Gambo did so. The reply was uncertain. The Americans had been at a small settlement called Frodamalos but where they had gone after that was not known.
“Where is Frodamalos?” questioned Professor Strong.
“Up the mountainside,” answered Gambo. “It is close to Pelee.”
“I don’t care—I’m going anyway,” said Frank. “I don’t believe we are going to have any more eruptions—at least, not right away.”
Again there was a conference, but in the end the professor yielded, and they went forward towards the interior of Martinique. The lofty height of Mont Pelee was before them, still crowned with black smoke and many-colored vapor. The mighty giant was resting, preparatory to a greater exhibition of strength.
The evidences of the fearful eruption were more and more pronounced as they advanced. Down near the shore the vegetation had been only dust covered, here it was literally burnt up. The trees were stripped bare, leaving only the black trunks standing. The ground was cracked in a thousand places, while here and there were large deposits of mud and lava, twisted and turned into all sorts of curious shapes. Occasionally they passed the bones of some animal, and in one spot they came upon the partly consumed bodies of two natives who had died locked in each other’s arms. At the sight of the dead natives Gambo fell upon his knees in horror. Then of a sudden he leaped up, turned, and fled in the direction from whence he had come, running as if a legion of demons were at his heels.
“He has deserted us,” said the professor, after calling for the negro to come back. “Even the offer of five dollars per day in gold couldn’t hold him after such a sight.”
“But I am not going to turn back,” said Mark, with set teeth, and he strode on, with Frank beside him; and the others followed.
It was hard walking and climbing, and frequently they had to pause to get their breath. The air seemed to grow more suffocating as they drew nearer to the volcano.
“It is the gas,” said Professor Strong. “I think we had better go back.” And he shook his head doubtfully.