“Oh, Don!” he said to the faithful pony, “you must take me to the island,” never dreaming of the effort it would cost.
As he spoke a commotion began in the water at the north end, though that in front of him was still as unruffled as ever. But the pony had barely plunged into the tide before a deep, guttural sound came up from the depths and long lines of foam appeared on the surface.
Nothing daunted by this, Jack continued to urge the animal ahead in spite of its desire to turn back, until they were about midway between the bank which they had left and the island.
The strange noise had increased so that now it completely filled Jack’s ears, while the water was in a fearful state of agitation. It had taken on a peculiar greenish hue, with big flecks of white foam, and here and there were fountains spouting up bright yellow liquid, which rose to the height of from ten to twenty feet.
The youth felt a strong undercurrent, and, finding that he could not reach the island, he tried to get back to the shore he had left.
By this time the pony was struggling helplessly in the mysterious power sucking it downward.
Then, before Jack could clear his feet from the stirrups, so as to look out for himself, he was drawn under the seething waters with his horse!
Chapter XVI
At the Boiling Lake
As Jack felt the swirling waters closing over him, he made greater effort to keep on the surface.