essed their belief that he was addicted to romancing.
Be that as it may, a very uncomfortable feeling prevailed both among the
officers and men, and all were wishing themselves away from so
treacherous a locality. A few days after this a commotion took place
throughout the length and breadth of the island, which left the matter
no longer in doubt. Vast fragments of rock came tumbling down from the
summits of the cliffs, sending huge waves rolling up the beach, although
the sky was serene and the wind blew gently from the northward, so that
no surf broke along the mouth of the harbour.

"If this continues much longer we must launch the boats and build rafts
sufficient to carry all the people, to give some of us a chance for our
lives, at all events," observed Adair to Saint Maur.

"Cheer up, Uncle Terence," exclaimed Desmond; "the cliffs may tumble
down, but still, as you remarked before, we may have firm ground to
stand upon."

"I don't know what I should have done without you," answered Adair.
"Frankly, I believe I should have broken down altogether: For my poor
Lucy's sake and yours I am as anxious to escape, if I can do so with
honour, as any man, but desert my people while one remains in danger I
must not."

"At all events, there can be no harm in getting the rafts built," said
Desmond.

"I will direct the first lieutenant to set the people about the work at
once, just as a matter of precaution, so as not to alarm them," answered
Adair.

There were few, however, who did not feel as anxious as the captain to
get the rafts completed, and all hands set to work to collect every
particle of timber they could find along the coast, and to haul it to
the bay.

The carpenter, upon calculation, found that he could form six rafts,
thirty feet long and twenty wide. These would carry all the crew who
were not able to find room in the boats, provided the sea was tolerably
smooth. A couple of rafts had been completed, and as many hands as
could be employed were working away at the others, when again that
ominous sound which before had alarmed them was heard, and the whole
island seemed to be convulsed, as if about to be rent asunder. Although
the movement ceased, it made them work away with almost frantic haste.
By means of hand-spikes and rollers, the rafts, as they were finished,
were launched, when the boatswain and his mates commenced rigging them
in the best fashion they could, while the sail-makers were employe