, through the tangled, almost
impassable, forest had been very slow and toilsome, and having been
involved in its shadow from daybreak, they were, of course, quite
unaware of the approach of the steamer or the landing of the excursion
party.

"If the volcano seems quieting down," said Nigel to his host, "shall you
start to-morrow?"

"Yes; by daybreak. Even if the eruption does _not_ quiet down I must set
out, for my business presses."

Nigel felt much inclined to ask what his business was, but there was a
quiet something in the air of the hermit, when he did not choose to be
questioned, which effectually silenced curiosity. Falling behind a
little, till the negro came up with him, Nigel tried to obtain
information from him, for he felt that he had a sort of right to know at
least something about the expedition in which he was about to act a
part.

"Do you know, Moses, what business your master is going about?" he
asked, in a low voice.

"No more nor de man ob de moon, Massa Nadgel," said Moses, with an air
at once so truthful and so solemn that the young man gave it up with a
laugh of resignation.

On arriving at Perboewatan, and ascending its sides, they at last became
aware of the approach of the excursion steamer.

"Strange," muttered the hermit, "vessels don't often touch here."

"Perhaps they have run short of water," suggested Nigel.

"Even if they had it would not be worth their while to stop here for
that," returned the hermit, resuming the ascent of the cone after an
intervening clump of trees had shut out the steamer from view.

It was with feelings of profound interest and considerable excitement
that our hero stood for the first time on the top of a volcanic cone and
gazed down into its glowing vent.

The crater might be described as a huge basin of 3000 feet in diameter.
From the rim of this basin on which the visitors stood the sides sloped
so gradually inward that the flat floor at the bottom was not more than
half that diameter. This floor--which was about 150 feet below the upper
edge--was covered with a black crust, and in the centre of it was the
tremendous cavity--between one and two hundred feet in diameter--from
which issued the great steam-cloud. The cloud was mixed with quantities
of pumice and fragments of what appeared to be black glass. The roar of
this huge vent was deafening and stupendous. If the reader will reflect
on the wonderful hubbub that can be created even by a kitchen