in
an instant changed. The conical top was rolling down, while in other
places huge mounds were seen to be forced up as it were out of the
earth. The glare of the conflagration reached us even at the distance
we were from the island. I had been watching Emily and Grace, and
though their countenances exhibited anxiety, there was no senseless
terror perceptible. The Frau certainly did show alarm, and every now
and then hid her face when the mountain sent forth fresh volumes of
flame, or continued roars were heard as vast fragments of rock were
hurled up into the air, and came crashing down on the earth, new
openings being made in the side of the mountain.

"There is a breeze from the eastward," I heard Mr Thudicumb exclaim.
"Hoist the sails, lads!"

The masts had already been stepped. We hoisted our two lugsails, with a
small jib on the bowsprit, which had been rigged ahead, and the raft
feeling its effects, glided over the surface.

"We may reach some part of Java, even if we cannot get as far as
Singapore," observed Mr Thudicumb. "It would be a long voyage in such
a craft as this; but if the weather holds fair, and our provisions last
out, I see no reason why we should not accomplish it. We shall have the
sun soon, and that will help us to steer the right course when we lose
sight of the island."

Streaks of bright light were now appearing in the east, and presently
the whole sky was overspread with a ruddy glow, which increased in
intensity near the horizon, till the sun, a vast globe of fire, rose
above the waters, and quickly shot upwards in the sky. Still we were
not clear altogether of the cinders which fell in light showers upon our
heads, but we had lost all dread of being overwhelmed by any heavier
substance, though we could see that many huge stones and rocks were
falling into the water astern of us. The very island itself was torn
and rent by the various subterranean powers working away beneath it, and
it seemed probable, from what was taking place, that the whole would ere
long be submerged by the ocean. How thankful we were when at length,
the breeze freshening, we were carried to a distance from the awful
spot.

"Should we not return thanks to Him who has preserved us?" said Oliver
at length in a quiet tone to Mr Hooker.

"Certainly we should, my boy," was the answer; and together we knelt
down on the raft, Mr Thudicumb still steering, and offered up our
thanks to him who rules the winds