“And this is in my father’s hand!” came from Frank, falteringly. His hand shook so he could not open the envelope. “Yo--you read it, professor.” Professor Strong did so. The communication had been written the day before and ran in this wise: “MY DEAR SON FRANK: “I am writing this in the hope that you are safe despite the fearful volcano eruptions which have taken place in this quarter of the globe. I know you were bound for St. Pierre, but I have learned that by the goodness of an all-wise Providence the _Vendee_ escaped the eruption that destroyed St. Pierre and all the shipping in that harbor. “Mr. Robertson and myself have had a narrow escape from death, and we do not yet know if we are entirely safe, for the volcano on this island is now as active as that on Martinique. We were within four miles of Mont Pelee when the eruption of May 8th occurred. We escaped by what was little short of a miracle, and were lucky enough to get on a trading vessel bound for this port. I had my lower limbs and feet considerably burnt, and Mr. Robertson suffered from burns on his feet and on his left arm. But none of the burns are serious, and we are resting here quite comfortably. If we were well enough we would set out in search of you, but as it is neither of us can do any walking at present. “I am sending this letter in duplicate to half a dozen ports in this territory, and Mr. Robertson is sending similar letters addressed to Mark. As soon as you receive a letter let me hear from you, as both of us are anxious for news. And also send word home if you are safe. Address me at the Windsor Hotel, Kingstown, Island of St. Vincent.” “Oh, how glad I am that they are safe!” murmured Frank, and then he looked at Mark, who had been reading his own letter. There were tears in the eyes of both and that look meant more than any words of mine can tell. “I must go to Kingstown at once,” said Mark. “I can’t be satisfied until I see for myself just how they are faring.” “And I will go with you,” answered Frank. “Perhaps the burns are worse than we imagine. I know father. He wouldn’t want to worry me.” The matter was talked over by all, and in the end Professor Strong agreed to see about passage to St. Vincent. Darry and Sam wanted to keep with Frank and Mark, and the whole party sailed southward the next morning at sunrise. The run to St. Vincent, past the Island of St. Lucia, which, strange to say, had entirely escaped the eruptions on both sides of it, was made without anything unusual occurring. While still some miles north of the island for which they were bound they could see the smoke of La Soufriere and through the marine glasses took note of some of the terrible damage done. “It is very fortunate that no large city was located near this volcano,” said Professor Strong. “No living thing could have escaped such an outburst as has taken place here.”