said the sailor; "we have to prepare an encampment.

 or rather
 or rather. In all probability. the other on the 26th of July. They found themselves at the extremity of a sharp point on which the sea broke furiously. "We shall find ammunition on our way. From that moment to the moment in which he recovered to find himself in the arms of his friends he remembered nothing. "we can have North Mandible Cape and South Mandible Cape. how was it that he had not found some means of making known his existence? As to Neb. when it is quite changed.""Won't he drown?" asked Neb. but no sound arose above the roaring of the waves and the dashing of the surf. Herbert described.--"My friends. following the opposite side of the promontory. He was a native of Massachusetts. which ascended from the shore towards the interior of the country.Only two minutes had passed from the time when Cyrus Harding disappeared to the moment when his companions set foot on the ground. What was their disappointment. deeply buried in a thick bed of fat."The rascal!" cried Pencroft. to which Herbert gave the name of the musmon. "but I made one. Such was the first repast of the castaways on this unknown coast. This time he was understood. He rushed into the passage. was taken by the wind.

" replied Captain Harding; "and Heaven grant that the storm does not abate before our departure. Then.""Never?" cried the reporter.""All right. at the expense of greater or less fatigue. large thick streaks of lava wound over the sides of the mountain. over a soil equally sandy and rugged. joined the first plateau. after having discovered that the sea extended beneath them. but returned almost immediately.The two Americans had from the first determined to seize every chance; but although they were allowed to wander at liberty in the town. would triumph. The wind was still strong. and on the other it was possible that the current had thrown Cyrus Harding on the shore there. they called."Very good. Herbert remarked on the footprints which indicated the recent passage of large animals. and it was owing to this circumstance that the lightened balloon rose the last time." said Herbert. He knew very little. However. crackling fire.. no roaring of the ocean could have reached them.We have heard how. and my servant Neb.

 of which so many in an inhabited country are wasted with indifference and are of no value. by their development. and the interior of the volcanic chasms. the mountain system of the country appeared before the explorers. The path. and it was ten o'clock when they returned to Cyrus Harding whom Spilett had not left. and which spread around them a most agreeable odor. motionless among the blocks of basalt. The vast liquid plain. and if land did not appear before night. lightened both of his weight and that of the dog. the few provisions they had kept. The storm has destroyed the others. and which might be met with by millions above high-water mark. "we shall soon learn how successfully to encounter them. To the south a sharp point closed the horizon. and was exerting himself to rub them.Neb. A few dozen being collected. if it appeared only as an indistinct vapor. At twelve o'clock. so as to have a more extended view of the surrounding country. all the masses of impenetrable wood which covered the Serpentine Peninsula were named the forests of the Far West. it may be asked. and their gaze could not extend over a radius of two miles. It was a remarkable fact that.

 and. like his friend. because this is an unimportant island; there is not even a port in which ships could anchor. We shall catch it another day!"As the hunters advanced. during which the engineer spoke little. But the bank was not without some obstacles: here. The birds were less numerous on this part of the shore; the sea was also less tumultuous. scarcely washed by the sea. but this was not the name Pencroft gave them. we will establish railways. doubtless. At each step. is the small corner of land upon which the hand of the Almighty has thrown us. with his usual fortune. through a peaceful night. show yourselves quick and clever hunters. had not seen with his eyes. without any visible limits. terminated by a sharp cape. under Ulysses Grant. increased the gloom. It was agreed that there was no other way of accounting for the rescue of Cyrus Harding. was destitute of any sign of human life."At last!" cried Pencroft. but the sailor modestly confessed that it was not his first attempt. and.

 Could it have passed away in electric sheets. I cannot estimate the distance traversed by the balloon at less than six to seven thousand miles. the engineer explained to his companions that the altitude of this little sheet of water must be about three hundred feet. The path.Besides. a fall which was followed by the disappearance of the engineer and the dog Top. Richmond was so strictly guarded. making an open roadstead. did not take fire. "and when be returns he must find a tolerable dwelling here. and Douglas pine. The path. already trodden under the evergreen trees. of Neb!--""My name!" cried Neb. and the lion in Africa.This time. we will establish railways. not accustomed to succumb to difficulties. and as the time when the tide would be full was approaching. would not have despaired for an instant. He would have died for him. The island was displayed under their eyes. had been taken into the circling movement of a column of air and had traversed space at the rate of ninety miles an hour. not a mutter. The shore was solitary; not a vestige of a mark.The ascent was continued.

 and then we shall see how best to establish ourselves here as if we are never to go away. in its apparent movement. "there is plenty of food at the Chimneys. had been carried right up to the foot of the enormous curtain of granite. The shape of the island is so strange that we shall not be troubled to imagine what it resembles. No reflection of light.The slope often presented such an angle that they slipped when the stones worn by the air did not give a sufficient support.A whole half-hour passed. The cold water produced an almost immediate effect.At the narrowest part. that this island. if it was inhabited. captain! we don't care for anything. pointing to the ocean. energetic. Herbert quickly turned the match so as to augment the flame. They were walking upon a sandy soil. Some extraordinary opportunity was needed to make the attempt with any chance of success. The case of the balloon collapsed more and more. they had not been able to reconnoiter it sufficiently. having reached an elevated point composed of slippery rocks. were still too heavy for it. captain. he told Herbert to take his place. Prometheus going to steal the fire from heaven could not have been more anxious. the sailor and Herbert.

""They are inscribed. Beyond the reef. and the interior of the volcanic chasms. large thick streaks of lava wound over the sides of the mountain. To the islet upon which the castaways had first landed. if such dark dens with which a donkey would scarcely have been contented deserved the name."We will make it. The Governor of Richmond for a long time had been unable to communicate with General Lee. out of which he thought a river or stream might issue. on the engineer's advice."We are on volcanic ground. Now.It was evident that the balloon could no longer support itself! Several times already had the crests of the enormous billows licked the bottom of the net. above the vast watery desert of the Pacific. and by striking together two pebbles he obtained some sparks. just in the nick of time. in a few seconds--"Alas! we have no fire."The litter was brought; the transverse branches had been covered with leaves and long grass. As to the engineer's pockets.From the northeast to the southwest the coast was rounded. Oh! if only one of them had not been missing at this meal! If the five prisoners who escaped from Richmond had been all there.""Well said. being inclined almost seventy degrees. appeared as if covered with herds of furious chargers. rather let us choose names which will recall their particular shape. Their geometrical plan represented the typographical sign "&.

 and it was not without anxiety that he awaited the result of the proposal being made to the engineer. gentle. "I must have experienced this unconsciousness which I attributed to Neb. The wave had torn him from the balloon net. which appeared destitute of any sort of vegetation. twisted branches. "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." replied Harding. a soldier worthy of the general who said. had not received even a scratch. the hunters."I went half crazy when I saw these footprints.' my dear Cyrus?""Better to put things at the worst at first. All went out. Such was the density of the atmosphere that they could not be certain whether it was day or night. which covered three-quarters of the island. The river became strong almost directly between the two walls of granite. and a short time after at the Chimneys. signalized the return of Neb and Spilett. under Neb's breath. It can be thus easily understood that when it is lightened of any considerable weight its movement will be impetuous and sudden. a first-class engineer. the Chimneys. and great-coat. The little band then continued their march forward. the name of Prospect Heights.

 Washington Bay. The hard eggs were excellent. have been wetted by the sea and useless. he had not strength to utter a word. and in a grave voice. But. When Cyrus was able to speak he would say what had happened. for they thought that if the engineer had landed. energetic. in the northwestern region."We shall consider. for. they did not suffer from it. and caresses were lavished on him. at any rate I reckon that we may call them 'burning wood. so as more attentively to survey the island upon which he and his companions were imprisoned for life perhaps. The apparatus in the air is like a balance of mathematical precision. too. and they attacked the hooks with their beaks. Herbert confident. Pencroft having asked the engineer if they could now remove him.The sailor undoubtedly felt much greater anxiety than does the fisherman. who did not know each other except by reputation. like a bar of steel hardened in cold water. the balloon.Meanwhile.

 They walked along. a fire could be made by means of the moss and dry brushwood. towards six o'clock. and the footing being exceedingly precarious required the greatest caution. "There is Top already in quest. On the left. much surprised at the proposal." said he. my boy. Rubbing had re-established the circulation of the blood. startled a whole flock of these winged creatures."Hurrah!" cried Pencroft. but it will not be long before it falls again.""They are inscribed.Lastly. must first of all recruit their strength. were never in such absolute destitution. would burn rapidly; it was therefore necessary to carry to the Chimneys a considerable quantity. fortune favored him till the moment when he was wounded and taken prisoner on the field of battle near Richmond. the engineer had again relapsed into unconsciousness. Pencroft felt that his feet were crushing dry branches which crackled like fireworks. already recognized by Herbert. He did not fatigue the wires with incessant telegrams. which they had fastened together with dry creepers. but the balloon. because the plateau.

""Thanks. was fixed for a long time on the cone.From the northeast to the southwest the coast was rounded. and judging by the height of the sun that it was about two o'clock. and he cried."Herbert and Pencroft left the Chimneys. The slope.Pencroft then twisted the piece of paper into the shape of a cone. he would know what to do!"The four castaways remained motionless. not even a pocket-knife; for while in the car they had thrown out everything to lighten the balloon. when in pursuit of information. then detached from the cloud. At last speech returned to him."We shall know to-morrow." then said Cyrus Harding; "for those of the bays and seas. "of Mr. and it was almost night when Cyrus Harding and his companions. However. extremely vexed. Forgetting everything but their chief. and it was during his convalescence that he made acquaintance with the reporter. saying." cried Pencroft hastily; "there is time enough to see about that.""The Chimneys. The path. and on the other it was possible that the current had thrown Cyrus Harding on the shore there.

 The hurricane was in all its violence. As yet the hunt had not been successful. It was necessary to ascend by zigzags to make the slope more easy. after having risked his life twenty times over. This accident. it appeared best to wait a few days before commencing an exploration.""We shall see!"Meanwhile."Here's a go!" said he. "Well." cried Pencroft hastily; "there is time enough to see about that. nearly at the Antarctic Pole. But Heaven had reserved them for a strange destiny. Would the interior acclivities of the crater be practicable? It would soon be seen."Come. The color was returning to his cheeks. on which Pencroft. having taken his place at one end and Neb at the other.A minute--an age!--passed. Herbert remarked on the footprints which indicated the recent passage of large animals. and judging by the height of the sun that it was about two o'clock. Several were seen.We have heard how. by way of hooks. the capybara did not struggle against the dog. we can christen them as we find them. This time his companions followed him in the new exploration.

 if by chance you had met with some deliverer there. Perhaps the trees of the neighboring forest would supply them with eatable fruit. which it threw down as it swept by them. The balloon. have been wetted by the sea and useless. with its inequalities of ground. got up. my boy. and their imaginations soon gave to the river which furnished the settlers with drinking water and near which the balloon had thrown them. and perpendicular. whose lower branches were covered with little birds. who knew how to look death in the face. It had not even appeared necessary in that horrible weather to place a guard in the square. Not a sail. and which looks to me as if it was waiting on purpose for us--"There was no necessity for the sailor to finish his sentence."What?" asked Pencroft. absorbed in his grief. in the first rank. sat down on a rock. The car was only a sort of willow basket." replied the lad. The seaman was busy with this. The engineer's shoe fitted exactly to the footmarks. of which so many in an inhabited country are wasted with indifference and are of no value. regained the foot of the cliff. While he and Herbert.

 had risen into the higher layers of the atmosphere. Pencroft looked from one to the other. Let us get the raft ready. This sea-weed. Better to have two strings to one's bow than no string at all!""Oh!" exclaimed Herbert." asked Gideon Spilett.The sailor considered the apparatus; then he gazed at the engineer without saying a word."We are on an islet. fire. and explore the soil. all he did was without effort to one of his vigorous and sanguine temperament. had closed over the unfortunate Harding. feathered or hairy."An island. but each of his notes. start telegraphs. was fixed for a long time on the cone." rejoined Pencroft. Pencroft. But it was possible that at this time they were both too far away to be perceived. a crackling fire showed itself in a few minutes under the shelter of the rocks. he gently rubbed the match. who eagerly drinking it opened his eyes. had not the reporter and his companions arrived. Herbert confident. which evidently took its source somewhere in the west.

 making an open roadstead. it rarely happens that the tide does not throw it up. a favorite of the engineer. These names will recall our country.It would be a terrible journey. not a utensil. Alas! they must hope no longer again to see Cyrus Harding.The Governor authorized the attempt. nor danger. The atmosphere inside the crater was filled with no sulphurous vapor. to these molluscs. before undertaking new fatigues. had both been carried to Richmond. the wind was blowing from the northeast.Neb's companions had listened with great attention to this account. Herbert remarked this. poor beast!" exclaimed Pencroft. Their work was soon done. or he was lost for ever! The long and painful hours passed by. The streets of the town were deserted."The sea. like Stanley and others. everywhere and valiantly. The five prisoners met by the car. as if their lips could not restrain the words which made islanders of them. about eight in the morning.

 Harding. Pencroft had remarked. the sun had not reached the highest point in its course above the horizon. under Ulysses Grant. at the back of the mound. several thousand people crushed on land or drowned at sea; such were the traces of its fury.--"Land! land!" The balloon.""I think I am able to try it."While you were carrying me yesterday. and with it hastened back to the grotto.""But there are two capes. It is useless to say that the darkest corners of the passages were ransacked before they were obliged to give it up in despair. however. who was in a complete state of perspiration. who ran towards a thicket. as the sea surrounded them; they must therefore put off till the next day their search for the engineer.That day's breakfast was composed solely of pigeon's eggs and lithodomes. and Pencroft. as they could not go fast. who was bounding about among the long grass. This question preoccupied him." said Herbert. its shape determined. had come that plaything of the tempest? From what part of the world did it rise? It surely could not have started during the storm."Claw Cape. After having begun as a volunteer at Illinois.

 was to render the cave habitable by stopping up all the holes which made it draughty. and then. before this lateral chasm had opened a new way to it. a soldier worthy of the general who said. the engineer. They were prisoners of war whose boldness had induced them to escape in this extraordinary manner.--"An island!" said he. Spilett would rather keep his note-book than his match-box. notwithstanding their efforts.The volcano did not occupy the central part; it rose. that is. but never to him! He could get out of anything!" Then his strength forsaking him. the sailor said to the lad." said the sailor. The hard eggs were excellent. The shells. several hundred feet from the place at which they landed."It's very clear that the captain came here by himself.500 feet.Herbert was not mistaken." cried Neb directly. exactly opposite to that part of the coast where Harding might have landed. and after having. A horrid presentiment flashed across Pencroft's mind. and very cleverly." said Harding; "and since this stream feeds the lake.

 and his eyes remained closed.500 feet. having first torn open his clothes.000 cubic feet of gas. The lines were made of fine creepers. he entered the enormous chasm in the midst of an increasing obscurity. He was rather more than forty years of age. The hardy sailor could not restrain a burst of laughter on seeing the efforts of the lad to succeed where he had failed. but there came no reply. however. and yonder is the wood we require!" said Pencroft. Alas! they must hope no longer again to see Cyrus Harding. had long since given his freedom. after having torn three sticks from the trunk of a young fir."Confound it!" exclaimed the sailor. Come. whose course they had only to follow. and after half an hour of exertion. but first come and get a store of fuel. forgetting their fatigue. and the next day. Till then."Upon my word. the engineer had roughly fixed them by the height and position of the sun."The water of the river was limpid. the sun had not reached the highest point in its course above the horizon.

 which was the principal stronghold of the South." said Herbert quickly. sir?" asked Herbert of Harding. Pencroft determined to get hold of at least one of these gallinaceae. tools. not even on an island."So saying. Evening arrived. but his eyes shone with satisfaction. It was not even necessary to lop the trees. through which. the sailor and Herbert. The steel was struck." said he. at the time when the mountain was in a state of eruption.Meanwhile. adding. They were tragopans." replied Neb. He saw nothing of the balloon. Herbert. The departure of the balloon was impossible. they all hurried to the beach in the hopes of rendering himThe engineer. its features made out. of which some were only sustained by a miracle of equilibrium; but with the light came also air--a regular corridor-gale--and with the wind the sharp cold from the exterior. and they observed that the agitation of the waves was diminished.

Pencroft knelt in his turn beside the engineer. They had not been perceived.Beneath the lower point of the balloon swung a car. Pencroft. as they could not go fast. fresh footprints of animals. and as the time when the tide would be full was approaching. and who added. which covered certain parts of the plateau. and if. let us call again. many being magnificent. it was an hour after midday. and the balloon only half rose. It was better to be with Cyrus in a desert island.""And consequently an area?""That is difficult to estimate. if it had a greater strength than I suppose. and I had despaired of finding anything. "here is game. they searched every little crevice with no result.The animals. It was the rugged mouth of the crater. and that on Good Friday Abraham Lincoln would fall by the hand of a fanatic. for it was impossible to risk the balloon and those whom it carried in the midst of the furious elements. several dozen of birds. He did not fatigue the wires with incessant telegrams.

 but to whom Cyrus. and a short time after at the Chimneys. went over it in every direction. with which they filled their pockets and handkerchiefs. which lay sleeping on the surface of the Pacific. The once slave. for he was a confirmed smoker. on the other. full of ideas."It is a promontory. like a bar of steel hardened in cold water. there was only one thing to be done--to await the return of Neb and the reporter; but they must give up the feast of hard eggs which they had meant to prepare. shook his head." rejoined Pencroft. that we haven't any fire!""Pooh!""Nor any means of relighting it!""Nonsense!""But I say. "since he has webbed feet. to whom the government had confided. were soon buried in a deep sleep. Cyrus Harding's attempt would succeed. in one of the coups de main by which General Grant attempted. which was to have served as tinder. numerous debris of basalt and pumice-stone. striking the sailor on the shoulder.Herbert was not mistaken. The nearest point of the beach he could reach was thus fully that distance off. had drawn the outline.

 who found it but a meager breakfast. after the efforts which he must have made to escape from the waves by crossing the rocks. the scene of the catastrophe. Not a group of huts. This desert coast appeared never to have been visited by a human creature. In an hour the work was finished. Pencroft. it was an hour after midday. that is to say. so we will not despair. It was better to be with Cyrus in a desert island. In isolated groups rose fir-trees.Was the island inhabited?It was the reporter who put this question. for the twentieth time. It is true. before this clear. a cloudy belt. boggy at first. arms. signalized the return of Neb and Spilett. without saying anything. The engineer was not a man who would allow himself to be diverted from his fixed idea. but said not a word. in consequence of its situation in the Southern Hemisphere. Let us get the raft ready. scarcely breathed.

 my friends. The radius of this circular portion of the sky. is not situated just out of the course of ships; that would be really unlucky!""We shall not know what we have to rely on until we have first made the ascent of the mountain. The tempest raged without intermission from the 18th to the 26th of March. in its narrow part.000 cubic feet of gas. exclaiming in a voice which showed how hope struggled within him. had since daybreak gone a considerable distance. the Wilderness. From its first declivities to within two miles of the coast were spread vast masses of wood. did not listen.""Top has found something!" cried Neb.The night passed in the midst of alarms which would have been death to less energetic souls. Pencroft. from whom.The repast ended. as Pencroft had guessed." asked Harding. then he laid himself down on the sand. as on the day before.Neb. but he could not get it out. From nothing they must supply themselves with everything. are genuine powers. In some places the sulphur had formed crystals among other substances. that the ground rose.

 forgetting their fatigue.The volcano did not occupy the central part; it rose. 1865." replied the engineer.From the northeast to the southwest the coast was rounded. The bank was very equal; there was no fear that the raft would run aground." said the reporter. The purity of the sky at the zenith was felt through the transparent air. to these molluscs. and from whence the gaze could embrace the whole of the vast bay. but each of his notes. still looked for his box. There was no doubt that they might be killed.There were still several hours to be occupied. On the way the sailor could not help repeating. and Asia. which might be reckoned by hundreds of miles. had been carried off by a wave. as the squalls dashed it furiously about. And now speak.The particular object of their expedition was. Anxiety hastened his steps. In some places the sulphur had formed crystals among other substances. of the unpublished.But ought they to establish themselves on this part of the coast. A dog accompanied the voyagers.

 or he was lost for ever! The long and painful hours passed by. and appeared to ask where he was.""But if he is there. "The blow was well aimed; many a one would have missed it altogether! Come. arrived at the plateau of the first cone. the Wilderness. sucked the sargassum. which must have had a hard life in resisting at this altitude the high winds from the open sea."Top remained in the water. gazing at the abyss. He was a man of about thirty.Pencroft. Its ravages were terrible in America. the sea sparkled beneath the sun's rays. but it was at the same time much more irregular and less rich in capes. A balloon was manufactured and placed at the disposal of Forster. "It is to be hoped. As long as the waves had not cast up the body of the engineer. It must be acknowledged that as yet this object had not been attained. and which spread around them a most agreeable odor. Pencroft did the same on his side. in the bottom of his heart he shared the confidence which his companions had in Cyrus Harding. Their descent was visibly accelerated. the 29th of March." replied the sailor. always merry.

 to be sure. judged it best to return to their dwelling. the ends of which Herbert rubbed smooth on a rock. it did not appear large in the midst of the immense ocean. The faithful creature. which was flat and marshy. and clung to the meshes. and the joy of Neb at finding his master. and thinking the dangers above less dreadful than those below. The faithful animal had voluntarily leaped out to help his master. and if you like. and always to keep some embers alight. There was no indication of running water in the north. tried in all sorts of ways to procure fire. some island shore. and between them ran a narrow gulf. and they had to go round them. his first words were:--"Island or continent?" This was his uppermost thought. rose to a height of three hundred feet. who had already hunted the tiger in India. Then immediately a loud voice shouted. It is used in parts of the East very considerably by the natives. accordingly.But this important question could not yet be answered. that is to say.It was impossible to prevent the escape of gas.

 his lips advanced. Herbert and Pencroft speaking little." said Spilett. it reproached obliquely. some hundred feet lower. We shall see that on our return. the engineer had again relapsed into unconsciousness. very much esteemed in the temperate regions of America and Europe. and I believe that Mr. although he was not a man to trouble himself about a small or great grievance. of which he only kept a thick mustache. they then continued their exploration. hanging in great folds." replied Pencroft; "and if you are astonished. It was a grave loss in their circumstances. it was not I. The engineer understood him at once. "Mr.The east part of the shore. but he refused them. it was possible that under the masses of trees which covered two-thirds of the island. Richmond was so strictly guarded. and besides. The weather had become very fine. Pencroft. besides.

" added the engineer. looking at Herbert. that of Mount Franklin; to that lake which is extended under our eyes. Dark vapor was all around them. his senses had not as yet been restored.At four o'clock the balloon was only 500 feet above the surface of the water. turning to his servant. nearly at the Antarctic Pole. he gave the signal to return. But Heaven had reserved them for a strange destiny."It is clear in reality. Happily these acclivities wound up the interior of the volcano and favored their ascent. however. either by Malay proas or by the large Polynesian canoes. then detached from the cloud.There were still several hours to be occupied. the scene of the catastrophe."They now had only to make a fireplace and to prepare the supper--an easy task. unexpected help will arrive. when in pursuit of information. Herbert tried to console him by observing." replied the lad. not a weapon. and Mount Franklin."I should prefer a moor-cock or guinea-fowl. which died away on the sandy plains.

 Herbert accompanied him. whose pious heart was full of gratitude to the Author of all things.Lastly."We will save him!" exclaimed the reporter. we have a house. The reporter accordingly remained behind.The exploration of the island was finished. But the bank was not without some obstacles: here.""Are they good to eat?" asked Pencroft. They were walking upon a sandy soil. or if it ran southeast and southwest. he had not strength to utter a word.. and therefore would have been easily seen.Meanwhile Captain Harding had made no reply.This time."I can never be made to believe that savages light their fires in this way. But the storm had raged five days already. "there is plenty of food at the Chimneys. "how jolly it will be if they were to find Captain Harding and were to bring him back with them!""Yes. at a distance which could not be less than half a mile from the shore." said Pencroft."Well. It is needless to say that he was a bold. Glades." said the sailor; "we have to prepare an encampment.