Go on, massa.

I ax yer pard'n for 'truptin'." The hermit's peculiar good-natured little smile played for a moment on his massive features, and then faded away as he continued-- "Perhaps you may have heard that this is the very heart of the district that has long been recognised as the greatest focus of volcanic activity on the globe ?" "I have heard something of the sort," answered Nigel, "but I confess that my knowledge is limited and my mind hazy on the subject." "I doubt it not," returned his friend, "for geographical and scientific training in primary schools anywhere is not what it might be.

The island of Java, with an area about equal to that of England, contains no fewer than forty-nine great volcanic mountains, some of which rise to 12,000 feet above the sea-level.

Many of these mountains are at the present time active ('Yes, much _too_ active,' muttered the negro), and more than half of them have been seen in eruption since Java was occupied by Europeans.

Hot springs, mud-volcanoes, and vapour-vents abound all over the island, whilst earthquakes are by no means uncommon.