Ronald Halifax; Or, He Would Be a Sailor (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1887 edition. Excerpt: ... probably never have an opportunity of seeing again, but Dr. Cuppage soon caught sight of his patient and sent him below. Not caring to venture too near, Captain Wctherall eased off the engines, and kept the Resolute stationary about a mile distant from the mysterious island, intending at daylight to send a boat closer in to reconnoitre and take soundings. Bearings were meanwhile taken, so that the exact locality of the island could be accurately laid down upon the chart; and as there seemed no probability of a change in the elemental warfare going on, most of the officers and crew soon after dispersed below to get what little sleep they could before daylight. At eight bells (4 o'clock), however, Mr. Dormer reported to his reliefs, and also informed the captain, that all violent action in the volcanic island had ceased, and that it appeared to be gradually sinking lower and lower, and soon threatened to be submerged beneath the cinder-strewn sea altogether. The captain at once turned out and ran on deck with his night-glasses, but only arrived in time to see the liliputian crater--formed of mud and cinders--slowly dip its so recently formed cone under the waters of the Mexican Gulf, which rolled dark and sullen over the grave of Nature's latest marvel, that like the insect of a day had been ushered into the world for a few brief hours, and then as abruptly suffered extermination for ever. As soon as the sun rose and darted its beams over the now mirror-like waters, Captain Wetherall sent a boat under charge of the navigating officer to try and get soundings on the spot where the sunken island had disappeared; but in spite of all efforts no bottom could be discovered, and the only proofs of the great convulsion of Nature which had occurred was in...