“Oh, bother the old gems,” said Tom, “we’ve got the box, haven’t we? If any one in the States doesn’t believe we ever had the three gems we can show them the casket as proof that we really did have them once.” As he spoke he picked up the box from the sand where Herrera had flung it, and handed it to the Professor. “It will make a handsome relic of our trip at all events,” said that gentleman, with half a sigh. “I guess I’ll present it to some institute interested in such things.” “Pity those bumps on the cover aren’t precious stones,” said Ned, indicating the three dull-colored knobs on the cover. “Wonder what they are there for?” “To make the box look nobby,” ventured Tom, a pun which almost cost him a clip on the side of the head. But they were soon recalled to the seriousness of their situation. In the east the day was beginning to dawn, and a return to sleep was out of the question after all that had occurred. “I guess I’ll get to work with the wireless,” said Jack, “it’s our only hope.” “Unless we could swim ashore,” said Captain Andrews. “It isn’t more than five miles off.” “True. But from what we could see yesterday it is a rugged, inhospitable shore,” said Mr. Jesson. “Most anything would be better than this, though, so long as it was the mainland,” said Ned. “Yes, if only the old Flying Road Racer would have kept in the air half an hour longer,” groaned Tom, “we might have used her as an auto to reach some civilized spot.” “We could easily have done that,” struck in Jack. “The engine and running gear are in perfect order. So far as that is concerned, she is ready for a road trip of a thousand miles right now.” “You ought to have fixed it so she could swim, while you were about it,” said Ned. He meant the remark as a joke; but Jack answered quite seriously. “I’ve been thinking over such a plan,” he said; “maybe some day I’ll get to work and invent something that will make the good old craft as capable in the water as she is on land and in the air.” “Wish you could invent it right now,” began Ned with a laugh. “I——” He stopped short with a puzzled look, which, oddly enough, was reflected on all their races the next moment. “My legs are wobbly!” cried Tom. “By the trident of Neptune,” roared Captain Andrews, “so are mine!” “It’s not our legs!” cried Mr. Jesson, “it’s the ground that’s moving!” “The whole island is quivering like jelly!” cried Ned. “Good land, what ails de place? It’s done got chills and feber!” shouted Jupe from his pots and pans, which were now rolling in every direction. The tremor grew stronger. Accompanying it was a queer, moaning sort of sound. All at once there came a violent convulsion, and they were all thrown flat. The roaring noise increased till it was almost deafening. “It’s an earthquake!” called out Professor Chadwick. “An earthquake?” cried the others in terrified tones as they rolled about.