January 18th, 1832 3:25 PM

    I walked over to the jolly boat that Valicia has prepared for me. When I reach it, I leaped in, only to squash Valicia and the still-soaked sail. "Ooff! Watch your feet, Ignia!" I heard the muffled voice of Valicia complain.
    "Sorry. I didn't know you were down there!" I apologized.
    "That's okay! Just look before you leap in the future," Valicia replied.
    "Now, let's cast off to Fogo!" I said.
    "I'd better stay in the boat. I should be there to catch you or to alert FitzRoy if something goes wrong. Besides, I don't like fire," Valicia pointed out. I understand perfectly. After all, not everyone likes fire. Most mariners hate it.
    By that time we were nearing the island of Fogo. I disembarked with the sail and told Valicia to get ready to catch me, though she replied in an unsure manner. I took the sail and ropes and began to hike up Fogo.
    A half-hour later, I found myself staring into the crater of Fogo. The view would have scared most people, but I had endured that view every time I hiked up Vesuvius, and, besides, I had always wanted to do this since I could talk. I gazed at the sulfurous abyss in front of me, held the four corners of the sail (two in each hand) , tied the ropes around my wrists, and jumped.
    For a split second, the world spun around me and I fell at a mind-boggling pace. Then the updraft from the lava came into effect, and I rose gracefully into the air. I could feel the sail drying in my hands, and I could not have held on to the speedily rising sail but for the ropes, which were straining to their limit.
    At first I could see only the blazing crater, but then I could see down Fogo to the jolly boat, and then all the islands, and then the open sea! Just as the view culminated, I felt the sail lurch and sped down the slope at an amazing rate.
    When I cleared the crater, I gradually lost speed until I came to a halt and landed in a jumbled, slightly warm heap on Valicia. "It worked! I was scared stiff until I saw you go out of the crater!" Valicia said.
    "Ever since I saw the crater of Vesuvius as a kid I wanted to do that, but I never thought I'd get the chance! By the way, those ropes saved my life! I'm glad you thought of those!" I replied, eager to talk.
    We'd better get back to the ship! FitzRoy must be worried by now," Valicia pointed out. "It's getting late."