the force of the wind, seemed
every moment as if about to be carried away. It was with difficulty
that they could force open the door to ascertain what had occurred. It
was already broad daylight. Several tall trees near them had fallen.
They looked anxiously in the direction of the boat. The tree to which
she was secured stood firm, and the additional ropes, which they had
wisely used, had kept her in her position. The wind had shifted, and
the sea was rolling into the bay, and dashing up almost close to her
stern. Their next glance was at the volcano--that was still in a state
of eruption, sending up smoke and flame, but if any ashes or stones were
cast forth they were forced by the wind to the other side of the island.
The young men earnestly prayed that they might not be sent in the
direction of the hut, for while the storm raged their boat would be
useless, as they could not venture off in her. Their next look was
seaward in search of the ship. She was nowhere visible; indeed, the
thick masses of spray thrown up high into the air shrouded all objects
at a distance.

"Can she have gone on shore at the other end of the island?" exclaimed
Lord Reginald. "If so we may still be in time to save some of her
people."

Dick agreed with him, though fearing that, should the ship have struck
on the rocky coast, all hands must have perished.

"If we save any of them, they may be glad of food," said Lord Reginald,
and putting up such provisions as they had cooked, they hurried off,
each armed with a long stick, followed by Neptune, who, although he
seemed to have an instinctive dread of approaching the burning mountain,
was yet willing to follow his master. Instead, however, of bounding on
before, as was his usual custom, he kept close at Lord Reginald's heels.
They took the most direct route along the broad valley, intending then
to turn to the left down the narrow valley which led to the bay near
which the _Marie_ had been lost.

For some time they were protected by the high ground on the southern
side of the broad valley, but on opening the smaller one they met the
full force of the gale, and it was with difficulty that they could make
progress against it. The tall trees twisted and bent, and quantities of
nuts came tumbling down, which they often had difficulty in avoiding.
To the right was the burning mountain, towards which they cast many an
anxious glance, for at any moment it might send forth a shower of s