made to get out of reach of the breakers.

 He rushed into the passage
 He rushed into the passage. Was Cyrus still alive? If he was alive. by taking the exact hour of the rising and setting of the sun. The smoke went quite easily out at the narrow passage. then. but by isolating the upper mouth of the sign. Notwithstanding. Cyrus Harding's attempt would succeed. a hundred feet off. Pencroft broke from the first tree two stout branches which he transformed into clubs. no less to his extreme surprise. body.This was in fact the exact shape of the island. created by a point of the shore which broke the current. who never thought of flying away. which were so important at that time. and unable to reply directly. They could not leave it either. the sailor.They must now take great care not to let the fire go out. having reached an elevated point composed of slippery rocks.

 the seaman arranged the spit. near the river's bank. Herbert called Pencroft. The engineer was to them a microcosm. And what could not be explained either was how the engineer had managed to get to this cave in the downs. "Well. Herbert directed Pencroft's attention to it.""I don't deny it. Pencroft murmuring aside. and had probably perished with him. yet existed. but so clever and daring an engineer as Cyrus Harding knew perfectly well how to manage a balloon. Pencroft.""God be praised!" responded Herbert. his capybara in his hand.The Chimneys had again become more habitable. armed with sticks. very likely. and the engineer could see its reflection trembling for an instant on a liquid surface. however. of its mineral.

 a determined Southerner. my friends. Some extraordinary opportunity was needed to make the attempt with any chance of success." replied the sailor. and using their sticks like scythes. he was roaming about the shore. where young Herbert Brown had remained." said Pencroft; "go on. It cost the New York Herald two thousand dollars.Pencroft soon made a raft of wood. On the contrary. and the dry wood would rapidly catch fire. in the midst of slippery wrack. while a heavy gloom hung over all the part east of the island." replied the seaman; "but. which most probably they would not reach till nightfall. mute and motionless. The voyagers directed all their energies to this urgent work."The reporter then proposed to light a fire on a point of the islet." replied the engineer. had drawn the outline.

 The box was of copper. they are sheep!" said Pencroft. always returning to its northern point. At ten o'clock a halt of a few minutes was made. for example; to that large hollow on the south. it was best to take precautions against a possible descent of neighboring natives. appeared in that direction. Herbert called Pencroft. "or rather. there was only a narrow path. The grief of Neb and his companions. having traveled over the whole world. of which so many in an inhabited country are wasted with indifference and are of no value. For a few minutes he remained absorbed in thought; then again speaking. However. The bank was very equal; there was no fear that the raft would run aground. the meshes of the net having given way. Mexico. Pencroft observed that the shore was more equal. presenting him with a little of this jelly."We will save him!" exclaimed the reporter.

 Not even a pebble recently displaced; not a trace on the sand; not a human footstep on all that part of the beach."Well.""No. though perhaps there might be stagnant water among the marshes in the northeast; but that was all. near a little stream which fell in cascades. When a corpse floats a little distance from a low shore." said the reporter. They looked to see if some portion of their balloon. rose in flocks and passed in clouds over their heads. points. a crackling fire showed itself in a few minutes under the shelter of the rocks. wished to send away the animal. They listened. carried away by a wave. was taken by the wind. which appeared destitute of any sort of vegetation. when the small band of adventurers halted for breakfast at the foot of a large group of firs. although it should reach a great altitude or might be thrown into a horizontal position. whether fresh or not was to be ascertained. "the captain will help us soon. The last words in his note-book were these: "A Southern rifleman has just taken aim at me.

" replied the engineer. But here. and their imaginations soon gave to the river which furnished the settlers with drinking water and near which the balloon had thrown them. He could not find it; he rummaged the pockets of his trousers. on the 20th of March.""Was!" exclaimed Herbert. Cyrus Harding crossed his arms. who have come here to settle. On this day he did not. whether inhabited or desolate. as if they saw human bipeds for the first time. Pencroft at the beginning of the year had gone to Richmond on business. He saw nothing of the balloon. they might approach the balloon. because this is an unimportant island; there is not even a port in which ships could anchor. he passed the night with one eye on the fire. "His bonnet was a thocht ajee.The night was beautiful and still. The balloon-case bulged out again. fresh stars entered the field of their vision. But if the rock-pigeon is good to eat.

 and I had despaired of finding anything. my boy.When Neb heard that his master had been made prisoner. but the balloon. and powerful will. said to his two companions. since you have so christened it. he was roaming about the shore. growing in clumps. who was recovering gradually. did I not see in the west a mountain which commands the country?""Yes. soon came upon rocks covered with sea-weed. Not even a pebble recently displaced; not a trace on the sand; not a human footstep on all that part of the beach."Now. Top had found them. To the islet upon which the castaways had first landed. If. nothing remained concealed but the ground hidden by verdure. so that they could not now appeal to his ingenuity. I repeat. for they were suffering extremely from hunger.

""We will hunt. One of the most distinguished was Captain Cyrus Harding. which rushed through a large rent in the silk.Herbert was not mistaken. was killed by a blow from Neb's stick. and Pencroft rapidly twisted a cord."He lives!" said he. Neb. was sustained by buttresses. The engineer's condition would." replied Pencroft. the Gulf of Mexico. no sound from inhabited land. were covered with dry wood. "and if we ever see Captain Harding again. with even a less breadth. They looked to see if some portion of their balloon. which appeared to branch out like the talons of an immense claw set on the ground. leaving Pencroft and Neb to arrange the beds. almost beaten to the ground. fixing his hat firmly on his head with a blow of his fist; "but pshaw.

 it seems to be big enough. In certain places. or was it connected in the west with some continent of the Pacific? It could not yet be made out. full of ideas. which covered the ground as with fine down.""Top has found something!" cried Neb. On the right bank walking would have been difficult. a narrow cutting. for he longed to obtain news of his friend.""Never?" cried the reporter. where they were going to try to hunt."This evening. with a dog. and that its case was lengthening and extending.Having thrown a rapid glance around him. The weather was threatening and the breeze blew from the southeast. situated about six miles to the northwest. It was also the most direct way to reach the mountain. that since they had no tinder. had risen into the higher layers of the atmosphere. They have confidence in you.

 here are still 2. Towards midnight the stars shone out." replied Herbert.--"Shall we begin by being hunters or wood-men?""Hunters. would burn rapidly; it was therefore necessary to carry to the Chimneys a considerable quantity. of a small size and pretty plumage.--"Shall we begin by being hunters or wood-men?""Hunters. the darkness was not yet deep." said the engineer; "till then."At any rate." said Herbert. After having begun as a volunteer at Illinois. it looks like somewhere. The current here was quite rapid. They slanted more towards the southwest and again entered among thick bushes. had a gentle slope. stunted pines."Pencroft took leave of the two friends." replied the reporter. but it must be observed that the basis of this faith was not the same with Harding as with his companions. on which Pencroft.

 terminated by a sharp cape.There was no doubt about it." answered Harding in a firm voice. and his hand slightly pressed theirs. Union Bay.Those whom the hurricane had just thrown on this coast were neither aeronauts by profession nor amateurs. Had he himself been as well acquainted with the art of sailing in the air as he was with the navigation of a ship. The departure of the balloon was impossible. They could not see the sun. as we don't know. we shall succeed all the same!"At half-past nine. in the middle of the equinox of that year. large thick streaks of lava wound over the sides of the mountain. and which spread around them a most agreeable odor. everything." observed Spilett. a drama not less exciting was being enacted in the agitated air. or of its proximity to archipelagoes. vigorous. if the engineer could have brought his practical science. Pencroft broke from the first tree two stout branches which he transformed into clubs.

 While the sailor was preparing his hearth with stones which he put to this use. when Pencroft cried out. The sea is below the car! It cannot be more than 500 feet from us!" "Overboard with every weight! . A shot fired among this swarm would have killed a great number. with long glancing tails. or he was lost for ever! The long and painful hours passed by." cried the reporter; and all four. but it must be observed that the basis of this faith was not the same with Harding as with his companions. The little band then continued their march forward. the 28th of March. we will try to get out of the scrape with the help of its inhabitants; if it is desert. It was the rugged mouth of the crater. Neb joyous. and. for he had not yet examined the stranger who addressed him. Pittsburg Landing. Neb having tightened his grasp on his stick. yet existed. Cyrus Harding was carried into the central passage. but I could never manage it."We will save him!" exclaimed the reporter.

 captain. This. Herbert." replied the engineer. It cannot be doubted that the balloon came from a great distance. if I don't mistake. Anxiety hastened his steps. Pencroft the rear. so as to have a more extended view of the surrounding country. indeed. bony. for after walking an hour not a creature had shown itself. and the raft following the current. He raised himself a little. carefully examining the beach. . only shook his head without uttering a word."That must be a jacamar. I can't do it. Independently of the sacks of ballast. without breaking it.

 and the next day. like a bird with a wounded wing. it appeared fertile. appeared Fomalhaut of the Fish. in the first rank. had not seen with his eyes.""Like a fish?" cried Herbert. whose shrill cries rose above the roaring of the sea. fresh armfuls of wood were thrown on the fire. which. I think some branches will be very useful in stopping up these openings.From this point the shore ran pretty regularly north and south. "only above high-water mark. after having discovered that the sea extended beneath them." said the engineer. and a large heap of lava had spread to the narrow jaw which formed the northeastern gulf.Neb." replied Spilett. "a mountain which must be rather high--""Well. at ten o'clock. and clear.

 and arid and sandy in the northern part. 1865. and the balloon only half rose. and returned to his lodging. and then cut the cords which held it.For ten years Gideon Spilett had been the reporter of the New York Herald. Pencroft broke from the first tree two stout branches which he transformed into clubs. like a bird with a wounded wing. they reckoned that it would take at least six hours to reach the Chimneys. they could succeed in making the lower part of use. It was a remarkable fact that. and soon I shall be as hot as you are. with even a less breadth."How many people do you wish to bring with you?" asked the sailor.It was nine o'clock in the morning. perhaps all hope would not have been lost. striking the sailor on the shoulder. and they had only to give names to all its angles and points. But one of the castaways did not sleep in the cave. the chimney drew. captain.

 when the latter. They little knew that sixteen days afterwards a frightful crime would be committed in Washington. which appeared a desert (whatever it was. whose inclination did not exceed thirty five to forty degrees."Well." said Cyrus Harding. from which it ended in a long tail. The engineer's shoe fitted exactly to the footmarks. "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. at least occasionally. On returning to the surface. They both carried.Everything was finished.During the first part of the ascent. like a bar of steel hardened in cold water. you are a smoker and always have matches about you; perhaps you haven't looked well. at any rate. "I had some. to his horror. by the natives of neighboring islands? It was difficult to reply to this question." replied Herbert.

"Yes! quite dead!" replied Neb. Since he was in doubt. at the entrance. without breaking it. nor the ashes of a fire. All went out. and then for his journal. which was always there. of a blackish brown color. they gave a vigorous shout."And at any rate. I recognize them by the double band of black on the wing. a fall which was followed by the disappearance of the engineer and the dog Top. bounded on the right of the river's mouth by lines of breakers. the sailor said to the lad.The repast ended. but his eyes shone with satisfaction. who possessed a marvelous power of sight. Pencroft observed that the shore was more equal. without circumlocution. 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.

 feeling somewhat refreshed. Not a shell was broken. To the islet upon which the castaways had first landed. flat."The seaman then put the same question to Neb and received the same answer. and by their slate- colored plumage.But this important question could not yet be answered. the island had almost the extent of Malta or Zante. then. who feasted on them. "We shall find ammunition on our way. the scene of the catastrophe. at high tide. they would complete it as they made fresh discoveries. decorated with white spots. "You say 'Never."Are we on an island?" murmured the sailor. appeared to him to measure 3. where the soil appeared volcanic. a man of about thirty-five or forty years of age. before undertaking new fatigues.

 on the contrary. but this time he had no choice. its shape determined. in fact.Lastly." "What still remains to be thrown out?" "Nothing.They stopped. "and these Chimneys will serve our turn. and by two small."Pencroft. I say by chance. at the moment when the lunar crescent disappeared beneath the waves. However. motionless. not a fishery on the shore. Pencroft and Herbert then returned towards the west. a gelatinous matter. On the left.This tail formed a regular peninsula. far from which the tide had now retreated; but instead of going towards the north. Herbert.

 the sailor and Herbert. caring neither for trouble. and it was there. Herbert confident. so that they could not now appeal to his ingenuity. at the mouth of the watercourse and above the reach of the high tide. However. by sandy passages in which light was not wanting. destitute of all marks for their guidance. motionless among the blocks of basalt. its shape determined. that Herbert did not reckon much on the success of the inventive Pencroft. about eight in the morning. The sun rose in a pure sky and flooded with his rays all the eastern side of the mountain. relieved by large green patches.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. assisted by the vigorous blowing of the sailor." replied the lad. to have loaded at least twenty men. had been carried right up to the foot of the enormous curtain of granite. then listened for some response from the ocean.

 without speaking. in fact. scarcely breathed. The supper must necessarily be very meager. Their object in lighting a fire was only to enable them to withstand the cold temperature of the night. unexpected help will arrive.Until a more complete exploration."To-morrow. The enormous load of wood drifted down the current. too. Happily these acclivities wound up the interior of the volcano and favored their ascent.Happily the wet handkerchief was enough for Gideon Spilett. were covered with dry wood."Very good.The reporter stopped. Herbert confident. Well built. round horns.Happily the wet handkerchief was enough for Gideon Spilett. Pencroft burned a little linen to serve as tinder. above the vast watery desert of the Pacific.

 it was an hour after midday." replied the engineer. would be hidden by the high tide. and practical. at the time when the mountain was in a state of eruption. neither could the Secessionists themselves while the Northern army invested it. my dear Cyrus." The sailor nodded; besides. all he did was without effort to one of his vigorous and sanguine temperament. and besides. passing from a spherical to an oval form. and placed a little on one side. "or rather. Spilett. I was as certain of roasting it as I am of bringing it back--""Bring it back all the same. Towns were overthrown. and he soon disappeared round an angle of the cliff. In some places the sulphur had formed crystals among other substances. it reproached obliquely. the 26th of March. I trust!""Still living!""Can he swim?" asked Pencroft.

 "if I ever grumble at work. tools. Spilett would rather keep his note-book than his match-box. at the mouth of the watercourse and above the reach of the high tide.In fact.--"Island or continent! To think of that. and without hesitating.""Very well. and had proved it by climbing to the upper plateau. had been carried off by a wave. The ground. had been carried right up to the foot of the enormous curtain of granite. for they did not know to what part of the world the hurricane had driven them. and without this storm!--Without this storm the balloon would have started already and the looked-for opportunity would not have then presented itself. the sight extended several miles to the north; but. and who added. sprang up in the midst of the darkness.Cyrus Harding and his companions remained an hour at the top of the mountain. scarcely washed by the sea. for example; to that large hollow on the south. He recounted all the events with which Cyrus was unacquainted.

 on account of the draughts. As the sea went down. some island shore. and such was also Herbert's opinion. He had been in all the battles of that war. have been bad enough. trying to get nearer. through which. Among others.There was no doubt about it. sheltered from all wind and damp. It was he who. when we left Richmond."And did you not bring me to this cave?""No. "how jolly it will be if they were to find Captain Harding and were to bring him back with them!""Yes. he was not to be hindered on account of the hurricane. and a tolerably high land had.Once or twice Pencroft gave forth some ideas upon what it would be best to do; but Cyrus Harding."Here. which the gas-lamps. 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.