you hurt?"

"Nothing much; a little scorched."

Sir John held up one of his feet, and Jack could see that the leather of
the boots was crushed up and drawn out of shape, while this drawing his
attention to his own feet, which he now felt were uncomfortable and
strange, he saw that his heavy boots were wrinkled up in the same way.

But they had to hurry their steps down the mountain side, for an
earthquake-like quivering made the earth feel as if a wave was running
beneath them, while in quick succession two thunderous explosions came
from below; huge stones were thrown high in the air, and could be heard
falling back into the crater with an awe-inspiring sound.

There was no temptation to pause and watch what was evidently the
commencement of an eruption, and which might at any moment grow in
force, so every effort was made to reach the shore, as nearly as they
could judge about the part of the island off which the yacht was
expected to lie.

They were fortunate on hitting upon one of the ravines which scored the
mountain side some time before noon, and after a brief halt for
refreshment, pushed on down its precipitous sides hour after hour, for
the explosions from the crater grew more frequent, and all felt that
they might culminate in some terrible cataclysm that would overwhelm
them all.

Darkness did not overtake them that night, for long before it was
sundown they were conscious of a peculiar glow above them, and the final
part of their descent was illuminated by an intense light, which as
night fell was reflected from the clouds which had gathered, and helped
them to reach the shore not above half-a-mile from where the yacht lay
with her lights burning.

A shot or two brought a boat to where they were waiting, and weary
though they all were, they sat for hours gazing up at a great glowing
stream of fire, which was plainly enough the beginning of one of the
lava-streams which flowed down the mountain's sides.

"Notice to quit, I think, sir," said the captain quietly.

"Yes," said Sir John, "it would be foolhardy to stay here longer now."

"Then by your leave, sir, I'll take the yacht outside at once, for one
never knows what may happen when a volcano begins to work. There! look
at that! We'll get out while we can."

A terrific explosion reached their ears as he spoke, and without a
moment's delay orders were given for steam to be got up, and before
morning the yacht glided out through the reef, and p