und
they had appetites for it, in spite of their fright. Afterward they all
came on deck again and looked about them.

They were in the midst of a wild waste of water. Not a sign of land
could be seen in any direction, and there was no evidence of a sail or
steamship as far as the horizon showed.

The little island which held the _Porpoise_ so close a prisoner was a
mere speck in the vast ocean, but it was large enough to put an end,
temporarily at least, to the progress of the powerful submarine.

The professor and the boys went over the side and climbed down to the
rock. Then the inventor verified his surmise that the rocky point was of
volcanic origin. It was also seen that there was little chance to get
the craft back into the ocean.

"I guess we're doomed to stick here for some time," remarked Mr.
Henderson, with a grim smile. "The rock has caught us squarely and
nothing short of dynamite will free us. To use the explosive might mean
the destruction of the ship, and I dare not risk it."

Gloom settled over the party in spite of the efforts the professor made
to be cheerful. Washington, after the first few minutes of fright,
regained his usual good spirits, but, no matter how he laughed and
joked, there was a feeling of terror in every heart.

They realized their helplessness, and knew that unless another upheaval
of nature occurred there was small likelihood of their release.

On the third day of their strange adventure Professor Henderson resolved
on a bold step.

"We must use dynamite," he declared. "If we stay here on this desolate
rock we are bound to perish sooner or later, for our food cannot last
many months, though we have a large supply. We are out of the path of
steamers and only by chance would one pass here. With care we may be
able to blast the rock so that the ship will not be permanently
damaged. What do you all say? I would like your advice, for this
concerns all of us."

One after the other all said they were willing to abide by whatever the
inventor did. Accordingly he made his preparations. Washington, with a
hammer and chisel, was set to cutting a fair sized hole in the big rock,
as far away from the ship as possible.

He was two days at the job, and, during this time those on the stranded
_Porpoise_ watched in vain for the sight of a vessel.

"I am going to put the dynamite in," announced Mr. Henderson one
morning. "We must all get into the small boat and row some distance
away, a