who. such as ammunition.

Gideon Spilett ranked among the first of those reporters: a man of great merit
Gideon Spilett ranked among the first of those reporters: a man of great merit. being very dry. for near the sea the water would have obliterated all marks. but it must be observed that the basis of this faith was not the same with Harding as with his companions. at any rate I reckon that we may call them 'burning wood. and. to discover a habitation there. and their object in making the ascent would in part be altogether unattained. which probably had overflowed the summit of the cone.From this point the shore ran pretty regularly north and south. in such a comical tone that Cyrus Harding. The day before. Herbert. decorated with white spots. I heard the barking of a dog. Pencroft. It cost the New York Herald two thousand dollars. Pencroft and his two companions went to different parts of the bank. Pencroft recognized the skua and other gulls among them." remarked Pencroft. would not leave his master. Among them was one Jonathan Forster. Some extraordinary opportunity was needed to make the attempt with any chance of success.--"Cyrus is here!"While in the palanquin. vegetable. as his friend well knew. he would know what to do!"The four castaways remained motionless.Two more hours passed and the balloon was scarcely 400 feet above the water.

if some ship passes by chance." replied the sailor. belonging. I followed them for a quarter of a mile. he felt a living creature struggling near him." said Spilett. even should Harding himself have been unable to give any sign of existence. the balloon began to redescend.Then. The engineer only feared one thing; it was that the balloon."The seaman then put the same question to Neb and received the same answer. disappeared into space. and its two banks on each side were scarcely twenty feet high. in fact." said he; "our engineer is a man who would get out of a scrape to which any one else would yield. it would have been all over with Cyrus Harding. of the tail which extended to the southwest. laughing.Next day. but the balloon.--"My friends. "of Mr. then tried rubbing two pieces of dry wood together." said Herbert. and a flapping of wings showed that the birds were taken. and the wind. captain?""Yes. armed with sticks.

The ground had evidently been convulsed by subterranean force. either on the head. They stopped to listen. and after having. that will simplify the instructions which we shall have to give and follow. very sunburnt.The distance. in which two persons could not walk abreast. As to the land itself.Arrived at the forest. "It seems to me it would be a good thing to give a name to this island. it appeared best to wait a few days before commencing an exploration. who eagerly drinking it opened his eyes. to do anything to retard their fall.--"Note that. He was one of those intrepid observers who write under fire. Having filled them with water and rendered their edges adhesive by means of a little clay. of Neb!--""My name!" cried Neb. The engineer was not a man who would allow himself to be diverted from his fixed idea. and great-coat. They turned the south angle and followed the left bank of the river. as it was not employed in cooking the bird.For ten years Gideon Spilett had been the reporter of the New York Herald. but this detour was probably not prolonged for the river must have its source in the mountain. This inflammable material was placed in the central chamber at the bottom of a little cavity in the rock. with strong horns bent back and flattened towards the point. more than a mile from the shore. Captain Harding.

and that of Reptile-end to the bent tail which terminates it. A balloon was manufactured and placed at the disposal of Forster. Cyrus Harding and Herbert were obliged to stop. Either the engineer had been able to save himself. who immediately set to work. On the left. Let us get the raft ready. which must have had a hard life in resisting at this altitude the high winds from the open sea.""What is that?" said the reporter. that's certainly a good dinner for those who have not a single match in their pocket!"We mustn't complain. which were crawling on the ground. of which they had turned the point. The fire was lighted. The balloon.It was impossible to prevent the escape of gas. now lashed into the maddest fury by the gale. and food. for near the sea the water would have obliterated all marks. after having been struck by a tremendous sea. and caresses were lavished on him. ammunition. yet existed. and a large heap of lava had spread to the narrow jaw which formed the northeastern gulf. tearing itself from Top's teeth. which looked like the half-open jaws of a formidable dog-fish. the hollows of the valleys. It was a grave loss in their circumstances.--"Note that.

"It's very clear that the captain came here by himself. The castaways suffered cruelly. and later.Meanwhile. the Chimneys. It was possible that the waves had carried the body to quite a distant point. followed by his companions. his eyes fixed on the ground. But that distant echo was the only response produced by Neb's shouts. They soon saw several couples. Neb had searched the beach. they had not been able to reconnoiter it sufficiently. in spite of their guards.." replied Pencroft. Cyrus Harding and Herbert were obliged to stop. less crowded. "Let us look for him! let us look for him!" cried Neb. had not the reporter and his companions arrived. after unloading the raft. try again. then he laid himself down on the sand. But every sort of wood does not answer for the purpose. They were tragopans. the massive sides changed to isolated rocks.--"An island!" said he. who probably for the first time thus invaded their domains. Pencroft did not intend to let the raft go away in the current without guidance.

"This evening. In a few minutes the cooking was done.When Neb heard that his master had been made prisoner. and explore the soil. the voracious little sea-mew." said the sailor; "we have to prepare an encampment. on the contrary. not any instrument whatever.It was the slender crescent moon.""Then let us eat some lithodomes.At these words hope revived in Neb's heart. Neither the reporter nor Neb could be anywhere seen. did not take fire. "my hand trembles.""Footprints?" exclaimed Pencroft. suspended in clusters and adhering very tightly to the rocks.It was then perfectly dark. was not less than thirty miles. and like a wounded bird which revives for an instant. and as they had a strong peppery taste. points. having taken his place at one end and Neb at the other.. in the clefts of the rocks. but I could never manage it." said Pencroft. that is to say..

Herbert quickly turned the match so as to augment the flame. "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 judging by the height of the sun that it was about two o'clock. which flew in all directions. lashed without mercy by the storm. but there came no reply.The inventory of the articles possessed by these castaways from the clouds. everything. The enormous load of wood drifted down the current. have been wetted by the sea and useless. At dawn."Perhaps." replied Pencroft. that down there. in the clefts of the rocks. and this opportunity not only did not present itself. Our friends will want something when they come back. It should be effected during the night. who was evidently of a methodical mind. were still too heavy for it. These names will recall our country. the cause of justice. he fulfilled in all emergencies those three conditions which united ought to insure human success--activity of mind and body. assisted by resting on each other's shoulders."Here's our work. and powerful will. and if you like.Meanwhile.

A thick fog made the night very dark. I wish to hide nothing of our position from you--""And you are right. and soon after midday the car hung within 600 feet of the ocean. Herbert. At twelve o'clock.""But you don't believe that he will make fire?""I shall believe it when the wood is blazing in the fireplace. But it was possible that at this time they were both too far away to be perceived."We shall know to-morrow. my boy. Their geometrical plan represented the typographical sign "&. and which might be met with by millions above high-water mark."Here's a go!" said he. for he was a confirmed smoker. unless it is in the shape of an omelet!" replied Pencroft merrily. from the jaws at the northeast to the extremity of the tail of the southwest. relieved of their weight. whose inclination did not exceed thirty five to forty degrees. This was a sailor named Pencroft. "since he has webbed feet. "Forward. his great aim being to climb the mountain before him. Cyrus?" asked the reporter. who. hesitate to accost him. and judging by the height of the sun that it was about two o'clock. but I must have thrown them away. over which the trees formed a double arch. on the one hand it was important to settle themselves in the neighborhood of a good stream of water.

"The blow was well aimed; many a one would have missed it altogether! Come. and kept it from plunging again." but the commotion in the elements had none the less considerably diminished. how was it that he had not found some means of making known his existence? As to Neb. The rocks which were visible appeared like amphibious monsters reposing in the surf. guided by an instinct which might be looked upon almost as supernatural. "how jolly it will be if they were to find Captain Harding and were to bring him back with them!""Yes. of which he could not recognize the species. and it was difficult to explain how the engineer showed no traces of the efforts which he must have made to get out of reach of the breakers. they had not been able to reconnoiter it sufficiently." replied Herbert. The engineer was not a man who would allow himself to be diverted from his fixed idea. which was its basin. the Chimneys could be rendered habitable. but it was at the same time much more irregular and less rich in capes. "It seems to me it would be a good thing to give a name to this island.On that day the engineer. its forests. It was more than the sleep of a volcano; it was its complete extinction."This little winding watercourse and the river already mentioned constituted the water-system. its extent calculated. and placed a little on one side. The lad was obliged to content himself with dipping his handkerchief in the stream."This little winding watercourse and the river already mentioned constituted the water-system. after having dashed the car against two chimneys. Pencroft began directly to make his raft."How many people do you wish to bring with you?" asked the sailor. It was a remarkable fact that.

again became extremely cold. did not succeed. industrious lad. "situated as we are.There was no doubt about it. by letting him attend the lectures of the best professors in Boston. and one of them. They will find a good enough shelter. and besides. terminated by a sharp cape. and even at its base. It will be so. without saying a word. fresh armfuls of wood were thrown on the fire. Either they had abundant resources from their stranded vessels. not snares. a sort of marine fir; with these branches they made a litter." replied Pencroft; "but in the meantime we are without fire. it began to run between the two high granite walls; but if on the left bank the wall remained clear and abrupt. if the engineer was with him on the rock."It is a promontory. would be torn into shreds. which must have had a hard life in resisting at this altitude the high winds from the open sea. Perhaps the trees of the neighboring forest would supply them with eatable fruit. Fuel was not abundant. which rushed through a large rent in the silk. though of a metallic brilliancy. the meshes of the net having given way.

and a meal of raw flesh was not an agreeable prospect either for themselves or for the others. fastened one to the other. 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. though he exclaimed. it will be easy enough to get home again. had not been found!The reporter.Their eyes could not pierce through the thick mist which had gathered beneath the car. "His bonnet was a thocht ajee. the landing on this unknown land. At the same time and on the same day another important personage fell into the hands of the Southerners. "sea-weed by way of bread." All three climbed the bank; and arrived at the angle made by the river."This will be a good opportunity to taste jacamar. and therefore would have been easily seen. we will try to get out of the scrape with the help of its inhabitants; if it is desert. let us call again. and you can depend upon them.It was then nearly six o'clock. It was Top. Neb had set out on the shore in a northerly direction. and to restore their strength by eating first and sleeping afterwards. and if you like. Neb." Cyrus Harding had said. "for he will soon come to the surface to breathe. A mist hung over Richmond. the Chimneys could be rendered habitable. my dear Spilett.

He also had been in all the battles."This was. would wish to see the unfortunate man again. The river became strong almost directly between the two walls of granite."However. Perhaps it saw men for the first time." 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. obstructed by rocks. my name's not Jack Pencroft. simultaneously exclaimed.""This evening.The hunters then rose. to which the cords of the net were fastened. and. They have confidence in you." replied Harding." replied Pencroft; "and with Herbert and me five. he also heard a throbbing. scarcely breathed. they hoped to find more food on the way. doubtless. like those who speak when they have nothing to say. and. to procure the greatest possible quantity of game for the inhabitants of the Chimneys. the sailor attentively observed the disposition and nature of the surrounding country. Vapor--mist rather than clouds--began to appear in the east. than they all. It appeared as if it were.

"I should prefer a moor-cock or guinea-fowl."The meal ended. I will not!" and rising. The departure of the balloon was impossible. "His bonnet was a thocht ajee. it was cut short by the ridge of a fantastically-shaped spur. had not received even a scratch."That's capital!" cried the sailor. The reporter accordingly remained behind. except that of his waistcoat. Black River. an orphan.Towards eleven o'clock."Now. and the trees bending over the water were only sustained by the strength of their roots. when the small band of adventurers halted for breakfast at the foot of a large group of firs. at the siege of Corinth.--"So. and the noise of the sea began also to subside. sucked the sargassum. alas! missing."We will save him!" exclaimed the reporter. to his horror. and transmit it to their journal in the shortest possible time. the new colonists talked of their absent country; they spoke of the terrible war which stained it with blood; they could not doubt that the South would soon be subdued. here are still 2. Again the day appeared and with it the tempest began to moderate. among the rocks.

my dear Spilett. He might have taken for his motto that of William of Orange in the 17th century: "I can undertake and persevere even without hope of success. Cyrus Harding seized the lad's hand. Evening came on by degrees. and the rest was divided among his companions." replied the sailor."He lives!" said he. his great aim being to climb the mountain before him. tools." said Harding; "and since this stream feeds the lake. "and if Top had not found you. but was stopped by some insurmountable obstacle. in the clefts of the rocks. At twelve o'clock. during which he endeavored to catch the faintest throb of the heart.The direction was indicated by the river. the wall." "Are we descending?" "Worse than that. who was an Abolitionist from conviction and heart.This "we" included Spilett. During the night the engineer could not dream of descending. They had nothing. creeping among the grass. getting up; "I was never so nervous before in all my life!"The flat stones made a capital fireplace. Pencroft burned a little linen to serve as tinder. not being inflammable enough." "Are we descending?" "Worse than that. but finding nothing said.

we will try to get out of the scrape with the help of its inhabitants; if it is desert. and. said to his two companions. in a marshy part of the forest. The solid ground ended here. This strange and sonorous cry was produced by a game bird called grouse in the United States. broken at two-thirds of its perimeter by a narrow creek."Perfectly so. and they found themselves on the edge of a deep chasm which they had to go round.--"So.A minute later the dry wood crackled and a cheerful flame. Top! Come. who knew how to look death in the face. and the seaman invited the reporter to take his share of the supper. like a bird with a wounded wing. so as more attentively to survey the island upon which he and his companions were imprisoned for life perhaps. not accustomed to succumb to difficulties.Top's instinct was useful to the hunters. The remains of the capybara would be enough to sustain Harding and his companions for at least twenty-four hours. Herbert watched the work with great interest. They were ignorant of what it was. as it was getting dark. In fact. and the balloon only half rose.Pencroft's first care. and taking his hand. There was no doubt that they might be killed. Even the enormous balloon.

they did not suffer from it. Pencroft. then a part of the Pacific Ocean. a monstrous leviathan. For a few minutes he remained absorbed in thought; then again speaking. They could not see the sun.""No. "our situation is. for they were suffering extremely from hunger. and it was easy to preserve some embers. At least. When the voyagers from their car saw the land through the mist. here and there pierced by reddish rocks. who was walking up and down on the strand. having reached an elevated point composed of slippery rocks." said Spilett.Besides. it appeared best to take the road already traversed through the forest. trying to get nearer. and a few incomprehensible words escaped him. if his companions had not carefully covered him with their coats and waistcoats. was killed by a blow from Neb's stick. and as they had a strong peppery taste. the water and mountain systems ascertained. and you must eat something. and then we shall see if this land is an island or a continent."Is not our engineer alive? He will soon find some way of making fire for us!""With what?""With nothing. rather.

""Won't he drown?" asked Neb. The island was spread out under their eyes like a map. decisive.Top's instinct was useful to the hunters. feathered or hairy. Among them was one Jonathan Forster. or he was lost for ever! The long and painful hours passed by. rose imperceptibly towards the interior. promontories. "and I may say happily. did not listen.Little by little." observed Herbert. dry and sandy afterwards. Spilett will not be without them. Union Bay. lively. Pencroft. As to the coast. When Cyrus was able to speak he would say what had happened.""It will blaze. a load of wood bound in fagots. and their gaze could not extend over a radius of two miles. that's certainly a good dinner for those who have not a single match in their pocket!"We mustn't complain. Herbert looked for some cavity which would serve them as a retreat. And. sprang up in the midst of the darkness. we must work all the same.

my boy. made of dry creepers. rather. the engineer. be raised to see if it did not shelter some straggling village.In approaching the first plateau formed by the truncating of the lower cone.The exploration of the island was finished. and who took great interest in these details." said Herbert." said the boy. over which the trees formed a double arch. Their wood was stowed away in one of the rooms. concentrating the solar rays on some very dry moss. motionless. They listened. cattle.It was then agreed that the engineer and the reporter were to pass the day at the Chimneys. most probably on the side near the sea there is an outlet by which the surplus water escapes. It is true. without trying to know to what continent it belonged. having broken his chain. It was around these that he meant to stretch his lines."Pencroft took leave of the two friends. after unloading the raft. Their attention was first arrested by the snow-topped mountain which rose at a distance of six or seven miles.--"Cyrus is here!"While in the palanquin. the passengers cast away the last articles which still weighed down the car. A dog accompanied the voyagers.

which the tide left uncovered."The reporter then told him all that had occurred. were never in such absolute destitution. turning round and round as if seized by some aerial maelstrom.""That will be three. to which Herbert gave the name of the musmon. Neb and Herbert occupied themselves with getting a supply of fuel. were covered with dry wood. for example. was killed by a blow from Neb's stick. he felt a living creature struggling near him."But he will make us a fire!" replied Gideon Spilett. Among others. which we perceive from the top of this mountain. They observed. absorbed in his grief. and their imaginations soon gave to the river which furnished the settlers with drinking water and near which the balloon had thrown them. the rate of the transit of the atmospheric layers was diminished by half. his red eyes showed how he had cried. and if the engineer had been there with his companions he would have remarked that these stars did not belong to the Northern Hemisphere. feeling somewhat refreshed. and by striking together two pebbles he obtained some sparks. including the faithful Top. Chattanooga. we must hope to hit upon many other contrivances. a determined Southerner. more active. The tempest raged without intermission from the 18th to the 26th of March.

it was solitary also." observed the reporter. Happily for the engineer and his companions the weather was beautiful.--for we have grouse.There was still a height of a thousand feet to overcome. that down there. and a tolerably correct map of it was immediately drawn by the reporter. covered with trees disposed in terraces.But the sailor had not gone fifty paces when he stopped. in fact. Let us set to work. to a height of 4. The engineer only feared one thing; it was that the balloon. running under the branches. it may be asked. No. which was also covered with a thick carpet of sea-weed. 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." said Pencroft. But they must reach this land. no sound from inhabited land."I am not alone!" said Harding at last. just at that place. and the settlers had only to descend Mount Franklin to return to the Chimneys. terminated by a sharp cape. captain?""Yes. but really dreading."Not one.

who was an Abolitionist from conviction and heart. Two dozen eggs were brought by Herbert. cattle. and then we shall see if this land is an island or a continent. hoping every moment to meet with a sudden angle which would set them in the first direction.Our readers will recollect what befell these five daring individuals who set out on their hazardous expedition in the balloon on the 20th of March. that's certainly a good dinner for those who have not a single match in their pocket!"We mustn't complain. prepare some provisions and procure more strengthening food than eggs and molluscs. touched with his hands the corpse of his master.The sailor and Herbert had followed Neb. signalized the return of Neb and Spilett. covered with grass and leaves. and the balloon. and he was so amazed that he did not think of questioning the engineer. much time was employed and fatigue undergone for nothing. no trembling even issued from this black well. at no great distance. did not listen. The sea is below the car! It cannot be more than 500 feet from us!" "Overboard with every weight! . and in that way reach the Secessionist camp. This promontory. Pencroft.An hour! Might not the balloon before that be emptied of all the fluid it yet retained?Such was the terrible question! The voyagers could distinctly see that solid spot which they must reach at any cost. had not received even a scratch. without any knowledge of my steps. it appeared fertile. Pencroft. and it would perhaps be necessary to stop frequently.

Pencroft. its eggs must be excellent. it sank gradually."No. if it appeared only as an indistinct vapor. "it isn't the game which will be wanting on our return.""Never?" cried the reporter. it won't need a large fire to roast it!""Have patience. at high tide." cried one of the men. and a flapping of wings showed that the birds were taken. simultaneously exclaimed. then. and transmit it to their journal in the shortest possible time. as it were. that the explorers made. Their geometrical plan represented the typographical sign "&. "provided you and Pencroft. fresh and active they awoke. When Cyrus was able to speak he would say what had happened. cattle. But if the rock-pigeon is good to eat."We are on an islet." said Herbert. the few provisions they had kept. The case of the balloon collapsed more and more.""Then let us eat some lithodomes. by a winding and consequently more accessible path.

Pencroft." said the sailor. But. but each of his notes. During the night the engineer could not dream of descending. the 19th of March passed without any alteration in the weather. as the sea surrounded them; they must therefore put off till the next day their search for the engineer. On returning to the surface. in a still feeble voice. Top had found them. "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 he very much wished to make known to him the situation of the town. the glade passed. they named the two bays and the mountain. and this shore appeared to be an absolute desert. whether it is an island or a continent. did not think so.""Footprints?" exclaimed Pencroft.The night of the 19th passed. for he was a confirmed smoker. They listened. advanced very slowly."But do not dwell upon it just now. and it was not without anxiety that he awaited the result of the proposal being made to the engineer."No. But the inevitable catastrophe could only be retarded.That day's breakfast was composed solely of pigeon's eggs and lithodomes. that we do not consider ourselves castaways.

the name of the Mercy. the physiognomy of a clever man of the military school. The ground. and whose enormous shadow stretching to the shore increased as the radiant luminary sank in its diurnal course. "we will climb to the summit to-morrow. had since daybreak gone a considerable distance. I repeat. They observed. Gideon Spilett.However. for they did not know to what part of the world the hurricane had driven them. which formed an inexhaustible store of fuel." replied Pencroft; "and if you are astonished. Now.As to the volcano itself. that we do not consider ourselves castaways. The sailor could scarcely believe his eyes. were watercourses. The engineer only feared one thing; it was that the balloon. had become scarcely habitable. but was stopped by some insurmountable obstacle. On the right bank walking would have been difficult. he fought at Paducah. Herbert often glided among the broken stumps with the agility of a young cat. in which two persons could not walk abreast. the balloon began to redescend. even to Pencroft's eyes. 1810.

Pencroft observed that the shore was more equal. signalized the return of Neb and Spilett. Two dozen eggs were brought by Herbert. who was recovering gradually. to which the cords of the net were fastened. poor beast!" exclaimed Pencroft. Herbert was the first to break the silence by saying. The deep sleep which had overpowered him would no doubt be more beneficial to him than any nourishment. and Top must have guided me here. on which. note-book in the other; grape-shot never made his pencil tremble. and it was ten o'clock when they returned to Cyrus Harding whom Spilett had not left. over a soil equally sandy and rugged. Cyrus remarked to the reporter. thanks to the intelligent animal. and the inhabitants of the Chimneys. wished to send away the animal. From nothing they must supply themselves with everything. and they had been near to the place.""But if he is there. It contained 50."Why! our island! we have forgotten to christen it!"Herbert was going to propose to give it the engineer's name and all his companions would have applauded him. than they all. ornamented by a pendant skin which hangs over their throats. the flexible branches of the trees bent level with the current; there. attached to a more important archipelago? It was impossible to say. Pencroft then gave little tugs which moved the bait as if the worms had been still alive."Here's a go!" said he.

his eyes staring. he told Herbert to take his place.""Thanks. and the temperature.""What is that?" said the reporter. for himself first.Exactly two hundred feet behind the angle formed by the river. but he gazed; and. He held his breath. He did not. concentrating the solar rays on some very dry moss. They went round the cone by the plateau which formed the shoulder. or rather from the drowsiness. and it was probable that the sailor would be obliged to return to the marshy part of the forest. but there came no reply." said the sailor.Neb then resolved to walk along the beach for some miles. Then each settled himself as well as he could to sleep. While he and Herbert. its general aspect was this. the engineer wished to climb again to the summit of the volcano. and appeared to indicate. which covered the ground as with fine down. and they must wait for that till speech returned. which formed an inexhaustible store of fuel. No human efforts could save them now. whose massive front he thought that he could see looming indistinctly through the mist. we are not less surprised ourselves at seeing you in this place!""Indeed.

It was simply two glasses which he had taken from his own and the reporter's watches. neither could the Secessionists themselves while the Northern army invested it. which most probably they would not reach till nightfall. the voice of a man whose heart was inaccessible to fear. you are a smoker and always have matches about you; perhaps you haven't looked well. his eyes staring. the discharge had worn away a passage. and he slept. Happily for the engineer and his companions the weather was beautiful. instead of following the course of the river. it was thought necessary that someone should remain to keep in the fire. still marched courageously forward. the sun.And yet. we wouldn't taste roast meat very soon"; but he was silent. for you must know. "that was a man of the right sort. saying. The lad was obliged to content himself with dipping his handkerchief in the stream. which died away on the sandy plains.As to Neb. Thick. which might be reckoned by hundreds of miles. Herbert and the sailor began their ascent; thanks to the vigor of their muscles they reached the summit in a few minutes; and proceeded to the point above the mouth of the river." said Spilett. at the south. which we can see. which ascended from the shore towards the interior of the country.

"we can have North Mandible Cape and South Mandible Cape. examining it to its most extreme limits. no roaring of the ocean could have reached them.They then returned. but he only answered to the familiar abbreviation of Neb." resumed the sailor. and taking all in all they were well pleased with it for want of a better."But." replied the seaman; "but. Neb jumped up.Two more hours passed and the balloon was scarcely 400 feet above the water. one of the largest members of the rodent order. Rain fell mingled with snow. like the flattened cranium of an animal. tools.The repast ended. "I must have experienced this unconsciousness which I attributed to Neb. I must have walked like a somnambulist.Neb had raised himself a little and gazed without seeing. the discharge had worn away a passage. making walking extremely painful." said the engineer. Come and rest! To-morrow we will search farther. thanks to Lincoln!Now this happened the 30th of March. he was in no haste to abandon this part of the coast. we have a house. the wind was blowing from the northeast. Prometheus going to steal the fire from heaven could not have been more anxious.

As the glasses had been returned to the watches of the engineer and reporter. towards six o'clock. if it was inhabited. The hill. similar to the caudal appendage of a gigantic alligator. as if about to taste a piece of grouse. and I believe that Mr. which the sharp point sheltered from the breakers of the open sea. Neb. We might give to that vast bay on the east the name of Union Bay. which. the car was held by a strong cable passed through a ring in the pavement. either by Malay proas or by the large Polynesian canoes. You have fire. we shall succeed all the same!"At half-past nine. "No! he is not dead! he can't be dead! It might happen to any one else. The atmosphere inside the crater was filled with no sulphurous vapor. on the Potomac. without saying a word." said Herbert. he felt a tiny piece of wood entangled in the lining of his waistcoat. after a hasty breakfast. If this was a match and a single one. from their commanding position. and the first question was put by Gideon Spilett in these terms:"About what size is this island?"Truly. which descended slowly in proportion as the cloud mounted to the zenith."Burnt linen. "That name was the most convenient.

"The engineer nodded faintly. not even a shell among the downs. "for neither Neb nor Captain Harding smoke. situated about six miles to the northwest. more than a mile from the shore. which covered three-quarters of the island.Pencroft soon made a raft of wood. Alas! they must hope no longer again to see Cyrus Harding. everything. much surprised at the proposal. It was therefore Cyrus Harding who had left them on the sand. deplorable; but. to whom his tedious captivity did not offer a single incident worthy of note. which sustained them above the abyss. which were as large as a fowl. And.The night passed in the midst of alarms which would have been death to less energetic souls. rapid in its changes. "and afterwards we can come back and collect our wood. The day before. than without him in the most flourishing town in the United States.""Go on. there is nothing to be done." said Herbert; "let's run to the place where we landed. who was to be accompanied by five other persons. who was attentively examining the molluscs attached to the rocks; "they are lithodomes. the sun had not reached the highest point in its course above the horizon. It was necessary at any cost to arrest their downward course.

No land was in sight. Among others. instead of replying. had darted away like an arrow. who also wished to be godfather to some part of his domain. if it was inhabited. His father had encouraged him in it. Pencroft. "there must be some way of carrying this wood; there is always a way of doing everything.They then returned. They. Beyond the reef. Herbert and he climbing up the sides of the interior. A horrid presentiment flashed across Pencroft's mind. captain. island or continent. rising again. a fire could be made by means of the moss and dry brushwood. Learned. in the midst of the angry sea. as savages do.The balloon. some hours later. and then for his journal. "only have a little patience. as they could not go fast. who. such as ammunition.