“That’s right, sir. We’re ashore, but it’s on the bottom of the sea.”
“Nonsense!” cried Oliver Lane.
“Oh, very well, look over the side, then. Where’s the water? I’ve been looking and listening, and there isn’t a drop to be heard; it’s too dark to see anything yet. Now, listen again.”
“I can hear nothing,” said Oliver.
“No, not a splash, and the great volcano is put out. That isn’t smoke which makes it so dark, but steam rising from the big hole in the earth.”
“Oh, impossible!” cried Lane.
“All right, sir, then make it possible by explaining it some other way. But, as far as I can make out, our voyage is over, and we’ve got to walk all the way home, and carry our traps.”
“Wait till it gets light,” said Lane confidently, “and you’ll see that you are wrong. Who’s that, Drew?”
“Yes. Are you better?”
“Oh, yes, only a little giddy. Where’s Panton?”