The cave was enshrouded in almost total darkness when they entered it, but this was quickly dispelled1, to Nigel's no little surprise, by the rays of a magnificent oil lamp, which Moses lighted and placed on the table in the larger cave. A smaller one of the same kind already illuminated2 the kitchen.
Not much conversation was indulged in during the progress of the supper that was soon spread upon the rude table. The three men, being uncommonly3 hungry and powerfully robust4, found in food a sufficient occupation for their mouths for some time.
After supper they became a little, but not much, more sociable5, for, although Nigel's active mind would gladly have found vent6 in conversation, he experienced some difficulty in making headway against the discouragement of Van der Kemp's very quiet disposition7, and the cavernous yawns with which Moses displayed at once his desire for slumber9 and his magnificent dental arrangements.
"We always retire early to rest after a day of this sort," said the hermit10 at last, turning to his guest. "Do you feel disposed for bed?"
"Indeed I do," said Nigel, with a half-suppressed yawn, that was irresistibly11 dragged out of him by the sight of another earthquake on the negro's face.
"Come, then, I will show you your berth12; we have no bedrooms here," said the hermit, with a sort of deprecatory smile, as he led the way to the darker end of the cavern8, where he pointed13 to a little recess14 in which there was a pile of something that smelt15 fresh and looked like heather, spread on which there was a single blanket.
"Sailors are said to be indifferent to sheets. You won't miss them, I daresay?"
"Not in the least," returned Nigel, with a laugh. "Good-night," he added, shaking hands with his host and suppressing another yawn, for Moses' face, even in the extreme distance, was irresistibly infectious!
Our hero was indifferent not only to sheets, but also, in certain circumstances, to the usual habiliments of night. Indeed, while travelling in out-of-the-way regions he held it to be a duty to undress but partially16 before turning in, so that he might be ready for emergencies.
On lying down he found his mattress17, whatever it was, to be a springy, luxurious18 bed, and was about to resign himself to slumber when he observed that, from the position in which he lay, he could see the cavern in all its extent. Opening his half-closed eyes, therefore, he watched the proceedings19 of his host, and in doing so, as well as in speculating on his strange character and surroundings, he became somewhat wakeful.
He saw that Van der Kemp, returning to the other end of the cave, sat down beside the lamp, the blaze of which fell full on his fine calm countenance21. A motion of his head brought Moses to him, who sat down beside him and entered into earnest conversation, to judge from his gestures, for nothing could be heard where Nigel lay save the monotonous22 murmur23 of their voices. The hermit did not move. Except for an occasional inclination24 of the head he appeared to be a grand classic statue, but it was otherwise with the negro. His position in front of the lamp caused him to look if possible even blacker than ever, and the blackness was so uniform that his entire profile became strongly pronounced, thus rendering25 every motion distinct, and the varied26 pouting27 of his huge lips remarkably28 obvious. The extended left hand, too, with the frequent thrusting of the index finger of the other into the palm, was suggestive of argument, and of much reasoning effort—if not power.
After about half-an-hour of conversation, Moses arose, shook his master by the hand, appeared to say "Good-night" very obviously, yawned, and retired29 to the kitchen, whence, in five minutes or so, there issued sounds which betokened30 felicitous31 repose32.
Meanwhile his master sat motionless for some time, gazing at the floor as if in meditation33. Then he rose, went to his book-case and took down a large thick volume, which he proceeded to read.
Nigel had by that time dropped into a drowsy34 condition, yet his interest in the doings of his strange entertainer was so great that he struggled hard to keep awake, and partially succeeded.
"I wonder," he muttered, in sleepy tones, "if that's a f—fam—'ly Bible he's reading—or—or—a vol'm o' the En—Encyclopida Brit—"
He dropped off at this point, but, feeling that he had given way to some sort of weakness, he struggled back again into wakefulness, and saw that the hermit was bending over the large book with his massive brow resting on the palms of both hands, and his fingers thrust into his iron-grey hair. It was evident, however, that he was not reading the book at that moment, for on its pages was lying what seemed to be a miniature or photograph case, at which he gazed intently. Nigel roused himself to consider this, and in doing so again dropped off—not yet soundly, however, for curiosity induced one more violent struggle, and he became aware of the fact that the hermit was on his knees with his face buried in his hands.
The youth's thoughts must have become inextricably confused at this point, yet their general drift was indicated by the muttered words: "I—I'm glad o' that—a good sign—an'—an' it's not th' Encyclop——." Here Morpheus finally conquered, and he sank into dreamless repose.
How long this condition lasted he could not tell, but he was awakened35 violently by sensations and feelings of dread36, which were entirely37 new to him. The bed on which he rested seemed to heave under him, and his ears were filled by sharp rattling38 sounds, something like—yet very different from—the continuous roll of musketry.
Starting up, he sprang into the large cavern where he found Van der Kemp quietly tightening39 his belt and Moses hastily pulling on his boots.
"Sometin's bu'sted an' no mistake!" exclaimed the latter.
"An eruption40 from one of the cones42," said the hermit. "I have been for a long time expecting it. Come with us."
He went swiftly up the staircase and passages which led to the observatory43 as he spoke44.
The scene that met their eyes on reaching the ledge45 or plateau was sublime46 in the extreme, as well as terrific.
"As I thought," said Van der Kemp, in a low tone. "It is Perboewatan that has broken out."
"The cone41 from which I observed smoke rising?" asked Nigel.
"The same. The one over the very centre of the old crater47, showing that we were wrong in supposing it to be extinct: it was only slumbering48. It is in what vulcanologists term moderate eruption now, and, perhaps, may prove a safety-valve which will prevent a more violent explosion."
That the cone of Perboewatan was indeed in a state of considerable activity, worthy49 of a stronger term than "moderate," was very obvious. Although at a distance, as we have said, of four miles, the glare of its fires on the three figures perched near the top of Rakata was very intense, while explosion after explosion sent molten lava50 and red-hot rocks, pumice, and dust, high into the thickening air—clouds of smoke and steam being vomited51 forth52 at the same time. The wind, of which there was very little, blew it all away from the position occupied by the three observers.
"What if the wind were to change and blow it all this way?" asked Nigel, with very pardonable feelings of discomfort53.
"We could return to the cavern," said the hermit.
"But what if Rakata itself should become active?"
It was evident from the very solemn expression on the negro's face that he awaited the reply to Nigel's question with some anxiety.
"Rakata," answered the hermit thoughtfully, "although the highest cone, is the one most distant from the great centre of activity. It is therefore not likely that the volcanic54 energy will seek a vent here while there are other cones between us and Perboewatan. But we shall soon see whether the one vent is likely to suffice. There is undoubtedly55 no diminution56 in the explosions at present."
There certainly was not, for the voice of the speaker was almost drowned by the horrible din20 caused, apparently57, by the hurtling of innumerable fragments of rock and stones in the air, while a succession of fiery58 flashes, each followed by a loud explosion, lit up the dome-shaped mass of vapour that was mounting upwards59 and spreading over the sky. Vivid flashes of lightning were also seen playing around the vapour-column. At the same time, there began a fall of fine white dust, resembling snow, which soon covered the foliage60 and the ground of all the lower part of the island. The sea around was also ere long covered with masses of pumice, which, being very light, floated away into the Indian ocean, and these were afterwards encountered in large quantities by various vessels61 passing through Sunda Straits.
The Scientific Committee, which ultimately wrote on the details of this eruption in Krakatoa, mention this first outburst as being a phase of moderate activity, similar to that which is said to have been exhibited for some months during the years 1680 and 1681, and they added that "the outburst was one of considerable violence, especially at its commencement," that falls of dust were noticed at the distance of three hundred miles, and that "the commander of the German war-vessel Elizabeth estimated the height of the dust-column issuing from the volcano at 11 kilometres (36,000 feet or about 7 miles)."[2]
To our hero, however, and to Moses, the outburst seemed anything but "moderate," and that night as they two sat together in the cave after supper, listening with awe-struck faces to the cannonading and wild musketry going on as it seemed under their very feet, the negro solemnly imparted to Nigel in a low whisper that he thought "de end ob de wurld hab come at last!"
Returning at that moment from his observatory, to which he had ascended62 for a few minutes to view the scene through one of his glasses, Van der Kemp relieved their anxieties somewhat by remarking, in his quiet manner, that there was a distinct diminution in the violence of the explosions, and that, from his knowledge and experience of other volcanoes in Java, Sumatra, and elsewhere, he thought it probable they had seen the worst of it at that time, and that none of the other cones would be likely to break out.
"I'm glad to hear you say so," observed Nigel, "for although the sight is extremely magnificent and very interesting, both from a scientific and artistic63 point of view, I cannot help thinking that we should be safer away from this island at present—at least while the volcano is active."
The hermit smiled almost pitifully. "I do not apprehend64 danger," he said, "at least nothing unusual. But it happens that my business requires me to leave in the course of a few days at any rate, so, whether the eruption becomes fiercer or feebler, it will not matter to us. I have preparations to make, however, and I have no doubt you won't object to remain till all is ready for a start?"
"Oh, as to that," returned the youth, slightly hurt by the implied doubt as to his courage, "if you are willing to risk going off the earth like a skyrocket, I am quite ready to take my chance of following you!"
"An' Moses am de man," said the negro, smiting65 his broad chest with his fist, "what's ready to serve as a rocket-stick to bof, an' go up along wid you!"
The hermit made the nearest approach to a laugh which Nigel had yet seen, as he left the cave to undertake some of the preparations above referred to.
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1
dispelled
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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robust
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| adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的 | |
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sociable
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| adj.好交际的，友好的，合群的 | |
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vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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hermit
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| n.隐士，修道者；隐居 | |
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irresistibly
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| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
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berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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15
smelt
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| v.熔解，熔炼；n.银白鱼，胡瓜鱼 | |
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16
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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mattress
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| n.床垫，床褥 | |
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18
luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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21
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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24
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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25
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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pouting
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| v.撅（嘴）( pout的现在分词 ) | |
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remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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betokened
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| v.预示，表示( betoken的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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felicitous
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| adj.恰当的，巧妙的；n.恰当，贴切 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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meditation
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| n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录 | |
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34
drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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35
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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36
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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37
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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38
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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tightening
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| 上紧，固定，紧密 | |
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40
eruption
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| n.火山爆发；（战争等）爆发；（疾病等）发作 | |
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41
cone
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| n.圆锥体，圆锥形东西，球果 | |
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42
cones
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| n.（人眼）圆锥细胞；圆锥体( cone的名词复数 )；球果；圆锥形东西；（盛冰淇淋的）锥形蛋卷筒 | |
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43
observatory
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| n.天文台，气象台，瞭望台，观测台 | |
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44
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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45
ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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46
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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47
crater
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| n.火山口，弹坑 | |
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48
slumbering
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的现在分词形式） | |
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49
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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50
lava
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| n.熔岩，火山岩 | |
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51
vomited
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52
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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53
discomfort
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| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
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54
volcanic
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| adj.火山的；象火山的；由火山引起的 | |
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55
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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56
diminution
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| n.减少；变小 | |
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57
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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58
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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59
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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60
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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61
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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62
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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63
artistic
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| adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的 | |
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64
apprehend
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| vt.理解，领悟，逮捕，拘捕，忧虑 | |
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smiting
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的现在分词 ) | |
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