g off to sea. There was much wrangling
over it at first, and the people seemed in their anxiety to have quite
forgotten their queen, when she stepped forward, and, raising her clear
silvery voice, produced a dead calm at once.

"Joe," she said, "go down to the cabin and await me there."

The prime minister obeyed instantly.

"Now," said Pauline, turning to the people, "choose among you six of
your number to consult with me, and do it at once."

Of course, the men well-known as the best among the settlers were
instantly named we need scarcely add that among them were Dominick, the
doctor, and Malines.

While these were engaged in consultation below, a terrible outburst of
the volcano settled the matter for them, and brought them all hastily on
deck.

The summit of the crater seemed to have been blown up into the air with
a most terrific noise, while a dense mass of smoke, steam, and ashes was
hurled upwards, and seemed to blot out the sky. Twilight, which had
been deepening, was converted into blackest night in a moment, and
darkness profound would undoubtedly have continued, had it not been for
the lurid glare of the fires which flashed at intervals from the crater.
Suddenly the waters of the sea became agitated. The ship rocked
uneasily, and jerked at her cable, while the terrified people clung to
shrouds and ropes, and belaying-pins. Then the fire on the mountain-top
increased tenfold in volume and intensity. Another moment, and several
large holes opened in the mountain-side nearest to them, from which
streams of molten lava burst forth and began to descend towards the
deserted settlement.

At that moment there was a great shout. It had been discovered that in
the confusion little Brown-eyes had been forgotten!

A small boat hung at the davits on the port side. It was manned
instantly. The doctor jumped to the helm, Otto followed, and, before
any could interpose, the queen suddenly stepped in.

"You are mad!" cried the doctor.

"Lower away!" said Pina, as if she had been a trained sea-captain all
her life.

Instantly the ropes were eased off, and in a few seconds the boat was in
the sea and on the shore. They found little Brown-eyes sound asleep in
her crib, with a river of red-hot lava stretching its fiery tongues
towards her as if eager for a meal!

Supple-limbed Otto was first; he seized the child and bore her off to
the boat. Another terrible explosion occurred just then. Ashes and
mass