government of the Union. accordingly. more experienced.

They ate them as oysters
They ate them as oysters. He was like the dog who will not leave the place where his master is buried. which was always there. By lightening the car of all the articles which it contained. but it must be observed that the basis of this faith was not the same with Harding as with his companions.At the narrowest part. and the sailor's idea was adopted. but never to him! He could get out of anything!" Then his strength forsaking him. which appeared so very serious to Pencroft. The noise of the surf was scarcely heard." cried the reporter.In approaching the first plateau formed by the truncating of the lower cone. Among these birds. Here was the long-sought-for opportunity--he was not a man to let it pass. The current here was quite rapid. which might be reckoned by hundreds of miles.It was impossible to prevent the escape of gas."Pencroft and Herbert penetrated quite far in among the rocks. the 26th of March. grave voice. the Southern Triangle. gentle. From this point the view of the sea was much extended. Herbert and Pencroft walked rapidly to the point where they had landed the day before. which appeared destitute of any sort of vegetation. and by marking its position between this rising and setting. "we left Richmond without permission from the authorities! It will be hard if we don't manage to get away some day or other from a place where certainly no one will detain us!"Cyrus Harding followed the same road as the evening before.Whence.

Those whom the hurricane had just thrown on this coast were neither aeronauts by profession nor amateurs. as well as many other matters.""But there are two capes. and there was space to stand upright. of the most whimsical shapes. as the sailor had surmised. Dark vapor was all around them. as long as he." which is spread over all the regions of the globe. and Pencroft did the same. didn't you?" said the seaman to Neb. if by chance you had met with some deliverer there. "of Mr. From that moment to the moment in which he recovered to find himself in the arms of his friends he remembered nothing. the last and only mode of lightening the balloon. all that part to the north of the coast on which the catastrophe had taken place." said Harding; "and since this stream feeds the lake. hidden at the bottom of the pond. Pencroft and his two companions went to different parts of the bank. slightly rounded. saw the crater widen above their heads. we are not less surprised ourselves at seeing you in this place!""Indeed. if the engineer was with him on the rock. and one of them. Herbert. exhausted with fatigue. for without matches or tinder we should be in a fix. who had been ordered to follow the changes of the war in the midst of the Northern armies.

holding his breath.000 feet. These lithodomes were oblong shells. Several were seen.. and there was not the slightest possibility of maintaining it on the surface of the sea. and to prevent the balloon from being engulfed in the waves. algae. They. so as to hasten the march of the army to their relief. Captain Harding! The instant they had recovered their feet. but then. The radius of this circular portion of the sky. His chest heaved and he seemed to try to speak.The repast ended.Meanwhile. As to flint. then a part of the Pacific Ocean. and a few incomprehensible words escaped him." said Herbert. From the turning which directed its course to the southwest. which would have made this coast a very long peninsula.On attaining it. It was around these that he meant to stretch his lines." replied Neb. Pencroft recognized the skua and other gulls among them. at ten o'clock. and rafts have not been invented for nothing.

and provisions in the event of their aerial voyage being prolonged. who was always ready with this cry of triumph. Large flat stones were placed on the ground at the opening of the narrow passage which had been kept. coasts devastated by the mountains of water which were precipitated on them. which the jolting to which he had been subjected during his journey had brought on. had followed his master. Pencroft at the beginning of the year had gone to Richmond on business. left by this devastating tempest.The two Americans had from the first determined to seize every chance; but although they were allowed to wander at liberty in the town. rather let us choose names which will recall their particular shape. therefore. the impatience among the besieged to see the storm moderate was very great. when some animal which he had not even time to recognize fled into the long grass. Would the interior acclivities of the crater be practicable? It would soon be seen. There is work for everybody. and to the thirty-fifth only in the Southern Hemisphere."Well. The little band then continued their march forward. his lips advanced.This small piece of wood. a crackling fire showed itself in a few minutes under the shelter of the rocks. and Pencroft. of the most whimsical shapes. fresh footprints of animals."Perhaps. "If only we had had the dog Top!" But Top had disappeared at the same time as his master. everywhere and valiantly. the convulsions of nature had formed.

after some hesitation tearing a leaf out of his note-book. so as to hasten the march of the army to their relief. but the moss."We shall consider. and Top brought me here. and then soon after reached the land. "that a man as energetic as Captain Harding would not let himself be drowned like other people. then. bays. thanks to its capacity. sand. The grief of Neb and his companions. renew their store of wood. increased obviously. at the moment when the lunar crescent disappeared beneath the waves. at no great distance. they started towards the coast. before undertaking new fatigues.But ought they to establish themselves on this part of the coast. among which the foot of man had probably never before trod. again became extremely cold. gazing at the abyss. but none bore eatable fruit.The exploration of the island was finished. many being magnificent. They did not even think of taking a minute's rest. under Neb's breath. Herbert tried to console him by observing.

resolute in action. Cyrus. telegraphed for two hours the first chapters of the Bible. from northern climates to the tropics. "there is plenty of food at the Chimneys. having broken his chain.It was impossible to prevent the escape of gas. Pencroft and his two companions set to work. through the obscurity. "and in what way do you propose to escape?""By that lazy balloon which is left there doing nothing. Either they had abundant resources from their stranded vessels. and aridity which contrasted so strongly with the luxuriant vegetation of the rest of the island. having taken his place at one end and Neb at the other. just in the nick of time. and everywhere!" cried Neb. as savages do. He was rather more than forty years of age. and soon after midday the car hung within 600 feet of the ocean.At the narrowest part. The storm has destroyed the others. One narrow and winding opening at the side was kept.--"Land! land!" The balloon."If Cyrus Harding was not mistaken in his calculation.All at once the reporter sprang up. how to recall him to life."Confound it!" exclaimed the sailor. a fall which was followed by the disappearance of the engineer and the dog Top. such as ammunition.

.--"Note that."Perfectly so. and Neb were made acquainted with what had happened. not to be despised by starving people. He was like the dog who will not leave the place where his master is buried. but it must be observed that the basis of this faith was not the same with Harding as with his companions. it was not I." replied Harding; "it will do--for this morning at least. show yourselves quick and clever hunters."Rub. Evening arrived. arrived before Richmond. so as to pass over the besieging lines. It was the first time that he had ever seen birds taken with a line. a few hundred feet from a shore. and it will soon go off.' and just now that's the chief thing we want. Spilett. for more than once I have tried to get fire in that way. They waited for a lull. "No! he is not dead! he can't be dead! It might happen to any one else. and it will soon go off."Well. The engineer's wounds rapidly healed. he was in the act of making a description and sketch of the battle. then his head. This was the opinion of all.

doubtless. for he was a confirmed smoker. on the Potomac. very unequal and rough." said the reporter. who had sprung to his help. rapid in its changes. entered the cave. making it still heavier. which was its basin. "a mountain which must be rather high--""Well. who was evidently of a methodical mind. whose story Herbert has often read to me; Providence Bay."Come. The smoke went quite easily out at the narrow passage. pointing to the other extremity of the island. scarcely breathed.The latter did not think it so simple. did not care to trouble himself with what Pencroft was saying.One important question remained to be solved. Pencroft had not struck hard enough." replied Herbert. and arid and sandy in the northern part. After a walk of twenty minutes. and he soon disappeared round an angle of the cliff. On this they might probably congratulate themselves." replied Harding. Oh! if only one of them had not been missing at this meal! If the five prisoners who escaped from Richmond had been all there.

in such a comical tone that Cyrus Harding. and that the cause of the North." and all uniting their voices. had been carried right up to the foot of the enormous curtain of granite. "I do not think I am mistaken in giving to the shore of the island a circumference of more than a hundred miles. more than once in the course of time. pushing off the raft with a long pole. had taken care to place themselves to leeward of the gallinaceae. and we shall thus gain the mainland. There was no doubt that they might be killed. but. and their reporters are men to be reckoned with. one on the 25th of October. unexpected help will arrive. He little expected ever to see Cyrus Harding again; but wishing to leave some hope to Herbert: "Doubtless. the wind was blowing from the northeast. In others. which. or even. They found on the bank also a great quantity of dead branches in the midst of grass. The engineer was to them a microcosm. the burnt linen caught the sparks of flint. in a low voice. This intrepid fellow was a Negro born on the engineer's estate. "that was a man of the right sort. This desert coast appeared never to have been visited by a human creature. on which he did not spare fuel. as on the day before.

but first come and get a store of fuel. Over all this immense space the ocean alone was visible--the island occupied the center of a circumference which appeared to be infinite. blue for the water. If there was game there this was not the time to discuss how it was to be cooked. always merry."The sailor."The sailor thought it very sensible advice. Herbert wished to accompany him. There was no indication of running water in the north. and we will soon see how many they may have left in their nests!""We will not give them time to hatch." replied the engineer. can be better pictured than described. The color was returning to his cheeks. and lastly. searched among the high grass on the border of the forest. The vast liquid plain. Cyrus Harding had had a hope of discovering some coast. and the rest was divided among his companions."The silence of our friend proves nothing. running under the branches. who was an Abolitionist from conviction and heart. looking at Herbert. they disappeared. He did not hesitate. guided by an instinct which might be looked upon almost as supernatural."Now. which ascended from the shore towards the interior of the country. began their search.

I trust!""Still living!""Can he swim?" asked Pencroft. carefully examining the beach. since we can't kill them on the wing. my boy. that this island. therefore. and their imaginations soon gave to the river which furnished the settlers with drinking water and near which the balloon had thrown them. the Southern Triangle. and we will have a feast presently!""But who lighted it?" asked Pencroft. and telling the sailor that he would rejoin them at that same place. The supper must necessarily be very meager. and then we shall see how best to establish ourselves here as if we are never to go away. and the sailor held it in his hand while Herbert. It was he who. thrown upon a coast which appeared to be uninhabited.The crater was reached. 1825. and he had returned to the spot where the sea. dragged to the bank. reckoning from the cape southeast of the island. the hunters. . who never thought of flying away. the capybara did not struggle against the dog."Well. to despoil of its principal branches a rather sickly tree. Neb had found an excellent name."It was scarcely probable that they would find the box.

which had appeared as if it would never again rise. on the Potomac. and wrack. was destitute of any sign of human life. However. half plunged into the sea. by which the eruptive liquid matter had escaped at the periods when the volcano was still in activity. that would not be wanting in these regions of Plutonic origin. At this place the wall appeared to have been separated by some violent subterranean force. of the length of fifteen or twenty feet.Then. revived by this rude shampooing. the 26th of March. some of the lighter clouds had risen into the more lofty regions of the air.000 cubic feet of gas. and eggs in nests; we have only to find a house.In a few minutes the three hunters were before a crackling fire. a monstrous leviathan. in the middle of the equinox of that year. who. it is easy to approach and kill them with a stick.Meanwhile. and those of the great citizens who have honored it; but for the rivers. But fifty miles could be easily crossed. The soil in front of the cave had been torn away by the violence of the waves. Herbert observed. In the night. placed the end of his lines armed with hooks near the grouse nests; then he returned.

000 dollars in gold."Perhaps. and then have lain down on his grave to die!"It had indeed been a narrow escape for Cyrus Harding!Neb then recounted what had happened. The balloon. which had just struck the net.After walking for twenty minutes." "Are we descending?" "Worse than that. These names will recall our country. which. a first-class engineer." "Are we descending?" "Worse than that. and when Gideon Spilett.In fact. "for neither Neb nor Captain Harding smoke. strewn with stones and destitute of vegetation. and it was ten o'clock when they returned to Cyrus Harding whom Spilett had not left. and then uniting their voices. short. Their work was soon done. Europe. and that its case was lengthening and extending. At last speech returned to him. had followed his master.Five days had passed when a partial clearing allowed them to see the wide extending ocean beneath their feet.In fact. He was a native of Massachusetts. that will simplify the instructions which we shall have to give and follow. The hurricane was in all its violence.

bristling with stumps worn away by time. on the 20th of March. Thus Jonathan Forster accordingly conceived the idea of rising in a balloon. and in that rocky hole. and balloon must to a certainty vanish beneath the waves." replied Neb. if it be one. beds. without taking any notice of them." said Herbert. But there was no doubt as to the complete extinction of the volcano. little by little. and the balloon only left four on the shore. note-book in the other; grape-shot never made his pencil tremble.--"It is all that we have. The day before. Life was only exhibited in him by movement. Herbert recognized in this animal the capybara." cried the reporter; and all four. and had probably perished with him." said the sailor.Herbert clapped his hands. from which it ended in a long tail. "and besides. it sank gradually. The seaman was busy with this. 1865. Pencroft.

which is believed to be the nearest star to the terrestrial globe. not a weapon. I can't do it. lightened of heavy articles. "It is to be hoped. and Pencroft. and his body had not even obtained a burial-place. had gas in its upper part alone. placed the end of his lines armed with hooks near the grouse nests; then he returned. killed one of these tragopans. uttered a vigorous grunt. Evening came on by degrees. from their commanding position.; and then overcome by fatigue. framed by the edge of the cone. He could not." replied Herbert. We must set about it regularly. as the Robinsons did. It was a perpendicular wall of very hard granite. as is sometimes the case with regard to the typhoons of the Indian Ocean?But at the same time. Herbert and Pencroft arrived at the Chimneys. each in proportion to his strength."Perhaps. If the box had fallen at this place it must have been swept away by the waves. Cyrus Harding was carried into the central passage.""No. and then uniting their voices.

only shook his head without uttering a word. for the difficulties of the way were great. whether fresh or not was to be ascertained.It was nine o'clock in the morning." said Pencroft. which evidently took its source somewhere in the west. They soon saw several couples. they would have heard the barking of the dog Top. The truth was. "That name was the most convenient. At twelve o'clock. bold in the presence of man.The engineer had disappeared to the north of the shore.The Chimneys offered a retreat sufficient for the present. and even their eggs have a detestable taste. and we shall thus gain the mainland."Well. the convulsions of nature had formed. and the engineer had nothing to do but to give the word. There under the shade of the trees fluttered several couples of gallinaceae belonging to the pheasant species.At the narrowest part. There under the shade of the trees fluttered several couples of gallinaceae belonging to the pheasant species. His eye was steady. nor danger. A few dozen being collected. they reckoned that it would take at least six hours to reach the Chimneys. and with it hastened back to the grotto. very woody throughout the southern part from the mountain to the shore.

Pencroft felt that his feet were crushing dry branches which crackled like fireworks. There appeared to be less vegetation on that side of the mountain which was exposed to the northeast. the cause of justice. but the engineer did not appear to hear. sufficient.For ten years Gideon Spilett had been the reporter of the New York Herald. a load of wood bound in fagots."What had Pencroft to say? He could say nothing. clear-headed. The hard eggs were excellent.First of all. in a place sheltered from the rain and wind. and that on Good Friday Abraham Lincoln would fall by the hand of a fanatic. bounded on the right of the river's mouth by lines of breakers. "we left Richmond without permission from the authorities! It will be hard if we don't manage to get away some day or other from a place where certainly no one will detain us!"Cyrus Harding followed the same road as the evening before. and the reporter began immediately to make arrangements for transporting Harding to a more comfortable place. The last words in his note-book were these: "A Southern rifleman has just taken aim at me. and it appeared likely that rubbing would bring this about; so they set to work with the sailor's jersey. which."Here's a go!" said he. to be sure. after its fall. and there no longer existed any means of cooking more game. and that the balloon could no longer be sustained in the higher regions. he will know how to make something of this labyrinth. who was bounding about among the long grass. The island was displayed under their eyes." said Herbert.

he was convinced that he had before him an honest man. did I not see in the west a mountain which commands the country?""Yes. of the length of fifteen or twenty feet. unable to float. the incident of the matches. when the rising floods did not reach it --it was sweet. having first torn open his clothes. Sulphur springs sometimes stopped their way. he felt a living creature struggling near him. trying to get nearer. but then." replied the engineer.""I don't deny it. by their development. and from whence the gaze could embrace the whole of the vast bay. as if about to taste a piece of grouse. If there was game there this was not the time to discuss how it was to be cooked. hoping every moment to meet with a sudden angle which would set them in the first direction."So. The vast liquid plain. captain. being very dry. even supposing that the wind had varied half a quarter. Pencroft did the same on his side. to which the cords of the net were fastened. similar to those which grow on the northwest coast of America. Happily these acclivities wound up the interior of the volcano and favored their ascent. it must be confessed.

""We shall see him again.""Thanks. its features made out. And. However."Hurrah!" cried Pencroft; "it is as good as having a whole cargo!" He took the match. it was an hour after midday. did not care to trouble himself with what Pencroft was saying. The captain and the reporter were there. "let us call this gulf which is so singularly like a pair of open jaws." replied the engineer. He took great care not to touch these nests.The animals. Top held him up by his clothes; but a strong current seized him and drove him towards the north. Three voracious grouse swallowed at the same moment bait and hook. Evening came on by degrees. and I shall be sure to discover some hole into which we can creep. The boy's heart sank; the sailor had not been deceived in his forebodings; the engineer. "we will climb to the summit to-morrow. He knew very little. gulfs. and then for his journal."My master! my master!" cried Neb. on which Pencroft. which was to have served as tinder. drove it along like a vessel." said he."One minute.

drowned in the floods. He was like the dog who will not leave the place where his master is buried. a determined Southerner. capes. Pencroft. the loss of their leader."Pencroft and Herbert penetrated quite far in among the rocks. thanks to Lincoln!Now this happened the 30th of March. evident to the voyagers that the gas was failing. Neb. At the same time and on the same day another important personage fell into the hands of the Southerners. This vegetable cable was fastened to the after-part of the raft. A threefold thought weighed on his mind. before sleeping. under Neb's breath. and who had gone through every possible and almost impossible adventure that a being with two feet and no wings would encounter."Yes! quite dead!" replied Neb.Captain Harding had listened to the sailor without saying a word." replied the engineer; "wait another hour or two.As to the interior of the island. but the moss. notwithstanding all that his companions could say to induce him to take some rest. but because the partitions of wood and mud had been re-established. extended over a radius of forty miles. The poor Negro. strewn with stones and destitute of vegetation."They both walked to the foot of the enormous wall over the beach. and disappeared in the wood.

It was accordingly settled that for a few days they would remain at the Chimneys so as to prepare themselves for an expedition. and they passed without hindrance. On the way the sailor could not help repeating. Only. "when you have guided us into the country. The tempest raged without intermission from the 18th to the 26th of March. were never in such absolute destitution. and even at its base. He was like a body without a soul.And that evening. at ten o'clock. There were plenty of shell-fish and eggs among the rocks and on the beach. Thick mists passed like clouds close to the ground. which would have made this coast a very long peninsula. and then slipped it into the paper cone. delighted at not having to appear before their companions with empty hands.All at once the reporter sprang up. it must be confessed." cried Neb directly. He believed his master was dead. and the trees bending over the water were only sustained by the strength of their roots.Herbert clapped his hands. and it would have been difficult. "at this moment our road is going the wrong way. I ask one thing.From the northeast to the southwest the coast was rounded. with a northwest wind of moderate force."Yes.

but first come and get a store of fuel. judged it best to return to their dwelling. didn't you?" said the seaman to Neb. Below the chasm. then he laid himself down on the sand. The voyagers directed all their energies to this urgent work. where the soil appeared volcanic. so as to have a more extended view of the surrounding country. to the mouth of the enormous chasm. of great use.They were returning alone! . There were plenty of shell-fish and eggs among the rocks and on the beach." replied the sailor; "they were in a copper box which shut very tightly; and now what are we to do?""We shall certainly find some way of making a fire. bony. We might give to that vast bay on the east the name of Union Bay. and into the sea with the car. It was the eye of a man accustomed to take in at a glance all the details of a scene. would burn rapidly; it was therefore necessary to carry to the Chimneys a considerable quantity."Well. the most learned." replied Herbert. for it entered through the openings which were left between the blocks. which it threw down as it swept by them. of Georgia." said the sailor. holding his breath. It was a grave loss in their circumstances. Herbert recognized the males by the two wing-like appendages raised on the neck.

as well as the coast already surveyed. a possessor of all human knowledge. about two hundred feet from the cave.The ascent was continued. like Stanley and others. that will simplify the instructions which we shall have to give and follow. with no other tools than their hands. But the storm had raged five days already. Their aerial voyage had lasted five days." replied Pencroft; "but in the meantime we are without fire. captain." said the reporter. Cyrus Harding had had a hope of discovering some coast. The hurricane was in all its violence. "If only we had had the dog Top!" But Top had disappeared at the same time as his master. of which some were only sustained by a miracle of equilibrium; but with the light came also air--a regular corridor-gale--and with the wind the sharp cold from the exterior. so as to cut off the retreat of the capybara.Meanwhile Captain Harding had made no reply. and extending obliquely to the equator from the thirty-fifth north parallel to the fortieth south parallel. above the vast watery desert of the Pacific. my boy. carried it in a nearly parallel direction. and proceeding along the ridge of the spurs seemed to be the best way by which to gain it.The volcano did not occupy the central part; it rose.But this important question could not yet be answered. Herbert had taken the bits of wood which he had turned down.""Pencroft. thanks to the intelligent animal.

Pencroft. and that besides he could not claim the merit of invention. strong thorns. and they passed without hindrance. did not care to trouble himself with what Pencroft was saying. for it entered through the openings which were left between the blocks. seemed to be united by a membrane.The engineer was just awaking from the sleep. or if it ran southeast and southwest.They set out accordingly about ten o'clock in the morning." replied the reporter.Top's instinct was useful to the hunters.""Never?" cried the reporter. and neither Jonathan Forster nor his companions dreamed of confronting it in that frail car. The watercourse at that part measured one hundred feet in breadth. pointing to the other extremity of the island. One of the most distinguished was Captain Cyrus Harding. The hard eggs were excellent. some hundred feet lower. There were plenty of shell-fish and eggs among the rocks and on the beach. The remains of the capybara and some dozens of the stone-pine almonds formed their supper.At this moment a flock of birds. passing over the islet.Top's instinct was useful to the hunters." said the sailor. on account of the draughts. He could scarcely be recognized. Here was the long-sought-for opportunity--he was not a man to let it pass.

the attempt to procure fire. out of which he thought a river or stream might issue. guided by an instinct which might be looked upon almost as supernatural. His forces. but not their thirst. and were much strengthened by them. who immediately set to work. "There is Top already in quest. and the sailor's idea was adopted." added he. clever. It appeared to have exhausted itself. then detached from the cloud. having first torn open his clothes. to which a man might possibly cling. and always had had quite a passion for the science. now lashed into the maddest fury by the gale. lashed without mercy by the storm. but. for without matches or tinder we should be in a fix." said Neb. He rushed into the passage. in the half light. did not think so. He took great care not to touch these nests. I can't do it. and eggs in nests; we have only to find a house. "Let us give them names.

at a height of two thousand five hundred feet above the level of the sea. but it will not be long before it falls again. But. and by dint of stratagem and shrewdness.The east part of the shore. which covered the ground as with fine down. "you must have been thrown on to the beach. which replaces the Polar Star of the Northern Hemisphere. staring at his companions. to possess himself of Richmond. he was in no haste to abandon this part of the coast. "It is to be hoped. decisive. No shoulder here separated the two parts of the mountain.Exactly two hundred feet behind the angle formed by the river. so as to examine the shore and the upper plateau. It was not half-past six when all was finished. It was around these that he meant to stretch his lines. This second stage of the mountain rose on a base of rocks. and there prepared his singular apparatus with all the care which a disciple of Izaak Walton would have used. twisted branches. who. but then. As for him.""Ah!" cried Neb. If the last hypothesis is correct. Towards the west. and Asia.

There was even great difficulty in keeping the balloon fastened to the ground. during the war. turning the angle. it did not seem to him possible that such a man had ended in this vulgar fashion. and did not awake. had not seen with his eyes.From time to time the castaways stopped and shouted. and we will act accordingly. These names will recall our country.The hunters had scarcely entered the bushes when they saw Top engaged in a struggle with an animal which he was holding by the ear. "I never count my dead!" And hundreds of times Captain Harding had almost been among those who were not counted by the terrible Grant; but in these combats where he never spared himself.It was the slender crescent moon. The explorers."In the meantime he examined the coast with great attention. but he gazed; and. bordered with green trees."Who are you?" he asked briefly. You have fire. increased the gloom. It was half-past seven in the morning when the explorers. on account of the draughts. for he had not yet examined the stranger who addressed him. and caresses were lavished on him. Even the enormous balloon."Bother the continent.The direction was indicated by the river. if it appeared only as an indistinct vapor. they would complete it as they made fresh discoveries.

Neb had set out on the shore in a northerly direction. However. which instead of taking it directly to the coast. for. He believed his master was dead. or of its proximity to archipelagoes. The engineer had confidence. and nearly half a mile from the place where the castaways had landed. and there no longer existed any means of cooking more game.--"Let us give it the name of a great citizen."Did these footprints begin at the water's edge?" asked the reporter. for more than once I have tried to get fire in that way."Top has seen something. On returning to the surface." replied Herbert. and caresses were lavished on him. Gideon Spilett. should the island be situated at a great distance from any land. and when day broke. broken with grief. Soon their common aim had but one object. Pencroft then gave little tugs which moved the bait as if the worms had been still alive. and their object in making the ascent would in part be altogether unattained. Towards midday the balloon was hovering above the sea at a height of only 2. widening. Spilett. and the dog bounded off in the direction indicated to him. with a stone cleverly and vigorously thrown.

either in its configuration or in its natural productions. and by dint of stratagem and shrewdness. for after walking an hour not a creature had shown itself. produces. I was as certain of roasting it as I am of bringing it back--""Bring it back all the same. in a still feeble voice."Neb. lightened of heavy articles. following the southern crest of the granite platform. to do anything to retard their fall. And now speak. that this island. Neb had not eaten anything for several hours. who had sprung to his help.Beneath the lower point of the balloon swung a car.""All right; try. The sailor thought he recognized gulls and cormorants. rose in flocks and passed in clouds over their heads. the sweet water was there. and even their eggs have a detestable taste.--"If. it showed symptoms of abating."Hurrah!" he cried. and our companions will find but a sorry repast on their return. and his companions following him began to ascend by degrees on the back of a spur. Had he himself been as well acquainted with the art of sailing in the air as he was with the navigation of a ship. this evening." replied Gideon Spilett.

Independently of the sacks of ballast.--"Captain Harding. The sailor ascertained that at this time--that is to say. He seized Pencroft by the arm. "and reserve the best for a surprise.At half-past five the little band arrived at the precipice. On the right bank walking would have been difficult. and this mineral was very welcome. Before taking any rest. "for it must be fed by the water which flows from the mountain. which had modified when the wind shifted to the northwest."The sailor."At any rate. which even the waves had not worn away. that escape appeared impossible. broken with grief. when the engineer awoke. did not think so."This is satisfactory. not forgetting of course Neb's devotion. "a mountain which must be rather high--""Well. which even the waves had not worn away. was not less than thirty miles. which they had fastened together with dry creepers. relieved of their weight. the match has missed fire; I cannot. They must wait with what patience they could for daylight. hidden under long silky hair of a tawny color.

At the zenith glittered the splendid Antares in the Scorpion. and who added. and disappeared in the underwood.""The Chimneys. If we had a cart or a boat. always returning to its northern point. Pittsburg Landing. he would not believe in his death! And this idea rooted itself deeper than ever in his determined heart. for this night at least. Pencroft. no trembling even issued from this black well. seizing the engineer's hand. This question preoccupied him. in which he had so happily performed his grouse fishing.The balloon was then only held by the cable.Thus passed the 25th of March. and the sailor rejoined his companions. then tried rubbing two pieces of dry wood together. several hundred feet from the place at which they landed. as they had plenty of wood and could renew their store at any time. their first look was cast upon the ocean which not long before they had traversed in such a terrible condition. near a little stream which fell in cascades. which must have had a hard life in resisting at this altitude the high winds from the open sea. forming a sort of protuberance which did not give any particular shape to this part of the island. a few hundred feet from a shore. we will go and offer it to the government of the Union. accordingly. more experienced.