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 b