Another talk followed, and it was hard work for the boys to get Professor Strong to consent to the plan. But the professor was secretly as eager as any of them, for he knew that the scientific magazines would welcome an article from his pen describing the condition of this territory immediately after the great eruption.
“I cannot blame Mark and Frank for wanting to go,” he said. “But as to you, Samuel, and Dartworth——”
“Oh, you must consent!” interrupted Darry. “What are we journeying around for if not to see the sights? And this is such a sight as comes only once in a lifetime.” So it was settled; and that evening found the five on the ship bound for St. Marie. Hockley was left at a hotel in Fort de France to await their return.
CHAPTER XXXI
DANGEROUS VOLCANO EXPLORING
The journey to St. Marie was made without special incident, and thirty-six hours later the party landed in the little village, to find it all but deserted. Many of the inhabitants had fled in boats and others had journeyed overland to Fort de France.
On landing, the boys and the professor lost no time in making inquiries concerning the road to Basse Pointe. They were told that it ran along the shore, past Grand Anse, another village, also deserted. There were a number of bridges to cross, and whether these were in good condition nobody could tell.
“This is getting more risky,” observed the professor, but at that moment a black man came up who could speak English, and he offered to guide them to any point they wished to go providing they would pay him a sum equal to five dollars per day,—this amount being a small fortune to the fellow.
“We’ll take you up, Gambo,” said the professor. “Let us start at once.” And they set off, each carrying some food with him, for there was no telling what desolation lay in store for them.
Gambo was a bright, intelligent fellow, and under his guidance they made rapid progress. By nightfall they reached Grand Anse, to find it covered with volcanic dust and stones. Only four natives had remained there, and they said they were going to depart as soon as a certain boat came back for them. They asked Gambo about the Americans, and then said they had seen some other Americans up in the mountains, the day before the awful eruption.
“They must have been Mark’s father and mine!” cried Frank, excitedly. “Ask them where they went to?”