sufficed, for the sobs gradually diminished in violence, and at length
ceased altogether; and presently Flora arose, declaring that she was
herself again, and denouncing herself as a poor, weak, silly little
mortal, who ought to be ashamed of herself.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

COMPLETION AND LAUNCH OF THE CUTTER.

On the day that followed the occurrence of the above exciting events,
Nicholls and Simpson being still too weak to be fit for the somewhat
laborious work of the dockyard, Leslie determined to pay a visit to his
treasure-cave, being anxious to ascertain whether the earthquake had
materially interfered with the configuration of the country in that
direction, and, if so, to what extent. Upon learning his determination
Flora announced her decision to accompany him; and accordingly, having
packed a luncheon-basket, the pair set off together soon after
breakfast, leaving Nicholls and the boatswain in charge of the camp.

The day was magnificently fine, but the temperature was somewhat higher
than usual, the trade wind having softened down to a quite moderate
breeze; so Dick and his companion proceeded on their way in a very
leisurely manner, intending to take the whole day for their task of
exploration. No very marked or important changes in the aspect of the
landscape were noticeable until they reached the ridge or spur of the
mountain that terminated in the headland that Dick had named Cape Flora;
but as soon as this ridge, was crossed they saw that, for some
unexplainable reason, the earthquake action had been much more violent
on the northerly than on the southward side of it; so great indeed were
the changes wrought that in many places the features of the landscape
were scarcely recognisable, and Leslie had the utmost difficulty in
finding his way.

At length, however, they arrived in the neighbourhood of the spot where
they believed the cave to be situated, and here the changes had been so
great that for some time Leslie was utterly at a loss. The surface was
so twisted and torn, so utterly disfigured by landslides and upheavals
of rock, that they might have been in another island altogether, so far
as recognition of the original features was concerned. This was far
worse than the worst Dick had anticipated, and for a time he was in a
state of utter despair, fearing that his treasure had been swallowed up
beyond recovery. Still, he felt convinced that he was in the immediate
neighbourhood of the spot