ance covered from the American coast and the direction sailed in since we issued from Pamlico Sound. This direction has constantly been south

unt d'Artigas and Engineer Serko remain aft, by th

his island, which appears t

still broad daylight, and the hour

awaiting orders, and Boatswain Effro

it. It will be the first answer to one of the many questi

e of the Bermuda islands, in the middle of an English archipelago-unless the Count d'

r, he must be asking himself what I think of this adventure. If Warder Gaydon is but a poor devil, this poor devil will manifest as much unconcern as to

how certain things have suddenly become clear to me

mmands me to be more

of Engineer Serko-I have succeeded in raising a corner

the blue background of the sky. The sun which has passed the zenith, shines full upon the western side. The isle

ginous vapor arises. Its summit-the bottom of the cup, if you like-is about three hundred feet above the lev

t, and this is a rock which forms a natural arch at the base of the mountain-the handle of the cup, so to speak-and through w

. It is the "reversed cup" that I had occasion to visit a few years ago-No, I am not mistaken. I then cli

ion of surprise-and satisfaction-which, with good reason, would

er which I came to explore Back

609, the Bermudas have belonged to the United Kingdom, and in consequence the colonial population has increased to ten thousand inhabitants. It was not for its productions of cotton, coffee, indigo, and arrowroot that England annexed the group-seized it, one might say; but because it forme

Somerset, Hamilton, and St. George. The latter has a free port,

e wide. Leaving out the medium-sized ones, there remains but an agglomer

es are nevertheless frightfully beaten by the heavy winter tempests of th

itants, who treasure up the heaven-sent water for household and agricultural purposes. This has necessitated the construction of vast cistern

hese cisterns that I made the trip, as well a

engineer in New Jersey a vacation of several we

n the vast port of Southampton, an event

ed on the east coast of Back Cup, where they had erected log-cabins and houses of stone. Their position for carrying on their in

ir rough lot, which was rendered less onerous by the facility of communication with Hamilton and St.

etty soon appeared, of never returning to it? The reason turned ou

nd flames issued from the summit-or the bottom of the reversed cup, if you like. Now no one had ever suspected that the islet was of volcanic origin, or that there was a crater at the top, no one havin

explosions-the shocks could be distinctly felt. All these phenomena were indicative of an imminent eruption, and there was no spot at the base of the mountain that could afford any protection

. This they did. Their humble Lares and Penates, in fact all their belongings, were loa

signs of breaking out again, caused a sensation throughout the Bermudas. But while some were terrified, the curiosity of

which cannot be approached from the east. Being only three hundred feet in altitude, it cannot be seen either from St. George or Hamilton. I join

ould be plainly heard, and a sheaf of sm

een started again by the subterranean fire, and

s, and its smooth, slippery sides afforded absolutely no foothold. Anything more barren than this rocky freak of nature it would be d

of danger that manifested themselves, we could but approve the action of the villagers

p, and no one will consequently be surprised at the fact that I

that Warder Gaydon is perfectly acquainted with this islet, even if the Ebba was to

rmer inhabitants has been induced to return, and, as it is absolutel

rrow creek there is nothing to give ground to the supposition that a wealthy yachtsman would have the remotest idea of fixing upon as his residence an arid cone exposed to all

cky base is plainly discernible. The only living things upon it are the s

speed, and then stops at the entrance of a sort of natural can

h it. I do not think so. She will probably lay where she is-though why she should

chor. The anchors are suspended in their usual places, the cables hav

rko and Captain Spade go forward and perfor

re hoisting in. Almost immediately the water, at the same spot becomes dark and I observe a black mass rising to the su

ut a screw. Her indefatigable motor is emerging from the sea, after having towed her from the coast of America to the archipelago of the Bermudas. There it is,

formed by port-holes or lenses through which an electric searchlight can throw its gleam for some distance under water in front of and on each side of the tug. Now relieved of its ballast of water the bo

tter must be furnished by some manufactory where it is stored, and the m

marine towing system? Why is she not provided with he

upon which I have at pres

and Captain Spade has been able to communicate with them and transmit his orders as to the direction to be ta

aches me and says, p

t i

n!" I

ug, and look s

t to obey. I hasten to comply with

be very calm, and very indifferent too, and makes no resistance when he is lifted over and

lowered. They have hold of a long hawser, with which the schooner is probably to be towed through the reef. Is there the

crew on board haul on it and in five minutes the schooner is so completely lost to

t creek? Who in America would have any idea that the rich yachtsman so well

the four men towards the tug which was eviden

vement is felt, the screw revolves rapidly and the tug skims a

ug enters. When it gets close inshore, an order is given to two men who jump out and haul the dinghy up on

n to the tug and Engineer S

and for which no doubt there was not room in the hold of the schooner. I am pushed into a si

I spent so many long hours after our abduction from Healthful House,

s Roch has been placed i

lid as it closes, and the tug begins to

another-a movement that impe

s, and I feel that we are r

made by the li

ns, and I rush out and c

he tug has penetrated to the

Count d'Artigas lives with his comp