132 FOR THE FLAG

perceptible shock in the bows, and with her sails still
furled she renewed her mysterious progress eastwards.

Two hours later Count d’Artigas appeared at the top of
the companion and took his usual place near the taffrail.

Spade and Serké went to him immediately, and ney
exchanged some words.

All three levelled their glasses and examined the horizon
from the south-east to the north-east.

I, too, turned my eyes in that direction; but having no
glasses in my possession I could see nothing,

The midday meal being ended, we returned to the deck.
—all, with the exception of M. Roch, who had not left
his cabin.

Towards half-past one, land was sighted by the look-
out. As the £dda raced at full speed I soon descried the
first outline of the coast. Two hours afterwards a faint
outline appeared at less than eight miles distance, and
became more clearly defined as we approached. It was
the outline of a mountain. From its summit a wreath of
smoke escaped and floated towards the zenith.

A volcano in these latitudes?

What can this mean ?