Page:Under Dewey at Manila.djvu/196

168 view of the ocean, and saw that the island was about three miles in diameter. The crater of the volcano lay just in front of them,—a ragged depression, its centre depths covered with thickly matted vines.

"Looks like a big, round cake that went away up in the baking and then split just one side of the middle," remarked Larry. "Do you suppose there is any bottom to that crater?"

"To be sure, though there's no telling how far, down it is. I ain't calkerlatin' to investigate—not jest yet. Do you see anything of a hut or a village?"

"Not a sign of any habitation."

"Neither do I." The face of the sailor fell. "We might as well go round the crater and down behind it, and then, if we want to, we can walk along the shore."

The walk down the hill was easy, and they continued their progress even during the midday hour, although stopping numerous times to rest. They had almost gained the water's edge again when Striker pulled Larry by the arm to attract his attention.

"We'll want something to eat soon, and I'm goin' to have something besides fish if I can get it.