came along. But there is supposed to be another great crack in the
earth's crust--indicated by several volcanic mountains--which crosses
the other fissure almost at right angles, and at the exact point where
these two lines intersect _stands this island of Krakatoa_!

"I emphasise the fact," continued the hermit after a pause, "first,
because, although this has been a quiescent volcano since the year 1680,
and people have come to regard it as extinct, there are indications now
which lead me to believe that its energy is reviving; and, second,
because this focus where fissures cross each other--this Krakatoa
Island--is in reality part of the crater of an older and much larger
volcanic mountain, which must have been literally blown away in
prehistoric times, and of which Krakatoa and the neighbouring islets of
Varlaten, Polish Hat, Lang Island, and the rest, are but the remnants of
the great crater ring. If these rumblings and minor earthquakes, which I
have noticed of late--and the latest of which you have just
experienced--are the precursors of another explosion, my home here may
be rendered untenable."

"Hi!" exclaimed Moses, who had been listening with open mouth and eyes
to this discourse, which was obviously news to him, "I hope, massa, he
ain't a-gwine to 'splode to-day--anyhow, not till after breakfast!"

"You must have studied the subject of volcanoes a good deal, I suppose,
from what you say," observed Nigel.

"Naturally; living as I do almost on the top of one. My library, which I
will show you presently, contains many interesting works on the subject.
But come, if you have finished we will ascend the Peak of Rakata and I
will introduce you to my sunshine."