the mysterious island- jules verne

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tle: The Mysterious Island

thor: Jules Verne

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e Mysterious Island

Jules Verne

74

RT 1--DROPPED FROM THE CLOUDS

apter 1

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re we rising again?" "No. On the contrary." "Are we descending?" "Worse

an that, captain! we are falling!" "For Heaven's sake heave out the

llast!" "There! the last sack is empty!" "Does the balloon rise?" "No!"

hear a noise like the dashing of waves. The sea is below the car! It

nnot be more than 500 feet from us!" "Overboard with every weight!

. . everything!"

ch were the loud and startling words which resounded through the air,

ove the vast watery desert of the Pacific, about four o'clock in the

ening of the 23rd of March, 1865.

w can possibly have forgotten the terrible storm from the northeast, in

e middle of the equinox of that year. The tempest raged without

termission from the 18th to the 26th of March. Its ravages were terrible

America, Europe, and Asia, covering a distance of eighteen hundred

les, and extending obliquely to the equator from the thirty-fifth north

rallel to the fortieth south parallel. Towns were overthrown, forests

rooted, coasts devastated by the mountains of water which were

ecipitated on them, vessels cast on the shore, which the published

counts numbered by hundreds, whole districts leveled by waterspouts which

stroyed everything they passed over, several thousand people crushed on

nd or drowned at sea; such were the traces of its fury, left by this

vastating tempest. It surpassed in disasters those which so frightfullyvaged Havana and Guadalupe, one on the 25th of October, 1810, the other

the 26th of July, 1825.

t while so many catastrophes were taking place on land and at sea, a

ama not less exciting was being enacted in the agitated air.

fact, a balloon, as a ball might be carried on the summit of a

terspout, had been taken into the circling movement of a column of air

d had traversed space at the rate of ninety miles an hour, turning round

d round as if seized by some aerial maelstrom.

neath the lower point of the balloon swung a car, containing five

ssengers, scarcely visible in the midst of the thick vapor mingled with

ray which hung over the surface of the ocean.

ence, it may be asked, had come that plaything of the tempest? From

at part of the world did it rise? It surely could not have started during

e storm. But the storm had raged five days already, and the first

mptoms were manifested on the 18th. It cannot be doubted that the balloon

me from a great distance, for it could not have traveled less than two

ousand miles in twenty-four hours.

any rate the passengers, destitute of all marks for their guidance,

uld not have possessed the means of reckoning the route traversed since

eir departure. It was a remarkable fact that, although in the very midst

the furious tempest, they did not suffer from it. They were thrown about

d whirled round and round without feeling the rotation in the slightest

gree, or being sensible that they were removed from a horizontal

sition.

eir eyes could not pierce through the thick mist which had gathered

neath the car. Dark vapor was all around them. Such was the density of

e atmosphere that they could not be certain whether it was day or night.

reflection of light, no sound from inhabited land, no roaring of the

ean could have reached them, through the obscurity, while suspended in

ose elevated zones. Their rapid descent alone had informed them of the

ngers which they ran from the waves. However, the balloon, lightened of

avy articles, such as ammunition, arms, and provisions, had risen into





e higher layers of the atmosphere, to a height of 4,500 feet. The

yagers, after having discovered that the sea extended beneath them, and

inking the dangers above less dreadful than those below, did not hesitate

throw overboard even their most useful articles, while they endeavored

lose no more of that fluid, the life of their enterprise, which

stained them above the abyss.

e night passed in the midst of alarms which would have been death to

ss energetic souls. Again the day appeared and with it the tempest began

moderate. From the beginning of that day, the 24th of March, it showed

mptoms of abating. At dawn, some of the lighter clouds had risen into there lofty regions of the air. In a few hours the wind had changed from a

rricane to a fresh breeze, that is to say, the rate of the transit of the

mospheric layers was diminished by half. It was still what sailors call

close-reefed topsail breeze," but the commotion in the elements had none

e less considerably diminished.

wards eleven o'clock, the lower region of the air was sensibly clearer.

e atmosphere threw off that chilly dampness which is felt after the

ssage of a great meteor. The storm did not seem to have gone farther to

e west. It appeared to have exhausted itself. Could it have passed away

electric sheets, as is sometimes the case with regard to the typhoons of

e Indian Ocean?

t at the same time, it was also evident that the balloon was again

owly descending with a regular movement. It appeared as if it were,

ttle by little, collapsing, and that its case was lengthening and

tending, passing from a spherical to an oval form. Towards midday the

lloon was hovering above the sea at a height of only 2,000 feet. It

ntained 50,000 cubic feet of gas, and, thanks to its capacity, it could

intain itself a long time in the air, although it should reach a great

titude or might be thrown into a horizontal position.

rceiving their danger, the passengers cast away the last articles which

ill weighed down the car, the few provisions they had kept, everything,

en to their pocket-knives, and one of them, having hoisted himself on to

e circles which united the cords of the net, tried to secure more firmlye lower point of the balloon.

was, however, evident to the voyagers that the gas was failing, and

at the balloon could no longer be sustained in the higher regions. They

st infallibly perish!

ere was not a continent, nor even an island, visible beneath them. The

tery expanse did not present a single speck of land, not a solid surface

on which their anchor could hold.

was the open sea, whose waves were still dashing with tremendous

olence! It was the ocean, without any visible limits, even for those

ose gaze, from their commanding position, extended over a radius of forty

les. The vast liquid plain, lashed without mercy by the storm, appeared

if covered with herds of furious chargers, whose white and disheveled

ests were streaming in the wind. No land was in sight, not a solitary

ip could be seen. It was necessary at any cost to arrest their downward

urse, and to prevent the balloon from being engulfed in the waves. The

yagers directed all their energies to this urgent work. But,

twithstanding their efforts, the balloon still fell, and at the same time

ifted with the greatest rapidity, following the direction of the wind,

at is to say, from the northeast to the southwest.

ightful indeed was the situation of these unfortunate men. They were

idently no longer masters of the machine. All their attempts were





eless. The case of the balloon collapsed more and more. The gas escaped

thout any possibility of retaining it. Their descent was visibly

celerated, and soon after midday the car hung within 600 feet of the

ean.

was impossible to prevent the escape of gas, which rushed through a

rge rent in the silk. By lightening the car of all the articles which it

ntained, the passengers had been able to prolong their suspension in the

r for a few hours. But the inevitable catastrophe could only be retarded,

d if land did not appear before night, voyagers, car, and balloon must to

certainty vanish beneath the waves.

ey now resorted to the only remaining expedient. They were truly

untless men, who knew how to look death in the face. Not a single murmur

caped from their lips. They were determined to struggle to the last

nute, to do anything to retard their fall. The car was only a sort of

llow basket, unable to float, and there was not the slightest possibility

maintaining it on the surface of the sea.

o more hours passed and the balloon was scarcely 400 feet above the

ter.

that moment a loud voice, the voice of a man whose heart was

accessible to fear, was heard. To this voice responded others not less

termined. "Is everything thrown out?" "No, here are still 2,000 dollars

gold." A heavy bag immediately plunged into the sea. "Does the balloon

se?" "A little, but it will not be long before it falls again." "What

ill remains to be thrown out?" "Nothing." "Yes! the car!" "Let us catch

ld of the net, and into the sea with the car."

is was, in fact, the last and only mode of lightening the balloon. The

pes which held the car were cut, and the balloon, after its fall, mounted

000 feet. The five voyagers had hoisted themselves into the net, and

ung to the meshes, gazing at the abyss.

e delicate sensibility of balloons is well known. It is sufficient to

row out the lightest article to produce a difference in its vertical

sition. The apparatus in the air is like a balance of mathematical

ecision. It can be thus easily understood that when it is lightened of

y considerable weight its movement will be impetuous and sudden. So it

ppened on this occasion. But after being suspended for an instant aloft,

e balloon began to redescend, the gas escaping by the rent which it was

possible to repair.

e men had done all that men could do. No human efforts could save them

w.

ey must trust to the mercy of Him who rules the elements.

four o'clock the balloon was only 500 feet above the surface of the

ter.

loud barking was heard. A dog accompanied the voyagers, and was held

essed close to his master in the meshes of the net.

op has seen something," cried one of the men. Then immediately a loud

ice shouted,--

and! land!" The balloon, which the wind still drove towards the

uthwest, had since daybreak gone a considerable distance, which might be

ckoned by hundreds of miles, and a tolerably high land had, in fact,

peared in that direction. But this land was still thirty miles off. It

uld not take less than an hour to get to it, and then there was the





ance of falling to leeward.

hour! Might not the balloon before that be emptied of all the fluid it

t retained?

ch was the terrible question! The voyagers could distinctly see that

lid spot which they must reach at any cost. They were ignorant of what it

s, whether an island or a continent, for they did not know to what part

the world the hurricane had driven them. But they must reach this land,

ether inhabited or desolate, whether hospitable or not.

was evident that the balloon could no longer support itself! Several

mes already had the crests of the enormous billows licked the bottom of

e net, making it still heavier, and the balloon only half rose, like a

rd with a wounded wing. Half an hour later the land was not more than a

le off, but the balloon, exhausted, flabby, hanging in great folds, had

s in its upper part alone. The voyagers, clinging to the net, were still

o heavy for it, and soon, half plunged into the sea, they were beaten by

e furious waves. The balloon-case bulged out again, and the wind, taking

, drove it along like a vessel. Might it not possibly thus reach the

nd?

t, when only two fathoms off, terrible cries resounded from four pairs

lungs at once. The balloon, which had appeared as if it would neverain rise, suddenly made an unexpected bound, after having been struck by

tremendous sea. As if it had been at that instant relieved of a new part

its weight, it mounted to a height of 1,500 feet, and here it met a

rrent of wind, which instead of taking it directly to the coast, carried

in a nearly parallel direction.

last, two minutes later, it reproached obliquely, and finally fell

a sandy beach, out of the reach of the waves.

e voyagers, aiding each other, managed to disengage themselves from the

shes of the net. The balloon, relieved of their weight, was taken by the

nd, and like a wounded bird which revives for an instant, disappeared

to space.

t the car had contained five passengers, with a dog, and the balloon

ly left four on the shore.

e missing person had evidently been swept off by the sea, which had

st struck the net, and it was owing to this circumstance that the

ghtened balloon rose the last time, and then soon after reached the land.

arcely had the four castaways set foot on firm ground, than they all,

inking of the absent one, simultaneously exclaimed, "Perhaps he will try

swim to land! Let us save him! let us save him!"

apter 2

ose whom the hurricane had just thrown on this coast were neither

ronauts by profession nor amateurs. They were prisoners of war whose

ldness had induced them to escape in this extraordinary manner.

hundred times they had almost perished! A hundred times had they almost

llen from their torn balloon into the depths of the ocean. But Heaven had

served them for a strange destiny, and after having, on the 20th of

rch, escaped from Richmond, besieged by the troops of General Ulysses

ant, they found themselves seven thousand miles from the capital of

rginia, which was the principal stronghold of the South, during the

rrible War of Secession. Their aerial voyage had lasted five days.





e curious circumstances which led to the escape of the prisoners were

follows:

at same year, in the month of February, 1865, in one of the coups de

in by which General Grant attempted, though in vain, to possess himself

Richmond, several of his officers fell into the power of the enemy and

re detained in the town. One of the most distinguished was Captain Cyrus

rding. He was a native of Massachusetts, a first-class engineer, to whom

e government had confided, during the war, the direction of the railways,

ich were so important at that time. A true Northerner, thin, bony, lean,out forty-five years of age; his close-cut hair and his beard, of which

only kept a thick mustache, were already getting gray. He had one-of

ose finely-developed heads which appear made to be struck on a medal,

ercing eyes, a serious mouth, the physiognomy of a clever man of the

litary school. He was one of those engineers who began by handling the

mmer and pickaxe, like generals who first act as common soldiers. Besides

ntal power, he also possessed great manual dexterity. His muscles

hibited remarkable proofs of tenacity. A man of action as well as a man

thought, all he did was without effort to one of his vigorous and

nguine temperament. Learned, clear-headed, and practical, he fulfilled in

l emergencies those three conditions which united ought to insure human

ccess--activity of mind and body, impetuous wishes, and powerful will. He

ght have taken for his motto that of William of Orange in the 17thntury: "I can undertake and persevere even without hope of success."

rus Harding was courage personified. He had been in all the battles of

at war. After having begun as a volunteer at Illinois, under Ulysses

ant, he fought at Paducah, Belmont, Pittsburg Landing, at the siege of

rinth, Port Gibson, Black River, Chattanooga, the Wilderness, on the

tomac, everywhere and valiantly, a soldier worthy of the general who

id, "I never count my dead!" And hundreds of times Captain Harding had

most been among those who were not counted by the terrible Grant; but in

ese combats where he never spared himself, fortune favored him till the

ment when he was wounded and taken prisoner on the field of battle near

chmond. At the same time and on the same day another important personage

ll into the hands of the Southerners. This was no other than Gideon

ilen, a reporter for the New York Herald, who had been ordered to follow

e changes of the war in the midst of the Northern armies.

deon Spilett was one of that race of indomitable English or American

roniclers, like Stanley and others, who stop at nothing to obtain exact

formation, and transmit it to their journal in the shortest possible

me. The newspapers of the Union, such as the New York Herald, are genuine

wers, and their reporters are men to be reckoned with. Gideon Spilett

nked among the first of those reporters: a man of great merit, energetic,

ompt and ready for anything, full of ideas, having traveled over the

ole world, soldier and artist, enthusiastic in council, resolute in

tion, caring neither for trouble, fatigue, nor danger, when in pursuit of

formation, for himself first, and then for his journal, a perfect

easury of knowledge on all sorts of curious subjects, of the unpublished,

the unknown, and of the impossible. He was one of those intrepid

servers who write under fire, "reporting" among bullets, and to whom

ery danger is welcome.

also had been in all the battles, in the first rank, revolver in one

nd, note-book in the other; grape-shot never made his pencil tremble. He

d not fatigue the wires with incessant telegrams, like those who speak

en they have nothing to say, but each of his notes, short, decisive, and

ear, threw light on some important point. Besides, he was not wanting in

mor. It was he who, after the affair of the Black River, determined at

y cost to keep his place at the wicket of the telegraph office, and after





ving announced to his journal the result of the battle, telegraphed for

o hours the first chapters of the Bible. It cost the New York Herald two

ousand dollars, but the New York Herald published the first intelligence.

deon Spilett was tall. He was rather more than forty years of age.

ght whiskers bordering on red surrounded his face. His eye was steady,

vely, rapid in its changes. It was the eye of a man accustomed to take in

a glance all the details of a scene. Well built, he was inured to all

imates, like a bar of steel hardened in cold water.

r ten years Gideon Spilett had been the reporter of the New York

rald, which he enriched by his letters and drawings, for he was as

ilful in the use of the pencil as of the pen. When he was captured, he

s in the act of making a description and sketch of the battle. The last

rds in his note-book were these: "A Southern rifleman has just taken aim

me, but--" The Southerner notwithstanding missed Gideon Spilett, who,

th his usual fortune, came out of this affair without a scratch.

rus Harding and Gideon Spilett, who did not know each other except by

putation, had both been carried to Richmond. The engineer's wounds

pidly healed, and it was during his convalescence that he made

quaintance with the reporter. The two men then learned to appreciate each

her. Soon their common aim had but one object, that of escaping,

joining Grant's army, and fighting together in the ranks of the Federals.

e two Americans had from the first determined to seize every chance;

t although they were allowed to wander at liberty in the town, Richmond

s so strictly guarded, that escape appeared impossible. In the meanwhile

ptain Harding was rejoined by a servant who was devoted to him in life

d in death. This intrepid fellow was a Negro born on the engineer's

tate, of a slave father and mother, but to whom Cyrus, who was an

olitionist from conviction and heart, had long since given his freedom.

e once slave, though free, would not leave his master. He would have died

r him. He was a man of about thirty, vigorous, active, clever,

telligent, gentle, and calm, sometimes naive, always merry, obliging, and

nest. His name was Nebuchadnezzar, but he only answered to the familiar

breviation of Neb.

en Neb heard that his master had been made prisoner, he left

ssachusetts without hesitating an instant, arrived before Richmond, and

dint of stratagem and shrewdness, after having risked his life twenty

mes over, managed to penetrate into the besieged town. The pleasure of

rding on seeing his servant, and the joy of Neb at finding his master,

n scarcely be described.

t though Neb had been able to make his way into Richmond, it was quite

other thing to get out again, for the Northern prisoners were very

rictly watched. Some extraordinary opportunity was needed to make the

tempt with any chance of success, and this opportunity not only did not

esent itself, but was very difficult to find.

anwhile Grant continued his energetic operations. The victory of

tersburg had been very dearly bought. His forces, united to those of

tler, had as yet been unsuccessful before Richmond, and nothing gave the

isoners any hope of a speedy deliverance.

e reporter, to whom his tedious captivity did not offer a single

cident worthy of note, could stand it no longer. His usually active mind

s occupied with one sole thought--how he might get out of Richmond at any

st. Several times had he even made the attempt, but was stopped by some

surmountable obstacle. However, the siege continued; and if the prisoners

re anxious to escape and join Grant's army, certain of the besieged were





less anxious to join the Southern forces. Among them was one Jonathan

rster, a determined Southerner. The truth was, that if the prisoners of

e Secessionists could not leave the town, neither could the Secessionists

emselves while the Northern army invested it. The Governor of Richmond

r a long time had been unable to communicate with General Lee, and he

ry much wished to make known to him the situation of the town, so as to

sten the march of the army to their relief. Thus Jonathan Forster

cordingly conceived the idea of rising in a balloon, so as to pass over

e besieging lines, and in that way reach the Secessionist camp.

e Governor authorized the attempt. A balloon was manufactured andaced at the disposal of Forster, who was to be accompanied by five other

rsons. They were furnished with arms in case they might have to defend

emselves when they alighted, and provisions in the event of their aerial

yage being prolonged.

e departure of the balloon was fixed for the 18th of March. It should

effected during the night, with a northwest wind of moderate force, and

e aeronauts calculated that they would reach General Lee's camp in a few

urs.

t this northwest wind was not a simple breeze. From the 18th it was

ident that it was changing to a hurricane. The tempest soon became such

at Forster's departure was deferred, for it was impossible to risk thelloon and those whom it carried in the midst of the furious elements.

e balloon, inflated on the great square of Richmond, was ready to

part on the first abatement of the wind, and, as may be supposed, the

patience among the besieged to see the storm moderate was very great.

e 18th, the 19th of March passed without any alteration in the weather.

ere was even great difficulty in keeping the balloon fastened to the

ound, as the squalls dashed it furiously about.

e night of the 19th passed, but the next morning the storm blew with

doubled force. The departure of the balloon was impossible.

that day the engineer, Cyrus Harding, was accosted in one of the

reets of Richmond by a person whom he did not in the least know. This was

sailor named Pencroft, a man of about thirty-five or forty years of age,

rongly built, very sunburnt, and possessed of a pair of bright sparkling

es and a remarkably good physiognomy. Pencroft was an American from the

rth, who had sailed all the ocean over, and who had gone through every

ssible and almost impossible adventure that a being with two feet and no

ngs would encounter. It is needless to say that he was a bold, dashing

llow, ready to dare anything and was astonished at nothing. Pencroft at

e beginning of the year had gone to Richmond on business, with a young

y of fifteen from New Jersey, son of a former captain, an orphan, whom he

ved as if he had been his own child. Not having been able to leave the

wn before the first operations of the siege, he found himself shut up, to

s great disgust; but, not accustomed to succumb to difficulties, he

solved to escape by some means or other. He knew the engineer-officer by

putation; he knew with what impatience that determined man chafed under

s restraint. On this day he did not, therefore, hesitate to accost him,

ying, without circumlocution, "Have you had enough of Richmond, captain?"

e engineer looked fixedly at the man who spoke, and who added, in a low

ice,--

aptain Harding, will you try to escape?"

hen?" asked the engineer quickly, and it was evident that this question





s uttered without consideration, for he had not yet examined the stranger

o addressed him. But after having with a penetrating eye observed the

en face of the sailor, he was convinced that he had before him an honest

n.

ho are you?" he asked briefly.

ncroft made himself known.

ell," replied Harding, "and in what way do you propose to escape?"

y that lazy balloon which is left there doing nothing, and which looks

me as if it was waiting on purpose for us--"

ere was no necessity for the sailor to finish his sentence. The

gineer understood him at once. He seized Pencroft by the arm, and dragged

m to his house. There the sailor developed his project, which was indeed

tremely simple. They risked nothing but their lives in its execution. The

rricane was in all its violence, it is true, but so clever and daring an

gineer as Cyrus Harding knew perfectly well how to manage a balloon. Had

himself been as well acquainted with the art of sailing in the air as he

s with the navigation of a ship, Pencroft would not have hesitated to set

t, of course taking his young friend Herbert with him; for, accustomed to

ave the fiercest tempests of the ocean, he was not to be hindered on

count of the hurricane.

ptain Harding had listened to the sailor without saying a word, but his

es shone with satisfaction. Here was the long-sought-for opportunity--he

s not a man to let it pass. The plan was feasible, though, it must be

nfessed, dangerous in the extreme. In the night, in spite of their

ards, they might approach the balloon, slip into the car, and then cut

e cords which held it. There was no doubt that they might be killed, but

the other hand they might succeed, and without this storm!--Without

is storm the balloon would have started already and the looked-for

portunity would not have then presented itself.

am not alone!" said Harding at last.

ow many people do you wish to bring with you?" asked the sailor.

wo; my friend Spilett, and my servant Neb."

hat will be three," replied Pencroft; "and with Herbert and me five.

t the balloon will hold six--"

hat will be enough, we will go," answered Harding in a firm voice.

is "we" included Spilett, for the reporter, as his friend well knew,

s not a man to draw back, and when the project was communicated to him he

proved of it unreservedly. What astonished him was, that so simple an

ea had not occurred to him before. As to Neb, he followed his mastererever his master wished to go.

his evening, then," said Pencroft, "we will all meet out there."

his evening, at ten o'clock," replied Captain Harding; "and Heaven

ant that the storm does not abate before our departure."

ncroft took leave of the two friends, and returned to his lodging,

ere young Herbert Brown had remained. The courageous boy knew of the

ilor's plan, and it was not without anxiety that he awaited the result of

e proposal being made to the engineer. Thus five determined persons were

out to abandon themselves to the mercy of the tempestuous elements!





! the storm did not abate, and neither Jonathan Forster nor his

mpanions dreamed of confronting it in that frail car.

would be a terrible journey. The engineer only feared one thing; it

s that the balloon, held to the ground and dashed about by the wind,

uld be torn into shreds. For several hours he roamed round the nearly-

serted square, surveying the apparatus. Pencroft did the same on his

de, his hands in his pockets, yawning now and then like a man who did not

ow how to kill the time, but really dreading, like his friend, either the

cape or destruction of the balloon. Evening arrived. The night was dark

the extreme. Thick mists passed like clouds close to the ground. Rain

ll mingled with snow. it was very cold. A mist hung over Richmond. it

emed as if the violent storm had produced a truce between the besiegers

d the besieged, and that the cannon were silenced by the louder

tonations of the storm. The streets of the town were deserted. It had not

en appeared necessary in that horrible weather to place a guard in the

uare, in the midst of which plunged the balloon. Everything favored the

parture of the prisoners, but what might possibly be the termination of

e hazardous voyage they contemplated in the midst of the furious

ements?--

irty weather!" exclaimed Pencroft, fixing his hat firmly on his head

th a blow of his fist; "but pshaw, we shall succeed all the same!"

half-past nine, Harding and his companions glided from different

rections into the square, which the gas-lamps, extinguished by the wind,

d left in total obscurity. Even the enormous balloon, almost beaten to

e ground, could not be seen. Independently of the sacks of ballast, to

ich the cords of the net were fastened, the car was held by a strong

ble passed through a ring in the pavement. The five prisoners met by the

r. They had not been perceived, and such was the darkness that they could

t even see each other.

thout speaking a word, Harding, Spilett, Neb, and Herbert took their

aces in the car, while Pencroft by the engineer's order detached

ccessively the bags of ballast. It was the work of a few minutes only,

d the sailor rejoined his companions.

e balloon was then only held by the cable, and the engineer had nothing

do but to give the word.

that moment a dog sprang with a bound into the car. It was Top, a

vorite of the engineer. The faithful creature, having broken his chain,

d followed his master. He, however, fearing that its additional weight

ght impede their ascent, wished to send away the animal.

ne more will make but little difference, poor beast!" exclaimed

ncroft, heaving out two bags of sand, and as he spoke letting go the

ble; the balloon ascending in an oblique direction, disappeared, after

ving dashed the car against two chimneys, which it threw down as it swept

them.

en, indeed, the full rage of the hurricane was exhibited to the

yagers. During the night the engineer could not dream of descending, and

en day broke, even a glimpse of the earth below was intercepted by fog.

ve days had passed when a partial clearing allowed them to see the wide

tending ocean beneath their feet, now lashed into the maddest fury by the

le.

r readers will recollect what befell these five daring individuals who





t out on their hazardous expedition in the balloon on the 20th of March.

ve days afterwards four of them were thrown on a desert coast, seven

ousand miles from their country! But one of their number was missing, the

n who was to be their guide, their leading spirit, the engineer, Captain

rding! The instant they had recovered their feet, they all hurried to the

ach in the hopes of rendering him assistance.

apter 3

e engineer, the meshes of the net having given way, had been carried off

a wave. His dog also had disappeared. The faithful animal had

luntarily leaped out to help his master. "Forward," cried the reporter;

d all four, Spilett, Herbert, Pencroft, and Neb, forgetting their

tigue, began their search. Poor Neb shed bitter tears, giving way to

spair at the thought of having lost the only being he loved on earth.

ly two minutes had passed from the time when Cyrus Harding disappeared

the moment when his companions set foot on the ground. They had hopes

erefore of arriving in time to save him. "Let us look for him! let us

ok for him!" cried Neb.

es, Neb," replied Gideon Spilett, "and we will find him too!"

iving, I trust!"

till living!"

an he swim?" asked Pencroft.

es," replied Neb, "and besides, Top is there."

e sailor, observing the heavy surf on the shore, shook his head.

e engineer had disappeared to the north of the shore, and nearly half a

le from the place where the castaways had landed. The nearest point of

e beach he could reach was thus fully that distance off.

was then nearly six o'clock. A thick fog made the night very dark. The

staways proceeded toward the north of the land on which chance had thrown

em, an unknown region, the geographical situation of which they could not

en guess. They were walking upon a sandy soil, mingled with stones, which

peared destitute of any sort of vegetation. The ground, very unequal and

ugh, was in some places perfectly riddled with holes, making walking

tremely painful. From these holes escaped every minute great birds of

umsy flight, which flew in all directions. Others, more active, rose in

ocks and passed in clouds over their heads. The sailor thought he

cognized gulls and cormorants, whose shrill cries rose above the roaring

the sea.

om time to time the castaways stopped and shouted, then listened for

me response from the ocean, for they thought that if the engineer had

nded, and they had been near to the place, they would have heard the

rking of the dog Top, even should Harding himself have been unable to

ve any sign of existence. They stopped to listen, but no sound arose

ove the roaring of the waves and the dashing of the surf. The little band

en continued their march forward, searching into every hollow of the

ore.

ter walking for twenty minutes, the four castaways were suddenly

ought to a standstill by the sight of foaming billows close to their

et. The solid ground ended here. They found themselves at the extremity





a sharp point on which the sea broke furiously.

t is a promontory," said the sailor; "we must retrace our steps,

lding towards the right, and we shall thus gain the mainland."

ut if he is there," said Neb, pointing to the ocean, whose waves shone

a snowy white in the darkness. "Well, let us call again," and all

iting their voices, they gave a vigorous shout, but there came no reply.

ey waited for a lull, then began again; still no reply.

e castaways accordingly returned, following the opposite side of the

omontory, over a soil equally sandy and rugged. However, Pencroft

served that the shore was more equal, that the ground rose, and he

clared that it was joined by a long slope to a hill, whose massive front

thought that he could see looming indistinctly through the mist. The

rds were less numerous on this part of the shore; the sea was also less

multuous, and they observed that the agitation of the waves was

minished. The noise of the surf was scarcely heard. This side of the

omontory evidently formed a semicircular bay, which the sharp point

eltered from the breakers of the open sea. But to follow this direction

s to go south, exactly opposite to that part of the coast where Harding

ght have landed. After a walk of a mile and a half, the shore presented

curve which would permit them to return to the north. This promontory,

which they had turned the point, must be attached to the mainland. Thestaways, although their strength was nearly exhausted, still marched

urageously forward, hoping every moment to meet with a sudden angle which

uld set them in the first direction. What was their disappointment, when,

ter trudging nearly two miles, having reached an elevated point composed

slippery rocks, they found themselves again stopped by the sea.

e are on an islet," said Pencroft, "and we have surveyed it from one

tremity to the other."

e sailor was right; they had been thrown, not on a continent, not even

an island, but on an islet which was not more than two miles in length,

th even a less breadth.

s this barren spot the desolate refuge of sea-birds, strewn with stones

d destitute of vegetation, attached to a more important archipelago? It

s impossible to say. When the voyagers from their car saw the land

rough the mist, they had not been able to reconnoiter it sufficiently.

wever, Pencroft, accustomed with his sailor eyes to piece through the

oom, was almost certain that he could clearly distinguish in the west

nfused masses which indicated an elevated coast. But they could not in

e dark determine whether it was a single island, or connected with

hers. They could not leave it either, as the sea surrounded them; they

st therefore put off till the next day their search for the engineer,

om whom, alas! not a single cry had reached them to show that he was

ill in existence.

he silence of our friend proves nothing," said the reporter. "Perhaps

has fainted or is wounded, and unable to reply directly, so we will not

spair."

e reporter then proposed to light a fire on a point of the islet, which

uld serve as a signal to the engineer. But they searched in vain for wood

dry brambles; nothing but sand and stones were to be found. The grief of

b and his companions, who were all strongly attached to the intrepid

rding, can be better pictured than described. It was too evident that

ey were powerless to help him. They must wait with what patience they

uld for daylight. Either the engineer had been able to save himself, and

d already found a refuge on some point of the coast, or he was lost for





er! The long and painful hours passed by. The cold was intense. The

staways suffered cruelly, but they scarcely perceived it. They did not

en think of taking a minute's rest. Forgetting everything but their

ief, hoping or wishing to hope on, they continued to walk up and down on

is sterile spot, always returning to its northern point, where they could

proach nearest to the scene of the catastrophe. They listened, they

lled, and then uniting their voices, they endeavored to raise even a

uder shout than before, which would be transmitted to a great distance.

e wind had now fallen almost to a calm, and the noise of the sea began

so to subside. One of Neb's shouts even appeared to produce an echo.

rbert directed Pencroft's attention to it, adding, "That proves thatere is a coast to the west, at no great distance." The sailor nodded;

sides, his eyes could not deceive him. If he had discovered land, however

distinct it might appear, land was sure to be there. But that distant

ho was the only response produced by Neb's shouts, while a heavy gloom

ng over all the part east of the island.

anwhile, the sky was clearing little by little. Towards midnight the

ars shone out, and if the engineer had been there with his companions he

uld have remarked that these stars did not belong to the Northern

misphere. The Polar Star was not visible, the constellations were not

ose which they had been accustomed to see in the United States; the

uthern Cross glittered brightly in the sky.

e night passed away. Towards five o'clock in the morning of the 25th of

rch, the sky began to lighten; the horizon still remained dark, but with

ybreak a thick mist rose from the sea, so that the eye could scarcely

netrate beyond twenty feet or so from where they stood. At length the fog

adually unrolled itself in great heavily moving waves.

was unfortunate, however, that the castaways could distinguish nothing

ound them. While the gaze of the reporter and Neb were cast upon the

ean, the sailor and Herbert looked eagerly for the coast in the west. But

t a speck of land was visible. "Never mind," said Pencroft, "though I do

t see the land, I feel it... it is there... there... as sure as the fact

at we are no longer at Richmond." But the fog was not long in rising. it

s only a fine-weather mist. A hot sun soon penetrated to the surface ofe island. About half-past six, three-quarters of an hour after sunrise,

e mist became more transparent. It grew thicker above, but cleared away

low. Soon the isle appeared as if it had descended from a cloud, then the

a showed itself around them, spreading far away towards the east, but

unded on the west by an abrupt and precipitous coast.

s! the land was there. Their safety was at least provisionally insured.

e islet and the coast were separated by a channel about half a mile in

eadth, through which rushed an extremely rapid current.

wever, one of the castaways, following the impulse of his heart,

mediately threw himself into the current, without consulting his

mpanions, without saying a single word. It was Neb. He was in haste to bethe other side, and to climb towards the north. It had been impossible

hold him back. Pencroft called him in vain. The reporter prepared to

llow him, but Pencroft stopped him. "Do you want to cross the channel?"

asked. "Yes," replied Spilett. "All right!" said the seaman; "wait a

t; Neb is well able to carry help to his master. If we venture into the

annel, we risk being carried into the open sea by the current, which is

nning very strong; but, if I'm not wrong, it is ebbing. See, the tide is

ing down over the sand. Let us have patience, and at low water it is

ssible we may find a fordable passage." "You are right," replied the

porter, "we will not separate more than we can help."

ring this time Neb was struggling vigorously against the current. He





s crossing in an oblique direction. His black shoulders could be seen

erging at each stroke. He was carried down very quickly, but he also made

y towards the shore. It took more than half an hour to cross from the

let to the land, and he reached the shore several hundred feet from the

ace which was opposite to the point from which he had started.

nding at the foot of a high wall of granite, he shook himself

gorously; and then, setting off running, soon disappeared behind a rocky

int, which projected to nearly the height of the northern extremity of

e islet.

b's companions had watched his daring attempt with painful anxiety, and

en he was out of sight, they fixed their attention on the land where

eir hope of safety lay, while eating some shell-fish with which the sand

s strewn. It was a wretched repast, but still it was better than nothing.

e opposite coast formed one vast bay, terminating on the south by a very

arp point, which was destitute of all vegetation, and was of a very wild

pect. This point abutted on the shore in a grotesque outline of high

anite rocks. Towards the north, on the contrary, the bay widened, and a

re rounded coast appeared, trending from the southwest to the northeast,

d terminating in a slender cape. The distance between these two

tremities, which made the bow of the bay, was about eight miles. Half a

le from the shore rose the islet, which somewhat resembled the carcass

a gigantic whale. Its extreme breadth was not more than a quarter ofmile.

posite the islet, the beach consisted first of sand, covered with black

ones, which were now appearing little by little above the retreating

de. The second level was separated by a perpendicular granite cliff,

rminated at the top by an unequal edge at a height of at least 300 feet.

continued thus for a length of three miles, ending suddenly on the right

th a precipice which looked as if cut by the hand of man. On the left,

ove the promontory, this irregular and jagged cliff descended by a long

ope of conglomerated rocks till it mingled with the ground of the

uthern point. On the upper plateau of the coast not a tree appeared. It

s a flat tableland like that above Cape Town at the Cape of Good Hope,

t of reduced proportions; at least so it appeared seen from the islet.wever, verdure was not wanting to the right beyond the precipice. They

uld easily distinguish a confused mass of great trees, which extended

yond the limits of their view. This verdure relieved the eye, so long

aried by the continued ranges of granite. Lastly, beyond and above the

ateau, in a northwesterly direction and at a distance of at least seven

les, glittered a white summit which reflected the sun's rays. It was that

a lofty mountain, capped with snow.

e question could not at present be decided whether this land formed an

land, or whether it belonged to a continent. But on beholding the

nvulsed masses heaped up on the left, no geologist would have hesitated

give them a volcanic origin, for they were unquestionably the work of

bterranean convulsions.

deon Spilett, Pencroft, and Herbert attentively examined this land, on

ich they might perhaps have to live many long years; on which indeed they

ght even die, should it be out of the usual track of vessels, as was

kely to be the case.

ell," asked Herbert, "what do you say, Pencroft?"

here is some good and some bad, as in everything," replied the sailor.

e shall see. But now the ebb is evidently making. In three hours we will

tempt the passage, and once on the other side, we will try to get out of

is scrape, and I hope may find the captain." Pencroft was not wrong in





s anticipations. Three hours later at low tide, the greater part of the

nd forming the bed of the channel was uncovered. Between the islet and

e coast there only remained a narrow channel which would no doubt be easy

cross.

out ten o'clock, Gideon Spilett and his companions stripped themselves

their clothes, which they placed in bundles on their heads, and then

ntured into the water, which was not more than five feet deep. Herbert,

r whom it was too deep, swam like a fish, and got through capitally. All

ree arrived without difficulty on the opposite shore. Quickly drying

emselves in the sun, they put on their clothes, which they had preservedom contact with the water, and sat down to take counsel together what to

next.

apter 4

l at once the reporter sprang up, and telling the sailor that he would

join them at that same place, he climbed the cliff in the direction which

e Negro Neb had taken a few hours before. Anxiety hastened his steps, for

longed to obtain news of his friend, and he soon disappeared round an

gle of the cliff. Herbert wished to accompany him.

top here, my boy," said the sailor; "we have to prepare an encampment,

d to try and find rather better grub than these shell-fish. Our friends

ll want something when they come back. There is work for everybody."

am ready," replied Herbert.

ll right," said the sailor; "that will do. We must set about it

gularly. We are tired, cold, and hungry; therefore we must have shelter,

re, and food. There is wood in the forest, and eggs in nests; we have

ly to find a house."

ery well," returned Herbert, "I will look for a cave among the rocks,

d I shall be sure to discover some hole into which we can creep."

ll right," said Pencroft; "go on, my boy."

ey both walked to the foot of the enormous wall over the beach, far

om which the tide had now retreated; but instead of going towards the

rth, they went southward. Pencroft had remarked, several hundred feet

om the place at which they landed, a narrow cutting, out of which he

ought a river or stream might issue. Now, on the one hand it was

portant to settle themselves in the neighborhood of a good stream of

ter, and on the other it was possible that the current had thrown Cyrus

rding on the shore there.

e cliff, as has been said, rose to a height of three hundred feet, but

e mass was unbroken throughout, and even at its base, scarcely washed bye sea, it did not offer the smallest fissure which would serve as a

elling. It was a perpendicular wall of very hard granite, which even the

ves had not worn away. Towards the summit fluttered myriads of sea-fowl,

d especially those of the web-footed species with long, flat, pointed

aks--a clamorous tribe, bold in the presence of man, who probably for the

rst time thus invaded their domains. Pencroft recognized the skua and

her gulls among them, the voracious little sea-mew, which in great

mbers nestled in the crevices of the granite. A shot fired among this

arm would have killed a great number, but to fire a shot a gun was

eded, and neither Pencroft nor Herbert had one; besides this, gulls and

a-mews are scarcely eatable, and even their eggs have a detestable taste.





wever, Herbert, who had gone forward a little more to the left, soon came

on rocks covered with sea-weed, which, some hours later, would be hidden

the high tide. On these rocks, in the midst of slippery wrack, abounded

valve shell-fish, not to be despised by starving people. Herbert called

ncroft, who ran up hastily.

ere are mussels!" cried the sailor; "these will do instead of eggs!"

hey are not mussels," replied Herbert, who was attentively examining

e molluscs attached to the rocks; "they are lithodomes."

re they good to eat?" asked Pencroft.

erfectly so."

hen let us eat some lithodomes."

e sailor could rely upon Herbert; the young boy was well up in natural

story, and always had had quite a passion for the science. His father had

couraged him in it, by letting him attend the lectures of the best

ofessors in Boston, who were very fond of the intelligent, industrious

d. And his turn for natural history was, more than once in the course of

me, of great use, and he was not mistaken in this instance. These

thodomes were oblong shells, suspended in clusters and adhering very

ghtly to the rocks. They belong to that species of molluscous perforatorsich excavate holes in the hardest stone; their shell is rounded at both

ds, a feature which is not remarked in the common mussel.

ncroft and Herbert made a good meal of the lithodomes, which were then

lf opened to the sun. They ate them as oysters, and as they had a strong

ppery taste, they were palatable without condiments of any sort.

eir hunger was thus appeased for the time, but not their thirst, which

creased after eating these naturally-spiced molluscs. They had then to

nd fresh water, and it was not likely that it would be wanting in such a

priciously uneven region. Pencroft and Herbert, after having taken the

ecaution of collecting an ample supply of lithodomes, with which they

lled their pockets and handkerchiefs, regained the foot of the cliff.

o hundred paces farther they arrived at the cutting, through which, as

ncroft had guessed, ran a stream of water, whether fresh or not was to be

certained. At this place the wall appeared to have been separated by some

olent subterranean force. At its base was hollowed out a little creek,

e farthest part of which formed a tolerably sharp angle. The watercourse

that part measured one hundred feet in breadth, and its two banks on

ch side were scarcely twenty feet high. The river became strong almost

rectly between the two walls of granite, which began to sink above the

uth; it then suddenly turned and disappeared beneath a wood of stunted

ees half a mile off.

ere is the water, and yonder is the wood we require!" said Pencroft.ell, Herbert, now we only want the house."

e water of the river was limpid. The sailor ascertained that at this

me--that is to say, at low tide, when the rising floods did not reach it

it was sweet. This important point established, Herbert looked for some

vity which would serve them as a retreat, but in vain; everywhere the

ll appeared smooth, plain, and perpendicular.

wever, at the mouth of the watercourse and above the reach of the high

de, the convulsions of nature had formed, not a grotto, but a pile of

ormous rocks, such as are often met with in granite countries and which

ar the name of "Chimneys."





ncroft and Herbert penetrated quite far in among the rocks, by sandy

ssages in which light was not wanting, for it entered through the

enings which were left between the blocks, of which some were only

stained by a miracle of equilibrium; but with the light came also air--a

gular corridor-gale--and with the wind the sharp cold from the exterior.

wever, the sailor thought that by stopping-up some of the openings with a

xture of stones and sand, the Chimneys could be rendered habitable. Their

ometrical plan represented the typographical sign "&," which signifies

t cetera" abridged, but by isolating the upper mouth of the sign, through

ich the south and west winds blew so strongly, they could succeed inking the lower part of use.

ere's our work," said Pencroft, "and if we ever see Captain Harding

ain, he will know how to make something of this labyrinth."

e shall see him again, Pencroft," cried Herbert, "and when be returns

must find a tolerable dwelling here. It will be so, if we can make a

replace in the left passage and keep an opening for the smoke."

o we can, my boy," replied the sailor, "and these Chimneys will serve

r turn. Let us set to work, but first come and get a store of fuel. I

ink some branches will be very useful in stopping up these openings,

rough which the wind shrieks like so many fiends."

rbert and Pencroft left the Chimneys, and, turning the angle, they

gan to climb the left bank of the river. The current here was quite

pid, and drifted down some dead wood. The rising tide--and it could

ready be perceived--must drive it back with force to a considerable

stance. The sailor then thought that they could utilize this ebb and flow

r the transport of heavy objects.

ter having walked for a quarter of an hour, the sailor and the boy

rived at the angle which the river made in turning towards the left. From

is point its course was pursued through a forest of magnificent trees.

ese trees still retained their verdure, notwithstanding the advanced

ason, for they belonged to the family of "coniferae," which is spread

er all the regions of the globe, from northern climates to the tropics.

e young naturalist recognized especially the "deedara," which are very

merous in the Himalayan zone, and which spread around them a most

reeable odor. Between these beautiful trees sprang up clusters of firs,

ose opaque open parasol boughs spread wide around. Among the long grass,

ncroft felt that his feet were crushing dry branches which crackled like

reworks.

ell, my boy," said he to Herbert, "if I don't know the name of these

ees, at any rate I reckon that we may call them 'burning wood,' and just

w that's the chief thing we want."

et us get a supply," replied Herbert, who immediately set to work.

e collection was easily made. It was not even necessary to lop the

ees, for enormous quantities of dead wood were lying at their feet; but

fuel was not wanting, the means of transporting it was not yet found.

e wood, being very dry, would burn rapidly; it was therefore necessary to

rry to the Chimneys a considerable quantity, and the loads of two men

uld not be sufficient. Herbert remarked this.

ell, my boy," replied the sailor, "there must be some way of carrying

is wood; there is always a way of doing everything. If we had a cart or a

at, it would be easy enough."





ut we have the river," said Herbert.

ight," replied Pencroft; "the river will be to us like a road which

rries of itself, and rafts have not been invented for nothing."

nly," observed Herbert, "at this moment our road is going the wrong

y, for the tide is rising!"

e shall be all right if we wait till it ebbs," replied the sailor, "and

en we will trust it to carry our fuel to the Chimneys. Let us get the

ft ready."

e sailor, followed by Herbert, directed his steps towards the river.

ey both carried, each in proportion to his strength, a load of wood bound

fagots. They found on the bank also a great quantity of dead branches in

e midst of grass, among which the foot of man had probably never before

od. Pencroft began directly to make his raft. In a kind of little bay,

eated by a point of the shore which broke the current, the sailor and the

d placed some good-sized pieces of wood, which they had fastened together

th dry creepers. A raft was thus formed, on which they stacked all they

d collected, sufficient, indeed, to have loaded at least twenty men. In

hour the work was finished, and the raft moored to the bank, awaited the

rning of the tide.

ere were still several hours to be occupied, and with one consent

ncroft and Herbert resolved to gain the upper plateau, so as to have a

re extended view of the surrounding country.

actly two hundred feet behind the angle formed by the river, the wall,

rminated by a fall of rocks, died away in a gentle slope to the edge of

e forest. It was a natural staircase. Herbert and the sailor began their

cent; thanks to the vigor of their muscles they reached the summit in a

w minutes; and proceeded to the point above the mouth of the river.

attaining it, their first look was cast upon the ocean which not long

fore they had traversed in such a terrible condition. They observed, with

otion, all that part to the north of the coast on which the catastrophe

d taken place. It was there that Cyrus Harding had disappeared. They

oked to see if some portion of their balloon, to which a man might

ssibly cling, yet existed. Nothing! The sea was but one vast watery

sert. As to the coast, it was solitary also. Neither the reporter nor Neb

uld be anywhere seen. But it was possible that at this time they were

th too far away to be perceived.

omething tells me," cried Herbert, "that a man as energetic as Captain

rding would not let himself be drowned like other people. He must have

ached some point of the shore; don't you think so, Pencroft?"

e sailor shook his head sadly. He little expected ever to see Cyrus

rding again; but wishing to leave some hope to Herbert: "Doubtless,

ubtless," said he; "our engineer is a man who would get out of a scrape

which any one else would yield."

the meantime he examined the coast with great attention. Stretched out

low them was the sandy shore, bounded on the right of the river's mouth

lines of breakers. The rocks which were visible appeared like amphibious

nsters reposing in the surf. Beyond the reef, the sea sparkled beneath

e sun's rays. To the south a sharp point closed the horizon, and it could

t be seen if the land was prolonged in that direction, or if it ran

utheast and southwest, which would have made this coast a very long

ninsula. At the northern extremity of the bay the outline of the shore

s continued to a great distance in a wider curve. There the shore was





w, flat, without cliffs, and with great banks of sand, which the tide

ft uncovered. Pencroft and Herbert then returned towards the west. Their

tention was first arrested by the snow-topped mountain which rose at a

stance of six or seven miles. From its first declivities to within two

les of the coast were spread vast masses of wood, relieved by large green

tches, caused by the presence of evergreen trees. Then, from the edge of

is forest to the shore extended a plain, scattered irregularly with

oups of trees. Here and there on the left sparkled through glades the

ters of the little river; they could trace its winding course back

wards the spurs of the mountain, among which it seemed to spring. At the

int where the sailor had left his raft of wood, it began to run betweene two high granite walls; but if on the left bank the wall remained clear

d abrupt, on the right bank, on the contrary, it sank gradually, the

ssive sides changed to isolated rocks, the rocks to stones, the stones to

ingle running to the extremity of the point.

re we on an island?" murmured the sailor.

t any rate, it seems to be big enough," replied the lad.

n island, ever so big, is an island all the same!" said Pencroft.

t this important question could not yet be answered. A more perfect

rvey had to be made to settle the point. As to the land itself, island or

ntinent, it appeared fertile, agreeable in its aspect, and varied in its

oductions.

his is satisfactory," observed Pencroft; "and in our misfortune, we

st thank Providence for it."

od be praised!" responded Herbert, whose pious heart was full of

atitude to the Author of all things.

ncroft and Herbert examined for some time the country on which they had

en cast; but it was difficult to guess after so hasty an inspection what

e future had in store for them.

ey then returned, following the southern crest of the granite platform,rdered by a long fringe of jagged rocks, of the most whimsical shapes.

me hundreds of birds lived there nestled in the holes of the stone;

rbert, jumping over the rocks, startled a whole flock of these winged

eatures.

h!" cried he, "those are not gulls nor sea-mews!"

hat are they then?" asked Pencroft.

pon my word, one would say they were pigeons!"

ust so, but these are wild or rock pigeons. I recognize them by the

uble band of black on the wing, by the white tail, and by their slate-lored plumage. But if the rock-pigeon is good to eat, its eggs must be

cellent, and we will soon see how many they may have left in their

sts!"

e will not give them time to hatch, unless it is in the shape of an

elet!" replied Pencroft merrily.

ut what will you make your omelet in?" asked Herbert; "in your hat?"

ell!" replied the sailor, "I am not quite conjuror enough for that; we

st come down to eggs in the shell, my boy, and I will undertake to

spatch the hardest!"





ncroft and Herbert attentively examined the cavities in the granite,

d they really found eggs in some of the hollows. A few dozen being

llected, were packed in the sailor's handkerchief, and as the time when

e tide would be full was approaching, Pencroft and Herbert began to

descend towards the watercourse. When they arrived there, it was an hour

ter midday. The tide had already turned. They must now avail themselves

the ebb to take the wood to the mouth. Pencroft did not intend to let

e raft go away in the current without guidance, neither did he mean to

bark on it himself to steer it. But a sailor is never at a loss when

ere is a question of cables or ropes, and Pencroft rapidly twisted ard, a few fathoms long, made of dry creepers. This vegetable cable was

stened to the after-part of the raft, and the sailor held it in his hand

ile Herbert, pushing off the raft with a long pole, kept it in the

rrent. This succeeded capitally. The enormous load of wood drifted down

e current. The bank was very equal; there was no fear that the raft would

n aground, and before two o'clock they arrived at the river's mouth, a

w paces from the Chimneys.

apter 5

ncroft's first care, after unloading the raft, was to render the cave

bitable by stopping up all the holes which made it draughty. Sand,

ones, twisted branches, wet clay, closed up the galleries open to the

uth winds. One narrow and winding opening at the side was kept, to lead

t the smoke and to make the fire draw. The cave was thus divided into

ree or four rooms, if such dark dens with which a donkey would scarcely

ve been contented deserved the name. But they were dry, and there was

ace to stand upright, at least in the principal room, which occupied the

nter. The floor was covered with fine sand, and taking all in all they

re well pleased with it for want of a better.

erhaps," said Herbert, while he and Pencroft were working, "our

mpanions have found a superior place to ours."

ery likely," replied the seaman; "but, as we don't know, we must work

l the same. Better to have two strings to one's bow than no string at

l!"

h!" exclaimed Herbert, "how jolly it will be if they were to find

ptain Harding and were to bring him back with them!"

es, indeed!" said Pencroft, "that was a man of the right sort."

as!" exclaimed Herbert, "do you despair of ever seeing him again?"

od forbid!" replied the sailor. Their work was soon done, and Pencroft

clared himself very well satisfied.

ow," said he, "our friends can come back when they like. They will find

good enough shelter."

ey now had only to make a fireplace and to prepare the supper--an easy

sk. Large flat stones were placed on the ground at the opening of the

rrow passage which had been kept. This, if the smoke did not take the

at out with it, would be enough to maintain an equal temperature inside.

eir wood was stowed away in one of the rooms, and the sailor laid in the

replace some logs and brushwood. The seaman was busy with this, when

rbert asked him if he had any matches.

ertainly," replied Pencroft, "and I may say happily, for without





tches or tinder we should be in a fix."

till we might get fire as the savages do," replied Herbert, "by rubbing

o bits of dry stick one against the other."

ll right; try, my boy, and let's see if you can do anything besides

ercising your arms."

ell, it's a very simple proceeding, and much used in the islands of the

cific."

don't deny it," replied Pencroft, "but the savages must know how to do

or employ a peculiar wood, for more than once I have tried to get fire

that way, but I could never manage it. I must say I prefer matches. By

e bye, where are my matches?"

ncroft searched in his waistcoat for the box, which was always there,

r he was a confirmed smoker. He could not find it; he rummaged the

ckets of his trousers, but, to his horror, he could nowhere discover the

x.

ere's a go!" said he, looking at Herbert. "The box must have fallen out

my pocket and got lost! Surely, Herbert, you must have something--a

nder-box--anything that can possibly make fire!"

o, I haven't, Pencroft."

e sailor rushed out, followed by the boy. On the sand, among the rocks,

ar the river's bank, they both searched carefully, but in vain. The box

s of copper, and therefore would have been easily seen.

encroft," asked Herbert, "didn't you throw it out of the car?"

knew better than that," replied the sailor; "but such a small article

uld easily disappear in the tumbling about we have gone through. I would

ther even have lost my pipe! Confound the box! Where can it be?"

ook here, the tide is going down," said Herbert; "let's run to the

ace where we landed."

was scarcely probable that they would find the box, which the waves

d rolled about among the pebbles, at high tide, but it was as well to

y. Herbert and Pencroft walked rapidly to the point where they had landed

e day before, about two hundred feet from the cave. They hunted there,

ong the shingle, in the clefts of the rocks, but found nothing. If the

x had fallen at this place it must have been swept away by the waves. As

e sea went down, they searched every little crevice with no result. It

s a grave loss in their circumstances, and for the time irreparable.

ncroft could not hide his vexation; he looked very anxious, but said not

word. Herbert tried to console him by observing, that if they had found

e matches, they would, very likely, have been wetted by the sea andeless.

o, my boy," replied the sailor; "they were in a copper box which shut

ry tightly; and now what are we to do?"

e shall certainly find some way of making a fire," said Herbert.

aptain Harding or Mr. Spilett will not be without them."

es," replied Pencroft; "but in the meantime we are without fire, and

r companions will find but a sorry repast on their return."

ut," said Herbert quickly, "do you think it possible that they have no





nder or matches?"

doubt it," replied the sailor, shaking his head, "for neither Neb nor

ptain Harding smoke, and I believe that Mr. Spilett would rather keep his

te-book than his match-box."

rbert did not reply. The loss of the box was certainly to be regretted,

t the boy was still sure of procuring fire in some way or other.

ncroft, more experienced, did not think so, although he was not a man to

ouble himself about a small or great grievance. At any rate, there was

ly one thing to be done--to await the return of Neb and the reporter; but

ey must give up the feast of hard eggs which they had meant to prepare,

d a meal of raw flesh was not an agreeable prospect either for themselves

for the others.

fore returning to the cave, the sailor and Herbert, in the event of

re being positively unattainable, collected some more shell-fish, and

en silently retraced their steps to their dwelling.

ncroft, his eyes fixed on the ground, still looked for his box. He even

imbed up the left bank of the river from its mouth to the angle where the

ft had been moored. He returned to the plateau, went over it in every

rection, searched among the high grass on the border of the forest, all

vain.

was five in the evening when he and Herbert re-entered the cave. It is

eless to say that the darkest corners of the passages were ransacked

fore they were obliged to give it up in despair. Towards six o'clock,

en the sun was disappearing behind the high lands of the west, Herbert,

o was walking up and down on the strand, signalized the return of Neb and

ilett.

ey were returning alone! . . . . The boy's heart sank; the sailor had not

en deceived in his forebodings; the engineer, Cyrus Harding, had not been

und!

e reporter, on his arrival, sat down on a rock, without saying

ything. Exhausted with fatigue, dying of hunger, he had not strength to

ter a word.

to Neb, his red eyes showed how he had cried, and the tears which he

uld not restrain told too clearly that he had lost all hope.

e reporter recounted all that they had done in their attempt to recover

rus Harding. He and Neb had surveyed the coast for a distance of eight

les and consequently much beyond the place where the balloon had fallen

e last time but one, a fall which was followed by the disappearance of

e engineer and the dog Top. The shore was solitary; not a vestige of a

rk. Not even a pebble recently displaced; not a trace on the sand; not a

man footstep on all that part of the beach. It was clear that that

rtion of the shore had never been visited by a human being. The sea was

deserted as the land, and it was there, a few hundred feet from the

ast, that the engineer must have found a tomb.

Spilett ended his account, Neb jumped up, exclaiming in a voice which

owed how hope struggled within him, "No! he is not dead! he can't be

ad! It might happen to any one else, but never to him! He could get out

anything!" Then his strength forsaking him, "Oh! I can do no more!" he

rmured.

eb," said Herbert, running to him, "we will find him! God will give him

ck to us! But in the meantime you are hungry, and you must eat





mething."

saying, he offered the poor Negro a few handfuls of shell-fish, which

s indeed wretched and insufficient food. Neb had not eaten anything for

veral hours, but he refused them. He could not, would not live without

s master.

to Gideon Spilett, he devoured the shell-fish, then he laid himself

wn on the sand, at the foot of a rock. He was very weak, but calm.

rbert went up to him, and taking his hand, "Sir," said he, "we have found

shelter which will be better than lying here. Night is advancing. Come

d rest! To-morrow we will search farther."

e reporter got up, and guided by the boy went towards the cave. On the

y, Pencroft asked him in the most natural tone, if by chance he happened

have a match or two.

e reporter stopped, felt in his pockets, but finding nothing said, "I

d some, but I must have thrown them away."

e seaman then put the same question to Neb and received the same

swer.

onfound it!" exclaimed the sailor.

e reporter heard him and seizing his arm, "Have you no matches?" he

ked.

ot one, and no fire in consequence."

h!" cried Neb, "if my master was here, he would know what to do!"

e four castaways remained motionless, looking uneasily at each other.

rbert was the first to break the silence by saying, "Mr. Spilett, you are

smoker and always have matches about you; perhaps you haven't looked

ll, try again, a single match will be enough!"

e reporter hunted again in the pockets of his trousers, waistcoat, and

eat-coat, and at last to Pencroft's great joy, no less to his extreme

rprise, he felt a tiny piece of wood entangled in the lining of his

istcoat. He seized it with his fingers through the stuff, but he could

t get it out. If this was a match and a single one, it was of great

portance not to rub off the phosphorus.

ill you let me try?" said the boy, and very cleverly, without breaking

, he managed to draw out the wretched yet precious little bit of wood

ich was of such great importance to these poor men. It was unused.

urrah!" cried Pencroft; "it is as good as having a whole cargo!" He

ok the match, and, followed by his companions, entered the cave.

is small piece of wood, of which so many in an inhabited country are

sted with indifference and are of no value, must here be used with the

eatest caution.

e sailor first made sure that it was quite dry; that done, "We must

ve some paper," said he.

ere," replied Spilett, after some hesitation tearing a leaf out of his

te-book.

ncroft took the piece of paper which the reporter held out to him, and

elt down before the fireplace. Some handfuls of grass, leaves, and dry





ss were placed under the fagots and disposed in such a way that the air

uld easily circulate, and the dry wood would rapidly catch fire.

ncroft then twisted the piece of paper into the shape of a cone, as

okers do in a high wind, and poked it in among the moss. Taking a small,

ugh stone, he wiped it carefully, and with a beating heart, holding his

eath, he gently rubbed the match. The first attempt did not produce any

fect. Pencroft had not struck hard enough, fearing to rub off the

osphorus.

o, I can't do it," said he, "my hand trembles, the match has missed

re; I cannot, I will not!" and rising, he told Herbert to take his place.

rtainly the boy had never in all his life been so nervous. Prometheus

ing to steal the fire from heaven could not have been more anxious. He

d not hesitate, however, but struck the match directly.

little spluttering was heard and a tiny blue flame sprang up, making a

oking smoke. Herbert quickly turned the match so as to augment the flame,

d then slipped it into the paper cone, which in a few seconds too caught

re, and then the moss.

minute later the dry wood crackled and a cheerful flame, assisted by

e vigorous blowing of the sailor, sprang up in the midst of the darkness.

t last!" cried Pencroft, getting up; "I was never so nervous before in

l my life!"

e flat stones made a capital fireplace. The smoke went quite easily out

the narrow passage, the chimney drew, and an agreeable warmth was not

ng in being felt.

ey must now take great care not to let the fire go out, and always to

ep some embers alight. It only needed care and attention, as they had

enty of wood and could renew their store at any time.

ncroft's first thought was to use the fire by preparing a more

urishing supper than a dish of shell-fish. Two dozen eggs were brought byrbert. The reporter leaning up in a corner, watched these preparations

thout saying anything. A threefold thought weighed on his mind. Was Cyrus

ill alive? If he was alive, where was he? If he had survived from his

ll, how was it that he had not found some means of making known his

istence? As to Neb, he was roaming about the shore. He was like a body

thout a soul.

ncroft knew fifty ways of cooking eggs, but this time he had no choice,

d was obliged to content himself with roasting them under the hot

nders. In a few minutes the cooking was done, and the seaman invited the

porter to take his share of the supper. Such was the first repast of the

staways on this unknown coast. The hard eggs were excellent, and as eggs

ntain everything indispensable to man's nourishment, these poor peopleought themselves well off, and were much strengthened by them. Oh! if

ly one of them had not been missing at this meal! If the five prisoners

o escaped from Richmond had been all there, under the piled-up rocks,

fore this clear, crackling fire on the dry sand, what thanksgiving must

ey have rendered to Heaven! But the most ingenious, the most learned, he

o was their unquestioned chief, Cyrus Harding, was, alas! missing, and

s body had not even obtained a burial-place.

us passed the 25th of March. Night had come on. Outside could be heard

e howling of the wind and the monotonous sound of the surf breaking on

e shore. The waves rolled the shingle backwards and forwards with a





afening noise.

e reporter retired into a dark corner after having shortly noted down

e occurrences of the day; the first appearance of this new land, the loss

their leader, the exploration of the coast, the incident of the matches,

c.; and then overcome by fatigue, he managed to forget his sorrows in

eep. Herbert went to sleep directly. As to the sailor, he passed the

ght with one eye on the fire, on which he did not spare fuel. But one of

e castaways did not sleep in the cave. The inconsolable, despairing Neb,

twithstanding all that his companions could say to induce him to take

me rest, wandered all night long on the shore calling on his master.

apter 6

e inventory of the articles possessed by these castaways from the clouds,

rown upon a coast which appeared to be uninhabited, was soon made out.

ey had nothing, save the clothes which they were wearing at the time of

e catastrophe. We must mention, however, a note-book and a watch which

deon Spilett had kept, doubtless by inadvertence, not a weapon, not a

ol, not even a pocket-knife; for while in the car they had thrown out

erything to lighten the balloon. The imaginary heroes of Daniel Defoe or

Wyss, as well as Selkirk and Raynal shipwrecked on Juan Fernandez and on

e archipelago of the Aucklands, were never in such absolute destitution.

ther they had abundant resources from their stranded vessels, in grain,

ttle, tools, ammunition, or else some things were thrown up on the coast

ich supplied them with all the first necessities of life. But here, not

y instrument whatever, not a utensil. From nothing they must supply

emselves with everything.

d yet, if Cyrus Harding had been with them, if the engineer could have

ought his practical science, his inventive mind to bear on their

tuation, perhaps all hope would not have been lost. Alas! they must hope

longer again to see Cyrus Harding. The castaways could expect nothing

t from themselves and from that Providence which never abandons those

ose faith is sincere.

t ought they to establish themselves on this part of the coast, without

ying to know to what continent it belonged, if it was inhabited, or if

ey were on the shore of a desert island?

was an important question, and should be solved with the shortest

ssible delay. From its answer they would know what measures to take.

wever, according to Pencroft's advice, it appeared best to wait a few

ys before commencing an exploration. They must, in fact, prepare some

ovisions and procure more strengthening food than eggs and molluscs. The

plorers, before undertaking new fatigues, must first of all recruit their

rength.

e Chimneys offered a retreat sufficient for the present. The fire was

ghted, and it was easy to preserve some embers. There were plenty of

ell-fish and eggs among the rocks and on the beach. It would be easy to

ll a few of the pigeons which were flying by hundreds about the summit of

e plateau, either with sticks or stones. Perhaps the trees of the

ighboring forest would supply them with eatable fruit. Lastly, the sweet

ter was there.

was accordingly settled that for a few days they would remain at the

imneys so as to prepare themselves for an expedition, either along the

ore or into the interior of the country. This plan suited Neb

rticularly. As obstinate in his ideas as in his presentiments, he was in





haste to abandon this part of the coast, the scene of the catastrophe.

did not, he would not believe in the loss of Cyrus Harding. No, it did

t seem to him possible that such a man had ended in this vulgar fashion,

rried away by a wave, drowned in the floods, a few hundred feet from a

ore. As long as the waves had not cast up the body of the engineer, as

ng as he, Neb, had not seen with his eyes, touched with his hands the

rpse of his master, he would not believe in his death! And this idea

oted itself deeper than ever in his determined heart. An illusion

rhaps, but still an illusion to be respected, and one which the sailor

d not wish to destroy. As for him, he hoped no longer, but there was no

e in arguing with Neb. He was like the dog who will not leave the placeere his master is buried, and his grief was such that most probably he

uld not survive him.

is same morning, the 26th of March, at daybreak, Neb had set out on the

ore in a northerly direction, and he had returned to the spot where the

a, no doubt, had closed over the unfortunate Harding.

at day's breakfast was composed solely of pigeon's eggs and lithodomes.

rbert had found some salt deposited by evaporation in the hollows of the

cks, and this mineral was very welcome.

e repast ended, Pencroft asked the reporter if he wished to accompany

rbert and himself to the forest, where they were going to try to hunt.t on consideration, it was thought necessary that someone should remain

keep in the fire, and to be at hand in the highly improbable event of

b requiring aid. The reporter accordingly remained behind.

o the chase, Herbert," said the sailor. "We shall find ammunition on

r way, and cut our weapons in the forest." But at the moment of starting,

rbert observed, that since they had no tinder, it would perhaps be

udent to replace it by another substance.

hat?" asked Pencroft.

urnt linen," replied the boy. "That could in case of need serve for

nder."

e sailor thought it very sensible advice. Only it had the inconvenience

necessitating the sacrifice of a piece of handkerchief. Notwithstanding,

e thing was well worth while trying, and a part of Pencroft's large

ecked handkerchief was soon reduced to the state of a half-burnt rag.

is inflammable material was placed in the central chamber at the bottom

a little cavity in the rock, sheltered from all wind and damp.

was nine o'clock in the morning. The weather was threatening and the

eeze blew from the southeast. Herbert and Pencroft turned the angle of

e Chimneys, not without having cast a look at the smoke which, just at

at place, curled round a point of rock: they ascended the left bank of

e river.

rived at the forest, Pencroft broke from the first tree two stout

anches which he transformed into clubs, the ends of which Herbert rubbed

ooth on a rock. Oh! what would they not have given for a knife!

e two hunters now advanced among the long grass, following the bank.

om the turning which directed its course to the southwest, the river

rrowed gradually and the channel lay between high banks, over which the

ees formed a double arch. Pencroft, lest they should lose themselves,

solved to follow the course of the stream, which would always lead them

ck to the point from which they started. But the bank was not without

me obstacles: here, the flexible branches of the trees bent level with





e current; there, creepers and thorns which they had to break down with

eir sticks. Herbert often glided among the broken stumps with the agility

a young cat, and disappeared in the underwood. But Pencroft called him

ck directly, begging him not to wander away. Meanwhile, the sailor

tentively observed the disposition and nature of the surrounding

untry. On the left bank, the ground, which was flat and marshy, rose

perceptibly towards the interior. It looked there like a network of

quid threads which doubtless reached the river by some underground drain.

metimes a stream ran through the underwood, which they crossed without

fficulty. The opposite shore appeared to be more uneven, and the valley

which the river occupied the bottom was more clearly visible. The hill,vered with trees disposed in terraces, intercepted the view. On the right

nk walking would have been difficult, for the declivities fell suddenly,

d the trees bending over the water were only sustained by the strength

their roots.

is needless to add that this forest, as well as the coast already

rveyed, was destitute of any sign of human life. Pencroft only saw traces

quadrupeds, fresh footprints of animals, of which he could not recognize

e species. In all probability, and such was also Herbert's opinion, some

d been left by formidable wild beasts which doubtless would give them

me trouble; but nowhere did they observe the mark of an axe on the trees,

r the ashes of a fire, nor the impression of a human foot. On this they

ght probably congratulate themselves, for on any land in the middle ofe Pacific the presence of man was perhaps more to be feared than desired.

rbert and Pencroft speaking little, for the difficulties of the way were

eat, advanced very slowly, and after walking for an hour they had

arcely gone more than a mile. As yet the hunt had not been successful.

wever, some birds sang and fluttered in the foliage, and appeared very

mid, as if man had inspired them with an instinctive fear. Among others,

rbert described, in a marshy part of the forest, a bird with a long

inted beak, closely resembling the king-fisher, but its plumage was not

ne, though of a metallic brilliancy.

hat must be a jacamar," said Herbert, trying to get nearer.

his will be a good opportunity to taste jacamar," replied the sailor,f that fellow is in a humor to be roasted!"

st then, a stone cleverly thrown by the boy, struck the creature on the

ng, but the blow did not disable it, and the jacamar ran off and

sappeared in an instant.

ow clumsy I am!" cried Herbert.

o, no, my boy!" replied the sailor. "The blow was well aimed; many a

e would have missed it altogether! Come, don't be vexed with yourself. We

all catch it another day!"

the hunters advanced, the trees were found to be more scattered, many

ing magnificent, but none bore eatable fruit. Pencroft searched in vain

r some of those precious palm-trees which are employed in so many ways in

mestic life, and which have been found as far as the fortieth parallel in

e Northern Hemisphere, and to the thirty-fifth only in the Southern

misphere. But this forest was only composed of coniferae, such as

odaras, already recognized by Herbert, and Douglas pine, similar to those

ich grow on the northwest coast of America, and splendid firs, measuring

hundred and fifty feet in height.

this moment a flock of birds, of a small size and pretty plumage, with

ng glancing tails, dispersed themselves among the branches strewing their

athers, which covered the ground as with fine down. Herbert picked up a





w of these feathers, and after having examined them,--

hese are couroucous," said he.

should prefer a moor-cock or guinea-fowl," replied Pencroft, "still,

they are good to eat--"

hey are good to eat, and also their flesh is very delicate," replied

rbert. "Besides, if I don't mistake, it is easy to approach and kill them

th a stick."

e sailor and the lad, creeping among the grass, arrived at the foot of

tree, whose lower branches were covered with little birds. The couroucous

re waiting the passage of insects which served for their nourishment.

eir feathery feet could be seen clasping the slender twigs which

pported them.

e hunters then rose, and using their sticks like scythes, they mowed

wn whole rows of these couroucous, who never thought of flying away, and

upidly allowed themselves to be knocked off. A hundred were already

aped on the ground, before the others made up their minds to fly.

ell," said Pencroft, "here is game, which is quite within the reach of

nters like us. We have only to put out our hands and take it!"

e sailor having strung the couroucous like larks on flexible twigs,

ey then continued their exploration. The stream here made a bend towards

e south, but this detour was probably not prolonged for the river must

ve its source in the mountain, and be supplied by the melting of the snow

ich covered the sides of the central cone.

e particular object of their expedition was, as has been said, to

ocure the greatest possible quantity of game for the inhabitants of the

imneys. It must be acknowledged that as yet this object had not been

tained. So the sailor actively pursued his researches, though he

claimed, when some animal which he had not even time to recognize fled

to the long grass, "If only we had had the dog Top!" But Top had

sappeared at the same time as his master, and had probably perished withm.

wards three o'clock new flocks of birds were seen through certain

ees, at whose aromatic berries they were pecking, those of the juniper-

ee among others. Suddenly a loud trumpet call resounded through the

rest. This strange and sonorous cry was produced by a game bird called

ouse in the United States. They soon saw several couples, whose plumage

s rich chestnut-brown mottled with dark brown, and tail of the same

lor. Herbert recognized the males by the two wing-like appendages raised

the neck. Pencroft determined to get hold of at least one of these

llinaceae, which were as large as a fowl, and whose flesh is better than

at of a pullet. But it was difficult, for they would not allow themselves

be approached. After several fruitless attempts, which resulted in

thing but scaring the grouse, the sailor said to the lad,--

ecidedly, since we can't kill them on the wing, we must try to take

em with a line."

ike a fish?" cried Herbert, much surprised at the proposal.

ike a fish," replied the sailor quite seriously. Pencroft had found

ong the grass half a dozen grouse nests, each having three or four eggs.

took great care not to touch these nests, to which their proprietors

uld not fail to return. It was around these that he meant to stretch his

nes, not snares, but real fishing-lines. He took Herbert to some distance





om the nests, and there prepared his singular apparatus with all the care

ich a disciple of Izaak Walton would have used. Herbert watched the work

th great interest, though rather doubting its success. The lines were

de of fine creepers, fastened one to the other, of the length of fifteen

twenty feet. Thick, strong thorns, the points bent back (which were

pplied from a dwarf acacia bush) were fastened to the ends of the

eepers, by way of hooks. Large red worms, which were crawling on the

ound, furnished bait.

is done, Pencroft, passing among the grass and concealing himself

illfully, placed the end of his lines armed with hooks near the grousests; then he returned, took the other ends and hid with Herbert behind a

rge tree. There they both waited patiently; though, it must be said, that

rbert did not reckon much on the success of the inventive Pencroft.

whole half-hour passed, but then, as the sailor had surmised, several

uple of grouse returned to their nests. They walked along, pecking the

ound, and not suspecting in any way the presence of the hunters, who,

sides, had taken care to place themselves to leeward of the gallinaceae.

e lad felt at this moment highly interested. He held his breath, and

ncroft, his eyes staring, his mouth open, his lips advanced, as if about

taste a piece of grouse, scarcely breathed.

anwhile, the birds walked about the hooks, without taking any notice of

em. Pencroft then gave little tugs which moved the bait as if the worms

d been still alive.

e sailor undoubtedly felt much greater anxiety than does the fisherman,

r he does not see his prey coming through the water. The jerks attracted

e attention of the gallinaceae, and they attacked the hooks with their

aks. Three voracious grouse swallowed at the same moment bait and hook.

ddenly with a smart jerk, Pencroft "struck" his line, and a flapping of

ngs showed that the birds were taken.

urrah!" he cried, rushing towards the game, of which he made himself

ster in an instant.

rbert clapped his hands. It was the first time that he had ever seen

rds taken with a line, but the sailor modestly confessed that it was not

s first attempt, and that besides he could not claim the merit of

vention.

nd at any rate," added he, "situated as we are, we must hope to hit

on many other contrivances."

e grouse were fastened by their claws, and Pencroft, delighted at not

ving to appear before their companions with empty hands, and observing

at the day had begun to decline, judged it best to return to their

elling.

e direction was indicated by the river, whose course they had only to

llow, and, towards six o'clock, tired enough with their excursion,

rbert and Pencroft arrived at the Chimneys.

apter 7

deon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed,

zing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a

ick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith. The wind

s already strong, and increased with the decline of day. The whole sky





s of a threatening aspect, and the first symptoms of a violent storm were

early visible.

rbert entered the Chimneys, and Pencroft went towards the reporter. The

tter, deeply absorbed, did not see him approach.

e are going to have a dirty night, Mr. Spilett!" said the sailor:

etrels delight in wind and rain."

e reporter, turning at the moment, saw Pencroft, and his first words

re,--

t what distance from the coast would you say the car was, when the

ves carried off our companion?"

e sailor had not expected this question. He reflected an instant and

plied,--

wo cables lengths at the most."

ut what is a cable's length?" asked Gideon Spilett.

bout a hundred and twenty fathoms, or six hundred feet."

hen," said the reporter, "Cyrus Harding must have disappeared twelvendred feet at the most from the shore?"

bout that," replied Pencroft.

nd his dog also?"

lso."

hat astonishes me," rejoined the reporter, "while admitting that our

mpanion has perished, is that Top has also met his death, and that

ither the body of the dog nor of his master has been cast on the shore!"

t is not astonishing, with such a heavy sea," replied the sailor.

esides, it is possible that currents have carried them farther down theast."

hen, it is your opinion that our friend has perished in the waves?"

ain asked the reporter.

hat is my opinion."

y own opinion," said Gideon Spilett, "with due deference to your

perience, Pencroft, is that in the double fact of the absolute

sappearance of Cyrus and Top, living or dead, there is something

accountable and unlikely."

wish I could think like you, Mr. Spilett," replied Pencroft;nhappily, my mind is made up on this point." Having said this, the sailor

turned to the Chimneys. A good fire crackled on the hearth. Herbert had

st thrown on an armful of dry wood, and the flame cast a bright light

to the darkest parts of the passage.

ncroft immediately began to prepare the dinner. It appeared best to

troduce something solid into the bill of fare, for all needed to get up

eir strength. The strings of couroucous were kept for the next day, but

ey plucked a couple of grouse, which were soon spitted on a stick, and

asting before a blazing fire.

seven in the evening Neb had not returned. The prolonged absence of





e Negro made Pencroft very uneasy. It was to be feared that he had met

th an accident on this unknown land, or that the unhappy fellow had been

iven to some act of despair. But Herbert drew very different conclusions

om this absence. According to him, Neb's delay was caused by some new

rcumstances which had induced him to prolong his search. Also, everything

w must be to the advantage of Cyrus Harding. Why had Neb not returned

less hope still detained him? Perhaps he had found some mark, a footstep,

trace which had put him in the right path. Perhaps he was at this moment

a certain track. Perhaps even he was near his master.

us the lad reasoned. Thus he spoke. His companions let him talk. Theporter alone approved with a gesture. But what Pencroft thought most

obable was, that Neb had pushed his researches on the shore farther than

e day before, and that he had not as yet had time to return.

rbert, however, agitated by vague presentiments, several times

nifested an intention to go to meet Neb. But Pencroft assured him that

at would be a useless course, that in the darkness and deplorable weather

could not find any traces of Neb, and that it would be much better to

it. If Neb had not made his appearance by the next day, Pencroft would

t hesitate to join him in his search.

deon Spilett approved of the sailor's opinion that it was best not to

vide, and Herbert was obliged to give up his project; but two large tearsll from his eyes.

e reporter could not refrain from embracing the generous boy.

d weather now set in. A furious gale from the southeast passed over the

ast. The sea roared as it beat over the reef. Heavy rain was dashed by

e storm into particles like dust. Ragged masses of vapor drove along the

ach, on which the tormented shingles sounded as if poured out in cart-

ads, while the sand raised by the wind added as it were mineral dust to

at which was liquid, and rendered the united attack insupportable.

tween the river's mouth and the end of the cliff, eddies of wind whirled

d gusts from this maelstrom lashed the water which ran through the

rrow valley. The smoke from the fireplace was also driven back through

e opening, filling the passages and rendering them uninhabitable.

erefore, as the grouse were cooked, Pencroft let the fire die away, and

ly preserved a few embers buried under the ashes.

eight o'clock Neb had not appeared, but there was no doubt that the

ightful weather alone hindered his return, and that he must have taken

fuge in some cave, to await the end of the storm or at least the return

day. As to going to meet him, or attempting to find him, it was

possible.

e game constituted the only dish at supper; the meat was excellent, and

ncroft and Herbert, whose long excursion had rendered them very hungry,

voured it with infinite satisfaction.

eir meal concluded, each retired to the corner in which he had rested

e preceding night, and Herbert was not long in going to sleep near the

ilor, who had stretched himself beside the fireplace.

tside, as the night advanced, the tempest also increased in strength,

til it was equal to that which had carried the prisoners from Richmond to

is land in the Pacific. The tempests which are frequent during the

asons of the equinox, and which are so prolific in catastrophes, are

ove all terrible over this immense ocean, which opposes no obstacle to

eir fury. No description can give an idea of the terrific violence of





e gale as it beat upon the unprotected coast.

ppily the pile of rocks which formed the Chimneys was solid. It was

mposed of enormous blocks of granite, a few of which, insecurely

lanced, seemed to tremble on their foundations, and Pencroft could feel

pid quiverings under his head as it rested on the rock. But he repeated

himself, and rightly, that there was nothing to fear, and that their

treat would not give way. However he heard the noise of stones torn from

e summit of the plateau by the wind, falling down on to the beach. A few

en rolled on to the upper part of the Chimneys, or flew off in fragments

en they were projected perpendicularly. Twice the sailor rose andtrenched himself at the opening of the passage, so as to take a look in

fety at the outside. But there was nothing to be feared from these

owers, which were not considerable, and he returned to his couch before

e fireplace, where the embers glowed beneath the ashes.

twithstanding the fury of the hurricane, the uproar of the tempest, the

under, and the tumult, Herbert slept profoundly. Sleep at last took

ssession of Pencroft, whom a seafaring life had habituated to anything.

deon Spilett alone was kept awake by anxiety. He reproached himself with

t having accompanied Neb. It was evident that he had not abandoned all

pe. The presentiments which had troubled Herbert did not cease to agitate

m also. His thoughts were concentrated on Neb. Why had Neb not returned?

tossed about on his sandy couch, scarcely giving a thought to theruggle of the elements. Now and then, his eyes, heavy with fatigue,

osed for an instant, but some sudden thought reopened them almost

mediately.

anwhile the night advanced, and it was perhaps two hours from morning,

en Pencroft, then sound asleep, was vigorously shaken.

hat's the matter?" he cried, rousing himself, and collecting his ideas

th the promptitude usual to seamen.

e reporter was leaning over him, and saying,--

isten, Pencroft, listen!"

e sailor strained his ears, but could hear no noise beyond those caused

the storm.

t is the wind," said he.

o," replied Gideon Spilett, listening again, "I thought I heard--"

hat?"

he barking of a dog!"

dog!" cried Pencroft, springing up.

es--barking--"

t's not possible!" replied the sailor. "And besides, how, in the

aring of the storm--"

top--listen--" said the reporter.

ncroft listened more attentively, and really thought he heard, during a

ll, distant barking.

ell!" said the reporter, pressing the sailor's hand.

es--yes!" replied Pencroft.





t is Top! It is Top!" cried Herbert, who had just awoke; and all three

shed towards the opening of the Chimneys. They had great difficulty in

tting out. The wind drove them back. But at last they succeeded, and

uld only remain standing by leaning against the rocks. They looked about,

t could not speak. The darkness was intense. The sea, the sky, the land

re all mingled in one black mass. Not a speck of light was visible.

e reporter and his companions remained thus for a few minutes,

erwhelmed by the wind, drenched by the rain, blinded by the sand.

en, in a pause of the tumult, they again heard the barking, which they

und must be at some distance.

could only be Top! But was he alone or accompanied? He was most

obably alone, for, if Neb had been with him, he would have made his way

re directly towards the Chimneys. The sailor squeezed the reporter's

nd, for he could not make himself heard, in a way which signified "Wait!"

en he reentered the passage.

instant after he issued with a lighted fagot, which he threw into the

rkness, whistling shrilly.

appeared as if this signal had been waited for; the barking

mediately came nearer, and soon a dog bounded into the passage. Pencroft,

rbert, and Spilett entered after him.

armful of dry wood was thrown on the embers. The passage was lighted

with a bright flame.

t is Top!" cried Herbert.

was indeed Top, a magnificent Anglo-Norman, who derived from these two

ces crossed the swiftness of foot and the acuteness of smell which are

e preeminent qualities of coursing dogs. It was the dog of the engineer,

rus Harding. But he was alone! Neither Neb nor his master accompanied

m!

w was it that his instinct had guided him straight to the Chimneys,

ich he did not know? It appeared inexplicable, above all, in the midst of

is black night and in such a tempest! But what was still more

explicable was, that Top was neither tired, nor exhausted, nor even

iled with mud or sand!--Herbert had drawn him towards him, and was

tting his head, the dog rubbing his neck against the lad's hands.

f the dog is found, the master will be found also!" said the reporter.

od grant it!" responded Herbert. "Let us set off! Top will guide us!"

ncroft did not make any objection. He felt that Top's arrival

ntradicted his conjectures. "Come along then!" said he.

ncroft carefully covered the embers on the hearth. He placed a few

eces of wood among them, so as to keep in the fire until their return.

en, preceded by the dog, who seemed to invite them by short barks to come

th him, and followed by the reporter and the boy, he dashed out, after

ving put up in his handkerchief the remains of the supper.

e storm was then in all its violence, and perhaps at its height. Not a

ngle ray of light from the moon pierced through the clouds. To follow a

raight course was difficult. It was best to rely on Top's instinct. They

d so. The reporter and Herbert walked behind the dog, and the sailor

ought up the rear. It was impossible to exchange a word. The rain was not





ry heavy, but the wind was terrific.

wever, one circumstance favored the seaman and his two companions. The

nd being southeast, consequently blew on their backs. The clouds of sand,

ich otherwise would have been insupportable, from being received behind,

d not in consequence impede their progress. In short, they sometimes went

ster than they liked, and had some difficulty in keeping their feet; but

pe gave them strength, for it was not at random that they made their way

ong the shore. They had no doubt that Neb had found his master, and that

had sent them the faithful dog. But was the engineer living, or had Neb

ly sent for his companions that they might render the last duties to therpse of the unfortunate Harding?

ter having passed the precipice, Herbert, the reporter, and Pencroft

udently stepped aside to stop and take breath. The turn of the rocks

eltered them from the wind, and they could breathe after this walk or

ther run of a quarter of an hour.

ey could now hear and reply to each other, and the lad having

onounced the name of Cyrus Harding, Top gave a few short barks, as much

to say that his master was saved.

aved, isn't he?" repeated Herbert; "saved, Top?"

d the dog barked in reply.

ey once more set out. The tide began to rise, and urged by the wind it

reatened to be unusually high, as it was a spring tide. Great billows

undered against the reef with such violence that they probably passed

tirely over the islet, then quite invisible. The mole no longer protected

e coast, which was directly exposed to the attacks of the open sea.

soon as the sailor and his companions left the precipice, the wind

ruck them again with renewed fury. Though bent under the gale they walked

ry quickly, following Top, who did not hesitate as to what direction to

ke.

ey ascended towards the north, having on their left an interminabletent of billows, which broke with a deafening noise, and on their right a

rk country, the aspect of which it was impossible to guess. But they felt

at it was comparatively flat, for the wind passed completely over them,

thout being driven back as it was when it came in contact with the cliff.

four o'clock in the morning, they reckoned that they had cleared about

ve miles. The clouds were slightly raised, and the wind, though less

mp, was very sharp and cold. Insufficiently protected by their clothing,

ncroft, Herbert and Spilett suffered cruelly, but not a complaint escaped

eir lips. They were determined to follow Top, wherever the intelligent

imal wished to lead them.

wards five o'clock day began to break. At the zenith, where the fog wasss thick, gray shades bordered the clouds; under an opaque belt, a

minous line clearly traced the horizon. The crests of the billows were

pped with a wild light, and the foam regained its whiteness. At the same

me on the left the hilly parts of the coast could be seen, though very

distinctly.

six o'clock day had broken. The clouds rapidly lifted. The seaman and

s companions were then about six miles from the Chimneys. They were

llowing a very flat shore bounded by a reef of rocks, whose heads

arcely emerged from the sea, for they were in deep water. On the left,

e country appeared to be one vast extent of sandy downs, bristling with





istles. There was no cliff, and the shore offered no resistance to the

ean but a chain of irregular hillocks. Here and there grew two or three

ees, inclined towards the west, their branches projecting in that

rection. Quite behind, in the southwest, extended the border of the

rest.

this moment, Top became very excited. He ran forward, then returned,

d seemed to entreat them to hasten their steps. The dog then left the

ach, and guided by his wonderful instinct, without showing the least

sitation, went straight in among the downs. They followed him. The

untry appeared an absolute desert. Not a living creature was to be seen.

e downs, the extent of which was large, were composed of hillocks and

en of hills, very irregularly distributed. They resembled a Switzerland

deled in sand, and only an amazing instinct could have possibly

cognized the way.

ve minutes after having left the beach, the reporter and his two

mpanions arrived at a sort of excavation, hollowed out at the back of a

gh mound. There Top stopped, and gave a loud, clear bark. Spilett,

rbert, and Pencroft dashed into the cave.

b was there, kneeling beside a body extended on a bed of grass.

e body was that of the engineer, Cyrus Harding.

apter 8

b did not move. Pencroft only uttered one word.

iving?" he cried.

b did not reply. Spilett and the sailor turned pale. Herbert clasped

s hands, and remained motionless. The poor Negro, absorbed in his grief,

idently had neither seen his companions nor heard the sailor speak.

e reporter knelt down beside the motionless body, and placed his ear to

e engineer's chest, having first torn open his clothes.

minute--an age!--passed, during which he endeavored to catch the

intest throb of the heart.

b had raised himself a little and gazed without seeing. Despair had

mpletely changed his countenance. He could scarcely be recognized,

hausted with fatigue, broken with grief. He believed his master was dead.

deon Spilett at last rose, after a long and attentive examination.

e lives!" said he.

ncroft knelt in his turn beside the engineer, he also heard a

robbing, and even felt a slight breath on his cheek.

rbert at a word from the reporter ran out to look for water. He found,

hundred feet off, a limpid stream, which seemed to have been greatly

creased by the rains, and which filtered through the sand; but nothing in

ich to put the water, not even a shell among the downs. The lad was

liged to content himself with dipping his handkerchief in the stream, and

th it hastened back to the grotto.

ppily the wet handkerchief was enough for Gideon Spilett, who only

shed to wet the engineer's lips. The cold water produced an almost





mediate effect. His chest heaved and he seemed to try to speak.

e will save him!" exclaimed the reporter.

these words hope revived in Neb's heart. He undressed his master to

e if he was wounded, but not so much as a bruise was to be found, either

the head, body, or limbs, which was surprising, as he must have been

shed against the rocks; even the hands were uninjured, and it was

fficult to explain how the engineer showed no traces of the efforts which

must have made to get out of reach of the breakers.

t the explanation would come later. When Cyrus was able to speak he

uld say what had happened. For the present the question was, how to

call him to life, and it appeared likely that rubbing would bring this

out; so they set to work with the sailor's jersey.

e engineer, revived by this rude shampooing, moved his arm slightly and

gan to breathe more regularly. He was sinking from exhaustion, and

rtainly, had not the reporter and his companions arrived, it would have

en all over with Cyrus Harding.

ou thought your master was dead, didn't you?" said the seaman to Neb.

es! quite dead!" replied Neb, "and if Top had not found you, and

ought you here, I should have buried my master, and then have lain downhis grave to die!"

had indeed been a narrow escape for Cyrus Harding!

b then recounted what had happened. The day before, after having left

e Chimneys at daybreak, he had ascended the coast in a northerly

rection, and had reached that part of the shore which he had already

sited.

ere, without any hope he acknowledged, Neb had searched the beach,

ong the rocks, on the sand, for the smallest trace to guide him. He

amined particularly that part of the beach which was not covered by the

gh tide, for near the sea the water would have obliterated all marks. Nebd not expect to find his master living. It was for a corpse that he

arched, a corpse which he wished to bury with his own hands!

sought long in vain. This desert coast appeared never to have been

sited by a human creature. The shells, those which the sea had not

ached, and which might be met with by millions above high-water mark,

re untouched. Not a shell was broken.

b then resolved to walk along the beach for some miles. It was possible

at the waves had carried the body to quite a distant point. When a corpse

oats a little distance from a low shore, it rarely happens that the tide

es not throw it up, sooner or later. This Neb knew, and he wished to see

s master again for the last time.

went along the coast for another two miles, carefully examining the

ach, both at high and low water, and I had despaired of finding anything,

en yesterday, above five in the evening, I saw footprints on the sand."

ootprints?" exclaimed Pencroft.

es!" replied Neb.

id these footprints begin at the water's edge?" asked the reporter.

o," replied Neb, "only above high-water mark, for the others must have





en washed out by the tide."

o on, Neb," said Spilett.

went half crazy when I saw these footprints. They were very clear and

nt towards the downs. I followed them for a quarter of a mile, running,

t taking care not to destroy them. Five minutes after, as it was getting

rk, I heard the barking of a dog. It was Top, and Top brought me here, to

master!"

b ended his account by saying what had been his grief at finding the

animate body, in which he vainly sought for the least sign of life. Now

at he had found him dead he longed for him to be alive. All his efforts

re useless! Nothing remained to be done but to render the last duties to

e one whom he had loved so much! Neb then thought of his companions.

ey, no doubt, would wish to see the unfortunate man again. Top was there.

uld he not rely on the sagacity of the faithful animal? Neb several times

onounced the name of the reporter, the one among his companions whom Top

ew best.

en he pointed to the south, and the dog bounded off in the direction

dicated to him.

have heard how, guided by an instinct which might be looked upon

most as supernatural, Top had found them.

b's companions had listened with great attention to this account.

was unaccountable to them how Cyrus Harding, after the efforts which

must have made to escape from the waves by crossing the rocks, had not

ceived even a scratch. And what could not be explained either was how the

gineer had managed to get to this cave in the downs, more than a mile

om the shore.

o, Neb," said the reporter, "it was not you who brought your master to

is place."

o, it was not I," replied the Negro.

t's very clear that the captain came here by himself," said Pencroft.

t is clear in reality," observed Spilett, "but it is not credible!"

e explanation of this fact could only be produced from the engineer's

n lips, and they must wait for that till speech returned. Rubbing had

-established the circulation of the blood. Cyrus Harding moved his arm

ain, then his head, and a few incomprehensible words escaped him.

b, who was bending over him, spoke, but the engineer did not appear to

ar, and his eyes remained closed. Life was only exhibited in him by

vement, his senses had not as yet been restored.

ncroft much regretted not having either fire, or the means of procuring

, for he had, unfortunately, forgotten to bring the burnt linen, which

uld easily have ignited from the sparks produced by striking together two

ints. As to the engineer's pockets, they were entirely empty, except that

his waistcoat, which contained his watch. It was necessary to carry

rding to the Chimneys, and that as soon as possible. This was the opinion

all.

anwhile, the care which was lavished on the engineer brought him back

consciousness sooner than they could have expected. The water with which

ey wetted his lips revived him gradually. Pencroft also thought of mixing





th the water some moisture from the titra's flesh which he had brought.

rbert ran to the beach and returned with two large bivalve shells. The

ilor concocted something which he introduced between the lips of the

gineer, who eagerly drinking it opened his eyes.

b and the reporter were leaning over him.

y master! my master!" cried Neb.

e engineer heard him. He recognized Neb and Spilett, then his other two

mpanions, and his hand slightly pressed theirs.

few words again escaped him, which showed what thoughts were, even

en, troubling his brain. This time he was understood. Undoubtedly they

re the same words he had before attempted to utter.

sland or continent?" he murmured.

other the continent," cried Pencroft hastily; "there is time enough to

e about that, captain! we don't care for anything, provided you are

ving."

e engineer nodded faintly, and then appeased to sleep.

ey respected this sleep, and the reporter began immediately to makerangements for transporting Harding to a more comfortable place. Neb,

rbert, and Pencroft left the cave and directed their steps towards a high

und crowned with a few distorted trees. On the way the sailor could not

lp repeating,--

sland or continent! To think of that, when at one's last gasp! What a

n!"

rived at the summit of the mound, Pencroft and his two companions set

work, with no other tools than their hands, to despoil of its principal

anches a rather sickly tree, a sort of marine fir; with these branches

ey made a litter, on which, covered with grass and leaves, they could

rry the engineer.

is occupied them nearly forty minutes, and it was ten o'clock when they

turned to Cyrus Harding whom Spilett had not left.

e engineer was just awaking from the sleep, or rather from the

owsiness, in which they had found him. The color was returning to his

eeks, which till now had been as pale as death. He raised himself a

ttle, looked around him, and appeared to ask where he was.

an you listen to me without fatigue, Cyrus?" asked the reporter.

es," replied the engineer.

t's my opinion," said the sailor, "that Captain Harding will be able to

sten to you still better, if he will have some more grouse jelly,--for we

ve grouse, captain," added he, presenting him with a little of this

lly, to which he this time added some of the flesh.

rus Harding ate a little of the grouse, and the rest was divided among

s companions, who found it but a meager breakfast, for they were

ffering extremely from hunger.

ell!" said the sailor, "there is plenty of food at the Chimneys, for

u must know, captain, that down there, in the south, we have a house,

th rooms, beds, and fireplace, and in the pantry, several dozen of birds,





ich our Herbert calls couroucous. Your litter is ready, and as soon as

u feel strong enough we will carry you home."

hanks, my friend," replied the engineer; "wait another hour or two, and

en we will set out. And now speak, Spilett."

e reporter then told him all that had occurred. He recounted all the

ents with which Cyrus was unacquainted, the last fall of the balloon, the

nding on this unknown land, which appeared a desert (whatever it was,

ether island or continent), the discovery of the Chimneys, the search for

m, not forgetting of course Neb's devotion, the intelligence exhibited by

e faithful Top, as well as many other matters.

ut," asked Harding, in a still feeble voice, "you did not, then, pick

up on the beach?"

o," replied the reporter.

nd did you not bring me to this cave?"

o."

t what distance is this cave from the sea?"

bout a mile," replied Pencroft; "and if you are astonished, captain, wee not less surprised ourselves at seeing you in this place!"

ndeed," said the engineer, who was recovering gradually, and who took

eat interest in these details, "indeed it is very singular!"

ut," resumed the sailor, "can you tell us what happened after you were

rried off by the sea?"

rus Harding considered. He knew very little. The wave had torn him from

e balloon net. He sank at first several fathoms. On returning to the

rface, in the half light, he felt a living creature struggling near him.

was Top, who had sprung to his help. He saw nothing of the balloon,

ich, lightened both of his weight and that of the dog, had darted away

ke an arrow.

ere he was, in the midst of the angry sea, at a distance which could

t be less than half a mile from the shore. He attempted to struggle

ainst the billows by swimming vigorously. Top held him up by his clothes;

t a strong current seized him and drove him towards the north, and after

lf an hour of exertion, he sank, dragging Top with him into the depths.

om that moment to the moment in which he recovered to find himself in the

ms of his friends he remembered nothing.

owever," remarked Pencroft, "you must have been thrown on to the beach,

d you must have had strength to walk here, since Neb found your

otmarks!"

es... of course replied the engineer, thoughtfully; "and you found no

aces of human beings on this coast?"

ot a trace," replied the reporter; "besides, if by chance you had met

th some deliverer there, just in the nick of time, why should he have

andoned you after having saved you from the waves?"

ou are right, my dear Spilett. Tell me, Neb," added the engineer,

rning to his servant, "it was not you who... you can't have had a moment

unconsciousness... during which no, that's absurd.... Do any of the

otsteps still remain?" asked Harding.





es, master, replied Neb; "here, at the entrance, at the back of the

und, in a place sheltered from the rain and wind. The storm has destroyed

e others."

encroft," said Cyrus Harding, "will you take my shoe and see if it fits

actly to the footprints?"

e sailor did as the engineer requested. While he and Herbert, guided by

b, went to the place where the footprints were to be found, Cyrus

marked to the reporter,--

t is a most extraordinary thing!"

erfectly inexplicable!" replied Gideon Spilett.

ut do not dwell upon it just now, my dear Spilett, we will talk about

by-and-by."

moment after the others entered.

ere was no doubt about it. The engineer's shoe fitted exactly to the

otmarks. It was therefore Cyrus Harding who had left them on the sand.

ome," said he, "I must have experienced this unconsciousness which Itributed to Neb. I must have walked like a somnambulist, without any

owledge of my steps, and Top must have guided me here, after having

agged me from the waves... Come, Top! Come, old dog!"

e magnificent animal bounded barking to his master, and caresses were

vished on him. It was agreed that there was no other way of accounting

r the rescue of Cyrus Harding, and that Top deserved all the honor of the

fair.

wards twelve o'clock, Pencroft having asked the engineer if they could

w remove him, Harding, instead of replying, and by an effort which

hibited the most energetic will, got up. But he was obliged to lean on

e sailor, or he would have fallen.

ell done!" cried Pencroft; "bring the captain's litter."

e litter was brought; the transverse branches had been covered with

aves and long grass. Harding was laid on it, and Pencroft, having taken

s place at one end and Neb at the other, they started towards the coast.

ere was a distance of eight miles to be accomplished; but, as they could

t go fast, and it would perhaps be necessary to stop frequently, they

ckoned that it would take at least six hours to reach the Chimneys. The

nd was still strong, but fortunately it did not rain. Although lying

wn, the engineer, leaning on his elbow, observed the coast, particularly

land. He did not speak, but he gazed; and, no doubt, the appearance of

e country, with its inequalities of ground, its forests, its various

oductions, were impressed on his mind. However, after traveling for two

urs, fatigue overcame him, and he slept.

half-past five the little band arrived at the precipice, and a short

me after at the Chimneys.

ey stopped, and the litter was placed on the sand; Cyrus Harding was

eeping profoundly, and did not awake.

ncroft, to his extreme surprise, found that the terrible storm had

ite altered the aspect of the place. Important changes had occurred;

eat blocks of stone lay on the beach, which was also covered with a thick





rpet of sea-weed, algae, and wrack. Evidently the sea, passing over the

let, had been carried right up to the foot of the enormous curtain of

anite. The soil in front of the cave had been torn away by the violence

the waves. A horrid presentiment flashed across Pencroft's mind. He

shed into the passage, but returned almost immediately, and stood

tionless, staring at his companions.... The fire was out; the drowned

nders were nothing but mud; the burnt linen, which was to have served as

nder, had disappeared! The sea had penetrated to the end of the passages,

d everything was overthrown and destroyed in the interior of the

imneys!

apter 9

a few words, Gideon Spilett, Herbert, and Neb were made acquainted with

at had happened. This accident, which appeared so very serious to

ncroft, produced different effects on the companions of the honest

ilor.

b, in his delight at having found his master, did not listen, or

ther, did not care to trouble himself with what Pencroft was saying.

rbert shared in some degree the sailor's feelings.

to the reporter, he simply replied,--

pon my word, Pencroft, it's perfectly indifferent to me!"

ut, I repeat, that we haven't any fire!"

ooh!"

or any means of relighting it!"

onsense!"

ut I say, Mr. Spilett--"

sn't Cyrus here?" replied the reporter.

s not our engineer alive? He will soon find some way of making fire for

!"

ith what?"

ith nothing."

at had Pencroft to say? He could say nothing, for, in the bottom of his

art he shared the confidence which his companions had in Cyrus Harding.

e engineer was to them a microcosm, a compound of every science, a

ssessor of all human knowledge. It was better to be with Cyrus in asert island, than without him in the most flourishing town in the United

ates. With him they could want nothing; with him they would never

spair. If these brave men had been told that a volcanic eruption would

stroy the land, that this land would be engulfed in the depths of the

cific, they would have imperturbably replied,--

yrus is here!"

ile in the palanquin, however, the engineer had again relapsed into

consciousness, which the jolting to which he had been subjected during

s journey had brought on, so that they could not now appeal to his

genuity. The supper must necessarily be very meager. In fact, all the





ouse flesh had been consumed, and there no longer existed any means of

oking more game. Besides, the couroucous which had been reserved had

sappeared. They must consider what was to be done.

rst of all, Cyrus Harding was carried into the central passage. There

ey managed to arrange for him a couch of sea-weed which still remained

most dry. The deep sleep which had overpowered him would no doubt be more

neficial to him than any nourishment.

ght had closed in, and the temperature, which had modified when the

nd shifted to the northwest, again became extremely cold. Also, the sea

ving destroyed the partitions which Pencroft had put up in certain places

the passages, the Chimneys, on account of the draughts, had become

arcely habitable. The engineer's condition would, therefore, have been

d enough, if his companions had not carefully covered him with their

ats and waistcoats.

pper, this evening, was of course composed of the inevitable

thodomes, of which Herbert and Neb picked up a plentiful supply on the

ach. However, to these molluscs, the lad added some edible sea-weed,

ich he gathered on high rocks, whose sides were only washed by the sea at

e time of high tides. This sea-weed, which belongs to the order of

cacae, of the genus Sargassum, produces, when dry, a gelatinous matter,

ch and nutritious. The reporter and his companions, after having eaten aantity of lithodomes, sucked the sargassum, of which the taste was very

lerable. It is used in parts of the East very considerably by the

tives. "Never mind!" said the sailor, "the captain will help us soon."

anwhile the cold became very severe, and unhappily they had no means of

fending themselves from it.

e sailor, extremely vexed, tried in all sorts of ways to procure fire.

b helped him in this work. He found some dry moss, and by striking

gether two pebbles he obtained some sparks, but the moss, not being

flammable enough, did not take fire, for the sparks were really only

candescent, and not at all of the same consistency as those which are

itted from flint when struck in the same manner. The experiment,

erefore, did not succeed.

ncroft, although he had no confidence in the proceeding, then tried

bbing two pieces of dry wood together, as savages do. Certainly, the

vement which he and Neb exhibited, if it had been transformed into heat,

cording to the new theory, would have been enough to heat the boiler of a

eamer! It came to nothing. The bits of wood became hot, to be sure, but

ch less so than the operators themselves.

ter working an hour, Pencroft, who was in a complete state of

rspiration, threw down the pieces of wood in disgust.

can never be made to believe that savages light their fires in this

y, let them say what they will," he exclaimed. "I could sooner light my

ms by rubbing them against each other!"

e sailor was wrong to despise the proceeding. Savages often kindle wood

means of rapid rubbing. But every sort of wood does not answer for the

rpose, and besides, there is "the knack," following the usual expression,

d it is probable that Pencroft had not "the knack."

ncroft's ill humor did not last long. Herbert had taken the bits of

od which he had turned down, and was exerting himself to rub them. The

rdy sailor could not restrain a burst of laughter on seeing the efforts

the lad to succeed where he had failed.





ub, my boy, rub!" said he.

am rubbing," replied Herbert, laughing, "but I don't pretend to do

ything else but warm myself instead of shivering, and soon I shall be as

t as you are, my good Pencroft!"

is soon happened. However, they were obliged to give up, for this night

least, the attempt to procure fire. Gideon Spilett repeated, for the

entieth time, that Cyrus Harding would not have been troubled for so

all a difficulty. And, in the meantime, he stretched himself in one of

e passages on his bed of sand. Herbert, Neb, and Pencroft did the same,

ile Top slept at his master's feet.

xt day, the 28th of March, when the engineer awoke, about eight in the

rning, he saw his companions around him watching his sleep, and, as on

e day before, his first words were:--

sland or continent?" This was his uppermost thought.

ell!" replied Pencroft, "we don't know anything about it, captain!"

ou don't know yet?"

ut we shall know," rejoined Pencroft, "when you have guided us into the

untry."

think I am able to try it," replied the engineer, who, without much

fort, rose and stood upright.

hat's capital!" cried the sailor.

feel dreadfully weak," replied Harding. "Give me something to eat, my

iends, and it will soon go off. You have fire, haven't you?"

is question was not immediately replied to. But, in a few seconds--

las! we have no fire," said Pencroft, "or rather, captain, we have it

longer!"

d the sailor recounted all that had passed the day before. He amused

e engineer by the history of the single match, then his abortive attempt

procure fire in the savages' way.

e shall consider," replied the engineer, "and if we do not find some

bstance similar to tinder--"

ell?" asked the sailor.

ell, we will make matches.

hemicals?"

hemicals!"

t is not more difficult than that," cried the reporter, striking the

ilor on the shoulder.

e latter did not think it so simple, but he did not protest. All went

t. The weather had become very fine. The sun was rising from the sea's

rizon, and touched with golden spangles the prismatic rugosities of the

ge precipice.

ving thrown a rapid glance around him, the engineer seated himself on a

ock of stone. Herbert offered him a few handfuls of shell-fish and





rgassum, saying,--

t is all that we have, Captain Harding."

hanks, my boy," replied Harding; "it will do--for this morning at

ast."

ate the wretched food with appetite, and washed it down with a little

esh water, drawn from the river in an immense shell.

s companions looked at him without speaking. Then, feeling somewhat

freshed, Cyrus Harding crossed his arms, and said,--

o, my friends, you do not know yet whether fate has thrown us on an

land, or on a continent?"

o, captain," replied the boy.

e shall know to-morrow," said the engineer; "till then, there is

thing to be done."

es," replied Pencroft.

hat?"

ire," said the sailor, who, also, had a fixed idea.

e will make it, Pencroft," replied Harding.

hile you were carrying me yesterday, did I not see in the west a

untain which commands the country?"

es," replied Spilett, "a mountain which must be rather high--"

ell," replied the engineer, "we will climb to the summit to-morrow, and

en we shall see if this land is an island or a continent. Till then, I

peat, there is nothing to be done."

es, fire!" said the obstinate sailor again.

ut he will make us a fire!" replied Gideon Spilett, "only have a little

tience, Pencroft!"

e seaman looked at Spilett in a way which seemed to say, "If it

pended upon you to do it, we wouldn't taste roast meat very soon"; but he

s silent.

anwhile Captain Harding had made no reply. He appeared to be very

ttle troubled by the question of fire. For a few minutes he remained

sorbed in thought; then again speaking,--

y friends," said he, "our situation is, perhaps, deplorable; but, at

y rate, it is very plain. Either we are on a continent, and then, at the

pense of greater or less fatigue, we shall reach some inhabited place, or

are on an island. In the latter case, if the island is inhabited, we

ll try to get out of the scrape with the help of its inhabitants; if it

desert, we will try to get out of the scrape by ourselves."

ertainly, nothing could be plainer," replied Pencroft.

ut, whether it is an island or a continent," asked Gideon Spilett,

hereabouts do you think, Cyrus, this storm has thrown us?"

cannot say exactly," replied the engineer, "but I presume it is some





nd in the Pacific. In fact, when we left Richmond, the wind was blowing

om the northeast, and its very violence greatly proves that it could not

ve varied. If the direction has been maintained from the northeast to the

uthwest, we have traversed the States of North Carolina, of South

rolina, of Georgia, the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, itself, in its narrow

rt, then a part of the Pacific Ocean. I cannot estimate the distance

aversed by the balloon at less than six to seven thousand miles, and,

en supposing that the wind had varied half a quarter, it must have

ought us either to the archipelago of Mendava, either on the Pomotous, or

en, if it had a greater strength than I suppose, to the land of New

aland. If the last hypothesis is correct, it will be easy enough to getme again. English or Maoris, we shall always find some one to whom we can

eak. If, on the contrary, this is the coast of a desert island in some

ny archipelago, perhaps we shall be able to reconnoiter it from the

mmit of that peak which overlooks the country, and then we shall see how

st to establish ourselves here as if we are never to go away."

ever?" cried the reporter. "You say 'Never,' my dear Cyrus?"

etter to put things at the worst at first," replied the engineer, "and

serve the best for a surprise."

ell said," remarked Pencroft. "It is to be hoped, too, that this

land, if it be one, is not situated just out of the course of ships; thatuld be really unlucky!"

e shall not know what we have to rely on until we have first made the

cent of the mountain," replied the engineer.

ut to-morrow, captain," asked Herbert, "shall you be in a state to bear

e fatigue of the ascent?"

hope so," replied the engineer, "provided you and Pencroft, my boy,

ow yourselves quick and clever hunters."

aptain," said the sailor, "since you are speaking of game, if on my

turn, I was as certain of roasting it as I am of bringing it back--"

ring it back all the same, Pencroft," replied Harding.

was then agreed that the engineer and the reporter were to pass the

y at the Chimneys, so as to examine the shore and the upper plateau. Neb,

rbert, and the sailor were to return to the forest, renew their store of

od, and lay violent hands on every creature, feathered or hairy, which

ght come within their reach.

ey set out accordingly about ten o'clock in the morning, Herbert

nfident, Neb joyous, Pencroft murmuring aside,--

f, on my return, I find a fire at the house, I shall believe that the

under itself came to light it." All three climbed the bank; and arrivedthe angle made by the river, the sailor, stopping, said to his two

mpanions,--

hall we begin by being hunters or wood-men?"

unters," replied Herbert. "There is Top already in quest."

e will hunt, then," said the sailor, "and afterwards we can come back

d collect our wood."

is agreed to, Herbert, Neb, and Pencroft, after having torn three

icks from the trunk of a young fir, followed Top, who was bounding about





ong the long grass.

is time, the hunters, instead of following the course of the river,

unged straight into the heart of the forest. There were still the same

ees, belonging, for the most part, to the pine family. In certain places,

ss crowded, growing in clumps, these pines exhibited considerable

mensions, and appeared to indicate, by their development, that the

untry was situated in a higher latitude than the engineer had supposed.

ades, bristling with stumps worn away by time, were covered with dry

od, which formed an inexhaustible store of fuel. Then, the glade passed,

e underwood thickened again, and became almost impenetrable.

was difficult enough to find the way among the groups of trees, without

y beaten track. So the sailor from time to time broke off branches which

ght be easily recognized. But, perhaps, he was wrong not to follow the

tercourse, as he and Herbert had done on their first excursion, for after

lking an hour not a creature had shown itself. Top, running under the

anches, only roused birds which could not be approached. Even the

uroucous were invisible, and it was probable that the sailor would be

liged to return to the marshy part of the forest, in which he had so

ppily performed his grouse fishing.

ell, Pencroft," said Neb, in a slightly sarcastic tone, "if this is all

e game which you promised to bring back to my master, it won't need arge fire to roast it!"

ave patience," replied the sailor, "it isn't the game which will be

nting on our return."

ave you not confidence in Captain Harding?"

es."

ut you don't believe that he will make fire?"

shall believe it when the wood is blazing in the fireplace."

t will blaze, since my master has said so."

e shall see!"

anwhile, the sun had not reached the highest point in its course above

e horizon. The exploration, therefore, continued, and was usefully

rked by a discovery which Herbert made of a tree whose fruit was edible.

is was the stone-pine, which produces an excellent almond, very much

teemed in the temperate regions of America and Europe. These almonds were

a perfect state of maturity, and Herbert described them to his

mpanions, who feasted on them.

ome," said Pencroft, "sea-weed by way of bread, raw mussels for meat,

d almonds for dessert, that's certainly a good dinner for those who havet a single match in their pocket!"

mustn't complain," said Herbert.

am not complaining, my boy," replied Pencroft, "only I repeat, that

at is a little too much economized in this sort of meal."

op has found something!" cried Neb, who ran towards a thicket, in the

dst of which the dog had disappeared, barking. With Top's barking were

ngled curious gruntings.

e sailor and Herbert had followed Neb. If there was game there this was





t the time to discuss how it was to be cooked, but rather, how they were

get hold of it.

e hunters had scarcely entered the bushes when they saw Top engaged in

struggle with an animal which he was holding by the ear. This quadruped

s a sort of pig nearly two feet and a half long, of a blackish brown

lor, lighter below, having hard scanty hair; its toes, then strongly

xed in the ground, seemed to be united by a membrane. Herbert recognized

this animal the capybara, that is to say, one of the largest members of

e rodent order.

anwhile, the capybara did not struggle against the dog. It stupidly

lled its eyes, deeply buried in a thick bed of fat. Perhaps it saw men

r the first time.

wever, Neb having tightened his grasp on his stick, was just going to

ll the pig, when the latter, tearing itself from Top's teeth, by which it

s only held by the tip of its ear, uttered a vigorous grunt, rushed upon

rbert, almost overthrew him, and disappeared in the wood.

he rascal!" cried Pencroft.

l three directly darted after Top, but at the moment when they joined

m the animal had disappeared under the waters of a large pond shaded by

nerable pines.

b, Herbert, and Pencroft stopped, motionless. Top plunged into the

ter, but the capybara, hidden at the bottom of the pond, did not appear.

et us wait," said the boy, "for he will soon come to the surface to

eathe."

on't he drown?" asked Neb.

o," replied Herbert, "since he has webbed feet, and is almost an

phibious animal. But watch him."

p remained in the water. Pencroft and his two companions went tofferent parts of the bank, so as to cut off the retreat of the capybara,

ich the dog was looking for beneath the water.

rbert was not mistaken. In a few minutes the animal appeared on the

rface of the water. Top was upon it in a bound, and kept it from plunging

ain. An instant later the capybara, dragged to the bank, was killed by a

ow from Neb's stick.

urrah!" cried Pencroft, who was always ready with this cry of triumph.

ive me but a good fire, and this pig shall be gnawed to the bones!"

ncroft hoisted the capybara on his shoulders, and judging by the height

the sun that it was about two o'clock, he gave the signal to return.

p's instinct was useful to the hunters, who, thanks to the intelligent

imal, were enabled to discover the road by which they had come. Half an

ur later they arrived at the river.

ncroft soon made a raft of wood, as he had done before, though if there

s no fire it would be a useless task, and the raft following the current,

ey returned towards the Chimneys.

t the sailor had not gone fifty paces when he stopped, and again

tering a tremendous hurrah, pointed towards the angle of the cliff,--





erbert! Neb! Look!" he shouted.

oke was escaping and curling up among the rocks.

apter 10

a few minutes the three hunters were before a crackling fire. The

ptain and the reporter were there. Pencroft looked from one to the other,

s capybara in his hand, without saying a word.

ell, yes, my brave fellow," cried the reporter.

ire, real fire, which will roast this splendid pig perfectly, and we

ll have a feast presently!"

ut who lighted it?" asked Pencroft.

he sun!"

deon Spilett was quite right in his reply. It was the sun which had

rnished the heat which so astonished Pencroft. The sailor could scarcely

lieve his eyes, and he was so amazed that he did not think of questioning

e engineer.

ad you a burning-glass, sir?" asked Herbert of Harding.

o, my boy," replied he, "but I made one."

d he showed the apparatus which served for a burning-glass. It was

mply two glasses which he had taken from his own and the reporter's

tches. Having filled them with water and rendered their edges adhesive by

ans of a little clay, he thus fabricated a regular burning-glass, which,

ncentrating the solar rays on some very dry moss, soon caused it to

aze.

e sailor considered the apparatus; then he gazed at the engineerthout saying a word, only a look plainly expressed his opinion that if

rus Harding was not a magician, he was certainly no ordinary man. At last

eech returned to him, and he cried,--

ote that, Mr. Spilett, note that down on your paper!"

t is noted," replied the reporter.

en, Neb helping him, the seaman arranged the spit, and the capybara,

operly cleaned, was soon roasting like a suckling-pig before a clear,

ackling fire.

e Chimneys had again become more habitable, not only because the

ssages were warmed by the fire, but because the partitions of wood and

d had been re-established.

was evident that the engineer and his companions had employed their

y well. Cyrus Harding had almost entirely recovered his strength, and had

oved it by climbing to the upper plateau. From this point his eye,

customed to estimate heights and distances, was fixed for a long time on

e cone, the summit of which he wished to reach the next day. The

untain, situated about six miles to the northwest, appeared to him to

asure 3,500 feet above the level of the sea. Consequently the gaze of an

server posted on its summit would extend over a radius of at least fifty

les. Therefore it was probable that Harding could easily solve the





estion of "island or continent," to which he attached so much importance.

ey supped capitally. The flesh of the capybara was declared excellent.

e sargassum and the almonds of the stone-pine completed the repast,

ring which the engineer spoke little. He was preoccupied with projects

r the next day.

ce or twice Pencroft gave forth some ideas upon what it would be best

do; but Cyrus Harding, who was evidently of a methodical mind, only

ook his head without uttering a word.

o-morrow," he repeated, "we shall know what we have to depend upon, and

will act accordingly."

e meal ended, fresh armfuls of wood were thrown on the fire, and the

habitants of the Chimneys, including the faithful Top, were soon buried

a deep sleep.

incident disturbed this peaceful night, and the next day, the 29th of

rch, fresh and active they awoke, ready to undertake the excursion which

st determine their fate.

l was ready for the start. The remains of the capybara would be enough

sustain Harding and his companions for at least twenty-four hours.

sides, they hoped to find more food on the way. As the glasses had been

turned to the watches of the engineer and reporter, Pencroft burned a

ttle linen to serve as tinder. As to flint, that would not be wanting in

ese regions of Plutonic origin. It was half-past seven in the morning

en the explorers, armed with sticks, left the Chimneys. Following

ncroft's advice, it appeared best to take the road already traversed

rough the forest, and to return by another route. It was also the most

rect way to reach the mountain. They turned the south angle and followed

e left bank of the river, which was abandoned at the point where it

rmed an elbow towards the southwest. The path, already trodden under the

ergreen trees, was found, and at nine o'clock Cyrus Harding and his

mpanions had reached the western border of the forest. The ground, till

en, very little undulated, boggy at first, dry and sandy afterwards, had

gentle slope, which ascended from the shore towards the interior of the

untry. A few very timid animals were seen under the forest-trees. Top

ickly started them, but his master soon called him back, for the time had

t come to commence hunting; that would be attended to later. The engineer

s not a man who would allow himself to be diverted from his fixed idea.

might even have been said that he did not observe the country at all,

ther in its configuration or in its natural productions, his great aim

ing to climb the mountain before him, and therefore straight towards it

went. At ten o'clock a halt of a few minutes was made. On leaving the

rest, the mountain system of the country appeared before the explorers.

e mountain was composed of two cones; the first, truncated at a height of

out two thousand five hundred feet, was sustained by buttresses, which

peared to branch out like the talons of an immense claw set on the

ound. Between these were narrow valleys, bristling with trees, the last

umps of which rose to the top of the lowest cone. There appeared to be

ss vegetation on that side of the mountain which was exposed to the

rtheast, and deep fissures could be seen which, no doubt, were

tercourses.

the first cone rested a second, slightly rounded, and placed a little

one side, like a great round hat cocked over the ear. A Scotchman would

ve said, "His bonnet was a thocht ajee." It appeared formed of bare

rth, here and there pierced by reddish rocks.





ey wished to reach the second cone, and proceeding along the ridge of

e spurs seemed to be the best way by which to gain it.

e are on volcanic ground," Cyrus Harding had said, and his companions

llowing him began to ascend by degrees on the back of a spur, which, by a

nding and consequently more accessible path, joined the first plateau.

e ground had evidently been convulsed by subterranean force. Here and

ere stray blocks, numerous debris of basalt and pumice-stone, were met

th. In isolated groups rose fir-trees, which, some hundred feet lower, at

e bottom of the narrow gorges, formed massive shades almost impenetrable

the sun's rays.

ring the first part of the ascent, Herbert remarked on the footprints

ich indicated the recent passage of large animals.

erhaps these beasts will not let us pass by willingly," said Pencroft.

ell," replied the reporter, who had already hunted the tiger in India,

d the lion in Africa, "we shall soon learn how successfully to encounter

em. But in the meantime we must be upon our guard!"

ey ascended but slowly.

e distance, increased by detours and obstacles which could not bermounted directly, was long. Sometimes, too, the ground suddenly fell,

d they found themselves on the edge of a deep chasm which they had to go

und. Thus, in retracing their steps so as to find some practicable path,

ch time was employed and fatigue undergone for nothing. At twelve

clock, when the small band of adventurers halted for breakfast at the

ot of a large group of firs, near a little stream which fell in cascades,

ey found themselves still half way from the first plateau, which most

obably they would not reach till nightfall. From this point the view of

e sea was much extended, but on the right the high promontory prevented

eir seeing whether there was land beyond it. On the left, the sight

tended several miles to the north; but, on the northwest, at the point

cupied by the explorers, it was cut short by the ridge of a

ntastically-shaped spur, which formed a powerful support of the central

ne.

one o'clock the ascent was continued. They slanted more towards the

uthwest and again entered among thick bushes. There under the shade of

e trees fluttered several couples of gallinaceae belonging to the

easant species. They were tragopans, ornamented by a pendant skin which

ngs over their throats, and by two small, round horns, planted behind the

es. Among these birds, which were about the size of a fowl, the female

s uniformly brown, while the male was gorgeous in his red plumage,

corated with white spots. Gideon Spilett, with a stone cleverly and

gorously thrown, killed one of these tragopans, on which Pencroft, made

ngry by the fresh air, had cast greedy eyes.

ter leaving the region of bushes, the party, assisted by resting on

ch other's shoulders, climbed for about a hundred feet up a steep

clivity and reached a level place, with very few trees, where the soil

peared volcanic. It was necessary to ascend by zigzags to make the slope

re easy, for it was very steep, and the footing being exceedingly

ecarious required the greatest caution. Neb and Herbert took the lead,

ncroft the rear, the captain and the reporter between them. The animals

ich frequented these heights--and there were numerous traces of them--

st necessarily belong to those races of sure foot and supple spine,

amois or goat. Several were seen, but this was not the name Pencroft gave

em, for all of a sudden--"Sheep!" he shouted.





l stopped about fifty feet from half-a-dozen animals of a large size,

th strong horns bent back and flattened towards the point, with a woolly

eece, hidden under long silky hair of a tawny color.

ey were not ordinary sheep, but a species usually found in the

untainous regions of the temperate zone, to which Herbert gave the name

the musmon.

ave they legs and chops?" asked the sailor.

es," replied Herbert.

ell, then, they are sheep!" said Pencroft.

e animals, motionless among the blocks of basalt, gazed with an

tonished eye, as if they saw human bipeds for the first time. Then their

ars suddenly aroused, they disappeared, bounding over the rocks.

ood-bye, till we meet again," cried Pencroft, as he watched them, in

ch a comical tone that Cyrus Harding, Gideon Spilett, Herbert, and Neb

uld not help laughing.

e ascent was continued. Here and there were traces of lava. Sulphur

rings sometimes stopped their way, and they had to go round them. In someaces the sulphur had formed crystals among other substances, such as

itish cinders made of an infinity of little feldspar crystals.

approaching the first plateau formed by the truncating of the lower

ne, the difficulties of the ascent were very great. Towards four o'clock

e extreme zone of the trees had been passed. There only remained here and

ere a few twisted, stunted pines, which must have had a hard life in

sisting at this altitude the high winds from the open sea. Happily for

e engineer and his companions the weather was beautiful, the atmosphere

anquil; for a high breeze at an elevation of three thousand feet would

ve hindered their proceedings. The purity of the sky at the zenith was

lt through the transparent air. A perfect calm reigned around them. They

uld not see the sun, then hid by the vast screen of the upper cone, whichsked the half-horizon of the west, and whose enormous shadow stretching

the shore increased as the radiant luminary sank in its diurnal course.

por--mist rather than clouds--began to appear in the east, and assume all

e prismatic colors under the influence of the solar rays.

ve hundred feet only separated the explorers from the plateau, which

ey wished to reach so as to establish there an encampment for the night,

t these five hundred feet were increased to more than two miles by the

gzags which they had to describe. The soil, as it were, slid under their

et.

e slope often presented such an angle that they slipped when the stones

rn by the air did not give a sufficient support. Evening came on bygrees, and it was almost night when Cyrus Harding and his companions,

ch fatigued by an ascent of seven hours, arrived at the plateau of the

rst cone. It was then necessary to prepare an encampment, and to restore

eir strength by eating first and sleeping afterwards. This second stage

the mountain rose on a base of rocks, among which it would be easy to

nd a retreat. Fuel was not abundant. However, a fire could be made by

ans of the moss and dry brushwood, which covered certain parts of the

ateau. While the sailor was preparing his hearth with stones which he put

this use, Neb and Herbert occupied themselves with getting a supply of

el. They soon returned with a load of brushwood. The steel was struck,

e burnt linen caught the sparks of flint, and, under Neb's breath, a





ackling fire showed itself in a few minutes under the shelter of the

cks. Their object in lighting a fire was only to enable them to withstand

e cold temperature of the night, as it was not employed in cooking the

rd, which Neb kept for the next day. The remains of the capybara and some

zens of the stone-pine almonds formed their supper. It was not half-past

x when all was finished.

rus Harding then thought of exploring in the half-light the large

rcular layer which supported the upper cone of the mountain. Before

king any rest, he wished to know if it was possible to get round the base

the cone in the case of its sides being too steep and its summit beingaccessible. This question preoccupied him, for it was possible that from

e way the hat inclined, that is to say, towards the north, the plateau

s not practicable. Also, if the summit of the mountain could not be

ached on one side, and if, on the other, they could not get round the

se of the cone, it would be impossible to survey the western part of the

untry, and their object in making the ascent would in part be altogether

attained.

e engineer, accordingly, regardless of fatigue, leaving Pencroft and

b to arrange the beds, and Gideon Spilett to note the incidents of the

y, began to follow the edge of the plateau, going towards the north.

rbert accompanied him.

e night was beautiful and still, the darkness was not yet deep. Cyrus

rding and the boy walked near each other, without speaking. In some

aces the plateau opened before them, and they passed without hindrance.

others, obstructed by rocks, there was only a narrow path, in which two

rsons could not walk abreast. After a walk of twenty minutes, Cyrus

rding and Herbert were obliged to stop. From this point the slope of the

o cones became one. No shoulder here separated the two parts of the

untain. The slope, being inclined almost seventy degrees, the path became

practicable.

t if the engineer and the boy were obliged to give up thoughts of

llowing a circular direction, in return an opportunity was given for

cending the cone.

fact, before them opened a deep hollow. It was the rugged mouth of the

ater, by which the eruptive liquid matter had escaped at the periods when

e volcano was still in activity. Hardened lava and crusted scoria formed

sort of natural staircase of large steps, which would greatly facilitate

e ascent to the summit of the mountain.

rding took all this in at a glance, and without hesitating, followed by

e lad, he entered the enormous chasm in the midst of an increasing

scurity.

ere was still a height of a thousand feet to overcome. Would the

terior acclivities of the crater be practicable? It would soon be seen.

e persevering engineer resolved to continue his ascent until he was

opped. Happily these acclivities wound up the interior of the volcano and

vored their ascent.

to the volcano itself, it could not be doubted that it was completely

tinct. No smoke escaped from its sides; not a flame could be seen in the

rk hollows; not a roar, not a mutter, no trembling even issued from this

ack well, which perhaps reached far into the bowels of the earth. The

mosphere inside the crater was filled with no sulphurous vapor. It was

re than the sleep of a volcano; it was its complete extinction. Cyrus

rding's attempt would succeed.





ttle by little, Herbert and he climbing up the sides of the interior,

w the crater widen above their heads. The radius of this circular portion

the sky, framed by the edge of the cone, increased obviously. At each

ep, as it were, that the explorers made, fresh stars entered the field of

eir vision. The magnificent constellations of the southern sky shone

splendently. At the zenith glittered the splendid Antares in the

orpion, and not far was Alpha Centauri, which is believed to be the

arest star to the terrestrial globe. Then, as the crater widened,

peared Fomalhaut of the Fish, the Southern Triangle, and lastly, nearly

the Antarctic Pole, the glittering Southern Cross, which replaces the

lar Star of the Northern Hemisphere.

was nearly eight o'clock when Cyrus Harding and Herbert set foot on

e highest ridge of the mountain at the summit of the cone.

was then perfectly dark, and their gaze could not extend over a radius

two miles. Did the sea surround this unknown land, or was it connected

the west with some continent of the Pacific? It could not yet be made

t. Towards the west, a cloudy belt, clearly visible at the horizon,

creased the gloom, and the eye could not discover if the sky and water

re blended together in the same circular line.

t at one point of the horizon a vague light suddenly appeared, which

scended slowly in proportion as the cloud mounted to the zenith.

was the slender crescent moon, already almost disappearing; but its

ght was sufficient to show clearly the horizontal line, then detached

om the cloud, and the engineer could see its reflection trembling for an

stant on a liquid surface. Cyrus Harding seized the lad's hand, and in a

ave voice,--

n island!" said he, at the moment when the lunar crescent disappeared

neath the waves.

apter 11

lf an hour later Cyrus Harding and Herbert had returned to the

campment. The engineer merely told his companions that the land upon

ich fate had thrown them was an island, and that the next day they would

nsult. Then each settled himself as well as he could to sleep, and in

at rocky hole, at a height of two thousand five hundred feet above the

vel of the sea, through a peaceful night, the islanders enjoyed profound

pose.

e next day, the 30th of March, after a hasty breakfast, which consisted

lely of the roasted tragopan, the engineer wished to climb again to the

mmit of the volcano, so as more attentively to survey the island upon

ich he and his companions were imprisoned for life perhaps, should the

land be situated at a great distance from any land, or if it was out ofe course of vessels which visited the archipelagoes of the Pacific Ocean.

is time his companions followed him in the new exploration. They also

shed to see the island, on the productions of which they must depend for

e supply of all their wants.

was about seven o'clock in the morning when Cyrus Harding, Herbert,

ncroft, Gideon Spilett, and Neb quitted the encampment. No one appeared

be anxious about their situation. They had faith in themselves,

ubtless, but it must be observed that the basis of this faith was not the

me with Harding as with his companions. The engineer had confidence,

cause he felt capable of extorting from this wild country everything





cessary for the life of himself and his companions; the latter feared

thing, just because Cyrus Harding was with them. Pencroft especially,

nce the incident of the relighted fire, would not have despaired for an

stant, even if he was on a bare rock, if the engineer was with him on the

ck.

shaw," said he, "we left Richmond without permission from the

thorities! It will be hard if we don't manage to get away some day or

her from a place where certainly no one will detain us!"

rus Harding followed the same road as the evening before. They went

und the cone by the plateau which formed the shoulder, to the mouth of

e enormous chasm. The weather was magnificent. The sun rose in a pure sky

d flooded with his rays all the eastern side of the mountain.

e crater was reached. It was just what the engineer had made it out to

in the dark; that is to say, a vast funnel which extended, widening, to

height of a thousand feet above the plateau. Below the chasm, large thick

reaks of lava wound over the sides of the mountain, and thus marked the

urse of the eruptive matter to the lower valleys which furrowed the

rthern part of the island.

e interior of the crater, whose inclination did not exceed thirty five

forty degrees, presented no difficulties nor obstacles to the ascent.

aces of very ancient lava were noticed, which probably had overflowed the

mmit of the cone, before this lateral chasm had opened a new way to it.

to the volcanic chimney which established a communication between the

bterranean layers and the crater, its depth could not be calculated with

e eye, for it was lost in obscurity. But there was no doubt as to the

mplete extinction of the volcano.

fore eight o'clock Harding and his companions were assembled at the

mmit of the crater, on a conical mound which swelled the northern edge.

he sea, the sea everywhere!" they cried, as if their lips could not

strain the words which made islanders of them.

e sea, indeed, formed an immense circular sheet of water all around

em! Perhaps, on climbing again to the summit of the cone, Cyrus Harding

d had a hope of discovering some coast, some island shore, which he had

t been able to perceive in the dark the evening before. But nothing

peared on the farthest verge of the horizon, that is to say over a radius

more than fifty miles. No land in sight. Not a sail. Over all this

mense space the ocean alone was visible--the island occupied the center

a circumference which appeared to be infinite.

e engineer and his companions, mute and motionless, surveyed for some

nutes every point of the ocean, examining it to its most extreme limits.

en Pencroft, who possessed a marvelous power of sight, saw nothing; and

rtainly if there had been land at the horizon, if it appeared only as an

distinct vapor, the sailor would undoubtedly have found it out, for

ture had placed regular telescopes under his eyebrows.

om the ocean their gaze returned to the island which they commanded

tirely, and the first question was put by Gideon Spilett in these terms:

bout what size is this island?"

uly, it did not appear large in the midst of the immense ocean.

rus Harding reflected a few minutes; he attentively observed the

rimeter of the island, taking into consideration the height at which he





s placed; then,--

y friends," said he, "I do not think I am mistaken in giving to the

ore of the island a circumference of more than a hundred miles."

nd consequently an area?"

hat is difficult to estimate," replied the engineer, "for it is so

even."

Cyrus Harding was not mistaken in his calculation, the island had

most the extent of Malta or Zante, in the Mediterranean, but it was at

e same time much more irregular and less rich in capes, promontories,

ints, bays, or creeks. Its strange form caught the eye, and when Gideon

ilett, on the engineer's advice, had drawn the outline, they found that

resembled some fantastic animal, a monstrous leviathan, which lay

eeping on the surface of the Pacific.

is was in fact the exact shape of the island, which it is of

nsequence to know, and a tolerably correct map of it was immediately

awn by the reporter.

e east part of the shore, where the castaways had landed, formed a wide

y, terminated by a sharp cape, which had been concealed by a high point

om Pencroft on his first exploration. At the northeast two other capesosed the bay, and between them ran a narrow gulf, which looked like the

lf-open jaws of a formidable dog-fish.

om the northeast to the southwest the coast was rounded, like the

attened cranium of an animal, rising again, forming a sort of

otuberance which did not give any particular shape to this part of the

land, of which the center was occupied by the volcano.

om this point the shore ran pretty regularly north and south, broken at

o-thirds of its perimeter by a narrow creek, from which it ended in a

ng tail, similar to the caudal appendage of a gigantic alligator.

is tail formed a regular peninsula, which stretched more than thirtyles into the sea, reckoning from the cape southeast of the island,

ready mentioned; it curled round, making an open roadstead, which marked

t the lower shore of this strangely-formed land.

the narrowest part, that is to say between the Chimneys and the creek

the western shore, which corresponded to it in latitude, the island only

asured ten miles; but its greatest length, from the jaws at the northeast

the extremity of the tail of the southwest, was not less than thirty

les.

to the interior of the island, its general aspect was this, very woody

roughout the southern part from the mountain to the shore, and arid and

ndy in the northern part. Between the volcano and the east coast Cyrusrding and his companions were surprised to see a lake, bordered with

een trees, the existence of which they had not suspected. Seen from this

ight, the lake appeared to be on the same level as the ocean, but, on

flection, the engineer explained to his companions that the altitude of

is little sheet of water must be about three hundred feet, because the

ateau, which was its basin, was but a prolongation of the coast.

s it a freshwater lake?" asked Pencroft.

ertainly," replied the engineer, "for it must be fed by the water which

ows from the mountain."





see a little river which runs into it," said Herbert, pointing out a

rrow stream, which evidently took its source somewhere in the west.

es," said Harding; "and since this stream feeds the lake, most probably

the side near the sea there is an outlet by which the surplus water

capes. We shall see that on our return."

is little winding watercourse and the river already mentioned

nstituted the water-system, at least such as it was displayed to the eyes

the explorers. However, it was possible that under the masses of trees

ich covered two-thirds of the island, forming an immense forest, other

vers ran towards the sea. It might even be inferred that such was the

se, so rich did this region appear in the most magnificent specimens of

e flora of the temperate zones. There was no indication of running water

the north, though perhaps there might be stagnant water among the

rshes in the northeast; but that was all, in addition to the downs, sand,

d aridity which contrasted so strongly with the luxuriant vegetation of

e rest of the island.

e volcano did not occupy the central part; it rose, on the contrary, in

e northwestern region, and seemed to mark the boundary of the two zones.

the southwest, at the south, and the southeast, the first part of the

urs were hidden under masses of verdure. At the north, on the contrary,

e could follow their ramifications, which died away on the sandy plains.was on this side that, at the time when the mountain was in a state of

uption, the discharge had worn away a passage, and a large heap of lava

d spread to the narrow jaw which formed the northeastern gulf.

rus Harding and his companions remained an hour at the top of the

untain. The island was displayed under their eyes, like a plan in relief

th different tints, green for the forests, yellow for the sand, blue for

e water. They viewed it in its tout-ensemble, nothing remained concealed

t the ground hidden by verdure, the hollows of the valleys, and the

terior of the volcanic chasms.

e important question remained to be solved, and the answer would have a

eat effect upon the future of the castaways.

s the island inhabited?

was the reporter who put this question, to which after the close

amination they had just made, the answer seemed to be in the negative.

where could the work of a human hand be perceived. Not a group of huts,

t a solitary cabin, not a fishery on the shore. No smoke curling in the

r betrayed the presence of man. It is true, a distance of nearly thirty

les separated the observers from the extreme points, that is, of the tail

ich extended to the southwest, and it would have been difficult, even to

ncroft's eyes, to discover a habitation there. Neither could the curtain

verdure, which covered three-quarters of the island, be raised to see if

did not shelter some straggling village. But in general the islanders

ve on the shores of the narrow spaces which emerge above the waters of

e Pacific, and this shore appeared to be an absolute desert.

til a more complete exploration, it might be admitted that the island

s uninhabited. But was it frequented, at least occasionally, by the

tives of neighboring islands? It was difficult to reply to this question.

land appeared within a radius of fifty miles. But fifty miles could be

sily crossed, either by Malay proas or by the large Polynesian canoes.

erything depended on the position of the island, of its isolation in the

cific, or of its proximity to archipelagoes. Would Cyrus Harding be able

find out their latitude and longitude without instruments? It would be





fficult. Since he was in doubt, it was best to take precautions against a

ssible descent of neighboring natives.

e exploration of the island was finished, its shape determined, its

atures made out, its extent calculated, the water and mountain systems

certained. The disposition of the forests and plains had been marked in a

neral way on the reporter's plan. They had now only to descend the

untain slopes again, and explore the soil, in the triple point of view,

its mineral, vegetable, and animal resources.

t before giving his companions the signal for departure, Cyrus Harding

id to them in a calm, grave voice,--

re, my friends, is the small corner of land upon which the hand of the

mighty has thrown us. We are going to live here; a long time, perhaps.

rhaps, too, unexpected help will arrive, if some ship passes by chance. I

y by chance, because this is an unimportant island; there is not even a

rt in which ships could anchor, and it is to be feared that it is

tuated out of the route usually followed, that is to say, too much to the

uth for the ships which frequent the archipelagoes of the Pacific, and

o much to the north for those which go to Australia by doubling Cape

rn. I wish to hide nothing of our position from you--"

nd you are right, my dear Cyrus," replied the reporter, with animation.

ou have to deal with men. They have confidence in you, and you can depend

on them. Is it not so, my friends?"

will obey you in everything, captain," said Herbert, seizing the

gineer's hand.

y master always, and everywhere!" cried Neb.

s for me," said the sailor, "if I ever grumble at work, my name's not

ck Pencroft, and if you like, captain, we will make a little America of

is island! We will build towns, we will establish railways, start

legraphs, and one fine day, when it is quite changed, quite put in order

d quite civilized, we will go and offer it to the government of the

ion. Only, I ask one thing."

hat is that?" said the reporter.

t is, that we do not consider ourselves castaways, but colonists, who

ve come here to settle." Harding could not help smiling, and the sailor's

ea was adopted. He then thanked his companions, and added, that he would

ly on their energy and on the aid of Heaven.

ell, now let us set off to the Chimneys!" cried Pencroft.

ne minute, my friends," said the engineer. "It seems to me it would be

good thing to give a name to this island, as well as to, the capes,

omontories, and watercourses, which we can see.

ery good," said the reporter. "In the future, that will simplify the

structions which we shall have to give and follow."

ndeed," said the sailor, "already it is something to be able to say

ere one is going, and where one has come from. At least, it looks like

mewhere."

he Chimneys, for example," said Herbert.

xactly!" replied Pencroft. "That name was the most convenient, and it

me to me quite of myself. Shall we keep the name of the Chimneys for our





rst encampment, captain?"

es, Pencroft, since you have so christened it."

ood! as for the others, that will be easy," returned the sailor, who

s in high spirits. "Let us give them names, as the Robinsons did, whose

ory Herbert has often read to me; Providence Bay, Whale Point, Cape

sappointment!"

r, rather, the names of Captain Harding," said Herbert, "of Mr.

ilett, of Neb!--"

y name!" cried Neb, showing his sparkling white teeth.

hy not?" replied Pencroft. "Port Neb, that would do very well! And Cape

deon--"

should prefer borrowing names from our country," said the reporter,

hich would remind us of America."

es, for the principal ones," then said Cyrus Harding; "for those of the

ys and seas, I admit it willingly. We might give to that vast bay on the

st the name of Union Bay, for example; to that large hollow on the south,

shington Bay; to the mountain upon which we are standing, that of Mount

anklin; to that lake which is extended under our eyes, that of Lakeant; nothing could be better, my friends. These names will recall our

untry, and those of the great citizens who have honored it; but for the

vers, gulfs, capes, and promontories, which we perceive from the top of

is mountain, rather let us choose names which will recall their

rticular shape. They will impress themselves better on our memory, and at

e same time will be more practical. The shape of the island is so strange

at we shall not be troubled to imagine what it resembles. As to the

reams which we do not know as yet, in different parts of the forest which

shall explore later, the creeks which afterwards will he discovered, we

n christen them as we find them. What do you think, my friends?"

e engineer's proposal was unanimously agreed to by his companions. The

land was spread out under their eyes like a map, and they had only tove names to all its angles and points. Gideon Spilett would write them

wn, and the geographical nomenclature of the island would be definitely

opted. First, they named the two bays and the mountain, Union Bay,

shington Bay, and Mount Franklin, as the engineer had suggested.

ow," said the reporter, "to this peninsula at the southwest of the

land, I propose to give the name of Serpentine Peninsula, and that of

ptile-end to the bent tail which terminates it, for it is just like a

ptile's tail."

dopted," said the engineer.

ow," said Herbert, pointing to the other extremity of the island, "letcall this gulf which is so singularly like a pair of open jaws, Shark

lf."

apital!" cried Pencroft, "and we can complete the resemblance by naming

e two parts of the jaws Mandible Cape."

ut there are two capes," observed the reporter.

ell," replied Pencroft, "we can have North Mandible Cape and South

ndible Cape."

hey are inscribed," said Spilett.





here is only the point at the southeastern extremity of the island to

named," said Pencroft.

hat is, the extremity of Union Bay?" asked Herbert.

law Cape," cried Neb directly, who also wished to be godfather to some

rt of his domain.

truth, Neb had found an excellent name, for this cape was very like

e powerful claw of the fantastic animal which this singularly-shaped

land represented.

ncroft was delighted at the turn things had taken, and their

aginations soon gave to the river which furnished the settlers with

inking water and near which the balloon had thrown them, the name of the

rcy, in true gratitude to Providence. To the islet upon which the

staways had first landed, the name of Safety Island; to the plateau which

owned the high granite precipice above the Chimneys, and from whence the

ze could embrace the whole of the vast bay, the name of Prospect Heights.

stly, all the masses of impenetrable wood which covered the Serpentine

ninsula were named the forests of the Far West.

e nomenclature of the visible and known parts of the island was thusnished, and later, they would complete it as they made fresh discoveries.

to the points of the compass, the engineer had roughly fixed them by

e height and position of the sun, which placed Union Bay and Prospect

ights to the east. But the next day, by taking the exact hour of the

sing and setting of the sun, and by marking its position between this

sing and setting, he reckoned to fix the north of the island exactly,

r, in consequence of its situation in the Southern Hemisphere, the sun,

the precise moment of its culmination, passed in the north and not in

e south, as, in its apparent movement, it seems to do, to those places

tuated in the Northern Hemisphere.

erything was finished, and the settlers had only to descend Mountanklin to return to the Chimneys, when Pencroft cried out,--

ell! we are preciously stupid!"

hy?" asked Gideon Spilett, who had closed his notebook and risen to

part.

hy! our island! we have forgotten to christen it!"

rbert was going to propose to give it the engineer's name and all his

mpanions would have applauded him, when Cyrus Harding said simply,--

et us give it the name of a great citizen, my friend; of him who now

ruggles to defend the unity of the American Republic! Let us call it

ncoln Island!"

e engineer's proposal was replied to by three hurrahs.

d that evening, before sleeping, the new colonists talked of their

sent country; they spoke of the terrible war which stained it with blood;

ey could not doubt that the South would soon be subdued, and that the

use of the North, the cause of justice, would triumph, thanks to Grant,

anks to Lincoln!

w this happened the 30th of March, 1865. They little knew that sixteen





ys afterwards a frightful crime would be committed in Washington, and

at on Good Friday Abraham Lincoln would fall by the hand of a fanatic.

apter 12

ey now began the descent of the mountain. Climbing down the crater, they

nt round the cone and reached their encampment of the previous night.

ncroft thought it must be breakfast-time, and the watches of the reporter

d engineer were therefore consulted to find out the hour.

at of Gideon Spilett had been preserved from the sea-water, as he had

en thrown at once on the sand out of reach of the waves. It was an

strument of excellent quality, a perfect pocket chronometer, which the

porter had not forgotten to wind up carefully every day.

to the engineer's watch, it, of course, had stopped during the time

ich he had passed on the downs.

e engineer now wound it up, and ascertaining by the height of the sun

at it must be about nine o'clock in the morning, he put his watch at that

ur.

o, my dear Spilett, wait. You have kept the Richmond time, have yout?"

es, Cyrus."

onsequently, your watch is set by the meridian of that town, which is

most that of Washington?"

ndoubtedly."

ery well, keep it thus. Content yourself with winding it up very,

actly, but do not touch the hands. This may be of use to us.

hat will be the good of that?" thought the sailor.

ey ate, and so heartily, that the store of game and almonds was totally

hausted. But Pencroft was not at all uneasy, they would supply themselves

the way. Top, whose share had been very much to his taste, would know

w to find some fresh game among the brushwood. Moreover, the sailor

ought of simply asking the engineer to manufacture some powder and one or

o fowling-pieces; he supposed there would be no difficulty in that.

leaving the plateau, the captain proposed to his companions to return

the Chimneys by a new way. He wished to reconnoiter Lake Grant, so

gnificently framed in trees. They therefore followed the crest of one of

e spurs, between which the creek that supplied the lake probably had its

urce. In talking, the settlers already employed the names which they had

st chosen, which singularly facilitated the exchange of their ideas.

rbert and Pencroft--the one young and the other very boyish--were

chanted, and while walking, the sailor said,

ey, Herbert! how capital it sounds! It will be impossible to lose

rselves, my boy, since, whether we follow the way to Lake Grant, or

ether we join the Mercy through the woods of the Far West, we shall be

rtain to arrive at Prospect Heights, and, consequently, at Union Bay!"

had been agreed, that without forming a compact band, the settlers

ould not stray away from each other. It was very certain that the thick

rests of the island were inhabited by dangerous animals, and it was





udent to be on their guard. In general, Pencroft, Herbert, and Neb walked

rst, preceded by Top, who poked his nose into every bush. The reporter

d the engineer went together, Gideon Spilett ready to note every

cident, the engineer silent for the most part, and only stepping aside to

ck up one thing or another, a mineral or vegetable substance, which he

t into his pocket, without making any remark.

hat can he be picking up?" muttered Pencroft. "I have looked in vain

r anything that's worth the trouble of stooping for."

wards ten o'clock the little band descended the last declivities of

unt Franklin. As yet the ground was scantily strewn with bushes and

ees. They were walking over yellowish calcinated earth, forming a plain

nearly a mile long, which extended to the edge of the wood. Great blocks

that basalt, which, according to Bischof, takes three hundred and fifty

llions of years to cool, strewed the plain, very confused in some places.

wever, there were here no traces of lava, which was spread more

rticularly over the northern slopes.

rus Harding expected to reach, without incident, the course of the

eek, which he supposed flowed under the trees at the border of the plain,

en he saw Herbert running hastily back, while Neb and the sailor were

ding behind the rocks.

hat's the matter, my boy?" asked Spilett.

moke," replied Herbert. "We have seen smoke among the rocks, a hundred

ces from us."

en in this place?" cried the reporter.

e must avoid showing ourselves before knowing with whom we have to

al," replied Cyrus Harding. "I trust that there are no natives on this

land; I dread them more than anything else. Where is Top?"

op is on before."

nd he doesn't bark?"

o."

hat is strange. However, we must try to call him back."

a few moments, the engineer, Gideon Spilett, and Herbert had rejoined

eir two companions, and like them, they kept out of sight behind the

aps of basalt.

om thence they clearly saw smoke of a yellowish color rising in the

r.

p was recalled by a slight whistle from his master, and the latter,

gning to his companions to wait for him, glided away among the rocks. The

lonists, motionless, anxiously awaited the result of this exploration,

en a shout from the engineer made them hasten forward. They soon joined

m, and were at once struck with a disagreeable odor which impregnated the

mosphere.

e odor, easily recognized, was enough for the engineer to guess what

e smoke was which at first, not without cause, had startled him.

his fue," said he, "or rather, this smoke is produced by nature alone.

ere is a sulphur spring there, which will cure all our sore throats."





aptain!" cried Pencroft. "What a pity that I haven't got a cold!"

e settlers then directed their steps towards the place from which the

oke escaped. They there saw a sulphur spring which flowed abundantly

tween the rocks, and its waters discharged a strong sulphuric acid odor,

ter having absorbed the oxygen of the air.

rus Harding, dipping in his hand, felt the water oily to the touch. He

sted it and found it rather sweet. As to its temperature, that he

timated at ninety-five degrees Fahrenheit. Herbert having asked on what

based this calculation,--

ts quite simple, my boy," said he, "for, in plunging my hand into the

ter, I felt no sensation either of heat or cold. Therefore it has the

me temperature as the human body, which is about ninety-five degrees."

e sulphur spring not being of any actual use to the settlers, they

oceeded towards the thick border of the forest, which began some hundred

ces off.

ere, as they had conjectured, the waters of the stream flowed clear and

mpid between high banks of red earth, the color of which betrayed the

esence of oxide of iron. From this color, the name of Red Creek was

mediately given to the watercourse.

was only a large stream, deep and clear, formed of the mountain water,

ich, half river, half torrent, here rippling peacefully over the sand,

ere falling against the rocks or dashing down in a cascade, ran towards

e lake, over a distance of a mile and a half, its breadth varying from

irty to forty feet. Its waters were sweet, and it was supposed that those

the lake were so also. A fortunate circumstance, in the event of their

nding on its borders a more suitable dwelling than the Chimneys.

to the trees, which some hundred feet downwards shaded the banks of

e creek, they belonged, for the most part, to the species which abound in

e temperate zone of America and Tasmania, and no longer to those

niferae observed in that portion of the island already explored to some

les from Prospect Heights. At this time of the year, the commencement of

e month of April, which represents the month of October, in this

misphere, that is, the beginning of autumn, they were still in full leaf.

ey consisted principally of casuarinas and eucalypti, some of which next

ar would yield a sweet manna, similar to the manna of the East. Clumps of

stralian cedars rose on the sloping banks, which were also covered with

e high grass called "tussac" in New Holland; but the cocoanut, so

undant in the archipelagoes of the Pacific, seemed to be wanting in the

land, the latitude, doubtless, being too low.

hat a pity!" said Herbert, "such a useful tree, and which has such

autiful nuts!"

to the birds, they swarmed among the scanty branches of the eucalypti

d casuarinas, which did not hinder the display of their wings. Black,

ite, or gray cockatoos, paroquets, with plumage of all colors,

ngfishers of a sparkling green and crowned with red, blue lories, and

rious other birds appeared on all sides, as through a prism, fluttering

out and producing a deafening clamor. Suddenly, a strange concert of

scordant voices resounded in the midst of a thicket. The settlers heard

ccessively the song of birds, the cry of quadrupeds, and a sort of

acking which they might have believed to have escaped from the lips of a

tive. Neb and Herbert rushed towards the bush, forgetting even the most

ementary principles of prudence. Happily, they found there, neither a

rmidable wild beast nor a dangerous native, but merely half a dozen





cking and singing birds, known as mountain pheasants. A few skillful

ows from a stick soon put an end to their concert, and procured excellent

od for the evening's dinner.

rbert also discovered some magnificent pigeons with bronzed wings, some

perbly crested, others draped in green, like their congeners at Port-

cquarie; but it was impossible to reach them, or the crows and magpies

ich flew away in flocks.

charge of small shot would have made great slaughter among these birds,

t the hunters were still limited to sticks and stones, and these

imitive weapons proved very insufficient.

eir insufficiency was still more clearly shown when a troop of

adrupeds, jumping, bounding, making leaps of thirty feet, regular flying

mmiferae, fled over the thickets, so quickly and at such a height, that

e would have thought that they passed from one tree to another like

uirrels.

angaroos!" cried Herbert.

re they good to eat?" asked Pencroft.

tewed," replied the reporter, "their flesh is equal to the best

nison!--"

deon Spilett had not finished this exciting sentence when the sailor,

llowed by Neb and Herbert, darted on the kangaroos tracks. Cyrus Harding

lled them back in vain. But it was in vain too for the hunters to pursue

ch agile game, which went bounding away like balls. After a chase of five

nutes, they lost their breath, and at the same time all sight of the

eatures, which disappeared in the wood. Top was not more successful than

s masters.

aptain," said Pencroft, when the engineer and the reporter had rejoined

em, "Captain, you see quite well we can't get on unless we make a few

ns. Will that be possible?"

erhaps," replied the engineer, "but we will begin by first

nufacturing some bows and arrows, and I don't doubt that you will become

clever in the use of them as the Australian hunters."

ows and arrows!" said Pencroft scornfully. "That's all very well for

ildren!"

on't be proud, friend Pencroft," replied the reporter. "Bows and arrows

re sufficient for centuries to stain the earth with blood. Powder is but

thing of yesterday, and war is as old as the human race--unhappily."

aith, that's true, Mr. Spilett," replied the sailor, "and I always

eak too quickly. You must excuse me!"

anwhile, Herbert constant to his favorite science, Natural History,

verted to the kangaroos, saying,--

esides, we had to deal just now with the species which is most

fficult to catch. They were giants with long gray fur; but if I am not

staken, there exist black and red kangaroos, rock kangaroos, and rat

ngaroos, which are more easy to get hold of. It is reckoned that there

e about a dozen species."

erbert," replied the sailor sententiously, "there is only one species

kangaroos to me, that is 'kangaroo on the spit,' and it's just the one





haven't got this evening!"

ey could not help laughing at Master Pencroft's new classification. The

nest sailor did not hide his regret at being reduced for dinner to the

nging pheasants, but fortune once more showed itself obliging to him.

fact, Top, who felt that his interest was concerned went and ferreted

erywhere with an instinct doubled by a ferocious appetite. It was even

obable that if some piece of game did fall into his clutches, none would

left for the hunters, if Top was hunting on his own account; but Neb

tched him and he did well.

wards three o'clock the dog disappeared in the brushwood and gruntings

owed that he was engaged in a struggle with some animal. Neb rushed after

m, and soon saw Top eagerly devouring a quadruped, which ten seconds

ter would have been past recognizing in Top's stomach. But fortunately

e dog had fallen upon a brood, and besides the victim he was devouring,

o other rodents--the animals in question belonged to that order--lay

rangled on the turf.

b reappeared triumphantly holding one of the rodents in each hand. Their

ze exceeded that of a rabbit, their hair was yellow, mingled with green

ots, and they had the merest rudiments of tails.

e citizens of the Union were at no loss for the right name of these

dents. They were maras, a sort of agouti, a little larger than their

ngeners of tropical countries, regular American rabbits, with long ears,

ws armed on each side with five molars, which distinguish the agouti.

urrah!" cried Pencroft, "the roast has arrived! and now we can go

me."

e walk, interrupted for an instant, was resumed. The limpid waters of

e Red Creek flowed under an arch of casuannas, banksias, and gigantic

m-trees. Superb lilacs rose to a height of twenty feet. Other arborescent

ecies, unknown to the young naturalist, bent over the stream, which could

heard murmuring beneath the bowers of verdure.

anwhile the stream grew much wider, and Cyrus Harding supposed that

ey would soon reach its mouth. In fact, on emerging from beneath a thick

ump of beautiful trees, it suddenly appeared before their eyes.

e explorers had arrived on the western shore of Lake Grant. The place

s well worth looking at. This extent of water, of a circumference of

arly seven miles and an area of two hundred and fifty acres, reposed in a

rder of diversified trees. Towards the east, through a curtain of

rdure, picturesquely raised in some places, sparkled an horizon of sea.

e lake was curved at the north, which contrasted with the sharp outline

its lower part. Numerous aquatic birds frequented the shores of this

ttle Ontario, in which the thousand isles of its American namesake were

presented by a rock which emerged from its surface, some hundred feet

om the southern shore. There lived in harmony several couples of

ngfishers perched on a stone, grave, motionless, watching for fish, then

rting down, they plunged in with a sharp cry, and reappeared with their

ey in their beaks. On the shores and on the islets, strutted wild ducks,

licans, water-hens, red-beaks, philedons, furnished with a tongue like a

ush, and one or two specimens of the splendid menura, the tail of which

pands gracefully like a lyre.

to the water of the lake, it was sweet, limpid, rather dark, and from

rtain bubblings, and the concentric circles which crossed each other on

e surface, it could not be doubted that it abounded in fish.





his lake is really beautiful!" said Gideon Spilett. "We could live on

s borders!"

e will live there!" replied Harding.

e settlers, wishing to return to the Chimneys by the shortest way,

scended towards the angle formed on the south by the junction of the

ke's bank. It was not without difficulty that they broke a path through

e thickets and brushwood which had never been put aside by the hand of

, and they thus went towards the shore, so as to arrive at the north of

ospect Heights. Two miles were cleared in this direction, and then, after

ey had passed the last curtain of trees, appeared the plateau, carpeted

th thick turf, and beyond that the infinite sea.

return to the Chimneys, it was enough to cross the plateau obliquely

r the space of a mile, and then to descend to the elbow formed by the

rst detour of the Mercy. But the engineer desired to know how and where

e overplus of the water from the lake escaped, and the exploration was

olonged under the trees for a mile and a half towards the north. It was

st probable that an overfall existed somewhere, and doubtless through a

eft in the granite. This lake was only, in short, an immense center

sin, which was filled by degrees by the creek, and its waters must

cessarily pass to the sea by some fall. If it was so, the engineer

ought that it might perhaps be possible to utilize this fall and borrow

s power, actually lost without profit to any one. They continued then to

llow the shores of Lake Grant by climbing the plateau; but, after having

ne a mile in this direction, Cyrus Harding had not been able to discover

e overfall, which, however, must exist somewhere.

was then half-past four. In order to prepare for dinner it was

cessary that the settlers should return to their dwelling. The little

nd retraced their steps, therefore, and by the left bank of the Mercy,

rus Harding and his companions arrived at the Chimneys.

e fire was lighted, and Neb and Pencroft, on whom the functions of

oks naturally devolved, to the one in his quality of Negro, to the other

that of sailor, quickly prepared some broiled agouti, to which they did

eat justice.

e repast at length terminated; at the moment when each one was about to

ve himself up to sleep, Cyrus Harding drew from his pocket little

ecimens of different sorts of minerals, and just said,--

y friends, this is iron mineral, this a pyrite, this is clay,

is is lime, and this is coal. Nature gives us these things. It is our

siness to make a right use of them. To-morrow we will commence

erations."

apter 13

ell, captain, where are we going to begin?" asked Pencroft next morning

the engineer.

t the beginning," replied Cyrus Harding.

d in fact, the settlers were compelled to begin "at the very

ginning." They did not possess even the tools necessary for making tools,

d they were not even in the condition of nature, who, "having time,

sbands her strength." They had no time, since they had to provide for the

mediate wants of their existence, and though, profiting by acquired





perience, they had nothing to invent, still they had everything to make;

eir iron and their steel were as yet only in the state of minerals, their

rthenware in the state of clay, their linen and their clothes in the

ate of textile material.

must be said, however, that the settlers were "men" in the complete

d higher sense of the word. The engineer Harding could not have been

conded by more intelligent companions, nor with more devotion and zeal.

had tried them. He knew their abilities.

deon Spilett, a talented reporter, having learned everything so as to

able to speak of everything, would contribute largely with his head and

nds to the colonization of the island. He would not draw back from any

sk: a determined sportsman, he would make a business of what till then

d only been a pleasure to him.

rbert, a gallant boy, already remarkably well informed in the natural

iences, would render greater service to the common cause.

b was devotion personified. Clever, intelligent, indefatigable, robust,

th iron health, he knew a little about the work of the forge, and could

t fail to be very useful in the colony.

to Pencroft, he had sailed over every sea, a carpenter in the

ckyards in Brooklyn, assistant tailor in the vessels of the state,

rdener, cultivator, during his holidays, etc., and like all seamen, fit

r anything, he knew how to do everything.

would have been difficult to unite five men, better fitted to struggle

ainst fate, more certain to triumph over it.

t the beginning," Cyrus Harding had said. Now this beginning of which

e engineer spoke was the construction of an apparatus which would serve

transform the natural substances. The part which heat plays in these

ansformations is known. Now fuel, wood or coal, was ready for immediate

e, an oven must be built to use it.

hat is this oven for?" asked Pencroft.

o make the pottery which we have need of," replied Harding.

nd of what shall we make the oven?"

ith bricks."

nd the bricks?"

ith clay. Let us start, my friends. To save trouble, we will establish

r manufactory at the place of production. Neb will bring provisions, and

ere will be no lack of fire to cook the food."

o," replied the reporter; "but if there is a lack of food for want of

struments for the chase?"

h, if we only had a knife!" cried the sailor.

ell?" asked Cyrus Harding.

ell! I would soon make a bow and arrows, and then there could be plenty

game in the larder!"

es, a knife, a sharp blade." said the engineer, as if he was speaking

himself.





this moment his eyes fell upon Top, who was running about on the

ore. Suddenly Harding's face became animated.

op, here," said he.

e dog came at his master's call. The latter took Top's head between his

nds, and unfastening the collar which the animal wore round his neck, he

oke it in two, saying,--

here are two knives, Pencroft!"

o hurrahs from the sailor was the reply. Top's collar was made of a

in piece of tempered steel. They had only to sharpen it on a piece of

ndstone, then to raise the edge on a finer stone. Now sandstone was

undant on the beach, and two hours after the stock of tools in the colony

nsisted of two sharp blades, which were easily fixed in solid handles.

e production of these their first tools was hailed as a triumph. It was

deed a valuable result of their labor, and a very opportune one. They set

t.

rus Harding proposed that they should return to the western shore of

e lake, where the day before he had noticed the clayey ground of which he

ssessed a specimen. They therefore followed the bank of the Mercy,

aversed Prospect Heights, and alter a walk of five miles or more theyached a glade, situated two hundred feet from Lake Grant.

the way Herbert had discovered a tree, the branches of which the

dians of South America employ for making their bows. It was the crejimba,

the palm family, which does not bear edible fruit. Long straight

anches were cut, the leaves stripped off; it was shaped, stronger in the

ddle, more slender at the extremities, and nothing remained to be done

t to find a plant fit to make the bow-string. This was the "hibiscus

terophyllus," which furnishes fibers of such remarkable tenacity that

ey have been compared to the tendons of animals. Pencroft thus obtained

ws of tolerable strength, for which he only wanted arrows. These were

sily made with straight stiff branches, without knots, but the points

th which they must be armed, that is to say, a substance to serve in lieu

iron, could not be met with so easily. But Pencroft said, that having

ne his part of the work, chance would do the rest.

e settlers arrived on the ground which had been discovered the day

fore. Being composed of the sort of clay which is used for making bricks

d tiles, it was very useful for the work in question. There was no great

fficulty in it. It was enough to scour the clay with sand, then to mold

e bricks and bake them by the heat of a wood fire.

nerally bricks are formed in molds, but the engineer contented himself

th making them by hand. All that day and the day following were employed

this work. The clay, soaked in water, was mixed by the feet and hands of

e manipulators, and then divided into pieces of equal size. A practiced

rkman can make, without a machine, about ten thousand bricks in twelve

urs; but in their two days work the five brickmakers on Lincoln Island

d not made more than three thousand, which were ranged near each other,

til the time when their complete desiccation would permit them to be used

building the oven, that is to say, in three or four days.

was on the 2nd of April that Harding had employed himself in fixing

e orientation of the island, or, in other words, the precise spot where

e sun rose. The day before he had noted exactly the hour when the sun

sappeared beneath the horizon, making allowance for the refraction. This

rning he noted, no less exactly, the hour at which it reappeared. Between





is setting and rising twelve hours, twenty-four minutes passed. Then, six

urs, twelve minutes after its rising, the sun on this day would exactly

ss the meridian and the point of the sky which it occupied at this moment

uld be the north. At the said hour, Cyrus marked this point, and putting

a line with the sun two trees which would serve him for marks, he thus

tained an invariable meridian for his ulterior operations.

e settlers employed the two days before the oven was built in

llecting fuel. Branches were cut all round the glade, and they picked up

l the fallen wood under the trees. They were also able to hunt with

eater success, since Pencroft now possessed some dozen arrows armed witharp points. It was Top who had famished these points, by bringing in a

rcupine, rather inferior eating, but of great value, thanks to the quills

th which it bristled. These quills were fixed firmly at the ends of the

rows, the flight of which was made more certain by some cockatoos'

athers. The reporter and Herbert soon became very skilful archers. Game

all sorts in consequence abounded at the Chimneys, capybaras, pigeons,

outies, grouse, etc. The greater part of these animals were killed in the

rt of the forest on the left bank of the Mercy, to which they gave the

me of Jacamar Wood, in remembrance of the bird which Pencroft and Herbert

d pursued when on their first exploration.

is game was eaten fresh, but they preserved some capybara hams, by

oking them above a fire of green wood, after having perfumed them witheet-smelling leaves. However, this food, although very strengthening, was

ways roast upon roast, and the party would have been delighted to hear

me soup bubbling on the hearth, but they must wait till a pot could be

de, and, consequently, till the oven was built.

ring these excursions, which were not extended far from the brick-

eld, the hunters could discern the recent passage of animals of a large

ze, armed with powerful claws, but they could not recognize the species.

rus Harding advised them to be very careful, as the forest probably

closed many dangerous beasts.

d he did right. Indeed, Gideon Spilett and Herbert one day saw an

imal which resembled a jaguar. Happily the creature did not attack them,they might not have escaped without a severe wound. As soon as he could

t a regular weapon, that is to say, one of the guns which Pencroft begged

r, Gideon Spilett resolved to make desperate war against the ferocious

asts, and exterminate them from the island.

e Chimneys during these few days was not made more comfortable, for

e engineer hoped to discover, or build if necessary, a more convenient

elling. They contented themselves with spreading moss and dry leaves on

e sand of the passages, and on these primitive couches the tired workers

ept soundly.

ey also reckoned the days they had passed on Lincoln Island, and from

at time kept a regular account. The 5th of April, which was Wednesday,s twelve days from the time when the wind threw the castaways on this

ore.

the 6th of April, at daybreak, the engineer and his companions were

llected in the glade, at the place where they were going to perform the

eration of baking the bricks. Naturally this had to be in the open air,

d not in a kiln, or rather, the agglomeration of bricks made an enormous

ln, which would bake itself. The fuel, made of well-prepared fagots, was

id on the ground and surrounded with several rows of dried bricks, which

on formed an enormous cube, to the exterior of which they contrived air-

les. The work lasted all day, and it was not till the evening that they

t fire to the fagots. No one slept that night, all watching carefully to





ep up the fire.

e operation lasted forty-eight hours, and succeeded perfectly. It then

came necessary to leave the smoking mass to cool, and during this time

b and Pencroft, guided by Cyrus Harding, brought, on a hurdle made of

terlaced branches, loads of carbonate of lime and common stones, which

re very abundant, to the north of the lake. These stones, when decomposed

heat, made a very strong quicklime, greatly increased by slacking, at

ast as pure as if it had been produced by the calcination of chalk or

rble. Mixed with sand the lime made excellent mortar.

e result of these different works was, that, on the 9th of April, the

gineer had at his disposal a quantity of prepared lime and some thousands

bricks.

thout losing an instant, therefore, they began the construction of a

ln to bake the pottery, which was indispensable for their domestic use.

ey succeeded without much difficulty. Five days after, the kiln was

pplied with coal, which the engineer had discovered lying open to the sky

wards the mouth of the Red Creek, and the first smoke escaped from a

imney twenty feet high. The glade was transformed into a manufactory, and

ncroft was not far wrong in believing that from this kiln would issue all

e products of modern industry.

the meantime what the settlers first manufactured was a common pottery

which to cook their food. The chief material was clay, to which Harding

ded a little lime and quartz. This paste made regular "pipe-clay," with

ich they manufactured bowls, cups molded on stones of a proper size,

eat jars and pots to hold water, etc. The shape of these objects was

umsy and defective, but after they had been baked in a high temperature,

e kitchen of the Chimneys was provided with a number of utensils, as

ecious to the settlers as the most beautifully enameled china. We must

ntion here that Pencroft, desirous to know if the clay thus prepared was

rthy of its name of pipe-clay, made some large pipes, which he thought

arming, but for which, alas! he had no tobacco, and that was a great

ivation to Pencroft. "But tobacco will come, like everything else!" he

peated, in a burst of absolute confidence.

is work lasted till the 15th of April, and the time was well employed.

e settlers, having become potters, made nothing but pottery. When it

ited Cyrus Harding to change them into smiths, they would become smiths.

t the next day being Sunday, and also Easter Sunday, all agreed to

nctify the day by rest. These Americans were religious men, scrupulous

servers of the precepts of the Bible, and their situation could not but

velop sentiments of confidence towards the Author of all things.

the evening of the 15th of April they returned to the Chimneys,

rrying with them the pottery, the furnace being extinguished until they

uld put it to a new use. Their return was marked by a fortunate incident;

e engineer discovered a substance which replaced tinder. It is known thatspongy, velvety flesh is procured from a certain mushroom of the genus

lyporous. Properly prepared, it is extremely inflammable, especially when

has been previously saturated with gunpowder, or boiled in a solution of

trate or chlorate of potash. But, till then, they had not found any of

ese polypores or even any of the morels which could replace them. On this

y, the engineer, seeing a plant belonging to the wormwood genus, the

incipal species of which are absinthe, balm-mint, tarragon, etc.,

thered several tufts, and, presenting them to the sailor, said,--

ere, Pencroft, this will please you."

ncroft looked attentively at the plant, covered with long silky hair,





e leaves being clothed with soft down.

hat's that, captain?" asked Pencroft. "Is it tobacco?"

o," replied Harding, "it is wormwood; Chinese wormwood to the learned,

t to us it will be tinder."

en the wormwood was properly dried it provided them with a very

flammable substance, especially afterwards when the engineer had

pregnated it with nitrate of potash, of which the island possessed

veral beds, and which is in truth saltpeter.

e colonists had a good supper that evening. Neb prepared some agouti

up, a smoked capybara ham, to which was added the boiled tubercules of

e "caladium macrorhizum," an herbaceous plant of the arum family. They

d an excellent taste, and were very nutritious, being something similar

the substance which is sold in England under the name of "Portland

go"; they were also a good substitute for bread, which the settlers in

ncoln Island did not yet possess.

en supper was finished, before sleeping, Harding and his companions

nt to take the air on the beach. it was eight o'clock in the evening; the

ght was magnificent. The moon, which had been full five days before, had

t yet risen, but the horizon was already silvered by those soft, pale

ades which might be called the dawn of the moon. At the southern zenith

ittered the circumpolar constellations, and above all the Southern Cross,

ich some days before the engineer had greeted on the summit of Mount

anklin.

rus Harding gazed for some time at this splendid constellation, which

s at its summit and at its base two stars of the first magnitude, at its

ft arm a star of the second, and at its right arm a star of the third

gnitude.

en, after some minutes thought--

erbert," he asked of the lad, "is not this the 15th of April?"

es, captain," replied Herbert.

ell, if I am not mistaken, to-morrow will be one of the four days in

e year in which the real time is identical with average time; that is to

y, my boy, that to-morrow, to within some seconds, the sun will pass the

ridian just at midday by the clocks. If the weather is fine I think that

shall obtain the longitude of the island with an approximation of some

grees."

ithout instruments, without sextant?" asked Gideon Spilett.

es," replied the engineer. "Also, since the night is clear, I will try,

is very evening, to obtain our latitude by calculating the height of theuthern Cross, that is, from the southern pole above the horizon. You

derstand, my friends, that before undertaking the work of installation in

rnest it is not enough to have found out that this land is an island; we

st, as nearly as possible, know at what distance it is situated, either

om the American continent or Australia, or from the principal

chipelagoes of the Pacific."

n fact," said the reporter, "instead of building a house it would be

re important to build a boat, if by chance we are not more than a hundred

les from an inhabited coast."

hat is why," returned Harding, "I am going to try this evening to





lculate the latitude of Lincoln Island, and to-morrow, at midday, I will

y to calculate the longitude."

the engineer had possessed a sextant, an apparatus with which the

gular distance of objects can be measured with great precision, there

uld have been no difficulty in the operation. This evening by the height

the pole, the next day by the passing of the sun at the meridian, he

uld obtain the position of the island. But as they had not one he would

ve to supply the deficiency.

rding then entered the Chimneys. By the light of the fire he cut two

ttle flat rulers, which he joined together at one end so as to form a

ir of compasses, whose legs could separate or come together. The

stening was fixed with a strong acacia thorn which was found in the wood

le. This instrument finished, the engineer returned to the beach, but as

was necessary to take the height of the pole from above a clear horizon,

at is, a sea horizon, and as Claw Cape hid the southern horizon, he was

liged to look for a more suitable station. The best would evidently have

en the shore exposed directly to the south; but the Mercy would have to

crossed, and that was a difficulty. Harding resolved, in consequence, to

ke his observation from Prospect Heights, taking into consideration its

ight above the level of the sea--a height which he intended to calculate

xt day by a simple process of elementary geometry.

e settlers, therefore, went to the plateau, ascending the left bank of

e Mercy, and placed themselves on the edge which looked northwest and

utheast, that is, above the curiously-shaped rocks which bordered the

ver.

is part of the plateau commanded the heights of the left bank, which

oped away to the extremity of Claw Cape, and to the southern side of the

land. No obstacle intercepted their gaze, which swept the horizon in a

mi-circle from the cape to Reptile End. To the south the horizon, lighted

the first rays of the moon, was very clearly defined against the sky.

this moment the Southern Cross presented itself to the observer in an

verted position, the star Alpha marking its base, which is nearer to the

uthern pole.

is constellation is not situated as near to the antarctic pole as the

lar Star is to the arctic pole. The star Alpha is about twenty-seven

grees from it, but Cyrus Harding knew this and made allowance for it in

s calculation. He took care also to observe the moment when it passed the

ridian below the pole, which would simplify the operation.

rus Harding pointed one leg of the compasses to the horizon, the other

Alpha, and the space between the two legs gave him the angular distance

ich separated Alpha from the horizon. In order to fix the angle obtained,

fastened with thorns the two pieces of wood on a third placed

ansversely, so that their separation should be properly maintained.

at done, there was only the angle to calculate by bringing back the

servation to the level of the sea, taking into consideration the

pression of the horizon, which would necessitate measuring the height of

e cliff. The value of this angle would give the height of Alpha, and

nsequently that of the pole above the horizon, that is to say, the

titude of the island, since the latitude of a point of the globe is

ways equal to the height of the pole above the horizon of this point.

e calculations were left for the next day, and at ten o'clock every one

s sleeping soundly.





apter 14

e next day, the 16th of April, and Easter Sunday, the settlers issued

om the Chimneys at daybreak, and proceeded to wash their linen. The

gineer intended to manufacture soap as soon as he could procure the

cessary materials--soda or potash, fat or oil. The important question of

newing their wardrobe would be treated of in the proper time and place.

any rate their clothes would last at least six months longer, for they

re strong, and could resist the wear of manual labor. But all would

pend on the situation of the island with regard to inhabited land. This

uld be settled to-day if the weather permitted.

e sun rising above a clear horizon, announced a magnificent day, one of

ose beautiful autumn days which are like the last farewells of the warm

ason.

was now necessary to complete the observations of the evening before

measuring the height of the cliff above the level of the sea.

hall you not need an instrument similar to the one which you used

sterday?" said Herbert to the engineer.

o, my boy," replied the latter, "we are going to proceed differently,

t in as precise a way."

rbert, wishing to learn everything he could, followed the engineer to

e beach. Pencroft, Neb, and the reporter remained behind and occupied

emselves in different ways.

rus Harding had provided himself with a straight stick, twelve feet

ng, which he had measured as exactly as possible by comparing it with his

n height, which he knew to a hair. Herbert carried a plumb-line which

rding had given him, that is to say, a simple stone fastened to the end

a flexible fiber. Having reached a spot about twenty feet from the edge

the beach, and nearly five hundred feet from the cliff, which roserpendicularly, Harding thrust the pole two feet into the sand, and

dging it up carefully, he managed, by means of the plumb-line, to erect

perpendicularly with the plane of the horizon.

at done, he retired the necessary distance, when, lying on the sand,

s eye glanced at the same time at the top of the pole and the crest of

e cliff. He carefully marked the place with a little stick.

en addressing Herbert--"Do you know the first principles of geometry?"

asked.

lightly, captain," replied Herbert, who did not wish to put himself

rward.

ou remember what are the properties of two similar triangles?"

es," replied Herbert; "their homologous sides are proportional."

ell, my boy, I have just constructed two similar right-angled

iangles; the first, the smallest, has for its sides the perpendicular

le, the distance which separates the little stick from the foot of the

le and my visual ray for hypothenuse; the second has for its sides the

rpendicular cliff, the height of which we wish to measure, the distance

ich separates the little stick from the bottom of the cliff, and my





sual ray also forms its hypothenuse, which proves to be prolongation of

at of the first triangle."

h, captain, I understand!" cried Herbert. "As the distance from the

ick to the pole is to the distance from the stick to the base of the

iff, so is the height of the pole to the height of the cliff."

ust so, Herbert," replied the engineer; "and when we have measured the

o first distances, knowing the height of the pole, we shall only have a

m in proportion to do, which will give us the height of the cliff, and

ll save us the trouble of measuring it directly."

e two horizontal distances were found out by means of the pole, whose

ngth above the sand was exactly ten feet.

e first distance was fifteen feet between the stick and the place where

e pole was thrust into the sand.

e second distance between the stick and the bottom of the cliff was

ve hundred feet.

ese measurements finished, Cyrus Harding and the lad returned to the

imneys.

e engineer then took a flat stone which he had brought back from one ofs previous excursions, a sort of slate, on which it was easy to trace

gures with a sharp shell. He then proved the following proportions:--

15:500::10:x

500 x 10 = 5000

5000 / 15 = 333.3

om which it was proved that the granite cliff measured 333 feet in

ight.

rus Harding then took the instrument which he had made the evening

fore, the space between its two legs giving the angular distance between

e star Alpha and the horizon. He measured, very exactly, the opening of

is angle on a circumference which he divided into 360 equal parts. Now,

is angle by adding to it the twenty-seven degrees which separated Alpha

om the antarctic pole, and by reducing to the level of the sea the height

the cliff on which the observation had been made, was found to be fifty-

ree degrees. These fifty-three degrees being subtracted from ninety

grees--the distance from the pole to the equator--there remained thirty-

ven degrees. Cyrus Harding concluded, therefore, that Lincoln Island was

tuated on the thirty-seventh degree of the southern latitude, or taking

to consideration through the imperfection of the performance, an error of

ve degrees, that it must be situated between the thirty-fifth and the

rtieth parallel.

ere was only the longitude to be obtained, and the position of the

land would be determined, The engineer hoped to attempt this the same

y, at twelve o'clock, at which moment the sun would pass the meridian.

was decided that Sunday should be spent in a walk, or rather an

ploring expedition, to that side of the island between the north of the

ke and Shark Gulf, and if there was time they would push their

scoveries to the northern side of Cape South Mandible. They would

eakfast on the downs, and not return till evening.





half-past eight the little band was following the edge of the channel.

the other side, on Safety Islet, numerous birds were gravely strutting.

ey were divers, easily recognized by their cry, which much resembles the

aying of a donkey. Pencroft only considered them in an eatable point of

ew, and learnt with some satisfaction that their flesh, though blackish,

not bad food.

eat amphibious creatures could also be seen crawling on the sand;

als, doubtless, who appeared to have chosen the islet for a place of

fuge. It was impossible to think of those animals in an alimentary point

view, for their oily flesh is detestable; however, Cyrus Harding

served them attentively, and without making known his idea, he announced

his companions that very soon they would pay a visit to the islet. The

ach was strewn with innumerable shells, some of which would have rejoiced

e heart of a conchologist; there were, among others, the phasianella, the

rebratual, etc. But what would be of more use, was the discovery, by Neb,

low tide, of a large oysterbed among the rocks, nearly five miles from

e Chimneys.

eb will not have lost his day," cried Pencroft, looking at the spacious

ster-bed.

t is really a fortunate discovery," said the reporter, "and as it is

id that each oyster produces yearly from fifty to sixty thousand eggs, we

all have an inexhaustible supply there."

nly I believe that the oyster is not very nourishing," said Herbert.

o," replied Harding. "The oyster contains very little nitrogen, and if

man lived exclusively on them, he would have to eat not less than fifteen

sixteen dozen a day."

apital!" replied Pencroft. "We might swallow dozens and dozens without

hausting the bed. Shall we take some for breakfast?"

d without waiting for a reply to this proposal, knowing that it would

approved of, the sailor and Neb detached a quantity of the molluscs.ey put them in a sort of net of hibiscus fiber, which Neb had

nufactured, and which already contained food; they then continued to

imb the coast between the downs and the sea.

om time to time Harding consulted his watch, so as to be prepared in

me for the solar observation, which had to be made exactly at midday.

l that part of the island was very barren as far as the point which

osed Union Bay, and which had received the name of Cape South Mandible.

thing could be seen there but sand and shells, mingled with debris of

va. A few sea-birds frequented this desolate coast, gulls, great

batrosses, as well as wild duck, for which Pencroft had a great fancy. He

ied to knock some over with an arrow, but without result, for they seldomrched, and he could not hit them on the wing.

is led the sailor to repeat to the engineer,--

ou see, captain, so long as we have not one or two fowling-pieces, we

all never get anything!"

oubtless, Pencroft," replied the reporter, "but it depends on you.

ocure us some iron for the barrels, steel for the hammers, saltpeter.

al and sulphur for powder, mercury and nitric acid for the fulminate, and

ad for the shot, and the captain will make us first-rate guns."





h!" replied the engineer, "we might, no doubt, find all these

bstances on the island, but a gun is a delicate instrument, and needs

ry particular tools. However, we shall see later!"

hy," cried Pencroft, "were we obliged to throw overboard all the

apons we had with us in the car, all our implements, even our pocket-

ives?"

ut if we had not thrown them away, Pencroft, the balloon would have

rown us to the bottom of the sea!" said Herbert.

hat you say is true, my boy," replied the sailor.

en passing to another idea,--"Think," said he, "how astounded Jonathan

rster and his companions must have been when, next morning, they found

e place empty, and the machine flown away!"

am utterly indifferent about knowing what they may have thought," said

e reporter.

t was all my idea, that!" said Pencroft, with a satisfied air.

splendid idea, Pencroft!" replied Gideon Spilett, laughing, "and which

s placed us where we are."

would rather be here than in the hands of the Southerners," cried the

ilor, "especially since the captain has been kind enough to come and join

again."

o would I, truly!" replied the reporter. "Besides, what do we want?

thing."

f that is not--everything!" replied Pencroft, laughing and shrugging

s shoulders. "But, some day or other, we shall find means of going away!"

ooner, perhaps, than you imagine, my friends," remarked the engineer,

f Lincoln Island is but a medium distance from an inhabited island, or

om a continent. We shall know in an hour. I have not a map of the

cific, but my memory has preserved a very clear recollection of its

uthern part. The latitude which I obtained yesterday placed New Zealand

the west of Lincoln Island, and the coast of Chile to the east. But

tween these two countries, there is a distance of at least six thousand

les. It has, therefore, to be determined what point in this great space

e island occupies, and this the longitude will give us presently, with a

fficient approximation, I hope."

s not the archipelago of the Pomoutous the nearest point to us in

titude?" asked Herbert.

es," replied the engineer, "but the distance which separates us from it

more than twelve hundred miles."

nd that way?" asked Neb, who followed the conversation with extreme

terest, pointing to the south.

hat way, nothing," replied Pencroft.

othing, indeed," added the engineer.

ell, Cyrus," asked the reporter, "if Lincoln Island is not more than

o or three thousand miles from New Zealand or Chile?"

ell," replied the engineer, "instead of building a house we will build

boat, and Master Pencroft shall be put in command--"





ell then," cried the sailor, "I am quite ready to be captain--as soon

you can make a craft that's able to keep at sea!"

e shall do it, if it is necessary," replied Cyrus Harding.

t while these men, who really hesitated at nothing, were talking, the

ur approached at which the observation was to be made. What Cyrus Harding

s to do to ascertain the passage of the sun at the meridian of the

land, without an instrument of any sort, Herbert could not guess.

e observers were then about six miles from the Chimneys, not far from

at part of the downs in which the engineer had been found after his

igmatical preservation. They halted at this place and prepared for

eakfast, for it was half-past eleven. Herbert went for some fresh water

om a stream which ran near, and brought it back in a jug, which Neb had

ovided.

ring these preparations Harding arranged everything for his

tronomical observation. He chose a clear place on the shore, which the

bing tide had left perfectly level. This bed of fine sand was as smooth

ice, not a grain out of place. It was of little importance whether it

s horizontal or not, and it did not matter much whether the stick six

et high, which was planted there, rose perpendicularly. On the contrary,

e engineer inclined it towards the south, that is to say, in the

rection of the coast opposite to the sun, for it must not be forgotten

at the settlers in Lincoln Island, as the island was situated in the

uthern Hemisphere, saw the radiant planet describe its diurnal arc above

e northern, and not above the southern horizon.

rbert now understood how the engineer was going to proceed to ascertain

e culmination of the sun, that is to say its passing the meridian of the

land or, in other words, determine due south. It was by means of the

adow cast on the sand by the stick, a way which, for want of an

strument, would give him a suitable approach to the result which he

shed to obtain.

fact, the moment when this shadow would reach its minimum of length

uld be exactly twelve o'clock, and it would be enough to watch the

tremity of the shadow, so as to ascertain the instant when, alter having

ccessively diminished, it began to lengthen. By inclining his stick to

e side opposite to the sun, Cyrus Harding made the shadow longer, and

nsequently its modifications would be more easily ascertained. In fact,

e longer the needle of a dial is, the more easily can the movement of its

int be followed. The shadow of the stick was nothing but the needle of a

al. The moment had come, and Cyrus Harding knelt on the sand, and with

ttle wooden pegs, which he stuck into the sand, he began to mark the

ccessive diminutions of the stick's shadow. His companions, bending over

m, watched the operation with extreme interest. The reporter held his

ronometer in his hand, ready to tell the hour which it marked when theadow would be at its shortest. Moreover, as Cyrus Harding was working on

e 16th of April, the day on which the true and the average time are

entical, the hour given by Gideon Spilett would be the true hour then at

shington, which would simplify the calculation. Meanwhile as the sun

owly advanced, the shadow slowly diminished, and when it appeared to

rus Harding that it was beginning to increase, he asked, "What o'clock is

?"

ne minute past five," replied Gideon Spilett directly. They had now

ly to calculate the operation. Nothing could be easier. It could be seen

at there existed, in round numbers, a difference of five hours between

e meridian of Washington and that of Lincoln Island, that is to say, it





s midday in Lincoln Island when it was already five o'clock in the

ening in Washington. Now the sun, in its apparent movement round the

rth, traverses one degree in four minutes, or fifteen degrees an hour.

fteen degrees multiplied by five hours give seventy-five degrees.

en, since Washington is 77deg 3' 11" as much as to say seventy-seven

grees counted from the meridian of Greenwich which the Americans take for

eir starting-point for longitudes concurrently with the English--it

llowed that the island must be situated seventy-seven and seventy-five

grees west of the meridian of Greenwich, that is to say, on the hundred

d fifty-second degree of west longitude.

rus Harding announced this result to his companions, and taking into

nsideration errors of observation, as he had done for the latitude, he

lieved he could positively affirm that the position of Lincoln Island was

tween the thirty-fifth and the thirty-seventh parallel, and between the

ndred and fiftieth and the hundred and fifty-fifth meridian to the west

the meridian of Greenwich.

e possible fault which he attributed to errors in the observation was,

may be seen, of five degrees on both sides, which, at sixty miles to a

gree, would give an error of three hundred miles in latitude and

ngitude for the exact position.

t this error would not influence the determination which it was

cessary to take. It was very evident that Lincoln Island was at such a

stance from every country or island that it would be too hazardous to

tempt to reach one in a frail boat.

fact, this calculation placed it at least twelve hundred miles from

hiti and the islands of the archipelago of the Pomoutous, more than

ghteen hundred miles from New Zealand, and more than four thousand five

ndred miles from the American coast!

d when Cyrus Harding consulted his memory, he could not remember in any

y that such an island occupied, in that part of the Pacific, the

tuation assigned to Lincoln Island.

apter 15

e next day, the 17th of April, the sailor's first words were addressed to

deon Spilett.

ell, sir," he asked, "what shall we do to-day?"

hat the captain pleases," replied the reporter.

ll then the engineer's companions had been brickmakers and potters,

w they were to become metallurgists.

e day before, after breakfast, they had explored as far as the point of

ndible Cape, seven miles distant from the Chimneys. There, the long

ries of downs ended, and the soil had a volcanic appearance. There were

longer high cliffs as at Prospect Heights, but a strange and capricious

rder which surrounded the narrow gulf between the two capes, formed of

neral matter, thrown up by the volcano. Arrived at this point the

ttlers retraced their steps, and at nightfall entered the Chimneys; but

ey did not sleep before the question of knowing whether they could think

leaving Lincoln Island or not was definitely settled.

e twelve hundred miles which separated the island from the Pomoutous





land was a considerable distance. A boat could not cross it, especially

the approach of the bad season. Pencroft had expressly declared this.

w, to construct a simple boat even with the necessary tools, was a

fficult work, and the colonists not having tools they must begin by

king hammers, axes, adzes, saws, augers, planes, etc., which would take

me time. It was decided, therefore, that they would winter at Lincoln

land, and that they would look for a more comfortable dwelling than the

imneys, in which to pass the winter months.

fore anything else could be done it was necessary to make the iron ore,

which the engineer had observed some traces in the northwest part of theland, fit for use by converting it either into iron or into steel.

tals are not generally found in the ground in a pure state. For the

st part they are combined with oxygen or sulphur. Such was the case with

e two specimens which Cyrus Harding had brought back, one of magnetic

on, not carbonated, the other a pyrite, also called sulphuret of iron. It

s, therefore the first, the oxide of iron, which they must reduce with

al, that is to say, get rid of the oxygen, to obtain it in a pure state.

is reduction is made by subjecting the ore with coal to a high

mperature, either by the rapid and easy Catalan method, which has the

vantage of transforming the ore into iron in a single operation, or by

e blast furnace, which first smelts the ore, then changes it into iron,

carrying away the three to four per cent. of coal, which is combinedth it.

w Cyrus Harding wanted iron, and he wished to obtain it as soon as

ssible. The ore which he had picked up was in itself very pure and rich.

was the oxydulous iron, which is found in confused masses of a deep gray

lor; it gives a black dust, crystallized in the form of the regular

tahedron. Native lodestones consist of this ore, and iron of the first

ality is made in Europe from that with which Sweden and Norway are so

undantly supplied. Not far from this vein was the vein of coal already

de use of by the settlers. The ingredients for the manufacture being

ose together would greatly facilitate the treatment of the ore. This is

e cause of the wealth of the mines in Great Britain, where the coal aids

e manufacture of the metal extracted from the same soil at the same timeitself.

hen, captain," said Pencroft, "we are going to work iron ore?"

es, my friend," replied the engineer, "and for that--something which

ll please you--we must begin by having a seal hunt on the islet."

seal hunt!" cried the sailor, turning towards Gideon Spilett. "Are

als needed to make iron?"

ince Cyrus has said so!" replied the reporter.

t the engineer had already left the Chimneys, and Pencroft prepared for

e seal hunt, without having received any other explanation.

rus Harding, Herbert, Gideon Spilett, Neb, and the sailor were soon

llected on the shore, at a place where the channel left a ford passable

low tide. The hunters could therefore traverse it without getting wet

gher than the knee.

rding then put his foot on the islet for the first, and his companions

r the second time.

their landing some hundreds of penguins looked fearlessly at them. The

nters, armed with sticks, could have killed them easily, but they were





t guilty of such useless massacre, as it was important not to frighten

e seals, who were lying on the sand several cable lengths off. They also

spected certain innocent-looking birds, whose wings were reduced to the

ate of stumps, spread out like fins, ornamented with feathers of a scaly

pearance. The settlers, therefore, prudently advanced towards the north

int, walking over ground riddled with little holes, which formed nests

r the sea-birds. Towards the extremity of the islet appeared great black

ads floating just above the water, having exactly the appearance of rocks

motion.

ese were the seals which were to be captured. It was necessary,wever, first to allow them to land, for with their close, short hair, and

eir fusiform conformation, being excellent swimmers, it is difficult to

tch them in the sea, while on land their short, webbed feet prevent their

ving more than a slow, waddling movement.

ncroft knew the habits of these creatures, and he advised waiting till

ey were stretched on the sand, when the sun, before long, would send them

sleep. They must then manage to cut off their retreat and knock them on

e head.

e hunters, having concealed themselves behind the rocks, waited

lently.

hour passed before the seals came to play on the sand. They could

unt half a dozen. Pencroft and Herbert then went round the point of the

let, so as to take them in the rear, and cut off their retreat. During

is time Cyrus Harding, Spilett, and Neb, crawling behind the rocks,

ided towards the future scene of combat.

l at once the tall figure of the sailor appeared. Pencroft shouted. The

gineer and his two companions threw themselves between the sea and the

als. Two of the animals soon lay dead on the sand, but the rest regained

e sea in safety.

ere are the seals required, captain!" said the sailor, advancing

wards the engineer.

apital," replied Harding. "We will make bellows of them!"

ellows!" cried Pencroft. "Well! these are lucky seals!"

was, in fact, a blowing-machine, necessary for the treatment of the

e that the engineer wished to manufacture with the skins of the

phibious creatures. They were of a medium size, for their length did not

ceed six feet. They resembled a dog about the head.

it was useless to burden themselves with the weight of both the

imals, Neb and Pencroft resolved to skin them on the spot, while Cyrus

rding and the reporter continued to explore the islet.

e sailor and the Negro cleverly performed the operation, and three

urs afterwards Cyrus Harding had at his disposal two seals' skins, which

intended to use in this state, without subjecting them to any tanning

ocess.

e settlers waited till the tide was again low, and crossing the channel

ey entered the Chimneys.

e skins had then to be stretched on a frame of wood and sewn by means

fibers so as to preserve the air without allowing too much to escape.

rus Harding had nothing but the two steel blades from Top's collar, and

t he was so clever, and his companions aided him with so much





telligence, that three days afterwards the little colony's stock of tools

s augmented by a blowing-machine, destined to inject the air into the

dst of the ore when it should be subjected to heat--an indispensable

ndition to the success of the operation.

the morning of the 20th of April began the "metallic period," as the

porter called it in his notes. The engineer had decided, as has been

id, to operate near the veins both of coal and ore. Now, according to his

servations, these veins were situated at the foot of the northeast spurs

Mount Franklin, that is to say, a distance of six miles from their home.

was impossible, therefore, to return every day to the Chimneys, and its agreed that the little colony should camp under a hut of branches, so

at the important operation could be followed night and day.

is settled, they set out in the morning. Neb and Pencroft dragged the

llows on a hurdle; also a quantity of vegetables and animals, which they

sides could renew on the way.

e road led through Jacamar Wood, which they traversed obliquely from

utheast to northwest, and in the thickest part. It was necessary to beat

path, which would in the future form the most direct road to Prospect

ights and Mount Franklin. The trees, belonging to the species already

scovered, were magnificent. Herbert found some new ones, among others

me which Pencroft called "sham leeks"; for, in spite of their size, theyre of the same liliaceous family as the onion, chive, shallot, or

paragus. These trees produce ligneous roots which, when cooked, are

cellent; from them, by fermentation, a very agreeable liquor is made.

ey therefore made a good store of the roots.

e journey through the wood was long; it lasted the whole day, and so

lowed plenty of time for examining the flora and fauna. Top, who took

ecial charge of the fauna, ran through the grass and brushwood, putting

all sorts of game. Herbert and Gideon Spilett killed two kangaroos with

ws and arrows, and also an animal which strongly resembled both a

dgehog and an ant-eater. It was like the first because it rolled itself

to a ball, and bristled with spines, and the second because it had sharp

aws, a long slender snout which terminated in a bird's beak, and antendible tongue, covered with little thorns which served to hold the

sects.

nd when it is in the pot," asked Pencroft naturally, "what will it be

ke?"

n excellent piece of beef," replied Herbert.

e will not ask more from it," replied the sailor,

ring this excursion they saw several wild boars, which however, did not

fer to attack the little band, and it appeared as if they would not meet

th any dangerous beasts; when, in a thick part of the wood, the reporter

ought he saw, some paces from him, among the lower branches of a tree, an

imal which he took for a bear, and which he very tranquilly began to

aw. Happily for Gideon Spilett, the animal in question did not belong to

e redoubtable family of the plantigrades. It was only a koala, better

own under the name of the sloth, being about the size of a large dog, and

ving stiff hair of a dirty color, the paws armed with strong claws, which

abled it to climb trees and feed on the leaves. Having identified the

imal, which they did not disturb, Gideon Spilett erased "bear" from the

tle of his sketch, putting koala in its place, and the journey was

sumed.

five o'clock in the evening, Cyrus Harding gave the signal to halt.





ey were now outside the forest, at the beginning of the powerful spurs

ich supported Mount Franklin towards the west. At a distance of some

ndred feet flowed the Red Creek, and consequently plenty of fresh water

s within their reach.

e camp was soon organized. In less than an hour, on the edge of the

rest, among the trees, a hut of branches interlaced with creepers, and

sted over with clay, offered a tolerable shelter. Their geological

searches were put off till the next day. Supper was prepared, a good fire

azed before the hut, the roast turned, and at eight o'clock, while one of

e settlers watched to keep up the fire, in case any wild beasts shouldowl in the neighborhood, the others slept soundly.

e next day, the 21st of April, Cyrus Harding accompanied by Herbert,

nt to look for the soil of ancient formation, on which he had already

scovered a specimen of ore. They found the vein above ground, near the

urce of the creek, at the foot of one of the northeastern spurs. This

e, very rich in iron, enclosed in its fusible veinstone, was perfectly

ited to the mode of reduction which the engineer intended to employ; that

, the Catalan method, but simplified, as it is used in Corsica. In fact,

e Catalan method, properly so called, requires the construction of kilns

d crucibles, in which the ore and the coal, placed in alternate layers,

e transformed and reduced, But Cyrus Harding intended to economize these

nstructions, and wished simply to form, with the ore and the coal, abic mass, to the center of which he would direct the wind from his

llows. Doubtless, it was the proceeding employed by Tubalcain, and the

rst metallurgists of the inhabited world. Now that which had succeeded

th the grandson of Adam, and which still yielded good results in

untries which in ore and fuel, could not but succeed with the settlers in

ncoln Island.

e coal, as well as the ore, was collected without trouble on the

rface of the ground. They first broke the ore into little pieces, and

eansed them with the hand from the impurities which soiled their surface.

en coal and ore were arranged in heaps and in successive layers, as the

arcoal-burner does with the wood which he wishes to carbonize. In this

y, under the influence of the air projected by the blowing-machine, theal would be transformed into carbonic acid, then into oxide of carbon,

s use being to reduce the oxide of iron, that is to say, to rid it of the

ygen.

us the engineer proceeded. The bellows of sealskin, furnished at its

tremity with a nozzle of clay, which had been previously fabricated in

e pottery kiln, was established near the heap of ore. Using the mechanism

ich consisted of a frame, cords of fiber and counterpoise, he threw into

e mass an abundance of air, which by raising the temperature also

ncurred with the chemical transformation to produce in time pure iron.

e operation was difficult. All the patience, all the ingenuity of the

ttlers was needed; but at last it succeeded, and the result was a lump ofon, reduced to a spongy state, which it was necessary to shingle and

got, that is to say, to forge so as to expel from it the liquefied

instone. These amateur smiths had, of course, no hammer; but they were in

worse a situation than the first metallurgist, and therefore did what,

doubt, he had to do.

handle was fixed to the first lump, and was used as a hammer to forge

e second on a granite anvil, and thus they obtained a coarse but useful

tal. At length, after many trials and much fatigue, on the 25th of April

veral bars of iron were forged, and transformed into tools, crowbars,

ncers, pickaxes, spades, etc., which Pencroft and Neb declared to be real

wels. But the metal was not yet in its most serviceable state, that is,





steel. Now steel is a combination of iron and coal, which is extracted,

ther from the liquid ore, by taking from it the excess of coal, or from

e iron by adding to it the coal which was wanting. The first, obtained by

e decarburation of the metal, gives natural or puddled steel; the second,

oduced by the carburation of the iron, gives steel of cementation.

was the last which Cyrus Harding intended to forge, as he possessed

on in a pure state. He succeeded by heating the metal with powdered coal

a crucible which had previously been manufactured from clay suitable for

e purpose.

then worked this steel, which is malleable both when hot or cold, with

e hammer. Neb and Pencroft, cleverly directed, made hatchets, which,

ated red-hot, and plunged suddenly into cold water, acquired an excellent

mper.

her instruments, of course roughly fashioned, were also manufactured;

ades for planes, axes, hatchets, pieces of steel to be transformed into

ws, chisels; then iron for spades, pickaxes, hammers, nails, etc. At

st, on the 5th of May, the metallic period ended, the smiths returned to

e Chimneys, and new work would soon authorize them to take a fresh title.

apter 16

was the 6th of May, a day which corresponds to the 6th of November in

e countries of the Northern Hemisphere. The sky had been obscured for

me days, and it was of importance to make preparations for the winter.

wever, the temperature was not as yet much lower, and a centigrade

ermometer, transported to Lincoln Island, would still have marked an

erage of ten to twelve degrees above zero. This was not surprising, since

ncoln Island, probably situated between the thirty-fifth and fortieth

rallel, would be subject, in the Southern Hemisphere, to the same climate

Sicily or Greece in the Northern Hemisphere. But as Greece and Sicily

ve severe cold, producing snow and ice, so doubtless would Lincoln Island

the severest part of the winter and it was advisable to provide against

.

any case if cold did not yet threaten them, the rainy season would

gin, and on this lonely island, exposed to all the fury of the elements,

mid-ocean, bad weather would be frequent, and probably terrible. The

estion of a more comfortable dwelling than the Chimneys must therefore be

riously considered and promptly resolved on.

ncroft, naturally, had some predilection for the retreat which he had

scovered, but he well understood that another must be found. The Chimneys

d been already visited by the sea, under circumstances which are known,

d it would not do to be exposed again to a similar accident.

esides," added Cyrus Harding, who this day was talking of these things

th his companions, "we have some precautions to take."

hy? The island is not inhabited," said the reporter.

hat is probable," replied the engineer, "although we have not yet

plored the interior; but if no human beings are found, I fear that

ngerous animals may abound. It is necessary to guard against a possible

tack, so that we shall not be obliged to watch every night, or to keep up

fire. And then, my friends, we must foresee everything. We are here in a

rt of the Pacific often frequented by Malay pirates--"

hat!" said Herbert, "at such a distance from land?"





es, my boy," replied the engineer. "These pirates are bold sailors as

ll as formidable enemies, and we must take measures accordingly."

ell," replied Pencroft, "we will fortify ourselves against savages with

o legs as well as against savages with four. But, captain, will it not be

st to explore every part of the island before undertaking anything else?"

hat would be best," added Gideon Spilett.

ho knows if we might not find on the opposite side one of the caverns

ich we have searched for in vain here?"

hat is true," replied the engineer, "but you forget, my friends, that

will be necessary to establish ourselves in the neighborhood of a

tercourse, and that, from the summit of Mount Franklin, we could not see

wards the west, either stream or river. Here, on the contrary, we are

aced between the Mercy and Lake Grant, an advantage which must not be

glected. And, besides, this side, looking towards the east, is not

posed as the other is to the trade-winds, which in this hemisphere blow

om the northwest."

hen, captain," replied the sailor, "let us build a house on the edge of

e lake. Neither bricks nor tools are wanting now. After having been

ickmakers, potters, smelters, and smiths, we shall surely know how to be

sons!"

es, my friend; but before coming to any decision we must consider the

tter thoroughly. A natural dwelling would spare us much work, and would

a surer retreat, for it would be as well defended against enemies from

e interior as those from outside."

hat is true, Cyrus," replied the reporter, "but we have already

amined all that mass of granite, and there is not a hole, not a cranny!"

o, not one!" added Pencroft. "Ah, if we were able to dig out a dwelling

that cliff, at a good height, so as to be out of the reach of harm, that

uld be capital! I can see that on the front which looks seaward, five orx rooms--"

ith windows to light them!" said Herbert, laughing.

nd a staircase to climb up to them!" added Neb.

ou are laughing," cried the sailor, "and why? What is there impossible

what I propose? Haven't we got pickaxes and spades? Won't Captain

rding be able to make powder to blow up the mine? Isn't it true, captain,

at you will make powder the very day we want it?"

rus Harding listened to the enthusiastic Pencroft developing his

nciful projects. To attack this mass of granite, even by a mine, wasrculean work, and it was really vexing that nature could not help them at

eir need. But the engineer did not reply to the sailor except by

oposing to examine the cliff more attentively, from the mouth of the

ver to the angle which terminated it on the north.

ey went out, therefore, and the exploration was made with extreme care,

er an extent of nearly two miles. But in no place in the bare, straight

iff, could any cavity be found. The nests of the rock pigeons which

uttered at its summit were only, in reality, holes bored at the very top,

d on the irregular edge of the granite.

was a provoking circumstance, and as to attacking this cliff, either





th pickaxe or with powder, so as to effect a sufficient excavation, it

s not to be thought of. It so happened that, on all this part of the

ore, Pencroft had discovered the only habitable shelter, that is to say,

e Chimneys, which now had to be abandoned.

e exploration ended, the colonists found themselves at the north angle

the cliff, where it terminated in long slopes which died away on the

ore. From this place, to its extreme limit in the west, it only formed a

rt of declivity, a thick mass of stones, earth, and sand, bound together

plants, bushes, and grass inclined at an angle of only forty-five

grees. Clumps of trees grew on these slopes, which were also carpetedth thick grass. But the vegetation did not extend far, and a long, sandy

ain, which began at the foot of these slopes, reached to the beach.

rus Harding thought, not without reason, that the overplus of the lake

st overflow on this side. The excess of water furnished by the Red Creek

st also escape by some channel or other. Now the engineer had not yet

und this channel on any part of the shore already explored, that is to

y, from the mouth of the stream on the west of Prospect Heights.

e engineer now proposed to his companions to climb the slope, and to

turn to the Chimneys by the heights, while exploring the northern and

stern shores of the lake. The proposal was accepted, and in a few minutes

rbert and Neb were on the upper plateau. Cyrus Harding, Gideon Spilett,d Pencroft followed with more sedate steps.

e beautiful sheet of water glittered through the trees under the rays

the sun. In this direction the country was charming. The eye feasted on

e groups of trees. Some old trunks, bent with age, showed black against

e verdant grass which covered the ground. Crowds of brilliant cockatoos

reamed among the branches, moving prisms, hopping from one bough to

other.

e settlers instead of going directly to the north bank of the lake,

de a circuit round the edge of the plateau, so as to join the mouth of

e creek on its left bank. It was a detour of more than a mile and a half.

lking was easy, for the trees widely spread, left a considerable space

tween them. The fertile zone evidently stopped at this point, and

getation would be less vigorous in the part between the course of the

eek and the Mercy.

rus Harding and his companions walked over this new ground with great

re. Bows, arrows, and sticks with sharp iron points were their only

apons. However, no wild beast showed itself, and it was probable that

ese animals frequented rather the thick forests in the south; but the

ttlers had the disagreeable surprise of seeing Top stop before a snake of

eat size, measuring from fourteen to fifteen feet in length. Neb killed

by a blow from his stick. Cyrus Harding examined the reptile, and

clared it not venomous, for it belonged to that species of diamond

rpents which the natives of New South Wales rear. But it was possibleat others existed whose bite was mortal such as the deaf vipers with

rked tails, which rise up under the feet, or those winged snakes,

rnished with two ears, which enable them to proceed with great rapidity.

p, the first moment of surprise over, began a reptile chase with such

gerness, that they feared for his safety. His master called him back

rectly.

e mouth of the Red Creek, at the place where it entered into the lake,

s soon reached. The explorers recognized on the opposite shore the point

ich they had visited on their descent from Mount Franklin. Cyrus Harding

certained that the flow of water into it from the creek was considerable.

ture must therefore have provided some place for the escape of the





erplus. This doubtless formed a fall, which, if it could be discovered,

uld be of great use.

e colonists, walking apart, but not straying far from each other, began

skirt the edge of the lake, which was very steep. The water appeared to

full of fish, and Pencroft resolved to make some fishing-rods, so as to

y and catch some.

e northeast point was first to be doubled. It might have been supposed

at the discharge of water was at this place, for the extremity of the

ke was almost on a level with the edge of the plateau. But no signs of

is were discovered, and the colonists continued to explore the bank,

ich, after a slight bend, descended parallel to the shore.

this side the banks were less woody, but clumps of trees, here and

ere, added to the picturesqueness of the country. Lake Grant was viewed

om thence in all its extent, and no breath disturbed the surface of its

ters. Top, in beating the bushes, put up flocks of birds of different

nds, which Gideon Spilett and Herbert saluted with arrows. One was hit

the lad, and fell into some marshy grass. Top rushed forward, and

ought a beautiful swimming bird, of a slate color, short beak, very

veloped frontal plate, and wings edged with white. It was a "coot," the

ze of a large partridge, belonging to the group of macrodactyls which

rm the transition between the order of wading birds and that oflmipeds. Sorry game, in truth, and its flavor is far from pleasant. But

p was not so particular in these things as his masters, and it was agreed

at the coot should be for his supper.

e settlers were now following the eastern bank of the lake, and they

uld not be long in reaching the part which they already knew. The

gineer was much surprised at not seeing any indication of the discharge

water. The reporter and the sailor talked with him, and he could not

nceal his astonishment.

this moment Top, who had been very quiet till then, gave signs of

itation. The intelligent animal went backwards and forwards on the shore,

opped suddenly, and looked at the water, one paw raised, as if he was

inting at some invisible game; then he barked furiously, and was suddenly

lent.

ither Cyrus Harding nor his companions had at first paid any attention

Top's behavior; but the dog's barking soon became so frequent that the

gineer noticed it.

hat is there, Top?" he asked.

e dog bounded towards his master, seeming to be very uneasy, and then

shed again towards the bank. Then, all at once, he plunged into the lake.

ere, Top!" cried Cyrus Harding, who did not like his dog to venture

to the treacherous water.

hat's happening down there?" asked Pencroft, examining the surface of

e lake.

op smells some amphibious creature," replied Herbert.

n alligator, perhaps," said the reporter.

do not think so," replied Harding. "Alligators are only met with in

gions less elevated in latitude."

anwhile Top had returned at his master's call, and had regained the





ore: but he could not stay quiet; he plunged in among the tall grass, and

ided by instinct, he appeared to follow some invisible being which was

ipping along under the surface of the water. However the water was calm;

t a ripple disturbed its surface. Several times the settlers stopped on

e bank, and observed it attentively. Nothing appeared. There was some

stery there.

e engineer was puzzled.

et us pursue this exploration to the end," said he.

lf an hour after they had all arrived at the southeast angle of the

ke, on Prospect Heights. At this point the examination of the banks of

e lake was considered finished, and yet the engineer had not been able to

scover how and where the waters were discharged. "There is no doubt this

erflow exists," he repeated, and since it is not visible it must go

rough the granite cliff at the west!"

ut what importance do you attach to knowing that, my dear Cyrus?" asked

deon Spilett.

onsiderable importance," replied the engineer; "for if it flows through

e cliff there is probably some cavity, which it would be easy to render

bitable after turning away the water."

ut is it not possible, captain, that the water flows away at the bottom

the lake," said Herbert, "and that it reaches the sea by some

bterranean passage?"

hat might be," replied the engineer, "and should it be so we shall be

liged to build our house ourselves, since nature has not done it for us."

e colonists were about to begin to traverse the plateau to return to

e Chimneys, when Top gave new signs of agitation. He barked with fury,

d before his master could restrain him, he had plunged a second time into

e lake.

l ran towards the bank. The dog was already more than twenty feet off,d Cyrus was calling him back, when an enormous head emerged from the

ter, which did not appear to be deep in that place.

rbert recognized directly the species of amphibian to which the

pering head, with large eyes, and adorned with long silky mustaches,

longed.

lamantin!" he cried.

was not a lamantin, but one of that species of the order of cetaceans,

ich bear the name of the "dugong," for its nostrils were open at the

per part of its snout. The enormous animal rushed on the dog, who tried

escape by returning towards the shore. His master could do nothing tove him, and before Gideon Spilett or Herbert thought of bending their

ws, Top, seized by the dugong, had disappeared beneath the water.

b, his iron-tipped spear in his hand, wished to go to Top's help, and

tack the dangerous animal in its own element.

o, Neb," said the engineer, restraining his courageous servant.

anwhile, a struggle was going on beneath the water, an inexplicable

ruggle, for in his situation Top could not possibly resist; and judging

the bubbling of the surface it must be also a terrible struggle, and

uld not but terminate in the death of the dog! But suddenly, in the





ddle of a foaming circle, Top reappeared. Thrown in the air by some

known power, he rose ten feet above the surface of the lake, fell again

to the midst of the agitated waters, and then soon gained the shore,

thout any severe wounds, miraculously saved.

rus Harding and his companions could not understand it. What was not

ss inexplicable was that the struggle still appeared to be going on.

ubtless, the dugong, attacked by some powerful animal, after having

leased the dog, was fighting on its own account. But it did not last

ng. The water became red with blood, and the body of the dugong, emerging

om the sheet of scarlet which spread around, soon stranded on a littleach at the south angle of the lake. The colonists ran towards it. The

gong was dead. It was an enormous animal, fifteen or sixteen feet long,

d must have weighed from three to four thousand pounds. At its neck was a

und, which appeared to have been produced by a sharp blade.

at could the amphibious creature have been, who, by this terrible blow

d destroyed the formidable dugong? No one could tell, and much interested

this incident, Harding and his companions returned to the Chimneys.

apter 17

e next day, the 7th of May, Harding and Gideon Spilett, leaving Neb toepare breakfast, climbed Prospect Heights, while Herbert and Pencroft

cended by the river, to renew their store of wood.

e engineer and the reporter soon reached the little beach on which the

gong had been stranded. Already flocks of birds had attacked the mass of

esh, and had to be driven away with stones, for Cyrus wished to keep the

t for the use of the colony. As to the animal's flesh it would furnish

cellent food, for in the islands of the Malay Archipelago and elsewhere,

is especially reserved for the table of the native princes. But that was

b's affair.

this moment Cyrus Harding had other thoughts. He was much interested

the incident of the day before. He wished to penetrate the mystery ofat submarine combat, and to ascertain what monster could have given the

gong so strange a wound. He remained at the edge of the lake, looking,

serving; but nothing appeared under the tranquil waters, which sparkled

the first rays of the rising sun.

the beach, on which lay the body of the dugong, the water was

lerably shallow, but from this point the bottom of the lake sloped

adually, and it was probable that the depth was considerable in the

nter. The lake might be considered as a large center basin, which was

lled by the water from the Red Creek.

ell, Cyrus," said the reporter, "there seems to be nothing suspicious

this water."

o, my dear Spilett," replied the engineer, "and I really do not know how

account for the incident of yesterday."

acknowledge," returned Spilett, "that the wound given this creature

, at least, very strange, and I cannot explain either how Top was so

gorously cast up out of the water. One could have thought that a powerful

m hurled him up, and that the same arm with a dagger killed the dugong!"

es," replied the engineer, who had become thoughtful; "there is

mething there that I cannot understand. But do you better understand

ther, my dear Spilett, in what way I was saved myself--how I was drawn





om the waves, and carried to the downs? No! Is it not true? Now, I feel

re that there is some mystery there, which, doubtless, we shall discover

me day. Let us observe, but do not dwell on these singular incidents

fore our companions. Let us keep our remarks to ourselves, and continue

r work."

will be remembered that the engineer had not as yet been able to

scover the place where the surplus water escaped, but he knew it must

ist somewhere. He was much surprised to see a strong current at this

ace. By throwing in some bits of wood he found that it set towards the

uthern angle. He followed the current, and arrived at the south point ofe lake.

ere was there a sort of depression in the water, as if it was suddenly

st in some fissure in the ground.

rding listened; placing his ear to the level of the lake, he very

stinctly heard the noise of a subterranean fall.

here," said he, rising, "is the discharge of the water; there,

ubtless, by a passage in the granite cliff, it joins the sea, through

vities which we can use to our profit. Well, I can find it!"

e engineer cut a long branch, stripped it of its leaves, and plunging

into the angle between the two banks, he found that there was a large

le one foot only beneath the surface of the water. This hole was the

ening so long looked for in vain, and the force of the current was such

at the branch was torn from the engineer's hands and disappeared.

here is no doubt about it now," repeated Harding. "There is the outlet,

d I will lay it open to view!"

ow?" asked Gideon Spilett.

y lowering the level of the water of the lake three feet." "And how

ll you lower the level?"

y opening another outlet larger than this."

t what place, Cyrus?"

t the part of the bank nearest the coast."

ut it is a mass of granite!" observed Spilett.

ell," replied Cyrus Harding, "I will blow up the granite, and the water

caping, will subside, so as to lay bare this opening--"

nd make a waterfall, by falling on to the beach," added the reporter.

fall that we shall make use of!" replied Cyrus. "Come, come!"

e engineer hurried away his companion, whose confidence in Harding was

ch that he did not doubt the enterprise would succeed. And yet, how was

is granite wall to be opened without powder, and with imperfect

struments? Was not this work upon which the engineer was so bent above

eir strength?

en Harding and the reporter entered the Chimneys, they found Herbert

d Pencroft unloading their raft of wood.

he woodmen have just finished, captain." said the sailor, laughing, "and

en you want masons--"





asons,--no, but chemists," replied the engineer.

es," added the reporter, "we are going to blow up the island--"

low up the island?" cried Pencroft.

art of it, at least," replied Spilett.

isten to me, my friends," said the engineer. And he made known to them

e result of his observations.

cording to him, a cavity, more or less considerable, must exist in thess of granite which supported Prospect Heights, and he intended to

netrate into it. To do this, the opening through which the water rushed

st first be cleared, and the level lowered by making a larger outlet.

erefore an explosive substance must be manufactured, which would make a

ep trench in some other part of the shore. This was what Harding was

ing to attempt with the minerals which nature placed at his disposal.

is useless to say with what enthusiasm all, especially Pencroft,

ceived this project. To employ great means, open the granite, create a

scade, that suited the sailor. And he would just as soon be a chemist as

mason or bootmaker, since the engineer wanted chemicals. He would be all

at they liked, "even a professor of dancing and deportment," said he to

b, if that was ever necessary.

b and Pencroft were first of all told to extract the grease from the

gong, and to keep the flesh, which was destined for food. Such perfect

nfidence had they in the engineer, that they set out directly, without

en asking a question. A few minutes after them, Cyrus Harding, Herbert,

d Gideon Spilett, dragging the hurdle, went towards the vein of coals,

ere those shistose pyrites abound which are met with in the most recent

ansition soil, and of which Harding had already found a specimen. All the

y being employed in carrying a quantity of these stones to the Chimneys,

evening they had several tons.

e next day, the 8th of May, the engineer began his manipulations. These

istose pyrites being composed principally of coal, flint, alumina, andlphuret of iron--the latter in excess--it was necessary to separate the

lphuret of iron, and transform it into sulphate as rapidly as possible.

e sulphate obtained, the sulphuric acid could then be extracted.

is was the object to be attained. Sulphuric acid is one of the agents

e most frequently employed, and the manufacturing importance of a nation

n be measured by the consumption which is made of it. This acid would

ter be of great use to the settlers, in the manufacturing of candles,

nning skins, etc., but this time the engineer reserved it for another

e.

rus Harding chose, behind the Chimneys, a site where the ground was

rfectly level. On this ground he placed a layer of branches and choppedod, on which were piled some pieces of shistose pyrites, buttressed one

ainst the other, the whole being covered with a thin layer of pyrites,

eviously reduced to the size of a nut.

is done, they set fire to the wood, the heat was communicated to the

ist, which soon kindled, since it contains coal and sulphur. Then new

yers of bruised pyrites were arranged so as to form an immense heap, the

terior of which was covered with earth and grass, several air-holes being

ft, as if it was a stack of wood which was to be carbonized to make

arcoal.

ey then left the transformation to complete itself, and it would not





ke less than ten or twelve days for the sulphuret of iron to be changed

sulphate of iron and the alumina into sulphate of alumina, two equally

luble substances, the others, flint, burnt coal, and cinders, not being

.

ile this chemical work was going on, Cyrus Harding proceeded with other

erations, which were pursued with more than zeal,--it was eagerness.

b and Pencroft had taken away the fat from the dugong, and placed it in

rge earthen pots. It was then necessary to separate the glycerine from

e fat by saponifying it. Now, to obtain this result, it had to be treatedther with soda or lime. In fact, one or other of these substances, after

ving attacked the fat, would form a soap by separating the glycerine, and

was just this glycerine which the engineer wished to obtain. There was

want of lime, only treatment by lime would give calcareous soap,

soluble, and consequently useless, while treatment by soda would furnish,

the contrary, a soluble soap, which could be put to domestic use. Now, a

actical man, like Cyrus Harding, would rather try to obtain soda. Was

is difficult? No; for marine plants abounded on the shore, glass-wort,

coides, and all those fucaceae which form wrack. A large quantity of

ese plants was collected, first dried, then burnt in holes in the open

r. The combustion of these plants was kept up for several days, and the

sult was a compact gray mass, which has been long known under the name of

atural soda."

is obtained, the engineer treated the fat with soda, which gave both a

luble soap and that neutral substance, glycerine.

t this was not all. Cyrus Harding still needed, in view of his future

eparation, another substance, nitrate of potash, which is better known

der the name of salt niter, or of saltpeter.

rus Harding could have manufactured this substance by treating the

rbonate of potash, which would be easily extracted from the cinders of

e vegetables, by azotic acid. But this acid was wanting, and he would

ve been in some difficulty, if nature had not happily furnished the

ltpeter, without giving them any other trouble than that of picking it. Herbert found a vein of it at the foot of Mount Franklin, and they had

thing to do but purify this salt.

ese different works lasted a week. They were finished before the

ansformation of the sulphuret into sulphate of iron had been

complished. During the following days the settlers had time to construct

furnace of bricks of a particular arrangement, to serve for the

stillation of the sulphate or iron when it had been obtained. All this

s finished about the 18th of May, nearly at the time when the chemical

ansformation terminated. Gideon Spilett, Herbert, Neb, and Pencroft,

illfully directed by the engineer, had become most clever workmen. Before

l masters, necessity is the one most listened to, and who teaches the

st.

en the heap of pyrites had been entirely reduced by fire, the result of

e operation, consisting of sulphate of iron, sulphate of alumina, flint,

mains of coal, and cinders was placed in a basinful of water. They

irred this mixture, let it settle, then decanted it, and obtained a clear

quid containing in solution sulphate of iron and sulphate of alumina, the

her matters remaining solid, since they are insoluble. Lastly, this

quid being partly evaporated, crystals of sulphate of iron were

posited, and the not evaporated liquid, which contained the sulphate of

umina, was thrown away.

rus Harding had now at his disposal a large quantity of these sulphate





iron crystals, from which the sulphuric acid had to be extracted. The

king of sulphuric acid is a very expensive manufacture. Considerable

rks are necessary--a special set of tools, an apparatus of platina,

aden chambers, unassailable by the acid, and in which the transformation

performed, etc. The engineer had none of these at his disposal, but he

ew that, in Bohemia especially, sulphuric acid is manufactured by very

mple means, which have also the advantage of producing it to a superior

gree of concentration. It is thus that the acid known under the name of

rdhausen acid is made.

obtain sulphuric acid, Cyrus Harding had only one operation to make,calcine the sulphate of iron crystals in a closed vase, so that the

lphuric acid should distil in vapor, which vapor, by condensation, would

oduce the acid.

e crystals were placed in pots, and the heat from the furnace would

stil the sulphuric acid. The operation was successfully completed, and on

e 20th of May, twelve days after commencing it, the engineer was the

ssessor of the agent which later he hoped to use in so many different

ys.

w, why did he wish for this agent? Simply to produce azotic acid; and

at was easy, since saltpeter, attacked by sulphuric acid, gives azotic,

nitric, acid by distillation.

t, after all, how was he going to employ this azotic acid? His

mpanions were still ignorant of this, for he had not informed them of the

sult at which he aimed.

wever, the engineer had nearly accomplished his purpose, and by a last

eration he would procure the substance which had given so much trouble.

king some azotic acid, he mixed it with glycerine, which had been

eviously concentrated by evaporation, subjected to the water-bath, and he

tained, without even employing a refrigerant mixture, several pints of an

ly yellow mixture.

is last operation Cyrus Harding had made alone, in a retired place, at

distance from the Chimneys, for he feared the danger of an explosion, and

en he showed a bottle of this liquid to his friends, he contented himself

th saying,--

ere is nitro-glycerine!"

was really this terrible production, of which the explosive power is

rhaps tenfold that of ordinary powder, and which has already caused so

ny accidents. However, since a way has been found to transform it into

namite, that is to say, to mix with it some solid substance, clay or

gar, porous enough to hold it, the dangerous liquid has been used with

me security. But dynamite was not yet known at the time when the settlers

rked on Lincoln Island.

nd is it that liquid that is going to blow up our rocks?" said Pencroft

credulously.

es, my friend," replied the engineer, "and this nitro-glycerine will

oduce so much the more effect, as the granite is extremely hard, and will

pose a greater resistance to the explosion."

nd when shall we see this, captain?"

o-morrow, as soon as we have dug a hole for the mine, replied the

gineer."





e next day, the 21st of May, at daybreak, the miners went to the point

ich formed the eastern shore of Lake Grant, and was only five hundred

et from the coast. At this place, the plateau inclined downwards from the

ters, which were only restrained by their granite case. Therefore, if

is case was broken, the water would escape by the opening and form a

ream, which, flowing over the inclined surface of the plateau, would rush

to the beach. Consequently, the level of the lake would be greatly

wered, and the opening where the water escaped would be exposed, which

s their final aim.

der the engineer's directions, Pencroft, armed with a pickaxe, which he

ndled skillfully and vigorously, attacked the granite. The hole was made

the point of the shore, slanting, so that it should meet a much lower

vel than that of the water of the lake. In this way the explosive force,

scattering the rock, would open a large place for the water to rush out.

e work took some time, for the engineer, wishing to produce a great

fect, intended to devote not less than seven quarts of nitro-glycerine to

e operation. But Pencroft, relieved by Neb, did so well, that towards

ur o'clock in the evening, the mine was finished.

w the question of setting fire to the explosive substance was raised.

nerally, nitro-glycerine is ignited by caps of fulminate, which in

rsting cause the explosion. A shock is therefore needed to produce the

plosion, for, simply lighted, this substance would burn without

ploding.

rus Harding could certainly have fabricated a percussion cap. In

fault of fulminate, he could easily obtain a substance similar to

ncotton, since he had azotic acid at his disposal. This substance,

essed in a cartridge, and introduced among the nitro-glycerine, would

rst by means of a fuse, and cause the explosion.

t Cyrus Harding knew that nitro-glycerine would explode by a shock. He

solved to employ this means, and try another way, if this did not

cceed.

fact, the blow of a hammer on a few drops of nitro-glycerine, spread

t on a hard surface, was enough to create an explosion. But the operator

uld not be there to give the blow, without becoming a victim to the

eration. Harding, therefore, thought of suspending a mass of iron,

ighing several pounds, by means of a fiber, to an upright just above the

ne. Another long fiber, previously impregnated with sulphur, was attached

the middle of the first, by one end, while the other lay on the ground

veral feet distant from the mine. The second fiber being set on fire, it

uld burn till it reached the first. This catching fire in its turn, would

eak, and the mass of iron would fall on the nitro-glycerine. This

paratus being then arranged, the engineer, after having sent his

mpanions to a distance, filled the hole, so that the nitro-glycerine was

a level with the opening; then he threw a few drops of it on the surface

the rock, above which the mass of iron was already suspended.

is done, Harding lit the end of the sulphured fiber, and leaving the

ace, he returned with his companions to the Chimneys.

e fiber was intended to burn five and twenty minutes, and, in fact,

ve and twenty minutes afterwards a most tremendous explosion was heard.

e island appeared to tremble to its very foundation. Stones were

ojected in the air as if by the eruption of a volcano. The shock produced

the displacing of the air was such, that the rocks of the Chimneys

ook. The settlers, although they were more than two miles from the mine,





re thrown on the ground.

ey rose, climbed the plateau, and ran towards the place where the bank

the lake must have been shattered by the explosion.

cheer escaped them! A large rent was seen in the granite! A rapid

ream of water rushed foaming across the plateau and dashed down a height

three hundred feet on to the beach!

apter 18

rus Harding's project had succeeded, but, according to his usual habit he

owed no satisfaction; with closed lips and a fixed look, he remained

tionless. Herbert was in ecstasies, Neb bounded with joy, Pencroft nodded

s great head, murmuring these words,--

ome, our engineer gets on capitally!"

e nitro-glycerine had indeed acted powerfully. The opening which it had

de was so large that the volume of water which escaped through this new

tlet was at least treble that which before passed through the old one.

e result was, that a short time after the operation the level of the lake

uld be lowered two feet, or more.

e settlers went to the Chimneys to take some pickaxes, iron-tipped

ears, string made of fibers, flint and steel; they then returned to the

ateau, Top accompanying them.

the way the sailor could not help saying to the engineer,--

on't you think, captain, that by means of that charming liquid you have

de, one could blow up the whole of our island?"

ithout any doubt, the island, continents, and the world itself,"

plied the engineer. "It is only a question of quantity."

hen could you not use this nitro-glycerine for loading firearms?" asked

e sailor.

o, Pencroft; for it is too explosive a substance. But it would be easy

make some guncotton, or even ordinary powder, as we have azotic acid,

ltpeter, sulphur, and coal. Unhappily, it is the guns which we have not

t.

h, captain," replied the sailor, "with a little determination--"

ncroft had erased the word "impossible" from the dictionary of Lincoln

land.

e settlers, having arrived at Prospect Heights, went immediatelywards that point of the lake near which was the old opening now

covered. This outlet had now become practicable, since the water no

nger rushed through it, and it would doubtless be easy to explore the

terior.

a few minutes the settlers had reached the lower point of the lake,

d a glance showed them that the object had been attained.

fact, in the side of the lake, and now above the surface of the water,

peared the long-looked-for opening. A narrow ridge, left bare by the

treat of the water, allowed them to approach it. This orifice was nearly

enty feet in width, but scarcely two in height. It was like the mouth of





drain at the edge of the pavement, and therefore did not offer an easy

ssage to the settlers; but Neb and Pencroft, taking their pickaxes, soon

de it of a suitable height.

e engineer then approached, and found that the sides of the opening, in

s upper part at least, had not a slope of more than from thirty to

irty-five degrees. It was therefore practicable, and, provided that the

clivity did not increase, it would be easy to descend even to the level

the sea. If then, as was probable, some vast cavity existed in the

terior of the granite, it might, perhaps, be of great use.

ell, captain, what are we stopping for?" asked the sailor, impatient to

ter the narrow passage. You see Top has got before us!"

ery well," replied the engineer. "But we must see our way. Neb, go and

t some resinous branches."

b and Herbert ran to the edge of the lake, shaded with pines and other

een trees, and soon returned with some branches, which they made into

rches. The torches were lighted with flint and steel, and Cyrus Harding

ading, the settlers ventured into the dark passage, which the overplus of

e lake had formerly filled.

ntrary to what might have been supposed, the diameter of the passage

creased as the explorers proceeded, so that they very soon were able to

and upright. The granite, worn by the water for an infinite time, was

ry slippery, and falls were to be dreaded. But the settlers were all

tached to each other by a cord, as is frequently done in ascending

untains. Happily some projections of the granite, forming regular steps,

de the descent less perilous. Drops, still hanging from the rocks, shone

re and there under the light of the torches, and the explorers guessed

at the sides were clothed with innumerable stalactites. The engineer

amined this black granite. There was not a stratum, not a break in it.

e mass was compact, and of an extremely close grain. The passage dated,

en, from the very origin of the island. It was not the water which little

little had hollowed it. Pluto and not Neptune had bored it with his own

nd, and on the wall traces of an eruptive work could be distinguished,

ich all the washing of the water had not been able totally to efface.

e settlers descended very slowly. They could not but feel a certain

e, in this venturing into these unknown depths, for the first time

sited by human beings. They did not speak, but they thought; and the

ought came to more than one, that some polypus or other gigantic

phalopod might inhabit the interior cavities, which were in communication

th the sea. However, Top kept at the head of the little band, and they

uld rely on the sagacity of the dog, who would not fail to give the alarm

there was any need for it.

ter having descended about a hundred feet, following a winding road,

rding who was walking on before, stopped, and his companions came up with

m. The place where they had halted was wider, so as to form a cavern of

derate dimensions. Drops of water fell from the vault, but that did not

ove that they oozed through the rock. They were simply the last traces

ft by the torrent which had so long thundered through this cavity, and

e air there was pure though slightly damp, but producing no mephitic

halation.

ell, my dear Cyrus," said Gideon Spilett, "here is a very secure

treat, well hid in the depths of the rock, but it is, however,

inhabitable."

hy uninhabitable?" asked the sailor.





ecause it is too small and too dark."

ouldn't we enlarge it, hollow it out, make openings to let in light and

r?" replied Pencroft, who now thought nothing impossible.

et us go on with our exploration," said Cyrus Harding. "Perhaps lower

wn, nature will have spared us this labor."

e have only gone a third of the way," observed Herbert.

early a third," replied Harding, "for we have descended a hundred feetom the opening, and it is not impossible that a hundred feet farther

wn--"

here is Top?" asked Neb, interrupting his master.

ey searched the cavern, but the dog was not there.

ost likely he has gone on," said Pencroft.

et us join him," replied Harding.

e descent was continued. The engineer carefully observed all the

viations of the passage, and notwithstanding so many detours, he could

sily have given an account of its general direction, which went towards

e sea.

e settlers had gone some fifty feet farther, when their attention was

tracted by distant sounds which came up from the depths. They stopped and

stened. These sounds, carried through the passage as through an acoustic

be, came clearly to the ear.

hat is Top barking!" cried Herbert.

es," replied Pencroft, "and our brave dog is barking furiously!"

e have our iron-tipped spears," said Cyrus Harding. "Keep on your

ard, and forward!"

t is becoming more and more interesting," murmured Gideon Spilett in

e sailor's ear, who nodded. Harding and his companions rushed to the help

their dog. Top's barking became more and more perceptible, and it seemed

rangely fierce. Was he engaged in a struggle with some animal whose

treat he had disturbed? Without thinking of the danger to which they

ght be exposed, the explorers were now impelled by an irresistible

riosity, and in a few minutes, sixteen feet lower they rejoined Top.

ere the passage ended in a vast and magnificent cavern.

p was running backwards and forwards, barking furiously. Pencroft and

b, waving their torches, threw the light into every crevice; and at theme time, Harding, Gideon Spilett, and Herbert, their spears raised, were

ady for any emergency which might arise. The enormous cavern was empty.

e settlers explored it in every direction. There was nothing there, not

animal, not a human being; and yet Top continued to bark. Neither

resses nor threats could make him be silent.

here must be a place somewhere, by which the waters of the lake reached

e sea," said the engineer.

f course," replied Pencroft, "and we must take care not to tumble into

hole."





o, Top, go!" cried Harding.

e dog, excited by his master's words, ran towards the extremity of the

vern, and there redoubled his barking.

ey followed him, and by the light of the torches, perceived the mouth

a regular well in the granite. It was by this that the water escaped;

d this time it was not an oblique and practicable passage, but a

rpendicular well, into which it was impossible to venture.

e torches were held over the opening: nothing could be seen. Harding

ok a lighted branch, and threw it into the abyss. The blazing resin,

ose illuminating power increased still more by the rapidity of its fall,

ghted up the interior of the well, but yet nothing appeared. The flame

en went out with a slight hiss, which showed that it had reached the

ter, that is to say, the level of the sea.

e engineer, calculating the time employed in its fall, was able to

lculate the depth of the well, which was found to be about ninety feet.

e floor of the cavern must thus be situated ninety feet above the level

the sea.

ere is our dwelling," said Cyrus Harding.

ut it was occupied by some creature," replied Gideon Spilett, whose

riosity was not yet satisfied.

ell, the creature, amphibious or otherwise, has made off through this

ening," replied the engineer, "and has left the place for us."

ever mind," added the sailor, "I should like very much to be Top just

r a quarter of an hour, for he doesn't bark for nothing!"

rus Harding looked at his dog, and those of his companions who were

ar him might have heard him murmur these words,--

es, I believe that Top knows more than we do about a great many

ings."

wever, the wishes of the settlers were for the most part satisfied.

ance, aided by the marvelous sagacity of their leader, had done them

eat service. They had now at their disposal a vast cavern, the size of

ich could not be properly calculated by the feeble light of their

rches, but it would certainly be easy to divide it into rooms, by means

brick partitions, or to use it, if not as a house, at least as a

acious apartment. The water which had left it could not return. The place

s free.

o difficulties remained; firstly, the possibility of lighting this

cavation in the midst of solid rock; secondly, the necessity of rendering

e means of access more easy. It was useless to think of lighting it from

ove, because of the enormous thickness of the granite which composed the

iling; but perhaps the outer wall next the sea might be pierced. Cyrus

rding, during the descent, had roughly calculated its obliqueness, and

nsequently the length of the passage, and was therefore led to believe

at the outer wall could not be very thick. If light was thus obtained, so

uld a means of access, for it would be as easy to pierce a door as

ndows, and to establish an exterior ladder.

rding made known his ideas to his companions.

hen, captain, let us set to work!" replied Pencroft. "I have my





ckaxe, and I shall soon make my way through this wall. Where shall I

rike?"

ere," replied the engineer, showing the sturdy sailor a considerable

cess in the side, which would much diminish the thickness.

ncroft attacked the granite, and for half an hour, by the light of the

rches, he made the splinters fly around him. Neb relieved him, then

ilett took Neb's place.

is work had lasted two hours, and they began to fear that at this spot

e wall would not yield to the pickaxe, when at a last blow given by

deon Spilett, the instrument, passing through the rock, fell outside.

urrah! hurrah!" cried Pencroft.

e wall only measured there three feet in thickness.

rding applied his eye to the aperture, which overlooked the ground from

height of eighty feet. Before him was extended the sea-coast, the islet,

d beyond the open sea.

oods of light entered by this hole, inundating the splendid cavern and

oducing a magic effect! On its left side it did not measure more than

irty feet in height and breadth, but on the right it was enormous, ands vaulted roof rose to a height of more than eighty feet.

some places granite pillars, irregularly disposed, supported the

ulted roof, as those in the nave of a cathedral, here forming lateral

ers, there elliptical arches, adorned with pointed moldings, losing

emselves in dark bays, amid the fantastic arches of which glimpses could

caught in the shade, covered with a profusion of projections formed like

many pendants. This cavern was a picturesque mixture of all the styles

Byzantine, Roman, or Gothic architecture ever produced by the hand of

n. And yet this was only the work of nature. She alone had hollowed this

iry Aihambra in a mass of granite.

e settlers were overwhelmed with admiration. Where they had onlypected to find a narrow cavity, they had found a sort of marvelous

lace, and Neb had taken off his hat, as if he had been transported into a

mple!

ies of admiration issued from every mouth. Hurrahs resounded, and the

ho was repeated again and again till it died away in the dark naves.

h, my friends!" exclaimed Cyrus Harding, "when we have lighted the

terior of this place, and have arranged our rooms and storehouses in the

ft part, we shall still have this splendid cavern, which we will make our

udy and our museum!"

nd we will call it?--" asked Herbert.

ranite House," replied Harding; a name which his companions again

luted with a cheer.

e torches were now almost consumed, and as they were obliged to return

the passage to reach the summit of the plateau, it was decided to put

f the work necessary for the arrangement of their new dwelling till the

xt day.

fore departing, Cyrus Harding leaned once more over the dark well,

ich descended perpendicularly to the level of the sea. He listened

tentively. No noise was heard, not even that of the water, which the





dulations of the surge must sometimes agitate in its depths. A flaming

anch was again thrown in. The sides of the well were lighted up for an

stant, but as at the first time, nothing suspicious was seen.

some marine monster had been surprised unawares by the retreat of the

ter, he would by this time have regained the sea by the subterranean

ssage, before the new opening had been offered to him.

anwhile, the engineer was standing motionless, his eyes fixed on the

lf, without uttering a word.

e sailor approached him, and touching his arm, "Captain!" said he.

hat do you want, my friend?" asked the engineer, as if he had returned

om the land of dreams.

he torches will soon go out."

orward!" replied Cyrus Harding.

e little band left the cavern and began to ascend through the dark

ssage. Top closed the rear, still growling every now and then. The ascent

s painful enough. The settlers rested a few minutes in the upper grotto,

ich made a sort of landing-place halfway up the long granite staircase.

en they began to climb again.

on fresher air was felt. The drops of water, dried by evaporation, no

nger sparkled on the walls. The flaring torches began to grow dim. The

e which Neb carried went out, and if they did not wish to find their way

the dark, they must hasten.

is was done, and a little before four o'clock, at the moment when the

ilor's torch went out in its turn, Cyrus Harding and his companions

ssed out of the passage.

apter 19

e next day, the 22nd of May, the arrangement of their new dwelling was

mmenced. In fact, the settlers longed to exchange the insufficient

elter of the Chimneys for this large and healthy retreat, in the midst of

lid rock, and sheltered from the water both of the sea and sky. Their

rmer dwelling was not, however, to be entirely abandoned, for the

gineer intended to make a manufactory of it for important works. Cyrus

rding's first care was to find out the position of the front of Granite

use from the outside. He went to the beach, and as the pickaxe when it

caped from the hands of the reporter must have fallen perpendicularly to

e foot of the cliff, the finding it would be sufficient to show the place

ere the hole had been pierced in the granite.

e pickaxe was easily found, and the hole could be seen in a

rpendicular line above the spot where it was stuck in the sand. Some rock

geons were already flying in and out of the narrow opening; they

idently thought that Granite House had been discovered on purpose for

em. It was the engineer's intention to divide the right portion of the

vern into several rooms, preceded by an entrance passage, and to light it

means of five windows and a door, pierced in the front. Pencroft was

ch pleased with the five windows, but he could not understand the use of

e door, since the passage offered a natural staircase, through which it

uld always be easy to enter Granite House.

y friend," replied Harding, "if it is easy for us to reach our dwelling





ke the garret of the new dwelling.

is plan settled, it had only to be put into execution. The miners

came brickmakers again, then the bricks were brought to the foot of

anite House. Till then, Harding and his companions had only entered the

vern by the long passage. This mode of communication obliged them first

climb Prospect Heights, making a detour by the river's bank, and then to

scend two hundred feet through the passage, having to climb as far when

ey wished to return to the plateau. This was a great loss of time, and

s also very fatiguing. Cyrus Harding, therefore, resolved to proceed

thout any further delay to the fabrication of a strong rope ladder,ich, once raised, would render Granite House completely inaccessible.

is ladder was manufactured with extreme care, and its uprights, formed

the twisted fibers of a species of cane, had the strength of a thick

ble. As to the rounds, they were made of a sort of red cedar, with light,

rong branches; and this apparatus was wrought by the masterly hand of

ncroft.

her ropes were made with vegetable fibers, and a sort of crane with a

ckle was fixed at the door. In this way bricks could easily be raised

to Granite House. The transport of the materials being thus simplified,

e arrangement of the interior could begin immediately. There was no want

lime, and some thousands of bricks were there ready to be used. Theamework of the partitions was soon raised, very roughly at first, and in

short time, the cave was divided into rooms and storehouses, according to

e plan agreed upon.

ese different works progressed rapidly under the direction of the

gineer, who himself handled the hammer and the trowel. No labor came

iss to Cyrus Harding, who thus set an example to his intelligent and

alous companions. They worked with confidence, even gaily, Pencroft

ways having some joke to crack, sometimes carpenter, sometimes rope-

ker, sometimes mason, while he communicated his good humor to all the

mbers of their little world. His faith in the engineer was complete;

thing could disturb it. He believed him capable of undertaking anything

d succeeding in everything. The question of boots and clothes--assuredlyserious question,--that of light during the winter months, utilizing the

rtile parts of the island, transforming the wild flora into cultivated

ora, it all appeared easy to him; Cyrus Harding helping, everything would

done in time. He dreamed of canals facilitating the transport of the

ches of the ground; workings of quarries and mines; machines for every

dustrial manufacture; railroads; yes, railroads! of which a network would

rtainly one day cover Lincoln Island.

e engineer let Pencroft talk. He did not put down the aspirations of

is brave heart. He knew how communicable confidence is; he even smiled to

ar him speak, and said nothing of the uneasiness for the future which he

lt. In fact, in that part of the Pacific, out of the course of vessels,

was to be feared that no help would ever come to them. It was onemselves, on themselves alone, that the settlers must depend, for the

stance of Lincoln Island from all other land was such, that to hazard

emselves in a boat, of a necessarily inferior construction, would be a

rious and perilous thing.

ut," as the sailor said, "they quite took the wind out of the sails of

e Robinsons, for whom everything was done by a miracle."

fact, they were energetic; an energetic man will succeed where an

dolent one would vegetate and inevitably perish.

rbert distinguished himself in these works. He was intelligent and





rmer level by means of a dam. He contented himself with hiding the

struction with grass and shrubs, which were planted in the interstices of

e rocks, and which next spring would sprout thickly. However, he used the

terfall so as to lead a small stream of fresh water to the new dwelling.

little trench, made below their level, produced this result; and this

rivation from a pure and inexhaustible source yielded twenty-five or

irty gallons a day. There would never be any want of water at Granite

use. At last all was finished, and it was time, for the bad season was

ar. Thick shutters closed the windows of the facade, until the engineer

d time to make glass.

deon Spilett had very artistically arranged on the rocky projections

ound the windows plants of different kinds, as well as long streaming

ass, so that the openings were picturesquely framed in green, which had a

easing effect.

e inhabitants of this solid, healthy, and secure dwelling, could not

t be charmed with their work. The view from the windows extended over a

undless horizon, which was closed by the two Mandible Capes on the north,

d Claw Cape on the south. All Union Bay was spread before them. Yes, our

ave settlers had reason to be satisfied, and Pencroft was lavish in his

aise of what he humorously called, "his apartments on the fifth floor

ove the ground!"

apter 20

e winter season set in with the month of June, which corresponds with the

nth of December in the Northern Hemisphere. It began with showers and

ualls, which succeeded each other without intermission. The tenants of

anite House could appreciate the advantages of a dwelling which sheltered

em from the inclement weather. The Chimneys would have been quite

sufficient to protect them against the rigor of winter, and it was to be

ared that the high tides would make another irruption. Cyrus Harding had

ken precautions against this contingency, so as to preserve as much as

ssible the forge and furnace which were established there.

ring the whole of the month of June the time was employed in different

cupations, which excluded neither hunting nor fishing, the larder being,

erefore, abundantly supplied. Pencroft, so soon as he had leisure,

oposed to set some traps, from which he expected great results. He soon

de some snares with creepers, by the aid of which the warren henceforth

ery day furnished its quota of rodents. Neb employed nearly all his time

salting or smoking meat, which insured their always having plenty of

ovisions. The question of clothes was now seriously discussed, the

ttlers having no other garments than those they wore when the balloon

rew them on the island. These clothes were warm and good; they had taken

eat care of them as well as of their linen, and they were perfectly

ole, but they would soon need to be replaced. Moreover, if the winter was

vere, the settlers would suffer greatly from cold.

this subject the ingenuity of Harding was at fault. They must provide

r their most pressing wants, settle their dwelling, and lay in a store of

od; thus the cold might come upon them before the question of clothes had

en settled. They must therefore make up their minds to pass this first

nter without additional clothing. When the fine season came round again,

ey would regularly hunt those musmons which had been seen on the

pedition to Mount Franklin, and the wool once collected, the engineer

uld know how to make it into strong warm stuff.... How? He would

nsider.





e settlers in Lincoln Island had still one privation. There was no want

meat, nor of vegetable products; those ligneous roots which they had

und, when subjected to fermentation, gave them an acid drink, which was

eferable to cold water; they also made sugar, without canes or beet-

ots, by collecting the liquor which distils from the "acer saceharinum,"

son of maple-tree, which flourishes in all the temperate zones, and of

ich the island possessed a great number; they made a very agreeable tea

employing the herbs brought from the warren; lastly, they had an

undance of salt, the only mineral which is used in food . . . but bread

s wanting.

rhaps in time the settlers could replace this want by some equivalent,

was possible that they might find the sago or the breadfruit tree among

e forests of the south, but they had not as yet met with these precious

ees. However, Providence came directly to their aid, in an infinitesimal

oportion it is true, but Cyrus Harding, with all his intelligence, all

s ingenuity, would never have been able to produce that which, by the

eatest chance, Herbert one day found in the lining of his waistcoat,

ich he was occupied in setting to rights.

this day, as it was raining in torrents, the settlers were assembled

the great hall in Granite House, when the lad cried out all at once,--

ook here, captain--A grain of corn!"

d he showed his companions a grain--a single grain--which from a hole

his pocket had got into the lining of his waistcoat.

e presence of this grain was explained by the fact that Herbert, when

Richmond, used to feed some pigeons, of which Pencroft had made him a

esent.

grain of corn?" said the engineer quickly.

es, captain; but one, only one!"

ell, my boy," said Pencroft, laughing, "we're getting on capitally,on my word! What shall we make with one grain of corn?"

e will make bread of it," replied Cyrus Harding.

read, cakes, tarts!" replied the sailor. "Come, the bread that this

ain of corn will make won't choke us very soon!"

rbert, not attaching much importance to his discovery, was going to

row away the grain in question; but Harding took it, examined it, found

at it was in good condition, and looking the sailor full in the face--

encroft," he asked quietly, "do you know how many ears one grain of corn

n produce?"

ne, I suppose!" replied the sailor, surprised at the question.

en, Pencroft! And do you know how many grains one ear bears?"

o, upon my word."

bout eighty!" said Cyrus Harding. "Then, if we plant this grain, at the

rst crop we shall reap eight hundred grains which at the second will

oduce six hundred and forty thousand; at the third, five hundred and

elve millions; at the fourth, more than four hundred thousands of

llions! There is the proportion."





eakfast. A fire of brushwood and dried seaweed was lighted, and Neb

epared the breakfast of cold meat, to which he added some cups of Oswego

a.

ile eating they looked around them. This part of Lincoln Island was

ry sterile, and contrasted with all the western part. The reporter was

us led to observe that if chance had thrown them at first on the shore,

ey would have had but a deplorable idea of their future domain.

believe that we should not have been able to reach it," replied the

gineer, "for the sea is deep, and there is not a rock on which we could

ve taken refuge. Before Granite House, at least, there were sandbanks, an

let, which multiplied our chances of safety. Here, nothing but the

pths!"

t is singular enough," remarked Spilett, "that this comparatively small

land should present such varied ground. This diversity of aspect,

gically only belongs to continents of a certain extent. One would really

y, that the western part of Lincoln Island, so rich and so fertile, is

shed by the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and that its shores to the

rth and the southeast extend over a sort of Arctic sea."

ou are right, my dear Spilett," replied Cyrus Harding, "I have also

served this. I think the form and also the nature of this island strange.

is a summary of all the aspects which a continent presents, and I should

t be surprised if it was a continent formerly."

hat! a continent in the middle of the Pacific?" cried Pencroft.

hy not?" replied Cyrus Harding. "Why should not Australia, New Ireland,

stralasia, united to the archipelagoes of the Pacific, have once formed a

xth part of the world, as important as Europe or Asia, as Africa or the

o Americas? To my mind, it is quite possible that all these islands,

erging from this vast ocean, are but the summits of a continent, now

bmerged, but which was above the waters at a prehistoric period."

s the Atlantis was formerly," replied Herbert.

es, my boy... if, however, it existed."

nd would Lincoln Island have been a part of that continent?" asked

ncroft.

t is probable," replied Cyrus Harding, "and that would sufficiently,

plain the variety of productions which are seen on its surface."

nd the great number of animals which still inhabit it," added Herbert.

es, my boy," replied the engineer, "and you furnish me with an argument

support my theory. It is certain, after what we have seen, that animals

e numerous in this island, and what is more strange, that the species aretremely varied. There is a reason for that, and to me it is that Lincoln

land may have formerly been a part of some vast continent which had

adually sunk below the Pacific."

hen, some fine day," said Pencroft, who did not appear to be entirely

nvinced, "the rest of this ancient continent may disappear in its turn,

d there will be nothing between America and Asia."

es," replied Harding, "there will be new continents which millions and

llions of animalculae are building at this moment."

nd what are these masons?" asked Pencroft.





oral insects," replied Cyrus Harding. "By constant work they made the

land of Clermont-Tonnerre, and numerous other coral islands in the

cific Ocean. Forty-seven millions of these insects are needed to weigh a

ain, and yet, with the sea-salt they absorb, the solid elements of water

ich they assimilate, these animalculae produce limestone, and this

mestone forms enormous submarine erections, of which the hardness and

lidity equal granite. Formerly, at the first periods of creation, nature

ploying fire, heaved up the land, but now she entrusts to these

croscopic creatures the task of replacing this agent, of which the

namic power in the interior of the globe has evidently diminished--whichproved by the number of volcanoes on the surface of the earth, now

tually extinct. And I believe that centuries succeeding to centuries, and

sects to insects, this Pacific may one day be changed into a vast

ntinent, which new generations will inhabit and civilize in their turn."

hat will take a long time," said Pencroft.

ature has time for it," replied the engineer.

ut what would be the use of new continents?" asked Herbert. "It appears

me that the present extent of habitable countries is sufficient for

manity. Yet nature does nothing uselessly."

othing uselessly, certainly," replied the engineer, "but this is how

e necessity of new continents for the future, and exactly on the tropical

ne occupied by the coral islands, may be explained. At least to me this

planation appears plausible."

e are listening, captain," said Herbert.

his is my idea: philosophers generally admit that some day our globe

ll end, or rather that animal and vegetable life will no longer be

ssible, because of the intense cold to which it will be subjected. What

ey are not agreed upon, is the cause of this cold. Some think that it

ll arise from the falling of the temperature, which the sun will

perience alter millions of years; others, from the gradual extinction of

e fires in the interior of our globe, which have a greater influence on

than is generally supposed. I hold to this last hypothesis, grounding it

the fact that the moon is really a cold star, which is no longer

bitable, although the sun continues to throw on its surface the same

ount of heat. If, then, the moon has become cold, it is because the

terior fires to which, as do all the stars of the stellar world, it owes

s origin, are completely extinct. Lastly, whatever may be the cause, our

obe will become cold some day, but this cold will only operate gradually.

at will happen, then? The temperate zones, at a more or less distant

riod, will not be more habitable than the polar regions now are. Then the

pulation of men, as well as the animals, will flow towards the latitudes

ich are more directly under the solar influence. An immense emigration

ll take place. Europe, Central Asia, North America, will gradually be

andoned, as well as Australasia and the lower parts of South America. The

getation will follow the human emigration. The flora will retreat towards

e Equator at the same time as the fauna. The central parts of South

erica and Africa will be the continents chiefly inhabited. The Laplanders

d the Samoides will find the climate of the polar regions on the shores

the Mediterranean. Who can say, that at this period, the equatorial

gions will not be too small, to contain and nourish terrestrial humanity?

w, may not provident nature, so as to give refuge to all the vegetable

d animal emigration, be at present laying the foundation of a new

ntinent under the Equator, and may she not have entrusted these insects

th the construction of it? I have often thought of all these things, my

iends, and I seriously believe that the aspect of our globe will some day





completely changed; that by the raising of new continents the sea will

ver the old, and that, in future ages, a Columbus will go to discover the

lands of Chimborazo, of the Himalayas, or of Mont Blanc, remains of a

bmerged America, Asia, and Europe. Then these new continents will become,

their turn, uninhabitable; heat will die away, as does the heat from a

dy when the soul has left it; and life will disappear from the globe, if

t for ever, at least for a period. Perhaps then, our spheroid will rest--

ll be left to death--to revive some day under superior conditions! But all

at, my friends, is the secret of the Author of all things; and beginning

the work of the insects, I have perhaps let myself be carried too far,

investigating the secrets of the future.

y dear Cyrus," replied Spilett, "these theories are prophecies to me,

d they will be accomplished some day."

hat is the secret of God," said the engineer.

ll that is well and good," then said Pencroft, who had listened with

l his might, "but will you tell me, captain, if Lincoln Island has been

de by your insects?"

o," replied Harding; "it is of a purely volcanic origin."

hen it will disappear some day?"

hat is probable.

hope we won't be here then."

o, don't be uneasy, Pencroft; we shall not be here then, as we have no

sh to die here, and hope to get away some time."

n the meantime," replied Gideon Spilett, "let us establish ourselves

re as if forever. There is no use in doing things by halves."

is ended the conversation. Breakfast was finished, the exploration was

ntinued, and the settlers arrived at the border of the marshy region. It

s a marsh of which the extent, to the rounded coast which terminated theland at the southeast, was about twenty square miles. The soil was formed

clayey flint-earth, mingled with vegetable matter, such as the remains

rushes, reeds, grass, etc. Here and there beds of grass, thick as a

rpet, covered it. In many places icy pools sparkled in the sun. Neither

in nor any river, increased by a sudden swelling, could supply these

nds. They therefore naturally concluded that the marsh was fed by the

filtrations of the soil and it was really so. It was also to be feared

at during the heat miasmas would arise, which might produce fevers.

ove the aquatic plants, on the surface of the stagnant water, fluttered

mbers of birds. Wild duck, teal, snipe lived there in flocks, and those

arless birds allowed themselves to be easily approached.

e shot from a gun would certainly have brought down some dozen of the

rds, they were so close together. The explorers were, however, obliged to

ntent themselves with bows and arrows. The result was less, but the

lent arrow had the advantage of not frightening the birds, while the

ise of firearms would have dispersed them to all parts of the marsh. The

nters were satisfied, for this time, with a dozen ducks, which had white

dies with a band of cinnamon, a green head, wings black, white, and red,

d flattened beak. Herbert called them tadorns. Top helped in the capture

these birds, whose name was given to this marshy part of the island. The

ttlers had here an abundant reserve of aquatic game. At some future time

ey meant to explore it more carefully, and it was probable that some of

e birds there might be domesticated, or at least brought to the shores of





e lake, so that they would be more within their reach.

out five o'clock in the evening Cyrus Harding and his companions

traced their steps to their dwelling by traversing Tadorn's Fens, and

ossed the Mercy on the ice-bridge.

eight in the evening they all entered Granite House.

apter 22

is intense cold lasted till the 15th of August, without, however, passing

e degree of Fahrenheit already mentioned. When the atmosphere was calm,

e low temperature was easily borne, but when the wind blew, the poor

ttlers, insufficiently clothed, felt it severely. Pencroft regretted that

ncoln Island was not the home of a few families of bears rather than of

many foxes and seals.

ears," said he, "are generally very well dressed, and I ask no more

an to borrow for the winter the warm cloaks which they have on their

cks."

ut," replied Neb, laughing, "perhaps the bears would not consent to

ve you their cloaks, Pencroft. These beasts are not St. Martins."

e would make them do it, Neb, we would make them," replied Pencroft, in

ite an authoritative tone.

t these formidable carnivora did not exist in the island, or at any

te they had not yet shown themselves.

the meanwhile, Herbert, Pencroft, and the reporter occupied themselves

th making traps on Prospect Heights and at the border of the forest.

cording to the sailor, any animal, whatever it was, would be a lawful

ize, and the rodents or carnivora which might get into the new snares

uld be well received at Granite House.

e traps were besides extremely simple; being pits dug in the ground, a

atform of branches and grass above, which concealed the opening, and at

e bottom some bait, the scent of which would attract animals. It must be

ntioned also, that they had not been dug at random, but at certain places

ere numerous footprints showed that quadrupeds frequented the ground.

ey were visited every day, and at three different times, during the first

ys, specimens of those Antarctic foxes which they had already seen on the

ght bank of the Mercy were found in them.

hy, there are nothing but foxes in this country!" cried Pencroft, when

r the third time he drew one of the animals out of the pit. Looking at it

great disgust, he added, "beasts which are good for nothing!"

es," said Gideon Spilett, "they are good for something!"

nd what is that?"

o make bait to attract other creatures!"

e reporter was right, and the traps were henceforward baited with the

xes carcasses.

e sailor had also made snares from the long tough fibers of a certain

ant, and they were even more successful than the traps. Rarely a day

ssed without some rabbits from the warren being caught. It was always





bbit, but Neb knew how to vary his sauces and the settlers did not think

complaining.

wever, once or twice in the second week of August, the traps supplied

e hunters with other animals more useful than foxes, namely, several of

ose small wild boars which had already been seen to the north of the

ke. Pencroft had no need to ask if these beasts were eatable. He could

e that by their resemblance to the pig of America and Europe.

ut these are not pigs," said Herbert to him, "I warn you of that,

ncroft."

y boy," replied the sailor, bending over the trap and drawing out one

these representatives of the family of sus by the little appendage which

rved it as a tail. "Let me believe that these are pigs."

hy?"

ecause that pleases me!"

re you very fond of pig then, Pencroft?"

am very fond of pig," replied the sailor, "particularly of its feet,

d if it had eight instead of four, I should like it twice as much!"

to the animals in question, they were peccaries belonging to one of

e four species which are included in the family, and they were also of

e species of Tajacu, recognizable by their deep color and the absence of

ose long teeth with which the mouths of their congeners are armed. These

ccaries generally live in herds, and it was probable that they abounded

the woody parts of the island.

any rate, they were eatable from head to foot, and Pencroft did not

k more from them.

wards the 15th of August, the state of the atmosphere was suddenly

derated by the wind shifting to the northwest. The temperature rose some

grees, and the accumulated vapor in the air was not long in resolvingto snow. All the island was covered with a sheet of white, and showed

self to its inhabitants under a new aspect. The snow fell abundantly for

veral days, and it soon reached a thickness of two feet.

e wind also blew with great violence, and at the height of Granite

use the sea could be heard thundering against the reefs. In some places,

e wind, eddying round the corners, formed the snow into tall whirling

lumns, resembling those waterspouts which turn round on their base, and

ich vessels attack with a shot from a gun. However, the storm, coming

om the northwest, blew across the island, and the position of Granite

use preserved it from a direct attack.

t in the midst of this snow-storm, as terrible as if it had beenoduced in some polar country, neither Cyrus Harding nor his companions

uld, notwithstanding their wish for it, venture forth, and they remained

ut up for five days, from the 20th to the 25th of August. They could hear

e tempest raging in Jacamar Wood, which would surely suffer from it. Many

the trees would no doubt be torn up by the roots, but Pencroft consoled

mself by thinking that he would not have the trouble of cutting them

wn.

he wind is turning woodman, let it alone," he repeated.

sides, there was no way of stopping it, if they had wished to do so.





w grateful the inhabitants of Granite House then were to Heaven for

ving prepared for them this solid and immovable retreat! Cyrus Harding

d also his legitimate share of thanks, but after all, it was Nature who

d hollowed out this vast cavern, and he had only discovered it. There all

re in safety, and the tempest could not reach them. If they had

nstructed a house of bricks and wood on Prospect Heights, it certainly

uld not have resisted the fury of this storm. As to the Chimneys, it must

ve been absolutely uninhabitable, for the sea, passing over the islet,

uld beat furiously against it. But here, in Granite House, in the middle

a solid mass, over which neither the sea nor air had any influence,

ere was nothing to fear.

ring these days of seclusion the settlers did not remain inactive.

ere was no want of wood, cut up into planks, in the storeroom, and

ttle by little they completed their furnishing; constructing the most

lid of tables and chairs, for material was not spared. Neb and Pencroft

re very proud of this rather heavy furniture, which they would not have

anged on any account.

en the carpenters became basket-makers, and they did not succeed badly

this new manufacture. At the point of the lake which projected to the

rth, they had discovered an osier-bed in which grew a large number of

rple osiers. Before the rainy season, Pencroft and Herbert had cut downese useful shrubs, and their branches, well prepared, could now be

fectively employed. The first attempts were somewhat crude, but in

nsequence of the cleverness and intelligence of the workmen, by

nsulting, and recalling the models which they had seen, and by emulating

ch other, the possessions of the colony were soon increased by several

skets of different sizes. The storeroom was provided with them, and in

ecial baskets Neb placed his collection of rhizomes, stone-pine almonds,

c.

ring the last week of the month of August the weather moderated again.

e temperature fell a little, and the tempest abated. The colonists

llied out directly. There was certainly two feet of snow on the shore,

t they were able to walk without much difficulty on the hardened surface.rus Harding and his companions climbed Prospect Heights.

at a change! The woods, which they had left green, especially in the

rt at which the firs predominated, had disappeared under a uniform color.

l was white, from the summit of Mount Franklin to the shore, the forests,

e plains, the lake, the river. The waters of the Mercy flowed under a

of of ice, which, at each rising and ebbing of the tide, broke up with

ud crashes. Numerous birds fluttered over the frozen surface of the lake.

cks and snipe, teal and guillemots were assembled in thousands. The rocks

ong which the cascade flowed were bristling with icicles. One might have

id that the water escaped by a monstrous gargoyle, shaped with all the

agination of an artist of the Renaissance. As to the damage caused by the

orm in the forest, that could not as yet be ascertained; they would havewait till the snowy covering was dissipated.

deon Spilett, Pencroft, and Herbert did not miss this opportunity of

ing to visit their traps. They did not find them easily, under the snow

th which they were covered. They had also to be careful not to fall into

e or other of them, which would have been both dangerous and humiliating;

be taken in their own snares! But happily they avoided this

pleasantness, and found their traps perfectly intact. No animal had

llen into them, and yet the footprints in the neighborhood were very

merous, among others, certain very clear marks of claws. Herbert did not

sitate to affirm that some animal of the feline species had passed there,

ich justified the engineer's opinion that dangerous beasts existed in





rpentine Peninsula, as well as on the whole of its western side. But this

eded settled weather, and a month must pass before this exploration could

profitably undertaken.

ey therefore waited with some impatience, when an incident occurred

ich increased the desire the settlers had to visit the whole of their

main.

was the 24th of October. On this day, Pencroft had gone to visit his

aps, which he always kept properly baited. In one of them he found three

imals which would be very welcome for the larder. They were a female

ccary and her two young ones.

ncroft then returned to Granite House, enchanted with his capture, and,

usual, he made a great show of his game.

ome, we shall have a grand feast, captain!" he exclaimed. "And you too,

. Spilett, you will eat some!"

shall be very happy," replied the reporter; "but what is it that I am

ing to eat?"

uckling-pig."

h, indeed, suckling-pig, Pencroft? To hear you, I thought that you wereinging back a young partridge stuffed with truffles!"

hat?" cried Pencroft. "Do you mean to say that you turn up your nose at

ckling-pig?'

o," replied Gideon Spilett, without showing any enthusiasm; "provided

e doesn't eat too much"

hat's right, that's right," returned the sailor, who was not pleased

enever he heard his chase made light of. "You like to make objections.

ven months ago, when we landed on the island, you would have been only

o glad to have met with such game!"

ell, well," replied the reporter, "man is never perfect, nor

ntented."

ow," said Pencroft, "I hope that Neb will distinguish himself. Look

re! These two little peccaries are not more than three months old! They

ll be as tender as quails! Come along, Neb, come! I will look after the

oking myself."

d the sailor, followed by Neb, entered the kitchen, where they were

on absorbed in their culinary labors.

ey were allowed to do it in their own way. Neb, therefore, prepared a

gnificent repast--the two little peccaries, kangaroo soup, a smoked ham,

one-pine almonds, Oswego tea; in fact, all the best that they had, but

ong all the dishes figured in the first rank the savory peccaries.

five o'clock dinner was served in the dining-room of Granite House.

e kangaroo soup was smoking on the table. They found it excellent.

the soup succeeded the peccaries, which Pencroft insisted on carving

mself, and of which he served out monstrous portions to each of the

ests.

ese suckling-pigs were really delicious, and Pencroft was devouring his

are with great gusto, when all at once a cry and an oath escaped him.





tonishing at all if they are here no longer!"

o you think that these people have already quitted the island?"

turned Herbert.

t is more than probable, my boy; for if their stay was prolonged, and

ove all, if they were still here, some accident would have at last

trayed their presence."

ut if they were able to go away," observed the lad, "they could not

ve been castaways."

o, Herbert; or, at least, they were what might be called provisional

staways. It is very possible that a storm may have driven them to the

land without destroying their vessel, and that, the storm over, they went

ay again."

must acknowledge one thing," said Herbert, "it is that Captain Harding

pears rather to fear than desire the presence of human beings on our

land."

n short," responded the reporter, "there are only Malays who frequent

ese seas, and those fellows are ruffians which it is best to avoid."

t is not impossible, Mr. Spilett," said Herbert, "that some day orher we may find traces of their landing."

do not say no, my boy. A deserted camp, the ashes of a fire, would put

on the track, and this is what we will look for in our next expedition."

e day on which the hunters spoke thus, they were in a part of the

rest near the Mercy, remarkable for its beautiful trees. There, among

hers, rose, to a height of nearly 200 feet above the ground, some of

ose superb coniferae, to which, in New Zealand, the natives give the name

Kauris.

have an idea, Mr. Spilett," said Herbert. "If I were to climb to the

p of one of these kauris, I could survey the country for an immensestance round."

he idea is good," replied the reporter; "but could you climb to the top

those giants?"

can at least try," replied Herbert.

e light and active boy then sprang on the first branches, the

rangement of which made the ascent of the kauri easy, and in a few

nutes he arrived at the summit, which emerged from the immense plain of

rdure.

om this elevated situation his gaze extended over all the southern

rtion of the island, from Claw Cape on the southeast, to Reptile End on

e southwest. To the northwest rose Mount Franklin, which concealed a

eat part of the horizon.

t Herbert, from the height of his observatory, could examine all the

t unknown portion of the island, which might have given shelter to the

rangers whose presence they suspected.

e lad looked attentively. There was nothing in sight on the sea, not a

il, neither on the horizon nor near the island. However, as the bank of

ees hid the shore, it was possible that a vessel, especially if deprived

her masts, might lie close to the land and thus be invisible to Herbert.





ifteen feet at the most," replied Herbert.

nd the tide was low at the time?"

es, captain."

ell," replied the engineer, "what the turtle could not do on the sand

might have been able to do in the water. It turned over when the tide

ertook it, and then quietly returned to the deep sea."

h! what stupids we were!" cried Neb.

hat is precisely what I had the honor of telling you before!" returned

e sailor.

rus Harding had given this explanation, which, no doubt, was

missible. But was he himself convinced of the accuracy of this

planation? It cannot be said that he was.

apter 2

the 9th of October the bark canoe was entirely finished. Pencroft had

pt his promise, and a light boat, the shell of which was joined together

the flexible twigs of the crejimba, had been constructed in five days. A

at in the stern, a second seat in the middle to preserve the equilibrium,

third seat in the bows, rowlocks for the two oars, a scull to steer with,

mpleted the little craft, which was twelve feet long, and did not weigh

re than two hundred pounds. The operation of launching it was extremely

mple. The canoe was carried to the beach and laid on the sand before

anite House, and the rising tide floated it. Pencroft, who leaped in

rectly, maneuvered it with the scull and declared it to be just the

ing for the purpose to which they wished to put it.

urrah!" cried the sailor, who did not disdain to celebrate thus his own

iumph. "With this we could go round--"

he world?" asked Gideon Spilett.

o, the island. Some stones for ballast, a mast and a sail, which the

ptain will make for us some day, and we shall go splendidly! Well,

ptain--and you, Mr. Spilett; and you, Herbert; and you, Neb--aren't you

ming to try our new vessel? Come along! we must see if it will carry all

ve of us!"

is was certainly a trial which ought to be made. Pencroft soon brought

e canoe to the shore by a narrow passage among the rocks, and it was

reed that they should make a trial of the boat that day by following the

ore as far as the first point at which the rocks of the south ended.

they embarked, Neb cried,--

ut your boat leaks rather, Pencroft."

hat's nothing, Neb," replied the sailor; "the wood will get seasoned.

two days there won't be a single leak, and our boat will have no more

ter in her than there is in the stomach of a drunkard. Jump in!"

ey were soon all seated, and Pencroft shoved off. The weather was

gnificent, the sea as calm as if its waters were contained within the

rrow limits of a lake. Thus the boat could proceed with as much security

if it was ascending the tranquil current of the Mercy.





s placed against the eighth verse of the seventh chapter of the Gospel of

. Matthew. He read the verse, which was this:--

or every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth."

apter 3

e next day, the 30th of October, all was ready for the proposed exploring

pedition, which recent events had rendered so necessary. In fact, things

d so come about that the settlers in Lincoln Island no longer needed helpr themselves, but were even able to carry it to others.

was therefore agreed that they should ascend the Mercy as far as the

ver was navigable. A great part of the distance would thus be traversed

thout fatigue, and the explorers could transport their provisions and

ms to an advanced point in the west of the island.

was necessary to think not only of the things which they should take

th them, but also of those which they might have by chance to bring back

Granite House. If there had been a wreck on the coast, as was supposed,

ere would be many things cast up, which would be lawfully their prizes.

the event of this, the cart would have been of more use than the light

noe, but it was heavy and clumsy to drag, and therefore more difficult toe; this led Pencroft to express his regret that the chest had not

ntained, besides "his halfpound of tobacco," a pair of strong New Jersey

rses, which would have been very useful to the colony!

e provisions, which Neb had already packed up, consisted of a store of

at and of several gallons of beer, that is to say enough to sustain them

r three days, the time which Harding assigned for the expedition. They

ped besides to supply themselves on the road, and Neb took care not to

rget the portable stove.

e only tools the settlers took were the two woodmen's axes, which they

uld use to cut a path through the thick forests, as also the instruments,

e telescope and pocket-compass.

r weapons they selected the two flint-lock guns, which were likely to

more useful to them than the percussion fowling-pieces, the first only

quiring flints which could be easily replaced, and the latter needing

lminating caps, a frequent use of which would soon exhaust their limited

ock. However, they took also one of the carbines and some cartridges. As

the powder, of which there was about fifty pounds in the barrel, a small

pply of it had to be taken, but the engineer hoped to manufacture an

plosive substance which would allow them to husband it. To the firearms

re added the five cutlasses well sheathed in leather, and, thus supplied,

e settlers could venture into the vast forest with some chance of

ccess.

is useless to add that Pencroft, Herbert, and Neb, thus armed, were at

e summit of their happiness, although Cyrus Harding made them promise not

fire a shot unless it was necessary.

six in the morning the canoe put off from the shore; all had embarked,

cluding Top, and they proceeded to the mouth of the Mercy.

e tide had begun to come up half an hour before. For several hours,

erefore, there would be a current, which it was well to profit by, for

ter the ebb would make it difficult to ascend the river. The tide was

ready strong, for in three days the moon would be full, and it was enough

keep the boat in the center of the current, where it floated swiftly





ne at present; wait for day, and then act according to circumstances. But

t us go to the Chimneys. There we shall be under shelter, and if we

nnot eat, we can at least sleep."

ut who is it that has played us this cool trick?" again asked Pencroft,

able to make up his mind to retire from the spot.

oever it was, the only thing practicable was to do as the engineer

oposed, to go to the Chimneys and there wait for day. In the meanwhile

p was ordered to mount guard below the windows of Granite House, and when

p received an order he obeyed it without any questioning. The brave dog

erefore remained at the foot of the cliff while his master with his

mpanions sought a refuge among the rocks.

say that the settlers, notwithstanding their fatigue, slept well on

e sandy floor of the Chimneys would not be true. It was not only that

ey were extremely anxious to find out the cause of what had happened,

ether it was the result of an accident which would be discovered at the

turn of day, or whether on the contrary it was the work of a human being;

t they also had very uncomfortable beds. That could not be helped,

wever, for in some way or other at that moment their dwelling was

cupied, and they could not possibly enter it.

w Granite House was more than their dwelling, it was their warehouse.

ere were all the stores belonging to the colony, weapons, instruments,

ols, ammunition, provisions, etc. To think that all that might be

llaged and that the settlers would have all their work to do over again,

esh weapons and tools to make, was a serious matter. Their uneasiness led

e or other of them also to go out every few minutes to see if Top was

eping good watch. Cyrus Harding alone waited with his habitual patience,

though his strong mind was exasperated at being confronted with such an

explicable fact, and he was provoked at himself for allowing a feeling to

ich he could not give a name, to gain an influence over him. Gideon

ilett shared his feelings in this respect, and the two conversed together

whispers of the inexplicable circumstance which baffled even their

telligence and experience.

t is a joke," said Pencroft; "it is a trick some one has played us.

ll, I don't like such jokes, and the joker had better look out for

mself, if he falls into my hands, I can tell him."

soon as the first gleam of light appeared in the east, the colonists,

itably armed, repaired to the beach under Granite House. The rising sun

w shone on the cliff and they could see the windows, the shutters of

ich were closed, through the curtains of foliage.

l here was in order; but a cry escaped the colonists when they saw that

e door, which they had closed on their departure, was now wide open.

me one had entered Granite House--there could be no more doubt about

at.

e upper ladder, which generally hung from the door to the landing, was

its place, but the lower ladder was drawn up and raised to the

reshold. It was evident that the intruders had wished to guard themselves

ainst a surprise.

ncroft hailed again.

reply.

he beggars," exclaimed the sailor. "There they are sleeping quietly as

they were in their own house. Hallo there, you pirates, brigands,





e first order of the quadrumana. Whether this was a chimpanzee, an

angoutang, or a gorilla, he took rank among the anthropoid apes, who are

called from their resemblance to the human race. However, Herbert

clared it to be an orangoutang.

hat a magnificent beast!" cried Neb.

agnificent, if you like," replied Pencroft; "but still I do not see how

are to get into our house."

erbert is a good marksman," said the reporter, "and his bow is here. He

n try again."

hy, these apes are so cunning," returned Pencroft; "they won't show

emselves again at the windows and so we can't kill them; and when I think

the mischief they may do in the rooms and storehouse--"

ave patience," replied Harding; "these creatures cannot keep us long at

y."

shall not be sure of that till I see them down here," replied the

ilor. "And now, captain, do you know how many dozens of these fellows are

there?"

was difficult to reply to Pencroft, and as for the young boy makingother attempt, that was not easy; for the lower part of the ladder had

en drawn again into the door, and when another pull was given, the line

oke and the ladder remained firm. The case was really perplexing.

ncroft stormed. There was a comic side to the situation, but he did not

ink it funny at all. It was certain that the settlers would end by

instating themselves in their domicile and driving out the intruders, but

en and how? this is what they were not able to say.

o hours passed, during which the apes took care not to show themselves,

t they were still there, and three or four times a nose or a paw was

ked out at the door or windows, and was immediately saluted by a gun-

ot.

et us hide ourselves," at last said the engineer. "Perhaps the apes

ll think we have gone quite away and will show themselves again. Let

ilett and Herbert conceal themselves behind those rocks and fire on all

at may appear."

e engineer's orders were obeyed, and while the reporter and the lad,

e best marksmen in the colony, posted themselves in a good position, but

t of the monkeys' sight, Neb, Pencroft, and Cyrus climbed the plateau and

tered the forest in order to kill some game, for it was now time for

eakfast and they had no provisions remaining.

half an hour the hunters returned with a few rock pigeons, which they

asted as well as they could. Not an ape had appeared. Gideon Spilett andrbert went to take their share of the breakfast, leaving Top to watch

der the windows. They then, having eaten, returned to their post.

o hours later, their situation was in no degree improved. The

adrumana gave no sign of existence, and it might have been supposed that

ey had disappeared; but what seemed more probable was that, terrified by

e death of one of their companions, and frightened by the noise of the

rearms, they had retreated to the back part of the house or probably even

to the store-room. And when they thought of the valuables which this

oreroom contained, the patience so much recommended by the engineer, fast

anged into great irritation, and there certainly was room for it.





tracted from the bed of Creek Glycerine.

e poultry-yard occupied an area of two hundred square yards, on the

utheastern bank of the lake. It was surrounded by a palisade, and in it

re constructed various shelters for the birds which were to populate it.

ese were simply built of branches and divided into compartments, made

ady for the expected guests.

e first were the two tinamous, which were not long in having a number

young ones; they had for companions half a dozen ducks, accustomed to

e borders of the lake. Some belonged to the Chinese species, of which the

ngs open like a fan, and which by the brilliancy of their plumage rival

e golden pheasants. A few days afterwards, Herbert snared a couple of

llinaceae, with spreading tails composed of long feathers, magnificent

ectors, which soon became tame. As to pelicans, kingfishers, water-hens,

ey came of themselves to the shores of the poultry-yard, and this little

mmunity, after some disputes, cooing, screaming, clucking, ended by

ttling down peacefully, and increased in encouraging proportion for the

ture use of the colony.

rus Harding, wishing to complete his performance, established a pigeon-

use in a corner of the poultry-yard. There he lodged a dozen of those

geons which frequented the rocks of the plateau. These birds soon became

customed to returning every evening to their new dwelling, and showedre disposition to domesticate themselves than their congeners, the wood-

geons.

stly, the time had come for turning the balloon-case to use, by cutting

up to make shirts and other articles; for as to keeping it in its

esent form, and risking themselves in a balloon filled with gas, above a

a of the limits of which they had no idea, it was not to be thought of.

was necessary to bring the case to Granite House, and the colonists

ployed themselves in rendering their heavy cart lighter and more

nageable. But though they had a vehicle, the moving power was yet to be

und.

t did there not exist in the island some animal which might supply the

ace of the horse, ass, or ox? That was the question.

ertainly," said Pencroft, "a beast of burden would be very useful to us

til the captain has made a steam cart, or even an engine, for some day we

all have a railroad from Granite House to Port Balloon, with a branch

ne to Mount Franklin!"

e day, the 23rd of December, Neb and Top were heard shouting and

rking, each apparently trying to see who could make the most noise. The

ttlers, who were busy at the Chimneys, ran, fearing some vexatious

cident.

at did they see? Two fine animals of a large size that had imprudently

ntured on the plateau, when the bridges were open. One would have said

ey were horses, or at least donkeys, male and female, of a fine shape,

ve-colored, the legs and tail white, striped with black on the head and

ck. They advanced quietly without showing any uneasiness, and gazed at

e men, in whom they could not as yet recognize their future masters.

hese are onagers!" cried Herbert, "animals something between the zebra

d the quagga!"

hy not donkeys?" asked Neb.

ecause they have not long ears, and their shape is more graceful!"





t is a 'cycas revoluta,' of which I have a picture in our dictionary of

tural History!" said Herbert.

ut I can't see any fruit on this shrub!" observed his companion.

o, captain," replied Herbert; "but its stem contains a flour with which

ture has provided us all ready ground."

t is, then, the bread-tree?"

es, the bread-tree."

ell, my boy," replied the engineer, "this is a valuable discovery,

nce our wheat harvest is not yet ripe; I hope that you are not mistaken!"

rbert was not mistaken: he broke the stem of a cycas, which was

mposed of a glandulous tissue, containing a quantity of floury pith,

aversed with woody fiber, separated by rings of the same substance,

ranged concentrically. With this fecula was mingled a mucilaginous juice

disagreeable flavor, but which it would be easy to get rid of by

essure. This cellular substance was regular flour of a superior quality,

tremely nourishing; its exportation was formerly forbidden by the

panese laws.

rus Harding and Herbert, after having examined that part of the Far

st where the cycas grew, took their bearings, and returned to Granite

use, where they made known their discovery.

e next day the settlers went to collect some, and returned to Granite

use with an ample supply of cycas stems. The engineer constructed a

ess, with which to extract the mucilaginous juice mingled with the

cula, and he obtained a large quantity of flour, which Neb soon

ansformed into cakes and puddings. This was not quite real wheaten bread,

t it was very like it.

w, too, the onager, the goats, and the sheep in the corral furnished

ily the milk necessary to the colony. The cart, or rather a sort of lightrriole which had replaced it, made frequent journeys to the corral, and

en it was Pencroft's turn to go he took Jup, and let him drive, and Jup,

acking his whip, acquitted himself with his customary intelligence.

erything prospered, as well in the corral as in Granite House, and

rtainly the settlers, if it had not been that they were so far from their

tive land, had no reason to complain. They were so well suited to this

fe, and were, besides, so accustomed to the island, that they could not

ve left its hospitable soil without regret!

d yet so deeply is the love of his country implanted in the heart of

n, that if a ship had unexpectedly come in sight of the island, the

lonists would have made signals, would have attracted her attention, anduld have departed!

was the 1st of April, a Sunday, Easter Day, which Harding and his

mpanions sanctified by rest and prayer. The day was fine, such as an

tober day in the Northern Hemisphere might be.

l, towards the evening after dinner, were seated under the veranda on

e edge of Prospect Heights, and they were watching the darkness creeping

from the horizon. Some cups of the infusion of elder-berries, which took

e place of coffee, had been served by Neb. They were speaking of the

land and of its isolated situation in the Pacific, which led Gideon

ilett to say,--





ich, according to the opinion of the naturalist Duffenbach, might pass

r cow's milk, and, indeed, it differs from it neither in taste, color,

r density.

ncroft had formerly served on board a whaling-ship, and he could

thodically direct the operation of cutting up, a sufficiently

sagreeable operation lasting three days, but from which the settlers did

t flinch, not even Gideon Spilett, who, as the sailor said, would end by

king a "real good castaway."

e blubber, cut in parallel slices of two feet and a half in thickness,

en divided into pieces which might weigh about a thousand pounds each,

s melted down in large earthen pots brought to the spot, for they did not

sh to taint the environs of Granite House, and in this fusion it lost

arly a third of its weight.

t there was an immense quantity of it; the tongue alone yielded six

ousand pounds of oil, and the lower lip four thousand. Then, besides the

t, which would insure for a long time a store of stearine and glycerine,

ere were still the bones, for which a use could doubtless be found,

though there were neither umbrellas nor stays used at Granite House. The

per part of the mouth of the cetacean was, indeed, provided on both sides

th eight hundred horny blades, very elastic, of a fibrous texture, and

inged at the edge like great combs, at which the teeth, six feet long,rved to retain the thousands of animalculae, little fish, and molluscs,

which the whale fed.

e operation finished, to the great satisfaction of the operators, the

mains of the animal were left to the birds, who would soon make every

stige of it disappear, and their usual daily occupations were resumed by

e inmates of Granite House.

wever, before returning to the dockyard, Cyrus Harding conceived the

ea of fabricating certain machines, which greatly excited the curiosity

his companions. He took a dozen of the whale's bones, cut them into six

ual parts, and sharpened their ends.

his machine is not my own invention, and it is frequently employed by

e Aleutian hunters in Russian America. You see these bones, my friends;

ll, when it freezes, I will bend them, and then wet them with water till

ey are entirely covered with ice, which will keep them bent, and I will

rew them on the snow, having previously covered them with fat. Now, what

ll happen if a hungry animal swallows one of these baits? Why, the heat

his stomach will melt the ice, and the bone, springing straight, will

erce him with its sharp points."

ell! I do call that ingenious!" said Pencroft.

nd it will spare the powder and shot," rejoined Cyrus Harding.

hat will be better than traps!" added Neb.

the meanwhile the boat-building progressed, and towards the end of the

nth half the planking was completed. It could already be seen that her

ape was excellent, and that she would sail well.

ncroft worked with unparalleled ardor, and only a sturdy frame could

ve borne such fatigue; but his companions were preparing in secret a

ward for his labors, and on the 31st of May he was to meet with one of

e greatest joys of his life.

that day, after dinner, just as he was about to leave the table,

ncroft felt a hand on his shoulder.





was the hand of Gideon Spilett, who said,--

ne moment, Master Pencroft, you mustn't sneak off like that! You've

rgotten your dessert."

hank you, Mr. Spilett," replied the sailor, "I am going back to my

rk."

ell, a cup of coffee, my friend?"

othing more."

pipe, then?"

ncroft jumped up, and his great good-natured face grew pale when he saw

e reporter presenting him with a ready-filled pipe, and Herbert with a

owing coal.

e sailor endeavored to speak, but could not get out a word; so, seizing

e pipe, he carried it to his lips, then applying the coal, he drew five

six great whiffs. A fragrant blue cloud soon arose, and from its depths

voice was heard repeating excitedly,--

obacco! real tobacco!"

es, Pencroft," returned Cyrus Harding, "and very good tobacco too!"

, divine Providence; sacred Author of all things!" cried the sailor.

othing more is now wanting to our island."

d Pencroft smoked, and smoked, and smoked.

nd who made this discovery?" he asked at length. "You, Herbert, no

ubt?"

o, Pencroft, it was Mr. Spilett."

r. Spilett!" exclaimed the sailor, seizing the reporter, and claspingm to his breast with such a squeeze that he had never felt anything like

before.

h Pencroft," said Spilett, recovering his breath at last, "a truce for

e moment. You must share your gratitude with Herbert, who recognized the

ant, with Cyrus, who prepared it, and with Neb, who took a great deal of

ouble to keep our secret."

ell, my friends, I will repay you some day," replied the sailor. "Now

are friends for life."

apter 11

nter arrived with the month of June, which is the December of the

rthern zones, and the great business was the making of warm and solid

othing.

e musmons in the corral had been stripped of their wool, and this

ecious textile material was now to be transformed into stuff.

course Cyrus Harding, having at his disposal neither carders,

mbers, polishers, stretchers, twisters, mule-jenny, nor self-acting

chine to spin the wool, nor loom to weave it, was obliged to proceed in a





mpler way, so as to do without spinning and weaving. And indeed he

oposed to make use of the property which the filaments of wool possess

en subjected to a powerful pressure of mixing together, and of

nufacturing by this simple process the material called felt. This felt

uld then be obtained by a simple operation which, if it diminished the

exibility of the stuff, increased its power of retaining heat in

oportion. Now the wool furnished by the musmons was composed of very

ort hairs, and was in a good condition to be felted.

e engineer, aided by his companions, including Pencroft, who was once

re obliged to leave his boat, commenced the preliminary operations, thebject of which was to rid the wool of that fat and oily substance with

ich it is impregnated, and which is called grease. This cleaning was done

vats filled with water, which was maintained at the temperature of

venty degrees, and in which the wool was soaked for four-and-twenty

urs; it was then thoroughly washed in baths of soda, and, when

fficiently dried by pressure, it was in a state to be compressed, that is

say, to produce a solid material, rough, no doubt, and such as would

ve no value in a manufacturing center of Europe or America, but which

uld be highly esteemed in the Lincoln Island markets.

is sort of material must have been known from the most ancient times,

d, in fact, the first woolen stuffs were manufactured by the process

ich Harding was now about to employ. Where Harding's engineeringalifications now came into play was in the construction of the machine

r pressing the wool; for he knew how to turn ingeniously to profit the

chanical force, hitherto unused, which the waterfall on the beach

ssessed to move a fulling-mill.

thing could be more rudimentary. The wool was placed in troughs, and

on it fell in turns heavy wooden mallets; such was the machine in

estion, and such it had been for centuries until the time when the

llets were replaced by cylinders of compression, and the material was no

nger subjected to beating, but to regular rolling.

e operation, ably directed by Cyrus Harding, was a complete success.

e wool, previously impregnated with a solution of soap, intended on thee hand to facilitate the interlacing, the compression, and the softening

the wool, and on the other to prevent its diminution by the beating,

sued from the mill in the shape of thick felt cloth. The roughnesses with

ich the staple of wool is naturally filled were so thoroughly entangled

d interlaced together that a material was formed equally suitable either

r garments or bedclothes. It was certainly neither merino, muslin,

shmere, rep, satin, alpaca, cloth, nor flannel. It was "Lincolnian felt,"

d Lincoln Island possessed yet another manufacture. The colonists had now

rm garments and thick bedclothes, and they could without fear await the

proach of the winter of 1866-67.

e severe cold began to be felt about the 20th of June, and, to his

eat regret, Pencroft was obliged to suspend his boat-building, which heped to finish in time for next spring.

e sailor's great idea was to make a voyage of discovery to Tabor

land, although Harding could not approve of a voyage simply for

riosity's sake, for there was evidently nothing to be found on this

sert and almost arid rock. A voyage of a hundred and fifty miles in a

mparatively small vessel, over unknown seas, could not but cause him some

xiety. Suppose that their vessel, once out at sea, should be unable to

ach Tabor Island, and could not return to Lincoln Island, what would

come of her in the midst of the Pacific, so fruitful of disasters?

rding often talked over this project with Pencroft, and he found him





rangely bent upon undertaking this voyage, for which determination he

mself could give no sufficient reason.

ow," said the engineer one day to him, "I must observe, my friend, that

ter having said so much, in praise of Lincoln Island, after having spoken

often of the sorrow you would feel if you were obliged to forsake it,

u are the first to wish to leave it."

nly to leave it for a few days," replied Pencroft, "only for a few

ys, captain. Time to go and come back, and see what that islet is like!"

ut it is not nearly as good as Lincoln Island."

know that beforehand."

hen why venture there?"

o know what is going on in Tabor Island."

ut nothing is going on there; nothing could happen there."

ho knows?"

nd if you are caught in a hurricane?"

here is no fear of that in the fine season," replied Pencroft. "But,

ptain, as we must provide against everything, I shall ask your permission

take Herbert only with me on this voyage."

encroft," replied the engineer, placing his hand on the sailor's

oulder, "if any misfortune happens to you, or to this lad, whom chance

s made our child, do you think we could ever cease to blame ourselves?"

aptain Harding," replied Pencroft, with unshaken confidence, "we shall

t cause you that sorrow. Besides, we will speak further of this voyage,

en the time comes to make it. And I fancy, when you have seen our tight-

gged little craft, when you have observed how she behaves at sea, when we

il round our island, for we will do so together--I fancy, I say, that you

ll no longer hesitate to let me go. I don't conceal from you that your

at will be a masterpiece."

ay 'our' boat, at least, Pencroft," replied the engineer, disarmed for

e moment. The conversation ended thus, to be resumed later on, without

nvincing either the sailor or the engineer.

e first snow fell towards the end of the month of June. The corral had

eviously been largely supplied with stores, so that daily visits to it

re not requisite; but it was decided that more than a week should never

allowed to pass without someone going to it.

aps were again set, and the machines manufactured by Harding were

ied. The bent whalebones, imprisoned in a case of ice, and covered with a

ick outer layer of fat, were placed on the border of the forest at a spot

ere animals usually passed on their way to the lake.

the engineer's great satisfaction, this invention, copied from the

eutian fishermen, succeeded perfectly. A dozen foxes, a few wild boars,

d even a jaguar, were taken in this way, the animals being found dead,

eir stomachs pierced by the unbent bones.

incident must here be related, not only as interesting in itself, but

cause it was the first attempt made by the colonists to communicate with

e rest of mankind.





deon Spilett had already several times pondered whether to throw into

e sea a letter enclosed in a bottle, which currents might perhaps carry

an inhabited coast, or to confide it to pigeons.

t how could it be seriously hoped that either pigeons or bottles could

oss the distance of twelve hundred miles which separated the island from

y inhabited land? It would have been pure folly.

t on the 30th of June the capture was effected, not without difficulty,

an albatross, which a shot from Herbert's gun had slightly wounded in

e foot. It was a magnificent bird, measuring ten feet from wing to wing,

d which could traverse seas as wide as the Pacific.

rbert would have liked to keep this superb bird, as its wound would

on heal, and he thought he could tame it; but Spilett explained to him

at they should not neglect this opportunity of attempting to communicate

this messenger with the lands of the Pacific; for if the albatross had

me from some inhabited region, there was no doubt but that it would

turn there so soon as it was set free.

rhaps in his heart Gideon Spilett, in whom the journalist sometimes

me to the surface, was not sorry to have the opportunity of sending forth

take its chance an exciting article relating the adventures of the

ttlers in Lincoln Island. What a success for the authorized reporter of

e New York Herald, and for the number which should contain the article,

it should ever reach the address of its editor, the Honorable James

nnett!

deon Spilett then wrote out a concise account, which was placed in a

rong waterproof bag, with an earnest request to whoever might find it to

rward it to the office of the New York Herald. This little bag was

stened to the neck of the albatross, and not to its foot, for these birds

e in the habit of resting on the surface of the sea; then liberty was

ven to this swift courier of the air, and it was not without some emotion

at the colonists watched it disappear in the misty west.

here is he going to?" asked Pencroft.

owards New Zealand," replied Herbert.

good voyage to you," shouted the sailor, who himself did not expect

y great result from this mode of correspondence.

th the winter, work had been resumed in the interior of Granite House,

nding clothes and different occupations, among others making the sails

r their vessel, which were cut from the inexhaustible balloon-case.

ring the month of July the cold was intense, but there was no lack of

ther wood or coal. Cyrus Harding had established a second fireplace in

e dining-room, and there the long winter evenings were spent. Talkingile they worked, reading when the hands remained idle, the time passed

th profit to all.

was real enjoyment to the settlers when in their room, well lighted

th candles, well warmed with coal, after a good dinner, elderberry coffee

oking in the cups, the pipes giving forth an odoriferous smoke, they

uld hear the storm howling without. Their comfort would have been

mplete, if complete comfort could ever exist for those who are far from

eir fellow-creatures, and without any means of communication with them.

ey often talked of their country, of the friends whom they had left, of

e grandeur of the American Republic, whose influence could not but

crease; and Cyrus Harding, who had been much mixed up with the affairs of





e Union, greatly interested his auditors by his recitals, his views, and

s prognostics.

chanced one day that Spilett was led to say--

ut now, my dear Cyrus, all this industrial and commercial movement to

ich you predict a continual advance, does it not run the danger of being

oner or later completely stopped?"

topped! And by what?"

y the want of coal, which may justly be called the most precious of

nerals."

es, the most precious indeed," replied the engineer; "and it would seem

at nature wished to prove that it was so by making the diamond, which is

mply pure carbon crystallized."

ou don't mean to say, captain," interrupted Pencroft, "that we burn

amonds in our stoves in the shape of coal?"

o, my friend," replied Harding.

owever," resumed Gideon Spilett, "you do not deny that some day the

al will be entirely consumed?"

h! the veins of coal are still considerable, and the hundred thousand

ners who annually extract from them a hundred millions of hundredweights

ve not nearly exhausted them."

ith the increasing consumption of coal," replied Gideon Spilett, "it

n be foreseen that the hundred thousand workmen will soon become two

ndred thousand, and that the rate of extraction will be doubled."

oubtless; but after the European mines, which will be soon worked more

oroughly with new machines, the American and Australian mines will for a

ng time yet provide for the consumption in trade."

or how long a time?" asked the reporter.

or at least two hundred and fifty or three hundred years."

hat is reassuring for us, but a bad look-out for our great-

andchildren!" observed Pencroft.

hey will discover something else," said Herbert.

t is to be hoped so," answered Spilett, "for without coal there would be

machinery, and without machinery there would be no railways, no

eamers, no manufactories, nothing of that which is indispensable to

dern civilization!"

ut what will they find?" asked Pencroft. "Can you guess, captain?"

early, my friend."

nd what will they burn instead of coal?"

ater," replied Harding.

ater!" cried Pencroft, "water as fuel for steamers and engines! water

heat water!"

es, but water decomposed into its primitive elements," replied Cyrus





rding, "and decomposed doubtless, by electricity, which will then have

come a powerful and manageable force, for all great discoveries, by some

explicable laws, appear to agree and become complete at the same time.

s, my friends, I believe that water will one day be employed as fuel,

at hydrogen and oxygen which constitute it, used singly or together, will

rnish an inexhaustible source of heat and light, of an intensity of which

al is not capable. Some day the coalrooms of steamers and the tenders of

comotives will, instead of coal, be stored with these two condensed

ses, which will burn in the furnaces with enormous calorific power. There

, therefore, nothing to fear. As long as the earth is inhabited it will

pply the wants of its inhabitants, and there will be no want of eitherght or heat as long as the productions of the vegetable, mineral or

imal kingdoms do not fail us. I believe, then, that when the deposits of

al are exhausted we shall heat and warm ourselves with water. Water will

the coal of the future."

should like to see that," observed the sailor.

ou were born too soon, Pencroft," returned Neb, who only took part in

e discussion by these words.

wever, it was not Neb's speech which interrupted the conversation, but

p's barking, which broke out again with that strange intonation which had

fore perplexed the engineer. At the same time Top began to run round theuth of the well, which opened at the extremity of the interior passage.

hat can Top be barking in that way for?" asked Pencroft.

nd Jup be growling like that?" added Herbert.

fact the orang, joining the dog, gave unequivocal signs of agitation,

d, singular to say, the two animals appeared more uneasy than angry.

t is evident," said Gideon Spilett, "that this well is in direct

mmunication with the sea, and that some marine animal comes from time to

me to breathe at the bottom."

hat's evident," replied the sailor, "and there can be no otherplanation to give. Quiet there, Top!" added Pencroft, turning to the dog,

nd you, Jup, be off to your room!"

e ape and the dog were silent. Jup went off to bed, but Top remained in

e room, and continued to utter low growls at intervals during the rest of

e evening. There was no further talk on the subject, but the incident,

wever, clouded the brow of the engineer.

ring the remainder of the month of July there was alternate rain and

ost. The temperature was not so low as during the preceding winter, and

s maximum did not exceed eight degrees Fahrenheit. But although this

nter was less cold, it was more troubled by storms and squalls; the sea

sides often endangered the safety of the Chimneys. At times it almostemed as if an under-current raised these monstrous billows which

undered against the wall of Granite House.

en the settlers, leaning from their windows, gazed on the huge watery

sses breaking beneath their eyes, they could not but admire the

gnificent spectacle of the ocean in its impotent fury. The waves

bounded in dazzling foam, the beach entirely disapppearing under the

ging flood, and the cliff appearing to emerge from the sea itself, the

ray rising to a height of more than a hundred feet.

ring these storms it was difficult and even dangerous to venture out,

ing to the frequently falling trees; however, the colonists never allowed





week to pass without having paid a visit to the corral. Happily, this

closure, sheltered by the southeastern spur of Mount Franklin, did not

eatly suffer from the violence of the hurricanes, which spared its trees,

eds, and palisades; but the poultry-yard on Prospect Heights, being

rectly exposed to the gusts of wind from the east, suffered considerable

mage. The pigeon-house was twice unroofed and the paling blown down. All

is required to be remade more solidly than before, for, as may be clearly

en, Lincoln Island was situated in one of the most dangerous parts of the

cific. It really appeared as if it formed the central point of vast

clones, which beat it perpetually as the whip does the top, only here it

s the top which was motionless and the whip which moved. During the firstek of the month of August the weather became more moderate, and the

mosphere recovered the calm which it appeared to have lost forever. With

e calm the cold again became intense, and the thermometer fell to eight

grees Fahrenheit, below zero.

the 3rd of August an excursion which had been talked of for several

ys was made into the southeastern part of the island, towards Tadorn

rsh. The hunters were tempted by the aquatic game which took up their

nter quarters there. Wild duck, snipe, teal and grebe abounded there, and

was agreed that a day should be devoted to an expedition against these

rds.

t only Gideon Spilett and Herbert, but Pencroft and Neb also took partthis excursion. Cyrus Harding alone, alleging some work as an excuse,

d not join them, but remained at Granite House.

e hunters proceeded in the direction of Port Balloon, in order to reach

e marsh, after having promised to be back by the evening. Top and Jup

companied them. As soon as they had passed over the Mercy Bridge, the

gineer raised it and returned, intending to put into execution a project

r the performance of which he wished to be alone.

w this project was to minutely explore the interior well, the mouth of

ich was on a level with the passage of Granite House, and which

mmunicated with the sea, since it formerly supplied a way to the waters

the lake.

y did Top so often run round this opening? Why did he utter such

range barks when a sort of uneasiness seemed to draw him towards this

ll? Why did Jup join Top in a sort of common anxiety? Had this well

anches besides the communication with the sea? Did it spread towards

her parts of the island? This is what Cyrus Harding wished to know. He

d resolved, therefore, to attempt the exploration of the well during the

sence of his companions, and an opportunity for doing so had now

esented itself.

was easy to descend to the bottom of the well by employing the rope

dder which had not been used since the establishment of the lift. The

gineer drew the ladder to the hole, the diameter of which measured nearlyx feet, and allowed it to unroll itself after having securely fastened

s upper extremity. Then, having lighted a lantern, taken a revolver, and

aced a cutlass in his belt, he began the descent.

e sides were everywhere entire; but points of rock jutted out here and

ere, and by means of these points it would have been quite possible for

active creature to climb to the mouth of the well.

e engineer remarked this; but although he carefully examined these

ints by the light of his lantern, he could find no impression, no

acture which could give any reason to suppose that they had either

cently or at any former time been used as a staircase. Cyrus Harding





scended deeper, throwing the light of his lantern on all sides.

saw nothing suspicious.

en the engineer had reached the last rounds he came upon the water,

ich was then perfectly calm. Neither at its level nor in any other part

the well, did any passage open, which could lead to the interior of the

iff. The wall which Harding struck with the hilt of his cutlass sounded

lid. It was compact granite, through which no living being could force a

y. To arrive at the bottom of the well and then climb up to its mouth it

s necessary to pass through the channel under the rocky subsoil of the

ach, which placed it in communication with the sea, and this was only

ssible for marine animals. As to the question of knowing where this

annel ended, at what point of the shore, and at what depth beneath the

ter, it could not be answered.

en Cyrus Harding, having ended his survey, re-ascended, drew up the

dder, covered the mouth of the well, and returned thoughtfully to the

ningroom, saying to himself,--

have seen nothing, and yet there is something there!"

apter 12

the evening the hunters returned, having enjoyed good sport, and being

terally loaded with game; indeed, they had as much as four men could

ssibly carry. Top wore a necklace of teal and Jup wreaths of snipe round

s body.

ere, master," cried Neb; "here's something to employ our time!

eserved and made into pies we shall have a welcome store! But I must have

me one to help me. I count on you, Pencroft."

o, Neb," replied the sailor; "I have the rigging of the vessel to

nish and to look after, and you will have to do without me."

nd you, Mr. Herbert?"

must go to the corral to-morrow, Neb," replied the lad.

t will be you then, Mr. Spilett, who will help me?"

o oblige you, Neb, I will," replied the reporter; "but I warn you that

you disclose your receipts to me, I shall publish them."

henever you like, Mr. Spilett," replied Neb; "whenever you like."

d so the next day Gideon Spilett became Neb's assistant and was

stalled in his culinary laboratory. The engineer had previously made

own to him the result of the exploration which he had made the dayfore, and on this point the reporter shared Harding's opinion, that

though he had found nothing, a secret still remained to be discovered!

e frost continued for another week, and the settlers did not leave

anite House unless to look after the poultry-yard. The dwelling was

lled with appetizing odors, which were emitted from the learned

nipulation of Neb and the reporter. But all the results of the chase were

t made into preserved provisions; and as the game kept perfectly in the

tense cold, wild duck and other fowl were eaten fresh, and declared

perior to all other aquatic birds in the known world.

ring this week, Pencroft, aided by Herbert, who handled the sailmaker's





edle with much skill, worked with such energy that the sails of the

ssel were finished. There was no want of cordage. Thanks to the rigging

ich had been discovered with the case of the balloon, the ropes and

bles from the net were all of good quality, and the sailor turned them

l to account. To the sails were attached strong bolt ropes, and there

ill remained enough from which to make the halyards, shrouds, and sheets,

c. The blocks were manufactured by Cyrus Harding under Pencroft's

rections by means of the turning lathe. It therefore happened that the

gging was entirely prepared before the vessel was finished. Pencroft also

nufactured a flag, that flag so dear to every true American, containing

e stars and stripes of their glorious Union. The colors for it werepplied from certain plants used in dyeing, and which were very abundant

the island; only to the thirty-seven stars, representing the thirty-

ven States of the Union, which shine on the American flag, the sailor

ded a thirty-eighth, the star of "the State of Lincoln," for he

nsidered his island as already united to the great republic. "And," said

, "it is so already in heart, if not in deed!"

the meantime, the flag was hoisted at the central window of Granite

use, and the settlers saluted it with three cheers.

e cold season was now almost at an end, and it appeared as if this

cond winter was to pass without any unusual occurrence, when on the night

the 11th of August, the plateau of Prospect Heights was menaced withmplete destruction.

ter a busy day the colonists were sleeping soundly, when towards four

clock in the morning they were suddenly awakened by Top's barking.

e dog was not this time barking near the mouth of the well, but at the

reshold of the door, at which he was scratching as if he wished to burst

open. Jup was also uttering piercing cries.

ello, Top!" cried Neb, who was the first awake. But the dog continued

bark more furiously than ever.

hat's the matter now?" asked Harding.

d all dressing in haste rushed to the windows, which they opened.

neath their eyes was spread a sheet of snow which looked gray in the

m light. The settlers could see nothing, but they heard a singular

lping noise away in the darkness. It was evident that the beach had been

vaded by a number of animals which could not be seen.

hat are they?" cried Pencroft.

olves, jaguars, or apes?" replied Neb.

hey have nearly reached the plateau," said the reporter.

nd our poultry-yard," exclaimed Herbert, "and our garden!"

here can they have crossed?" asked Pencroft.

hey must have crossed the bridge on the shore," replied the engineer,

hich one of us must have forgotten to close."

rue," said Spilett, "I remember having left it open."

fine job you have made of it, Mr. Spilett," cried the sailor.

hat is done cannot be undone," replied Cyrus Harding. "We must consult





at it will now be best to do."

ch were the questions and answers which were rapidly exchanged between

rding and his companions. It was certain that the bridge had been

ossed, that the shore had been invaded by animals, and that whatever they

ght be they could by ascending the left bank of the Mercy reach Prospect

ights. They must therefore be advanced against quickly and fought with if

cessary.

ut what are these beasts?" was asked a second time, as the yelpings

re again heard more loudly than before. These yelps made Herbert start,

d he remembered having heard them before during his first visit to the

urces of the Red Creek.

hey are colpeo foxes!" he exclaimed.

orward!" shouted the sailor.

d all arming themselves with hatchets, carbines, and revolvers, threw

emselves into the lift and soon set foot on the shore.

lpeos are dangerous animals when in great numbers and irritated by

nger, nevertheless the colonists did not hesitate to throw themselves

to the midst of the troop, and their first shots vividly lighting up the

rkness made their assailants draw back.

e chief thing was to hinder these plunderers from reaching the plateau,

r the garden and the poultry-yard would then have been at their mercy,

d immense, perhaps irreparable mischief, would inevitably be the result,

pecially with regard to the corn-field. But as the invasion of the

ateau could only be made by the left bank of the Mercy, it was sufficient

oppose the colpeos on the narrow bank between the river and the cliff of

anite.

is was plain to all, and, by Cyrus Harding's orders, they reached the

ot indicated by him, while the colpeos rushed fiercely through the gloom.

rding, Gideon Spilett, Herbert, Pencroft and Neb posted themselves in

pregnable line. Top, his formidable jaws open, preceded the colonists,d he was followed by Jup, armed with knotty cudgel, which he brandished

ke a club.

e night was extremely dark, it was only by the flashes from the

volvers as each person fired that they could see their assailants, who

re at least a hundred in number, and whose eyes were glowing like hot

als.

hey must not pass!" shouted Pencroft.

hey shall not pass!" returned the engineer.

t if they did not pass it was not for want of having attempted it.ose in the rear pushed on the foremost assailants, and it was an

cessant struggle with revolvers and hatchets. Several colpeos already lay

ad on the ground, but their number did not appear to diminish, and it

ght have been supposed that reinforcements were continually arriving over

e bridge.

e colonists were soon obliged to fight at close quarters, not without

ceiving some wounds, though happily very slight ones. Herbert had, with a

ot from his revolver, rescued Neb, on whose back a colpeo had sprung like

tiger cat. Top fought with actual fury, flying at the throats of the

xes and strangling them instantaneously. Jup wielded his weapon

liantly, and it was in vain that they endeavored to keep him in the rear.





dowed doubtless with sight which enabled him to pierce the obscurity, he

s always in the thick of the fight uttering from time to time--a sharp

ssing sound, which was with him the sign of great rejoicing.

one moment he advanced so far, that by the light from a revolver he

s seen surrounded by five or six large colpeos, with whom he was coping

th great coolness.

wever, the struggle was ended at last, and victory was on the side of

e settlers, but not until they had fought for two long hours! The first

gns of the approach of day doubtless determined the retreat of their

sailants, who scampered away towards the North, passing over the bridge,

ich Neb ran immediately to raise. When day had sufficiently lighted up

e field of battle, the settlers counted as many as fifty dead bodies

attered about on the shore.

nd Jup!" cried Pencroft; "where is Jup?" Jup had disappeared. His

iend Neb called him, and for the first time Jup did not reply to his

iend's call.

eryone set out in search of Jup, trembling lest he should be found

ong the slain; they cleared the place of the bodies which stained the

ow with their blood. Jup was found in the midst of a heap of colpeos

ose broken jaws and crushed bodies showed that they had to do with the

rrible club of the intrepid animal.

or Jup still held in his hand the stump of his broken cudgel, but

prived of his weapon he had been overpowered by numbers, and his chest

s covered with severe wounds.

e is living," cried Neb, who was bending over him.

nd we will save him," replied the sailor. "We will nurse him as if he

s one of ourselves."

appeared as if Jup understood, for he leaned his head on Pencroft's

oulder as if to thank him. The sailor was wounded himself, but his wound

s insignificant, as were those of his companions; for thanks to theirrearms they had been almost always able to keep their assailants at a

stance. it was therefore only the orang whose condition was serious.

p, carried by Neb and Pencroft, was placed in the lift, and only a

ight moan now and then escaped his lips. He was gently drawn up to

anite House. There he was laid on a mattress taken from one of the beds,

d his wounds were bathed with the greatest care. It did not appear that

y vital part had been reached, but Jup was very weak from loss of blood,

d a high fever soon set in after his wounds had been dressed. He was laid

wn, strict diet was imposed, "just like a real person," as Neb said, and

ey made him swallow several cups of a cooling drink, for which the

gredients were supplied from the vegetable medicine chest of Granite

use. Jup was at first restless, but his breathing gradually became more

gular, and he was left sleeping quietly. From time to time Top, walking

tip-toe, as one might say, came to visit his friend, and seemed to

prove of all the care that had been taken of him. One of Jup's hands hung

er the side of his bed, and Top licked it with a sympathizing air.

ey employed the day in interring the dead, who were dragged to the

rest of the Far West, and there buried deep.

is attack, which might have had such serious consequences, was a lesson

the settlers, who from this time never went to bed until one of their

mber had made sure that all the bridges were raised, and that no invasion





s possible.

wever, Jup, after having given them serious anxiety for several days,

gan to recover. His constitution brought him through, the fever gradually

bsided, and Gideon Spilett, who was a bit of a doctor, pronounced him

ite out of danger. On the 16th of August, Jup began to eat. Neb made him

ce little sweet dishes, which the invalid devoured with great relish, for

he had a pet failing it was that of being somewhat of a gourmend, and

b had never done anything to cure him of this fault.

hat would you have?" said he to Gideon Spilett, who sometimes

postulated with him for spoiling the ape. "Poor Jup has no other pleasure

an that of the palate, and I am only too glad to be able to reward his

rvices in this way!"

n days after taking to his bed, on the 21st of August, Master Jup

ose. His wounds were healed, and it was evident that he would not be long

regaining his usual strength and agility. Like all convalescents, he was

emendously hungry, and the reporter allowed him to eat as much as he

ked, for he trusted to that instinct, which is too often wanting in

asoning beings, to keep the orang from any excess. Neb was delighted to

e his pupil's appetite returning.

at away, my Jup," said he, "and don't spare anything; you have shed

ur blood for us, and it is the least I can do to make you strong again!"

the 25th of August Neb's voice was heard calling to his companions.

aptain, Mr. Spilett, Mr. Herbert, Pencroft, come! come!"

e colonists, who were together in the dining-room, rose at Neb's call,

o was then in Jup's room.

hat's the matter?" asked the reporter.

ook," replied Neb, with a shout of laughter. And what did they see?

ster Jup smoking calmly and seriously, sitting crosslegged like a Turk at

e entrance to Granite House!

y pipe," cried Pencroft. "He has taken my pipe! Hello, my honest Jup, I

ke you a present of it! Smoke away, old boy, smoke away!"

d Jup gravely puffed out clouds of smoke which seemed to give him great

tisfaction. Harding did not appear to be much astonished at this

cident, and he cited several examples of tame apes, to whom the use of

bacco had become quite familiar.

t from this day Master Jup had a pipe of his own, the sailor's ex-pipe,

ich was hung in his room near his store of tobacco. He filled it himself,

ghted it with a glowing coal, and appeared to be the happiest of

adrumana. It may readily be understood that this similarity of tastes ofp and Pencroft served to tighten the bonds of friendship which already

isted between the honest ape and the worthy sailor.

erhaps he is really a man," said Pencroft sometimes to Neb. "Should you

surprised to hear him beginning to speak to us some day?"

y word, no," replied Neb. "What astonishes me is that he hasn't spoken

us before, for now he wants nothing but speech!"

t would amuse me all the same," resumed the sailor, "if some fine day

said to me, "Suppose we change pipes, Pencroft."





es," replied Neb, "what a pity he was born dumb!"

th the month of September the winter ended, and the works were again

gerly commenced. The building of the vessel advanced rapidly, she was

ready completely decked over, and all the inside parts of the hull were

rmly united with ribs bent by means of steam, which answered all the

rposes of a mold.

there was no want of wood, Pencroft proposed to the engineer to give a

uble lining to the hull, to insure the strength of the vessel.

rding, not knowing what the future might have in store for them,

proved the sailor's idea of making the craft as strong as possible. The

terior and deck of the vessel was entirely finished towards the 15th of

ptember. For calking the seams they made oakum of dry seaweed, which was

mmered in between the planks; then these seams were covered with boiling

r, which was obtained in great abundance from the pines in the forest.

e management of the vessel was very simple. She had from the first been

llasted with heavy blocks of granite walled up, in a bed of lime, twelve

ousand pounds of which they stowed away.

deck was placed over this ballast, and the interior was divided into

o cabins; two benches extended along them and served also as lockers. The

ot of the mast supported the partition which separated the two cabins,

ich were reached by two hatchways let into the deck.

ncroft had no trouble in finding a tree suitable for the mast. He chose

straight young fir, with no knots, and which he had only to square at the

ep, and round off at the top. The ironwork of the mast, the rudder and

e hull had been roughly but strongly forged at the Chimneys. Lastly,

rds, masts, boom, spars, oars, etc., were all furnished by the first week

October, and it was agreed that a trial trip should be taken round the

land, so as to ascertain how the vessel would behave at sea, and how far

ey might depend upon her.

ring all this time the necessary works had not been neglected. The

rral was enlarged, for the flock of musmons and goats had been increased

a number of young ones, who had to be housed and fed. The colonists had

id visits also to the oyster bed, the warren, the coal and iron mines,

d to the till then unexplored districts of the Far West forest, which

ounded in game. Certain indigenous plants were discovered, and those fit

r immediate use contributed to vary the vegetable stores of Granite

use.

ey were a species of ficoide, some similar to those of the Cape, with

table fleshy leaves, others bearing seeds containing a sort of flour.

the 10th of October the vessel was launched. Pencroft was radiant with

y, the operation was perfectly successful; the boat completely rigged,

ving been pushed on rollers to the water's edge, was floated by the

sing tide, amid the cheers of the colonists, particularly of Pencroft,

o showed no modesty on this occasion. Besides his importance was to last

yond the finishing of the vessel, since, after having built her, he was

command her. The grade of captain was bestowed upon him with the

probation of all. To satisfy Captain Pencroft, it was now necessary to

ve a name to the vessel, and, after many propositions had been discussed,

e votes were all in favor of the "Bonadventure." As soon as the

onadventure" had been lifted by the rising tide, it was seen that she lay

enly in the water, and would be easily navigated. However, the trial trip

s to be made that very day, by an excursion off the coast. The weather

s fine, the breeze fresh, and the sea smooth, especially towards the





uth coast, for the wind was blowing from the northwest.

ll hands on board," shouted Pencroft; but breakfast was first

cessary, and it was thought best to take provisions on board, in the

ent of their excursion being prolonged until the evening.

rus Harding was equally anxious to try the vessel, the model of which

d originated with him, although on the sailor's advice he had altered

me parts of it, but he did not share Pencroft's confidence in her, and as

e latter had not again spoken of the voyage to Tabor Island, Harding

ped he had given it up. He would have indeed great reluctance in letting

o or three of his companions venture so far in so small a boat, which was

t of more than fifteen tons' burden.

half-past ten everybody was on board, even Top and Jup, and Herbert

ighed the anchor, which was fast in the sand near the mouth of the Mercy.

e sail was hoisted, the Lincolnian flag floated from the masthead, and

e "Bonadventure," steered by Pencroft, stood out to sea.

e wind blowing out of Union Bay she ran before it, and thus showed her

ners, much to their satisfaction, that she possessed a remarkably fast

ir of heels, according to Pencroft's mode of speaking. After having

ubled Flotsam Point and Claw Cape, the captain kept her close hauled, so

to sail along the southern coast of the island, when it was found she

iled admirably within five points of the wind. All hands were enchanted,

ey had a good vessel, which, in case of need, would be of great service

them, and with fine weather and a fresh breeze the voyage promised to be

arming.

ncroft now stood off the shore, three or four miles across from Port

lloon. The island then appeared in all its extent and under a new aspect,

th the varied panorama of its shore from Claw Cape to Reptile End, the

rests in which dark firs contrasted with the young foliage of other

ees and overlooked the whole, and Mount Franklin whose lofty head was

ill whitened with snow.

ow beautiful it is!" cried Herbert.

es, our island is beautiful and good," replied Pencroft. "I love it as

loved my poor mother. It received us poor and destitute, and now what is

nting to us five fellows who fell on it from the sky?"

othing," replied Neb; "nothing, captain."

d the two brave men gave three tremendous cheers in honor of their

land!

ring all this time Gideon Spilett, leaning against the mast, sketched

e panorama which was developed before his eyes.

rus Harding gazed on it in silence.

ell, Captain Harding," asked Pencroft, "what do you think of our

ssel?"

he appears to behave well," replied the engineer.

ood! And do you think now that she could undertake a voyage of some

tent?"

hat voyage, Pencroft?"

ne to Tabor Island, for instance."





y friend," replied Harding, "I think that in any pressing emergency we

ed not hesitate to trust ourselves to the 'Bonadventure' even for a

nger voyage; but you know I should see you set off to Tabor Island with

eat uneasiness, since nothing obliges you to go there."

ne likes to know one's neighbors," returned the sailor, who was

stinate in his idea. "Tabor Island is our neighbor, and the only one!

liteness requires us to go at least to pay a visit."

y Jove," said Spilett, "our friend Pencroft has become very particular

out the proprieties all at once!"

am not particular about anything at all," retorted the sailor, who was

ther vexed by the engineer's opposition, but who did not wish to cause

m anxiety.

onsider, Pencroft," resumed Harding, "you cannot go alone to Tabor

land."

ne companion will be enough for me."

ven so," replied the engineer, "you will risk depriving the colony of

ncoln Island of two settlers out of five."

ut of six," answered Pencroft; "you forget Jup."

ut of seven," added Neb; "Top is quite worth another."

here is no risk at all in it, captain," replied Pencroft.

hat is possible, Pencroft; but I repeat it is to expose ourselves

elessly."

e obstinate sailor did not reply, and let the conversation drop, quite

termined to resume it again. But he did not suspect that an incident

uld come to his aid and change into an act of humanity that which was at

rst only a doubtful whim.

ter standing off the shore the "Bonadventure" again approached it in

e direction of Port Balloon. It was important to ascertain the channels

tween the sandbanks and reefs, that buoys might be laid down since this

ttle creek was to be the harbor.

ey were not more than half a mile from the coast, and it was necessary

tack to beat against the wind. The "Bonadventure" was then going at a

ry moderate rate, as the breeze, partly intercepted by the high land,

arcely swelled her sails, and the sea, smooth as glass, was only rippled

w and then by passing gusts.

rbert had stationed himself in the bows that he might indicate the

urse to be followed among the channels, when all at once he shouted,--

uff, Pencroft, luff!"

hat's the matter," replied the sailor; "a rock?"

o--wait," said Herbert; "I don't quite see. Luff again--right--now."

saying, Herbert, leaning over the side, plunged his arm into the

ter, and pulled it out, exclaiming,--

bottle!"





held in his hand a corked bottle which he had just seized a few

bles' length from the shore.

rus Harding took the bottle. Without uttering a single word he drew the

rk, and took from it a damp paper, on which were written these words:--

astaway . . . . Tabor island: 153deg W. long., 37deg 11' S. lat."

apter 13

castaway!" exclaimed Pencroft; "left on this Tabor Island not two

ndred miles from us! Ah, Captain Harding, you won't now oppose my going."

o, Pencroft," replied Cyrus Harding; "and you shall set out as soon as

ssible."

o-morrow?"

o-morrow!"

e engineer still held in his hand the paper which he had taken from the

ttle. He contemplated it for some instants, then resumed,

rom this document, my friends, from the way in which it is worded, we

y conclude this: first, that the castaway on Tabor Island is a man

ssessing a considerable knowledge of navigation, since he gives the

titude and longitude of the island exactly as we ourselves found it, and

a second of approximation; secondly, that he is either English or

erican, as the document is written in the English language."

hat is perfectly logical," answered Spilett; "and the presence of this

staway explains the arrival of the case on the shores of our island.

ere must have been a wreck, since there is a castaway. As to the latter,

oever he may be, it is lucky for him that Pencroft thought of building

is boat and of trying her this very day, for a day later and this bottle

ght have been broken on the rocks."

ndeed," said Herbert, "it is a fortunate chance that the 'Bonadventure'

ssed exactly where the bottle was still floating!"

oes not this appear strange to you?" asked Harding of Pencroft.

t appears fortunate, that's all," answered the sailor. "Do you see

ything extraordinary in it, captain? The bottle must go somewhere, and

y not here as well as anywhere else?"

erhaps you are right, Pencroft," replied the engineer; "and yet--"

ut," observed Herbert, "there's nothing to prove that this bottle has

en floating long in the sea."

othing," replied Gideon Spilett, "and the document appears even to have

en recently written. What do you think about it, Cyrus?"

ring this conversation Pencroft had not remained inactive. He had put

e vessel about, and the "Bonadventure," all sails set, was running

pidly towards Claw Cape.

ery one was thinking of the castaway on Tabor Island. Should they be in

me to save him? This was a great event in the life of the colonists! They

emselves were but castaways, but it was to be feared that another might

t have been so fortunate, and their duty was to go to his succor.





aw Cape was doubled, and about four o'clock the "Bonadventure" dropped

r anchor at the mouth of the Mercy.

at same evening the arrangements for the new expedition were made. It

peared best that Pencroft and Herbert, who knew how to work the vessel,

ould undertake the voyage alone. By setting out the next day, the 10th of

tober, they would arrive on the 13th, for with the present wind it would

t take more than forty-eight hours to make this passage of a hundred and

fty miles. One day in the island, three or four to return, they might

pe therefore that on the 17th they would again reach Lincoln Island. The

ather was fine, the barometer was rising, the wind appeared settled,

erything then was in favor of these brave men whom an act of humanity was

king far from their island.

us it had been agreed that Cyrus Harding, Neb, and Gideon Spilett should

main at Granite House, but an objection was raised, and Spilett, who had

t forgotten his business as reporter to the New York Herald, having

clared that he would go by swimming rather than lose such an opportunity,

was admitted to take a part in the voyage.

e evening was occupied in transporting on board the "Bonadventure,"

ticles of bedding, utensils, arms, ammunition, a compass, provisions for

week; this being rapidly done, the colonists ascended to Granite House.

e next day, at five o'clock in the morning, the farewells were said,

t without some emotion on both sides, and Pencroft setting sail made

wards Claw Cape, which had to be doubled in order to proceed to the

uthwest.

e "Bonadventure" was already a quarter of a mile from the coast when

e passengers perceived on the heights of Granite House two men waving

eir farewells; they were Cyrus Harding and Neb.

ur friends," exclaimed Spilett, "this is our first separation in

fteen months."

ncroft, the reporter and Herbert waved in return, and Granite Houseon disappeared behind the high rocks of the Cape.

ring the first part of the day the "Bonadventure" was still in sight of

e southern coast of Lincoln Island, which soon appeared just like a green

sket, with Mount Franklin rising from the center. The heights, diminished

distance, did not present an appearance likely to tempt vessels to touch

ere. Reptile End was passed in about an hour, though at a distance of

out ten miles.

this distance it was no longer possible to distinguish anything of the

stern Coast, which stretched away to the ridges of Mount Franklin, and

ree hours after the last of Lincoln Island sank below the horizon.

e "Bonadventure" behaved capitally. Bounding over the waves she

oceeded rapidly on her course. Pencroft had hoisted the foresail, and

eering by the compass followed a rectilinear direction. From time to time

rbert relieved him at the helm, and the lad's hand was so firm that the

ilor had not a point to find fault with.

deon Spilett chatted sometimes with one, sometimes with the other, if

nted he lent a hand with the ropes, and Captain Pencroft was perfectly

tisfied with his crew.

the evening the crescent moon, which would not be in its first quarter

til the 16th, appeared in the twilight and soon set again. The night was





rk but starry, and the next day again promised to be fine.

ncroft prudently lowered the foresail, not wishing to be caught by a

dden gust while carrying too much canvas; it was perhaps an unnecessary

ecaution on such a calm night, but Pencroft was a prudent sailor and

nnot be blamed for it.

e reporter slept part of the night. Pencroft and Herbert took turns for

spell of two hours each at the helm. The sailor trusted Herbert as he

uld himself, and his confidence was justified by the coolness and

dgment of the lad. Pencroft gave him his directions as a commander to his

eersman, and Herbert never allowed the "Bonadventure" to swerve even a

int. The night passed quickly, as did the day of the 12th of October. A

uth-easterly direction was strictly maintained. Unless the "Bonadventure"

ll in with some unknown current she would come exactly within sight of

bor Island.

to the sea over which the vessel was then sailing, it was absolutely

serted. Now and then a great albatross or frigate bird passed within

nshot, and Gideon Spilett wondered if it was to one of them that he had

nfided his last letter addressed to the New York Herald. These birds were

e only beings that appeared to frequent this part of the ocean between

bor and Lincoln Islands.

nd yet," observed Herbert, "this is the time that whalers usually

oceed towards the southern part of the Pacific. Indeed I do not think

ere could be a more deserted sea than this."

t is not quite so deserted as all that," replied Pencroft.

hat do you mean?" asked the reporter.

e are on it. Do you take our vessel for a wreck and us for porpoises?"

d Pencroft laughed at his joke.

the evening, according to calculation, it was thought that the

onadventure" had accomplished a distance of a hundred and twenty milesnce her departure from Lincoln Island, that is to say in thirty-six

urs, which would give her a speed of between three and four knots an

ur. The breeze was very slight and might soon drop altogether. However,

was hoped that the next morning by break of day, if the calculation had

en correct and the course true, they would sight Tabor Island.

ither Gideon Spilett, Herbert, nor Pencroft slept that night. In the

pectation of the next day they could not but feel some emotion. There was

much uncertainty in their enterprise! Were they near Tabor Island? Was

e island still inhabited by the castaway to whose succor they had come?

o was this man? Would not his presence disturb the little colony till

en so united? Besides, would he be content to exchange his prison for

other? All these questions, which would no doubt be answered the nexty, kept them in suspense, and at the dawn of day they all fixed their

ze on the western horizon.

and!" shouted Pencroft at about six o'clock in the morning.

d it was impossible that Pencroft should be mistaken, it was evident

at land was there. Imagine the joy of the little crew of the

onadventure." In a few hours they would land on the beach of the island!

e low coast of Tabor Island, scarcely emerging from the sea, was not

re than fifteen miles distant.





e head of the "Bonadventure," which was a little to the south of the

land, was set directly towards it, and as the sun mounted in the east,

s rays fell upon one or two headlands.

his is a much less important isle than Lincoln Island," observed

rbert, "and is probably due like ours to some submarine convulsion."

eleven o'clock the "Bonadventure" was not more than two miles off, and

ncroft, while looking for a suitable place at which to land, proceeded

ry cautiously through the unknown waters. The whole of the island could

w be surveyed, and on it could be seen groups of gum and other large

ees, of the same species as those growing on Lincoln Island. But the

tonishing thing was that no smoke arose to show that the island was

habited, no signal whatever appeared on the shore!

d yet the document was clear enough; there was a castaway, and this

staway should have been on the watch.

the meanwhile the "Bonadventure" entered the winding channels among

e reefs, and Pencroft observed every turn with extreme care. He had put

rbert at the helm, posting himself in the bows, inspecting the water,

ile he held the halliard in his hand, ready to lower the sail at a

ment's notice. Gideon Spilett with his glass eagerly scanned the shore,

ough without perceiving anything.

wever, at about twelve o'clock the keel of the "Bonadventure" grated on

e bottom. The anchor was let go, the sails furled, and the crew of the

ttle vessel landed.

d there was no reason to doubt that this was Tabor Island, since

cording to the most recent charts there was no island in this part of the

cific between New Zealand and the American Coast.

e vessel was securely moored, so that there should be no danger of her

ing carried away by the receding tide; then Pencroft and his companions,

ll armed, ascended the shore, so as to gain an elevation of about two

ndred and fifty or three hundred feet which rose at a distance of half a

le.

rom the summit of that hill," said Spilett, "we can no doubt obtain a

mplete view of the island, which will greatly facilitate our search."

o as to do here," replied Herbert, "that which Captain Harding did the

ry first thing on Lincoln Island, by climbing Mount Franklin."

xactly so," answered the reporter, "and it is the best plan."

ile thus talking the explorers had advanced along a clearing which

rminated at the foot of the hill. Flocks of rock-pigeons and sea-

allows, similar to those of Lincoln Island, fluttered around them. Under

e woods which skirted the glade on the left they could hear the bushesstling and see the grass waving, which indicated the presence of timid

imals, but still nothing to show that the island was inhabited.

rived at the foot of the hill, Pencroft, Spilett, and Herbert climbed

in a few minutes, and gazed anxiously round the horizon.

ey were on an islet, which did not measure more than six miles in

rcumference, its shape not much bordered by capes or promontories, bays

creeks, being a lengthened oval. All around, the lonely sea extended to

e limits of the horizon. No land nor even a sail was in sight.

is woody islet did not offer the varied aspects of Lincoln Island, arid





d wild in one part, but fertile and rich in the other. On the contrary

is was a uniform mass of verdure, out of which rose two or three hills of

great height. Obliquely to the oval of the island ran a stream through a

de meadow falling into the sea on the west by a narrow mouth.

he domain is limited," said Herbert.

es," rejoined Pencroft: "It would have been too small for us."

nd moreover," said the reporter, "it appears to be uninhabited."

ndeed," answered Herbert, "nothing here betrays the presence of man."

et us go down," said Pencroft, "and search."

e sailor and his two companions returned to the shore, to the place

ere they had left the "Bonadventure."

ey had decided to make the tour of the island on foot, before exploring

e interior; so that not a spot should escape their investigations. The

ach was easy to follow, and only in some places was their way barred by

rge rocks, which, however, they easily passed round. The explorers

oceeded towards the south, disturbing numerous flocks of sea-birds and

rds of seals, which threw themselves into the sea as soon as they saw the

rangers at a distance.

hose beasts yonder," observed the reporter, "do not see men for the

rst time. They fear them, therefore they must know them."

hour after their departure they arrived on the southern point of the

let, terminated by a sharp cape, and proceeded towards the north along

e western coast, equally formed by sand and rocks, the background

rdered with thick woods.

ere was not a trace of a habitation in any part, not the print of a

man foot on the shore of the island, which after four hours' walking had

en gone completely round.

was to say the least very extraordinary, and they were compelled to

lieve that Tabor Island was not or was no longer inhabited. Perhaps,

ter all the document was already several months or several years old, and

was possible in this case, either that the castaway had been enabled to

turn to his country, or that he had died of misery.

ncroft, Spilett, and Herbert, forming more or less probable conjectures,

ned rapidly on board the "Bonadventure" so as to be able to continue

eir excursion until nightfall. This was done at five o'clock in the

ening, at which hour they entered the wood.

merous animals fled at their approach, being principally, one might

y, only goats and pigs, which were obviously European species.

ubtless some whaler had landed them on the island, where they had

pidly increased. Herbert resolved to catch one or two living, and take

em back to Lincoln Island.

was no longer doubtful that men at some period or other had visited

is islet, and this became still more evident when paths appeared trodden

rough the forest, felled trees, and everywhere traces of the hand of man;

t the trees were becoming rotten, and had been felled many years ago; the

rks of the axe were velveted with moss, and the grass grew long and thick

the paths, so that it was difficult to find them.





ut," observed Gideon Spilett, "this not only proves that men have

nded on the island, but also that they lived on it for some time. Now,

o were these men? How many of them remain?"

he document," said Herbert, "only spoke of one castaway."

ell, if he is still on the island," replied Pencroft, "it is impossible

t that we shall find him."

e exploration was continued. The sailor and his companions naturally

llowed the route which cut diagonally across the island, and they were

us obliged to follow the stream which flowed towards the sea.

the animals of European origin, if works due to a human hand, showed

contestably that men had already visited the island, several specimens of

e vegetable kingdom did not prove it less. In some places, in the midst

clearings, it was evident that the soil had been planted with culinary

ants, at probably the same distant period.

at, then, was Herbert's joy, when he recognized potatoes, chicory,

rrel, carrots, cabbages, and turnips, of which it was sufficient to

llect the seed to enrich the soil of Lincoln Island.

apital, jolly!" exclaimed Pencroft. "That will suit Neb as well as us.

en if we do not find the castaway, at least our voyage will not have beeneless, and God will have rewarded us."

oubtless," replied Gideon Spilett, "but to see the state in which we

nd these plantations, it is to be feared that the island has not been

habited for some time."

ndeed," answered Herbert, "an inhabitant, whoever he was, could not have

glected such an important culture!"

es," said Pencroft, "the castaway has gone."

e must suppose so."

t must then be admitted that the document has already a distant date?"

vidently."

nd that the bottle only arrived at Lincoln Island after having floated

the sea a long time."

hy not?" returned Pencroft. "But night is coming on," added he, "and I

ink that it will be best to give up the search for the present."

et us go on board, and to-morrow we will begin again," said the

porter.

is was the wisest course, and it was about to be followed when Herbert,inting to a confused mass among the trees, exclaimed,--

hut!"

l three immediately ran towards the dwelling. In the twilight it was

st possible to see that it was built of planks and covered with a thick

rpaulin.

e half-closed door was pushed open by Pencroft, who entered with a

pid step.

e hut was empty!





apter 14

ncroft, Herbert, and Gideon Spilett remained silent in the midst of the

rkness.

ncroft shouted loudly.

reply was made.

e sailor then struck a light and set fire to a twig. This lighted for a

nute a small room, which appeared perfectly empty. At the back was a rude

replace, with a few cold cinders, supporting an armful of dry wood.

ncroft threw the blazing twig on it, the wood crackled and gave forth a

ight light.

e sailor and his two companions then perceived a disordered bed, of

ich the damp and yellow coverlets proved that it had not been used for a

ng time. In the corner of the fireplace were two kettles, covered with

st, and an overthrown pot. A cupboard, with a few moldy sailor's clothes;

the table a tin plate and a Bible, eaten away by damp; in a corner a few

ols, a spade, pickaxe, two fowling-pieces, one of which was broken; on a

ank, forming a shelf, stood a barrel of powder, still untouched, a barrelshot, and several boxes of caps, all thickly covered with dust,

cumulated, perhaps, by many long years.

here is no one here," said the reporter.

o one," replied Pencroft.

t is a long time since this room has been inhabited," observed Herbert.

es, a very long time!" answered the reporter.

r. Spilett," then said Pencroft, "instead of returning on board, I

ink that it would be well to pass the night in this hut."

ou are right, Pencroft," answered Gideon Spilett, "and if its owner

turns, well! perhaps he will not be sorry to find the place taken

ssession of."

e will not return," said the sailor, shaking his head.

ou think that he has quitted the island?" asked the reporter.

f he had quitted the island he would have taken away his weapons and

s tools," replied Pencroft. "You know the value which castaways set on

ch articles as these the last remains of a wreck. No! no!" repeated the

ilor, in a tone of conviction; "no, he has not left the island! If he had

caped in a boat made by himself, he would still less have left thesedispensable and necessary articles. No! he is on the island!"

iving?" asked Herbert.

iving or dead. But if he is dead, I suppose he has not buried himself,

d so we shall at least find his remains!"

was then agreed that the night should be passed in the deserted

elling, and a store of wood found in a corner was sufficient to warm it.

e door closed, Pencroft, Herbert and Spilett remained there, seated on a

nch, talking little but wondering much. They were in a frame of mind to

agine anything or expect anything. They listened eagerly for sounds





tside. The door might have opened suddenly, and a man presented himself

them without their being in the least surprised, notwithstanding all

at the hut revealed of abandonment, and they had their hands ready to

ess the hands of this man, this castaway, this unknown friend, for whom

iends were waiting.

t no voice was heard, the door did not open. The hours thus passed

ay.

w long the night appeared to the sailor and his companions! Herbert

one slept for two hours, for at his age sleep is a necessity. They were

l three anxious to continue their exploration of the day before, and to

arch the most secret recesses of the islet! The inferences deduced by

ncroft were perfectly reasonable, and it was nearly certain that, as the

t was deserted, and the tools, utensils, and weapons were still there,

e owner had succumbed. It was agreed, therefore, that they should search

r his remains, and give them at least Christian burial.

y dawned; Pencroft and his companions immediately proceeded to survey

e dwelling. It had certainly been built in a favorable situation, at the

ck of a little hill, sheltered by five or six magnificent gum-trees.

fore its front and through the trees the axe had prepared a wide

earing, which allowed the view to extend to the sea. Beyond a lawn,

rrounded by a wooden fence falling to pieces, was the shore, on the leftwhich was the mouth of the stream.

e hut had been built of planks, and it was easy to see that these

anks had been obtained from the hull or deck of a ship. It was probable

at a disabled vessel had been cast on the coast of the island, that one

least of the crew had been saved, and that by means of the wreck this

n, having tools at his disposal, had built the dwelling.

d this became still more evident when Gideon Spilett, after having

lked around the hut, saw on a plank, probably one of those which had

rmed the armor of the wrecked vessel, these letters already half effaced:

BR--TAN--A

ritannia," exclaimed Pencroft, whom the reporter had called; "it is a

mmon name for ships, and I could not say if she was English or American!"

t matters very little, Pencroft!"

ery little indeed," answered the sailor, "and we will save the survivor

her crew if he is still living, to whatever country he may belong. But

fore beginning our search again let us go on board the 'Bonadventure'."

sort of uneasiness had seized Pencroft upon the subject of his vessel.

ould the island be inhabited after all, and should some one have takenssession of her? But he shrugged his shoulders at such an unreasonable

pposition. At any rate the sailor was not sorry to go to breakfast on

ard. The road already trodden was not long, scarcely a mile. They set out

their walk, gazing into the wood and thickets through which goats and

gs fled in hundreds.

enty minutes after leaving the hut Pencroft and his companions reached

e western coast of the island, and saw the "Bonadventure" held fast by

r anchor, which was buried deep in the sand.

ncroft could not restrain a sigh of satisfaction. After all this vessel

s his child, and it is the right of fathers to be often uneasy when there





no occasion for it.

ey returned on board, breakfasted, so that it should not be necessary

dine until very late; then the repast being ended, the exploration was

ntinued and conducted with the most minute care. Indeed, it was very

obable that the only inhabitant of the island had perished. It was

erefore more for the traces of a dead than of a living man that Pencroft

d his companions searched. But their searches were vain, and during the

lf of that day they sought to no purpose among the thickets of trees

ich covered the islet. There was then scarcely any doubt that, if the

staway was dead, no trace of his body now remained, but that some wildast had probably devoured it to the last bone.

e will set off to-morrow at daybreak," said Pencroft to his two

mpanions, as about two o'clock they were resting for a few minutes under

e shade of a clump of firs.

should think that we might without scruple take the utensils which

longed to the castaway," added Herbert.

think so, too," returned Gideon Spilett, "and these arms and tools

ll make up the stores of Granite House. The supply of powder and shot is

so most important."

es," replied Pencroft, "but we must not forget to capture a couple or

o of those pigs, of which Lincoln Island is destitute."

or to gather those seeds," added Herbert, "which will give us all the

getables of the Old and the New Worlds."

hen perhaps it would be best," said the reporter, "to remain a day

nger on Tabor Island, so as to collect all that may be useful to us."

o, Mr. Spilett," answered Pencroft, "I will ask you to set off to-morrow

daybreak. The wind seems to me to be likely to shift to the west, and

ter having had a fair wind for coming we shall have a fair wind for

ing back."

hen do not let us lose time," said Herbert, rising.

e won't waste time," returned Pencroft. "You, Herbert, go and gather

e seeds, which you know better than we do. While you do that, Mr. Spilett

d I will go and have a pig hunt, and even without Top I hope we shall

nage to catch a few!"

rbert accordingly took the path which led towards the cultivated part

the islet, while the sailor and the reporter entered the forest.

ny specimens of the porcine race fled before them, and these animals,

ich were singularly active, did not appear to be in a humor to allow

emselves to be approached.

wever, after an hour's chase, the hunters had just managed to get hold

a couple lying in a thicket, when cries were heard resounding from the

rth part of the island, With the cries were mingled terrible yells, in

ich there was nothing human.

ncroft and Gideon Spilett were at once on their feet, and the pigs by

is movement began to run away, at the moment when the sailor was getting

ady the rope to bind them.

hat's Herbert's voice," said the reporter.





un!" exclaimed Pencroft.

d the sailor and Spilett immediately ran at full speed towards the spot

om whence the cries proceeded.

ey did well to hasten, for at a turn of the path near a clearing they

w the lad thrown on the ground and in the grasp of a savage being,

parently a gigantic ape, who was about to do him some great harm.

rush on this monster, throw him on the ground in his turn, snatch

rbert from him, then bind him securely, was the work of a minute for

ncroft and Gideon Spilett. The sailor was of Herculean strength, the

porter also very powerful, and in spite of the monster's resistance he

s firmly tied so that he could not even move.

ou are not hurt, Herbert?" asked Spilett.

o, no!"

h, if this ape had wounded him!" exclaimed Pencroft.

ut he is not an ape," answered Herbert.

these words Pencroft and Gideon Spilett looked at the singular being

o lay on the ground. Indeed it was not an ape; it was a human being, an. But what a man! A savage in all the horrible acceptation of the word,

d so much the more frightful that he seemed fallen to the lowest degree

brutishness!

aggy hair, untrimmed beard descending to the chest, the body almost

ked except a rag round the waist, wild eyes, enormous hands with

mensely long nails, skin the color of mahogany, feet as hard as if made

horn, such was the miserable creature who yet had a claim to be called a

n. But it might justly be asked if there were yet a soul in this body, or

the brute instinct alone survived in it!

re you quite sure that this is a man, or that he has ever been one?"

id Pencroft to the reporter.

las! there is no doubt about it," replied Spilett.

hen this must be the castaway?" asked Herbert.

es," replied Gideon Spilett, "but the unfortunate man has no longer

ything human about him!"

e reporter spoke the truth. It was evident that if the castaway had

er been a civilized being, solitude had made him a savage, or worse,

rhaps a regular man of the woods. Hoarse sounds issued from his

roat between his teeth, which were sharp as the teeth of a wild

ast made to tear raw flesh.

mory must have deserted him long before, and for a long time also he

d forgotten how to use his gun and tools, and he no longer knew how to

ke a fire! It could be seen that he was active and powerful, but the

ysical qualities had been developed in him to the injury of the moral

alities. Gideon Spilett spoke to him. He did not appear to understand or

en to hear. And yet on looking into his eyes, the reporter thought he

uld see that all reason was not extinguished in him. However, the

isoner did not struggle, nor even attempt to break his bonds. Was he

erwhelmed by the presence of men whose fellow he had once been? Had he

und in some corner of his brain a fleeting remembrance which recalled him

humanity? If free, would he attempt to fly, or would he remain? They





uld not tell, but they did not make the experiment; and after gazing

tentively at the miserable creature,--

hoever he may be," remarked Gideon Spilett, "whoever he may have been,

d whatever he may become, it is our duty to take him with us to Lincoln

land."

es, yes!" replied Herbert, "and perhaps with care we may arouse in him

me gleam of intelligence."

he soul does not die," said the reporter, "and it would be a great

tisfaction to rescue one of God's creatures from brutishness."

ncroft shook his head doubtfully.

e must try at any rate," returned the reporter; "humanity commands us."

was indeed their duty as Christians and civilized beings. All three

lt this, and they well knew that Cyrus Harding would approve of their

ting thus.

hall we leave him bound?" asked the sailor.

erhaps he would walk if his feet were unfastened," said Herbert.

et us try," replied Pencroft.

e cords which shackled the prisoner's feet were cut off, but his arms

mained securely fastened. He got up by himself and did not manifest any

sire to run away. His hard eyes darted a piercing glance at the three

n, who walked near him, but nothing denoted that he recollected being

eir fellow, or at least having been so. A continual hissing sound issued

om his lips, his aspect was wild, but he did not attempt to resist.

the reporter's advice the unfortunate man was taken to the hut.

rhaps the sight of the things that belonged to him would make some

pression on him! Perhaps a spark would be sufficient to revive his

scured intellect, to rekindle his dulled soul. The dwelling was not far

f. In a few minutes they arrived there, but the prisoner remembered

thing, and it appeared that he had lost consciousness of everything.

at could they think of the degree of brutishness into which this

serable being had fallen, unless that his imprisonment on the islet dated

om a very distant period and after having arrived there a rational being

litude had reduced him to this condition.

e reporter then thought that perhaps the sight of fire would have some

fect on him, and in a moment one of those beautiful flames, that attract

en animals, blazed up on the hearth. The sight of the flame seemed at

rst to fix the attention of the unhappy object, but soon he turned away

d the look of intelligence faded. Evidently there was nothing to be done,

r the time at least, but to take him on board the "Bonadventure." This

s done, and he remained there in Pencroft's charge.

rbert and Spilett returned to finish their work; and some hours after

ey came back to the shore, carrying the utensils and guns, a store of

getables, of seeds, some game, and two couple of pigs.

l was embarked, and the "Bonadventure" was ready to weigh anchor and

il with the morning tide.

e prisoner had been placed in the fore-cabin, where he remained quiet,

lent, apparently deaf and dumb.





ncroft offered him something to eat, but he pushed away the cooked meat

at was presented to him and which doubtless did not suit him. But on the

ilor showing him one of the ducks which Herbert had killed, he pounced on

like a wild beast, and devoured it greedily.

ou think that he will recover his senses?" asked Pencroft. "It is not

possible that our care will have an effect upon him, for it is solitude

at has made him what he is, and from this time forward he will be no

nger alone."

he poor man must no doubt have been in this state for a long time,"

id Herbert.

erhaps," answered Gideon Spilett.

bout what age is he?" asked the lad.

t is difficult to say," replied the reporter, "for it is impossible to

e his features under the thick beard which covers his face, but he is no

nger young, and I suppose he might be about fifty."

ave you noticed, Mr. Spilett, how deeply sunk his eyes are?" asked

rbert.

es, Herbert, but I must add that they are more human than one could

pect from his appearance."

owever, we shall see," replied Pencroft, "and I am anxious to know what

inion Captain Harding will have of our savage. We went to look for a

man creature, and we are bringing back a monster! After all, we did what

could."

e night passed, and whether the prisoner slept or not could not be

own, but at any rate, although he had been unbound, he did not move. He

s like a wild animal, which appears stunned at first by its capture, and

comes wild again afterwards.

daybreak the next morning, the 15th of October, the change of weather

edicted by Pencroft occurred. The wind having shifted to the northwest

vored the return of the "Bonadventure," but at the same time it

eshened, which might render navigation more difficult.

five o'clock in the morning the anchor was weighed. Pencroft took a

ef in the mainsail, and steered towards the north-east, so as to sail

raight for Lincoln Island.

e first day of the voyage was not marked by any incident. The prisoner

mained quiet in the fore-cabin, and as he had been a sailor it appeared

at the motion of the vessel might produce on him a salutary reaction. Did

me recollection of his former calling return to him? However that might

, he remained tranquil, astonished rather than depressed.

e next day the wind increased, blowing more from the north,

nsequently in a less favorable direction for the "Bonadventure." Pencroft

s soon obliged to sail close-hauled, and without saying anything about it

began to be uneasy at the state of the sea, which frequently broke over

e bows. Certainly, if the wind did not moderate, it would take a longer

me to reach Lincoln Island than it had taken to make Tabor Island.

deed, on the morning of the 17th, the "Bonadventure" had been forty-

ght hours at sea, and nothing showed that she was near the island. It was





possible, besides, to estimate the distance traversed, or to trust to the

ckoning for the direction, as the speed had been very irregular.

enty-four hours after there was yet no land in sight. The wind was

ght ahead and the sea very heavy. The sails were close-reefed, and they

cked frequently. On the 18th, a wave swept completely over the

onadventure"; and if the crew had not taken the precaution of lashing

emselves to the deck, they would have been carried away.

this occasion Pencroft and his companions, who were occupied with

osing themselves, received unexpected aid from the prisoner, who emerged

om the hatchway as if his sailor's instinct had suddenly returned, broke

piece out of the bulwarks with a spar so as to let the water which filled

e deck escape. Then the vessel being clear, he descended to his cabin

thout having uttered a word. Pencroft, Gideon Spilett, and Herbert,

eatly astonished, let him proceed.

eir situation was truly serious, and the sailor had reason to fear that

was lost on the wide sea without any possibility of recovering his

urse.

e night was dark and cold. However, about eleven o'clock, the wind

ll, the sea went down, and the speed of the vessel, as she labored less,

eatly increased.

ither Pencroft, Spilett, nor Herbert thought of taking an hour's sleep.

ey kept a sharp look-out, for either Lincoln Island could not be far

stant and would be sighted at daybreak, or the "Bonadventure," carried

ay by currents, had drifted so much that it would be impossible to

ctify her course. Pencroft, uneasy to the last degree, yet did not

spair, for he had a gallant heart, and grasping the tiller he anxiously

deavored to pierce the darkness which surrounded them.

out two o'clock in the morning he started forward,--

light! a light!" he shouted.

deed, a bright light appeared twenty miles to the northeast. Lincolnland was there, and this fire, evidently lighted by Cyrus Harding, showed

em the course to be followed. Pencroft, who was bearing too much to the

rth, altered his course and steered towards the fire, which burned

ightly above the horizon like a star of the first magnitude.

apter 15

e next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a

yage of four days, the "Bonadventure" gently glided up to the beach at

e mouth of the Mercy.

rus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and

e prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the

ateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the

ssel which had been so long in returning.

od be praised! there they are!" exclaimed Cyrus Harding.

to Neb in his joy, he began to dance, to twirl round, clapping his

nds and shouting, "Oh! my master!" A more touching pantomime than the

nest discourse.

e engineer's first idea, on counting the people on the deck of the





onadventure," was that Pencroft had not found the castaway of Tabor

land, or at any rate that the unfortunate man had refused to leave his

land and change one prison for another.

deed Pencroft, Gideon Spilett, and Herbert were alone on the deck of

e "Bonadventure."

e moment the vessel touched, the engineer and Neb were waiting on the

ach, and before the passengers had time to leap on to the sand, Harding

id: "We have been very uneasy at your delay, my friends! Did you meet

th any accident?"

o," replied Gideon Spilett; "on the contrary, everything went

nderfully well. We will tell you all about it."

owever," returned the engineer, "your search has been unsuccessful,

nce you are only three, just as you went!"

xcuse me, captain," replied the sailor, "we are four."

ou have found the castaway?"

es."

nd you have brought him?"

es."

iving?"

es."

here is he? Who is he?"

e is," replied the reporter, "or rather he was a man! There, Cyrus,

at is all we can tell you!"

e engineer was then informed of all that had passed during the voyage,

d under what conditions the search had been conducted; how the onlyelling in the island had long been abandoned; how at last a castaway had

en captured, who appeared no longer to belong to the human species.

nd that's just the point," added Pencroft, "I don't know if we have

ne right to bring him here."

ertainly you have, Pencroft," replied the engineer quickly.

ut the wretched creature has no sense!"

hat is possible at present," replied Cyrus Harding, "but only a few

nths ago the wretched creature was a man like you and me. And who knows

at will become of the survivor of us after a long solitude on thisland? It is a great misfortune to be alone, my friends; and it must be

lieved that solitude can quickly destroy reason, since you have found

is poor creature in such a state!"

ut, captain," asked Herbert, "what leads you to think that the

utishness of the unfortunate man began only a few months back?"

ecause the document we found had been recently written," answered the

gineer, "and the castaway alone can have written it."

lways supposing," observed Gideon Spilett, "that it had not been

itten by a companion of this man, since dead."





hat is impossible, my dear Spilett."

hy so?" asked the reporter.

ecause the document would then have spoken of two castaways," replied

rding, "and it mentioned only one."

rbert then in a few words related the incidents of the voyage, and

elt on the curious fact of the sort of passing gleam in the prisoner's

nd, when for an instant in the height of the storm he had become a

ilor.

ell, Herbert," replied the engineer, "you are right to attach great

portance to this fact. The unfortunate man cannot be incurable, and

spair has made him what he is; but here he will find his fellow-men, and

nce there is still a soul in him, this soul we shall save!"

e castaway of Tabor Island, to the great pity of the engineer and the

eat astonishment of Neb, was then brought from the cabin which he

cupied in the fore part of the "Bonadventure"; when once on land he

nifested a wish to run away.

t Cyrus Harding approaching, placed his hand on his shoulder with a

sture full of authority, and looked at him with infinite tenderness.mediately the unhappy man, submitting to a superior will, gradually

came calm, his eyes fell, his head bent, and he made no more resistance.

oor fellow!" murmured the engineer.

rus Harding had attentively observed him. To judge by his appearance

is miserable being had no longer anything human about him, and yet

rding, as had the reporter already, observed in his look an indefinable

ace of intelligence.

was decided that the castaway, or rather the stranger as he was

enceforth termed by his companions, should live in one of the rooms of

anite House, from which, however, he could not escape. He was led therethout difficulty, and with careful attention, it might, perhaps, be hoped

at some day he would be a companion to the settlers in Lincoln Island.

rus Harding, during breakfast, which Neb had hastened to prepare, as

e reporter, Herbert, and Pencroft were dying of hunger, heard in detail

l the incidents which had marked the voyage of exploration to the islet.

agreed with his friends on this point, that the stranger must be either

glish or American, the name Britannia leading them to suppose this, and,

sides, through the bushy beard, and under the shaggy, matted hair, the

gineer thought he could recognize the characteristic features of the

glo-Saxon.

ut, by the bye," said Gideon Spilett, addressing Herbert, "you neverld us how you met this savage, and we know nothing, except that you would

ve been strangled, if we had not happened to come up in time to help

u!"

pon my word," answered Herbert, "it is rather difficult to say how it

ppened. I was, I think, occupied in collecting my plants, when I heard a

ise like an avalanche falling from a very tall tree. I scarcely had time

look round. This unfortunate man, who was without doubt concealed in a

ee, rushed upon me in less time than I take to tell you about it, and

less Mr. Spilett and Pencroft--"

y boy!" said Cyrus Harding, "you ran a great danger, but, perhaps,





wards Claw Cape. Two hours after, she was reposing on the tranquil waters

Port Balloon.

ring the first days passed by the stranger in Granite House, had he

ready given them reason to think that his savage nature was becoming

med? Did a brighter light burn in the depths of that obscured mind? In

ort, was the soul returning to the body?

s, to a certainty, and to such a degree, that Cyrus Harding and the

porter wondered if the reason of the unfortunate man had ever been

tally extinguished. At first, accustomed to the open air, to the

restrained liberty which he had enjoyed on Tabor Island, the stranger

nifested a sullen fury, and it was feared that he might throw himself

to the beach, out of one of the windows of Granite House. But gradually

became calmer, and more freedom was allowed to his movements.

ey had reason to hope, and to hope much. Already, forgetting his

rnivorous instincts, the stranger accepted a less bestial nourishment

an that on which he fed on the islet, and cooked meat did not produce in

m the same sentiment of repulsion which he had showed on board the

onadventure." Cyrus Harding had profited by a moment when he was

eeping, to cut his hair and matted beard, which formed a sort of mane and

ve him such a savage aspect. He had also been clothed more suitably,

ter having got rid of the rag which covered him. The result was that,anks to these attentions, the stranger resumed a more human appearance,

d it even seemed as if his eyes had become milder. Certainly, when

rmerly lighted up by intelligence, this man's face must have had a sort

beauty.

ery day, Harding imposed on himself the task of passing some hours in

s company. He came and worked near him, and occupied himself in different

ings, so as to fix his attention. A spark, indeed, would be sufficient to

illumine that soul, a recollection crossing that brain to recall reason.

at had been seen, during the storm, on board the "Bonadventure!" The

gineer did not neglect either to speak aloud, so as to penetrate at the

me time by the organs of hearing and sight the depths of that torpid

telligence. Sometimes one of his companions, sometimes another, sometimesl joined him. They spoke most often of things belonging to the navy,

ich must interest a sailor.

times, the stranger gave some slight attention to what was said, and

e settlers were soon convinced that he partly understood them. Sometimes

e expression of his countenance was deeply sorrowful, a proof that he

ffered mentally, for his face could not be mistaken; but he did not

eak, although at different times, however, they almost thought that words

re about to issue from his lips. At all events, the poor creature was

ite quiet and sad!

t was not his calm only apparent? Was not his sadness only the result

his seclusion? Nothing could yet be ascertained. Seeing only certainjects and in a limited space, always in contact with the colonists, to

om he would soon become accustomed, having no desires to satisfy, better

d, better clothed, it was natural that his physical nature should

adually improve; but was he penetrated with the sense of a new life? or

ther, to employ a word which would be exactly applicable to him, was he

t becoming tamed, like an animal in company with his master? This was an

portant question, which Cyrus Harding was anxious to answer, and yet he

d not wish to treat his invalid roughly! Would he ever be a convalescent?

w the engineer observed him every moment! How he was on the watch for

s soul, if one may use the expression! How he was ready to grasp it! The

ttlers followed with real sympathy all the phases of the cure undertaken





e stranger tried to avoid his look, and Cyrus Harding having endeavored

take his hand, he drew back quickly.

y friend," said Harding in a firmer voice, "look at me, I wish it!"

e stranger looked at the engineer, and seemed to be under his power, as

subject under the influence of a mesmerist. He wished to run away. But

en his countenance suddenly underwent a transformation. His eyes flashed.

rds struggled to escape from his lips. He could no longer contain

mself! At last he folded his arms; then, in a hollow voice,--"Who are

u?" he asked Cyrus Harding.

astaways, like you," replied the engineer, whose emotion was deep. "We

ve brought you here, among your fellow-men."

y fellow-men!. . . . I have none!"

ou are in the midst of friends."

riends!--for me! friends!" exclaimed the stranger, hiding his face in

s hands. "No--never--leave me! leave me!"

en he rushed to the side of the plateau which overlooked the sea, and

mained there a long time motionless.

rding rejoined his companions and related to them what had just

ppened.

es! there is some mystery in that man's life," said Gideon Spilett,

nd it appears as if he had only re-entered society by the path of

morse."

don't know what sort of a man we have brought here," said the sailor.

e has secrets--"

hich we will respect," interrupted Cyrus Harding quickly. "If he has

mmitted any crime, he has most fearfully expiated it, and in our eyes he

absolved."

r two hours the stranger remained alone on the shore, evidently under

e influence of recollections which recalled all his past life--a

lancholy life doubtless--and the colonists, without losing sight of him,

d not attempt to disturb his solitude. However, after two hours,

pearing to have formed a resolution, he came to find Cyrus Harding. His

es were red with the tears he had shed, but he wept no longer. His

untenance expressed deep humility. He appeared anxious, timorous,

hamed, and his eyes were constantly fixed on the ground.

ir," said he to Harding, "your companions and you, are you English?"

o," answered the engineer, "we are Americans."

h!" said the stranger, and he murmured, "I prefer that!"

nd you, my friend?" asked the engineer.

nglish," replied he hastily.

d as if these few words had been difficult to say, he retreated to the

ach, where he walked up and down between the cascade and the mouth of the

rcy, in a state of extreme agitation.

en, passing one moment close to Herbert, he stopped and in a stifled

ice,--





hat month?" he asked.

ecember," replied Herbert.

hat year?"

866."

welve years! twelve years!" he exclaimed.

en he left him abruptly.

rbert reported to the colonists the questions and answers which had

en made.

his unfortunate man," observed Gideon Spilett, "was no longer

quainted with either months or years!"

es!" added Herbert, "and he had been twelve years already on the islet

en we found him there!"

welve years!" rejoined Harding. "Ah! twelve years of solitude, after a

cked life, perhaps, may well impair a man's reason!"

am induced to think," said Pencroft, "that this man was not wrecked on

bor Island, but that in consequence of some crime he was left there."

ou must be right, Pencroft," replied the reporter, "and if it is so it

not impossible that those who left him on the island may return to fetch

m some day!"

nd they will no longer find him," said Herbert.

ut then," added Pencroft, "they must return, and--"

y friends," said Cyrus Harding, "do not let us discuss this question

til we know more about it. I believe that the unhappy man has suffered,

at he has severely expiated his faults, whatever they may have been, andat the wish to unburden himself stifles him. Do not let us press him to

ll us his history! He will tell it to us doubtless, and when we know it,

shall see what course it will be best to follow. He alone besides can

ll us, if he has more than a hope, a certainty, of returning some day to

s country, but I doubt it!"

nd why?" asked the reporter.

ecause that, in the event of his being sure of being delivered at a

rtain time, he would have waited the hour of his deliverance and would

t have thrown this document into the sea. No, it is more probable that he

s condemned to die on that islet, and that he never expected to see his

llow-creatures again!"

ut," observed the sailor, "there is one thing which I cannot explain."

hat is it?"

f this man had been left for twelve years on Tabor Island, one may well

ppose that he had been several years already in the wild state in which

found him!"

hat is probable," replied Cyrus Harding.

t must then be many years since he wrote that document!"





d will have a good effect in the landscape!"

ey set to work by choosing timber for the frame and machinery of the

ll. Some large stones, found at the north of the lake, could be easily

ansformed into millstones, and as to the sails, the inexhaustible case of

e balloon furnished the necessary material.

rus Harding made his model, and the site of the mill was chosen a

ttle to the right of the poultry-yard, near the shore of the lake. The

ame was to rest on a pivot supported with strong timbers, so that it

uld turn with all the machinery it contained according as the wind

quired it. The work advanced rapidly. Neb and Pencroft had become very

ilful carpenters, and had nothing to do but to copy the models provided

the engineer.

on a sort of cylindrical box, in shape like a pepper-pot, with a

inted roof, rose on the spot chosen. The four frames which formed the

ils had been firmly fixed in the center beam, so as to form a certain

gle with it, and secured with iron clamps. As to the different parts of

e internal mechanism, the box destined to contain the two millstones, the

xed stone and the moving stone, the hopper, a sort of large square

ough, wide at the top, narrow at the bottom, which would allow the grain

fall on the stones, the oscillating spout intended to regulate the

ssing of the grain, and lastly the bolting machine, which by theeration of sifting, separates the bran from the flour, were made without

fficulty. The tools were good, and the work not difficult, for in

ality, the machinery of a mill is very simple. This was only a question

time.

ery one had worked at the construction of the mill, and on the 1st of

cember it was finished. As usual, Pencroft was delighted with his work,

d had no doubt that the apparatus was perfect.

ow for a good wind," said he, "and we shall grind our first harvest

lendidly!"

good wind, certainly," answered the engineer, "but not too much,

ncroft."

ooh! our mill would only go the faster!"

here is no need for it to go so very fast," replied Cyrus Harding. "It

known by experience that the greatest quantity of work is performed by a

ll when the number of turns made by the sails in a minute is six times

e number of feet traversed by the wind in a second. A moderate breeze,

ich passes over twenty-four feet to the second, will give sixteen turns

the sails during a minute, and there is no need of more."

xactly!" cried Herbert, "a fine breeze is blowing from the northeast,

ich will soon do our business for us."

ere was no reason for delaying the inauguration of the mill, for the

ttlers were eager to taste the first piece of bread in Lincoln Island. On

is morning two or three bushels of wheat were ground, and the next day at

eakfast a magnificent loaf, a little heavy perhaps, although raised with

ast, appeared on the table at Granite House. Every one munched away at it

th a pleasure which may be easily understood.

the meanwhile, the stranger had not reappeared. Several times Gideon

ilett and Herbert searched the forest in the neighborhood of Granite

use, without meeting or finding any trace of him. They became seriously

easy at this prolonged absence. Certainly, the former savage of Tabor





ou are wounded?"

t is no matter."

ill you give me your hand?"

d as Herbert endeavored to. seize the hand which had just saved him,

e stranger folded his arms, his chest heaved, his look darkened, and he

peared to wish to escape, but making a violent effort over himself, and

an abrupt tone,--

ho are you?" he asked, "and what do you claim to be to me?"

was the colonists' history which he thus demanded, and for the first

me. Perhaps this history recounted, he would tell his own.

a few words Harding related all that had happened since their

parture from Richmond; how they had managed, and what resources they now

d at their disposal.

e stranger listened with extreme attention.

en the engineer told who they all were, Gideon Spilett, Herbert,

ncroft, Neb, himself, and, he added, that the greatest happiness they had

lt since their arrival in Lincoln Island was on the return of the vesselom Tabor Island, when they had been able to include among them a new

mpanion.

these words the stranger's face flushed, his head sunk on his breast,

d confusion was depicted on his countenance.

nd now that you know us," added Cyrus Harding, "will you give us your

nd?"

o," replied the, stranger in a hoarse voice; "no! You are honest men!

d I--"

apter 17

ese last words justified the colonists' presentiment. There had been some

urnful past, perhaps expiated in the sight of men, but from which his

nscience had not yet absolved him. At any rate the guilty man felt

morse, he repented, and his new friends would have cordially pressed the

nd which they sought; but he did not feel himself worthy to extend it to

nest men! However, after the scene with the jaguar, he did not return to

e forest, and from that day did not go beyond the enclosure of Granite

use.

at was the mystery of his life? Would the stranger one day speak of it?

me alone could show. At any rate, it was agreed that his secret shouldver be asked from him, and that they would live with him as if they

spected nothing.

r some days their life continued as before. Cyrus Harding and Gideon

ilett worked together, sometimes chemists, sometimes experimentalists. The

porter never left the engineer except to hunt with Herbert, for it would

t have been prudent to allow the lad to ramble alone in the forest; and

was very necessary to be on their guard. As to Neb and Pencroft, one day

the stables and poultry-yard, another at the corral, without reckoning

rk in Granite House, they were never in want of employment.

e stranger worked alone, and he had resumed his usual life, never





pearing at meals, sleeping under the trees in the plateau, never mingling

th his companions. It really seemed as if the society of those who had

ved him was insupportable to him!

ut then," observed Pencroft, "why did he entreat the help of his

llow-creatures? Why did he throw that paper into the sea?"

e will tell us why," invariably replied Cyrus Harding.

hen?"

erhaps sooner than you think, Pencroft."

d, indeed, the day of confession was near.

the 10th of December, a week after his return to Granite House,

rding saw the stranger approaching, who, in a calm voice and humble tone,

id to him: "Sir, I have a request to make of you."

peak," answered the engineer, "but first let me ask you a question."

these words the stranger reddened, and was on the point of

thdrawing. Cyrus Harding understood what was passing in the mind of the

ilty man, who doubtless feared that the engineer would interrogate him on

s past life.

rding held him back.

omrade," said he, "we are not only your companions but your friends. I

sh you to believe that, and now I will listen to you."

e stranger pressed his hand over his eyes. He was seized with a sort of

embling, and remained a few moments without being able to articulate a

rd.

ir," said he at last, "I have come to beg you to grant me a favor."

hat is it?"

ou have, four or five miles from here, a corral for your domesticated

imals. These animals need to be taken care of. Will you allow me to live

ere with them?"

rus Harding gazed at the unfortunate man for a few moments with a

eling of deep commiseration; then,--

y friend," said he, "the corral has only stables hardly fit for

imals."

t will be good enough for me, sir."

y friend," answered Harding, "we will not constrain you in anything.

u wish to live at the corral, so be it. You will, however, be always

lcome at Granite House. But since you wish to live at the corral we will

ke the necessary arrangements for your being comfortably established

ere."

ever mind that, I shall do very well."

y friend," answered Harding, who always intentionally made use of this

rdial appellation, "you must let us judge what it will be best to do in

is respect."





ving, as his document indicates, he is a prisoner among the natives, and

is on the other coast that he must be looked for.'

his man spoke in a frank voice and with a confident look; his words

uld not be doubted. The irishman, in whose service he had been for more

an a year, answered for his trustworthiness. Lord Glenarvan, therefore,

lieved in the fidelity of this man and, by his advice, resolved to cross

stralia, following the thirty-seventh parallel. Lord Glenarvan, his wife,

e two children, the major, the Frenchman, Captain Mangles, and a few

ilors composed the little band under the command of Ayrton, while the

uncan,' under charge of the mate, Tom Austin, proceeded to Melbourne,ere to await Lord Glenarvan's instructions.

hey set out on the 23rd of December, 1854.

t is time to say that Ayrton was a traitor. He was, indeed, the

atswain's mate of the 'Britannia,' but, after some dispute with his

ptain, he endeavored to incite the crew to mutiny and seize the ship, and

ptain Grant had landed him, on the 8th of April, 1852, on the west coast

Australia, and then sailed, leaving him there, as was only just.

herefore this wretched man knew nothing of the wreck of the

ritannia'; he had just heard of it from Glenarvan's account. Since his

andonment, he had become, under the name of Ben Joyce, the leader of the

caped convicts; and if he boldly maintained that the wreck had taken

ace on the east coast, and led Lord Glenarvan to proceed in that

rection, it was that he hoped to separate him from his ship, seize the

uncan,' and make the yacht a pirate in the Pacific."

re the stranger stopped for a moment. His voice trembled, but he

ntinued,--

he expedition set out and proceeded across Australia. It was inevitably

fortunate, since Ayrton, or Ben Joyce, as he may be called, guided it,

metimes preceded, sometimes followed by his band of convicts, who had

en told what they had to do.

eanwhile, the 'Duncan' had been sent to Melbourne for repairs. It was

cessary, then, to get Lord Glenarvan to order her to leave Melbourne and

to the east coast of Australia, where it would be easy to seize her.

ter having led the expedition near enough to the coast, in the midst of

st forests with no resources, Ayrton obtained a letter, which he was

arged to carry to the mate of the 'Duncan'--a letter which ordered the

cht to repair immediately to the east coast, to Twofold Bay, that is to

y a few days' journey from the place where the expedition had stopped. It

s there that Ayrton had agreed to meet his accomplices, and two days

ter gaining possession of the letter, he arrived at Melbourne.

o far the villain had succeeded in his wicked design. He would be able

take the 'Duncan' into Twofold Bay, where it would be easy for the

nvicts to seize her, and her crew massacred, Ben Joyce would become

ster of the seas. But it pleased God to prevent the accomplishment of

ese terrible projects.

yrton, arrived at Melbourne, delivered the letter to the mate, Tom

stin, who read it and immediately set sail, but judge of Ayrton's rage

d disappointment, when the next day he found that the mate was taking the

ssel, not to the east coast of Australia, to Twofold Bay, but to the east

ast of New Zealand. He wished to stop him, but Austin showed him the

tter!... And indeed, by a providential error of the French geographer,

o had written the letter, the east coast of New Zealand was mentioned as

e place of destination.





ll Ayrton's plans were frustrated! He became outrageous. They put him

irons. He was then taken to the coast of New Zealand, not knowing what

uld become of his accomplices, or what would become of Lord Glenarvan.

he 'Duncan' cruised about on this coast until the 3rd of March. On that

y Ayrton heard the report of guns. The guns on the 'Duncan' were being

red, and soon Lord Glenarvan and his companions came on board.

his is what had happened.

fter a thousand hardships, a thousand dangers, Lord Glenarvan had

complished his journey, and arrived on the east coast of Australia, at

ofold Bay. 'Not "Duncan!"' He telegraphed to Melbourne. They answered,

Duncan" sailed on the 18th instant. Destination unknown.'

ord Glenarvan could only arrive at one conclusion; that his honest

cht had fallen into the hands of Ben Joyce, and had become a pirate

ssel!

owever, Lord Glenarvan would not give up. He was a bold and generous

n. He embarked in a merchant vessel, sailed to the west coast of New

aland, traversed it along the thirty-seventh parallel, without finding

y trace of Captain Grant; but on the other side, to his great surprise,

d by the will of Heaven, he found the 'Duncan,' under command of thete, who had been waiting for him for five weeks!

his was on the 3rd of March, 1855. Lord Glenarvan was now on board the

uncan,' but Ayrton was there also. He appeared before the nobleman, who

shed to extract from him all that the villain knew about Captain Grant.

rton refused to speak. Lord Glenarvan then told him, that at the first

rt they put into, he would be delivered up to the English authorities.

rton remained mute.

he 'Duncan' continued her voyage along the thirty-seventh parallel. In

e meanwhile, Lady Glenarvan undertook to vanquish the resistance of the

ffian.

t last, her influence prevailed, and Ayrton, in exchange for what he

uld tell, proposed that Lord Glenarvan should leave him on some island in

e Pacific, instead of giving him up to the English authorities. Lord

enarvan, resolving to do anything to obtain information about Captain

ant, consented.

yrton then related all his life, and it was certain that he knew

thing from the day on which Captain Grant had landed him on the

stralian coast.

evertheless, Lord Glenarvan kept the promise which he had given. The

uncan' continued her voyage and arrived at Tabor Island. It was there

at Ayrton was to be landed, and it was there also that, by a veritableracle, they found Captain Grant and two men, exactly on the thirty-

venth parallel.

he convict, then, went to take their place on this desert islet, and at

e moment he left the yacht these words were pronounced by Lord

enarvan:--

Here, Ayrton, you will be far from any land, and without any possible

mmunication with your fellow-creatures. You can-not escape from this

let on which the 'Duncan' leaves you. You will be alone, under the eye of

God who reads the depths of the heart, but you will be neither lost nor

rgotten, as was Captain Grant. Unworthy as you are to be remembered by





n, men will remember you. I know where you are Ayrton, and I know where

find you. I will never forget it!

nd the 'Duncan,' making sail, soon disappeared. This was 18th of March,

55.

he events which have just been briefly related are taken from a

ork which some of our readers have no doubt read, and which is

ntitled, "Captain Grant's children." They will remark on this

ccasion, as well as later, some discrepancy in the dates; but

ater again, they will understand why the real dates were not at

irst given.)

yrton was alone, but he had no want of either ammunition, weapons,

ols, or seeds.

t his, the convict's disposal, was the house built by honest Captain

ant. He had only to live and expiate in solitude the crimes which he had

mmitted.

entlemen, he repented, he was ashamed of his crimes and was very

serable! He said to himself, that if men came some day to take him from

at islet, he must be worthy to return among them! How he suffered, that

etched man! How he labored to recover himself by work! How he prayed to

reformed by prayer! For two years, three years, this went on, but

rton, humbled by solitude, always looking for some ship to appear on the

rizon, asking himself if the time of expiation would soon be complete,

ffered as none other suffered! Oh! how dreadful was this solitude, to a

art tormented by remorse!

ut doubtless Heaven had not sufficiently punished this unhappy man, for

felt that he was gradually becoming a savage! He felt that brutishness

s gradually gaining on him!

e could not say if it was after two or three years of solitude, but at

st he became the miserable creature you found!

have no need to tell you, gentlemen, that Ayrton, Ben Joyce, and I,

e the same."

rus Harding and his companions rose at the end of this account. It is

possible to say how much they were moved! What misery, grief, and despair

y revealed before them!

yrton," said Harding, rising, "you have been a great criminal, butaven must certainly think that you have expiated your crimes! That has

en proved by your having been brought again among your fellow-creatures.

rton, you are forgiven! And now you will be our companion?"

rton drew back.

ere is my hand!" said the engineer.

rton grasped the hand which Harding extended to him, and great tears

ll from his eyes.

ill you live with us?" asked Cyrus Harding.





aptain Harding, leave me some time longer," replied Ayrton, "leave me

one in the hut in the corral!"

s you like, Ayrton," answered Cyrus Harding. Ayrton was going to

thdraw, when the engineer addressed one more question to him:--

ne word more, my friend. Since it was your intention to live alone, why

d you throw into the sea the document which put us on your track?"

document?" repeated Ayrton, who did not appear to know what he meant.

es, the document which we found enclosed in a bottle, giving us the

act position of Tabor Island!"

rton passed his hand over his brow, then after having thought, "I never

rew any document into the sea!" he answered.

ever?" exclaimed Pencroft.

ever!"

d Ayrton, bowing, reached the door and departed.

apter 8

oor man!" said Herbert, who had rushed to the door, but returned, having

en Ayrton slide down the rope on the lift and disappear in the darkness.

e will come back," said Cyrus Harding.

ome, now, captain," exclaimed Pencroft, "what does that mean? What!

sn't it Ayrton who threw that bottle into the sea? Who was it then?"

rtainly, if ever a question was necessary to be made, it was that one!

t was he," answered Neb, "only the unhappy man was half-mad."

es!" said Herbert, "and he was no longer conscious of what he was

ing."

t can only be explained in that way, my friends," replied Harding

ickly, "and I understand now how Ayrton was able to point out exactly the

tuation of Tabor Island, since the events which had preceded his being

ft on the island had made it known to him."

owever," observed Pencroft, "if he was not yet a brute when he wrote

at document, and if he threw it into the sea seven or eight years ago,

w is it that the paper has not been injured by damp?"

hat proves," answered Cyrus Harding, "that Ayrton was deprived of

telligence at a more recent time than he thinks."

f course it must be so," replied Pencroft, "without that the fact would

unaccountable."

naccountable indeed," answered the engineer, who did not appear

sirous to prolong the conversation.

ut has Ayrton told the truth?" asked the sailor.

es," replied the reporter. "The story which he has told is true in

ery point. I remember quite well the account in the newspapers of the





cht expedition undertaken by Lord Glenarvan, and its result."

yrton has told the truth," added Harding. "Do not doubt it, Pencroft,

r it was painful to him. People tell the truth when they accuse

emselves like that!"

e next day--the 21st of December--the colonists descended to the beach,

d having climbed the plateau they found nothing of Ayrton. He had reached

s house in the corral during the night and the settlers judged it best

t to agitate him by their presence. Time would doubtless perform what

mpathy had been unable to accomplish.

rbert, Pencroft, and Neb resumed their ordinary occupations. On this

y the same work brought Harding and the reporter to the workshop at the

imneys.

o you know, my dear Cyrus," said Gideon Spilett, "that the explanation

u gave yesterday on the subject of the bottle has not satisfied me at

l! How can it be supposed that the unfortunate man was able to write that

cument and throw the bottle into the sea without having the slightest

collection of it?"

or was it he who threw it in, my dear Spilett."

ou think then--"

think nothing, I know nothing!" interrupted Cyrus Harding. "I am

ntent to rank this incident among those which I have not been able to

plain to this day!"

ndeed, Cyrus," said Spilett, "these things are incredible! Your rescue,

e case stranded on the sand, Top's adventure, and lastly this bottle...

all we never have the answer to these enigmas?"

es!" replied the engineer quickly, "yes, even if I have to penetrate

to the bowels of this island!"

hance will perhaps give us the key to this mystery!"

hance! Spilett! I do not believe in chance, any more than I believe in

steries in this world. There is a reason for everything unaccountable

ich has happened here, and that reason I shall discover. But in the

antime we must work and observe."

e month of January arrived. The year 1867 commenced. The summer

cupations were assiduously continued. During the days which followed,

rbert and Spilett having gone in the direction of the corral, ascertained

at Ayrton had taken possession of the habitation which had been prepared

r him. He busied himself with the numerous flock confided to his care,

d spared his companions the trouble of coming every two or three days to

sit the corral. Nevertheless, in order not to leave Ayrton in solituder too long a time, the settlers often paid him a visit.

was not unimportant either, in consequence of some suspicions

tertained by the engineer and Gideon Spilett, that this part of the

land should be subject to a surveillance of some sort, and that Ayrton,

any incident occurred unexpectedly, should not neglect to inform the

habitants of Granite House of it.

vertheless it might happen that something would occur which it would be

cessary to bring rapidly to the engineer's knowledge. Independently of

cts bearing on the mystery of Lincoln Island, many others might happen,

ich would call for the prompt interference of the colonists,--such as the





ghting of a vessel, a wreck on the western coast, the possible arrival of

rates, etc.

erefore Cyrus Harding resolved to put the corral in instantaneous

mmunication with Granite House.

was on the 10th of January that he made known his project to his

mpanions.

hy! how are you going to manage that, captain?" asked Pencroft. "Do you

chance happen to think of establishing a telegraph?"

xactly so," answered the engineer.

lectric?" cried Herbert.

lectric," replied Cyrus Harding. "We have all the necessary materials

r making a battery, and the most difficult thing will be to stretch the

res, but by means of a drawplate I think we shall manage it."

ell, after that," returned the sailor, "I shall never despair of seeing

rselves some day rolling along on a railway!"

ey then set to work, beginning with the most difficult thing, for, if

ey failed in that, it would be useless to manufacture the battery andher accessories.

e iron of Lincoln Island, as has been said, was of excellent quality,

d consequently very fit for being drawn out. Harding commenced by

nufacturing a drawplate, that is to say, a plate of steel, pierced with

nical holes of different sizes, which would successively bring the wire

the wished-for tenacity. This piece of steel, after having been

mpered, was fixed in as firm a way as possible in a solid framework

anted in the ground, only a few feet from the great fall, the motive

wer of which the engineer intended to utilize. In fact as the fulling-

ll was there, although not then in use, its beam moved with extreme power

uld serve to stretch out the wire by rolling it round itself. It was a

licate operation, and required much care. The iron, prepared previouslylong thin rods, the ends of which were sharpened with the file, having

en introduced into the largest hole of the drawplate, was drawn out by

e beam which wound it round itself, to a length of twenty-five or thirty

et, then unrolled, and the same operation was performed successively

rough the holes of a less size. Finally, the engineer obtained wires from

rty to fifty feet long, which could be easily fastened together and

retched over the distance of five miles, which separated the corral from

e bounds of Granite House.

did not take more than a few days to perform this work, and indeed as

on as the machine had been commenced, Cyrus Harding left his companions

follow the trade of wiredrawers, and occupied himself with manufacturing

s battery.

was necessary to obtain a battery with a constant current. It is known

at the elements of modern batteries are generally composed of retort

al, zinc, and copper. Copper was absolutely wanting to the engineer, who,

twithstanding all his researches, had never been able to find any trace

it in Lincoln Island, and was therefore obliged to do without it. Retort

al, that is to say, the hard graphite which is found in the retorts of

s manufactories, after the coal has been dehydrogenized, could have been

tained, but it would have been necessary to establish a special

paratus, involving great labor. As to zinc, it may be remembered that the

se found at Flotsam Point was lined with this metal, which could not be





tter utilized than for this purpose.

rus Harding, after mature consideration, decided to manufacture a very

mple battery, resembling as nearly as possible that invented by Becquerel

1820, and in which zinc only is employed. The other substances, azotic

id and potash, were all at his disposal.

e way in which the battery was composed was as follows, and the results

re to be attained by the reaction of acid and potash on each other. A

mber of glass bottles were made and filled with azotic acid. The engineer

rked them by means of a stopper through which passed a glass tube, bored

its lower extremity, and intended to be plunged into the acid by means

a clay stopper secured by a rag. Into this tube, through its upper

tremity, he poured a solution of potash, previously obtained by burning

d reducing to ashes various plants, and in this way the acid and potash

uld act on each other through the clay.

rus Harding then took two slips of zinc, one of which was plunged into

otic acid, the other into a solution of potash. A current was immediately

oduced, which was transmitted from the slip of zinc in the bottle to that

the tube, and the two slips having been connected by a metallic wire the

ip in the tube became the positive pole, and that in the bottle the

gative pole of the apparatus. Each bottle, therefore, produced as many

rrents as united would be sufficient to produce all the phenomena of theectric telegraph. Such was the ingenious and very simple apparatus

nstructed by Cyrus Harding, an apparatus which would allow them to

tablish a telegraphic communication between Granite House and the corral.

the 6th of February was commenced the planting along the road to the

rral, of posts furnished with glass insulators, and intended to support

e wire. A few days after, the wire was extended, ready to produce the

ectric current at a rate of twenty thousand miles a second.

o batteries had been manufactured, one for Granite House, the other for

e corral; for if it was necessary the corral should be able to

mmunicate with Granite House it might also be useful that Granite House

ould be able to communicate with the corral.

to the receiver and manipulator, they were very simple. At the two

ations the wire was wound round a magnet, that is to say, round a piece

soft iron surrounded with a wire. The communication was thus established

tween the two poles; the current, starting from the positive pole,

aversed the wire, passed through the magnet which was temporarily

gnetized, and returned through the earth to the negative pole. If the

rrent was interrupted, the magnet immediately became unmagnetized. It was

fficient to place a plate of soft iron before the magnet, which,

tracted during the passage of the current, would fall back when the

rrent was interrupted. This movement of the plate thus obtained, Harding

uld easily fasten to it a needle arranged on a dial, bearing the letters

the alphabet, and in this way communicate from one station to the other.

l was completely arranged by the 12th of February. On this day,

rding, having sent the current through the wire, asked if all was going

well at the corral, and received in a few moments a satisfactory reply

om Ayrton. Pencroft was wild with joy, and every morning and evening he

nt a telegram to the corral, which always received an answer.

is mode of communication presented two very real advantages: firstly,

cause it enabled them to ascertain that Ayrton was at the corral; and

condly, that he was thus not left completely isolated. Besides, Cyrus

rding never allowed a week to pass without going to see him, and Ayrton

me from time to time to Granite House, where he always found a cordial





lcome.

e fine season passed away in the midst of the usual work. The resources

the colony, particularly in vegetables and corn, increased from day to

y, and the plants brought from Tabor Island had succeeded perfectly.

e plateau of Prospect Heights presented an encouraging aspect. The

urth harvest had been admirable and it may be supposed that no one

ought of counting whether the four hundred thousand millions of grains

ly appeared in the crop. However, Pencroft had thought of doing so, but

rus Harding having told him that even if he managed to count three

ndred grains a minute, or nine thousand an hour, it would take him nearly

ve thousand five-hundred years to finish his task, the honest sailor

nsidered it best to give up the idea.

e weather was splendid, the temperature very warm in the day time, but

the evening the sea-breezes tempered the heat of the atmosphere and

ocured cool nights for the inhabitants of Granite House. There were,

wever, a few storms, which, although they were not of long duration,

ept over Lincoln Island with extraordinary fury. The lightning blazed and

e thunder continued to roll for some hours.

this period the little colony was extremely prosperous.

e tenants of the poultry-yard swarmed, and they lived on the surplus,

t it became necessary to reduce the population to a more moderate number.

e pigs had already produced young, and it may be understood that their

re for these animals absorbed a great part of Neb and Pencroft's time.

e onagers, who had two pretty colts, were most often mounted by Gideon

ilett and Herbert, who had become an excellent rider under the reporter's

struction, and they also harnessed them to the cart either for carrying

od and coal to Granite House, or different mineral productions required

the engineer.

veral expeditions were made about this time into the depths of the Far

st Forests. The explorers could venture there without having anything to

ar from the heat, for the sun's rays scarcely penetrated through the

ick foliage spreading above their heads. They thus visited all the left

nk of the Mercy, along which ran the road from the corral to the mouth of

lls River.

t in these excursions the settlers took care to be well armed, for they

t with savage wild boars, with which they often had a tussle. They also,

ring this season, made fierce war against the jaguars. Gideon Spilett had

wed a special hatred against them, and his pupil Herbert seconded him

ll. Armed as they were, they no longer feared to meet one of those

asts. Herbert's courage was superb, and the reporter's sang-froid

tonishing. Already twenty magnificent skins ornamented the dining-room of

anite House, and if this continued, the jaguar race would soon be extinct

the island, the object aimed at by the hunters.

e engineer sometimes took part in the expeditions made to the unknown

rts of the island, which he surveyed with great attention. It was for

her traces than those of animals that he searched the thickets of the

st forest, but nothing suspicious ever appeared. Neither Top nor Jup, who

companied him, ever betrayed by their behavior that there was anything

range there, and yet more than once again the dog barked at the mouth of

e well, which the engineer had before explored without result.

this time Gideon Spilett, aided by Herbert, took several views of the

st picturesque parts of the island, by means of the photographic

paratus found in the cases, and of which they had not as yet made any





rus Harding gazed at the sheet of white without saying anything, for he

ally did not know how to explain this phenomenon, at this time of year

d in such a temperature.

y Jove!" exclaimed Pencroft, "all our plants will be frozen!"

d the sailor was about to descend, when he was preceded by the nimble

p, who slid down to the sand.

t the orang had not touched the ground, when the snowy sheet arose and

spersed in the air in such innumerable flakes that the light of the sun

s obscured for some minutes.

irds!" cried Herbert.

ey were indeed swarms of sea-birds, with dazzling white plumage. They

d perched by thousands on the islet and on the shore, and they

sappeared in the distance, leaving the colonists amazed as if they had

en present at some transformation scene, in which summer succeeded winter

the touch of a fairy's wand. Unfortunately the change had been so

dden, that neither the reporter nor the lad had been able to bring down

e of these birds, of which they could not recognize the species.

few days after came the 26th of March, the day on which, two years

fore, the castaways from the air had been thrown upon Lincoln Island.

apter 19

o years already! and for two years the colonists had had no communication

th their fellow-creatures! They were without news from the civilized

rld, lost on this island, as completely as if they had been on the most

nute star of the celestial hemisphere!

at was now happening in their country? The picture of their native land

s always before their eyes, the land torn by civil war at the time they

ft it, and which the Southern rebellion was perhaps still staining with

ood! It was a great sorrow to them, and they often talked together of

ese things, without ever doubting however that the cause of the North

st triumph, for the honor of the American Confederation.

ring these two years not a vessel had passed in sight of the island;

, at least, not a sail had been seen. It was evident that Lincoln Island

s out of the usual track, and also that it was unknown,--as was besides

oved by the maps,--for though there was no port, vessels might have

sited it for the purpose of renewing their store of water. But the

rrounding ocean was deserted as far as the eye could reach, and the

lonists must rely on themselves for regaining their native land.

wever, one chance of rescue existed, and this chance was discussed one

y on the first week of April, when the colonists were gathered together

the dining-room of Granite House.

ey had been talking of America, of their native country, which they had

little hope of ever seeing again.

ecidedly we have only one way, said Spilett, "one single way for

aving Lincoln Island, and that is, to build a vessel large enough to sail

veral hundred miles. It appears to me, that when one has built a boat it

just as easy to build a ship!"

nd in which we might go to the Pomoutous," added Herbert, "just as





sily as we went to Tabor Island."

do not say no," replied Pencroft, who had always the casting vote in

ritime questions; "I do not say no, although it is not exactly the same

ing to make a long as a short voyage! If our little craft had been caught

any heavy gale of wind during the voyage to Tabor Island, we should have

own that land was at no great distance either way; but twelve hundred

les is a pretty long way, and the nearest land is at least that

stance!"

ould you not, in that case, Pencroft, attempt the adventure?" asked the

porter.

will attempt anything that is desired, Mr. Spilett," answered the

ilor, "and you know well that I am not a man to flinch!"

emember, besides, that we number another sailor amongst us now,"

marked Neb.

ho is that?" asked Pencroft.

yrton."

f he will consent to come," said Pencroft.

onsense!" returned the reporter; "do you think that if Lord Glenarvan's

cht had appeared at Tabor Island, while he was still living there, Ayrton

uld have refused to depart?"

ou forget, my friends," then said Cyrus Harding, "that Ayrton was not

possession of his reason during the last years of his stay there. But

at is not the question. The point is to know if we may count among our

ances of being rescued, the return of the Scotch vessel. Now, Lord

enarvan promised Ayrton that he would return to take him off from Tabor

land when he considered that his crimes were expiated, and I believe that

will return."

es," said the reporter, "and I will add that he will return soon, foris twelve years since Ayrton was abandoned."

ell!" answered Pencroft, "I agree with you that the nobleman will

turn, and soon too. But where will he touch? At Tabor Island, and not at

ncoln Island."

hat is the more certain," replied Herbert, "as Lincoln Island is not

en marked on the map."

herefore, my friends," said the engineer, "we ought to take the

cessary precautions for making our presence and that of Ayrton on Lincoln

land known at Tabor Island."

ertainly," answered the reporter, "and nothing is easier than to place

the hut, which was Captain Grant's and Ayrton's dwelling, a notice which

rd Glenarvan and his crew cannot help finding, giving the position of our

land."

t is a pity," remarked the sailor, "that we forgot to take that

ecaution on our first visit to Tabor Island."

nd why should we have done it?" asked Herbert. "At that time we did not

ow Ayrton's history; we did not know that any one was likely to come some

y to fetch him, and when we did know his history, the season was too

vanced to allow us to return then to Tabor Island."





rus Harding informed Ayrton of the projected expedition, and proposed

at he should take part in it, but Ayrton preferring to remain on shore,

was decided that he should come to Granite House during the absence of

s companions. Master Jup was ordered to keep him company, and made no

monstrance.

the morning of the 16th of April all the colonists, including Top,

barked. A fine breeze blew from the south-west, and the "Bonadventure"

cked on leaving Port Balloon so as to reach Reptile End. Of the ninety

les which the perimeter of the island measured, twenty included the south

ast between the port and the promontory. The wind being right ahead its necessary to hug the shore.

took the whole day to reach the promontory, for the vessel on leaving

rt had only two hours of ebb tide and had therefore to make way for six

urs against the flood. It was nightfall before the promontory was

ubled.

e sailor then proposed to the engineer that they should continue

iling slowly with two reefs in the sail. But Harding preferred to anchor

few cable-lengths from the shore, so as to survey that part of the coast

ring the day. It was agreed also that as they were anxious for a minute

ploration of the coast they should not sail during the night, but would

ways, when the weather permitted it, be at anchor near the shore.

e night was passed under the promontory, and the wind having fallen,

thing disturbed the silence. The passengers, with the exception of the

ilor, scarcely slept as well on board the "Bonadventure" as they would

ve done in their rooms at Granite House, but they did sleep however.

ncroft set sail at break of day, and by going on the larboard tack they

uld keep close to the shore.

e colonists knew this beautiful wooded coast, since they had already

plored it on foot, and yet it again excited their admiration. They

asted along as close in as possible, so as to notice everything, avoiding

ways the trunks of trees which floated here and there. Several times also

ey anchored, and Gideon Spilett took photographs of the superb scenery.

out noon the "Bonadventure" arrived at the mouth of Falls River.

yond, on the left bank, a few scattered trees appeared, and three miles

rther even these dwindled into solitary groups among the western spurs of

e mountain, whose arid ridge sloped down to the shore.

at a contrast between the northern and southern part of the coast! In

oportion as one was woody and fertile so was the other rugged and barren!

might have been designated as one of those iron coasts, as they are

lled in some countries, and its wild confusion appeared to indicate that

sudden crystallization had been produced in the yet liquid basalt of some

stant geological sea. These stupendous masses would have terrified the

ttlers if they had been cast at first on this part of the island! They

d not been able to perceive the sinister aspect of this shore from the

mmit of Mount Franklin, for they overlooked it from too great a height,

t viewed from the sea it presented a wild appearance which could not

rhaps be equaled in any corner of the globe.

e "Bonadventure" sailed along this coast for the distance of half a

le. It was easy to see that it was composed of blocks of all sizes, from

enty to three hundred feet in height, and of all shapes, round like

wers, prismatic like steeples, pyramidal like obelisks, conical like

ctory chimneys. An iceberg of the Polar seas could not have been more

pricious in its terrible sublimity! Here, bridges were thrown from one

ck to another; there, arches like those of a wave, into the depths of





ich the eye could not penetrate; in one place, large vaulted excavations

esented a monumental aspect; in another, a crowd of columns, spires, and

ches, such as no Gothic cathedral ever possessed. Every caprice of

ture, still more varied than those of the imagination, appeared on this

and coast, which extended over a length of eight or nine miles.

rus Harding and his companions gazed, with a feeling of surprise

rdering on stupefaction. But, although they remained silent, Top, not

ing troubled with feelings of this sort, uttered barks which were

peated by the thousand echoes of the basaltic cliff. The engineer even

served that these barks had something strange in them, like those whiche dog had uttered at the mouth of the well in Granite House.

et us go close in," said he.

d the "Bonadventure" sailed as near as possible to the rocky shore.

rhaps some cave, which it would be advisable to explore, existed there?

t Harding saw nothing, not a cavern, not a cleft which could serve as a

treat to any being whatever, for the foot of the cliff was washed by the

rf. Soon Top's barks ceased, and the vessel continued her course at a few

bles-length from the coast.

the northwest part of the island the shore became again flat and

ndy. A few trees here and there rose above a low, marshy ground, which

e colonists had already surveyed, and in violent contrast to the other

sert shore, life was again manifested by the presence of myriads of

ter-fowl. That evening the "Bonadventure" anchored in a small bay to the

rth of the island, near the land, such was the depth of water there. The

ght passed quietly, for the breeze died away with the last light of day,

d only rose again with the first streaks of dawn.

it was easy to land, the usual hunters of the colony, that is to say,

rbert and Gideon Spilett, went for a ramble of two hours or so, and

turned with several strings of wild duck and snipe. Top had done wonders,

d not a bird had been lost, thanks to his zeal and cleverness.

eight o'clock in the morning the "Bonadventure" set sail, and ran

pidly towards North Mandible Cape, for the wind was right astern and

eshening rapidly.

owever," observed Pencroft, "I should not be surprised if a gale came

from the west. Yesterday the sun set in a very red-looking horizon, and

w, this morning, those mares-tails don't forbode anything good."

ese mares-tails are cirrus clouds, scattered in the zenith, their

ight from the sea being less than five thousand feet. They look like

ght pieces of cotton wool, and their presence usually announces some

dden change in the weather.

ell," said Harding, "let us carry as much sail as possible, and run for

elter into Shark Gulf. I think that the 'Bonadventure' will be safe

ere."

erfectly," replied Pencroft, "and besides, the north coast is merely

nd, very uninteresting to look at."

shall not be sorry," resumed the engineer, "to pass not only to-night

t to-morrow in that bay, which is worth being carefully explored."

think that we shall be obliged to do so, whether we like it or not,"

swered Pencroft, "for the sky looks very threatening towards the west.

rty weather is coming on!"





t any rate we have a favorable wind for reaching Cape Mandible,"

served the reporter.

very fine wind," replied the sailor; "but we must tack to enter the

lf, and I should like to see my way clear in these unknown quarters."

uarters which appear to be filled with rocks," added Herbert, "if we

dge by what we saw on the south coast of Shark Gulf."

encroft," said Cyrus Harding, "do as you think best, we will leave it

you."

on't make your mind uneasy, captain," replied the sailor, "I shall not

pose myself needlessly! I would rather a knife were run into my ribs than

sharp rock into those of my 'Bonadventure!'"

at which Pencroft called ribs was the pan of his vessel under water,

d he valued it more than his own skin.

hat o'clock is it?" asked Pencroft.

en o'clock," replied Gideon Spilett.

nd what distance is it to the Cape, captain?"

bout fifteen miles," replied the engineer.

hat's a matter of two hours and a half," said the sailor, "and we shall

off the Cape between twelve and one o'clock. Unluckily, the tide will be

rning at that moment, and will be ebbing out of the gulf. I am afraid

at it will be very difficult to get in, having both wind and tide against

."

nd the more so that it is a full moon to-day," remarked Herbert, "and

ese April tides are very strong."

ell, Pencroft," asked Harding, "can you not anchor off the Cape?"

nchor near land, with bad weather coming on!" exclaimed the sailor.

hat are you thinking of, captain? We should run aground, of a certainty!"

hat will you do then?"

shall try to keep in the offing until the flood, that is to say, till

out seven in the evening, and if there is still light enough I will try

enter the gulf; if not, we must stand off and on during the night, and

will enter to-morrow at sunrise."

s I told you, Pencroft, we will leave it to you," answered Harding.

h!" said Pencroft, "if there was only a lighthouse on the coast, it

uld be much more convenient for sailors."

es," replied Herbert, "and this time we shall have no obliging engineer

light a fire to guide us into port!"

hy, indeed, my dear Cyrus," said Spilett, "we have never thanked you;

t frankly, without that fire we should never have been able--"

fire?" asked Harding, much astonished at the reporter's words.

e mean, captain," answered Pencroft, "that on board the 'Bonadventure'

were very anxious during the few hours before our return, and we should

ve passed to windward of the island, if it had not been for the





ecaution you took of lighting a fire the night of the 19th of October, on

ospect Heights."

es, yes! That was a lucky idea of mine!" replied the engineer.

nd this time," continued the sailor. "unless the idea occurs to Ayrton,

ere will be no one to do us that little service!"

o! No one!" answered Cyrus Harding.

few minutes after, finding himself alone in the bows of the vessel,

th the reporter, the engineer bent down and whispered,--

f there is one thing certain in this world, Spilett, it is that I never

ghted any fire during the night of the 19th of October, neither on

ospect Heights nor on any other part of the island!"

apter 20

ings happened as Pencroft had predicted, he being seldom mistaken in his

ognostications. The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased

a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to

rty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would haven under close-reefed topsails. Now, as it was nearly six o'clock when the

onadventure" reached the gulf, and as at that moment the tide turned, it

s impossible to enter. They were therefore compelled to stand off, for

en if he had wished to do so, Pencroft could not have gained the mouth of

e Mercy. Hoisting the jib to the mainmast by way of a storm-sail, he hove

, putting the head of the vessel towards the land.

rtunately, although the wind was strong the sea, being sheltered by the

nd, did not run very high. They had then little to fear from the waves,

ich always endanger small craft. The "Bonadventure" would doubtlessly not

ve capsized, for she was well ballasted, but enormous masses of water

lling on the deck might injure her if her timbers could not sustain them.

ncroft, as a good sailor, was prepared for anything. Certainly, he hadeat confidence in his vessel, but nevertheless he awaited the return of

y with some anxiety.

ring the night, Cyrus Harding and Gideon Spilett had no opportunity for

lking together, and yet the words pronounced in the reporter's ear by the

gineer were well worth being discussed, together with the mysterious

fluence which appeared to reign over Lincoln Island. Gideon Spilett did

t cease from pondering over this new and inexplicable incident, the

pearance of a fire on the coast of the island. The fire had actually been

en! His companions, Herbert and Pencroft, had seen it with him! The fire

d served to signalize the position of the island during that dark night,

d they had not doubted that it was lighted by the engineer's hand; and

re was Cyrus Harding expressly declaring that he had never done anythingthe sort! Spilett resolved to recur to this incident as soon as the

onadventure" returned, and to urge Cyrus Harding to acquaint their

mpanions with these strange facts. Perhaps it would be decided to make in

mmon a complete investigation of every part of Lincoln Island.

wever that might be, on this evening no fire was lighted on these yet

known shores, which formed the entrance to the gulf, and the little

ssel stood off during the night.

en the first streaks of dawn appeared in the western horizon, the wind,

ich had slightly fallen, shifted two points, and enabled Pencroft to

ter the narrow gulf with greater ease. Towards seven o'clock in the





n opening, a cutting of some sort, to give access to the interior of

e island. I do not see a spot on which we could land." And, in fact, the

eep lava cliffs did not afford a single place suitable for landing. They

rmed an insuperable barrier, recalling, but with more wildness, the

ords of Norway. The "Bonadventure," coasting as close as possible along

e cliffs, did not discover even a projection which would allow the

ssengers to leave the deck.

ncroft consoled himself by saying that with the help of a mine they

uld soon open out the cliff when that was necessary, and then, as there

s evidently nothing to be done in the gulf, he steered his vessel towards

e strait and passed out at about two o'clock in the afternoon.

h!" said Nab, uttering a sigh of satisfaction.

e might really say that the honest Negro did not feel at his ease in

ose enormous jaws.

e distance from Mandible Cape to the mouth of the Mercy was not more

an eight miles. The head of the "Bonadventure" was put towards Granite

use, and a fair wind filling her sails, she ran rapidly along the coast.

the enormous lava rocks succeeded soon those capricious sand dunes,

ong which the engineer had been so singularly recovered, and whichabirds frequented in thousands.

out four o'clock, Pencroft leaving the point of the islet on his left,

tered the channel which separated it from the coast, and at five o'clock

e anchor of the "Bonadventure" was buried in the sand at the mouth of

e Mercy.

e colonists had been absent three days from their dwelling. Ayrton was

iting for them on the beach, and Jup came joyously to meet them, giving

nt to deep grunts of satisfaction.

complete exploration of the coast of the island had now been made, and

suspicious appearances had been observed. If any mysterious beingsided on it, it could only be under cover of the impenetrable forest of

e Serpentine Peninsula, to which the colonists had not yet directed their

vestigations.

deon Spilett discussed these things with the engineer, and it was

reed that they should direct the attention of their companions to the

range character of certain incidents which had occurred on the island,

d of which the last was the most unaccountable.

wever, Harding, returning to the fact of a fire having been kindled on

e shore by an unknown hand, could not refrain from repeating for the

entieth time to the reporter,--

ut are you quite sure of having seen it? Was it not a partial eruption

the volcano, or perhaps some meteor?"

o, Cyrus," answered the reporter, "it was certainly a fire lighted by

e hand of man. Besides; question Pencroft and Herbert. They saw it as I

w it myself, and they will confirm my words."

consequence, therefore, a few days after, on the 25th of April, in the

ening, when the settlers were all collected on Prospect Heights, Cyrus

rding began by saying,--

y friends, I think it my duty to call your attention to certain





cidents which have occurred in the island, on the subject of which I

all be happy to have your advice. These incidents are, so to speak,

pernatural--"

upernatural!" exclaimed the sailor, emitting a volume of smoke from his

uth. "Can it be possible that our island is supernatural?"

o, Pencroft, but mysterious, most certainly," replied the engineer;

nless you can explain that which Spilett and I have until now failed to

derstand."

peak away, captain," answered the sailor.

ell, have you understood," then said the engineer, "how was it that

ter falling into the sea, I was found a quarter of a mile into the

terior of the island, and that, without my having any consciousness of my

moval there?"

nless, being unconscious--" said Pencroft.

hat is not admissible," replied the engineer. "But to continue. Have

u understood how Top was able to discover your retreat five miles from

e cave in which I was lying?"

he dog's instinct--" observed Herbert.

ingular instinct!" returned the reporter, "since notwithstanding the

orm of rain and wind which was raging during that night, Top arrived at

e Chimneys, dry and without a speck of mud!"

et us continue," resumed the engineer. "Have you understood how our dog

s so strangely thrown up out of the water of the lake, after his struggle

th the dugong?"

o! I confess, not at all," replied Pencroft, "and the wound which the

gong had in its side, a wound which seemed to have been made with a sharp

strument; that can't be understood, either."

et us continue again," said Harding. "Have you understood, my friends,

w that bullet got into the body of the young peccary; how that case

ppened to be so fortunately stranded, without there being any trace of a

eck; how that bottle containing the document presented itself so

portunely, during our first sea-excursion; how our canoe, having broken

s moorings, floated down the current of the Mercy and rejoined us at the

ry moment we needed it; how after the ape invasion the ladder was so

ligingly thrown down from Granite House; and lastly, how the document,

ich Ayrton asserts was never written by him, fell into our hands?"

Cyrus Harding thus enumerated, without forgetting one, the singular

cidents which had occurred in the island, Herbert, Neb, and Pencroft

ared at each other, not knowing what to reply, for this succession ofcidents, grouped thus for the first time, could not but excite their

rprise to the highest degree.

Pon my word," said Pencroft at last, "you are right, captain, and it is

fficult to explain all these things!"

ell, my friends," resumed the engineer, "a last fact has just been

ded to these, and it is no less incomprehensible than the others!"

hat is it, captain?" asked Herbert quickly.

hen you were returning from Tabor Island, Pencroft," continued the





p themselves no longer growled round the well or gave any signs of

easiness. It appeared, therefore, as if the series of supernatural

cidents was interrupted, although they often talked of them during the

enings in Granite House, and they remained thoroughly resolved that the

land should be searched, even in those parts the most difficult to

plore. But an event of the highest importance, and of which the

nsequences might be terrible, momentarily diverted from their projects

rus Harding and his companions.

was the month of October. The fine season was swiftly returning.

ture was reviving; and among the evergreen foliage of the coniferae whichrmed the border of the wood, already appeared the young leaves of the

nksias, deodars, and other trees.

may be remembered that Gideon Spilett and Herbert had, at different

mes, taken photographic views of Lincoln Island.

w, on the 17th of this month of October, towards three o'clock in the

ternoon, Herbert, enticed by the charms of the sky, thought of

producing Union Bay, which was opposite to Prospect Heights, from Cape

ndible to Claw Cape.

e horizon was beautifully clear, and the sea, undulating under a soft

eeze, was as calm as the waters of a lake, sparkling here and there under

e sun's rays.

e apparatus had been placed at one of the windows of the dining-room at

anite House, and consequently overlooked the shore and the bay. Herbert

oceeded as he was accustomed to do, and the negative obtained, he went

ay to fix it by means of the chemicals deposited in a dark nook of

anite House.

turning to the bright light, and examining it well, Herbert perceived

his negative an almost imperceptible little spot on the sea horizon. He

deavored to make it disappear by reiterated washing, but could not

complish it.

t is a flaw in the glass," he thought.

d then he had the curiosity to examine this flaw with a strong

gnifier which he unscrewed from one of the telescopes.

t he had scarcely looked at it, when he uttered a cry, and the glass

most fell from his hands.

mediately running to the room in which Cyrus Harding then was, he

tended the negative and magnifier towards the engineer, pointing out the

ttle spot.

rding examined it; then seizing his telescope he rushed to the window.

e telescope, after having slowly swept the horizon, at last stopped on

e looked-for spot, and Cyrus Harding, lowering it, pronounced one word

ly,--

vessel!"

d in fact a vessel was in sight, off Lincoln Island!

RT 3





E SECRET OF THE ISLAND

apter 1

was now two years and a half since the castaways from the balloon had

en thrown on Lincoln Island, and during that period there had been no

mmunication between them and their fellow-creatures. Once the reporter

d attempted to communicate with the inhabited world by confiding to a

rd a letter which contained the secret of their situation, but that was aance on which it was impossible to reckon seriously. Ayrton, alone, under

e circumstances which have been related, had come to join the little

lony. Now, suddenly, on this day, the 17th of October, other men had

expectedly appeared in sight of the island, on that deserted sea!

ere could be no doubt about it! A vessel was there! But would she pass

, or would she put into port? In a few hours the colonists would

finitely know what to expect.

rus Harding and Herbert having immediately called Gideon Spilett,

ncroft, and Neb into the dining-room of Granite House, told them what had

ppened. Pencroft, seizing the telescope, rapidly swept the horizon, and

opping on the indicated point, that is to say, on that which had made themost imperceptible spot on the photographic negative,--

'm blessed but it is really a vessel!" he exclaimed, in a voice which

d not express any great amount of satisfaction.

s she coming here?" asked Gideon Spilett.

mpossible to say anything yet," answered Pencroft, "for her rigging

one is above the horizon, and not a bit of her hull can be seen."

hat is to be done?" asked the lad.

ait," replied Harding.

d for a considerable time the settlers remained silent, given up to all

e thoughts, and the emotions, all the fears, all the hopes, which were

oused by this incident--the most important which had occurred since their

rival in Lincoln Island. Certainly, the colonists were not in the

tuation of castaways abandoned on a sterile islet, constantly contending

ainst a cruel nature for their miserable existence, and incessantly

rmented by the longing to return to inhabited countries. Pencroft and

b, especially, who felt themselves at once so happy and so rich, would

t have left their island without regret. They were accustomed, besides,

this new life in the midst of the domain which their intelligence had as

were civilized. But at any rate this ship brought news from the world,

rhaps even from their native land. It was bringing fellow-creatures to

em, and it may be conceived how deeply their hearts were moved at the

ght!

om time to time Pencroft took the glass and rested himself at the

ndow. From thence he very attentively examined the vessel, which was at a

stance of twenty miles to the east. The colonists had as yet, therefore,

means of signalizing their presence. A flag would not have been

rceived; a gun would not have been heard; a fire would not have been

sible. However, it was certain that the island, overtopped by Mount

anklin, could not escape the notice of the vessel's lookout. But why was

e ship coming there? Was it simple chance which brought it to that part

the Pacific, where the maps mentioned no land except Tabor Island, which





e horizon was still very clear. The examination was easy, and Ayrton

on let the glass fall again, saying--

t is not the 'Duncan'! It could not be!"

ncroft again brought the brig within the range of the telescope, and

uld see that she was of between three and four hundred tons burden,

nderfully narrow, well-masted, admirably built, and must be a very rapid

iler. But to what nation did she belong? That was difficult to say.

nd yet," added the sailor, "a flag is floating from her peak, but I

nnot distinguish the colors of it."

n half an hour we shall be certain about that," answered the reporter.

esides, it is very evident that the intention of the captain of this ship

to land, and, consequently, if not today, to-morrow at the latest, we

all make his acquaintance."

ever mind!" said Pencroft. "It is best to know whom we have to deal

th, and I shall not be sorry to recognize that fellow's colors!"

d, while thus speaking, the sailor never left the glass. The day began

fade, and with the day the breeze fell also. The brig's ensign hung in

lds, and it became more and more difficult to observe it.

t is not the American flag," said Pencroft from time to time, "nor the

glish, the red of which could be easily seen, nor the French or German

lors, nor the white flag of Russia, nor the yellow of Spain. One would

y it was all one color. Let's see: in these seas, what do we generally

et with? The Chilean flag?--but that is tri-color. Brazilian?--it is

een. Japanese?--it is yellow and black, while this--"

that moment the breeze blew out the unknown flag. Ayrton seizing the

lescope which the sailor had put down, put it to his eye, and in a hoarse

ice,--

he black flag!" he exclaimed.

d indeed the somber bunting was floating from the mast of the brig, and

ey had now good reason for considering her to be a suspicious vessel!

d the engineer, then, been right in his presentiments? Was this a

rate vessel? Did she scour the Pacific, competing with the Malay proas

ich still infest it? For what had she come to look at the shores of

ncoln Island? Was it to them an unknown island, ready to become a

gazine for stolen cargoes? Had she come to find on the coast a sheltered

rt for the winter months? Was the settlers' honest domain destined to be

ansformed into an infamous refuge--the headquarters of the piracy of the

cific?

l these ideas instinctively presented themselves to the colonists'aginations. There was no doubt, besides, of the signification which must

attached to the color of the hoisted flag. It was that of pirates! It

s that which the "Duncan" would have carried, had the convicts succeeded

their criminal design! No time was lost before discussing it.

y friends," said Cyrus Harding, "perhaps this vessel only wishes to

rvey the coast of the island. Perhaps her crew will not land. There is a

ance of it. However that may be, we ought to do everything we can to hide

r presence here. The windmill on Prospect Heights is too easily seen. Let

rton and Neb go and take down the sails. We must also conceal the windows

Granite House with thick branches. All the fires must be extinguished,

that nothing may betray the presence of men on the island."





ach. Ayrton undressed and rubbed himself with grease, so as to suffer

ss from the temperature of the water, which was still cold. He might,

deed, be obliged to remain in it for several hours.

ncroft and Neb, during this time, had gone to fetch the boat, moored a

w hundred feet higher up, on the bank of the Mercy, and by the time they

turned, Ayrton was ready to start. A coat was thrown over his shoulders,

d the settlers all came round him to press his hand.

rton then shoved off with Pencroft in the boat.

was half-past ten in the evening when the two adventurers disappeared

the darkness. Their companions returned to wait at the Chimneys.

e channel was easily traversed, and the boat touched the opposite shore

the islet. This was not done without precaution, for fear lest the

rates might be roaming about there. But after a careful survey, it was

ident that the islet was deserted. Ayrton then, followed by Pencroft,

ossed it with a rapid step, scaring the birds nestled in the holes of the

cks; then, without hesitating, he plunged into the sea, and swam

iselessly in the direction of the ship, in which a few lights had

cently appeared, showing her exact situation. As to Pencroft, he crouched

wn in a cleft of the rock, and awaited the return of his companion.

the meanwhile, Ayrton, swimming with a vigorous stroke, glided through

e sheet of water without producing the slightest ripple. His head just

erged above it and his eyes were fixed on the dark hull of the brig, from

ich the lights were reflected in the water. He thought only of the duty

ich he had promised to accomplish, and nothing of the danger which he

n, not only on board the ship, but in the sea, often frequented by

arks. The current bore him along and he rapidly receded from the shore.

lf an hour afterwards, Ayrton, without having been either seen or

ard, arrived at the ship and caught hold of the main-chains. He took

eath, then, hoisting himself up, he managed to reach the extremity of the

twater. There were drying several pairs of sailors' trousers. He put on a

ir. Then settling himself firmly, he listened. They were not sleeping on

ard the brig. On the contrary, they were talking, singing, laughing. And

ese were the sentences, accompanied with oaths, which principally struck

rton:--

ur brig is a famous acquisition."

he sails well, and merits her name of the 'Speedy.'"

he would show all the navy of Norfolk a clean pair of heels."

urrah for her captain!"

urrah for Bob Harvey!"

at Ayrton felt when he overheard this fragment of conversation may be

derstood when it is known that in this Bob Harvey he recognized one of

s old Australian companions, a daring sailor, who had continued his

iminal career. Bob Harvey had seized, on the shores of Norfolk Island

is brig, which was loaded with arms, ammunition, utensils, and tools of

l sorts, destined for one of the Sandwich Islands. All his gang had gone

board, and pirates after having been convicts, these wretches, more

rocious than the Malays themselves, scoured the Pacific, destroying

ssels, and massacring their crews.

e convicts spoke loudly, they recounted their deeds, drinking deeply at

e same time, and this is what Ayrton gathered. The actual crew of the





nterns now left in total darkness. He hoisted himself onto the cutwater,

d by the bowsprit arrived at the forecastle. Then, gliding among the

nvicts stretched here and there, he made the round of the ship, and found

at the "Speedy" carried four guns, which would throw shot of from eight

ten pounds in weight. He found also, on touching them that these guns

re breech-loaders. They were therefore, of modern make, easily used, and

terrible effect.

to the men lying on the deck, they were about ten in number, but it

s to be supposed that more were sleeping down below. Besides, by

stening to them, Ayrton had understood that there were fifty on board.at was a large number for the six settlers of Lincoln Island to contend

th! But now, thanks to Ayrton's devotion, Cyrus Harding would not be

rprised, he would know the strength of his adversaries, and would make

s arrangements accordingly.

ere was nothing more for Ayrton to do but to return, and render to his

mpanions an account of the mission with which he had charged himself, and

prepared to regain the bows of the brig, so that he might let himself

wn into the water. But to this man, whose wish was, as he had said, to do

re than his duty, there came an heroic thought. This was to sacrifice his

n life, but save the island and the colonists. Cyrus Harding evidently

uld not resist fifty ruffians, all well armed, who, either by penetrating

main force into Granite House, or by starving out the besieged, couldtain from them what they wanted. And then he thought of his

eservers--those who had made him again a man, and an honest mm, those to

om he owed all--murdered without pity, their works destroyed, their island

rned into a pirates' den! He said to himself that he, Ayrton, was the

incipal cause of so many disasters, since his old companion, Bob Harvey,

d but realized his own plans, and a feeling of horror took possession of

m. Then he was seized with an irresistible desire to blow up the brig and

th her, all whom she had on board. He would perish in the explosion, but

would have done his duty.

rton did not hesitate. To reach the powder-room, which is always

tuated in the after-part of a vessel, was easy. There would be no want of

wder in a vessel which followed such a trade, and a spark would be enoughdestroy it in an instant.

rton stole carefully along the between-decks, strewn with numerous

eepers, overcome more by drunkenness than sleep. A lantern was lighted

the foot of the mainmast, round which was hung a gun-rack, furnished

th weapons of all sorts.

rton took a revolver from the rack, and assured himself that it was

aded and primed. Nothing more was needed to accomplish the work of

struction. He then glided towards the stern, so as to arrive under the

ig's poop at the powder-magazine.

was difficult to proceed along the dimly lighted deck withoutumbling over some half-sleeping convict, who retorted by oaths and kicks.

rton was, therefore, more than once obliged to halt. But at last he

rived at the partition dividing the aftercabin, and found the door

ening into the magazine itself.

rton, compelled to force it open, set to work. It was a difficult

eration to perform without noise, for he had to break a padlock. But

der his vigorous hand, the padlock broke, and the door was open.

that moment a hand was laid on Ayrton's shoulder.

hat are you doing here?" asked a tail man, in a harsh voice, who,





re pointed at the island. They were evidently ready to fire at a moment's

tice.

the meanwhile the "Speedy" remained silent. About thirty pirates could

seen moving on the deck. A few more on the poop; two others posted in

e shrouds, and armed with spyglasses, were attentively surveying the

land.

rtainly, Bob Harvey and his crew would not be able easily to give an

count of what had happened during the night on board the brig. Had this

lf-naked man, who had forced the door of the powder-magazine, and with

om they had struggled, who had six times discharged his revolver at them,

o had killed one and wounded two others, escaped their shot? Had he been

le to swim to shore? Whence did he come? What had been his object? Had

s design really been to blow up the brig, as Bob Harvey had thought? All

is must be confused enough to the convicts' minds. But what they could no

nger doubt was that the unknown island before which the "Speedy" had cast

chor was inhabited, and that there was, perhaps, a numerous colony ready

defend it. And yet no one was to be seen, neither on the shore, nor on

e heights. The beach appeared to be absolutely deserted. At any rate,

ere was no trace of dwellings. Had the inhabitants fled into the

terior? Thus probably the pirate captain reasoned, and doubtless, like a

udent man, he wished to reconnoiter the locality before he allowed his

n to venture there.

ring an hour and a half, no indication of attack or landing could be

served on board the brig. Evidently Bob Harvey was hesitating. Even with

s strongest telescopes he could not have perceived one of the settlers

ouched among the rocks. It was not even probable that his attention had

en awakened by the screen of green branches and creepers hiding the

ndows of Granite House, and showing rather conspicuously on the bare

ck. Indeed, how could he imagine that a dwelling was hollowed out, at

at height, in the solid granite? From Claw Cape to the Mandible Capes, in

l the extent of Union Bay, there was nothing to lead him to suppose that

e island was or could be inhabited.

eight o'clock, however, the colonists observed a movement on board thepeedy." A boat was lowered, and seven men jumped into her. They were

med with muskets; one took the yoke-lines, four others the oars, and the

o others, kneeling in the bows, ready to fire, reconnoitered the island.

eir object was no doubt to make an examination but not to land, for in

e latter case they would have come in larger numbers. The pirates from

eir look-out could have seen that the coast was sheltered by an islet,

parated from it by a channel half a mile in width. However, it was soon

ident to Cyrus Harding, on observing the direction followed by the boat,

at they would not attempt to penetrate into the channel, but would land

the islet.

ncroft and Ayrton, each hidden in a narrow cleft of the rock, saw them

ming directly towards them, and waited till they were within range.

e boat advanced with extreme caution. The oars only dipped into the

ter at long intervals. It could now be seen that one of the convicts held

lead-line in his hand, and that he wished to fathom the depth of the

annel hollowed out by the current of the Mercy. This showed that it was

b Harvey's intention to bring his brig as near as possible to the coast.

out thirty pirates, scattered in the rigging, followed every movement of

e boat, and took the bearings of certain landmarks which would allow them

approach without danger. The boat was not more than two cables-lengths

f the islet when she stopped. The man at the tiller stood up and looked

r the best place at which to land.





that moment two shots were heard. Smoke curled up from among the rocks

the islet. The man at the helm and the man with the lead-line fell

ckwards into the boat. Ayrton's and Pencroft's balls had struck them both

the same moment.

most immediately a louder report was heard, a cloud of smoke issued

om the brig's side, and a ball, striking the summit of the rock which

eltered Ayrton and Pencroft, made it fly in splinters, but the two

rksmen remained unhurt.

rrible imprecations burst from the boat, which immediately continued

s way. The man who had been at the tiller was replaced by one of his

mrades, and the oars were rapidly plunged into the water. However,

stead of returning on board as might have been expected, the boat coasted

ong the islet, so as to round its southern point. The pirates pulled

gorously at their oars that they might get out of range of the bullets.

ey advanced to within five cables-lengths of that part of the shore

rminated by Flotsam Point, and after having rounded it in a semicircular

ne, still protected by the brig's guns, they proceeded towards the mouth

the Mercy.

eir evident intention was to penetrate into the channel, and cut off

e colonists posted on the islet, in such a way, that whatever their

mber might be, being placed between the fire from the boat and the fire

om the brig, they would find themselves in a very disadvantageous

sition.

quarter of an hour passed while the boat advanced in this direction.

solute silence, perfect calm reigned in the air and on the water.

ncroft and Ayrton, although they knew they ran the risk of being cut

f, had not left their post, both that they did not wish to show

emselves as yet to their assailants, and expose themselves to the

peedy's" guns, and that they relied on Neb and Gideon Spilett, watching

the mouth of the river, and on Cyrus Harding and Herbert, in ambush

ong the rocks at the Chimneys.

enty minutes after the first shots were fired, the boat was less than

o cables-lengths off the Mercy. As the tide was beginning to rise with

s accustomed violence, caused by the narrowness of the straits, the

rates were drawn towards the river, and it was only by dint of hard

wing that they were able to keep in the middle of the channel. But, as

ey were passing within good range of the mouth of the Mercy, two balls

luted them, and two more of their number were laid in the bottom of the

at. Neb and Spilett had not missed their aim.

e brig immediately sent a second ball on the post betrayed by the

oke, but without any other result than that of splintering the rock.

e boat now contained only three able men. Carried on by the current, it

ot through the channel with the rapidity of an arrow, passed before

rding and Herbert, who, not thinking it within range, withheld their

re, then, rounding the northern point of the islet with the two remaining

rs, they pulled towards the brig.

therto the settlers had nothing to complain of. Their adversaries had

rtainly had the worst of it. The latter already counted four men

riously wounded if not dead; they, on the contrary, unwounded, had not

ssed a shot. If the pirates continued to attack them in this way, if they

newed their attempt to land by means of a boat, they could be destroyed

e by one.





was now seen how advantageous the engineer's arrangements had been.

e pirates would think that they had to deal with numerous and well-armed

versaries, whom they could not easily get the better of.

lf an hour passed before the boat, having to pull against the current,

uld get alongside the "Speedy." Frightful cries were heard when they

turned on board with the wounded, and two or three guns were fired with

results.

t now about a dozen other convicts, maddened with rage, and possibly by

e effect of the evening's potations, threw themselves into the boat. A

cond boat was also lowered, in which eight men took their places, and

ile the first pulled straight for the islet, to dislodge the colonists

om thence the second maneuvered so as to force the entrance of the Mercy.

e situation was evidently becoming very dangerous for Pencroft and

rton, and they saw that they must regain the mainland.

wever, they waited till the first boat was within range, when two well-

rected balls threw its crew into disorder. Then, Pencroft and Ayrton,

andoning their posts, under fire from the dozen muskets, ran across the

let at full speed, jumped into their boat, crossed the channel at the

ment the second boat reached the southern end, and ran to hide themselves

the Chimneys.

ey had scarcely rejoined Cyrus Harding and Herbert, before the islet

s overrun with pirates in every direction. Almost at the same moment,

esh reports resounded from the Mercy station, to which the second boat

s rapidly approaching. Two, out of the eight men who manned her, were

rtally wounded by Gideon Spilett and Neb, and the boat herself, carried

resistibly onto the reefs, was stove in at the mouth of the Mercy. But

e six survivors, holding their muskets above their heads to preserve them

om contact with the water, managed to land on the right bank of the

ver. Then, finding they were exposed to the fire of the ambush there,

ey fled in the direction of Flotsam Point, out of range of the balls.

e actual situation was this: on the islet were a dozen convicts, of

om some were no doubt wounded, but who had still a boat at their

sposal; on the island were six, but who could not by any possibility

ach Granite House, as they could not cross the river, all the bridges

ing raised.

allo," exclaimed Pencroft as he rushed into the Chimneys, "hallo,

ptain! What do you think of it, now?"

think," answered the engineer, "that the combat will now take a new

rm, for it cannot be supposed that the convicts will be so foolish as to

main in a position so unfavorable for them!"

hey won't cross the channel," said the sailor. "Ayrton and Mr.ilett's rifles are there to prevent them. You know that they carry more

an a mile!"

o doubt," replied Herbert; "but what can two rifles do against the

ig's guns?"

ell, the brig isn't in the channel yet, I fancy!" said Pencroft.

ut suppose she does come there?" said Harding.

hat's impossible, for she would risk running aground and being lost!"





t is possible," said Ayrton. "The convicts might profit by the high

de to enter the channel, with the risk of grounding at low tide, it is

ue; but then, under the fire from her guns, our posts would be no longer

nable."

onfound them!" exclaimed Pencroft, "it really seems as if the

ackguards were preparing to weigh anchor."

erhaps we shall be obliged to take refuge in Granite House!" observed

rbert.

e must wait!" answered Cyrus Harding.

ut Mr. Spilett and Neb?" said Pencroft.

hey will know when it is best to rejoin us. Be ready, Ayrton. It is

urs and Spilett's rifles which must speak now."

was only too true. The "Speedy" was beginning to weigh her anchor, and

r intention was evidently to approach the islet. The tide would be rising

r an hour and a half, and the ebb current being already weakened, it

uld be easy for the brig to advance. But as to entering the channel,

ncroft, contrary to Ayrton's opinion, could not believe that she would

re to attempt it.

the meanwhile, the pirates who occupied the islet had gradually

vanced to the opposite shore, and were now only separated from the

inland by the channel.

ing armed with muskets alone, they could do no harm to the settlers, in

bush at the Chimneys and the mouth of the Mercy; but, not knowing the

tter to be supplied with long-range rifles, they on their side did not

lieve themselves to be exposed. Quite uncovered, therefore, they surveyed

e islet, and examined the shore.

eir illusion was of short duration. Ayrton's and Gideon Spilett's

fles then spoke, and no doubt imparted some very disagreeable

telligence to two of the convicts, for they fell backwards.

en there was a general helter-skelter. The ten others, not even

opping to pick up their dead or wounded companions, fled to the other

de of the islet, tumbled into the boat which had brought them, and pulled

ay with all their strength.

ight less!" exclaimed Pencroft. "Really, one would have thought that

. Spilett and Ayrton had given the word to fire together!"

entlemen," said Ayrton, as he reloaded his gun, "this is becoming more

rious. The brig is making sail!"

he anchor is weighed!" exclaimed Pencroft.

es, and she is already moving."

fact, they could distinctly hear the creaking of the windlass. The

peedy" was at first held by her anchor; then, when that had been raised,

e began to drift towards the shore. The wind was blowing from the sea;

e jib and the foretopsail were hoisted, and the vessel gradually

proached the island.

om the two posts of the Mercy and the Chimneys they watched her without

ving a sign of life, but not without some emotion. What could be more

rrible for the colonists than to be exposed, at a short distance, to the





ig's guns, without being able to reply with any effect? How could they

en prevent the pirates from landing?

rus Harding felt this strongly, and he asked himself what it would be

ssible to do. Before long, he would be called upon for his determination.

t what was it to be? To shut themselves up in Granite House, to be

sieged there, to remain there for weeks, for months even, since they had

abundance of provisions? So far good! But after that? The pirates would

t the less be masters of the island, which they would ravage at their

easure, and in time, they would end by having their revenge on the

isoners in Granite House.

wever, one chance yet remained; it was that Bob Harvey, after all,

uld not venture his ship into the channel, and that he would keep outside

e islet. He would be still separated from the coast by half a mile, and

that distance his shot could not be very destructive.

ever!" repeated Pencroft, "Bob Harvey will never, if he is a good

aman, enter that channel! He knows well that it would risk the brig, if

e sea got up ever so little! And what would become of him without his

ssel?"

the meanwhile the brig approached the islet, and it could be seen that

e was endeavoring to make the lower end. The breeze was light, and as the

rrent had then lost much of its force, Bob Harvey had absolute command

er his vessel.

e route previously followed by the boats had allowed her to reconnoiter

e channel, and she boldly entered it.

e pirate's design was now only too evident; he wished to bring her

oadside to bear on the Chimneys and from there to reply with shell and

ll to the shot which had till then decimated her crew.

on the "Speedy" reached the point of the islet; she rounded it with

se; the mainsail was braced up, and the brig hugging the wind, stood

ross the mouth of the Mercy.

he scoundrels! they are coming!" said Pencroft.

that moment, Cyrus Harding, Ayrton, the sailor, and Herbert, were

joined by Neb and Gideon Spilett.

e reporter and his companion had judged it best to abandon the post at

e Mercy, from which they could do nothing against the ship, and they had

ted wisely. It was better that the colonists should be together at the

ment when they were about to engage in a decisive action. Gideon Spilett

d Neb had arrived by dodging behind the rocks, though not without

tracting a shower of bullets, which had not, however, reached them.

pilett! Neb!" cried the engineer. "You are not wounded?"

o," answered the reporter, "a few bruises only from the ricochet! But

at cursed brig has entered the channel!"

es," replied Pencroft, "and in ten minutes she will have anchored

fore Granite House!"

ave you formed any plan, Cyrus?" asked the reporter.

e must take refuge in Granite House while there is still time, and the

nvicts cannot see us."





hat is, my opinion, too," replied Gideon Spilett, "but once shut up--"

e must be guided by circumstances," said the engineer.

et us be off, then, and make haste!" said the reporter.

ould you not wish, captain, that Ayrton and I should remain here?"

ked the sailor.

hat would be the use of that, Pencroft?" replied Harding. "No. We will

t separate!"

ere was not a moment to be lost. The colonists left the Chimneys. A

nd of the cliff prevented them from being seen by those in the brig, but

o or three reports, and the crash of bullets on the rock, told them that

e "Speedy" was at no great distance.

spring into the lift, hoist themselves up to the door of Granite

use, where Top and Jup had been shut up since the evening before, to rush

to the large room, was the work of a minute only.

was quite time, for the settlers, through the branches, could see the

peedy," surrounded with smoke, gliding up the channel. The firing was

cessant, and shot from the four guns struck blindly, both on the Mercy

st, although it was not occupied, and on the Chimneys. The rocks werelintered, and cheers accompanied each discharge. However, they were

ping that Granite House would be spared, thanks to Harding's precaution

concealing the windows when a shot, piercing the door, penetrated into

e passage.

e are discovered!" exclaimed Pencroft.

e colonists had not, perhaps, been seen, but it was certain that Bob

rvey had thought proper to send a ball through the suspected foliage

ich concealed that part of the cliff. Soon he redoubled his attack, when

other ball having torn away the leafy screen, disclosed a gaping aperture

the granite.

e colonists' situation was desperate. Their retreat was discovered.

ey could not oppose any obstacle to these missiles, nor protect the

one, which flew in splinters around them. There was nothing to be done

t to take refuge in the upper passage of Granite House, and leave their

elling to be devastated, when a deep roar was heard, followed by

ightful cries!

rus Harding and his companions rushed to one of the windows--

e brig, irresistibly raised on a sort of water-spout, had just split in

o, and in less than ten seconds she was swallowed up with all her

iminal crew!

apter 4

he has blown up!" cried Herbert.

es! blown up, just as if Ayrton had set fire to the powder!" returned

ncroft, throwing himself into the lift together with Neb and the lad.

ut what has happened?" asked Gideon Spilett, quite stunned by this

expected catastrophe.

h! this time, we shall know--" answered the engineer quickly.





hat shall we know?--"

ater! later! Come, Spilett. The main point is that these pirates have

en exterminated!"

d Cyrus Harding, hurrying away the reporter and Ayrton, joined

ncroft, Neb, and Herbert on the beach.

thing could be seen of the brig, not even her masts. After having been

ised by the water-spout, she had fallen on her side, and had sunk in that

sition, doubtless in consequence of some enormous leak. But as in that

ace the channel was not more than twenty feet in depth, it was certain

at the sides of the submerged brig would reappear at low water.

few things from the wreck floated on the surface of the water, a raft

uld be seen consisting of spare spars, coops of poultry with their

cupants still living, boxes and barrels, which gradually came to the

rface, after having escaped through the hatchways, but no pieces of the

eck appeared, neither planks from the deck, nor timber from the hull,--

ich rendered the sudden disappearance of the "Speedy" perfectly

explicable.

wever, the two masts, which had been broken and escaped from the

rouds and stays came up, and with their sails, some furled and the othersread. But it was not necessary to wait for the tide to bring up these

ches, and Ayrton and Pencroft jumped into the boat with the intention of

wing the pieces of wreck either to the beach or to the islet. But just as

ey were shoving off, an observation from Gideon Spilett arrested them.

hat about those six convicts who disembarked on the right bank of the

rcy?" said he.

fact, it would not do to forget that the six men whose boat had gone

pieces on the rocks had landed at Flotsam Point.

ey looked in that direction. None of the fugitives were visible. It was

obable that, having seen their vessel engulfed in the channel, they haded into the interior of the island.

e will deal with them later," said Harding. "As they are armed, they

ll still be dangerous; but as it is six against six, the chances are

ual. To the most pressing business first."

rton and Pencroft pulled vigorously towards the wreck.

e sea was calm and the tide very high, as there had been a new moon but

o days before. A whole hour at least would elapse before the hull of the

ig could emerge from the water of the channel.

rton and Pencroft were able to fasten the masts and spars by means of

pes, the ends of which were carried to the beach. There, by the united

forts of the settlers the pieces of wreck were hauled up. Then the boat

cked up all that was floating, coops, barrels, and boxes, which were

mediately carried to the Chimneys.

veral bodies floated also. Among them, Ayrton recognized that of Bob

rvey, which he pointed out to his companion, saying with some emotion,--

hat is what I have been, Pencroft."

ut what you are no longer, brave Ayrton!" returned the sailor warmly.





was singular enough that so few bodies floated. Only five or six were

unted, which were already being carried by the current towards the open

a. Very probably the convicts had not had time to escape, and the ship

ing over on her side, the greater number of them had remained below. Now

e current, by carrying the bodies of these miserable men out to sea,

uld spare the colonists the sad task of burying them in some corner of

eir island.

r two hours, Cyrus Harding and his companions were solely occupied in

uling up the spars on to the sand, and then in spreading the sails which

re perfectly uninjured, to dry. They spoke little, for they were absorbedtheir work, but what thoughts occupied their minds!

e possession of this brig, or rather all that she contained, was a

rfect mine of wealth. In fact, a ship is like a little world in

niature, and the stores of the colony would be increased by a large

mber of useful articles. It would be, on a large scale, equivalent to the

est found at Flotsam Point.

nd besides," thought Pencroft, "why should it be impossible to refloat

e brig? If she has only a leak, that may be stopped up; a vessel from

ree to four hundred tons, why she is a regular ship compared to our

onadventure'! And we could go a long distance in her! We could go

ywhere we liked! Captain Harding, Ayrton and I must examine her! Sheuld be well worth the trouble!"

fact, if the brig was still fit to navigate, the colonists' chances of

turning to their native land were singularly increased. But, to decide

is important question, it was necessary to wait until the tide was quite

w, so that every part of the brig's hull might be examined.

en their treasures had been safely conveyed on shore, Harding and his

mpanions agreed to devote some minutes to breakfast. They were almost

mished; fortunately, the larder was not far off, and Neb was noted for

ing an expeditious cook. They breakfasted, therefore, near the Chimneys,

d during their repast, as may be supposed, nothing was talked of but the

ent which had so miraculously saved the colony.

iraculous is the word," repeated Pencroft, "for it must be acknowledged

at those rascals blew up just at the right moment! Granite House was

ginning to be uncomfortable as a habitation!"

nd can you guess, Pencroft," asked the reporter, "how it happened, or

at can have occasioned the explosion?"

h! Mr. Spilett, nothing is more simple," answered Pencroft. "A convict

ssel is not disciplined like a man-of-war! Convicts are not sailors. Of

urse the powder-magazine was open, and as they were firing incessantly,

me careless or clumsy fellow just blew up the vessel!"

aptain Harding," said Herbert, "what astonishes me is that the

plosion has not produced more effect. The report was not loud, and

sides there are so few planks and timbers torn out. It seems as if the

ip had rather foundered than blown up."

oes that astonish you, my boy?" asked the engineer.

es, captain."

nd it astonishes me also, Herbert," replied he, "but when we visit the

ll of the brig, we shall no doubt find the explanation of the matter."

hy, captain," said Pencroft, "you don't suppose that the 'Speedy'





mply foundered like a ship which has struck on a rock?"

hy not," observed Neb, "if there are rocks in the channel?"

onsense, Neb," answered Pencroft, "you did not look at the right

ment. An instant before she sank, the brig, as I saw perfectly well, rose

an enormous wave, and fell back on her larboard side. Now, if she had

ly struck, she would have sunk quietly and gone to the bottom like an

nest vessel."

t was just because she was not an honest vessel!" returned Neb.

ell, we shall soon see, Pencroft," said the engineer.

e shall soon see," rejoined the sailor, "but I would wager my head

ere are no rocks in the channel. Look here, captain, to speak candidly,

you mean to say that there is anything marvelous in the occurrence?"

rus Harding did not answer.

t any rate," said Gideon Spilett, "whether rock or explosion, you will

ree, Pencroft, that it occurred just in the nick of time!"

es! yes!" replied the sailor, "but that is not the question. I ask

ptain Harding if he sees anything supernatural in all this."

cannot say, Pencroft," said the engineer. "That is all the answer I

n make."

reply which did not satisfy Pencroft at all. He stuck to "an

plosion," and did not wish to give it up. He would never consent to admit

at in that channel, with its fine sandy bed, just like the beach, which

had often crossed at low water, there could be an unknown rock.

d besides, at the time the brig foundered, it was high water, that is

say, there was enough water to carry the vessel clear over any rocks

ich would not be uncovered at low tide. Therefore, there could not have

en a collision. Therefore, the vessel had not struck. So she had blown

.

d it must be confessed that the sailor's arguments were reasonable.

wards half-past one, the colonists embarked in the boat to visit the

eck. It was to be regretted that the brig's two boats had not been saved;

t one, as has been said, had gone to pieces at the mouth of the Mercy,

d was absolutely useless; the other had disappeared when the brig went

wn, and had not again been seen, having doubtless been crushed.

e hull of the "Speedy" was just beginning to issue from the water. The

ig was lying right over on her side, for her masts being broken, pressed

wn by the weight of the ballast displaced by the shock, the keel was

sible along her whole length. She had been regularly turned over by the

explicable but frightful submarine action, which had been at the same

me manifested by an enormous water-spout.

e settlers rowed round the hull, and in proportion as the tide went

wn, they could ascertain, if not the cause which had occasioned the

tastrophe, at least the effect produced.

wards the bows, on both sides of the keel, seven or eight feet from the

ginning of the stem, the sides of the brig were frightfully torn. Over a

ngth of at least twenty feet there opened two large leaks, which would be

possible to stop up. Not only had the copper sheathing and the planks





sappeared, reduced, no doubt, to powder, but also the ribs, the iron

lts, and treenalls which united them. From the entire length of the hull

the stern the false keel had been separated with an unaccountable

olence, and the keel itself, torn from the carline in several places, was

lit in all its length.

've a notion!" exclaimed Pencroft, "that this vessel will be difficult

get afloat again."

t will be impossible," said Ayrton.

t any rate," observed Gideon Spilett to the sailor, "the explosion, if

ere has been one, has produced singular effects! It has split the lower

rt of the hull, instead of blowing up the deck and topsides! These great

nts appear rather to have been made by a rock than by the explosion of a

wder-magazine."

here is not a rock in the channel!" answered the sailor. "I will admit

ything you like, except the rock."

et us try to penetrate into the interior of the brig," said the

gineer; "perhaps we shall then know what to think of the cause of her

struction."

is was the best thing to be done, and it was agreed, besides, to takeinventory of all the treasures on board, and to arrange their

eservation.

cess to the interior of the brig was now easy. The tide was still going

wn and the deck was practicable. The ballast, composed of heavy masses of

on, had broken through in several places. The noise of the sea could be

ard as it rushed out at the holes in the hull.

rus Harding and his companions, hatchets in hand, advanced along the

attered deck. Cases of all sorts encumbered it, and, as they had been but

very short time in the water, their contents were perhaps uninjured.

ey then busied themselves in placing all this cargo in safety. Theter would not return for several hours, and these hours must be employed

the most profitable way. Ayrton and Pencroft had, at the entrance made

the hull, discovered tackle, which would serve to hoist up the barrels

d chests. The boat received them and transported them to the shore. They

ok the articles as they came, intending to sort them afterwards.

any rate, the settlers saw at once, with extreme satisfaction, that

e brig possessed a very varied cargo--an assortment of all sorts of

ticles, utensils, manufactured goods, and tools--such as the ships which

ke the great coasting-trade of Polynesia are usually laden with. It was

obable that they would find a little of everything, and they agreed that

was exactly what was necessary for the colony of Lincoln Island.

wever--and Cyrus Harding observed it in silent astonishment--not only, as

s been said, had the hull of the brig enormously suffered from the shock,

atever it was, that had occasioned the catastrophe, but the interior

rangements had been destroyed, especially towards the bows. Partitions

d stanchions were smashed, as if some tremendous shell had burst in the

terior of the brig. The colonists could easily go fore and aft, after

ving removed the cases as they were extricated. They were not heavy

les, which would have been difficult to remove, but simple packages, of

ich the stowage, besides, was no longer recognizable.

e colonists then reached the stern of the brig--the part formerly

rmounted by the poop. It was there that, following Ayrton's directions,





ey must look for the powder-magazine. Cyrus Harding thought that it had

t exploded; that it was possible some barrels might be saved, and that

e powder, which is usually enclosed in metal coverings might not have

ffered from contact with the water.

is, in fact, was just what had happened. They extricated from among a

rge number of shot twenty barrels, the insides of which were lined with

pper. Pencroft was convinced by the evidence of his own eyes that the

struction of the "Speedy" could not be attributed to an explosion. That

rt of the hull in which the magazine was situated was, moreover, that

ich had suffered least.

t may be so," said the obstinate sailor; "but as to a rock, there is

t one in the channel!"

hen, how did it happen?" asked Herbert.

don't know," answered Pencroft, "Captain Harding doesn't know, and

body knows or ever will know!"

veral hours had passed during these researches, and the tide began to

ow. Work must be suspended for the present. There was no fear of the brig

ing carried away by the sea, for she was already fixed as firmly as if

ored by her anchors.

ey could, therefore, without inconvenience, wait until the next day to

sume operations; but, as to the vessel itself, she was doomed, and it

uld be best to hasten to save the remains of her hull, as she would not

long in disappearing in the quicksands of the channel.

was now five o'clock in the evening. It had been a hard day's work for

e men. They ate with good appetite, and notwithstanding their fatigue,

ey could not resist, after dinner, their desire of inspecting the cases

ich composed the cargo of the "Speedy."

st of them contained clothes, which, as may be believed, was well

ceived. There were enough to clothe a whole colony--linen for every one's

e, shoes for every one's feet.

e are too rich!" exclaimed Pencroft, "But what are we going to do with

l this?"

d every moment burst forth the hurrahs of the delighted sailor when he

ught sight of the barrels of gunpowder, firearms and sidearms, balls of

tton, implements of husbandry, carpenter's, joiner's, and blacksmith's

ols, and boxes of all kinds of seeds, not in the least injured by their

ort sojourn in the water. Ah, two years before, how these things would

ve been prized! And now, even though the industrious colonists had

ovided themselves with tools, these treasures would find their use.

ere was no want of space in the store-rooms of Granite House, but thatytime would not allow them to stow away the whole. It would not do also

forget that the six survivors of the "Speedy's" crew had landed on the

land, for they were in all probability scoundrels of the deepest dye, and

was necessary that the colonists should be on their guard against them.

though the bridges over the Mercy were raised, the convicts would not be

opped by a river or a stream and, rendered desperate, these wretches

uld be capable of anything.

ey would see later what plan it would be best to follow; but in the

antime it was necessary to mount guard over cases and packages heaped up

ar the Chimneys, and thus the settlers employed themselves in turn during





e night.

e morning came, however, without the convicts having attempted any

tack. Master Jup and Top, on guard at the foot of Granite House, would

ve quickly given the alarm. The three following day--the 19th, 20th, and

st of October--were employed in saving everything of value, or of any use

atever, either from the cargo or rigging of the brig. At low tide they

erhauled the hold--at high tide they stowed away the rescued articles. A

eat part of the copper sheathing had been torn from the hull, which every

y sank lower. But before the sand had swallowed the heavy things which

d fallen through the bottom, Ayrton and Pencroft, diving to the bed ofe channel, recovered the chains and anchors of the brig, the iron of her

llast, and even four guns, which, floated by means of empty casks, were

ought to shore.

may be seen that the arsenal of the colony had gained by the wreck, as

ll as the storerooms of Granite House. Pencroft, always enthusiastic in

s projects, already spoke of constructing a battery to command the

annel and the mouth of the river. With four guns, he engaged to prevent

y fleet, "however powerful it might be," from venturing into the waters

Lincoln Island!

the meantime, when nothing remained of the brig but a useless hulk,

d weather came on, which soon finished her. Cyrus Harding had intended toow her up, so as to collect the remains on the shore, but a strong gale

om the northeast and a heavy sea compelled him to economize his powder.

fact, on the night of the 23rd, the hull entirely broke up, and some

the wreck was cast up on the beach.

to the papers on board, it is useless to say that, although he

refully searched the lockers of the poop, Harding did not discover any

ace of them. The pirates had evidently destroyed everything that

ncerned either the captain or the owners of the "Speedy," and, as the

me of her port was not painted on her counter, there was nothing which

uld tell them her nationality. However, by the shape of her boats Ayrton

d Pencroft believed that the brig was of English build.

week after the castrophe--or, rather, after the fortunate, though

explicable, event to which the colony owed its preservation--nothing more

uld be seen of the vessel, even at low tide. The wreck had disappeared,

d Granite House was enriched by nearly all it had contained.

wever, the mystery which enveloped its strange destruction would

ubtless never have been cleared away if, on the 30th of November, Neb,

rolling on the beach, had not found a piece of a thick iron cylinder,

aring traces of explosion. The edges of this cylinder were twisted and

oken, as if they had been subjected to the action of some explosive

bstance.

b brought this piece of metal to his master, who was then occupied with

s companions in the workshop of the Chimneys.

rus Harding examined the cylinder attentively, then, turning to

ncroft,--

ou persist, my friend," said he, "in maintaining that the 'Speedy' was

t lost in consequence of a collision?"

es, captain," answered the sailor. "You know as well as I do that there

e no rocks in the channel."

ut suppose she had run against this piece of iron?" said the engineer,





owing the broken cylinder.

hat, that bit of pipe!" exclaimed Pencroft in a tone of perfect

credulity.

y friends," resumed Harding, "you remember that before she foundered

e brig rose on the summit of a regular waterspout?"

es, captain," replied Herbert.

ell, would you like to know what occasioned that waterspout? It was

is," said the engineer, holding up the broken tube.

hat?" returned Pencroft.

es! This cylinder is all that remains of a torpedo!"

torpedo!" exclaimed the engineer's companions.

nd who put the torpedo there?" demanded Pencroft, who did not like to

eld.

ll that I can tell you is, that it was not I," answered Cyrus Harding;

ut it was there, and you have been able to judge of its incomparable

wer!"

apter 5

, then, all was explained by the submarine explosion of this torpedo.

rus Harding could not be mistaken, as, during the war of the Union, he

d had occasion to try these terrible engines of destruction. It was under

e action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-

ycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the

ter of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig

ushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so

nsiderable that it was impossible to refloat her. The "Speedy" had not

en able to withstand a torpedo that would have destroyed an ironclad as

sily as a fishing-boat!

s! all was explained, everything--except the presence of the torpedo in

e waters of the channel!

y friends, then," said Cyrus Harding, "we can no longer be in doubt as

the presence of a mysterious being, a castaway like us, perhaps,

andoned on our island, and I say this in order that Ayrton may be

quainted with all the strange events which have occurred during these two

ars. Who this beneficent stranger is, whose intervention has, so

rtunately for us, been manifested on many occasions, I cannot imagine.

at his object can be in acting thus, in concealing himself after

ndering us so many services, I cannot understand: But his services are

t the less real, and are of such a nature that only a man possessed of

odigious power, could render them. Ayrton is indebted to him as much as

are, for, if it was the stranger who saved me from the waves after the

ll from the balloon, evidently it was he who wrote the document, who

aced the bottle in the channel, and who has made known to us the

tuation of our companion. I will add that it was he who guided that

est, provided with everything we wanted, and stranded it on Flotsam

int; that it was he who lighted that fire on the heights of the island,

ich permitted you to land; that it was he who fired that bullet found in

e body of the peccary; that it was he who plunged that torpedo into the

annel, which destroyed the brig; in a word, that all those inexplicable





ents, for which we could not assign a reason, are due to this mysterious

ing. Therefore, whoever he may be, whether shipwrecked, or exiled on our

land, we shall be ungrateful, if we think ourselves freed from gratitude

wards him. We have contracted a debt, and I hope that we shall one day

y it."

ou are right in speaking thus, my dear Cyrus," replied Gideon Spilett.

es, there is an almost all-powerful being, hidden in some part of the

land, and whose influence has been singularly useful to our colony. I

ll add that the unknown appears to possess means of action which border

the supernatural, if in the events of practical life the supernaturalre recognizable. Is it he who is in secret communication with us by the

ll in Granite House, and has he thus a knowledge of all our plans? Was it

who threw us that bottle, when the vessel made her first cruise? Was it

who threw Top out of the lake, and killed the dugong? Was it he, who as

erything leads us to believe, saved you from the waves, and that under

rcumstances in which any one else would not have been able to act? If it

s he, he possesses a power which renders him master of the elements."

e reporter's reasoning was just, and every one felt it to be so.

es," rejoined Cyrus Harding, "if the intervention of a human being is

t more questionable for us, I agree that he has at his disposal means of

tion beyond those possessed by humanity. There is a mystery still, but ifdiscover the man, the mystery will be discovered also. The question,

en, is, ought we to respect the incognito of this generous being, or

ght we to do everything to find him out? What is your opinion on the

tter?"

y opinion," said Pencroft, "is that, whoever he may be, he is a brave

n, and he has my esteem!"

e it so," answered Harding, "but that is not an answer, Pencroft."

aster," then said Neb, "my idea is, that we may search as long as we

ke for this gentleman whom you are talking about, but that we shall not

scover him till he pleases."

hat's not bad, what you say, Neb," observed Pencroft.

am of Neb's opinion," said Gideon Spilett, "but that is no reason for

t attempting the adventure. Whether we find this mysterious being or not,

shall at least have fulfilled our duty towards him."

nd you, my boy, give us your opinion," said the engineer, turning to

rbert.

h," cried Herbert, his countenance full of animation, "how I should

ke to thank him, he who saved you first, and who has now saved us!"

f course, my boy," replied Pencroft, "so would I and all of us. I amt inquisitive, but I would give one of my eyes to see this individual

ce to face! It seems to me that he must be handsome, tall, strong, with a

lendid beard, radiant hair, and that he must be seated on clouds, a great

ll in his hands!"

ut, Pencroft," answered Spilett, "you are describing a picture of the

eator."

ossibly, Mr. Spilett," replied the sailor, "but that is how I imagine

m!"

nd you, Ayrton?" asked the engineer.





aptain Harding," replied Ayrton, "I can give you no better advice in

is matter. Whatever you do will be best; when you wish me to join you in

ur researches, I am ready to follow you.

thank you, Ayrton," answered Cyrus Harding, "but I should like a more

rect answer to the question I put to you. You are our companion; you have

ready endangered your life several times for us, and you, as well as the

st, ought to be consulted in the matter of any important decision. Speak,

erefore."

aptain Harding," replied Ayrton, "I think that we ought to do

erything to discover this unknown benefactor. Perhaps he is alone.

rhaps he is suffering. Perhaps he has a life to be renewed. I, too, as

u said, have a debt of gratitude to pay him. It was he, it could be only

who must have come to Tabor Island, who found there the wretch you knew,

d who made known to you that there was an unfortunate man there to be

ved. Therefore it is, thanks to him, that I have become a man again. No,

will never forget him!"

hat is settled, then," said Cyrus Harding. "We will begin our

searches as soon as possible. We will not leave a corner of the island

explored. We will search into its most secret recesses, and will hope

at our unknown friend will pardon us in consideration of our intentions!"

r several days the colonists were actively employed in haymaking and

e harvest. Before putting their project of exploring the yet unknown

rts of the island into execution, they wished to get all possible work

nished. It was also the time for collecting the various vegetables from

e Tabor Island plants. All was stowed away, and happily there was no want

room in Granite House, in which they might have housed all the treasures

the island. The products of the colony were there, methodically

ranged, and in a safe place, as may be believed, sheltered as much from

imals as from man.

ere was no fear of damp in the middle of that thick mass of granite.

ny natural excavations situated in the upper passage were enlarged either

pick-axe or mine, and Granite House thus became a general warehouse,

ntaining all the provisions, arms, tools, and spare utensils--in a word,

l the stores of the colony.

to the guns obtained from the brig, they were pretty pieces of

dnance, which, at Pencroft's entreaty, were hoisted by means of tackle

d pulleys, right up into Granite House; embrasures were made between the

ndows, and the shining muzzles of the guns could soon be seen through the

anite cliff. From this height they commanded all Union Bay. It was like a

ttle Gibraltar, and any vessel anchored off the islet would inevitably be

posed to the fire of this aerial battery.

aptain," said Pencroft one day, it was the 8th of November, "now that

r fortifications are finished, it would be a good thing if we tried the

nge of our guns."

o you think that is useful?" asked the engineer.

t is more than useful, it is necessary! Without that how are we to know

what distance we can send one of those pretty shot with which we are

ovided?"

ry them, Pencroft," replied the engineer. "However, I think that in

king the experiment, we ought to employ, not the ordinary powder, the

pply of which, I think, should remain untouched, but the pyroxyle which





ll never fail us."

an the cannon support the shock of the pyroxyle?" asked the reporter,

o was not less anxious than Pencroft to try the artillery of Granite

use.

believe so. However," added the engineer, "we will be prudent."

e engineer was right in thinking that the guns were of excellent make.

de of forged steel, and breech-loaders, they ought consequently to be

le to bear a considerable charge, and also have an enormous range. In

ct, as regards practical effect, the transit described by the ball ought

be as extended as possible, and this tension could only be obtained

der the condition that the projectile should be impelled with a very

eat initial velocity.

ow," said Harding to his companions, "the initial velocity is in

oportion to the quantity of powder used. In the fabrication of these

eces, everything depends on employing a metal with the highest possible

wer of resistance, and steel is incontestably that metal of all others

ich resists the best. I have, therefore, reason to believe that our guns

ll bear without risk the expansion of the pyroxyle gas, and will give

cellent results."

e shall be a great deal more certain of that when we have tried them!"

swered Pencroft.

is unnecessary to say that the four cannons were in perfect order.

nce they had been taken from the water, the sailor had bestowed great

re upon them. How many hours he had spent, in rubbing, greasing, and

lishing them, and in cleaning the mechanism! And now the pieces were as

illiant as if they had been on board a frigate of the United States Navy.

this day, therefore, in presence of all the members of the colony,

cluding Master Jup and Top, the four cannon were successively tried. They

re charged with pyroxyle, taking into consideration its explosive power,

ich, as has been said, is four times that of ordinary powder: the

ojectile to be fired was cylindroconic.

ncroft, holding the end of the quick-match, stood ready to fire.

Harding's signal, he fired. The shot, passing over the islet, fell

to the sea at a distance which could not be calculated with exactitude.

e second gun was pointed at the rocks at the end of Flotsam Point, and

e shot striking a sharp rock nearly three miles from Granite House, made

fly into splinters. It was Herbert who had pointed this gun and fired

, and very proud he was of his first shot. Pencroft only was prouder than

! Such a shot, the honor of which belonged to his dear boy.

e third shot, aimed this time at the downs forming the upper side of

ion Bay, struck the sand at a distance of four miles, then havingcocheted: was lost in the sea in a cloud of spray.

r the fourth piece Cyrus Harding slightly increased the charge, so as

try its extreme range. Then, all standing aside for fear of its

rsting, the match was lighted by means of a long cord.

tremendous report was heard, but the piece had held good, and the

lonists rushing to the windows, saw the shot graze the rocks of Mandible

pe, nearly five miles from Granite House, and disappear in Shark Gulf.

ell, captain," exclaimed Pencroft, whose cheers might have rivaled the

ports themselves, "what do you say of our battery? All the pirates in the





cific have only to present themselves before Granite House! Not one can

nd there now without our permission!"

elieve me, Pencroft," replied the engineer, "it would be better not to

ve to make the experiment."

ell," said the sailor, "what ought to be done with regard to those six

llains who are roaming about the island? Are we to leave them to overrun

r forests, our fields, our plantations? These pirates are regular

guars, and it seems to me we ought not to hesitate to treat them as such!

at do you think, Ayrton?" added Pencroft, turning to his companion.

rton hesitated at first to reply, and Cyrus Harding regretted that

ncroft had so thoughtlessly put this question. And he was much moved when

rton replied in a humble tone,--

have been one of those jaguars, Mr. Pencroft. I have no right to

eak."

d with a slow step he walked away.

ncroft understood.

hat a brute I am!" he exclaimed. "Poor Ayrton! He has as much right to

eak here as any one!"

es," said Gideon Spilett, "but his reserve does him honor, and it is

ght to respect the feeling which he has about his sad past."

ertainly, Mr. Spilett," answered the sailor, "and there is no fear of

doing so again. I would rather bite my tongue off than cause Ayrton any

in! But to return to the question. It seems to me that these ruffians

ve no right to any pity, and that we ought to rid the island of them as

on as possible."

s that your opinion, Pencroft?" asked the engineer.

uite my opinion."

nd before hunting them mercilessly, you would not wait until they had

mmitted some fresh act of hostility against us?"

sn't what they have done already enough?" asked Pencroft, who did not

derstand these scruples.

hey may adopt other sentiments!" said Harding, "and perhaps repent."

hey repent!" exclaimed the sailor, shrugging his shoulders.

encroft, think of Ayrton!" said Herbert, taking the sailor's hand. "He

came an honest man again!"

ncroft looked at his companions one after the other. He had never

ought of his proposal being met with any objection. His rough nature

uld not allow that they ought to come to terms with the rascals who had

nded on the island with Bob Harvey's accomplices, the murderers of the

ew of the "Speedy," and he looked upon them as wild beasts which ought to

destroyed without delay and without remorse.

ome!" said be. "Everybody is against me! You wish to be generous to

ose villains! Very well; I hope we mayn't repent it!"

hat danger shall we run," said Herbert, "if we take care to be always

our guard?"





um!" observed the reporter, who had not given any decided opinion.

hey are six and well armed. If they each lay hid in a corner, and each

red at one of us, they would soon be masters of the colony!"

hy have they not done so?" said Herbert. "No doubt because it was not

eir interest to do it. Besides, we are six also."

ell, well!" replied Pencroft, whom no reasoning could have convinced.

et us leave these good people to do what they like, and don't think

ything more about them!"

ome, Pencroft," said Neb, "don't make yourself out so bad as all that!

ppose one of these unfortunate men were here before you, within good

nge of your guns, you would not fire."

would fire on him as I would on a mad dog, Neb," replied Pencroft

ldly.

encroft," said the engineer, "you have always shown much deference to

advice; will you, in this matter, yield to me?"

will do as you please, Captain Harding," answered the sailor, who was

t at all convinced.

ery well, wait, and we will not attack them unless we are attacked

rst."

us their behavior towards the pirates was agreed upon, although

ncroft augured nothing good from it. They were not to attack them, but

re to be on their guard. After all, the island was large and fertile. If

y sentiment of honesty yet remained in the bottom of their hearts, these

etches might perhaps be reclaimed. Was it not their interest in the

tuation in which they found themselves to begin a new life? At any rate,

r humanity's sake alone, it would be right to wait. The colonists would

longer as before, be able to go and come without fear. Hitherto they had

ly wild beasts to guard against, and now six convicts of the worst

scription, perhaps, were roaming over their island. It was serious,rtainly, and to less brave men, it would have been security lost! No

tter! At present, the colonists had reason on their side against

ncroft. Would they be right in the future? That remained to be seen.

apter 6

wever, the chief business of the colonists was to make that complete

ploration of the island which had been decided upon, and which would have

o objects: to discover the mysterious being whose existence was now

disputable, and at the same time to find out what had become of the

rates, what retreat they had chosen, what sort of life they were leading,

d what was to be feared from them. Cyrus Harding wished to set out

thout delay; but as the expedition would be of some days duration, it

peared best to load the cart with different materials and tools in order

facilitate the organization of the encampments. One of the onagers,

wever, having hurt its leg, could not be harnessed at present, and a few

ys' rest was necessary. The departure was, therefore, put off for a week,

til the 20th of November. The month of November in this latitude

rresponds to the month of May in the northern zones. It was, therefore,

e fine season. The sun was entering the tropic of Capricorn, and gave the

ngest days in the year. The time was, therefore, very favorable for the

ojected expedition, which, if it did not accomplish its principal object,

uld at any rate be fruitful in discoveries, especially of natural





oductions, since Harding proposed to explore those dense forests of the

r West, which stretched to the extremity of the Serpentine Peninsula.

ring the nine days which preceded their departure, it was agreed that

e work on Prospect Heights should be finished off.

reover, it was necessary for Ayrton to return to the corral, where the

mesticated animals required his care. It was decided that he should spend

o days there, and return to Granite House after having liberally supplied

e stables.

he was about to start, Harding asked him if he would not like one of

em to accompany him, observing that the island was less safe than

rmerly. Ayrton replied that this was unnecessary, as he was enough for

e work, and that besides he apprehended no danger. If anything occurred

the corral, or in the neighborhood, he could instantly warn the

lonists by sending a telegram to Granite House.

rton departed at dawn on the 9th, taking the cart drawn by one onager,

d two hours after, the electric wire announced that he had found all in

der at the corral.

ring these two days Harding busied himself in executing a project which

uld completely guard Granite House against any surprise. It was necessary

completely conceal the opening of the old outlet, which was already

lled up and partly hidden under grass and plants, at the southern angle

Lake Grant. Nothing was easier, since if the level of the lake was

ised two or three feet, the opening would be quite beneath it. Now, to

ise this level they had only to establish a dam at the two openings made

the lake, and by which were fed Creek Glycerine and Falls River.

e colonists worked with a will, and the two dams which besides did not

ceed eight feet in width by three in height, were rapidly erected by

ans of well-cemented blocks of stone.

is work finished, it would have been impossible to guess

at at that part of the lake, there existed a subterranean passage

rough which the overflow of the lake formerly escaped.

course the little stream which fed the reservoir of Granite House and

rked the lift, had been carefully preserved, and the water could not

il. The lift once raised, this sure and comfortable retreat would be safe

om any surprise.

is work had been so quickly done, that Pencroft, Gideon Spilett, and

rbert found time to make an expedition to Port Balloon, The sailor was

ry anxious to know if the little creek in which the "Bonadventure" was

ored, had been visited by the convicts.

hese gentlemen," he observed, "landed on the south coast, and if they

llowed the shore, it is to be feared that they may have discovered thettle harbor, and in that case, I wouldn't give half-a-dollar for our

onadventure.'"

ncroft's apprehensions were not without foundation, and a visit to Port

lloon appeared to be very desirable. The sailor and his companions set

f on the 10th of November, after dinner, well armed. Pencroft,

tentatiously slipping two bullets into each barrel of his rifle, shook

s head in a way which betokened nothing good to any one who approached

o near him, whether "man or beast," as he said. Gideon Spilett and

rbert also took their guns, and about three o'clock all three left

anite House.





b accompanied them to the turn of the Mercy, and after they had

ossed, he raised the bridge. It was agreed that a gunshot should announce

e colonists' return, and that at the signal Neb should return and

establish the communication between the two banks of the river.

e little band advanced directly along the road which led to the

uthern coast of the island. This was only a distance of three miles and a

lf, but Gideon Spilett and his companions took two hours to traverse it.

ey examined all the border of the road, the thick forest, as well as

bor Marsh. They found no trace of the fugitives who, no doubt, not having

t discovered the number of the colonists, or the means of defense which

ey had at their disposal, had gained the less accessible parts of the

land.

rived at Port Balloon, Pencroft saw with extreme satisfaction that the

onadventure" was tranquilly floating in the narrow creek. However, Port

lloon was so well hidden among high rocks, that it could scarcely be

scovered either from the land or the sea.

ome," said Pencroft, "the blackguards have not been there yet. Long

ass suits reptiles best, and evidently we shall find them in the Far

st."

nd it's very lucky, for if they had found the 'Bonadventure'," added

rbert, "they would have gone off in her, and we should have been

evented from returning to Tabor Island."

ndeed," remarked the reporter, "it will be important to take a document

ere which will make known the situation of Lincoln Island, and Ayrton's

w residence, in case the Scotch yacht returns to fetch him."

ell, the 'Bonadventure' is always there, Mr. Spilett," answered the

ilor. "She and her crew are ready to start at a moment's notice!"

think, Pencroft, that that is a thing to be done after our exploration

the island is finished. It is possible after all that the stranger, if

manage to find him, may know as much about Tabor Island as about Lincolnland. Do not forget that he is certainly the author of the document, and

may, perhaps, know how far we may count on the return of the yacht!"

ut!" exclaimed Pencroft, "who in the world can he be? The fellow knows

and we know nothing about him! If he is a simple castaway, why should he

nceal himself! We are honest men, I suppose, and the society of honest

n isn't unpleasant to any one. Did he come here voluntarily? Can he leave

e island if he likes? Is he here still? Will he remain any longer?"

atting thus, Pencroft, Gideon Spilett, and Herbert got on board and

oked about the deck of the "Bonadventure." All at once, the sailor having

amined the bitts to which the cable of the anchor was secured,--

allo," he cried, "this is queer!"

hat is the matter, Pencroft?" asked the reporter.

he matter is, that it was not I who made this knot!"

d Pencroft showed a rope which fastened the cable to the bitt itself.

hat, it was not you?" asked Gideon Spilett.

o! I can swear to it. This is a reef knot, and I always make a running

wline."





ou must be mistaken, Pencroft."

am not mistaken!" declared the sailor. "My hand does it so naturally,

d one's hand is never mistaken!"

hen can the convicts have been on board?" asked Herbert.

know nothing about that," answered Pencroft, "but what is certain, is

at some one has weighed the 'Bonadventure's' anchor and dropped it again!

d look here, here is another proof! The cable of the anchor has been run

t, and its service is no longer at the hawse-hole. I repeat that some one

s been using our vessel!"

ut if the convicts had used her, they would have pillaged her, or

ther gone off with her."

one off! where to--to Tabor Island?" replied Pencroft. "Do you think,

ey would risk themselves in a boat of such small tonnage?"

e must, besides, be sure that they know of the islet," rejoined the

porter.

owever that may be," said the sailor, "as sure as my name is

nadventure Pencroft, of the Vineyard, our 'Bonadventure' has sailedthout us!"

e sailor was positive that neither Gideon Spilett nor Herbert could

spute his statement. It was evident that the vessel had been moved, more

less, since Pencroft had brought her to Port Balloon. As to the sailor,

had not the slightest doubt that the anchor had been raised and then

opped again. Now, what was the use of these two maneuvers, unless the

ssel had been employed in some expedition?

ut how was it we did not see the 'Bonadventure' pass in the sight of

e island?" observed the reporter, who was anxious to bring forward every

ssible objection.

hy, Mr. Spilett," replied the sailor, "they would only have to start in

e night with a good breeze, and they would be out of sight of the island

two hours."

ell," resumed Gideon Spilett, "I ask again, what object could the

nvicts have had in using the 'Bonadventure,' and why, after they had made

e of her, should they have brought her back to port?"

hy, Mr. Spilett," replied the sailor, "we must put that among the

accountable things, and not think anything more about it. The chief thing

that the 'Bonadventure' was there, and she is there now. Only,

fortunately, if the convicts take her a second time, we shall very likely

t find her again in her place!"

hen, Pencroft," said Herbert, "would it not be wisest to bring the

onadventure' off to Granite House?"

es and no," answered Pencroft, "or rather no. The mouth of the Mercy is

bad place for a vessel, and the sea is heavy there."

ut by hauling her up on the sand, to the foot of the Chimneys?"

erhaps yes," replied Pencroft. "At any rate, since we must leave

anite House for a long expedition, I think the 'Bonadventure' will be

fer here during our absence, and we shall do best to leave her here until





e island is rid of these blackguards."

hat is exactly my opinion," said the reporter. "At any rate in the

ent of bad weather, she will not be exposed here as she would be at the

uth of the Mercy."

ut suppose the convicts pay her another visit," said Herbert.

ell, my boy," replied Pencroft, "not finding her here, they would not

long in finding her on the sands of Granite House, and, during our

sence, nothing could hinder them from seizing her! I agree, therefore,

th Mr. Spilett, that she must be left in Port Balloon. But, if on our

turn we have not rid the island of those rascals, it will be prudent to

ing our boat to Granite House, until the time when we need not fear any

pleasant visits."

hat's settled. Let us be off," said the reporter.

ncroft, Herbert, and Gideon Spilett, on their return to Granite House,

ld the engineer all that had passed, and the latter approved of their

rangements both for the present and the future. He also promised the

ilor that he would study that part of the channel situated between the

let and the coast, so as to ascertain if it would not be possible to make

artificial harbor there by means of dams. In this way, the

onadventure" would be always within reach, under the eyes of the

lonists, and if necessary, under lock and key.

at evening a telegram was sent to Ayrton, requesting him to bring from

e corral a couple of goats, which Neb wished to acclimatize to the

ateau. Singularly enough, Ayrton did not acknowledge the receipt of the

spatch, as he was accustomed to do. This could not but astonish the

gineer. But it might be that Ayrton was not at that moment in the corral,

even that he was on his way back to Granite House. In fact, two days had

ready passed since his departure, and it had been decided that on the

ening of the 10th or at the latest the morning of the 11th, he should

turn. The colonists waited, therefore, for Ayrton to appear on Prospect

ights. Neb and Herbert even watched at the bridge so as to be ready to

wer it the moment their companion presented himself.

t up to ten in the evening, there were no signs of Ayrton. It was,

erefore, judged best to send a fresh despatch, requiring an immediate

ply.

e bell of the telegraph at Granite House remained mute.

e colonists' uneasiness was great. What had happened? Was Ayrton no

nger at the corral, or if he was still there, had he no longer control

er his movements? Could they go to the corral in this dark night?

ey consulted. Some wished to go, the others to remain.

ut," said Herbert, "perhaps some accident has happened to the

legraphic apparatus, so that it works no longer?"

hat may be," said the reporter.

ait till to-morrow," replied Cyrus Harding. "It is possible, indeed,

at Ayrton has not received our despatch, or even that we have not

ceived his."

ey waited, of course not without some anxiety.

dawn of day, the 11th of November, Harding again sent the electric





rrent along the wire and received no reply.

tried again: the same result.

ff to the corral," said he.

nd well armed!" added Pencroft.

was immediately decided that Granite House should not be left alone

d that Neb should remain there. After having accompanied his friends to

eek Glycerine, he raised the bridge; and waiting behind a tree he watched

r the return of either his companions or Ayrton.

the event of the pirates presenting themselves and attempting to force

e passage, he was to endeavor to stop them by firing on them, and as a

st resource he was to take refuge in Granite House, where, the lift once

ised, he would be in safety.

rus Harding, Gideon Spilett, Herbert, and Pencroft were to repair to the

rral, and if they did not find Ayrton, search the neighboring woods.

six o'clock in the morning, the engineer and his three companions had

ssed Creek Glycerine, and Neb posted himself behind a small mound crowned

several dragon trees, on the left bank of the stream.

e colonists, after leaving the plateau of Prospect Heights, immediately

ok the road to the corral. They shouldered their guns, ready to fire on

e slightest hostile demonstration. The two rifles and the two guns had

en loaded with ball.

e wood was thick on each side of the road and might easily have

ncealed the convicts, who owing to their weapons would have been really

rmidable.

e colonists walked rapidly and in silence. Top preceded them, sometimes

nning on the road, sometimes taking a ramble into the wood, but always

iet and not appearing to fear anything unusual. And they could be sure

at the faithful dog would not allow them to be surprised, but would barkthe least appearance of danger.

rus Harding and his companions followed beside the road the wire which

nnected the corral with Granite House. After walking for nearly two

les, they had not as yet discovered any explanation of the difficulty.

e posts were in good order, the wire regularly extended. However, at that

ment the engineer observed that the wire appeared to be slack, and on

riving at post No. 74, Herbert, who was in advance stopped, exclaiming,--

he wire is broken!"

s companions hurried forward and arrived at the spot where the lad was

anding. The post was rooted up and lying across the path. The unexpected

planation of the difficulty was here, and it was evident that the

spatches from Granite House had not been received at the corral, nor

ose from the corral at Granite House.

t wasn't the wind that blew down this post," observed Pencroft.

o," replied Gideon Spilett. "The earth has been dug up round its foot,

d it has been torn up by the hand of man."

esides, the wire is broken," added Herbert, showing that the wire had

en snapped.





s the fracture recent?" asked Harding.

es," answered Herbert, "it has certainly been done quite lately."

o the corral! to the corral!" exclaimed the sailor.

e colonists were now half way between Granite House and the corral,

ving still two miles and a half to go. They pressed forward with

doubled speed.

deed, it was to be feared that some serious accident had occurred in

e corral. No doubt, Ayrton might have sent a telegram which had not

rived, but this was not the reason why his companions were so uneasy,

r, a more unaccountable circumstance, Ayrton, who had promised to return

e evening before, had not reappeared. In short, it was not without a

tive that all communication had been stopped between the corral and

anite House, and who but the convicts could have any interest in

terrupting this communication?

e settlers hastened on, their hearts oppressed with anxiety. They were

ncerely attached to their new companion. Were they to find him struck

wn by the hands of those of whom he was formerly the leader?

on they arrived at the place where the road led along the side of the

ttle stream which flowed from the Red Creek and watered the meadows ofe corral. They then moderated their pace so that they should not be out

breath at the moment when a struggle might be necessary. Their guns were

their hands ready cocked. The forest was watched on every side. Top

tered sullen groans which were rather ominous.

last the palisade appeared through the trees. No trace of any damage

uld be seen. The gate was shut as usual. Deep silence reigned in the

rral. Neither the accustomed bleating of the sheep nor Ayrton's voice

uld be heard.

et us enter," said Cyrus Harding.

d the engineer advanced, while his companions, keeping watch aboutenty paces behind him, were ready to fire at a moment's notice.

rding raised the inner latch of the gate and was about to push it back,

en Top barked loudly. A report sounded and was responded to by a cry of

in.

rbert, struck by a bullet, lay stretched on the ground.

apter 7

Herbert's cry, Pencroft, letting his gun fall, rushed towards him.

hey have killed him!" he cried. "My boy! They have killed him!"

rus Harding and Gideon Spilett ran to Herbert.

e reporter listened to ascertain if the poor lad's heart was still

ating.

e lives," said he, "but he must be carried--"

o Granite House? that is impossible!" replied the engineer.

nto the corral, then!" said Pencroft.





n a moment," said Harding.

d he ran round the left corner of the palisade. There he found a

nvict, who aiming at him, sent a ball through his hat. In a few seconds,

fore he had even time to fire his second barrel, he fell, struck to the

art by Harding's dagger, more sure even than his gun.

ring this time, Gideon Spilett and the sailor hoisted themselves over

e palisade, leaped into the enclosure, threw down the props which

pported the inner door, ran into the empty house, and soon, poor Herbert

s lying on Ayrton's bed. In a few moments, Harding was by his side.

seeing Herbert senseless, the sailor's grief was terrible.

sobbed, he cried, he tried to beat his head against the wall.

ither the engineer nor the reporter could calm him. They themselves

re choked with emotion. They could not speak.

wever, they knew that it depended on them to rescue from death the poor

y who was suffering beneath their eyes. Gideon Spilett had not passed

rough the many incidents by which his life had been checkered without

quiring some slight knowledge of medicine. He knew a little of

erything, and several times he had been obliged to attend to woundsoduced either by a sword-bayonet or shot. Assisted by Cyrus Harding, he

oceeded to render the aid Herbert required.

e reporter was immediately struck by the complete stupor in which

rbert lay, a stupor owing either to the hemorrhage, or to the shock, the

ll having struck a bone with sufficient force to produce a violent

ncussion.

rbert was deadly pale, and his pulse so feeble that Spilett only felt it

at at long intervals, as if it was on the point of stopping.

ese symptoms were very serious.

rbert's chest was laid bare, and the blood having been stanched with

ndkerchiefs, it was bathed with cold water.

e contusion, or rather the contused wound appeared,--an oval below the

est between the third and fourth ribs. It was there that Herbert had been

t by the bullet.

rus Harding and Gideon Spilett then turned the poor boy over; as they

d so, he uttered a moan so feeble that they almost thought it was his

st sigh.

rberts back was covered with blood from another contused wound, by

ich the ball had immediately escaped.

od be praised!" said the reporter, "the ball is not in the body, and we

all not have to extract it."

ut the heart?" asked Harding.

he heart has not been touched; if it had been, Herbert would be dead!"

ead!" exclaimed Pencroft, with a groan.

e sailor had only heard the last words uttered by the reporter.

o, Pencroft," replied Cyrus Harding, "no! He is not dead. His pulse





ill beats. He has even uttered a moan. But for your boy's sake, calm

urself. We have need of all our self-possession."

o not make us lose it, my friend."

ncroft was silent, but a reaction set in, and great tears rolled down

s cheeks.

the meanwhile, Gideon Spilett endeavored to collect his ideas, and

oceed methodically. After his examination he had no doubt that the ball,

tering in front, between the seventh and eighth ribs, had issued behind

tween the third and fourth. But what mischief had the ball committed in

s passage? What important organs had been reached? A professional surgeon

uld have had difficulty in determining this at once, and still more so

e reporter.

wever, he knew one thing, this was that he would have to prevent the

flammatory strangulation of the injured parts, then to contend with the

cal inflammation and fever which would result from the wound, perhaps

rtal! Now, what styptics, what antiphiogistics ought to be employed? By

at means could inflammation be prevented?

any rate, the most important thing was that the two wounds should be

essed without delay. It did not appear necessary to Gideon Spilett that a

esh flow of blood should be caused by bathing them in tepid water, and

mpressing their lips. The hemorrhage had been very abundant, and Herbert

s already too much enfeebled by the loss of blood.

e reporter, therefore, thought it best to simply bathe the two wounds

th cold water.

rbert was placed on his left side, and was maintained in that position.

e must not be moved." said Gideon Spilett. "He is in the most favorable

sition for the wounds in his back and chest to suppurate easily, and

solute rest is necessary."

hat! can't we carry him to Granite House?" asked Pencroft.

o, Pencroft," replied the reporter.

'll pay the villains off!" cried the sailor, shaking his fist in a

nacing manner.

encroft!" said Cyrus Harding.

deon Spilett had resumed his examination of the wounded boy. Herbert

s still so frightfully pale, that the reporter felt anxious.

yrus," said he, "I am not a surgeon. I am in terrible perplexity. You

st aid me with your advice, your experience!"

ake courage, my friend," answered the engineer, pressing the reporter's

nd. "Judge coolly. Think only of this: Herbert must be saved!"

ese words restored to Gideon Spilett that self-possession which he had

st in a moment of discouragement on feeling his great responsibility. He

ated himself close to the bed. Cyrus Harding stood near. Pencroft had

rn up his shirt, and was mechanically making lint.

ilett then explained to Cyrus Harding that he thought he ought first of

l to stop the hemorrhage, but not close the two wounds, or cause their

mediate cicatrization, for there had been internal perforation, and the





ppuration must not be allowed to accumulate in the chest.

rding approved entirely, and it was decided that the two wounds should

dressed without attempting to close them by immediate coaptation.

d now did the colonists possess an efficacious agent to act against the

flammation which might occur?

s. They had one, for nature had generously lavished it. They had cold

ter, that is to say, the most powerful sedative that can be employed

ainst inflammation of wounds, the most efficacious therapeutic agent in

ave cases, and the one which is now adopted by all physicians. Cold water

s, moreover, the advantage of leaving the wound in absolute rest, and

eserving it from all premature dressing, a considerable advantage, since

has been found by experience that contact with the air is dangerous

ring the first days.

deon Spilett and Cyrus Harding reasoned thus with their simple good

nse, and they acted as the best surgeon would have done. Compresses of

nen were applied to poor Herbert's two wounds, and were kept constantly

t with cold water.

e sailor had at first lighted a fire in the hut, which was not wanting

things necessary for life. Maple sugar, medicinal plants, the same which

e lad had gathered on the banks of Lake Grant, enabled them to make some

freshing drinks, which they gave him without his taking any notice of it.

s fever was extremely high, and all that day and night passed without his

coming conscious.

rbert's life hung on a thread, and this thread might break at any

ment. The next day, the 12th of November, the hopes of Harding and his

mpanions slightly revived. Herbert had come out of his long stupor. He

ened his eyes, he recognized Cyrus Harding, the reporter, and Pencroft.

uttered two or three words. He did not know what had happened. They told

m, and Spilett begged him to remain perfectly still, telling him that his

fe was not in danger, and that his wounds would heal in a few days.

wever, Herbert scarcely suffered at all, and the cold water with which

ey were constantly bathed, prevented any inflammation of the wounds. The

ppuration was established in a regular way, the fever did not increase,

d it might now be hoped that this terrible wound would not involve any

tastrophe. Pencroft felt the swelling of his heart gradually subside. He

s like a sister of mercy. like a mother by the bed of her child.

rbert dozed again, but his sleep appeared more natural.

ell me again that you hope, Mr. Spilett," said Pencroft. "Tell me again

at you will save Herbert!"

es, we will save him!" replied the reporter. "The wound is serious,

d, perhaps, even the ball has traversed the lungs, but the perforation of

is organ is not fatal."

od bless you!" answered Pencroft.

may be believed, during the four-and-twenty hours they had been in the

rral, the colonists had no other thought than that of nursing Herbert.

ey did not think either of the danger which threatened them should the

nvicts return, or of the precautions to be taken for the future.

t on this day, while Pencroft watched by the sick-bed, Cyrus Harding

d the reporter consulted as to what it would be best to do.

rst of all they examined the corral. There was not a trace of Ayrton.





d the unhappy man been dragged away by his former accomplices? Had he

sisted, and been overcome in the struggle? This last supposition was only

o probable. Gideon Spilett, at the moment he scaled the palisade, had

early seen some one of the convicts running along the southern spur of

unt Franklin, towards whom Top had sprung. It was one of those whose

ject had been so completely defeated by the rocks at the mouth of the

rcy. Besides, the one killed by Harding, and whose body was found outside

e enclosure, of course belonged to Bob Harvey's crew.

to the corral, it had not suffered any damage. The gates were closed,

d the animals had not been able to disperse in the forest. Nor could theye traces of any struggle, any devastation, either in the hut, or in the

lisade. The ammunition only, with which Ayrton had been supplied, had

sappeared with him.

he unhappy man has been surprised," said Harding, "and as he was a man

defend himself, he must have been overpowered."

es, that is to be feared!" said the reporter. "Then, doubtless, the

nvicts installed themselves in the corral where they found plenty of

erything, and only fled when they saw us coming. It is very evident, too,

at at this moment Ayrton, whether living or dead, is not here!"

e shall have to beat the forest," said the engineer, "and rid the

land of these wretches. Pencroft's presentiments were not mistaken, when

wished to hunt them as wild beasts. That would have spared us all these

sfortunes!"

es," answered the reporter, "but now we have the right to be

rciless!"

t any rate," said the engineer, "we are obliged to wait some time, and

remain at the corral until we can carry Herbert without danger to

anite House."

ut Neb?" asked the reporter.

eb is in safety."

ut if, uneasy at our absence, he would venture to come?"

e must not come!" returned Cyrus Harding quickly. "He would be murdered

the road!"

t is very probable, however, that he will attempt to rejoin us!"

h, if the telegraph still acted, he might be warned! But that is

possible now! As to leaving Pencroft and Herbert here alone, we could not

it! Well, I will go alone to Granite House."

o, no! Cyrus," answered the reporter, "you must not expose yourself!

ur courage would be of no avail. The villains are evidently watching the

rral, they are hidden in the thick woods which surround it, and if you go

shall soon have to regret two misfortunes instead of one!"

ut Neb?" repeated the engineer. "It is now four-and-twenty hours since

has had any news of us! He will be sure to come!"

nd as he will be less on his guard than we should be ourselves," added

ilett, "he will be killed!"

s there really no way of warning him?"





ile the engineer thought, his eyes fell on Top, who, going backwards

d forwards seemed to say,--

m not I here?"

op!" exclaimed Cyrus Harding.

e animal sprang at his master's call.

es, Top will go," said the reporter, who had understood the engineer.

op can go where we cannot! He will carry to Granite House the news ofe corral, and he will bring back to us that from Granite House!"

uick!" said Harding. "Quick!"

ilett rapidly tore a leaf from his note-book, and wrote these words:--

erbert wounded. We are at the corral. Be on your guard. Do not leave

anite House. Have the convicts appeared in the neighborhood? Reply by

p."

is laconic note contained all that Neb ought to know, and at the same

me asked all that the colonists wished to know. It was folded and

stened to Top's collar in a conspicuous position.

op, my dog," said the engineer, caressing the animal, "Neb, Top! Neb!

, go!"

p bounded at these words. He understood, he knew what was expected of

m. The road to the corral was familiar to him. In less than an hour he

uld clear it, and it might be hoped that where neither Cyrus Harding nor

e reporter could have ventured without danger, Top, running among the

ass or in the wood, would pass unperceived.

e engineer went to the gate of the corral and opened it.

eb, Top! Neb!" repeated the engineer, again pointing in the direction

Granite House.

p sprang forwards, then almost immediately disappeared.

e will get there!" said the reporter.

es, and he will come back, the faithful animal!"

hat o'clock is it?" asked Gideon Spilett.

en."

n an hour he may be here. We will watch for his return."

e gate of the corral was closed. The engineer and the reporter

-entered the house. Herbert was still in a sleep. Pencroft kept the

mpresser always wet. Spilett, seeing there was nothing he could do at

at moment, busied himself in preparing some nourishment, while

tentively watching that part of the enclosure against the hill, at which

attack might be expected.

e settlers awaited Top's return with much anxiety. A little before

even o'clock, Cyrus Harding and the reporter, rifle in hand, were behind

e gate, ready to open it at the first bark of their dog.

ey did not doubt that if Top had arrived safely at Granite House, Neb





uld have sent him back immediately.

ey had both been there for about ten minutes, when a report was heard,

llowed by repeated barks.

e engineer opened the gate, and seeing smoke a hundred feet off in the

od, he fired in that direction.

most immediately Top bounded into the corral, and the gate was quickly

ut.

op, Top!" exclaimed the engineer, taking the dog's great honest head

tween his hands.

note was fastened to his neck, and Cyrus Harding read these words,

aced in Neb's large writing:--"No pirates in the neighborhood of Granite

use. I will not stir. Poor Mr. Herbert!"

apter 8

the convicts were still there, watching the corral, and determined to

ll the settlers one after the other. There was nothing to be done but to

eat them as wild beasts. But great precautions must be taken, for justw the wretches had the advantage on their side, seeing, and not being

en, being able to surprise by the suddenness of their attack, yet not to

surprised themselves. Harding made arrangements, therefore, for living

the corral, of which the provisions would last for a tolerable length of

me. Ayrton's house had been provided with all that was necessary for

istence, and the convicts, scared by the arrival of the settlers, had not

d time to pillage it. It was probable, as Gideon Spilett observed, that

ings had occurred as follows:

e six convicts, disembarking on the island, had followed the southern

ore, and after having traversed the double shore of the Serpentine

ninsula, not being inclined to venture into the Far West woods, they had

ached the mouth of Falls River. From this point, by following the rightnk of the watercourse, they would arrive at the spurs of Mount Franklin,

ong which they would naturally seek a retreat, and they could not have

en long in discovering the corral, then uninhabited. There they had

gularly installed themselves, awaiting the moment to put their abominable

hemes into execution. Ayrton's arrival had surprised them, but they had

naged to overpower the unfortunate man, and--the rest may be easily

agined!

w, the convicts,--reduced to five, it is true, but well armed,--were

aming the woods, and to venture there was to expose themselves to their

tacks, which could be neither guarded against nor prevented.

ait! There is nothing else to be done!" repeated Cyrus Harding. "Whenrbert is cured, we can organize a general battle of the island, and have

tisfaction of these convicts. That will be the object of our grand

pedition at the same time--"

s the search for our mysterious protector," added Gideon Spilett,

nishing the engineer's sentence. "An, it must be acknowledged, my dear

rus, that this time his protection was wanting at the very moment when it

s most necessary to us!"

ho knows?" replied the engineer.

hat do you mean?" asked the reporter.





hat we are not at the end of our trouble yet, my dear Spilett, and that

s powerful intervention may have another opportunity of exercising

self. But that is not the question now. Herbert's life before

erything."

is was the colonists' saddest thought. Several days passed, and the

or boy's state was happily no worse. Cold water, always kept at a

itable temperature, had completely prevented the inflammation of the

unds. It even seemed to the reporter that this water, being slightly

lphurous,--which was explained by the neighborhood of the volcano, had a

re direct action on the healing. The suppuration was much less abundant,

d thanks to the incessant care by which he was surrounded!--Herbert

turned to life, and his fever abated. He was besides subjected to a

vere diet, and consequently his weakness was and would be extreme; but

ere was no want of refreshing drinks, and absolute rest was of the

eatest benefit to him. Cyrus Harding, Gideon Spilett, and Pencroft had

come very skilful in dressing the lad's wounds. All the linen in the

use had been sacrificed. Herbert's wounds, covered with compresses and

nt, were pressed neither too much nor too little, so as to cause their

catrization without effecting any inflammatory reaction. The reporter

ed extreme care in the dressing, knowing well the importance of it, and

peating to his companions that which most surgeons willingly admit, that

is perhaps rarer to see a dressing well done than an operation wellrformed.

ten days, on the 22nd of November, Herbert was considerably better. He

d begun to take some nourishment.

e color was returning to his cheeks, and his bright eyes smiled at his

rses. He talked a little, notwithstanding Pencroft's efforts, who talked

cessantly to prevent him from beginning to speak, and told him the most

probable stories. Herbert had questioned him on the subject of Ayrton,

om he was astonished not to see near him, thinking that he was at the

rral. But the sailor, not wishing to distress Herbert, contented himself

replying that Ayrton had rejoined Neb, so as to defend Granite House.

umph!" said Pencroft, "these pirates! they are gentlemen who have no

ght to any consideration! And the captain wanted to win them by kindness!

ll send them some kindness, but in the shape of a good bullet!"

nd have they not been seen again?" asked Herbert.

o, my boy," answered the sailor, "but we shall find them, and when you

e cured we shall see if the cowards who strike us from behind will dare

meet us face to face!"

am still very weak, my poor Pencroft!"

ell! your strength will return gradually! What's a ball through the

est? Nothing but a joke! I've seen many, and I don't think much of them!"

last things appeared to be going on well, and if no complication

curred, Herbert's recovery might be regarded as certain. But what would

ve been the condition of the colonists if his state had been aggravated,

if, for example, the ball had remained in his body, if his arm or his leg

d had to be amputated?

o," said Spilett more than once, "I have never thought of such a

ntingency without shuddering!"

nd yet, if it had been necessary to operate," said Harding one day to

m, "you would not have hesitated?"





o, Cyrus!" said Gideon Spilett, "but thank God that we have been spared

is complication!"

in so many other conjectures, the colonists had appealed to the logic

that simple good sense of which they had made use so often, and once

re, thanks to their general knowledge, it had succeeded! But might not a

me come when all their science would be at fault? They were alone on the

land. Now, men in all states of society are necessary to each other.

rus Harding knew this well, and sometimes he asked if some circumstance

ght not occur which they would be powerless to surmount. It appeared tom besides, that he and his companions, till then so fortunate, had

tered into an unlucky period. During the two years and a half which had

apsed since their escape from Richmond, it might be said that they had

d everything their own way. The island had abundantly supplied them with

nerals, vegetables, animals, and as Nature had constantly loaded them,

eir science had known how to take advantage of what she offered them.

e wellbeing of the colony was therefore complete. Moreover, in certain

currences an inexplicable influence had come to their aid!... But all

at could only be for a time.

short, Cyrus Harding believed that fortune had turned against them.

fact, the convicts' ship had appeared in the waters of the island, and

the pirates had been, so to speak, miraculously destroyed, six of them,

least, had escaped the catastrophe. They had disembarked on the island,

d it was almost impossible to get at the five who survived. Ayrton had no

ubt been murdered by these wretches, who possessed firearms, and at the

rst use that they had made of them, Herbert had fallen, wounded almost

rtally. Were these the first blows aimed by adverse fortune at the

lonists? This was often asked by Harding. This was often repeated by the

porter; and it appeared to him also that the intervention, so strange,

t so efficacious, which till then had served them so well, had now failed

em. Had this mysterious being, whatever he was, whose existence could not

denied, abandoned the island? Had he in his turn succumbed?

reply was possible to these questions. But it must not be imagined

at because Harding and his companions spoke of these things, they were

n to despair. Far from that. They looked their situation in the face,

ey analyzed the chances, they prepared themselves for any event, they

ood firm and straight before the future, and if adversity was at last to

rike them, it would find in them men prepared to struggle against it.

apter 9

e convalescence of the young invalid was regularly progressing. One thing

ly was now to be desired, that his state would allow him to be brought to

anite House. However well built and supplied the corral house was, it

uld not be so comfortable as the healthy granite dwelling. Besides, it

d not offer the same security, and its tenants, notwithstanding their

tchfulness, were here always in fear of some shot from the convicts.

ere, on the contrary, in the middle of that impregnable and inaccessible

iff, they would have nothing to fear, and any attack on their persons

uld certainly fail. They therefore waited impatiently for the moment when

rbert might be moved without danger from his wound, and they were

termined to make this move, although the communication through Jacamar

od was very difficult.

ey had no news from Neb, but were not uneasy on that account. The





urageous Negro, well entrenched in the depths of Granite House, would not

low himself to be surprised. Top had not been sent again to him, as it

peared useless to expose the faithful dog to some shot which might

prive the settlers of their most useful auxiliary.

ey waited, therefore, although they were anxious to be reunited at

anite House. It pained the engineer to see his forces divided, for it

ve great advantage to the pirates. Since Ayrton's disappearance they were

ly four against five, for Herbert could not yet be counted, and this was

t the least care of the brave boy, who well understood the trouble of

ich he was the cause.

e question of knowing how, in their condition, they were to act against

e pirates, was thoroughly discussed on the 29th of November by Cyrus

rding, Gideon Spilett, and Pencroft, at a moment when Herbert was asleep

d could not hear them.

y friends," said the reporter, after they had talked of Neb and of the

possibility of communicating with him, "I think,--like you, that to

nture on the road to the corral would be to risk receiving a gunshot

thout being able to return it. But do you not think that the best thing

be done now is to openly give chase to these wretches?"

hat is just what I was thinking," answered Pencroft. "I believe we're

t fellows to be afraid of a bullet, and as for me, if Captain Harding

proves, I'm ready to dash into the forest! Why, hang it, one man is equal

another!"

ut is he equal to five?" asked the engineer.

will join Pencroft," said the reporter, "and both of us, well-armed

d accompanied by Top--"

y dear Spilett, and you, Pencroft," answered Harding, "let us reason

olly. If the convicts were hid in one spot of the island, if we knew that

ot, and had only to dislodge them, I would undertake a direct attack; but

there not occasion to fear, on the contrary, that they are sure to fire

e first shot?"

ell, captain," cried Pencroft, "a bullet does not always reach its

rk."

hat which struck Herbert did not miss, Pencroft," replied the engineer.

esides, observe that if both of you left the corral I should remain here

one to defend it. Do you imagine that the convicts will not see you leave

, that they will not allow you to enter the forest, and that they will

t attack it during your absence, knowing that there is no one here but a

unded boy and a man?"

ou are right, captain," replied Pencroft, his chest swelling with

llen anger. "You are right; they will do all they can to retake therral, which they know to be well stored; and alone you could not hold it

ainst them."

h, if we were only at Granite House!"

f we were at Granite House," answered the engineer, "the case would be

ry different. There I should not be afraid to leave Herbert with one,

ile the other three went to search the forests of the island. But we are

the corral, and it is best to stay here until we can leave it together."

rus Harding's reasoning was unanswerable, and his companions understood

well.





f only Ayrton was still one of us!" said Gideon Spilett. "Poor fellow!

s return to social life will have been but of short duration."

f he is dead," added Pencroft, in a peculiar tone.

o you hope, then, Pencroft, that the villains have spared him?" asked

deon Spilett.

es, if they had any interest in doing so."

What! you suppose that Ayrton finding his old companions, forgettingl that he owes us--"

ho knows?" answered the sailor, who did not hazard this shameful

pposition without hesitating.

encroft," said Harding, taking the sailor's arm, "that is a wicked idea

yours, and you will distress me much if you persist in speaking thus. I

ll answer for Ayrton's fidelity."

nd I also," added the reporter quickly.

es, yes, captain, I was wrong," replied Pencroft; "it was a wicked idea

deed that I had, and nothing justifies it. But what can I do? I'm not insenses. This imprisonment in the corral wearies me horribly, and I have

ver felt so excited as I do now.

e patient, Pencroft," replied the engineer. "How long will it be, my

ar Spilett, before you think Herbert may be carried to Granite House?"

hat is difficult to say, Cyrus," answered the reporter, "for any

prudence might involve terrible consequences. But his convalescence is

ogressing, and if he continues to gain strength, in eight days from now--

ll, we shall see."

ght days! That would put off the return to Granite House until the

rst days of December. At this time two months of spring had already

ssed. The weather was fine, and the heat began to be great. The forests

the island were in full leaf, and the time was approaching when the

ual crops ought to be gathered. The return to the plateau of Prospect

ights would, therefore, be followed by extensive agricultural labors,

terrupted only by the projected expedition through the island.

can, therefore, be well understood how injurious this seclusion in the

rral must have been to the colonists.

t if they were compelled to bow before necessity, they did not do so

thout impatience.

ce or twice the reporter ventured out into the road and made the tour

the palisade. Top accompanied him, and Gideon Spilett, his gun cocked,

s ready for any emergency.

met with no misadventure and found no suspicious traces. His dog would

ve warned him of any danger, and, as Top did not bark, it might be

ncluded that there was nothing to fear at the moment at least, and that

e convicts were occupied in another part of the island.

wever, on his second sortie, on the 27th of November, Gideon Spilett,

o had ventured a quarter of a mile into the woods, towards the south of

e mountain, remarked that Top scented something. The dog had no longer

s unconcerned manner; he went backwards and forwards, ferreting among





e grass and bushes as if his smell had revealed some suspicious object to

m.

deon Spilett followed Top, encouraged him, excited him by his voice,

ile keeping a sharp look-out, his gun ready to fire, and sheltering

mself behind the trees. It was not probable that Top scented the presence

man, for in that case, he would have announced it by half-uttered,

llen, angry barks. Now, as he did not growl, it was because danger was

ither near nor approaching.

arly five minutes passed thus, Top rummaging, the reporter following

m prudently when, all at once, the dog rushed towards a thick bush, and

ew out a rag.

was a piece of cloth, stained and torn, which Spilett immediately

ought back to the corral. There it was examined by the colonists, who

und that it was a fragment of Ayrton's waistcoat, a piece of that felt,

nufactured solely by the Granite House factory.

ou see, Pencroft," observed Harding, "there has been resistance on the

rt of the unfortunate Ayrton. The convicts have dragged him away in spite

himself! Do you still doubt his honesty?"

o, captain," answered the sailor, "and I repented of my suspicion a

ng time ago! But it seems to me that something may be learned from the

cident."

hat is that?" asked the reporter.

t is that Ayrton was not killed at the corral! That they dragged him

ay living, since he has resisted. Therefore, perhaps, he is still

ving!"

erhaps, indeed," replied the engineer, who remained thoughtful.

is was a hope, to which Ayrton's companions could still hold. Indeed,

ey had before believed that, surprised in the corral, Ayrton had fallen

a bullet, as Herbert had fallen. But if the convicts had not killed himfirst, if they had brought him living to another part of the island,

ght it not be admitted that he was still their prisoner? Perhaps, even,

e of them had found in Ayrton his old Australian companion Ben Joyce, the

ief of the escaped convicts. And who knows but that they had conceived

e impossible hope of bringing back Ayrton to themselves? He would have

en very useful to them, if they had been able to make him turn traitor!

is incident was, therefore, favorably interpreted at the corral, and it

longer appeared impossible that they should find Ayrton again. On his

de, if he was only a prisoner, Ayrton would no doubt do all he could to

cape from the hands of the villains, and this would be a powerful aid to

e settlers!

t any rate," observed Gideon Spilett, "if happily Ayrton did manage to

cape, he would go directly to Granite House, for he could not know of the

tempted assassination of which Herbert has been a victim, and

nsequently would never think of our being imprisoned in the corral."

h! I wish that he was there, at Granite House!" cried Pencroft, "and

at we were there, too! For, although the rascals can do nothing to our

use, they may plunder the plateau, our plantations, our poultry-yard!"

ncroft had become a thorough farmer, heartily attached to his crops.

t it must be said that Herbert was more anxious than any to return to

anite House, for he knew how much the presence of the settlers was needed





ere. And it was he who was keeping them at the corral! Therefore, one

ea occupied his mind--to leave the corral, and when! He believed he could

ar removal to Granite House. He was sure his strength would return more

ickly in his room, with the air and sight of the sea!

veral times he pressed Gideon Spilett, but the latter, fearing, with

od reason, that Herbert's wounds, half healed, might reopen on the way,

d not give the order to start.

wever, something occurred which compelled Cyrus Harding and his two

iends to yield to the lad's wish, and God alone knew that this

termination might cause them grief and remorse.

was the 29th of November, seven o'clock in the evening. The three

ttlers were talking in Herbert's room, when they heard Top utter quick

rks.

rding, Pencroft, and Spilett seized their guns and ran out of the

use. Top, at the foot of the palisade, was jumping, barking, but it was

th pleasure, not anger.

ome one is coming."

es."

t is not an enemy!"

eb, perhaps?"

r Ayrton?"

ese words had hardly been exchanged between the engineer and his two

mpanions when a body leaped over the palisade and fell on the ground

side the corral.

was Jup, Master Jup in person, to whom Top immediately gave a most

rdial reception.

up!" exclaimed Pencroft.

eb has sent him to us," said the reporter.

hen," replied the engineer, "he must have some note on him."

ncroft rushed up to the orang. Certainly if Neb had any important

tter to communicate to his master he could not employ a more sure or more

pid messenger, who could pass where neither the colonists could, nor even

p himself.

rus Harding was not mistaken. At Jup's neck hung a small bag, and in

is bag was found a little note traced by Neb's hand.

e despair of Harding and his companions may be imagined when they read

ese words:--

riday, six o'clock in the morning.

lateau invaded by convicts.

"Neb."

ey gazed at each other without uttering a word, then they re-entered





e house. what were they to do? The convicts on Prospect Heights! that was

saster, devastation, ruin.

rbert, on seeing the engineer, the reporter, and Pencroft re-enter,

essed that their situation was aggravated, and when he saw Jup, he no

nger doubted that some misfortune menaced Granite House.

aptain Harding," said he, "I must go; I can bear the journey. I must

."

deon Spilett approached Herbert; then, having looked at him,--

et us go, then!" said he.

e question was quickly decided whether Herbert should be carried on a

tter or in the cart which had brought Ayrton to the corral. The motion of

e litter would have been more easy for the wounded lad, but it would have

cessitated two bearers, that is to say, there would have been two guns

ss for defense if an attack was made on the road. Would they not, on the

ntrary, by employing the cart leave every arm free? Was it impossible to

ace the mattress on which Herbert was lying in it, and to advance with so

ch care that any jolt should be avoided? It could be done.

e cart was brought. Pencroft harnessed the onager. Cyrus Harding and

e reporter raised Herbert's mattress and placed it on the bottom of the

rt. The weather was fine. The sun's bright rays glanced through the

ees.

re the guns ready?" asked Cyrus Harding.

ey were. The engineer and Pencroft, each armed with a double-barreled

n, and Gideon Spilett carrying his rifle, had nothing to do but start.

re you comfortable, Herbert?" asked the engineer.

h, captain," replied the lad, "don't be uneasy, I shall not die on the

ad!"

ile speaking thus, it could be seen that the poor boy had called up all

s energy, and by the energy of a powerful will had collected his failing

rength.

e engineer felt his heart sink painfully. He still hesitated to

ve the signal for departure; but that would have driven Herbert

despair--killed him perhaps.

orward!" said Harding.

e gate of the corral was opened. Jup and Top, who knew when to be

lent, ran in advance. The cart came out, the gate was reclosed, and the

ager, led by Pencroft, advanced at a slow pace.

rtainly, it would have been safer to have taken a different road than

at which led straight from the corral to Granite House, but the cart

uld have met with great difficulties in moving under the trees. It was

cessary, therefore, to follow this way, although it was well known to the

nvicts.

rus Harding and Gideon Spilett walked one on each side of the cart,

ady to answer to any attack. However, it was not probable that the

nvicts would have yet left the plateau of Prospect Heights.

b's note had evidently been written and sent as soon as the convicts





d shown themselves there. Now, this note was dated six o'clock in the

rning, and the active orang, accustomed to come frequently to the corral,

d taken scarcely three quarters of an hour to cross the five miles which

parated it from Granite House. They would, therefore, be safe at that

me, and if there was any occasion for firing, it would probably not be

til they were in the neighborhood of Granite House. However, the

lonists kept a strict watch. Top and Jup, the latter armed with his club,

metimes in front, sometimes beating the wood at the sides of the road,

gnalized no danger.

e cart advanced slowly under Pencroft's guidance. It had left therral at half-past seven. An hour after, four out of the five miles had

en cleared, without any incident having occurred. The road was as

serted as all that part of the Jacamar Wood which lay between the Mercy

d the lake. There was no occasion for any warning. The wood appeared as

serted as on the day when the colonists first landed on the island.

ey approached the plateau. Another mile and they would see the bridge

er Creek Glycerine. Cyrus Harding expected to find it in its place;

pposing that the convicts would have crossed it, and that, after having

ssed one of the streams which enclosed the plateau, they would have taken

e precaution to lower it again, so as to keep open a retreat.

length an opening in the trees allowed the sea-horizon to be seen. Bute cart continued its progress, for not one of its defenders thought of

andoning it.

that moment Pencroft stopped the onager, and in a hoarse voice,--

h! the villains!" he exclaimed.

d he pointed to a thick smoke rising from the mill, the sheds, and the

ildings at the poultry-yard.

man was moving about in the midst of the smoke. It was Neb.

s companions uttered a shout. He heard, and ran to meet them.

e convicts had left the plateau nearly half-an-hour before, having

vastated it!

nd Mr. Herbert?" asked Neb.

deon Spilett returned to the cart.

rbert had lost consciousness!

apter 10

the convicts, the dangers which menaced Granite House, the ruins withich the plateau was covered, the colonists thought no longer. Herbert's

itical state outweighed all other considerations. Would the removal prove

tal to him by causing some internal injury? The reporter could not affirm

, but he and his companions almost despaired of the result. The cart was

ought to the bend of the river. There some branches, disposed as a liner,

ceived the mattress on which lay the unconscious Herbert. Ten minutes

ter, Cyrus Harding, Spilett, and Pencroft were at the foot of the cliff,

aving Neb to take the cart on to the plateau of Prospect Heights. The

ft was put in motion, and Herbert was soon stretched on his bed in

anite House.





at cares were lavished on him to bring him back to life! He smiled for

moment on finding himself in his room, but could scarcely even murmur a

w words, so great was his weakness. Gideon Spilett examined his wounds. He

ared to find them reopened, having been imperfectly healed. There was

thing of the sort. From whence, then, came this prostration? why was

rbert so much worse? The lad then fell into a kind of feverish sleep, and

e reporter and Pencroft remained near the bed. During this time, Harding

ld Neb all that had happened at the corral, and Neb recounted to his

ster the events of which the plateau had just been the theater.

was only during the preceding night that the convicts had appeared one edge of the forest, at the approaches to Creek Glycerine. Neb, who was

tching near the poultry-yard, had not hesitated to fire at one of the

rates, who was about to cross the stream; but in the darkness he could

t tell whether the man had been hit or not. At any rate, it was not

ough to frighten away the band, and Neb had only just time to get up to

anite House, where at least he was in safety.

t what was he to do there? How prevent the devastations with which the

nvicts threatened the plateau? Had Neb any means by which to warn his

ster? And, besides, in what situation were the inhabitants of the corral

emselves? Cyrus Harding and his companions had left on the 11th of

vember, and it was now the 29th. It was, therefore, nineteen days since

b had had other news than that brought by Top--disastrous news: Ayrtonsappeared, Herbert severely wounded, the engineer, reporter, and sailor,

it were, imprisoned in the corral!

at was he to do? asked poor Neb. Personally he had nothing to fear, for

e convicts could not reach him in Granite House. But the buildings, the

antations, all their arrangements at the mercy of the pirates! Would it

t be best to let Cyrus Harding judge of what he ought to do, and to warn

m, at least, of the danger which threatened him?

b then thought of employing Jup, and confiding a note to him. He knew

e orang's great intelligence, which had been often put to the proof. Jup

derstood the word corral, which had been frequently pronounced before

m, and it may be remembered, too, that he had often driven the cartither in company with Pencroft. Day had not yet dawned. The active orang

uld know how to pass unperceived through the woods, of which the

nvicts, besides, would think he was a native.

b did not hesitate. He wrote the note, he tied it to Jup's neck, he

ought the ape to the door of Granite House, from which he let down a long

rd to the ground; then, several times he repeated these words,--

up Jup! corral, corral!"

e creature understood, seized the cord, glided rapidly down the beach,

d disappeared in the darkness without the convicts' attention having been

the least excited.

ou did well, Neb," said Harding, "but perhaps in not warning us you

uld have done still better!"

d, in speaking thus, Cyrus Harding thought of Herbert, whose recovery

e removal had so seriously checked.

b ended his account. The convicts had not appeared at all on the beach.

t knowing the number of the island's inhabitants, they might suppose that

anite House was defended by a large party. They must have remembered that

ring the attack by the brig numerous shot had been fired both from the

wer and upper rocks, and no doubt they did not wish to expose themselves.





t the plateau of Prospect Heights was open to them, and not covered by

e fire of Granite House. They gave themselves up, therefore, to their

stinct of destruction,--plundering, burning, devastating everything,--and

ly retiring half an hour before the arrival of the colonists, whom they

lieved still confined in the corral.

their retreat, Neb hurried out. He climbed the plateau at the risk of

ing perceived and fired at, tried to extinguish the fire which was

nsuming the buildings of the poultry-yard, and had struggled, though in

in, against it until the cart appeared at the edge of the wood.

ch had been these serious events. The presence of the convicts

nstituted a permanent source of danger to the settlers in Lincoln Island,

til then so happy, and who might now expect still greater misfortunes.

ilett remained in Granite House with Herbert and Pencroft, while Cyrus

rding, accompanied by Neb, proceeded to judge for himself of the extent

the disaster.

was fortunate that the convicts had not advanced to the foot of

anite House. The workshop at the Chimneys would in that case not have

caped destruction. But after all, this evil would have been more easily

parable than the ruins accumulated on the plateau of Prospect Heights.

rding and Neb proceeded towards the Mercy, and ascended its left bank

thout meeting with any trace of the convicts; nor on the other side of

e river, in the depths of the wood, could they perceive any suspicious

dications.

sides, it might be supposed that in all probability either the convicts

ew of the return of the settlers to Granite House, by having seen them

ss on the road from the corral, or, after the devastation of the plateau,

ey had penetrated into Jacamar Wood, following the course of the Mercy,

d were thus ignorant of their return.

the former case, they must have returned towards the corral, now

thout defenders, and which contained valuable stores.

the latter, they must have regained their encampment, and would wait

opportunity to recommence the attack.

was, therefore, possible to prevent them, but any enterprise to clear

e island was now rendered difficult by reason of Herbert's condition.

deed, their whole force would have been barely sufficient to cope with

e convicts, and just now no one could leave Granite House.

e engineer and Neb arrived on the plateau. Desolation reigned

erywhere. The fields had been trampled over; the ears of wheat, which

re nearly full-grown, lay on the ground. The other plantations had not

ffered less.

e kitchen-garden was destroyed. Happily, Granite House possessed aore of seed which would enable them to repair these misfortunes.

to the wall and buildings of the poultry-yard and the onagers stable,

e fire had destroyed all. A few terrified creatures roamed over the

ateau. The birds, which during the fire had taken refuge on the waters of

e lake, had already returned to their accustomed spot, and were dabbling

the banks. Everything would have to be reconstructed.

rus Harding's face, which was paler than usual, expressed an internal

ger which he commanded with difficulty, but he did not utter a word. Once

re he looked at his devastated fields, and at the smoke which still rose

om the ruins, then he returned to Granite House.





e following days were the saddest of any that the colonists had passed

the island! Herbert's weakness visibly increased. It appeared that a

re serious malady, the consequence of the profound physiological

sturbance he had gone through, threatened to declare itself, and Gideon

ilett feared such an aggravation of his condition that he would be

werless to fight against it!

fact, Herbert remained in an almost continuous state of drowsiness,

d symptoms of delirium began to manifest themselves. Refreshing drinks

re the only remedies at the colonists' disposal. The fever was not as yetry high, but it soon appeared that it would probably recur at regular

tervals. Gideon Spilett first recognized this on the 6th of December.

e poor boy, whose fingers, nose, and ears had become extremely pale,

s at first seized with slight shiverings, horripilations, and tremblings.

s pulse was weak and irregular, his skin dry, his thirst intense. To this

on succeeded a hot fit; his face became flushed; his skin reddened; his

lse quick; then a profuse perspiration broke out after which the fever

emed to diminish. The attack had lasted nearly five hours.

deon Spilett had not left Herbert, who, it was only too certain, was now

ized by an intermittent fever, and this fever must be cured at any cost

fore it should assume a more serious aspect.

nd in order to cure it," said Spilett to Cyrus Harding, "we need a

brifuge."

febrifuge--" answered the engineer. "We have neither Peruvian bark,

r sulphate of quinine."

o," said Gideon Spilett, "but there are willows on the border of the

ke, and the bark of the willow might, perhaps, prove to be a substitute

r quinine."

et us try it without losing a moment," replied Cyrus Harding.

e bark of the willow has, indeed, been justly considered as accedaneum for Peruvian bark, as has also that of the horse-chestnut tree,

e leaf of the holly, the snake-root, etc. It was evidently necessary to

ke trial of this substance, although not so valuable as Peruvian bark,

d to employ it in its natural state, since they had no means for

tracting its essence.

rus Harding went himself to cut from the trunk of a species of black

llow, a few pieces of bark; he brought them back to Granite House, and

duced them to a powder, which was administered that same evening to

rbert.

e night passed without any important change. Herbert was somewhat

lirious, but the fever did not reappear in the night, and did not returnther during the following day.

ncroft again began to hope. Gideon Spilett said nothing. It might be

at the fever was not quotidian, but tertian, and that it would return

xt day. Therefore, he awaited the next day with the greatest anxiety.

might have been remarked besides that during this period Herbert

mained utterly prostrate, his head weak and giddy. Another symptom

armed the reporter to the highest degree. Herbert's liver became

ngested, and soon a more intense delirium showed that his brain was also

fected.





deon Spilett was overwhelmed by this new complication. He took the

gineer aside.

t is a malignant fever," said he.

malignant fever!" cried Harding. "You are mistaken, Spilett. A

lignant fever does not declare itself spontaneously; its germ must

eviously have existed."

am not mistaken," replied the reporter. "Herbert no doubt contracted

e germ of this fever in the marshes of the island. He has already had one

tack; should a second come on and should we not be able to prevent a

ird, he is lost."

ut the willow bark?"

hat is insufficient," answered the reporter, "and the third attack of a

lignant fever, which is not arrested by means of quinine, is always

tal."

rtunately, Pencroft heard nothing of this conversation or he would have

ne mad.

may be imagined what anxiety the engineer and the reporter suffered

ring the day of the 7th of December and the following night.

wards the middle of the day the second attack came on. The crisis was

rrible. Herbert felt himself sinking. He stretched his arms towards Cyrus

rding, towards Spilett, towards Pencroft. He was so young to die! The

ene was heart-rending. They were obliged to send Pencroft away.

e fit lasted five hours. It was evident that Herbert could not survive

third.

e night was frightful. In his delirium Herbert uttered words which went

the hearts of his companions. He struggled with the convicts, he called

Ayrton, he poured forth entreaties to that mysterious being,--that

werful unknown protector,--whose image was stamped upon his mind; then heain fell into a deep exhaustion which completely prostrated him. Several

mes Gideon Spilett thought that the poor boy was dead.

e next day, the 8th of December, was but a succession of the fainting

ts. Herbert's thin hands clutched the sheets. They had administered

rther doses of pounded bark, but the reporter expected no result from it.

f before tomorrow morning we have not given him a more energetic

brifuge," said the reporter, "Herbert will be dead."

ght arrived--the last night, it was too much to be feared, of the good,

ave, intelligent boy, so far in advance of his years, and who was loved

all as their own child. The only remedy which existed against this

rrible malignant fever, the only specific which could overcome it, was

t to be found in Lincoln Island.

ring the night of the 8th of December, Herbert was seized by a more

olent delirium. His liver was fearfully congested, his brain affected,

d already it was impossible for him to recognize any one.

uld he live until the next day, until that third attack which must

fallibly carry him off? It was not probable. His strength was exhausted,

d in the intervals of fever he lay as one dead.

wards three o'clock in the morning Herbert uttered a piercing cry. He





emed to be torn by a supreme convulsion. Neb, who was near him,

rrified, ran into the next room where his companions were watching.

p, at that moment, barked in a strange manner.

l rushed in immediately and managed to restrain the dying boy, who was

deavoring to throw himself out of his bed, while Spilett, taking his arm,

lt his pulse gradually quicken.

was five in the morning. The rays of the rising sun began to shine in

the windows of Granite House. It promised to be a fine day, and this day

s to be poor Herbert's last!

ray glanced on the table placed near the bed.

ddenly Pencroft, uttering a cry, pointed to the table.

it lay a little oblong box, of which the cover bore these words:--

ULPHATE OF QUININE."

apter 11

deon Spilett took the box and opened it. It contained nearly two hundred

ains of a white powder, a few particles of which he carried to his lips.

e extreme bitterness of the substance precluded all doubt; it was

rtainly the precious extract of quinine, that pre-eminent antifebrile.

is powder must be administered to Herbert without delay. How it came

ere might be discussed later.

ome coffee!" said Spilett.

a few moments Neb brought a cup of the warm infusion. Gideon Spilett

rew into it about eighteen grains of quinine, and they succeeded in

king Herbert drink the mixture.

ere was still time, for the third attack of the malignant fever had nott shown itself. How they longed to be able to add that it would not

turn!

sides, it must be remarked, the hopes of all had now revived. The

sterious influence had been again exerted, and in a critical moment, when

ey had despaired of it.

a few hours Herbert was much calmer. The colonists could now discuss

is incident. The intervention of the stranger was more evident than ever.

t how had he been able to penetrate during the night into Granite House?

was inexplicable, and, in truth, the proceedings of the genius of the

land were not less mysterious than was that genius himself. During this

y the sulphate of quinine was administered to Herbert every three hours.

e next day some improvement in Herbert's condition was apparent.

rtainly, he was not out of danger, intermittent fevers being subject to

equent and dangerous relapses, but the most assiduous care was bestowed

him. And besides, the specific was at hand; nor, doubtless, was he who

d brought it far distant! And the hearts of all were animated by

turning hope.

is hope was not disappointed. Ten days after, on the 20th of December,

rbert's convalescence commenced.

was still weak, and strict diet had been imposed upon him, but no





cess of fever supervened. And then, the poor boy submitted with such

cility to all the prescriptions ordered him! He longed so to get well!

ncroft was as a man who has been drawn up from the bottom of an abyss.

ts of joy approaching delirium seized him. When the time for the third

tack had passed by, he nearly suffocated the reporter in his embrace.

nce then, he always called him Dr. Spilett.

e real doctor, however, remained undiscovered.

e will find him!" repeated the sailor.

rtainly, this man, whoever he was, might expect a somewhat too

ergetic embrace from the worthy Pencroft!

e month of December ended, and with it the year 1867, during which the

lonists of Lincoln Island had of late been so severely tried. They

mmenced the year 1868 with magnificent weather, great heat, and a

opical temperature, delightfully cooled by the sea-breeze. Herbert's

covery progressed, and from his bed, placed near one of the windows of

anite House, he could inhale the fresh air, charged with ozone, which

uld not fail to restore his health. His appetite returned, and what

mberless delicate, savory little dishes Neb prepared for him!

t is enough to make one wish to have a fever oneself!" said Pencroft.

ring all this time, the convicts did not once appear in the vicinity of

anite House. There was no news of Ayrton, and though the engineer and

rbert still had some hopes of finding him again, their companions did not

ubt but that the unfortunate man had perished. However, this uncertainty

uld not last, and when once the lad should have recovered, the

pedition, the result of which must be so important, would be undertaken.

t they would have to wait a month, perhaps, for all the strength of the

lony must be put into requisition to obtain satisfaction from the

nvicts.

wever, Herbert's convalescence progressed rapidly. The congestion of

e liver had disappeared, and his wounds might be considered completelyaled.

ring the month of January, important work was done on the plateau of

ospect Heights; but it consisted solely in saving as much as was possible

om the devastated crops, either of corn or vegetables. The grain and the

ants were gathered, so as to provide a new harvest for the approaching

lf-season. With regard to rebuilding the poultry-yard, wall, or stables,

rus Harding preferred to wait. While he and his companions were in

rsuit of the convicts, the latter might very probably pay another visit

the plateau, and it would be useless to give them an opportunity of

commencing their work of destruction. when the island should be cleared

these miscreants, they would set about rebuilding. The young

nvalescent began to get up in the second week of January, at first for

e hour a day, then two, then three. His strength visibly returned, so

gorous was his constitution. He was now eighteen years of age. He was

ll, and promised to become a man of noble and commanding presence. From

is time his recovery, while still requiring care,--and Dr. Spilett was

ry strict,--made rapid progress. Towards the end of the month, Herbert

s already walking about on Prospect Heights, and the beach.

derived, from several sea-baths, which he took in company with

ncroft and Neb, the greatest possible benefit. Cyrus Harding thought he

ght now settle the day for their departure, for which the 15th of

bruary was fixed. The nights, very clear at this time of year, would be





vorable to the researches they intended to make all over the island.

e necessary preparations for this exploration were now commenced, and

re important, for the colonists had sworn not to return to Granite House

til their twofold object had been achieved; on the one hand, to

terminate the convicts, and rescue Ayrton, if he was still living; on the

her, to discover who it was that presided so effectually over the

rtunes of the colony.

Lincoln Island, the settlers knew thoroughly all the eastern coast

om Claw Cape to the Mandible Capes, the extensive Tadorn Marsh, the

ighborhood of Lake Grant, Jacamar Wood, between the road to the corral

d the Mercy, the courses of the Mercy and Red Creek, and lastly, the

urs of Mount Franklin, among which the corral had been established.

ey had explored, though only in an imperfect manner, the vast shore of

shington Bay from Claw Cape to Reptile End, the woody and marshy border

the west coast, and the interminable downs, ending at the open mouth of

ark Gulf. But they had in no way surveyed the woods which covered the

rpentine Peninsula, all to the right of the Mercy, the left bank of Falls

ver, and the wilderness of spurs and valleys which supported three

arters of the base of Mount Franklin, to the east, the north, and the

st, and where doubtless many secret retreats existed. Consequently, many

llions of acres of the island had still escaped their investigations.

was, therefore, decided that the expedition should be carried through

e Far West, so as to include all that region situated on the right of the

rcy.

might, perhaps, be better worth while to go direct to the corral,

ere it might be supposed that the convicts had again taken refuge, either

pillage or to establish themselves there. But either the devastation of

e corral would have been an accomplished fact by this time, and it would

too late to prevent it, or it had been the convicts' interest to

trench themselves there, and there would be still time to go and turn

em out on their return.

erefore, after some discussion, the first plan was adhered to, and the

ttlers resolved to proceed through the wood to Reptile End. They would

ke their way with their hatchets, and thus lay the first draft of a road

ich would place Granite House in communication with the end of the

ninsula for a length of from sixteen to seventeen miles.

e cart was in good condition. The onagers, well rested, could go a long

urney. Provisions, camp effects, a portable stove, and various utensils

re packed in the cart, as also weapons and ammunition, carefully chosen

om the now complete arsenal of Granite House. But it was necessary to

member that the convicts were, perhaps, roaming about the woods, and that

the midst of these thick forests a shot might quickly be fired and

ceived. It was therefore resolved that the little band of settlers should

main together and not separate under any pretext whatever.

was also decided that no one should remain at Granite House. Top and

p themselves were to accompany the expedition; the inaccessible dwelling

eded no guard. The 14th of February, eve of the departure, was

nsecrated entirely to repose, and--thanksgiving addressed by the colonists

the Creator. A place in the cart was reserved for Herbert, who, though

oroughly convalescent, was still a little weak. The next morning, at

ybreak, Cyrus Harding took the necessary measures to protect Granite

use from any invasion. The ladders, which were formerly used for the

cent, were brought to the Chimneys and buried deep in the sand, so that

ey might be available on the return of the colonists, for the machinery





the lift had been taken to pieces, and nothing of the apparatus

mained. Pencroft stayed the last in Granite House in order to finish this

rk, and he then lowered himself down by means of a double rope held

low, and which, when once hauled down, left no communication between the

per landing and the beach.

e weather was magnificent.

e shall have a warm day of it," said the reporter, laughing.

ooh! Dr. Spilett," answered Pencroft, "we shall walk under the shade of

e trees and shan't even see the sun!"

orward!" said the engineer.

e cart was waiting on the beach before the Chimneys. The reporter made

rbert take his place in it during the first hours at least of the

urney, and the lad was obliged to submit to his doctor's orders.

b placed himself at the onagers' heads. Cyrus Harding, the reporter,

d the sailor, walked in front. Top bounded joyfully along. Herbert

fered a seat in his vehicle to Jup, who accepted it without ceremony. The

ment for departure had arrived, and the little band set out.

e cart first turned the angle of the mouth of the Mercy, then, havingcended the left bank for a mile, crossed the bridge, at the other side of

ich commenced the road to Port Balloon, and there the explorers, leaving

is road on their left, entered the cover of the immense woods which

rmed the region of the Far West.

r the first two miles the widely scattered trees allowed the cart to

ss with ease; from time to time it became necessary to cut away a few

eepers and bushes, but no serious obstacle impeded the progress of the

lonists.

e thick foliage of the trees threw a grateful shade on the ground.

odars, Douglas firs, casuarinas, banksias, gum-trees, dragon-trees, and

her well-known species, succeeded each other far as the eye could reach.e feathered tribes of the island were all represented--grouse, jacamars,

easants, lories, as well as the chattering cockatoos, parrots, and

roquets. Agouties, kangaroos, and capybaras fled swiftly at their

proach; and all this reminded the settlers of the first excursions they

d made on their arrival at the island.

evertheless," observed Cyrus Harding, "I notice that these creatures,

th birds and quadrupeds, are more timid than formerly. These woods have,

erefore, been recently traversed by the convicts, and we shall certainly

nd some traces of them."

d, in fact, in several places they could distinguish traces, more or

ss recent, of the passage of a band of men--here branches broken off theees, perhaps to mark out the way; there the ashes of a fire, and

otprints in clayey spots; but nothing which appeared to belong to a

ttled encampment.

e engineer had recommended his companions to refrain from hunting. The

ports of the firearms might give the alarm to the convicts, who were,

rhaps, roaming through the forest. Moreover, the hunters would

cessarily ramble some distance from the cart, which it was dangerous to

ave unguarded.

the afterpart of the day, when about six miles from Granite House,

eir progress became much more difficult. In order to make their way





rough some thickets, they were obliged to cut down trees. Before entering

ch places Harding was careful to send in Top and Jup, who faithfully

complished their commission, and when the dog and orang returned without

ving any warning, there was evidently nothing to fear, either from

nvicts or wild beasts, two varieties of the animal kingdom, whose

rocious instincts placed them on the same level. On the evening of the

rst day the colonists encamped about nine miles from Granite House, on

e border of a little stream falling into the Mercy, and of the existence

which they had till then been ignorant; it evidently, however, belonged

the hydiographical system to which the soil owed its astonishing

rtility. The settlers made a hearty meal, for their appetites werearpened, and measures were then taken that the night might be passed in

fety. If the engineer had had only to deal with wild beasts, jaguars or

hers, he would have simply lighted fires all around his camp, which would

ve sufficed for its defense; but the convicts would be rather attracted

an terrified by the flames, and it was, therefore, better to be

rrounded by the profound darkness of night.

e watch was, however, carefully organized. Two of the settlers were to

tch together, and every two hours it was agreed that they should be

lieved by their comrades. And so, notwithstanding his wish to the

ntrary, Herbert was exempted from guard. Pencroft and Gideon Spilett in

e party, the engineer and Neb in another, mounted guard in turns over

e camp.

e night, however, was but of few hours. The darkness was due rather to

e thickness of the foliage than to the disappearance of the sun. The

lence was scarcely disturbed by the howling of jaguars and the chattering

the monkeys, the latter appearing to particularly irritate Master Jup.

e night passed without incident, and on the next day, the 15th of

bruary, the journey through the forest, tedious rather than difficult,

s continued. This day they could not accomplish more than six miles, for

ery moment they were obliged to cut a road with their hatchets.

ke true settlers, the colonists spared the largest and most beautiful

ees, which would besides have cost immense labor to fell, and the small

es only were sacrificed, but the result was that the road took a verynding direction, and lengthened itself by numerous detours.

ring the day Herbert discovered several new specimens not before met

th in the island, such as the tree-fern, with its leaves spread out like

e waters of a fountain, locust-trees, on the long pods of which the

agers browsed greedily, and which supplied a sweet pulp of excellent

avor. There, too, the colonists again found groups of magnificent

uries, their cylindrical trunks, crowded with a cone of verdure, rising

a height of two hundred feet. These were the tree-kings of New Zealand,

celebrated as the cedars of Lebanon.

to the fauna, there was no addition to those species already known to

e hunters. Nevertheless, they saw, though unable to get near them, auple of those large birds peculiar to Australia, a sort of cassowary,

lled emu, five feet in height, and with brown plumage, which belong to

e tribe of waders. Top darted after them as fast as his four legs could

rry him, but the emus distanced him with ease, so prodigious was their

eed.

to the traces left by the convicts, a few more were discovered. Some

otprints found near an apparently recently extinguished fire were

tentively examined by the settlers. By measuring them one after the

her, according to their length and breadth, the marks of five men's feet

re easily distinguished. The five convicts had evidently camped on this

ot; but,--and this was the object of so minute an examination,--a sixth





otprint could not be discovered, which in that case would have been that

Ayrton.

yrton was not with them!" said Herbert.

o," answered Pencroft, "and if he was not with them, it was because the

etches had already murdered him! but then these rascals have not a den to

ich they may be tracked like tigers!"

o," replied the reporter, "it is more probable that they wander at

ndom, and it is their interest to rove about until the time when they

ll be masters of the island!"

he masters of the island!" exclaimed the sailor; "the masters of the

land!..." he repeated, and his voice was choked, as if his throat was

ized in an iron grasp. Then in a calmer tone, "Do you know, Captain

rding," said he, "what the ball is which I have rammed into my gun?"

o, Pencroft!"

t is the ball that went through Herbert's chest, and I promise you it

n't miss its mark!"

t this just retaliation would not bring Ayrton back to life, and from

e examination of the footprints left in the ground, they must, alas!nclude that all hopes of ever seeing him again must be abandoned.

at evening they encamped fourteen miles from Granite House, and Cyrus

rding calculated that they could not be more than five miles from Reptile

int.

d indeed, the next day the extremity of the peninsula was reached, and

e whole length of the forest had been traversed; but there was nothing to

dicate the retreat in which the convicts had taken refuge, nor that, no

ss secret, which sheltered the mysterious unknown.

apter 12

e next day, the 18th of February, was devoted to the exploration of all

at wooded region forming the shore from Reptile End to Falls River. The

lonists were able to search this forest thoroughly, for, as it was

mprised between the two shores of the Serpentine Peninsula, it was only

om three to four miles in breadth. The trees, both by their height and

eir thick foliage, bore witness to the vegetative power of the soil, more

tonishing here than in any other part of the island. One might have said

at a corner from the virgin forests of America or Africa had been

ansported into this temperate zone. This led them to conclude that the

perb vegetation found a heat in this soil, damp in its upper layer, but

rmed in the interior by volcanic fires, which could not belong to amperate climate. The most frequently occurring trees were knaries and

calypti of gigantic dimensions.

t the colonists' object was not simply to admire the magnificent

getation. They knew already that in this respect Lincoln Island would

ve been worthy to take the first rank in the Canary group, to which the

rst name given was that of the Happy Isles. Now, alas! their island no

nger belonged to them entirely; others had taken possession of it,

screants polluted its shores, and they must be destroyed to the last man.

traces were found on the western coast, although they were carefully

ught for. No more footprints, no more broken branches, no more deserted





mps.

his does not surprise me," said Cyrus Harding to his companions. "The

nvicts first landed on the island in the neighborhood of Flotsam Point,

d they immediately plunged into the Far West forests, after crossing

dorn Marsh. They then followed almost the same route that we took on

aving Granite House. This explains the traces we found in the wood. But,

riving on the shore, the convicts saw at once that they would discover no

itable retreat there, and it was then that, going northwards again, they

me upon the corral."

here they have perhaps returned," said Pencroft.

do not think so," answered the engineer, "for they would naturally

ppose that our researches would be in that direction. The corral is only

storehouse to them, and not a definitive encampment."

am of Cyrus' opinion," said the reporter, "and I think that it is

ong the spurs of Mount Franklin that the convicts will have made their

ir."

hen, captain, straight to the corral!" cried Pencroft. "We must finish

em off, and till now we have only lost time!"

o, my friend," replied the engineer; "you forget that we have a reasonr wishing to know if the forests of the Far West do not contain some

bitation. Our exploration has a double object, Pencroft. If, on the one

nd, we have to chastise crime, we have, on the other, an act of gratitude

perform."

hat was well said, captain," replied the sailor, "but, all the same, it

my opinion that we shall not find the gentleman until he pleases."

d truly Pencroft only expressed the opinion of all. It was probable

at the stranger's retreat was not less mysterious than was he himself.

at evening the cart halted at the mouth of Falls River. The camp was

ganized as usual, and the customary precautions were taken for the night.rbert, become again the healthy and vigorous lad he was before his

lness, derived great benefit from this life in the open air, between the

a breezes and the vivifying air from the forests. His place was no longer

the cart, but at the head of the troop.

e next day, the 19th of February, the colonists, leaving the shore,

ere, beyond the mouth, basalts of every shape were so picturesquely piled

, ascended the river by its left bank. The road had been already partly

eared in their former excursions made from the corral to the west coast.

e settlers were now about six miles from Mount Franklin.

e engineer's plan was this:--To minutely survey the valley forming the

d of the river, and to cautiously approach the neighborhood of therral; if the corral was occupied, to seize it by force; if it was not, to

trench themselves there and make it the center of the operations which

d for their object the exploration of Mount Franklin.

is plan was unanimously approved by the colonists, for they were

patient to regain entire possession of their island.

ey made their way then along the narrow valley separating two of the

rgest spurs of Mount Franklin. The trees, crowded on the river's bank,

came rare on the upper slopes of the mountain. The ground was hilly and

ugh, very suitable for ambushes, and over which they did not venture

thout extreme precaution. Top and Jup skirmished on the flanks, springing





ght and left through the thick brushwood, and emulating each other in

telligence and activity. But nothing showed that the banks of the stream

d been recently frequented--nothing announced either the presence or the

oximity of the convicts. Towards five in the evening the cart stopped

arly 600 feet from the palisade. A semicircular screen of trees still hid

.

was necessary to reconnoiter the corral, in order to ascertain if it

s occupied. To go there openly, in broad daylight, when the convicts were

obably in ambush, would be to expose themselves, as poor Herbert had

ne, to the firearms of the ruffians. It was better, then, to wait untilght came on.

wever, Gideon Spilett wished without further delay to reconnoiter the

proaches to the corral, and Pencroft, who was quite out of patience,

lunteered to accompany him.

o, my friends," said the engineer, "wait till night. I will not allow

e of you to expose himself in open day."

ut, captain--" answered the sailor, little disposed to obey.

beg of you, Pencroft," said the engineer.

ery well!" replied the sailor, who vented his anger in another way, bystowing on the convicts the worst names in his maritime vocabulary.

e colonists remained, therefore, near the cart, and carefully watched

e neighboring parts of the forest.

ree hours passed thus. The wind had fallen, and absolute silence

igned under the great trees. The snapping of the smallest twig, a

otstep on the dry leaves, the gliding of a body among the grass, would

ve been heard without difficulty. All was quiet. Besides, Top, lying on

e grass, his head stretched out on his paws, gave no sign of uneasiness.

eight o'clock the day appeared far enough advanced for the

connaissance to be made under favorable conditions. Gideon Spilett

clared himself ready to set out accompanied by Pencroft. Cyrus Hardingnsented. Top and Jup were to remain with the engineer, Herbert, and Neb,

r a bark or a cry at a wrong moment would give the alarm.

o not be imprudent," said Harding to the reporter and Pencroft, "you

ve not to gain possession of the corral, but only to find out whether it

occupied or not."

ll right," answered Pencroft.

d the two departed.

der the trees, thanks to the thickness of their foliage, the obscurity

ndered any object invisible beyond a radius of from thirty to forty feet.e reporter and Pencroft, halting at any suspicious sound, advanced with

eat caution.

ey walked a little distance apart from each other so as to offer a less

rk for a shot. And, to tell the truth, they expected every moment to hear

report. Five minutes after leaving the cart, Gideon Spilett and Pencroft

rived at the edge of the wood before the clearing beyond which rose the

lisade.

ey stopped. A few straggling beams still fell on the field clear of

ees. Thirty feet distant was the gate of the corral, which appeared to be

osed. This thirty feet, which it was necessary to cross from the wood to





e palisade, constituted the dangerous zone, to borrow a ballistic term:

fact, one or more bullets fired from behind the palisade might knock

er any one who ventured on to this zone. Gideon Spilett and the sailor

re not men to draw back, but they knew that any imprudence on their part,

which they would be the first victims, would fall afterwards on their

mpanions. If they themselves were killed, what would become of Harding,

b, and Herbert?

t Pencroft, excited at feeling himself so near the corral where he

pposed the convicts had taken refuge, was about to press forward, when

e reporter held him back with a grasp of iron.

n a few minutes it will be quite dark," whispered Spilett in the

ilor's ear, "then will be the time to act."

ncroft, convulsively clasping the butt-end of his gun, restrained his

ergies, and waited, swearing to himself.

on the last of the twilight faded away. Darkness, which seemed as if it

sued from the dense forest, covered the clearing. Mount Franklin rose

ke an enormous screen before the western horizon, and night spread

pidly over all, as it does in regions of low latitudes. Now was the time.

e reporter and Pencroft, since posting themselves on the edge of the

od, had not once lost sight of the palisade. The corral appeared to be

solutely deserted. The top of the palisade formed a line, a little darker

an the surrounding shadow, and nothing disturbed its distinctness.

vertheless, if the convicts were there, they must have posted one of

eir number to guard against any surprise.

ilett grasped his companion's hand, and both crept towards the corral,

eir guns ready to fire.

ey reached the gate without the darkness being illuminated by a single

y of light.

ncroft tried to push open the gate, which, as the reporter and he had

pposed, was closed. However, the sailor was able to ascertain that theter bars had not been put up. It might, then, be concluded that the

nvicts were there in the corral, and that very probably they had fastened

e gate in such a way that it could not be forced open.

deon Spilett and Pencroft listened.

t a sound could be heard inside the palisade. The musmons and the

ats, sleeping no doubt in their huts, in no way disturbed the calm of

ght.

e reporter and the sailor hearing nothing, asked themselves whether

ey had not better scale the palisades and penetrate into the corral. This

uld have been contrary to Cyrus Harding's instructions.

is true that the enterprise might succeed, but it might also fail.

w, if the convicts were suspecting nothing, if they knew nothing of the

pedition against them, if, lastly, there now existed a chance of

rprising them, ought this chance to be lost by inconsiderately attempting

cross the palisades?

is was not the reporter's opinion. He thought it better to wait until

l the settlers were collected together before attempting to penetrate into

e corral. One thing was certain, that it was possible to reach the

lisade without being seen, and also that it did not appear to be guarded.

is point settled, there was nothing to be done but to return to the cart,





ere they would consult.

ncroft probably agreed with this decision, for he followed the reporter

thout making any objection when the latter turned back to the wood.

a few minutes the engineer was made acquainted with the state of

fairs.

ell," said he, after a little thought, "I now have reason to believe

at the convicts are not in the corral."

e shall soon know," said Pencroft, "when we have scaled the palisade."

o the corral, my friends!" said Cyrus Harding.

hall we leave the cart in the wood?" asked Neb.

o," replied the engineer, "it is our wagon of ammunition and

ovisions, and, if necessary, it would serve as an entrenchment."

orward, then!" said Gideon Spilett.

e cart emerged from the wood and began to roll noiselessly towards the

lisade. The darkness was now profound, the silence as complete as when

ncroft and the reporter crept over the ground. The thick grass completelyffled their footsteps. The colonists held themselves ready to fire. Jup,

Pencroft's orders, kept behind. Neb led Top in a leash, to prevent him

om bounding forward.

e clearing soon came in sight. It was deserted. Without hesitating, the

ttle band moved towards the palisade. In a short space of time the

ngerous zone was passed. Neb remained at the onagers' heads to hold them.

e engineer, the reporter, Herbert, and Pencroft, proceeded to the door,

order to ascertain if it was barricaded inside. It was open!

hat do you say now?" asked the engineer, turning to the sailor and

ilett.

th were stupefied.

can swear," said Pencroft, "that this gate was shut just now!"

e colonists now hesitated. Were the convicts in the corral when

ncroft and the reporter made their reconnaissance? It could not be

ubted, as the gate then closed could only have been opened by them. Were

ey still there, or had one of their number just gone out?

l these questions presented themselves simultaneously to the minds of

e colonists, but how could they be answered?

that moment, Herbert, who had advanced a few steps into the enclosure,

ew back hurriedly, and seized Harding's hand.

hat's the matter?" asked the engineer.

light!"

n the house?"

es!"

l five advanced and indeed, through the window fronting them, they saw

immering a feeble light. Cyrus Harding made up his mind rapidly. "It is

r only chance," said he to his companions, "of finding the convicts





llected in this house, suspecting nothing! They are in our power!

rward!" The colonists crossed through the enclosure, holding their guns

ady in their hands. The cart had been left outside under the charge of

p and Top, who had been prudently tied to it.

rus Harding, Pencroft, and Gideon Spilett on one side, Herbert and Neb

the other, going along by the palisade, surveyed the absolutely dark and

serted corral.

a few moments they were near the closed door of the house.

rding signed to his companions not to stir, and approached the window,

en feebly lighted by the inner light.

gazed into the apartment.

the table burned a lantern. Near the table was the bed formerly used

Ayrton.

the bed lay the body of a man.

ddenly Cyrus Harding drew back, and in a hoarse voice,--"Ayrton!" he

claimed.

mediately the door was forced rather than opened, and the colonistsshed into the room.

rton appeared to be asleep. His countenance showed that he had long and

uelly suffered. On his wrists and ankles could be seen great bruises.

rding bent over him.

yrton!" cried the engineer, seizing the arm of the man whom he had just

und again under such unexpected circumstances.

this exclamation Ayrton opened his eyes, and, gazing at Harding, then

the others,--

ou!" he cried, "you?"

yrton! Ayrton!" repeated Harding.

here am I?"

n the house in the corral!"

lone?"

es!"

ut they will come back!" cried Ayrton. "Defend yourselves! defend

urselves!"

d he fell back exhausted.

pilett," exclaimed the engineer, "we may be attacked at any moment.

ing the cart into the corral. Then, barricade the door, and all come back

re."

ncroft, Neb, and the reporter hastened to execute the engineer's

ders. There was not a moment to be lost. Perhaps even now the cart was in

e hands of the convicts!

a moment the reporter and his two companions had crossed the corral





d reached the gate of the palisade behind which Top was heard growling

llenly.

e engineer, leaving Ayrton for an instant, came out ready to fire.

rbert was at his side. Both surveyed the crest of the spur overlooking

e corral. If the convicts were lying in ambush there, they might knock

e settlers over one after the other.

that moment the moon appeared in the east, above the black curtain of

e forest, and a white sheet of light spread over the interior of the

closure. The corral, with its clumps of trees, the little stream which

tered it, its wide carpet of grass, was suddenly illuminated. From the

de of the mountain, the house and a part of the palisade stood out white

the moonlight. On the opposite side towards the door, the enclosure

mained dark. A black mass soon appeared. This was the cart entering the

rcle of light, and Cyrus Harding could hear the noise made by the door,

his companions shut it and fastened the interior bars.

t, at that moment, Top, breaking loose, began to bark furiously and

sh to the back of the corral, to the right of the house.

e ready to fire, my friends!" cried Harding.

e colonists raised their pieces and waited the moment to fire.

p still barked, and Jup, running towards the dog, uttered shrill cries.

e colonists followed him, and reached the borders of the little stream,

aded by large trees. And there, in the bright moonlight, what did they

e? Five corpses, stretched on the bank!

ey were those of the convicts who, four months previously, had landed

Lincoln Island!

apter 13

w had it happened? who had killed the convicts? Was it Ayrton? No, for a

ment before he was dreading their return.

t Ayrton was now in a profound stupor, from which it was no longer

ssible to rouse him. After uttering those few words he had again become

conscious, and had fallen back motionless on the bed.

e colonists, a prey to a thousand confused thoughts, under the

fluence of violent excitement, waited all night, without leaving Ayrton's

use, or returning to the spot where lay the bodies of the convicts. It

s very probable that Ayrton would not be able to throw any light on the

rcumstances under which the bodies had been found, since he himself was

t aware that he was in the corral. But at any rate he would be in a

sition to give an account of what had taken place before this terrible

ecution. The next day Ayrton awoke from his torpor, and his companions

rdially manifested all the joy they felt, on seeing him again, almost

fe and sound, after a hundred and four days separation.

rton then in a few words recounted what had happened, or, at least, as

ch as he knew.

e day after his arrival at the corral, on the 10th of last November, at

ghtfall, he was surprised by the convicts, who had scaled the palisade.

ey bound and gagged him; then he was led to a dark cavern, at the foot of

unt Franklin, where the convicts had taken refuge.





s death had been decided upon, and the next day the convicts were about

kill him, when one of them recognized him and called him by the name

ich he bore in Australia. The wretches had no scruples as to murdering

rton! They spared Ben Joyce!

t from that moment Ayrton was exposed to the importunities of his

rmer accomplices. They wished him to join them again, and relied upon his

d to enable them to gain possession of Granite House, to penetrate into

at hitherto inaccessible dwelling, and to become masters of the island,

ter murdering the colonists!

rton remained firm. The once convict, now repentant and pardoned, would

ther die than betray his companions. Ayrton--bound, gagged, and closely

tched--lived in this cave for four months.

vertheless the convicts had discovered the corral a short time after

eir arrival in the island, and since then they had subsisted on Ayrton's

ores, but did not live at the corral.

the 11th of November, two of the villains, surprised by the colonists'

rival, fired at Herbert, and one of them returned, boasting of having

lled one of the inhabitants of the island; but he returned alone. His

mpanion, as is known, fell by Cyrus Harding's dagger.

rton's anxiety and despair may be imagined when he learned the news of

rbert's death. The settlers were now only four, and, as it seemed, at the

rcy of the convicts. After this event, and during all the time that the

lonists, detained by Herbert's illness, remained in the corral, the

rates did not leave their cavern, and even after they had pillaged the

ateau of Prospect Heights, they did not think it prudent to abandon it.

e ill-treatment inflicted on Ayrton was now redoubled. His hands and

et still bore the bloody marks of the cords which bound him day and

ght. Every moment he expected to be put to death, nor did it appear

ssible that he could escape.

tters remained thus until the third week of February. The convicts,ill watching for a favorable opportunity, rarely quitted their retreat,

d only made a few hunting excursions, either to the interior of the

land, or the south coast.

rton had no further news of his friends, and relinquished all hope of

er seeing them again. At last, the unfortunate man, weakened by ill-

eatment, fell into a prostration so profound that sight and hearing

iled him. From that moment, that is to say, since the last two days, he

uld give no information whatever of what had occurred.

ut, Captain Harding," he added, "since I was imprisoned in that cavern,

w is it that I find myself in the corral?"

ow is it that the convicts are lying yonder dead, in the middle of the

closure?" answered the engineer.

ead!" cried Ayrton, half rising from his bed, notwithstanding his

akness.

s companions supported him. He wished to get up, and with their

sistance he did so. They then proceeded together towards the little

ream.

was now broad daylight.





ere, on the bank, in the position in which they had been stricken by

ath in its most instantaneous form, lay the corpses of the five convicts!

rton was astounded. Harding and his companions looked at him without

tering a word. On a sign from the engineer, Neb and Pencroft examined the

dies, already stiffened by the cold.

ey bore no apparent trace of any wound.

ly, after carefully examining them, Pencroft found on the forehead of

e, on the chest of another, on the back of this one, on the shoulder of

at, a little red spot, a sort of scarcely visible bruise, the cause of

ich it was impossible to conjecture.

t is there that they have been struck!" said Cyrus Harding.

ut with what weapon?" cried the reporter.

weapon, lightning-like in its effects, and of which we have not the

cret!"

nd who has struck the blow?" asked Pencroft.

he avenging power of the island," replied Harding, "he who brought you

re, Ayrton, whose influence has once more manifested itself, who does forall that which we cannot do for ourselves, and who, his will

complished, conceals himself from us."

et us make search for him, then!" exclaimed Pencroft.

es, we will search for him," answered Harding, "but we shall not

scover this powerful being who performs such wonders, until he pleases to

ll us to him!"

is invisible protection, which rendered their own action unavailing,

th irritated and piqued the engineer. The relative inferiority which it

oved was of a nature to wound a haughty spirit. A generosity evinced in

ch a manner as to elude all tokens of gratitude, implied a sort of

sdain for those on whom the obligation was conferred, which in Cyrus

rding's eyes marred, in some degree, the worth of the benefit.

et us search," he resumed, "and God grant that we may some day be

rmitted to prove to this haughty protector that he has not to deal with

grateful people! What would I not give could we repay him, by rendering

m in our turn, although at the price of our lives, some signal service!"

om this day, the thoughts of the inhabitants of Lincoln Island were

lely occupied with the intended search. Everything incited them to

scover the answer to this enigma, an answer which would only be the name

a man endowed with a truly inexplicable, and in some degree superhuman

wer.

a few minutes, the settlers re-entered the house, where their

fluence soon restored to Ayrton his moral and physical energy. Neb and

ncroft carried the corpses of the convicts into the forest, some distance

om the corral, and buried them deep in the ground.

rton was then made acquainted with the facts which had occurred during

s seclusion. He learned Herbert's adventures, and through what various

ials the colonists had passed. As to the settlers, they had despaired of

er seeing Ayrton again, and had been convinced that the convicts had

thlessly murdered him.





nd now," said Cyrus Harding, as he ended his recital, "a duty remains

r us to perform. Half of our task is accomplished, but although the

nvicts are no longer to be feared, it is not owing to ourselves that we

e once more masters of the island."

ell!" answered Gideon Spilett, "let us search all this labyrinth of the

urs of Mount Franklin. We will not leave a hollow, not a hole unexplored!

! if ever a reporter found himself face to face with a mystery, it is I

o now speak to you, my friends!"

nd we will not return to Granite House until we have found our

nefactor," said Herbert.

es," said the engineer, "we will do all that it is humanly possible to

, but I repeat we shall not find him until he himself permits us."

hall we stay at the corral?" asked Pencroft.

e shall stay here," answered Harding. "Provisions are abundant, and we

e here in the very center of the circle we have to explore. Besides, if

cessary, the cart will take us rapidly to Granite House."

ood!" answered the sailor. "Only I have a remark to make."

hat is it?"

ere is the fine season getting on, and we must not forget that we have

voyage to make."

voyage?" said Gideon Spilett.

es, to Tabor Island," answered Pencroft. "It is necessary to carry a

tice there to point out the position of our island and say that Ayrton is

re in case the Scotch yacht should come to take him off. Who knows if it

not already too late?"

ut, Pencroft," asked Ayrton, "how do you intend to make this voyage?"

n the 'Bonadventure.'"

he 'Bonadventure!'" exclaimed Ayrton. "She no longer exists."

y 'Bonadventure' exists no longer!" shouted Pencroft, bounding from his

at.

o," answered Ayrton. "The convicts discovered her in her little harbor

ly eight days ago, they put to sea in her--"

nd?" said Pencroft, his heart beating.

nd not having Bob Harvey to steer her, they ran on the rocks, and the

ssel went to pieces."

h, the villains, the cutthroats, the infamous scoundrels!" exclaimed

ncroft.

encroft," said Herbert, taking the sailor's hand, "we will build

other 'Bonadventure'--a larger one. We have all the ironwork--all the

gging of the brig at our disposal."

ut do you know," returned Pencroft, "that it will take at least five or

x months to build a vessel of from thirty to forty tons?"

e can take our time," said the reporter, "and we must give up the





yage to Tabor Island for this year."

h, my 'Bonadventure!' my poor 'Bonadventure!'" cried Pencroft, almost

oken-hearted at the destruction of the vessel of which he was so proud.

e loss of the "Bonadventure" was certainly a thing to be lamented by

e colonists, and it was agreed that this loss should be repaired as soon

possible. This settled, they now occupied themselves with bringing their

searches to bear on the most secret parts of the island.

e exploration was commenced at daybreak on the 19th of February, and

sted an entire week. The base of the mountain, with its spurs and their

mberless ramifications, formed a labyrinth of valleys and elevations. It

s evident that there, in the depths of these narrow gorges, perhaps even

the interior of Mount Franklin itself, was the proper place to pursue

eir researches. No part of the island could have been more suitable to

nceal a dwelling whose occupant wished to remain unknown. But so

regular was the formation of the valleys that Cyrus Harding was obliged

conduct the exploration in a strictly methodical manner.

e colonists first visited the valley opening to the south of the

lcano, and which first received the waters of Falls River. There Ayrton

owed them the cavern where the convicts had taken refuge, and in which he

d been imprisoned until his removal to the corral. This cavern was just

Ayrton had left it. They found there a considerable quantity of

munition and provisions, conveyed thither by the convicts in order to

rm a reserve.

e whole of the valley bordering on the cave, shaded by fir and other

ees, was thoroughly explored, and on turning the point of the

uthwestern spur, the colonists entered a narrower gorge similar to the

cturesque columns of basalt on the coast. Here the trees were fewer.

ones took the place of grass. Goats and musmons gambolled among the

cks. Here began the barren part of the island. It could already be seen

at, of the numerous valleys branching off at the base of Mount Franklin,

ree only were wooded and rich in pasturage like that of the corral, which

rdered on the west on the Falls River valley, and on the east on the Red

eek valley. These two streams, which lower down became rivers by the

sorption of several tributaries, were formed by all the springs of the

untain and thus caused the fertility of its southern part. As to the

rcy, it was more directly fed from ample springs concealed under the

ver of Jacamar Wood, and it was by springs of this nature, spreading in a

ousand streamlets, that the soil of the Serpentine Peninsula was watered.

w, of these three well-watered valleys, either might have served as a

treat to some solitary who would have found there everything necessary

r life. But the settlers had already explored them, and in no part had

ey discovered the presence of man.

s it then in the depths of those barren gorges, in the midst of the

les of rock, in the rugged northern ravines, among the streams of lava,

at this dwelling and its occupant would be found?

e northern part of Mount Franklin was at its base composed solely of

o valleys, wide, not very deep, without any appearance of vegetation,

rewn with masses of rock, paved with lava, and varied with great blocks

mineral. This region required a long and careful exploration. It

ntained a thousand cavities, comfortless no doubt, but perfectly

ncealed and difficult of access.

e colonists even visited dark tunnels, dating from the volcanic period,

ill black from the passage of the fire, and penetrated into the depths of





e mountain. They traversed these somber galleries, waving lighted

rches; they examined the smallest excavations; they sounded the

allowest depths, but all was dark and silent. It did not appear that the

ot of man had ever before trodden these ancient passages, or that his arm

d ever displaced one of these blocks, which remained as the volcano had

st them up above the waters, at the time of the submersion of the island.

wever, although these passages appeared to be absolutely deserted, and

e obscurity was complete, Cyrus Harding was obliged to confess that

solute silence did not reign there.

arriving at the end of one of these gloomy caverns, extending several

ndred feet into the interior of the mountain, he was surprised to hear a

ep rumbling noise, increased in intensity by the sonorousness of the

cks.

deon Spilett, who accompanied him, also heard these distant mutterings,

ich indicated a revivification of the subterranean fires. Several times

th listened, and they agreed that some chemical process was taking place

the bowels of the earth.

hen the volcano is not totally extinct?" said the reporter.

t is possible that since our exploration of the crater," replied Cyrus

rding, "some change has occurred. Any volcano, although considered

tinct, may evidently again burst forth."

ut if an eruption of Mount Franklin occurred," asked Spilett, "would

ere not be some danger to Lincoln Island?"

do not think so," answered the reporter. "The crater, that is to say,

e safety-valve, exists, and the overflow of smoke and lava, would escape,

it did formerly, by this customary outlet."

nless the lava opened a new way for itself towards the fertile parts of

e island!"

nd why, my dear Spilett," answered Cyrus Harding, "should it not followe road naturally traced out for it?"

ell, volcanoes are capricious," returned the reporter.

otice," answered the engineer, "that the inclination of Mount Franklin

vors the flow of water towards the valleys which we are exploring just

w. To turn aside this flow, an earthquake would be necessary to change

e mountain's center of gravity."

ut an earthquake is always to be feared at these times," observed

deon Spilett.

lways," replied the engineer, "especially when the subterranean forces

gin to awake, as they risk meeting with some obstruction, after a long

st. Thus, my dear Spilett, an eruption would be a serious thing for us,

d it would be better that the volcano should not have the slightest

sire to wake up. But we could not prevent it, could we? At any rate, even

it should occur, I do not think Prospect Heights would he seriously

reatened. Between them and the mountain, the ground is considerably

pressed, and if the lava should ever take a course towards the lake, it

uld be cast on the downs and the neighboring parts of Shark Gulf."

e have not yet seen any smoke at the top of the mountain, to indicate

approaching eruption," said Gideon Spilett.





o," answered Harding, "not a vapor escapes from the crater, for it was

ly yesterday that I attentively surveyed the summit. But it is probable

at at the lower part of the chimney, time may have accumulated rocks,

nders, hardened lava, and that this valve of which I spoke, may at any

me become overcharged. But at the first serious effort, every obstacle

ll disappear, and you may be certain, my dear Spilett, that neither the

land, which is the boiler, nor the volcano, which is the chimney, will

rst under the pressure of gas. Nevertheless, I repeat, it would be better

at there should not be an eruption."

nd yet we are not mistaken," remarked the reporter. "Mutterings can bestinctly heard in the very bowels of the volcano!"

ou are right," said the engineer, again listening attentively. "There

n be no doubt of it. A commotion is going on there, of which we can

ither estimate the importance nor the ultimate result."

rus Harding and Spilett, on coming out, rejoined their companions, to

om they made known the state of affairs.

ery well!" cried Pencroft, "The volcano wants to play his pranks! Let

m try, if he likes! He will find his master!"

ho?" asked Neb.

ur good genius, Neb, our good genius, who will shut his mouth for him,

he so much as pretends to open it!"

may be seen, the sailor's confidence in the tutelary deity of his

land was absolute, and, certainly, the occult power, manifested until now

so many inexplicable ways, appeared to be unlimited; but also it knew

w to escape the colonists' most minute researches, for, in spite of all

eir efforts, in spite of the more than zeal,--the obstinacy,--with which

ey carried on their exploration, the retreat of the mysterious being

uld not be discovered.

om the 19th to the 20th of February the circle of investigation was

tended to all the northern region of Lincoln Island, whose most secretoks were explored. The colonists even went the length of tapping every

ck. The search was extended to the extreme verge of the mountain. It was

plored thus to the very summit of the truncated cone terminating the

rst row of rocks, then to the upper ridge of the enormous hat, at the

ttom of which opened the crater.

ey did more; they visited the gulf, now extinct, but in whose depths

e rumbling could be distinctly heard. However, no sign of smoke or vapor,

heating of the rock, indicated an approaching eruption. But neither

ere, nor in any other part of Mount Franklin, did the colonists find any

aces of him of whom they were in search.

eir investigations were then directed to the downs. They carefullyamined the high lava-cliffs of Shark Gulf from the base to the crest,

though it was extremely difficult to reach even the level of the gulf. No

e!--nothing!

deed, in these three words was summed up so much fatigue uselessly

pended, so much energy producing no results, that somewhat of anger

ngled with the discomfiture of Cyrus Harding and his companions.

was now time to think of returning, for these researches could not be

olonged indefinitely. The colonists were certainly right in believing

at the mysterious being did not reside on the surface of the island, and

e wildest fancies haunted their excited imaginations. Pencroft and Neb,





rticularly, were not contented with the mystery, but allowed their

aginations to wander into the domain of the supernatural.

the 25th of February the colonists re-entered Granite House, and by

ans of the double cord, carried by an arrow to the threshold of the door,

ey re-established communication between their habitation and the ground.

month later they commemorated, on the 25th of March, the third

niversary of their arrival on Lincoln Island.

apter 14

ree years had passed away since the escape of the prisoners from

chmond, and how often during those three years had they spoken of their

untry, always present in their thoughts!

ey had no doubt that the civil war was at an end, and to them it

peared impossible that the just cause of the North had not triumphed. But

at had been the incidents of this terrible war? How much blood had it not

st? How many of their friends must have fallen in the struggle? They

ten spoke of these things, without as yet being able to foresee the day

en they would be permitted once more to see their country. To return

ither, were it but for a few days, to renew the social link with thehabited world, to establish a communication between their native land and

eir island, then to pass the longest, perhaps the best, portion of their

istence in this colony, founded by them, and which would then be

pendent on their country, was this a dream impossible to realize?

ere were only two ways of accomplishing it--either a ship must appear

f Lincoln Island, or the colonists must themselves build a vessel strong

ough to sail to the nearest land.

nless," said Pencroft, "our good genius, himself provides us with the

ans of returning to our country."

d, really, had any one told Pencroft and Neb that a ship of 300 tonss waiting for them in Shark Gulf or at Port Balloon, they would not even

ve made a gesture of surprise. In their state of mind nothing appeared

probable.

t Cyrus Harding, less confident, advised them to confine themselves to

ct, and more especially so with regard to the building of a vessel--a

ally urgent work, since it was for the purpose of depositing, as soon as

ssible, at Tabor Island a document indicating Ayrton's new residence.

the "Bonadventure" no longer existed, six months at least would be

quired for the construction of a new vessel. Now winter was approaching,

d the voyage would not be made before the following spring.

e have time to get everything ready for the fine season," remarked the

gineer, who was consulting with Pencroft about these matters. "I think,

erefore, my friend, that since we have to rebuild our vessel it will be

st to give her larger dimensions. The arrival of the Scotch yacht at

bor Island is very uncertain. It may even be that, having arrived several

nths ago, she has again sailed after having vainly searched for some

ace of Ayrton. Will it not then he best to build a ship which, if

cessary, could take us either to the Polynesian Archipelago or to New

aland? What do you think?"

think, captain," answered the sailor; "I think that you are as capable

building a large vessel as a small one. Neither the wood nor the tools





e wanting. It is only a question of time."

nd how many months would be required to build a vessel of from 250 to

0 tons?" asked Harding.

even or eight months at least," replied Pencroft. "But it must not be

rgotten that winter is drawing near, and that in severe frost wood is

fficult to work. We must calculate on several weeks delay, and if our

ssel is ready by next November we may think ourselves very lucky."

ell," replied Cyrus Harding, "that will be exactly the most favorable

me for undertaking a voyage of any importance, either to Tabor Island or

a more distant land."

o it will, captain," answered the sailor. "Make out your plans then;

e workmen are ready, and I imagine that Ayrton can lend us a good

lping hand."

e colonists, having been consulted, approved the engineer's plan, and

was, indeed, the best thing to be done. It is true that the construction

a ship of from two to three hundred tons would be great labor, but the

lonists had confidence in themselves, justified by their previous

ccess.

rus Harding then busied himself in drawing the plan of the vessel andking the model. During this time his companions employed themselves in

lling and carting trees to furnish the ribs, timbers, and planks. The

rest of the Far West supplied the best oaks and elms. They took advantage

the opening already made on their last excursion to form a practicable

ad, which they named the Far West Road, and the trees were carried to the

imneys, where the dockyard was established. As to the road in question,

e choice of trees had rendered its direction somewhat capricious, but at

e same time it facilitated the access to a large part of the Serpentine

ninsula.

was important that the trees should be quickly felled and cut up, for

ey could not be used while yet green, and some time was necessary to

low them to get seasoned. The carpenters, therefore, worked vigorously

ring the month of April, which was troubled only by a few equinoctial

les of some violence. Master Jup aided them dexterously, either by

imbing to the top of a tree to fasten the ropes or by lending his stout

oulders to carry the lopped trunks.

l this timber was piled up under a large shed, built near the

imneys, and there awaited the time for use.

e month of April was tolerably fine, as October often is in the

rthern zone. At the same time other work was actively continued, and soon

l trace of devastation disappeared from the plateau of Prospect Heights.

e mill was rebuilt, and new buildings rose in the poultry-yard. It had

peared necessary to enlarge their dimensions, for the feathered

pulation had increased considerably. The stable now contained five

agers, four of which were well broken, and allowed themselves to be

ther driven or ridden, and a little colt. The colony now possessed a

ow, to which the onagers were yoked like regular Yorkshire or Kentucky

en. The colonists divided their work, and their arms never tired. Then

o could have enjoyed better health than these workers, and what good

mor enlivened the evenings in Granite House as they formed a thousand

ans for the future!

a matter of course Ayrton shared the common lot in every respect, and

ere was no longer any talk of his going to live at the corral.





vertheless he was still sad and reserved, and joined more in the work

an in the pleasures of his companions. But he was a valuable workman at

ed--strong, skilful, ingenious, intelligent. He was esteemed and loved by

l, and he could not be ignorant of it.

the meanwhile the corral was not abandoned. Every other day one of the

ttlers, driving the cart or mounted on an onager, went to look after the

ock of musmons and goats and bring back the supply of milk required by

b. These excursions at the same time afforded opportunities for hunting.

erefore Herbert and Gideon Spilett, with Top in front, traversed more

ten than their companions the road to the corral, and with the capitalns which they carried, capybaras, agouties, kangaroos, and wild pigs for

rge game, ducks, grouse, jacamars, and snipe for small game, were never

nting in the house. The produce of the warren, of the oyster-bed, several

rtles which were taken, excellent salmon which came up the Mercy,

getables from the plateau, wild fruit from the forest, were riches upon

ches, and Neb, the head cook, could scarcely by himself store them away.

e telegraphic wire between the corral and Granite House had of course

en repaired, and it was worked whenever one or other of the settlers was

the corral and found it necessary to spend the night there. Besides, the

land was safe now and no attacks were to be feared, at any rate from men.

wever, that which had happened might happen again. A descent ofrates, or even of escaped convicts, was always to be feared. It was

ssible that companions or accomplices of Bob Harvey had been in the

cret of his plans, and might be tempted to imitate him. The colonists,

erefore, were careful to observe the sea around the island, and every day

eir telescope covered the horizon enclosed by Union and Washington Bays.

en they went to the corral they examined the sea to the west with no less

tention, and by climbing the spur their gaze extended over a large

ction of the western horizon.

thing suspicious was discerned, but still it was necessary for them to

on their guard.

e engineer one evening imparted to his friends a plan which he had

nceived for fortifying the corral. It appeared prudent to him to heighten

e palisade and to flank it with a sort of blockhouse, which, if

cessary, the settlers could hold against the enemy. Granite House might,

its very position, be considered impregnable; therefore the corral with

s buildings, its stores, and the animals it contained, would always be

e object of pirates, whoever they were, who might land on the island, and

ould the colonists be obliged to shut themselves up there they ought also

be able to defend themselves without any disadvantage. This was a

oject which might be left for consideration, and they were, besides,

liged to put off its execution until the next spring.

out the 15th of May the keel of the new vessel lay along the dockyard,

d soon the stem and stern-post, mortised at each of its extremities, rosemost perpendicularly. The keel, of good oak, measured 110 feet in length,

is allowing a width of five-and-twenty feet to the midship beam. But this

s all the carpenters could do before the arrival of the frosts and bad

ather. During the following week they fixed the first of the stern

mbers, but were then obliged to suspend work.

ring the last days of the month the weather was extremely bad. The wind

ew from the east, sometimes with the violence of a tempest. The engineer

s somewhat uneasy on account of the dockyard shed--which besides, he

uld not have established in any other place near to Granite House--for

e islet only imperfectly sheltered the shore from the fury of the open

a, and in great storms the waves beat against the very foot of the





anite cliff.

t, very fortunately, these fears were not realized. The wind shifted to

e southeast, and there the beach of Granite House was completely covered

Flotsam Point.

ncroft and Ayrton, the most zealous workmen at the new vessel, pursued

eir labor as long as they could. They were not men to mind the wind

aring at their hair, nor the rain wetting them to the skin, and a blow

om a hammer is worth just as much in bad as in fine weather. But when a

vere frost succeeded this wet period, the wood, its fibers acquiring the

rdness of iron, became extremely difficult to work, and about the 10th of

ne shipbuilding was obliged to be entirely discontinued.

rus Harding and his companions had not omitted to observe how severe

s the temperature during the winters of Lincoln Island. The cold was

mparable to that experienced in the States of New England, situated at

most the same distance from the equator. In the northern hemisphere, or

any rate in the part occupied by British America and the north of the

ited States, this phenomenon is explained by the flat conformation of the

rritories bordering on the pole, and on which there is no intumescence of

e soil to oppose any obstacle to the north winds; here, in Lincoln

land, this explanation would not suffice.

t has even been observed," remarked Harding one day to his companions,

hat in equal latitudes the islands and coast regions are less tried by

e cold than inland countries. I have often heard it asserted that the

nters of Lombardy, for example, are not less rigorous than those of

otland, which results from the sea restoring during the winter the heat

ich it received during the summer. Islands are, therefore, in a better

tuation for benefiting by this restitution."

ut then, Captain Harding," asked Herbert, "why does Lincoln Island

pear to escape the common law?"

hat is difficult to explain," answered the engineer. "However, I should

disposed to conjecture that this peculiarity results from the situation

the island in the Southern Hemisphere, which, as you know, my boy, is

lder than the Northern Hemisphere."

es," said Herbert, "and icebergs are met with in lower latitudes in the

uth than in the north of the Pacific."

hat is true," remarked Pencroft, "and when I have been serving on board

alers I have seen icebergs off Cape Horn."

he severe cold experienced in Lincoln Island," said Gideon Spilett,

ay then perhaps be explained by the presence of floes or icebergs

mparatively near to Lincoln Island."

our opinion is very admissible indeed, my dear Spilett," answered Cyrusrding, "and it is evidently to the proximity of icebergs that we owe our

gorous winters. I would draw your attention also to an entirely physical

use, which renders the Southern colder than the Northern Hemisphere. In

ct, since the sun is nearer to this hemisphere during the summer, it is

cessarily more distant during the winter. This explains then the excess

temperature in the two seasons, for, if we find the winters very cold in

ncoln Island, we must not forget that the summers here, on the contrary,

e very hot."

ut why, if you please, captain," asked Pencroft, knitting his brows,

hy should our hemisphere, as you say, be so badly divided? It isn't just,





at!"

riend Pencroft," answered the engineer, laughing, "whether just or not,

must submit to it, and here lies the reason for this peculiarity. The

rth does not describe a circle around the sun, but an ellipse, as it must

the laws of rational mechanics. Now, the earth occupies one of the foci

the ellipse, and so at one point in its course is at its apogee, that

, at its farthest from the sun, and at another point it is at its

rigee, or nearest to the sun. Now it happens that it is during the winter

the southern countries that it is at its most distant point from the

n, and consequently, in a situation for those regions to feel theeatest cold. Nothing can be done to prevent that, and men, Pencroft,

wever learned they may be, can never change anything of the

smographical order established by God Himself."

nd yet," added Pencroft, "the world is very learned. what a big book,

ptain, might be made with all that is known!"

nd what a much bigger book still with all that is not known!" answered

rding.

last, for one reason or another, the month of June brought the cold

th its accustomed intensity, and the settlers were often confined to

anite House. Ah! how wearisome this imprisonment was to them, and more

rticularly to Gideon Spilett.

ook here," said he to Neb one day, "I would give you by notarial deed

l the estates which will come to me some day, if you were a good enough

llow to go, no matter where, and subscribe to some newspaper for me!

cidedly the thing that is most essential to my happiness is the knowing

ery morning what has happened the day before in other places than this!"

b began to laugh.

Pon my word," he replied, "the only thing I think about is my daily

rk!"

e truth was that indoors as well as out there was no want of work.

e colony of Lincoln Island was now at its highest point of prosperity,

hieved by three years of continued hard work. The destruction of the brig

d been a new source of riches. Without speaking of the complete rig which

uld serve for the vessel now on the stocks, utensils and tools of all

rts, weapons and ammunition, clothes and instruments, were now piled in

e storerooms of Granite House. It had not even been necessary to resort

ain to the manufacture of the coarse felt materials. Though the colonists

d suffered from cold during their first winter, the bad season might now

me without their having any reason to dread its severity. Linen was

entiful also, and besides, they kept it with extreme care. From chloride

sodium, which is nothing else than sea salt, Cyrus Harding easily

tracted the soda and chlorine. The soda, which it was easy to change into

rbonate of soda, and the chlorine, of which he made chloride of lime,

re employed for various domestic purposes, and especially in bleaching

nen. Besides, they did not wash more than four times a year, as was done

families in the olden times, and it may be added, that Pencroft and

deon Spilett, while waiting for the postman to bring him his newspaper,

stinguished themselves as washermen.

passed the winter months, June, July, and August. They were severe,

d the average observations of the thermometer did not give more than

ght degrees of Fahrenheit. It was therefore lower in temperature than the

eceding winter. But then, what splendid fires blazed continually on the





arths of Granite House, the smoke marking the granite wall with long,

bra-like streaks! Fuel was not spared, as it grew naturally a few steps

om them. Besides, the chips of the wood destined for the construction of

e ship enabled them to economize the coal, which required more trouble to

ansport.

n and animals were all well. Master Jup was a little chilly, it must be

nfessed. This was perhaps his only weakness, and it was necessary to make

m a well-padded dressing-gown. But what a servant he was, clever,

alous, indefatigable, not indiscreet, not talkative, and he might have

en with reason proposed as a model for all his biped brothers in the Oldd New Worlds!

s for that," said Pencroft, "when one has four hands at one's service,

course one's work ought to be done so much the better!"

d indeed the intelligent creature did it well.

ring the seven months which had passed since the last researches made

und the mountain, and during the month of September, which brought back

ne weather, nothing was heard of the genius of the island. His power was

t manifested in any way. It is true that it would have been superfluous,

r no incident occurred to put the colonists to any painful trial.

rus Harding even observed that if by chance the communication between

e unknown and the tenants of Granite House had ever been established

rough the granite, and if Top's instinct had as it were felt it, there

s no further sign of it during this period. The dog's growling had

tirely ceased, as well as the uneasiness of the orang. The two friends--

r they were such--no longer prowled round the opening of the inner well,

r did they bark or whine in that singular way which from the first the

gineer had noticed. But could he be sure that this was all that was to be

id about this enigma, and that he should never arrive at a solution?

uld he be certain that some conjuncture would not occur which would bring

e mysterious personage on the scene? who could tell what the future might

ve in reserve?

last the winter was ended, but an event, the consequences of which

ght be serious occurred in the first days of the returning spring.

the 7th of September, Cyrus Harding, having observed the crater, saw

oke curling round the summit of the mountain, its first vapors rising in

e air.

apter 15

e colonists, warned by the engineer, left their work and gazed in silence

the summit of Mount Franklin.

e volcano had awoke, and the vapor had penetrated the mineral layer

aped at the bottom of the crater. But would the subterranean fires

ovoke any violent eruption? This was an event which could not be

reseen. However, even while admitting the possibility of an eruption, it

s not probable that the whole of Lincoln Island would suffer from it. The

ow of volcanic matter is not always disastrous, and the island had

ready undergone this trial, as was shown by the streams of lava hardened

the northern slopes of the mountain. Besides, from the shape of the

ater--the opening broken in the upper edge--the matter would be thrown to

e side opposite the fertile regions of the island.

wever, the past did not necessarily answer for the future. Often, at





e summit of volcanoes, the old craters close and new ones open. This had

curred in the two hemispheres--at Etna, Popocatepetl, at Orizabaand on

e eve of an eruption there is everything to be feared. In fact, an

rthquake--a phenomenon which often accompanies volcanic eruption--is

ough to change the interior arrangement of a mountain, and to open new

tlets for the burning lava.

rus Harding explained these things to his companions, and, without

aggerating the state of things, he told them all the pros and cons. After

l, they could not prevent it. It did not appear likely that Granite House

uld be threatened unless the ground was shaken by an earthquake. But therral would be in great danger should a new crater open in the southern

de of Mount Franklin.

om that day the smoke never disappeared from the top of the mountain,

d it could even be perceived that it increased in height and thickness,

thout any flame mingling in its heavy volumes. The phenomenon was still

ncentrated in the lower part of the central crater.

wever, with the fine days work had been continued. The building of the

ssel was hastened as much as possible, and, by means of the waterfall on

e shore, Cyrus Harding managed to establish an hydraulic sawmill, which

pidly cut up the trunks of trees into planks and joists. The mechanism of

is apparatus was as simple as those used in the rustic sawmills ofrway. A first horizontal movement to move the piece of wood, a second

rtical movement to move the saw--this was all that was wanted; and the

gineer succeeded by means of a wheel, two cylinders, and pulleys properly

ranged. Towards the end of the month of September the skeleton of the

ssel, which was to be rigged as a schooner, lay in the dockyard. The ribs

re almost entirely completed, and, all the timbers having been sustained

a provisional band, the shape of the vessel could already be seen. The

hooner, sharp in the bows, very slender in the after-part, would

idently be suitable for a long voyage, if wanted; but laying the planking

uld still take a considerable time. Very fortunately, the iron work of

e pirate brig had been saved after the explosion. From the planks and

jured ribs Pencroft and Ayrton had extracted the bolts and a large

antity of copper nails. It was so much work saved for the smiths, but therpenters had much to do.

ipbuilding was interrupted for a week for the harvest, the haymaking,

d the gathering in of the different crops on the plateau. This work

nished, every moment was devoted to finishing the schooner. When night

me the workmen were really quite exhausted. So as not to lose any time

ey had changed the hours for their meals; they dined at twelve o'clock,

d only had their supper when daylight failed them. They then ascended to

anite House, when they were always ready to go to bed.

metimes, however, when the conversation bore on some interesting

bject the hour for sleep was delayed for a time. The colonists then spoke

the future, and talked willingly of the changes which a voyage in thehooner to inhabited lands would make in their situation. But always, in

e midst of these plans, prevailed the thought of a subsequent return to

ncoln Island. Never would they abandon this colony, founded with so much

bor and with such success, and to which a communication with America

uld afford a fresh impetus. Pencroft and Neb especially hoped to end

eir days there.

erbert," said the sailor, "you will never abandon Lincoln Island?"

ever, Pencroft, and especially if you make up your mind to stay there."

hat was made up long ago, my boy," answered Pencroft. "I shall expect





u. You will bring me your wife and children, and I shall make jolly chaps

your youngsters!"

hat's agreed," replied Herbert, laughing and blushing at the same time.

nd you, Captain Harding," resumed Pencroft enthusiastically, "you will

still the governor of the island! Ah, how many inhabitants could it

pport? Ten thousand at least!"

ey talked in this way, allowing Pencroft to run on, and at last the

porter actually started a newspaper--the New Lincoln Herald!

is man's heart. The desire to perform a work which will endure, which

ll survive him, is the origin of his superiority over all other living

eatures here below. It is this which has established his dominion, and

is it is which justifies it, over all the world.

ter that, who knows if Jup and Top had not themselves their little

eam of the future.

rton silently said to himself that he would like to see Lord Glenarvan

ain and show himself to all restored.

e evening, on the 15th of October, the conversation was prolonged later

an usual. It was nine o'clock. Already, long badly concealed yawns gaverning of the hour of rest, and Pencroft was proceeding towards his bed,

en the electric bell, placed in the dining-room, suddenly rang.

l were there, Cyrus Harding, Gideon Spilett, Herbert, Ayrton, Pencroft,

b. Therefore none of the colonists were at the corral.

rus Harding rose. His companions stared at each other, scarcely

lieving their ears.

hat does that mean?" cried Neb. "Was it the devil who rang it?"

one answered.

he weather is stormy," observed Herbert. "Might not its influence of

ectricity--"

rbert did not finish his phrase. The engineer, towards whom all eyes

re turned, shook his head negatively.

e must wait," said Gideon Spilett. "If it is a signal, whoever it may be

o has made it, he will renew it."

ut who do you think it is?" cried Neb.

ho?" answered Pencroft, "but he--"

e sailor's sentence was cut short by a new tinkle of the bell.

rding went to the apparatus, and sent this question to the corral:--

hat do you want?"

few moments later the needle, moving on the alphabetic dial, gave this

ply to the tenants of Granite House:--

ome to the corral immediately."

t last!" exclaimed Harding.





s! At last! The mystery was about to be unveiled. The colonists'

tigue had disappeared before the tremendous interest which was about to

ge them to the corral, and all wish for rest had ceased. Without having

tered a word, in a few moments they had left Granite House, and were

anding on the beach. Jup and Top alone were left behind. They could do

thout them.

e night was black. The new moon had disappeared at the same time as the

n. As Herbert had observed, great stormy clouds formed a lowering and

avy vault, preventing any star rays. A few lightning flashes, reflections

om a distant storm, illuminated the horizon.

was possible that a few hours later the thunder would roll over the

land itself. The night was very threatening.

t however deep the darkness was, it would not prevent them from finding

e familiar road to the corral.

ey ascended the left bank of the Mercy, reached the plateau, passed the

idge over Creek Glycerine, and advanced through the forest.

ey walked at a good pace, a prey to the liveliest emotions. There was

doubt but that they were now going to learn the long-searched-for answer

the enigma, the name of that mysterious being, so deeply concerned in

eir life, so generous in his influence, so powerful in his action! Must

t this stranger have indeed mingled with their existence, have known the

allest details, have heard all that was said in Granite House, to have

en able always to act in the very nick of time?

ery one, wrapped up in his own reflections, pressed forward. Under the

ch of trees the darkness was such that even the edge of the road could

t be seen. Not a sound in the forest. Both animals and birds, influenced

the heaviness of the atmosphere, remained motionless and silent. Not a

eath disturbed the leaves. The footsteps of the colonists alone resounded

the hardened ground.

ring the first quarter of an hour the silence was only interrupted by

is remark from Pencroft:--

e ought to have brought a torch."

d by this reply from the engineer:--

e shall find one at the corral."

rding and his companions had left Granite House at twelve minutes past

ne. At forty-seven minutes past nine they had traversed three out of the

ve miles which separated the mouth of the Mercy from the corral.

that moment sheets of lightning spread over the island and illumined

e dark trees. The flashes dazzled and almost blinded them. Evidently theorm would not be long in bursting forth.

e flashes gradually became brighter and more rapid. Distant thunder

owled in the sky. The atmosphere was stifling.

e colonists proceeded as if they were urged onwards by some

resistible force.

ten o'clock a vivid flash showed them the palisade, and as they

ached the gate the storm burst forth with tremendous fury.

a minute the corral was crossed, and Harding stood before the hut.





obably the house was occupied by the stranger, since it was from thence

at the telegram had been sent. However, no light shone through the

ndow.

e engineer knocked at the door.

answer.

rus Harding opened the door, and the settlers entered the room, which

s perfectly dark. A light was struck by Neb, and in a few moments the

ntern was lighted and the light thrown into every corner of the room.

ere was no one there. Everything was in the state in which it had been

ft.

ave we been deceived by an illusion?" murmured Cyrus Harding.

! that was not possible! The telegram had clearly said,--

ome to the corral immediately."

ey approached the table specially devoted to the use of the wire.

erything was in order--the pile on the box containing it, as well as all

e apparatus.

ho came here the last time?" asked the engineer.

did, captain," answered Ayrton.

nd that was--"

our days ago."

h! a note!" cried Herbert, pointing to a paper lying on the table.

this paper were written these words in English:--

ollow the new wire."

orward!" cried Harding, who understood that the despatch had not been

nt from the corral, but from the mysterious retreat, communicating

rectly with Granite House by means of a supplementary wire joined to the

d one.

b took the lighted lantern, and all left the corral. The storm then

rst forth with tremendous violence. The interval between each lightning-

ash and each thunder-clap diminished rapidly. The summit of the volcano,

th its plume of vapor, could be seen by occasional flashes.

ere was no telegraphic communication in any part of the corral between

e house and the palisade; but the engineer, running straight to the first

st, saw by the light of a flash a new wire hanging from the isolator to

e ground.

here it is!" said he.

is wire lay along the ground, and was surrounded with an isolating

bstance like a submarine cable, so as to assure the free transmission of

e current. It appeared to pass through the wood and the southern spurs of

e mountain, and consequently it ran towards the west.

ollow it!" said Cyrus Harding.





d the settlers immediately pressed forward, guided by the wire.

e thunder continued to roar with such violence that not a word could be

ard. However, there was no occasion for speaking, but to get forward as

st as possible.

rus Harding and his companions then climbed the spur rising between

e corral valley and that of Falls River, which they crossed at its

rrowest part. The wire, sometimes stretched over the lower branches of

e trees, sometimes lying on the ground, guided them surely. The engineer

d supposed that the wire would perhaps stop at the bottom of the valley,

d that the stranger's retreat would be there.

thing of the sort. They were obliged to ascend the south-western spur,

d re-descend on that arid plateau terminated by the strangely-wild basalt

iff. From time to time one of the colonists stooped down and felt for the

re with his hands; but there was now no doubt that the wire was running

rectly towards the sea. There, to a certainty, in the depths of those

cks, was the dwelling so long sought for in vain.

e sky was literally on fire. Flash succeeded flash. Several struck the

mmit of the volcano in the midst of the thick smoke. It appeared there as

the mountain was vomiting flame. At a few minutes to eleven the

lonists arrived on the high cliff overlooking the ocean to the west. The

nd had risen. The surf roared 500 feet below.

rding calculated that they had gone a mile and a half from the corral.

this point the wire entered among the rocks, following the steep side

a narrow ravine. The settlers followed it at the risk of occasioning a

ll of the slightly-balanced rocks, and being dashed into the sea. The

scent was extremely perilous, but they did not think of the danger; they

re no longer masters of themselves, and an irresistible attraction drew

em towards this mysterious place as the magnet draws iron.

us they almost unconsciously descended this ravine, which even in broad

ylight would have been considered impracticable.

e stones rolled and sparkled like fiery balls when they crossed through

e gleams of light. Harding was first--Ayrton last. On they went, step by

ep. Now they slid over the slippery rock; then they struggled to their

et and scrambled on.

last the wire touched the rocks on the beach. The colonists had

ached the bottom of the basalt cliff.

ere appeared a narrow ridge, running horizontally and parallel with the

a. The settlers followed the wire along it. They had not gone a hundred

ces when the ridge by a moderate incline sloped down to the level of the

a.

e engineer seized the wire and found that it disappeared beneath the

ves.

s companions were stupefied.

cry of disappointment, almost a cry of despair, escaped them! Must they

en plunge beneath the water and seek there for some submarine cavern? In

eir excited state they would not have hesitated to do it.

e engineer stopped them.

led his companions to a hollow in the rocks, and there--





e must wait," said he. "The tide is high. At low water the way will be

en."

ut what can make you think-" asked Pencroft.

e would not have called us if the means had been wanting to enable us

reach him!"

rus Harding spoke in a tone of such thorough conviction that no

jection was raised. His remark, besides, was logical. It was quite

ssible that an opening, practicable at low water, though hidden now by

e high tide, opened at the foot of the cliff.

ere was some time to wait. The colonists remained silently crouching in

deep hollow. Rain now began to fall in torrents. The thunder was re-

hoed among the rocks with a grand sonorousness.

e colonists' emotion was great. A thousand strange and extraordinary

eas crossed their brains, and they expected some grand and superhuman

parition, which alone could come up to the notion they had formed of the

sterious genius of the island.

midnight, Harding carrying the lantern, descended to the beach to

connoiter.

e engineer was not mistaken. The beginning of an immense excavation

uld be seen under the water. There the wire, bending at a right angle,

tered the yawning gulf.

rus Harding returned to his companions, and said simply,--

n an hour the opening will be practicable."

t is there, then?" said Pencroft.

id you doubt it?" returned Harding.

ut this cavern must be filled with water to a certain height," observed

rbert.

ither the cavern will be completely dry," replied Harding, "and in that

se we can traverse it on foot, or it will not be dry, and some means of

ansport will be put at our disposal."

hour passed. All climbed down through the rain to the level of the

a. There was now eight feet of the opening above the water. It was like

e arch of a bridge, under which rushed the foaming water.

aning forward, the engineer saw a black object floating on the water.

drew it towards him. It was a boat, moored to some interior projection

the cave. This boat was iron-plated. Two oars lay at the bottom.

ump in!" said Harding.

a moment the settlers were in the boat. Neb and Ayrton took the oars,

ncroft the rudder. Cyrus Harding in the bows, with the lantern, lighted

e way.

e elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose;

t the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for

ther the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.

lemn silence reigned in this basaltic cavern. Not a sound could penetrate

to it, even the thunder peals could not pierce its thick sides.





ch immense caves exist in various parts of the world, natural crypts

ting from the geological epoch of the globe. Some are filled by the sea;

hers contain entire lakes in their sides. Such is Fingal's Cave, in the

land of Staffa, one of the Hebrides; such are the caves of Morgat, in the

y of Douarnenez, in Brittany, the caves of Bonifacio, in Corsica, those

Lyse-Fjord, in Norway; such are the immense Mammoth caverns in Kentucky,

0 feet in height, and more than twenty miles in length! In many parts of

e globe, nature has excavated these caverns, and preserved them for the

miration of man.

d the cavern which the settlers were now exploring extend to the center

the island? For a quarter of an hour the boat had been advancing, making

tours, indicated to Pencroft by the engineer in short sentences, when all

once,--

ore to the right!" he commanded.

e boat, altering its course, came up alongside the right wall. The

gineer wished to see if the wire still ran along the side.

e wire was there fastened to the rock.

orward!" said Harding.

d the two oars, plunging into the dark waters, urged the boat onwards.

they went for another quarter of an hour, and a distance of half-a-

le must have been cleared from the mouth of the cave, when Harding's

ice was again heard.

top!" said he.

e boat stopped, and the colonists perceived a bright light illuminating

e vast cavern, so deeply excavated in the bowels of the island, of which

thing had ever led them to suspect the existence.

a height of a hundred feet rose the vaulted roof, supported on basalt

afts. Irregular arches, strange moldings, appeared on the columns erected

nature in thousands from the first epochs of the formation of the globe.

e basalt pillars, fitted one into the other, measured from forty to fifty

et in height, and the water, calm in spite of the tumult outside, washed

eir base. The brilliant focus of light, pointed out by the engineer,

uched every point of rocks, and flooded the walls with light.

reflection the water reproduced the brilliant sparkles, so that the

at appeared to be floating between two glittering zones. They could not

mistaken in the nature of the irradiation thrown from the glowing

cleus, whose clear rays were shattered by all the angles, all the

ojections of the cavern. This light proceeded from an electric source,

d its white color betrayed its origin. It was the sun of this cave, andfilled it entirely.

a sign from Cyrus Harding the oars again plunged into the water,

using a regular shower of gems, and the boat was urged forward towards

e light, which was now not more than half a cable's length distant.

this place the breadth of the sheet of water measured nearly 350 feet,

d beyond the dazzling center could be seen an enormous basaltic wall,

ocking up any issue on that side. The cavern widened here considerably,

e sea forming a little lake. But the roof, the side walls, the end cliff,

l the prisms, all the peaks, were flooded with the electric fluid, so

at the brilliancy belonged to them, and as if the light issued from them.





the center of the lake a long cigar-shaped object floated on the

rface of the water, silent, motionless. The brilliancy which issued from

escaped from its sides as from two kilns heated to a white heat. This

paratus, similar in shape to an enormous whale, was about 250 feet long,

d rose about ten or twelve above the water.

e boat slowly approached it, Cyrus Harding stood up in the bows. He

zed, a prey to violent excitement. Then, all at once, seizing the

porter's arm,--

t is he! It can only be he!" he cried, "he!--"

en, falling back on the seat, he murmured a name which Gideon Spilett

one could hear.

e reporter evidently knew this name, for it had a wonderful

fect upon him, and he answered in a hoarse voice,--

e! an outlawed man!"

e!" said Harding.

the engineer's command the boat approached this singular floating

paratus. The boat touched the left side, from which escaped a ray ofght through a thick glass.

rding and his companions mounted on the platform. An open hatchway was

ere. All darted down the opening.

the bottom of the ladder was a deck, lighted by electricity. At the

d of this deck was a door, which Harding opened.

richly-ornamented room, quickly traversed by the colonists, was joined

a library, over which a luminous ceiling shed a flood of light.

the end of the library a large door, also shut, was opened by the

gineer.

immense saloon--a sort of museum, in which were heaped up, with all

e treasures of the mineral world, works of art, marvels of industry--

peared before the eyes of the colonists, who almost thought themselves

ddenly transported into a land of enchantment.

retched on a rich sofa they saw a man, who did not appear to notice

eir presence.

en Harding raised his voice, and to the extreme surprise of his

mpanions, he uttered these words,--

aptain Nemo, you asked for us! We are here.--"

apter 16

these words the reclining figure rose, and the electric light fell upon

s countenance; a magnificent head, the forehead high, the glance

mmanding, beard white, hair abundant and falling over the shoulders.

s hand rested upon the cushion of the divan from which he had just

sen. He appeared perfectly calm. It was evident that his strength had

en gradually undermined by illness, but his voice seemed yet powerful, as

said in English, and in a tone which evinced extreme surprise,--





ir, I have no name."

evertheless, I know you!" replied Cyrus Harding.

ptain Nemo fixed his penetrating gaze upon the engineer, as though he

re about to annihilate him.

en, falling back amid the pillows of the divan,--

fter all, what matters now?" he murmured; "I am dying!"

rus Harding drew near the captain, and Gideon Spilett took his hand--it

s of a feverish heat. Ayrton, Pencroft, Herbert, and Neb stood

spectfully apart in an angle of the magnificent saloon, whose atmosphere

s saturated with the electric fluid.

anwhile Captain Nemo withdrew his hand, and motioned the engineer and

e reporter to be seated.

l regarded him with profound emotion. Before them they beheld that

ing whom they had styled the "genius of the island," the powerful

otector whose intervention, in so many circumstances, had been so

ficacious, the benefactor to whom they owed such a debt of gratitude!

eir eyes beheld a man only, and a man at the point of death, wherencroft and Neb had expected to find an almost supernatural being!

t how happened it that Cyrus Harding had recognized Captain Nemo? why

d the latter so suddenly risen on hearing this name uttered, a name which

had believed known to none?--

e captain had resumed his position on the divan, and leaning on his

m, he regarded the engineer, seated near him.

ou know the name I formerly bore, sir?" he asked.

do," answered Cyrus Harding, "and also that of this wonderful

bmarine vessel--"

he 'Nautilus'?" said the captain, with a faint smile.

he 'Nautilus.'"

ut do you--do you know who I am?"

do."

t is nevertheless many years since I have held any communication with

e inhabited world; three long years have I passed in the depth of the

a, the only place where I have found liberty! Who then can have betrayed

secret?"

man who was bound to you by no tie, Captain Nemo, and who,

nsequently, cannot be accused of treachery."

he Frenchman who was cast on board my vessel by chance sixteen years

nce?"

he same."

e and his two companions did not then perish in the maelstrom, in the

dst of which the 'Nautilus' was struggling?"

hey escaped, and a book has appeared under the title of 'Twenty





ousand Leagues Under the Sea,' which contains your history."

he history of a few months only of my life!" interrupted the captain

petuously.

t is true," answered Cyrus Harding, "but a few months of that strange

fe have sufficed to make you known."

s a great criminal, doubtless!" said Captain Nemo, a haughty smile

rling his lips. "Yes, a rebel, perhaps an outlaw against humanity!"

e engineer was silent.

ell, sir?"

t is not for me to judge you, Captain Nemo," answered Cyrus Harding,

t any rate as regards your past life. I am, with the rest of the world,

norant of the motives which induced you to adopt this strange mode of

istence, and I cannot judge of effects without knowing their causes; but

at I do know is, that a beneficent hand has constantly protected us since

r arrival on Lincoln Island, that we all owe our lives to a good,

nerous, and powerful being, and that this being so powerful, good and

nerous, Captain Nemo, is yourself!"

t is I," answered the captain simply.

e engineer and the reporter rose. Their companions had drawn near, and

e gratitude with which their hearts were charged was about to express

self in their gestures and words.

ptain Nemo stopped them by a sign, and in a voice which betrayed more

otion than he doubtless intended to show.

ait till you have heard all," he said.

d the captain, in a few concise sentences, ran over the events of his

fe.

s narrative was short, yet he was obliged to summon up his whole

maining energy to arrive at the end. He was evidently contending against

treme weakness. Several times Cyrus Harding entreated him to repose for a

ile, but he shook his head as a man to whom the morrow may never come,

d when the reporter offered his assistance,--

t is useless," he said; "my hours are numbered."

ptain Nemo was an Indian, the Prince Dakkar, son of a rajah of the then

dependent territory of Bundelkund. His father sent him, when ten years of

e, to Europe, in order that he might receive an education in all respects

mplete, and in the hopes that by his talents and knowledge he might one

y take a leading part in raising his long degraded and heathen country to

level with the nations of Europe.

om the age of ten years to that of thirty Prince Dakkar, endowed by

ture with her richest gifts of intellect, accumulated knowledge of every

nd, and in science, literature, and art his researches were extensive and

ofound.

traveled over the whole of Europe. His rank and fortune caused him to

everywhere sought after; but the pleasures of the world had for him no

tractions. Though young and possessed of every personal advantage, he was

er grave--somber even--devoured by an unquenchable thirst for knowledge,

d cherishing in the recesses of his heart the hope that he might become a





eat and powerful ruler of a free and enlightened people.

ill, for long the love of science triumphed over all other feelings. He

came an artist deeply impressed by the marvels of art, a philosopher to

om no one of the higher sciences was unknown, a statesman versed in the

licy of European courts. To the eyes of those who observed him

perficially he might have passed for one of those cosmopolitans, curious

knowledge, but disdaining action; one of those opulent travelers,

ughty and cynical, who move incessantly from place to place, and are of

country.

e history of Captain Nemo has, in fact, been published under the title

"Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea." Here, therefore, will apply the

servation already made as to the adventures of Ayrton with regard to the

screpancy of dates. Readers should therefore refer to the note already

blished on this point.

is artist, this philosopher, this man was, however, still cherishing

e hope instilled into him from his earliest days.

ince Dakkar returned to Bundelkund in the year 1849. He married a noble

dian lady, who was imbued with an ambition not less ardent than that by

ich he was inspired. Two children were born to them, whom they tenderly

ved. But domestic happiness did not prevent him from seeking to carry out

e object at which he aimed. He waited an opportunity. At length, as he

inly fancied, it presented itself.

stigated by princes equally ambitious and less sagacious and more

scrupulous than he was, the people of India were persuaded that they

ght successfully rise against their English rulers, who had brought them

t of a state of anarchy and constant warfare and misery, and had

tablished peace and prosperity in their country. Their ignorance and

oss superstition made them the facile tools of their designing chiefs.

1857 the great sepoy revolt broke out. Prince Dakkar, under the belief

at he should thereby have the opportunity of attaining the object of his

ng-cherished ambition, was easily drawn into it. He forthwith devoted his

lents and wealth to the service of this cause. He aided it in person; he

ught in the front ranks; he risked his life equally with the humblest of

e wretched and misguided fanatics; he was ten times wounded in twenty

gagements, seeking death but finding it not, but at length the sanguinary

bels were utterly defeated, and the atrocious mutiny was brought to an

d.

ver before had the British power in India been exposed to such danger,

d if, as they had hoped, the sepoys had received assistance from without,

e influence and supremacy in Asia of the United Kingdom would have been a

ing of the past.

e name of Prince Dakkar was at that time well known. He had fought

enly and without concealment. A price was set upon his head, but he

naged to escape from his pursuers.

vilization never recedes; the law of necessity ever forces it onwards.

e sepoys were vanquished, and the land of the rajahs of old fell again

der the rule of England.

ince Dakkar, unable to find that death he courted, returned to the

untain fastnesses of Bundelkund. There, alone in the world, overcome by

sappointment at the destruction of all his vain hopes, a prey to profound

sgust for all human beings, filled with hatred of the civilized world, he

alized the wreck of his fortune, assembled some score of his most





ithful companions, and one day disappeared, leaving no trace behind.

ere, then, did he seek that liberty denied him upon the inhabited

rth? Under the waves, in the depths of the ocean, where none could

llow.

e warrior became the man of science. Upon a deserted island of the

cific he established his dockyard, and there a submarine vessel was

nstructed from his designs. By methods which will at some future day be

vealed he had rendered subservient the illimitable forces of electricity,

ich, extracted from inexhaustible sources, was employed for all the

quirements of his floating equipage, as a moving, lighting, and heating

ent. The sea, with its countless treasures, its myriads of fish, its

mberless wrecks, its enormous mammalia, and not only all that nature

pplied, but also all that man had lost in its depths, sufficed for every

nt of the prince and his crew--and thus was his most ardent desire

complished, never again to hold communication with the earth. He named

s submarine vessel the "Nautilus," called himself simply Captain Nemo,

d disappeared beneath the seas.

ring many years this strange being visited every ocean, from pole to

le. Outcast of the inhabited earth in these unknown worlds he gathered

calculable treasures. The millions lost in the Bay of Vigo, in 1702, by

e galleons of Spain, furnished him with a mine of inexhaustible richesich he devoted always, anonymously, in favor of those nations who fought

r the independence of their country.

his refers to the resurrection of the Candiotes, who were, in

act, largely assisted by Captain Nemo.)

r long, however, he had held no communication with his fellow-

eatures, when, during the night of the 6th of November, 1866, three men

re cast on board his vessel. They were a French professor, his servant,

d a Canadian fisherman. These three men had been hurled overboard by a

llision which had taken place between the "Nautilus" and the United

ates frigate "Abraham Lincoln," which had chased her.

ptain Nemo learned from this professor that the "Nautilus," taken now

r a gigantic mammal of the whale species, now for a submarine vessel

rrying a crew of pirates, was sought for in every sea.

might have returned these three men to the ocean, from whence chance

d brought them in contact with his mysterious existence. Instead of doing

is he kept them prisoners, and during seven months they were enabled to

hold all the wonders of a voyage of twenty thousand leagues under the

a.

e day, the 22nd of June, 1867, these three men, who knew nothing of the

st history of Captain Nemo, succeeded in escaping in one of the

autilus's" boats. But as at this time the "Nautilus" was drawn into the

rtex of the maelstrom, off the coast of Norway, the captain naturally

lieved that the fugitives, engulfed in that frightful whirlpool, found

eir death at the bottom of the abyss. He was unaware that the Frenchman

d his two companions had been miraculously cast on shore, that the

shermen of the Lofoten Islands had rendered them assistance, and that the

ofessor, on his return to France, had published that work in which seven

nths of the strange and eventful navigation of the "Nautilus" were

rrated and exposed to the curiosity of the public.

r a long time alter this, Captain Nemo continued to live thus,

aversing every sea. But one by one his companions died, and found their





st resting-place in their cemetery of coral, in the bed of the Pacific.

last Captain Nemo remained the solitary survivor of all those who had

ken refuge with him in the depths of the ocean.

was now sixty years of age. Although alone, he succeeded in navigating

e "Nautilus" towards one of those submarine caverns which had sometimes

rved him as a harbor.

e of these ports was hollowed beneath Lincoln Island, and at this

ment furnished an asylum to the "Nautilus."

e captain had now remained there six years, navigating the ocean no

nger, but awaiting death, and that moment when he should rejoin his

rmer companions, when by chance he observed the descent of the balloon

ich carried the prisoners of the Confederates. Clad in his diving dress

was walking beneath the water at a few cables' length from the shore of

e island, when the engineer had been thrown into the sea. Moved by a

eling of compassion the captain saved Cyrus Harding.

s first impulse was to fly from the vicinity of the five castaways; but

s harbor refuge was closed, for in consequence of an elevation of the

salt, produced by the influence of volcanic action, he could no longer

ss through the entrance of the vault. Though there was sufficient depth

water to allow a light craft to pass the bar, there was not enough for

e "Nautilus," whose draught of water was considerable.

ptain Nemo was compelled, therefore, to remain. He observed these men

rown without resources upon a desert island, but had no wish to be

mself discovered by them. By degrees he became interested in their

forts when he saw them honest, energetic, and bound to each other by the

es of friendship. As if despite his wishes, he penetrated all the secrets

their existence. By means of the diving dress he could easily reach the

ll in the interior of Granite House, and climbing by the projections of

ck to its upper orifice he heard the colonists as they recounted the

st, and studied the present and future. He learned from them the

emendous conflict of America with America itself, for the abolition of

avery. Yes, these men were worthy to reconcile Captain Nemo with that

manity which they represented so nobly in the island.

ptain Nemo had saved Cyrus Harding. It was he also who had brought back

e dog to the Chimneys, who rescued Top from the waters of the lake, who

used to fall at Flotsam Point the case containing so many things useful

the colonists, who conveyed the canoe back into the stream of the Mercy,

o cast the cord from the top of Granite House at the time of the attack

the baboons, who made known the presence of Ayrton upon Tabor Island, by

ans of the document enclosed in the bottle, who caused the explosion of

e brig by the shock of a torpedo placed at the bottom of the canal, who

ved Herbert from certain death by bringing the sulphate of quinine; and

nally, it was he who had killed the convicts with the electric balls, of

ich he possessed the secret, and which he employed in the chase ofbmarine creatures. Thus were explained so many apparently supernatural

currences, and which all proved the generosity and power of the captain.

vertheless, this noble misanthrope longed to benefit his proteges still

rther. There yet remained much useful advice to give them, and, his heart

ing softened by the approach of death, he invited, as we are aware, the

lonists of Granite House to visit the "Nautilus," by means of a wire

ich connected it with the corral. Possibly he would not have done this

d he been aware that Cyrus Harding was sufficiently acquainted with his

story to address him by the name of Nemo.

e captain concluded the narrative of his life. Cyrus Harding then





oke; he recalled all the incidents which had exercised so beneficent an

fluence upon the colony, and in the names of his companions and himself

anked the generous being to whom they owed so much.

t Captain Nemo paid little attention; his mind appeared to be absorbed

one idea, and without taking the proffered hand of the engineer,--

ow, sir," said he, "now that you know my history, your judgment!"

saying this, the captain evidently alluded to an important incident

tnessed by the three strangers thrown on board his vessel, and which the

ench professor had related in his work, causing a profound and terrible

nsation. Some days previous to the flight of the professor and his two

mpanions, the "Nautilus," being chased by a frigate in the north of the

lantic had hurled herself as a ram upon this frigate, and sunk her

thout mercy.

rus Harding understood the captain's allusion, and was silent.

t was an enemy's frigate," exclaimed Captain Nemo, transformed for an

stant into the Prince Dakkar, "an enemy's frigate! It was she who

tacked me--I was in a narrow and shallow bay--the frigate barred my way--

d I sank her!"

few moments of silence ensued; then the captain demanded,--

hat think you of my life, gentlemen?"

rus Harding extended his hand to the ci-devant prince and replied

avely, "Sir, your error was in supposing that the past can be

suscitated, and in contending against inevitable progress. It is one of

ose errors which some admire, others blame; which God alone can judge. He

o is mistaken in an action which he sincerely believes to be right may be

enemy, but retains our esteem. Your error is one that we may admire, and

ur name has nothing to fear from the judgment of history, which does not

ndemn heroic folly, but its results."

e old man's breast swelled with emotion, and raising his hand toaven,--

as I wrong, or in the right?" he murmured.

rus Harding replied, "All great actions return to God, from whom they

e derived. Captain Nemo, we, whom you have succored, shall ever mourn

ur loss."

rbert, who had drawn near the captain, fell on his knees and kissed his

nd.

tear glistened in the eyes of the dying man. "My child," he said, "may

d bless you!"

apter 17

y had returned. No ray of light penetrated into the profundity of the

vern. It being high-water, the entrance was closed by the sea. But the

tificial light, which escaped in long streams from the skylights of the

autilus" was as vivid as before, and the sheet of water shone around the

oating vessel.

extreme exhaustion now overcame Captain Nemo, who had fallen back upon

e divan. It was useless to contemplate removing him to Granite House, for





had expressed his wish to remain in the midst of those marvels of the

autilus" which millions could not have purchased, and to wait there for

at death which was swiftly approaching.

ring a long interval of prostration, which rendered him almost

conscious, Cyrus Harding and Gideon Spilett attentively observed the

ndition of the dying man. It was apparent that his strength was gradually

minishing. That frame, once so robust, was now but the fragile tenement

a departing soul. All of life was concentrated in the heart and head.

e engineer and reporter consulted in whispers. Was it possible tonder any aid to the dying man? Might his life, if not saved, be prolonged

r some days? He himself had said that no remedy could avail, and he

aited with tranquillity that death which had for him no terrors.

e can do nothing," said Gideon Spilett.

ut of what is he dying?" asked Pencroft.

ife is simply fading out," replied the reporter.

evertheless," said the sailor, "if we move him into the open air, and

e light of the sun, he might perhaps recover."

o, Pencroft," answered the engineer, "it is useless to attempt it.sides, Captain Nemo would never consent to leave his vessel. He has lived

r a dozen years on board the 'Nautilus,' and on board the 'Nautilus' he

sires to die."

thout doubt Captain Nemo heard Cyrus Harding's reply, for he raised

mself slightly, and in a voice more feeble, but always intelligible,--

ou are right, sir," he said. "I shall die here--it is my wish; and

erefore I have a request to make of you."

rus Harding and his companions had drawn near the divan, and now

ranged the cushions in such a manner as to better support the dying man.

ey saw his eyes wander over all the marvels of this saloon, lighted by

e electric rays which fell from the arabesques of the luminous ceiling.

surveyed, one after the other, the pictures hanging from the splendid

pestries of the partitions, the chef-d'oeuvres of the Italian, Flemish,

ench, and Spanish masters; the statues of marble and bronze on their

destals; the magnificent organ, leaning against the after-partition; the

uarium, in which bloomed the most wonderful productions of the sea--

rine plants, zoophytes, chaplets of pearls of inestimable value; and,

nally, his eyes rested on this device, inscribed over the pediment of the

seum--the motto of the "Nautilus"--

obilis in mobile."

s glance seemed to rest fondly for the last time on these masterpieces

art and of nature, to which he had limited his horizon during a sojourn

so many years in the abysses of the seas.

rus Harding respected the captain's silence, and waited till he should

eak.

ter some minutes, during which, doubtless, he passed in review his

ole life, Captain Nemo turned to the colonists and said,





ou consider yourselves, gentlemen, under some obligations to me?"

aptain, believe us that we would give our lives to prolong yours."

romise, then," continued Captain Nemo, "to carry out my last wishes,

d I shall be repaid for all I have done for you."

e promise," said Cyrus Harding.

d by this promise he bound both himself and his companions.

entlemen," resumed the captain, "to-morrow I shall be dead."

rbert was about to utter an exclamation, but a sign from the captain

rested him.

o-morrow I shall die, and I desire no other tomb than the 'Nautilus.'

is my grave! All my friends repose in the depths of the ocean; their

sting-place shall be mine."

ese words were received with profound silence.

ay attention to my wishes," he continued. "The 'Nautilus' is imprisoned

this grotto, the entrance of which is blocked up; but, although egress

impossible, the vessel may at least sink in the abyss, and there bury mymains."

e colonists listened reverently to the words of the dying man.

o-morrow, after my death, Mr. Harding," continued the captain,

ourself and companions will leave the 'Nautilus,' for all the treasures

contains must perish with me. One token alone will remain with you of

ince Dakkar, with whose history you are now acquainted. That coffer

nder contains diamonds of the value of many millions, most of them

mentoes of the time when, husband and father, I thought happiness

ssible for me, and a collection of pearls gathered by my friends and

self in the depths of the ocean. Of this treasure at a future day, you

y make good use. In the hands of such men as yourself and your comrades,

ptain Harding, money will never be a source of danger. From on high I

all still participate in your enterprises, and I fear not but that they

ll prosper."

ter a few moments' repose, necessitated by his extreme weakness,

ptain Nemo continued,--

o-morrow you will take the coffer, you will leave the saloon, of which

u will close the door; then you will ascend on to the deck of the

autilus,' and you will lower the mainhatch so as entirely to close the

ssel."

t shall be done, captain," answered Cyrus Harding.

ood. You will then embark in the canoe which brought you hither; but,

fore leaving the 'Nautilus,' go to the stern and there open two large

op-cocks which you will find upon the water-line. The water will penetrate

to the reservoirs, and the 'Nautilus' will gradually sink beneath the

ter to repose at the bottom of the abyss."

d comprehending a gesture of Cyrus Harding, the captain added,--

ear nothing! You will but bury a corpse!"

ither Cyrus Harding nor his companions ventured to offer any

servation to Captain Nemo. He had expressed his last wishes, and they had





thing to do but to conform to them.

have your promise, gentlemen?" added Captain Nemo.

ou have, captain," replied the engineer.

e captain thanked the colonists by a sign, and requested them to leave

m for some hours. Gideon Spilett wished to remain near him, in the event

a crisis coming on, but the dying man refused, saying, "I shall live

til to-morrow, sir."

l left the saloon, passed through the library and the dining-room, and

rived forward, in the machine-room where the electrical apparatus was

tablished, which supplied not only heat and light, but the mechanical

wer of the "Nautilus."

e "Nautilus" was a masterpiece containing masterpieces with itself, and

e engineer was struck with astonishment.

e colonists mounted the platform, which rose seven or eight feet above

e water. There they beheld a thick glass lenticular covering, which

otected a kind of large eye, from which flashed forth light. Behind this

e was apparently a cabin containing the wheels of the rudder, and in

ich was stationed the helmsman, when he navigated the "Nautilus" over the

d of the ocean, which the electric rays would evidently light up to a

nsiderable distance.

rus Harding and his companions remained for a time silent, for they

re vividly impressed by what they had just seen and heard, and their

arts were deeply touched by the thought that he whose arm had so often

ded them, the protector whom they had known but a few hours, was at the

int of death.

atever might be the judgment pronounced by posterity upon the events of

is, so to speak, extra-human existence, the character of Prince Dakkar

uld ever remain as one of those whose memory time can never efface.

hat a man!" said Pencroft. "Is it possible that he can have lived ate bottom of the sea? And it seems to me that perhaps he has not found

ace there any more than elsewhere!"

he 'Nautilus,'" observed Ayrton, "might have enabled us to leave

ncoln Island and reach some inhabited country."

ood Heavens!" exclaimed Pencroft, "I for one would never risk myself in

ch a craft. To sail on the seas, good, but under the seas, never!"

believe, Pencroft," answered the reporter, "that the navigation of a

bmarine vessel such as the 'Nautilus' ought to be very easy, and that we

ould soon become accustomed to it. There would be no storms, no lee-shore

fear. At some feet beneath the surface the waters of the ocean are aslm as those of a lake."

hat may be," replied the sailor, "but I prefer a gale of wind on board

well-found craft. A vessel is built to sail on the sea, and not beneath

."

y friends," said the engineer, "it is useless, at any rate as regards

e 'Nautilus,' to discuss the question of submarine vessels. The

autilus' is not ours, and we have not the right to dispose of it.

reover, we could in no case avail ourselves of it. Independently of the

ct that it would be impossible to get it out of this cavern, whose

trance is now closed by the uprising of the basaltic rocks, Captain





mo's wish is that it shall be buried with him. His wish is our law, and

will fulfil it."

ter a somewhat prolonged conversation, Cyrus Harding and his companions

ain descended to the interior of the "Nautilus." There they took some

freshment and returned to the saloon.

ptain Nemo had somewhat rallied from the prostration which had overcome

m, and his eyes shone with their wonted fire. A faint smile even curled

s lips.

e colonists drew around him.

entlemen," said the captain, "you are brave and honest men. You have

voted yourselves to the common weal. Often have I observed your conduct.

have esteemed you--I esteem you still! Your hand, Mr. Harding."

rus Harding gave his hand to the captain, who clasped it

fectionately.

t is well!" he murmured.

resumed,--

ut enough of myself. I have to speak concerning yourselves, and thisncoln Island, upon which you have taken refuge. You now desire to leave

?"

o return, captain!" answered Pencroft quickly.

o return, Pencroft?" said the captain, with a smile. "I know, it is

ue, your love for this island. You have helped to make it what it now is,

d it seems to you a paradise!"

ur project, captain," interposed Cyrus Harding, "is to annex it to the

ited States, and to establish for our shipping a port so fortunately

tuated in this part of the Pacific."

our thoughts are with your country, gentlemen," continued the captain;

our toils are for her prosperity and glory. You are right. One's native

nd!--there should one live! there die! And I die far from all I loved!"

ou have some last wish to transmit," said the engineer with emotion,

ome souvenir to send to those friends you have left in the mountains of

dia?"

o, Captain Harding; no friends remain to me! I am the last of my race,

d to all whom I have known I have long been as are the dead.--But to

turn to yourselves. Solitude, isolation, are painful things, and beyond

man endurance. I die of having thought it possible to live alone! You

ould, therefore, dare all in the attempt to leave Lincoln Island, and see

ce more the land of your birth. I am aware that those wretches have

stroyed the vessel you have built."

e propose to construct a vessel," said Gideon Spilett, "sufficiently

rge to convey us to the nearest land; but if we should succeed, sooner or

ter we shall return to Lincoln Island. We are attached to it by too many

collections ever to forget it."

t is here that we have known Captain Nemo," said Cyrus Harding.

t is here only that we can make our home!" added Herbert.

nd here shall I sleep the sleep of eternity, if--" replied the captain.





paused for a moment, and, instead of completing the sentence, said

mply,--

r. Harding, I wish to speak with you--alone!"

e engineer's companions, respecting the wish, retired.

rus Harding remained but a few minutes alone with Captain Nemo, and

on recalled his companions; but he said nothing to them of the private

tters which the dying man had confided to him.

deon Spilett now watched the captain with extreme care. It was evident

at he was no longer sustained by his moral energy, which had lost the

wer of reaction against his physical weakness.

e day closed without change. The colonists did not quit the "Nautilus"

r a moment. Night arrived, although it was impossible to distinguish it

om day in the cavern.

ptain Nemo suffered no pain, but he was visibly sinking. His noble

atures, paled by the approach of death, were perfectly calm. Inaudible

rds escaped at intervals from his lips, bearing upon various incidents of

s checkered career. Life was evidently ebbing slowly and his extremities

re already cold.

ce or twice more he spoke to the colonists who stood around him, and

iled on them with that last smile which continues after death.

length, shortly after midnight, Captain Nemo by a supreme effort

cceeded in folding his arms across his breast, as if wishing in that

titude to compose himself for death.

one o'clock his glance alone showed signs of life. A dying light

eamed in those eyes once so brilliant. Then, murmuring the words, "God

d my country!" he quietly expired.

rus Harding, bending low closed the eyes of him who had once been theince Dakkar, and was now not even Captain Nemo.

rbert and Pencroft sobbed aloud. Tears fell from Ayrton's eyes. Neb was

his knees by the reporter's side, motionless as a statue.

en Cyrus Harding, extending his hand over the forehead of the dead,

id solemnly, "May his soul be with God!" Turning to his friends, he

ded, "Let us pray for him whom we have lost!"

me hours later the colonists fulfilled the promise made to the captain

carrying out his dying wishes.

rus Harding and his companions quitted the "Nautilus," taking with them

e only memento left them by their benefactor, the coffer which contained

alth amounting to millions.

e marvelous saloon, still flooded with light, had been carefully

osed. The iron door leading on deck was then securely fastened in such a

nner as to prevent even a drop of water from penetrating to the interior

the "Nautilus."

e colonists then descended into the canoe, which was moored to the side

the submarine vessel.

e canoe was now brought around to the stern. There, at the water-line,





re two large stop-cocks communicating with the reservoirs employed in the

bmersion of the vessel.

e stop-cocks were opened, the reservoirs filled, and the "Nautilus,"

owly sinking, disappeared beneath the surface of the lake.

t the colonists were yet able to follow its descent through the waves.

e powerful light it gave forth lighted up the translucent water, while

e cavern became gradually obscure. At length this vast effusion of

ectric light faded away, and soon after the "Nautilus," now the tomb of

ptain Nemo, reposed in its ocean bed.

apter 18

break of day the colonists regained in silence the entrance of the

vern, to which they gave the name of "Dakkar Grotto," in memory of

ptain Nemo. It was now low-water, and they passed without difficulty

der the arcade, washed on the right by the sea.

e canoe was left here, carefully protected from the waves. As

ditional precaution, Pencroft, Neb, and Ayrton drew it up on a little

ach which bordered one of the sides of the grotto, in a spot where ituld run no risk of harm.

e storm had ceased during the night. The last low mutterings of the

under died away in the west. Rain fell no longer, but the sky was yet

scured by clouds. On the whole, this month of October, the first of the

uthern spring, was not ushered in by satisfactory tokens, and the wind

d a tendency to shift from one point of the compass to another, which

ndered it impossible to count upon settled weather.

rus Harding and his companions, on leaving Dakkar Grotto, had taken the

ad to the corral. On their way Neb and Herbert were careful to preserve

e wire which had been laid down by the captain between the corral and the

otto, and which might at a future time be of service.

e colonists spoke but little on the road. The various incidents of the

ght of October 15th had left a profound impression on their minds. The

known being whose influence had so effectually protected them, the man

om their imagination had endowed with supernatural powers, Captain Nemo,

s no more. His "Nautilus" and he were buried in the depths of the abyss.

each one of them their existence seemed even more isolated than before.

ey had been accustomed to count upon the intervention of that power which

isted no longer, and Gideon Spilett, and even Cyrus Harding, could not

cape this impression. Thus they maintained a profound silence during

eir journey to the corral.

wards nine in the morning the colonists arrived at Granite House.

had been agreed that the construction of the vessel should be actively

shed forward, and Cyrus Harding more than ever devoted his time and labor

this object. It was impossible to divine what future lay before them.

idently the advantage to the colonists would be great of having at their

sposal a substantial vessel, capable of keeping the sea even in heavy

ather, and large enough to attempt, in case of need, a voyage of some

ration. Even if, when their vessel should be completed, the colonists

ould not resolve to leave Lincoln Island as yet, in order to gain either

e of the Polynesian Archipelagoes of the Pacific or the shores of New

aland, they might at least, sooner or later, proceed to Tabor Island, to

ave there the notice relating to Ayrton. This was a precaution rendered





dispensable by the possibility of the Scotch yacht reappearing in those

as, and it was of the highest importance that nothing should be neglected

this point.

e works were then resumed. Cyrus Harding, Pencroft, and Ayrton,

sisted by Neb, Gideon Spilett, and Herbert, except when unavoidably

lled off by other necessary occupations, worked without cessation. It was

portant that the new vessel should be ready in five months--that is to

y, by the beginning of March--if they wished to visit Tabor Island before

e equinoctial gales rendered the voyage impracticable. Therefore the

rpenters lost not a moment. Moreover, it was unnecessary to manufacturegging, that of the "Speedy" having been saved entire, so that the hull

ly of the vessel needed to be constructed.

e end of the year 1868 found them occupied by these important labors,

the exclusion of almost all others. At the expiration of two months and

half the ribs had been set up and the first planks adjusted. It was

ready evident that the plans made by Cyrus Harding were admirable, and

at the vessel would behave well at sea.

ncroft brought to the task a devouring energy, and would even grumble

en one or the other abandoned the carpenter's axe for the gun of the

nter. It was nevertheless necessary to keep up the stores of Granite

use, in view of the approaching winter. But this did not satisfyncroft. The brave, honest sailor was not content when the workmen were

t at the dockyard. when this happened he grumbled vigorously, and, by way

venting his feelings, did the work of six men.

e weather was very unfavorable during the whole of the summer season.

r some days the heat was overpowering, and the atmosphere, saturated with

ectricity, was only cleared by violent storms. It was rarely that the

stant growling of the thunder could not be heard, like a low but

cessant murmur, such as is produced in the equatorial regions of the

obe.

e 1st of January, 1869, was signalized by a storm of extreme violence,

d the thunder burst several times over the island. Large trees wereruck by the electric fluid and shattered, and among others one of those

gantic nettle-trees which had shaded the poultry-yard at the southern

tremity of the lake. Had this meteor any relation to the phenomena going

in the bowels of the earth? Was there any connection between the

mmotion of the atmosphere and that of the interior of the earth? Cyrus

rding was inclined to think that such was the case, for the development

these storms was attended by the renewal of volcanic symptoms.

was on the 3rd of January that Herbert, having ascended at daybreak to

e plateau of Prospect Heights to harness one of the onagers, perceived an

ormous hat-shaped cloud rolling from the summit of the volcano.

rbert immediately apprised the colonists, who at once joined him intching the summit of Mount Franklin.

h!" exclaimed Pencroft, "those are not vapors this time! It seems to me

at the giant is not content with breathing; he must smoke!"

is figure of speech employed by the sailor exactly expressed the

anges going on at the mouth of the volcano. Already for three months had

e crater emitted vapors more or less dense, but which were as yet

oduced only by an internal ebullition of mineral substances. But now the

pors were replaced by a thick smoke, rising in the form of a grayish

lumn, more than three hundred feet in width at its base, and which spread

ke an immense mushroom to a height of from seven to eight hundred feet





ove the summit of the mountain.

he fire is in the chimney," observed Gideon Spilett.

nd we can't put it out!" replied Herbert.

he volcano ought to be swept," observed Neb, who spoke as if perfectly

rious.

ell said, Neb!" cried Pencroft, with a shout of laughter; "and you'll

dertake the job, no doubt?"

rus Harding attentively observed the dense smoke emitted by Mount

anklin, and even listened, as if expecting to hear some distant

ttering. Then, turning towards his companions, from whom he had gone

mewhat apart, he said,--

he truth is, my friends, we must not conceal from ourselves that an

portant change is going forward. The volcanic substances are no longer in

state of ebullition, they have caught fire, and we are undoubtedly

naced by an approaching eruption."

ell, captain," said Pencroft, "we shall witness the eruption; and if it

a good one, we'll applaud it. I don't see that we need concern ourselves

rther about the matter."

t may be so," replied Cyrus Harding, "for the ancient track of the lava

still open; and thanks to this, the crater has hitherto overflowed

wards the north. And yet--"

nd yet, as we can derive no advantage from an eruption, it might be

tter it should not take place," said the reporter.

ho knows?" answered the sailor. "Perhaps there may be some valuable

bstance in this volcano, which it will spout forth, and which we may turn

good account!"

rus Harding shook his head with the air of a man who augured no good

om the phenomenon whose development had been so sudden. He did not regard

lightly as Pencroft the results of an eruption. If the lava, in

nsequence of the position of the crater, did not directly menace the

oded and cultivated parts of the island, other complications might

esent themselves. In fact, eruptions are not unfrequently accompanied by

rthquakes; and an island of the nature of Lincoln Island, formed of

bstances so varied, basalt on one side, granite on the other, lava on the

rth, rich soil on the south, substances which consequently could not be

rmly attached to each other, would be exposed to the risk of

sintegration. Although, therefore, the spreading of the volcanic matter

ght not constitute a serious danger, any movement of the terrestrial

ructure which should shake the island might entail the gravest

nsequences.

t seems to me," said Ayrton, who had reclined so as to place his ear to

e ground, "it seems to me that I can hear a dull, rumbling sound, like

at of a wagon loaded with bars of iron."

e colonists listened with the greatest attention, and were convinced

at Ayrton was not mistaken. The rumbling was mingled with a subterranean

ar, which formed a sort of rinforzando, and died slowly away, as if some

olent storm had passed through the profundities of the globe. But no

plosion properly so termed, could be heard. It might therefore be

ncluded that the vapors and smoke found a free passage through the

ntral shaft; and that the safety-valve being sufficiently large, no





nvulsion would be produced, no explosion was to be apprehended.

ell, then!" said Pencroft, "are we not going back to work? Let Mount

anklin smoke, groan, bellow, or spout forth fire and flame as much as it

eases, that is no reason why we should be idle! Come, Ayrton, Neb,

rbert, Captain Harding, Mr. Spilett, every one of us must turn to at our

rk to-day! We are going to place the keelson, and a dozen pair of hands

uld not be too many. Before two months I want our new 'Bonadventure'--

r we shall keep the old name, shall we not?--to float on the waters of

rt Balloon! Therefore there is not an hour to lose!"

l the colonists, their services thus requisitioned by Pencroft,

scended to the dockyard, and proceeded to place the keelson, a thick mass

wood which forms the lower portion of a ship and unites firmly the

mbers of the hull. It was an arduous undertaking, in which all took part.

ey continued their labors during the whole of this day, the 3rd of

nuary, without thinking further of the volcano, which could not, besides,

seen from the shore of Granite House. But once or twice, large shadows,

iling the sun, which described its diurnal arc through an extremely clear

y, indicated that a thick cloud of smoke passed between its disc and the

land. The wind, blowing on the shore, carried all these vapors to the

stward. Cyrus Harding and Gideon Spilett remarked these somber

pearances, and from time to time discussed the evident progress of thelcanic phenomena, but their work went on without interruption. It was,

sides, of the first importance from every point of view, that the vessel

ould be finished with the least possible delay. In presence of the

entualities which might arise, the safety of the colonists would be to a

eat extent secured by their ship. Who could tell that it might not prove

me day their only refuge?

the evening, after supper, Cyrus Harding, Gideon Spilett, and Herbert

ain ascended the plateau of Prospect Heights. It was already dark, and

e obscurity would permit them to ascertain if flames or incandescent

tter thrown up by the volcano were mingled with the vapor and smoke

cumulated at the mouth of the crater.

he crater is on fire!" said Herbert, who, more active than his

mpanion, first reached the plateau.

unt Franklin, distant about six miles, now appeared like a gigantic

rch, around the summit of which turned fuliginous flames. So much smoke,

d possibly scoriae and cinders were mingled with them, that their light

eamed but faintly amid the gloom of the night. But a kind of lurid

illiancy spread over the island, against which stood out confusedly the

oded masses of the heights. Immense whirlwinds of vapor obscured the sky,

rough which glimmered a few stars.

he change is rapid!" said the engineer.

hat is not surprising," answered the reporter. "The reawakening of the

lcano already dates back some time. You may remember, Cyrus, that the

rst vapors appeared about the time we searched the sides of the mountain

discover Captain Nemo's retreat. It was, if I mistake not, about the

th of October."

es," replied Herbert, "two months and a half ago!"

he subterranean fires have therefore been smoldering for ten weeks,"

sumed Gideon Spilett, "and it is not to be wondered at that they now

eak out with such violence!"





o not you feel a certain vibration of the soil?" asked Cyrus Harding.

es," replied Gideon Spilett, "but there is a great difference between

at and an earthquake."

do not affirm that we are menaced with an earthquake," answered Cyrus

rding, "may God preserve us from that! No; these vibrations are due to

e effervescence of the central fire. The crust of the earth is simply the

ell of a boiler, and you know that such a shell, under the pressure of

eam, vibrates like a sonorous plate. it is this effect which is being

oduced at this moment."

hat magnificent flames!" exclaimed Herbert.

this instant a kind of bouquet of flames shot forth from the crater,

e brilliancy of which was visible even through the vapors. Thousands of

minous sheets and barbed tongues of fire were cast in various directions.

me, extending beyond the dome of smoke, dissipated it, leaving behind an

candescent powder. This was accompanied by successive explosions,

sembling the discharge of a battery of machine-guns.

rus Harding, the reporter, and Herbert, after spending an hour on the

ateau of Prospect Heights, again descended to the beach, and returned to

anite House. The engineer was thoughtful and preoccupied, so much so,

deed, that Gideon Spilett inquired if he apprehended any immediate

nger, of which the eruption might directly or indirectly be the cause.

es, and no," answered Cyrus Harding.

evertheless," continued the reporter, "would not the greatest

sfortune which could happen to us be an earthquake which would overturn

e island? Now, I do not suppose that this is to be feared, since the

pors and lava have found a free outlet."

rue," replied Cyrus Harding, "and I do not fear an earthquake in the

nse in which the term is commonly applied to convulsions of the soil

ovoked by the expansion of subterranean gases. But other causes may

oduce great disasters."

ow so, my dear Cyrus?'

am not certain. I must consider. I must visit the mountain. In a few

ys I shall learn more on this point."

deon Spilett said no more, and soon, in spite of the explosions of the

lcano, whose intensity increased, and which were repeated by the echoes

the island, the inhabitants of Granite House were sleeping soundly.

ree days passed by--the 4th, 5th, and 6th of January. The construction

the vessel was diligently continued, and without offering further

planations the engineer pushed forward the work with all his energy.unt Franklin was now hooded by a somber cloud of sinister aspect, and,

id the flames, vomiting forth incandescent rocks, some of which fell back

to the crater itself. This caused Pencroft, who would only look at the

tter in the light of a joke, to exclaim,--

h! the giant is playing at cup and ball; he is a conjurer."

fact, the substances thrown up fell back again in to the abyss, and it

d not seem that the lava, though swollen by the internal pressure, had

t risen to the orifice of the crater. At any rate, the opening on the

rtheast, which was partly visible, poured out no torrent upon the

rthern slope of the mountain.





vertheless, however pressing was the construction of the vessel, other

ties demanded the presence of the colonists on various portions of the

land. Before everything it was necessary to go to the corral, where the

ocks of musmons and goats were enclosed, and replenish the provision of

rage for those animals. It was accordingly arranged that Ayrton should

oceed thither the next day, the 7th of January; and as he was sufficient

r the task, to which he was accustomed, Pencroft and the rest were

mewhat surprised on hearing the engineer say to Ayrton--

s you are going to-morrow to the corral I will accompany you."

ut, Captain Harding," exclaimed the sailor, "our working days will not

many, and if you go also we shall be two pair of hands short!"

e shall return to-morrow," replied Cyrus Harding, "but it is necessary

at I should go to the corral. I must learn how the eruption is

ogressing."

he eruption! always the eruption!" answered Pencroft, with an air of

scontent. "An important thing, truly, this eruption! I trouble myself

ry little about it."

atever might be the sailor's opinion, the expedition projected by the

gineer was settled for the next day. Herbert wished to accompany Cyrusrding, but he would not vex Pencroft by his absence.

e next day, at dawn, Cyrus Harding and Ayrton, mounting the cart drawn

two onagers, took the road to the corral and set off at a round trot.

ove the forest were passing large clouds, to which the crater of Mount

anklin incessantly added fuliginous matter. These clouds, which rolled

avily in the air, were evidently composed of heterogeneous substances. It

s not alone from the volcano that they derived their strange opacity and

ight. Scoriae, in a state of dust, like powdered pumice-stone, and

ayish ashes as small as the finest feculae, were held in suspension in

e midst of their thick folds. These ashes are so fine that they have been

served in the air for whole months. After the eruption of 1783 in Icelandr upwards of a year the atmosphere was thus charged with volcanic dust

rough which the rays of the sun were only with difficulty discernible.

t more often this pulverized matter falls, and this happened on the

esent occasion. Cyrus Harding and Ayrton had scarcely reached the corral

en a sort of black snow like fine gunpowder fell, and instantly changed

e appearance of the soil. Trees, meadows, all disappeared beneath a

vering several inches in depth. But, very fortunately, the wind blew from

e northeast, and the greater part of the cloud dissolved itself over the

a.

his is very singular, Captain Harding," said Ayrton.

t is very serious," replied the engineer. "This powdered pumice-stone,

l this mineral dust, proves how grave is the convulsion going forward in

e lower depths of the volcano."

ut can nothing be done?"

othing, except to note the progress of the phenomenon. Do you,

erefore, Ayrton, occupy yourself with the necessary work at the corral.

the meantime I will ascend just beyond the source of Red Creek and

amine the condition of the mountain upon its northern aspect. Then--"

ell, Captain Harding?"





hen we will pay a visit to Dakkar Grotto. I wish to inspect it. At any

te I will come back for you in two hours."

rton then proceeded to enter the corral, and, while awaiting the

gineer's return, busied himself with the musmons and goats which seemed

feel a certain uneasiness in presence of these first signs of an

uption.

anwhile Cyrus Harding ascended the crest of the eastern spur, passed

d Creek, and arrived at the spot where he and his companions had

scovered a sulphurous spring at the time of their first exploration.

w changed was everything! Instead of a single column of smoke he

unted thirteen, forced through the soil as if violently propelled by some

ston. It was evident that the crust of the earth was subjected in this

rt of the globe to a frightful pressure. The atmosphere was saturated

th gases and carbonic acid, mingled with aqueous vapors. Cyrus Harding

lt the volcanic tufa with which the plain was strewn, and which was but

lverized cinders hardened into solid blocks by time, tremble beneath him,

t he could discover no traces of fresh lava.

e engineer became more assured of this when he observed all the

rthern part of Mount Franklin. Pillars of smoke and flame escaped from

e crater; a hail of scoriae fell on the ground; but no current of lava

rst from the mouth of the volcano, which proved that the volcanic matter

d not yet attained the level of the superior orifice of the central

aft.

ut I would prefer that it were so," said Cyrus Harding to himself. "At

y rate, I should then know that the lava had followed its accustomed

ack. who can say that it may not take a new course? But the danger does

t consist in that! Captain Nemo foresaw it clearly! No, the danger does

t lie there!"

rus Harding advanced towards the enormous causeway whose prolongation

closed the narrow Shark Gulf. He could now sufficiently examine on this

de the ancient channels of the lava. There was no doubt in his mind that

e most recent eruption had occurred at a far-distant epoch.

then returned by the same way, listening attentively to the

bterranean mutterings which rolled like long-continued thunder,

terrupted by deafening explosions. At nine in the morning he reached the

rral.

rton awaited him.

he animals are cared for, Captain Harding," said Ayrton.

ood, Ayrton."

hey seem uneasy, Captain Harding."

es, instinct speaks through them, and instinct is never deceived."

re you ready?"

ake a lamp, Ayrton," answered the engineer; "we will start at once."

rton did as desired. The onagers, unharnessed, roamed in the corral.

e gate was secured on the outside, and Cyrus Harding, preceding Ayrton,

ok the narrow path which led westward to the shore.





e soil they walked upon was choked with the pulverized matter fallen

om the cloud. No quadruped appeared in the woods. Even the birds had

ed. Sometimes a passing breeze raised the covering of ashes, and the two

lonists, enveloped in a whirlwind of dust, lost sight of each other. They

re then careful to cover their eyes and mouths with handkerchiefs, for

ey ran the risk of being blinded and suffocated.

was impossible for Cyrus Harding and Ayrton, with these impediments,

make rapid progress. Moreover, the atmosphere was close, as if the

ygen had been partly burned up, and had become unfit for respiration. At

ery hundred paces they were obliged to stop to take breath. It waserefore past ten o'clock when the engineer and his companion reached the

est of the enormous mass of rocks of basalt and porphyry which composed

e northwest coast of the island.

rton and Cyrus Harding commenced the descent of this abrupt declivity,

llowing almost step for step the difficult path which, during that stormy

ght, had led them to Dakkar Grotto. In open day the descent was less

rilous, and, besides, the bed of ashes which covered the polished surface

the rock enabled them to make their footing more secure.

e ridge at the end of the shore, about forty feet in height, was soon

ached. Cyrus Harding recollected that this elevation gradually sloped

wards the level of the sea. Although the tide was at present low, noach could he seen, and the waves, thickened by the volcanic dust, beat

on the basaltic rocks.

rus Harding and Ayrton found without difficulty the entrance to Dakkar

otto, and paused for a moment at the last rock before it.

he iron boat should be there," said the engineer.

t is here, Captain Harding," replied Ayrton, drawing towards him the

agile craft, which was protected by the arch of the vault.

n board, Ayrton!"

e two colonists stepped into the boat. A slight undulation of the wavesrried it farther under the low arch of the crypt, and there Ayrton, with

e aid of flint and steel, lighted the lamp. He then took the oars, and

e lamp having been placed in the bow of the boat, so that its rays fell

fore them, Cyrus Harding took the helm and steered through the shades of

e grotto.

e "Nautilus" was there no longer to illuminate the cavern with its

ectric light. Possibly it might not yet be extinguished, but no ray

caped from the depths of the abyss in which reposed all that was mortal

Captain Nemo.

e light afforded by the lamp, although feeble, nevertheless enabled the

gineer to advance slowly, following the wall of the cavern. A deathlikelence reigned under the vaulted roof, or at least in the anterior

rtion, for soon Cyrus Harding distinctly heard the rumbling which

oceeded from the bowels of the mountain.

hat comes from the volcano," he said.

sides these sounds, the presence of chemical combinations was soon

trayed by their powerful odor, and the engineer and his companion were

most suffocated by sulphurous vapors.

his is what Captain Nemo feared," murmured Cyrus Harding, changing

untenance. "We must go to the end, notwithstanding."





orward!" replied Ayrton, bending to his oars and directing the boat

wards the head of the cavern.

enty-five minutes after entering the mouth of the grotto the boat

ached the extreme end.

rus Harding then, standing up, cast the light of the lamp upon the

lls of the cavern which separated it from the central shaft of the

lcano. What was the thickness of this wall? It might be ten feet or a

ndred feet--it was impossible to say. But the subterranean sounds were too

rceptible to allow of the supposition that it was of any great thickness.

e engineer, after having explored the wall at a certain height

rizontally, fastened the lamp to the end of an oar, and again surveyed

e basaltic wall at a greater elevation.

ere, through scarcely visible clefts and joinings, escaped a pungent

por, which infected the atmosphere of the cavern. The wall was broken by

rge cracks, some of which extended to within two or three feet of the

ter's edge.

rus Harding thought for a brief space. Then he said in a low voice,--

es! the captain was right! The danger lies there, and a terriblenger!"

rton said not a word, but, upon a sign from Cyrus Harding, resumed the

rs, and half an hour later the engineer and he reached the entrance of

kkar Grotto.

apter 19

e next day, the 8th day of January, after a day and night passed at the

rral, where they left all in order, Cyrus Harding and Ayrton arrived at

anite House.

e engineer immediately called his companions together, and informed

em of the imminent danger which threatened Lincoln Island, and from which

human power could deliver them.

y friends," he said, and his voice betrayed the depth of his emotion,

ur island is not among those which will endure while this earth endures.

is doomed to more or less speedy destruction, the cause of which it

ars within itself, and from which nothing can save it."

e colonists looked at each other, then at the engineer. They did not

early comprehend him.

xplain yourself, Cyrus!" said Gideon Spilett.

will do so," replied Cyrus Harding, "or rather I will simply afford

u the explanation which, during our few minutes of private conversation,

s given me by Captain Nemo."

aptain Nemo!" exclaimed the colonists.

es, and it was the last service he desired to render us before his

ath!"

he last service!" exclaimed Pencroft, "the last service! You will see

at though he is dead he will render us others yet!"





ut what did the captain say?" inquired the reporter.

will tell you, my friends," said the engineer. "Lincoln Island does

t resemble the other islands of the Pacific, and a fact of which Captain

mo has made me cognizant must sooner or later bring about the subversion

its foundation."

onsense! Lincoln Island, it can't be!" cried Pencroft, who, in spite of

e respect he felt for Cyrus Harding, could not prevent a gesture of

credulity.

isten, Pencroft," resumed the engineer, "I will tell you what Captain

mo communicated to me, and which I myself confirmed yesterday, during the

ploration of Dakkar Grotto.

his cavern stretches under the island as far as the volcano, and is only

parated from its central shaft by the wall which terminates it. Now, this

ll is seamed with fissures and clefts which already allow the

lphurous gases generated in the interior of the volcano to escape."

ell?" said Pencroft, his brow suddenly contracting.

ell, then, I saw that these fissures widen under the internal pressure

om within, that the wall of basalt is gradually giving way and that afterlonger or shorter period it will afford a passage to the waters of the

ke which fill the cavern."

ood!" replied Pencroft, with an attempt at pleasantry. "The sea will

tinguish the volcano, and there will be an end of the matter!"

ot so!" said Cyrus Harding, "should a day arrive when the sea, rushing

rough the wall of the cavern, penetrates by the central shaft into the

terior of the island to the boiling lava, Lincoln Island will that day be

own into the air--just as would happen to the island of Sicily were the

diterranean to precipitate itself into Mount Etna."

e colonists made no answer to these significant words of the engineer.ey now understood the danger by which they were menaced.

may be added that Cyrus Harding had in no way exaggerated the danger

be apprehended. Many persons have formed an idea that it would be

ssible to extinguish volcanoes, which are almost always situated on the

ores of a sea or lake, by opening a passage for the admission of the

ter. But they are not aware that this would be to incur the risk of

owing up a portion of the globe, like a boiler whose steam is suddenly

panded by intense heat. The water, rushing into a cavity whose

mperature might be estimated at thousands of degrees, would be converted

to steam with a sudden energy which no enclosure could resist.

was not therefore doubtful that the island, menaced by a frightful andproaching convulsion, would endure only so long as the wall of Dakkar

otto itself should endure. It was not even a question of months, nor of

eks, but of days; it might be of hours.

e first sentiment which the colonists felt was that of profound sorrow.

ey thought not so much of the peril which menaced themselves personally,

t of the destruction of the island which had sheltered them, which they

d cultivated, which they loved so well, and had hoped to render so

ourishing. So much effort ineffectually expended, so much labor lost.

ncroft could not prevent a large tear from rolling down his cheek, nor

d he attempt to conceal it.





me further conversation now took place. The chances yet in favor of the

lonists were discussed; but finally it was agreed that there was not an

ur to be lost, that the building and fitting of the vessel should be

shed forward with their utmost energy, and that this was the sole chance

safety for the inhabitants of Lincoln Island.

l hands, therefore, set to work on the vessel. What could it avail to

w, to reap, to hunt, to increase the stores of Granite House? The

ntents of the storehouse and outbuildings contained more than sufficient

provide the ship for a voyage, however long might be its duration. But

was imperative that the ship should be ready to receive them before the

evitable catastrophe should arrive.

eir labors were now carried on with feverish ardor. By the 23rd of

nuary the vessel was half-decked over. Up to this time no change had

ken place on the summit of the volcano. Vapor and smoke mingled with

ames and incandescent stones were thrown up from the crater. But during

e night of the 23rd, in consequence of the lava attaining the level of

e first stratum of the volcano, the hat-shaped cone which formed over the

tter disappeared. A frightful sound was heard. The colonists at first

ought the island was rent asunder, and rushed out of Granite House.

is occurred about two o'clock in the morning.

e sky appeared on fire. The superior cone, a mass of rock a thousand

et in height, and weighing thousands of millions of pounds, had been

rown down upon the island, making it tremble to its foundation.

rtunately, this cone inclined to the north, and had fallen upon the plain

sand and tufa stretching between the volcano and the sea. The aperture

the crater being thus enlarged projected towards the sky a glare so

tense that by the simple effect of reflection the atmosphere appeared

d-hot. At the same time a torrent of lava, bursting from the new summit,

ured out in long cascades, like water escaping from a vase too full, and

thousand tongues of fire crept over the sides of the volcano.

he corral! the corral!" exclaimed Ayrton.

was, in fact, towards the corral that the lava was rushing as the new

ater faced the east, and consequently the fertile portions of the island,

e springs of Red Creek and Jacamar Wood, were menaced with instant

struction.

Ayrton's cry the colonists rushed to the onagers' stables. The cart

s at once harnessed. All were possessed by the same thought--to hasten to

e corral and set at liberty the animals it enclosed.

fore three in the morning they arrived at the corral. The cries of the

rrified musmons and goats indicated the alarm which possessed them.

ready a torrent of burning matter and liquefied minerals fell from the

de of the mountain upon the meadows as far as the side of the palisade.

e gate was burst open by Ayrton, and the animals, bewildered with terror,

ed in all directions.

hour afterwards the boiling lava filled the corral, converting into

por the water of the little rivulet which ran through it, burning up the

use like dry grass, and leaving not even a post of the palisade to mark

e spot where the corral once stood.

contend against this disaster would have been folly--nay, madness. In

esence of Nature's grand convulsions man is powerless.

was now daylight--the 24th of January. Cyrus Harding and his





mpanions, before returning to Granite House, desired to ascertain the

obable direction this inundation of lava was about to take. The soil

oped gradually from Mount Franklin to the east coast, and it was to be

ared that, in spite of the thick Jacamar Wood, the torrent would reach

e plateau of Prospect Heights.

he lake will cover us," said Gideon Spilett.

hope so!" was Cyrus Harding's only reply.

e colonists were desirous of reaching the plain upon which the superior

ne of Mount Franklin had fallen, but the lava arrested their progress. It

d followed, on one side, the valley of Red Creek, and on the other that

Falls River, evaporating those watercourses in its passage. There was no

ssibility of crossing the torrent of lava; on the contrary, the colonists

re obliged to retreat before it. The volcano, without its crown, was no

nger recognizable, terminated as it was by a sort of flat table which

placed the ancient crater. From two openings in its southern and eastern

des an unceasing flow of lava poured forth, thus forming two distinct

reams. Above the new crater a cloud of smoke and ashes, mingled with

ose of the atmosphere, massed over the island. Loud peals of thunder

oke, and could scarcely be distinguished from the rumblings of the

untain, whose mouth vomited forth ignited rocks, which, hurled to more

an a thousand feet, burst in the air like shells. Flashes of lightningvaled in intensity the volcano's eruption.

wards seven in the morning the position was no longer tenable by the

lonists, who accordingly took shelter in the borders of Jacamar Wood. Not

ly did the projectiles begin to rain around them, but the lava,

erflowing the bed of Red Creek, threatened to cut off the road to the

rral. The nearest rows of trees caught fire, and their sap, suddenly

ansformed into vapor, caused them to explode with loud reports, while

hers, less moist, remained unhurt in the midst of the inundation.

e colonists had again taken the road to the corral. They proceeded but

owly, frequently looking back; but, in consequence of the inclination of

e soil, the lava gained rapidly in the east, and as its lower wavescame solidified others, at boiling heat, covered them immediately.

anwhile, the principal stream of Red Creek Valley became more and more

nacing. All this portion of the forest was on fare, and enormous wreaths

smoke rolled over the trees, whore trunks were already consumed by the

va.

e colonists halted near the lake, about half a mile from the mouth of

d Creek. A question of life or death was now to be decided.

rus Harding, accustomed to the consideration of important crises, and

are that he was addressing men capable of hearing the truth, whatever it

ght be, then said,--

ither the lake will arrest the progress of the lava, and a part of the

land will be preserved from utter destruction, or the stream will overrun

e forests of the Far West, and not a tree or plant will remain on the

rface of the soil. We shall have no prospect but that of starvation upon

ese barren rocks--a death which will probably be anticipated by the

plosion of the island."

n that case," replied Pencroft, folding his arms and stamping his foot,

hat's the use of working any longer on the vessel?"

encroft," answered Cyrus Harding, "we must do our duty to the last!"





this instant the river of lava, after having broken a passage through

e noble trees it devoured in its course, reached the borders of the lake.

this point there was an elevation of the soil which, had it been

eater, might have sufficed to arrest the torrent.

o work!" cried Cyrus Harding.

e engineer's thought was at once understood. it might be possible to

m, as it were, the torrent, and thus compel it to pour itself into the

ke.

e colonists hastened to the dockyard. They returned with shovels,

cks, axes, and by means of banking the earth with the aid of fallen trees

ey succeeded in a few hours in raising an embankment three feet high and

me hundreds of paces in length. It seemed to them, when they had

nished, as if they had scarcely been working more than a few minutes.

was not a moment too soon. The liquefied substances soon after reached

e bottom of the barrier. The stream of lava swelled like a river about to

erflow its banks, and threatened to demolish the sole obstacle which

uld prevent it from overrunning the whole Far West. But the dam held

rm, and after a moment of terrible suspense the torrent precipitated

self into Grant Lake from a height of twenty feet.

e colonists, without moving or uttering a word, breathlessly regarded

is strife of the two elements.

at a spectacle was this conflict between water and fire! What pen could

scribe the marvelous horror of this scene--what pencil could depict it?

e water hissed as it evaporated by contact with the boiling lava. The

por whirled in the air to an immeasurable height, as if the valves of an

mense boiler had been suddenly opened. But, however considerable might be

e volume of water contained in the lake, it must eventually be absorbed,

cause it was not replenished, while the stream of lava, fed from an

exhaustible source, rolled on without ceasing new waves of incandescent

tter.

e first waves of lava which fell in the lake immediately solidified and

cumulated so as speedily to emerge from it. Upon their surface fell other

ves, which in their turn became stone, but a step nearer the center of

e lake. In this manner was formed a pier which threatened to gradually

ll up the lake, which could not overflow, the water displaced by the lava

ing evaporated. The hissing of the water rent the air with a deafening

und, and the vapor, blown by the wind, fell in rain upon the sea. The

er became longer and longer, and the blocks of lava piled themselves one

another. Where formerly stretched the calm waters of the lake now

peared an enormous mass of smoking rocks, as if an upheaving of the soil

d formed immense shoals. Imagine the waters of the lake aroused by a

rricane, then suddenly solidified by an intense frost, and some

nception may be formed of the aspect of the lake three hours alter the

uption of this irresistible torrent of lava.

is time water would be vanquished by fire.

vertheless it was a fortunate circumstance for the colonists that the

fusion of lava should have been in the direction of Lake Grant. They had

fore them some days' respite. The plateau of Prospect Heights, Granite

use, and the dockyard were for the moment preserved. And these few days

was necessary to employ in planking and carefully calking the vessel,

d launching her. The colonists would then take refuge on board the

ssel, content to rig her after she should be afloat on the waters. With





e danger of an explosion which threatened to destroy the island there

uld be no security on shore. The walls of Granite House, once so sure a

treat, might at any moment fall in upon them.

ring the six following days, from the 25th to the 30th of January, the

lonists accomplished as much of the construction of their vessel as

enty men could have done. They hardly allowed themselves a moment's

pose, and the glare of the flames which shot from the crater enabled them

work night and day. The flow of lava continued, but perhaps less

undantly. This was fortunate, for Lake Grant was almost entirely choked

, and if more lava should accumulate it would inevitably spread over theateau of Prospect Heights, and thence upon the beach.

t if the island was thus partially protected on this side, it was not

with the western part.

fact, the second stream of lava, which had followed the valley of

lls River, a valley of great extent, the land on both sides of the creek

ing flat, met with no obstacle. The burning liquid had then spread

rough the forest of the Far West. At this period of the year, when the

ees were dried up by a tropical heat, the forest caught fire

stantaneously, in such a manner that the conflagration extended itself

th by the trunks of the trees and by their higher branches, whose

terlacement favored its progress. It even appeared that the current ofame spread more rapidly among the summits of the trees than the current

lava at their bases.

us it happened that the wild animals, jaguars, wild boars, capybaras,

alas, and game of every kind, mad with terror, had fled to the banks of

e Mercy and to the Tadorn Marsh, beyond the road to Port Balloon. But the

lonists were too much occupied with their task to pay any attention to

en the most formidable of these animals. They had abandoned Granite

use, and would not even take shelter at the Chimneys, but encamped under

tent, near the mouth of the Mercy.

ch day Cyrus Harding and Gideon Spilett ascended the plateau of

ospect Heights. Sometimes Herbert accompanied them, but never Pencroft,

o could not bear to look upon the prospect of the island now so utterly

vastated.

was, in truth, a heart-rending spectacle. All the wooded part of the

land was now completely bare. One single clump of green trees raised

eir heads at the extremity of Serpentine Peninsula. Here and there were a

w grotesque blackened and branchless stumps. The side of the devastated

rest was even more barren than Tadorn Marsh. The eruption of lava had

en complete. Where formerly sprang up that charming verdure, the soil was

w nothing but a savage mass of volcanic tufa. In the valleys of the Falls

d Mercy rivers no drop of water now flowed towards the sea, and should

ke Grant be entirely dried up, the colonists would have no means of

enching their thirst. But, fortunately the lava had spared the southernrner of the lake, containing all that remained of the drinking water of

e island. Towards the northwest stood out the rugged and well-defined

tlines of the sides of the volcano, like a gigantic claw hovering over

e island. What a sad and fearful sight, and how painful to the colonists,

o, from a fertile domain covered with forests, irrigated by watercourses,

d enriched by the produce of their toils, found themselves, as it were,

ansported to a desolate rock, upon which, but for their reserves of

ovisions, they could not even gather the means of subsistence!

t is enough to break one's heart!" said Gideon Spilett, one day.

es, Spilett," answered the engineer. "May God grant us the time to





mplete this vessel, now our sole refuge!"

o not you think, Cyrus, that the violence of the eruption has somewhat

ssened? The volcano still vomits forth lava, but somewhat less

undantly, if I mistake not."

t matters little," answered Cyrus Harding. "The fire is still burning

the interior of the mountain, and the sea may break in at any moment. We

e in the condition of passengers whose ship is devoured by a

nflagration which they cannot extinguish, and who know that sooner or

ter the flames must reach the powder-magazine. To work, Spilett, to work,

d let us not lose an hour!"

ring eight days more, that is to say until the 7th of February, the

va continued to flow, but the eruption was confined within the previous

mits. Cyrus Harding feared above all lest the liquefied matter should

erflow the shore, for in that event the dockyard could not escape.

reover, about this time the colonists felt in the frame of the island

brations which alarmed them to the highest degree.

was the 20th of February. Yet another month must elapse before the

ssel would be ready for sea. Would the island hold together till then?

e intention of Pencroft and Cyrus Harding was to launch the vessel as

on as the hull should be complete. The deck, the upperworks, the interior

odwork and the rigging might be finished afterwards, but the essential

int was that the colonists should have an assured refuge away from the

land. Perhaps it might be even better to conduct the vessel to Port

lloon, that is to say, as far as possible from the center of eruption,

r at the mouth of the Mercy, between the islet and the wall of granite,

would run the risk of being crushed in the event of any convulsion. All

e exertions of the voyagers were therefore concentrated upon the

mpletion of the hull.

us the 3rd of March arrived, and they might calculate upon launching

e vessel in ten days.

pe revived in the hearts of the colonists, who had, in this fourth year

their sojourn on Lincoln island, suffered so many trials. Even Pencroft

st in some measure the somber taciturnity occasioned by the devastation

d ruin of his domain. His hopes, it is true, were concentrated upon his

ssel.

e shall finish it," he said to the engineer, "we shall finish it,

ptain, and it is time, for the season is advancing and the equinox will

on be here. Well, if necessary, we must put in to Tabor island to spend

e winter. But think of Tabor island after Lincoln Island. Ah, how

fortunate! Who could have believed it possible?"

et us get on," was the engineer's invariable reply.

d they worked away without losing a moment.

aster," asked Neb, a few days later, "do you think all this could have

ppened if Captain Nemo had been still alive?"

ertainly, Neb," answered Cyrus Harding.

, for one, don't believe it!" whispered Pencroft to Neb.

or I!" answered Neb seriously.

ring the first week of March appearances again became menacing.

ousands of threads like glass, formed of fluid lava, fell like rain upon





e island. The crater was again boiling with lava which overflowed the

ck of the volcano. The torrent flowed along the surface of the hardened

fa, and destroyed the few meager skeletons of trees which had withstood

e first eruption. The stream, flowing this time towards the southwest

ore of Lake Grant, stretched beyond Creek Glycerine, and invaded the

ateau of Prospect Heights. This last blow to the work of the colonists

s terrible. The mill, the buildings of the inner court, the stables, were

l destroyed. The affrighted poultry fled in all directions. Top and Jup

owed signs of the greatest alarm, as if their instinct warned them of an

pending catastrophe. A large number of the animals of the island had

rished in the first eruption. Those which survived found no refuge butdorn Marsh, save a few to which the plateau of Prospect Heights afforded

ylum. But even this last retreat was now closed to them, and the lava-

rrent, flowing over the edge of the granite wall, began to pour down upon

e beach its cataracts of fire. The sublime horror of this spectacle

ssed all description. During the night it could only be compared to a

agara of molten fluid, with its incandescent vapors above and its boiling

sses below.

e colonists were driven to their last entrenchment, and although the

per seams of the vessel were not yet calked, they decided to launch her

once.

ncroft and Ayrton therefore set about the necessary preparations fore launching, which was to take place the morning of the next day, the 9th

March.

t during the night of the 8th an enormous column of vapor escaping from

e crater rose with frightful explosions to a height of more than three

ousand feet. The wall of Dakkar Grotto had evidently given way under the

essure of gases, and the sea, rushing through the central shalt into the

neous gulf, was at once converted into vapor. But the crater could not

ford a sufficient outlet for this vapor. An explosion, which might have

en heard at a distance of a hundred miles, shook the air. Fragments of

untains fell into the Pacific, and, in a few minutes, the ocean rolled

er the spot where Lincoln island once stood.

apter 20

isolated rock, thirty feet in length, twenty in breadth, scarcely ten

om the water's edge, such was the only solid point which the waves of the

cific had not engulfed.

was all that remained of the structure of Granite House! The wall had

llen headlong and been then shattered to fragments, and a few of the

cks of the large room were piled one above another to form this point.

l around had disappeared in the abyss; the inferior cone of Mount

anklin, rent asunder by the explosion; the lava jaws of Shark Gulf, the

ateau of Prospect Heights, Safety Islet, the granite rocks of Port

lloon, the basalts of Dakkar Grotto, the long Serpentine Peninsula, so

stant nevertheless from the center of the eruption. All that could now be

en of Lincoln Island was the narrow rock which now served as a refuge to

e six colonists and their dog Top.

e animals had also perished in the catastrophe; the birds, as well as

ose representing the fauna of the island--all either crushed or drowned,

d the unfortunate Jup himself had, alas! found his death in some crevice

the soil.

Cyrus Harding, Gideon Spilett, Herbert, Pencroft, Neb, and Ayrton had





rvived, it was because, assembled under their tent, they had been hurled

to the sea at the instant when the fragments of the island rained down on

ery side.

en they reached the surface they could only perceive, at half a cable's

ngth, this mass of rocks, towards which they swam and on which they found

oting.

this barren rock they had now existed for nine days. A few provisions

ken from the magazine of Granite House before the catastrophe, a little

esh water from the rain which had fallen in a hollow of the rock, was all

at the unfortunate colonists possessed. Their last hope, the vessel, had

en shattered to pieces. They had no means of quitting the reef; no fire,

r any means of obtaining it. It seemed that they must inevitably perish.

is day, the 18th of March, there remained only provisions for two days,

though they limited their consumption to the bare necessaries of life.

l their science and intelligence could avail them nothing in their

esent position. They were in the hand of God.

rus Harding was calm, Gideon Spilett more nervous, and Pencroft, a prey

sullen anger, walked to and fro on the rock. Herbert did not for a

ment quit the engineer's side, as if demanding from him that assistance

had no power to give. Neb and Ayrton were resigned to their fate.

h, what a misfortune! what a misfortune!" often repeated Pencroft. "If

had but a walnut-shell to take us to Tabor Island! But we have nothing,

thing!"

aptain Nemo did right to die," said Neb.

ring the five ensuing days Cyrus Harding and his unfortunate companions

sbanded their provisions with the most extreme care, eating only what

uld prevent them from dying of starvation. Their weakness was extreme.

rbert and Neb began to show symptoms of delirium.

der these circumstances was it possible for them to retain even the

adow of a hope? No! What was their sole remaining chance? That a vesselould appear in sight of the rock? But they knew only too well from

perience that no ships ever visited this part of the Pacific. Could they

lculate that, by a truly providential coincidence, the Scotch yacht would

rive precisely at this time in search of Ayrton at Tabor Island? It was

arcely probable; and, besides, supposing she should come there, as the

lonists had not been able to deposit a notice pointing out Ayrton's

ange of abode, the commander of the yacht, after having explored Tabor

land without results, would again set sail and return to lower latitudes.

! no hope of being saved could be retained, and a horrible death, death

om hunger and thirst, awaited them upon this rock.

ready they were stretched on the rock, inanimate, and no longernscious of what passed around them. Ayrton alone, by a supreme effort,

om time to time raised his head, and cast a despairing glance over the

sert ocean.

t on the morning of the 24th of March Ayrton's arms were extended

ward a point in the horizon; he raised himself, at first on his knees,

en upright, and his hand seemed to make a signal.

sail was in sight off the rock. She was evidently not without an

ject. The reef was the mark for which she was making in a direct line,

der all steam, and the unfortunate colonists might have made her out some

urs before if they had had the strength to watch the horizon.





he 'Duncan'!" murmured Ayrton--and fell back without sign of life.

en Cyrus Harding and his companions recovered consciousness, thanks to

e attention lavished upon them, they found themselves in the cabin of a

eamer, without being able to comprehend how they had escaped death.

word from Ayrton explained everything.

he 'Duncan'!" he murmured.

he 'Duncan'!" exclaimed Cyrus Harding. And raising his hand to Heaven,

said, "Oh! Almighty God! mercifully hast Thou preserved us!"

was, in fact, the "Duncan," Lord Glenarvan's yacht, now commanded by

bert, son of Captain Grant, who had been despatched to Tabor Island to

nd Ayrton, and bring him back to his native land alter twelve years of

piation.

e colonists were not only saved, but already on the way to their native

untry.

aptain Grant," asked Cyrus Harding, "who can have suggested to you the

ea, after having left Tabor Island, where you did not find Ayrton, of

ming a hundred miles farther northeast?"

aptain Harding," replied Robert Grant, "it was in order to find, not

ly Ayrton, but yourself and your companions."

y companions and myself?"

oubtless, at Lincoln Island."

t Lincoln Island!" exclaimed in a breath Gideon Spilett, Herbert, Neb,

d Pencroft, in the highest degree astonished.

ow could you be aware of the existence of Lincoln Island?" inquired

rus Harding, "it is not even named in the charts."

knew of it from a document left by you on Tabor Island," answered

bert Grant.

document!" cried Gideon Spilett.

ithout doubt, and here it is," answered Robert Grant, producing a paper

ich indicated the longitude and latitude of Lincoln Island, "the present

sidence of Ayrton and five American colonists."

t is Captain Nemo!" cried Cyrus Harding, after having read the notice,

d recognized that the handwriting was similar to that of the paper found

the corral.

h!" said Pencroft, "it was then he who took our 'Bonadventure' and

zarded himself alone to go to Tabor Island!"

n order to leave this notice," added Herbert.

was then right in saying," exclaimed the sailor, "that even after his

ath the captain would render us a last service."

y friends," said Cyrus Harding, in a voice of the profoundest emotion,

ay the God of mercy have had pity on the soul of Captain Nemo, our

nefactor."





e colonists uncovered themselves at these last words of Cyrus Harding,

d murmured the name of Captain Nemo.

en Ayrton, approaching the engineer, said simply, "Where should this

ffer be deposited?"

was the coffer which Ayrton had saved at the risk of his life, at the

ry instant that the island had been engulfed, and which he now faithfully

nded to the engineer.

yrton! Ayrton!" said Cyrus Harding, deeply touched. Then, addressing

bert Grant, "Sir," he added, "you left behind you a criminal; you find in

s place a man who has become honest by penitence, and whose hand I am

oud to clasp in mine."

bert Grant was now made acquainted with the strange history of Captain

mo and the colonists of Lincoln Island. Then, observation being taken of

at remained of this shoal, which must henceforward figure on the charts

the Pacific, the order was given to make all sail.

few weeks afterwards the colonists landed in America, and found their

untry once more at peace alter the terrible conflict in which right and

stice had triumphed.

the treasures contained in the coffer left by Captain Nemo to thelonists of Lincoln Island, the larger portion was employed in the

rchase of a vast territory in the State of Iowa. One pearl alone, the

nest, was reserved from the treasure and sent to Lady Glenarvan in the

me of the castaways restored to their country by the "Duncan."

ere, upon this domain, the colonists invited to labor, that is to say,

wealth and happiness, all those to whom they had hoped to offer the

spitality of Lincoln Island. There was founded a vast colony to which

ey gave the name of that island sunk beneath the waters of the Pacific. A

ver there was called the Mercy, a mountain took the name of Mount

anklin, a small lake was named Lake Grant, and the forests became the

rests of the Far West. It might have been an island on terra firma.

ere, under the intelligent hands of the engineer and his companions,

erything prospered. Not one of the former colonists of Lincoln Island was

sent, for they had sworn to live always together. Neb was with his

ster; Ayrton was there ready to sacrifice himself for all; Pencroft was

re a farmer than he had ever been a sailor; Herbert, who completed his

udies under the superintendence of Cyrus Harding, and Gideon Spilett, who

unded the New Lincoln Herald, the best-informed journal in the world.

ere Cyrus Harding and his companions received at intervals visits from

rd and Lady Glenarvan, Captain John Mangles and his wife, the sister of

bert Grant, Robert Grant himself, Major McNab, and all those who had

ken part in the history both of Captain Grant and Captain Nemo.

ere, to conclude, all were happy, united in the present as they had

en in the past; but never could they forget that island upon which they

d arrived poor and friendless, that island which, during four years had

pplied all their wants, and of which there remained but a fragment of

anite washed by the waves of the Pacific, the tomb of him who had borne

e name of Captain Nemo.





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