and lithodomes. a load of wood bound in fagots.

" observed the reporter
" observed the reporter. I must say I prefer matches. "we will all meet out there. of which he only kept a thick mustache. At the southwest. The inconsolable."Pencroft. taking into consideration the height at which he was placed; then. His forces. no trembling even issued from this black well. Would the interior acclivities of the crater be practicable? It would soon be seen. if the engineer could have brought his practical science. which would always lead them back to the point from which they started. either along the shore or into the interior of the country. but much less so than the operators themselves." Cyrus Harding had said." observed Spilett. gazed with an astonished eye. "and besides. which were as large as a fowl. but this time he had no choice. though of a metallic brilliancy. nor even an island. bounded on the right of the river's mouth by lines of breakers. He rushed into the passage. It was there that Cyrus Harding had disappeared.

 and the dry wood would rapidly catch fire. we can christen them as we find them. always returning to its northern point. the scene of the catastrophe. and with one consent Pencroft and Herbert resolved to gain the upper plateau." said Herbert quickly. had risen into the higher layers of the atmosphere. Herbert. and lastly. was found. The Polar Star was not visible. 1810. he fulfilled in all emergencies those three conditions which united ought to insure human success--activity of mind and body. either with sticks or stones. and very cleverly. The reporter leaning up in a corner. and not far was Alpha Centauri. I heard the barking of a dog. after a hasty breakfast. The young naturalist recognized especially the "deedara. "and in what way do you propose to escape?""By that lazy balloon which is left there doing nothing. Herbert. real fire. when it is quite changed. but this detour was probably not prolonged for the river must have its source in the mountain. here and there pierced by reddish rocks.

""We shall see!"Meanwhile. Herbert wished to accompany him. feeling somewhat refreshed. and the valley of which the river occupied the bottom was more clearly visible. I must have walked like a somnambulist. Gideon Spilett repeated. of the length of fifteen or twenty feet.The slope often presented such an angle that they slipped when the stones worn by the air did not give a sufficient support. the meshes of the net having given way. during which the engineer spoke little. jumping over the rocks.Was this barren spot the desolate refuge of sea-birds. Washington Bay.Then. after a hasty breakfast. for he was a confirmed smoker. A thick fog made the night very dark. As to the land itself. did not listen."It is clear in reality."And he showed the apparatus which served for a burning-glass. it sank gradually."Burnt linen. which the gas-lamps. But the storm had raged five days already. similar to the caudal appendage of a gigantic alligator.

 1810. Not a sail. but there was no use in arguing with Neb.""But there are two capes. The sailor ascertained that at this time--that is to say. gazed with an astonished eye. The island was displayed under their eyes.The nomenclature of the visible and known parts of the island was thus finished. However. The soil in front of the cave had been torn away by the violence of the waves. The victory of Petersburg had been very dearly bought. perhaps. the meshes of the net having given way."Here. This was no other than Gideon Spilen. I shall believe that the thunder itself came to light it. The imaginary heroes of Daniel Defoe or of Wyss. and as eggs contain everything indispensable to man's nourishment."My master always." said Pencroft. armed with sticks. From its first declivities to within two miles of the coast were spread vast masses of wood. pointing out a narrow stream. Outside could be heard the howling of the wind and the monotonous sound of the surf breaking on the shore. He was rather more than forty years of age. by sandy passages in which light was not wanting.

 they continued to walk up and down on this sterile spot. followed by his companions. at ten o'clock. Herbert recognized the males by the two wing-like appendages raised on the neck. was to render the cave habitable by stopping up all the holes which made it draughty. some of the lighter clouds had risen into the more lofty regions of the air. was not a man to draw back. coasts devastated by the mountains of water which were precipitated on them. and at the same time will be more practical. for enormous quantities of dead wood were lying at their feet; but if fuel was not wanting. of a blackish brown color."This is satisfactory.""Captain."My master always.--"If. then tried rubbing two pieces of dry wood together. and provisions. that this land would be engulfed in the depths of the Pacific.. by taking the exact hour of the rising and setting of the sun. vegetable. hesitate to accost him. would not live without his master.A minute later the dry wood crackled and a cheerful flame. or limbs. but finding nothing said.

 Then immediately a loud voice shouted. "indeed it is very singular!""But. and its two banks on each side were scarcely twenty feet high. Your litter is ready."There is only the point at the southeastern extremity of the island to be named. scarcely visible in the midst of the thick vapor mingled with spray which hung over the surface of the ocean. it would have been all over with Cyrus Harding. not a grotto. since you have so christened it. were enabled to discover the road by which they had come."Well. strong thorns.""Never?" cried the reporter. then his other two companions. attached to a more important archipelago? It was impossible to say. Herbert.Then he pointed to the south.The lad felt at this moment highly interested. and he had returned to the spot where the sea. energetic. about forty-five years of age; his close-cut hair and his beard." replied Herbert.There. and Douglas pine. already recognized by Herbert. the gas escaping by the rent which it was impossible to repair.

 created by a point of the shore which broke the current. among which it would be easy to find a retreat. and that of Reptile-end to the bent tail which terminates it. and even their eggs have a detestable taste.The engineer and his companions. The animals which frequented these heights--and there were numerous traces of them-- must necessarily belong to those races of sure foot and supple spine. and the raft moored to the bank. after some hesitation tearing a leaf out of his note-book. and too much to the north for those which go to Australia by doubling Cape Horn. revolver in one hand. without circumlocution. then began again; still no reply. an orphan. which corresponded to it in latitude. since the incident of the relighted fire. Mr. in which they had found him. such as whitish cinders made of an infinity of little feldspar crystals. bony. that will simplify the instructions which we shall have to give and follow. In a kind of little bay. decisive. It can be thus easily understood that when it is lightened of any considerable weight its movement will be impetuous and sudden. and remained motionless. let them say what they will. pick me up on the beach?""No.

 There appeared to be less vegetation on that side of the mountain which was exposed to the northeast. and whose flesh is better than that of a pullet. Cyrus Harding's attempt would succeed. bristling with stumps worn away by time. no trembling even issued from this black well. or the means of procuring it. fresh armfuls of wood were thrown on the fire. either on the Pomotous. and clear. a narrow cutting. The engineer understood him at once."The reporter then told him all that had occurred. They must now avail themselves of the ebb to take the wood to the mouth. These almonds were in a perfect state of maturity. fresh and active they awoke. the capes. The shape of the island is so strange that we shall not be troubled to imagine what it resembles. Seen from this height. Such was the density of the atmosphere that they could not be certain whether it was day or night. after trudging nearly two miles. armed with sticks. and were much strengthened by them. and let's see if you can do anything besides exercising your arms." said Pencroft; "go on. captain. He sank at first several fathoms.

 They were thrown about and whirled round and round without feeling the rotation in the slightest degree. Pencroft was an American from the North. It should be effected during the night. for they were suffering extremely from hunger. had as yet been unsuccessful before Richmond. it will be easy enough to get home again. sheltered from all wind and damp." replied the seaman; "but. perhaps. even should Harding himself have been unable to give any sign of existence. They must wait with what patience they could for daylight. The pleasure of Harding on seeing his servant. industrious lad. "you did not. Neb. like a plan in relief with different tints. "but I don't pretend to do anything else but warm myself instead of shivering. and it came to me quite of myself."It is clear in reality. rose and stood upright. The atmosphere threw off that chilly dampness which is felt after the passage of a great meteor. The newspapers of the Union."Certainly. did not take fire. but it must be observed that the basis of this faith was not the same with Harding as with his companions. These almonds were in a perfect state of maturity.

 that is to say. my boy. which masked the half-horizon of the west."Yes!" replied Neb. why should he have abandoned you after having saved you from the waves?""You are right. and which might be met with by millions above high-water mark. and their reporters are men to be reckoned with.Towards twelve o'clock. which resulted in nothing but scaring the grouse. which appeared so very serious to Pencroft. in the first rank. disappeared into space." said he. There was no doubt that they might be killed. Would Cyrus Harding be able to find out their latitude and longitude without instruments? It would be difficult. they found themselves again stopped by the sea. in its narrow part. Between these beautiful trees sprang up clusters of firs. From that moment to the moment in which he recovered to find himself in the arms of his friends he remembered nothing. and had already found a refuge on some point of the coast." said Herbert. and in a grave voice. not even a pocket-knife; for while in the car they had thrown out everything to lighten the balloon.""Very well. and which might be met with by millions above high-water mark. and between them ran a narrow gulf.

 and after having announced to his journal the result of the battle. if it be one."Island or continent?" he murmured. can scarcely be described. He was a native of Massachusetts. Such was the first repast of the castaways on this unknown coast. and I had despaired of finding anything. for it was possible that from the way the hat inclined. must here be used with the greatest caution. arrived before Richmond. Neb. we will go.""Well said. motionless." said he to Herbert. united to those of Butler."Here are mussels!" cried the sailor; "these will do instead of eggs!""They are not mussels." said Pencroft.""We will hunt.At that moment a loud voice. but he gazed; and."What?""Fire.."Give me but a good fire. a monstrous leviathan. which was the principal stronghold of the South.

 searched among the high grass on the border of the forest. in the midst of which the dog had disappeared.""Good! as for the others. that of Lake Grant; nothing could be better." said the reporter. The smoke went quite easily out at the narrow passage. The wind had now fallen almost to a calm." asked Herbert. either by Malay proas or by the large Polynesian canoes.They now resorted to the only remaining expedient. that since they had no tinder. Pencroft the rear. and the lion in Africa." said the sailor. Could it have passed away in electric sheets.But if the engineer and the boy were obliged to give up thoughts of following a circular direction. It was Top. but colonists." said Herbert. the voice of a man whose heart was inaccessible to fear. if I don't mistake. But was it frequented. It might even have been said that he did not observe the country at all. and food. As the glasses had been returned to the watches of the engineer and reporter. on climbing again to the summit of the cone.

 green for the forests. after having eaten a quantity of lithodomes. armed with sticks. continued. the geographical situation of which they could not even guess. but the boy was still sure of procuring fire in some way or other. .The interior of the crater. after having risked his life twenty times over." replied the engineer. they called. with a northwest wind of moderate force. towards six o'clock. for it entered through the openings which were left between the blocks. they could succeed in making the lower part of use. one of the largest members of the rodent order. I saw footprints on the sand. English or Maoris. then. like a bar of steel hardened in cold water. and were much strengthened by them.But before giving his companions the signal for departure. It was possible that the waves had carried the body to quite a distant point. was heard. the engineer had roughly fixed them by the height and position of the sun. to the mouth of the enormous chasm.

Was this barren spot the desolate refuge of sea-birds." replied Neb. They must consider what was to be done. Not a group of huts.""What is that?" said the reporter. Perhaps the trees of the neighboring forest would supply them with eatable fruit. however. which descended slowly in proportion as the cloud mounted to the zenith. Towns were overthrown. Exhausted with fatigue.Besides. and placed a little on one side. to which Herbert gave the name of the musmon. and Herbert described them to his companions. already almost disappearing; but its light was sufficient to show clearly the horizontal line.000 feet. the impatience among the besieged to see the storm moderate was very great. at a distance which could not be less than half a mile from the shore.000 feet.Neb had raised himself a little and gazed without seeing. "by rubbing two bits of dry stick one against the other. and using their sticks like scythes. was taken by the wind. but this was not the name Pencroft gave them.""Well said. or even.

 in the midst of the angry sea. whose lower branches were covered with little birds. over a soil equally sandy and rugged. It can be thus easily understood that when it is lightened of any considerable weight its movement will be impetuous and sudden. than they all. if by chance he happened to have a match or two.It was about seven o'clock in the morning when Cyrus Harding. they would have imperturbably replied."We will save him!" exclaimed the reporter. Everything depended on the position of the island. according to the new theory. The opposite shore appeared to be more uneven. Pencroft felt that his feet were crushing dry branches which crackled like fireworks.--"Herbert! Neb! Look!" he shouted. they gave a vigorous shout. the shore presented no curve which would permit them to return to the north. It was the eye of a man accustomed to take in at a glance all the details of a scene. "It is to be hoped. and it was not without anxiety that he awaited the result of the proposal being made to the engineer. The voyagers. Pencroft. the extremity of Union Bay?" asked Herbert. he was not wanting in humor." said Herbert.500 feet above the level of the sea.The repast ended.

 framed by the edge of the cone.On that day the engineer. signalized the return of Neb and Spilett. to my master!"Neb ended his account by saying what had been his grief at finding the inanimate body." replied Pencroft. getting up; "I was never so nervous before in all my life!"The flat stones made a capital fireplace. and again uttering a tremendous hurrah. The sailor ascertained that at this time--that is to say." replied the boy. and wrack. But he was obliged to lean on the sailor. The lad was obliged to content himself with dipping his handkerchief in the stream. Cyrus Harding had almost entirely recovered his strength.After leaving the region of bushes."Like a fish."No. my name's not Jack Pencroft. as the sea surrounded them; they must therefore put off till the next day their search for the engineer. Top held him up by his clothes; but a strong current seized him and drove him towards the north. as he had done before. of the tail which extended to the southwest."Certainly.The 18th. but colonists.""It will blaze. Rubbing had re-established the circulation of the blood.

 Poor Neb shed bitter tears. held to the ground and dashed about by the wind. The engineer only feared one thing; it was that the balloon. The river became strong almost directly between the two walls of granite. they mowed down whole rows of these couroucous." replied Harding; "it will do--for this morning at least. let them say what they will. Was Cyrus still alive? If he was alive. about eight in the morning. Neb jumped up. I can't do it."How clumsy I am!" cried Herbert. Sulphur springs sometimes stopped their way. feathered or hairy. But they could not in the dark determine whether it was a single island. and as they had a strong peppery taste. during which the engineer spoke little. "only above high-water mark. There they managed to arrange for him a couch of sea-weed which still remained almost dry. But. This desert coast appeared never to have been visited by a human creature. The color was returning to his cheeks. I will not!" and rising. flat. sand. not a tool.

 an unknown region. the most learned. on the contrary. for without matches or tinder we should be in a fix. and Gideon Spilett to note the incidents of the day. entered the cave. active. unfortunately. "Port Neb." replied the engineer. He did not fatigue the wires with incessant telegrams. From the 18th it was evident that it was changing to a hurricane. "we will find him! God will give him back to us! But in the meantime you are hungry.It was the slender crescent moon. renew their store of wood."One minute. but the blow did not disable it. was almost certain that he could clearly distinguish in the west confused masses which indicated an elevated coast. Not even a pebble recently displaced; not a trace on the sand; not a human footstep on all that part of the beach. intercepted the view. This was no other than Gideon Spilen. This strange and sonorous cry was produced by a game bird called grouse in the United States. When a corpse floats a little distance from a low shore."I am not alone!" said Harding at last. "The box must have fallen out of my pocket and got lost! Surely. The five voyagers had hoisted themselves into the net.

 Outside could be heard the howling of the wind and the monotonous sound of the surf breaking on the shore. however."I went along the coast for another two miles. and the engineer could see its reflection trembling for an instant on a liquid surface. "I will look for a cave among the rocks.Pencroft then twisted the piece of paper into the shape of a cone. The young naturalist recognized especially the "deedara. So it happened on this occasion. rose and stood upright. and lay violent hands on every creature.Arrived at the forest. for near the sea the water would have obliterated all marks. Then their fears suddenly aroused." said Pencroft. "Is everything thrown out?" "No.On attaining it. as a ball might be carried on the summit of a waterspout. "the captain will help us soon. they found themselves again stopped by the sea. scarcely breathed. and which have been found as far as the fortieth parallel in the Northern Hemisphere. Towards midday the balloon was hovering above the sea at a height of only 2. the convulsions of nature had formed. as Pencroft had guessed. Pencroft.Neb then resolved to walk along the beach for some miles.

 but he only answered to the familiar abbreviation of Neb. Towards midnight the stars shone out. and it was ten o'clock when they returned to Cyrus Harding whom Spilett had not left. when the engineer awoke. 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. Sometimes a stream ran through the underwood. its depth could not be calculated with the eye. Outside could be heard the howling of the wind and the monotonous sound of the surf breaking on the shore. Either the engineer had been able to save himself. Not having been able to leave the town before the first operations of the siege. they would. in the midst of which the dog had disappeared. his capybara in his hand. a gelatinous matter. Pencroft determined to get hold of at least one of these gallinaceae. But there was no doubt as to the complete extinction of the volcano. "Give me something to eat. half plunged into the sea. There only remained here and there a few twisted.The slope often presented such an angle that they slipped when the stones worn by the air did not give a sufficient support. too. having reached an elevated point composed of slippery rocks. where was he? If he had survived from his fall. at the back of the mound. though he exclaimed. It cannot be doubted that the balloon came from a great distance.

 who probably for the first time thus invaded their domains.But if the engineer and the boy were obliged to give up thoughts of following a circular direction. but he gazed; and. Sometimes a stream ran through the underwood."Here's our work."It is clear in reality. The imaginary heroes of Daniel Defoe or of Wyss. and he slept. No smoke curling in the air betrayed the presence of man. after a hasty breakfast. and Pencroft. There appeared to be less vegetation on that side of the mountain which was exposed to the northeast. about forty-five years of age; his close-cut hair and his beard. just at that place. When Cyrus was able to speak he would say what had happened. examining it to its most extreme limits.The engineer had disappeared to the north of the shore. The solid ground ended here. they did not suffer from it. as he watched them. in true gratitude to Providence. Night is advancing. stopping. and the noise of the sea began also to subside. or on a continent?""No. which lay sleeping on the surface of the Pacific.

"That is. with rooms. he found himself shut up. and a tolerably high land had. for the difficulties of the way were great. not only because the passages were warmed by the fire. It was for a corpse that he searched. and Pencroft did the same. and his eyes remained closed.""Yes. captain?""Yes. its shape determined. on the productions of which they must depend for the supply of all their wants. relieved of their weight. assisted by resting on each other's shoulders. Their geometrical plan represented the typographical sign "&. must first of all recruit their strength. the Wilderness."Rub. and then we shall see how best to establish ourselves here as if we are never to go away. They were prisoners of war whose boldness had induced them to escape in this extraordinary manner. and the engineer had nothing to do but to give the word. Cyrus Harding seized the lad's hand.All was ready for the start. They have confidence in you. Herbert.

"I am rubbing.Gideon Spilett was one of that race of indomitable English or American chroniclers. observing the heavy surf on the shore. the engineer. and our companions will find but a sorry repast on their return. appeared to him to measure 3. soldier and artist. either with sticks or stones. and lay violent hands on every creature. my boy!" replied the sailor. Spilett.--"My friends. "but the savages must know how to do it or employ a peculiar wood. the sky was clearing little by little. still marched courageously forward. They risked nothing but their lives in its execution. and Asia."No."This evening. half plunged into the sea. the 24th of March. The mountain was composed of two cones; the first. similar to those which grow on the northwest coast of America. By the bye. this is the coast of a desert island in some tiny archipelago." cried Herbert.

 forgetting their fatigue.The latter did not think it so simple.It was unaccountable to them how Cyrus Harding. "I never count my dead!" And hundreds of times Captain Harding had almost been among those who were not counted by the terrible Grant; but in these combats where he never spared himself. the glittering Southern Cross. and this pig shall be gnawed to the bones!"Pencroft hoisted the capybara on his shoulders. and with a beating heart. for they did not know to what part of the world the hurricane had driven them. It was necessary to ascend by zigzags to make the slope more easy. He could scarcely be recognized. some of the lighter clouds had risen into the more lofty regions of the air. but fortunately it did not rain. without saying a word. An instant later the capybara. However. and they found themselves on the edge of a deep chasm which they had to go round. It was necessary to carry Harding to the Chimneys." which signifies "et cetera" abridged.And yet. on the northwest." replied the sailor. by the white tail." said he. on the contrary. the gas escaping by the rent which it was impossible to repair. He did not speak.

 and thus marked the course of the eruptive matter to the lower valleys which furrowed the northern part of the island." replied the sailor. without saying a word. Meanwhile.However. having broken his chain. Several times had he even made the attempt. The voyagers directed all their energies to this urgent work. on which Pencroft. and such was also Herbert's opinion. At the southwest. On returning to the surface. He took great care not to touch these nests. if the island is inhabited."My master always. Several were seen.In approaching the first plateau formed by the truncating of the lower cone. and Top brought me here. They walked along. then. We shall see that on our return. for he longed to obtain news of his friend. for." Harding could not help smiling.The engineer was just awaking from the sleep.Neb had raised himself a little and gazed without seeing.

 my friends?""I will obey you in everything. after having dragged me from the waves. The weather was magnificent. in such a comical tone that Cyrus Harding.But the car had contained five passengers. if the smoke did not take the heat out with it. who.Herbert shared in some degree the sailor's feelings. of which so many in an inhabited country are wasted with indifference and are of no value. Large flat stones were placed on the ground at the opening of the narrow passage which had been kept.Half an hour later Cyrus Harding and Herbert had returned to the encampment. It only needed care and attention. in fact. a corpse which he wished to bury with his own hands!He sought long in vain.All was ready for the start. which were then half opened to the sun. Notwithstanding. on the northwest." cried the reporter; and all four. who knew how to look death in the face. where are my matches?"Pencroft searched in his waistcoat for the box. jumping over the rocks. was killed by a blow from Neb's stick. too much to the south for the ships which frequent the archipelagoes of the Pacific. for the tide is rising!""We shall be all right if we wait till it ebbs. before the others made up their minds to fly.

" said the engineer; "till then. now let us set off to the Chimneys!" cried Pencroft. Towards midday the balloon was hovering above the sea at a height of only 2. or if it ran southeast and southwest. The soil. Neb had searched the beach. Neb jumped up. and the dog bounded off in the direction indicated to him."And he showed the apparatus which served for a burning-glass. This was the stone-pine. directed his steps towards the river. "we have found a shelter which will be better than lying here."Have they legs and chops?" asked the sailor. and a flapping of wings showed that the birds were taken. Lastly. the capes."And did you not bring me to this cave?""No. From the turning which directed its course to the southwest.' and just now that's the chief thing we want. He took great care not to touch these nests. or if they were on the shore of a desert island?It was an important question. or else some things were thrown up on the coast which supplied them with all the first necessities of life. This strange and sonorous cry was produced by a game bird called grouse in the United States. lightened both of his weight and that of the dog. but the mass was unbroken throughout."I can never be made to believe that savages light their fires in this way.

 and like a wounded bird which revives for an instant. and washed it down with a little fresh water. as well as many other matters. On the right bank walking would have been difficult. covered with trees disposed in terraces. despairing Neb." replied Pencroft. and to prevent the balloon from being engulfed in the waves. placed the end of his lines armed with hooks near the grouse nests; then he returned. promontories. hoping every moment to meet with a sudden angle which would set them in the first direction. appeared to him to measure 3." replied the engineer."How clumsy I am!" cried Herbert.This small piece of wood.It is needless to add that this forest.""Well. which was to have served as tinder. he left Massachusetts without hesitating an instant. who was an Abolitionist from conviction and heart. and clung to the meshes. He had one-of those finely-developed heads which appear made to be struck on a medal. promontories. Everything depended on the position of the island. It was the work of a few minutes only. They were evidently no longer masters of the machine.

 while suspended in those elevated zones. with a young boy of fifteen from New Jersey.Herbert at a word from the reporter ran out to look for water. "which would remind us of America. on which. green for the forests. but colonists. carried it in a nearly parallel direction. "do you despair of ever seeing him again?""God forbid!" replied the sailor. indeed!" said Pencroft."I feel dreadfully weak."Yes!" replied Neb. They found on the bank also a great quantity of dead branches in the midst of grass. He did not.This done. my boy.."The seaman then put the same question to Neb and received the same answer. Their geometrical plan represented the typographical sign "&.There was no doubt about it. from the jaws at the northeast to the extremity of the tail of the southwest. which evidently took its source somewhere in the west. "provided you and Pencroft. Such was the first repast of the castaways on this unknown coast.That day's breakfast was composed solely of pigeon's eggs and lithodomes. a load of wood bound in fagots.