le similar fragments came toppling over the
edge, and rolled crashing down the cliffs into the ocean. Though the
sea was rough, the wind, affected apparently by the outburst of fire,
seemed greatly to have abated, and it was not till they had got some
distance from the island that Green ordered the sails to be hoisted. He
was on the point of hauling up, intending to beat back to Santa Cruz,
when once more the gale was upon them.

"We must stand on," he cried to Tom; "we shall never be able to pull
back against this wind, our best chance is to run before it."

"Ay, ay, sir!" said Tom; "I'll follow you;" and the two boats flew on as
before, over the tumbling seas. They were well built, and well managed
too, or they would to a certainty have been swamped.

They had, by this time, got to a considerable distance from the
mountain, but still it appeared almost as clear as at first, the dark
cliffs projecting far out from amid the sheets of fire which almost
enveloped its sides, while the summit appeared in a still more fearful
state of eruption than at first. Vast flames came spouting upwards, the
fiery masses which were thrown out spreading over on every side, while
overhead appeared a dark canopy of smoke, from which a shower of ashes
continued to fall without intermission; and Tom declared, as he looked
astern, that he saw huge pieces of rock descending into the sea. They
had indeed reason to congratulate themselves that they had not delayed
longer under the mountain, and even as it was they were conscious that
they were still not free from danger. Their anxiety had hitherto
prevented them from feeling hungry, or indeed from recollecting that
they had brought but a small supply of food. In each boat was, however,
a breaker of water, and Billy had slipped some biscuits into his pocket,
as had also several of the men, just before they shoved off. After some
time, when he believed that he had only the danger of the ocean with
which to contend, Billy pulled a biscuit out of his pocket and offered
part to Tom, who, beginning to feel very hungry, accepted it. The crew
were sharing their portions among each other; and then the breaker of
water was broached, for the biscuit had made the men feel very thirsty.

In Green's boat the men were not so well off, Archie and one of the men
only having had sufficient forethought to bring a couple of biscuits
apiece. This afforded but a scanty meal to all hands; and they knew
th