Page:The crater; or, Vulcan's peak.djvu/98

92 TIIECRATER, reef. Bob had caught about a dozen fish, some of which were of considerable size, though ail were of either species or varieties that were unknown to them both. Selecting two of the most promising-looking, for their own use, he threw the others on the rocks, where the pigs and poultry might give them a trial. Nor was it long before these creatures were hard at work on them, disregarding the scales and fins. At first the hens were a little delicate, probably from having found animal food enough for their present wants in the insects; but, long before the game was demolished, they had come in for their full share. This experiment satisfied the mariners that there would be no difficulty in furnishing plenty of food for a>ll their stock, and for any length of time, Kitty excepted. It is true, the pork and the poultry would be somewhat fishy ; but that would be a novelty, and should it prove disagreeable on tasting it, a little clean feeding, at the proper moment, would correct the flavour. But the principal cargo of the dingui was not the dozen fish mentioned. Bob had nearly filled the boat with a sort of vegetable loam, that he had found lodged in the cavity of one of the largest rock s, and which, from the signs around the place, he supposed to have been formed by de posits of sea-weed. By an accident of nature, this cavity in the rock received a current, which carried large quan tities of floating weed into it, while every storm probably had added to its stores since the mass had risen above the common level of the sea, by throwing fresh materials on to the pile, by means of the waves, nothing quitting it. Bob reported that there were no signs of vegetation around the rock, which circumstance, however, was easily enough accounted for by the salt water that was incessantly moist ening the surface, and which, while it took with it the principle of future, was certain to destroy all prevsent, vege table life; or, all but that which belongs exclusively to aquatic plants. " How much of this muck do you suppose is to be found on your rock, Bob ?" asked Mark, after he had examined the dingui s cargo, by sight, taste, and smell. " It is sur prisingly like a rich earth, if it be not actually so." " Lord bless you, Mn Mark, there is enough on t to fill