At last I came to a point from which through the destruction of the trees the sea was visible in the direction in which the ship had lain; but the ship, as in a few moments I satisfied myself, had utterly disappeared.
Reaching the beach, I found that the shock had driven the sea far up upon the land; fishes lying fifty yards inland, and everything drenched in salt water.

At last, guided by the signs of ever-increasing devastation, I reached the point whence the mischief had proceeded.

I can give no idea in words of what I there found.

The earth had been torn open, rooted up as if by a gigantic explosion.

In some places sharp-pointed fragments of the coral rock, which at a depth of several feet formed the bed of the island, were discernible far below the actual surface.