This time water would be vanquished by fire.
Nevertheless it was a fortunate circumstance for the colonists that the effusion of lava should have been in the direction of Lake Grant.They had before them some days' respite.The plateau of Prospect Heights, Granite House, and the dockyard were for the moment preserved.And these few days it was necessary to employ in planking and carefully calking the vessel, and launching her.The colonists would then take refuge on board the vessel, content to rig her after she should be afloat on the waters.With the danger of an explosion which threatened to destroy the island there could be no security on shore.The walls of Granite House, once so sure a retreat, might at any moment fall in upon them.
During the six following days, from the 25th to the 30th of January, the colonists accomplished as much of the construction of their vessel as twenty men could have done.They hardly allowed themselves a moment's repose, and the glare of the flames which shot from the crater enabled them to work night and day.The flow of lava continued, but perhaps less abundantly.This was fortunate, for Lake Grant was almost entirely choked up, and if more lava should accumulate it would inevitably spread over the plateau of Prospect Heights, and thence upon the beach.