There is a distinct line in the chain of these mountains which seems to point to a great fissure in the earth's crust, caused by the subterranean fires.
This tremendous crack or fissure crosses the Straits of Sunda, and in consequence we find a number of these vents--as volcanic mountains may be styled--in the Island of Sumatra, which you saw to the nor'ard as you came along.

But there is supposed to be another great crack in the earth's crust--indicated by several volcanic mountains--which crosses the other fissure almost at right angles, and at the exact point where these two lines intersect _stands this island of Krakatoa_! "I emphasise the fact," continued the hermit after a pause, "first, because, although this has been a quiescent volcano since the year 1680, and people have come to regard it as extinct, there are indications now which lead me to believe that its energy is reviving; and, second, because this focus where fissures cross each other--this Krakatoa Island--is in reality part of the crater of an older and much larger volcanic mountain, which must have been literally blown away in prehistoric times, and of which Krakatoa and the neighbouring islets of Varlaten, Polish Hat, Lang Island, and the rest, are but the remnants of the great crater ring.

If these rumblings and minor earthquakes, which I have noticed of late--and the latest of which you have just experienced--are the precursors of another explosion, my home here may be rendered untenable." "Hi!" exclaimed Moses, who had been listening with open mouth and eyes to this discourse, which was obviously news to him, "I hope, massa, he ain't a-gwine to 'splode to-day--anyhow, not till after breakfast!" "You must have studied the subject of volcanoes a good deal, I suppose, from what you say," observed Nigel.
"Naturally; living as I do almost on the top of one.

My library, which I will show you presently, contains many interesting works on the subject.
But come, if you have finished we will ascend the Peak of Rakata and I will introduce you to my sunshine." He rose and led his guest back to the outer cavern, leaving Moses still busy with knife and fork, apparently meditating on the pleasure of breakfasting with the prospect of a possible and immediate explosion.
In passing through the first chamber, Nigel observed, in a natural recess, the library just referred to.

He also noted that, besides stuffed birds and other specimens and sea-shells, there were chisels, saws, hammers, and other tools, besides something like a forge and carpenter's bench in a side-chamber opening out of the large one, which he had not at first seen--from all which he concluded that the hermit was imbued with mechanical as well as scientific and literary tastes.
At the further and darker end of the outer cave there was a staircase, partly natural, and partly improved by art, which led upward into profound darkness.
"Let me take your hand here," said the hermit, looking down upon his guest with his slight but winning smile; "it is a rough and dark staircase.