioning
+till Lane's hunger had been appeased, they descended to where the
+nearest water trickled amongst the rocks, and were soon all seated
+enjoying an _al fresco_ meal, the rugged lava forming table and chairs,
+and the abundant growth of ferns giving a charm to the verdant nook, and
+sheltering them from the sun.
+
+"Well, all I can say is," cried the mate, "that you've had a very narrow
+escape, sir, and, thank heaven, we're all here to tell you so, for there
+were moments when I thought that it was all over with us.  But, phew!
+how hot it is."
+
+"Yes," said Panton, "a steamy heat.  We ought to be getting back to the
+boat.  It will be cooler towards the sea.  What's the matter, Drew?"
+
+"I was examining these ferns.  How curious it is."
+
+"What, their withering up so?" said Lane.  "Yes, I was noticing it.  Are
+they sensitive plants?"
+
+"Oh, no!" cried Drew, "those are the mimosa family.  But look here, you
+can see them fade and droop as you watch them; I suppose it is in some
+way due to our presence here."
+
+"Watcher fidgeting about, Billy?" said Smith, just then.  "It's hot
+enough without you playing the fool.  Shuffling about like a cat on hot
+bricks."
+
+"That's just what is the matter with me, matey," grumbled Wriggs.  "Just
+you put yer hand down here.  This here rock's as hot as a baker's oven."
+
+"So's this here," said one of the men who had carried the provisions.
+"Hadn't we better go 'fore there's roast man for brexfass?"
+
+"Really, gentlemen, it's uncomfortably hot here," said Mr Rimmer, and
+just then there was a peculiar tremor beneath them, and a shock as if
+they were upon a thin crust which had received a sharp blow from
+beneath.
+
+They all started to their feet, and the first disposition was to run.
+
+"Don't leave your guns!" roared Panton, and each man snatched up his
+piece.  The next moment they fell prostrate and clung to the nearest
+rocks, for the earth began to sink beneath them, and the huge stones
+upon which they had been seated a short time before glided away.
+
+"Quick!" cried Lane, as the surface, which had been nearly level, now
+hung down in a precipitous slope.  "This way!"
+
+He set the example of climbing upward, and they reached a level spot
+again just as there was a sharp crack, a deafening roar, and from out of
+the vast chasm, which had opened, there was a rush of fire, and smoke
+rose suddenly towards where they clustered.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
+
+SMITH TURNS TURTLE.
+
+The rush of smoke and fire passed away as rapidly as it had come, but
+the slope newly made ran down to where the light of day was reflected
+back from a dim mist which bore somewhat the aspect of disturbed water,
+but the earth, being quiescent once more, no one displayed any desire to
+make an examination of the opening, but at once gave it what the mate
+called a wide berth.
+
+"Let's get back to the boat," he said.  "You must be pretty well done
+up, Mr Lane."
+
+"Well, I am stiff," said Oliver, stooping to give one leg a rub, "but I
+feel refreshed now, and I was thinking--"
+
+He stopped short and gazed back at the mountain with its glistening
+cloud cap and smooth slope of ashes dotted with blocks of lava and
+pumice, the latter flashing in the sunshine, and the whole having an
+alluring look which was tempting in the extreme.
+
+"What were you thinking?" said Panton; "not of climbing up again?"
+
+"Yes, I was thinking something of the kind.  It seems a shame, now we
+are on the slope, not to go right up and see the crater and the view of
+the whole island which we should get from there?"
+
+The mate gave one of his ears a vexatious rub, and wrinkled up his
+forehead as he turned to give Drew a comical look.
+
+"Yes; what is it?" said that gentleman.
+
+"Oh, nothing, sir," replied Mr Rimmer.  "I was only thanking my stars
+that I wasn't born to be a naturalist.  For of all the unreasonable
+people I ever met they're about the worst."
+
+"Why?" said Oliver, innocently.
+
+"Why, sir!" cried the mate; "here have you been missing all this time,
+and by your own showing you've been nearly bitten by snakes and clawed
+by a leopard, suffocated, swallowed up, stuck on a bit of a bridge
+across a hole that goes down to the middle of the earth, and last of all
+nearly scorched like a leaf in a fireplace by that puff which came at
+us.  And now, as soon as you have had a bite and sup, you look as if
+you'd like to tackle the mountain again."
+
+"Of course, that's what I do feel," said Oliver, laughing.  "So do we
+all."
+
+"I'll be hanged if I do!" cried Mr Rimmer.  "The brig isn't floating, I
+know, but she stands up pretty solid, and I feel as if I shall not be
+very comfortable till I'm standing upon her deck."
+
+"But we've come on a voyage of discovery," said Panton.
+
+"Yes, sir, that's right enough, but we seem to have begun wrong way on.
+We want to discover things, and, instead, they keep discovering us.
+It's just as if we'd no business here and the whole island was rising up
+against us."
+
+"But this is such an opportunity," pleaded Oliver.  "We are, as I said,
+on the slope of the mountain, pretty well rested, and I think I may say
+that we are all eager to go up."
+
+"No, sir, I don't think you may say that," replied the mate, grimly.
+"I'm pretty tired, and I've had a very anxious time lately."
+
+"Well, we three are anxious to try the ascent."
+
+"Oh, yes, I'm ready," cried Panton, eagerly.
+
+"And so am I," cried Drew; but there was a want of earnestness in his
+words.  "Let's start at once."
+
+"Yes, gentlemen, back to the brig, please, and have a good rest.  We're
+none of us fit to-day."
+
+"But we must ascend this mountain."
+
+"Of course, sir, if it will let us," said the mate; "but let's come
+prepared.  I'm with you at any time, and I should like to do it, but
+what I say is, let's go back to the brig and have a day or two's rest,
+and while we're waiting make our plans and get a stock of food ready.
+Then we shall want plenty of light, strong line and a bit of rope
+ladder, and it would be wise to let the carpenter knock us up a light,
+strong set of steps of ten or a dozen foot long, the same as the Alpine
+gentlemen use.  Then we could start some afternoon."
+
+"At daybreak, some morning," cried Oliver.
+
+"Let me finish, sir," said the mate.  "Start some afternoon and carry a
+spare sail and a hitcher or two in the boat.  Then we could get round
+the mist, land, walk as far as we like that evening, and then light up
+our fire, and set up a bit of a tent.  Next morning, after a good
+night's rest, we could start fair, and do some work before the sun gets
+hot; for the mountain will be quite warm enough without the sun.  There,
+gentlemen, what do you say to my plan?"
+
+"Carried unanimously," cried Drew, and Panton and Oliver remained silent
+and ready to acquiesce, for the arrangement certainly promised well.
+
+The next minute they were on their way back down to the lower ground,
+where before reaching the forest patch below they came upon the remains
+of a group of what must have been well-grown trees, which had been so
+calcined that though the trunks retained their shape, they were so
+fragile that a kick given by one of the men brought the first down in
+powder which partly rose in a cloud, the remainder forming a heap of
+ashes.
+
+This was the more curious from the fact that within twenty yards there
+was a clump of vegetation evidently of greater age, growing in full
+luxuriance.  But the reason was soon shown by Panton, who after a few
+minutes' examination pointed to a narrow, jagged rift in the earth,
+running for twenty or thirty yards, and whose sides upon their peering
+down showed that fire must have rushed up with such intensity that in
+places the rock was covered with a thick glaze, such as is seen upon
+earthenware.
+
+"Strikes me, Tommy Smith--" said Wriggs, after he and the other men had
+had their turn at examining the earth crack.
+
+"Well, what strikes yer, and whereabouts?" replied Smith, turning to
+give his companions a wink as much as to say, "Hark at him and don't
+laugh."
+
+"Hidees, Tommy," said Wriggs, "and they hits me in the head--hard."
+
+"Well, then, matey, let 'em out again and tell us what they mean."
+
+"Tommy, my lad, you're trying to be werry wise and to show off, but
+don't do it, mate.  This here aren't a place for cutting jokes and
+making fun o' your messmate.  What I says is--this here place aren't
+safe, and the sooner we digs a canawl and takes the old _Planet_ out to
+sea the better it'll be for all consarned."
+
+"I knowed it," said Smith, oracularly.  "I felt sure as something werry
+wise was a coming.  How many spades have we got aboard, mates?"
+
+"Not none at all," said one of the men.
+
+"No, not one," said Smith.  "I once heard some one may as it would take
+a long time to cut through Primrose Hill with a mustard spoon, and I
+can't help thinking as it would take as long to make our canal."
+
+"Now, my lads, what are you doing?" cried the mate.
+
+"Only just taking a sniff at the hole here, sir," replied Smith, rising
+from his knees.
+
+"Well, and what can you smell--sulphur?"
+
+"No, sir, it's more of a brimstone smell, just as if somebody had been
+burning matches down below in the back kitchen, sir.  Now, my lads,
+forrard," he whispered, for the mate had turned and gone on after the
+others.
+
+In a very short time the mountain was forgotten in the many objects of
+interest encountered at the edge of the forest, each naturalist finding,
+as he afterwards owned, ample specimens connected with his own especial
+branch to last him for weeks of earnest study.  But at the suggestion of
+the mate they pressed on, and, choosing the easiest line of route they
+could find, they at last reached the shore where the boat lay upon the
+coral and shell-sand high up out of reach of the tide.
+
+She was soon launched, the party half lifting, half pushing, as they ran
+on either side, and then as she floated, springing in and gliding off
+over a lovely forest of coral and weed only a foot or two beneath the
+boat's keel.  Every spray was clearly seen, for the water was perfectly
+still and limpid in the lagoon, while a mile out the sea curled over in
+great billows and broke with a dull, thunderous roar upon the barrier
+reef which stretched north and south as far as eye could reach, but with
+a quiet space here and there which told of openings in the coral rock,
+gateways so to speak leading out into the open sea.
+
+The sun beat down with tropical force, but the gentle breeze from the
+ocean rendered the heat bearable, and a feeling of combined restfulness
+and pleasure came over Oliver Lane as he watched the wondrous
+transparent tints of the billows as their arches glistened in the
+sunshine before striking the coral reef, and breaking into foam which
+flashed and sparkled like freshly-cut gems.
+
+Turning from this he could feast his eyes upon the brilliantly scaled
+fish which glided in and out amongst the branching coral and bushy weed
+which formed a miniature submarine forest of pink, blue, amber, scarlet,
+and golden brown.  Gorgeous creatures were some of these fish when they
+turned over a little on one side, displaying their armour of silver,
+gold, and orange, often in vivid bands across steely blue or brilliant
+green.  Twice over, long, lithe sharks were seen hurrying out of their
+course, each of a dingy grey, with what Wriggs called a "shovel nose,"
+and curious tail with the top of the fork continued far out beyond the
+lower portion.
+
+But there was the shore to take his attention, too, and to this he
+turned eagerly as the shrieking and whistling of a flock of birds met
+his ear, and he saw them flying along over the far-stretching grove of
+cocoa-nut palms which curved up in a curious way from the very sand
+where at certain times the sea must have nearly washed their roots.
+
+"Hold hard a moment," cried Oliver, suddenly, and the men ceased rowing,
+sitting with their oars balanced, and the boat silently gliding over the
+smooth surface of the water, making a tiny shoal of fish flash out into
+the sunshine from where the bows cut, and look like sparks of silver.
+
+"What is it, sir?" said the mate.
+
+"I want to know what that noise is.  Didn't you hear it, Drew?"
+
+"Yes, I heard something which seemed to come from the trees there, but
+it has stopped now."
+
+"Men's oars in the rowlocks," said Panton.
+
+"Oh, no.  It was not that," cried Oliver.  "It was just as if someone
+was making a noise in a big brass tube.  Ah, there it goes."
+
+Just then from out of the grove of palms about a hundred yards to their
+right came softly and regularly just such a sound as he had described.
+
+_Phoomp, phoomp, phoomp, phoom_, soft, clear, and musical, rising and
+falling in a peculiar way, as if close at hand and then distant.
+
+"Native brass band practising," said Drew, merrily.
+
+"Puffs of steam from some volcanic blow hole."
+
+"Music: must be," said the mate.  "There's an instrument called a
+serpent.  Perhaps it's one of them playing itself."
+
+"I don't know what it is," said Oliver.  "Shall we pull ashore and see?"
+
+"No, no, not to-day," said the mate.  "Let's get back."
+
+"There's a turtle just ahead, sir," said Smith, from the bows.
+
+"A turtle?--a dove!" cried Oliver.  "Perhaps it was that."
+
+"I meant a turtle souper, sir," said Smith, with a grin.  Then to the
+mate, "If you'll steer for her, sir, I'll try and catch her, she's
+asleep in the sunshine."
+
+They all looked to where the olive green hued shell of the floating
+reptile could be seen, and with two of the men dipping their oars gently
+to keep the boat in motion, and Mr Rimmer steering, they softly
+approached, while Smith leaned over the gunwale with his sleeves rolled
+up over his brawny arms ready to get hold of one of the flippers.
+
+"Hadn't you better try a boat-hook?" said Oliver, softly.
+
+"Too late; let him try his own way, sir," whispered the mate.  "Turn it
+over if you can, Smith."
+
+The man dared not answer, but leaned out as far as he could, anchoring
+himself by passing one leg under the thwart as they went on nearer and
+nearer, every eye strained, lips parted, and a feeling of natural
+history or cooking interest animating the different breasts.
+
+"Got her!" cried Smith, suddenly, as he made a quick dip down and seized
+one of the turtle's flippers with both hands.  "Hi! one on yer.  Help!"
+
+Wriggs made a snatch at and caught the man's leg, as there was a sudden
+tug and jerk, a tremendous splash, and then, as the boat rocked, Smith's
+leg was dragged from its holding and he disappeared beneath the surface.
+
+"Gone!" cried Wriggs, "and I did git tight hold on him, too."
+
+"Pull!" shouted the mate, and as the oars dipped sharply the boat
+followed a little wave of water, which ran along in front, and out of
+which Smith's head suddenly appeared, and directly after his bands
+grasped the gunwale of the boat.
+
+"Where's the turtle?" cried Oliver, laughing.
+
+"I did get a hold on her, sir," panted Smith; "but she went off like a
+steamer, and dragged me underneath.  Ah! there she goes," he continued,
+as he looked toward where the little wave showed that the turtle was
+swimming rapidly through the troubled water.
+
+"Here, quick, in with you!" cried Oliver, excitedly, as Smith made a
+jump and climbed--or rather tumbled in--over the side, and none too
+soon, for the back fin of a shark suddenly appeared a few yards away,
+and as the man slowly subsided into the boat there was a gleam of creamy
+white in the water, and a dull thud up against the bows.
+
+"The brute!" cried the mate, as the shark glided out of sight, and then
+displayed its back fin again above water.  "A warning that against
+bathing."
+
+"Yes, and a very narrow escape!" cried Panton.
+
+"Sarves me right, sir," said Smith, standing up in the bows to wring
+himself as much as he could without stripping.  "Comes o' trying to make
+turtle soup of t'other thing."
+
+"Pull away, my lads," said the mate, smiling.
+
+"If it's all the same to you, sir," said Wriggs, "mightn't us try and
+ketch that Jack shark for trying to kill our mate?"
+
+"Oh, yes! if you can do so, by all means; but not to-day.  Now,
+gentlemen, look just ahead.  What do you say to that?"
+
+"It's where the mist bank runs into the sea," cried Lane, excitedly; for
+there, to their right, the vapour rose up among the cocoa-nut trees
+which just there seemed to be half dead, while all around the boat the
+clear water was in a state of ebullition, tiny globules of gas running
+up from below, and breaking on the surface.
+
+"Runs right away to the reef," cried Panton.
+
+"Ay, sir, and perhaps far enough beyond," said the mate.  "Pull hard, my
+lads, and let's get through."
+
+"The coral seems to be all dead," said Drew, "and there are no weeds."
+
+"Not a sign of fish either," said Lane, whose face was over the side.
+"Plenty of great clam shells, but they are gaping open, and the
+occupants dead--ah!"
+
+He drew his head back sharply, for he had been suddenly seized with a
+catching of the breath.
+
+"Get a sniff of it, sir?" said Smith, who was now close by.
+
+"I breathed it, too," said Drew, "but the gas does not seem to be so
+powerful here above the water."
+
+"No," said Panton.  "I could just make out a crack or two through the
+coral.  We're clear now."
+
+"Yes," said the mate, looking back at the effervescing water, "and the
+bottom is alive again."
+
+He was right, for the peculiar display of animal and vegetable growth
+was plain to see once more.  Great sea slugs crawled about on the bottom
+with gigantic starfish, and actiniae of vivid colours spread their
+tentacled blossoms.
+
+"Best way this of getting through the mist, eh, Lane?" cried Panton.
+
+"But there is no mist over the sea," said Lane.
+
+"No, I suppose the passage through water makes the gas invisible," said
+Panton.  "Isn't this somewhere near where we started, Mr Rimmer?"
+
+"No, sir, 'bout a mile farther on.  Keep a look-out and you'll see the
+opening in the cocoa-nut grove, and the marks of the boat's keel upon
+the sand."
+
+They were not long in reaching the spot, and there the boat was run
+right up over the soft beach in among the tall stems of the nearest
+cocoanuts, and carefully made fast.
+
+"But suppose savages come and find it?" suggested Oliver.
+
+"Strikes me, Mr Lane," said the mate, "that we're the only savages
+here.  Now, gentlemen, who says a drink of cocoa-nut milk, and then
+we'll make haste back to the brig."
+
+There was ample store swinging overhead, and after a couple of tries, a
+man succeeded in climbing one of the tall, spar-like trees, and shaking
+down ample for their light lunch.  A couple of hours later they had
+traversed the wave-swept plain, and reached the brig, where they were
+heartily welcomed by the portion of the crew left in charge.
+
+"But what's the matter?" cried the mate.  "You all look white about the
+gills."
+
+"Had a bit of a scare, sir," said one of the men.  "All at wonst, it was
+just as if the brig was an old cow a trying to get on her legs.  For she
+was heaved up, shook herself a bit, and then settled down again, just as
+she was before."
+
+"Not quite, my lad," said Wriggs.  "Speak the truth whatever yer does.
+She's got a cant to port since we went away."
+
+He was quite right, the _Planet's_ deck was no longer level, but had a
+slope, and the masts, instead of being perpendicular, slanted slightly
+towards the horizon.
+
+"Yes, Tommy Smith.  Wet as you are," whispered Wriggs, solemnly, "I must
+tell yer the truth, it's as they say quite dangerous to be safe."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINETEEN.
+
+A STARTLER.
+
+The strangeness of their position grew hourly to the crew of the
+_Planet_ brig, and again and again the mate proposed plans for
+extricating themselves.
+
+"It will take time," he said, "but it would be far better than
+attempting the trip in open boats.  I have had it over with the
+carpenter, and he thinks that we could build a small lugger--decked--of
+about the size of one of the Cornish mackerel craft.  What do you
+gentlemen say to that?"
+
+"I say it's a capital idea," said Oliver, and his companions endorsed
+his opinion.
+
+"So I thought," said the mate.  "It will take a long time to tear up
+enough of the old brig, and to get the material down to the shore, but
+we shall all work with a will.  I thought that we might make a hut under
+the cocoa-nut trees just opposite one of the openings in the reef, and
+as you agree that it's a good plan, I propose beginning at once.  Then
+we could sail east, west, or north, to one of the settlements."
+
+"But what's the hurry?" said Oliver.
+
+"Eh?  Hurry?  Why, we're wrecked, sir, and I want to get afloat again."
+
+"But we don't," cried Oliver.  "We could not be in a better place for
+our studies, and we shall want you to let us have the men to go with us
+upon expeditions and carry our collections."
+
+"But isn't it rather too cool to sit down patiently here with our ship
+wrecked?"
+
+"I haven't found the place very cool, Mr Rimmer," said Panton, smiling.
+
+"I didn't mean that kind of coolness," said the mate, heartily.  "But it
+fidgets me about my vessel.  See how she's canted over.  I should not be
+surprised to find her some day sunk out of sight."
+
+"But you couldn't find her if she was sunk out of sight," said Drew,
+merrily.
+
+"No, no, of course not.  How you gents do catch me up."
+
+"Look here, Mr Rimmer, don't you worry," cried Oliver.  "Let the vessel
+be for a bit while we collect.  When we have exhausted the place we will
+all join you heart and soul in any plan to get away; but, dangerous as
+the island is, I don't want to leave it yet."
+
+"Nor I," said Panton.
+
+"Nor I," cried Drew.
+
+"All right then, gentlemen.  Then we'll stay as we are for the present,
+only something must be done about fresh provisions."
+
+"I'll start at once shooting, and we can eat all the birds I kill.  I
+only want the skins."
+
+"And I daresay I can collect a good deal of fruit and some form of
+vegetables that may be useful," said Drew.
+
+"That's good, gentlemen.  But first of all, I think we ought to do some
+fishing."
+
+"Good," said Panton.  "Why not net one of the big pools?"
+
+"First reason, because we have no drag-net, sir.  Second, because there
+are things in those pools that would tear any net to pieces and take the
+men who used it as bait."
+
+"Yes, there are crocodiles, I know."
+
+"Yes, sir, and a kind of sea-serpent thing in plenty."
+
+"What!" cried Panton, with a laugh.
+
+"Oh, I don't mean sea captains' sea-serpents, sir; but fellows of five,
+six, or seven feet long.  There are plenty of them out in these seas,
+and some are poisonous, too.  No, I don't think we'll try the pools, for
+did we catch any fish I'm afraid they'd be sickly and unwholesome.  I
+propose getting the lines and going to the shore, rowing out to one of
+those patches of rock just at the opening of the reef; and trying our
+luck there."
+
+"I'm ready," said Oliver, "and we might perhaps get hold of a turtle.
+We ought to slip a noose round one of the flippers if we see one again."
+
+"That's right, sir, we will.  A good turtle would be worth having now."
+
+"When do you propose going?" asked Panton.
+
+"To-day, if you are all willing," said the mate.
+
+"I'm willing enough if the others are," cried Oliver, "for it will be a
+treat to examine the strange tropical fish."
+
+"What about bait?" asked Drew.
+
+"Oh, a bit or two of salt meat will do to begin with," said the mate.
+"I daresay we can catch one or two with that.  Then we shall be all
+right.  There is no better bait than a bit of fresh fish to tempt
+others."
+
+"Plenty of shell fish, too, in the lagoon," suggested Oliver.
+
+"Of course, I had forgotten them.  An hour's time?  Will that do?"
+
+"Capitally," they cried.
+
+"Then I'll go and see about the tackle and some bait for ourselves."
+
+In less than the suggested time the little party, with four of the
+sailors to help row and carry the provisions out, and any fish they
+might catch, back to the ship, were on their way to the shore.
+
+It was a couple of weeks since Oliver's return, and the eagerness to
+ascend the mountain was as strong with him as ever; but the attempt had
+been put off for the present, and in the interval plenty of collecting
+had been going on, and the mate had enough to do to make things what he
+called snug.
+
+They passed a couple of pools on the way, and it was evident that they
+were rapidly drying up, for the shrinking of the water was visible at
+the edges, and the presence of crocodiles plain enough.
+
+"Will not these places be very offensive when they dry and the fish
+die?" said Drew, quickly.
+
+"No, sir, the crocs won't leave any fish to die, and before long they'll
+begin travelling down to the sea."
+
+The shore was reached at last, and all eagerly laid the cocoa-nuts under
+contribution, the cool, sub-acid milk being most refreshing.  Then the
+boat was run down over the sand by the sailors, launched, and they put
+off across the calm lagoon, only pausing twice for a few of the soft
+molluscs to be fished up to act as bait.
+
+A quarter of an hour later the boat was made fast to a mass of coral
+upon a bare patch of fairly level rock some fifty feet across.  It was
+close to an opening in the reef, where the tide came rushing in and the
+water was roughened and disturbed, beside possessing the advantage for
+the fisherman of going down at once quite deep, where they could throw
+out their lines right into the opening.
+
+Three of these were soon rigged up and baited by the men, Smith devoting
+himself to Oliver Lane, who stood ready to throw out his lead sinker.
+
+"Aren't you going to fish too, Mr Rammer?" he asked.
+
+"Not if you can get any, my lad; I'm going to lash this big shark hook
+on to the end of a long pole and gaff all you catch."
+
+Oliver laughed.
+
+"You don't expect that I'm going to catch anything big enough for you to
+want a hook like that to haul it out?"
+
+"Why not?  We haven't come to catch sprats, sir.  Strikes me that if the
+fish bite, you'll find you get hold of some thumpers.  I've fished in
+these waters before, and I remember what sort of sport I had out in
+Fiji.  Ready?"
+
+"Yes," said Lane, who had just covered his hook with the tough
+mussel-like mollusc he had drawn out of a shell.
+
+"Throw in just out yonder, then, right in the opening of the reef where
+the waves come in."
+
+Oliver gave his lead a swing and brought it heavily in contact with
+Smith's head.
+
+"That aren't fish, sir, that's foul," grumbled the man.
+
+"I beg your pardon, Smith," cried Oliver, confusedly.
+
+"My fault p'raps, sir.  Try again.  All right: line's laid in rings so
+that it'll run out."
+
+Oliver gave the lead another swing and loosed it with so good an aim
+that it fell twenty yards away right in the swift current rushing
+through the opening in the reef.
+
+"First in," he cried.  "Look sharp, you two."
+
+"Mind, sir, quick!" cried Smith, as the line began to run out rapidly,
+and the man seized the end so as to check it.
+
+"Precious deep," said Oliver, catching at the line in turn, and in an
+instant feeling a ring tighten round and cut into his wrist.  "Why I've
+hooked one already--a monster.  Here, Smith, come and pull."
+
+"Quick! all of you: lie down!" shouted the mate, excitedly, and he set
+the example.
+
+"What is it, what's the matter?" cried Panton.
+
+"You're to hold me," said Oliver.  "I've got hold of a whale, and it
+will tug me off the rock.  Help, please, it's cutting into my arm."
+
+"Never mind the fish," cried the mate, angrily.  "Don't you see?  Lie
+close all of you and they may pass us."
+
+He pointed as he spoke, and the little party now saw the cause of his
+excitement, for half a mile away, just coming round a point masked by a
+clump of cocoa palms, was a large canoe with outrigger, upon which three
+or four men were perched so as to help balance their vessel, which,
+crowded with blacks, was literally racing along a short distance from
+the reef, impelled by its wide-spreading matting sail.
+
+"Friends," said Panton, excitedly.
+
+"If we were on board our brig and at sea," said the mate, "but as a
+shipwrecked party they are foes."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY.
+
+STRANGE SPORT.
+
+Those were exciting moments, especially for Oliver Lane, who, as he lay
+there with arm outstretched, was very slowly and painfully dragged over
+the coral rock toward the sea.  Every one's attention was so taken up by
+the great canoe, that for the moment he was forgotten, and, in spite of
+his suffering, he felt that he must not yell out for help, for fear of
+being heard.  But just as his position was growing dangerous as well as
+exciting, Smith saw his peril, and throwing out one hand, took a grip of
+the line.
+
+"Hadn't I better cut him adrift, sir?" he whispered, huskily.
+
+"No, no, hold on fast," replied Oliver.  "That's better.  I'll hold, as
+well."
+
+For the help relieved his wrist from the strain that was cutting into
+the flesh.
+
+"Don't you leave go, sir," said Smith, hoarsely.  "I can't hold him all
+alone."
+
+"Silence there!" said the mate.  "Sound travels across the water."
+
+"I don't see that it matters much," said Panton, softly.  "They must see
+us, for they're evidently coming straight for this opening into the
+lagoon."
+
+"I don't know," replied the mate.  "If they are, they may be friendly,
+but if they are not, we haven't so much as a gun with us, and these
+mop-headed beggars are a terribly bloodthirsty lot.  They think nothing
+of knocking a man on the head, and eating him."
+
+"Raw?" said Panton.
+
+"No, no, they make a kind of stone oven, and roast him first."
+
+"Oh, murder!" sighed Wriggs.  "Just as if a man was a pig."
+
+"Will you be silent, sir, and lie still?  You too, Mr Lane, and that
+man with you.  What is the matter?"
+
+"We're being dragged overboard, sir," grumbled Smith.  "Got a whale, or
+some'at o' that kind;" for Oliver was silent, his teeth were set, and he
+had all his work to do holding on to the line.
+
+"Don't speak and don't move more than you can help," whispered the mate.
+"I want you all to lie here as if you were so much of the coral reef.
+Now then, Smith, get your knife out and cut the line."
+
+"What, and let that there critter go, sir?  He's a fine 'un, maybe it's
+salmon."
+
+"Silence.  Out with your knife."
+
+"Can't, sir.  If I let's go with one hand, it'll take Mr Lane out to
+sea.  It's all we can do to hold on."
+
+"Mr Drew, you're nearest.  Keep flat down and crawl to where you can
+reach the line and cut it through."
+
+Drew made no reply, but as he lay there flat on his face, he took out
+his knife, opened it, and began to creep along the dozen yards or so
+toward where Lane and Smith lay perspiring in the sunshine, now getting
+a few moments' rest, now fighting hard to hold the great fish as it
+tugged and dragged vigorously in its efforts to escape.
+
+"Sims a pity, sims a pity," muttered Smith.  "Better take a hold, too.
+Phew!  Look at that!"
+
+For there was a tremendous whirlpool-like swirl in the disturbed water,
+and a jerk that promised to dislocate their arms.
+
+At the same moment Drew was reaching out to cut the line, but, just as
+his blade touched the stout cord in front of Lane's hand, the tension
+ceased.
+
+"He's coming in shore to see who it is has got hold of the line,"
+whispered Smith.
+
+"No: gone.  Broke away," said Lane, huskily, and then they lay
+motionless, watching the on-coming canoe, as it rushed over the sea a
+couple of hundred yards or so from where the great billows curled over
+upon the coral reef.  Now it would be plainly visible with the dancing
+outrigger, upon which the nearly naked blacks were seated, riding up and
+down as if upon a see-saw, now it would be hidden by a crest of
+sparkling spray, which flew up as a larger wave than ordinary struck the
+reef.  The speed at which it was going was tremendous, and so clear was
+the view at times that the little party on the rocks could make out the
+great gummed heads of the savages, and see the water glance from the
+paddles of those who steered.
+
+Freed entirely from the strain of the fish dragging at the line, Oliver
+Lane now had leisure to watch the great canoe, and he at once began to
+count the number of the enemy, making them to be either thirty-nine or
+forty powerful-looking blacks, several of whom had ugly-looking clubs,
+while others bore spears or bows and arrows.
+
+On they came toward the opening in the great reef; and as they
+approached, the canoe was steered farther out, evidently so that she
+could be headed for the passage and sail through.  And as Oliver Lane
+watched he began to wonder what would be his next adventure--whether the
+savages would be friendly, or if they would attack the small party who
+were unarmed.
+
+They were not long in doubt, for at the speed at which the canoe sailed,
+she was soon in a position for heading in, and all the time the party on
+the rock lay wondering that the savages made no sign.  Some of them, if
+they had seen the party, would certainly have gesticulated, pointed, or
+made some show of being surprised, but they sailed on just at the edge
+of the troubled water, made a sweep round, and then, just as Lane felt
+sure that the enemy would come rushing through the opening with the
+fierce tide, and float on into the calm water of the lagoon, the mate
+exclaimed,--
+
+"It was to keep from being swept in by the rush of water.  They're going
+right on south."
+
+"Hooroar!" muttered Wriggs.  "I sha'n't be meat to-day."
+
+"They wouldn't ha' touched you, Billy," whispered Smith, softly.  "Too
+tough."
+
+"Think they'll turn back, Mr Rimmer?" said Oliver, after a few minutes'
+relief from the mental strain.
+
+"I'm sure they will, sir," said the mate, harshly, "if you will persist
+in talking."
+
+Smith gave his mouth a pat with his open hand, and winked at Wriggs,
+while the mate went on more softly,--
+
+"You do not consider how sound is carried over the water.  There! did
+you hear the creaking of their bamboo mast and the crackling of the
+matting sail?"
+
+These sounds were clear enough for a few moments, but the boom of the
+breakers smothered them directly, and the party lay watching the canoe
+as it glided on rapidly south till it was quite evident there was no
+intention of landing, the savages shaping their course so as to pass
+round the great point a mile or two distant, and as if meaning to make
+for the west.
+
+Then by degrees the long, slight vessel with its matting sail grew more
+and more indistinct as it passed into the silvery haze caused by the
+waves breaking upon the reef; but not until he felt perfectly certain
+that they were safe, did the mate give the word for the fishing to begin
+again.
+
+"This puts another face upon our position, gentlemen," he said.  "They
+did not see us this time, but once they know that there is a vessel
+ashore inland, they'll be after it like wasps at a plum, and we shall
+have our work cut out to keep them off."
+
+"They must come from the shore north of the volcano," said Lane.  "Don't
+you think so, Mr Rimmer?"
+
+"No, sir, I don't, because I fancy that this must be an island, and if
+it is, and plays up such games as we have seen, no savages would stay
+upon it.  But we shall see as soon as we have had our expedition."
+
+"Which we ought to have been having to-day," said Panton, "instead of
+coming fishing."
+
+"If we had been up north to-day, those gentlemen might have seen us,"
+said the mate.
+
+"And if they had," said Drew, who was holding his hook for one of the
+men to bait, "it strikes me that we should have had no more fishing."
+
+"Well, as we have come fishing, gentlemen, let's see if we can't take
+back a good bagful for the hungry lads at the brig."
+
+"Ready for another go, Mr Lane, sir?" said Smith.
+
+"Oh, yes, I'm ready, but we don't want such a big one this time,"
+replied Oliver, and once more he threw in the lead, a fresh one, for the
+great fish they had hooked had broken away, carrying with it hooks,
+snooding, and all.
+
+Three lines were soon in now, and the party of fishers waited full of
+expectancy for the first bite, but for some time there was no sign.
+
+"Haul in, sir, and let's see if the bait's all right," said Smith.
+
+Oliver followed the suggestion, and dragged in the hook perfectly bare.
+
+"Something's had that," he said.
+
+"Mine's gone too," cried Panton, who had followed suit, and directly
+after Drew found that his bait was also gone.
+
+Fresh baits were put on, and they threw into the rushing water again,
+watching their lines as they were swept to and fro by the coming and
+retiring waves.
+
+"Seems as if there only was one fish, Lane," said Panton, "and you've
+given him such a dose of hook and lead, that he has gone for good."
+
+The words were hardly out of the young geologist's lips, before he felt
+a sharp tug.
+
+"Here's one!" he cried, and beginning to haul in fast, he soon had a
+bright silvery fish of eight or ten pounds' weight splashing and darting
+about at the top of the water.
+
+"Dinner for one," said Drew.
+
+"Good for half a dozen, I should say," cried the mate, laughing.
+"That's right, sir, don't stop to play him.  Haul him in quick."
+
+"Murder!" cried Panton.  "Look at that."
+
+For as he was drawing in the fast tiring fish level with the surface,
+there was a sudden gleam of gold, silver, and green, a rush and a check,
+as a long twining creature suddenly seized the fish, and quick as
+lightning, wrapped itself round and round it in a knot, doubling the
+weight, and adding to the resistance by lashing round and round with a
+flattened tail, whose effect was like that of a screw propeller
+reversed.
+
+"Eel!  Snake!  Whatever is it?" came from different voices, as Panton
+ceased dragging on his fish.
+
+"Go on!  Have him out," cried the mate.
+
+"No, no, steady," said Oliver.  "I think it's a sea snake, and I believe
+that some of these creatures are poisonous."
+
+"But it wouldn't bite out of water," cried Drew.
+
+"I wouldn't chance it," said Oliver.  "Shake and jerk your line, and it
+may let go."
+
+Panton followed the advice, and after a few sharp snatches he shook off
+the creature, but the fish was gone as well.
+
+"Taken the hook?" asked the mate.
+
+"No, that's all right."
+
+"I've got one," cried Drew, and a fresh struggle began, while Panton was
+busied in rebaiting.  A few moments later, a bright golden-striped fish
+was at the top of the water.  "Look here, this is something like.  I
+mean to--Oh!"
+
+For just as he had his captive about twenty feet from where he stood, a
+great wide-jawed sharkish-looking creature sprang out of the water,
+describing an arc, seized Drew's fish, and was gone.
+
+"Oh, I say," he cried, "we shall never get a dinner like this."
+
+"Follow my example," said Oliver quietly.  "I have one now, a heavy one,
+too.  Nothing like the first I got hold of though," he continued as he
+hauled away.  "But it's a fine fellow."
+
+"Haul in as quickly as you can," said the mate.  "Don't lose this one."
+
+"Just what I am doing," said Oliver between his teeth, as he hauled away
+rapidly, and soon had the head of another of the silvery fishes above
+water.  "Now, Smith, be ready.  Eh?  Well, you, Mr Rimmer, with that
+hook.  Now then, gaff him."
+
+"Gaffed," said the mate, for instantaneously there was another rush in
+the water, a splash, and Oliver drew out the head of his prize, the rest
+having been bitten off as cleanly as a pair of scissors would go through
+a sprat, just below its gills.
+
+The young man turned a comically chagrined face to his unfortunate
+companions.
+
+"I say, this is fishing with a vengeance," cried Panton.
+
+"Starvation sport," said the mate.
+
+"Tommy, old lad," whispered Wriggs, "I have gone fishing as a boy, and
+ketched all manner o' things, heels, gudgeons, roach and dace, and one
+day I ketched a 'normous jack, as weighed almost a pound.  I ketched him
+with a wurrum, I did, but I never seed no fishing like this here."
+
+"Nobody never said you did, mate," growled Smith.
+
+"Well, we did not come here to catch fish for the big ones to eat," said
+the mate.  "Have another try, and you must be sharper.  Look here, Mr
+Lane--No, no, don't take that head off," he cried, "that will make a
+splendid bait.  Throw it in as it is."
+
+Oliver nodded, threw out the hook and lead again, and saw that the bait
+must have fallen into a shoal right out in the opening, for there was a
+tremendous splashing instantly, a drag, and he was fast into another,
+evidently much larger fish.
+
+"Now then, bravo, haul away, my lad," cried the mate.  "You must have
+this one.  Ah!  Gone!"
+
+"No, not yet," said Lane, who was hauling away, for a huge fish had
+dashed at his captive but struck it sidewise, driving it away instead of
+getting a good grip, and in a few moments the prisoner was close in, but
+followed by the enemy, which made another dash, its head and shoulders
+flashing out of the water, close up to the rock.  Then it curved over
+and showed its glittering back and half-moon shaped tail, as it plunged
+down again, while Lane had his captive well out upon the rock, looking
+the strangest two-headed monster imaginable, for the hook was fast in
+its jaws, with the head used for a bait close up alongside, held tightly
+in place by the beaten-out end of the shank of the line.
+
+"Well done: a fifteen pounder," cried the mate, as the captive was
+secured, the sailors hurriedly getting it into the biscuit bag they had
+brought, for fear that it should leap from the rock back into the sea.
+
+Five minutes after Drew hooked another fish, but it was carried off by a
+pursuer and the hook was drawn in bare.  Almost at the same moment
+Panton struck another and then stamped about the rock in a rage, for
+before he could get it to the land it was seized by a monster, there was
+a tug, a snap, and hook, snood, and lead were all gone.
+
+"We must rig up some different tackle, gentlemen," said the mate.  "You
+want larger hooks, with twisted wire and swivels.  Got him again, Mr
+Lane?"
+
+"Yes, and--ah, there's another of those sea snake things.  Yes, he has
+carried it off.  My word!  How strong they are."
+
+"All right, try again, sir.  Use that fish's head once more."
+
+"But it's so knocked about.  Never mind: stick it on, Smith."
+
+"Stuck on it is, sir," said the man, and it was thrown in, but some
+minutes elapsed before it was taken, and then not until it was being
+dragged in, when a fish seized it, was hooked fast, and another struggle
+commenced, during which, as a snake dashed at it, Oliver gave the line a
+snatch and baulked the creature.  But, quick as lightning, it was at it
+again, seized it with its teeth, and was in the act of constricting it,
+when the maddened fish made a tremendous leap out of the water, dragging
+the writhing snake with it, and again escaping its coils, while, as
+Oliver made another snatch, he drew the two right out on to the rock,
+running a few paces so as to get his captive right into the middle.
+
+The effect was that the snake was dislodged, and a panic set in as the
+creature, which was fully six feet long and thick in proportion, began
+to travel about over the surface of the rock with a rapid serpentine
+motion, everyone giving way till it reached the side and glided into the
+water once more.
+
+"Why didn't yer get hold of his tail, Billy?" cried Smith.  "Yer might
+ha' stopped it.  Dessay them sort's as good eating as heels."
+
+"I should, Tommy, only I thought you wanted to have a mate.  But I never
+see no fishing like this afore."
+
+"Look here, Mr Rimmer," cried Oliver, just then, and he pointed to the
+large handsome fish he had taken, showing that a half-moon shaped piece
+had been bitten clean out of its back by the sea snake.  "Do you think
+this will be good now."
+
+"I should not like to venture upon it," replied the mate, and, after the
+bitten piece had been cut thoroughly out, the rest was utilised for
+making attractive bait, with which they had more or less sport--enough
+though to enable them to take back full sixty pounds of good fish to the
+brig, but not until the boat had been run ashore and carefully secured
+and hidden in the cocoa-nut grove.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.
+
+SEEKING BLACK SHADOWS.
+
+That evening and the next day were devoted to careful investigation of
+the shores, three parties being formed and sent out well armed, to see
+whether the crew of the canoe had landed farther to the south, or round
+on the western coast.  The orders were that if the enemy was discovered,
+the search parties were not to show themselves if they could avoid it,
+but to fall back at once to the ship and report what they had seen.
+
+Those who stayed behind had the duty of doing everything possible in the
+way of putting the brig in a state of defence.  The superintendence of
+this task was undertaken by the mate, Oliver giving up the expedition,
+which he would have liked to join, so as to stay and help Mr Rimmer.
+
+They worked hard together.  Wriggs and Smith, who both volunteered to
+stay as soon as they knew that Oliver was not going, toiling away till
+it was felt that nothing more could be done; and the conclusion was come
+to that, unless an attacking party of savages came provided with some
+form of ladder, they would be unable to mount to the deck.  The bobstay
+having been removed, the gangways fortified, all this, with the
+commanding position the defenders would occupy, rendered the brig a
+thoroughly strong little fort, almost impregnable so long as the enemy
+did not think of enlisting fire in their service when they made their
+attack.
+
+"Plenty of guns, plenty of ammunition, water and provisions in
+abundance, and enough British pluck to fight, I don't think we shall
+hurt much, Mr Lane.  But let's hope that they will not come."
+
+As sunset neared, first one and then the other search parties came back
+with the same report--that they had examined the offing from the highest
+points they could reach, and also from the shore; but there was no sign
+of any canoe or of the blacks having landed.
+
+The next day the search was repeated, and again upon the following day,
+from the end of the mist bank right round the coast; but they were alone
+upon the strange land, and it was evident that the savages in the canoe
+must have been journeying right away to some distant spot, and in all
+probability they would never be seen again.
+
+This being so, it was resolved to combine in one expedition the search
+for the savages on the other side of the mist and the ascent of the
+mountain, from up whose slope it was hoped that the glasses would sweep
+the shore all round, proving whether there was a native village, and at
+the same time setting at rest the question of their being upon island or
+mainland.
+
+The opportunity was favourable, for, though the soft steamy cloud
+floated over the land as before, shutting them off from the mountain
+slope, the volcano had been for days perfectly quiet--there had been no
+explosions, no subterranean rumblings or shocks, everything pointed to
+the fact that the eruption was at an end, and the mountain settling down
+into a state of quiescence.
+
+"I should like to go with you very much," said the mate.  "I've had a
+short ladder knocked together for mounting steep bits and making a
+bridge over rifts and cracks, and I have a kind of longing to see what a
+crater is like."
+
+"Well, you are coming, of course," said Oliver.
+
+"No, I'm going to stay and take care of my ship.  Why, if I went with
+you I should take it as a matter of course that a canoe would land close
+to our boat, and the savages come straight across to the brig and
+plunder her.  It would be sure to happen if I went away."
+
+"Nonsense!" cried Oliver, laughing.
+
+"Ah! you may call it so, young gentleman, but I know how these things
+will happen.  No, I stop by my ship, and if the beggars do come, the men
+and I will make a stiff fight of it till you folk come back to help me
+drive them to their canoe."
+
+No persuasion would alter the mate's plans, but he eagerly forwarded
+those of the naturalists, and arranged for Smith and Wriggs to bear them
+company, even offering two more men, but Panton was of opinion that the
+smaller their number was the more likely they were to be successful, and
+the next morning they started--a well armed party, Wriggs and Smith
+carrying a ladder and little tent, the others the food and water.
+
+Then in due time the boat was reached and rowed along the lagoon till
+the end of the mist and the effervescent water were passed, and at last,
+a good mile farther than the attempt had been before, they put ashore,
+drew up their boat in the cocoa-nut grove which went on far as eye could
+reach, and, with the men shouldering the traps after the boat had been
+hidden, they started over fresh ground for the slope.
+
+The route was plain enough if they could follow it, for there, high
+above them, was the balloon-like cloud of steam and smoke floating over
+the crater, the only mist in the pure blue sky, and looking dazzling in
+the sunshine as a film of silver.
+
+"I don't see why we cannot easily do it," said Panton, as he shifted his
+gun from one shoulder to the other.  "What we have to do is to avoid the
+thick forest and make at once for the slope of cinders and ashes.  Then
+we can zigzag up.  It looks no distance to the top, and we could do it
+easily to-night."
+
+But the mate's plan was considered the best: to get some distance up and
+pitch their tent at the edge of the forest at its highest point, and
+then have their good night's rest and start upward as soon as it was
+daylight.
+
+They carried out this idea, skirting round the dense patch of forest,
+and getting above it to the open ground, where they had to wind in and
+out among rifts and blocks of lava which formed a wilderness below the
+ash slope.  Then, going close to the forest edge, they soon found water,
+a couple of little sources bubbling out from among the rocks, and oddly
+enough within a few yards of each other, one being delicious, cool, and
+sweet, the other so hot that they could hardly immerse their hands, and
+when it was tasted it was bitter and salt to a degree.
+
+While the two men set up the tent and made a fire to boil the kettle, a
+short expedition was made by the three young naturalists, it being a
+settled thing that there was to be no collecting next day, but every
+nerve was to be strained to reach the mountain top.
+
+The ash slope ran up rapidly from where they stood, as they shouldered
+their guns and looked about them, and naturally feeling that they would
+have enough of that the next morning they turned down among the lava
+blocks for a short distance and then paused before plunging into the
+forest below.
+
+From where they stood they were high enough to see that there was not so
+much as a bush above; all was grey, desolate, and strange, and the
+wonder to them was that the trees beneath them had not been burned up in
+one or other of the eruptions which must have taken place.  Possibly,
+they felt, the sea winds had had some effect upon the falling ashes and
+hot steamy emanations and driven them from the forest, but it was a
+problem that they could not explain, and it was given up for the instant
+and left for future discussion.
+
+There were other things to see that hot late afternoon, each full of
+wonder and beauty, and appealing to one or other of the party, each man
+finding enough to satisfy even his great desire for knowledge; and in
+turn, and with plenty of tolerance for each other's branch of study,
+they paused to examine incrustations of sulphur, glorious orchids, and
+bird and beetle, gorgeous in colour, wonderful in make.
+
+But nothing was collected, only noted for future exploration, and,
+growing faint, hot, and weary after an hour's walking at the edge of the
+forest, they turned to retrace their steps, when Panton stepped upward
+for a few yards to try the edge of a little slope of fine ash--for the
+heat there was intense.
+
+To his surprise the ashes into which he plunged his hands were quite
+cool, and yet the air around was at times almost suffocating.
+
+"Must be a downward draught from the mountain top," said Panton at last,
+and then he looked sharply round, for Oliver had suddenly cocked his
+gun.
+
+"What is it?" asked the others.
+
+"Look out.  There's something or somebody tracking us just inside the
+trees.  I've seen the leaves move several times, but always thought it
+was the wind."
+
+"Hallo!  Hark!" cried Drew, excitedly.  "Don't you hear?"
+
+It was nearly sunset, and the little party knew that they had about an
+hour's walk before they could reach camp.  The darkness was fast
+approaching, but they stopped short to listen.
+
+In vain for a few minutes, and they were about to start again, when the
+sound that had arrested Drew's attention was heard plainly now by all--a
+long, low, piteous cry as of some one in agony, and in the great
+solitude of the mountain-side the cry was repeated, sending a chill of
+horror through the bravest there.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.
+
+TOMMY SMITH'S GHOST.
+
+"Must be one of the men," said Oliver, excitedly.  "Come on."
+
+"But that thing you saw below there among the trees?"
+
+"We can't stop about that.  It's some kind of great cat.  I'll try
+this."
+
+He raised his gun and fired quickly in among the trees to scare the
+creature, whatever it might be, and there came in response a snarling
+yell, followed by a crashing, as of the animal bounding away through the
+undergrowth.
+
+Directly after there came from high up a second report, as if from a
+minor explosion of the volcano, but it was evidently only the echo of
+the gun.
+
+There was another sound though, which was far more startling and
+awe-inspiring, and made the three young men draw together and stand
+gazing upward, waiting to find which direction would be the safest in
+which to flee.
+
+For, directly after the echo, there was a strange whispering noise as of
+cinders sliding one over the other a long distance away and right up
+towards the crater above their heads.
+
+As naturalists they knew on the instant what this meant, and it struck
+all in the same way--that it resembled the falling of a little hard
+granulated ice in a mountain--the starting of an avalanche.  And as the
+ash and cinder, with the vitrified blocks of stone, lay loose on the
+mighty slope, they felt that it was quite possible for the firing of the
+gun to have caused an avalanche of another kind.
+
+In a few seconds they knew that this was the case, for the whispering
+rapidly increased into a loud rustling, which soon became a rush, and
+directly after increased to a roar; and now, for the first time, they
+began to realise how vast the mountain was in its height and extent, for
+the rushing sound went on and on, gathering in force, and at last Drew
+exclaimed, as he gazed upward at an indistinct mist apparently
+travelling down towards them,--
+
+"Come on; we shall be swept away."
+
+"No, no," cried Panton and Oliver, almost in a breath; "We may be as
+safe here as anywhere.  Perhaps we should rush into more danger."
+
+And now the warm, ruddy glow of the setting sun was obscured by rising
+clouds, which they at once grasped were dust; a semi-darkness came on,
+and through this they had a glimpse of the mountain-side all in motion
+and threatening to overwhelm them where they stood.
+
+It was hard work to master the feeling of panic which impelled them to
+run for their lives, but fortunately they had strength of mind enough to
+stand fast while the tumult increased, and, joining hands, they kept
+their places with hearts throbbing, half-suffocated by the dust which
+now shut them in, while, with a furious roar, the avalanche of cinder,
+stones, and ashes swept by, not twenty yards from where they stood, and
+subsided amidst the cracking of boughs and tearing up of trees at the
+edge of the forest.
+
+It was like the dying sighs of some monster, the sound they heard
+directly after growing fainter and fainter, till there was the mere
+whisper made by trickling ashes, then even that subsided, and they stood
+in a cloud of dust, listening while it slowly rolled away.  At last, as
+they gazed downward, there, below them, to the right, was a huge opening
+torn into the forest, with broken limbs, prostrate trunks, and great
+mop-like roots standing up out from a slope of grey cinders and calcined
+stones.
+
+"What an escape," muttered Oliver.  "Warning: we must not fire again
+near the mountain."
+
+"Hark!" cried Panton.  "There it is again."
+
+For, from a distance, came a long, low, mournful shout, and directly
+after it was repeated, and they made out that it was the familiar
+sea-going _Ahoy_.
+
+"It's only one of the men," said Oliver, and, putting his hand to his
+mouth, he was about to answer, but Panton checked him.
+
+"Will it bring down another fall?" he whispered.
+
+"No, no.  There can be little fear of that now," said Oliver.  "All the
+loose dusty stuff must have come down," and he hailed loudly; but his
+cry had, apparently, no effect, for it was not answered.
+
+"Come on," said Panton, after a few moments' pause in the awful silence,
+which seemed to be far more terrible now, after the fall; and in the
+gathering darkness they started off, with the edge of the forest on
+their right to guide them.  But the first part of their journey was not
+easy, for they had to climb and struggle through the ash and cinders,
+which had fallen, for a space of quite a couple of hundred yards before
+they were upon firm ground.
+
+Then, as they stopped for a few moments to regain their breath, there
+was the mournful, despairing _Ahoy_! again, but though they answered
+several times over, there was no response till they had tramped on
+amidst increasing difficulties for quite a quarter of an hour--that
+which had been comparatively easy in broad daylight, growing more and
+more painful and toilsome as the darkness deepened.
+
+Then, all at once, after a response to the mournful _Ahoy_, there came a
+hail in quite a different tone.
+
+"Ahoy!  Where away?"
+
+"All right!  Where are you?" cried Oliver.
+
+"Here you are, sir.  Here you are," came from not a hundred yards away,
+and directly after they met Wriggs.
+
+"It's you, then, who has been hailing," cried Oliver.  "Why didn't you
+answer when we shouted?"
+
+"Did yer shout, sir?  Never heerd yer till just now.  Thought I should
+never hear no one again.  Got lost and skeered.  But I've found you at
+last."
+
+"Found us, yes, of course.  What made you leave Smith and come after
+us?"
+
+"Didn't, sir.  He left me and lost hisself, and I couldn't find him.  It
+was soon after we'd lit a fire.  He went off to get some more wood and
+there was an end of him."
+
+"What, Smith gone?"
+
+"Yes, sir.  He's swallowed up in some hole or another, or else eat up by
+wild beasts.  I couldn't find him nowhere, and I couldn't stand it alone
+there among them sarpents."
+
+"Serpents?  What, near our camp?" said Drew, who began to think of their
+adventure in the cabin.
+
+"Yes, sir," said Wriggs, who was all of a tremble from exertion and
+dread.  "I stood it as long as I could, with 'em hissing all round me,
+and then I felt as though if I stopped alone much longer I should go off
+my chump."
+
+"What?"
+
+"Go raving mad, sir, so I shoved some more stuff on the fire, and as
+soon as it began to blaze and crackle there was a bigger hissing than
+ever, and the serpents all came rushing at me, and I ran for my life and
+to try and find you."
+
+"Come along," cried Panton.  "We must get back and find Smith."
+
+"You never will, sir," said Wriggs, dolefully.  "Poor old Tommy's gone.
+I expect it was the snakes.  They must have smelt as it was we who
+skinned their mates.  I had a narrow escape from 'em."
+
+"Did you see them?" asked Oliver.
+
+"Well, sir, I didn't zackly see 'em, but I could hear 'em all about me
+awful."
+
+"Then you are not sure they were snakes?"
+
+"Not sure, sir?  Why, that I am.  Nothing else couldn't keep on hissing
+at you but snakes and sarpents.  Oh, lor! it's a horful lonesome place,
+I was a shivering all down my back.  Why, not long ago, while I was
+coming along hailing of yer, I heard a mountain come sliding down like
+thunder, and shooting loads o' stones."
+
+"You've been scared, Wriggs," said Oliver, as he hurried the man back.
+"Tell me again."
+
+"What, 'bout being scared, sir?"
+
+"Nonsense, we mustn't be scared at a noise; I mean about Smith wandering
+away."
+
+"Aren't nowt to tell, sir, only as he went to get some more wood, and
+the sarpents caught him.  Swaller a feller up whole, don't they, sir?"
+
+"Serpents do swallow their food whole," said Oliver.
+
+"Ah, that accounts for his not answering when I shouted.  Of course, I
+couldn't hear him or him me if he was swallowed down into some long
+thing's inside."
+
+"There, that will do," said Oliver, impatiently.  "I say, Panton, are we
+going right?"
+
+"Must be; the edge of the wood is below us on the right."
+
+"But everything looks so different."
+
+"Yes, looks dark," said Drew.  "But we ought to be pretty close to the
+place now."
+
+"I'm afraid we've turned up too much among the rocks.  It will be
+horrible to be lost now.  I wish we had not come," said Panton.  "We
+ought to be resting ready for our work to-morrow."
+
+"All right: we've passed the opening into the forest," cried Oliver.
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"Look back a little, and you'll see the gleam of the fire.  There,
+look."
+
+For, as they stopped and glanced back, there was a sudden blaze of light
+from some fifty yards below them, as if the fire had fallen together and
+flashed up.
+
+"I thought we couldn't be far away," continued Oliver.
+
+"Look, look, sir," whispered Wriggs, stopping short, and catching the
+young man's arm.
+
+"What at?  The fire?  Yes, I see it."
+
+"No, sir, close to it.  There, it's a-moving.  Tommy Smith's ghost."
+
+"Ahoy, ghost!" shouted Oliver, as he caught sight of the figure.
+
+"Ahoy it is, sir," came in stentorian tones.  "Seen anything o' poor
+Billy Wriggs, sir?  He's wanished."
+
+"Mussy on me, Tommy," shouted Wriggs, running forward to grasp his
+comrade's hand, "I thought you was a dead 'un."
+
+"Not so bad as that, messmet," said Smith shaking hands heartily, "but I
+had a nasty tumble down into a sort o' crack place, and it reg'lar
+stunned me for a bit, and when I come back you was gone."
+
+"But did you hear 'em?" said Wriggs, in a husky whisper.
+
+"Who's 'em?" said Smith.
+
+"Sarpents."
+
+"What, a-hissin' like mad?"
+
+"Ay."
+
+"'Tarn't serpents, Billy, it's some hot water holes clost by here, and
+every now and then they spits steam.  Fust time I heerd it I thought it
+was a cat."
+
+Half an hour later all were sleeping soundly, only one having his
+slumber disturbed by dreams, and that was Wriggs, who had turned over on
+his back, and in imagination saw himself surrounded by huge snakes, all
+in two pieces.  They rose up and hissed at him while he struggled to get
+away, but seemed to be held down by something invisible; but the most
+horrible part of his dream was that some of the serpents hissed at him
+with their heads, and others stood up on the part where they had been
+divided, and hissed at him with the points of their tails.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
+
+UP THE MOUNTAIN.
+
+The sun was shining upon the globular mist which floated high up over
+the top of the mountain when Panton woke and roused his companions, and
+while the men raked up the embers, added wood to get the kettle to boil,
+the three young companions walked to the spring for a bathe, by way of
+preparation for an arduous day's work.  Here they found, deep down in a
+crack among the rocks, quite an extensive pool, into which the hot
+spring flowed, and a journey of thirty or forty yards among the rocks,
+exposed to the air, was sufficient to temper its heat into a pleasant
+warmth, whose effects were delicious, giving to the skin, as it did,
+consequent upon the salts it contained, a soft, silky feeling, which
+tempted them to stay in longer.
+
+"It wouldn't do," said Panton, withdrawing himself from the seductive
+influence of the bath.  "It would be enervating, I'm sure."
+
+"Yes, let's dress," cried Oliver, and soon after they were making a
+hearty meal, gazing up at the great slope they had to surmount, and
+noting as they ate, the sinuous lines which appeared here and there upon
+the mountain-side, and which they knew, from experience, to be cracks.
+
+"Must dodge all of them, if we can," said Panton with his mouth full.
+"If not, Smith must lay the ladder across for a bridge."
+
+"But, I say, Lane," said Drew, after gazing upward for some time in
+silence, "didn't you lay it on a bit too thick when we found you?"
+
+"Yes," said Panton, "about the difficulty of the climb.  Why, it looks
+nothing.  Only a hot tiring walk.  I say, we ought to be peeping down
+into the crater in an hour's time."
+
+"Yes, we ought to be," said Oliver, drily.  "Look sharp, my lads, eat
+all you can, and then let's start.  The tent can stay as it is till we
+come back.  We'll take nothing but some food and our bottles of water.
+You carry the ladder, Wriggs, and you that long pole and the ropes,
+Smith."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir," said the men in duet, and a quarter of an hour later
+Oliver, as having been pioneer, took the lead, and leaving the rugged
+rocky ground they planted their feet upon the slope and began to climb.
+
+"Don't seem to get much nearer the top," said Drew at the end of two
+hours, when he had proposed that they should halt for a few minutes to
+admire the prospect, in which Panton at once began to take a great deal
+of interest.
+
+"No, we haven't reached the top yet," said Oliver, drily.
+
+"What a view!" cried Drew.  "Oughtn't we soon to see the brig?"
+
+"No," replied Oliver; "if we cannot see the mountain from the vessel,
+how can we expect to see the vessel from the mountain?  Ready to go on?"
+
+"Yes, directly," said Panton.  "You can see the ocean, though, and the
+surf on the barrier reef.  But I don't see any sign of savages."
+
+"Phew!  What's that?" cried Drew, suddenly.
+
+"Puff of hot air from the mountain, or else from some crack.  There must
+be one near."
+
+Oliver looked round and upward, but no inequality was visible, and they
+climbed slowly and steadily up for some hundred yards before Panton, who
+was now first, stopped short.
+
+"I say, look here!" he cried.  "We're done, and must go back."
+
+Oliver joined him, and then gazed away to the west.
+
+"This is the great crack I told you about," he said, "but it is much
+narrower here."
+
+"And not so deep, eh?" said Panton, with a slight sneer.
+
+"That I can't say," replied Oliver; "deep enough if you could look
+straight down.  Here, Smith, let's have the ladder.  Will it reach?"
+
+The two men came up with the light ladder and pushed it across to find
+that it was long enough to act as a bridge with a couple of feet to
+spare.
+
+"But it looks too risky," said Drew, while the two sailors glanced at
+each other and scratched their heads as they wondered whether one of
+them would be sent forward to try the ladder's strength.
+
+"Yes, it looks risky," said Oliver, coolly, "but we have to do it."
+
+"No, no," said Panton warmly, "it is too bad.  I was disposed to chaff
+you, Lane, because you threw the hatchet a little about your adventures.
+It would be madness to cross that horrible rift."
+
+"Hear, hear," said Smith, in an undertone.
+
+"As aforesaid," said Wriggs.
+
+"We're going across there," said Lane, coolly.  "It's the nearest way up
+and only needs care."
+
+"But, oh! poof!" exclaimed Drew, "you can smell a horrible reek coming
+up."
+
+"Yes, that's what we keep getting puffs of as we climb.  Give me the end
+of that coil of line, Smith."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir."
+
+"Will it bear me?"
+
+"Half a dozen o' your sort, sir.  It's quite noo."
+
+"Good," said Oliver, securing the end tightly about his chest.
+
+"Then you're going to venture?" said Panton.
+
+"Of course, and you're all coming, too.  But you'll hold the line and if
+the ladder breaks or I slip off, you'll hang on and drag me out?"
+
+"Of course.  But--"
+
+"Never mind the buts," said Oliver, smiling, and just then, piqued by
+his companion's banter, he would have crossed had the danger been far
+greater.
+
+"I say," cried Drew, "won't the sides crumble in from under the ladder?"
+
+"Not likely," said Oliver, coolly; "there's a little ash at the edges,
+but just below it is solid lava rock."
+
+"Yes, that's so; and this is a huge crack formed in the cooling," said
+Panton.
+
+"Ready!" cried Oliver.  "Hold the rope so that there is no drag upon me,
+but be ready to tighten."
+
+No one spoke, and Oliver walked to the ladder, placed one foot upon a
+round, leaned forward, and looked down.
+
+"You can see here," he said, without turning his head, "it goes down
+till all is black darkness.  Now then, let the rope slide through your
+finger.  Ready?"
+
+"Yes, all right."
+
+Then, to the horror of all, instead of going down upon hands and knees,
+and crawling across, Oliver stepped boldly on upright from round to
+round, till he reached the centre, where he stopped short, for the
+slight poles of the ladder had given and given, sinking lower, till it
+seemed as if they must break.  Oliver knew it well, and had stopped
+short, expecting to feel the check of the rope, which grew moist in the
+hands which involuntarily tightened around it.  The party in safety
+watched with starting eyes, and breath held till, after a pause of some
+seconds, which appeared to be prolonged into minutes, the bending ladder
+began to spring and creak again, as, with his balance regained, Oliver
+stepped on, round by round, and then reached the other side.  Only about
+a dozen feet, but to all it seemed like a horrible, long journey of the
+greatest peril.
+
+"Lane, lad," cried Panton, excitedly, as soon as his friend was over,
+"what madness to go like that!"
+
+"Shouldn't have thought me a coward and a boaster, then," said Oliver,
+sitting down about three yards from the edge of the chasm, and
+unfastening the rope from about his chest.  "But it isn't safe to come
+like that; I nearly lost my balance, the ladder bends so.  Besides, it
+will bear you better if you distribute your weight and come on all
+fours."
+
+"It's not safe even to do that," said Drew, sharply.
+
+"As aforesaid," grumbled Wriggs.
+
+"Oh, yes," said Oliver, smiling, "you can fasten the rope around you
+Alpine fashion, and I shall hold one end; the others will hold the
+second end, so that we shall all have you safely enough."
+
+"All right," said Drew, shortly, and he made a loop, passed it over his
+head and shoulders, tightened it, and advanced.
+
+"Now then, draw in the line."
+
+This was done, and with Oliver sitting with his heels firmly against a
+projection of the rock, and hauling in foot by foot, and the others
+giving, Drew went down on hands and knees, gripped the sides of the
+ladder, and crawled across, the wood cracking a good deal, but not
+bending nearly so much.
+
+"There," said Oliver, as Drew unfastened the rope, "now you can help me
+hold, and Panton can come over."
+
+"I'm going to walk across," said Panton, firmly.
+
+"No, you are not, man," cried Oliver; "you will crawl.  We must run no
+risks to-day."
+
+Panton grumbled, but obeyed, crawling across in safety after coming to a
+standstill in the middle and losing his nerve as he gazed down between
+the rounds.
+
+Then Wriggs came, and Smith was left to run as much risk as Oliver, for
+he had only rope holders on the farther side, but he went across boldly
+enough and without hesitation, the rope being steadily gathered in, and
+when he was over he took a good grip of the ladder and drew it across as
+well.
+
+"I beg your pardon, Lane," said Panton, in a voice that only his
+companion could hear.  "It was only banter, but I ought to have known
+better."
+
+"All right, old fellow," cried his companion.  "There, say no more."
+
+The sun was growing intensely hot now, as Smith shouldered the ladder,
+and they once more started up the slope, which rapidly grew steeper, so
+stiff indeed was the ascent that Oliver, who led, after trying the
+zigzag approach and finding it too difficult, bore away to the east,
+making the ascent more gradual, and as if the intention was to form a
+corkscrew-like path round the upper part of the mountain.
+
+"We've done wrong," he said, after a couple of hours' struggle upwards,
+"we ought to have gone to the west, and then by this time we should have
+been in the shade instead of roasting here."
+
+They had paused to have a bit of lunch and rest, for the heat was
+intense now, and the cracks or rifts in the mountain slope more
+frequent, but they were not half the width of that which had been just
+crossed, and as the party had grown more confident they took each in
+turn readily enough.
+
+"We must make the best of it now," said Panton, "and I can't help
+thinking that we are doing right."
+
+"Why?" asked Drew.
+
+"It seems to me that it would be impossible to get up to the crater edge
+on account of these horrible hot gases which rise from the cracks.  We
+had better aim at getting round to the other side, and looking out from
+there as high up as we can climb.  We shall know then whether the place
+is an island.  What do you say, Lane?"
+
+"The same as you do.  I've been thinking so for an hour.  You see, the
+ashes get looser as we climb higher, and the mountain steeper.  What
+looked easy enough from below proves to be difficult in the extreme, and
+if we go much higher I feel sure that we shall set loose a regular
+avalanche and begin sliding down altogether."
+
+A quarter of an hour later they started off again somewhat refreshed,
+but suffering terribly from the volcanic heat radiating from the ashes
+as well as from that from the sun, but they pressed on steadily, rising
+higher and gradually getting round the north slope, though the farther
+they tramped over the yielding ashes, the more they were impressed by
+the fact that the mountain was ten times greater than they had imagined
+it from below.
+
+At last, late on in the afternoon, Oliver stopped short.
+
+"We must get back before dark," he said.  "Those chasms have to be
+passed.  What do you say, shall we go now?"
+
+His proposal was agreed to at once, and they turned to have a good look
+round.  Above them towered the truncated cone looking precisely as it
+did from the place where they had started that morning, and, while
+Oliver adjusted his glass, Panton took out a pocket-compass, and Drew, a
+watch-like aneroid barometer.
+
+"I can see nothing but the barrier reef just as it was when we started.
+Where are we now?" said Oliver.  "Nearly north-east, are we not? and
+sea, sea, sea, everywhere, nothing but sea in this direction."
+
+"We are looking due north," said Panton, as the needle of his compass
+grew steady.
+
+"What, have we after all got round to the other side?"
+
+"Seems so."
+
+"Then the place is an island."
+
+"Unless it joins the mainland somewhere west," said Panton.
+
+"As far as I can see there is no land north or west.  If we are on the
+northern side now we must be able to see it at this height.  How high
+are we, Drew?"
+
+"Just over four thousand feet, and I should say the mountain goes up
+quite two thousand more, but it is very deceiving.  Then we are upon an
+island?"
+
+"Hurrah!" cried Panton.
+
+"I don't see where the hurrah comes in," said Oliver, quietly, "but I'm
+glad that our journey has not been without some result."
+
+"I should have liked to get to the top though," said Panton, looking
+upward wistfully.
+
+"I say, you two," said Drew, "we were to give a good look round for the
+niggers."
+
+"I've been doing so," said Oliver, whose eyes were still at his glass,
+"and there isn't a sign of a hut, boat, or savage.  Nothing but a
+barrier reef shutting in a beautiful lagoon, and the cocoa-nut palms
+fringing its edge."
+
+"What about the lower slopes?" asked Drew.
+
+"Dense forest for the most part, cut through every here and there by
+what looks like old lava streams, which reach the lagoon, and form
+cliffs."
+
+"Then this side of the island is better wooded than the other?"
+
+"Evidently, and there are two little streams running down from the dark
+chaos of rock, that look to me different from the rest of the mountain.
+You have a look, Panton."
+
+The latter took the glass and stood sweeping the mountain slope for some
+minutes, during which Smith and Wriggs sat down, and lit their pipes for
+a restful smoke.
+
+"All plain enough, as far as I can judge, my lads.  That dark part in
+the most wooded district is an old volcano, and this that we are on
+seems to be quite new and active.  I should say this island has been
+quiescent for hundreds of years before it burst out into eruption, and
+sent up this great pile of rock and ashes.  Now then, what next?"
+
+"Back to the tent before we are overtaken by the darkness," said Drew.
+
+"Can we do it?" said Oliver.
+
+"We're going to try.  Now, then, all down-hill over the soft ash, I
+daresay we shall be able to slide part of the way."
+
+"No," cried Oliver, emphatically, "it must be fair walking.  If we start
+a slide of ashes and cinders, how are we to stop when we come near one
+of the crevasses?"
+
+"Or to avoid being buried?" said Drew, "Steady work is the thing."
+
+He had hardly spoken these words when, as if resenting their presence, a
+roar like thunder came from the crater, and a huge cloud shot up into
+the clear sky, to curve over like a tree, and as they turned and fled
+once more, a rain of ashes commenced falling.  The darkness of which
+they had had so terrible an experience, threatened to shut them in high
+up on that mountain slope, while at any moment in their retreat they
+were liable to come upon one of the openings that ran deep down into the
+volcano's fiery core.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.
+
+AN INTERESTING FAILURE.
+
+One of the rifts was crossed in the dim twilight, another was avoided by
+making a circuit, and another by walking along its edge till it narrowed
+sufficiently for them to spring across, and after one of these bold
+leaps, Smith, who bore the ladder, said to Wriggs,--
+
+"Feel 'sposed to take to a noo line o' life, messmate, if we ever gets
+back home?"
+
+"Dunno.  What sort?" growled Wriggs.
+
+"Hacerybat and tumbler by appointment to her Majesty."
+
+"What d'yer mean, Tommy?"
+
+"Why, arter this practice we can do anything: balancing on poles,
+crawling desprit places on ladders, hanging from ropes, and standing
+over nothing with yer eyes shut.  Feel a tug, Billy, when we jumped that
+last bit?"
+
+"Tug?  No.  I on'y felt as if I was a bit a' iron, and there was a big
+loadstone down in the hole, trying to pull me in."
+
+"Well, that's what I meant--a tug."
+
+"Bah! there's only one kind o' tug--a steam tug, and there's none here
+for a man to feel."
+
+"What, aren't there a tug-o'-war?"
+
+"Not here, messmet.  But I say, I don't stomach this here darkness.
+It's like being at work in the hold.  Mind!"
+
+"All right, I see it coming, mate," said Smith, as a great lump of
+cinder fell close to him.  "Didn't touch me."
+
+"Miss is as good as a mile, mate, eh?  But don't it seem as if someone
+up above was heaving these stones at us because we are not wanted here."
+
+"Come along, my lads!" cried Oliver, halting for them to hasten up.
+"Take my gun, Smith, and I'll carry the ladder for a bit."
+
+"Not me, sir, begging your pardon.  This here ladder's about the
+awkwardest and heaviest ladder as ever was for his size."
+
+"Then let me rest you."
+
+"No, sir.  I've got used to it now.  You couldn't carry it.  Could he,
+Billy?"
+
+"Not much, lad.  We're all right, sir.  You go on and show us the way.
+If you manage, we can."
+
+"Better let me rest you, my lad."
+
+"Thank-ye, no, sir, Billy and me lays it down in the dust now and then,
+and sits on the edge for a rest.  We're doing pretty comfortable, and
+only wants to get down to the tent to tea."
+
+"All right, then."
+
+The darkness increased for a while, and they came dangerously near being
+struck by stones several times over, but escaped as if by a miracle.
+Then just as they were approaching one of the worst of the gaps, the
+cloud of smoke and ashes floated gradually away, they obtained a glimpse
+of the bright blue sky and were able to cross the crevice in safety,
+though conscious all the while that a great body of suffocating vapour
+was now rising from the depths below.
+
+The rest of the descent to the great rift was made in the bright
+afternoon sunshine, every nerve being strained to get that passed before
+darkness fell, and as Wriggs, who came last this time, reached the edge
+where the others were hauling in the line they all set up a hearty
+cheer, and gathering up the rope, set off as if refreshed, for the
+dangers of the ascent were at an end.
+
+"An hour will do it," cried Oliver.  "Then a warm bath, a good meal, a
+night's rest, and we shall be all right."
+
+"But we did not get to the top," said Panton.
+
+"Well, what of that?  We've found out that we are upon an island, and we
+have left something else to do another day, for we must get to the edge
+of the crater before we've done."
+
+"And now what next?" said Drew, as they tramped on down the soft ash
+bed, after carefully mapping out their course to the hot-spring camp.
+
+"Food and rest."
+
+"No, no, I mean about our proceedings."
+
+"Let Mr Rimmer construct a boat if he likes.  It will keep him busy,
+and take I daresay a couple of years.  During that time we can collect a
+cargo of specimens, and thank our stars that we have fallen in such good
+quarters."
+
+In spite of marking down the trees and rocks where the hot springs lay,
+the natural darkness of night made their task by no means easy.  Objects
+looked so different, and after they had reached the end of the ash
+slope, the inequalities of the surface were so great that they lost
+their way several times over, and at last it was decided to lie down and
+rest under the shelter of a huge tree, when Smith suddenly exclaimed,--
+
+"Why, this here's where I got some of the firewood last night."
+
+"Nonsense," said Panton pettishly.
+
+"It was somewheres here as I broke a big branch off, one as was dead."
+
+"If it were, you would find the stump," said Panton.
+
+"Course I should, sir, and here it is," growled the man.
+
+"What!" shouted Oliver.  "Then the tent must be close by."
+
+"Round at the back of a big mask o' rock, sir, as is the hardest and
+sharpest I ever broke my shins again.  It ought to be just about where
+Billy Wriggs is a-lighting of his pipe."
+
+"Want me, matey?"
+
+"Yes.  Look if there's a lot o' rock behind you."
+
+"Ay, I am a-leaning again it."
+
+"There you are, sir!  I'll go on and light the fire and set the kettle
+to boil," said Smith, and ten minutes after there was a ruddy blaze
+lighting up the rocks and trees; a good tea meal followed, and
+forgetting all perils and dangers, the little party lay down to rest and
+enjoy the sound sleep that comes to the truly tired out.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.
+
+"POT FIRST."
+
+The night passed peaceably enough, and though every now and then there
+was a violent hissing from close at hand, it was not noticed till just
+at daybreak, when Smith, who had grown brave and reckless with
+knowledge, drove his elbow into his messmate's ribs.
+
+"All right," growled Wriggs, drowsily, "but t'arnt our watch, is it?"
+
+"Watch?  No, rouse up, my lad.  Steam's up."
+
+"Eh?  What?  Steam?"
+
+_Css_, came loudly from a crevice in the rocks so suddenly and sharply,
+that the sailor sprang up in alarm.
+
+"Oh," he grumbled, directly after, "it's them hot water works.  I
+thought it was a snake."
+
+"Who said snakes?" cried Drew, waking up.
+
+"I did, sir, but it ain't.  It's to-morrer morning, and we're getting
+up."
+
+"I have raked the fire together, sir, and put the billy on to byle,"
+said Smith,--"not meaning you, messmate."
+
+"Time to get up?" cried Oliver, and he sprang to his feet.  "Come on,
+Panton, who's for a bath?"
+
+They all were, and coming back refreshed partook of a hearty meal which
+exhausted their supplies, all but the condiments they had provided, and
+necessitated an immediate return to the brig.
+
+"Only it seems a pity," said Oliver, as the cries of birds could be
+heard in different directions, while butterflies of bright colours
+darted here and there, and the trees were hung with creepers whose
+racemes and clusters of blossoms gladdened Drew's eyes.
+
+"Yes, it seems a pity," said Panton, taking out his little hammer and
+beginning to chip at a piece of rock.
+
+"There is so little to be seen close to the brig," said Oliver
+thoughtfully, as he took out his handkerchief and began to polish a
+speck of rust from the barrel of his double gun.
+
+"And I haven't collected half so much as I should like to have done,"
+said Drew.
+
+"Think Mr Rimmer would be very uneasy if we stayed here for the day and
+did a little collecting?"
+
+"Not he," said Panton.  "But what about prog?"
+
+"I'll shoot three or four pigeons," suggested Oliver.
+
+"Three or four, why, I could eat half a dozen for dinner."
+
+"Think so?" said Oliver, smiling; "I doubt it."
+
+"But I'm getting hungry again already, although I've just breakfasted.
+I say, though, surely we could shoot enough for our dinner.  What do you
+say, Drew, shall we stop till evening and collect?"
+
+"I'm willing."
+
+"What do you say then, Lane?"
+
+"By all means, this forest land at the bottom of the volcano slope is
+swarming with good things.  We'll stay about here all the morning, and
+after dinner begin to work back to the boat.  So long as we can reach it
+by the time it grows dark we shall be all right."
+
+"Yes, there's no fear of making a mistake when once we get into the
+lagoon," said Panton.  "I could find my way to the boat-house
+blindfold."
+
+"Boat-house?" cried Drew.
+
+"Well, the cocoa-nut grove," said Panton, laughing.  "Then, of course,
+we can easily find our way to the brig.  I say, I'm precious glad that
+we have seen no signs of the niggers.  It would have been very awkward
+if we had found that they lived here."
+
+"Instead of our having the island all to ourselves," said Drew.
+
+"But this must once have been part of some mainland," Oliver remarked,
+thoughtfully.  "Apes and leopards would hardly be found upon islands
+unless they have been cut off by some convulsion of nature."
+
+"This must have been cut off by some convulsion of nature," said Panton
+quickly, and then, as he pointed upward toward the volcano, "and there's
+the convulser ready to do anything.  There, come along, no more
+scientific discussions.  Let's collect, but, first of all, we must think
+of the pot."
+
+"Are we coming back here?" asked Drew.
+
+"Decidedly," cried Lane.  "We'll make this camp still.  Make up the
+fire, Smith, and you two can come with us till we have shot enough for
+dinner and then come back here and do the cooking."
+
+"Right, sir," replied Smith.  "Come along, Billy."
+
+The fire was well drawn together and replenished with fuel, and then,
+shouldering their guns, the party started; but upon Oliver Lane glancing
+back he called a halt.
+
+"Here, Wriggs," he cried, "we don't want that ladder, nor those ropes,
+Smith."
+
+"Don't yer, sir?"
+
+"No, we are going along the edge of the forest.  Take those things
+back."
+
+The ladder and ropes were taken back and then a fresh start was made,
+the explorers keeping well to the edge of the forest for several
+reasons, the principal being that they could easily get out toward the
+barren slope of the mountain, and the travelling was so much easier as
+they formed a line and beat the undergrowth for specimens and game.
+
+"Pot first, you know," said Panton, "science later on.  Are we likely to
+get a deer of any kind, Lane?"
+
+"No," said Drew decisively.
+
+"Why not?" said Lane.  "We have seen that there are leopards, and
+leopards must have something to live upon.  I should say that we may
+find some small kind of deer."
+
+"Leopards might live on the monkeys," said Panton.
+
+"Perhaps so, but I'm prepared for anything in a place like this.  What's
+that?"
+
+"I can hear one of them steam engyne birds coming along, sir," said
+Wriggs, from behind.
+
+"What birds?"
+
+"One of them rooshy rashy ones, sir, as you called blow-horn-bills, and
+makes such a noise with their wings."
+
+"Hornbills without the blow, my man," said Lane, laughing.  "Look out,
+all of you.  Hornbills are fruit-eating birds, and would be good
+roasted."
+
+There was the sharp clicking of gun-locks as the rushing sound of big
+wings was heard four times over; but the birds passed to right or left
+to them, hidden by the trees, and all was silent again, till after a few
+hundred yards had been passed something got up in a dense thicket and
+went off through the forest at a tremendous rate.
+
+"Lane, man, why didn't you fire?" cried Panton reproachfully.
+
+"Because I have a habit of looking at what I shoot, and I never had a
+glimpse of this.  Did you see it, Drew?"
+
+"I?  No."
+
+"Please, sir, I just got one squint at it," said Smith.  "You did, too,
+didn't you, Billy?"
+
+"I sin it twice," said Wriggs.  "It was a spotty sort o' thing, and it
+went through the bushes like a flash."
+
+"It must have been a leopard, then," said Panton.
+
+"No," said Oliver decisively, "not that made the loud crashing noise.
+One of those great cats would have glided away almost in silence.  I
+fancy that it was some kind of deer.  Keep on steadily and we may hunt
+up another."
+
+But they tramped on for quite an hour, without any such good fortune,
+though had their aim solely been collecting specimens, their
+opportunities were great.  For at every opening sun-birds flitted here
+and there, poising themselves before some blossom which they probed with
+their long curved bills, and sent forth flashes from their brilliant
+plumage like those from cut and polished gems.  Every now and then too,
+thrush-like birds flew up from beneath the bushes--thrush-like in form
+but with plumage in which fawn or dove colour and celestial blues
+preponderated.  Mynahs and barbets were in flocks: lories and paroquets
+abundant, and at last Lane stopped short and held up his hand, for from
+out of a patch of the forest where the trees towered up to an enormous
+height, and all beneath was dim and solemn-looking as some cathedral,
+there came a loud harsh cry, _waark, waark, wok, wok, wok_, and this was
+answered several times from a distance.
+
+"Only some kind of crow," said Panton, "and we don't, as the American
+backwoodsman said, `kinder hanker arter crow.'"
+
+"Kind of crow? yes, of course," said Oliver impatiently.  "That's the
+cry of the great bird of Paradise.  Come along quietly, we must have
+some specimens of them."
+
+"No, no," cried Panton.  "If we fire at them good-bye to any chance of a
+deer.  Steal up and have a look at them, we shall have plenty more
+chances."
+
+Oliver was strongly tempted to fire, for just then a bird skimmed down
+from on high into the gloom beneath the trees, and they had a glimpse of
+the lovely creature, with its long, loose, yellowish plumage streaming
+out behind as if it were a sort of bird-comet dwelling amongst the
+trees.  Then it was gone, and the young man consoled himself with the
+thought that had he fired the chances were great against his hitting,
+and it would have been like a crime to let the bird go off wounded and
+mutilated to a lingering death.
+
+He thought this as they stood listening to the cries of the birds,
+harsh, powerful, and echoing as they rang out in all directions.
+
+"Not the kind o' bird as I should choose for his singing, eh, Billy?"
+said Smith, suddenly breaking the silence of the gloomy spot.
+
+"Well, no, Tommy, can't say as I should either for the sake o' the
+moosic, but there's a deal o' body in it."
+
+"I wish we could get hold of something with some body in it that we
+should care to eat."
+
+"There's a something upon that tree yonder, sir," said Smith, "one o'
+them little black boy chaps.  See him, sir?"
+
+"I can," whispered Drew.  "It's quite a large monkey."
+
+"He'd eat good, wouldn't he, sir?" said Wriggs.
+
+"Yes, for cannibals," said Oliver, shortly, as he took out his double
+glass and focussed it upon a black face peering round a tall, smooth
+trunk, quite a hundred feet from the ground.  "Look, there's another.
+But time's running on.  Hadn't we better get back into a more open part
+and begin collecting?"
+
+"If you wish me to die of starvation," said Panton.  "I can't work
+without food."
+
+"Then for goodness' sake let's get on," said Oliver, pettishly, and he
+hurried beneath the tree where the first monkey had been seen, and as he
+passed a good-sized piece of stick whizzed by his ear and struck the
+ground.
+
+"See that, Billy?" said Smith.
+
+"Ah, I see it."
+
+"Lucky for that little nigger as they're a good-hearted Christian sort
+o' gentlemen.  If they warn't he'd go home to his messmates peppered all
+over with shot, and feelin' like a sore currant dumpling."
+
+Another half-hour was passed of what Oliver dubbed the most aggravating
+natures for beautiful specimens of bird, insect, flower, and mineral
+abounded, while the whole of their attention had to be devoted to
+providing food.
+
+"I don't believe there are any deer to be had," he cried at last, and
+then he stopped short in the sunny grove, where they had halted to take
+a few minutes' rest.  "What's that?"
+
+"I was going to ask you," said Panton.
+
+For the peculiar noise they had heard upon a former occasion came from a
+short distance away, deep-toned, soft, and musical, as if a tyro were
+practising one note upon a great brass instrument.
+
+"Quick, come on," whispered Oliver, excitedly, and leading the way he
+signed to his companions to come on abreast, and in this form they went
+on cautiously in the direction of the sound, till Drew suddenly took a
+quick aim through an opening, and fired both barrels of the piece in
+rapid succession.
+
+Instantly there was a tremendous beating of wings, and a little flock of
+half-a-dozen large, dark birds rose up, affording Oliver and Panton each
+a shot, with the result that a couple of the birds fell heavily.
+
+Then the two men behind cheered, there was a rush forward through the
+thick growth, and four of the huge crowned pigeons were retrieved--
+lovely dark slate-coloured birds, which looked with their soft, loose
+plumage and beautiful crests, nearly double the size of ordinary
+farm-yard fowls.
+
+"Now," cried Oliver, triumphantly, "back with you to the fire, and pluck
+and cook those.  We will be with you in a couple of hours' time.  But I
+say, Panton, you won't eat half-a-dozen?"
+
+The two men seized a bird in each hand, grinning with delight, and
+started off for the edge of the wood at a run, but Smith stopped and
+turned.
+
+"Byled or roast, sir?" he cried.
+
+"Roast, of course," said Oliver.  "You have nothing to boil them in."
+
+"Byling spring, sir."
+
+"Nonsense, man.  Off with you.  Now," he continued, as the two sailors
+disappeared, "specimens.  A little way farther, and then turn back."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.
+
+DANGER SIGNALS.
+
+Oliver suffered from a sensation of disappointment during those next two
+hours, for he regretted not stripping the skins from the magnificent
+fruit pigeons, but, as his companions said, he had no cause to complain,
+for he secured specimens of two beautifully feathered birds of Paradise,
+of an exceedingly rare kind.  In addition he had a couple of brilliant
+scarlet and green lories, and half-a-dozen sun-birds, while Drew's
+collecting box and pockets were full of specimens, and Panton perspired
+freely beneath his burden of crystals, vitrified rock, and pieces of
+quartz.  Several of these contained specks of metal, and proved
+satisfactorily that in spite of volcanic eruption and the abundant
+coral, the nucleus of the land on which they stood was exceedingly
+ancient, and evidently a part of some continent now submerged.
+
+Smith met them as they approached camp and announced dinner, and in
+spite of the absence of bread and vegetables, no meat was ever more
+enjoyed than the roast Goura pigeons, nor greater justice done to the
+viand.
+
+"Now then for the brig," said Oliver, decisively.  "We must not stop by
+the way, for the sun will soon be getting low.  Mr Rimmer will be
+coming after us if we are not there in good time, and we've a long tramp
+yet to get to the shore."
+
+"Collect as we go?" said Drew.
+
+"Oh no, let's be content with what we have.  I shall have enough to do
+to preserve mine."
+
+"And I to arrange my little lot," said Panton.  "Here, Smith, carry a
+few of these."
+
+"Certeny, sir, but there's heaps of as good stones close to where the
+brig lies."
+
+"Never mind that, I want these."
+
+"All right, sir," said the man, cheerily, and with a bag of stones and
+the ropes, and with Wriggs at his side shouldering the ladder, the
+little party started back, discussing the results of their expedition,
+and the fact that though they had not climbed to the crater, they had
+half explored the great mountain.  That, and the fact that there were no
+savages to be seen, they felt was news enough for the mate, while, as to
+themselves, they were all three more than satisfied with their finds.
+
+The long tramp in the forest before dinner and the dinner itself made
+the journey back to the shore of the lagoon where they had left the boat
+seem doubly long, but they reached it at last, just as the west was one
+glory of amber and gold, and the globular cloud high up over the crater
+appeared of a rosy scarlet.  The long fringe of cocoa palms, too, seemed
+as if their great pinnate leaves had been cut out of orange metal, and
+reflected as they were in the glassy water of the lagoon, a scene of
+loveliness met the travellers' eyes that made them soon forget their
+weariness, and set to with a will to drag the boat over the sand, and
+then launch it in the mirror-like sea.
+
+"Now for a gentle pull back," said Oliver.  "Shall we do it before
+dark?"
+
+"No; and there is no moon."
+
+"Never mind, we can easily run the boat in among the trees, and avoid
+the coral blocks and the pools as we walk to the brig.  Crocs are pretty
+active of a night, so let's give them a wide berth."
+
+"Yes, we must," said Panton, "for I daresay they'll be getting hungry as
+they finish all the fish left in their larder."
+
+"If it had not been for those reptiles in the pools they would have been
+getting offensive by now."
+
+"And when they have cleared them out, you think the crocs will journey
+down to the sea?"
+
+"I haven't a doubt of it," replied Panton.
+
+"Then I hope they will not have begun their journey to-night, for I'm
+too tired to care about meeting enemies."
+
+Their row along the narrow lagoon was glorious with the cocoa-nut grove
+on one side and the reef with its tumbling billows and subdued roar on
+the other.  Then, as the sun set, the long mirror they traversed and the
+backs of the curling over breakers were dyed with the most refulgent
+colours, which grew pale only too soon.  When the darkness closed in,
+the croaking of reptiles and night birds rose from beyond the grove, and
+the breakers grew phosphorescent and as if illumined by a pale fire
+tinged with a softened green, while the foam resembled golden spray as
+it was dashed over the coral sand.
+
+The sailors were relieved from time to time as they rowed on with the
+stars spangling the still water, so that in the distance it was hard to
+tell where sea ended and sky began; and at last, dimly seen against the
+sky, three tall trees marked the spot where they ran up the boat.
+
+"Sure this is right?" asked Oliver, as the sharp prow touched the soft,
+white sand.
+
+"Oh, yes, sir, this is right enough," replied Smith.  "Here's our marks
+that we made this morning when we ran her down."
+
+There was the faintly marked furrow, sure enough, and, all taking hold
+of the sides, the boat was run up easily enough over the soft, loose
+sand and then in amongst the smooth, round, curved trunks of the
+cocoa-nut trees till her old quarters were reached, and the painter
+secured to a stout stem.
+
+"No fear of tide or wind affecting her," said Oliver; "but how dark it
+is under these trees.  Look here, Smith, I don't think you men need
+carry that ladder on to-night.  Leave it here.  It will be ready for
+next time we try the ascent."
+
+"All right, sir," replied Smith.
+
+"I don't know, though; perhaps it will be as well to bring it along.
+We'll help you if you get tired."
+
+"I sha'n't get tired o' carrying a thing like that, sir," said the man,
+with a laugh.  Then he shouldered it at once and the start was made for
+the brig.
+
+They reckoned upon it taking a good hour in the darkness, what with the
+care they would have to exercise to avoid half-dried pools, scattered
+fragments of coral rock, and the many heaps of snag-like trees half
+buried in sand and mud, but when as near as they could guess an hour had
+passed they were still some distance from the brig and suffering from a
+feeling of weariness which made them all trudge along slowly and
+silently in single file.
+
+Oliver was leading with his gun over his shoulder, the piece feeling
+heavier than it had ever felt before and as if it was increasing in
+weight each minute.
+
+Smith was behind him with the ropes over his shoulder, and Wriggs now
+bore the ladder, coming last.
+
+For some minutes they had been walking in utter silence, their footsteps
+deadened by the soft sand, and a terribly drowsy feeling was coming over
+Lane, making him long to lie down and sleep, but he fought it back and
+strained his eyes to gaze forward in search of obstacles, knowing as he
+did that the others were trusting him to pick out the best road and keep
+them out of difficulties.
+
+But it was very dark in spite of the stars, and hard to make anything
+out till, all at once, he saw a misty and strange-looking form run by,
+about twenty yards ahead.
+
+"What's that?" he said to himself, and then he started, for Smith caught
+his arm, and whispered,--
+
+"Mr Lane, sir?  See that?"
+
+"Yes, what was it?  Was it a deer?" and he involuntarily lowered his
+piece.
+
+"Two legged 'un, sir, if it was," said the man, softly.  "Will you call
+a halt?  I think it was a hinjun."
+
+"Nonsense.  One of our men, perhaps," said Oliver, testily.  "Don't say
+that and scare them.  We're close up to the ship now."
+
+_Bang_.
+
+The sharp report of a piece came from about a couple of hundred yards
+farther on.
+
+"There; I knew we were close up to the brig.  Mr Rimmer fired that as a
+signal to let us know the way in the darkness.  I'll fire him one back."
+
+The lock clicked and Oliver raised the muzzle to fire, when a ragged
+volley came from ahead, followed by a savage yelling, and as the sounds
+struck a chill to every heart there was utter silence.  Then came a
+flash and a bright gleam, which grew brighter and brighter, developing
+into the sickly glare of a blue light, while as they stood there,
+fearing to advance, all grasped the meaning of the light.
+
+The brig had been attacked by the Indians.  A gallant defence was being
+made, and the blue light had been thrown out to show where the enemy
+lay.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.
+
+AN AWKWARD SCRAPE.
+
+The first impulse of Oliver Lane was to drop down flat upon the
+sun-baked sand and earth, so as to protect himself from being seen in
+the glare of the blue light.  His example was followed by the others,
+whose thoughts reverted also to the possibility of a bullet intended for
+the enemy, hitting a friend.
+
+And there they lay listening after the dying out of the yells, and
+watching the glare from the blue light as it lit up the surroundings of
+the brig, and then sank lower and lower till all was darkness as well as
+silence.
+
+Judging from what they heard, Mr Rimmer and his men were safe enough so
+far, and had been aware of the Indians' attack.  But what was to come
+next?
+
+The watchers asked themselves this question as they lay close together
+listening for the slightest sound, waiting for a solution of the little
+problem which had so much to do with their future: Had the enemy seen
+them when the light was burning?
+
+Long-drawn-out minutes passed as they waited in the darkness, now
+hopeful, now despondent, for Oliver felt a touch on his arm
+simultaneously with a soft, rustling sound, and the _pat, pat_ of naked
+feet going over the sand.
+
+The message of danger was silently telegraphed by a touch to the others,
+and every weapon was grasped, those who had guns slightly raising the
+muzzles, while Smith took out his jack-knife to open it with his teeth,
+and Wriggs, to use his own words--afterwards spoken--"stood by" with the
+ladder, meaning to use it as a battering-ram to drive it at any enemy
+who approached.
+
+But the sound passed over to their right, and all was silent again.
+
+"Hadn't we better creep up to the ship?" whispered Oliver.
+
+"And be shot for enemies?" replied Panton, in the same tone.
+
+"They haven't seen us, so we had better wait till morning."
+
+"And then make ourselves marks for spears and arrows."
+
+"Better than for bullets.  I'd rather a savage mop-headed Papuan shot
+me, than Mr Rimmer did."
+
+"Hist!  Silence!" whispered Drew, who had crept closer.  "Enemy."
+
+He was right, for footsteps were heard again, coming from the direction
+of the brig, and it seemed like a second party following the first, till
+it occurred to Panton that this might be the same party returning from
+passing right round the vessel.
+
+But they had no means of knowing, and a few minutes later they all lay
+there asking themselves whether they would not have acted more wisely if
+they had fired a volley into the enemy when they first came up, and
+followed up the confusion the shots would have caused by rushing to the
+brig.
+
+"They would not have taken us for the enemy then," said Drew.
+
+But the opportunity had gone by, and to add to their discomfort, a low,
+murmuring sound indicated that the savages had come to a halt between
+them and their friends.
+
+For a good hour the party waited in the hope that the enemy would move
+away, but it soon became evident that they had settled down for a
+permanent halt, and the murmur of voices came so clearly to the ear that
+all felt the danger of attempting to speak, lest they should bring the
+enemy upon them.
+
+Somehow, in spite of his being the youngest, Drew and Panton fell into
+the habit of letting Oliver Lane take the post of leader, and when after
+a long and wearisome period of waiting he whispered his ideas, they were
+accepted at once, as being the most sensible under the circumstances.
+
+Oliver's plan was this: to gradually creep back from the position they
+occupied, until they felt that they were out of hearing, and then to
+bear off to their left, and gradually get round to the other side of the
+brig, which would thus be placed between them and the enemy.
+
+The greatest caution was necessary in the presence of so wary a foe, and
+it was not until this had been duly impressed upon the two sailors that
+Oliver began the retrograde movement so slowly and softly that his
+companions could hardly realise the fact that he had started.
+
+Panton followed, then Smith and Wriggs, and Drew brought up the rear.
+
+They had all risen and followed one another in Indian file, almost
+without a sound.  But the murmuring that was made by the Papuans came
+softly through the darkness, as if the savages were engaged in a debate
+upon the subject of how they had better make their next attack.
+
+Then all at once there was a sharp crack, for Oliver had stepped upon a
+large, thin shell, which broke up with a fine ear-piercing sound, that
+must have penetrated for a long distance.
+
+That it had reached the spot where the Papuans were was evident, for the
+murmuring of voices ceased on the instant.
+
+"Down.  Lie down," whispered Oliver.  "They will come to see what the
+noise was."
+
+They lay down upon the soft sand, listening with every nerve upon the
+strain, but not for long.  Before many seconds had passed, there was a
+peculiar soft, rattling sound such as would be made by a bundle of reed
+arrows, secure at one end and loose at the other.  This noise came
+nearer, and then at a little distance, as they held their breath, it
+seemed as if a shadow passed by, and then another, and another.
+
+Oliver's hand which held his gun trembled, not from fear, but from the
+nervous strain, and the knowledge that at any moment he might, for the
+first time in his life, be compelled in self-defence, and for the
+protection of his companions, to fire upon a party of savages, and so
+shed the blood of a human being.
+
+He stretched out his left hand as the third shadowy figure went lightly
+by, and touched Panton's arm, to have the extended hand caught and
+pressed warmly.
+
+This was encouraging, and told of a trusty friend ready to help.  Then
+they lay there upon their breasts for some minutes, gazing in the
+direction taken by the enemy, while the impressive silence continued.
+At last came a quick, sharp pressure of the hand, which seemed to
+imply--Look out!  Here they come.
+
+For at that moment, the quick, soft beat of feet came again, and three
+shadowy figures passed so close to them that it seemed impossible for
+them to remain unseen, but their clothes assimilated so with the
+sun-burned sand and earth that the enemy passed on, and in a minute or
+two the murmuring of voices arose once more.
+
+"Come on," whispered Oliver, and he rose quickly, while the word was
+passed to the others, and they recommenced their retreat, taking every
+step cautiously.
+
+It was not an easy task, for there was no judging distances by any
+object, and hence Oliver had to walk straight away into the darkness,
+till he guessed that he was far enough distant.  Then he began to veer
+round to his right, and he had hardly done this, when from somewhere
+behind came a sharp sound, best expressed by the word _Thung_!
+accompanied by a sharp whizz.
+
+No one needed any telling what had produced that noise, for it was
+evident that one of the Papuans had hung back to keep watch, and hearing
+if not seeing, he had sent an arrow in the direction by which the party
+was retreating.
+
+Oliver halted for a few moments with the thought in his mind which took
+the form "poisoned," and he listened for some exclamation from one or
+other of his companions indicating pain, or the sound of a fall.  But
+all was still.  The others had given up to him as leader, and when he
+stopped they halted, and when he moved on again they followed, in full
+expectation of another arrow whizzing by.
+
+But none came, and increasing his speed now and trying as well as he
+could to move in a curve large enough to carry him round to the other
+side of the brig, Oliver pressed on.
+
+"Oh, if only they would burn another blue light," he muttered, as
+striving to pierce the darkness ahead, and with his gun across his
+breast ready for instant action, he went on and on, with all kinds of
+curious thoughts occurring to him as his pulses beat heavily, and even
+his brain seemed to throb.  Stories he had read and heard of people who
+were lost moving in a circle and getting back to the place from which
+they had started troubled him, others of people wandering about in the
+dark and going over the same ground, and of others walking right into
+the very spot they sought to avoid.  These and similar thoughts made him
+break out into a cold perspiration, and wish that Panton had taken the
+lead.
+
+But all the time he was steadily walking on in the direction he believed
+to be correct, till he felt at last that he must be level with the brig,
+then passing it, and again that he must be well on his way now, and that
+it was time to turn more sharply round and get up to the other side of
+the vessel.  Then--_Splash_!
+
+He drew back with a chill of dread running through his frame, for he had
+reached the edge of a pool, and there was no water within half a mile of
+the spot where the brig lay.
+
+"What is it--water?" whispered Panton.
+
+"Yes, I have come wrong."
+
+"No, you haven't, only kept straight on instead of bearing more to your
+right."
+
+"But I thought I was bearing well to the right," whispered Oliver.
+
+"So did I--too much, but you see you were not.  This is the
+half-dried-up pool, where there are three crocos.  I saw them the other
+day."
+
+"It can't be."
+
+_Splash, splash, splash, splash_!
+
+Four heavy blows given to the surface of the water by the tail of a
+great reptile, for the purpose of stunning any fish there might be close
+at hand.
+
+"Yes; you're right," said Oliver.  "Then we ought to bear away to the
+right now?"
+
+"That's it.  Go on."
+
+Fortunately the ground was open now, and there was nothing to dread but
+the scattered blocks of coral which it was too dark to see, but Oliver
+stepped out boldly, chancing a fall over any of these obstacles, and for
+the next ten minutes or so he made pretty good progress, and felt sure
+that he was going right, for he every now and then stepped short with
+his right foot.
+
+"I must be near the brig now," he said to himself, and after gradually
+slackening his pace he stopped short and listened, in the hope of
+hearing some sound on board the vessel, and to his great joy there was a
+whispering not far away.  Reaching out his hand, he touched Panton, and
+then placing his lips to his companion's ear he said,--
+
+"Can you hear that?"
+
+"Yes, some one talking."
+
+"Well, I make it out to be on the brig.  What are we to do next?"
+
+"Creep a little nearer, and then wait for morning.  If we go too close,
+the next thing will be a shot in our direction."
+
+"Hark!"
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"Listen.  Isn't this peculiar?"
+
+Panton was silent there in the darkness for a few minutes, and then with
+his lips to Oliver's ear,--
+
+"I say," he said, "isn't this rather queer?"
+
+"What?  I don't understand you."
+
+"If that's people on the brig she's coming nearer to us; I thought at
+first that the wind might be bringing the sound, but it isn't.  The
+sound's coming closer."
+
+"Mr Rimmer is down, then, patrolling round with some of his men.  Be
+careful, or they may shoot."
+
+"Not he.  Mr Rimmer wouldn't leave his wooden fort in the darkness.
+Listen."
+
+"Yes, you're right.  Whoever it is, is coming this way."
+
+"It's the enemy, then, and we must retreat again."
+
+"But which way?  What are we to do?  We must be near the brig at
+daybreak, so that as soon as it is light we may make a rush for it."
+
+"We ought to be, but we mustn't be within sight of Mr Papuan at
+daybreak; for, so near as we are, we shall have some of his arrows
+quivering in us.  I don't know that I am very much afraid of a wound as
+a rule, but I am awfully scared about having a poisoned arrow in me.  I
+don't want to die of locked jaw."
+
+"Hist.  Back," whispered Oliver.  "We must go somewhere, for they're
+coming on, and it sounds like a good number of them."
+
+Talking was quite plain now, and those who spoke were evidently full of
+confidence, for one man spoke in a loud voice, and a chorus of agreement
+or dissent arose, otherwise the enemy must have heard the whispering of
+the little party, which now retreated steadily, but with the result that
+Oliver grew confused, for he felt that he had entirely lost all sense of
+direction, and letting Panton come up abreast he told him so.
+
+"Don't matter," said the latter.  "You've evidently been going all
+wrong, and no wonder.  Nature never meant us to play rats and owls.  But
+I daresay we shall get right after all.  I wish there were some trees so
+that we could shelter under them, and--"
+
+"But there is nothing for a long distance but those barren rocks a
+quarter of a mile from the brig's bows.  If we could reach them."
+
+"Yes, where do you think they are?"
+
+"I can't think.  I don't know, only that they must be somewhere."
+
+"Yes, that's exactly where they are," said Panton, with a little laugh.
+"Somewhere, unless the earth has swallowed them up, but where that
+somewhere is I don't know, nor you either, so we're lost in the dark."
+
+"Hush, not so loud, the daylight cannot be very far-off now."
+
+"What?  Hours.  I don't believe it's midnight yet."
+
+"There, I told you so," whispered Oliver, a few minutes later, "there's
+the dawn coming and the sunrise."
+
+"Nonsense, it's the moon; but look here, oughtn't we to be facing the
+east now."
+
+"Yes, according to my calculations," replied Oliver.
+
+"Your calculating tackle wants regulating, for so sure as that's the
+moon rising over yonder we've been working along due west."
+
+"Tut, tut, tut!" ejaculated Oliver, as he gazed round at the faint light
+on the horizon, "and I did try so hard.  But that must be the dawn."
+
+"Then it has got a good, hard, firm, silvery rim to it.  Look!  That's
+uncommonly like the moon, isn't it?"
+
+Panton pointed to where the edge of the pale orb came slowly above the
+horizon, looking big, and of a soft yellowish tarnished silver hue.
+
+"Yes, it's the moon sure enough," said Oliver.  "I'm all wrong.  We
+shall be able to make out where the brig is, though, when it gets a
+little higher."
+
+"And the niggers will be able to make out where we are, and skewer us
+all with arrows, if we don't look out.  Hadn't we better all lie down?"
+
+"No, no, let's aim at getting back on board.  We shall be stronger
+there, and it will be a relief to Mr Rimmer to have us all back again
+safely.  Better wait.  I can't hear the enemy now, and in a few minutes
+we may be able to see the brig.  What do you say, Drew?"
+
+"All right."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.
+
+IN A FOG.
+
+"Look-ye here, old mate," growled Wriggs to his companion, "I'm getting
+jolly well sick o' this here job."
+
+"Why, yer ungrateful beggar, what are you grumbling about now?  You had
+too much o' them joosety pigeons, and it's been too strong for you."
+
+"'Tarn't that," growled Wriggs, in a hoarse whisper.  "It's this here
+ladder."
+
+"What's the matter with the ladder, mate?  Seemed to me to be a nice
+light strong 'un when I carried it."
+
+"Oh, yes, it's strong enough, messmate, but it makes me feel like a
+fool, Tommy."
+
+"Why so, Billy?"
+
+"'Cause I'm having to go cutting about here like a lamp-lighter as has
+lost his lantern, and ain't got no lamposties near.  Blow the old
+ladder!  I'm sick on it."
+
+"Give us hold, and you take these ropes," said Smith, "I never see such
+a fellow for grumbling as you are, Billy.  You'd only got to say as you
+was tired, and I'd ha' took it at once."
+
+Wriggs chewed and spat on the ground, but he made no other movement.
+
+"Well, are yer going to ketch hold o' these here ropes?"
+
+"No, I aren't going to ketch hold o' no ropes.  Cause why?  It's my
+spell with the ladder, and I'm a-going to carry the ladder till it's
+time to give it up."
+
+"Well, you are a horbstnit one, Billy, and no mistake."
+
+"Look-ye here, are you going to keep your mouth shut?  'Cause if you're
+not, I'm a-going to get furder away afore the Injuns begins to shoot.  I
+don't want no pysoned arrows sticking into me."
+
+"Course you don't, mate.  Look-ye here, if I was you I'd stand that
+there ladder straight up, and then go aloft and sit on the top rung.
+You could rest yourself, and be a deal safer up there."
+
+"Chaff!" growled Wriggs.  "Chaff!  Better hold your tongue, Tommy, if
+yer can't talk sense.  What does young Mr Oliver say--Forrard again?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Oh, all right, then, I don't mind.  I'll go off 'lone with the ladder
+if he likes.  Where's the Injuns now?"
+
+"Dunno.  But they ain't Injuns, Billy; they're savygees, that's what
+they are."
+
+"Why, I heered Mr Oliver call 'em pap you hans.  But there, I don't
+care.  Call 'em what you like, so long as I can get rid o' this ladder
+and rest my soldier."
+
+"Then why don't you put it over your other soldier, Billy, or else let
+me carry it?"
+
+"'Cause I shan't, Tommy, so there you have it, sharp."
+
+"You men will be heard by the Papuans if there are any lurking about,"
+whispered Oliver just then.  "Silence, and keep close behind us."
+
+As the moon rose higher it was not to shine out bright and clear, for
+there was a thin haze floating over the sea, and consequently, as the
+softened silvery light flooded the wave-swept plain, every object looked
+distorted and mysterious.  Tree-trunks, where they lay together, seemed
+huge masses of coral rock, swollen and strange, and the hollows scooped
+out by the earthquake wave appeared to be full of a luminous haze that
+the eye could not penetrate, and suggested the possibility of enemies
+being in hiding, waiting to take aim with some deadly weapon, as soon as
+the light grew plain enough for the returning party to be seen.
+
+But out in the open, as far as they could make out, no lurking savages
+were visible, and as the light spread more and more, unless hidden by
+some shadowy hollow, there was no danger close at hand.
+
+This was satisfactory and encouraging, the more so that though they all
+listened with every nerve on the strain, there was now not a sound to
+betray the enemy's whereabouts.
+
+On the other hand, in spite of the light growing stronger, there was no
+sign of the brig, and, worse still, everything looked so distorted and
+hazy, not one familiar object to enable them to judge of their position.
+
+"It's just like looking through a big magnifying glass," whispered
+Oliver, "at the point when everything is upside down and distorted from
+being out of focus."
+
+"Perhaps so," said Drew, "but we're not looking through a magnifying
+glass."
+
+"I wonder that you, a man who is always using a microscope, should talk
+like that," replied Oliver.  "We are not looking through a glass,
+certainly, but we are piercing a dull transparent medium, caused by
+water in the form of mist floating in the air.  I don't want to be
+conceited, but my idea was quite right."
+
+"Quite," said Panton, "only this is not a good time for studying optics.
+What we want is knowledge that shall bring us to the brig without being
+shot at by our friends."
+
+"Hear that, Tommy," whispered Wriggs.  "We're going to be shot at now in
+front by Muster Rimmer and the others, while the savages shoots at us
+behind."
+
+"Well, if we can't help it, Billy, what's the use o' grumbling?"
+returned his mate.
+
+"'Cause I've got this here ladder.  What's the good of a ladder when
+you're being shot at?"
+
+"None as I sees, Billy."
+
+"'Course not.  Now, if it had been a good stout plank, there'd be some
+sense in it."
+
+"What, you'd shove it behind yer when the niggers was shooting harrers?"
+said Smith, thoughtfully.
+
+"O' course."
+
+"And afore yer when Muster Rimmer was lettin' go with his revolver or a
+gun."
+
+"Right you are, mate.  That's it."
+
+"Might keep off a harrer," said Smith, thoughtfully, "but bullets would
+go through it like they would through a bar o' soap."
+
+"Yah, that's where you allers haggravates me, Tommy.  I knows you're
+cleverer than I am, but sometimes you do talk so soft."
+
+"What d'yer mean?"
+
+"I mean what's the good o' you hargying whether a bullet would go
+through a thick plank or whether it wouldn't, when it's on'y a split
+pole and so many wooden spells.  Don't you see it ain't a board but on'y
+a ladder; and I'm sick on it, that I am."
+
+"Then let me carry it."
+
+"Sharn't!"
+
+"Will you two men be quiet?" said Oliver in a sharp whisper.  "Do you
+want to betray our whereabouts to the enemy?"
+
+"It aren't me, sir, it's Tommy Smith keeps a-haggrywating like."
+
+"I aren't, sir! it's Billy Wriggs a-going on about that ladder as he's
+got to carry."
+
+"Well, it is a nuisance to be carrying a thing like that about all
+night.  Lay it down, man.  I daresay we can find it again in the
+morning.  Now follow us on quietly."
+
+Oliver joined his companions, and the two sailors were left a little way
+behind.
+
+"Now, then! d'yer hear?" whispered Smith.  "He telled yer to chuck that
+there ladder down."
+
+"I don't care what he telled me, Tommy.  He aren't my orficer.  I was to
+carry that there ladder, and I'm a-goin' to carry that there ladder till
+my watch is up."
+
+"Yah! yer orbsnit wooden-headed old chock."
+
+"Dessay I am, Tommy, but dooty's dooty, and ship's stores is ship's
+stores.  I've got to do my dooty, and I aren't going to chuck away the
+ship's stores.  That sort o' thing may do for natralists, but it don't
+come nat'ral to a sailor."
+
+"You won't be better till you've had a snooze, Billy.  Your temper's
+downright nasty, my lad.  I say, what's that?"
+
+"Which?  What?  Wheer?"
+
+"Yonder, something fuzzy-like coming along yonder."
+
+"Niggers," whispered back Wriggs.  "You can see their heads with the
+hair standing out like a mop.  But say, Tommy, what's that up yonder
+again the sky?"
+
+"Nothin' as I knows on."
+
+"Not there, stoopid: yonder.  If that there ain't the wane on the top of
+our mast sticking up out of a hindful o' fog, I'm a Dutchman."
+
+"Talking again?" said Oliver, angrily.
+
+"Yes, sir, look!" whispered Smith.  "Yonder's the brig."
+
+"Can't be that way, my man."
+
+"But it is, sir, just under that bit o' fog.  See the little
+weather-cock thing on the mast?"
+
+"Of course!  Bravo!  Found."
+
+"Yes, sir, and something else, too," growled Wriggs.  "Look yonder
+behind yer.  Niggers--a whole ship's crew on 'em and they're coming
+arter us--there under the moon."
+
+"Yes," said Oliver sharply.  "Now, then, for the brig.  Sharp's the
+word."
+
+"Where is it?" asked Panton excitedly, as he too caught sight of the
+undefined hazy figures of the Papuans beneath the moon.
+
+"There in that patch of fog: the top mast shows above it.  Altogether:
+run."
+
+They set off at full speed, nerved by a yell from the savages, when, all
+at once, the thin mist which had hidden the ship was cut in half a dozen
+places by flashes of light.  The dull reports of as many rifles smote
+their ears, and as Oliver uttered a sharp cry, Wriggs went down with a
+rush, carrying with him the ladder, which fell crosswise and tripped up
+Panton and Smith, who both came with a crash to the ground.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.
+
+THE VALUE OF A LADDER.
+
+A yell of triumph rose from the savages, and they stopped short to send
+a little flight of arrows at the knot of men struggling to their feet--
+no easy task, for Panton's right leg had gone between two of the rounds,
+and as he strove to get up he jerked the implement, and upset Smith
+again.
+
+"Don't--don't fire," cried Drew, who rushed forward, and none to soon;
+for the clicking of locks came out of the thin mist.  "Friends!
+friends!"
+
+A cheer rose at this; but it was answered by another yell, and the
+savages came on now at a run.
+
+"Hurt, Lane, old chap?"
+
+"Don't talk: forward, all of you."
+
+Somehow or another the little party, hurt and unhurt, rose to their
+feet, and ran hard for the brig, fortunately only a short distance away,
+but their speed did not equal that of the arrows winged after them, and
+one of the deadly missiles struck Panton in the shoulder, making him
+utter an angry ejaculation, stop, turn, and discharge both barrels of
+his gun at the advancing enemy.
+
+"Don't; don't stop to do that," groaned Oliver.  "To the brig, man--to
+the brig."
+
+He spoke in great pain, but the two shots had their effect, for they
+checked the advancing enemy for a few moments, and gave the flying party
+time to struggle to the side of the brig, but utterly worn out and
+exhausted.  Then a terrible feeling of despair came over them as they
+looked up and saw that if the savages came on their case was hopeless,
+for the gangway was fastened up and sails had been rigged up along the
+bulwarks as a protection against an attacking foe, while to open out and
+let down steps would have taken many valuable minutes, and given the
+enemy time to seize or slay.
+
+"Quick, my lads, throw them ropes.  Hold on below, there; we'll soon
+haul you up."
+
+Oliver saw that long before they could be dragged up it would be all
+over with them, and he placed his back to the vessel's side, meaning to
+sell his life as dearly as he could, while the others followed his
+example, feeling completely shut out from the help they had sought.
+
+"Fire over our heads, sir," cried Drew, "we must not wait for ropes."
+
+"Yes.  Guns, all of you," cried Mr Rimmer, as the savages came on in
+the moonlight, winging arrow after arrow, which stuck in the ship's side
+again and again.
+
+"Hooray for Billy Wriggs!" yelled Smith just then, as his comrade came
+panting up last.
+
+"Here y'are gents," cried Wriggs, and with steady hands he planted the
+ladder he had been so long abusing right up against the side.  "Now,
+then, up with yer, Mr Oliver Lane, sir."
+
+"No, no; up, Drew."
+
+"Quick: don't shilly-shally," roared Mr Rimmer.  "Now, boys, fire!"
+
+A ragged volley came from overhead as Drew ran up the ladder, and then
+leaned down to hold out his hand to Panton, who went up more slowly,
+with an arrow sticking in his shoulder.
+
+"Now, Smith," cried Oliver.
+
+"No, sir.  Orficers first," was the reply.
+
+"Confound you, you'll be too late!" roared Mr Rimmer, and Smith sprang
+up as the savages came on with a rush, and, literally driven by Wriggs
+to follow, Oliver went up next, while Wriggs followed him so closely
+that he touched and helped him all the while, the ladder quivering and
+bending and threatening to give way beneath their weight.
+
+The next moment the mate's strong hands had seized Oliver's sides and
+pitched him over the sail cloth to the deck, while, as Wriggs got hold
+of a rope and swung himself in, the ladder was seized and dragged away
+as a trophy taken from the enemy, the savages yelling wildly, and then
+increasing their rate of retreat, as a fresh volley was sent after them.
+
+"Oh, murder, look at that!" yelled Wriggs, excitedly, as he climbed up
+and looked over at the retreating foe.
+
+"Tommy, old lad, see here.  The beggars!  Arter my troubles too, all the
+night: they've carried off my ladder, after all."
+
+The moon was now high above the mist, and bathed the deck with the soft
+light, veining it at the same time with the black shadows of stay, spar,
+yard, and running rigging.
+
+"Don't fire, lads," cried Mr Rimmer.  "We mustn't waste a shot.  Wait
+till they come on again.  Now, gentlemen, thank God you're all back safe
+again.  Eh?  Not safe?  Don't say anyone's hurt."
+
+"Yes, Lane's hurt, and Panton."
+
+"So's Billy Wriggs, sir," said Smith.
+
+"Course I am, mate, so would you be if you'd slipped your foot between
+the ratlines of an ugly old ladder, and broke your ankle."
+
+"Why, I did, Billy, right up to the crutch, and snapped my thigh-bone in
+half," growled Smith.
+
+"I'll see to you as soon as I can.  Here, two of you carry Mr Lane down
+into the cabin."
+
+"No, Mr Panton first," said Oliver.  "He's worst."
+
+"Don't stand on ceremony, gentlemen," cried the mate, angrily.  "Mr
+Drew, are you all right?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Then take command here.  You have your gun, keep a sharp look-out, and
+no mercy now, down with the first of the treacherous dogs who comes
+near."
+
+"Right.  I'm ready," said Drew; "but pray see to my friends."
+
+Oliver was already on his way to the cabin hatch.
+
+"You trust me for that, sir," said the mate.  "Steady there.  Ah!  An
+arrow!  Here, quick; down with Mr Panton."
+
+The men who had lifted him from the deck, panting with fear and horror,
+were quick enough in their actions, and the two young men were soon
+lying one on each side of the cabin floor.
+
+"You shall be attended to directly, Mr Lane," said the mate, hurriedly.
+"You're not bleeding much.  Here, Smith, hold this cloth tightly
+against Mr Lane's arm."
+
+He hurried to Panton's side, and turned him more over upon his face,
+showing the broken shaft of an arrow sticking through the cloth of the
+young man's jacket.  Then quickly taking out his knife, he did not
+hesitate for a moment, but ordering Wriggs to hold the cabin lamp so as
+to cast its light upon the broken arrow, he inserted his knife, and
+ripped the light Norfolk jacket right up to the collar, and across the
+injured place, so that he could throw it open, and then serving the thin
+flannel shirt the young man wore in the same way, the wound was at once
+laid bare, and the extent of the injury seen.
+
+"Can't ha' gone into his heart, sir," said Wriggs, respectfully.
+"'Cause it's pinting uppards."
+
+"Yes," said Mr Rimmer, "imbedded in the muscles of his shoulder.  Poor
+fellow, best done while he's fainting."
+
+It was rough surgery, but right.  Taking hold of the broken arrow shaft,
+of which about three inches stood up from the wound, which was just
+marked by a few drops of blood, Mr Rimmer found that it was held
+firmly, and resisted all efforts to dislodge it without violence, so
+judging that the head was barbed, and that tearing would be dangerous,
+he at once made a bold cut down into the flesh, parallel with the flat
+of the arrow head, and then pressing it gently up and down, he drew the
+missile forth.  He followed this up by carefully washing out the wound
+with clean water, and finally, before bandaging, poured in some ammonia.
+
+Just as he gave the final touches to the bandage, Panton came to, and
+looked wildly round, his eyes resting at last upon the mate's.
+
+"You have taken out the arrow?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, and made a good job of you, sir," said the mate, cheerily.  "I
+didn't think I was such a surgeon."
+
+Panton grasped his arm, and whispered hoarsely,--
+
+"Tell me the truth.  That was a poisoned arrow, was it not?"
+
+"How should I know?" said the mate, roughly.  "It was an arrow; I've
+taken it out, bathed the wound, and what you have to do, is to lie
+still, and not worry yourself into a fever by fancying all kinds of
+horrors."
+
+"But these men poison their arrows, do they not?"
+
+"People say so," said the mate, bluffly, "but it doesn't follow that
+they do.  Now, then, I've got to attend to Mr Lane.  You've had your
+turn."
+
+He bent down over Oliver, and began to remove the bandage which Smith
+had passed round the upper part of the young man's left arm.
+
+"Thank goodness it isn't in the body," said the mate.  "I thought it was
+at first."
+
+"No, sir," said Smith.  "He was all wet about his chest, and I thought
+he'd got it somewhere there, but it's a nice, neat hole right through
+his arm, and here's the bullet which tumbled out of the sleeve of his
+jacket."
+
+He handed the little piece of lead to the mate, who took it quickly,
+held it to the lamp and then drawing his breath sharply between his
+teeth, he slipped the bullet into his pocket before slitting up Oliver's
+sleeve, and examining a couple of ruddy orifices in the upper part of
+his arm.
+
+"Hurt you much, sir?" he said, cheerfully.
+
+"Hurt?" cried Oliver, angrily.  "Why, it throbs and stings horribly."
+
+"So I s'pose.  But you mustn't think that this is poisoned.  No fear of
+that."
+
+"I did not think so," said Oliver, shortly.  "I wish I knew who it was
+that fired at me."
+
+"Well," said the mate, drily, as he bathed the two wounds where the
+bullet had entered and passed out right through the thickest part of the
+arm, carefully using fresh water and sponge, "I don't think that would
+help the places to heal."
+
+"No--ah! you hurt!  Mr Rimmer, what are you doing?"
+
+"I was trying to find out whether the bone was injured."
+
+"Is it broken?" said Oliver, who was wincing with pain.
+
+"No, the bullet never touched it, sir.  There's only a nice clean tunnel
+through your flesh to heal up."
+
+"Nice clean tunnel, indeed!" said Oliver, whose deadly faintness was
+giving way to irritability, caused by the sharp pain.  "I only, as I
+said before, wish I knew who shot me.  How could a man be so stupid?"
+
+"Well, I'll tell you," said the mate, as he softly dried the wounds.
+"If people come rushing out of a fog in company with a lot of yelling
+savages, they can't expect other people to know the difference.  The
+fact is, my lad, I fired that shot, for it was a bullet out of the
+captain's gun."
+
+"You, Mr Rimmer!"
+
+"Yes, my lad, and I'm very thankful."
+
+"What, that you shot me?"
+
+"Yes, through the arm instead of through the chest, for I couldn't have
+doctored you then."
+
+"I say!  Oh!  What are you doing?" cried Oliver.
+
+"That's right, have a rousing shout if it will do you good, my lad,"
+said the mate, whose fingers were busy.  "But that's right, don't
+shrink," he continued as he went on with his task, which was that of
+plugging the two mouths of the wound with lint--
+
+"Hallo!  What is it?"
+
+A sailor's head had appeared inside the cabin door.
+
+"Mr Drew says, sir, as the savages are coming back, and would you like
+to come on deck?"
+
+"Yes, of course," said the mate hastily.  "Go and tell him I'm coming."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+The man disappeared, and the mate turned to Smith.
+
+"Here," he said, "carefully and tightly bind up Mr Lane's arm, so that
+the plugs cannot come out."
+
+"Me, sir?  Don't you want me to come and fight?"
+
+"I want you to obey orders," said the mate, sharply.  "There, you will
+not hurt, Mr Lane; and as for you, Mr Panton, don't let imagination
+get the better of you, sir.  I'll come down again as soon as I can."
+
+"You won't hurt, sir," said Smith, with rough sympathy, as he took up
+the bandage and examined the injured arm by the light of the lamp.  "But
+he can.  All very fine for him to say that, after ramming in a couple o'
+pellets just as if he was loading an elder-wood pop-gun.  Look here,
+sir, shall I take 'em out again?"
+
+"No, no," said Oliver, trying hard to bear the acute pain he suffered,
+patiently.
+
+"But they must hurt you 'orrid, and he won't know when the bandage is
+on."
+
+"Tie up my arm, man," said Oliver, shortly.  "It is quite right.  That's
+better--Tighter.--No, no, I can't bear it.  Yes: that will do.  How are
+you getting on, Panton?"
+
+"Badly.  Feel as if someone was boring a hole in my shoulder with a red
+hot poker."
+
+"So do I," said Oliver; "and as if he had got quite through, and was
+leaving the poker in to burn the hole bigger."
+
+"Serve you right."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"You were always torturing some poor creature, sticking pins through it
+to `set it up' as you call it."
+
+"But not alive.  I always poisoned them first."
+
+"Worse and worse," said Panton, trying hard to preserve his calmness,
+and to master the horror always to the front in his thoughts, by
+speaking lightly.  "That's what I believe they have done to me, but
+they've failed to get me as a specimen."
+
+"Haw, haw, haw!" laughed Smith.
+
+"Quiet, sir!" cried Oliver.  "What have you got to laugh at?"
+
+"Beg pardon," said the man, passing his hand across his mouth, as if the
+laugh required wiping away, "but it seemed so comic for the natives to
+be trying to get a spessermen of an English gent, to keep stuffed as a
+cur'osity."
+
+"Ah, they wouldn't have done that, Smith, my lad.  More likely to have
+rolled me up in leaves to bake in one of their stone ovens, and then
+have a feast."
+
+"Well, they aren't got yer, sir, and they sha'n't have yer, if me and
+Billy Wriggs can stop it."
+
+"God bless you both, my lads," said Panton huskily.  "You stood by me
+very bravely."
+
+"Oh, I don't know, sir," said Smith bashfully.  "People as is out
+together, whether they're gents or only common sailors, is mates yer
+know for the time, and has to stand by one another in a scrimmage.  Did
+one's dooty like, and I dessay I could do it again, better than what I'm
+a doing here.  My poor old mother never thought I should come to be a
+'orspittle nuss.  Like a drink a' water, sir?"
+
+"Yes, please, my mouth's terribly dry."
+
+Smith looked round, but there was no water in the cabin, and he went out
+to get some from the breaker on deck, but he had not reached halfway to
+the tub, before there was a sharp recommencement of the firing, and he
+knew by the yelling that the savages were making a fresh attack.
+
+The sailor forgot all about the wounded in the cabin, and running right
+forward, he seized a capstan bar for a weapon, and then went to the side
+waiting to help and repel the attack, if any of the enemy managed to
+reach the deck.
+
+But evidently somewhat daunted by the firearms and the injuries
+inflicted upon several of their party, the savages did not come too
+near, but stood drawing their bows from time to time, and sending their
+arrows up in the air, so that they might fall nearly perpendicularly
+upon the deck.  Many times over the men had hairbreadth escapes from
+arrows which fell with a sharp whistling sound, and stuck quivering in
+the boards, while the mate made the crew hold their fire.
+
+"Firing at them is no good," he said, "or they would have stopped away
+after the first volleys.  Let them shoot instead and waste their arrows.
+They'll soon get tired of that game.  So long as they don't hurt us,
+it's of no consequence.  All we want, is for them to leave us alone."
+
+"But it does not seem as if they would do that," said Drew, to whom he
+was speaking.
+
+"Well, then, if they will not, we must give them another lesson, and
+another if it comes to that.  We're all right now in our bit of a fort,
+but it seems queer to be in command of a ship that will not--Hah!  Look
+at that!" he cried, stooping to pull from the deck an arrow which had
+just fallen with a whizz.  "You may as well keep some of these and take
+'em home for curiosities, sir.  There's no trickery or deceit about
+them.  They were not made for trade purposes, but for fighting."
+
+"And are they poisoned?" said Drew anxiously.
+
+"Best policy is to say no they are not, sir.  We don't want to frighten
+Mr Panton into the belief that he has been wounded by one, for if he
+does, he'll get worse and worse and die of the fancy; whereas, after the
+spirits are kept up, even if the arrow points have been dipped into
+something nasty, he may fight the trouble down and get well again.  I
+say, take it that they are not poisoned and let's keep to that, for many
+a man has before now died from imagination.  Why, bless me! if the men
+got to think that the savages' weapons were poisonous, every fellow who
+got a scratch would take to his bunk, and we should have no end of
+trouble."
+
+"I suppose so," said Drew.  "But tell me, what do you think of my
+companions' wounds?"
+
+"Well, speaking as a man who has been at sea twenty years, and has
+helped to do a good deal of doctoring with sticking plaster and medicine
+chest--for men often get hurt and make themselves ill--I should say as
+they've both got nasty troublesome wounds which will pain them a bit for
+weeks to come, but that there's nothing in them to fidget about.  Young
+hearty out-door-living fellows like yourselves have good flesh, and if
+it's wounded it soon heals up again."
+
+"Yes, I suppose so."
+
+"Of course, sir: when you're young you soon come right.  It's when you
+are getting old, and fidget and worry about your health, that you get
+better slowly.  Hah! there's another stuck up in the mainsail.  That
+won't hurt anybody."
+
+"But tell me, Mr Rimmer, when did the savages come and attack you?"
+
+"I was going to ask you to tell me why you were all so long.  I was just
+thinking of coming in search of you, expecting to find that you'd gone
+down some hole or broken your necks, when one of the men came running up
+from where he had been fishing in that nearest pool--for the crocs and
+things have left a few fish swimming about still.  Up he comes to the
+gangway shouting,--`Mr Rimmer, Mr Rimmer, here they are,' he says.
+`Good job too,' says I.  `Are they all here?'  `Quick, quick,' he says.
+`Get out the guns,' and looking half wild with fear, he began to shut up
+the gangway and to yell for some one to help him pull up the ladder.  I
+thought he was mad, and I caught hold of him as the men came running up.
+`Here, young fellow,' I says, `what's the matter with you; have you got
+sunstroke?'  `No, sir,' he says, `but one of their poisoned arrows
+whizzed by my ear.  Don't you understand?  I was fishing and I'd just
+hooked a big one when a croc seized it, and nearly dragged me into the
+water.  Then, all at once, I looked up and let go of the line, for there
+was a whole gang of nearly naked black fellows, with their heads all
+fuzzed out, and spears and bows and arrows in their hands.  They were a
+long way off on the other side of the pool, but they saw me, and began
+to run as fast as ever they could, and so did I.'"
+
+"Enough to make him," said Drew.
+
+"Yes, and it didn't want any telling, for the perspiration was streaming
+down his face, his hair sticking to his forehead, and you could see his
+heart pumping away and rising and falling.  Next minute we could see the
+rascals stealing up looking at the brig as if they expected to see it
+come sailing down upon them; but as soon as they made sure it was not
+going to move, they came shouting and dancing round us, and in the
+boldest way tried to climb on board."
+
+"Well?" said Drew, for the mate stopped.
+
+"Well?  I call it ill, sir."
+
+"But what did you do then?"
+
+"Oh! the game began then, of course.  I told the men to tell them that
+nobody came on board except by invitation; but they didn't like it and
+insisted upon coming."
+
+"But could they understand English?"
+
+"No, not a word."
+
+"Then how could you tell them?"
+
+"Oh! that was easy enough," said the mate with a droll look.  "I made
+the men tell them with capstan bars, and as soon as a black head
+appeared above the bulwarks it went down again.  I didn't want to fire
+upon the poor ignorant wretches, who seemed to have an idea that the
+brig was their prize, and that everyone was to give way to them, for
+they came swarming up, over fifty of them, throwing and darting their
+spears at us, and shooting arrows, so I was obliged to give them a
+lesson."
+
+"Have you killed any?" said Drew.
+
+"Not yet.  I found that hitting their thick heads was no good, so I
+served out some swan shot cartridges, and sent a lot of them back rather
+sore."
+
+"It checked them, then?"
+
+"Yes, for a time, while we ran up that canvas and cleared away
+everything that made it easy for them to swarm up over the bulwarks.
+But they're so active that one's never safe."
+
+"Hark! what's that?" cried Drew.  "Someone called `help!'"
+
+"It came from the cabin.  Come along."
+
+"Who's there?" said Drew.
+
+"I left Smith with them, but he's here," panted the mate, as he passed
+the sailor, who was hurrying back horrified by the cry he had heard.
+
+They were just in time to see the cabin window blocked up by black
+heads, whose owners were trying to force their way in, while a couple of
+fierce-looking wretches had their clubs raised as if about to dash out
+the brains of the two injured passengers.
+
+There was no time to take aim.  The mate and Drew both drew trigger as
+they entered the cabin, when there was a savage yelling, the place
+filled with smoke.  Then as it rose, Oliver Lane and Panton could be
+seen lying half fainting upon the cabin floor, and the open cabin window
+was vacant.
+
+"The brutes!" cried Drew, running to the window to lean out and fire the
+second barrel of his piece at a group of the Papuans.
+
+"Mind!" roared the mate, as Drew passed him, but his warning was not
+heeded in the excitement.  The need, though, was evident, for the young
+man shrank away startled and horrified as half a dozen arrows came with
+a whizz and stuck here and there in the woodwork, and two in the
+ceiling, while a spear struck off his cap, and then fell and stuck with
+a loud thud in the cabin floor, not a couple of inches from one of
+Oliver Lane's legs.
+
+"Hurt?" cried the mate, excitedly.
+
+"Yes--no--I can't tell," said Drew, whose hands trembled as he reloaded
+his gun.
+
+"But you must know," cried the mate, seizing his arm and gazing at him
+searchingly.
+
+"No: I don't know," said Drew.  "Something touched me, but I don't feel
+anything now.  I am certain, though: I am not wounded."
+
+"For heaven's sake be careful, man!" cried the mate.  "We have shelter
+here and must make use of it.  We are regularly besieged, and how long
+it will last it is impossible to say."
+
+As he spoke he dragged the little narrow mattress out of a bunk, and,
+signing to Drew to take hold of one end, they raised it and placed it
+across the window to act as a screen, while Mr Rimmer thrust out one
+arm, got hold of a rope, and drew up the dead-light which was struck
+several times before he got it perfectly secure.
+
+"Oh, you're there, Smith," he said, turning to the sailor, who, now
+feeling very penitent, was down on one knee holding a panikin of water
+to Oliver Lane's lips.  "How came you to leave the cabin, and with that
+window open?"
+
+"I didn't, sir.  Window was shut fast enough when I left it, and I only
+went for some water for the gentlemen to drink."
+
+"And nearly sent them to their graves?" cried the mate.
+
+"Will you come on deck, sir, please?" cried one of the men, who had come
+to the cabin door with his face looking drawn and scared.
+
+"Yes.  What is it?" said the mate.
+
+"There's a lot more on 'em just come up, sir, and we think they're going
+to rush us now."
+
+"Yes.  Come on, Mr Drew.  You, too, Smith.  Quick, they're attacking."
+
+For there was a terrific yelling, and the sound indicated that it must
+come from quite a crowd.
+
+They rushed on deck and none too soon, for, at the first glance Drew
+obtained, he could see that the savages had surrounded the brig, and
+that many of them bore small palm trunk poles whose purpose was evident
+the next moment, for a dozen men rushed forward and laid them from the
+earth to the bulwarks, sinking down directly to clasp the little trees
+with their arms while as many of their companions leaped up, took as
+high a hold as they could, and then began to swarm up toward the deck.
+
+"It's all over now," muttered Drew, and he took aim at a man who seemed
+to be the leader.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY.
+
+AN INVALID DEFENCE.
+
+The shouting and yelling was so plainly heard in the cabin, that Oliver
+tried to raise himself up, but sank back with a sigh of pain, for the
+rough usage he had met with from the Papuans had made him lie back half
+fainting and speechless.  But he was conscious of the words shouted by
+the seaman to the mate, and of the latter's orders as he ran out of the
+cabin.
+
+Oliver groaned as he lay back upon his couch, listening to the sounds of
+the impending strife.
+
+"It is too hard to be left alone and helpless here," he muttered.  "I
+wouldn't care if I were strong enough to go and help."
+
+"You there, Lane?" came in feeble tones from the other side of the
+cabin.
+
+"Yes.  How are you?"
+
+"Bad.  But what's that noise?  That shouting?"
+
+"Papuans attacking the ship."
+
+"Oh, yes," said Panton faintly.  "I remember now.  They followed us and
+shot me down.  Ah!  I should have liked to have one turn at the fellow
+who drew a bow at me.  Hark! they're fighting."
+
+"Fighting!  Yes; and oh! it is dreadful to have to lie here and not be
+able to help."
+
+"Yes, I should like to help our fellows," sighed Panton, "Drew is there,
+I suppose?"
+
+"Yes, of course.  Hark! they've begun firing."
+
+They lay listening for some minutes, and then Panton suddenly
+exclaimed,--
+
+"I'm weak and faint as can be, but I can't lie like this.  Look here,
+Lane, old chap; if those blacks get the best of it, they'll come down
+here and murder us."
+
+"Without mercy," said Oliver, with a groan.
+
+"Well, wounded men have helped the fighting before now.  Don't you think
+you and I could do our little bit now?"
+
+"I don't feel as if I could raise an arm," said Oliver, "but I'll have a
+try."
+
+"So will I.  It's of no use to lie here fancying one has been wounded by
+poisoned arrows.  I shall think of nothing but paying those fellows out.
+The guns are there on that locker."
+
+"And the cartridge bags with them," said Oliver.
+
+"Then here goes."
+
+"Hist!"
+
+"What is it?" whispered back Panton.
+
+"Some one is trying that window."
+
+There was no mistake about the matter, for the grating as of a great
+piece of wood was heard, followed by a cracking sound like the point of
+a spear being inserted in a crevice so as to wrench open the dead-light.
+
+The young men looked at each other, and Panton reached out his sound
+arm, setting his teeth hard as he tried to master the agony he felt in
+his effort, and succeeded in grasping one gun.
+
+The rest was easy: by its help he drew the other within reach--their own
+guns which had been thrown down there when they were brought into the
+cabin.  In another minute he had the cartridge satchels as well, and
+pushed one and his gun to Oliver.  They both examined the breeches to
+see that they were properly loaded, listening the while to the
+crackling, wrenching noise.
+
+Meanwhile the sounds from without increased.  There was plenty of firing
+going on from the deck, answered by savage yelling and the dull sounds
+of blows, as arrow and spear kept on striking the woodwork and flying
+over the protected bulwarks to the deck.
+
+"Haven't got a foot on board yet," whispered Panton, faintly.
+
+"No; it sounds as if they were climbing up, and our fellows kept
+knocking them backward.  Oh, if I were only strong enough to go up and
+see."
+
+"I'd give anything to be there," said Panton, with his eyes brightening.
+
+"I say," said Oliver, hoarsely; "does it come natural to fellows to want
+to kill as soon as they get hurt and fighting's going on?"
+
+"I suppose so.  It seems to take all the fear out of you, and you don't
+care for anything.  I say--look out!"
+
+For at that moment there was a sharp splitting sound at the cabin
+window, the dead-light fell over with a sharp crack, and as a couple of
+savage grinning faces appeared, Oliver held out his gun with one hand as
+if it had been a pistol, and without attempting to raise his head from
+the rough pillow on which it lay, drew trigger.
+
+The effect was instantaneous.  One moment the two Papuans were there,
+the next they were gone, and a heavy thick smoke rose towards the
+ceiling.
+
+"Hit them?" said Panton, excitedly.
+
+"Must have hit them, or they wouldn't have dropped.  But some of the
+pellets were sure to go home, for it was loaded with small shot."
+
+"You were too quick for me," said Panton, huskily, as Oliver reloaded,
+opening the breech as the gun lay across him, only one hand being at
+liberty for the task.
+
+"Think they'll come again?" said Oliver, through his teeth, for the
+recoil of the gun had horribly jarred his injured arm, and there were
+moments when he felt as if his senses were leaving him in a swoon.
+
+"Yes, they'll come again, and I must have a shot this time.  Am I loaded
+with small shot too?  I forget.  My head is so horribly muddled."
+
+"Yes, I think so.  Look out.  I'm not ready."
+
+Panton was looking out, and he, too, saw the top of a mop-headed
+savage's fuzz begin to appear softly over the edge of the window, then
+dart up quickly and bob down again, after its owner had made a quick
+observation.
+
+"Don't fire; he'll come back."
+
+Lane was quite right, for a hand holding a spear was raised now, the
+weapon poised ready to be hurled into the cabin.  Then the head of the
+holder appeared and bobbed down once more.
+
+"Too quick, don't fire," said Oliver, hoarsely.  "Wait, and we'll fire
+together."
+
+"No, no," said Panton, faintly.  "I must have this one."
+
+Up came the bead again sharply, the spear was poised, and, holding on by
+the sill with one hand, the savage drew back to give force to his throw,
+which was intended for Panton, who lay there as if in a nightmare,
+completely paralysed, feeling that he ought to fire to save his friend,
+but unable to hold his gun steady for a moment, and to draw trigger.
+
+At last.  _Bang_!  A terrible yell; the spear dropped on the sill, the
+point was then jerked upwards, and struck the top of the window as the
+savage fell headlong, leaving the opening clear once more.
+
+"Did--I hit him?" said Panton, faintly.
+
+"Yes, he went down at once.  Quick, load again.  Another will be up
+directly."
+
+He was quite right, but Panton did not stir; he lay back senseless, the
+recoil of the fired piece having sent so agonising a pang through him
+too that he turned sick and fainted dead away; and this just as a couple
+more spear-armed savages dragged themselves up and began to climb
+through.  In fact, one was dimly seen half in before Oliver could shake
+off his feeling of lethargy and steady the gun for another shot.
+
+The report sounded deafening in the confined cabin, filling it far more
+with smoke, which Oliver lay trying hard to penetrate as he wondered at
+the silence which had now fallen.
+
+The window was open and no enemy was to be seen as the smoke slowly rose
+and floated out through the door, carried by the current of air which
+set in through the window, and as there was no fresh alarm the young
+naturalist lay listening, till all at once steps were heard, and the
+mate's voice saluted him,--
+
+"Well, how's the wound?  Hear all our noise and firing?"
+
+"Yes," said Oliver, slowly, "I heard."
+
+"But, hallo! what's the meaning of this?  I thought that dead-light was
+put up? and what!  Guns?"
+
+Oliver told him what had happened, and the mate caught his hand.
+
+"And we were so much taken up by our own firing that we did not hear a
+sound of yours?"
+
+"Have you beaten them off?" asked Oliver.
+
+"Yes, they've drawn back for the time," replied the mate.  "Then if you
+two had not helped in the defence of the brig, they would have got in?"
+
+"I suppose so," said Oliver; "but, pray see to Mr Panton."
+
+The request was necessary, and it was some time before he recovered
+sufficiently to answer when spoken to, then falling into a sleep that
+was broken by feverish dreams.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.
+
+THE SCOUTING PARTY.
+
+Mr Rimmer felt great unwillingness for anyone to leave the brig, but at
+the end of forty-eight hours, during which no sign whatever had been
+seen of the enemy, he felt that some investigations must be made to see
+whether they had left the island or were lurking somewhere near, in one
+of the patches of forest, waiting for an opportunity to take the
+occupants of the brig at a disadvantage.
+
+"And we know what the consequences would be, gentlemen, if they did."
+
+These words were spoken in the cabin where, in spite of their injuries,
+both Oliver and Panton eagerly took part in the little discussion.
+
+Ever since the attack had ceased careful watch had been kept after the
+windows had been made thoroughly secure and no one had left the deck of
+the brig.  But such a condition of affairs was proving terribly irksome,
+besides cutting off the opportunities for obtaining fresh fish and meat.
+
+The idea which found most favour was that the enemy had gone back to
+their canoes and paddled away, but this had to be put to the test, and
+various were the plans proposed, but none seemed to possess qualities
+which commended themselves to the mate.
+
+"No, gentlemen," he said, "I think my last idea will be the best; I'll
+start before daylight to-morrow morning and steer for the sea, so as to
+make out whether they have a canoe on the shore.  If there is not one,
+they must have gone."
+
+"And what is to become of us and the brig if you are unable to get
+back?" asked Oliver rather indignantly.
+
+"Well," said Mr Rimmer with his eyes twinkling, "that would be rather
+awkward for both of us, squire, but we won't look at the worst side of
+the case, but at the best.  I'll come back if I can."
+
+"But I agree with Mr Lane," said Panton.  "I don't want to be selfish,
+but there are two things against you, Mr Rimmer, you would be deserting
+your ship and crew as captain, and your patients as doctor.  No, sir,
+you must not go."
+
+"Two things against me, eh?" said the mate.  "And what do you say, Mr
+Drew?"
+
+"The same as my friends, sir.  It is quite impossible for you to go."
+
+"Three against me, eh?  What are we to do, then; stay in this wretched
+state of uncertainty, unable to stir a yard from the brig?"
+
+"No," said Drew.  "I shall go.  I'll take Smith and Wriggs.  I'm used to
+those two men, and they're used to me.  I'll start before daylight."
+
+"That's good," cried his friends.
+
+"Yes," said Mr Rimmer, "that's good, and I'll agree that it is the best
+thing that can be done.  But you'll have to be very careful, sir, and at
+the least sign of danger begin to retreat.  Look here, take this old
+boatswain's whistle, and if you are pressed in any way, blow it as soon
+as you are near the brig, and we'll turn out and come to your help."
+
+"Thank you, Mr Rimmer," said Drew, cheerfully, "but I hope I shall not
+have to use it."
+
+A good breakfast was ready a couple of hours before daylight, and Mr
+Rimmer himself called Drew up, doing everything he could to further his
+object, even to taking four men well armed and making a long circuit of
+the brig, while Drew and his two companions were partaking of a hearty
+meal to fit them for their task.
+
+"Can't see any enemy, sir," Mr Rimmer said as he came back and found
+Drew waiting impatiently.  "That's right, sir, make straight for the
+shore, and I'd go first and see whether the boat's safe before hunting
+to the south for the niggers' canoe.  I'd keep in the cocoa-nut grove
+all the way.  It will shelter you all, and you'll be able to see well
+enough whether there's anyone in the lagoon, for that's where their
+canoes are sure to be."
+
+"Then you think there's more than one?" said Oliver.
+
+"Oh, yes, sir, I should say there are two at least.  Those big
+outriggers that hold forty or fifty men each.  There, Mr Drew, off with
+you, please, and don't get to fighting except as a last resource--so as
+to escape.  I won't come with you part of the way, it's better that you
+should be off alone.  You two lads," he continued as they reached the
+deck, and turned to Smith and Wriggs who were standing in the darkness
+very proud of the rifles with which they had been armed, "I look to you
+to bring Mr Drew back safely."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir, we mean that," said Smith.  "Eh, Billy?"
+
+"Ah," came in a deep growl.  "That's so."
+
+Mr Rimmer walked to the gangway and took a long steady observation, as
+far as the darkness would allow.  Then turning to the leader of the
+little expedition,--
+
+"Off with you, sir."
+
+_Ha! ha!  Ow, ow, ow_! came from a couple of hundred yards away--a
+hollow, diabolical kind of mocking laugh which sent a chill through the
+listeners.
+
+"Hear that, Tommy?" whispered Wriggs as he caught his companion's arm.
+
+"Ay, mate, I heerd it.  They're a laughin' at us, and it's as good as
+saying as they'll go and light a fire, and have it ready to cook the
+lot."
+
+"Gahn!" growled Wriggs.  "I know now, it's one o' them stoopid-looking
+Tommy soft sort o' howls, as Mr Oliver Lane shot at one day.  You know,
+lad, them big, all of a heap sort o' things, all duffie and fluff."
+
+Just then the cry was repeated at a distance, and soon after farther
+off.
+
+"Why, it's an owl!" cried Drew.
+
+"I thought it must be a bird," said the mate.
+
+"Yer may well call 'em howls," said Wriggs.  "That's just what they do
+doos."
+
+"I hope that's what it is," whispered Smith, shaking his head.  "I've
+heered howls often enough, Billy; but I never heered one as could laugh
+like that."
+
+"Whatcher think, then, as it was one o' they blacks?"
+
+"Ay, or, if it warn't that, one o' they hissing things as lives in the
+burnin' mountain.  I've heerd 'em before now a pretendin' to be steam
+when yer went to look for 'em."
+
+"Now, my lads, off with you!" cried the mate, and they hurried down from
+the side, joining Drew with arms shouldered, and a minute after they had
+disappeared in the darkness on their way to the sea.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.
+
+NATURE'S WARNINGS.
+
+That hot sunny day passed with Oliver Lane and Panton seated in wicker
+chairs, under a sail stretched out as an awning, for they both declared
+that they could get better out in the air sooner than in the stuffy
+cabin.  A regular watch was kept on deck, and, in addition, a man was
+stationed in the main-top, where a doubly folded sail had been rigged so
+as to form sides, and to act as a protection in case he were seen by the
+enemy and made a mark for their arrows; but nothing particular occurred.
+All around looked very beautiful, for nature was beginning to rapidly
+obliterate the devastation caused by the eruption and the earthquake
+wave.  There was heat and there was moisture, with plenty of rich soil
+washed up in places, and these being three of her principal servants in
+beautifying a tropic land, they had been hard at work.  Trees, whose
+roots had been buried in mud and sand, were putting forth green buds,
+the water was pretty well dried away, and in places the bare earth was
+showing faintly, bright patches of a tender green, while bird and
+insect, wonderful to see, were darting about like brilliant gems.
+
+As the two young men sat there weak and faint, but with the happy
+sensation of feeling that they were, if only at the beginning, still on
+the road back to health and strength, it seemed to them as if the events
+of the night when they returned from the expedition to the volcano might
+have been a dream.  For the blacks had scared them on that day when they
+were fishing, and again during the absence of part of the crew.  Then
+they had disappeared as suddenly as they appeared, and possibly they
+might never come again.
+
+Oliver thought and said so to Mr Rimmer, who, with a double gun resting
+in the hollow of his left arm, had joined them, for he spent nearly the
+whole of his time on deck.
+
+"Perhaps you are right," he said.  "I hope it is so.  We did give them a
+terrible peppering.  I don't think anyone was killed, but they took away
+enough shot to make them remember us by."
+
+"Poor wretches," said Oliver.  "They don't understand the powers of
+civilisation."
+
+"Poor wretches, indeed!" said Panton, giving a writhe.  "I don't feel
+much pity for them.  Murderous thieves."
+
+"They are," said the mate, "some of them, and it's wonderful what
+conceit the black beggars have.  But we must not be too hopeful, for
+there's no trusting savages.  They jump into their canoes and they are
+here, there, and everywhere in a few hours.  Let's hear what report Mr
+Drew gives us when he comes back."
+
+"Hang the savages!" said Panton, pettishly.
+
+"Must catch 'em first, sir," said the mate, laughing.
+
+"They seem to have put a stop to everything," said Oliver, joining in
+with a smile.  "But we'll forgive them if they'll only keep away and let
+us go on with our work, and," he added with a sigh, "it is such a lovely
+place, and there is so much to do."
+
+"Yes, it's glorious," said Panton, as his eyes slowly took in their
+surroundings.  "Now, too, that the volcano's calming down, everything
+promises that we shall have had a glorious expedition."
+
+"Lovely, sir," said the mate, drily.  "What about my poor ship?"
+
+"Yes, that is bad, but I wouldn't mind losing a brig for the sake of
+reaching so wonderful a country."
+
+"Ah, that's where I don't agree with you, sir," said the mate.  "The
+place is very glorious, and it's grand to get to a new country--where--"
+
+"Look! look!" cried Oliver.  "Mr Rimmer, your gun!  Those birds with
+the long loose tails!"
+
+"Eh?  Well, I didn't pull their tails and make 'em loose, sir.  More
+likely the monkeys."
+
+"You've lost the chance," cried Oliver, pettishly.  "Didn't you see?
+They were a kind of bird of paradise that I don't think I have seen
+before."
+
+"Those were, sir?" said the mate, looking after the birds.  "Well, I
+should have said they were a kind of crow."
+
+"Well, so they are, but very beautiful, all the same.  You might shoot a
+few birds for me, and I could sit and skin and preserve them, then I
+should not feel that I was losing so much time."
+
+"Wait till Mr Drew comes back, sir, and begin in earnest to-morrow.
+I'll shoot all I can then, and the men will be very glad of the birds
+without their skins, for they're longing for fresh meat, and if we can,
+we must have another turn at the fish."
+
+"And we can't go," sighed Oliver.  "I am so longing to study up those
+wonderfully-marked fish."
+
+"You'll never get through all you want to do if we stay here for years,"
+said the mate, smiling.  "But look there, I must have that."
+
+He pointed over the side to where a handsome little roe-deer had come
+trotting forward away from some half-dozen companions which had halted
+and were gazing wonderingly at the brig, while the one which had
+advanced, evidently more daring or more carried away by curiosity, came
+on and on till it was about fifty yards from the vessel.  Here it stood
+at gaze, so beautiful a specimen of an animal, that Oliver felt,
+naturalist though he was, and eager to collect, it would be a pity to
+destroy so lovely a creature's life.
+
+There it stood in full view, profoundly ignorant of the fact that its
+life was in danger, while the mate hurriedly exchanged the shot
+cartridge in one of the chambers of the gun for a bullet.  Then, laying
+the barrel of his gun upon the bulwark in an opening between two pieces
+of the sailcloth rigged up for defence, he said, softly,--
+
+"This skin will do for a specimen, too, won't it?"
+
+"Yes, of course," said Oliver, eagerly.
+
+"That's right, sir, and it has a beautiful head."
+
+He took careful aim as he spoke.
+
+"That's dead on the shoulder," he said, softly, and then he fired, the
+young men having the satisfaction of seeing the little buck go bounding
+away like the wind after its companions, who went off at the flash of
+the gun.
+
+"Missed him," said Panton, rather contemptuously.
+
+"Couldn't have missed," said the mate, sharply.  "I took such careful
+aim.  Wait a moment or two, and you'll see it drop.  It was a dead
+shot."
+
+"Then you didn't kill its legs, too," said Oliver; "they're lively
+enough.  How the little thing can run."
+
+"I tell you it's a dead roe-buck," said the mate, sharply.
+
+"Then why does it keep on running?" said Panton.
+
+"That's the vitality left in it," said the mate.  "It will soon drop.
+I'll go after it at once.  It can't run far."
+
+As he was speaking he hurriedly threw open the breech of his piece and
+drew out the discharged cartridge.
+
+"Hullo!" he cried.
+
+"What's the matter?" said Oliver.
+
+"Well, hang it all!"
+
+"Why don't you speak?"
+
+"It's enough to make any man speak," cried the mate, angrily.  "Don't
+you see this is only a blue cartridge and number six shot?  I pulled the
+wrong trigger.  Here's the bullet cartridge in the other barrel."
+
+"Then you only tickled the buck," said Panton, laughing.  "Why, at fifty
+yards that shot wouldn't go through the skin."
+
+"Humph!" said the mate, "so much the better for the buck.  What a pity,
+though; there goes a delicious dinner of good fresh venison."
+
+"Never mind, you may get another chance."
+
+"I don't know.  If this is an island, there are not likely to be a great
+many, and once they are shot at they will become shy.  See anything, my
+lad?" he cried to the man in the sheltered top.
+
+"No, sir, not a sign o' nothing," replied the sailor.
+
+"Keep a sharp look-out."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir."
+
+The mate turned to the wounded passengers.
+
+"These fellows generally have an idea that their officer is as blind as
+a mole, and that they are as cunning as the cleverest man who was ever
+born.  Now that fellow thinks I don't know he was asleep at his post."
+
+"Was he?" said Oliver, rather anxiously.
+
+"To be sure he was.  If he had been awake he would have seen those deer
+and given warning, seeing how all the men are longing for a bit of fresh
+meat."
+
+"Well, it seems probable," said Panton.
+
+"No seem about it, Mr Panton.  He was fast asleep, sir, till I fired.
+Then he woke up and was all eagerness.  Now if I was not a
+good-tempered, easy-going sort of man, do you know what I should do?"
+
+"Haul that bit of sail down and let him take his chance of getting an
+arrow in him for his neglect."
+
+The mate walked away, and ordered another man aloft to take the
+culprit's place, the offender receiving a very severe bullying, and
+being sent below.
+
+The day wore slowly by, and as it grew towards sundown, Mr Rimmer began
+to walk faster about the deck with a growing anxiety which was shared by
+Drew's two companions.
+
+"I don't know who'd be in command!" he said.  "Here have I just got
+through one worry because you didn't return, had a sharp attack from
+savages, and had you two badly wounded; and now off goes Mr Drew and
+gets himself lost.  Here has he been away all these hours, and he might
+have been back in six.  There, I know how it is.  The niggers are out in
+force, and have got between them and the brig as sure as can be, that is
+if they haven't been killed before now.  It will be dark directly, and
+as sure as fate we shall have another attack to-night.  Wish I hadn't
+let him go."
+
+"He'll be too cautious to get into a trap," said Oliver, whose face
+looked drawn and old with anxiety.
+
+"He'll mean to be, sir, but the blacks have a cleverness of their own,
+and it's hard to get the better of them, civilised as we are.  Tut, tut,
+tut!  It would be madness to start in search of them without knowing
+which way to go."
+
+"Yet, they would be as likely to come from the west as the east."
+
+"Of course, and from the north as from the south.  There, I've got blue
+lights ready, and the men's arms are lying to hand.  If they don't come
+soon, and the blacks make their appearance instead, I'm afraid they will
+find me vicious."
+
+"Let's try to be patient," said Oliver.
+
+"Patience, sir!  I've none of that left.  Now then, I think it's time
+you gentlemen went below."
+
+"Not yet," said Oliver.  "It is so much cooler here, and if we went
+below we should be fidgety, and fretting horribly.  There goes the sun."
+
+For as he spoke the great glowing disk of orange light dipped below the
+horizon, great broad rays shot up nearly to the firmament, which for a
+few minutes was of a transparent amber; then all rapidly turned grey,
+dark grey, pale purple, purple, and almost directly black, covered with
+brilliant stars.
+
+"No moon for three hours," said the mate, as he looked round at the
+black darkness, when the silence was suddenly broken by a chorus of
+croaking, roaring and chirruping from reptile and insect.  Then came the
+strange trumpetings of birds; the splashings of crocodiles, accompanied
+by roaring barks and the flogging of the water with their tails.  Once
+there was the unmistakable wailing cry of one of the great panther cats
+answered at a distance, while from the north there came every now and
+then a flickering flash of lightning evidently from the clouds hanging
+heavily over the huge crater.  Then for a few moments silence, and a
+soft moist coolness floated by the watchers, followed by a heated puff,
+suggestive of a breath from the volcano, and they were conscious of a
+dull quivering of the deck.
+
+"Wasn't thunder," said the mate.  "That was a grumble down below."
+
+Almost as he finished speaking there was a dull muttering, soon
+followed, not preceded, by flash after flash.
+
+"Like a storm upside down," said Panton.  "Not likely to have rain, are
+we, with the sky clear?"
+
+"Likely to have anything," said the mate, "round the foot of a great
+volcano."
+
+_Ha ha ha, haw haw haw_!
+
+"Bah those birds again," said Panton, as the peculiar laughing hoot of a
+great owl was heard, raising up quite a chorus from the nearest patch of
+forest, but silenced by another muttering from below.
+
+"We're going to have some terrible trouble, I'm afraid," said the mate.
+"The volcano's waking up again, and the birds and things know it.
+What's that?"
+
+"Rushing of wings overhead," replied Oliver.
+
+"Yes, the birds know, and are getting out of the way.  Hark at those
+tiger things, too, how uneasy they are!  I'd give all I've got,
+gentlemen, if Mr Drew and those two fellows were safe back on deck, for
+we shall have a storm to-night."
+
+"But we are not at sea," said Oliver.
+
+"More we are!" replied the mate.  "'Pon my word, I was going on just as
+if I expected we were going to fight the waves.  But I wish we were.
+I'd rather have solid water under me than boiling rock."
+
+"Quick! look out," cried Oliver excitedly as there was a rushing
+trampling sound in the distance, evidently coming nearer.  "It's the
+savages we shall have to fight, and they're coming on again."
+
+They listened in the midst of an appalling stillness, while the whole
+deck seemed to be quivering, and the vessel gave two or three ominous
+cracks.  There was another flash, then a boom, and a momentary blinding
+glare of light, while the coming trampling for a moment ceased, but only
+to be resumed again, as every man grasped his weapon, and felt for his
+supply of ammunition, feeling that in another minute he might be face to
+face with death.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.
+
+THE CAT DID IT.
+
+The quivering continued, and the earth beneath the vessel throbbed in
+slow pulsations.  The vivid flashes and thunderous growls as of distant
+explosions went on, and the rushing sound of many feet came nearer and
+nearer as the occupants of the brig strained their eyes to pierce the
+transparent darkness to get a glance of their enemies, and then all
+stood wondering; for after rising to a certain pitch, the rushing sound
+began to die away gradually.  Then followed a vivid flash and a heavy
+boom as of some huge gun, and as it died away they were conscious of a
+stillness that was terrible in its oppression, the quivering beneath
+their feet ceased, and then startling and clear, from right away to the
+westward, came the piercing note of the boatswain's pipe.
+
+"Drew!" cried Oliver, joyously.
+
+"Yes, that's he," said the mate, "and he wants help.  There, take charge
+of the deck, Mr Panton.  I must go and bring him.  Volunteers here: six
+men."
+
+Twelve sprang to his side, and he selected half a dozen, all well armed
+and ready to face anything.
+
+As they moved to the gangway where others held the ladder ready for them
+to descend, the shrill note of the whistle was heard again.
+
+"Draw up the ladder as soon as we're down, my lads," said the mate, "and
+stand ready to make a rush to help us when we come back, for we may be
+hard pressed."
+
+"Ay, ay!" came readily from the rest of the crew, and the next minute
+the little rescue party was off at a trot, leaving Oliver Lane and
+Panton feverish and excited as they writhed in their weakness and misery
+at being compelled to lie there inert, unable to stir a step to the help
+of their companion.
+
+All was still as the footsteps died out.  There was no rushing sound of
+an enemy at hand, the explosions and flashes from the volcano had
+ceased, and once more it was a calm tropic night.
+
+But the shrill whistle could be heard at intervals of about a minute,
+sometimes sounding closer, sometimes apparently at a great distance.
+
+"Won't them black beggars hear 'em, sir?" said one of the men, drawing
+near to where the two young naturalists sat.  "Seems to me as if it
+would be a deal better if Mr Drew kept that pipe in his pocket."
+
+"There are no blacks to hear them," said Panton, quietly.
+
+The man started.
+
+"Beg pardon, sir, but me and my mates heered 'em a-rooshin' along."
+
+"We all thought we did," said Panton; "but Mr Lane and I have come to
+the conclusion that the sounds we heard were made by animals and birds
+startled by the explosions at the burning mountain, and flying for
+safety to the lower part of the island."
+
+"Why, of course," said the man, giving his knee a slap; "there was a
+regular flapping noise with it, and a whizzing just as if there was
+swarms of great bees going along like mad.  Well, I'm glad o' that,
+because if we did have to fight again, I don't want it to be in the
+dark."
+
+"There goes the whistle once more!" said Oliver excitedly, as the note
+rang out very clearly now, but for a long time, though they strained
+their ears, there was no farther sound, and they grew more and more
+uneasy till all at once there was a heavy thud as of some one falling.
+
+Then silence again, and a great dread fell upon the listeners, whose
+active brains suggested the creeping up of treacherous blacks to brain
+people who were in ignorance of their presence.
+
+But it was only a momentary dread, for the whistle chirruped shrilly
+again, very near now, and directly after there was a cheery "Ship ahoy!"
+
+"Mr Rimmer's voice," said Oliver, excitedly.
+
+"Yes," cried Panton, "cheer, my lads.  Answer them."
+
+There was a roaring hail from the brig, and in a few minutes the tramp
+of footsteps was plainly heard, and dimly seen figures emerged from the
+darkness, looking grotesque and strange.
+
+"Down with the ladder, my lads," cried Mr Rimmer, and directly after,
+the rescue party and the explorers climbed on board, two of the men
+panting with exertion, and dropping to the deck the carcases of a couple
+of little bucks.
+
+"That's what made them so long," said Mr Rimmer, merrily.  "They had
+shot all this good fresh meat, and it has taken them hours to bring it
+along.  Here, cook, set to work on one of them at once, and let's all
+have a hot grill for supper.  Two of you hang the other up here in the
+rigging for the night."
+
+"But what news, Drew, of the blacks?"
+
+"None at all.  We found the marks where two great canoes had been
+dragged up over the sands, and the foot-prints of those who launched
+them again.  Not a sign of them beside."
+
+"And our boat?"
+
+"All right.  Looks as if it had not been touched," said Drew.  "Hear the
+grumblings of the volcano?"
+
+"Yes, plainly enough."
+
+"And the rush of quite a large herd of scared animals?  They nearly ran
+us down and would, if it had not been for the shelter of some rocks.  I
+am glad to get back.  We had an awful job to carry those two little
+bucks."
+
+There was a merry supper that night, and on the strength of Drew's
+information, the watch was somewhat relaxed, while it was late when they
+assembled for breakfast that morning.
+
+"Eh?  What's that?" said Mr Rimmer, as the cook and Smith came to the
+cabin door.
+
+"Want you to come and have a look, sir," said Smith.
+
+"Look?  What at?  Is anything wrong?"
+
+"Well, sir, seems to me as it is a little bit not quite what it oughter
+be," said Smith.
+
+"There, don't talk in riddles, man," cried the mate, and he strode out
+to the deck, followed by Drew--Panton and Lane following to the door to
+see.
+
+Smith led the way to where a group of the men were standing, some with
+buckets and swabs, but waiting before using them until their officer
+gave orders.
+
+The sight that met the eyes of the new arrivals was not pleasant, but it
+was startling, for there was a patch of blood upon the deck, and signs
+of something bleeding having been dragged for a few yards to the
+starboard bulwarks, and then drawn up and over them, the ugly stains
+being on the top of the rail as well.
+
+"I don't quite understand it," said the mate, hoarsely.  "Who was on the
+watch?"
+
+There was a dead silence.
+
+"Someone must have been.  Does it mean that the poor fellow has been
+assassinated?"
+
+"A-mussy, no, sir," said Smith, grinning, "don'tcher see, sir?  That was
+our other supper, as we hung up there to use to-night when t'other was
+done.  The buck we brought home."
+
+"Oh!" exclaimed the mate.  "How absurd.  But what's become of it?"
+
+"It's gone, sir."
+
+"Well, we can see that, my lad.  But how has it been stolen?"
+
+"Yes, sir, that's about it.  In the night.  Must ha' been the cat."
+
+"The what?"
+
+"Well, sir, you see, I don't means the ship's cat, because we ain't got
+one, but I means one o' them great spotty big toms as lives in the woods
+here."
+
+Taking their guns, the mate and Drew followed the trail, which was
+plainly enough marked from the side of the brig, the round soft
+foot-prints showing out in the light patches of sand, the fore paws
+well-defined and the hind partly brushed out, showing that the body of
+the deer had been dragged over them.  Here and there, too, dry smears of
+blood were visible on the rough coral rock, where the animal had
+probably rested, and then dragged the carcase on again in its progress
+toward the nearest patch of forest.
+
+"The brute must have followed me," said Drew, "attracted by the blood
+which no doubt dripped as we came along, and when all was quiet followed
+the scent and then come on board."
+
+A quarter of a mile farther on the trail ceased, and it was plain enough
+why, for the soft sand was plentifully marked with foot-prints, and in
+one place bits of fur and smears of blood showed that there had been a
+fierce fight with tooth and claw, while broken bones and bits of hide
+with the short sharp horns pointed to the fact that the fight had been
+followed by a banquet, after which the leopards or panthers had trotted
+steadily off to the forest, the track of three or four of the great
+cat-like creatures being plainly marked.
+
+"No use to go hunting them," said the mate.  "They go on stealing away
+from tree to tree, and we should never get a shot."
+
+They shouldered their guns and walked back, talking about the rushing
+and trampling noise of the preceding night, Drew having heard something
+of it from a distance and attributed it rightly to a sudden panic
+amongst the animals startled into headlong flight by the eruptive action
+of the volcano.
+
+Oliver and Panton were watching them from the bulwarks against which
+they leaned, using their small binoculars to watch the proceeding of
+their companions, and both low-spirited and looking dejected at having
+to stay on deck through the weakness produced by their wounds.
+
+Drew saw it as he came on board and related their experience.
+
+"Come, I say," he exclaimed at last, "don't look so down-hearted."
+
+"All very well for you," said Oliver, "you can get about.  We're
+prisoners."
+
+"Only for a little while.  It may be my turn next," said Drew.
+
+"A little while!" said Oliver, sadly.
+
+"Yes; your wound is getting better fast."
+
+Panton groaned.
+
+"And yours, too," said Drew smiling.
+
+"Yea, that's right, grin," said Panton, sourly.  "You'd laugh if I were
+dying."
+
+"I don't know about then," replied Drew, "but I can't help laughing
+now."
+
+"Brute!"
+
+"No, I'm not, I was only laughing at your irritability and petulance.
+Sure sign that you are getting better, my lad, isn't it, doctor?"
+
+Mr Rimmer gave the speaker a good-tempered nod.
+
+"Oh, yes," he said, "Mr Panton's coming right again, fast.  Nice
+healthy appearance about his wound, and Mr Lane's, too.  When the sea
+fails to get me a living I think I shall set up as quack doctor.  Come,
+gentlemen, you are getting better, you know.  Not long ago you were on
+your backs; then you managed to sit on deck; then to stand for a bit,
+and now you have been here for ever so long watching us.  That don't
+look as if you were going back."
+
+"No," said Oliver, "but I feel so weak, and it seems to be so long
+before we get strong."
+
+"Oh, never mind that, my dear sir, so long as you are travelling on the
+right way.  Patience, patience.  Let's get a few more days past, and
+then you'll be running instead of walking, and getting such a collection
+together as will make us all complain about the smell."
+
+Oliver smiled sadly.
+
+"Ah, but we shall," cried the mate.  "That's what I like in Mr Drew's
+collecting, he presses and dries his bits of weeds and things, and then
+shuts them up in books.  Mr Panton's work, too, is pleasant enough only
+lumpy.  I shall have to get rid of the brig's ballast and make up with
+his specimens of minerals to take their place."
+
+"Then you mean to get the brig down to the sea again?" said Oliver
+sharply.
+
+Mr Rimmer took off his hat and scratched his head, as he wrinkled up
+his forehead and gazed with a comical look at the last speaker.
+
+"I didn't think about that," he said sadly.  "Seems to me, that the
+sooner we set about building a good-sized lugger the better, and making
+for some port in Java."
+
+"No, no," cried Oliver; "there is no hurry.  This is an exceptionally
+good place for our purpose, and we can all join hands at ship-building
+when we have exhausted the natural history of the island."
+
+"Very good, gentlemen, but in the meanwhile I shall strengthen our fort
+a little, so as to be ready for the niggers when they come again.  I'll
+get the carpenter at work to rig up planks above the bulwarks with a
+good slope outwards, so that they'll find it harder to climb up next
+time they come."
+
+"Do you think they will come?" asked Panton, evincing more interest in
+the conversation.
+
+"Oh, yes, sir," said the mate thoughtfully, "such a ship as this would
+be a prize for them, and we shall have them again some day, as sure as a
+gun."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.
+
+BILLY WRIGGS SMELLS MUSSELS.
+
+That day and during the many which followed the shipwrecked party had
+plenty of proof of the truth of their theory about the animals and birds
+migrating from one side of the island to the other in consequence of
+fright caused by the eruption, for birds came back singly and in little
+flocks, many of them passing right over the brig on their way to the
+forest-covered lower slopes of the burning mountain.
+
+It was the same too with insects, while from time to time a roe-buck or
+two would trot across the wide opening, perhaps, to stand and gaze up at
+the peculiar-looking object in the middle of the wave-swept plain, but
+always ready to dart off on any attempt being made to approach them with
+a gun, for already they were learning the meaning of the report.
+
+Oliver and Panton tried hard to be patient and bear their lot, but they
+often fell to and had a good grumble and murmur.  But soon, as the days
+went on and they could walk about the deck with less exertion and
+suffering, they brought up their guns and sat waiting by the bulwarks
+for the brightly painted birds as they flew over, Panton helping largely
+to increase his friend's store of preserved specimens, securing for him
+several remarkably good lories and brilliant metallic cuckoos.  The pot,
+as Panton called it, was not forgotten either, several large
+bustard-like birds being shot as they raced across the plain, besides
+wild duck and geese, which at times passed over in plenty.
+
+At last the happy day arrived when the mate suggested that the patients
+should make an effort to get a little way from the ship, and with eyes
+brightened the two young men were helped down the steps in spite of
+their irritable declarations that they could do better alone.
+
+Oliver drew a long deep breath as he gave a stamp upon the sand.
+
+"Hah!  That's better," he sighed.  "Well, Panton, how do you feel?"
+
+"I don't know.  So weak yet, but--yes, I am better, a good deal.  I say,
+couldn't we make a little expedition somewhere, say as far as that
+cavern where the sulphur hole goes right down into deep strata?"
+
+"No, no, let's keep out in the fresh air."
+
+"That's better, gentlemen," said the mate, descending in turn from the
+deck of the brig, which now looked quite like a fort with its breastwork
+of new planks.  "Puts strength into you, don't it, to get out here?"
+
+"Oh, yes," cried Panton, "now one has got over the first bit of it.  I
+felt as if I was too weak to walk down, but I'm coming round now.  Hi!
+One of you two go and get me my gun and the cartridges.  Shall he bring
+yours, Lane?"
+
+"Yes, I think so," said Oliver rather dubiously though, as Panton
+shouted to "One of you two," which proved to be Smith, who was standing
+looking out of a sheltered loophole with Wriggs.
+
+"Think of going shooting?" said Mr Rimmer.
+
+"Yes, a short trip would not hurt us, would it?" asked Oliver.
+
+"No; do you good if you walk steadily and don't go too far.  You'll go
+with them, Mr Drew?"
+
+"Only too glad," said that individual, "I'm longing for a bit of a trip.
+But hadn't we better send out scouts first?"
+
+"Yes, of course," said the mate, "we mustn't be taken by surprise.
+That's the worst of being down here on so flat a place, you can't make
+out whether there's any danger."
+
+Hailing one of the men directly, he sent him up to the main-topgallant
+cross-trees with a spy-glass to carefully "sweep the offing," as he
+termed it, and then as Smith brought down the guns with a very inquiring
+look which said dumbly but plainly enough, "You won't leave me behind,
+will yer, gents?" the mate spoke out,--
+
+"Let's see, you have been with these gentlemen before, Smith?"
+
+"Yes, sir, me and Billy Wriggs," cried Smith excitedly.
+
+"Humph.  Like to have the same men again, Mr Lane, or try some fresh
+ones?"
+
+"Oh, I say stick to the tools you know," said Oliver, smiling at Smith.
+
+"Yes, let's have the same men again," put in Panton.
+
+"Hi!  Wriggs," said the mate--"down here."
+
+Wriggs came down smiling all over his face, and after a certain amount
+of scouting had been done, and the man at the cross-trees had turned his
+telescope in every direction in search of danger, and seen none, the
+little party started once more, the mate accompanying them for a few
+hundred yards towards the south-west.
+
+"I'd make for the sea," he said, "but don't go too far."
+
+"I can walk that distance easily," said Panton.  "The stiffness has gone
+out of my legs already."
+
+"Glad of it," said the mate drily; "but it isn't the walking down to the
+sea."
+
+"What is it, then?" asked Panton, who kept on turning his head in
+different directions to take great breaths of the warm spicy air.
+
+"The walking back," said the mate.  "There, take care of yourselves, and
+be very careful; mind, Mr Drew, they are not to go too far!"
+
+"They will not want to," said Drew, smiling, and the mate gave them all
+a friendly nod, left them at the edge of the forest, to the south of the
+plain, and they at once began to move forward beneath the boughs which
+sheltered them from the ardent sunshine.
+
+It was a glorious morning, and to the prisoners newly escaped from
+confinement the sight of the forest with the long creepers which draped
+the boughs with dewy leaf, tendril, and brilliant blossom seemed
+brighter than ever, and, once more all eagerness, the collecting began.
+
+Panton, who grumbled a little at there being nothing in his way, devoted
+himself to helping first one and then the other of his companions,
+picking some fresh leaf or flower for Drew, or bringing down an
+attractive bird for Oliver.
+
+As for the two sailors, they were as pleased as schoolboys, and had to
+be kept back from plunging into the forest and complicating matters by
+losing themselves.  They had not gone far before Smith uttered a shout,
+and on the party hurrying up he was ready to point in the direction of a
+piled-up clump of rocks.
+
+"What is it?" cried Oliver.
+
+"Deer, sir, two on 'em!  They was just by that bit o' green stone
+nibbling away at the grass; but as soon as I hailed you they just lifted
+up their heads, looked at me, and then they were gone."
+
+"Of course," said Oliver, quietly.  "Next time draw back so that they
+can't see you, and come and tell us quietly."
+
+"Right, sir, if you think that's the best way, only t'other takes least
+time.  They might be gone before I could get to you and back again."
+
+"Perhaps so; but you see they are sure to be gone if you shout."
+
+The deer were missed; but a couple of bush turkey were soon after
+secured, and followed by the successful stalk of a wire-tailed bird of
+Paradise and a couple of gorgeously plumaged paroquets.  Then followed
+the capture of beetles in armour of violet, green and gold, a couple of
+metallic-looking lizards, and a snake that seemed particularly venomous,
+but proved to be of quite a harmless nature.
+
+So interesting was the walk that, in spite of the heat, no one felt
+tired, and they wandered on and on, forgetful of time or distance.  The
+part traversed was perfectly new to them all, and when, at last, they
+had been walking for a couple of hours, and with one consent sat down to
+rest and partake of the lunch provided for the occasion, it was felt
+that, though they could not see it, they must be near to the sea on that
+side; so after a brief halt it was decided to push on along the side of
+the opening for another half-hour, and try whether they could reach the
+coast.
+
+"But it's for you to decide," said Drew.
+
+"It ain't far, sir," interposed Wriggs.
+
+"Let us decide, please," said Drew, rather stiffly.
+
+"Certeny, sir."
+
+"But what makes you think we are so near the coast?" said Oliver.  "It
+is so flat we can see nothing."
+
+"No, sir, you can't; but me and Tommy Smith have been at it for some
+time, whenever we gets a puff o' wind."
+
+"Been at what?"
+
+"Sniffin', sir.  Every now and then you gets it a smellin' o' hysters.
+Next minute it's mussels, and directly after it's cockles all alive o'!"
+
+"And sea-weed, Billy Wriggs."
+
+"So it is, messmate, but I didn't say nowt, cause sea-weed's such common
+stuff."
+
+"Yes, he's right," said Drew.  "I can smell the sea quite plainly."
+
+"Like mussels, sir?" said Smith.
+
+"No," replied Drew, smiling.  "It's more like sea-weed to me, my lad."
+
+"That's it, sir.  All the same," growled Smith.  "Means as we're close
+to the shore, anyhow.  I kept on a-listening, 'specting to hear the sea
+go _boom, boom_ on the reef; sir, and thinking about the sharp rocks
+going through the bottom of a ship."
+
+_Wark, wark, wok, wok, wok_!
+
+The now familiar cawing cry of the paradise bird came from close at
+hand, and, with his eyes glistening, Oliver made a sign to the rest to
+remain where they were.  Then, softly cocking his piece, he stole in
+through the thick bush-like tangle which extended for a few yards before
+the tall forest tree-trunks rose up to spread branches which effectually
+shut out the sun and checked all undergrowth while they turned their
+leaves and flowers to the sun, a hundred and fifty or two hundred feet
+in the air.
+
+"Hadn't I better foller him, sir?" said Smith.
+
+"No; he is more likely to get a specimen alone," replied Drew.  "We'll
+go on round that corner where the forest edge seems to bend away to the
+south, and wait for him there."
+
+He indicated a spot about a hundred yards farther on, and the party
+walked slowly along till the bend was reached, when as they caught a
+puff of the soft warm air from which they had been sheltered, Smith
+suddenly threw up his head, expanded his nostrils, as he drew in a deep
+breath and exclaimed,--
+
+"Hysters!"
+
+"Nay, lad," cried Wriggs, who had followed his example.
+
+"Mussels!"
+
+"It's both on 'em, matey," cried Smith.  "Hear that?"
+
+Everyone did hear "that"--the deep, heavy, dull, booming thud of a
+roller, as in imagination they saw it come running in like a wall of
+water to strike on the reef; curl over in a brilliant, many-hued arch,
+and break in thousands of sheaves of diamond spray.
+
+"It can't be more than a mile away," said Drew, quickly, as he began to
+look about for a spot where he could throw himself down and rest while
+they waited.
+
+"No," said Panton; "the wave must have swept along here and spread off a
+little to the south, clearing the forest away to the edge of the lagoon.
+Yonder's the still water; I can just catch the gleam of it and the long
+roll of the breakers farther away.  Hah it's nice here.  How fresh the
+sea air smells!"
+
+"Salt," said Drew, quietly.
+
+"Any objection to me and Billy Wriggs going and having a dip, sir?" said
+Smith, respectfully.
+
+"Yes--now," said Panton.  "Mr Lane may be back directly, and we had
+better keep together; perhaps we shall all go down to the sea when he
+joins us."
+
+"Thank-ye, sir, all the same," said the sailor--"whether we gets what we
+wants and whether we doesn't," he added to himself; as he walked away.
+Then aloud,--"Billy, my lad, it aren't no go, and we've got to stop
+dirty till we all goes down to the sea together.  So let's you and me,
+matey, begin to look for cooriosities.  How do we know as we mayn't find
+dymons and precious stones, pearls, and silver and gold, all a-lying
+about waiting to be picked up and put in your pockets."
+
+"Gammon!  I wants a bit o' pig-tail, matey," replied Wriggs.  "Let's go
+along here to that there bit o' stone, where we can sit down and talk
+without their hearin' on us.  Come on."
+
+He led the way, and, in a few yards, the beautiful lagoon, hidden before
+by an irregularity, lay spread out before them like a sheet of blue and
+silver, spreading for miles along the western shore.
+
+"Smell the mussels now, my lad?" cried Wriggs triumphantly.
+
+"Hysters, I tells yer!" cried Smith, excitedly, as, with a leap like a
+panther, he sprang right upon his messmate's back, sending him down
+heavily upon his breast with Smith lying flat upon him.
+
+Wriggs screwed his head round to look in his companion's face, which was
+only a few inches away.
+
+"Whatcher do that there for?" he asked, plaintively.
+
+"Can't you see, stoopid?" growled Smith.  "Look."
+
+He pointed straight away to where, about half a mile distant, a couple
+of large canoes, crowded with men, were coming swiftly along the smooth
+waters of the lagoon, their occupants apparently aiming for a point
+opposite to where the two sailors lay.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.
+
+BY THE SKIN OF THEIR TEETH.
+
+"Murder!" said Wriggs, in a low voice.
+
+"That there will be, Billy, if them chaps don't let us alone.  Look
+here, mate, it aren't their island; they lives somewheres else, or they
+wouldn't want a boat--bah!  I don't call them holler logs boats--to get
+here.  Who are they, I should like to know?  Just a-cause we're ashore,
+and can't get our ship afloat they think they're going to do just what
+they please with us.  But we've got guns, Billy, and we know how to use
+'em, mate, and if they think as they're going to collar off all there is
+aboard the _Planet_, they're jolly well out of their reckoning, eh,
+Billy?"
+
+Smith had by this time shifted himself to his messmate's side and was
+looking at him earnestly, but Wriggs did not stir, he only rested his
+chin upon his hands and stared hard at the two canoes.
+
+"Now, then, d'yer hear what I said?"
+
+Wriggs gave a short nod.
+
+"Well, say something, then.  What'cher thinking about?"
+
+"I was a thinking, Tommy, as it warn't no use for you to go on talking,
+when we ought to be toddlin' back and telling the three gents as we're
+in a mess."
+
+"Well, there is something in that, Billy.  What d'yer say, then, shall
+we run and tell 'em?"
+
+"No, Tommy; if we gets up and begins to run, them crystal minstrel
+chaps'll see us, and come arter us like hooray.  We oughter congeal
+ourselves back again."
+
+"How are we to, when there aren't no trees to congeal behind?"
+
+"This how," said Wriggs.  "I'm off.  You foller arter me same way."
+
+As soon as he had done speaking, he laid his gun close down by his side
+and began to roll himself over and over with such rapidity that he was
+some yards away before Smith thought of imitating his action.
+
+"Well, this here is a rum 'un," he grumbled.  "I never thought when I
+come to sea as I should have to turn myself into a garden roller.  But
+one never knows!"
+
+He began rolling himself as fast as he could after Wriggs, and at last,
+after they both had to correct several divergences from their proper
+course, they approached the two friends, who were seated beneath a tree.
+
+"Look, Panton!" cried Drew, excitedly.
+
+"What at?"
+
+"Those two fellows.  They must have found and been eating some poisonous
+kind of berry.  They've gone mad."
+
+"More likely been breathing some bad volcanic gas.  Here, I say, you
+two, what's the matter with you?" he cried, as Wriggs rolled close up to
+him, and stopped to lie with his mouth open, staring, but too giddy to
+speak.
+
+"I thought so," said Drew.  "We must get them back to the ship and give
+them something."
+
+At that moment Smith rolled up, and lay giddy and staring.
+
+"Here, you two: can't you speak?  What's the matter with you?"
+
+Wriggs pointed at Smith, as much as to say, "Ask him," and when the
+friends looked in his direction, Smith nodded at Wriggs.
+
+"We must get back," cried Panton.  "Ahoy-y-y-y!  Lane!  Ahoy-y-y-y-y!"
+he shouted.
+
+"Don't, sir! don't!" cried Wriggs, in a choking voice.
+
+"Why not?" cried Drew.  "What's the matter with you?  Here, try and get
+up."
+
+"No, no, sir," they cried in duet.
+
+"Then, what is it?"
+
+"Niggers, sir," gasped Smith.  "Comin' ashore!"
+
+"Quick, close under cover!" said Panton, and all crawled under the shade
+of the nearest tree.
+
+"Now, where are they?" said Panton.
+
+"You can't see 'em from here, sir, but we saw the whole lot on 'em in
+two canoes, a comin' on like steam, and they'll be here afore many
+minutes have gone."
+
+"Quick, then!" cried Panton.  "Here, you are best at it, Smith.  Hail
+Mr Lane as loudly as you can."
+
+The man stared at him.
+
+"Hail him, sir, with that there lot o' black ruffyians just landing!
+Why, it's saying to 'em, `Here we are, my lads; come an' catch us.'"
+
+"Of course!  You are right," cried Panton, excitedly, as he stood wiping
+his face.  "But what are we to do?"
+
+"Two of us must try and track him," said Drew.  "Do you think they heard
+me shouting before?"
+
+"Dunno, sir.  On'y hope as they didn't, that's all, sir," said Wriggs.
+
+"Perhaps they did not," said Drew, hurriedly.  "But look here, Lane
+can't have gone far, he was too weak to make much of a journey.  Here,
+Wriggs, come with me.  You two keep quite close in hiding."
+
+At that moment from one of the trees at the edge of the forest, there
+rang out the hoarse, cawing cry of one of the paradise birds, and
+directly after they saw that a little flock had taken flight, and were
+crossing the open land to make for the forest, far away toward the slope
+of the mountain.
+
+A sudden thought inspired Drew, and signing to his companions, he put
+his hands close to his lips and gave vent to a very fair imitation of
+the bird's note.  In fact, so close was it, that they saw a couple of
+birds in the little flock wheel round and come back over their heads,
+till evidently detecting that it was a deceit, they flew off again.
+
+"There; what's the good of that, man?" cried Panton, angrily.  "You
+couldn't deceive them."
+
+"No, but I may trick poor Lane.  He'll think it is some of the birds,
+and come back eagerly to try and shoot one."
+
+"Bah!" ejaculated Panton; but Drew took no heed of his impatient, angry
+manner.  Putting his hands to his mouth again, he produced a capital
+imitation of the bird's call note, and then stood listening.
+
+There was no rustling of the undergrowth, though, nor sign of an eager
+white face peering out of the dim twilight among the great shadowy
+tree-trunks, but a noise arose from the distance, which sent a thrill
+through every one present, and made all strain their ears in the
+direction of the shore, for it was the murmur of a crowd.
+
+It was a strange, awe-inspiring sound, suggesting a horrible death at
+the hands of merciless savages, and, acting under one impulse, the two
+sailors glanced at Panton, and Drew saw plainly enough their startled
+look of horror, as they turned and ran as hard as they could go back
+along the edge of the forest toward the brig.
+
+"The cowardly hounds!" said Panton, between his teeth, and he
+involuntarily cocked his gun.  "I could find it in my heart to send a
+charge of shot after them."
+
+"Let them go," cried Drew, bitterly.  "We must hide here in the forest.
+They will warn Mr Rimmer, and perhaps it's best."
+
+He finished his speech with the loud _wok, wok, wawk_ again.
+
+"Do stop that abominable row," cried Panton, whom the weakness had made
+irritable.  "You'll bring the niggers straight to us."
+
+"I sha'n't stop it," said Drew, coolly, and he repeated the call.
+"There!" he cried triumphantly, "that was it, exactly."
+
+"Pish!" said Panton.
+
+"I told you so," said Drew, excitedly, as the murmur of the approaching
+Papuans came nearer, and at the same moment there was a rushing of
+wings, as half a dozen large birds perched in one of the trees and gave
+proof of the exactitude of the botanist's imitation by answering loudly,
+as if to say, "Who was it called?"
+
+Meanwhile Smith and Wriggs had run as hard as they could go for about a
+hundred and fifty yards, and then, once more moved by the same impulse,
+they pulled up short.
+
+"Woa hoa!  Woa ho a ho!" said Smith, in a deep, smothered voice.
+
+"Avast below there," cried Wriggs, panting hard.  "Stopped 'em at last,
+Billy," said Smith.  "Ay, and mine too, Tommy; I never see such a
+cowardly pair o' legs afore, did you?"
+
+"Yes, matey, mine's the worstest, for they begun it and started yourn.
+Think on 'em, running away and taking us along with 'em, leaving one's
+officers in the lurch like that."
+
+"Ay, 'nuff to make a man wish as they was wooden legs, Tommy, eh?"
+
+"Or cork, messmet.  But don't jaw, Billy.  Let 'em have it.  Make the
+beggars run as they never run afore.  Come on back again."
+
+The two men took hold of hands and ran back as hard as ever they could
+go to where Panton and Drew were standing, and as they came up the flock
+of Paradise birds flew off again, and the murmur of the Papuans' voices
+sounded very near.
+
+"Then you thought better of it," said Panton, fiercely.
+
+"Nay, sir, never thought at all," replied Smith, stolidly.  "Did you
+ever see two pair of such legs as these here?" and he gave his thighs
+each a tremendous slap, Wriggs following his example.
+
+"What do you mean?" said Panton, roughly.
+
+"_Wawk, wawk, wawk, wawk, wawk_!" cried Drew, with his face turned to
+the forest.
+
+"That we didn't, sir," said Smith, indignantly.  "They took the bit in
+their teeth and bolted just like hosses, and run; there warn't no walk
+about it, or I wouldn't ha' minded it so much.  But we pulled up as soon
+as we could, didn't we, Billy?"
+
+"Ay, mate, that's so," growled Wriggs.  "But hadn't we better stow under
+kiver?  Them charcoal chaps is getting precious nigh."
+
+"What! are you going to stop?" said Panton.
+
+"Yes, sir, course we is," said Smith, in an ill-used way.  "We couldn't
+help it if our legs warn't under control.  You don't know, p'raps, but I
+do, and Billy Wriggs too, what trouble a man's legs'll get him in.  Why,
+I've known Billy's legs take him ashore to a public-house, and then
+they've got in such a nasty state o' what Mr Rimmer calls tossication,
+that they couldn't stand.  Didn't they, Billy?"
+
+"Ay, Tommy, they did, lad," growled Wriggs; "but speak the truth,
+messmate, and don't keep nought back.  Yourn was just as bad."
+
+"Wuss, Billy, ever so much, and I was quite ashamed to take 'em on board
+again.  Oh, murder!  Look-ye there!"  Smith exclaimed, in a hoarse
+whisper, and he dropped down flat.
+
+"Legs again!" growled Wriggs, following his example, one that the others
+were not slow to adopt, for all at once the heads of several spears came
+into view, and hardly had the little party crept well under cover before
+there was a sudden burst of voices, and they could see the black faces
+of a crowd of Papuans advancing.
+
+There was very little cover, and, to the horror of all, they saw and
+heard that the enemy had what the military would term flankers out, in
+shape of a couple of men at each end of their line; and while the main
+body kept along out in the open, the scouts at the right forced their
+way through the undergrowth and among the trees at the edge of the
+forest.
+
+Those were crucial minutes, and both Panton and Drew felt that at any
+moment they might be seen, for two naked figures came nearer and nearer
+through the trees, till their white eyeballs and glistening teeth could
+be seen plainly, and as Panton crouched there, with his piece
+convulsively clutched in his hands, he felt certain that one of the men
+saw him plainly, and was striding to get nearer, so as to be within
+reach for a deadly thrust with his spear.
+
+On and on he came, glaring straight before him, holding his weapon
+carefully poised, and in utter ignorance of how near he was to death,
+for at the slightest gesture Panton would have drawn trigger and shot
+the savage in his track, a charge of bird shot at so short a distance
+being as effectual as a bullet.
+
+"It will be an enemy the less," he thought, and at one instant he had
+determined upon firing and making sure before the man thrust at him with
+his spear.
+
+Just then there was a faint crack as of a twig being sharply broken, and
+the savage turned quickly round to stand in an attitude of attention,
+poised spear in one hand, bow and arrows in the other, ready to throw or
+strike as the need might be.
+
+Panton and his companions lay and crouched there, breathlessly, all
+trembling with excitement, not with dread.  For the same thought as now
+invaded Panton's breast came to Drew's--that it was Oliver Lane,
+attracted by the imitation of the bird's cry, making his way back into a
+horrible trap.
+
+As if moved by the same muscles, two barrels rose slowly to a horizontal
+position, and fingers were upon triggers ready to press the mechanism
+and pour the deadly contents into the savage the moment he raised his
+hand to strike or took step forward to get a better aim.
+
+Never was man nearer death, for all thought of the danger to self was
+non-existent.  All the two young men had in their minds was that poor
+Oliver Lane must be saved, and, if guns had carried truly, the black
+would have fallen.
+
+The shots would have brought the enemy upon them with a rush, but
+neither thought of that, and so they waited, watching the naked back of
+the savage, above which appeared his head, with the hair gummed and
+matted out to a tremendous size, somewhat resembling the cap of a
+grenadier officer, though looking larger in the forest gloom.
+
+But no further token of another presence was heard, and after waiting,
+watchful and alert, for the next sound, the savage looked about keenly,
+and then turned, gave a sharp look round, and continued his course,
+seeming as if; with all his acuteness, the cracking stick had so taken
+off his attention that he completely overlooked the danger within a few
+yards of where he stood.
+
+Just then there was a low call from the main body of the enemy, which
+the man answered, and the next minute he had, with his companions,
+passed on out of sight, leaving the hidden party at liberty to breathe
+freely.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.
+
+TOMMY SMITH AS A FORLORN HOPE.
+
+"What an escape!" exclaimed Drew at last.
+
+"Yes," said Panton, wiping the cold perspiration from his brow, "for
+him, too."
+
+"But what next?" exclaimed Drew.  "I'm thinking about poor Rimmer.
+Can't one of us get round through the forest before them, and warn them
+on board the brig?  It will be horrible for them to be surprised."
+
+"You know we can't get through these trees," said Panton sadly, "and it
+would take a day if we could.  But Rimmer won't be surprised."
+
+"No, I hope not," said Drew.  "We ought to have sent a man back to warn
+him."
+
+"We meant to go ourselves, only we couldn't leave poor Lane in the
+lurch."
+
+"No," said Drew, with a sigh.  "Do you think it's safe yet to imitate
+the birds again?"
+
+"No, I don't," said Panton, sharply.  "You'll bring the enemy back upon
+us if you do that.  Now, then, at all hazards we must go in search of
+him.  I'm afraid he has broken down from the exertion."
+
+"No, he hasn't," said a voice in a low tone, and to the intense delight
+of all, Lane raised his head from the ground, so that they could see his
+face all torn and bleeding, from its owner having had to force his way
+as he crawled through the dense creepers at the edge of the forest.
+
+"Thank heaven!" cried Panton, and he let his head drop down upon his
+hands in his weakness produced by long suffering and over-exertion.
+
+"Then you saw the savages?" said Drew, excitedly.
+
+"Yes.  I was creeping in this direction, to get a shot at some of the
+paradise birds which I heard calling, when I came suddenly upon a black,
+and in endeavouring to crawl silently away, a piece of wood snapped
+under my hand and made the man turn toward me.  I had to be perfectly
+still for a long time before he went on.  Are there any more?"
+
+"Fifty at least, so the men say," replied Panton, recovering himself.
+"But are you at all hurt?"
+
+"Only scratched and done up.  I feel so weak.  But what are you going to
+do?"
+
+"Crawl back through the edge of the forest till we are near the brig,
+and then wait till night--if we escape notice.  Seems the best way."
+
+"And then," said Oliver, "if they make an attack on the brig, we can
+take them in flank or rear, perhaps scare them off."
+
+"Beg pardon, sir," said Smith.  "It's only a sort of a kind o'
+disgestion like as you can do or no, but them beggars has left their
+boats.  How would it be for us to go down to the shore and grab one and
+sink t'other?  Then we should be free to sail away where we liked."
+
+"Without provisions, compass, or water?" said Panton, drily.
+
+"And leave our friends in the lurch?" said Drew.
+
+"O' course," said Smith, scratching his head.  "That's the wust o' my
+dis--suggestions; there's allus a screw loose or suthin' wrong about
+'em, so as they won't hold water."
+
+"Allus," said Wriggs, solemnly.
+
+"Deal you know about it," growled Smith.  "Don't you get a shovin' your
+oar in that how.  P'raps you've got a better hidear?  'Cause if you
+have, let it off at once for the gents to hear.  I on'y said what I
+thought."
+
+"Quite right, Smith," interposed Lane.  "Don't be cross about it,
+because the idea will not work."
+
+"Oh, no, sir, I ar'n't cross and I ar'n't a-goin' to be cross, but I
+don't like it when Billy Wriggs will be so jolly clever and get thinking
+as he knows every blessed thing as there is in life.  He don't propose
+any good things, do he?"
+
+"No, Tommy, I don't," said Wriggs, quietly.  "It ar'n't in my way o'
+business.  Ropes and swabbing and pullin' a oar or setting of a sail's
+more in my line, mate."
+
+"That will do," said Oliver, firmly, and somehow, though he was yet weak
+and rather helpless from the injury he had received, he dropped at once
+into a way of taking the lead, unchallenged by either of his elder
+companions.
+
+"Now, then," he continued, "is there any better plan?  Silence!  Then
+we'll try the one we have before us, and follow cautiously in the
+savages' track."
+
+"How do you feel, Lane?" said Panton in a whisper, as they two stood
+together during a halt.
+
+"Tired and hot."
+
+"So do I, but I didn't mean that.  Do you feel fighty?"
+
+"Fighty?  No; not at all.  Rather, as if I should like to run away."
+
+"That's frank," said Panton.
+
+"Well, it's the truth.  I'm weak and done up, and I don't think I'm one
+of the fighting sort.  It doesn't seem nice either to shoot at human
+beings, but I suppose we shall have to."
+
+"Yes, it's their lives or ours, my lad; but as you say, it's not nice.
+You won't think me a coward, will you, if I tell you that I feel just
+the same as you do?"
+
+"Hush! don't talk," whispered Drew, who was a little way in front,
+keeping a sharp look-out, "I don't think they are far ahead.  Ready to
+go on?"
+
+"Yes," said the others in a breath, and the toilsome march was resumed,
+Drew, as the lightest and most active, going in front, the two sailors
+following, and Oliver Lane and Panton, as the weakest of the party,
+bringing up the rear.
+
+The sun beat down with tremendous force, but the heat was forgotten in
+the excitement, as, forced by circumstances to imitate the savages, the
+little party crept cautiously on, taking advantage of every bit of cover
+and keeping well in under the shade of the trees at the edge of the
+forest.  At any moment it was felt that they might come upon the rear of
+the enemy, when, if undiscovered, the aim was to remain in hiding.  If
+seen, Drew proposed to wait until there was any attack, and then fire;
+the others to follow, taking their cue from him, and without hurrying,
+following one another, so as to give those who fired first time to
+reload and continue a steady fusillade.  This, it was hoped, would drive
+the savage crew into confusion and enable the party to get on to where
+they would be opposite to the brig, when they could rush across without
+running the risk of being fired at by their friends, who would have had
+fair warning of their approach and be ready to help them.
+
+These were their plans, but everything depended upon the Papuans, who
+had unaccountably disappeared.
+
+For it seemed to all that they ought to have been overtaken some time
+before, whereas they had for some time seen no sign of them, nor heard
+so much as a whisper.
+
+All at once, when they were still quite a mile from the brig, and while
+Oliver was being tortured by opportunities for acquiring magnificent
+specimens of butterfly and bird of which he could not avail himself,
+Drew stopped short, and let the others come close up to where he was
+crouching beneath the huge leaves of a dwarf palm.
+
+"I dare not go any further," he whispered, "for I feel certain that we
+are walking right into a trap."
+
+"Why?" asked Oliver.  "You say you have neither seen nor heard anything
+of them."
+
+"I can't tell you, but somehow I feel as if they are lying in ambush,
+waiting for us, and I can't lead you on to your death."
+
+These words acted like a chill to all, and for the full space of a
+minute there was utter silence.  Then Oliver spoke.
+
+"I feel so weak and helpless, that I do not like to make proposals," he
+said, "but how would it be to try and play boldly?"
+
+"How?" asked Panton.
+
+"By taking the initiative and attacking."
+
+"Madness," said Drew.
+
+"I don't know that.  Our shots would let Mr Rimmer know that we are in
+danger.  It is too far-off to make him hear the boatswain's whistle.  As
+soon as he knew he would come to our help, and we should have the enemy
+then between two fires.  They would be scared, and either throw down
+their arms or take to the woods."
+
+There was silence again after these words, and then Panton spoke.
+
+"Won't do, Lane," he said.  "You speak as if you were as strong as Smith
+or Wriggs here, and all the time you are as helpless and weak as I."
+
+"Yes," said Drew.  "It is like being only three to attack fifty."
+
+Oliver was silent, for he felt the force of his companion's remark.
+
+"Like to send me or Billy Wriggs on ahead, gentlemen?" said Smith.
+
+"What for, man?" said Panton, impatiently.
+
+"I don't quite zackly know, sir, but I've got a brother as is a soger,
+and he was a tellin' me that when they fight the niggers up in the
+hills, where they shuts themselves up strong behind stone walls, with
+lots o' big ones ready to chuck down on them as comes to attack, they
+sends some one fust, and calls him a f'lorn hope.  I don't quite know
+what good it is, but I'll go and be a f'lorn hope if you like, or so
+would Billy Wriggs here.  P'r'aps he'd do butter, sir, for he's a more
+mizz'able-looking chap than me."
+
+Panton smiled.
+
+"It's very good and brave of you, my lad," he said.
+
+"Oh, don't you make no mistake about that, sir," said Smith, shaking his
+head.  "I'm only a sailor, and not a soger, and not brave at all."
+
+"Speak the truth, Tommy," said Wriggs, in a tone of protest.
+
+"Well, that is the truth, Billy; I ar'n't what you call a brave chap,
+and I can't fight a bit till some one hurts me, and then I s'pose I do
+let go, 'cause you see I feel nasty and sawage like, but that ar'n't
+being brave."
+
+"Don't you believe him, gents," growled Wriggs; "he is a brave chap when
+his monkey's up.  You can't hold him then."
+
+"Yah, don't talk stuff, my lad," said Smith, bashfully.  "How can a chap
+be brave as has got two legs as runs away with him as soon as he's
+scared?"
+
+"Hush!" whispered Drew, "we are talking too loudly.  Look here, Lane,
+and you, Panton: we had better wait for the darkness, and then take our
+chance of making a dash for the brig."
+
+"And spend all these weary hours in this heat without water.  It would
+be horrible."
+
+"Lie down, and try and pass the time in sleep, while we watch."
+
+"She's at it again, sir," whispered Wriggs, with bated breath, as he
+made a clutch at his messmate and held on tightly, for a curious heaving
+sensation, as of a wave passing beneath them, was felt, followed by a
+deep booming roar from northward.
+
+"Ay," whispered Smith, "and if she'd suck one o' them big waves ashore
+and make a clean sweep o' these charcoal chaps, she'd be doing some
+good."
+
+"That's so, messmate," growled Wriggs, "for black-skins as can't live in
+a beautiful country without wantin' to kill and eat their neighbours,
+oughtn't to be 'lowed to live at all, that's what I says about them.
+Here, hold tight!"
+
+He set the example by throwing his arms about a young tree, for there
+was a peculiar rushing sound as the earth quivered and the trees of the
+forest bent over and seemed as if stricken by some tremendous blast,
+though all the time there was not a breath of air.
+
+Then they became conscious of a black cloud rising over the forest
+beyond the clearing, as if the precursor of some fresh eruption.
+
+"I say, Billy," whispered Smith, "oughtn't this here to scare them
+sawages?"
+
+"I should say so," replied the other; "all I know is that it scares me."
+
+"Hist--hist!" whispered Drew, as he pointed forward and signed to the
+others to lie close, for from out of the edge of the forest, about a
+hundred yards in front, a black head was thrust forth from among the
+trees.
+
+It was a strange and incongruous sight.  Between the hiding party and
+the black scout of the savages there ran a high wall of dazzling green
+of many tints, bright flowers hung clustering down, the dazzling sun
+shone from the vivid blue sky, and every now and then bird and butterfly
+of effulgent hue flitted before their sight; while there, just beyond
+this strip of glorious beauty, there was the hideous black grotesque
+head of the Papuan, evidently scanning the side of the forest back
+towards where they were hidden.
+
+The next minute he had drawn back, but only to spring out with a shout,
+brandishing his club, while his cry was taken up by fifty throats, as
+with a roar the whole band rushed into sight, and dashed down towards
+where the little party lay.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN.
+
+EARTH'S MYSTERY AT WORK.
+
+Oliver Lane's hands trembled and then became steady as the
+fierce-looking rout of nearly nude savages came rushing on.  No words
+were spoken in those few brief moments, but it was an understood thing
+among them all that they were to hold their fire till the Papuans were
+close upon their hiding place, and then to draw trigger together, in the
+full belief, or rather hope, that the volley they would deliver would
+check the enemy, and the following fire from the second barrels complete
+their discomfiture.
+
+And so during those moments, as Oliver Lane and his companions watched
+the on-coming rush--moments which seemed to be drawn-out to quite a
+reckonable space of time--all waited with levelled piece and finger on
+trigger for the sudden swerve in amongst them as the savages dashed
+along the open ground with eyes dilated, teeth gleaming, and a fierce
+look that betokened little mercy.
+
+But the swerve in amongst the trees never came, no weapons were raised
+by the on-coming foe, and, to the astonishment of the waiting party, the
+savages dashed by like a human whirlwind till they were some fifty yards
+onward toward the sea, when they stopped short and wheeled round to
+stand looking back as if for the enemy from whom they had fled, while
+Oliver and his party still crouched there, wondering what was to happen
+next.
+
+Then came the explanation of the savages' action.  They were fleeing
+from an enemy, but it was no human foe.  Nature was at work once more.
+There was a peculiar vibration of the earth, a cracking, rending sound,
+and the earth opened in a jagged rift which ran on steadily toward the
+enemy, passing the edge of the forest where the friends lay, and
+starting the Papuans on again in headlong flight toward their canoe.
+Then came a deep rumbling from the opening, a hot gush of steamy air and
+a violent report from away in the direction of the volcano, and silence
+once more deep and profound.
+
+No one spoke for some minutes, as they all strained their ears to catch
+the returning tramp of the fleeing savages.  Then the horror and dread
+were turned into mirth, perhaps a little hysterical on the part of
+Oliver and Panton, for Wriggs suddenly rose to his knees, made a
+derisive gesture with one hand, and then placed it to the side of his
+mouth and yelled out,--
+
+"Yah!  Cowards!"
+
+"Yes, that's it, Billy," said Smith, rising to his knees as well, and
+brushing away some of the insects which were investigating his person.
+"They were all scared because the mountain grumbled a bit.  What would
+some of the beggars have done if they'd been where we went the other
+day?"
+
+"Ah, what indeed!" growled Wriggs.  "I don't see as we've got much call
+to be feared o' such a set as them."
+
+"Think they'll come back?" said Oliver.
+
+"Well, not till we've had plenty of time to reach the brig," replied
+Panton, "so let's get on at once.  I say, look at old Drew!"
+
+Oliver turned his head to see, with surprise and some amusement, that
+now the imminent danger had passed, the naturalist had re-asserted
+itself, and their companion was eagerly collecting specimens of the
+wonderful parasitic plants which clustered over a decaying tree-trunk.
+Then his own instincts were aroused by the beauty of at least a dozen
+tiny sun-birds, perfect gems of colour and brilliancy, which were
+flitting and buzzing almost like insects about the same blossoms, to
+probe the deep richly-tinted throats with their long curved beaks.
+
+"These are quite fresh," he said, "I must have a couple of specimens."
+
+In his eagerness he opened the breech of his gun to substitute fresh
+cartridges containing the smallest shot he had, but Panton arrested him.
+
+"Don't fire," he said, "they may hear you and come back."
+
+_Phut_!
+
+A peculiar sound like a jet of air suddenly shot out of the crack in the
+earth close by.
+
+"What's that?" cried Panton, excitedly.
+
+"Don't azackly know, sir," said Smith; "but I see a puff o' thin,
+bluish-looking steam come up out of that bit of a split there."
+
+Panton forgot all about his companions' firing, and ran to the edge of
+the rift to find that it was not above a foot across, and that a hot
+flush of steamy air was being forced out with a faint singing noise,
+while, to his astonishment, the narrow crack which ran to right and left
+quite out of sight was now gradually and quite perceptibly closing up.
+
+He could see down for a few yards and noted an efflorescence of sulphur
+rapidly forming on the sides, but this grew fainter and fainter, and was
+soon lost in the bluish darkness.
+
+"Wonderful! wonderful!" he muttered, as he sank upon his knees and laid
+the barrel of his gun across to watch the rate at which the crevice
+closed up, while he bent over from time to time to gaze down, the act
+necessitating the holding of his breath to avoid inhaling the hot fume.
+
+"I should just like to see one o' them charcoal chaps do that, Billy,"
+said Smith.
+
+"Yah!  Them!" exclaimed Wriggs, contemptuously.  "Why, matey, I'm
+ashamed o' mysen.  That's what's the matter with me."
+
+"'Shamed, what on?"
+
+"Being afeard on 'em.  For allus speak the truth, Billy, my poor old
+mother used to say, and I will now, that I will, and I don't care who
+hears me."
+
+"Spit it out, then, Billy.  There's nothin' like the truth nowheres.
+What are you been saying as warn't true?"
+
+"Same as you did, messmate.  I said as it was my legs as run away,
+'cause they was feared."
+
+"Well, so they was, warn't they?  I know mine was."
+
+"Nay, not you, Tommy.  It warn't my legs as run away with me, it was me
+as run away with my legs from them black-looking tar-swabs, and I'm
+ashamed on it, that I am.  Now, then, what have you got to say to that?"
+
+"Nothin' at all, Billy," said Smith.  "But just look, she's shutting her
+mouth again."
+
+"Who is?" said Wriggs, staring about.  "I can't see no she's here."
+
+"Old mother earth, arter trying to swaller that lot o' niggers, only
+they was too quick for her."
+
+There, plainly enough as he spoke, was the opening, but it was closing
+more rapidly now, and a minute later the two sides touched after a
+violent hissing noise, while one edge was several inches above the
+other, marking where the rift had been.
+
+"Ready?" said Oliver just then.
+
+Panton rose to his feet, and, shouldering their guns, the little party
+marched steadily back toward the brig, which they reached without
+adventure soon after dark, the latter part of their way having been
+guided by a lantern hoisted right up to the main truck for their
+benefit.
+
+"Take that light down at once," were Oliver's first words as he climbed
+the side.
+
+"Well, yes, I was going to take it down," said Mr Rimmer, "but it did
+you some good, didn't it?"
+
+Oliver explained the reason, for there had been no alarm of savages at
+the brig.
+
+Mr Rimmer uttered a low whistle.
+
+"So near as that, eh?" he said.  "Well, we were quite ready for them;
+but, my dear lads, what a narrow escape for you.  There, welcome back.
+I shall be rather chary of letting you all out of my sight another time.
+Get down into the cabin and have a good meal and a rest; I'll join you
+as soon as I can."
+
+He left the returned party and busied himself in seeing that all lights
+likely to be visible from outside were carefully extinguished and the
+men posted ready in case of an attack when the enemy had recovered from
+their fright; but they had evidently received too great a shock to
+return that night, and at last half the men were sent below and later on
+several more, but the mate stayed on deck till morning came without
+there having been the slightest alarm.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.
+
+TOMMY SMITH'S TREASURE.
+
+After a little consultation in the morning it was decided to lead out a
+strong well armed party to make sure whether the enemy was down by the
+lagoon, for the state of uncertainty seemed worse than the danger likely
+to be incurred in an advance and careful retreat.  The mate determined
+to go himself, and selecting four men with Smith and Wriggs they set
+off, leaving Drew in charge of the ship.
+
+The expedition proved to be quite uneventful, and the scouting party
+were back soon after noon, having been right down to the shores of the
+lagoon and searched it well from the highest point they could find
+without there being a sign of a canoe.
+
+From that day forward for quite two months, the occupants of the ship
+ashore enjoyed perfect peace, and no sign was seen of an enemy.  It was
+evident that the natural childish fear and superstition of the blacks
+had kept them away from the island, but all the same no fishing or
+shooting excursion was ventured upon without the feeling that the party
+might return to find the savages making a fresh attack, or being in
+possession of the brig.  Consequently no precautions could be relaxed on
+board, and not a step was taken without every one being armed to the
+teeth.
+
+The change during that time had been wonderful.  Vegetation was so rapid
+in its growth, and seed spread so quickly, wind swept, that the traces
+of the earthquake wave were pretty well obliterated by bright young
+growth.  Many of the pools had dried up, but four of the largest kept
+fairly well filled with brackish water, evidently supplied by some
+underground communication with the sea, possibly merely by slow
+filtration through the porous coral rock, sufficient, however, to keep
+them fit habitations for fish and reptiles.
+
+On board the brig the carpenter with three aides worked hard at the
+lugger being constructed.  This was to be hauled down to the sand, and
+then slowly taken down to the sea on rollers in a cradle specially
+constructed for the purpose.
+
+"Give us time," said Mr Rimmer, "and we'll have a light boat that will
+take us from island to island till we get to some civilised port.  But
+first of all we must sail round where we are."
+
+"There's no hurry," said Oliver, "but get the lugger done, and then make
+another, for we shall want plenty of room for our specimens if we go on
+like this."
+
+For in spite of having to work as it were with one eye on the look-out
+for danger, and the other for specimens, each of the three naturalists
+rapidly increased his collection.  Oliver Lane filled case after case
+with series of the splendid paradise birds which came and went in the
+most unaccountable manner.  For days together they would be plentiful,
+then for a whole week it seemed as if they had forsaken the island and
+taken flight to some other spot invisible from the highest points to
+which they had climbed, but known well to the birds.
+
+And there the choice, carefully prepared skins lay in their cases, well
+dried and aromatic with the preserving paste which kept insect enemies
+at bay.  Here would lie the great bird of Paradise, all cinnamon,
+metallic green and buff, with its loose plumage and long wire-shafted
+feathers.  In another case a series of the lesser bird.  Then Lane found
+a few of the beautiful metallic rifle bird, all glossy purply green.
+The standard wing with its elongated tufts of green upon its breast, and
+from each shoulder a pair of long, gracefully curved, white
+willow-leaved feathers standing almost straight out at times, while at
+others they lay neatly down along with the larger quills.
+
+Another day in his favourite hunting ground at the foot of the volcano
+slope he had the good fortune to shoot a bird of which he had read and
+never seen.  It was the king bird of Paradise, monarch for its beauty
+and not from its size.
+
+Drew and Panton were out with him collecting, the one plants, the other
+crystals, and running to him on hearing him whistling, they were ready
+to laugh at his excitement over his one bird, a little fellow somewhere
+about the size of a thrush, but with an exceedingly short tail balanced
+by a couple of beautiful curled plumes at the end of their wire-like,
+exquisitely curved feather, starting above the tail and crossing just at
+its end.
+
+But their ridicule soon turned into delight as they gazed at the
+wondrous display of tints, beautifully blended, so that no two colours
+jarred.  But it was not only in its hues that there was so much
+fascination to the eye, for all three gazed in wonder at the peculiar
+appendages which added to the strangeness and beauty of this bird.
+
+But there was no end to Oliver's bird treasures now, and knowing the
+interest he took in the beautiful creatures, every man on board tried
+his best to add to his stores by means of trap and gun, the mate
+encouraging the use of the latter, so that the men might be quite at
+home with it.
+
+"Here y'are, sir," said Smith, "right sort, and nothing wrong in it,
+'cept a spot o' blood on its back, over two o' the feathers.  I was
+going to pull 'em out and bring him quite clean, on'y you're so
+perticler about every feather being there."
+
+"How could it be perfect without?" said Oliver.
+
+"Oh, I dunno, sir.  Birds got so many feathers in 'em that nobody'd miss
+fifty or sixty, let alone one or two.  Why, many's the time I've seen
+'em pick out lots themselves, specially ducks."
+
+"I daresay," replied Oliver, "but don't you ever pick any out; I can
+always wash away the blood."
+
+"All right, sir, but ain't yer going to look at it, and what Billy
+Wriggs got, too?"
+
+"I will directly," replied Oliver.  "Wait till I've turned this skin."
+
+"Oh, yes, sir, we'll wait," said the sailor, and he dropped the butt of
+his gun to the earth, and stood holding a bird he had shot, while Oliver
+was seated by an upturned cask, whose head formed a table just under the
+brig's bows, where, with a large piece of canvas rigged to a stay, he
+worked in shelter, skinning his specimens for hours in the early morning
+and late evening.
+
+"Looks gashly nasty, now, sir," said the man, after a few minutes'
+watching, while Oliver carefully painted over the wet, soft,
+newly-stripped-off skin of a bird with the aromatic poisonous cream he
+had in a pot.  Now the bristles of the brush sought out every crease and
+hollow about where the flesh-denuded bones of the wings hung by their
+tendons; then the bones of the legs were painted, the young man intent
+upon his work--too much so to look up when the two sailors came round
+from the other side of the vessel.  Now the brush ran carefully along
+the skin, so as not to smirch the feathers at the edge; now it was
+passed along the thin stretched neck and up to the skull, which had been
+left whole all but the back, where brains and eyeballs had been
+carefully extracted, leaving nothing but the paper-like bone of
+wondrously delicate texture and strength.  Here the brush was sedulously
+applied with more and more cream, which shed a pleasant odour around.
+
+"Pyson, ain't it, sir?" said Wriggs, at last.
+
+"Yes, my man, dangerously poisonous," said Oliver, as he worked away.
+
+"Wouldn't do to set me that job, sir," said Smith.
+
+"Why not?  You could soon learn."
+
+"'Cause I got a bad habit, sir."
+
+"Lots!" said Wriggs, laconically.
+
+"Here, don't you be so jolly fond o' running down your messmate, Bill.
+'Course I've got lots a' bad habits--everybody has--don't s'pose I got
+more more nor you, mate."
+
+"Dessay not, Tommy," said Wriggs, with a chuckle.
+
+"What I meant was as I've got a bad habit a' poppin' my fingers in my
+mouth every now and then, when I'm doin' anythin', so as to get a better
+hold.  Some chaps spit in their hands--Billy here does, sir."
+
+"Ay, mate, that's a true word," growled Wriggs.
+
+"Well, that's a deal nastier than just wettin' the tips o' your fingers,
+ain't it?  Would it hurt me if I did, sir?"
+
+"Most likely be very dangerous," said Oliver, as he busily tucked some
+cotton wool into the cavities of the eyes, and then into the empty
+skull.
+
+"What's he doin' that for, Tommy?" whispered Wriggs.
+
+"Stuffin' on it to keep the skin from s'rivellin', mate.  Can't yer
+see?"
+
+"Yes, that's it," said Oliver, as he worked away.  Then, laying the wing
+bones together, so as to keep them a short distance apart, he proceeded
+to bind a little of the cotton fibre round the leg bones before wiping
+his fingers, carefully feeling for the bird's claws, and drawing them
+out from among the soft feathers where they nestled, and restoring the
+skin to its place so that it fitted well over the wool.
+
+"Look at that, now, Billy.  There y'are, regular pair o' natural legs
+again.  Wonderful thing, bird-stuffing!  Hope we don't worry you, sir,
+talkin'."
+
+"Oh no, talk away," said Oliver smiling, as he made up a little
+egg-shaped ball of cotton wool of the size of the bird's body, which
+dangled upon a hook at the end of a string.  And then he took a pinch of
+the wool, doubled it, and thrust the doubled part into the skull,
+leaving enough to form the bird's neck, followed up with the loose
+egg-shaped pad which he laid upon the tied together wing bones, and
+then, with a clever bit of manipulation, drew the skin over the pad,
+gave the bird a bit of a shake, and, as if it had been some conjuring
+trick, every feather came back into its right place, and to all
+appearances there lay a dead bird before him on the head of the cask.
+
+"Three cheers and a hextra hooray!" cried Smith.  "Ain't that wonderful,
+Billy?  You and me couldn't ha' made a bird like that."
+
+"No," said Oliver, laughing, "and I couldn't have furled the
+main-topgallant sail like you two could."
+
+"Well, sir, that's true enough," said Smith; "but if you wouldn't mind
+me astin', `What's the good o' pysonin' a bird when it's dead?'"
+
+"I don't," said Oliver, as he busily smoothed feathers and fitted the
+bird's folded wings close to its sides, giving a pinch them in their
+here and a pinch there before confining places by rolling a strip of
+paper round, and fastening it with a pin.
+
+"What I do is to poison the skin, so that it may be fatal to any
+mischievous insect that might wish to eat it, and make the feathers fall
+out."
+
+"Why o' course, Tommy," growled Wriggs, "anybody could ha' know'd that."
+
+"You didn't, Billy," said Smith shortly.
+
+"Well, I can't say as I did quite, mate, but I do now, and I shan't
+never forget it.  But what's he doin' o' that for?  It won't ketch cold
+now."
+
+"No," said Oliver, laughing, as he fitted a little cone of paper on the
+bird's head by thrusting it with the beak right down to the end.  "That
+paper cap is to hold the bird's head well down upon its shoulders, so
+that it may dry in a natural shape.  Birds' necks fold so that they
+always look very short."
+
+"And what bird may that be, sir?" said Wriggs.
+
+"A pitta--or ground thrush."
+
+"A mercy on us!" said Smith.  "It's a wonderful place this.  Thrushes at
+home is all browny speckly birds, and this here's blue and green."
+
+"Yes, birds have brilliant plumage here, my lads.  Now, then, what have
+you got for me?  Anything good?"
+
+"Well, that's for you to say, sir.  Now then, Billy, out with yours
+first."
+
+"Nay, let's see yours first, matey."
+
+"Come, come, I'm busy.  We're going for a fresh excursion to-day.  Now
+then, Wriggs, what is it?"
+
+"It's a little squirmy wormy thing as he ketched, sir, just as it come
+outer its hole to curl up in the sunshine.  Pull it out, Billy.  He's
+got it in his pocket, sir."
+
+Wriggs slowly thrust in his hand and drew out a little thin snake, which
+moved slightly as he laid it on the table.
+
+"He says it's a wurm, sir," put in Smith, "I says it's a young
+come-structor."
+
+"What's that?" cried Oliver in a startled way.  "Nonsense, it is full
+grown."
+
+"Couldn't ha' took long growing to that size, sir," said Smith,
+grinning, as he held the bird he had shot behind him.
+
+"But, my good fellows, don't you know that this is a very dangerous
+viper?"
+
+"What, that?" said Wriggs contemptuously, "there ain't nothin' on him."
+
+"There isn't much of a wasp," said Oliver, "but his sting is poisonous
+enough."
+
+"That's true, sir, specially it you gets it near yer eye.  But you don't
+mean to say as that little chap's got a sting in his tail?"
+
+"Absurd!  Vipers have poisonous fangs--two."
+
+"What, in their tails, sir?"
+
+"No, man, in the roof of the mouth.  I'll show you."
+
+"But do you mean as that chap would ha' bit us and stung us, sir?" said
+Wriggs anxiously.
+
+"Of course I do, and you've had a very close shave.  How did you kill
+it?"
+
+"Well, sir, he wouldn't let us kill him, but kep' on wrigglin' arter
+Billy here had trod on his tail, and we didn't want to quite scrunch
+him, because you're so partickler.  He got a bit quiet, though, arter a
+time, and then Billy nipped him at the back o' the head and put him in
+his pocket."
+
+"Look here, when you find a snake with a diamond-shaped head like that,
+you may be pretty certain that it is venomous."
+
+The two sailors scratched their heads in unison while Oliver turned the
+little viper's head over, opened its mouth, and made it gape widely by
+placing a little bone stiletto which he used in skinning the smaller
+birds within, and then with the point of a penknife he raised two tiny
+fangs which were laid back on the roof of the reptile's mouth, and
+which, when erect, looked like points of glass.
+
+"There!" he exclaimed, "those are the poison fangs.  They're hollow and
+connected with a couple of exceedingly small glands or bags of poison,
+which shoot a couple of tiny drops of venom through the hollow teeth
+when they are pressed by the animal biting."
+
+"But you don't call that 'ere a hanimal, sir?" said Smith, as he wiped
+the perspiration from his forehead.
+
+"What is it, then?" said Oliver, laughingly quoting from an old book--"a
+vegetable?"
+
+"Well, no, sir, but it does look some'at like a sort o' liquorice stick
+as the boys used to buy to chew when we went to school."
+
+"It looks more like what it is," said Oliver, "a very dangerous viper,
+and I warn you both to be very careful about meddling with such things
+again."
+
+"But you see it was such a little 'un, sir," said Wriggs,
+apologetically.
+
+"None the less dangerous, and you've had a very narrow escape," said
+Oliver.  Then noting the men's disappointed looks, he continued--
+
+"But I'm very grateful to you all the same.  It was very thoughtful of
+you, Wriggs, and I am glad to have it to add to my collection."
+
+"Then you won't chuck it away, sir?" said Wriggs, brightening up.
+
+"Throw it away--a rare specimen of a poisonous snake?  Most decidedly
+not.  I shall put it in my tin of spirit, and preserve it carefully."
+
+"Seems most a pity to waste good liquor on such a wicious little beggar,
+don't it, sir?"
+
+"By no means," said Oliver, smiling.  "There, I hope I shall have the
+pleasure of showing it to one of our best zoologists.  Now, Smith, let's
+have a look at yours."
+
+"Well, yes, sir," said the man addressed, as he still kept his hand
+behind him.  "You may as well see it now.  Me and Billy here seed my
+gentleman three or four mornin's ago."
+
+"Four, Tommy.  Allus make yer knots tight."
+
+"Weer it four, Billy?  All right, then, four mornin's ago, just as it
+was gettin' light, an' I says to him, I says, `Now that's just the sort
+o' bird as Muster Oliver Lane would like to have to stuff,' didn't I,
+Billy?"
+
+"Well, it warn't quite in them there words, Tommy, but it meant that
+'ere."
+
+"Don't you be so nation perticler about a heff or a gee, messmate.  If
+it meant what I says, wheer's the harm?"
+
+"Allus speak the truth, Tommy.  Allus speak the truth," growled Wriggs.
+
+"Come, come, I want to see my bird," said Oliver.  "Go on, Smith."
+
+"That's just what I wants to do, sir, on'y Billy Wriggs here he is such
+a haggravatin' beggar.  If yer don't speak your words to half a quarter
+of a hinch, he's down on yer."
+
+Wriggs chuckled, and his messmate went on, but frowned and scowled at
+him all the time.
+
+"Well, sir, I hups with my gun to shoot him, for Mr Rimmer says we're
+never to go about anywhere now without loaded guns 'cause of the
+hinjuns--but bless your 'art, afore you could say `Fire' he was off over
+the trees, and I was that aggrawated as never was, for he was a fine
+'un."
+
+"There, what did I say, Tommy?" growled Wriggs.  "Let him have it all."
+
+"Look-ye here, messmate, are you a-goin' to tell the story, or am I?"
+
+"Well, you'd better go on, Tommy, as you began it, on'y you gets
+driftin' to the lee so, instead o' sailin' ahead."
+
+"Look here, you'd better do it yoursen," cried Smith.
+
+"No, no, go on, man," said Oliver.
+
+"All right, sir," grumbled Smith.  "Well, Billy Wriggs says as he was
+sure he come there to feed of a morning, and pick up the wurms, and that
+if we got up early and waited there, we should see my gentleman again.
+So we says nothin' to nobody, did we, Billy?"
+
+"Not a word, messmate."
+
+"And gets there very early nex' morning, but he'd got there afore us,
+and _Chuck_, he says, and away he went, 'fore I'd time to think o'
+shootin' at him.  But never mind, I says, I will be ready for yer
+to-morrer mornin', and we gets there much sooner, and waited in the
+dark.  We hadn't been there more'n a minute before we know'd he'd been
+afore us, for we could hear him querking an' cherking to himself all in
+a low tone, just as if he was a-saying, `There's a couple o' chaps
+hangin' about to get a look at my feathers, and I just aren't goin' to
+let 'em.'"
+
+"Yes, it were just like that," said Wriggs, giving his head an approving
+nod.
+
+"Ay, it weer, Billy, and my heye, sir, how we two did try to get a
+glimpse of him.  But bless yer 'art, sir, it was that dark as never was.
+He didn't mind, for we could hear him flickin' about in the trees, and
+flying down on the ground, and then makin' quite a flutter as he went up
+again, and talkin' to hissen all the time about us."
+
+"You're a long time getting to the shooting, Smith," said Oliver.
+
+"That's a true word, sir.  We was, for it got light at last, and both me
+and Billy had our guns ready to pop off, but he warn't there then.  Not
+a sign of him.  Oh, he was a hartful one!  He knowed what we was up to,
+and he goes and gets there in the middle o' the night, has what he
+wants, and then off he goes all quiet like before we could see."
+
+"But you did shoot it at last?"
+
+"Ay, sir, I did, but not that mornin', which was yesterday, you know.
+For, Billy, I says, this here game won't do."
+
+"Ay, you did, Tommy."
+
+"You and me ain't goin' to be done by a big cock-sparrer sort o' thing,
+is we? and he says we warn't, and we'll keep on earlier and earlier till
+we do get him."
+
+"Well, and what did you do?" asked Oliver, smiling.
+
+"Goes in the middle o' the night, sir, to be sure, and there we was as
+quiet as could be; but we didn't hear nothin' till just afore sunrise,
+when there was a _cherk, cherk_, and a bit of flutterin' just as we was
+makin' up our minds as he was too artful for us.  Billy, he gives me a
+nudge and shoves up the gun and takes aim."
+
+"But you couldn't see the bird?" said Oliver.
+
+"No, sir, not yet, but I wanted to be ready so as to get a shot at him
+the moment he showed hissen, and then if I didn't recklect as I hadn't
+loaded the gun arter giving it a good clean up yes'day, 'cause it were
+getting rusty."
+
+"That's so, and I did mine, too," said Wriggs.
+
+"You might ha' knocked me down with a feather, sir," continued Smith.
+
+"Nay, nay, speak the truth, Tommy," growled Wriggs, reprovingly.  "No
+feather as ever growed wouldn't knock you down."
+
+"Will you be quiet, Billy Wriggs?  Who's to tell the gentleman if you
+keep a-sticking your marlin-spike in where it aren't wanted?"
+
+"Come, come, I want to see my bird," cried Oliver, who was amused by the
+sailor's long-winded narrative.  "If it takes so much time to shoot one
+bird, how long would it take to shoot a flock?"
+
+"Ah!  I dunno, sir," said Smith, solemnly.
+
+"But you got this one?"
+
+"Ay, sir, I did."
+
+"We did, Tommy! speak the truth."
+
+"Well, _we_ did, then.  I shot him, sir, and Billy goes in among the
+bushes and picked him up."
+
+"Gettin' scratched awfully," growled Wriggs.
+
+"Then you did shoot it," said Oliver, "without powder or shot?"
+
+"Nay, sir, I lowered the gun down, shoved in a fresh cartridge, and
+waited like a stone statty."
+
+"Two stone stattys," said Wriggs, solemnly.  "Speak the truth."
+
+"Yes, sir, neither on us moved, and I don't think as we breathed for
+ever so long, till it humbugged that there bird so as he couldn't stand
+it no longer, and he bobs right up on to a high bough so as to peep over
+and see whether we was there."
+
+"And were you?"
+
+"Yes, sir," said Smith, very solemnly, "we was, and he soon knowed it,
+for bang says my gun, down he come.  Billy, as I says afore, goes and
+picks him up."
+
+"Yes," said Oliver, laughing; "and after all that long rigmarole, I
+suppose it is something I don't want.  Now, then, don't keep it behind
+you like that.  Let's see what it's like.  Come, don't be so childish."
+
+"All right, sir," said Smith, giving his companion a wink, and then with
+a flourish he swung round a shapely-looking Pitta--a hen-bird of very
+sober plumage--and banged it down on the head of the cask.
+
+"Well, upon my word," cried Oliver, indignantly.  "Here have you two
+chaps kept me all this time spinning a miserable yarn about a bird that
+I began to hope was a fine specimen worth having, and then you bring out
+this!"
+
+"Yes, sir, won't it do?" said Smith, winking at Wriggs once more.
+
+"There, be off with you, and take the rubbishing thing away," cried
+Oliver, wrathfully.  "All your cock and bull story about that."
+
+"Yes, sir," cried Smith, with a peculiar chuckle and a wink at Wriggs;
+"but that there warn't the one."
+
+As he spoke, Smith very carefully and slowly brought his hand round
+again, holding a bird in the most perfect plumage suspended by a thin
+ring of brass wire, which had been thrust through the nostrils, and
+Oliver uttered a cry of joy.
+
+"Ahoy, Drew!  Panton! come here, quick!"
+
+"What's up?" came from the deck, and as there was the hurried sound of
+feet, the two sailors nodded and winked and gave each his leg a slap.
+
+"What is it?" cried Panton, eagerly, as he ran to where his brother
+naturalist stood gloating over his treasure.
+
+"A gem!  A gem!" cried Oliver.
+
+"Then, that's in my way, not yours," said Panton.  "My word, what a
+beauty!  That's quite fresh."
+
+"To me, but I know what it is.  The Golden Paradise bird.  Isn't it
+exquisite?  Look at its colours and the crest."
+
+"That's what took my attention first of all," said Drew, who had now
+joined them, and they all three gloated over the wonderful specimen
+which glowed with intense colours.  There were no long loose flowing
+buff plume; for the bird was short and compact, its principal decoration
+being six oval feathers at the end of as many thin wire-like pens, three
+growing crest-like out of each side of its head.  The whole of its
+throat and breast were covered with broad scale-like feathers of
+brilliant metallic golden hue, looking in the sunshine like the dazzling
+throat of a humming bird vastly magnified; while, seen in different
+lights, these golden scales changed in hue like the plumes of a peacock,
+becoming purple or green.  A pure satiny white patch glistened
+conspicuously on the front of the head, before the place whence the six
+cresting feathers sprang.  This covering stood out the more strongly
+from the fact that at first sight the bird appeared to be of a dense
+black, but at the slightest movement it glowed with bronze metallic
+blue, and an indescribable tint, such as is sometimes seen in
+freshly-broken sulphur and iron ore.
+
+For some moments no one spoke, and with tender touches Oliver turned his
+bird here and there, so that the sun should play upon its glistening
+plumage at different angles.  Now he was carefully raising some feather
+which was slightly out of place, now raising the six crest feathers
+through his hand, and bending over it as if it were the most glorious
+object he had ever seen.
+
+"Seems a sin to attempt to skin it," said Oliver at last.  "I shall
+never get those feathers to look so smooth again."
+
+"Oh, yes, you will.  Go on," said Panton, "and get it done.  The weather
+soon makes a change."
+
+"Yes, I must carefully preserve this," cried Oliver; and Drew sighed.
+
+"I've worked pretty hard," he said, "but I have found nothing to compare
+with that in rarity or beauty."
+
+"Then you think it'll do, sir?" said Smith, with his face shining with
+pleasure.
+
+"Do, my man!  I can never be grateful enough to you both for finding
+it."
+
+"Worth long rigmarole, eh, sir?" said Wriggs with a chuckle.
+
+"It's worth anything to a naturalist, my man."
+
+"What is?" said Mr Rimmer, coming up; and the bird was held up for his
+inspection.
+
+"Another kind of bird of Paradise?" he said.
+
+"Yes, isn't it lovely?"
+
+"Very, gentlemen, but I want to talk to you about launching our lugger,
+she's getting well on toward being ready."
+
+"Ready?" said Oliver.  "Oh yes, of course.  But don't hurry, Mr Rimmer,
+we shan't be ready to go for some time yet."
+
+"Mean it?" said Rimmer, smiling.
+
+"Mean it!" cried Oliver, looking up from his bird.  "Why, you don't
+suppose we can go away from a place where such specimens as this are to
+be had.  I can't."
+
+"No," said Panton, quietly, "since I got better I have been finding such
+a grand series of minerals that I must stay if I possibly can.  What do
+you say, Drew?"
+
+"It would be madness to hurry away."
+
+"And what about the niggers?" said Mr Rimmer, who looked amused.
+
+"They haven't worried us lately."
+
+"But the volcano?  Really, gentlemen, I never feel safe from one day to
+another.  I am always expecting to see the earth open and swallow us
+up."
+
+"Yes, we are in a doubtful position," said Panton, thoughtfully, "and
+never know what may happen, living as we are, over fire."
+
+"And hot water," said the mate, smiling.  "One of the men has just found
+a little spring, where the water spurts up at boiling point."
+
+"Well," said Panton, "it will be convenient.  There, Mr Rimmer, get
+your lugger launched, and we'll explore the coast, but don't say
+anything about our going away for months to come, for we must make some
+more efforts to get right up to the crater edge before we give up.
+Besides, we have not half examined the land yet."
+
+"No," said the mate, "we have not half examined the land yet.  Very
+well, gentlemen, you came on purpose for this sort of thing, so it's not
+for me to say any more.  I'm anchored pretty safely, that is, if the
+earth don't give way, and let the brig through.  I'll, as I've said
+before, get my lugger finished and launched.  She'll lie snugly enough
+in the deepest part of the lagoon if the blacks will keep away, and I
+shall gradually load and provision her, ready for when we have to go
+will that do?"
+
+"Yes, splendidly," said Oliver.  "There, don't say any wore about it,
+please, for I want to skin my bird."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.
+
+PANTON SHOWS THE WAY TO WONDERLAND.
+
+"You were so precious proud of your ornitho superbo, or whatever you
+call it, that you seemed to fancy yourself head cock discoverer and
+chief boss of the expedition," cried Panton one morning, as he returned
+in a great hurry, after being out for some hours with Smith and Wriggs.
+
+Oliver, who, helped by Drew, was busily packing layers of dried bird
+skins in a case, looked up laughingly.
+
+"What is it?" he cried.  "What have you found--diamonds?"
+
+"Oh, no, nothing of that kind.  Come on and see."
+
+"In five minutes I shall be done.  Then we'll come.  But what is it?"
+
+"Wait till you get there," responded Panton, wincing slightly, for he
+had just felt a sting in his newly-healed wound.
+
+"All right," said Oliver.  "Now, Drew, another layer of paper, then this
+lot of skins, and we'll fasten the lid down."
+
+"Why not leave it unfastened till your other lot are dry?"
+
+"Because if I do, the ants will make short work of them.  In with the
+rest, lightly.  Now the lid."
+
+This was clapped on, a good solid deal lid made by the ship's carpenter,
+with holes bored and screws in them, all ready, and as soon as it was
+on, Oliver, with his sleeves rolled up and the muscles working beneath
+his clear white skin, attacked the screws, and soon had them all tightly
+in their places.  Then a rope was made fast, the word given to those on
+deck, and the chest was run up in no time.
+
+Five minutes later Oliver was equipped in light flannel jacket and sun
+helmet, his gun over his shoulder and all ready fur action.
+
+"Going for a stroll?" said Mr Rimmer, as they stepped down from the
+deck to where he was superintending the planking of the lugger, whose
+framework had been slid down on a kind of cradle, where it now stood
+parallel with the brig, it having been found advisable to get her down
+from the deck for several reasons, notably her rapidly increasing weight
+and her being so much in the way.
+
+"But suppose the enemy comes and finds her alongside?  They might burn
+her."
+
+"They'd burn or bake us if we kept her up here," said the mate, shortly,
+"for we should not have room to move."
+
+So there it was, down alongside, rapidly approaching completion, the men
+having toiled away with a will, feeling how necessary it was to have a
+way open for escape, and working so well that most of them soon began to
+grow into respectable shipyard labourers, one or two, under the guidance
+of the ship's carpenter, promising to develop soon into builders.
+
+The mate was very busy with a caulking hammer in one hand, a wedge in
+the other, driving tar-soaked oakum between the planks so as to make a
+water-tight seam, and as the young men came up he wiped his steamy brow
+with his arm, and looked at all with good-humoured satisfaction.
+
+"Yes, we're going to inspect a discovery I have made," said Panton,
+importantly.  "Like to join us?"
+
+"Well, I should like," replied the mate, "and I think I--no: resolution
+for ever.  Not a step will I take till I've got the _Little Planet_
+finished.  She's rough, but I believe she'll go."
+
+"When you get her to the sea."
+
+"Ye-es," said Mr Rimmer, with a comically perplexed look in his bluff
+English countenance, "when we get her to the sea.  You don't think
+she'll stick fast, do you, Mr Lane?"
+
+"Well, I hope not," said Oliver, "but when I get thinking about how big
+you are making her, I can't help having doubts."
+
+"Doubts?" said the mate, sadly, as if he had plenty of his own.
+
+"Yes--no," cried Oliver, "I will not have any.  We will get her down to
+the sea somehow.  Englishmen have done bigger things than that."
+
+"And will again, eh, sir?" cried the mate.  "Come, that's encouraging.
+You've done me no end of good, sir, that you have.  There, off with you,
+and get back to dinner in good time.  Crowned pigeon for dinner, and
+fish."
+
+He attacked the side of the lugger with redoubled energy, his strokes
+following the party for far enough as they trudged on due south to an
+opening in the forest not yet visited by either Drew or Lane, and the
+latter, as he saw the abundance of tempting specimens, exclaimed,--
+
+"I say, what have we been about not to visit this spot before?"
+
+"Had too many other good spots to visit, I suppose," said Drew; "but, my
+word! look at the orchids here."
+
+"Bah!  That's nothing to what you will see, eh, Smith?"
+
+"Yes, sir, they'll stare a bit when they gets farder on.  Me and Billy's
+been thinking as we should like to retire from business and build
+ourselves houses there to live in, speshly Billy."
+
+"Speak the truth, mate, you was the worst," grumbled Wriggs.
+
+"You was just as bad about it, Billy.  Didn't you say as it would be
+grand to have a house to live in, with b'iling water laid on at your
+front door?"
+
+"Nay, that I didn't, Tommy.  How could I when there warn't no front door
+and no house built?"
+
+"You are so partickler to a word, mate.  It was something of that kind."
+
+"Nay, Tommy."
+
+"Why, it was, and you says you'd want a missus, on'y you didn't know as
+how a white missus'd care to come and live out in a place where there
+warn't no pumps, and you couldn't abide to have one as was black."
+
+"Well!" exclaimed Wriggs indignantly, "of all the 'orrid yarns!  Why, it
+were him, gents, as said all that.  Now, speak the truth, Tommy, warn't
+it you?"
+
+"Now you comes to talk about it that way, Billy, I begin to think as it
+were; but it don't matter, let's say it was both on us."
+
+"How much farther is it to the wonder?" asked Oliver.
+
+"About a mile," replied Panton.  "There, curb your impetuosity and don't
+be jealous when you get there."
+
+"Jealous!  Rubbish!  Look, Drew!" cried Oliver, as a huge moth as big
+across the wings as a dinner plate flapped gently along the shadowy way
+beneath the trees, now nearly invisible, now plainly seen threading its
+way through patches which looked like showers of silver rain.  "Who can
+be jealous of another's luck when he is overwhelmed with luck of his
+own?"
+
+"Hi!  Stop!  None of that!" cried Panton, catching Oliver by the arm, as
+he snatched off his sun helmet and was dashing forward through the
+forest.
+
+"What's the matter?"
+
+"That's what I want to know.  Are you mad to go dashing off, hat in
+hand, after a butterfly here in this dangerous place, as if you were a
+boy out on a Surrey Common?"
+
+"Bother!  It isn't a butterfly."
+
+"What is it, then?"
+
+"The grandest Atlas moth I ever saw."
+
+"I don't care, you're not going to make yourself raging hot running
+after that.  I want you to come and see my find."
+
+Oliver stood looking after the shadowy moth as it went on in and out
+among the trunks of the trees till it reached a tunnel-like opening,
+full of sunshine.  Up this, after pausing for a moment or two, balanced
+upon its level outstretched wings, it seemed to float on a current of
+air and was gone.
+
+"You've made me miss a glorious prize," said Oliver sadly.
+
+"Not I.  You couldn't have caught it, my boy.  Come along."
+
+Oliver resigned himself to his fate, but gazed longingly at several
+birds dimly seen on high among the leaves, and whose presence would have
+passed unnoticed if it had not been for their piping cries or screams.
+But he soon after took a boyish mischievous satisfaction in joining
+Panton in checking Drew every time he made a point at some botanical
+treasure.
+
+"No, no," cried Oliver, "if there is to be no animal, I say no
+vegetable."
+
+"Because it's all mineral.  There, be patient," said Panton.  "We
+haven't much farther to go, eh, Smith?"
+
+"No, sir, on'y a little bit now.  Either o' you gents think o' bringing
+a bit o' candle or a lantern?"
+
+"Candle?" cried Panton in dismay.  "No."
+
+"What, didn't yer think o' that rubub and magneshy stuff, sir?"
+
+"The magnesium wire?  Yes, I brought that."
+
+"Well, that's something, sir, but we do want candles."
+
+"And we must have some.  Here, Smith, you must go back," cried Panton.
+
+"Right, sir, on'y shouldn't I be useful to you when we gets there?"
+
+"Of course, very: but we can't do without a light."
+
+"No, sir, that we can't.  How many shall you want?"
+
+"Ask for half-a-dozen," said Panton, "and be as smart as you can."
+
+"Half-a-dozen, sir," said Smith, "that all?"
+
+"Yes, be off!"
+
+"But Billy Wriggs's got more'n that tucked inside his jersey, if they
+ain't melted away.  Air they, Billy?"
+
+"No," said that gentleman, thrusting his hand inside his blue knitted
+garment.  "The wicks is all right, and they're gettin' a bit soft, but
+there's nothing else amiss."
+
+"Well done, Smith," cried Oliver, who by this time pretty well knew his
+man.  "You thought we should want some, then?"
+
+"Course I did, sir.  We ain't got cat's eyes, and we can't see like them
+speckydillo chaps as we hear going about in the woods o' nights.  So I
+thought we'd bring some dips, and if we didn't want 'em we could only
+bring 'em back again."
+
+By this time they were ascending a rugged slope, and painfully climbing
+in and out among huge rocks, whose structure told of their being
+portions of some lava eruption.  Water trickled here and there, overhung
+by mosses of loose habit and of a dazzling green.  Tree ferns arched
+over the way with their lace-work fronds, and here and there clumps of
+trees towered up, showing that it must have been many generations since
+fire had devastated this part of the island, and the huge masses of lava
+had been formed in a long, river-like mass, to be afterwards broken up
+and piled by some convulsion in the fragments amongst which they
+clambered.
+
+"Wonderful!  Wonderful!" cried Oliver.
+
+"Grand!" exclaimed Drew.  "Look at the Nepenthes," and he pointed to the
+curiously metamorphosed leaves of the climbers around, each forming a
+pitcher half full of water.
+
+"I want to know how you discovered it," said Oliver.
+
+"Oh, you must ask these fellows," replied Panton.
+
+"It were Billy Wriggs, sir, goin' after a bird I'd shot in that
+robuschus way of his'n, and when I follered him and see what a place it
+were I was obliged to come on."
+
+"Why, we must be getting up toward an old crater," cried Oliver.  "There
+has been a volcanic eruption here."
+
+"Then just be a bit patient," said Panton, laughing.  "Only up as high
+as that ridge," he continued, panting, "and then we're close at hand."
+
+It was hot and toilsome work, but the party were in so lovely a natural
+garden that the toil was forgotten.  For the trees of great growth were
+farther apart up here, leaving room for the sunshine to penetrate, with
+the result that the undergrowth was glorious, and the rocky dells and
+precipices magnificent.
+
+"Straight away.  Up to the top here," cried Panton.  "Come along."
+
+He was foremost, and had reached a tremendous piled-up wall of masses of
+mossy stone, whose crevices formed a gorgeous rockery of flowers and
+greenery, wonderful to behold, almost perpendicular, but so full of
+inequalities that offered such excellent foot and hand hold that there
+was very little difficulty in the ascent.  He began at once seizing
+creeper and root, and was about half way up, when there was a snarling
+yell, and a great cat-like creature sprang out of a dark crevice,
+bounded upward and was gone, while Panton, startled into loosening his
+hold as the brute brushed by him, came scrambling and falling down, till
+he was checked by his friends.
+
+"Hurt?" cried Oliver, excitedly.
+
+"Hurt!" was the reply, in an angry tone, "just see if you can come down
+twenty or thirty feet without hurting yourself."
+
+"But no bones broken?" said Drew.
+
+"How should I know?  Oh, hang it, how I've hurt my poor shoulder again."
+
+Irritation, more than injury, was evidently the result of the fall, for
+as he knelt down to bathe a cut upon one of his hands, Panton
+exclaimed,--
+
+"One of you might have shot the brute.  Only let me catch a glimpse of
+him again."
+
+"There wasn't time," said Oliver.  "But don't you think we had better
+give up the excursion for to-day?"
+
+"No, I don't," cried Panton.  "Think I've taken all this trouble for
+nothing," and, rising to his feet again, he took his gun from where he
+had stood it, and began to climb once more in and out among the pendent
+vines and creepers till he was at the top, and the others followed, but
+did not reach his side without being bitten and stung over and over
+again by the ants and winged insects which swarmed.
+
+"There, what do you say to that?" cried Panton, forgetting his injuries
+and pointing downward.
+
+His companions were too much entranced to speak, but stood there gazing
+at as lovely a scene as ever met the eyes of man.
+
+For there below them, in a cup-like depression, lay a nearly circular
+lake of the purest and stillest water, in whose mirror-like surface were
+reflected the rocky sides, verdant with beautiful growth, the towering
+trees and spire-like needles which ran up for hundreds of feet, here and
+there crumbled into every imaginable form, but clothed by nature with
+wondrous growth wherever plant could find room to root in the slowly
+decaying rock.
+
+"Glorious, glorious!" exclaimed Drew, in a subdued voice, as if tones
+ought to be hushed in that lovely scene, for fear they should all awaken
+and find it had been some dream.
+
+Panton gazed from one to the other, forgetful of his fall, and with a
+look of triumph in his smiling eyes, while Oliver let himself sink down
+upon the nearest stone, rested his chin upon his hand, and gazed at the
+scene as if he could never drink his fill.
+
+As for the two sailors, they exchanged a solemn wink and then stood
+waiting with a calm look of satisfaction as much as to say: "We did all
+this; you'd never have known of it if it had not been for us."
+
+"Come, lads," cried Panton at last, "we must be getting on.  You see now
+how it is there is so much clear water trickling down below.  What a
+magnificent reservoir!"
+
+"It seems almost too beautiful," sighed Oliver, rising unwillingly.
+"Who could expect a place like this with a burning mountain only a few
+miles to the north?"
+
+"And think," added Panton, "that this is the crater of an old volcano
+that once belched out these stones and poured fire and fluid lava down
+the slope we have just climbed."
+
+"It almost seems impossible," said Drew.  "The place is so luxuriantly
+fertile.  Are you sure you are right?"
+
+"Sure," said Panton, "as that we stand here.  Look for yourselves at the
+perfectly formed crater filled with water now as it was once filled with
+seething molten matter.  Look yonder, straight across there where the
+wall is broken down as it was perhaps thousands of years ago by the
+weight of the boiling rock which flowed out.  Look, you can see for
+yourselves, even at this distance, the head of the river of stone.  Chip
+any of these blocks, and you have lava and tufa.  That block you sat on
+is a weather-worn mass of silvery pumice inside, I'm sure, though
+outside it is all black and crumbling where it is not covered with
+moss."
+
+"But for such luxuriance of growth here all must have been barren
+stone."
+
+"Barren till it disintegrated in the course of time, and, by the action
+of the sun, rain, and air, became transformed into the most fertile of
+soil.  Why, Lane, you ought to know these things.  Look there, how every
+root is at work breaking up the rock to which it clings, and in whose
+crevices the plants and trees take root, grow to maturity, die, and add
+their decaying matter to the soil, which is ever growing deeper and more
+rich."
+
+"Hear, hear," growled Wriggs in a low tone, and Panton frowned, but
+smiled directly after as he saw the sailor's intent looks.
+
+"Well, do you understand, Wriggs?" he cried.
+
+"Not quite exactly, sir," said the man.  "Some on it, sir; and it makes
+me and my mate feel that it's grand like to know as much as you gents
+do."
+
+"Ay, ay," cried Smith, taking off his hat and waving it about as he
+spoke.  "Billy Wriggs is right, sir.  It is grand to find you gents with
+all your bags o' tricks ready for everything: Mr Drew with his piles o'
+blottin'-paper to suck all the joost outer the leaves and flowers, and
+Mr Lane here, with his stuff as keeps the skins looking as good as if
+they were alive, and, last o' hall, you with your hammer--ay, that's
+it!--and your myklescrope and bottle o' stuff as you puts on a bit o'
+stone to make it fizzle and tell yer what kind it is.  It's fine, sir,
+it's fine, and it makes us two think what a couple o' stoopid, common
+sailors we are, don't it, Billy?"
+
+"Ay, Tommy, it do, but yer see we had to go as boys afore the mast, and
+never had no chances o' turning out scholards."
+
+"But you turned out a couple of first class sailors," said Oliver
+warmly, "and as good and faithful helpmates as travellers could wish to
+have at their backs.  We couldn't have succeeded without you."
+
+"So long, sir, as their legs don't want to run away with 'em, eh,
+messmate?" said Smith with a comical look at Wriggs.
+
+"Ay, they was a bit weak and wankle that day," said Wriggs, chuckling.
+
+"Never mind about that, my lads," cried Panton, who had been busy
+breaking off a bit of the stone on which Oliver had sat--a very dark
+time-stained blackish-brown, almost covered with some form of growth,
+but the fresh fracture was soft glittering, and of a silvery grey, as
+pure and clear as when it was thrown out of the crater as so much
+vesicular cindery scum.
+
+"Yes," said Drew, examining the fragment.  "You are right.  Well, I say
+thank you for bringing us up to see this glorious place."
+
+"And I too, as heartily," said Oliver.  "We must come up here regularly
+for the next month at least; why, there are specimens enough here to
+satisfy us all."
+
+"Quite," said Drew, "and I propose we begin collecting to-day."
+
+"And I second you," said Lane.
+
+"And I form the opposition," cried Panton.  "Do you suppose I made all
+that fuss to bring you only to see this old crater?"
+
+"Isn't it enough?" said Oliver.
+
+"No," cried Panton excitedly.  "This is nothing to the wonders I have to
+show.  Now, then, this way.  Come on."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY.
+
+A GRIM JOURNEY.
+
+Panton plunged at once down the slope as if to go diagonally to the
+water's edge, and his companions followed him in and out and over the
+blocks, which were a feast for Drew, while at every few steps some
+strange bird, insect, or quadruped offered itself as a tempting prize to
+Oliver, but no one paused.  The gathering in of these prizes was left
+till some future time.
+
+It was as the others supposed, Panton was descending to the water's
+edge, reaching it just where the crater rose up more steeply and
+chaotically rugged than in the other parts.
+
+"Look out!" he cried, loudly, and, raising his piece, he fired at the
+great leopard-like creature which had evidently taken refuge here, and
+now bounded out with a fierce growl, and away along the rocks by the
+edge of the lake.
+
+The bullet sent after it evidently grazed the animal, for it sprang into
+the air and fell with a tremendous splash into the water, but scrambled
+out again, and went bounding away, while, instead of following their
+comrade's example, Oliver and Drew stood listening, appalled by the deep
+roar as of subterranean thunder, which ran away from close to their feet
+to die away in the distance, and then rise again--a strange
+reverberation that seemed to make the rocks quiver upon which they
+stood.
+
+"We must have him some day," said Panton, stepping right down on a
+stone, whose surface was just above the level of the water; and now, for
+the first time, Oliver saw that there was a slightly perceptible current
+running on either side of this stone, the water gliding by with a glassy
+motion, this evidently being the outlet of the lake; and on joining
+Panton he found himself facing what resembled a rugged Gothic archway at
+the foot of the stony walls, where a couple of great fragments of lava
+had fallen together.
+
+"Why, it is a cavern!" cried Oliver, as he bent forward, and tried to
+peer into the darkness before him.
+
+"A cavern?  Yes; Aladdin's cave, and we're going to explore it," cried
+Panton.  "Now then, Smith, five candles, please, and all lit ready for
+us to go in and see what there is to be seen."
+
+Smith walked right in, stepping from stone to stone for a few yards, and
+then leaping off the block on which he stood in midstream to the lava at
+the side; and, upon Oliver following him, he found that he was standing
+upon another stream, one which had become solid as it cooled, while the
+water which now filled the cup-like hollow had gradually eaten itself a
+channel in the stone, about a quarter of the width of the lava, and this
+flowed on into the darkness right ahead.
+
+"What do you think of it?" cried Panton.
+
+"Wet, dark, and creepy," said Oliver, as he listened to a peculiar
+whispering noise made by the water as it glided along in its stone
+canal, the sound being repeated in a faint murmur from the sides and
+top.
+
+Then _scritch-scratch_ and a flash of light which sank and then rose
+again, as the splint of wood, whose end Smith had struck, began to burn
+strongly.
+
+"Now, Billy!  Candleses!" cried the sailor, and light after light began
+to burn, showing the shape of the place--a fairly wide rift, whose sides
+came together about twenty feet overhead.  The floor was wonderfully
+level and some forty feet wide, the stream being another nine or perhaps
+but eight, but widening as it went on.
+
+As soon as the candles were lit Smith held up three, and Wriggs two,
+right overhead, so as to illuminate the place, and Oliver and Drew gazed
+with a feeling of awe at the sloping sides which glistened with
+magnificent crystals, many of which were pendent from sloping roof and
+sides, though for the most part they were embedded in the walls.
+
+"Well, is that wet, dark, and creepy?" cried Panton.
+
+"It is very wonderful," replied Drew.  Oliver said nothing, for he was
+peering right before him into the darkness, and trying to master a
+curious feeling of awe.
+
+"This is something like a find," cried Panton, triumphantly.
+
+"How far does it go in?" said Oliver, at last.
+
+"Don't know.  We are going to explore."
+
+"Will it be safe?  This may lead right down into the bowels of the
+volcano."
+
+"I think not," said Panton, "but right away underground somewhere.  Once
+upon a time when the volcano was in action it overflowed here or cut a
+way through the wall, and then the fiery stream forced its way onward,
+and was, no doubt, afterwards covered in by the stones and cinders
+hurled out by the mountain.  Then, of course, after the volcano had
+played itself out, and the lake formed in the crater, it in turn
+overflowed, and the water ate its way along, as you see, right in the
+river of lava, which it followed naturally downwards."
+
+"And do you want us to follow the stream naturally downwards?" said
+Oliver.
+
+"Of course.  I've only been in about fifty yards, but it is certainly
+the most wonderful place I have ever seen.  Look here."
+
+He picked from a crevice a great bunch of soft dark brown filaments,
+somewhat resembling spun glass.
+
+"What's that?  Some kind of fibre?" cried Drew.  "But how does it come
+here?"
+
+"Is it fibre?" said Panton, smiling.
+
+"No; too brittle.  It is glass."
+
+"Yes.  Obsidian--a volcanic glass."
+
+"But it looks like the result of glass-blowing," said Oliver.
+
+"Right; so it is.  Volcanic glass-blowing.  This must have been driven
+out of some aperture in the burning mountain during an eruption, steam
+acting upon flint and lime when in a state of fusion."
+
+"But where are you going to get your flint and lime from to make a glass
+like this?" said Oliver.
+
+"Who can say?  From the interior of the earth, or from deposits made by
+the sea."
+
+"I don't see that," said Drew.
+
+"Indeed!  Why, haven't you silicious sand, the lime from the coral and
+shells and soda from the seaweeds of thousands of years.  Plenty from
+that supply alone, without calculating what may be beneath us.  Now
+then, forward: I'll lead, and we had better all go carefully, in case of
+there being any chasms.  As far as I've been the floor was all like
+this, smooth and just faintly marked by a grain formed by the flow."
+
+He took a candle, and, holding it high above his head, led the way,
+closely followed by Oliver.
+
+"No fear of our losing our way," said the latter.  "We have only to keep
+on by the side of the stream, and then notice which way it flows.  If we
+go against it, we must be right in coming back."
+
+The way widened as they progressed, and was to a small extent down-hill,
+but not sufficiently so to make the water rush onwards, only sufficient
+for it to glide along in a glassy smooth fashion, keeping up the same
+mysterious whispering which grew as they went on into the darkness, not
+seeming to be louder, but so to speak as if there were more and more of
+this strange murmur extending onward and onward to infinity.
+
+Once they all stopped to look back at the light which shone in through
+the cavern's mouth, and looking dazzlingly bright as it played upon the
+water gliding in softly from the lake, but soon growing softer and
+opalescent, and gradually dying away.  Five minutes later, when Oliver
+turned back to look again, he found that they must have unconsciously
+descended, for there was only a faint dawn of light upon the roof of the
+cave, and a minute later all was black.
+
+"Now," said Drew, with an involuntary shiver which he turned off as
+being from the temperature.  "What are you going to show us? for it's
+getting chilly here."
+
+"One of the wonders of the world," replied Panton.  "Look at the
+crystals here."
+
+"Yes, but we saw them before."
+
+"Then look at the incrustations of sulphur here.  These must have been
+here for countless ages.  Look, too, how it is heaped against this
+wall."
+
+"Yes, wonderful, but we saw plenty of sulphur when you came up out of
+that hole where you first went down, if you remember, and brought plenty
+up."
+
+"Yes," said Oliver.  "Can't you show us something more like what must
+have been in Aladdin's cave, gold, silver, and precious stones?"
+
+Panton held up his light as they turned round a bend of the rocky side
+on their left, and pointed to the coloration of the rocks and the half
+loose fragments, which still clung in their place, while other bits had
+fallen down.
+
+"There," he said, "those are as bright as anything in Aladdin's cave."
+
+"And as valuable?"
+
+"That depends on the value people put upon them.  From a geological
+point of view, and the study of the formation of crystals by volcanic
+heat they are priceless."
+
+"But how much farther are you going?" said Drew.
+
+"As far as the candles will let us," said Panton.  "Hallo!"
+
+His voice was echoed from a distance as loudly as he had spoken, and the
+"Hallo!" went reverberating away in the gloom.
+
+"We must be in a big opening," he said, and again his voice echoed, and
+then went on repeating itself and dying away.
+
+Panton thrust a hand into his pocket and brought out a roll of magnesium
+wire, gave Wriggs his gun to hold, and then lit one end which flashed
+out into a brilliant whitish light, surrounded by dense fumes of smoke,
+and illuminating the vast hall in which they stood, for here the tiny
+river ran in a wide-spreading plain of smooth lava which must at one
+time have been a lake of molten stone, now hard, cold, and dry, save
+where the water glided on like so much steel in motion.
+
+As the magnesium wire burned out, the candles which were getting short
+looked like so many yellowish sparks in the midst of utter blackness,
+and it was some minutes before even Panton showed any disposition to
+stir.  But at last the eyes of all began to lose the dazzled sensation
+caused by the white glare, and Panton proposed that they should go on.
+
+"What for?" said Drew.  "There are specimens enough for you here without
+going farther, and the place seems to be all alike."
+
+"Oh, no: all variety.  You are not afraid, are you?"
+
+"Well, I don't know so much about that," replied Drew, quietly.  "I have
+no wish to seem cowardly, but it is not very pleasant moleing along here
+in the darkness.  I keep expecting to step down into some bottomless
+pit."
+
+"If we come across one, you'll see me go down first.  But hark!  What's
+that?"
+
+"I don't hear anything," said Drew.
+
+"Don't you, Lane?" cried Panton.
+
+"Well, yes, I fancy I can hear a dull sound as of falling water."
+
+"There must be a cascade, then, farther in.  Come on, I must see that.
+I've got some more wire."
+
+Holding his candle well on high, he strode boldly on over the lava
+stream, his two friends feeling bound to follow him, while Smith and
+Wriggs came last.
+
+"How do you feel, Tommy?" whispered the latter.
+
+"Bad," was the laconic reply.
+
+"Don't seem no good in going no furder, do it?"
+
+"Not a bit, and these here candles'll be out d'rectly.  Hold hard,
+please, sir, we've got to light up again."
+
+Oliver heard his words, and hailed Drew, who in turn called to Panton.
+But the latter was just at an angle where the lava stream swept round to
+the left, and there was a reason why he did not hear the call, and they
+saw him disappear round the corner with his light.
+
+Drew hastened his steps and followed, catching sight of him for a
+moment, and then losing him again, for Panton's light was extinguished,
+and Drew stood peering forward in an agony of dread, feeling certain
+that their companion had dropped down into some horrible crevice in the
+lava; while he had suddenly himself stepped from almost perfect silence
+into a part of the cavern where his ears were smitten by a fearful din
+of falling water.
+
+The next minute, in an agony of spirit that seemed too hard to bear, his
+outstretched candle lit up Panton's face, which was farther illumined by
+the lights the others bore.
+
+"My light's burned out," cried Panton, placing his lips close to Drew's
+ear.  "I say, what a row the water makes."
+
+The effort to speak grew troublesome, and signs were resorted to.  Fresh
+candles were lit, and in spite of an objection raised by Oliver, Panton
+was for going on again.
+
+"We must see the falls now we are so near," he shouted.  "We can't be
+many yards away.  We'll come better provided with lights another time."
+
+Starting on again, but going very carefully, Panton continued his way
+onward pretty close to the edge of the smooth river which ran now
+several feet below the level on which they walked.  And as he held out
+his candle, so as to clearly see the edge, the light gleamed fitfully
+from the black glassy surface of the stream.
+
+All at once Panton found himself at an angle of the rock, where a second
+stream joined the one by which they had come, and as the others joined
+him, it seemed as if their progress was at an end.  This second stream
+was a surprise, for it was larger than the one by their right, and
+coming as it did almost at right angles from their left, it was puzzling
+as to whence it could come, for it did not seem possible that it could
+have issued from the crater lake.
+
+And there they stood in a noise that was now deafening, holding their
+lights on high, and trying to pierce the black darkness in front, but of
+course in vain.
+
+A peculiar fact struck Oliver now, as he stood pretty close to the lava
+edge of the angular platform upon which they had halted, and this was,
+that the flames of all their candles were drawn away from them toward
+where the water of the conjoined streams must be falling in one plunge
+down into some terrible gulf.  He knew at once that this was caused by a
+strong, steady current of air setting towards the falls, and in his
+uneasiness he was about to point out to Panton that their candles were
+rapidly burning away, when the latter suddenly lit his remaining piece
+of magnesium wire, and the next minute they were all straining their
+eyes, and now looking into a misty glare of light, right in front--
+evidently the mist rising from the churned-up water--or now upon their
+grotesque black shadows, cast by the white-smoked magnesium upon the
+floor and the ceiling far above.
+
+But there was no sign of the water itself, only the conformation of the
+lava stream whose edge could be seen upon the other side of the second
+river at least thirty feet away.
+
+"What's to be done?" said Panton at last, as the magnesium burned out
+and all was once more black darkness.
+
+"Get back," said Oliver, with his lips to his friend's ear.  "The
+candles are guttering away terribly, and we must not be left in the
+dark."
+
+"No," yelled Panton, "that wouldn't be pleasant.  Hang it, all my
+candle's done."
+
+Time had gone faster than they had expected since the second candles
+were lit, and turning to Oliver he said, sharply,--
+
+"There, you lead the way back.  It isn't far if you step out.  Forward!"
+
+Oliver wanted no telling, and he started back, but did not begin to
+breathe freely till the angle of the rock wall was passed and they found
+themselves again in silence, just too as another candle began to
+flicker.
+
+"Hullo!" cried Oliver, glancing back.  "What does this mean?"
+
+"What?" said Panton.
+
+"The number of lights.  Yours is gone and this one will be out directly,
+but there ought to be three more.  Drew, Smith, ourselves.  Here, where
+is Wriggs?"
+
+There was no answer, and in a strained, excited voice, Smith shouted,--
+
+"Hi, Billy lad, where are yer?"
+
+There was a whispering echo, but nothing more till Oliver spoke,--
+
+"Where did you see him last?"
+
+"See him, sir, why yonder, where the magneshy was burnt.  Billy
+ahoy-y-y-y!"
+
+But there was no answer, and they stood in a little group appalled by
+the knowledge that their lights would not last many minutes longer.
+
+"Here--quick, Smith, you have some more candles?" cried Oliver.
+
+"Not a blessed one, sir.  Billy Wriggs has got what there is left in his
+jersey."
+
+The truth forced itself upon them now with horrifying force that they
+had done wrong in making this attempt so badly provided, and in trusting
+so fully to Panton, who in his eager enthusiasm had gone too far.
+
+One thought was in every mind, would they ever be able to find their way
+out of this terrible darkness when the last ray of light had failed?
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY ONE.
+
+IN THE GROSS DARKNESS.
+
+Panton's conscience smote him, and he could not speak, for he felt that
+he was to blame for their trouble.  But Oliver Lane rose to the
+occasion.
+
+"Quick," he said, "all candles out but one.  Keep yours, Drew, and the
+other can be relit when it burns down."
+
+In an instant there was a darkening of the scene of gloom, and the young
+botanist held up his dim yellow light a little higher.
+
+"Now, then, what's to be done?" he said, huskily.  "Hail--hail, all
+together," cried Oliver, and he was obeyed, but the echoes were the only
+answers to their cries.
+
+"Poor old Billy!  Poor old Billy!" groaned Smith.
+
+"Silence, there!" said Oliver, sharply.  "There is only one thing to do.
+You must get back to the entrance as quickly as you can, and then make
+for the brig to fetch lights and ropes."
+
+"But it seems so cruel to go and leave the poor fellow without making
+farther search."
+
+"You cannot make farther search without lights," cried Oliver, angrily.
+"Quick! you are wasting time.  Go at once while your lights last."
+
+"And when the lights are all out, what then?  How are we to find our
+way?"
+
+"By touch," cried Oliver.  "One of you must creep along by the side of
+the river and feel the way from time to time."
+
+"Come along, then," cried Panton, "but it does seem too hard to go and
+leave the poor fellow."
+
+"He's not going to be left," said Oliver, quietly.
+
+"What do you mean?" cried Panton.
+
+"I am going to stay."
+
+"Then I shall stay with you," said Panton, firmly.  "I'm not going to
+leave you in the lurch."
+
+"You are going to do as I tell you," raged out Oliver.  "Go, and don't
+lose the chance of saving the poor fellow's life.  Quick!  Off!"
+
+"Let me stay with you, sir," growled Smith.
+
+"No, man, go!" cried Oliver, and without a word, Drew led off with the
+others following and the faint rays from the candle shining on the rocky
+wall, with a very feeble gleam.  Then as Oliver watched, it appeared
+like a faint star on the surface of the water, making the young man
+shudder at the thought of some terrible subterranean creature existing
+there ready to attack him as soon as the last rays of the candle and the
+steps had died out.
+
+This did not take long, for roused to make quick effort by those stern,
+emphatic commands, the sadly diminished party hurried on, with Oliver
+watching them as he stood still for a few minutes, and then moved slowly
+farther away from the little whispering river, extending his hands till
+they touched the rocky wall against which he leaned.
+
+He listened to the footsteps growing more and more faint, and watched
+the faint yellow star, until it died right away, gleamed faintly into
+sight once more, and then was completely gone, leaving him in total
+darkness, and face to face with despair, and the knowledge that the fate
+which had snatched away his companion so suddenly, might at any moment
+be his.
+
+For what was it?  Had he slipped and fallen into the stream, and been
+swept away before he could rise to the surface, and cry for help?  Had
+he inhaled some mephitic gas which had overcome him?  Or was he to let
+superstitious imagination have its play and believe that some dragon or
+serpent-like creature had suddenly raised a head out of the dark waters,
+seized him, and borne him down?  It was possible, and a shudder ran
+through the young man's frame as he pictured the great serpent-like
+object suddenly darting itself at him, wrapping him in its folds as he
+had seen the constricting sea-snakes seize their prey, and at once drag
+them out of sight.
+
+He shuddered at the thought, and in spite of a strong effort to command
+his nerve, the horror of thick darkness was upon him for a few minutes,
+and a mad desire came over him to shriek aloud, and run frantically in
+what he believed to be the direction of the entrance, though a movement
+or two which he had made had robbed him even of that knowledge, and for
+the moment he felt that he had lost all count of where he was.
+
+He came to his natural self again, with his hands tightly over his mouth
+to keep back the cries which had risen to his lips.
+
+"As if I were a frightened child in dread of punishment," he said, half
+aloud, in his anger against self, and from that minute he grew calm and
+cool once more.  Feeling about a little over the face of the rock as he
+turned to it, he found a place where he could seat himself and rest for
+a time.  And now he knew well enough that he must be facing the stream,
+and that all he had to do to reach the entrance was that which he had
+bidden his companions do, creep along by the side, and dip in his hand
+from time to time, so as to keep in touch with the water.
+
+"As a last resource," he said, softly, "as a last resource," and then he
+began to think of how necessary this would be, should he have to seek
+the daylight alone, for he recalled how, though the place was a mere
+passage at times through which the lava stream flowed, there were spots
+where it opened out into vast halls, whose sides and roof were beyond
+the reach of the artificial light they had used, and in these places he
+knew he might easily lose himself and with this loss might fail in his
+nerve, and perhaps go mad with horror.
+
+He shuddered at the thought as he recalled the sensation through which
+he had fought his way, and determining to be firm and strong, he turned
+his attention away from his own sufferings to those of the man for whose
+sake he had stayed.
+
+"And it was to help him and give him encouragement that I stopped," he
+said to himself, with a feeling of hot indignation against his weakness.
+"Then I must not stay here, but go back towards where we missed him."
+
+He sat thinking for a few moments as to his plans, and then, feeling
+certain that when help came, those who returned would follow right on,
+he concluded that it would be better to go back to the junction of the
+two streams once more, and stay there, striving from time to time, in
+spite of the deafening noise, to make the lost man hear.
+
+"It will encourage him, for I will not believe he's dead," said Oliver
+aloud, and then, in spite of himself he shivered, for his voice went
+echoing strangely along the great hollow.  But he mastered this
+unpleasant feeling, and determining to be strong, he raised his voice
+and uttered a loud "Ahoy," listening directly after to the wonderful
+echoes, which seemed to fly in all directions, repeating and blurring
+each other as it were, into a strange confusion till the last one died
+out.
+
+"Not pleasant," thought Oliver, as he listened, and then when all was
+silent once more he made a start for the river's edge, and reaching it
+began to follow it down.  This, by walking slowly, did not prove very
+difficult, for the water had cut the bed in which it ran so straight
+down through the lava that there was quite a well-marked angle, which he
+could run his right foot along and make his way without stooping, save
+at rare intervals.
+
+As he went on with his eyeballs aching from the strong natural effort to
+see through the darkness, his mind would keep wandering away to the
+glory of the sunshine without, and how beautiful were light and life,
+and how little appreciated till a person was shut off from their
+enjoyment.
+
+Travelling slowly on in this way for how long a time he could not tell,
+he at last became conscious of the fact that he must be nearing the
+place where they had turned off nearly at right angles and plunged from
+silence into the deafening roar of echoes formed by the noise of falling
+waters.  For there it all was plainly on the ear, but as it were in
+miniature, and Oliver stopped short, thinking.
+
+"Shall I be doing wisely in going forward after all?" he said to
+himself, and he hesitated as he thought of one of the main objects of
+his being there--to try and let poor Wriggs know that he was not
+forsaken and that help would soon be at hand.
+
+"My voice can never be heard in all that din," he said to himself, and
+before going farther he uttered a loud shout, and listened to the
+echoes, one of which struck him as being so peculiar that he shouted
+again with the repetition sounding even more peculiar.
+
+His heart began to throb and his hopes to rise, for he felt convinced
+that the "ahoy" was an answer to his call, and in a wild fit of
+excitement and joy he said to himself,--
+
+"It must be.  Now, let's try if it is after all only an Irish echo."
+
+"Ahoy!" he cried.  "Where are you?"
+
+There was utter silence for a few moments, and then he heard a cry
+sounding so wild and strange that it seemed to freeze the very marrow in
+his bones.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY TWO.
+
+A LONELY VIGIL.
+
+Oliver was too much startled for a few moments to move or speak.  Then
+making an effort to master his dread, "It's an Irish echo," he said.
+"Poor Wriggs, he is making his way towards me.  Ahoy! this way."
+
+"Comin' sir," came plainly enough now, but directly after every echo
+seemed again blurred and confused like a picture reflected in agitated
+water.  But the sound was certainly very near, and each shout and answer
+came closer, till at last the man's steps were plainly heard in a slow
+shuffling fashion, as he evidently carefully extended one foot and then
+drew the other up to join it.
+
+"Where are you?" cried Oliver at last, for the steps were now very
+close, and his voice, like the man's, sounded strange and confused by
+the repetitions from roof, wall, and water.
+
+"Clost here!"
+
+"Hold out your hand," cried Oliver, as he extended his own.  "Ha!
+That's good," he said, with his heart leaping for joy at the warm strong
+grasp he received.  "Thank Heaven you are safe!"
+
+"Thank-ye, Mr Oliver Lane, sir.  But my word it are black, Hold of a
+coalin' screw's nothing to it."
+
+"Where were you?" said Oliver, as he clung to the man's hand.
+
+"Oh, clost along here by the waterside, sir."
+
+"But did you fall in?  No; you are not wet."
+
+"Oh, no, sir, I never fell.  I'm dry enough."
+
+"Then how came you to hang behind, and cause all this trouble and
+alarm?"
+
+"'Cause company's good, they says, if you're going to be hanged; and as
+you wasn't, sir, I 'adn't the 'art to let you stop all alone here in the
+dark."
+
+"Why, it isn't Wriggs, then?"
+
+"Nay, sir, that's for sartin, I on'y wish as how it was."
+
+"Why, Smith, my good fellow!  Then you stopped back to keep me company?"
+
+"That's so, sir, and I thought it would be best.  You see it'll be bad
+enough for two on us to wait, but for one all alone in a coal-cellar
+like this, it's too horful I says to myself, and so I just hung back,
+and here I am, sir."
+
+"Oh, Smith, my good fellow!" cried Oliver, who felt moved at the man's
+act.
+
+"It's all right, sir.  You and me can talk about birds as you've
+skinned, and about some o' those tomtit and sparrer things as I've seen
+about, and meant to shoot for yer some day.  And when we're tired o'
+that, we can ask riddles and sing a song or two, or play at chucking one
+stone at another, or into the water.  It won't be so much like being all
+alone in the coal-cellar, shut up for a naughty boy as I used to be when
+I was a little 'un."
+
+"Smith, I can never feel grateful enough for this," cried Oliver.
+
+"Gammon, sir; Pretty sort of a chap I should be if I hadn't ha' been
+ready to stop and keep a gent like you comp'ny a bit.  Don't you say no
+more about that there, sir."
+
+"I must, Smith, I must," said Oliver, huskily.
+
+"Then I shall be off till you've done, sir; and you'll have to say it to
+the heckers as allus answers, `Where'?"
+
+Oliver pressed the man's hand, and Smith gave a sigh of relief.
+
+"Any use to offer you a bit o' good pig-tail, sir?" he said.  "Werry
+comfortin' at a time like this."
+
+"No, thank you, Smith, I don't chew."
+
+"I doos," said Smith, giving a grunt or two, which was followed by the
+click of the knife being shut after using it to cut a quid, and then by
+the sharp snap of a brass tobacco box.  "Werry bad habit, sir, but I
+don't seem able to leave it off.  I say, sir, what about poor old Billy?
+Don't say as you think he's drowned."
+
+"No, no, I hope and pray not," said Oliver.
+
+"That's right, sir.  I don't believe he is.  Stoopid chuckle brain sort
+o' chap in some things; and talk about a bull being obstinit, why, it
+would take a hundred bulls biled down to produce enough obst'nacy to
+make one Billy Wriggs.  He wouldn't get drowned; I've known him tumble
+out o' the rigging over and over, and be upset out of a boat, but he's
+only picked his self up and clambered in again, and been hauled into the
+boat when he was upset.  While one day when he were washed overboard--
+and I thought he had gone that time, for you couldn't ha' lowered a boat
+in such a sea--I'm blessed if another big wave didn't come and wash him
+back again, landing him over the poop so wet as you might ha' wrung him
+out wonderful clean, and if he'd only had a week's beard off, he'd ha'
+looked quite the gentleman."
+
+"Poor fellow, we must save him somehow."
+
+"Tchah!  Don't you be down-hearted, sir, you see if he don't turn up all
+right again.  Reg'lar bad shillin' Billy is.  Why, you see how he went
+on when he went up the mountain and into holes and over 'em and into hot
+water.  He allus comes out square.  He can't help it.  No savage
+couldn't kill Billy no matter what he did, and as for this here game--
+oh, he'll be all right."
+
+"I hope so, Smith," said Oliver, with a sigh.
+
+"Well, sir, it don't sound as if yer did.  You spoke in a tone o' woice
+as seemed to say I hope he's jolly well drowned."
+
+"I can't help feeling low-spirited, Smith."
+
+"Course you can't, sir, but you just cheer up and I'll try and tell you
+a yarn o' some kind."
+
+"No, no: not now."
+
+"But I feel as if I'd like to, sir, a reg'lar good out an' outer--a
+stiff 'un, cause just when I got to the biggest whopper in it, I should
+expect to hear Billy behind my back in that solemn and serus woice of
+his a-saying, `Speak the truth, Tommy, speak the truth.'"
+
+"If I could think that, Smith, I'd say go on, but I cannot.  Here, let's
+talk about him and his accident."
+
+"I don't think there's been no accident, sir, yer see he aren't a
+haccidental sort o' chap."
+
+"Well, about his disappearance."
+
+"Disappearance, sir?" said Smith.  "I aren't no scholard, but I don't
+see as how a man can disappear in the dark.  That aren't nat'ral, is
+it?"
+
+"No: of course not, a blunder of mine, Smith.  Do you feel cold?"
+
+"No, sir, on'y just comf'able.  Watcher think o' doing?"
+
+"I did mean to go right to where we stood looking down over the water
+toward the falls, so as to be near poor Wriggs, but our voices would be
+quite drowned."
+
+"Might take a walk there, sir, all the same," said Smith, "an' then come
+back, you know.  But I say, sir, you don't think there's no underground
+sort o' wild beasties here, do you?"
+
+"No, Smith, nothing of the kind."
+
+"No big sort of worms as might twissen round yer and pull yer into their
+holes?"
+
+"No, Smith, I think we shall have the place all to ourselves."
+
+"And no t'other sort o' things, sir?"
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"Well, sir, I don't quite azakly know, but it comes natral like to be
+feared o' being in the dark, and one has heard o' bogies and ghosties
+and that sort o' thing."
+
+"Did you ever see anything of the kind?"
+
+"Well, no, sir, I never did, but I've heerd chaps say as they've seen
+some rum things in their time from sea sarpents downwards."
+
+"As to sea-serpents or some kind of monstrous creature similar to the
+old saurians--"
+
+"Sawrians, sir,--do you mean sea sawrians?"
+
+"Sea and river; the crocodiles whose remains we find as fossils.  There
+is plenty of room in the sea, Smith, and, as a naturalist, I am quite
+ready to believe in something fresh being discovered.  We have seen
+small sea-serpents, and there is no reason why there might not be big
+ones, but as to what you call bogies and ghosts, for goodness sake throw
+over all those silly superstitious notions."
+
+"What, don't you believe people ever comes back arter they're dead?"
+
+"On purpose to frighten the living?  No, Smith, I do not.  It is an
+insult to the greatness of nature and the whole scheme of creation."
+
+"Well, sir, speakin' as a man as couldn't help feelin' a bit
+uncomfortable here in the dark with on'y one looficer in his pocket, it
+does me good to hear you say that, though it is a bit higher up than I
+can quite reach with my head.  You've made me feel a deal better, for it
+aren't nice to think as there's anything o' that sort to upset you when
+the place is quite bad enough without."
+
+"Of course it is," said Oliver.  "Come on now.  Shall I lead, or will
+you?"
+
+"You, please sir, and what do you say to keepin' hold o' hands?"
+
+"I was going to propose it.  Here's mine."
+
+Smith grasped the extended hand, and Oliver started off at once, making
+his way cautiously to the edge of the river, and then, as a boy might
+along the kerbstone of a street, he kept on passing his right foot
+along, till at last they stood in the profound darkness, listening to
+the thundering echoing roar of the falling water reverberating from the
+hollow roof and rising and sinking in booming deep diapasons till there
+were moments when it seemed to their stunned ears like a burst of
+strange wild giant music.
+
+They stood for long enough together there, feeling that they were quite
+at the edge where the water-worn lava formed an angle, thinking, with
+many a shudder, that if poor Wriggs had fallen from where they stood,
+they could never by any possibility see him again.
+
+At last Oliver drew his companion back, and, placing his lips to the
+man's ear, shouted to him that it was of no use to stay there, and they
+had better return to the portion of the cavern round the angle where
+they could speak to each other.
+
+"You be leader going back," said Oliver.
+
+"But I aren't sure which way to go, sir," shouted back Smith.
+
+Oliver placed his lips close again.
+
+"Keep your left foot on the edge and slide it along as we go."
+
+"But suppose it's wrong way, sir?" suggested Smith.
+
+"It can't be," cried Oliver again.  "If you keep your left foot on the
+edge of the rock, every step must take us back toward the entrance."
+
+Smith tightened his grasp and began, but so clumsily, that at the end of
+ten minutes he slipped, fell, and gave so violent a jerk to Oliver's arm
+that the latter nearly lost his hold, and, for a few moments, the
+sailor's fate seemed sealed.  For he lay motionless with both legs over
+the edge, while all Oliver could do was to hold on, with his heart
+beating heavily, and the roar of the cavern seeming to be multiplied a
+hundredfold.  He could not shout, for his throat felt dry, but he knew
+that if he did, his voice would not be heard, and he waited till Smith
+recovered himself a little, then made a struggle, and managed with his
+companion's help to get on his legs again.
+
+Then the slow movement was resumed, with Oliver conscious of the
+exertion and shock by the twitching, beating sensation of the pulses in
+the sailor's hand.
+
+At last, after what seemed to be an endless length of time the sudden
+silence which fell upon them told them that they were somewhere about
+their resting-place, and drawing back from the edge of the little river,
+Smith sank down upon the lava with a groan.
+
+"Oh, murder in Irish!" he said.  "I thought I was gone, sir.  I was
+feeling along with my left hoof, when my right suddenly give a slip on a
+bit of rock as seemed like glass, and there it was slithering away more
+and more.  If you hadn't ha' held on, you might ha' told 'em to sell off
+my kit by auction when you got back."
+
+"I thought you were gone too, Smith," said Oliver, with a shudder.
+
+"Yes, sir, it was werry 'orrid; and do you know, I fancy that's where
+poor old Billy slipped and went down."
+
+"Possibly," said Oliver, and seating himself they talked at intervals
+for hours in the tomb-like silence of the awful place, till a peculiar
+drowsy feeling stole over Oliver, and he started back into wakefulness
+with a shudder of horror, for it suddenly struck him that he was
+beginning to be influenced by some mephitic gas once more, such as had
+affected them along the line of the mist at the foot of the mountain.
+
+"Smith!" he cried excitedly, "do you feel sleepy?"
+
+A low deep breathing was the only reply.
+
+"Smith! wake up!" he cried; but there was a want of energy in his words,
+and five minutes after his efforts had grown feeble in the extreme.  In
+another, he too had succumbed, not to a dangerous soporific vapour, but
+to the weariness produced by long exertion, and slept as soundly as his
+companion, and as if there was nothing whatever to fear.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY THREE.
+
+SMITH HAS A STARTLER.
+
+Oliver Lane was dreaming of pleasant gushing streams, in which swam fish
+of glistening colours, deep down in the soft shades, when the sun
+appeared to come out suddenly and dazzle his eyes, so that he could not
+bear it, and he sprang up to find Mr Rimmer leaning over him, holding a
+lantern.
+
+"That's better, sir!" he cried.  "I was beginning to be afraid that you
+had breathed bad air."
+
+"I--I--what time is it?" said Oliver confusedly.  "Anything the matter?"
+
+"Matter!" said the mate.  "Here, Smith, my lad, rouse!"
+
+"Rouse up it is, sir!" cried the man, scrambling to his feet.  "My
+trick?  Eh?  Oh, all right.  Just dropped asleep."
+
+"I couldn't for the moment recall where I was," said Oliver, "Thank
+goodness you have all come.  We could do nothing, and sleep overcame us
+at last."
+
+"Then you have heard nothing of poor Wriggs?" said Panton, who was one
+of the group that surrounded them.
+
+"Nothing," replied Oliver.
+
+"And never will, I'm afraid," said Mr Rimmer.
+
+"Don't say that," cried Oliver, who was full of excitement now.  "Have
+you just come?"
+
+"Yes, and found you both lying here asleep, as if nothing were wrong,"
+said Drew, who, like the others, carried a lantern.  "We had a terribly
+long struggle to get out of the cavern, for our last piece of candle
+soon came to an end, and then it was very hard work to get back to the
+ship in the dark."
+
+"Dark?  Was it evening?"
+
+"Black night," said Panton.
+
+"Then what is it now?"
+
+"The sun was just upon rising as we left the crater lake and came in,"
+said the mate, "and that's two hours ago, full."
+
+Smith gave his leg a slap to express his astonishment, and the mate
+offered them both food and water, which had been thoughtfully provided.
+
+"By-and-by," said Oliver.  "I'm not hungry now.  Come on, and try and
+find that poor fellow."
+
+He held out his hand for one of the lanterns, and leading the way, which
+was comparatively light now, as the sailors who had been brought held
+their lanterns well up, he soon reached the corner, passed it, and saw
+that they were in a very spacious cavern.  Then the second stream was
+reached, and they all stood together gazing out toward where the cascade
+formed by the union of the two rivers plunged down.
+
+But nothing was visible save blackness and wreathing vapour, which
+gleamed in a grey ghostly way some distance in front, and to try and see
+better some magnesium wire was burned.
+
+This vivid white light showed that there was a black dripping roof some
+fifty feet overhead, and the water of the two streams gliding rapidly
+away from below the angle on which they stood, covering one whole side
+of the visible cavern with water, and increasing in speed till it
+disappeared beneath the rising mist caused, of course, by the falls.
+
+There the lanterns were swung about over the water, and shout after
+shout was sent forth to be lost in the torrent's roar, till at last the
+mate turned away and signed to the party to follow him.
+
+He led them back to where the noise grew hushed, and they could speak
+once more.
+
+"There is nothing more to be done, gentlemen," said the mate, sadly.
+"The poor fellow must have gone over somewhere along that rocky edge.  I
+saw several places where it was as slippery as ice, and he has been
+swept into the depths.  Ugh, the whole thing makes me shudder."
+
+He was right: they all knew nothing more could be done, and they tramped
+back over the smooth lava stream.
+
+"And I feel to blame for it all," said Panton, as he walked between his
+friends.  "Who could have foretold that such a terrible calamity would
+happen to us?  It is too horrible to bear."
+
+At last there was a faint gleam of light upon the water, followed by a
+flash, and then the lanterns were extinguished, for the blaze of
+sunshine could be seen playing upon the lake and the Gothic archway of
+the cavern's mouth fringed with creepers and ferns, while like some
+curious silhouette, there for a few moments upon one of the rocks just
+level with the water, those which had served for stepping-stones, was
+the figure of a large graceful leopard as it stood gazing into the
+cavern, but turned and bounded away directly.
+
+The light was hardly bearable for a few minutes, as the party issued out
+to climb the walls of the ancient crater, and then descend on the other
+side, but eyes soon grew accustomed to the change, and Smith uttered a
+deep sigh full of mournfulness.
+
+"I never see nothing look so beautiful before," he said to Oliver, "but
+oh, if poor old Billy Wriggs was here to see it.  He wouldn't say to me,
+`Speak the truth, Tommy, speak the truth,' for them's the truest words,
+sir, as I ever said."
+
+They reached the side of the brig, hot and weary, to find all well, and
+as they parted on the deck Smith turned to Oliver.
+
+"I'm a-goin' down to have a good heavy wash, sir, 'fore I has any
+breakfast, and then I don't think as I shall eat any, for it's hard
+lines to ha' lost one's mate."
+
+"Hard indeed, Smith," said Oliver, sympathetically.  "Poor fellow! but I
+think we did all we could."
+
+"Heverythink, sir, I say," replied the man, who then went slowly below
+into the forecastle and rushed out again, looking horrified, scared, and
+yelling loudly.
+
+"Hallo!" cried Mr Rimmer, running forward.  "What's the matter now?"
+
+Smith could not speak, but stood with his lips quivering and his eyes
+round and staring.
+
+"Do you hear?" cried the mate, angrily.  "Why don't you speak?"
+
+The reason was patent to all.  The poor fellow could not utter a word,
+but stood pointing wildly down through the forecastle hatch.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY FOUR.
+
+A TONGUE IN A KNOT.
+
+Oliver and the mate immediately made a sharp rush for the opening, and
+the first uttered a cry of astonishment as he got down into the men's
+place, for there, dimly seen by the faint light shed by a great disc of
+glass let into the fore part of the deck and well cemented with pitch,
+was a man in one of the bunks sleeping heavily, while in a tone
+indicative of his astonishment, the mate exclaimed,--
+
+"What, Wriggs!  You here?"
+
+"Ay, ay, sir," shouted the man, rising so suddenly that he struck his
+head a violent blow against the floor of the bunk above him.  "I say,
+don't wake a man quite so hard!" he grumbled, and then, as he recognised
+the speaker, "Beg pardon, sir, didn't know it was you."
+
+"Why, how did you get here?" cried Oliver.
+
+"Get here, sir?  Oh, I walked it, and was that bet out that I tumbled in
+at once.  Tommy Smith got back?"
+
+"Yes, and all of them," cried the mate.  "Here, pass the word for Smith,
+and tell him it isn't a ghost."
+
+"I'm here, sir," said a gruff voice as the hatchway was filled up by a
+body which darkened the light.  "Is it alive?"
+
+"Tommy ahoy!" cried Wriggs hoarsely.  "I got back fust."
+
+"But how?" cried Oliver.  "You did not pass us and come out the way we
+went in."
+
+"No, sir; I went out t'other way by the back door."
+
+"Is he all right--alive?" cried Panton, in a voice full of hysterical
+excitement as he scrambled down, followed by Drew.
+
+"He seems to be," said the mate.  "Are you sure you're alive, Wriggs?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I think so."
+
+"But how was it?" cried Oliver.
+
+"Ah, that's a queshtun, sir," said the man, rubbing one ear.  "I don't
+quite know, on'y as I was walking along arter you one moment, and the
+next my legs seemed to run down a slide and I was in the water."
+
+"I thought so," cried Oliver.
+
+"I did holler, but there was such a row nobody heered me, and afore I
+knowed where I was I seemed to be going down with five hundred millions
+o' chaps sousing buckets o' water on my head till I was most stifled,
+and then I was going on again."
+
+"Going on where?"
+
+"Oh, I dunno, on'y as it was all dark and the water just deep enough to
+slide me along over the bottom which was smooth as glass."
+
+"Ah! the trough cut by the water in the lava stream," cried Panton,
+"continued right on after the fall."
+
+"Yes, sir, that's it.  I continued right on arter the fall till I got
+rayther sick on it and tried to get out fust one side and then the
+other."
+
+"And did you?" cried Oliver.
+
+"No, sir, I just didn't, for it was all as slipper as slither, and as
+soon as I tried, the water seemed to lay hold on me and pull me back and
+send me on again."
+
+"And did you keep on like that?"
+
+"Oh, no; I got up sometimes and tried to walk, and other times I went
+along sittin'."
+
+"But didn't you try to come back?"
+
+"Try, sir?  What was the good?  Why, the water did just what it liked
+with me, and wouldn't even let me try to swim.  Do you think I could ha'
+got back up that waterfall?  Bless your 'art, sir, seems to me as if you
+might as well try to get up to the moon."
+
+"Never mind that," said Oliver, excitedly; "tell us about what
+followed," and then he turned his head sharply, for Smith was rubbing
+his hands down his legs and chuckling softly now in his intense delight
+to see his messmate back safe and sound.
+
+"Told you so--I told you so," he muttered.
+
+"Course I will, sir," said Wriggs.  "Well, you see the water kept
+carrying me along in the dark, and as fast as I managed to get up it
+downed me again and began to stuffycate me, only I wouldn't have that,
+and got up again and tried to stand.  But it warn't no use, the bottom
+was too slithery, and down I goes again in the darkness, thinking it was
+all over with me, but I gets the better of it again, and on I goes
+sailing along, sometimes up and sometimes down, and a-swallering enough
+water to last me for a week."
+
+"Yes, go on," cried Oliver.
+
+"Right, sir, I'm a-goin' on," said Wriggs.  "Where was I?"
+
+"A-swallerin' the water, Billy," said Smith, interposing a word or two.
+
+"So I was, Tommy, lots of it.  I kep' on swallerin' that water till I
+didn't swaller no more 'cause there warn't no room.  So, of course, I
+left off, and went bobbin' up and bobbin' down, sometimes goin' head
+fust and sometimes legs fust.  Oh, it was at a rate!  And it was as dark
+as pitch, and you couldn't get out this side nor t'other side neither."
+
+"Well, go on," said Mr Rimmer, impatiently.
+
+"Yes, sir; and there I goes, getting in a puff o' wind now and then when
+I has a charnsh, and the water a-rooshin' me along and the bottom all
+slithery, and sometimes I was heads up and sometimes toes, and the water
+kep' a carryin' of me along so as I couldn't stand straight nor sit down
+nor kneel nor nothing.  But on I keeps again, on and on and on, and
+sometimes I was down and--"
+
+"I say," said Panton, "wasn't it a very long way?"
+
+"Yes, sir, a mortal long ways, and sometimes the water got me down when
+I tried to swim and sometimes--"
+
+"Yes, yes, yes," cried Oliver, for the mate was roaring with laughter;
+"but you've told us all that over and over again.  We want you to get to
+the end."
+
+"That's what I wanted to do, sir," said Wriggs, "but there didn't seem
+to be no end and the water kep' a--"
+
+"My good fellow, that isn't the way to tell a story," cried Oliver,
+impatiently.  "Now, then, get on: we've had enough of that.  The water
+swept you along a dark cavernous place where it had cut a way through
+the lava, and you couldn't keep your feet."
+
+"That's it, sir.  You can tell it ever so much better nor me.  Go on,
+please."
+
+"How can I?" cried Oliver, as there was a general burst of laughter at
+this.  "I was not there, so how am I to tell your story?"
+
+"I d'know, sir; but you seems to know ever so much more about it than
+me, for it was so dark and the water kep' a-rooshin me along--"
+
+"Right to the entrance, where the stream swept you out into the open
+air, but before you got there you could see the light gleaming along on
+the top of the water, and this increased till you found yourself in' the
+full glow of daylight where the stream rushed out and down toward the
+sea."
+
+"Why, did you tumble in too, Mr Oliver Lane, sir?" cried Wriggs,
+staring open-eyed.
+
+"I?  Of course not," cried Oliver.
+
+"But that were just how it was, sir.  How did you know?"
+
+"I only supposed it was like that, my man."
+
+"Well that's a rum 'un, for I was washed right out with a regular fizz
+at last, like a cork in a drain."
+
+"And where?" said Mr Rimmer.
+
+"Oh, over yonder somewheres, sir, and I warn't long scuffling ashore,
+for there was two black fins out, and I knowed as Jack shark's shovel
+nose warn't far in front."
+
+"Was it in the lagoon?"
+
+"Yes, sir, that was it, and then I gets all my things off and wrings
+'em, and lays 'em out ready for the sun to shine on when it come up,
+while I covers myself all over with sand, which was as nyste and warm as
+getting between blankets."
+
+"But I thought you said you were swept out into the broad daylight,"
+cried Oliver.
+
+"No, sir, it was you as said that: I didn't.  I couldn't cause it was
+the moon a-shining, and the stars and some o' them flying sparks in
+among the trees."
+
+"Well, you've got a rum way of telling a story, Wriggs," said the mate.
+"What did you do next?"
+
+"Oh, I snoozed on till it was quite warm, and my clothes was dry, and
+then I takes my bearin's and steered off through the woods for port."
+
+"Did you see any of the blacks?" said the mate.
+
+"No, sir, and didn't want to.  It was black enough for me in that hole
+underground, to last me for a long time yet.  Don't want any more black,
+sir, yet, thank-ye."
+
+"Well, you're safe back," said Panton, "and no one is more glad than I
+am, though we did have all our trouble for nothing, and you may thank
+Mr Lane and Smith for staying there in the dark waiting till lights
+were fetched."
+
+"Did Mr Lane do that, sir?"
+
+"To be sure he did."
+
+"And Tommy Smith stopped too, sir?"
+
+"Yes, to keep him company, though we thought once we'd lost him too."
+
+"Much ado about nothing," said the mate drily.  "You gentlemen lead me a
+pretty dance.  What's the next thing, Mr Panton--do you want to go down
+the crater of the volcano?"
+
+"Yes, if it is possible," replied the young man, so seriously that there
+was a general laugh, and soon after Wriggs was left to finish his sleep,
+while Panton retired to the cabin to number and make notes about a few
+of the crystals which he had brought back in his pockets, but thinking
+of how that cavern might be turned to use.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY FIVE.
+
+SMITH HAS A "SENTIMENT."
+
+Mr Rimmer gave way, and a few days after an expedition was made to try
+once more to mount right up to the mouth of the crater.  Taking
+advantage of what had been learned in former expeditions, the little
+party followed their last plan, rowed beyond the poisonous mist, landed,
+and after securing the boat as before, they made for the old camp,
+reached it and spent a delightful evening watching the faint glow upon
+the cloud which hovered over the mouth of the crater, and then gazed at
+the scintillating fire-flies, which upon this occasion made the low
+growth at the edge of the forest below them alive with sparkling lights.
+
+Long before daylight they were on their way, with the air feeling cold
+and numbing as they climbed the loose ash and cinders which formed the
+slope.  The great cracks in the mountain-side were successfully passed,
+and by sunrise they were high enough up to get a glorious view over the
+island, while a couple of hours after, a point was reached which enabled
+them to trace the greater part of the coast line and learn by the
+barrier reef with its white foam that without doubt they were upon an
+island.
+
+"Now, then," cried Panton, after a brief halt for refreshment, "how long
+do you say it will take us?"
+
+"Two hours," said Oliver, gazing up at the remainder of the slope, and
+thinking of how quiescent the volcano was: for save an occasional
+trembling or vibration under foot, all seemed still.
+
+"One hour at the most," said Drew.  "Come on."
+
+"I say the same," cried Panton.  "Come on."
+
+Oliver proved to be nearest as to time, for they all referred to their
+watches when the above words were spoken, and again, when, after a long
+weary scramble over the yielding ashes, from which came breathings of
+hot, stifling air.
+
+"Two hours, forty minutes," cried Drew.  "I couldn't have thought it."
+
+The hot, gaseous emanations had really seemed to be like breathings, and
+as they neared the top, they were conscious, as they paused again and
+again, of the mountain seeming to pant and utter sounds like weary
+sighs.
+
+As they mounted higher, the heat began to grow suffocating, and it was
+at last so bad that Smith and Wriggs pulled up short and looked hard at
+their leaders.
+
+"Well?" cried Oliver.
+
+"Think it safe to go any furder, sir?" said Smith.
+
+"Safe or no, we mean to get to the top now we've mounted so high.  Why
+do you ask?  Want to stop?"
+
+"Well, sir, you see Billy Wriggs been thinking for some time as it was
+getting werry dangerous, and he'd like to go down."
+
+"Speak the truth, Tommy, speak the truth," growled Wriggs.
+
+"Why, I am speaking the truth, Billy," cried Smith, in angry
+remonstrance.  "Didn't you say over and over again as it was werry
+dangerous?"
+
+"Nay, I said it was dangerous, I didn't say werry."
+
+"Oh, well, that's nigh enough for me, messmate."
+
+"You two had better stay here while we go to the top," said Oliver,
+quietly.  "Ready, you others?"
+
+"Yes," said Panton.  "Forward," and they started upward again, but
+stopped directly, for the two sailors were trudging up close behind
+them.
+
+"I thought you two were going to stop back," cried Oliver.
+
+"Not me," said Smith.  "Billy Wriggs can, if he likes."
+
+"What?" cried the latter, "and let you get puffin' and blowin' about
+havin' done my dags.  Not me, Tommy, old man.  I'm a-goin' right up to
+the top, and I'll go as far inside as he will, gen'lemen."
+
+"Come along, then," cried Oliver, and the slow trudge, trudge was
+resumed in zig-zags, till Smith halted once more, and stood wiping his
+steaming face.
+
+"Beg pardon, sir," he said, "but if you look uppards, you can see as the
+smoke hangs over toward us."
+
+"Yes, what of that?" said Oliver.
+
+"Well, that means wind, though we can't feel none.  Wouldn't it be best,
+'stead o' doublin' back, if we was to go right on now, so as to get
+higher and higher, and more round to windward?"
+
+"I'm afraid that it will be the same all about the mouth of the crater,"
+said Panton, "but we'll try."
+
+It was a simple expedient that they ought to have thought of before, and
+Smith proved to be correct, for as they wound on slowly upwards the heat
+grew greater, but they began to be aware of soft puffs of wind, and at
+the end of another half-hour, they had climbed to where a steady soft
+current of cool air blew against them.  This made the final part of the
+toilsome ascent so bearable that as they reached a glistening vitreous
+stream of greyish hue which looked as if the crater had brimmed over and
+poured down this molten matter, Oliver leaped upon it and ran for a
+couple of hundred yards.  Then he disappeared suddenly, and horrified
+the rest, who followed as fast as they could go.
+
+But there was no cause of alarm.  As they reached the top of the slope
+there stood their companion some twenty feet below them on the rugged,
+jagged and fissured slope of the crater gazing down at a dull glistening
+lake of molten matter, but so covered with a grey scum that it was only
+from time to time that a crack appeared, out of which darted a glare so
+bright that it was visible in the full sunshine, while a tremendous glow
+struck upon their faces, making their eyes smart as they gazed at the
+transparent quivering gas which rose up from the molten mass.
+
+A stronger breeze was blowing here, bearing the heat away, otherwise it
+would have been unbearable, and they made their way on the chaos of
+cindery rock which lay about in blocks riven and split in every form,
+some glazed by the glass of the mighty natural furnace, some of a clear
+vesicular silvery grey, while a hundred yards or so distant and about
+fifty lower than where they stood, the lake of molten matter lay about
+circular and apparently half a mile across.  The rim of the gigantic cup
+which from below had looked so regular was now seen to be broken into a
+thousand cracks and crevices, some going right down through the greyish
+ash and pumice nearly to the edge of the lake.
+
+No one spoke, it was as if they were too much stricken by awe, as they
+gazed at this outlet of the earth's inner fires, wondering at the way in
+which solid rock was turned by the intensity of the heat into a fluid
+which now in places they could see was in a state of ebullition, and
+formed rings flowing away from the boiling centre like so much water.
+
+Then, all at once, as if moved by the same set of nerves, they all
+turned and fled, for without the slightest warning, a part of the lake
+shot up some fifty feet in the air, like some great geyser, but instead
+of boiling water it was fluid rock of dazzling brightness even in the
+sunshine.  Then it fell with a sound of hideous splashing, and as they
+turned to gaze back there was a little rising and falling, and then all
+was still once more, and the surface rapidly scummed over and grew
+silvery and dull.
+
+"I wouldn't have missed this for anything," cried Panton, breaking the
+silence as they stood watching the lake, and then, amid many expressions
+of wonder and awe at the grandness of the scene, they began to make
+their way along the well-defined rim of the crater.  But slowly, for
+inside there was not a level space, all being a chaos of riven and
+scattered masses of slag, obsidian, and scoria, ragged, sharp and in
+part glazed by the fluid rock.
+
+"It aren't what I thought it would be, Mr Oliver Lane, sir," said
+Smith, scraping the perspiration from his face with a thin piece of the
+obsidian which he had picked up, while Wriggs followed his example for a
+few moments and then threw his piece down.
+
+"What did you expect?" said Oliver.
+
+"On'y a big hole, sir, running right down into the middle o' the world;
+and I thought we should be able to see into the works."
+
+"Works!  What works, man!" said Oliver, smiling.
+
+"Why, them as makes the world turn round; for it do turn round, don't
+it?"
+
+"Of course, but not from any cause within."
+
+"I say, Tommy, mind what yer at with that there bit o' stuff," growled
+Wriggs.
+
+"Why?"
+
+"It's sharp as ragers.  I've cut my cheek."
+
+"Sarve yer right for being so clumsy.  You should use it like this
+here."
+
+"Well, I did, matey."
+
+"I'm blest!" cried Smith, throwing down the piece of volcanic glass, and
+dabbing at his nose, whose side was bleeding slightly.
+
+"Cut yoursen?"
+
+"Ay: didn't know it was so sharp as that."
+
+Wriggs chuckled heartily, and the little party moved on as well as they
+could for the great fissures about the rim, some of which went down into
+profound depths, from whence rose up strange hissings and whisperings of
+escaping gases, and breathings of intensely hot air.
+
+There was so much to see, that they would willingly have gone on trying
+to follow the edge all round, but before long they had warnings that the
+whole of one side was impassable from the vapours rising from the
+various fuming rifts, and that it would be madness to proceed; and at
+last as Panton was pressing his friends to persevere for a few yards
+farther, they had what Smith called "notice to quit," in a change of the
+wind that wafted a scorching heat toward them, which, had they not fled
+over the side and down the outer slope for a short distance, would have
+proved fatal.
+
+It was only temporary, though, for the fresh cool air came again, and
+they stopped, hesitating about returning.
+
+"We ought to have thought of it sooner," said Panton.
+
+"Never mind, I'll climb back to yonder," said Oliver, pointing.  "That
+seems to be the highest point.  Come with me, Smith," and he began to
+climb the ascent once more, closely followed by the sailor.
+
+"Whatcher going to do, sir?" cried the man, as Oliver took out what
+seemed to be a good-sized gold watch.
+
+"You'll soon see," replied Oliver, as he toiled upward.
+
+"But can't yer see what's o'clock down where they is, sir, just as well
+as up yonder?"
+
+Oliver laughed, and kept on making for a conical rock needle, evidently
+the remaining portion of a mass of the crater edge when it was fifty
+feet or so higher, and being wider had remained, when other portions
+were blasted away by the terrific explosions which had occurred.
+
+"Yer not going to climb up atop there, are yer, sir?" said Smith.
+
+"Yes, you stay below," said Oliver.  Finding that, as he had expected,
+it was an intensely hard miniature mountain of vitrified scoria, and
+tolerably easy of ascent, he began to climb.
+
+"He aren't my orsifer," muttered Smith, "and I shan't stop back.  I
+should look well if he had an accident.  So here goes."
+
+As Oliver mounted, he climbed after him, till they stood together, right
+on the conical pinnacle, with only just room for them to remain erect,
+the great boiling crater below on one side, the glorious view of the
+fairy-like isle, with its ring of foam around, and the vivid blue
+lagoon, circling the emerald green of the coast.  There it all was
+stretched out with glorious clearness, and so exquisite, that for a few
+moments Oliver was entranced.
+
+Then the fairy-like vision became commonplace, and Oliver started back
+to everyday life, for Smith said gruffly,--
+
+"Better see what's o'clock, and come down, sir, for that there big pot's
+a-going to boil over again."
+
+Even as he spoke there was a roar, a great gush upward of fiery fluid,
+and a sensation of intense heat, while the pinnacle upon which they
+stood literally rocked and threatened to fall.
+
+"Quick! get down," said Oliver, taking out the watch-like object once
+more, glancing at it, and then replacing it in his vest.
+
+"Comin' too, sir?"
+
+"Yes, all right; five thousand nine hundred feet."
+
+Smith stared, but went on descending, followed by Oliver, while the glow
+shed upon them was for a few moments unbearable.  Then the huge fountain
+of molten rock ceased playing, the glow scorched them no longer, and
+they scrambled and slid down in safety to where their friends were
+waiting, and commenced their descent after taking their bearings as well
+as they could.
+
+"What did you make it?"
+
+"Just over five thousand nine hundred."
+
+"And we've got nearly all that distance to go down," said Drew.  "I'm
+tired already."
+
+But there was no help for it, and they toiled on down among the crevices
+in safety, and finally reached the brig, but not till close upon
+midnight, rejoicing, in spite of their weariness, upon a great feat
+achieved.
+
+"But it caps me, that it do," said Smith in the forecastle.
+
+"What does?"
+
+"Why, for that Mr Oliver Lane.  I knows as we say they gents has got
+tools for everything, but I never knowed as there was watches made as
+could tell yer the time and how high up yer are all at once.  Well,
+there is, and I see it all, and it's quite right.  I mean to have one of
+them watches, and I asked Mr Oliver Lane about 'em.  He says you can
+buy 'em in London for thrippenten apiece, and I think he says as they
+was made by a woman, Mrs Annie Royd, but I aren't quite sure."
+
+"But yer can't afford to give thrippenten for one of they things,"
+growled Wriggs.
+
+"How do you know, matey?  Mebbe I can, my lad."
+
+"What yer want it for?"
+
+"See how high yer are up when yer climbs mountains.  I mean to say it
+would be grand."
+
+"Ah, well, I don't want one o' them," said Wriggs, thoughtfully.
+
+"What do you want, then?"
+
+"One o' them things as yer looks through into a drop a' water and sees
+as what yer drinks is all alive."
+
+"Not you," said Smith, contemptuously; "what you wants is plenty more
+water in big tanks in our hold, and if I was Mr Rimmer, cap'en of this
+here ship, I should make some, and keep 'em full."
+
+"What for?  Swimmin' baths?"
+
+"Swimmin' great-grandmothers," growled Smith, contemptuously.  "No, my
+lad, I've got a sort o' sentiment as one o' these days the niggers'll
+come and catch us on the hop, and if so be as they do, and we keep 'em
+from gettin' in here, do you know what it'll be?"
+
+"Stickin' knives and harrers in us, if they can."
+
+"No," said Smith, laying his hand upon his companion's shoulder and
+placing his lips to his ear, with the result that Wriggs started away
+with his face looking of an unpleasant clay colour.
+
+"Think so, mate?" he gasped.
+
+"Ay, that I do, Billy.  They will as sure as a gun."  Oddly enough, just
+about the same time as the two sailors were holding this conversation, a
+chat was going on in the cabin respecting the lugger and how to get her
+launched.  Like Smith, the mate seemed to be suffering from a
+"sentiment," and he was talking very seriously.
+
+"I did not see it before," he said, "but it all shows what noodles we
+are when we think ourselves most clever."
+
+"Interpret," said Panton; "your words are too obscure."
+
+"I mean about the lugger," said the mate.  "I went well all over it in
+my mind before I began her, and saw that it would be much easier to
+build her here where everything was handy than to carry the materials
+down to the edge of the lagoon."
+
+"Of course," said Oliver.  "That would have been very awkward, for the
+men would have had to go to and fro morning and evening."
+
+"But," said Panton, "a hut might have been run up for them to sleep in."
+
+"Which means dividing a force already too weak.  If the blacks make
+another serious attack upon us we shall have enough to do to hold our
+own here together, without having part of us defending a flimsy hut,
+which they would serve at once as they will us here if we don't take
+very great care."
+
+"Eh?  How?" said Oliver, startled by the mate's manner.
+
+"Burn us out as sure as we're alive."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY SIX.
+
+A NOVEL LAUNCH.
+
+The idea was revived again by the mate.
+
+"That's a pleasant way of looking at things," said Panton.
+
+"Horrible!" exclaimed Drew, with a shiver.
+
+"Yes, we've had enough of fire from the volcano," said Oliver, with a
+glance in its direction, forgetting as he did that it was invisible from
+their side of the mist.
+
+"We have, gentlemen," said the mate, "but that will be their plan.  We
+may beat them off times enough, but so sure as they set thoroughly to
+work to burn us out, we're done for, sir."
+
+"You think so?"
+
+"No, I don't think.  We're as inflammable as can be, and they've only
+got to bring plenty of dry, fierce, burning wood and pile it up, and
+there we are as soon as they set light to it.  They can have a good
+feast then."
+
+"What?" cried Drew.
+
+"Feast, sir.  There'll be plenty of roast men done to a turn."
+
+"Don't!" cried Oliver.  "You give me quite a turn."
+
+The discussion arose one morning some weeks after the ascent to the
+crater, and when, after a tremendous amount of collecting, the three
+naturalists had owned that it was getting on toward the time for helping
+Mr Rimmer a little over the preparations for getting away from the
+island.
+
+"Really, Mr Rimmer," Oliver said, "I am ashamed of my selfishness."
+
+"Eh?  What have you been doing selfish, my dear sir?" was the reply.
+
+"Thinking of nothing but my own pleasure."
+
+"Pleasure, sir?  Why, I haven't seen you playing any games but a bit or
+two of chess with Mr Panton."
+
+"I mean in thinking of nothing else but my collecting."
+
+"Why, that was your work, sir."
+
+"It is a pleasure to me, and I have thought of nothing else."
+
+"And quite right too, my lad.  You came out on purpose to make a
+collection, didn't you?"
+
+"Well, yes."
+
+"And you've made a splendid one, sir.  I never saw such birds and
+butterflies and beetles before, let along the snakes and things."
+
+"Yes, I have been grandly successful," said Oliver; "certainly."
+
+"And so have your friends.  You're satisfied, I hope, Mr Panton?"
+
+"More than satisfied," cried that gentleman.  "I've a wonderful
+collection of minerals, and I've picked up some grand facts on volcanic
+and coral formation."
+
+"Oh, yes," cried Drew.  "I'm satisfied, too.  I'm only afraid that
+you'll have to build another boat to carry my specimens."
+
+"All right, we'll build one if it's necessary, but we've got to tackle
+this one first.  Everything's done that can be done before she's in the
+water.  No likelihood of another earthquake wave, is there, sir?"
+
+"There might be one at any time," said Panton; "but it might be five
+hundred years."
+
+"And it would be tiresome to wait as long as that, eh, sir?" said the
+mate, with a droll twinkle of the eye.
+
+"Yes, you'd better get her down to the sea first.  What do you mean to
+do?"
+
+"Begin to-morrow morning, gentlemen; and if you would be so good as to
+let the birds and stones and flowers alone now, and help me till we get
+the _Little Planet_ afloat, I should be obliged."
+
+"You know we'll all do our best, Mr Rimmer," said Panton.  "You've
+helped us whenever we have hinted at wanting a hand."
+
+"Why, of course, sir, of course," said the mate, interrupting the
+speaker.  "It's all right: turn for turn."
+
+"But why not begin to-day?" said Oliver.
+
+"To be sure," said the others.
+
+"I didn't want to be hard upon you, gentlemen, and so I thought I'd give
+you a day's notice, but if you would all tackle to at once, why, I
+should be glad."
+
+"Then as far as we're concerned," said Oliver, "the lugger's launched."
+
+"Thank you, gentlemen, all of you," said the mate; and then drily, "but
+I don't think we shall get her in the water to-day."
+
+There was a hearty laugh at this, but they were all serious directly,
+and the question of the launching was taken up.
+
+"Two miles to the lagoon," said Oliver; "it's a long way."
+
+"Yes, sir, but every foot we get her along, will be one less."
+
+"Of course," said Oliver.  "And do you think your plans will work?"
+
+"I hope so, sir.  We'll give them a good try first, before we start upon
+another."
+
+They went down over the side and stood directly after examining the
+lines of the well-made little vessel, which was about the size of a
+Cornish fishing boat, and now that the greater part of the supports had
+been knocked away, and she could be seen in all her regularity,
+compliments were freely given to her builder and architect.
+
+"Well, I'm not ashamed of her, gentlemen," said the mate.  "All I'm
+afraid of is that we shall weaken her a bit in hauling her along over
+the runners."
+
+"Have you got your runners made?" said Drew.
+
+"Have I got my runners made, sir?" said the mate with a chuckle.  "I've
+got everything ready, grease and all for making 'em slippery, and under
+her keel a bit of iron as smooth as if it had been polished.  Look
+here!"
+
+He pointed out the curve and finish of the keel, which was so contrived
+that the vessel was quite on the balance, and a couple of men could
+easily rock her up and down, while to keep her straight and prevent her
+lopping over to one side or the other, an ingenious kind of outrigger
+had been contrived out of a couple of yards, which rested on the ground,
+and were kept there about four feet from the keel.  These two were well
+pointed and curved up a little in front, and gave the lugger the
+appearance of riding in a sledge-like cradle.
+
+Moreover, a capstan had been rigged up, half a cable's length away, and
+as soon as a rope had been attached to a hole low down close to the
+keel, word was given, the capstan was manned, the sailors gave a cheer
+as the stout cable secured low down beneath the lugger's bows gradually
+tightened, strained, and stretched, quivering in the bright morning
+sunshine, but the vessel did not move.  Then a halt was called while the
+mate re-examined the well-greased runners, and then gave the word for
+the men to ply their capstan bars once more.
+
+But still she did not move, and a despairing look began to gather upon
+the mate's brow, till Smith sidled up to Oliver and said,--
+
+"I've jest whispered to Billy Wriggs to go round t'other side, sir,
+along o' Mr Panton, and if you and me and Master Drew was to do the
+same here, I dessay we could start her."
+
+"Yes, what are you going to do?" asked Oliver.
+
+"Just ketch hold here, sir, and we'll give her a bit of a rock.  Once
+she's started, away she goes."
+
+As the sailor spoke, he took hold of the yard rigged out on one side to
+keep the lugger upright, the others did the same on the other side, and
+as the cable was tightened once more with a jerk, which gave forth a
+musical deep bass twang, Smith shouted, "All together!" and with his
+companions, he began to give the hull a gentle rocking movement from
+side to side.
+
+Then a tremendous cheer arose, and as every man tugged and strained, the
+vessel began to move, so little that it was almost imperceptible, and
+Oliver's heart sank at the thought of two miles to go at that rate; but
+in less than a minute, as she was rocked a little more, she gained
+momentum, the men at the capstan strained and cheered, and away she
+went, slowly and steadily, on and on the whole half cable's length.
+
+"Now right up to the capstan," cried solemn, heavy-looking Wriggs; and
+as she came to a stand, and the men took out their bars and began
+cheering again in the glorious sunshine, with the coral rock and sand
+reflecting the brilliant light, and the rapid tropic growth glowing in
+its most vivid golden green, the rough sailor took off his straw hat,
+dashed it down upon the ground, screwed up his face into the most severe
+of frowns, folding his arms tightly across his chest, he gave a kind of
+trot round to form a circle, and then turned into the middle, stopped
+for a moment, gave three stamps and a nod to an imaginary fiddler, and
+started off in the regular sailor's hornpipe, dancing lightly and well,
+but as seriously as if his life depended upon the accuracy of his steps.
+
+"Hooroar!  Brayvo, Billy!" yelled Smith, bending down and beginning to
+keep time by giving a succession of ringing slaps on his right thigh,
+and in an instant the whole crew joined in slapping and cheering, while
+the mate and his passengers joined in the hearty laugh.
+
+"Go it, lad!"  "Brayvo, Billy!"  "Lay it down, lad!" came in a rugged
+chorus, and Wriggs danced on with wonderful skill and lightness, putting
+in all the regular pulling and hauling business right to the very end,
+which was achieved with the most intense solemnity of manner, amid
+tremendous applause.
+
+"Capstan!" he shouted as he stopped, and then he was the first to begin
+loosening the piece of mechanism which had to be taken up and refixed
+strongly with block and stay a whole cable's length, this time farther
+on towards the sea.
+
+"Slow work," said the mate, as he turned from superintending to wipe his
+face and give his companions a nod full of satisfaction; "but we're half
+a cable's length nearer the lagoon, and if we only did that every day,
+we should get her afloat in time."
+
+"It's grand," cried Oliver, whose face was streaming from his exertions.
+"I feel quite hopeful now."
+
+"Hopeful?  Yes," cried Panton.  "We shall do it."
+
+"If we are not interrupted," said Drew.
+
+"If we are," said the mate, "we must make a fight for it.  There's the
+watch up in the top to give us warning, and the arms all lie ready.  At
+the first alarm everyone will make for the brig's deck, and I daresay we
+shall beat our visitors off."
+
+"But when we get farther away?" said Drew.
+
+"Don't let's meet troubles before they're half way," said the mate,
+smiling.  "Perhaps the blacks may never come again.  Let's hope not."
+
+"Amen," said Panton, and then everything was forgotten in the business
+on hand, all trusting to the careful watch kept from the brig, and
+working like slaves to get the capstan fixed to the bars driven in
+between crevices in the bed rock, while stays were fixed to blocks of
+coral, which lay here and there as they had been swept by the earthquake
+wave.
+
+The consequence was, that by noon, when the great heat had produced
+exhaustion, the capstan had been moved three times, and, thanks to the
+level ground, the lugger had glided steadily nearly as many cables'
+lengths nearer the sea.
+
+"Do it?" cried the mate, suddenly, as they sat resting and waiting till
+the men had finished their mid-day meal.  "Of course we shall do it."
+
+"Well," said Oliver, laughing, "no one said we shouldn't."
+
+"No," said the mate, "but someone might have thought so."
+
+"Why, you thought so yourself, Mr Rimmer," cried Panton, merrily.
+
+"Yes, I suppose I have been a bit down-hearted about getting her to sea,
+and it has made me slow over the finishing.  But after the way you
+gentlemen have buckled to, it goes as easy as can be."
+
+"How long do you reckon we shall be?" asked Drew.
+
+"Getting her down, sir?  Well, I used to say to myself, if we can manage
+it in two months I shall be satisfied, but I'm beginning to think about
+one now."
+
+"Why, we shall do it in a week," cried Oliver.
+
+"A week?" cried the others.
+
+"Well, why not?  If we go on as steadily this afternoon and evening as
+we have this morning, we shall manage to get her along a quarter of a
+mile, and that's an eighth part of the distance."
+
+"We shall see," said the mate.  "We have had all plain sailing so far."
+
+"Yes, but the men get every time more accustomed to the work," said
+Drew, "and we ought to do more some days."
+
+"Of course," said Panton.  "My anxiety is about the blacks."
+
+Work was resumed then, and by dark they all had the satisfaction of
+feeling that fully five hundred yards of the long portage had been got
+over, and, as Oliver said, there was no reason whatever why they should
+not get on quite as far day by day.
+
+There were plenty of rejoicings there that night--"high jinks," Smith
+called them--but by daylight next morning every man was in his place,
+and the lugger began to move again.
+
+And so matters went on day after day, in a regular, uneventful way.
+There were tremblings of the earth beneath them, and now and then a
+sharp cracking, tearing sound, as if some portion of the rocky bed below
+was splitting suddenly open.
+
+At times, too, a heavy report was heard from the direction of the
+mountain, generally followed by the flight of birds, making in alarm for
+the south, or the appearance of some little herd of deer, but these
+matters, like the lurid glow which shone nightly in the clouds above the
+volcano, had grown so familiar that they ceased to command much
+attention, and the work went steadily on.
+
+It had to be checked, though, from time to time, for there were
+occasions when difficulties arose as to the proper fixing of the capstan
+from the want of hold in the rock, or the failing of blocks to which
+ropes could be secured, necessitating the driving down of crowbars into
+some crack in the stone.
+
+At these times, when Mr Rimmer knew almost at a glance that some hours
+must elapse before the half-dozen for whom there was room to work would
+complete their task, advantage was taken of the opportunity for a
+hunting expedition in the nearest patch of forest, or for a party to go
+down to the lagoon, cross it to the reef, and spend the time with better
+or worse luck fishing with lines, or collecting the abundant molluscs
+which formed a dainty addition to their food.
+
+And at last, a month of exactly four weeks from the day they began, the
+lugger stood up near to the end of the two-mile land voyage, close to
+the sands, with the cocoa-nut grove beginning on either side, just at
+the edge of the land which had not been swept by the earthquake wave.
+
+That afternoon there was a desperate fight with the soft, yielding sand,
+into which the well-worn bearers and blocks used under the lugger's keel
+kept on sinking so deeply that it seemed as if fresh means must be
+contrived for getting the boat quite to the water's edge.
+
+"I'm about done," said Mr Rimmer, as he stood with a huge mallet in his
+hand; "this sand gives way directly.  We shall have to get her back and
+make for the cocoa-nut trees, but I doubt whether they will bear the
+strain if we get a cable and blocks at work."
+
+"But look here," said Oliver, "I'm not a sailor, but it seems to me--"
+
+He stopped short, and Mr Rimmer looked at him smiling, but Oliver
+remained silent.
+
+"He thinks it would be a good plan to put some preserving soap on the
+lugger," said Panton laughing.
+
+"No, I don't," said Oliver, "but I was thinking that it would not be a
+bad plan to drag the brig's anchor down here, and get it out in the
+lagoon, and then fix up the capstan on board the lugger and work it
+there."
+
+"No," said the mate, "it would drag her bows down and wedge her more
+fast."
+
+"I had not done," said Oliver.
+
+"Well, what would you do then?" asked the mate.
+
+"Dig a trench just a little wider than the keel, right away down to the
+shore, and let the water in at high tide."
+
+"It would all soak away."
+
+"At first," said Oliver.  "After a time it would be half sand, half
+water, and yielding enough to let the keel go through like a quicksand."
+
+"He's right," cried Mr Rimmer, and the men set to work spending two
+whole days digging what resembled a pretty good ditch in the sand, and
+leading from the embedded keel right out nearly to the edge of the
+water.
+
+While this was going on one of the brig's anchors was lowered down into
+the dinghy and laid across a couple of pieces of wood, then, with a
+couple of planks for the keel to run upon, each being taken up in turn
+and laid end on to the other, the anchor was got right down to the
+lagoon, dropped about fifty yards out after being attached to a cable,
+another was knotted on to this, and again another to the last, and
+carried through the lugger's bows to where the capstan was fixed.
+
+At high tide the little remaining sand was rapidly dug away, and the
+water began to flow in; the capstan was manned, and a burst of cheering
+rose; for as fast as the bars could be worked and the cables in turn
+coiled down, the new boat was drawn through the sand and out till she
+was head over the anchor, with a clear foot below her keel.
+
+"You'd better take command, Mr Lane," said the mate, shaking hands
+warmly.  "I ought to have thought of that, but it was beyond me.  There
+we are, then.  Now, all we have to do is to load her up with your
+treasures and plenty of stores, and then make for some other island, and
+from one to the other until we can get to a civilised port."
+
+"Why not make another lugger, so as to have everything you can belonging
+to the _Planet_?"
+
+"And give you gentlemen more time to collect?"
+
+"Exactly."
+
+"Well, I don't see why not," said the mate, thoughtfully.  "It grieves
+me to have the good old vessel stranded here with no end of valuable
+stuff in her; and now that we shall soon have the means of getting away
+when we like, I think I might as well set the men to work at another."
+
+"But you'll get the rigging and stores on board this one first," said
+Panton.
+
+"Of course," replied the mate; "but there is another thing to think of,
+gentlemen."
+
+The others looked at him inquiringly.
+
+"When this boat is ready and properly laden, she cannot be left without
+a crew on board."
+
+"On account of the blacks," cried Oliver.  "No, it is impossible for her
+to be left."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN.
+
+LEFT IN THE LURCH.
+
+The question of building another craft remained in abeyance for a time,
+all attention being given to the furnishing, the decking, rigging, and
+other fittings of the _Little Planet_.  Then the cases of specimens were
+got down and placed on board, Panton's first, for they took the place of
+ballast.  Then all necessary stores and water were stowed away, with
+compass, instruments, and everything ready for an immediate start.
+
+"We shall be packed pretty close," said the mate; "but I propose that we
+land whenever we have an opportunity, so that we shall not feel the
+confinement quite so much."
+
+"Then, now that all is right, we may go on collecting?"
+
+"Yes," said the mate, "and I think instead of attempting to build
+another it would be wiser to half-deck over our two best boats and store
+them ready.  I can't help feeling that it will be safer, and that if we
+try to save too much we may lose all."
+
+This was finally settled, and a crew selected for the lugger under one
+or other of the passengers, each taking the command for a week.
+
+This went on for a month, when one day the mate said,--
+
+"Look here, gentlemen, I want a holiday.  I've worked pretty hard, and I
+think it's my turn to go on the new expedition.  What do you say?"
+
+"It is only just," they chorussed.
+
+"Then I propose taking the lugger and sailing round the island--as we
+believe it to be--and then I shall learn something about the prowess of
+our new craft and see how she can sail."
+
+"That's quite right, Mr Rimmer," said Panton.  "Eh, Lane?"
+
+"Of course; we have been horribly selfish in letting him keep on at work
+for us while we have been taking our pleasure."
+
+"Which again was work, gentlemen, work," replied the mate,
+good-humouredly.  "But all the same, my dear fellows, there will not be
+much pleasure in this trip.  I want to see whether our craft is
+seaworthy before we are compelled to take to her in real earnest.  It
+would be rather awkward if she began to open her seams as soon as any
+strain was put upon her by the sails and a heavy sea.  Believe me, I
+would not go if I didn't think it right."
+
+"My dear Mr Rimmer," said Oliver, "do you think we do not know that?"
+
+"But it's like leaving you all in the lurch."
+
+"Nonsense," cried Panton; "we shall be all right.  How long will you be
+gone?"
+
+"I can't say.  Two or three days.  Perhaps altogether."
+
+"Eh?" cried Drew, in dismay.
+
+"The _Little Planet_ may prove untrustworthy, and take me to the bottom,
+gentlemen," said the mate, calmly.  "Who knows?"
+
+"Suppose we don't make the worst of it," said Oliver.  "We know what a
+sailor you are."
+
+"Well, I grant that I am, gentlemen, and ought to be," replied the mate.
+"I was brought up to the sea, but I never tried my hand at
+ship-building before."
+
+"Never mind, you've done wonders," cried Panton.  "When shall you
+start?"
+
+"To-morrow, about mid-day.  That will give me time to make a few
+preparations.  Let's see, I must have some fighting tools and powder."
+
+"Of course.  How many men will you take with you?"
+
+"Three.  That will be enough to manage the sails.  I shall take the
+helm.  You, gentlemen, will take command, of course, and see that the
+watches are kept regularly."
+
+Oliver nodded as much as to say, "you may trust us," and after a little
+more discussion of the mate's plans, the three men were selected and
+sent down to the boat to take the places of two men who were in charge.
+
+They sat for long enough in the cabin that night, looking out through
+the open window at the lightning flickering about the volcano cloud, and
+the fire-flies flitting about the nearest patch of green growth, while
+every now and then a faint passing quiver told that the action below was
+still going on, though its violence seemed to be past, and the
+disturbance gradually dying out, perhaps to wait for years before
+another outbreak.  There was a feeling akin to sadness as they sat
+talking, for they had all grown so intimate that the parting on the
+morrow promised to be painful.  But the mate saw how they were all
+affected, and tried hard to cheer them up, rising at last to take a
+final look round before they retired for the night.
+
+Oliver's sleep was terribly disturbed.  He dreamed that the blacks had
+come with no ordinary weapons, but each bearing a bundle of dry wood
+which they piled-up round the brig and set on fire, and as the flames
+flashed in his eyes he started up in bed to see that the cabin was
+vividly illuminated, but only for a moment or two at a time, and he knew
+that it was from the electricity which played about the mountain top.
+
+He was glad enough when daylight came, and after a bathe in the spring
+where the bitter water was just comfortably hot, he felt refreshed and
+took upon himself the duty of sending off the rifles, guns, and
+ammunition, which would be needed on the voyage.
+
+These were entrusted to Smith to carry down to the lagoon and put on
+board, and at last the hour arrived for the mate to start, Panton being
+left for that day in command at the brig, while Oliver and Drew started,
+gun on shoulder, to see Mr Rimmer off.
+
+Very little was said during the walk, and the young men's spirits sank
+low when they reached the coral sands where the lugger, with sails all
+ready for hoisting, lay on the pleasantly rippled blue lagoon.
+
+"Capital," cried Mr Rimmer.  "Just wind enough to take us well out
+through the opening in the reef."
+
+As he spoke he waved his hand, the dinghy put off from the lugger, and a
+man rowed to the shore.
+
+"Good-bye," cried the mate, quickly.  "Only a pleasant trip, my dear
+sirs.  I'll soon be back.  Shove off."
+
+"It is to avoid showing that he is nervous about his voyage," said
+Oliver as the man obeyed, and the little boat skimmed away toward where
+the lugger lay hanging on to a buoy, formed of a little keg anchored to
+a huge block of coral in the deepest part, by a great noose which had
+been cleverly dropped around the rock.  And then as they stood leaning
+upon their guns, the dinghy reached the lugger and was made fast, the
+mooring rope was cast off and the men began to hoist the first sail,
+when Drew suddenly uttered a cry of horror.
+
+"What's the matter?" exclaimed Oliver.
+
+"Look! look!" was the reply.
+
+Oliver already saw.  A great war canoe was being paddled down the lagoon
+from the north, another was approaching from the south, and from out of
+the haze made by the booming breakers, a third came on toward the
+opening through which the mate had arranged to pass to the sea.
+
+The two young men stood paralysed for a few moments, before Oliver
+raised his gun to give a signal of alarm.
+
+But he lowered it into the hollow of his arm, as he felt that it was
+unnecessary, for the mate must see.
+
+"Look," cried Drew.  "He's coming back to take his luck with us," as
+they saw that the canoes were being paddled rapidly to lay their crews
+on board.  For the sail hoisted had filled, and the second was being
+raised while the mate at the helm was steering the lugger as if to bring
+her close to where the young men stood.
+
+"That's right, come ashore, we'll cover you," roared Oliver, and then he
+uttered a groan, for the lugger curved round when close to them, and
+then rushed through the water toward the opening in the reef.
+
+Oliver's heart sank.
+
+"Discretion's the better part of valour," he muttered, "he's going to
+leave us all in the lurch."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT.
+
+A WET RACE FOR LIFE.
+
+These were harsh and cruel words to use respecting the man who had shown
+so much true manliness of disposition; but there are times when we all
+show what a great deal of the imperfect there is in our natures, and
+this was one of those times with Oliver, who, judging by the mate's
+acts, formed the conclusion that, seeing their case was desperate, and a
+way out to save his own life, he had, in sudden panic, fled.
+
+"Seems like it," said Drew, sadly.  "But quick, lie down.  No, let's get
+behind here."
+
+The need of concealment was pressing, for they were standing out upon
+the open sands, and, with a feeling of despair and misery attacking him,
+Oliver followed his companion to where some huge fragments of madrepore
+coral lay a few yards from the water's edge, affording them a place
+where they could hide, and, at the same time, observe what was going on
+out in the lagoon, where matters were growing exciting.
+
+"Better have come back and fought it out with us," said Drew, bitterly,
+as they saw that the blacks were straining every effort to cut off the
+lugger before it reached the gap in the barrier reef; while, evidently
+seeing the situation of affairs, those who were in the canoe outside
+were, like the occupants of the lugger, though from a different side,
+rapidly approaching the opening.
+
+"They'll cut him off before he reaches it," said Oliver, excitedly.
+"Can we do anything to help him?"
+
+"No, nothing, we are too far-off," said Drew, sadly.  "How could he be
+so foolish?"
+
+"And why don't he give up the helm to one of the men?  Either of them
+could steer; and he could throw the blacks into confusion by firing a
+few shots."
+
+But after a little show of excitement on board, Mr Rimmer stayed by the
+helm; while the two canoes, from north and south, with some twenty
+paddles on each side, made the blue water flash like diamonds, as they
+threw it up with their spoon-shaped implements, sending their canoes
+along at a tremendous rate.
+
+"They'll cut him off, they'll cut him off," cried Oliver, excitedly.
+"Oh, why don't he fire at them?"
+
+He paused breathless, watching the exciting scene of the lugger
+careening over, as she raced through the water.
+
+"My word, she sails well," said Drew.
+
+"Splendidly," cried Oliver.  "But don't, don't talk about the boat.
+Look at poor Rimmer, he stands up there as if brave as a lion.  I wish I
+hadn't said that about him, and yet it's true enough, he's running away
+like a cur.  But it's no good, my friend, they're too much for you;
+they'll cut in just before you get to the opening, and be aboard of you
+like a swarm of wasps.  Oh, Drew! it's horrible!"
+
+"And all our specimens, the work of months, gone."
+
+"Hang the specimens!" cried Oliver.  "I'd give a hundred times as many
+to be on the lugger now with our guns.  A few good shots, and we could
+save him."
+
+"Yes.  Shall we fire now?"
+
+"Pooh!  Shall we throw a few handfuls of sand into the water, or two or
+three stones?  Look! there they go; they're going to drive their prows
+right into her, one on each side, and with their length, speed, and
+weight, they'll crush in her planks like a matchwood box.  I can't bear,
+to see it.  It's horrible."
+
+"I can't; but I must look," cried Drew, piteously.
+
+"Yes, we must look and see the worst," groaned Oliver.  Then stamping
+his foot: "Why are we not there to help him?"
+
+He ceased speaking, and stood leaning forward, with his eyes just above
+the edge of the rock, gazing, fascinated by the scene before him.  There
+were the four vessels all clear in the brilliant sunshine, three of them
+with their prows aimed straight at the fourth, which appeared to be
+doomed as it glided along with its sails well filled, rushing now for
+the opening before it, and the sea.
+
+Closer and closer the canoes on either side, gliding along, with their
+dark sides flecked with silver, and their black crews toiling on with
+wondrous exactitude, on and on with increasing speed, while the third
+canoe slackened, and suddenly was thrown right across the opening, as if
+to block the gateway leading to freedom.  On either side the huge
+breakers glided in softly, and then, as they reached the reef; rose,
+curled over, glistening with green, blue, and gold, as they hung for a
+moment or two on high, and then crashed down into sparkling gems, from
+which diamond dust seemed to rise in a soft vapoury cloud.
+
+But still the collision did not come.  The distance was greater than the
+watchers had allowed for, and in those exciting moments time seemed to
+be long-drawn-out.
+
+"Now it's coming," cried Oliver, at last.  "Good-bye, Rimmer, I liked
+you, after all.  Ah!"
+
+His last ejaculation was quite a wild exciting cry, for the distance
+between the prows of the two canoes, and the sides of the lugger grew
+less and less, and then they seemed to strike and go right through her,
+while imagination painted her crew struggling in the water, to be
+pierced through and through by the spears of the savages.
+
+"Hurrah!" shouted Drew suddenly, and a film of mist which had been
+blurring Oliver Lane's eyes, suddenly cleared away, for though the two
+prows had seemed to go through the lugger, there she was still racing on
+for the gap, while the two canoes partly crossed behind her stern after
+she had dashed between them, and their occupants were curving round to
+go in chase, crossing and taking up their positions on either side
+astern.
+
+"Escaped for the moment, but it's all over," cried Oliver, "they'll take
+her now, she can't get away.  Look, what is Rimmer going to do?  Oh, it
+is madness."
+
+Madness or no, the mate's decision was plain enough to them now, and it
+was evident that he had some faith in the strength of his boat, for
+onward she was rushing straight for the side of the great sixty-foot
+long canoe which blocked the way.  One minute the watchers saw her rise
+up on one of the rollers that came pouring through the opening, the next
+she was nearly lost to sight, but only to rise again upon another, being
+suspended in equilibrium for a few moments and then careening over, she
+dashed down a slope of water, right on to, and as it were, over the long
+narrow canoe and then off and away to sea.
+
+Oliver Lane could hardly believe it for the moment, but it was all true
+enough, there was the _Little Planet_ sailing away, while through the
+opening in the reef the great canoe floated bottom upwards, and the
+white foamy water was seen to be dotted with black heads, whose owners
+were swimming for the wreck of their vessel, or to the two canoes which
+approached them.
+
+"Three cheers for Rimmer," cried Drew, excitedly.
+
+"A hundred if he had played fair," said Oliver, sadly.  "But there it
+is.  You see: he _has_ left us in the lurch."
+
+"Well, yes, I suppose so.  It was very plucky, though, and
+self-preservation is the first law of nature."
+
+"And the last exception in civilisation," said Oliver, bitterly.
+
+"Perhaps so, but I hope he'll get our specimens safe to England."
+
+"And I wish he had shown himself a better man."
+
+"No time for discussion," said Drew, quietly, as he watched the canoes.
+"They're picking up all their wet ones.  My word, how the beggars can
+swim.  Now, then, what have we got to do?"
+
+"Make for the cocoa-nut grove in order to be under cover, and then keep
+along under the trees for the brig, so as to give the alarm."
+
+"Yes, they won't be long, I suppose, before they come ashore.  Will you
+lead, or shall I?"
+
+"Go on," said Oliver.  "Better crawl right on your breast, or we shall
+be seen."
+
+"As we most likely shall be, whether or no."
+
+"Never mind, off!"
+
+Drew dropped flat upon the sand, and, dragging his gun after him, began
+to crawl as fast as he could towards the cocoa-nut grove where the boat
+was hidden, and fortunately the distance was only short, for the sun
+beat down with tremendous force and the glistening coral sand was
+already growing very hot.
+
+"I was never meant for a snake," said Drew, as he painfully dragged
+himself along.  "Ugh, you little wretch!" he cried, and thrusting
+forward his gun, he passed the muzzle under a little short thick viper,
+which lay basking just in his way, sent it flying, pitchfork fashion.
+
+"Poisonous," said Oliver, who noted where the flat, spade headed little
+serpent fell.  "Looks wonderfully like an asp, such as they have in
+Egypt.  Go on faster."
+
+"Can't," grumbled Drew, but he did exert himself, and soon after rose
+with a sigh of relief, well hidden by the grove of trees.
+
+"No, no," cried Oliver.  "Never mind the canoes.  Rimmer's all right
+now.  Why, Drew!"
+
+"Yes?"
+
+"Smith must have been in the lugger and gone off with him."
+
+"Smith?"
+
+"Yes, he took down the guns and ammunition.  We've lost our best man."
+
+They had plenty of opportunity now for keeping under cover, the trees
+having rapidly sent out young shoots along the edge of the forest where
+they could, since the passing of the earthquake wave, enjoy plenty of
+sunshine, and hurrying forward, the pair were not long in catching sight
+of the masts of the brig.
+
+"Keep up," said Oliver suddenly, for soon after they had reached to
+within sight of home Drew had suddenly stopped short.  "What's the
+matter?"
+
+"Don't you see?" was the answer.  "Quick, keep well under cover."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"Look at the mainmast!  There's a danger signal flying."
+
+"Then they have caught sight of the blacks coming on in the distance,
+and it is a warning to us to look sharp."
+
+"It's a warning to us to keep off," cried Drew, excitedly; "and there
+goes another."
+
+Oliver started, and his heart sank, for he saw that at which his
+companion pointed--a puff of white smoke fired from the foretop, and
+directly after there was a dull report.
+
+"Look! look!" he too cried, now excitedly, as he pointed between the
+leaves, for, not half a mile away, and pretty close to the brig, black
+figures were visible, first two or three, then more and more.
+
+"Got here before us," said Drew in a despairing tone.
+
+"No, some more of the black scoundrels must have landed on the other
+side of the island."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY NINE.
+
+SMITH'S "NARROW SQUEAK."
+
+"Lane, old chap," said Drew, "can't Panton turn on the fireworks?"
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"Poke up the volcano and get up a good eruption, so as to sweep these
+wretches away."
+
+"He seems to have already done it," said Oliver, bitterly.  "Haven't you
+noticed that the ground has been all of a quiver for long enough?"
+
+"No, too much worried over getting away.  I wish a good blow up would
+come."
+
+"As bad for us as for the blacks, man.  But what are we to do?"
+
+"I don't know.  What do you say to keeping on along the edge till we are
+opposite to the brig, and then making a rush as you did before?"
+
+"Seems our only chance."
+
+"Or wait till dusk and then try?"
+
+"No, they want our help at the brig as badly as we want theirs.  I think
+we had better creep on slowly.  If we are seen, we must let the enemy
+come close, and then give them four barrels and rush.  They'll cover us
+from the brig."
+
+The plan was decided upon, and keeping along the edge of the forest,
+they went cautiously on, sensible now that the tremulous motion of the
+earth was on the increase, while in addition there came a short sharp
+report from the mountain.
+
+"Won't this scare the niggers?" said Drew as they stopped to
+reconnoitre.
+
+"It doesn't seem to," replied Oliver, as they peered between the trunks
+of some newly-sprung-up palms.  "They're taking it coolly enough."
+
+The blacks were in fact walking about, now gazing toward the brig, now
+along the opening toward the sea.
+
+"Why, I know," cried Drew; "they're waiting for their friends whom we
+saw.  When they come there'll be a general attack."
+
+Oliver was silent for a few moments, as he stood watching the movements
+of the blacks.
+
+"That's it," he said at last.  "Then our plan is to get to the brig at
+once."
+
+He led on now till they were as near as they could get, and as they
+stood in the dark shadow of the forest the question was, had the enemy
+sense enough to invest the vessel and plant sentries all round?  If they
+had, the difficulties were greatly increased; and to solve this problem,
+Oliver made his companion wait, sheltered by a great tree, while he
+crept right to the edge to investigate.
+
+"You'll come back?" said Drew.
+
+"I will if I am left alive," said Oliver, quietly, and then he turned
+his head and was in the act of drawing out his little glass to watch the
+actions of a couple of sun-birds playing merrily about in a narrow sunny
+beam of light, but he checked himself; half-laughing the while.  "Use is
+second nature," he said, and, leaving his gun with Drew, he went down on
+hands and knees and crept cautiously along, dislodging beetles, lizards,
+and more natural history specimens in a few yards than he would in an
+ordinary way in a day.
+
+In a few minutes he was at the extremity of and beneath a great bough,
+with the brilliant sunshine before him, the darkness of the forest
+behind.  There, in front, rising above the low growth and a quarter of a
+mile away, was the brig, with the look-out in the top and a head showing
+here and there, one of which he made out by his glass to be Panton's,
+while it was evident enough that they were well on the _qui vive_.
+
+To Oliver's great joy there was not a black in sight on his side, though
+plainly enough beyond the vessel, they were hanging about in groups and
+all well armed.
+
+As he lay there, sweeping the various objects with his glass, partly for
+signs of danger, partly for places of shelter to which they could creep,
+going from one to the other till they were near enough to make a rush
+for the brig, he marked down quite a series.  There, a short distance
+their side of the brig, were the heaps of wood rejected in the making of
+the lugger; a little nearer a shed-like construction of bamboo and palm
+leaves, erected to shelter the men who were adzing and planing the
+planks.  Then, nearer still, there was a high tuft of newly-grown-up
+grass.  Again, nearer, a hollow, once full of fish, but long since dried
+up, and, nearer still, a freshly-grown clump of bamboos.
+
+"If we can crawl to that unseen, we're all right, and we must risk it at
+once," said Oliver to himself, and then his heart seemed to stand still
+and a horrible feeling of despair came over him, for he suddenly made
+out a slight movement and jerking amongst the bamboo stems, and, fixing
+his glass upon the spot, there, plainly enough, were the soles of a
+man's feet--a scout evidently, lying extended there, watching the brig.
+
+Oliver swept the bamboos on both sides for others of the enemy, but all
+was so still and the space was so small that he came to the conclusion
+at last that there was only one foe concealed there, and with pulses
+beginning to throb now from the exciting thought which came upon him, he
+backed slowly and silently away and made haste to rejoin Drew.
+
+"Well?" said the latter, excitedly.
+
+"Hist!  Sound travels," whispered Oliver, and he hurriedly told all that
+he had seen.
+
+"The brute!" said Drew.  "He is, then, between us and safety."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well," said Drew, sternly, "I would hurt no man if I could help it, but
+that black would not hesitate to kill us and our friends, and in
+addition to saving our own lives, we may perhaps help to save those of
+the others.  Lane, old fellow, do you think we could creep up behind and
+stun the wretch?"
+
+"That was the idea that came to me," said Oliver, hurriedly.  "I don't
+want to, but we must."
+
+"Yes," said Drew, firmly, "we must."
+
+"And at once."
+
+"Come on, then," said Drew.  "No firing; the butts of our pieces."
+
+Oliver nodded with his brow all in wrinkles, and directly after they
+crept to the spot from which Oliver had caught sight of the feet among
+the bamboos, and once more, lying flat down, he examined the edge
+nearest to him, and then handed the glass to Drew, who scanned the spot
+carefully.
+
+"Strange how the insides of the palms of a black's hands and the soles
+of his feet grow to be nearly white," whispered Oliver, whose natural
+history propensities always came to the front, even in times of peril.
+
+"Yes," said Drew, returning the glass, "and I only wish their hearts
+would wear white, too--the murderous wretches.  Ready?"
+
+"Yes, both together, and when we are sheltered by the bamboos from the
+blacks we must rise, take a few quick steps forward together and club
+the wretch."
+
+"Exactly.  No one can see what we do for the canes, and all we want to
+do is to stun him."
+
+"Agreed."
+
+The next minute they were creeping silently and cautiously over the
+sand, keeping their heads well down and gradually nearing the feet,
+which, even as they grew closer, remained the only portions of their
+enemy's body visible.  Every moment they expected to see him take the
+alarm, and if he did, and attacked them, they would club him if they
+could, but it was fully expected that he would take flight, and in that
+case, they determined to follow rapidly, and take their chance of
+getting on board.
+
+But the man was so intent upon his duty of watching the brig, that he
+did not hear; and as they came on and on there were the toes twitching
+and jerking about uneasily, and the bamboos amongst which he lay gently
+waved.
+
+Twenty yards, ten yards, five yards, and now brig and savages were
+hidden by the giant grass.  Oliver turned to Drew, whose face was deadly
+pale, and their eyes met.  Then together they rose, bending in a sloping
+position, held their guns by the barrels, and, keeping step, advanced
+foot by foot, raising their pieces as they nearly reached the tall
+greeny stems and then paused and hesitated, for the same question was
+mentally asked by both,--
+
+"How can we reach to strike this man on the head when we are standing
+close to his feet?"
+
+The same idea came again to both: "We must strike twice."
+
+Then a second plan occurred to Oliver, and making a sign to Drew that he
+should deliver the blow, he softly laid down his gun and reached forward
+to seize one ankle, and suddenly drag the man back.
+
+Drew took a fresh hold of the barrel of his piece, and raised the butt
+to strike, as Oliver's hands hovered within a few inches of the man's
+ankles.
+
+"I shall have to charnsh it, that I shall!"
+
+The two young men stood as if paralysed, and it was some moments before
+Oliver could whisper huskily,--
+
+"Smith!"
+
+The feet were snatched out of sight in an instant, there was a loud
+rustling, and then a face was thrust out of the bamboos above where the
+man's feet had been, and just as a bellowing roar came from the mountain
+and the earth trembled beneath their feet.
+
+"Why, gentlemen; you?" whispered Smith, for it was indeed he.
+
+"Yes: we thought you were on board the lugger, and nearly killed you."
+
+"Then that was a narrow squeak, gentlemen.  And I've been thinking as I
+was going to be baked instead.  I was on my way with the guns, when I
+ketches sight of a drove of these here ugly black pigs, and they chevied
+me, but, fortunately, I'd got a good start, and run in among the trees,
+where, somehow or other, they couldn't find me, and at last they give it
+up, and here have I been tryin' to crawl within reach of the brig, so as
+to make a run for it, and get aboard."
+
+"Our plan, too, Smith.  We were on our way," said Oliver, "when we saw
+your toes."
+
+"And I was going to kill you for a savage, when you spoke," whispered
+Drew.
+
+"Then I'm glad I did speak, sir.  My old dad used to say it was a bad
+habit to think aloud, but it don't seem to be so arter all."
+
+"We can't do better than creep on," said Drew.
+
+"Yes, and now's our time," said Oliver, excitedly, for a loud shouting
+was heard, and on peering through the waving bamboos, they could see a
+party of about a hundred of the blacks coming down from the sea, while
+those who were on the other side of the brig started off running to meet
+them.
+
+"Quick, all together!" cried Oliver, and flat on their faces, and
+crawling whenever there was no cover, the three began to make their way
+toward the vessel, reaching patch after patch of bush unseen in the
+excitement--the blacks' attention being so much taken off--till the
+shed, and then the heaps of wood were reached.
+
+"Now for it!" whispered Oliver.  "Jump up and run!"
+
+His order was obeyed, and their sudden appearance was as startling to
+Panton, and the crew of the _Planet_, as to the blacks who were now a
+couple of hundred yards on the other side, but who now ran back, yelling
+furiously.
+
+"Quick, ropes, and haul us up!" shouted Oliver, and a terribly long
+space of time elapsed, or seemed to, before three ropes were cast over
+the bulwarks, and seized.
+
+"Haul away!" roared Smith, "or they'll have us, lads!" and it was a very
+close shave, for, as they were run up, the savages reached the brig's
+side, and seizing the ropes, began to drag, expecting to pull the
+fugitives down.
+
+But by this time they had seized the bulwarks, and as a spear and club
+were thrown, swung themselves over on to the deck, to help in a kind of
+game of French and English, ending by their jerking the ropes out of the
+blacks' hands, and sending them to the right about, with a volley from
+the ready guns.
+
+"My dear boys," cried Panton, wringing his friends' hands as soon as he
+was at liberty.  "I was afraid I was left in the lurch."
+
+"Why?" said Oliver.
+
+"No, no, I mean that you were all killed.  Where's Mr Rimmer?--don't
+say he's dead."
+
+"I would almost rather have to say so," said Oliver, "for he seems to
+have forsaken us."
+
+"Gone?"
+
+"Yes; in the lugger, and run for it."
+
+"To get help, or come back in the dark to help us."
+
+"That's what I want to think," said Oliver, "but it is so hard to do so,
+after what I have seen."
+
+"Never mind that now," cried Panton, excitedly.  "The niggers are
+reinforced--so are we, though, thank goodness--and before long they'll
+make a big attack.  We've had two or three little ones, with no
+particular luck on either side.  Ready to fight?"
+
+"Of course."
+
+"Then take a station, and mind this, we can't afford to show mercy.
+It's war to the knife, our lives or theirs."
+
+They soon had abundant evidence that this was to be the case, for before
+they had much time to think, there was a loud yelling and the brig was
+surrounded by a gesticulating mob of savages, who advanced, sending
+their arrows sharply against the sides of the vessel, shaking their war
+clubs, and making fierce darts with their spears wherever they imagined
+a white to be crouched.
+
+This went on for an hour or two, and as no real danger threatened so
+long as they did not attempt to scale the sides, the firing was
+withheld, and Panton and his lieutenant, Oliver Lane, contented
+themselves with finishing the elaborate arrangements made against attack
+by the mate with a plan or two of their own, which consisted in filling
+some small preserved fish tins with powder, adding a piece of fuse, and
+keeping them ready for lighting when the right moment came.
+
+It came long before evening, for at last, satisfied that they would not
+be able to frighten the defenders of the brig into a surrender, the
+blacks made a furious attack, crowding to one side more especially, and
+trying to scale the bulwarks.
+
+And now, as the arrows came in a shower over the attacking party's
+heads, firing became general, and watching their opportunity just as
+matters were getting very critical, the place of every man shot down
+being taken by a dozen more, Oliver and Panton both held the ends of the
+fuses they had prepared to the candle in a lantern.  They saw that they
+were well alight, and then, as calmly as if there were no danger
+whatever of the contents exploding, bore them to the side, with the men
+shrinking away, and cast them over, right into the most crowded part of
+the attack.
+
+A fierce yelling followed, and in place of running away, the poor
+ignorant wretches crowded round these strange-looking missiles which had
+been sent into their midst.
+
+The next minute there was a terrific roar, followed almost directly by
+another which seemed to shake the ship, and then a complete stampede,
+the blacks who were uninjured helping their wounded comrades off to the
+shelter of the forest, and leaving many dead behind.
+
+"Saved!" cried Panton.  "They won't face that again."
+
+"Yes, they will," said Oliver sadly.  "Depend upon it, this is only a
+temporary scare."
+
+"Then we'll get ready some more for them.  I'm growing bloodthirsty now,
+and we'll defend the brig to the last."
+
+The men cheered at this, and watched with interest the making of fresh
+shells, but the afternoon wore on and evening came without a sign of a
+black, and at last hopes began to be entertained that the enemy had
+fled, so they all partook of a hearty meal.
+
+"It's the darkness I dread," said Oliver, soon after sundown, as he and
+his friends stood together watching all around, and now and then
+mistaking shadows for coming enemies.
+
+It must have been two hours after dark, though, before there was any
+fresh cause for alarm, and it arrived just as Panton had confidentially
+said,--
+
+"Some of us may sleep, for there'll be no attack to-night."
+
+"Beg pardon, Mr Oliver Lane, sir," said a voice at their elbow.
+
+"Yes, what is it?"
+
+"Billy Wriggs, sir.  Ever since he had that swim in the black cavern,
+his hyes has been like your little glasses.  Here, Billy, tell the gents
+just what you says you see."
+
+"'Undred niggers a crawlin' along like harnts, sir, each one with a big
+faggit on his back, and if they arn't a comin' to burn us out, I'm a
+Dutchman."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTY.
+
+THE GREAT PERIL.
+
+It was the terrible danger foretold by the mate, and dreaded by Oliver,
+coming when Mr Rimmer was away with his men, and unable to help his
+companions.
+
+For the sailor's eyes, long trained to watching through the darkness,
+had told the truth, there were the blacks slowly advancing, armed with
+those simple but deadly weapons, bundles of the most inflammable
+materials they could cut in the forest.  There they came, stealing along
+in a line, crawling like insects toward the bows of the ship, with all a
+savage's cunning, for they were pointed toward the west, whence the
+night breeze now blew strongly, and in utter silence first one and then
+another thrust his load close against the vessel and passed on into the
+darkness.
+
+For a few minutes, the besieged gazed down over their breastwork of
+planking bewildered by the danger.  They might have fired and shot many
+of their assailants, but they knew that would not save them, for the
+whole party kept persistently piling up the faggots, and though Oliver
+and his friends did not know it, passing round the brig to go back
+straight from the stern to the spot whence they had issued from the
+forest to fetch more faggots, so that there were soon two lines, one
+coming laden toward the bows, the other returning from the stern.
+
+"Buckets," said Oliver, suddenly.  "Form lines to the water tanks."
+
+The men leaped with alacrity to the task, and in a very short time the
+buckets were being filled and passed along to where Smith and Wriggs
+bravely mounted on to the bowsprit and poured the water down upon the
+increasing heap.
+
+"Give it a good souse round, Billy," said Smith, "and wet all yer can."
+
+"Ay, ay," was the reply, and _splash, splash_ went the water, as the
+buckets were passed up and returned empty, producing a great deal of
+whispering from below, but no missiles were sent up, and the blacks
+worked on with the advantage that their supply was inexhaustible, while
+that of the unfortunate defenders was failing fast.
+
+"Water's done," cried Drew, suddenly, "only a few more buckets."
+
+"Save them, then," said Panton, sharply.
+
+"Yes," said Oliver, "Now, then, Panton, try one of your shells to blow
+the heap of faggots away."
+
+"Good," cried Panton, and he ran to get one of the powder-filled tins
+just as a couple of fire-flies of a different kind were seen to be
+gliding toward the vessel from the nearest point in the forest.
+
+"No," said Oliver, addressing Smith, who had not spoken, but after
+hurling down the last bucket of water had seized his gun once more.
+"Those are not fire-flies but fire sticks."
+
+"Yes, sir, they're a-goin' to light us up, so that we can see to shoot
+some of the beggars, for up to now, it would ha' been like aiming at
+shadders.  Is it begin, sir?"
+
+"No, wait till Mr Panton has thrown down the powder."
+
+Smith drew a long breath, and just as the two bright points of light
+disappeared under the faggot heap, piled now right up among the tarry
+stays beneath the bowsprit, Panton came up with his lighted fuse.
+
+"Now," he said, "down by the side or right atop?"
+
+"Down beside it, or it will do more harm to us than to them."
+
+"Here goes," said Panton, and steadily giving the fuse a good puff which
+lit up his face, he pitched the shell gently, so that it should roll
+down beyond the faggots, and they watched it as it went down and down
+with the fuse hissing and sputtering as it burned.
+
+"Now, then," cried Oliver, "down: everyone flat on the deck."
+
+"No go," said Panton sharply.  "I heard the fuse hiss: it fell right in
+the water beneath."
+
+At that moment one of the dry, freshly-thrown faggots, of those the
+blacks kept on steadily piling up, began to blaze, then to crackle and
+roar, and directly after a blinding, pungent smoke arose, and set dead
+on the bows and over the deck, driving the defenders away.
+
+The next minute the pile was hissing and roaring with increasing fury,
+and, as the surroundings were illumined, the blacks could be seen
+running now, each with his faggot, which he threw on to the heap, where
+the fire grew fiercer and fiercer, and licked up the water which clung
+to the lower layer, as if it had been so much oil.
+
+"The powder, the powder!" yelled Wriggs.
+
+"It's of no use, my man," cried Oliver, "it would only increase the
+fire."
+
+"Hadn't we better shoot some of the beggars down, sir?" said Smith.
+
+"What would be the good?" replied Oliver.  "Even if we killed a dozen or
+two we should be no better off.  Now, every man be ready with his gun,
+in case they try to swarm on deck."
+
+He motioned his devoted band a little back, for Panton somehow resigned
+everything into his hands now, and there by the bright light they drew
+away aft, facing outward, ready for their first assailant.
+
+But attack now seemed to be far from the intentions of the enemy; they
+had delivered their assault, and with patient energy they kept on
+pertinaciously bearing more and more faggots to the pile, even when the
+task had become unnecessary.  For the great sheets of flame curved over
+the bulwarks, and the unfortunate defenders had the mortification of
+seeing that the boards and planks, all carefully nailed up under the
+mate's directions, were so much inflammable matter to feed the flames,
+which began to roar now like a furnace, as the bowsprit, with its well
+tarred ropes and stays, caught, and the figure-head and fore part of the
+vessel were well alight.
+
+"On'y one thing'd save her now, Billy," said Smith, coolly.
+
+"What's that, mate, blowin' of her up?"
+
+"Nay, a good header into a big wave."
+
+He was quite right, for moment by moment the furnace-like heat
+increased, and the fire could be seen burning slowly up the stays toward
+the fore mast, with drops of burning tar beginning to rain down on the
+deck.
+
+"Anyone got anything down below he wants to save?" cried one of the men,
+as they were gradually beaten back, and there was a movement towards the
+forecastle hatch.
+
+"Stop!" shouted Oliver.  "Are you all mad?  The cabin there is in a
+blaze."
+
+It was too true; the forepart of the brig was well alight now, and the
+flames eating their way slowly and steadily toward the stern.
+
+"Be ready, all of you," said Oliver, the next minute.
+
+"What are you going to do?" asked Panton.
+
+"Throw one of the small kegs into the fire.  Then, as it goes off, we
+must all drop down from the gangway, and fight our way to the south
+opening in the woods.  I daresay we can get some distance under the
+cover of the smoke and confusion."
+
+"Good," cried Panton.  "It is our only chance.  This vessel will be a
+pile of ashes in an hour's time."
+
+That was evident to all, for the heat was growing tremendous, and even
+as Panton spoke the flames were running rapidly up the rigging of the
+foremast, which promised soon to be in a blaze right to the truck.
+
+The smoke, too, was blinding, but when they could get a glance over the
+side, there were the blacks still silently toiling away, hurling on the
+faggots of wood which were licked up in a few moments, as with a
+crackling roar they added to the fierceness of the blaze.
+
+And now, without a word, the little keg of powder was got up from the
+stores where it had been carefully stowed along with the cases of
+cartridges and the captain's tiny armoury.
+
+Panton went with Smith to bring it up, the latter carrying it and
+placing it upon the deck while the sparks and flakes of fire flew
+overhead in a continuous stream, some of them lodging upon the furled
+sails, forming specks of fire which soon began to glow, telling that
+before many minutes had elapsed the main mast would become a pyramid of
+flame.
+
+"I don't know how it's to be done now," said Panton.  "No one could go
+near enough to the fire to fling it in."
+
+"I'll scheme that, sir," said Smith, "if you'll let me."
+
+"No," said Oliver, "I will not let any man run risks.  Stop: I know," he
+cried.
+
+"How?" asked Panton.
+
+"Stand ready there, right aft," said Oliver.  "Get plenty of ropes over
+the stern rail, and we must escape there when the powder explodes."
+
+"But how will you manage with the keg?"
+
+"I'll show you," said Oliver, and while ropes were made fast to the
+belaying-pins and stays, and cast over the stern in a dozen places, he
+took Smith and Wriggs with him bearing one of the longest planks that
+could be torn down above the bulwarks.  The end of this was rested upon
+the cover of the deck-house, seven feet above the deck, the other thrust
+forward to where the flames were eating their way along, and showing
+that below, the forecastle and hold were rapidly becoming a furnace of
+fire.
+
+"Now give me the keg," said Oliver, and Smith handed it up to where he
+climbed on the deck-house, and it was placed there on end, the young
+man's figure showing up in the brilliant glow of light, and offering an
+easy mark to any savage who liked to draw a bow.
+
+But no arrow came flying, and Oliver, whose plan was now grasped, sent
+his companions aft to the ropes, to stand ready to save themselves when
+the critical moment came.  Every man was well armed, and his pockets and
+wallet crammed with cartridges, and the orders were as soon as they had
+dropped from the stern to follow Panton as he led them towards the
+opening in the wood, some hundreds of yards from the spot whence the
+line of blacks still brought their faggots.
+
+"For goodness' sake be careful," cried Panton, turning to where Oliver
+stood.  "You'll act at once, will you not? the heat here is stifling."
+
+"Directly you get back to your place.  Then I shall join you, and Drew
+and I will form the rear guard.  Now, then, off with you, and God help
+us."
+
+Panton reached up to wring his hand, and then, with the mainmast
+overhead already beginning to burn, he ran aft.
+
+There was no time to spare, for the fire was creeping astern with
+wonderful rapidity, and, after a glance downward at the deck, Oliver
+lifted the keg and held it carefully balanced upon the top of the
+sloping plank, whose lower end was now just beginning to burn.  For the
+space of quite a minute he held it with a fire in front scorching his
+brow, and the sparks rushing overhead on what was now a fierce wind.
+Then, when he had it perfectly balanced to his satisfaction, he let go
+with both hands, and the keg remained stationary for an instant.  Then
+it began to roll down the plank faster and faster, and ended by
+literally bounding off the burning deck as it reached the bottom of the
+plank and plunging right into the fiery furnace that had been the
+forecastle.
+
+Oliver stayed till he saw the keg disappear, and then swung himself down
+and ran to where his friends were waiting.
+
+"Over!" cried Panton, and the men dropped from the stern, just as there
+was a tremendous roar and a rush of flame; sparks and burning pieces of
+timber rose from the forepart of the ship, followed by the burning
+foremast, which fortunately fell over toward the bows, sending the
+blacks flying.
+
+"All here?" said Panton, in a low voice, but no one spoke, and for a few
+minutes the darkness seemed intense, as huge clouds of smoke rolled up
+from where the fire had blazed so fiercely.  "Then off!" but before they
+were far on their way, the flames burst forth again with fury, lighting
+up the open flat across which they retreated, and a yell arose.
+
+"Now, steady," cried Panton.  "Double.  When I cry halt, we'll turn and
+give them a volley.  Then another run, loading as we go.  You there,
+Lane?"
+
+"All right."
+
+They ran till the blacks began to press them, halted, checked the enemy
+with a volley, ran on loading, and turned again, the evolution being so
+successful that at last they reached the opening in the forest without
+losing a man.  Here they gave the enemy another volley, reloaded, and
+now in single file, led by Panton, entered the dense shades.
+
+"Where to?" said Oliver to Drew.
+
+"Safety, I hope," was the reply.
+
+"Safety.  We have not a scrap of food, only ammunition.  Yes, we have,"
+he cried more cheerily, "stout hearts and plenty of faith.  We can
+easily keep the enemy at bay, too, along here."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTY ONE.
+
+AN END TO DIFFICULTIES.
+
+Daylight found the little party steadily advancing, but the blacks were
+in pursuit, and Oliver passed along the line to have a short conference
+with Panton, leaving Drew, Smith, and Wriggs to form the rear guard.
+
+"Glad to see you, old fellow," said Panton.  "I was afraid I had said
+good-bye when you were left with that powder keg."
+
+"But I haven't a scratch, only a little burn.  What are you going to
+do?"
+
+"Get to the shore if I can, and try and find and take possession of
+their canoes."
+
+"Impossible," said Oliver, decisively.  "Look here, we are on the way to
+the old crater.  Let's get to that natural fort.  Once up there and
+inside the great volcano wall we can easily keep these wretches at bay,
+and they cannot burn us out there."
+
+"No, but--"
+
+"We must give them a severe lesson, and beat them off.  It is our only
+chance."
+
+"Anything for the best," said Panton.  "Very well, then, I'll turn off,
+and we'll hold that piece you remember where it was so steep, and--"
+
+"Yes, just where the leopard sprang out."
+
+"Good," cried Panton, and he went on at the head of the men, while
+Oliver halted till Smith and Wriggs came up with Drew.
+
+"Speak the truth, Tommy," Wriggs was saying.  "Yer can't be hungry
+enough to eat a black, so don't tell no lies."
+
+"Where are we for?" said Drew, anxiously.
+
+"The old crater, to make that a fort."
+
+"Hooroar," said Smith, in a low voice.  "Splendid.  Billy, old chap,
+that place was just runnin' in my head, as being a good spot for a
+fight."
+
+"Then the sooner we are there, the better," said Drew, "for the wretches
+are close behind."
+
+"And going to shoot," said Oliver, raising his piece, and firing back
+both barrels rapidly, the buck shot with which they were charged
+breaking through the leaves and twigs and eliciting a savage yell.
+
+"He's got it, Billy," said Smith, "and sarve him right."
+
+Some little trifle later, after being much harassed, the retreating
+party were offering themselves as prominent marks to the blacks, as they
+climbed up the outer slope of the old crater, but very soon after they
+began to reach shelter, and at last they lined the top of the mouldering
+wall, while the blacks hesitated to approach, for the deadly powers of
+the whites' guns had become more and more acknowledged.  Hence the
+fugitives were glad to rest a little, and refresh with water from the
+lake and such scraps of food as they happened to have, though the
+refreshment was principally black-looking pig-tail tobacco, Smith and
+Wriggs having their pipes and beginning to smoke.
+
+The hours glided on, and at first every now and then an arrow was shot
+with bad aim into the natural fortification, but by degrees these were
+less frequent, and at last the only sign made by the enemy was a little
+group of men armed with club and spear watching them from the bottom of
+the slope.
+
+"What do they mean to do?" said Oliver.  "Starve us out?"
+
+"Seems like it," said Panton.  "Well, it won't take long, unless we can
+live on water.  Wonder whether there are any fish below here in the
+lake?"
+
+"If there are, we have no means of catching them," said Oliver, sadly.
+"I'm thinking that our only chance is to assume the aggressive now, and
+drive them off the island."
+
+"I'm afraid there would not be many of us left to do the driving, before
+we had finished," said Panton.
+
+_Boom!  Crash_!
+
+"Ah, if you would erupt in real earnest, and frighten the black ruffians
+away, you would be doing some good," he continued, as the volcano made
+itself evident.
+
+"Hi, look out!" cried one of the men.  "They're coming on again."  For a
+sudden movement was visible in the group below them, and they had hardly
+seized their weapons to bring them to bear, when Smith suddenly uttered
+another warning shout, as he came back from the edge of the lake to
+which he had descended for a drink.
+
+"All right, we see them," cried Oliver.
+
+"No, you don't, sir!" yelled the sailor.  "Look! look yonder."
+
+A chill of despair ran through all as they glanced in the direction
+pointed out by Smith, for there, coming rapidly round by the edge of the
+lake, were some fifty of the enemy, who had evidently kept their
+attention while a part of their force had managed to penetrate the dense
+forest, to where they could scale the crater wall nearly on the opposite
+side, and then descend to the lake, so as to come and take them in the
+rear.
+
+"What shall we do, face both ways and fight?" said Panton.
+
+"Madness!" cried Oliver.  "There's hope for us yet.  This way."
+
+He began to descend rapidly, and then led the party along by the side of
+the lake, leaping from stone to stone, till he reached the spot where
+the waters flowed out slowly into the cave.
+
+"In with you, quickly!" he cried; but some of the men hesitated.  "Lead
+the way, Smith, and we'll cover you.  Quick!"
+
+Smith plunged in, and now his messmates followed, and so hardly were
+they pressed that the foremost blacks came bounding up just as Oliver
+and Panton backed slowly in, keeping their pieces towards the entrance,
+and firing twice as some of the enemy began to follow.
+
+These shots and the darkness checked them, and they vented their
+disappointment by howling with rage, and sending arrow after arrow
+splintering against the roof or rocky sides, and making the hollows echo
+dismally.
+
+With a little care, though, sufficient distance was soon placed between
+the fugitives and their pursuers, while a bend in the passage-like
+entrance protected them from the arrows, which were deflected as they
+struck the walls, and after a time these ceased, and all waited for the
+next development of the attack.
+
+"They will not dare to come in here," Drew said; "these people are too
+superstitious to enter such a hole."
+
+"Not when they have lights," said Oliver, sadly.  "Smith, can you lead
+the men farther in?  You know the way.  Forward."
+
+It was time, for all at once bright rays flashed from the surface of the
+little river, and shone upon the rocky walls, as with shout and yell the
+blacks once more came on, and though shot after shot was fired they
+still pressed forward, evidently determined to avenge the deaths of so
+many of their party.
+
+But the burning wood they bore helped the retreating party, and rendered
+the bearers plain objects for the marksmen, while the deafening roar of
+echoes after every discharge had its effect, and checked the savages
+more than seeing one or two of their number drop.
+
+But still they came on, forcing the little party back till the sharp
+bend was reached, and all passed round into absolute darkness and the
+fearful roar of the failing waters.
+
+"They'll never come along here, surely," said Panton, with his lips to
+his companion's ear, as they slowly retreated, backing, hand in hand,
+and guiding themselves by one passing his foot along the edge of the
+river's bank.
+
+It was a vain hope, for lights soon flashed round, and the great
+cavernous place was more and more lit up, the shadowy black figures
+darting here and there, and sending an arrow whenever they fancied they
+could see one of the sailors.
+
+"Our last chance," shouted Panton, excitedly.  "We must stand at bay
+yonder, on the point, and sell our lives dearly.  We'll wait till they
+come close up, and then begin sending volleys, half firing while the
+others reload.  What do you say!"
+
+"That is what I thought," said Oliver, "but would it be possible to go
+on?"
+
+"What, past the falls?  Impossible."
+
+"It's that or death," said Oliver, sternly.--"Yes?  What is it?"
+
+"I says, would you like me to show 'em the way now, sir?" yelled Wriggs
+in his ear, for he had edged up unseen.
+
+"What, down there, man?" said Oliver, with a shudder, as he looked over
+into the darkness.  "Impossible."
+
+"Which it aren't, sir, for I've done it."
+
+The burning pieces of wood increased in number now, lighting up the huge
+cavern weirdly, and the blacks were not a hundred yards away, and
+approaching cautiously.
+
+"What do you say, Panton--fight or run that horrible risk and retreat?"
+
+"I'd say fight," replied Panton, with a shudder, "but we should not beat
+them off.  They'd never dare to follow here.  Let's try it.  Wriggs got
+through, why should not we?"
+
+"Yes, go on," cried Oliver.  "You cannot talk to the men, and it's as
+well they do not know the danger.  Lead on, Wriggs, and Heaven help us
+all."
+
+It was as he said, no one but Smith fully realised what the dangers
+were, and though they were staggered by the noise and horrors around
+them, the men knew that there was a way through, and, following their
+comrade's example, they lowered themselves down over the edge of the
+rock and dropped, the stream seeming less repellent than the ferocious
+enemy.
+
+One by one they dropped down, disappearing directly as if suddenly
+snatched away, till only Smith was left with the three friends, and his
+action was suggestive, for he held out his hand to each in turn, shook
+that placed within it, and then, grasping his gun, lowered himself over
+the edge.
+
+The blacks were very near as Drew followed the man's example, and then
+Panton shook hands with Oliver.
+
+"Good-bye, or _au revoir_," he cried, and turning, he jumped boldly
+forward into the darkness.
+
+A loud yell arose now, for the lights showed Oliver standing on the
+brink, and, lowering their spears, a dozen savages rushed at him, but he
+stepped off the rock edge, descended quickly for some distance, and then
+plunged into the rushing water, which seemed to rise at him, seize him,
+and bear him along at a rapidly increasing rate, but with his head above
+the surface, and the echoing roar of falling waters striking his ears
+with stunning violence.  Then he felt himself suddenly shot out as it
+were into space, suffocated by the rushing torrent, which poured down
+upon him, and faint, bewildered, and exhausted, whirled round, and
+beaten down here and there.  At last his face was above the surface, and
+he was being borne rapidly along a shallow stream, just as Wriggs had
+described, with its smooth, glassy bottom.
+
+Hope sprang up within his breast once more, for he could breathe again
+at such times as he could get his head above the rapids; what was more,
+he could fight for his life against an enemy more merciful than the
+cascade over which he had been dashed.
+
+But it was a terrible struggle for breath in the darkness of the vast
+tunnel through which he was being hurried, and though from time to time
+he touched smooth, water-worn rock, he could get no hold.
+
+At length, after how long he could not tell, he became conscious that
+the now swift, smooth stream was growing shallower, and recalling the
+sailor's words, after many efforts he managed to gain and retain his
+feet, wading onward, and sufficiently recovered to listen for the sound
+of pursuit, of which there was none.
+
+The noise, too, was dying out.  There was a deep, murmuring roar, and
+the low, whispering rush, but that was all.
+
+And now the confusion in Oliver's brain seemed to clear off.  His
+efforts to preserve life so far had been instinctive; from this moment
+there was more method.  He began as he groped along to make use of the
+gun to which he still clung, as a staff, but he had not taken many steps
+onward in the way the water pressed and which he knew must be toward
+daylight when self was forgotten, and the thought of his comrades made
+him feel ready to sink helplessly once more and let the stream carry him
+where it would.
+
+Panton--Drew--the two rough sailors who had been such faithful
+companions--the rest of the crew?  Was he the only survivor?
+
+"Ahoy-y-y-y-y!"
+
+A long-drawn, hollow, echoing hail came from a distance out of the
+darkness, and it was repeated again and again, before he could command
+himself and reply.  For his throat seemed to be contracted--relief--
+joy--gratitude to Heaven, combined to make him, in his weak exhausted
+state, hysterical, and his answering shout was feeble in the extreme.
+
+But it was heard, and another hail came, which he answered with more
+vigour, and the knowledge that help was not far away nerved him to fresh
+efforts.  These were encouraged by hail after hail, hoarse, hollow, and
+terrible, as they were repeated, till all at once a voice sent a thrill
+of delight through him, for he recognised it, and its words,--
+
+"Where are you, sir?  This way."
+
+"Here!  Who is it?" cried Oliver, hoarsely.  "Smith?"
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!  Both on us.  Me and Billy Wriggs.  Hah!  I got yer.
+Three cheers, Billy, and give it throat.  Why, we began to think you was
+nabbed by the niggers or else drown dead."
+
+"Success to yer, sir," came in a hoarse voice.  "Wait till we gets him
+out, Tommy, and then we'll cheer, ho!"
+
+"Mr Panton--Mr Drew--the others?" cried Oliver, as he clung to the man
+who had grasped him by the arms.
+
+"Oh, they're all right, sir."
+
+"Nay, nay, speak the truth, Tommy," growled Wriggs, whose hoarse voice
+sounded awful in the black echoing darkness.
+
+"Don't you be so nation tickler, Billy," cried the other angrily.
+"Well, they aren't quite all right, being as you may say regular washed
+out, but they've all alive 'o!"
+
+"Far as we knows, sir," interposed Wriggs.  "But you step forrard, sir,
+and lets get out o' this here waterworks' pipe."
+
+"Is--is it far to the light?" asked Oliver.
+
+"Not it, sir.  Clost here."
+
+"Speak the truth, Tommy, speak the truth," growled Wriggs.
+
+"You won't be happy, Billy, till I gives you one on the nose.  Well,
+sir, it aren't so werry far, an' fore long you'll be able to see the
+light a shinin' in, where Billy here stood up to his knees a ketchin' on
+us all as we come down stream, and settin' on us all in a row, on a bit
+of a shelf to dry a bit, 'fore we went any furder."
+
+"You helped, Tommy."
+
+"Well, yes, soon as I'd let about two barrels o' water run out o' me."
+
+"Speak the truth, Tommy."
+
+"Oh, well, one barrel, then," cried Smith, angrily.  "I'll say half a
+pannikin, if you like.  Yes, sir, I helped a bit, and counted us as we
+was ketched, and then as you didn't come, Billy and me come arter yer
+and here yer are."
+
+"Which is the truth, Tommy, lad, so stick to that."
+
+They journeyed on till there was a faint dawn of light on ahead, which
+grew lighter and lighter as they waded forward, till the water, lava and
+pumice of the arched-over roof became visible.  Then there was a hail
+which was answered, and at last in the twilight the figures of their
+comrades could be seen seated on the lava edge of the subterranean
+river, one standing in the middle, evidently gazing anxiously toward the
+inner portions of the cavern.
+
+In all thankfulness hands were grasped, and then the party waded on,
+wash, wash with the rapid stream, now not knee deep.  The light grew
+stronger and stronger, till at last there was a bright flash along the
+smooth water, a sharp bend was turned, and some hundred yards before
+them there was a low arch laced with ferns, opening out upon blue water
+and sunshine.
+
+This was approached in silence and with great caution, fresh cartridges
+were placed in the well-drained guns, though doubts were felt as to
+their being of any use, if the savages knew of the exit of the waters,
+and were lying in wait.
+
+But all was still, and as they crept on with Panton and Drew now taking
+the lead, and all feeling as if light were the great reviver of all, the
+opening was approached, and they stepped out into the daylight where the
+little river ran on along its narrow path in the jungle--a path they
+followed for a time, the growth being too dense on either side for the
+dry land to be sought.
+
+Then all at once Panton halted, and held up his hand for silence.
+
+There was no need, for they had heard voices from somewhere forward, and
+in despair they stood gazing out at the sunlit lagoon, feeling that a
+more desperate fight than ever was before them now when they were
+utterly exhausted, and their ammunition probably spoiled.
+
+"Ah!  Thank Heaven!" cried Oliver, springing forward through the water
+with all his weakness gone, and now the men cheered frantically.  For
+there in front gliding into sight, and not a hundred yards away, was the
+lugger with two men visible, and these heard and returned the cheer.
+
+As in Oliver's case every one forgot his weakness and exhaustion, in his
+efforts to wade out toward the lugger which was steered to meet them
+through the warm sunny water, and they climbed on board.
+
+"Where's Mr Rimmer?" was Oliver's first question.
+
+"Just close handy somewhere," was the reply.  "He landed an hour ago,
+sir, to try and find some way through the forest, so that we could come
+across to-night and get to you at the brig."
+
+"Ahoy!  Look yonder!" cried Panton, and he waved his hand to a figure on
+a point about a mile along the lagoon, signalling with his hat at the
+end of a bamboo.
+
+The helm was put down, and the lugger glided softly over the smooth
+water between the thickly wooded shore and the surf-beaten reef, to
+where Mr Rimmer waded out to meet them.
+
+"You see, he had not forsaken us," said Oliver, in a whisper to his
+friends.
+
+"Ah, at last," cried the mate, springing on board, and eagerly grasping
+the young men's hands.  "I was getting in despair about you."
+
+"And we about you," said Oliver.  "I thought you had left us in the
+lurch."
+
+"Just what I should do," said the mate, grimly.  "How was I to come to
+your help with a pocket knife and a marlin-spike?  Those were all the
+arms we had."
+
+"What?" cried Oliver.  "Where were the guns that Smith brought?"
+
+"Never brote none, sir," cried Smith.  "Didn't I tell yer the niggers
+cut me off, when you found me with my toes a-sticking out of the
+bamboos?"
+
+No other explanation was needed, for the mate soon told them how he had
+sailed round the island, and been trying again and again to communicate.
+The next question was, what was to be done?
+
+That was soon decided.  The brig was by that time a heap of ashes, and
+it was madness to think of attacking and punishing the savages; so after
+a hearty meal, and some rest, the lugger was anchored for the night in
+the sheltered waters of the lagoon, prior to an early start next morning
+for one or other of the isles to the east.
+
+But they were not destined to rest in peace.  Soon after midnight, the
+water began to be disturbed, the mountain burst into a frightful state
+of eruption, and the sea rose and fell so that there was every prospect
+of their being cast on the island, high and dry once more.
+
+There was plenty of light for the evolutions, so hoisting sails which
+looked orange in the glow, they ran for the first opening they could
+find in the reef, passed through in safety, and stood out to sea, where
+they lay to a few miles away, watching the awfully grand display of
+fire, rising fountain-like from the volcano, down whose sides golden and
+blood-red water seemed to be running in streams.
+
+All that night the lugger rocked with the terrible concussions,
+succeeding each other without half a minute's interval, and when the sun
+rose the glasses showed a great smoke rising from a desolate-looking
+shore, at one end of which the mountain, about half its former height,
+was pouring forth clouds of ashes and covering the sea thickly as far as
+eye could reach.
+
+The glorious groves and bright scenery were gone, destroyed in a few
+hours, and the strange convulsions which kept on occurring, rendered it
+necessary to run as rapidly as could be for safer waters and brighter
+skies.
+
+As the day went on an island was reached, and an addition made to their
+provisions and water.  A few days later they were at the British port in
+New Guinea, where they once more provisioned for their run south to get
+within the shelter of the Great Barrier Reef.
+
+Brisbane was made, and then Sydney, from which port a passage was taken
+for home, where all arrived in safety with the grandest set of Natural
+History specimens ever collected in one voyage.
+
+"I do wonder what became of those blacks," said Panton, one evening when
+they were dining with Captain Rimmer, to celebrate his appointment to a
+fine vessel in the China trade, in which he was to start the following
+week, and in which he had laughingly offered them a cabin for three.
+
+"Nothing would please me better," he had said, "and you will find your
+old friends Smith and Wriggs with me as boatswain and his mate."
+
+But appointments at scientific institutions kept the three friends at
+home, and it was in the course of conversation that Panton alluded to
+the blacks.
+
+"Ah, and I wonder what became of all those wondrous butterflies and
+birds?"
+
+"And the wealth of vegetation?" said Drew.
+
+"Swept away, sir," said the captain, "swept away.  Strange things take
+place where there are burning mountains."
+
+"But out of the ruins fresh natural glories grow," said Panton.
+
+"Yes," said Oliver, "and I suppose all things are for the best.  But I
+should have liked to go with you, Captain Rimmer, to see Fire Island
+once again."
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Fire Island, by G. Manville Fenn
+
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