tance from each other, several lofty
conical mountains rising as it were directly out of the sea, while
beyond them was seen a line of blue land, extending north and south as
far as the eye could reach.

"You see that peak ahead, Walter," said Captain Davenport to me. "That
is the island of Ternate, to which we are bound. To the right of it is
Tidore. All those peaks are volcanic; and some of them, I believe,
occasionally throw up flames. The land we see beyond is the large
island of Gilolo--a strange land, I believe, but very little is known
about it."

A light breeze carried us on over the calm blue sea; when at length,
entering between the two islands I have mentioned, the town of Ternate
appeared in sight, stretching along the shores at the very base of the
mountain.

"This is indeed beautiful!" exclaimed Emily, who just then came on deck,
as she gazed up at the rugged promontories and the lofty volcanic cone
of Tidore on one side, with the high mountain of Ternate on the other,
while numerous other peaks rose on the neighbouring islands, as well as
on the larger island in the distance. Immediately behind the town
appeared thick groves of forest trees; indeed, vegetation was seen
rising to the very summit of the cone, and it was difficult to believe
that, from that calm and beautiful mountain, occasionally lava, streams
burst forth; and produced destruction on every side.

A large amount of sago, massoi bark, tortoise-shell, tripang, and
paradise birds are brought over from Papua, and shipped at Ternate. A
tax, however, is placed on the exportation of paradise birds, which is
paid to the Sultan of Tidore, whose predecessors ruled these islands.
The paradise birds are chiefly sent to China, where they are highly
valued. Above our heads, as we looked up, we saw the lofty summit of
the mountain of Ternate, from whence, amid the luxuriant vegetation
which surrounds its sides, columns of smoke are for ever rising towards
the blue sky above--indeed, the whole island is simply a lofty volcano,
the base of which is beneath the ocean. Its circumference at the shore
line is about six miles, and its height 5400 feet. Several severe and
destructive eruptions have taken place at different times. The last
occurred only a short time before we were there. The lava poured forth
and flowed down its sides into the sea, loud thunders were heard, smoke
and ashes rose up, and hot stones fell like hail on every side, settin