e of the crater, and fiery streams began
to flow down the sides of the mountain, some taking a course towards the
ocean, others making their way in the direction of the valleys,
threatening to seize in their course on the tall trees, those near the
summit being quickly ablaze. With fearful rapidity the conflagration
spread, up the hills, across the plains, sweeping over the plantations
and destroying the dwellings of the unfortunate inhabitants. It seemed
impossible that a single human being could escape. For some hours we
watched the dreadful scene.

"If you will give me leave, sir, I'll go in and try to save some of the
poor people," said the first mate. "It seems to me that we might
approach yonder point without risk. I see a village a short distance
inland, and that cannot long escape destruction, so that the people will
try to escape to the point, and we might take off some of them. Others
may be saved on board their own craft lying in the harbour to the
southward. As far as I can make out there are no boats abreast of us."

"Be quick about it, then, Radburn, for we must not leave the brig
short-handed," said the captain.

Blyth and I at once volunteered to go, as did Ned and Bell, thus leaving
the vessel with her full complement of men. A boat was lowered and away
we pulled. The ashes continued to fall, and the oppressive heat made it
difficult to breathe. We pulled on, anxious to save as many of our
fellow-creatures as we could. As we approached the point we saw a
number of persons rushing towards the end, carrying all sorts of
articles on their backs, and others following. Good reason they had to
hasten, for the woods at the back of the village were already blazing
furiously, and in another minute it would be in flames.

"We must allow only a dozen to enter the first boat," said Uncle Jack;
"if more are taken on board we shall run the risk of being swamped. It
seems cruel to those left behind, but we must be determined, and try to
make another trip."

As we got nearer, so heavily did the surf break on the extreme end of
the point, that it seemed scarcely possible we ourselves should escape
destruction. On getting in closer, however, we discovered a bay into
which we could run. As soon as the people saw the boat, they rushed
towards us holding out their arms. We told Bell to shout to them and
say that we could take only a few at a time, but would return for the
rest, and that we must save the