Exploring the Island 1 1 



phur. Henry compared them to the dangerous cre- 

 vasses in a glacier, and asked William whether he 

 would rather be burned alive or frozen to death. 



It was a great relief to leave the lava stream be- 

 hind and walk on the sandy beach once more. They 

 went along at a merry pace for some time and then 

 Henry looked at his watch and found that it was 

 much later than he thought. After another con- 

 ference, they decided to go back when they had ex- 

 plored the edge of the mountain that came down to 

 the shore in full view ahead of them. 



A Great Discovery 



The mountain proved to be farther away than it 

 seemed and they were all tired and hungry when 

 they reached it. The side facing them was found 

 to be covered with lava, which they had to climb 

 over to reach the top of the spur jutting out into 

 the ocean, but there was no lava on the top. A 

 large, gnarled tree-trunk stood there, casting a pleas- 

 ant shade. Here they sat down and rested and 

 looked long and eagerly in every direction, but saw 

 nothing that gave them any hope. They would rest 

 a little while longer and then begin the tiresome 

 journey back to the big rock. 



William put his hand up to his ear and listened 



