deck. "This is the third
ship I have lost, and I suppose that I shall never get another," he
said, with a sigh. "I shall be looked upon as an unlucky man, though in
neither case could I blame myself, nor could any one blame me. We will
go on shore."

He stepped down the accommodation ladder, which still remained at the
side.

Some time was spent in consulting the carpenter and making the
arrangements for pulling the old ship to pieces. Next morning all hands
were to begin work. It was likely to prove a long undertaking, and one
which no sailor likes to be engaged in. It was also doubtful if the
weather would continue fine enough to enable it to be completed. During
the day a slight movement of the earth was felt, and the same rumbling
noise as before sounded beneath their feet, while another jet of steam
burst forth from an orifice at a distance from the town. But the ship's
company had become so accustomed to the sight of these spouts, that they
did not trouble themselves about the matter. In the evening, while
Adair and Desmond were seated together, the doctor called upon them.

"I have come, Captain Adair, to state that I have been made anxious for
some days past by various phenomena which I have observed on the island.
I cannot help fearing that some internal commotion is taking place
beneath our feet, which may produce serious consequences. The orifices
through which the steam we have observed makes its escape may prove
safety valves, but what if a larger quantity of steam is engendered than
they can let off?"

"You mean to say, doctor, that you fear the island may be blown up, and
that we shall be blown up with it?" said Adair, laughing, though he did
not feel altogether comfortable in his mind on the subject.

"Such, captain, I apprehend may be the case, but whether shortly or some
time hence I cannot take it upon myself to say," observed the doctor.
"I would only urge that a vessel be built in which we can all embark,
for I should not like to leave a human being to run the risk of being
destroyed, which would be the case were such a convulsion as I dread to
take place."

"That's the very thing we are now doing as fast as possible," said
Adair. "Do not, however, let the men know what you think may possibly
occur, nor the officers either. The carpenter considers that it will
take us two months at least to break up the ship and build a new craft
out of the materials, and we can only hope that th