Chapter I: Preface

“THE YOUNG VOLCANO EXPLORERS” is a complete story in itself, but forms the second volume of a line issued under the general title of the “Pan-American Series.”

When I began this series of tales I had in mind to acquaint my young readers with some of the sights to be seen in the three Americas,--especially such portions as lie outside of the United States. In the first volume, called “Lost on the Orinoco,” I told of the sight-seeing and adventures of five American lads, who, in company with their academy professor, who is also a great traveler and hunter, journey to Venezuela, our sister Republic on the north-east coast of South America. The boys visit several principal cities, inspect cocoa and coffee plantations as well as gold and silver mines, and then explore the mighty river already named.

In the present volume the scene is shifted from Venezuela to the West Indies, that group of islands of which Porto Rico has already become the property of the United States. Because of the recent Spanish-American War, and the still more recent volcanic disturbances in Martinique and St. Vincent, these islands are of unusual interest to us. In this book the boys and their instructor sail from Venezuela to Jamaica, stopping at Kingston, and then go to Havana, Cuba. In Cuba several places of importance are visited, and then the trip is continued to Hayti and to Porto Rico, where the party travel overland from San Juan to Ponce. At the latter city word is received that the fathers of two of the boys have gone to St. Pierre, Martinique, and the party start for that point, only to encounter the effects of the volcanic eruption when still far at sea. But Martinique is visited, nevertheless, and later on St. Vincent also, and in spite of the many dangers, all ends happily.

In penning this tale I have, as usual, tried to be as accurate as possible when giving historical or geographical details. The latest and best American and Spanish authorities have been consulted, and, in the case of the disasters at Martinique and St. Vincent, I have read with care the reports of all who suffered and escaped, and of those who have since visited these spots of interest.

Once again I wish to thank the many thousands who have perused my former works. May the present volume fulfil their every expectation.

EDWARD STRATEMEYER.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. INTRODUCING THE BOYS 1

II. NEWS FROM HOME 10

III. OFF FOR JAMAICA 20

IV. A TALK ABOUT A MEAL 30

V. THE DEFENSE OF JANUARY JONES 42

VI. AN INTERRUPTION TO SIGHT-SEEING 53

VII. THE JOKE ON CAPTAIN SUDLIP 62

VIII. SIGHT-SEEING IN HAVANA 72

IX. THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HOCKLEY 82

X. THE OLD CONVENT 93

XI. A STRANGE STORY 103

XII. ABOUT CUBA AND TOBACCO RAISING 114

XIII. A CUBAN BASEBALL GAME 123

XIV. WINNING A VICTORY 132

XV. HOCKLEY TAKES A BATH AND GIVES ONE 141

XVI. GOOD-BYE TO CUBA 152

XVII. A JOKE ON SHIPBOARD 161

XVIII. HAYTI, SUGAR MAKING, AND ANOTHER JOKE 172

XIX. A TALK ABOUT PORTO RICO 183

XX. AN ADVENTURE IN THE MOUNTAINS 193

XXI. ACROSS PORTO RICO ON HORSEBACK 204

XXII. HOCKLEY IN TROUBLE 213

XXIII. THE BULLY IS HUMBLED 223

XXIV. SOMETHING ABOUT EARTHQUAKES AND VOLCANOES 233

XXV. A COLLISION AT SEA 243

XXVI. THE LUMBER RAFT 256

XXVII. STONE DUST AND BOILING WATER 265

XXVIII. THE ERUPTION OF MONT PELEE 274

XXIX. THE DESTRUCTION OF ST. PIERRE 285

XXX. LOOKING FOR THE MISSING ONES 296

XXXI. DANGEROUS VOLCANO EXPLORING 306

XXXII. THE FATE OF CAPTAIN SUDLIP 316

XXXIII. A HAPPY MEETING--CONCLUSION 325

PAN
AMERICAN
SERIES]

THE YOUNG VOLCANO EXPLORERS