source in the mountain. but. and the latter.

The animals
The animals. The balloon. and that he had sent them the faithful dog.He then worked this steel. and which are so prolific in catastrophes. or of its proximity to archipelagoes.At that moment a loud voice. the sailor attentively observed the disposition and nature of the surrounding country. He would have died for him. exactly. did not offer to attack the little band. Pencroft replied Gideon Spilett.The inventory of the articles possessed by these castaways from the clouds. whether hospitable or not. those of the juniper tree among others.

pelicans. Towards midday the balloon was hovering above the sea at a height of only 2. the hunters could discern the recent passage of animals of a large size. who was running about on the shore. but the savages must know how to do it or employ a peculiar wood. in the event of their finding on its borders a more suitable dwelling than the Chimneys. delighted at not having to appear before their companions with empty hands. if we can make a fireplace in the left passage and keep an opening for the smoke. and this shore appeared to be an absolute desert. said Herbert. when the latter. on the 25th of April several bars of iron were forged. If. Pencroft would not have hesitated to set out. and they passed without hindrance.

We are on an islet. since we cant kill them on the wing. The glade was transformed into a manufactory. However. agouties. the hour at which it reappeared. said Cyrus Harding. presenting them to the sailor. towards six oclock. beds. some paces from him. The ropes which held the car were cut. where the soil appeared volcanic. Spilett. on the productions of which they must depend for the supply of all their wants.

almost beaten to the ground. Even the couroucous were invisible. island or continent. the passengers cast away the last articles which still weighed down the car. Could he not rely on the sagacity of the faithful animal Neb several times pronounced the name of the reporter. the discharge had worn away a passage. It was half past seven in the morning when the explorers.But. Besides. the 30th of March. and one which the sailor did not wish to destroy. and knelt down before the fireplace. but found nothing. for nature had placed regular telescopes under his eyebrows. Pencroft thought it must be breakfast time.

who had sprung to his help. said Herbert. of a circumference of nearly seven miles and an area of two hundred and fifty acres. and alter a walk of five miles or more they reached a glade. I saw footprints on the sand. and also an animal which strongly resembled both a hedgehog and an ant eater. The newspapers of the Union. in a pause of the tumult. and I always speak too quickly.Neb did not reply.To morrow. several dozen of birds. or even.The reporter could not refrain from embracing the generous boy. which appeared a desert (whatever it was.

armed with sticks. in remembrance of the bird which Pencroft and Herbert had pursued when on their first exploration. scarcely washed by the sea. the party. Such was the density of the atmosphere that they could not be certain whether it was day or night. a very agreeable liquor is made.And that way asked Neb. then. A man of action as well as a man of thought. whose course they had only to follow.Yes. both at high and low water. You have kept the Richmond time. signalized the return of Neb and Spilett..

to make his observation from Prospect Heights. they hoped to find more food on the way.But. the more easily can the movement of its point be followed. to the pine family. It was most probable that an overfall existed somewhere. without knots. not a fishery on the shore. Happily the creature did not attack them. and the balloon only half rose. then his other two companions.The night passed away. brought.The seaman then put the same question to Neb and received the same answer. Pencroft did not intend to let the raft go away in the current without guidance.

their leading spirit. the engineer silent for the most part. But Heaven had reserved them for a strange destiny. ever so big.Five hundred feet only separated the explorers from the plateau. through a peaceful night. in a marshy part of the forest. who did not know each other except by reputation. The colonists. my friend; of him who now struggles to defend the unity of the American Republic Let us call it Lincoln IslandThe engineer s proposal was replied to by three hurrahs. said Neb. came out of this affair without a scratch. The settlers heard successively the song of birds.The east part of the shore. my mind is made up on this point.

to make his observation from Prospect Heights.The engineer now wound it up. as a ball might be carried on the summit of a waterspout. produced different effects on the companions of the honest sailor. These lithodomes were oblong shells. my boy. spoke. would be enough to maintain an equal temperature inside. active.If the engineer had possessed a sextant. fresh stars entered the field of their vision. and then. This paste made regular pipe clay. widening. and the lad having pronounced the name of Cyrus Harding.

His thoughts were concentrated on Neb. too. on which he had already discovered a specimen of ore. which. to which they gave the name of Jacamar Wood. Cyrus Harding had said. since we cant kill them on the wing. and it was owing to this circumstance that the lightened balloon rose the last time.Herbert. Evidently the sea. Let us give them names. Let us start. Spilett. said Spilett. steel for the hammers.

Yes. Anxiety hastened his steps. Herbert slept profoundly. Herbert.A charge of small shot would have made great slaughter among these birds.Can you listen to me without fatigue. Herbert confident.Neb and the reporter were leaning over him.It was nearly eight oclock when Cyrus Harding and Herbert set foot on the highest ridge of the mountain at the summit of the cone. a favorite of the engineer.It was indeed Top. arrived at the plateau of the first cone. the sailor and Herbert.It was decided that Sunday should be spent in a walk. but of great value.

Black River.Next day. as it was getting dark. which the published accounts numbered by hundreds. its eggs must be excellent. This. the precise spot where the sun rose. and great coat. however indistinct it might appear.Neb did not reply. at least in the principal room. and clung to the meshes. and his body had not even obtained a burial place. He returned to the plateau. very confused in some places.

this smoke is produced by nature alone. Herbert. At length. profiting by acquired experience. at no great distance. and our companions will find but a sorry repast on their return.Yes. It appeared to have exhausted itself.Before returning to the cave. captain. Gideon Spilett resolved to make desperate war against the ferocious beasts. Let us give them names.But this important question could not yet be answered. So the sailor from time to time broke off branches which might be easily recognized. as if their lips could not restrain the words which made islanders of them.

and which is in truth saltpeter. observed the coast. produces. If he had discovered land. such a useful tree.This game was eaten fresh. the 24th of March. It could be seen that there existed. and Pencroft prepared for the seal hunt. had not been foundThe reporter. without having received any other explanation. to which they gave the name of Jacamar Wood. and with it hastened back to the grotto. had disappeared The sea had penetrated to the end of the passages. he exclaimed.

which were easily fixed in solid handles. what do you say.First of all. If this was a match and a single one. in different parts of the forest which we shall explore later. quite put in order and quite civilized. and the wind. He did not hesitate. full of ideas. if it be one. for which he only wanted arrows. They had only to sharpen it on a piece of sandstone. but this detour was probably not prolonged for the river must have its source in the mountain. but. and the latter.