but still Mr Thudicumb was very anxious to enter Hope Harbour; and in
spite of the threatening sky and strong wind and increasing sea, we
continued our course towards it. The loss of the vessel, and the
merciful way in which our lives were preserved, has already been
detailed by Emily.

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.

AN ERUPTION OF THE BURNING MOUNTAIN.

The mountain had been quiet for some days. Our apprehensions of an
eruption had passed away. We had succeeded in hauling the _Hope_ on
shore; and Mr Thudicumb was of opinion that we should be unable to
repair her, though it might take some time to enable us to do so
sufficiently to prosecute our voyage to Singapore. We were all in good
spirits, as we trusted that after so many misadventures we should be
able to succeed. The Frau and the girls had been busily employed in
preparing a fresh supply of provisions, while sago, rice, and maize, and
sugar-cane in abundance, had been brought from the plantation. My uncle
and I had been out shooting, and had killed a couple of deer, three
hogs, and a number of wood-pigeons and other birds. We had thus a good
supply of meat.

We had all retired to rest, and were in the expectation in a few days of
getting the _Hope_ ready for launching. Suddenly we were awaked by my
uncle's voice shouting out, "Up! up! Sleepers, awake! Put on your
clothes, and endeavour to retain your presence of mind." In an instant
I was wide-awake, and knew by the tone of his voice that something
serious had happened; indeed, the bright glare against the thick foliage
of the trees in front of my window would have told me so. Oliver and I
dressed rapidly, and ran to the room occupied by the Frau and the young
ladies.

"What is it? what is it?" I heard the Frau exclaiming.

"Quick, quick," I answered; "put on your clothes, and take whatever you
have of most value."

They were already dressed, and now came to the door with looks of terror
in their countenances.

"We shall have time to save our lives, I trust, if we do not delay,"
said my uncle, who now appeared in the chief room.

Here we all collected. Each man bore on his shoulders as much provision
as he could carry, done up in bags, already prepared for the purpose.
"On," cried my uncle. "Mr Thudicumb and Tarbox desire to bring up the
rear; I will lead the way." We hurried down the steps, and began our
march toward Hope Harbour. The mountain was throwing up sheets of
flame, amid which a