and we've got to pump their chesties full of wind till they
begins to breathe as they ought to."

Small's ideas were doubtless quite correct, and fortunately but little
effort was needed to bring the sufferers to their senses, for the fresh
air soon recovered them, and they sat up looking wild and confused.

With the help of an arm to each they were soon able to walk back to the
open mountain side, and after a rest declared themselves ready to
proceed.

"I think we'll go back away north of the hot springs," the captain said.

"Certainly," exclaimed the major with quite a sound of contrition in his
voice.

"The jungle is dense, but I think with a little managing we can find our
way."

"Well, yes, perhaps so," said the major. "It's down hill, and half our
way will be fairly open."

"If it proves too dense we can but turn to the right and go back as we
came," said the captain. "There, Mark, you need not look so anxious.
There is nothing worse the matter than a bad headache. How are you,
major?"

"Horrible!" he said. "I have a bad headache, and a bad mental pain, for
being so absurdly obstinate and running all that risk for the sake of a
few crystals of sulphur."

"Which, after all, you had to leave behind."

"Not all," said the major; "I had put a couple of lumps in my pocket
when that overpowering vapour struck me down. My impression is--yes, of
course, I remember clearly now--that where I broke the crystals away I
must have opened a hole for the escape of the vapour."

"I heard the hissing noise," said Mark eagerly.

"Strong," said the major, "I know you will forgive me; but, believe me,
it will be a long time before I forgive myself. I can't say much to you
about thanks," he whispered in a hoarse voice; "but I shall never forget
this."

"Nonsense, man, nonsense!" cried the captain warmly. "You would have
done the same for me."

No more was said, for there was plenty to do to keep together, and the
various sights and sounds as they bore away to the east of the hot
springs set the whole party well upon the _qui vive_.

For on every side there were traces of volcanic action. Now they had to
climb over or round some mass of lava that looked comparatively new as
seen beside fragments that were moss-grown and fringed with orchids and
ferns. In one place on the steep descent all would be one tangled
growth of creepers, while a little farther on the ground would be
sharply inclined and as bare and