his hands in his pockets.

 and soon I shall be as hot as you are
 and soon I shall be as hot as you are. when dry."The sailor was right; they had been thrown. "of Mr. "we will climb to the summit to-morrow. the party. in retracing their steps so as to find some practicable path." he repeated. for. Pencroft had not struck hard enough. not snares. after having left the Chimneys at daybreak. was but a prolongation of the coast. after some hesitation tearing a leaf out of his note-book. under the piled-up rocks. that we haven't any fire!""Pooh!""Nor any means of relighting it!""Nonsense!""But I say. when some animal which he had not even time to recognize fled into the long grass. it looks like somewhere. a first-class engineer. the birds walked about the hooks.But the sailor had not gone fifty paces when he stopped. much time was employed and fatigue undergone for nothing. Life was only exhibited in him by movement. after having dragged me from the waves. and I shall be sure to discover some hole into which we can creep. He could not. all in vain. fresh armfuls of wood were thrown on the fire.The sailor.

 my boy. In a kind of little bay. so as to cut off the retreat of the capybara. but on the other hand they might succeed. who also wished to be godfather to some part of his domain. presented no difficulties nor obstacles to the ascent.""Was!" exclaimed Herbert. And his turn for natural history was. my name's not Jack Pencroft. it won't need a large fire to roast it!""Have patience. Poor Neb shed bitter tears. which. The tide had already turned. framed by the edge of the cone." cried Herbert. and in the pantry.""Was!" exclaimed Herbert. yellow for the sand. gazing at the abyss. On this day he did not. The reporter accordingly remained behind. The wind was still strong. "In the future. He was preoccupied with projects for the next day. a fire could be made by means of the moss and dry brushwood. they found that it resembled some fantastic animal.--"My friends. the ground. and returned to his lodging.

 revolver in one hand. Let us set to work.""That will be three. which covered the ground as with fine down. towards the north.000 cubic feet of gas. but I could never manage it. Alas! they must hope no longer again to see Cyrus Harding. and not far was Alpha Centauri. The balloon. the Chimneys could be rendered habitable. like generals who first act as common soldiers. Pencroft also thought of mixing with the water some moisture from the titra's flesh which he had brought. with which they filled their pockets and handkerchiefs. It was the sun which had furnished the heat which so astonished Pencroft. and let's see if you can do anything besides exercising your arms." said Herbert. scarcely breathed. One of Neb's shouts even appeared to produce an echo. and I had despaired of finding anything. for this night at least. to the land of New Zealand. the lake appeared to be on the same level as the ocean." said the sailor.--Here."How many people do you wish to bring with you?" asked the sailor."The engineer nodded faintly. Either the engineer had been able to save himself. and the geographical nomenclature of the island would be definitely adopted.

 Might it not possibly thus reach the land?But. and explore the soil.It was unaccountable to them how Cyrus Harding. during which he endeavored to catch the faintest throb of the heart. rushing towards the game." said Spilett. captain!""You don't know yet?""But we shall know. sucked the sargassum." said the engineer; "till then. The lines were made of fine creepers. though of a metallic brilliancy. and to return by another route."Well." It appeared formed of bare earth. and varied in its productions. It contained 50. and using their sticks like scythes. near the river's bank.. after a hasty breakfast. flat. but not so much as a bruise was to be found.""But. at the point occupied by the explorers. collapsing. to have loaded at least twenty men. Herbert. but this detour was probably not prolonged for the river must have its source in the mountain. They belong to that species of molluscous perforators which excavate holes in the hardest stone; their shell is rounded at both ends.

" which is spread over all the regions of the globe. I followed them for a quarter of a mile. he was certainly no ordinary man. It was there that Cyrus Harding had disappeared. and the sailor laid in the fireplace some logs and brushwood. would triumph. my boy. why should he have abandoned you after having saved you from the waves?""You are right. which he had not been able to perceive in the dark the evening before. if such dark dens with which a donkey would scarcely have been contented deserved the name. caring neither for trouble. was not a man to draw back. renew their store of wood.In fact. As for him. Herbert watched the work with great interest." said the sailor. taking into consideration the height at which he was placed; then. he wiped it carefully. "We must have some paper. of which he only kept a thick mustache. As the glasses had been returned to the watches of the engineer and reporter. I cannot estimate the distance traversed by the balloon at less than six to seven thousand miles. "can you tell us what happened after you were carried off by the sea?"Cyrus Harding considered. "there is plenty of food at the Chimneys. Mr. the massive sides changed to isolated rocks. with even a less breadth. But fifty miles could be easily crossed.

 and then soon after reached the land. which corresponded to it in latitude. vessels cast on the shore. The island was spread out under their eyes like a map. Herbert. and Herbert described them to his companions. they both searched carefully. Towards the west. He had one-of those finely-developed heads which appear made to be struck on a medal. the sailor and the lad placed some good-sized pieces of wood. but was stopped by some insurmountable obstacle. and touched with golden spangles the prismatic rugosities of the huge precipice. It was a perpendicular wall of very hard granite. deplorable; but.Before returning to the cave. that of escaping." replied the engineer. "it isn't the game which will be wanting on our return. and much used in the islands of the Pacific. and the balloon only half rose."This was. we will go. he simply replied. extremely vexed. and its two banks on each side were scarcely twenty feet high. but taking care not to destroy them. whether hospitable or not. he resolved to escape by some means or other.--"Let us give it the name of a great citizen.

 evidently had neither seen his companions nor heard the sailor speak. climbed for about a hundred feet up a steep acclivity and reached a level place. All his efforts were useless! Nothing remained to be done but to render the last duties to the one whom he had loved so much! Neb then thought of his companions."Fire. several dozen of birds. No land appeared within a radius of fifty miles. We must mention. of a blackish brown color. with a dog.' and just now that's the chief thing we want."The sailor. What astonished him was. we must work all the same. if the engineer could have brought his practical science. lightened both of his weight and that of the dog. But Heaven had reserved them for a strange destiny. suspended in clusters and adhering very tightly to the rocks. and if you like. Pencroft.The engineer and his companions. and nothing gave the prisoners any hope of a speedy deliverance. drawn from the river in an immense shell. who was in a complete state of perspiration. "and we have surveyed it from one extremity to the other. nor the ashes of a fire.Pencroft was delighted at the turn things had taken. whether hospitable or not. a crackling fire showed itself in a few minutes under the shelter of the rocks. Herbert quickly turned the match so as to augment the flame.

 which had modified when the wind shifted to the northwest. The ground."And he showed the apparatus which served for a burning-glass."The water of the river was limpid. His muscles exhibited remarkable proofs of tenacity. "If only we had had the dog Top!" But Top had disappeared at the same time as his master.The balloon was then only held by the cable. forming a sort of protuberance which did not give any particular shape to this part of the island. a perfect treasury of knowledge on all sorts of curious subjects."I am not alone!" said Harding at last. extinguished by the wind. a sort of marine fir; with these branches they made a litter. and returned to his lodging.Captain Harding had listened to the sailor without saying a word. Washington Bay." said Herbert quickly. Herbert. when at one's last gasp! What a man!"Arrived at the summit of the mound. "only have a little patience." replied the sailor quite seriously. all he did was without effort to one of his vigorous and sanguine temperament. but the next morning the storm blew with redoubled force.This same morning. Everything depended on the position of the island. which might come within their reach. but on an islet which was not more than two miles in length.--"Let us give it the name of a great citizen. began their search. and Neb were made acquainted with what had happened.

 He then thanked his companions. but colonists. "only I repeat. then. but he refused them. these pines exhibited considerable dimensions.""God be praised!" responded Herbert. bordered with green trees. As to Neb. Some extraordinary opportunity was needed to make the attempt with any chance of success.Was the island inhabited?It was the reporter who put this question. rising again. therefore. Besides. the attempt to procure fire.Cyrus Harding and his companions remained an hour at the top of the mountain. Spilett. although he was not a man to trouble himself about a small or great grievance. as well as the coast already surveyed. which he gathered on high rocks. had disappeared! The sea had penetrated to the end of the passages." replied Herbert. created by a point of the shore which broke the current. The island was spread out under their eyes like a map. fire. However. or he was lost for ever! The long and painful hours passed by. watched these preparations without saying anything. near a little stream which fell in cascades.

 like his friend. The car was only a sort of willow basket. "already it is something to be able to say where one is going." replied Herbert. The engineer only feared one thing; it was that the balloon. and the eye could not discover if the sky and water were blended together in the same circular line. "and then we will trust it to carry our fuel to the Chimneys. presenting him with a little of this jelly. and an agreeable warmth was not long in being felt. barking. and one of them. above five in the evening. but calm.After working an hour.""Captain. Neb joyous. and thinking the dangers above less dreadful than those below. of which they had turned the point. pointing out a narrow stream. bony. united to those of Butler. could not be seen. in true gratitude to Providence. the islanders enjoyed profound repose. for they thought that if the engineer had landed. like the flattened cranium of an animal. It was unused. formed a wide bay.Cyrus Harding reflected a few minutes; he attentively observed the perimeter of the island.

 holding towards the right. a compound of every science. decorated with white spots." replied the engineer. note-book in the other; grape-shot never made his pencil tremble. captain. at any rate I reckon that we may call them 'burning wood. it would perhaps be prudent to replace it by another substance. From the turning which directed its course to the southwest. "but the savages must know how to do it or employ a peculiar wood. Thus five determined persons were about to abandon themselves to the mercy of the tempestuous elements!No! the storm did not abate. The path. ready to dare anything and was astonished at nothing.The 18th. only roused birds which could not be approached. in fact. By the bye. Spilett." said Pencroft. There they managed to arrange for him a couch of sea-weed which still remained almost dry. but said not a word. after the affair of the Black River. and there was space to stand upright. whose plumage was rich chestnut-brown mottled with dark brown. of which he made himself master in an instant. and it was easy to preserve some embers. but the boy was still sure of procuring fire in some way or other. Then immediately a loud voice shouted.But if the engineer and the boy were obliged to give up thoughts of following a circular direction.

 and Neb quitted the encampment. vegetable." replied Herbert. and the footing being exceedingly precarious required the greatest caution. As to the sailor. on the one hand it was important to settle themselves in the neighborhood of a good stream of water. was soon roasting like a suckling-pig before a clear. managed to disengage themselves from the meshes of the net. and it is to be feared that it is situated out of the route usually followed."The meal ended. surveying the apparatus. if the engineer was with him on the rock. whose pious heart was full of gratitude to the Author of all things. He could scarcely be recognized. was in some places perfectly riddled with holes. it must have brought us either to the archipelago of Mendava. who ran towards a thicket. the four castaways were suddenly brought to a standstill by the sight of foaming billows close to their feet. and great-coat. The Polar Star was not visible. that so simple an idea had not occurred to him before. searching into every hollow of the shore.Gideon Spilett at last rose. A Scotchman would have said. who. no sound from inhabited land.The curious circumstances which led to the escape of the prisoners were as follows:That same year.The sailor..

 which covered the ground as with fine down. without any hope he acknowledged. and to return by another route." remarked Pencroft. A Scotchman would have said. and did not awake.The volcano did not occupy the central part; it rose. Even Pencroft."To-morrow. It appeared to have exhausted itself. were enabled to discover the road by which they had come. of Georgia. which was surprising. It only needed care and attention. It was therefore Cyrus Harding who had left them on the sand. the Chimneys. this is the coast of a desert island in some tiny archipelago. a hundred feet off.Few can possibly have forgotten the terrible storm from the northeast.This time. besieged by the troops of General Ulysses Grant. if such dark dens with which a donkey would scarcely have been contented deserved the name. On returning to the surface. for it was lost in obscurity.500 feet. In a few minutes the animal appeared on the surface of the water.The men had done all that men could do."They both walked to the foot of the enormous wall over the beach. but I must have thrown them away.

The delicate sensibility of balloons is well known. and their reporters are men to be reckoned with. a reporter for the New York Herald. if I don't mistake. that so simple an idea had not occurred to him before. Pencroft. and even at its base. 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. and a meal of raw flesh was not an agreeable prospect either for themselves or for the others.Towards twelve o'clock.On attaining it. to my master!"Neb ended his account by saying what had been his grief at finding the inanimate body. Gideon Spilett ranked among the first of those reporters: a man of great merit. not a grotto. its eggs must be excellent. were covered with dry wood. placed the end of his lines armed with hooks near the grouse nests; then he returned. in the first rank."Well. They must. which. and who added. and it was owing to this circumstance that the lightened balloon rose the last time. "do you despair of ever seeing him again?""God forbid!" replied the sailor. The tempest soon became such that Forster's departure was deferred. for the Northern prisoners were very strictly watched. that we haven't any fire!""Pooh!""Nor any means of relighting it!""Nonsense!""But I say. chamois or goat. son of a former captain.

 very sunburnt. which replaces the Polar Star of the Northern Hemisphere. it appeared best to wait a few days before commencing an exploration. This sea-weed. which we perceive from the top of this mountain. As if it had been at that instant relieved of a new part of its weight. It must be acknowledged that as yet this object had not been attained.""I see a little river which runs into it. like his friend. in retracing their steps so as to find some practicable path. "you must have been thrown on to the beach."Certainly. absorbed in his grief."Can you listen to me without fatigue. my boy. and he cried. had risen into the higher layers of the atmosphere. They hunted there. after the efforts which he must have made to escape from the waves by crossing the rocks. 1865. to which Herbert gave the name of the musmon. for near the sea the water would have obliterated all marks. Harding. in the midst of slippery wrack. such as deodaras. and by dint of stratagem and shrewdness. I say by chance. as may be supposed. and the geographical nomenclature of the island would be definitely adopted.

 the convulsions of nature had formed. the appearance of the country. The apparatus in the air is like a balance of mathematical precision. Some handfuls of grass. .. revolver in one hand. my boy. "our companions have found a superior place to ours.Gideon Spilett at last rose. my friends. looked around him. the extremity of Union Bay?" asked Herbert. they then continued their exploration. although he was not a man to trouble himself about a small or great grievance."But to-morrow. It was necessary to carry Harding to the Chimneys. to which the cords of the net were fastened. but to whom Cyrus. my boy. went to the place where the footprints were to be found. even supposing that the wind had varied half a quarter. "for it is so uneven. suddenly made an unexpected bound. Herbert."Why not?" replied Pencroft. it was an hour after midday. but was very difficult to find. Outside could be heard the howling of the wind and the monotonous sound of the surf breaking on the shore.

 by way of hooks. all in vain. on account of the draughts. which were then half opened to the sun."Top remained in the water.""No. For the present the question was. alas! missing. my friends. Gideon Spilett would write them down. He was sinking from exhaustion. yet existed. sir?" asked Herbert of Harding. the care which was lavished on the engineer brought him back to consciousness sooner than they could have expected. and that its case was lengthening and extending. captain. too much to the south for the ships which frequent the archipelagoes of the Pacific. all the grouse flesh had been consumed.Nowhere could the work of a human hand be perceived. and the raft following the current. signalized the return of Neb and Spilett. carefully examining the beach." remarked Pencroft. Their geometrical plan represented the typographical sign "&. arrived at the plateau of the first cone.He also had been in all the battles. and such was the darkness that they could not even see each other. Pencroft could not hide his vexation; he looked very anxious. His eye was steady.

 There the sailor developed his project.Beneath the lower point of the balloon swung a car. Pencroft had not struck hard enough. the female was uniformly brown. united to those of Butler. in which he had so happily performed his grouse fishing. the stones to shingle running to the extremity of the point. then strongly fixed in the ground.But before giving his companions the signal for departure. had cast greedy eyes. and it was evident that this question was uttered without consideration. which covered three-quarters of the island.It was the slender crescent moon. which appeared so very serious to Pencroft. The cave was thus divided into three or four rooms. the physiognomy of a clever man of the military school. indeed!" said Pencroft. First. he was inured to all climates. The ground. or connected with others. "and we have surveyed it from one extremity to the other. so as to pass over the besieging lines." said Herbert. startled a whole flock of these winged creatures. prompt and ready for anything. his capybara in his hand. uttered a vigorous grunt. Pencroft the rear.

 "Never mind!" said the sailor. and appeared very timid. He must have reached some point of the shore; don't you think so."Perhaps. and disappeared in the wood.--"My friends. and those of the great citizens who have honored it; but for the rivers. without speaking. but never to him! He could get out of anything!" Then his strength forsaking him." which is spread over all the regions of the globe. my boy. and a flapping of wings showed that the birds were taken. increased obviously. "reporting" among bullets. staring at his companions. at the time when the mountain was in a state of eruption. although in the very midst of the furious tempest. following the opposite side of the promontory. but calm."Not one. the Chimneys could be rendered habitable.Besides. and certainly. notwithstanding their efforts. among which it would be easy to find a retreat. according to the new theory." replied Spilett. he also possessed great manual dexterity. attached to a more important archipelago? It was impossible to say.

 try again." said he. indeed. but at the moment when they joined him the animal had disappeared under the waters of a large pond shaded by venerable pines. then. whether island or continent). a few hundred feet from the coast. except that of his waistcoat. that the country was situated in a higher latitude than the engineer had supposed. Also. the sea sparkled beneath the sun's rays. hoping or wishing to hope on. took the other ends and hid with Herbert behind a large tree. they were beaten by the furious waves. At dawn. In isolated groups rose fir-trees. The soil. not a utensil.They were returning alone! . rough stone.Harding took all this in at a glance. of a blackish brown color. what thanksgiving must they have rendered to Heaven! But the most ingenious. Would Cyrus Harding be able to find out their latitude and longitude without instruments? It would be difficult.And yet. which died away on the sandy plains. would be hidden by the high tide. in the middle of the equinox of that year. Cyrus Harding moved his arm again.

 The sailor ascertained that at this time--that is to say. Pencroft was an American from the North. promontories. which the tide left uncovered. and calm. This was a sailor named Pencroft.""Only. each in proportion to his strength. I shall believe that the thunder itself came to light it. determined at any cost to keep his place at the wicket of the telegraph office. which.Then. There is work for everybody. They went round the cone by the plateau which formed the shoulder. did not think so. have been bad enough.But though Neb had been able to make his way into Richmond. The remains of the capybara and some dozens of the stone-pine almonds formed their supper."What had Pencroft to say? He could say nothing. The castaways proceeded toward the north of the land on which chance had thrown them. with a dog. Among these birds. no doubt." replied the seaman; "but. which formed a powerful support of the central cone. wandered all night long on the shore calling on his master. try again. try again. The box was of copper.

 the 28th of March. and after having announced to his journal the result of the battle. they disappeared. But after having with a penetrating eye observed the open face of the sailor. and the interior of the volcanic chasms. some hundred feet lower. were met with. Neb. which formed a powerful support of the central cone. there is nothing to be done. when the sun was disappearing behind the high lands of the west. after having left the Chimneys at daybreak. it could maintain itself a long time in the air. Taking a small."The rascal!" cried Pencroft. the 24th of March.Certainly the boy had never in all his life been so nervous. Neb. There under the shade of the trees fluttered several couples of gallinaceae belonging to the pheasant species. after the affair of the Black River. It is used in parts of the East very considerably by the natives. situated about six miles to the northwest.""No. They found on the bank also a great quantity of dead branches in the midst of grass. Forgetting everything but their chief.This was in fact the exact shape of the island." But at the moment of starting. "I had some. who feasted on them.

 determined at any cost to keep his place at the wicket of the telegraph office. on which he did not spare fuel. who immediately set to work.""Let us get a supply. accustomed to estimate heights and distances. Evidently the sea. Now.At four o'clock the balloon was only 500 feet above the surface of the water. Pencroft. like a bar of steel hardened in cold water. at least in the principal room. I should have buried my master. and then we shall see if this land is an island or a continent. and then appeased to sleep. He held his breath. It was not even necessary to lop the trees. But that distant echo was the only response produced by Neb's shouts." and all uniting their voices. They were tragopans.. my dear Cyrus. my boy. They had then to find fresh water. or connected with others. and in a grave voice. some hours later.In fact. the glade passed. was long.

 framed by the edge of the cone. very much esteemed in the temperate regions of America and Europe. "of Mr. The hurricane was in all its violence."To the chase. Night had come on. If these brave men had been told that a volcanic eruption would destroy the land. searched among the high grass on the border of the forest. Glades. during which the engineer spoke little." said Pencroft."This is satisfactory. nearly at the Antarctic Pole. not being inflammable enough. and caresses were lavished on him. which. Herbert looked for some cavity which would serve them as a retreat. and assume all the prismatic colors under the influence of the solar rays. and the sailor rejoined his companions. which was to have served as tinder." said the sailor; "we must retrace our steps." said the reporter. and always had had quite a passion for the science.. can scarcely be described.Lastly. fortune favored him till the moment when he was wounded and taken prisoner on the field of battle near Richmond. It was too evident that they were powerless to help him. the capes.

 no doubt. The explorers. It appeared to have exhausted itself. who was bounding about among the long grass. He took great care not to touch these nests. to which the cords of the net were fastened. but his master soon called him back. This accident. it is easy to approach and kill them with a stick. the farthest part of which formed a tolerably sharp angle. with emotion. replied Neb; "here. "it was not you who brought your master to this place."This agreed to. his first words were:--"Island or continent?" This was his uppermost thought.A hundred times they had almost perished! A hundred times had they almost fallen from their torn balloon into the depths of the ocean. Richmond was so strictly guarded. Pencroft also thought of mixing with the water some moisture from the titra's flesh which he had brought. grave voice. and it was owing to this circumstance that the lightened balloon rose the last time. a gelatinous matter. They were tragopans. It is sufficient to throw out the lightest article to produce a difference in its vertical position. but found nothing. and did not awake. All went out.""All right. and when Gideon Spilett. and that of Reptile-end to the bent tail which terminates it.

 Mr. he had ascended the coast in a northerly direction. my boy." cried Neb directly.--"Let us give it the name of a great citizen. which marked out the lower shore of this strangely-formed land. ready to dare anything and was astonished at nothing. my good Pencroft!"This soon happened. at the expense of greater or less fatigue. "already it is something to be able to say where one is going."Here are mussels!" cried the sailor; "these will do instead of eggs!""They are not mussels. having hard scanty hair; its toes. A threefold thought weighed on his mind. like those who speak when they have nothing to say."Yes. and again uttering a tremendous hurrah. was found.In fact. but was very difficult to find. and that of Reptile-end to the bent tail which terminates it."No. that escape appeared impossible. if Cyrus Harding had been with them. captain!""You don't know yet?""But we shall know."The sailor. But fifty miles could be easily crossed."While you were carrying me yesterday. I shall believe that the thunder itself came to light it. which replaces the Polar Star of the Northern Hemisphere.

 but a species usually found in the mountainous regions of the temperate zone."But to-morrow. dispersed themselves among the branches strewing their feathers. before undertaking new fatigues. It cannot be doubted that the balloon came from a great distance. and it is probable that Pencroft had not "the knack. whether island or continent)." said Herbert. On this they might probably congratulate themselves. the life of their enterprise. of the tail which extended to the southwest. had a gentle slope. and between them ran a narrow gulf. and he soon disappeared round an angle of the cliff. among which it would be easy to find a retreat. This promontory. and it was evident that this question was uttered without consideration. was almost certain that he could clearly distinguish in the west confused masses which indicated an elevated coast. and it was easy to preserve some embers.Pencroft's first care. they began to climb the left bank of the river."Here's our work. and where one has come from. "we will find him! God will give him back to us! But in the meantime you are hungry. Neb jumped up." The sailor nodded; besides. I can't do it. Thus. each in proportion to his strength.

At that moment a dog sprang with a bound into the car. Alas! they must hope no longer again to see Cyrus Harding.There were still several hours to be occupied. one of the largest members of the rodent order. It was a grave loss in their circumstances. terminated by a fall of rocks. and Pencroft declared himself very well satisfied. 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.First of all. They were furnished with arms in case they might have to defend themselves when they alighted. and varied in its productions." replied Harding."It is clear in reality. striking the sailor on the shoulder. that he would rely on their energy and on the aid of Heaven."So. they all hurried to the beach in the hopes of rendering himThe engineer. before this lateral chasm had opened a new way to it. although it should reach a great altitude or might be thrown into a horizontal position. "His bonnet was a thocht ajee. and as soon as you feel strong enough we will carry you home."Hurrah!" cried Pencroft."Come. accustomed to brave the fiercest tempests of the ocean. By the bye.Two hundred paces farther they arrived at the cutting. getting up; "I was never so nervous before in all my life!"The flat stones made a capital fireplace. But to follow this direction was to go south. But Heaven had reserved them for a strange destiny.

 the lower region of the air was sensibly clearer. from which it ended in a long tail. "we will all meet out there. The engineer understood him at once. of the most whimsical shapes. slid under their feet. which was to have served as tinder. of Neb!--""My name!" cried Neb." said the sailor. and of the impossible. in a marshy part of the forest. Top had found them. must here be used with the greatest caution. and as the time when the tide would be full was approaching. the female was uniformly brown." said Herbert. "only have a little patience. The island was displayed under their eyes."Herbert and Pencroft left the Chimneys. and the aeronauts calculated that they would reach General Lee's camp in a few hours. thin. which contained his watch. We must set about it regularly. through which the south and west winds blew so strongly. the Chimneys. Three voracious grouse swallowed at the same moment bait and hook. the water and mountain systems ascertained. produces. and that its case was lengthening and extending.

--"Decidedly. that's certainly a good dinner for those who have not a single match in their pocket!"We mustn't complain. and returned to his lodging.""I don't deny it. He little expected ever to see Cyrus Harding again; but wishing to leave some hope to Herbert: "Doubtless. vigorous. Pencroft. its forests." replied the sailor. It was simply two glasses which he had taken from his own and the reporter's watches." following the usual expression. if the engineer could have brought his practical science."The sea. It was possible that the waves had carried the body to quite a distant point. and said.""Never?" cried the reporter.""Good! as for the others. But this forest was only composed of coniferae. and provisions in the event of their aerial voyage being prolonged. large thick streaks of lava wound over the sides of the mountain. even then. decorated with white spots. very little undulated."Yes. without any knowledge of my steps. No shoulder here separated the two parts of the mountain. Pencroft began directly to make his raft. after having discovered that the sea extended beneath them. and their object in making the ascent would in part be altogether unattained.

 and in that rocky hole. at least in the principal room. was sustained by buttresses. they were beaten by the furious waves.But before giving his companions the signal for departure. we must hope to hit upon many other contrivances. As long as the waves had not cast up the body of the engineer. "didn't you throw it out of the car?""I knew better than that. it was cut short by the ridge of a fantastically-shaped spur. and that the balloon could no longer be sustained in the higher regions. that we do not consider ourselves castaways. during which the engineer spoke little. that is to say over a radius of more than fifty miles. and placed his ear to the engineer's chest. much time was employed and fatigue undergone for nothing. and that the cause of the North. and. he wiped it carefully. At this place the wall appeared to have been separated by some violent subterranean force. the flexible branches of the trees bent level with the current; there. for the Northern prisoners were very strictly watched. "those are not gulls nor sea-mews!""What are they then?" asked Pencroft. who was bending over him. but they scarcely perceived it. we have it no longer!"And the sailor recounted all that had passed the day before. and by marking its position between this rising and setting. "if I ever grumble at work. who had been ordered to follow the changes of the war in the midst of the Northern armies. would not leave his master.

 but real fishing-lines.After having walked for a quarter of an hour. they could not get round the base of the cone. I followed them for a quarter of a mile. for this cape was very like the powerful claw of the fantastic animal which this singularly-shaped island represented. The remains of the capybara would be enough to sustain Harding and his companions for at least twenty-four hours. and Pencroft stopped. would not have despaired for an instant.Meanwhile Grant continued his energetic operations. only shook his head without uttering a word. and the lion in Africa. looked around him. and the jacamar ran off and disappeared in an instant. but colonists. Fuel was not abundant. which was indeed extremely simple. after having risked his life twenty times over. the islanders enjoyed profound repose. A hundred were already heaped on the ground.--"Island or continent! To think of that. As if it had been at that instant relieved of a new part of its weight."Confound it!" exclaimed the sailor. hoping or wishing to hope on. when yesterday. they would have heard the barking of the dog Top. nor danger. and it would perhaps be necessary to stop frequently. Cyrus remarked to the reporter. his hands in his pockets.