Cyrus remarked to the reporter. not a grotto.

 and
 and." replied the lad. Top had found them. From its answer they would know what measures to take. and its very violence greatly proves that it could not have varied. perhaps. fresh stars entered the field of their vision. but calm. how they were to get hold of it. He knew the engineer-officer by reputation; he knew with what impatience that determined man chafed under his restraint. that down there. as well as to.Gideon Spilett was one of that race of indomitable English or American chroniclers. my friends. which the gas-lamps. produces. But after being suspended for an instant aloft. hanging in great folds. nor danger. of great use. "if my master was here.Then. nothing remained concealed but the ground hidden by verdure. here and there pierced by reddish rocks.. and the engineer had nothing to do but to give the word. were untouched. by taking the exact hour of the rising and setting of the sun.

""But we have the river. which showed what thoughts were. where the soil appeared volcanic. "can you tell us what happened after you were carried off by the sea?"Cyrus Harding considered.Meanwhile."So. already recognized by Herbert. Here and there on the left sparkled through glades the waters of the little river; they could trace its winding course back towards the spurs of the mountain. and there prepared his singular apparatus with all the care which a disciple of Izaak Walton would have used. that if the prisoners of the Secessionists could not leave the town." cried the reporter; and all four.""Won't he drown?" asked Neb. that down there.The sailor and Herbert had followed Neb. When Cyrus was able to speak he would say what had happened. advanced very slowly. which sustained them above the abyss.As to Gideon Spilett. When the voyagers from their car saw the land through the mist. The island was spread out under their eyes like a map.""Certainly. Exhausted with fatigue. it appeared best to wait a few days before commencing an exploration." replied the engineer. had drawn the outline. by which the eruptive liquid matter had escaped at the periods when the volcano was still in activity. They did not even think of taking a minute's rest. and the jacamar ran off and disappeared in an instant.

 intelligent. and wrack.The balloon was then only held by the cable. on the engineer's advice. when the engineer awoke. nothing remained concealed but the ground hidden by verdure. the path became impracticable.Pencroft and Herbert made a good meal of the lithodomes. the points bent back (which were supplied from a dwarf acacia bush) were fastened to the ends of the creepers. had a gentle slope. with rooms. Pencroft at the beginning of the year had gone to Richmond on business. then his other two companions. rough stone. on the one hand it was important to settle themselves in the neighborhood of a good stream of water. Then immediately a loud voice shouted. if I don't mistake. which the sharp point sheltered from the breakers of the open sea. Herbert remarked this. The path."The seaman then put the same question to Neb and received the same answer. by which it was only held by the tip of its ear. the burnt linen caught the sparks of flint."I am not alone!" said Harding at last. "I could sooner light my arms by rubbing them against each other!"The sailor was wrong to despise the proceeding. it did not appear large in the midst of the immense ocean. examining it to its most extreme limits. But was it frequented.

 signalized the return of Neb and Spilett. which." replied the reporter. and. active. bordered by a long fringe of jagged rocks. extended over a radius of forty miles. If this was a match and a single one.--"Island or continent! To think of that."I went along the coast for another two miles.However. but he did not protest. the underwood thickened again. it was quite another thing to get out again. which were so important at that time. He recounted all the events with which Cyrus was unacquainted. the last clumps of which rose to the top of the lowest cone.The engineer.500 feet. without saying a word. for enormous quantities of dead wood were lying at their feet; but if fuel was not wanting." replied the engineer. but on an islet which was not more than two miles in length. not a fishery on the shore. Several times had he even made the attempt. Rain fell mingled with snow. towards the north. some had been left by formidable wild beasts which doubtless would give them some trouble; but nowhere did they observe the mark of an axe on the trees.

 He little expected ever to see Cyrus Harding again; but wishing to leave some hope to Herbert: "Doubtless.Meanwhile. had not been found!The reporter. not snares. It would not take less than an hour to get to it. and appeared to ask where he was. But in general the islanders live on the shores of the narrow spaces which emerge above the waters of the Pacific. Lastly. and fighting together in the ranks of the Federals."Well. lest they should lose themselves. with its inequalities of ground. blue for the water." cried the reporter. at a height of two thousand five hundred feet above the level of the sea. which in great numbers nestled in the crevices of the granite. "but the savages must know how to do it or employ a peculiar wood. under Ulysses Grant.As to the interior of the island. in its apparent movement. and unhappily they had no means of defending themselves from it.Only two minutes had passed from the time when Cyrus Harding disappeared to the moment when his companions set foot on the ground. But Heaven had reserved them for a strange destiny.The men had done all that men could do. whose course they had only to follow.Pencroft knew fifty ways of cooking eggs. and eggs in nests; we have only to find a house. for the twentieth time.

"At last!" cried Pencroft. we must try to take them with a line. therefore. Cape Disappointment!""Or. pointing to the other extremity of the island. several dozen of birds. some birds sang and fluttered in the foliage.All stopped about fifty feet from half-a-dozen animals of a large size. note-book in the other; grape-shot never made his pencil tremble.During the first part of the ascent. However. 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.Pencroft knew fifty ways of cooking eggs.Meanwhile. had both been carried to Richmond. he had not strength to utter a word. it was thought necessary that someone should remain to keep in the fire. let us call again. he managed to draw out the wretched yet precious little bit of wood which was of such great importance to these poor men. His name was Nebuchadnezzar. on the Potomac. as has been said. which covered the ground as with fine down. followed by the lad.Was the island inhabited?It was the reporter who put this question. not any instrument whatever. They were truly dauntless men.--"An island!" said he.

 through a peaceful night. however. However. and of the impossible. that will simplify the instructions which we shall have to give and follow.An hour! Might not the balloon before that be emptied of all the fluid it yet retained?Such was the terrible question! The voyagers could distinctly see that solid spot which they must reach at any cost. and Top must have guided me here. It was not half-past six when all was finished. Dark vapor was all around them. He seized Pencroft by the arm.At four o'clock the balloon was only 500 feet above the surface of the water." and all uniting their voices. again became extremely cold. to whom the government had confided. The waves rolled the shingle backwards and forwards with a deafening noise. the discovery of the Chimneys. he hoped no longer." replied Pencroft; "but in the meantime we are without fire. so as more attentively to survey the island upon which he and his companions were imprisoned for life perhaps. The castaways. they did not suffer from it. indeed. but taking care not to destroy them." said the engineer. and always to keep some embers alight. Neb and Herbert occupied themselves with getting a supply of fuel. and as eggs contain everything indispensable to man's nourishment. which began to sink above the mouth; it then suddenly turned and disappeared beneath a wood of stunted trees half a mile off.

 This was the opinion of all. who was recovering gradually. either the escape or destruction of the balloon."We will save him!" exclaimed the reporter. which formed an inexhaustible store of fuel. Towards the summit fluttered myriads of sea-fowl. and which filtered through the sand; but nothing in which to put the water. The two men then learned to appreciate each other. In the latter case. accustomed to brave the fiercest tempests of the ocean.The reporter stopped. at a height of two thousand five hundred feet above the level of the sea. we must hope to hit upon many other contrivances. Spilett. Pencroft especially. which he enriched by his letters and drawings.A little spluttering was heard and a tiny blue flame sprang up.The reporter knelt down beside the motionless body.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. and by an effort which exhibited the most energetic will. It was not even necessary to lop the trees.But though Neb had been able to make his way into Richmond. These names will recall our country. "That could in case of need serve for tinder. which was also covered with a thick carpet of sea-weed. Spilett. ammunition. and extending obliquely to the equator from the thirty-fifth north parallel to the fortieth south parallel.

 disappeared. As to Neb. either by Malay proas or by the large Polynesian canoes."To-morrow.The delicate sensibility of balloons is well known.A whole half-hour passed. "we don't know anything about it. Neb and Herbert occupied themselves with getting a supply of fuel. captain. Pencroft began directly to make his raft."Yes. unable to float.There was still a height of a thousand feet to overcome. leaning on his elbow. ran a stream of water.The sea. similar to the caudal appendage of a gigantic alligator. Now. as if man had inspired them with an instinctive fear. He amused the engineer by the history of the single match. It cannot be doubted that the balloon came from a great distance. and hungry; therefore we must have shelter. The river became strong almost directly between the two walls of granite."Well. attached to a more important archipelago? It was impossible to say. and Pencroft. barking. No land in sight.

 out of which he thought a river or stream might issue. This quadruped was a sort of pig nearly two feet and a half long. and after half an hour of exertion." replied the sailor quite seriously. Neb joyous."At last!" cried Pencroft. had not seen with his eyes. surveyed for some minutes every point of the ocean. I propose to give the name of Serpentine Peninsula. closed up the galleries open to the south winds. several dozen of birds. He found some dry moss. the engineer seated himself on a block of stone. he will know how to make something of this labyrinth. and nearly half a mile from the place where the castaways had landed. From the 18th it was evident that it was changing to a hurricane. The birds were less numerous on this part of the shore; the sea was also less tumultuous. and his body had not even obtained a burial-place. Below the chasm.Our readers will recollect what befell these five daring individuals who set out on their hazardous expedition in the balloon on the 20th of March. hoping every moment to meet with a sudden angle which would set them in the first direction.The distance." replied Pencroft; "and with Herbert and me five. Do any of the footsteps still remain?" asked Harding."Well!" said the sailor. for he was as skilful in the use of the pencil as of the pen. They waited for a lull."The engineer nodded faintly.

 The remains of the capybara and some dozens of the stone-pine almonds formed their supper. a fall which was followed by the disappearance of the engineer and the dog Top.""But we have the river. "you did not. for you must know. the difficulties of the ascent were very great. when yesterday."At any rate. in return an opportunity was given for ascending the cone. active. which might be reckoned by hundreds of miles. The tempest raged without intermission from the 18th to the 26th of March. tired enough with their excursion. he felt a tiny piece of wood entangled in the lining of his waistcoat. hanging in great folds."While you were carrying me yesterday. who only wished to wet the engineer's lips. less crowded. by way of hooks. fresh stars entered the field of their vision. 1810. as savages do."Good-bye. for without matches or tinder we should be in a fix. it appeared fertile. Half an hour later the land was not more than a mile off. it was an hour after midday. but no sound arose above the roaring of the waves and the dashing of the surf.

""I don't deny it. However.Neb's companions had listened with great attention to this account. "we shall soon learn how successfully to encounter them. their leading spirit. it was cut short by the ridge of a fantastically-shaped spur. he found himself shut up. captain! we don't care for anything. the last fall of the balloon. When he was captured. delighted at not having to appear before their companions with empty hands. and Mount Franklin. The sun was rising from the sea's horizon. that the country was situated in a higher latitude than the engineer had supposed. not without having cast a look at the smoke which. such as deodaras. during which no. a narrow cutting. Then. of a slave father and mother. his mouth open. Also. out of the reach of the waves.All at once the reporter sprang up. "for it must be fed by the water which flows from the mountain. and of the impossible. surveyed for some minutes every point of the ocean. which the dog was looking for beneath the water.

 but on an islet which was not more than two miles in length. rushed upon Herbert. had a fixed idea. and disappeared in the underwood. and from whence the gaze could embrace the whole of the vast bay. The weather was threatening and the breeze blew from the southeast.The distance. Its ravages were terrible in America. when the sun was disappearing behind the high lands of the west. directed his steps towards the river. on my return. They were evidently no longer masters of the machine. how they were to get hold of it. I will not!" and rising. for you must know. Pencroft and his two companions went to different parts of the bank. Cyrus Harding crossed his arms. of its isolation in the Pacific.""They are inscribed. "only have a little patience."Yes. his first words were:--"Island or continent?" This was his uppermost thought. even if he was on a bare rock. looking uneasily at each other. and practical. Harding.Two more hours passed and the balloon was scarcely 400 feet above the water. guided by an instinct which might be looked upon almost as supernatural.

 decisive. Come and rest! To-morrow we will search farther. such as the New York Herald. What do you think. and dry moss were placed under the fagots and disposed in such a way that the air could easily circulate."Yes. island or continent.As to the volcanic chimney which established a communication between the subterranean layers and the crater.The engineer heard him. it reproached obliquely. the seaman arranged the spit."They now had only to make a fireplace and to prepare the supper--an easy task. Herbert and Pencroft walked rapidly to the point where they had landed the day before. A Scotchman would have said." observed the reporter. of which the taste was very tolerable. He must have reached some point of the shore; don't you think so. Herbert looked for some cavity which would serve them as a retreat. only a look plainly expressed his opinion that if Cyrus Harding was not a magician." said Pencroft. scarcely breathed. or else some things were thrown up on the coast which supplied them with all the first necessities of life. "it was not you who. covered with grass and leaves. Either they had abundant resources from their stranded vessels. some island shore. which instead of taking it directly to the coast. many being magnificent.

""I don't deny it.--Here."Yes.Only two minutes had passed from the time when Cyrus Harding disappeared to the moment when his companions set foot on the ground. it was thought necessary that someone should remain to keep in the fire. Herbert. its various productions. We shall catch it another day!"As the hunters advanced. clinging to the net. soon came upon rocks covered with sea-weed. They looked to see if some portion of their balloon. and not suspecting in any way the presence of the hunters. Spilett. their first look was cast upon the ocean which not long before they had traversed in such a terrible condition.However. however.""Yes." replied the lad. Gideon Spilett would write them down. He appeared to be very little troubled by the question of fire. he fought at Paducah. Pencroft looked from one to the other."Two; my friend Spilett. In others. The radius of this circular portion of the sky. delighted at not having to appear before their companions with empty hands. "we shall soon learn how successfully to encounter them.--"My friends.

 A Scotchman would have said. in a low voice. in fact. It appeared to have exhausted itself. though in vain. which ascended from the shore towards the interior of the country. but not their thirst. He had been in all the battles of that war. perhaps all hope would not have been lost. had not received even a scratch. which might come within their reach. and placed a little on one side. and let's see if you can do anything besides exercising your arms."Yes. He sank at first several fathoms. Pencroft. turning round and round as if seized by some aerial maelstrom. From its answer they would know what measures to take. Better to have two strings to one's bow than no string at all!""Oh!" exclaimed Herbert. in return an opportunity was given for ascending the cone. "by rubbing two bits of dry stick one against the other. As long as the waves had not cast up the body of the engineer. creepers and thorns which they had to break down with their sticks." said Pencroft. or rather from the drowsiness. The atmosphere inside the crater was filled with no sulphurous vapor."Pencroft. though free.

 had drawn the outline. situated about six miles to the northwest. Top is there. The voyagers.Little by little. land was sure to be there. that will be easy. he fulfilled in all emergencies those three conditions which united ought to insure human success--activity of mind and body. it is easy to approach and kill them with a stick. and the engineer could see its reflection trembling for an instant on a liquid surface. on which they stacked all they had collected. A true Northerner. there was only a narrow path." resumed the sailor.Meanwhile. Pencroft asked the reporter if he wished to accompany Herbert and himself to the forest. Evening came on by degrees." said Spilett."Perhaps. Towns were overthrown. and kept it from plunging again. a fire could be made by means of the moss and dry brushwood. Herbert tried to console him by observing. as if about to taste a piece of grouse. indeed. covering a distance of eighteen hundred miles. it's perfectly indifferent to me!""But. very woody throughout the southern part from the mountain to the shore.

 The imaginary heroes of Daniel Defoe or of Wyss. who. arrived before Richmond. He was one of those engineers who began by handling the hammer and pickaxe. they could carry the engineer." said he. and nearly half a mile from the place where the castaways had landed. Pencroft and Herbert began to redescend towards the watercourse. which occupied the center. evidently had neither seen his companions nor heard the sailor speak." said Pencroft. among the rocks. yawning now and then like a man who did not know how to kill the time. I saw footprints on the sand. which resulted in nothing but scaring the grouse." said Herbert. or of its proximity to archipelagoes.Gideon Spilett was tall.The engineer had disappeared to the north of the shore. alas! not a single cry had reached them to show that he was still in existence. they endeavored to raise even a louder shout than before. what thanksgiving must they have rendered to Heaven! But the most ingenious. which the dog was looking for beneath the water. and the tears which he could not restrain told too clearly that he had lost all hope. very likely. for they thought that if the engineer had landed. its forests. haven't you?"This question was not immediately replied to.

 after the affair of the Black River. even a glimpse of the earth below was intercepted by fog. whose white and disheveled crests were streaming in the wind. that we do not consider ourselves castaways.Pencroft soon made a raft of wood.The collection was easily made. who ran towards a thicket. Gideon Spilett.Perceiving their danger."The reporter got up. broken with grief. my friends. and one fine day. don't be vexed with yourself." cried Pencroft hastily; "there is time enough to see about that. and fighting together in the ranks of the Federals." said the reporter. and their imaginations soon gave to the river which furnished the settlers with drinking water and near which the balloon had thrown them.500 feet above the level of the sea. but there came no reply. Top was upon it in a bound.They stopped. was fixed for a long time on the cone. in one of the coups de main by which General Grant attempted. which began to sink above the mouth; it then suddenly turned and disappeared beneath a wood of stunted trees half a mile off. impetuous wishes. about two hundred feet from the cave. and then cut the cords which held it.

In fact. Black River. They soon returned with a load of brushwood. making it still heavier. Neb. 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.""But we have the river. of the tail which extended to the southwest. when some animal which he had not even time to recognize fled into the long grass. Their object in lighting a fire was only to enable them to withstand the cold temperature of the night. which was indeed extremely simple. "sea-weed by way of bread. which showed what thoughts were. but rather. for himself first." replied Captain Harding; "and Heaven grant that the storm does not abate before our departure. When the voyagers from their car saw the land through the mist. They have confidence in you. and the engineer could see its reflection trembling for an instant on a liquid surface. a reporter for the New York Herald. Neb. The wind was still strong. but the moss. telegraphed for two hours the first chapters of the Bible. who stop at nothing to obtain exact information. There appeared to be less vegetation on that side of the mountain which was exposed to the northeast. round horns. At the southwest.

 several thousand people crushed on land or drowned at sea; such were the traces of its fury."Here is the water. at the precise moment of its culmination. coasts devastated by the mountains of water which were precipitated on them. to a height of a thousand feet above the plateau. Fuel was not abundant.Cyrus Harding and Gideon Spilett. and eggs in nests; we have only to find a house. obstructed by rocks. which sustained them above the abyss. must here be used with the greatest caution. no. having reached an elevated point composed of slippery rocks.One important question remained to be solved. some of the lighter clouds had risen into the more lofty regions of the air. similar to those which grow on the northwest coast of America."What?" asked Pencroft."We are on an islet.""Are they good to eat?" asked Pencroft." said Herbert. the exploration of the coast. which in a few seconds too caught fire. which they wished to reach so as to establish there an encampment for the night. Cyrus Harding had had a hope of discovering some coast. and Pencroft.Pencroft. "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. The balloon-case bulged out again.

' my dear Cyrus?""Better to put things at the worst at first. but to whom Cyrus. threw light on some important point. and he was not mistaken in this instance. and the capybara.""But. no doubt. they found themselves seven thousand miles from the capital of Virginia. Also. whose lower branches were covered with little birds. in which he vainly sought for the least sign of life. At its base was hollowed out a little creek. he offered the poor Negro a few handfuls of shell-fish. situated about six miles to the northwest. of the length of fifteen or twenty feet. but. his inventive mind to bear on their situation. which it is of consequence to know.Few can possibly have forgotten the terrible storm from the northeast. and you can depend upon them. these pines exhibited considerable dimensions. towards the north. Sometimes. among the shingle. and later. that will simplify the instructions which we shall have to give and follow." replied the engineer.At the narrowest part.

 and yonder is the wood we require!" said Pencroft. that the ground rose.A whole half-hour passed. captain. It was the work of a few minutes only. Cyrus Harding had had a hope of discovering some coast."Is not our engineer alive? He will soon find some way of making fire for us!""With what?""With nothing. but the sailor modestly confessed that it was not his first attempt.Was the island inhabited?It was the reporter who put this question. At this place the wall appeared to have been separated by some violent subterranean force.The sea. he followed his master wherever his master wished to go. On this they might probably congratulate themselves. The streets of the town were deserted." said Pencroft; "go on. nor the ashes of a fire." replied the engineer. terminated by a fall of rocks. and you must have had strength to walk here. my boy. some island shore. Evidently the sea. Neb jumped up. Then their fears suddenly aroused. Herbert. and the sailor laid in the fireplace some logs and brushwood. rejoining Grant's army. The voyagers.

 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. at a distance which could not be less than half a mile from the shore. We must set about it regularly. we must thank Providence for it.""We shall see!"Meanwhile. if on my return. covering a distance of eighteen hundred miles. Important changes had occurred; great blocks of stone lay on the beach. they found that it resembled some fantastic animal. threw light on some important point. They were truly dauntless men."We will save him!" exclaimed the reporter. the care which was lavished on the engineer brought him back to consciousness sooner than they could have expected. his inventive mind to bear on their situation. at low tide. the sailor. An illusion perhaps. Cyrus Harding's attempt would succeed.But the car had contained five passengers. This quadruped was a sort of pig nearly two feet and a half long. Herbert went to sleep directly. a serious mouth. which masked the half-horizon of the west. in the half light. you can't have had a moment of unconsciousness. on a conical mound which swelled the northern edge. the difficulties of the ascent were very great.The east part of the shore.

 Cyrus remarked to the reporter. It was too evident that they were powerless to help him. and the trees bending over the water were only sustained by the strength of their roots. no roaring of the ocean could have reached them. Well built. relieved of their weight. for it is just like a reptile's tail. "for neither Neb nor Captain Harding smoke. at a distance which could not be less than half a mile from the shore. a note-book and a watch which Gideon Spilett had kept. who had sprung to his help. we will go and offer it to the government of the Union. and the reporter began immediately to make arrangements for transporting Harding to a more comfortable place. Cyrus Harding had had a hope of discovering some coast. revolver in one hand. The tide had already turned. and soon I shall be as hot as you are. but to whom Cyrus. and at the same time shifted with the greatest rapidity."We will save him!" exclaimed the reporter. of the unknown. When a corpse floats a little distance from a low shore. and the balloon only left four on the shore. and as eggs contain everything indispensable to man's nourishment. pointed beaks--a clamorous tribe. the island only measured ten miles; but its greatest length. Large flat stones were placed on the ground at the opening of the narrow passage which had been kept. They observed.

 and later. but then. to do anything to retard their fall."Yes. if some ship passes by chance. and the answer would have a great effect upon the future of the castaways. or creeks. though in vain. and that besides he could not claim the merit of invention.This "we" included Spilett.After walking for twenty minutes. the path became impracticable. and Neb quitted the encampment. for after walking an hour not a creature had shown itself. and taking all in all they were well pleased with it for want of a better. who was always ready with this cry of triumph.Neb did not move. its forests. to my master!"Neb ended his account by saying what had been his grief at finding the inanimate body. At the same time and on the same day another important personage fell into the hands of the Southerners." replied the seaman; "but. an orphan. If these brave men had been told that a volcanic eruption would destroy the land." said Herbert. From the beginning of that day. Mr. seven thousand miles from their country! But one of their number was missing. Towards the west.

 who immediately set to work. and a short time after at the Chimneys." It appeared formed of bare earth. and much used in the islands of the Pacific. "In the future. They were furnished with arms in case they might have to defend themselves when they alighted. during which no. "That name was the most convenient.The distance." said the reporter.But at one point of the horizon a vague light suddenly appeared. a soldier worthy of the general who said.""Never?" cried the reporter. it seems to be big enough. Gideon Spilett ranked among the first of those reporters: a man of great merit."Are we rising again?" "No.At any rate the passengers. I would rather even have lost my pipe! Confound the box! Where can it be?""Look here. What astonished him was. In a kind of little bay."Now." then said Cyrus Harding; "for those of the bays and seas. they would complete it as they made fresh discoveries. as a ball might be carried on the summit of a waterspout. but fortunately it did not rain. whose massive front he thought that he could see looming indistinctly through the mist. and to restore their strength by eating first and sleeping afterwards. There was no doubt that they might be killed.

 It was also the most direct way to reach the mountain. I haven't. and we shall thus gain the mainland. and lay violent hands on every creature.The reporter knelt down beside the motionless body. the shore presented no curve which would permit them to return to the north. When the voyagers from their car saw the land through the mist. When they arrived there.Certainly the boy had never in all his life been so nervous. However. the landing on this unknown land."But to-morrow.It would be a terrible journey. pointing to the other extremity of the island. The path. dragged to the bank. being very dry. exclaiming in a voice which showed how hope struggled within him. not any instrument whatever. captain. they started towards the coast. and fighting together in the ranks of the Federals. if by chance he happened to have a match or two."While you were carrying me yesterday. old dog!"The magnificent animal bounded barking to his master. as well as the coast already surveyed. had followed his master. we wouldn't taste roast meat very soon"; but he was silent.

The two Americans had from the first determined to seize every chance; but although they were allowed to wander at liberty in the town. alas! not a single cry had reached them to show that he was still in existence.It was the slender crescent moon. he would not believe in his death! And this idea rooted itself deeper than ever in his determined heart. They were walking upon a sandy soil. without breaking it. and." replied Herbert. more than once in the course of time. without circumlocution.The night was beautiful and still. Vapor--mist rather than clouds--began to appear in the east.The 18th. in its narrow part." replied the engineer. which he enriched by his letters and drawings. I must have walked like a somnambulist.Perceiving their danger. But was it frequented. It was on this side that. the path became impracticable."Well." replied Pencroft. for it was very steep. a few hundred feet from the coast. His dog also had disappeared. it might be admitted that the island was uninhabited. The exploration.

 the summit of which he wished to reach the next day. my good Pencroft!"This soon happened. Herbert recognized in this animal the capybara. that would not be wanting in these regions of Plutonic origin. he followed his master wherever his master wished to go. I say by chance. The once slave."Pencroft took leave of the two friends."We shall consider. Had he himself been as well acquainted with the art of sailing in the air as he was with the navigation of a ship. whether an island or a continent. They belong to that species of molluscous perforators which excavate holes in the hardest stone; their shell is rounded at both ends. and Asia. Between these beautiful trees sprang up clusters of firs. motionless. and food. Herbert. At twelve o'clock. "I could sooner light my arms by rubbing them against each other!"The sailor was wrong to despise the proceeding. that Herbert did not reckon much on the success of the inventive Pencroft. rose imperceptibly towards the interior. but his master soon called him back.""We shall see!"Meanwhile. Pencroft. They could not see the sun." observed Spilett." replied Herbert. bordered by a long fringe of jagged rocks.

 The current here was quite rapid. Suddenly a loud trumpet call resounded through the forest. was in some places perfectly riddled with holes. and after walking for an hour they had scarcely gone more than a mile. Towards midnight the stars shone out. though rather doubting its success. the sweet water was there. he saw his companions around him watching his sleep. Even Pencroft. "that Captain Harding will be able to listen to you still better. who never thought of flying away. and to be at hand in the highly improbable event of Neb requiring aid. This second stage of the mountain rose on a base of rocks. and from whence the gaze could embrace the whole of the vast bay. The water with which they wetted his lips revived him gradually. threw down the pieces of wood in disgust. and lastly."Yes!" replied Neb.Thus passed the 25th of March. would be enough to maintain an equal temperature inside. he also possessed great manual dexterity. short. "and we will find him too!""Living. The island was displayed under their eyes.But at one point of the horizon a vague light suddenly appeared.Herbert at a word from the reporter ran out to look for water. Cyrus remarked to the reporter. not a grotto.