sible.

I am careful not to question Captain Spade about it, nor even Engineer
Serko, as I should certainly receive no answer.

Besides, at this moment Captain Spade goes to the signalling apparatus
and presses one of the buttons on the upper disk. Almost immediately
the _Ebba_ gives a jerk, then with her sails still furled, she starts
off eastward again.

Two hours later the Count d'Artigas comes up through the main hatchway
and takes his customary place aft. Serko and Captain Spade at once
approach and engage in conversation with him.

All three raise their telescopes and sweep the horizon from southeast
to northeast.

No one will be surprised to learn that I gaze intently in the same
direction; but having no telescope I cannot distinguish anything.

The midday meal over we all return on deck--all with the exception of
Thomas Roch, who has not quitted his cabin.

Towards one o'clock land is sighted by the lookout man on the foretop
cross-tree. Inasmuch as the _Elba_ is bowling along at great speed I
shall soon be able to make out the coast line.

In effect, two hours later a vague semicircular line that curves
outward is discernible about eight miles off. As the schooner
approaches it becomes more distinct. It is a mountain, or at all
events very high ground, and from its summit a cloud of smoke ascends.

What! A volcano in these parts? It must then be----

CHAPTER VIII.

BACK CUP.

In my opinion the _Ebba_ could have struck no other group of islands
but the Bermudas in this part of the Atlantic. This is clear from the
distance covered from the American coast and the direction sailed in
since we issued from Pamlico Sound. This direction has constantly been
south-southeast, and the distance, judging from the _Ebba's_ rate of
speed, which has scarcely varied, is approximately seven hundred and
fifty miles.

Still, the schooner does not slacken speed. The Count d'Artigas and
Engineer Serko remain aft, by the man at the wheel. Captain Spade has
gone forward.

Are we not going to leave this island, which appears to be isolated,
to the west?

It does not seem likely, since it is still broad daylight, and the
hour at which the _Ebba_ was timed to arrive.

All the sailors are drawn up on deck, awaiting orders, and Boatswain
Effrondat is making preparations to anchor.

Ere a couple of hours have passed I shall know all about it. It will
be the first answer to one of the many questions that have p