In penning this tale I have, as usual, tried to be as accurate as possible when giving historical or geographical details. The latest and best American and Spanish authorities have been consulted, and, in the case of the disasters at Martinique and St. Vincent, I have read with care the reports of all who suffered and escaped, and of those who have since visited these spots of interest.

Once again I wish to thank the many thousands who have perused my former works. May the present volume fulfil their every expectation.

Edward Stratemeyer.

CONTENTS

CHAPTERPAGE
I. Introducing the Boys[ 1]
II. News from Home[ 10]
III. Off for Jamaica[ 20]
IV. A Talk About a Meal[ 30]
V. The Defense of January Jones[ 42]
VI. An Interruption to Sight-Seeing[ 53]
VII. The Joke on Captain Sudlip[ 62]
VIII. Sight-Seeing in Havana[ 72]
IX. The Disappearance of Hockley[ 82]
X. The Old Convent[ 93]
XI. A Strange Story[ 103]
XII. About Cuba and Tobacco Raising[ 114]
XIII. A Cuban Baseball Game[ 123]
XIV. Winning a Victory[ 132]
XV. Hockley Takes a Bath and Gives One[ 141]
XVI. Good-bye to Cuba[ 152]
XVII. A Joke on Shipboard[ 161]
XVIII. Hayti, Sugar Making, and Another Joke[ 172]
XIX. A Talk About Porto Rico[ 183]
XX. An Adventure in the Mountains[ 193]
XXI. Across Porto Rico on Horseback[ 204]
XXII. Hockley in Trouble[ 213]
XXIII. The Bully is Humbled[ 223]
XXIV. Something About Earthquakes and Volcanoes [ 233]
XXV. A Collision at Sea[ 243]
XXVI. The Lumber Raft[ 256]
XXVII. Stone Dust and Boiling Water[ 265]
XXVIII. The Eruption of Mont Pelee[ 274]
XXIX. The Destruction of St. Pierre[ 285]
XXX. Looking for the Missing Ones[ 296]
XXXI. Dangerous Volcano Exploring[ 306]
XXXII. The Fate of Captain Sudlip[ 316]
XXXIII. A Happy Meeting—Conclusion[ 325]

PAN
AMERICAN
SERIES

THE YOUNG VOLCANO
EXPLORERS

CHAPTER I
INTRODUCING THE BOYS

“Here comes the mail boy, Darry. Now for letters and newspapers from home. There ought to be plenty of letters for all of us.”