Suddenly, not far from them, a great ragged fissure yawned in the earth and almost instantly closed again. From that moment, for the ensuing ten minutes, the castaways were in a condition bordering on panic. With the very earth under their feet refusing them support they felt that they were, indeed, in a sorry plight. At the conclusion of the period of time mentioned, the shocks stopped as suddenly as they had begun. “Do you think there’ll be any more of them?” asked Tom in rather a quavery voice. “Impossible to say,” said Mr. Jesson. “I imagine that this is a continuation of the one that caused that cliff to collapse, which resulted in my escape from those Indians.” “I suspect that is it,” said Professor Chadwick. “The great storm may have also resulted from the generally disturbed conditions. We may have no more shocks and we may have a dozen.” “I’ve known cases of whole islands being swallowed in the South Seas——” began Abner Jennings gloomily. But Professor Chadwick stopped him. “If you can’t talk of something more cheerful, my man, don’t talk at all,” he said. “And tidal waves, too, that wiped out whole cities like Galveston,” muttered Jennings, in a low tone, however. “There is no reason to expect that another shock will occur,” resumed the Professor; “the very nature of these seismic disturbances results in——” “Wow! Glory to Goshen, here comes annudder one!” bellowed Jupe, dropping a frying pan with a clatter and throwing himself flat on his face. The others followed his example. Indeed, it was impossible to remain on one’s feet. The mighty earth waves undulated like the billows of the sea. This shock lasted longer than the other, and was more severe. When it was over they arose to their feet considerably unnerved by the convulsion of nature. “Do——do you think there is any danger of this island sinking. Professor?” asked Ned in a shaky voice. “I do not,” rejoined the other with a confidence that he was very far from actually feeling, however. “I see no evidence of any volcanic formation hereabouts.” “Maybe de ole Mudder Earth done got a bad tummy ache,” hazarded Jupe. “I wish she’d get it in her foot, then,” grumbled Ned. “I don’t—say, Jack,” he broke off suddenly, “am I seeing things or is that beach narrower than it was?” A worried look passed over Jack’s face. “I’m afraid your eyesight is all right, Ned,” he said. “The water is closer than it was, beyond a doubt.” “And that means?” gasped Captain Andrews. “That we are sinking,” calmly said Professor Chadwick. “There is no use deceiving ourselves. Jack, send out a call for aid. There may be a chance of some ship catching the message.” Jack sent an appeal flashing forth from the wireless. Then he listened as usual for an answer. It came, but not in the way he had expected. He flung the receivers from his ears with an angry expression. “It’s that rascal Herrera,” he said. “He intercepted the call.” “The villain! What did he say?” demanded Mr. Jesson.