that it was a burning ship; the light was decreasing--again it blazed
up. The sky over head appeared peculiarly dark. "Hillo! what is this
coming down on us?" exclaimed Owen.

They felt the tops of their caps--they and the deck were gritty. It was
a shower of ashes; the mystery was explained; the light was that of a
burning mountain. As there was no object to be gained in going nearer
to it, and Peter gave them to understand that he had not seen it when on
board the canoe, they tacked and stood to the southward. More than once
Charley thought of the remark people had made to him, that his
expedition was like looking for a needle in a bundle of hay. "Never
mind," he repeated; "if the needle is in the bundle, by diligent
searching it may be found. A solitary white man has been seen on an
island, we must first find out who he is."

The wind baffled them frequently, but still they perseveringly plied to
windward, though next night they were again in sight of the burning
mountain, which was to the north-east of the schooner, showing that they
had made but little way to the west. Once more the wind turned in their
favour, and they rejoiced that they were able to make better way than
they had done for a long time. It was getting dusk, but at sunset no
land had been seen ahead, and, eager to get on, they continued their
course without shortening sail. Suddenly, Owen, who was forward on the
look-out, shouted at the top of his voice, "Breakers ahead! Starboard!
Down with the helm! Haul aft the sheets! For your lives be smart about
it!" All hands flew to the sheets. The little vessel came up to the
wind, and turned aside from the danger with a rapidity no larger one
could have accomplished; but, even as it was, as she went about the
white spray was seen dancing up in the darkness close under her counter,
while beyond was a mass of foaming-breakers, among which had they been
thrown, in vain would they have struggled for their lives, their career
would quickly have been over.

Owen confessed afterwards that he was very weary, that he was fully
under the impression that he was keeping a very bright look-out, and
that certainly his eyes were wide open, but that it was on a sudden he
became aware, from hearing some unusual sound, that breakers were
dancing up directly ahead of the schooner. In another minute her doom
would have been sealed.

Thankful for their merciful preservation, they agreed that at night two
p