The dust proved so disagreeable that the professor and the boys remained in the cabin the greater part of the time. It was now noticed by the sailors that the sea was running in a strange manner and that the flying spray was unusually warm. A bucket of water was hauled up for examination and all were astonished to learn how hot it was. “Perhaps there has been an under-water eruption,” said Professor Strong. “But that would not account for this thick dust. It is a most remarkable occurrence.” He was so interested that for the moment his grief was forgotten. They had been approaching the island from the north, and now they turned due southward, to run down the coast to the harbor of St. Pierre. Land was still but a speck in the distance when the darkness of night closed in on the steamer. “When shall we get to St. Pierre?” asked Sam. “We be dare by daylight,” answered Captain Danvier. “Dat ees, if ze dust don’t hold us back,” and he smiled, as if he was not very much afraid. Hardly had darkness settled down when the _Vendee_ came to a sudden stop and began to drift. Inquiries brought forth the information that the engine had broken down, a portion of it having been badly jarred when the steamer collided with the Dutch lumber craft. There was no danger, and the chief engineer said he would be able to repair the damage long before daybreak. “This will make little difference to us,” said Professor Strong to the boys. “We will get into St. Pierre harbor early in the morning and that will do just as well as at night.” He spoke thus, little dreaming of how much that delay meant to all on board. When the sun arose the _Vendee_ was still at rest on the bosom of the sea. But repairs were going forward rapidly, and by half-past seven the engine was once more in good running order and the steamer resumed her course toward Martinique, which was now plainly visible in the distance. The volcanic dust had cleared away to a great degree and over toward Mont Pelee, which arose majestically before them, only a small black cloud hovered. “There is the smoking mountain,” said the professor. “It doesn’t look very alarming.” The _Vendee_ was not making over six knots an hour, the engineer deeming it best not to strain the engine too greatly, so as they passed along the coast they could see the shipping of the island and the various industries. At one point they beheld a large smoking ruin close to the water’s edge. “That was a sugar factory--the Guerin,” said the captain, in French. “It has been burnt down. And see, the houses around it have been burnt down too.” “The whole district is burnt down!” cried Professor Strong. “There has been a serious calamity of some sort here. It looks to me as if the volcano had become active. See the wreckage drifting along the beach.” “We shall soon know,” answered the commander of the steamer.