“Hello, boys!” cried Jeems, “there is a big fire over on the other side of the Island.”
“I should say!” commented Jim earnestly. “Look at that smoke rolling up.”
“It must be a forest fire,” put in Jo. “Reminds me of our Colorado experiences.”
“I tell you what, boys, let’s make a landing and take a look at it,” cried Juarez. “There’s a fine harbor ahead of us!”
Old Captain Kerns was taking a deep interest in the conversation, as was evident, as he looked down from the quarter deck at the boys.
“What’s that you lads were saying, about a big fire somewheres?” he inquired. “I hope it hain’t aboard ship.”
“No, no, Captain,” replied Jim reassuringly, “we meant that big smoke over on the other side of the island. Juarez wants to make a landing, so as we can see it to better advantage. We don’t want to miss any excitement.”
“You lads are always so eager,” replied the captain. “Why don’t you wait until you get back here sometime?”
“It will be burned out long before we get back,” said Jo.
“Well,” said the captain slowly, “that smoke has been there for nigh onto a thousand years, and is liable to be there for some time yet. That’s the volcano of Kiluæa.”