Alone I could not have accomplished this,
and I doubt if Melannie could have helped me, ignorant as she was of
the use of the heavy oar. But Van Luck and I had no difficulty in
sweeping the boat out to sea. Thus does Providence recompense a
merciful action.
When we had gained a safe distance from the island we rested awhile in
order to look back on the strangest and most terrific sight I had ever
beheld. The island seemed to be blown to atoms. Flames and masses of
rock shot up from the quickly-widening crater until the island, which
had lately risen like a beauty-spot in the ocean, became a mass of
fire. The lava, now pouring in red-hot streams into the sea, caused
steam-clouds to rise, so that the island disappeared behind a luminous
veil. None of the savages escaped, for we saw no canoes making from the
shore. Thus vanished the Island of Gems, with its treasure of jewels
and gold, the dross of the world, in the pursuit of which so many risk
their lives.
A light breeze now coming from the south-east, we hoisted the sails,
and taking the helm, I placed Van Luck in charge of the foresail,
whilst Melannie and I sat together in the stern.
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