e the disseverment of the basalt."

Falsten is not a great talker, but what he does say is always very
much to the point. His good advice was immediately followed; the two
substances were mixed together, and after a match had been introduced
the compound was rammed closely into the hole.

Notwithstanding that the "Chancellor" was at a distance from the rocks
that insured her from any danger of being injured by the explosion, it
was thought advisable that the passengers and crew should take refuge in
the grotto at the extremity of the reef, and even Mr. Kear, in spite of
his many objections, was forced to leave the ship. Falsten, as soon as
he had set fire to the match, joined us in our retreat.

The train was to burn for ten minutes, and at the end of that time the
explosion took place; the report, on account of the depth of the
mine, being muffled, and much less noisy than we had expected. But the
operation had been perfectly successful. Before we reached the ridge we
could see that the basalt had been literally reduced to powder, and that
a little channel, already being filled by the rising tide, had been
cut right through the obstacle. A loud hurrah rang through the air; our
prison-doors were opened, and we were prisoners no more!

At high tide the "Chancellor" weighed anchor and floated out into the
open sea, but she was not in a condition to sail until she had been
ballasted; and for the next twenty-four hours the crew were busily
employed in taking up blocks of stone, and such of the bales of cotton
as had sustained the least amount of injury.

In the course of the day, M. Letourneur, Andre, Miss Herbey, and I took
a farewell walk round the reef, and Andre with artistic skill, carved on
the wall of the grotto the word "Chancellor,"--the designation Ham Rock,
which we had given to the reef,--and the date of our running aground.
Then we bade adieu to the scene of our three week's sojourn, where we
had passed days that to some at least of our party will be reckoned as
far from being the least happy of their lives.

At high tide this morning, the 24th, with low, top, and gallant sails
all set, the "Chancellor" started on her onward way, and two hours later
the last peak of Ham Rock had vanished below the horizon.

CHAPTER XXII.

NOVEMBER 24th to DECEMBER 1st.--Here we were then once more at sea, and
although on board a ship of which the stability was very questionable,
we had hopes, if the wind continued f