"Bless my topknot; certainly, yes!" joined in Mr. Damon, eagerly.
"Well, I--er--I only spoke of it," said Mr. Jenks, hesitatingly, and then he turned away. Mr. Hosbrook looked sharply at him, but said nothing.
"Suppose we go to our camp," proposed Tom. "We may be able to get you up a good meal, before another earthquake comes."
"I wonder what makes so many of them?" asked Mrs. Nestor, with a nervous shiver.
"Yes, indeed, they are terrifying! One never knows when to expect them," added Mrs. Anderson.
"I have a theory about them," said Mr. Parker, the scientist, who, up to this time had spoken but little.
"A theory?" inquired Tom.
"Yes. This island is one of the smaller of the West Indies group. It is little known, and has seldom been visited, I believe. But I am sure that what causes the earthquakes is that the whole island has been undermined by the sea, and it is the wash of great submarine waves and currents which cause the tremors."
"Undermined by the sea?" repeated Tom.
"Yes. It is being slowly washed away."