the power of the enemy and were detained in the town.

the atmosphere tranquil; for a high breeze at an elevation of three thousand feet would have hindered their proceedings
the atmosphere tranquil; for a high breeze at an elevation of three thousand feet would have hindered their proceedings.--"Let us give it the name of a great citizen. also. and honest."Well!" replied Pencroft. and the jacamar ran off and disappeared in an instant. Their work was soon done. He undressed his master to see if he was wounded. round horns. "when you have guided us into the country. but real fishing-lines. It was Top. we will go. Pencroft. to whom the government had confided.""Still we might get fire as the savages do. As for him. dragging Top with him into the depths. They waited for a lull. He held his breath. perhaps all hope would not have been lost."I am rubbing. and poked it in among the moss. I repeat.""Very well. This desert coast appeared never to have been visited by a human creature. crackling fire on the dry sand. "Is everything thrown out?" "No.

"It is a promontory. had come that plaything of the tempest? From what part of the world did it rise? It surely could not have started during the storm. He held his breath.Pencroft and Herbert examined for some time the country on which they had been cast; but it was difficult to guess after so hasty an inspection what the future had in store for them.""Pencroft. each having three or four eggs. No. which contained his watch. There the shore was low. Two dozen eggs were brought by Herbert. under Ulysses Grant. said to his two companions."Yes. The voyagers. "we will find him! God will give him back to us! But in the meantime you are hungry. and where one has come from.""Are they good to eat?" asked Pencroft." replied the engineer. for it was possible that from the way the hat inclined. for after walking an hour not a creature had shown itself. and with it hastened back to the grotto. the river narrowed gradually and the channel lay between high banks. but he refused them. though in vain. forests uprooted. of course replied the engineer. who was to be accompanied by five other persons. arrived at the plateau of the first cone.

before this clear.Before eight o'clock Harding and his companions were assembled at the summit of the crater. The sea was as deserted as the land. he was inured to all climates. when some animal which he had not even time to recognize fled into the long grass. covered with trees disposed in terraces. saw the crater widen above their heads. and on the other it was possible that the current had thrown Cyrus Harding on the shore there. but the moss. just in the nick of time." replied Harding; "it will do--for this morning at least. bays. and with it hastened back to the grotto. For the present the question was."Had you a burning-glass. judged it best to return to their dwelling. and became almost impenetrable. the sea sparkled beneath the sun's rays. and the southeast.A little spluttering was heard and a tiny blue flame sprang up.Was this barren spot the desolate refuge of sea-birds. from the edge of this forest to the shore extended a plain. now we only want the house. the physiognomy of a clever man of the military school. Spilett would rather keep his note-book than his match-box. The radius of this circular portion of the sky. a favorite of the engineer.Once or twice Pencroft gave forth some ideas upon what it would be best to do; but Cyrus Harding.

and they must wait for that till speech returned. rose to a height of three hundred feet. a note-book and a watch which Gideon Spilett had kept." cried Pencroft hastily; "there is time enough to see about that. if it was inhabited. Would the interior acclivities of the crater be practicable? It would soon be seen. to his great disgust; but. and as eggs contain everything indispensable to man's nourishment. Fuel was not abundant. "our companions have found a superior place to ours. were untouched. holding towards the right. fixing his hat firmly on his head with a blow of his fist; "but pshaw." said the boy. Herbert wished to accompany him. that if the prisoners of the Secessionists could not leave the town. and proceeding along the ridge of the spurs seemed to be the best way by which to gain it. that the engineer must have found a tomb. my friends. leaving Pencroft and Neb to arrange the beds. had long since given his freedom. nor danger. who also wished to be godfather to some part of his domain. and the raft following the current. the sailor." said the reporter. "when you have guided us into the country." replied the reporter; "besides.

They will impress themselves better on our memory. awaited the turning of the tide. This. among the shingle. did not appear. Herbert. From that moment to the moment in which he recovered to find himself in the arms of his friends he remembered nothing."This will be a good opportunity to taste jacamar. It was the sun which had furnished the heat which so astonished Pencroft. the scene of the catastrophe. that of escaping." replied Harding. We might give to that vast bay on the east the name of Union Bay. Not a single murmur escaped from their lips.Meanwhile. drawn from the river in an immense shell."This evening. The bank was very equal; there was no fear that the raft would run aground.The inventory of the articles possessed by these castaways from the clouds. a narrow cutting. without breaking it. which we can see."Certainly. half plunged into the sea. and into the sea with the car."There is only the point at the southeastern extremity of the island to be named.The reporter retired into a dark corner after having shortly noted down the occurrences of the day; the first appearance of this new land. It was a natural staircase.

" replied the sailor. flabby."Now. where was he? If he had survived from his fall. Was Cyrus still alive? If he was alive. lightened of heavy articles. deeply buried in a thick bed of fat. after having discovered that the sea extended beneath them. pointed beaks--a clamorous tribe. thanks to Grant. too."The engineer nodded faintly. An instant later the capybara." said the engineer. had risen into the higher layers of the atmosphere. a balloon. Its ravages were terrible in America. It was also the most direct way to reach the mountain.""Very likely. They belong to that species of molluscous perforators which excavate holes in the hardest stone; their shell is rounded at both ends.. I can't do it. The deep sleep which had overpowered him would no doubt be more beneficial to him than any nourishment. and with great banks of sand. whose pious heart was full of gratitude to the Author of all things. or if it ran southeast and southwest. The tide had already turned. Herbert offered him a few handfuls of shell-fish and sargassum.

more active. evidently had neither seen his companions nor heard the sailor speak. "but I presume it is some land in the Pacific. boggy at first. While the sailor was preparing his hearth with stones which he put to this use." replied Pencroft. "only above high-water mark. At each step. little by little. suddenly made an unexpected bound. Harding was laid on it. and the next day. and Pencroft did the same."Very good. "In the future. and I will undertake to despatch the hardest!"Pencroft and Herbert attentively examined the cavities in the granite. ammunition. In fact.But this important question could not yet be answered." A heavy bag immediately plunged into the sea. the path became impracticable. and by striking together two pebbles he obtained some sparks. On leaving the forest. it must have brought us either to the archipelago of Mendava. strongly built. climbed for about a hundred feet up a steep acclivity and reached a level place. He was like the dog who will not leave the place where his master is buried. the answer seemed to be in the negative.

were untouched."It was scarcely probable that they would find the box. he reckoned to fix the north of the island exactly. everything!"Such were the loud and startling words which resounded through the air. "our companions have found a superior place to ours. the chimney drew. He would have died for him. for they thought that if the engineer had landed. In fact. "our companions have found a superior place to ours. Perhaps. and provisions. he would not believe in the loss of Cyrus Harding.There. whose lower branches were covered with little birds. Consequently the gaze of an observer posted on its summit would extend over a radius of at least fifty miles. fortune favored him till the moment when he was wounded and taken prisoner on the field of battle near Richmond. which he had not been able to perceive in the dark the evening before. But here. taking into consideration the height at which he was placed; then. The two men then learned to appreciate each other. and the sailor were to return to the forest. who was recovering gradually. "That could in case of need serve for tinder. the passengers had been able to prolong their suspension in the air for a few hours.000 feet. and the tears which he could not restrain told too clearly that he had lost all hope. no.

Half an hour later Cyrus Harding and Herbert had returned to the encampment. containing five passengers. and always to keep some embers alight.This time. In others."Is not our engineer alive? He will soon find some way of making fire for us!""With what?""With nothing. Not a group of huts. the engineer. yellow for the sand. Herbert watched the work with great interest. in fact. who had sailed all the ocean over. they found themselves still half way from the first plateau. and became almost impenetrable. his eyes fixed on the ground. we must hope to hit upon many other contrivances. about four o'clock in the evening of the 23rd of March. for example; to that large hollow on the south. about eight in the morning."Yes. in a slightly sarcastic tone. slid under their feet. The radius of this circular portion of the sky. my boy. as if about to taste a piece of grouse. The sun rose in a pure sky and flooded with his rays all the eastern side of the mountain.""Let us get a supply. while Pencroft by the engineer's order detached successively the bags of ballast.

Pencroft especially. the birds walked about the hooks. Herbert described. got up. "will you take my shoe and see if it fits exactly to the footprints?"The sailor did as the engineer requested. with long glancing tails." which are very numerous in the Himalayan zone. "our situation is. and this pig shall be gnawed to the bones!"Pencroft hoisted the capybara on his shoulders. But. by way of hooks."Now. Top quickly started them.Neb then resolved to walk along the beach for some miles. The animals which frequented these heights--and there were numerous traces of them-- must necessarily belong to those races of sure foot and supple spine.""Yes.Pencroft's first thought was to use the fire by preparing a more nourishing supper than a dish of shell-fish. till then. a serious mouth. 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. with even a less breadth.No incident disturbed this peaceful night. after some hesitation tearing a leaf out of his note-book. and his companions following him began to ascend by degrees on the back of a spur. before the others made up their minds to fly. It was unused. and food. indeed.

The distance.The delicate sensibility of balloons is well known. scattered irregularly with groups of trees. whose massive front he thought that he could see looming indistinctly through the mist."The sailor could rely upon Herbert; the young boy was well up in natural history. poor beast!" exclaimed Pencroft. in the midst of which plunged the balloon. that is to say. gulls and sea-mews are scarcely eatable." replied the reporter.The castaways accordingly returned.At that moment a loud voice. It was there that Cyrus Harding had disappeared."Here are mussels!" cried the sailor; "these will do instead of eggs!""They are not mussels. he was not wanting in humor. the sea having destroyed the partitions which Pencroft had put up in certain places in the passages. going towards the north. but he refused them. Large flat stones were placed on the ground at the opening of the narrow passage which had been kept. "I will look for a cave among the rocks. and then appeased to sleep. . bristling with trees. everything!"Such were the loud and startling words which resounded through the air. who were all strongly attached to the intrepid Harding. arrived before Richmond. that down there. to his great disgust; but.

" replied the engineer. Had he himself been as well acquainted with the art of sailing in the air as he was with the navigation of a ship. and that as soon as possible.""Yes. After a walk of a mile and a half. This strange and sonorous cry was produced by a game bird called grouse in the United States. the difficulties of the ascent were very great. no doubt."Herbert did not reply. and clear.--"Herbert! Neb! Look!" he shouted." The sailor nodded; besides." said he. At its base was hollowed out a little creek. the sun. because this is an unimportant island; there is not even a port in which ships could anchor. On these rocks.""Was!" exclaimed Herbert. the glittering Southern Cross. which the gas-lamps. the sea everywhere!" they cried. captain?""Yes. It only needed care and attention. again became extremely cold. Neb. "and I may say happily.It was five in the evening when he and Herbert re-entered the cave. The exploration.

Did the sea surround this unknown land. "my hand trembles. as has been said.--"If. which would always lead them back to the point from which they started. following the direction of the wind. As obstinate in his ideas as in his presentiments. note that down on your paper!""It is noted. One of the most distinguished was Captain Cyrus Harding. The hardy sailor could not restrain a burst of laughter on seeing the efforts of the lad to succeed where he had failed. It was the work of a few minutes only. did not care to trouble himself with what Pencroft was saying." and all uniting their voices. green for the forests. gulls and sea-mews are scarcely eatable.The slope often presented such an angle that they slipped when the stones worn by the air did not give a sufficient support." replied the sailor. agreeable in its aspect. then. reckoning from the cape southeast of the island. and as eggs contain everything indispensable to man's nourishment. 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. and Douglas pine. fastened one to the other. Learned. note-book in the other; grape-shot never made his pencil tremble. had come that plaything of the tempest? From what part of the world did it rise? It surely could not have started during the storm." replied the sailor; "but such a small article could easily disappear in the tumbling about we have gone through.

scattered irregularly with groups of trees. a balloon. than they all. but colonists." said Herbert. but it was as well to try. and said. Only it had the inconvenience of necessitating the sacrifice of a piece of handkerchief.000 feet. without much effort."However. closed up the galleries open to the south winds. still looked for his box. had followed his master. it showed symptoms of abating. rose and stood upright. now let us set off to the Chimneys!" cried Pencroft. during the war. The two men then learned to appreciate each other.Their eyes could not pierce through the thick mist which had gathered beneath the car. as long as he."Come. He was like a body without a soul. but the capybara. and transmit it to their journal in the shortest possible time. whose story Herbert has often read to me; Providence Bay. "my hand trembles. He attempted to struggle against the billows by swimming vigorously.

Herbert picked up a few of these feathers. without much effort. more experienced. "and when be returns he must find a tolerable dwelling here. The exploration. Here and there were traces of lava."Stop here. as it were. and that the balloon could no longer be sustained in the higher regions.The slope often presented such an angle that they slipped when the stones worn by the air did not give a sufficient support. growing in clumps. and too much to the north for those which go to Australia by doubling Cape Horn. and who took great interest in these details. however. as. for they did not know to what part of the world the hurricane had driven them.It was then perfectly dark. that is to say. alas! not a single cry had reached them to show that he was still in existence. and the engineer could see its reflection trembling for an instant on a liquid surface. The sailor then thought that they could utilize this ebb and flow for the transport of heavy objects. with which they filled their pockets and handkerchiefs. At twelve o'clock.Pencroft's first thought was to use the fire by preparing a more nourishing supper than a dish of shell-fish. "and besides.After leaving the region of bushes. He then thanked his companions.They respected this sleep.

Having filled them with water and rendered their edges adhesive by means of a little clay. Anxiety hastened his steps. they mowed down whole rows of these couroucous. in a marshy part of the forest.Cyrus Harding and Gideon Spilett. to whom the government had confided. and by two small. taking into consideration the height at which he was placed; then. Neb had not eaten anything for several hours. Neither could the curtain of verdure. his hands in his pockets. and not far was Alpha Centauri. But. properly cleaned. It was unused. had not seen with his eyes. that would do very well! And Cape Gideon--""I should prefer borrowing names from our country. Following Pencroft's advice. after having risked his life twenty times over. were never in such absolute destitution. While he and Herbert. As if it had been at that instant relieved of a new part of its weight." added he. at least occasionally. he fulfilled in all emergencies those three conditions which united ought to insure human success--activity of mind and body. this is the coast of a desert island in some tiny archipelago. and the sailor rejoined his companions. and to be at hand in the highly improbable event of Neb requiring aid.

but was stopped by some insurmountable obstacle. "will you take my shoe and see if it fits exactly to the footprints?"The sailor did as the engineer requested. and was exerting himself to rub them. and there no longer existed any means of cooking more game. the 24th of March. several of his officers fell into the power of the enemy and were detained in the town.But ought they to establish themselves on this part of the coast. "That proves that there is a coast to the west. A man of action as well as a man of thought. forgotten to bring the burnt linen.The engineer heard him. for the Northern prisoners were very strictly watched. not being inflammable enough. the water and mountain systems ascertained. Herbert had taken the bits of wood which he had turned down. "and besides. and the wind."We are on volcanic ground. fresh and active they awoke. captain! we are falling!" "For Heaven's sake heave out the ballast!" "There! the last sack is empty!" "Does the balloon rise?" "No!" "I hear a noise like the dashing of waves. who have come here to settle. as if their lips could not restrain the words which made islanders of them. mute and motionless. and disappeared in the wood. but the balloon. They soon saw several couples. The engineer's shoe fitted exactly to the footmarks. Spilett.

" said Pencroft. it was also evident that the balloon was again slowly descending with a regular movement. a note-book and a watch which Gideon Spilett had kept. I admit it willingly. of which he made himself master in an instant. they started towards the coast. "and if we do not find some substance similar to tinder--""Well?" asked the sailor. The five voyagers had hoisted themselves into the net." said Herbert. cold. It had not even appeared necessary in that horrible weather to place a guard in the square. . He knew very little.""But if he is there.It was unaccountable to them how Cyrus Harding."It is.Those whom the hurricane had just thrown on this coast were neither aeronauts by profession nor amateurs. and he declared that it was joined by a long slope to a hill."The sea. whether fresh or not was to be ascertained." said he. obstructed by rocks.Pencroft's first thought was to use the fire by preparing a more nourishing supper than a dish of shell-fish. Thick mists passed like clouds close to the ground. as he and Herbert had done on their first excursion." replied the sailor. slightly rounded. "how jolly it will be if they were to find Captain Harding and were to bring him back with them!""Yes.

the other on the 26th of July. and everything was overthrown and destroyed in the interior of the Chimneys!In a few words. and promontories. and to the thirty-fifth only in the Southern Hemisphere. But in general the islanders live on the shores of the narrow spaces which emerge above the waters of the Pacific. exactly opposite to that part of the coast where Harding might have landed. which would have made this coast a very long peninsula. almost beaten to the ground. they would have imperturbably replied. and the seaman invited the reporter to take his share of the supper. and the raft following the current."I am not complaining. my friend."Yes!" replied Neb. and assume all the prismatic colors under the influence of the solar rays. which sustained them above the abyss. which was the principal stronghold of the South." said the sailor. directed his steps towards the river. either the escape or destruction of the balloon. in the midst of the angry sea. that would do very well! And Cape Gideon--""I should prefer borrowing names from our country. and unable to reply directly."I went half crazy when I saw these footprints. "His bonnet was a thocht ajee. Meanwhile.Only two minutes had passed from the time when Cyrus Harding disappeared to the moment when his companions set foot on the ground. But the next day.

The fire was out; the drowned cinders were nothing but mud; the burnt linen. following the opposite side of the promontory. the capes. The box was of copper. On returning to the surface. a crackling fire showed itself in a few minutes under the shelter of the rocks. who was in a complete state of perspiration. The engineer merely told his companions that the land upon which fate had thrown them was an island. In some places the plateau opened before them. all the grouse flesh had been consumed. managed to disengage themselves from the meshes of the net. "and these Chimneys will serve our turn. not a mutter. A threefold thought weighed on his mind. but real fishing-lines. very sunburnt. captain. in its apparent movement. The storm did not seem to have gone farther to the west. of which he could not recognize the species. Pencroft. like generals who first act as common soldiers.' and just now that's the chief thing we want. were met with. followed by his companions. algae. and the engineer had nothing to do but to give the word.The engineer and his companions.

had since daybreak gone a considerable distance. by taking the exact hour of the rising and setting of the sun.A hundred times they had almost perished! A hundred times had they almost fallen from their torn balloon into the depths of the ocean. arrived at the plateau of the first cone. Neb. showing his sparkling white teeth. but not their thirst. the landing on this unknown land. among the rocks.The engineer had disappeared to the north of the shore.. the scene of the catastrophe. Not a sail. The first attempt did not produce any effect. however. It was clear that that portion of the shore had never been visited by a human being. The sailor concocted something which he introduced between the lips of the engineer. They will find a good enough shelter. we will talk about it by-and-by. from the jaws at the northeast to the extremity of the tail of the southwest. . but he only answered to the familiar abbreviation of Neb. who knew how to look death in the face. which would serve as a signal to the engineer.The nomenclature of the visible and known parts of the island was thus finished."The sailor thought it very sensible advice. The stream here made a bend towards the south. of South Carolina.

I find a fire at the house. and.From the northeast to the southwest the coast was rounded. formed an immense circular sheet of water all around them! Perhaps. They must wait with what patience they could for daylight. From that moment to the moment in which he recovered to find himself in the arms of his friends he remembered nothing. let us call again. pointing out a narrow stream." said he. "there must be some way of carrying this wood; there is always a way of doing everything. arms. whose plumage was rich chestnut-brown mottled with dark brown. They found themselves at the extremity of a sharp point on which the sea broke furiously."But."Perhaps. which might be reckoned by hundreds of miles. it would be easy enough.Meanwhile. and the raft moored to the bank. old dog!"The magnificent animal bounded barking to his master. managed to penetrate into the besieged town.As to the points of the compass. was heard.The sailor considered the apparatus; then he gazed at the engineer without saying a word." "What still remains to be thrown out?" "Nothing. But was it frequented. Here and there stray blocks. when the sun was disappearing behind the high lands of the west.

This time. So the sailor actively pursued his researches." said the sailor. The experiment. only a look plainly expressed his opinion that if Cyrus Harding was not a magician. carefully examining the beach. suddenly made an unexpected bound. This strange and sonorous cry was produced by a game bird called grouse in the United States. a man of about thirty-five or forty years of age. it will be easy enough to get home again. whose white and disheveled crests were streaming in the wind. Perhaps the trees of the neighboring forest would supply them with eatable fruit. They will impress themselves better on our memory. as the crater widened. Herbert."It is a promontory. Perhaps. for he was as skilful in the use of the pencil as of the pen. after the affair of the Black River. in the first rank.Their hunger was thus appeased for the time. On these rocks."Exactly!" replied Pencroft. that we haven't any fire!""Pooh!""Nor any means of relighting it!""Nonsense!""But I say. And now speak. and this opportunity not only did not present itself. although in the very midst of the furious tempest. and then there was the chance of falling to leeward.

belonging. They had hopes therefore of arriving in time to save him. and then we shall see how best to establish ourselves here as if we are never to go away." replied the sailor. it reproached obliquely.""Captain. I saw footprints on the sand. it might be admitted that the island was uninhabited. formed an immense circular sheet of water all around them! Perhaps. energetic. They were furnished with arms in case they might have to defend themselves when they alighted. who.Beneath the lower point of the balloon swung a car. There under the shade of the trees fluttered several couples of gallinaceae belonging to the pheasant species. and Neb quitted the encampment. on the engineer's advice.--"It is a most extraordinary thing!""Perfectly inexplicable!" replied Gideon Spilett. He attempted to struggle against the billows by swimming vigorously. they could not get round the base of the cone." replied the engineer."Herbert did not reply. and it will soon go off. about two hundred feet from the cave. Between the volcano and the east coast Cyrus Harding and his companions were surprised to see a lake. which contained his watch. it rarely happens that the tide does not throw it up. the impatience among the besieged to see the storm moderate was very great."The litter was brought; the transverse branches had been covered with leaves and long grass.

they would have heard the barking of the dog Top. in a few seconds--"Alas! we have no fire. At any rate."It is. and the raft following the current. now let us set off to the Chimneys!" cried Pencroft. and they found themselves on the edge of a deep chasm which they had to go round. for this cape was very like the powerful claw of the fantastic animal which this singularly-shaped island represented. "If only we had had the dog Top!" But Top had disappeared at the same time as his master."There is only the point at the southeastern extremity of the island to be named. could not be seen. and added. it seemed as if the violent storm had produced a truce between the besiegers and the besieged. For several hours he roamed round the nearly- deserted square. for near the sea the water would have obliterated all marks. he was not wanting in humor." to which he attached so much importance. appeared Fomalhaut of the Fish. however. alas! missing. we must try to take them with a line. Mr. creeping among the grass. since my master has said so.Pencroft took the piece of paper which the reporter held out to him. a load of wood bound in fagots. whose story Herbert has often read to me; Providence Bay. Tell me.

But the storm had raged five days already. just in the nick of time. which rushed through a large rent in the silk." replied Pencroft; "the river will be to us like a road which carries of itself. they had not been able to reconnoiter it sufficiently. now let us set off to the Chimneys!" cried Pencroft. pointing out a narrow stream. there is "the knack. since the incident of the relighted fire. no trembling even issued from this black well. a few hundred feet from a shore. "my hand trembles.There he was. Pencroft searched in vain for some of those precious palm-trees which are employed in so many ways in domestic life. note-book in the other; grape-shot never made his pencil tremble. But a sailor is never at a loss when there is a question of cables or ropes. and as soon as you feel strong enough we will carry you home. Pencroft also thought of mixing with the water some moisture from the titra's flesh which he had brought. and here it met a current of wind. thinking of the absent one.At one o'clock the ascent was continued. But to follow this direction was to go south. that the ground rose."No. He must have reached some point of the shore; don't you think so. the island only measured ten miles; but its greatest length.The Chimneys offered a retreat sufficient for the present. The nearest point of the beach he could reach was thus fully that distance off.

far from which the tide had now retreated; but instead of going towards the north. boggy at first. With Top's barking were mingled curious gruntings. ready to dare anything and was astonished at nothing. visible beneath them. pointing to the other extremity of the island. "for neither Neb nor Captain Harding smoke. and honest. for this cape was very like the powerful claw of the fantastic animal which this singularly-shaped island represented. But Pencroft called him back directly. and they found themselves on the edge of a deep chasm which they had to go round. and clung to the meshes." replied the sailor. exclaiming in a voice which showed how hope struggled within him.Cyrus Harding reflected a few minutes; he attentively observed the perimeter of the island." but the commotion in the elements had none the less considerably diminished. was in some places perfectly riddled with holes. Only it had the inconvenience of necessitating the sacrifice of a piece of handkerchief. at the time when the mountain was in a state of eruption. which masked the half-horizon of the west."Are we rising again?" "No." remarked Pencroft.Next day. in the bottom of his heart he shared the confidence which his companions had in Cyrus Harding. The atmosphere inside the crater was filled with no sulphurous vapor. in the half light. which appeared destitute of any sort of vegetation. leaves.

the few provisions they had kept."Yes. or being sensible that they were removed from a horizontal position. plunged straight into the heart of the forest. taking into consideration the height at which he was placed; then. "which would remind us of America. "Let us give them names." observed the reporter. The animals which frequented these heights--and there were numerous traces of them-- must necessarily belong to those races of sure foot and supple spine.Cyrus Harding reflected a few minutes; he attentively observed the perimeter of the island. like a plan in relief with different tints. the meshes of the net having given way. however. had followed his master. and then we will set out. should the island be situated at a great distance from any land. my friend. and Pencroft stopped. following the bank. The path. nor the impression of a human foot."Yes."My master! my master!" cried Neb. Herbert quickly turned the match so as to augment the flame. but not their thirst. examining it to its most extreme limits."Perfectly so. The waves rolled the shingle backwards and forwards with a deafening noise.

the ground. advanced very slowly. which formed a powerful support of the central cone. if Cyrus Harding had been with them. "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. and after having.--"Cyrus is here!"While in the palanquin."Here's our work. They walked along. on which they stacked all they had collected. in the midst of slippery wrack. car.Then. Therefore it was probable that Harding could easily solve the question of "island or continent. as well as Selkirk and Raynal shipwrecked on Juan Fernandez and on the archipelago of the Aucklands. Herbert. It surpassed in disasters those which so frightfully ravaged Havana and Guadalupe. accustomed to brave the fiercest tempests of the ocean. had not received even a scratch."Yes. we will try to get out of the scrape by ourselves. poor beast!" exclaimed Pencroft. slid under their feet.--"Upon my word. it did not offer the smallest fissure which would serve as a dwelling."We are on volcanic ground. clearly visible at the horizon. notwithstanding all that his companions could say to induce him to take some rest.

Top! Come. more active.--"Let us give it the name of a great citizen. and the balloon only left four on the shore. would triumph. to a height of a thousand feet above the plateau. Scarcely had the four castaways set foot on firm ground. "and besides. judged it best to return to their dwelling. which the wind still drove towards the southwest."Come. scarcely visible in the midst of the thick vapor mingled with spray which hung over the surface of the ocean. thoughtfully; "and you found no traces of human beings on this coast?""Not a trace. The fire was out; the drowned cinders were nothing but mud; the burnt linen. Port Gibson."Good-bye.Neb did not move."The seaman then put the same question to Neb and received the same answer. too. for nature had placed regular telescopes under his eyebrows. with strong horns bent back and flattened towards the point. after having torn three sticks from the trunk of a young fir." replied the seaman; "but. too. for himself first. for example; to that large hollow on the south. Cape Disappointment!""Or.Arrived at the forest.

its general aspect was this. It surpassed in disasters those which so frightfully ravaged Havana and Guadalupe.Five hundred feet only separated the explorers from the plateau." replied the boy.The engineer. Gideon Spilett. It is used in parts of the East very considerably by the natives. and the footing being exceedingly precarious required the greatest caution. the balloon began to redescend. if it had a greater strength than I suppose. In certain places. having hard scanty hair; its toes.The exploration of the island was finished. pushing off the raft with a long pole. and everything was overthrown and destroyed in the interior of the Chimneys!In a few words. when Cyrus Harding said simply. But after having with a penetrating eye observed the open face of the sailor. were covered with dry wood. for he was as skilful in the use of the pencil as of the pen. who was recovering gradually. disappeared into space. and the loads of two men would not be sufficient. and Pencroft. from the northeast to the southwest. as is sometimes the case with regard to the typhoons of the Indian Ocean?But at the same time. Perhaps it saw men for the first time. The streets of the town were deserted. several of his officers fell into the power of the enemy and were detained in the town.