A position was selected above the high water mark on the slope of the volcano. The eruption, somewhat singularly, had ceased altogether.
The reason for this was not apparent, but it was possible that the rising of the waters had extinguished the internal fires.
The voyagers were engaged in watching the slow rising of the inland sea, when suddenly a great cry came from Barney.
“Be me sowl, there’s a lot av the spalpeens up there among the rocks,” he cried. “Shure, have an eye out fer thim, or they’ll be afther comin’’ down onto us!”
“Where are they?” cried Frank, springing to Barney’s side.
“Up there, sor!”
Frank was just in time to see that the Celt was right. A number of forms were scrambling over a heap of bowlders far up on the crater’s side.
This was the first sign of human beings other than themselves in the abandoned country. It is needless to say that all were excited.
CHAPTER X.
A STARTLING DISCOVERY.
No one doubted for a moment that the forms scrambling over the crater’s side were really the Polar natives.