being very much of the same character as Vulcan’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 had also a more even surface, and a more accessible plain.  Rancocus Island was higher and more broken, and, while it might be a pleasanter place of residence 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 Heaton 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 overlooked such an object in his former examinations; and to his delight, because he was now satisfied that the Reef must be to the northward of that strange mountain, and a long distance from it, because no such peak had been visible from the former when he left it.  It was a good place to steer for, nevertheless, on this new voyage, since it carried him a hundred miles to wind ward; 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, next morning, he altered his course, and beat up for the strange island.  When Mark first discovered him, he had nearly made the circuit of Vulcan’s Peak, in a vain endeavour to land, and he would actually have gone on his way, had it not been for the firing of the fowling-piece, the report of which he heard, and the smoke of which he saw.

Chapter XIV.

    “Compell the hawke to sit, that is unmanned,
    Or make the hound, untaught, to draw the deere,
    Or bring the free, against his will, in band,
    Or move the sad, a pleasant tale to heere,
    Your time is lost, and you no whit the neere! 
      So love ne learnes, of force, the heart to knit: 
      She serves but those, that feels sweet fancie’s fit.”