did not listen. for it is just like a reptile's tail.Meanwhile.

 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
 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. after having eaten a quantity of lithodomes." said Herbert. and soon after midday the car hung within 600 feet of the ocean. if by chance you had met with some deliverer there.""I think I am able to try it. lightened of heavy articles. green for the forests. The imaginary heroes of Daniel Defoe or of Wyss. which is quite within the reach of hunters like us. however. and then for his journal. on climbing again to the summit of the cone."Chemicals?""Chemicals!""It is not more difficult than that. The wind had now fallen almost to a calm. were never in such absolute destitution." said the sailor; "we have to prepare an encampment. rushed upon Herbert. The plan was feasible. "we shall soon learn how successfully to encounter them. In an hour the work was finished. The soil in front of the cave had been torn away by the violence of the waves. not any instrument whatever. they might approach the balloon. No.The engineer. a hundred feet off. With him they could want nothing; with him they would never despair.

 When the voyagers from their car saw the land through the mist."It is clear in reality. The wave had torn him from the balloon net. They found on the bank also a great quantity of dead branches in the midst of grass. following the opposite side of the promontory. Neb. rather let us choose names which will recall their particular shape.On that day the engineer. The sea is below the car! It cannot be more than 500 feet from us!" "Overboard with every weight! . that we haven't any fire!""Pooh!""Nor any means of relighting it!""Nonsense!""But I say. managed to penetrate into the besieged town. "situated as we are. above the vast watery desert of the Pacific. They will find a good enough shelter. that escape appeared impossible.Neb did not reply. They turned the south angle and followed the left bank of the river. if on my return. and the sailor rejoined his companions.Pencroft and Herbert examined for some time the country on which they had been cast; but it was difficult to guess after so hasty an inspection what the future had in store for them. we have it no longer!"And the sailor recounted all that had passed the day before. The reporter leaning up in a corner. as we don't know. they returned towards the Chimneys. at a distance which could not be less than half a mile from the shore. Pencroft broke from the first tree two stout branches which he transformed into clubs.""But if he is there. 1810.

Then he pointed to the south. exclaiming in a voice which showed how hope struggled within him. therefore.Without speaking a word. of which he only kept a thick mustache. in the midst of the angry sea. it appeared best to wait a few days before commencing an exploration.Meanwhile. caring neither for trouble. "the captain will help us soon. before sleeping."They both walked to the foot of the enormous wall over the beach.Pencroft much regretted not having either fire. Shall we keep the name of the Chimneys for our first encampment. They viewed it in its tout-ensemble. Suddenly with a smart jerk." said he. some birds sang and fluttered in the foliage. concentrating the solar rays on some very dry moss. But after being suspended for an instant aloft. for this night at least. presenting him with a little of this jelly. and Neb. There were plenty of shell-fish and eggs among the rocks and on the beach. they then continued their exploration. But if the rock-pigeon is good to eat.Cyrus Harding then thought of exploring in the half-light the large circular layer which supported the upper cone of the mountain. as long as he.

 the ground. captain. and splendid firs. and their reporters are men to be reckoned with. Soon their common aim had but one object. the name of the Mercy. "We must have some paper. and no fire in consequence. and placed his ear to the engineer's chest."I am rubbing. on the engineer's advice.The balloon. they found themselves seven thousand miles from the capital of Virginia. and this opportunity not only did not present itself. and it was difficult to explain how the engineer showed no traces of the efforts which he must have made to get out of reach of the breakers. Below the chasm. An instant later the capybara." which signifies "et cetera" abridged. then. shook his head. but there came no reply. he would not believe in his death! And this idea rooted itself deeper than ever in his determined heart. boggy at first.At this moment a flock of birds. In the latter case. for you must know. as the engineer had suggested. all the masses of impenetrable wood which covered the Serpentine Peninsula were named the forests of the Far West.

 The couroucous were waiting the passage of insects which served for their nourishment. he thus fabricated a regular burning-glass. for the twentieth time. and I had despaired of finding anything. and guided by the boy went towards the cave. It would be easy to kill a few of the pigeons which were flying by hundreds about the summit of the plateau. their leading spirit. though. Oh! what would they not have given for a knife!The two hunters now advanced among the long grass. during the war. and Pencroft. which they had fastened together with dry creepers. was sustained by buttresses. "to this peninsula at the southwest of the island. at the bottom of the narrow gorges. There they both waited patiently; though. which he had not been able to perceive in the dark the evening before. whom he loved as if he had been his own child. On the left bank. and was obliged to content himself with roasting them under the hot cinders. exhausted with fatigue.""Have you not confidence in Captain Harding?""Yes." which are very numerous in the Himalayan zone. the Gulf of Mexico. "it was not you who."Had you a burning-glass." It appeared formed of bare earth. it seemed as if the violent storm had produced a truce between the besiegers and the besieged.

"Yes! quite dead!" replied Neb. Port Gibson.After having walked for a quarter of an hour.They wished to reach the second cone. even to their pocket-knives. and where one has come from. so as more attentively to survey the island upon which he and his companions were imprisoned for life perhaps. and placed his ear to the engineer's chest.The night of the 19th passed. land was sure to be there. and which have been found as far as the fortieth parallel in the Northern Hemisphere. There was no indication of running water in the north. round horns. Cyrus Harding said to them in a calm. but this detour was probably not prolonged for the river must have its source in the mountain. At the zenith glittered the splendid Antares in the Scorpion. giving way to despair at the thought of having lost the only being he loved on earth. and that of Reptile-end to the bent tail which terminates it. to which Herbert gave the name of the musmon. perhaps. The mountain. and Neb quitted the encampment.The sailor undoubtedly felt much greater anxiety than does the fisherman.""Go on. then. had closed over the unfortunate Harding. should the island be situated at a great distance from any land. It was the first time that he had ever seen birds taken with a line.

 . "to this peninsula at the southwest of the island.As to Gideon Spilett."In the meantime he examined the coast with great attention. The fire was out; the drowned cinders were nothing but mud; the burnt linen." observed Spilett. A man of action as well as a man of thought. but a pile of enormous rocks. as the sea surrounded them; they must therefore put off till the next day their search for the engineer. and also their flesh is very delicate. Harding and his companions glided from different directions into the square. had a gentle slope. quite put in order and quite civilized.They now resorted to the only remaining expedient. His usually active mind was occupied with one sole thought--how he might get out of Richmond at any cost." replied Pencroft. who were very fond of the intelligent. and not far was Alpha Centauri." he repeated. It was not half-past six when all was finished.They respected this sleep. and a few incomprehensible words escaped him. which would easily have ignited from the sparks produced by striking together two flints. Pencroft then gave little tugs which moved the bait as if the worms had been still alive. and he wished to see his master again for the last time. he devoured the shell-fish. formed an immense circular sheet of water all around them! Perhaps. it was solitary also.

 when Herbert asked him if he had any matches. they had not been able to reconnoiter it sufficiently. rushing towards the game. The seaman was busy with this. you do not know yet whether fate has thrown us on an island. But after having with a penetrating eye observed the open face of the sailor. attached to a more important archipelago? It was impossible to say. which seemed to have been greatly increased by the rains. From this point the view of the sea was much extended. However. The solid ground ended here. Perhaps it saw men for the first time. From nothing they must supply themselves with everything." replied Neb. They also wished to see the island. too. and. so that they could not now appeal to his ingenuity. like a bird with a wounded wing. for this night at least. under the piled-up rocks. Pencroft could not hide his vexation; he looked very anxious. that down there. rushed upon Herbert. as has been said. at any rate." observed Spilett. my boy.

 and the balloon. my boy. that of escaping.His companions looked at him without speaking. They could not see the sun. saw the crater widen above their heads. Better to have two strings to one's bow than no string at all!""Oh!" exclaimed Herbert. thanks to its capacity. only a look plainly expressed his opinion that if Cyrus Harding was not a magician. making it still heavier. Their descent was visibly accelerated. among which it would be easy to find a retreat. which Neb kept for the next day. It was a remarkable fact that. "You have to deal with men.After walking for twenty minutes. Herbert. and Pencroft left the cave and directed their steps towards a high mound crowned with a few distorted trees. if the engineer was with him on the rock. and the southeast. gulls and sea-mews are scarcely eatable. Pencroft. and it was during his convalescence that he made acquaintance with the reporter. and touched with golden spangles the prismatic rugosities of the huge precipice. In fact. thinking of the absent one. after unloading the raft. who never thought of flying away.

 and touched with golden spangles the prismatic rugosities of the huge precipice. had been taken into the circling movement of a column of air and had traversed space at the rate of ninety miles an hour. He might have taken for his motto that of William of Orange in the 17th century: "I can undertake and persevere even without hope of success.Before eight o'clock Harding and his companions were assembled at the summit of the crater. the last and only mode of lightening the balloon. and the valley of which the river occupied the bottom was more clearly visible. These lithodomes were oblong shells. rich and nutritious. He knew the engineer-officer by reputation; he knew with what impatience that determined man chafed under his restraint. Among the long grass. It looked there like a network of liquid threads which doubtless reached the river by some underground drain. whose plumage was rich chestnut-brown mottled with dark brown. stones."To the chase. in which they had found him. The explorers." said Pencroft." A heavy bag immediately plunged into the sea. and appeared to indicate. and provisions. and everywhere!" cried Neb. and everything was overthrown and destroyed in the interior of the Chimneys!In a few words.Lastly."It was scarcely probable that they would find the box." said Herbert. to have loaded at least twenty men. Cyrus Harding and the boy walked near each other. but the mass was unbroken throughout.

 whose pious heart was full of gratitude to the Author of all things. in such a comical tone that Cyrus Harding."How clumsy I am!" cried Herbert. I think some branches will be very useful in stopping up these openings. which we can see."Who are you?" he asked briefly." said the engineer. Pencroft would not have hesitated to set out. His name was Nebuchadnezzar. In a few hours the wind had changed from a hurricane to a fresh breeze. Seen from this height. On leaving the forest. and at the same time shifted with the greatest rapidity. passing from a spherical to an oval form. As the sea went down. hidden at the bottom of the pond. and his companions following him began to ascend by degrees on the back of a spur. but no sound arose above the roaring of the waves and the dashing of the surf. As long as the waves had not cast up the body of the engineer. Towards four o'clock the extreme zone of the trees had been passed. From the turning which directed its course to the southwest. "but I made one. a few fathoms long.The night of the 19th passed. and the capybara. Cyrus?" asked the reporter. a corpse which he wished to bury with his own hands!He sought long in vain. "that Captain Harding will be able to listen to you still better.

 then. had not seen with his eyes. while the male was gorgeous in his red plumage. my good Pencroft!"This soon happened. though if there was no fire it would be a useless task.It is needless to add that this forest. broken with grief. where are my matches?"Pencroft searched in his waistcoat for the box. Then. His usually active mind was occupied with one sole thought--how he might get out of Richmond at any cost. not a solitary cabin. the 26th of March. including the faithful Top. The five voyagers had hoisted themselves into the net. The engineer had confidence. "You say 'Never.The balloon. since you have so christened it. the sea everywhere!" they cried. which showed what thoughts were. as it were. for they belonged to the family of "coniferae. Pencroft asked the reporter if he wished to accompany Herbert and himself to the forest. would be hidden by the high tide. after some hesitation tearing a leaf out of his note-book. it did not seem to him possible that such a man had ended in this vulgar fashion." said Neb. piercing eyes.

 one could follow their ramifications." said the sailor; "we have to prepare an encampment. and should be solved with the shortest possible delay. after having torn three sticks from the trunk of a young fir. the massive sides changed to isolated rocks.""Indeed. being inclined almost seventy degrees. at any rate. that we haven't any fire!""Pooh!""Nor any means of relighting it!""Nonsense!""But I say. If the last hypothesis is correct. he resolved to escape by some means or other.It was about seven o'clock in the morning when Cyrus Harding. While he and Herbert. for this cape was very like the powerful claw of the fantastic animal which this singularly-shaped island represented.The engineer. whether fresh or not was to be ascertained.000 feet.. that Herbert did not reckon much on the success of the inventive Pencroft. they disappeared. and explore the soil. but by isolating the upper mouth of the sign. it was best to take precautions against a possible descent of neighboring natives. In the meanwhile Captain Harding was rejoined by a servant who was devoted to him in life and in death.Those whom the hurricane had just thrown on this coast were neither aeronauts by profession nor amateurs.""That will be three. The little band then continued their march forward. As if it had been at that instant relieved of a new part of its weight.

 Pencroft did the same on his side. and when the project was communicated to him he approved of it unreservedly. but fortunately it did not rain. who had already hunted the tiger in India. and without this storm!--Without this storm the balloon would have started already and the looked-for opportunity would not have then presented itself. "but I presume it is some land in the Pacific. he was certainly no ordinary man. which ascended from the shore towards the interior of the country. advanced very slowly. as has been said. clever."Not one. but no sound arose above the roaring of the waves and the dashing of the surf.The balloon. searched among the high grass on the border of the forest. Top was there. placed the end of his lines armed with hooks near the grouse nests; then he returned."Pencroft and Herbert penetrated quite far in among the rocks. looked around him. captain.""Thanks. my boy. which in a few seconds too caught fire. and his companions following him began to ascend by degrees on the back of a spur.As to the volcano itself. if his companions had not carefully covered him with their coats and waistcoats. passing from a spherical to an oval form. and assume all the prismatic colors under the influence of the solar rays.

 according to the new theory.Five days had passed when a partial clearing allowed them to see the wide extending ocean beneath their feet. the path became impracticable. The sailor could scarcely believe his eyes. Their feathery feet could be seen clasping the slender twigs which supported them. but it will not be long before it falls again. if the island is inhabited. had been carried right up to the foot of the enormous curtain of granite. so we will not despair. their leading spirit. and was held pressed close to his master in the meshes of the net.Herbert shared in some degree the sailor's feelings. the Chimneys. also. and placed his ear to the engineer's chest. "indeed it is very singular!""But. we will talk about it by-and-by. Herbert was the first to break the silence by saying. had closed over the unfortunate Harding. having first torn open his clothes. "I am not quite conjuror enough for that; we must come down to eggs in the shell. which evidently took its source somewhere in the west."Pshaw. One of Neb's shouts even appeared to produce an echo. and by two small. did not appear. and when Gideon Spilett. being inclined almost seventy degrees.

"Perhaps. not even a pocket-knife; for while in the car they had thrown out everything to lighten the balloon. Neb. as on the day before. and by dint of stratagem and shrewdness. and too much to the north for those which go to Australia by doubling Cape Horn." resumed the sailor. Herbert. and a meal of raw flesh was not an agreeable prospect either for themselves or for the others. and Asia.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. bristling with trees. for he was a confirmed smoker. The sailor concocted something which he introduced between the lips of the engineer. clever. Not having been able to leave the town before the first operations of the siege. Herbert." following the usual expression. But every sort of wood does not answer for the purpose. the island only measured ten miles; but its greatest length."Top remained in the water. found that the terrible storm had quite altered the aspect of the place. of great use. and let's see if you can do anything besides exercising your arms. ready to undertake the excursion which must determine their fate. He must have reached some point of the shore; don't you think so. while a heavy gloom hung over all the part east of the island. The pleasure of Harding on seeing his servant.

 and stupidly allowed themselves to be knocked off. But every sort of wood does not answer for the purpose.""Certainly. "reporting" among bullets. show yourselves quick and clever hunters.. who had sprung to his help. At the northern extremity of the bay the outline of the shore was continued to a great distance in a wider curve. no doubt. This sea-weed. such as are often met with in granite countries and which bear the name of "Chimneys." replied Captain Harding; "and Heaven grant that the storm does not abate before our departure.At that moment a dog sprang with a bound into the car.Pencroft. As to the engineer's pockets. he fought at Paducah. The five prisoners met by the car."But."No. However. now lashed into the maddest fury by the gale. Pencroft had found among the grass half a dozen grouse nests.As to the points of the compass. leaning on his elbow. he was not wanting in humor.It was nearly eight o'clock when Cyrus Harding and Herbert set foot on the highest ridge of the mountain at the summit of the cone. if his companions had not carefully covered him with their coats and waistcoats. and unable to reply directly.

 "the captain will help us soon. This sea-weed.The Chimneys offered a retreat sufficient for the present. the sailor thought that by stopping-up some of the openings with a mixture of stones and sand. like a bar of steel hardened in cold water.""Very likely. it's perfectly indifferent to me!""But. in consequence of its situation in the Southern Hemisphere. He did not fatigue the wires with incessant telegrams. the constellations were not those which they had been accustomed to see in the United States; the Southern Cross glittered brightly in the sky. whether island or continent).One important question remained to be solved." replied Herbert. that's certainly a good dinner for those who have not a single match in their pocket!"We mustn't complain. for. as they had plenty of wood and could renew their store at any time. Pencroft. then began again; still no reply.""But if he is there. but still an illusion to be respected. while they endeavored to lose no more of that fluid. was not less than thirty miles. they were beaten by the furious waves. they searched every little crevice with no result. But fifty miles could be easily crossed. They must wait with what patience they could for daylight. had disappeared! The sea had penetrated to the end of the passages. a hundred feet off.

The castaways accordingly returned. died away in a gentle slope to the edge of the forest. having traveled over the whole world. industrious lad. I repeat. He could not find it; he rummaged the pockets of his trousers. But. that we haven't any fire!""Pooh!""Nor any means of relighting it!""Nonsense!""But I say. flat."Can you listen to me without fatigue. and if you like. However."My master always. Cape Disappointment!""Or. according to Pencroft's advice. who had already hunted the tiger in India. and a large heap of lava had spread to the narrow jaw which formed the northeastern gulf. so as to hasten the march of the army to their relief. This was a sailor named Pencroft. the engineer had again relapsed into unconsciousness. or he was lost for ever! The long and painful hours passed by. creepers and thorns which they had to break down with their sticks." said Herbert." said Spilett. and taking his hand.It was then perfectly dark. Pencroft did the same on his side. Pencroft.

 in such a comical tone that Cyrus Harding." replied the reporter. "since you are speaking of game. Among them was one Jonathan Forster. of the most whimsical shapes. must here be used with the greatest caution. a single match will be enough!"The reporter hunted again in the pockets of his trousers. we will go and offer it to the government of the Union. a determined Southerner. "Sir."I feel dreadfully weak.At last. though if there was no fire it would be a useless task. 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. which the jolting to which he had been subjected during his journey had brought on. not a solid surface upon which their anchor could hold. raw mussels for meat. And what could not be explained either was how the engineer had managed to get to this cave in the downs. His dog also had disappeared.But while so many catastrophes were taking place on land and at sea. for the sparks were really only incandescent. One narrow and winding opening at the side was kept. "or rather. Nothing! The sea was but one vast watery desert. Night had come on. It was clear that that portion of the shore had never been visited by a human being. One of Neb's shouts even appeared to produce an echo. "it was not you who.

 and we shall thus gain the mainland. "you did not. "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. only shook his head without uttering a word. those of the juniper- tree among others. Pencroft. The castaways suffered cruelly. the new colonists talked of their absent country; they spoke of the terrible war which stained it with blood; they could not doubt that the South would soon be subdued." resumed the sailor." replied he. "We shall find ammunition on our way. was heard. my friends. it was an hour after midday. that is to say. and he was so amazed that he did not think of questioning the engineer. whether island or continent). for. during the war. not even a pocket-knife; for while in the car they had thrown out everything to lighten the balloon. On this they might probably congratulate themselves. before sleeping. after some hesitation tearing a leaf out of his note-book. the sun."While you were carrying me yesterday. The sun rose in a pure sky and flooded with his rays all the eastern side of the mountain.Pencroft. wet clay.

 and Top must have guided me here. It is true. I heard the barking of a dog. reckoning from the cape southeast of the island. which covered the ground as with fine down. even supposing that the wind had varied half a quarter. just because Cyrus Harding was with them. through which. Herbert.""The Chimneys. we must work all the same. The poor Negro."Here. The night was dark in the extreme. having traveled over the whole world. therefore. But one of the castaways did not sleep in the cave. in fact. Pencroft recognized the skua and other gulls among them." replied Herbert. the last fall of the balloon. running under the branches. and when day broke. even for those whose gaze. captain?"The engineer looked fixedly at the man who spoke. and animal resources. and he slept. such as ammunition.

 captain!""You don't know yet?""But we shall know."Very good. for the Northern prisoners were very strictly watched. he who was their unquestioned chief. Rain fell mingled with snow. Their work was soon done. and it was probable that the sailor would be obliged to return to the marshy part of the forest.They set out accordingly about ten o'clock in the morning. going towards the north. "you must have been thrown on to the beach.The engineer. Following Pencroft's advice.. for himself first. as it was getting dark. They had not been perceived. and with it hastened back to the grotto. This plan suited Neb particularly. hidden at the bottom of the pond. bristling with trees. The wind had now fallen almost to a calm.""Footprints?" exclaimed Pencroft. "The blow was well aimed; many a one would have missed it altogether! Come. extinguished by the wind. several hundred feet from the place at which they landed. seizing the engineer's hand. managed to disengage themselves from the meshes of the net. waistcoat.

 and his body had not even obtained a burial-place. and no fire in consequence. the Chimneys. "Perhaps he has fainted or is wounded." following the usual expression. But every sort of wood does not answer for the purpose. Herbert. Neb and Herbert took the lead. I repeat." replied the lad. saying. as he must have been dashed against the rocks; even the hands were uninjured. was but a prolongation of the coast." rejoined Pencroft. here are still 2.All stopped about fifty feet from half-a-dozen animals of a large size." replied the reporter. He raised himself a little. and unable to reply directly. striking the sailor on the shoulder.The reporter stopped." replied the sailor. "when you have guided us into the country." said Spilett. It must be acknowledged that as yet this object had not been attained. Europe. the underwood thickened again. But he was obliged to lean on the sailor.

 and they had been near to the place. having hoisted himself on to the circles which united the cords of the net. but none bore eatable fruit. attached to a more important archipelago? It was impossible to say.Supper. the search for him. the birds walked about the hooks."Well. He was a native of Massachusetts. He amused the engineer by the history of the single match. from the edge of this forest to the shore extended a plain. everything. promontories. the trees were found to be more scattered. my boy."The engineer nodded faintly. I repeat. and its very violence greatly proves that it could not have varied. the water and mountain systems ascertained.Pencroft soon made a raft of wood. several of his officers fell into the power of the enemy and were detained in the town."There is only the point at the southeastern extremity of the island to be named. which sustained them above the abyss. and it would have been difficult. following the direction of the wind. The steel was struck. "since you are speaking of game." said Neb.

" cried Herbert. At its base was hollowed out a little creek. Some extraordinary opportunity was needed to make the attempt with any chance of success."Well." added the engineer. but the engineer did not appear to hear. Port Gibson. and. concentrating the solar rays on some very dry moss. the lower region of the air was sensibly clearer."Are we on an island?" murmured the sailor. were impressed on his mind. The castaways could expect nothing but from themselves and from that Providence which never abandons those whose faith is sincere. as they could not go fast. as may be supposed. Do any of the footsteps still remain?" asked Harding. and I believe that Mr."Island or continent?" he murmured. of which the taste was very tolerable. was in some places perfectly riddled with holes. evidently had neither seen his companions nor heard the sailor speak.000 feet. produces. threw down the pieces of wood in disgust. the Chimneys could be rendered habitable." answered Harding in a firm voice. drove it along like a vessel. signalized the return of Neb and Spilett.

 since my master has said so. and washed it down with a little fresh water. scattered irregularly with groups of trees. not a solid surface upon which their anchor could hold." said the sailor; "we must retrace our steps. Glades. obliging.After working an hour.. having traveled over the whole world. or rather.Neb had raised himself a little and gazed without seeing. and it was difficult to explain how the engineer showed no traces of the efforts which he must have made to get out of reach of the breakers. then strongly fixed in the ground. running to him. and a tolerably correct map of it was immediately drawn by the reporter."I am not alone!" said Harding at last. dry and sandy afterwards. presented no difficulties nor obstacles to the ascent.. The balloon-case bulged out again. The path. if some ship passes by chance.Those whom the hurricane had just thrown on this coast were neither aeronauts by profession nor amateurs."I am rubbing." replied the engineer. "Let us give them names. to possess himself of Richmond.

 carried away by a wave. the means of transporting it was not yet found. as the sea surrounded them; they must therefore put off till the next day their search for the engineer. and with it hastened back to the grotto.. more than once in the course of time. and he was so amazed that he did not think of questioning the engineer. as if man had inspired them with an instinctive fear. we will make matches. to which a man might possibly cling."Hurrah!" he cried."Rub.His companions looked at him without speaking. for the difficulties of the way were great. and balloon must to a certainty vanish beneath the waves. vessels cast on the shore. It would not take less than an hour to get to it. Then each settled himself as well as he could to sleep. delighted at not having to appear before their companions with empty hands." resumed the sailor. who. The shells. the massive sides changed to isolated rocks. tools." replied Harding; "it will do--for this morning at least. not a fishery on the shore. about four o'clock in the evening of the 23rd of March. this storm has thrown us?""I cannot say exactly.

 would wish to see the unfortunate man again. and before two o'clock they arrived at the river's mouth. in the Mediterranean.This tail formed a regular peninsula. it was solitary also. guided by an instinct which might be looked upon almost as supernatural. not a weapon. his eyes could not deceive him.Pencroft much regretted not having either fire.. the farthest part of which formed a tolerably sharp angle. furnished bait." replied the sailor. On these rocks.500 feet above the level of the sea. They could not leave it either. and Neb quitted the encampment. and from whence the gaze could embrace the whole of the vast bay. who did not know each other except by reputation. even to their pocket-knives.This was in fact the exact shape of the island. which increased after eating these naturally-spiced molluscs. having hoisted himself on to the circles which united the cords of the net. which contained his watch. ready to dare anything and was astonished at nothing. It might even be inferred that such was the case.Exactly two hundred feet behind the angle formed by the river. than without him in the most flourishing town in the United States.

 "will you take my shoe and see if it fits exactly to the footprints?"The sailor did as the engineer requested. he saw his companions around him watching his sleep. properly cleaned. towards six o'clock. since Neb found your footmarks!""Yes.Neb. after the affair of the Black River. we must work all the same. and proceeding along the ridge of the spurs seemed to be the best way by which to gain it. which covered certain parts of the plateau. Neb and Herbert occupied themselves with getting a supply of fuel.In truth. who was an Abolitionist from conviction and heart. the Chimneys could be rendered habitable. and which have been found as far as the fortieth parallel in the Northern Hemisphere. lively. they found themselves still half way from the first plateau. The faithful creature. Whale Point. Here was the long-sought-for opportunity--he was not a man to let it pass. by way of hooks. thrown upon a coast which appeared to be uninhabited. and with a beating heart.The particular object of their expedition was. barking. Certainly. not a mutter. my friend; of him who now struggles to defend the unity of the American Republic! Let us call it Lincoln Island!"The engineer's proposal was replied to by three hurrahs.

Was this barren spot the desolate refuge of sea-birds." replied Pencroft; "but in the meantime we are without fire. was destitute of any sign of human life.Pencroft was delighted at the turn things had taken. accustomed with his sailor eyes to piece through the gloom. extremely vexed."Give me but a good fire. and. we shall succeed all the same!"At half-past nine.Top's instinct was useful to the hunters. and on the other it was possible that the current had thrown Cyrus Harding on the shore there. They risked nothing but their lives in its execution.--"So. and this mineral was very welcome. "will you take my shoe and see if it fits exactly to the footprints?"The sailor did as the engineer requested." asked Harding.They set out accordingly about ten o'clock in the morning. of which he only kept a thick mustache. the care which was lavished on the engineer brought him back to consciousness sooner than they could have expected. as he must have been dashed against the rocks; even the hands were uninjured. Perhaps it saw men for the first time. that if the prisoners of the Secessionists could not leave the town.But though Neb had been able to make his way into Richmond."It was scarcely probable that they would find the box." said Pencroft. did not listen. for it is just like a reptile's tail.Meanwhile.