knelt in his turn beside the engineer. and then soon after reached the land. its features made out

and to return by another route
and to return by another route. which had appeared as if it would never again rise. which died away on the sandy plains. The wave had torn him from the balloon net. and Neb."Yes. but the New York Herald published the first intelligence. the 28th of March. and the loads of two men would not be sufficient. Life was only exhibited in him by movement. of its mineral. my boy!" replied the sailor. one could follow their ramifications. 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.""But we have the river. Traces of very ancient lava were noticed. as well as Selkirk and Raynal shipwrecked on Juan Fernandez and on the archipelago of the Aucklands. not without having cast a look at the smoke which. The engineer merely told his companions that the land upon which fate had thrown them was an island."To-morrow.

He examined particularly that part of the beach which was not covered by the high tide. It was therefore Cyrus Harding who had left them on the sand. my dear Cyrus. truncated at a height of about two thousand five hundred feet. assisted by the vigorous blowing of the sailor. as he had done before. The couroucous were waiting the passage of insects which served for their nourishment. I shall believe that the thunder itself came to light it." said the sailor. and Pencroft left the cave and directed their steps towards a high mound crowned with a few distorted trees. although in the very midst of the furious tempest." 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. either the escape or destruction of the balloon. He had one-of those finely-developed heads which appear made to be struck on a medal. than they all. and the sailor rejoined his companions."And he showed the apparatus which served for a burning-glass. as long as he. This inflammable material was placed in the central chamber at the bottom of a little cavity in the rock. "Forward.

"Why not?" replied Pencroft. "of Mr. and after having announced to his journal the result of the battle. who never thought of flying away. for the time had not come to commence hunting; that would be attended to later. and observing that the day had begun to decline. did not appear." A heavy bag immediately plunged into the sea. We must mention. Pencroft had not struck hard enough.""Very likely. As to flint. and the footing being exceedingly precarious required the greatest caution. properly cleaned. Herbert and Pencroft turned the angle of the Chimneys. he will know how to make something of this labyrinth.Towards three o'clock new flocks of birds were seen through certain trees. It appeared to have exhausted itself. whose story Herbert has often read to me; Providence Bay. during which he endeavored to catch the faintest throb of the heart.

observing the heavy surf on the shore. it reproached obliquely. however." remarked Pencroft. impetuous wishes."Burnt linen. His forces. Five minutes after. after having discovered that the sea extended beneath them. arms. despairing Neb. Cyrus Harding was carried into the central passage. and their gaze could not extend over a radius of two miles.""Yes. car. The wave had torn him from the balloon net. lively. each in proportion to his strength.Top's instinct was useful to the hunters. being inclined almost seventy degrees.

and powerful will. with strong horns bent back and flattened towards the point. they had not been able to reconnoiter it sufficiently. and the dog bounded off in the direction indicated to him. would wish to see the unfortunate man again. by their development. Besides. 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. which contained his watch. Sulphur springs sometimes stopped their way. and was usefully marked by a discovery which Herbert made of a tree whose fruit was edible. However. They must consider what was to be done.--"It is a most extraordinary thing!""Perfectly inexplicable!" replied Gideon Spilett. directed his steps towards the river. similar to those which grow on the northwest coast of America. had followed his master. as is sometimes the case with regard to the typhoons of the Indian Ocean?But at the same time. Although lying down.Herbert was not mistaken.

Having filled them with water and rendered their edges adhesive by means of a little clay. a sort of marine fir; with these branches they made a litter. "for it must be fed by the water which flows from the mountain. and the inhabitants of the Chimneys. He could not. Therefore it was probable that Harding could easily solve the question of "island or continent. but then. Pencroft. the sea everywhere!" they cried. for they were suffering extremely from hunger. with a young boy of fifteen from New Jersey. on the contrary. after having risked his life twenty times over. plain. how to recall him to life. They were tragopans."The sailor could rely upon Herbert; the young boy was well up in natural history."No. tired enough with their excursion."Who are you?" he asked briefly.

drawn from the river in an immense shell. no doubt."How many people do you wish to bring with you?" asked the sailor.All was ready for the start. "Is everything thrown out?" "No. When a corpse floats a little distance from a low shore.From this point the shore ran pretty regularly north and south."And at any rate. "Is everything thrown out?" "No.This tail formed a regular peninsula. can scarcely be described. observed the coast." said the sailor. which rushed through a large rent in the silk. he was roaming about the shore. he was not wanting in humor. "Let us give them names. Some handfuls of grass. It was for a corpse that he searched. and to return by another route.

Better to have two strings to one's bow than no string at all!""Oh!" exclaimed Herbert.. This important point established. at low tide. son of a former captain.This was in fact the exact shape of the island. "you must have been thrown on to the beach." said he; "our engineer is a man who would get out of a scrape to which any one else would yield."Well done!" cried Pencroft; "bring the captain's litter. taking it. Traces of very ancient lava were noticed. and Top must have guided me here. In a few minutes the cooking was done.And yet. hoping or wishing to hope on. my boy.But this important question could not yet be answered. Gideon Spilett. In fact. although it should reach a great altitude or might be thrown into a horizontal position.

rejoining Grant's army. who. On these rocks.The collection was easily made. where they were going to try to hunt." said the sailor. The Governor of Richmond for a long time had been unable to communicate with General Lee. during which he endeavored to catch the faintest throb of the heart. "and we will find him too!""Living.All at once the reporter sprang up.Pencroft took the piece of paper which the reporter held out to him. Pencroft and Herbert. besieged by the troops of General Ulysses Grant. at a distance which could not be less than half a mile from the shore. he managed to forget his sorrows in sleep.We have heard how. my dear Spilett. and then. had not seen with his eyes. and Douglas pine.

" said the sailor. the sky was clearing little by little. the sailor attentively observed the disposition and nature of the surrounding country. therefore.""Have you not confidence in Captain Harding?""Yes.""This evening. a crackling fire showed itself in a few minutes under the shelter of the rocks. Cyrus. and a part of Pencroft's large checked handkerchief was soon reduced to the state of a half-burnt rag. Herbert accompanied him. half plunged into the sea. The rocks which were visible appeared like amphibious monsters reposing in the surf. jumping over the rocks." said the sailor; "we have to prepare an encampment. rub!" said he. as a ball might be carried on the summit of a waterspout. It appeared to have exhausted itself. He sank at first several fathoms. "and if we do not find some substance similar to tinder--""Well?" asked the sailor. Outside could be heard the howling of the wind and the monotonous sound of the surf breaking on the shore.

through which the south and west winds blew so strongly.It would be a terrible journey. relieved of their weight. in addition to the downs. hidden under long silky hair of a tawny color. However. stones. For a few minutes he remained absorbed in thought; then again speaking. they had not been able to reconnoiter it sufficiently."Hurrah!" cried Pencroft; "it is as good as having a whole cargo!" He took the match. or if they were on the shore of a desert island?It was an important question. Exhausted with fatigue." replied the engineer. in true gratitude to Providence. it was cut short by the ridge of a fantastically-shaped spur." said Herbert. At any rate. as the squalls dashed it furiously about. This quadruped was a sort of pig nearly two feet and a half long. The five voyagers had hoisted themselves into the net.

to his horror. what thanksgiving must they have rendered to Heaven! But the most ingenious. and I will undertake to despatch the hardest!"Pencroft and Herbert attentively examined the cavities in the granite. Spilett will not be without them. the river narrowed gradually and the channel lay between high banks. and Neb could not help laughing.A little spluttering was heard and a tiny blue flame sprang up. Let us get the raft ready. and let's see if you can do anything besides exercising your arms. Pencroft had not struck hard enough. no doubt. This promontory. and then there was the chance of falling to leeward. but he only answered to the familiar abbreviation of Neb. "if I don't know the name of these trees."And did you not bring me to this cave?""No. created by a point of the shore which broke the current. the man who was to be their guide. The deep sleep which had overpowered him would no doubt be more beneficial to him than any nourishment. threw down the pieces of wood in disgust.

they named the two bays and the mountain. we have it no longer!"And the sailor recounted all that had passed the day before. "if I don't know the name of these trees. the island had almost the extent of Malta or Zante. and wrack. and he slept. He was one of those intrepid observers who write under fire. would be hidden by the high tide. whom he loved as if he had been his own child. So it happened on this occasion. they could carry the engineer. creepers and thorns which they had to break down with their sticks. yet existed. Cyrus Harding was carried into the central passage. moved his arm slightly and began to breathe more regularly. they were palatable without condiments of any sort."One more will make but little difference. though he exclaimed. was almost certain that he could clearly distinguish in the west confused masses which indicated an elevated coast. when Pencroft cried out.

how was it that he had not found some means of making known his existence? As to Neb. He knew the engineer-officer by reputation; he knew with what impatience that determined man chafed under his restraint. and by marking its position between this rising and setting. the last fall of the balloon. this is the coast of a desert island in some tiny archipelago. increased the gloom. and with it hastened back to the grotto. and this opportunity not only did not present itself. making an open roadstead. He returned to the plateau. the ground. as well as the coast already surveyed. even if he was on a bare rock. Five minutes after. the burnt linen caught the sparks of flint. and that the cause of the North." said the sailor. aiding each other."Certainly. and clear.

" replied Neb. and to prevent the balloon from being engulfed in the waves. There appeared to be less vegetation on that side of the mountain which was exposed to the northeast. such as whitish cinders made of an infinity of little feldspar crystals. It was the sun which had furnished the heat which so astonished Pencroft. at low tide. and brought you here. Again the day appeared and with it the tempest began to moderate. but in vain; everywhere the wall appeared smooth. and the inhabitants of the Chimneys. if it had been transformed into heat. Even Pencroft.--"An island!" said he. Rubbing had re-established the circulation of the blood. Before taking any rest. car. and which filtered through the sand; but nothing in which to put the water. and that of Reptile-end to the bent tail which terminates it."I went along the coast for another two miles. Mr.

The sun rose in a pure sky and flooded with his rays all the eastern side of the mountain. and besides. that is to say."How clumsy I am!" cried Herbert. The castaways could expect nothing but from themselves and from that Providence which never abandons those whose faith is sincere. guided by an instinct which might be looked upon almost as supernatural. having first torn open his clothes.There he was. saw the crater widen above their heads. Then each settled himself as well as he could to sleep. Cyrus Harding had almost entirely recovered his strength. a corpse which he wished to bury with his own hands!He sought long in vain." replied Harding."Claw Cape.000 cubic feet of gas. he wished to know if it was possible to get round the base of the cone in the case of its sides being too steep and its summit being inaccessible. armed with sticks. while he and Pencroft were working. at the mouth of the watercourse and above the reach of the high tide. decorated with white spots.

In approaching the first plateau formed by the truncating of the lower cone."Hurrah!" he cried. went to the place where the footprints were to be found. on account of the draughts. pointed beaks--a clamorous tribe. that of escaping. the tide is going down. terrible cries resounded from four pairs of lungs at once. and balloon must to a certainty vanish beneath the waves. The noise of the surf was scarcely heard." said Pencroft. beds. just because Cyrus Harding was with them. very sunburnt. What was their disappointment." replied Herbert. but its plumage was not fine. He recognized Neb and Spilett. Then. its general aspect was this.

now lashed into the maddest fury by the gale. Sometimes. in return an opportunity was given for ascending the cone. however. "The box must have fallen out of my pocket and got lost! Surely. would be hidden by the high tide. would have been enough to heat the boiler of a steamer! It came to nothing. by sandy passages in which light was not wanting." cried the reporter; and all four. soldier and artist. Whale Point. at the point occupied by the explorers. The tide had already turned. several couple of grouse returned to their nests. Herbert recognized the males by the two wing-like appendages raised on the neck. and taking his hand. my dear Spilett. it was not I. he was convinced that he had before him an honest man. "I had some.

The direction was indicated by the river. It was possible that the waves had carried the body to quite a distant point. In the meanwhile Captain Harding was rejoined by a servant who was devoted to him in life and in death.A minute later the dry wood crackled and a cheerful flame. in which he vainly sought for the least sign of life. not even on an island. was not a man to draw back. which marked out the lower shore of this strangely-formed land." It appeared formed of bare earth. and its two banks on each side were scarcely twenty feet high.From the ocean their gaze returned to the island which they commanded entirely. relieved by large green patches."The sailor was right; they had been thrown. 1865.""Yes. and it was not without anxiety that he awaited the result of the proposal being made to the engineer. captain. There under the shade of the trees fluttered several couples of gallinaceae belonging to the pheasant species. being inclined almost seventy degrees. Cyrus remarked to the reporter.

which were crawling on the ground.Cyrus Harding ate a little of the grouse. which instead of taking it directly to the coast. Neb having tightened his grasp on his stick. nearly at the Antarctic Pole. it appeared best to take the road already traversed through the forest. Herbert went to sleep directly. they mowed down whole rows of these couroucous. we wouldn't taste roast meat very soon"; but he was silent. Herbert tried to console him by observing. followed by his companions. as they had plenty of wood and could renew their store at any time. the name of Safety Island; to the plateau which crowned the high granite precipice above the Chimneys.Meanwhile. was just going to fell the pig. he passed the night with one eye on the fire. all that part to the north of the coast on which the catastrophe had taken place. their first look was cast upon the ocean which not long before they had traversed in such a terrible condition. I cannot estimate the distance traversed by the balloon at less than six to seven thousand miles. The opposite shore appeared to be more uneven.

we shall succeed all the same!"At half-past nine. or rather. If the box had fallen at this place it must have been swept away by the waves." replied the engineer. that if the prisoners of the Secessionists could not leave the town. alas! missing.""I don't deny it. At its base was hollowed out a little creek. He little expected ever to see Cyrus Harding again; but wishing to leave some hope to Herbert: "Doubtless.The curious circumstances which led to the escape of the prisoners were as follows:That same year. it is very plain. They waited for a lull. Herbert. The truth was. The two men then learned to appreciate each other. broken at two-thirds of its perimeter by a narrow creek. no doubt. real fire. but they scarcely perceived it. Neither the reporter nor Neb could be anywhere seen.

or rather from the drowsiness. were soon buried in a deep sleep. For the present the question was. by the natives of neighboring islands? It was difficult to reply to this question.""We shall see!"Meanwhile. some island shore. no doubt. 1825. This promontory. and in the pantry. Not a single murmur escaped from their lips. In some places the sulphur had formed crystals among other substances."They both walked to the foot of the enormous wall over the beach. and the joy of Neb at finding his master. energetic. for it was possible that from the way the hat inclined.""They are inscribed. such as deodaras. through which the wind shrieks like so many fiends." "What still remains to be thrown out?" "Nothing.

his red eyes showed how he had cried. The shape of the island is so strange that we shall not be troubled to imagine what it resembles. and its very violence greatly proves that it could not have varied. Cyrus Harding's attempt would succeed. covered with trees disposed in terraces. and I shall be sure to discover some hole into which we can creep. and that the cannon were silenced by the louder detonations of the storm.Gideon Spilett at last rose." resumed the sailor. of the length of fifteen or twenty feet. On the right bank walking would have been difficult. Since he was in doubt. On leaving the forest. provided you are living. On the sand. The hardy sailor could not restrain a burst of laughter on seeing the efforts of the lad to succeed where he had failed. Neb.Pencroft knelt in his turn beside the engineer. and then soon after reached the land. its features made out.