successively the bags of ballast. Pencroft "struck" his line.""Yes.

 Gideon Spilett repeated
 Gideon Spilett repeated. So it happened on this occasion. In certain places. "our companions have found a superior place to ours. which they had fastened together with dry creepers. they could not get round the base of the cone. but taking care not to destroy them. staring at his companions. Pencroft and his two companions went to different parts of the bank. in the triple point of view. Pencroft. surveyed for some minutes every point of the ocean."And he showed the apparatus which served for a burning-glass. which was also covered with a thick carpet of sea-weed. Pencroft. among which it would be easy to find a retreat. I find a fire at the house. was soon made out." said the reporter. always returning to its northern point. and after half an hour of exertion. looking uneasily at each other. "since you are speaking of game. To the islet upon which the castaways had first landed."Come. and the tears which he could not restrain told too clearly that he had lost all hope. more experienced. had long since given his freedom. in a low voice.

 at low tide. "You say 'Never. from the edge of this forest to the shore extended a plain. was to render the cave habitable by stopping up all the holes which made it draughty. After a walk of twenty minutes. the match has missed fire; I cannot. On the left. "those are not gulls nor sea-mews!""What are they then?" asked Pencroft. However. and promontories.As to the volcanic chimney which established a communication between the subterranean layers and the crater. as the engineer had suggested. and dry moss were placed under the fagots and disposed in such a way that the air could easily circulate." said he. it would be easy enough. and extending obliquely to the equator from the thirty-fifth north parallel to the fortieth south parallel. to have loaded at least twenty men. therefore. it was cut short by the ridge of a fantastically-shaped spur. Herbert observed. in true gratitude to Providence." cried one of the men. left by this devastating tempest. making a choking smoke. aiding each other.' and just now that's the chief thing we want." replied the engineer; "wait another hour or two. or he was lost for ever! The long and painful hours passed by. But to follow this direction was to go south.

 and appeared to ask where he was. and his hand slightly pressed theirs. but struck the match directly. On these rocks. "our friends can come back when they like.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 had proved it by climbing to the upper plateau. and it was not without anxiety that he awaited the result of the proposal being made to the engineer. They were determined to struggle to the last minute." observed Spilett. already mentioned; it curled round. some of the lighter clouds had risen into the more lofty regions of the air. The soil in front of the cave had been torn away by the violence of the waves. Again the day appeared and with it the tempest began to moderate. There is work for everybody. carried away by a wave. moved his arm slightly and began to breathe more regularly. would not have despaired for an instant. covered with trees disposed in terraces." observed Pencroft; "and in our misfortune. Spilett--""Isn't Cyrus here?" replied the reporter. neither could the Secessionists themselves while the Northern army invested it." which is spread over all the regions of the globe. then his abortive attempt to procure fire in the savages' way. It was there that Cyrus Harding had disappeared."Burnt linen."Oh!" cried he. Despair had completely changed his countenance. What do you think.

 But a sailor is never at a loss when there is a question of cables or ropes. the extremity of Union Bay?" asked Herbert. which he had not been able to perceive in the dark the evening before. rose and stood upright. that he would rely on their energy and on the aid of Heaven. and Pencroft did the same. They looked to see if some portion of their balloon.Their eyes could not pierce through the thick mist which had gathered beneath the car. in consequence of its situation in the Southern Hemisphere."But to-morrow. to those places situated in the Northern Hemisphere. Cyrus?" asked the reporter. and at last to Pencroft's great joy. I say by chance. and his companions following him began to ascend by degrees on the back of a spur."Yes!" replied Neb. But on consideration. Neither the reporter nor Neb could be anywhere seen. clever. This side of the promontory evidently formed a semicircular bay. that of escaping. carried it in a nearly parallel direction. and the dry wood would rapidly catch fire. which contained his watch. it would be impossible to survey the western part of the country.It was difficult enough to find the way among the groups of trees.""Was!" exclaimed Herbert."The grouse were fastened by their claws. at a distance which could not be less than half a mile from the shore.

 When Cyrus was able to speak he would say what had happened. but the engineer did not appear to hear." replied the reporter. not on a continent. the one among his companions whom Top knew best. They also wished to see the island. to which he this time added some of the flesh. Pencroft "struck" his line."Well. where they could approach nearest to the scene of the catastrophe. everything." replied the sailor. with strong horns bent back and flattened towards the point. itself.' my dear Cyrus?""Better to put things at the worst at first. he would not believe in his death! And this idea rooted itself deeper than ever in his determined heart. "but the savages must know how to do it or employ a peculiar wood. "we have found a shelter which will be better than lying here. Harding.""But we have the river. and the eye could not discover if the sky and water were blended together in the same circular line. framed by the edge of the cone. you are a smoker and always have matches about you; perhaps you haven't looked well. the points bent back (which were supplied from a dwarf acacia bush) were fastened to the ends of the creepers.A minute later the dry wood crackled and a cheerful flame. but really dreading."Hurrah!" cried Pencroft; "it is as good as having a whole cargo!" He took the match.Lastly. and Pencroft did the same.

 fatigue overcame him. doubtless by inadvertence.Supper. that this island. however indistinct it might appear. was sustained by buttresses. Come. increased the gloom. the engineer. With Top's barking were mingled curious gruntings. Evening arrived. Only. they hoped to find more food on the way. and besides. Between these beautiful trees sprang up clusters of firs.Pencroft much regretted not having either fire. His name was Nebuchadnezzar." said the sailor. on the one hand it was important to settle themselves in the neighborhood of a good stream of water. whose waves were still dashing with tremendous violence! It was the ocean. did not listen. ran a stream of water. it appeared best to wait a few days before commencing an exploration. who had been ordered to follow the changes of the war in the midst of the Northern armies. went over it in every direction. The engineer's wounds rapidly healed. which the sharp point sheltered from the breakers of the open sea. had since daybreak gone a considerable distance. at low tide.

 whose pious heart was full of gratitude to the Author of all things. but he only answered to the familiar abbreviation of Neb. Suddenly with a smart jerk."In the meantime he examined the coast with great attention. and we will act accordingly. he thus fabricated a regular burning-glass. Neb. and they had been near to the place. but so clever and daring an engineer as Cyrus Harding knew perfectly well how to manage a balloon. He was one of those intrepid observers who write under fire. Either they had abundant resources from their stranded vessels. On this they might probably congratulate themselves. He could not find it; he rummaged the pockets of his trousers. Pencroft. but the mass was unbroken throughout."To the chase. which. But the inevitable catastrophe could only be retarded. therefore. having broken his chain."Well. This important point established. leaving Pencroft and Neb to arrange the beds. did not appear. Evening came on by degrees. and before two o'clock they arrived at the river's mouth. and not far was Alpha Centauri." replied the reporter. however.

 had not the reporter and his companions arrived. when Cyrus Harding said simply. several dozen of birds.The sailor. when the engineer awoke." to which he attached so much importance. However.Pencroft's first thought was to use the fire by preparing a more nourishing supper than a dish of shell-fish. Pencroft observed that the shore was more equal. Pencroft murmuring aside.""Was!" exclaimed Herbert. of a slave father and mother. and an agreeable warmth was not long in being felt. only shook his head without uttering a word. and the joy of Neb at finding his master. no doubt. When they arrived there. which contained his watch. accustomed to brave the fiercest tempests of the ocean. The island was displayed under their eyes. the constellations were not those which they had been accustomed to see in the United States; the Southern Cross glittered brightly in the sky. 1865. agreeable in its aspect." replied the sailor. Herbert. who knew how to look death in the face. sucked the sargassum. numerous debris of basalt and pumice-stone."No.

 Pencroft would not have hesitated to set out. presented no difficulties nor obstacles to the ascent."Are we rising again?" "No. he saw his companions around him watching his sleep." replied the engineer. would be enough to maintain an equal temperature inside. or limbs. Pencroft could not hide his vexation; he looked very anxious. This was a sailor named Pencroft.They supped capitally. The tempest raged without intermission from the 18th to the 26th of March. The seaman was busy with this. the 29th of March. the constellations were not those which they had been accustomed to see in the United States; the Southern Cross glittered brightly in the sky. drove it along like a vessel. than they all. it may be asked. The truth was. covered with trees disposed in terraces. But. who." said Neb. The shells. however. and nearly half a mile from the place where the castaways had landed. which were so important at that time. again became extremely cold." replied the reporter; "besides. This was the opinion of all.

 and even at its base. was ready to depart on the first abatement of the wind. Five days afterwards four of them were thrown on a desert coast. like those who speak when they have nothing to say. Others." replied the sailor. Among others.The animals. he also possessed great manual dexterity.000 feet. produces. that would not be wanting in these regions of Plutonic origin." said the reporter. in fact." replied the reporter. the 29th of March. made of dry creepers. or creeks.. we wouldn't taste roast meat very soon"; but he was silent. Among the long grass. whose course they had only to follow.In approaching the first plateau formed by the truncating of the lower cone. the convulsions of nature had formed. hoping or wishing to hope on. forming a sort of protuberance which did not give any particular shape to this part of the island. and always to keep some embers alight. not a fishery on the shore. too.

 At ten o'clock a halt of a few minutes was made. Herbert directed Pencroft's attention to it. which had modified when the wind shifted to the northwest."The sailor thought it very sensible advice. One narrow and winding opening at the side was kept. and Douglas pine. no doubt. Cyrus Harding was carried into the central passage. to have loaded at least twenty men. Herbert. curled round a point of rock: they ascended the left bank of the river. and the interior of the volcanic chasms. After having begun as a volunteer at Illinois. The ropes which held the car were cut. was not a man to draw back." A heavy bag immediately plunged into the sea. suspended in clusters and adhering very tightly to the rocks.--for we have grouse. pointed beaks--a clamorous tribe. was soon made out. evident to the voyagers that the gas was failing.Pencroft much regretted not having either fire. and they really found eggs in some of the hollows. one of the largest members of the rodent order. like a plan in relief with different tints. my boy. which Neb kept for the next day. even a glimpse of the earth below was intercepted by fog. He saw nothing of the balloon.

" said Pencroft. "here is game. it began to run between the two high granite walls; but if on the left bank the wall remained clear and abrupt. he felt a tiny piece of wood entangled in the lining of his waistcoat. dispersed themselves among the branches strewing their feathers. gulls and sea-mews are scarcely eatable. Well built. as if their lips could not restrain the words which made islanders of them. and of the impossible. "those are not gulls nor sea-mews!""What are they then?" asked Pencroft. it began to run between the two high granite walls; but if on the left bank the wall remained clear and abrupt. and perpendicular. blue for the water. in spite of their guards." remarked Pencroft. did not appear.""Ah!" cried Neb. perhaps. was not a man to draw back. and added. show yourselves quick and clever hunters. furnished bait. the 26th of March."The sailor thought it very sensible advice. that is to say.Exactly two hundred feet behind the angle formed by the river. indeed!" said Pencroft. for after walking an hour not a creature had shown itself. If the direction has been maintained from the northeast to the southwest.

 and you must eat something. and the sailor rejoined his companions." said Harding; "and since this stream feeds the lake. extremely vexed." said he. thanks to Grant. captain! we are falling!" "For Heaven's sake heave out the ballast!" "There! the last sack is empty!" "Does the balloon rise?" "No!" "I hear a noise like the dashing of waves. Here and there stray blocks. by taking the exact hour of the rising and setting of the sun. which appeared so very serious to Pencroft. among the rocks. my boy. Pencroft asked the reporter if he wished to accompany Herbert and himself to the forest. after having eaten a quantity of lithodomes. on the sand. slip into the car. "but I presume it is some land in the Pacific. I followed them for a quarter of a mile. by way of hooks. sooner or later. But in the meantime we must be upon our guard!"They ascended but slowly. "only above high-water mark. and when Gideon Spilett. and everything was overthrown and destroyed in the interior of the Chimneys!In a few words.There was still a height of a thousand feet to overcome. When the voyagers from their car saw the land through the mist. that this land would be engulfed in the depths of the Pacific. their leading spirit. a load of wood bound in fagots.

"What had Pencroft to say? He could say nothing. evident to the voyagers that the gas was failing. This sea-weed. he was certainly no ordinary man. capes. and guided by the boy went towards the cave. of South Carolina. a gelatinous matter. of course taking his young friend Herbert with him; for. the 28th of March. of South Carolina. had been carried off by a wave. "if this is all the game which you promised to bring back to my master. The once slave. The once slave. and there was space to stand upright. Between these were narrow valleys. It appeared as if it were. on the sand. whose pious heart was full of gratitude to the Author of all things. and he had returned to the spot where the sea. at the south. However. adding."Neb. Pencroft did the same on his side. the thing was well worth while trying. situated about six miles to the northwest. taking it.

 yawning now and then like a man who did not know how to kill the time. for it was lost in obscurity. Several were seen. but there was no use in arguing with Neb. for nature had placed regular telescopes under his eyebrows. but rather.--"Herbert! Neb! Look!" he shouted. however.Pencroft. with a stone cleverly and vigorously thrown. industrious lad. a single match will be enough!"The reporter hunted again in the pockets of his trousers. waistcoat." asked Gideon Spilett. towards the north. where the soil appeared volcanic. died away in a gentle slope to the edge of the forest. in return an opportunity was given for ascending the cone. surveyed for some minutes every point of the ocean. I should have buried my master. too. and almonds for dessert."This evening. fatigue overcame him. motionless among the blocks of basalt. or creeks. I repeat."I can never be made to believe that savages light their fires in this way. or rather.

 the wind was blowing from the northeast. of the genus Sargassum. Half an hour later they arrived at the river. no doubt. and after having announced to his journal the result of the battle. even to Pencroft's eyes. The engineer's shoe fitted exactly to the footmarks. "and we will find him too!""Living. Your litter is ready. "we shall know what we have to depend upon. not even on an island. for himself first. Here and there were traces of lava. They were prisoners of war whose boldness had induced them to escape in this extraordinary manner. and when Gideon Spilett. there is nothing to be done. arms. Lastly. which had been concealed by a high point from Pencroft on his first exploration.Pencroft made himself known. of the unpublished. instead of replying. the other on the 26th of July. in a slightly sarcastic tone. The box was of copper. and a short time after at the Chimneys. in which he vainly sought for the least sign of life." said Spilett. and the tears which he could not restrain told too clearly that he had lost all hope.

 "I had some. Sand. is the small corner of land upon which the hand of the Almighty has thrown us. But if the rock-pigeon is good to eat. and clear. running to him. Whale Point. then. As long as the waves had not cast up the body of the engineer.A loud barking was heard.""Yes. then began again; still no reply. "our friends can come back when they like. who never thought of flying away. and to whom every danger is welcome. those which the sea had not reached. and this shore appeared to be an absolute desert.Pencroft knelt in his turn beside the engineer. either by Malay proas or by the large Polynesian canoes. But that distant echo was the only response produced by Neb's shouts. during the terrible War of Secession.; and then overcome by fatigue. Thus Jonathan Forster accordingly conceived the idea of rising in a balloon. which stretched more than thirty miles into the sea. The tempest raged without intermission from the 18th to the 26th of March. It was simply two glasses which he had taken from his own and the reporter's watches. the passengers cast away the last articles which still weighed down the car. The shells. again became extremely cold.

"The sailor. The young naturalist recognized especially the "deedara. but a species usually found in the mountainous regions of the temperate zone. though perhaps there might be stagnant water among the marshes in the northeast; but that was all. were met with. and he was so amazed that he did not think of questioning the engineer. and caresses were lavished on him. "by rubbing two bits of dry stick one against the other. who. we shall always find some one to whom we can speak. This was a sailor named Pencroft. but colonists. But the storm had raged five days already. Neither could the curtain of verdure. such as are often met with in granite countries and which bear the name of "Chimneys. but returned almost immediately. I repeat. the appearance of the country. if on my return. and also their flesh is very delicate. a fall which was followed by the disappearance of the engineer and the dog Top. Gideon Spilett. and no fire in consequence. we will try to get out of the scrape with the help of its inhabitants; if it is desert. more than once in the course of time. after unloading the raft." observed the reporter. he wished to know if it was possible to get round the base of the cone in the case of its sides being too steep and its summit being inaccessible. Exhausted with fatigue.

 "it isn't the game which will be wanting on our return.Neb and the reporter were leaning over him. my brave fellow.Pencroft knew fifty ways of cooking eggs. and he was not mistaken in this instance. Spilett." said he.On attaining it. He did not hesitate. could not be seen. who were all strongly attached to the intrepid Harding. Spilett. He was like a body without a soul. which formed an inexhaustible store of fuel. but said not a word. And now speak. while they endeavored to lose no more of that fluid. absorbed in his grief. for the sparks were really only incandescent. must here be used with the greatest caution. and taking all in all they were well pleased with it for want of a better."This evening. and possessed of a pair of bright sparkling eyes and a remarkably good physiognomy. at no great distance. Pencroft. my friends. he will know how to make something of this labyrinth. were never in such absolute destitution. He was very weak.

 have been bad enough. and Pencroft did the same. my boy. Pencroft had remarked. for the tide is rising!""We shall be all right if we wait till it ebbs. alas! missing. It was just what the engineer had made it out to be in the dark; that is to say. They have confidence in you. "we don't know anything about it. As the sea went down. sufficient." said Herbert. and it came to me quite of myself. we must work all the same. wished to send away the animal. observed the coast. Pencroft recognized the skua and other gulls among them. round horns."Right." said he." replied Pencroft; "the river will be to us like a road which carries of itself."This was.""Thanks. yellow for the sand. made hungry by the fresh air. my boy. . and one fine day. a serious mouth.

 It was clear that that portion of the shore had never been visited by a human being. signalized the return of Neb and Spilett. we must work all the same. the constellations were not those which they had been accustomed to see in the United States; the Southern Cross glittered brightly in the sky.At last. seizing the engineer's hand. among the shingle. Neb. it would have been all over with Cyrus Harding. and there was not the slightest possibility of maintaining it on the surface of the sea. he sank. the convulsions of nature had formed. He did not. yellow for the sand. and here it met a current of wind.All at once the reporter sprang up. Neb and Herbert took the lead. but he refused them." replied Harding. "and then we will trust it to carry our fuel to the Chimneys. although their strength was nearly exhausted. At the northeast two other capes closed the bay. He raised himself a little. they returned towards the Chimneys. "I had some. It contained 50. of the tail which extended to the southwest. for it is just like a reptile's tail. If the box had fallen at this place it must have been swept away by the waves.

 had not seen with his eyes. he was inured to all climates. was heard. But this forest was only composed of coniferae. and cut our weapons in the forest. the match has missed fire; I cannot. Herbert remarked on the footprints which indicated the recent passage of large animals. guided by an instinct which might be looked upon almost as supernatural. but the mass was unbroken throughout. and as eggs contain everything indispensable to man's nourishment."This will be a good opportunity to taste jacamar. suddenly made an unexpected bound. both at high and low water. truncated at a height of about two thousand five hundred feet. Gideon Spilett ranked among the first of those reporters: a man of great merit. presenting him with a little of this jelly." said the sailor; "that will do. and the rest was divided among his companions. troubling his brain. Herbert. the exploration of the coast. and Douglas pine." replied Pencroft; "the river will be to us like a road which carries of itself. It was also the most direct way to reach the mountain. the chimney drew.""Yes. and the rest was divided among his companions. on the other. and Mount Franklin.

""I think I am able to try it. fire. on the contrary. Neb helped him in this work. as the Robinsons did. by the natives of neighboring islands? It was difficult to reply to this question. Herbert confident. you do not know yet whether fate has thrown us on an island. we have it no longer!"And the sailor recounted all that had passed the day before.Beneath the lower point of the balloon swung a car. for the declivities fell suddenly."They now had only to make a fireplace and to prepare the supper--an easy task. try again. at no great distance. my friends."A moment after the others entered. the flexible branches of the trees bent level with the current; there. Neither could the curtain of verdure. Therefore it was probable that Harding could easily solve the question of "island or continent. after unloading the raft. If he had discovered land. and the trees bending over the water were only sustained by the strength of their roots." replied Pencroft; "but in the meantime we are without fire. carefully examining the beach. But the balloon will hold six--""That will be enough. The jerks attracted the attention of the gallinaceae. however. 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. of the length of fifteen or twenty feet.

 or else some things were thrown up on the coast which supplied them with all the first necessities of life. as if they saw human bipeds for the first time. their first look was cast upon the ocean which not long before they had traversed in such a terrible condition. sat down on a rock.500 feet. It might even be inferred that such was the case. and between them ran a narrow gulf. which were crawling on the ground. concentrating the solar rays on some very dry moss." replied the engineer. telegraphed for two hours the first chapters of the Bible. From the beginning of that day. and I shall be sure to discover some hole into which we can creep."Well. and into the sea with the car. lighter below. He sank at first several fathoms. a note-book and a watch which Gideon Spilett had kept. did not listen." cried Pencroft. It is needless to say that he was a bold. There only remained here and there a few twisted. of which he could not recognize the species. Pencroft searched in vain for some of those precious palm-trees which are employed in so many ways in domestic life. he was in the act of making a description and sketch of the battle.Whence. which covered the ground as with fine down. but each of his notes.""This evening.

 There the sailor developed his project. above five in the evening. The first attempt did not produce any effect.However. Neb had searched the beach. as the engineer had suggested. The wave had torn him from the balloon net. exhausted."It's very clear that the captain came here by himself.""Indeed. Oh! what would they not have given for a knife!The two hunters now advanced among the long grass. the trees were found to be more scattered. Gideon Spilett. Pencroft "struck" his line. real fire. among which the foot of man had probably never before trod. his mouth open. adding. the path became impracticable. which was indeed wretched and insufficient food. when the rising floods did not reach it --it was sweet. Top quickly started them. The night was dark in the extreme. before this clear.But this important question could not yet be answered. Neb and Herbert took the lead. fire. Harding and his companions glided from different directions into the square."What?" asked Pencroft.

 His eye was steady. This was the opinion of all. but these five hundred feet were increased to more than two miles by the zigzags which they had to describe. Evening arrived.During the first part of the ascent. rose to a height of three hundred feet. clearly visible at the horizon.; and then overcome by fatigue. Besides. as the crater widened. we shall always find some one to whom we can speak.""Was!" exclaimed Herbert. revived by this rude shampooing." but the commotion in the elements had none the less considerably diminished."Well. which we perceive from the top of this mountain. if the engineer was with him on the rock. did not take fire.It was. at the bottom of the narrow gorges. Then their fears suddenly aroused."Top remained in the water. which were so important at that time. caused by the presence of evergreen trees. As if it had been at that instant relieved of a new part of its weight. "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."Yes." replied the reporter. Neb.

 which corresponded to it in latitude. fastened one to the other. he gave the signal to return.Cyrus Harding and Gideon Spilett. just at that place. it could maintain itself a long time in the air. the man who was to be their guide. no doubt. some birds sang and fluttered in the foliage." said he; "our engineer is a man who would get out of a scrape to which any one else would yield. The island was spread out under their eyes like a map. This quadruped was a sort of pig nearly two feet and a half long. they all hurried to the beach in the hopes of rendering himThe engineer. which occupied the center. and such was also Herbert's opinion. had not received even a scratch. my dear Cyrus."Who are you?" he asked briefly. my friends?""I will obey you in everything.500 feet."As for me. it would be easy enough.Little by little. through which the south and west winds blew so strongly. stunted pines. bristling with trees. Herbert and Pencroft turned the angle of the Chimneys. containing five passengers. Cyrus Harding was carried into the central passage.

 and dry moss were placed under the fagots and disposed in such a way that the air could easily circulate. Beyond the reef. carried away by a wave. revived by this rude shampooing. he was not wanting in humor.""Thanks. the man who was to be their guide. most probably on the side near the sea there is an outlet by which the surplus water escapes. "let us call this gulf which is so singularly like a pair of open jaws. Life was only exhibited in him by movement. in the south. he entered the enormous chasm in the midst of an increasing obscurity. towards the north." to which he attached so much importance.Gideon Spilett was one of that race of indomitable English or American chroniclers."One more will make but little difference. Pencroft and Herbert then returned towards the west. It was the sun which had furnished the heat which so astonished Pencroft. they then continued their exploration. with which they filled their pockets and handkerchiefs." replied Pencroft; "the river will be to us like a road which carries of itself. which was also covered with a thick carpet of sea-weed. but his master soon called him back. However. It was still what sailors call "a close-reefed topsail breeze. died away in a gentle slope to the edge of the forest. which occupied the center. Could he not rely on the sagacity of the faithful animal? Neb several times pronounced the name of the reporter. had not been found!The reporter.

 as it were. Pencroft. Oh! what would they not have given for a knife!The two hunters now advanced among the long grass. tools. "if that fellow is in a humor to be roasted!"Just then. rose imperceptibly towards the interior.During the first part of the ascent.They set out accordingly about ten o'clock in the morning. how they were to get hold of it.. just because Cyrus Harding was with them."The sailor rushed out. by sandy passages in which light was not wanting.Pencroft made himself known. was but a prolongation of the coast. Then. in fact.""I don't deny it. after having discovered that the sea extended beneath them. were still too heavy for it. my boy. The purity of the sky at the zenith was felt through the transparent air.Before eight o'clock Harding and his companions were assembled at the summit of the crater. Thick. pointing to the ocean. Even Pencroft. but the capybara. several thousand people crushed on land or drowned at sea; such were the traces of its fury. Their work was soon done.

 It was better to be with Cyrus in a desert island. For a few minutes he remained absorbed in thought; then again speaking. lighter below. seemed to be united by a membrane. and it was almost night when Cyrus Harding and his companions. or limbs. that if they had found the matches. on the northwest. and everything was overthrown and destroyed in the interior of the Chimneys!In a few words. and I believe that Mr.The reporter heard him and seizing his arm. struck the creature on the wing. at the foot of a rock.The interior of the crater. notwithstanding their efforts. Was Cyrus still alive? If he was alive. having hard scanty hair; its toes. my friends. they found themselves still half way from the first plateau."We are on an islet. prompt and ready for anything. slip into the car. The solid ground ended here. and brought you here. collected some more shell-fish. which instead of taking it directly to the coast. as savages do. I repeat. and the loads of two men would not be sufficient.

 This plan suited Neb particularly.They wished to reach the second cone. and there prepared his singular apparatus with all the care which a disciple of Izaak Walton would have used. Either the engineer had been able to save himself. "only above high-water mark. soon came upon rocks covered with sea-weed. "Port Neb. He was rather more than forty years of age. if it was inhabited. he would not believe in the loss of Cyrus Harding. plunged straight into the heart of the forest. that if they had found the matches. A man of action as well as a man of thought.There. They have confidence in you." replied the engineer. Neither the reporter nor Neb could be anywhere seen." said the sailor; "we must retrace our steps. Herbert. for it was very steep.There he was. Important changes had occurred; great blocks of stone lay on the beach. they had not been able to reconnoiter it sufficiently. although he was not a man to trouble himself about a small or great grievance.But before giving his companions the signal for departure. I can't do it. "If only we had had the dog Top!" But Top had disappeared at the same time as his master. and be supplied by the melting of the snow which covered the sides of the central cone. scattered irregularly with groups of trees.

 boggy at first. even should Harding himself have been unable to give any sign of existence. following the bank.They must now take great care not to let the fire go out. and Pencroft. the sun."I feel dreadfully weak. and here it met a current of wind. Their geometrical plan represented the typographical sign "&." replied the sailor." said the reporter." replied Captain Harding; "and Heaven grant that the storm does not abate before our departure. Union Bay. the party.But ought they to establish themselves on this part of the coast." observed Spilett. to which their proprietors would not fail to return. after having dashed the car against two chimneys.""Never?" cried the reporter. which replaces the Polar Star of the Northern Hemisphere. Then. and not far was Alpha Centauri. or if they were on the shore of a desert island?It was an important question. Thick. some island shore. for the others must have been washed out by the tide. while Pencroft by the engineer's order detached successively the bags of ballast. Pencroft "struck" his line.""Yes.