rs. 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 h