Part 18 (2/2)

”Here co about He saw Mr Da increased, and the ru was like thunder, close at hand The island seemed to rock to its very centre

Suddenly the whole cliff tohich they had been walking, appeared to shake itself loose In another instant it was flung outward and into the sea, a great , and the roaring stopped Tom rose to his feet, followed by his companions He looked toward the place where the cliff had been Its reave them a view of a part of the beach that had hitherto been hidden from them

And what Toathered around a little fire on the sand, a party ofto one another in terror

So to and fro in bewilderment

”More castaways!” cried Tom ”More castaways,” and, he added under his breath, ”more unfortunates on earthquake island!”

CHAPTER XVI

AN ALARMING THEORY

For a few seconds, following Tom's announcement to his two companions, neither Mr Damon nor Mr Fenwick spoke They had arisen from the beach, where the shock of the earthquake had thrown the toward the other band of castaways, who, in turn were gazing toward our three friends There was a violent agitation in the sea, caused by the fall of the great cliff, and immense waves rushed up on shore, but all the islanders were beyond the reach of the rollers

”Is it--do I really--aasped Mr

Dae, or do we really see people, Toh people,” replied the lad, himself somewhat dazed by the unexpected appearance of the other castaways

”But hohy--how did they get here?” went on the inventor of the WHIZZER

”As long as they're not cannibals, we're all right,” murmured Mr

Damon ”They seereed the lad, ”and they appear to be in the sao forward, and meet them”

The tremor of the earthquake had now subsided, and the little band that was gathered about a big fire of driftas calmer Those who had fallen, or who had thrown the of their ars to see if they had sustained any injuries Others advanced toward our friends

”Nine of them,” murmured Tom, as he counted the little band of castaways, ”and they don't seem to have been able to save much from the wreck of their craft, whatever it was” The beach all about theh water

”Do you suppose they are a party from some disabled airshi+p, Tom,”

asked Mr Fenwick

”Not from an airshi+p,” answered the lad ”Probably froale But ill soon find out who they are”

Tom led the way for his two friends The fall of the cliff had ed path around the base of it, over rocks, to where the other people stood To the boulders, in spite of the pain it caused his wounded leg He was anxious to knoho the other castaere, and how they had co to meet the lad and his friends Tom could see toood view of one of the ladies and a gentleman, he could not repress a cry of astonishment Then he rubbed his eyes to make sure it was not some blur or defect of vision No, his first impression had been correct

”Mr Nestor!” cried Toirl friend

”And Mrs Nestor!” he added a s--look--Amos--it's--it can't be possible--and yet--why, it's Tom Swift!” cried the lady