receding praus. Still they progressed, and if once they could get over
a few hundred yards there was a prospect of their clearing the rocks off
the south point and getting well along the lagoon.

Shot after shot, some whistling by the mast, some striking the water,
and others going before or behind, but not one touched the cutter, and
as the three praus rowed out and grew more distant the practice became
more wild.

"Ah!" said the major, "being shot at is very exciting; but I don't think
I like it after all. How are you setting on, Mark?"

"I'm all right, sir."

"Well, ladies, we shall not have breakfast till two hours after
sunrise," said the major, as he bent over the entrance to the rough
cabin where they were sheltered, "so I should advise a short nap."

A sad smile was the only reply to the major's cheery remark, and he
nodded and then sighed as he turned to the captain.

"Cease firing, eh?" he said as there was a cessation. "They must be
near the end of the point. Now, Strong."

"In another ten minutes they will be round it, and--what's that,
Gregory? Did we touch on a rock?"

"No," said the mate. "It's deep water here."

There was another shock as if the cutter had gone upon a rock; but she
went slowly on.

"Earthquake," said the major. "The mountain seems uneasy."

Almost as he spoke there was another shock communicated through the
water, which suddenly boiled up and eddied about them, making the cutter
rock to and fro and then roll heavily.

"Pull, my lads!" said the captain; and the men tugged furiously as their
commander looked anxiously out toward the north point, round which the
praus were faintly seen in the glow from the mountain, and then gazing
round him at the black rocks of the little bay and its uneasy waters.

"No fear of their pulling," thought Mark, "if they feel as I do in this
black hole!"

In fact the men were thoroughly sharing the horror of the lad, and
sparing no efforts to get out of the water-filled ancient crater into
the smooth lagoon.

For the black water that always lay so smooth and calm was now rapidly
changing its character, and there was no doubt that a tremendous amount
of volcanic action was going on beneath their feet. The surface heaved
and eddied; waves rose in unexpected places; huge bubbles rushed to the
top from the terrible depths below and burst with a loud puff. And all
the time the cutter swayed and seemed to be receiving a succession of
bl