said Drew, blinking his eyes, and then blowing his nose
very loudly. "But, I say, are you all right!"

"Yes, only stiff and very hungry."

"Hungry?" cried the mate. "Hi! who's got the prog bag?"

"Them two's got it, sir," said Wriggs. "Here they come." As he spoke a
couple more men came into sight, and deferring all farther questioning
till Lane's hunger had been appeased, they descended to where the
nearest water trickled amongst the rocks, and were soon all seated
enjoying an _al fresco_ meal, the rugged lava forming table and chairs,
and the abundant growth of ferns giving a charm to the verdant nook, and
sheltering them from the sun.

"Well, all I can say is," cried the mate, "that you've had a very narrow
escape, sir, and, thank heaven, we're all here to tell you so, for there
were moments when I thought that it was all over with us. But, phew!
how hot it is."

"Yes," said Panton, "a steamy heat. We ought to be getting back to the
boat. It will be cooler towards the sea. What's the matter, Drew?"

"I was examining these ferns. How curious it is."

"What, their withering up so?" said Lane. "Yes, I was noticing it. Are
they sensitive plants?"

"Oh, no!" cried Drew, "those are the mimosa family. But look here, you
can see them fade and droop as you watch them; I suppose it is in some
way due to our presence here."

"Watcher fidgeting about, Billy?" said Smith, just then. "It's hot
enough without you playing the fool. Shuffling about like a cat on hot
bricks."

"That's just what is the matter with me, matey," grumbled Wriggs. "Just
you put yer hand down here. This here rock's as hot as a baker's oven."

"So's this here," said one of the men who had carried the provisions.
"Hadn't we better go 'fore there's roast man for brexfass?"

"Really, gentlemen, it's uncomfortably hot here," said Mr Rimmer, and
just then there was a peculiar tremor beneath them, and a shock as if
they were upon a thin crust which had received a sharp blow from
beneath.

They all started to their feet, and the first disposition was to run.

"Don't leave your guns!" roared Panton, and each man snatched up his
piece. The next moment they fell prostrate and clung to the nearest
rocks, for the earth began to sink beneath them, and the huge stones
upon which they had been seated a short time before glided away.

"Quick!" cried Lane, as the surface, which had been nearly level, now
hung down in a precipitous slope. "