"What, again, sir? I got washed enough last night to last me for a bit. Fine place this would be to bring a cargo of umbrellas, if there was any one to buy 'em. I never saw it rain like that." "Oh, Ned--Ned, do try and talk sensibly," cried Jack. "How can you make jokes when we are in such danger?" "I dunno about being in danger now, sir. We're pretty safe at present. I say, sir, this must be the way down into the kitchen," continued Ned, as he went on dressing, and trying to peer into the darkness of the cavernous place. "My word, can't you smell the black beadles?" "I do smell something," replied Jack thoughtfully. "It must be volcanic." "Beadly, sir. There, it's quite strong." At that moment from farther in a fluttering and squealing sound was heard, and Ned started back. "There, sir, I said so. Mice and rats too." "Nonsense; it is the great fruit bats." "What, those we see of a night, sir, bigger than pigeons?" "Yes; this is one of their roosting-places." "And do they smell like beadles, sir?" "Yes; very much like. But now, Ned, what shall we do next?" "Well, sir, if I did what I liked I should choose a good breakfast; but as I can't, what do you say to going a bit farther in here to see what it's like?" "Not now. I want to make out whereabouts we are, and whether the blacks are on the look-out for us still; and then I want to communicate with my father; he must be horribly anxious about us, Ned." "Yes; I expect he thinks we've gone down some hole, sir, and it strikes me he'll be saying something to the doctor for going and leaving us behind." "I'm afraid that it was our fault, Ned, for not keeping up." "Well, sir, we can't help it now. Next best thing is to get back to the yacht, so as soon as you're ready we'll make a start; but I'm afraid it will be a long walk before breakfast." "Terribly long, I'm afraid." "But there's always a good side to everything, sir, even if it's a looking-glass," continued Ned philosophically. "We're better off than you might think." "I can't see it, Ned." "Why, we've got no guns, nor wallets, nor cartridges to carry, sir. Now then, will you lead?" "Yes; be cautious. We don't know but what some of the blacks may be near." "That's true, sir. First thing I s'pose is to get what old Lenny calls our bearings." "Yes; we must find out where we face," said Jack, and he advanced cautiously to the cavern's entrance, and began to peer round warily for danger. But there was no sign of any. They were very high up, the morning was clear, the sun was gilding the vapours which rose from the rifts and valleys, and the sea glittered gloriously. Far below they obtained glimpses of the reef with its fringe of foam; but not a murmur of the beating waves reached them, while overhead, partially hidden in clouds, the crater of the volcano showed some of its craggy slopes, and the forest beneath seemed to be less dense.