g disposed of a supper
which it might have taxed a volcano's throat to swallow, "it is viz
great sorrow zat I must part from you here."

"Part! Why?" asked the hermit in surprise.

"Vy, because I find zis contrie is heaven upon eart'. Zat is, of course,
only in a scientific point of view. Zee voods are svarming, zee air is
teeming, ant zee vaters are vallo'ing vit life. I cannot tear myself
avay. But ve shall meet again--at Telok Betong, or Krakatoa, or Anjer,
or Batavia."

It was found that the man of science was also a man of decision. Nothing
would persuade him to go a step further. The wood-cutter's hut suited
him, so did the wood-cutter himself, and so, as he said, did the region
around him. With much regret, therefore, and an earnest invitation from
the hermit to visit his cave, and range the almost unexplored woods of
his island, the travellers parted from him; and our three adventurers,
dismissing all attendants and hiring three ponies, continued their
journey to the southern shores of Sumatra.

As they advanced it soon became evident that the scene of volcanic
activity was not so far distant as the island of Java, for the air was
frequently darkened by the falling of volcanic dust which covered the
land with a greyish powder. As, however, at least sixteen volcanoes have
been registered in the island of Sumatra, and there are probably many
others, it was impossible to decide where the scene of eruption was that
caused those signs.

One afternoon the travellers witnessed a catastrophe which induced them
to forego all idea of spending more time in examining the country. They
had arrived at a village where they found a traveller who appeared to be
going about without any special object in view. He spoke English, but
with a foreign accent. Nigel naturally felt a desire to become sociable
with him, but he was very taciturn and evidently wished to avoid
intercourse with chance acquaintances. Hearing that there were curious
hot-water and mud springs not far off, the stranger expressed a desire
to visit them. Nigel also felt anxious to see them, and as one guide was
sufficient for the party the stranger joined the party and they went
together.

The spot they were led to was evidently a mere crust of earth covering
fierce subterranean fires. In the centre of it a small pond of mud was
boiling and bubbling furiously, and round this, on the indurated clay,
were smaller wells and craters full of boiling mud. The grou