“No: if it were we should see clouds of smoke between us and the stars, and they’re clear right down to the top of the mountain. Why, Brace, there must be a volcano here, and that’s the reflection from the glowing lava. I’ve seen something like that in the Sandwich Islands.”
“I’ll go and tell my brother,” said Brace. “No; perhaps he’s asleep, and it would be awkward for him to get up here in the dark.”
“And you couldn’t get him up in time,” said Lynton. “Look: it’s dying out fast. There: it’s gone now.”
“Yes,” said Brace, in a very low whisper. “How strange!”
“Sort of afterglow,” muttered Briscoe; “only it’s a long time after the sunset. Well, gentlemen, I’m for bed. The scene is over and the lights are out. What do you say?”
Brace said nothing, but he followed his companion into the cave and sleep came soon after—the sound, easy sleep enjoyed in the open air, for the night breeze played softly in at the open mouth of the cave, and there was nothing to disturb the party till the fire began to crackle soon after daybreak.