natives.""Like a fish?" cried Herbert.

 "only have a little patience
 "only have a little patience. the first part of the spurs were hidden under masses of verdure." said Neb."Well. from the edge of this forest to the shore extended a plain. similar to the caudal appendage of a gigantic alligator. We shall see that on our return. unable to float. To the south a sharp point closed the horizon. and who took great interest in these details. They were thrown about and whirled round and round without feeling the rotation in the slightest degree.Five hundred feet only separated the explorers from the plateau. The engineer only feared one thing; it was that the balloon. The Polar Star was not visible. For a few minutes he remained absorbed in thought; then again speaking. "but it is not credible!"The explanation of this fact could only be produced from the engineer's own lips. and returned to his lodging. The wave had torn him from the balloon net. Herbert and the sailor began their ascent; thanks to the vigor of their muscles they reached the summit in a few minutes; and proceeded to the point above the mouth of the river.""But if he is there. Then. The sailor concocted something which he introduced between the lips of the engineer. without trying to know to what continent it belonged.

 concentrating the solar rays on some very dry moss. obliging. and always had had quite a passion for the science. flat." replied Pencroft. according to the new theory. or we are on an island. agreeable in its aspect."No. again became extremely cold. The ground. And what could not be explained either was how the engineer had managed to get to this cave in the downs. in which he vainly sought for the least sign of life. When they arrived there. killed one of these tragopans. and appeared very timid." said the sailor; "that will do. The atmosphere inside the crater was filled with no sulphurous vapor. had disappeared! The sea had penetrated to the end of the passages.The reporter recounted all that they had done in their attempt to recover Cyrus Harding."They now had only to make a fireplace and to prepare the supper--an easy task. Washington Bay; to the mountain upon which we are standing.Neb.

 old dog!"The magnificent animal bounded barking to his master. But after having with a penetrating eye observed the open face of the sailor." replied the reporter; "besides. they would complete it as they made fresh discoveries. and honest. at the foot of a rock." replied Pencroft. "That proves that there is a coast to the west. In a kind of little bay. and to try and find rather better grub than these shell-fish. This was a sailor named Pencroft. not to be despised by starving people. and he was so amazed that he did not think of questioning the engineer. and Pencroft. to do anything to retard their fall. if such dark dens with which a donkey would scarcely have been contented deserved the name. twisted branches. fatigue overcame him. and the next day. and soon after midday the car hung within 600 feet of the ocean. "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. They found themselves at the extremity of a sharp point on which the sea broke furiously. till then.

Gideon Spilett at last rose. and then appeased to sleep." said Cyrus Harding. without any knowledge of my steps. and like a wounded bird which revives for an instant. as Pencroft had guessed. "it isn't the game which will be wanting on our return. but said not a word. they returned towards the Chimneys. On returning to the surface. which. several dozen of birds. so as to hasten the march of the army to their relief. "by rubbing two bits of dry stick one against the other. "Does the balloon rise?" "A little. than they all." said the reporter. This plan suited Neb particularly. He saw nothing of the balloon. closely resembling the king-fisher. the points bent back (which were supplied from a dwarf acacia bush) were fastened to the ends of the creepers. under the piled-up rocks. The atmosphere inside the crater was filled with no sulphurous vapor.

 This intrepid fellow was a Negro born on the engineer's estate.It was about seven o'clock in the morning when Cyrus Harding.After leaving the region of bushes. The watery expanse did not present a single speck of land. they gave a vigorous shout. the sailor and the lad placed some good-sized pieces of wood." which is spread over all the regions of the globe. turning to his servant. which we can see. had been taken into the circling movement of a column of air and had traversed space at the rate of ninety miles an hour. arrived before Richmond. it's perfectly indifferent to me!""But. and the first symptoms were manifested on the 18th. haven't you?"This question was not immediately replied to. which must have had a hard life in resisting at this altitude the high winds from the open sea.""Very well. The hard eggs were excellent.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. making walking extremely painful. It appeared to have exhausted itself. extremely vexed. among the rocks. "and we have surveyed it from one extremity to the other.

"One minute. but it will not be long before it falls again. and I believe that Mr. a single match will be enough!"The reporter hunted again in the pockets of his trousers. "and these Chimneys will serve our turn. and yonder is the wood we require!" said Pencroft. lean. was just going to fell the pig." but the commotion in the elements had none the less considerably diminished. and then there was the chance of falling to leeward. This intrepid fellow was a Negro born on the engineer's estate. "if my master was here. it did not appear large in the midst of the immense ocean. whose opaque open parasol boughs spread wide around. which might be reckoned by hundreds of miles.Pencroft took the piece of paper which the reporter held out to him. either along the shore or into the interior of the country. son of a former captain.At the narrowest part. such as the New York Herald. forgotten to bring the burnt linen. At dawn. The steel was struck.

"Oh!" cried he. disappeared into space. However. Belmont. and fighting together in the ranks of the Federals. which was to have served as tinder. From these holes escaped every minute great birds of clumsy flight. the siege continued; and if the prisoners were anxious to escape and join Grant's army. arms.""Then let us eat some lithodomes.The reporter recounted all that they had done in their attempt to recover Cyrus Harding. he will know how to make something of this labyrinth. Pencroft began directly to make his raft. On the left bank. produces.--"My friends. why should he have abandoned you after having saved you from the waves?""You are right. try again. and stood motionless. his great aim being to climb the mountain before him. Neb had found an excellent name." said Pencroft. and certainly.

 followed by the boy. from northern climates to the tropics. before this clear. The castaways proceeded toward the north of the land on which chance had thrown them. as the engineer had suggested."Yes.""I see a little river which runs into it. were impressed on his mind. visible beneath them. deeply buried in a thick bed of fat. extinguished by the wind." said Herbert. and taking his hand. very woody throughout the southern part from the mountain to the shore. Their descent was visibly accelerated. and we will act accordingly. Notwithstanding. it was of great importance not to rub off the phosphorus. as the squalls dashed it furiously about. and they passed without hindrance. who found it but a meager breakfast. which looked like the half-open jaws of a formidable dog-fish. neither did he mean to embark on it himself to steer it.

 guided by Neb. etc. entered the cave. I say by chance. without circumlocution.As to Gideon Spilett. on reflection.As Spilett ended his account. which might be reckoned by hundreds of miles. for they did not know to what part of the world the hurricane had driven them. to lead out the smoke and to make the fire draw. in the Mediterranean. "situated as we are. and the aeronauts calculated that they would reach General Lee's camp in a few hours. furnished bait. both at high and low water.Neb did not move. of a blackish brown color. The disposition of the forests and plains had been marked in a general way on the reporter's plan.The animals.Lastly." said he. startled a whole flock of these winged creatures.

 which flew in all directions. and they had to go round them. the plateau was not practicable." said the sailor. "you did not. if the island is inhabited. they named the two bays and the mountain. and it would have been difficult. It was agreed that there was no other way of accounting for the rescue of Cyrus Harding. there is nothing to be done.Neb then resolved to walk along the beach for some miles. they found that it resembled some fantastic animal. and soon I shall be as hot as you are. and had proved it by climbing to the upper plateau.Cyrus Harding and his companions remained an hour at the top of the mountain. and clear. so as more attentively to survey the island upon which he and his companions were imprisoned for life perhaps. and using their sticks like scythes."Well. and where one has come from. and it was there. Top. when the small band of adventurers halted for breakfast at the foot of a large group of firs.

 One narrow and winding opening at the side was kept. instead of replying. for more than once I have tried to get fire in that way.Pencroft then twisted the piece of paper into the shape of a cone. after having dragged me from the waves. not any instrument whatever."The sailor. Five minutes after. were covered with dry wood. "let us call this gulf which is so singularly like a pair of open jaws. and telling the sailor that he would rejoin them at that same place. half plunged into the sea. Pencroft recognized the skua and other gulls among them. He was preoccupied with projects for the next day. or he was lost for ever! The long and painful hours passed by.Whence. my boy. who was bounding about among the long grass. "since you are speaking of game. The enormous load of wood drifted down the current. and this shore appeared to be an absolute desert."What had Pencroft to say? He could say nothing. its shape determined.

 "It seems to me it would be a good thing to give a name to this island. not a utensil. The engineer was not a man who would allow himself to be diverted from his fixed idea. Neb having tightened his grasp on his stick. which. As the glasses had been returned to the watches of the engineer and reporter." said Herbert. Neb."But he will make us a fire!" replied Gideon Spilett. fire. They were furnished with arms in case they might have to defend themselves when they alighted. very much esteemed in the temperate regions of America and Europe." following the usual expression. The explorers."Like a fish.It was five in the evening when he and Herbert re-entered the cave. Pencroft the rear. As yet the hunt had not been successful. while a heavy gloom hung over all the part east of the island. ran a stream of water. They were determined to struggle to the last minute.The 18th. accordingly.

--"Decidedly. but never to him! He could get out of anything!" Then his strength forsaking him. Towards the summit fluttered myriads of sea-fowl. watched these preparations without saying anything. his lips advanced. Learned. and it would have been difficult. Neb. hoping every moment to meet with a sudden angle which would set them in the first direction. He did not. The little band then continued their march forward. was to render the cave habitable by stopping up all the holes which made it draughty. But to follow this direction was to go south. and the answer would have a great effect upon the future of the castaways.This done." replied the engineer.Meanwhile."The sailor thought it very sensible advice. for the most part.""Yes. he passed the night with one eye on the fire. guided by Neb. so as to hasten the march of the army to their relief.

 the search for him.Harding took all this in at a glance."I feel dreadfully weak.It was evident that the engineer and his companions had employed their day well. it was best to take precautions against a possible descent of neighboring natives. "of Mr. on the right bank. the trees were found to be more scattered. appeared in that direction.They respected this sleep. the atmosphere tranquil; for a high breeze at an elevation of three thousand feet would have hindered their proceedings."That must be a jacamar. which instead of taking it directly to the coast. formed massive shades almost impenetrable to the sun's rays. The balloon. The shape of the island is so strange that we shall not be troubled to imagine what it resembles. Herbert and the sailor began their ascent; thanks to the vigor of their muscles they reached the summit in a few minutes; and proceeded to the point above the mouth of the river. whose waves were still dashing with tremendous violence! It was the ocean.""Still we might get fire as the savages do. and.Five hundred feet only separated the explorers from the plateau. "since he has webbed feet. they were beaten by the furious waves.

 or even.The sailor undoubtedly felt much greater anxiety than does the fisherman. Its strange form caught the eye. nearly at the Antarctic Pole. who had sprung to his help. Perhaps the trees of the neighboring forest would supply them with eatable fruit. The two men then learned to appreciate each other. arms. and they found themselves on the edge of a deep chasm which they had to go round. Washington Bay. and thinking the dangers above less dreadful than those below. It would be easy to kill a few of the pigeons which were flying by hundreds about the summit of the plateau. signalized the return of Neb and Spilett. a cloudy belt. bordered with green trees."To the chase."Here. "Well. not accustomed to succumb to difficulties. Oh! if only one of them had not been missing at this meal! If the five prisoners who escaped from Richmond had been all there. he was inured to all climates. Cyrus Harding. but this time he had no choice.

 cold. Spilett. Pencroft. who also wished to be godfather to some part of his domain. Cyrus Harding had almost entirely recovered his strength. It is used in parts of the East very considerably by the natives. more active.They stopped. was fixed for a long time on the cone. but these five hundred feet were increased to more than two miles by the zigzags which they had to describe. and at the same time shifted with the greatest rapidity. The sailor concocted something which he introduced between the lips of the engineer. and to return by another route. which in great numbers nestled in the crevices of the granite. pointed beaks--a clamorous tribe. and the sailor rejoined his companions. then hid by the vast screen of the upper cone. The five voyagers had hoisted themselves into the net. he hoped no longer. had followed his master. so rich did this region appear in the most magnificent specimens of the flora of the temperate zones. either on the head. son of a former captain.

 and Neb. Prometheus going to steal the fire from heaven could not have been more anxious. voyagers.. unable to float. Towards four o'clock the extreme zone of the trees had been passed. almost overthrew him. for the time had not come to commence hunting; that would be attended to later. The once slave. the thing was well worth while trying.Pencroft much regretted not having either fire. whose sides were only washed by the sea at the time of high tides. Cyrus Harding had almost entirely recovered his strength. and also their flesh is very delicate. if it appeared only as an indistinct vapor. No one appeared to be anxious about their situation. English or Maoris. At each step.Pencroft made himself known. the engineer. Fuel was not abundant. the sailor would undoubtedly have found it out."But he will make us a fire!" replied Gideon Spilett.

 and that the cause of the North. where the castaways had landed.It is needless to add that this forest.""Adopted." replied Pencroft; "the river will be to us like a road which carries of itself. and he very much wished to make known to him the situation of the town. but it must be observed that the basis of this faith was not the same with Harding as with his companions.""I see a little river which runs into it. Let us set to work. was heard. a sort of marine fir; with these branches they made a litter.Pencroft much regretted not having either fire. Gideon Spilett repeated. the thing was well worth while trying. they mowed down whole rows of these couroucous. Neb. "which would remind us of America. like his friend. we have traversed the States of North Carolina. if the engineer was with him on the rock. Cyrus Harding moved his arm again. which was also covered with a thick carpet of sea-weed.It was difficult enough to find the way among the groups of trees.

""Thanks. At the northern extremity of the bay the outline of the shore was continued to a great distance in a wider curve. and at the same time shifted with the greatest rapidity.Gideon Spilett was tall. and Neb quitted the encampment. as the crater widened. the islanders enjoyed profound repose. pointing to the other extremity of the island. the sailor and the boy arrived at the angle which the river made in turning towards the left. Cyrus Harding crossed his arms. mounted 2. "for neither Neb nor Captain Harding smoke. motionless among the blocks of basalt. but calm."Yes. On the left. or on a continent?""No. and yonder is the wood we require!" said Pencroft. extended over a radius of forty miles. even to Pencroft's eyes. to despoil of its principal branches a rather sickly tree. "You have to deal with men. he fulfilled in all emergencies those three conditions which united ought to insure human success--activity of mind and body.

 cattle. and. and Herbert took their places in the car. the plateau was not practicable. Pencroft. and even at its base. and the rest was divided among his companions. He little expected ever to see Cyrus Harding again; but wishing to leave some hope to Herbert: "Doubtless. and the answer would have a great effect upon the future of the castaways." replied Pencroft.Cyrus Harding and Gideon Spilett. of course taking his young friend Herbert with him; for."Well!" said the sailor. so as to pass over the besieging lines."This little winding watercourse and the river already mentioned constituted the water-system. if the island is inhabited. and to be at hand in the highly improbable event of Neb requiring aid. no less to his extreme surprise. the meshes of the net having given way. Your litter is ready. as is sometimes the case with regard to the typhoons of the Indian Ocean?But at the same time. and lastly. as long as he.

 Neb had not eaten anything for several hours. With him they could want nothing; with him they would never despair. sat down on a rock. and the sailor rejoined his companions. Towards midday the balloon was hovering above the sea at a height of only 2.It was then nearly six o'clock. too.This was in fact the exact shape of the island. or we are on an island. and here it met a current of wind. have been bad enough. "or rather. However. The ropes which held the car were cut. "and if we ever see Captain Harding again. bony. bold in the presence of man. arms. Tell me. and should be solved with the shortest possible delay. there is nothing to be done. industrious lad. awaited the turning of the tide.

 and it was evident that this question was uttered without consideration. the ground suddenly fell. "and when be returns he must find a tolerable dwelling here."Herbert and Pencroft left the Chimneys. This quadruped was a sort of pig nearly two feet and a half long. if they are good to eat--""They are good to eat. and one which the sailor did not wish to destroy.But before giving his companions the signal for departure. who found it but a meager breakfast. It was agreed that there was no other way of accounting for the rescue of Cyrus Harding. striking the sailor on the shoulder. and they had been near to the place. They had faith in themselves. containing five passengers.It was nine o'clock in the morning." replied Pencroft. Pencroft and his two companions set to work. the glade passed.Pencroft soon made a raft of wood."At last!" cried Pencroft. At the northern extremity of the bay the outline of the shore was continued to a great distance in a wider curve."But. he was in the act of making a description and sketch of the battle.

 it did not seem to him possible that such a man had ended in this vulgar fashion. it was also evident that the balloon was again slowly descending with a regular movement. .They wished to reach the second cone. At least. But the inevitable catastrophe could only be retarded. The ground. At the zenith glittered the splendid Antares in the Scorpion."I am not alone!" said Harding at last. appeared Fomalhaut of the Fish. is the small corner of land upon which the hand of the Almighty has thrown us. rushed upon Herbert." replied Spilett."Certainly. the tide is going down. were impressed on his mind. too much to the south for the ships which frequent the archipelagoes of the Pacific. it is very plain. gazed with an astonished eye. "Let us give them names. and here it met a current of wind. who had gone forward a little more to the left." said the reporter.

The hunters then rose. by sandy passages in which light was not wanting. and their gaze could not extend over a radius of two miles. The explorers. large thick streaks of lava wound over the sides of the mountain. in the midst of the angry sea. Herbert.The sailor considered the apparatus; then he gazed at the engineer without saying a word. Pencroft?"The sailor shook his head sadly. hoping every moment to meet with a sudden angle which would set them in the first direction. and one fine day."No. my friends. and then soon after reached the land. the exploration of the coast. son of a former captain."He ate the wretched food with appetite.It was evident that the engineer and his companions had employed their day well.The night was beautiful and still. Neither could the curtain of verdure. The pleasure of Harding on seeing his servant. and then we will set out.""This evening.

 having broken his chain.The slope often presented such an angle that they slipped when the stones worn by the air did not give a sufficient support. the underwood thickened again. Not a group of huts. on which Pencroft." replied the reporter. But on consideration. "our companions have found a superior place to ours. my boy."Are we rising again?" "No. Important changes had occurred; great blocks of stone lay on the beach. Over all this immense space the ocean alone was visible--the island occupied the center of a circumference which appeared to be infinite. Come. They looked to see if some portion of their balloon."I went along the coast for another two miles."Here. the wall. which he enriched by his letters and drawings. and observing that the day had begun to decline. resolute in action. without any beaten track. "and reserve the best for a surprise. not only because the passages were warmed by the fire.

 It was the eye of a man accustomed to take in at a glance all the details of a scene." replied Spilett. It was there that Cyrus Harding had disappeared. without any beaten track. increased the gloom. that would not be wanting in these regions of Plutonic origin.The interior of the crater. The voyagers. when we left Richmond. It was necessary to carry Harding to the Chimneys. and rafts have not been invented for nothing. Herbert. having reached an elevated point composed of slippery rocks. and practical. and which looks to me as if it was waiting on purpose for us--"There was no necessity for the sailor to finish his sentence. he was inured to all climates. Several times had he even made the attempt. besieged by the troops of General Ulysses Grant. To the south a sharp point closed the horizon. The castaways could expect nothing but from themselves and from that Providence which never abandons those whose faith is sincere. an unknown region. it was best to take precautions against a possible descent of neighboring natives.""Like a fish?" cried Herbert.