ctor, sir," said the master; "he has come with us for the sake of
science, to gain a knowledge of the wild inhabitants of this region. He
is a perfect slave to science; are you not, doctor?"

"It is the sole object of my life," answered the person who had been
addressed, without rising from his seat.

Though the man spoke with the accent of a gentleman, Green thought that
he had seldom seen a more ill-looking individual.

"Well, I hope you are satisfied, Mr Officer," said the master at
length; "and, if so, that you will allow us to fill our sails and stand
on; for my mate tells me he doesn't like the look of the weather, and
I'd advise you to make the best of your way back to your ship."

Green saw indeed that it was important to get back, and did not
therefore waste words with the master or his ill-mannered surgeon. On
returning on deck, he found that the mates had sent the blacks below
again, while the crew were shortening sail. The weather had become
rapidly worse; he could not help regretting that he had come so far from
the island, with the prospect of a pull back through a heavy sea. He
could not hoist the boats on board, or, under the circumstances, he
might have compelled the schooner to beat back to Santa Cruz. Had he
attempted to do so, and to tow the boats, they would, in all
probability, have been swamped.

"We must make the best of it," he said to Tom, who had for the last few
minutes been feeling anything but comfortable about the matter.

"A safe voyage to you, my friends," he said, as he leaped into his boat.

The mates made no reply, but as he shoved off he fancied that he heard a
laugh, and at the same time he caught sight of the ill-favoured visage
of the scientific doctor looking over the quarter, while the schooner
stood away to the southward. Scarcely, however, were they a quarter of
a mile apart than the wind came down with greater force than before, and
he found that it was impossible to make any headway against it. The
nearest island was that of Tinakula; by running under its lee he might
get shelter for the night; but should an eruption occur, it would prove
a dangerous neighbourhood. There were other islands beyond, but they
were surrounded by reefs which might prevent the possibility of landing
upon them, while, from the savage character of the natives on the
inhabited ones, they could only expect a hostile reception.

"We'll try it a little longer, Rogers," sang out Green; "pe