Page:The crater; or, Vulcan's peak.djvu/206

200 THE CRATER; cular turning out to be infinitely inferior. But it had trees and fruits, being very much of the same character as Vul can s Peak, in this respect. Nevertheless, there was no comparison between the two islands as places of residence, the last having infinitely the most advantages. It was larger, had more and better fruits, better water, and richer grasses. It ha.d also a more even surface, and a more ac cessible plain. Rancocus Island was higher and more broken, and, while it might be a pleasanter place of resi dence than the Reef during the warm months, it never could be a place as pleasant as the plain of the Peak. Bob found it necessary to leave his friends, and most of his stores, at Rancocus Island ; Mrs. Heaton becoming a mother two days after their arrival at it, and the cows both increasing their families in the course of the same week. It was, moreover, impossible to transport everybody and everything in the Neshamony, at the same time. As Doctor Heatori would not leave Anne at such a moment, and Bridget was of the same way of thinking, it was thought best to improve the time by sending out Betts to explore. It will be remembered that he was uncertain where the Reef was to be found exactly, though convinced it was to windward, and within a hundred miles of him. While roaming over the rocks of Rancocus, however, Vulcan s Peak had been seen, as much to Bob s surprise as to his delight. To his surprise, inasmuch as he had no notion of the great physical change that had recently been wrought by the earthquake, yet could scarce believe he had over looked such an object in his former examinations; and to his delight, because he was now satisfied that the Reef must lie to the northward of that strange mountain, and a long distance from it, because no such peak had been visi ble from the former when he left it. It was a good place to steer for, nevertheless, on this new voyage, since it car ried him a hundred miles to windward ; and when Bob, with Socrates for a companion, left Rancocus to look for the Reef, he steered as near the course for the Peak as the wind would permit. He had made the island from the boat, after a run of ten hours; and, at the same time, he made the crater of the active volcano. For the latter, he stood that night, actually going within a mile of it; and,