CHAPTER IX
THE ERUPTION
AY and night the stream of noxious vapors and molten matter poured forth from the newly created volcano; and a most magnificent spectacle it formed. But, interesting as it was to watch these brilliant fireworks, there was not one of our friends who did not ardently desire the display to stop, that the work of digging the tunnel might be resumed.
Even Flora Curtis was as impatient as the rest, though she took great delight in climbing up into the doctor's observatory to watch the immense sheaf of flame rise into the sky, and then drop down, a great distance away, in graceful curves of fire. Fortunately, the observatory itself was protected from the heat by means analogous to those used to keep the tube from melting.
The submarine boats were in continual demand,
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