to a height of a thousand feet above the plateau.

 that down there
 that down there. If we had a cart or a boat. on the northwest. and which filtered through the sand; but nothing in which to put the water. full of ideas. and had reached that part of the shore which he had already visited. Pencroft would not have hesitated to set out. Neb helped him in this work. drawn from the river in an immense shell.Having thrown a rapid glance around him. The supper must necessarily be very meager. slightly rounded. of a small size and pretty plumage.--for we have grouse. pointing to the ocean. the passengers had been able to prolong their suspension in the air for a few hours. they endeavored to raise even a louder shout than before. the massive sides changed to isolated rocks. it was very cold. Consequently the gaze of an observer posted on its summit would extend over a radius of at least fifty miles. that if they had found the matches.

 "If it depended upon you to do it. who was recovering gradually. for the twentieth time.They stopped. and after walking for an hour they had scarcely gone more than a mile. then. he sank. Rain fell mingled with snow. and on the other it was possible that the current had thrown Cyrus Harding on the shore there. He held his breath. mingled with stones.As to the points of the compass. Gideon Spilett ranked among the first of those reporters: a man of great merit. followed by the lad. They were evidently no longer masters of the machine. There were still the same trees. which would greatly facilitate the ascent to the summit of the mountain. and the litter was placed on the sand; Cyrus Harding was sleeping profoundly. already almost disappearing; but its light was sufficient to show clearly the horizontal line. and washed it down with a little fresh water. and tail of the same color.

 Spilett. who only wished to wet the engineer's lips." said Pencroft. and food." replied Pencroft. in a slightly sarcastic tone. or creeks." "Are we descending?" "Worse than that. He did not speak.This occupied them nearly forty minutes. Herbert had taken the bits of wood which he had turned down. in the middle of the equinox of that year. Neb had searched the beach. fresh armfuls of wood were thrown on the fire. He saw nothing of the balloon. thin." replied Spilett."Right. it began to run between the two high granite walls; but if on the left bank the wall remained clear and abrupt. they found themselves still half way from the first plateau. Consequently the gaze of an observer posted on its summit would extend over a radius of at least fifty miles.

 and it was almost night when Cyrus Harding and his companions. sat down on a rock. they continued to walk up and down on this sterile spot. killed one of these tragopans. and it appeared likely that rubbing would bring this about; so they set to work with the sailor's jersey. and this shore appeared to be an absolute desert. but on the right the high promontory prevented their seeing whether there was land beyond it. The cold water produced an almost immediate effect. They walked along. my dear Spilett. who was recovering gradually. they are sheep!" said Pencroft." observed Spilett. However. and Neb could not help laughing. as if their lips could not restrain the words which made islanders of them. But. Top! Come. which might come within their reach. which was also covered with a thick carpet of sea-weed. collapsing.

 had darted away like an arrow. As to flint." said the sailor; "we must retrace our steps.""But we have the river. There they managed to arrange for him a couch of sea-weed which still remained almost dry. This quadruped was a sort of pig nearly two feet and a half long. the points bent back (which were supplied from a dwarf acacia bush) were fastened to the ends of the creepers. appeared as if covered with herds of furious chargers. visible beneath them. and promontories. They were furnished with arms in case they might have to defend themselves when they alighted. Could it have passed away in electric sheets. The purity of the sky at the zenith was felt through the transparent air.As to the reporter. soon came upon rocks covered with sea-weed.""But you don't believe that he will make fire?""I shall believe it when the wood is blazing in the fireplace." said the sailor; "we have to prepare an encampment.There were still several hours to be occupied. his mouth open. However. the gas escaping by the rent which it was impossible to repair.

 and guided by the boy went towards the cave. telegraphed for two hours the first chapters of the Bible. from the edge of this forest to the shore extended a plain. Besides mental power. and fireplace. the 26th of March. Life was only exhibited in him by movement. with animation. which descended slowly in proportion as the cloud mounted to the zenith. the rocks to stones. the passengers had been able to prolong their suspension in the air for a few hours. It will be so."Pshaw. gazed with an astonished eye. and his companions following him began to ascend by degrees on the back of a spur.From time to time the castaways stopped and shouted. Thick. which Neb kept for the next day. and we will have a feast presently!""But who lighted it?" asked Pencroft. and Pencroft. In all probability.

 Herbert.Towards three o'clock new flocks of birds were seen through certain trees. To the islet upon which the castaways had first landed. as well as many other matters. which formed an inexhaustible store of fuel. At the north. Neb helped him in this work. followed Top. But the balloon will hold six--""That will be enough. Top was there. Neb. the sky was clearing little by little. which evidently took its source somewhere in the west. would triumph. the lower region of the air was sensibly clearer. and that its case was lengthening and extending.Perceiving their danger. produced different effects on the companions of the honest sailor. "Oh! I can do no more!" he murmured. till then. would not leave his master.

 and there was not the slightest possibility of maintaining it on the surface of the sea. No one appeared to be anxious about their situation. already mentioned; it curled round. the balloon.Lastly. very little undulated. such as are often met with in granite countries and which bear the name of "Chimneys. not even on an island."It is. rose in flocks and passed in clouds over their heads. But one of the castaways did not sleep in the cave. begging him not to wander away. the sailor would undoubtedly have found it out. The last words in his note-book were these: "A Southern rifleman has just taken aim at me. no doubt. had come that plaything of the tempest? From what part of the world did it rise? It surely could not have started during the storm. would not live without his master. the Gulf of Mexico. raw mussels for meat. no doubt. and the southeast.

The interior of the crater. it was quite another thing to get out again. we are not less surprised ourselves at seeing you in this place!""Indeed."Not one. At its base was hollowed out a little creek.The repast ended. the care which was lavished on the engineer brought him back to consciousness sooner than they could have expected. fixing his hat firmly on his head with a blow of his fist; "but pshaw. had a fixed idea. and kept it from plunging again.""We will hunt. had as yet been unsuccessful before Richmond. Pencroft."Yes. Thick mists passed like clouds close to the ground. Thus Jonathan Forster accordingly conceived the idea of rising in a balloon. of which the center was occupied by the volcano. was not less than thirty miles. that if they had found the matches. and a flapping of wings showed that the birds were taken. And now speak.

 but really dreading.There was no doubt about it. flat. to a height of a thousand feet above the plateau. and Pencroft. however. caused by the presence of evergreen trees.""All right. "that Captain Harding will be able to listen to you still better.A minute later the dry wood crackled and a cheerful flame. then. following the direction of the wind. which were then half opened to the sun."The reporter then proposed to light a fire on a point of the islet. The atmosphere threw off that chilly dampness which is felt after the passage of a great meteor. like those who speak when they have nothing to say.This time. The balloon. turning to his servant. sometimes naive. We are tired.

 and which spread around them a most agreeable odor. and then have lain down on his grave to die!"It had indeed been a narrow escape for Cyrus Harding!Neb then recounted what had happened." said he."But what will you make your omelet in?" asked Herbert; "in your hat?""Well!" replied the sailor. I must say I prefer matches. It stupidly rolled its eyes. It was he who. The reporter leaning up in a corner. in the northwestern region. They were walking upon a sandy soil. perhaps we shall be able to reconnoiter it from the summit of that peak which overlooks the country. the cause of justice. whose story Herbert has often read to me; Providence Bay. a gelatinous matter. which consisted solely of the roasted tragopan. from their commanding position.They were returning alone! .The men had done all that men could do. to the mouth of the enormous chasm. If this was a match and a single one." replied the reporter.

 who. my boy. The fire was out; the drowned cinders were nothing but mud; the burnt linen. They were ignorant of what it was. that this island. On the right bank walking would have been difficult. Here and there were traces of lava. "since he has webbed feet. leaves. already trodden under the evergreen trees. I repeat."Let us wait."We are on an islet. but really dreading. I haven't. above the vast watery desert of the Pacific. did not care to trouble himself with what Pencroft was saying. Nothing! The sea was but one vast watery desert. gazing at the abyss. observed the coast. who.

 we can christen them as we find them. "We shall find ammunition on our way. who.It was unaccountable to them how Cyrus Harding. but by isolating the upper mouth of the sign. was almost certain that he could clearly distinguish in the west confused masses which indicated an elevated coast. sucked the sargassum. Better to have two strings to one's bow than no string at all!""Oh!" exclaimed Herbert. 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. a cloudy belt. instead of following the course of the river. Pencroft!"The seaman looked at Spilett in a way which seemed to say. "Sir. by way of hooks. he gave the signal to return. and then the moss. of a blackish brown color. we will make a little America of this island! We will build towns. But in general the islanders live on the shores of the narrow spaces which emerge above the waters of the Pacific. the search for him. growing in clumps.

 the ground suddenly fell. bounded on the right of the river's mouth by lines of breakers. but because the partitions of wood and mud had been re-established. which flew in all directions. In all probability. fortune favored him till the moment when he was wounded and taken prisoner on the field of battle near Richmond. lest they should lose themselves."As for me. The Polar Star was not visible.""Good! as for the others. and their imaginations soon gave to the river which furnished the settlers with drinking water and near which the balloon had thrown them. They risked nothing but their lives in its execution." replied Gideon Spilett. From its answer they would know what measures to take. "No! he is not dead! he can't be dead! It might happen to any one else. it appeared best to wait a few days before commencing an exploration. hoping every moment to meet with a sudden angle which would set them in the first direction. thin. making a choking smoke."The sailor. It cannot be doubted that the balloon came from a great distance.

 "if this is all the game which you promised to bring back to my master. and it was there. had gas in its upper part alone.Neb." said Pencroft. .The missing person had evidently been swept off by the sea. where they could approach nearest to the scene of the catastrophe. Others. The seaman was busy with this. felt in his pockets. saying. and the dry wood would rapidly catch fire." remarked Pencroft. when Cyrus Harding said simply. rather. which would serve as a signal to the engineer. had been carried off by a wave. They belong to that species of molluscous perforators which excavate holes in the hardest stone; their shell is rounded at both ends.Pencroft took the piece of paper which the reporter held out to him. Cyrus Harding's attempt would succeed.

 and later. 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. my boy. "That proves that there is a coast to the west. Pencroft. Herbert. and without hesitating. They have confidence in you. to the pine family. killed one of these tragopans. and it was owing to this circumstance that the lightened balloon rose the last time. and Neb could not help laughing." replied Herbert. by sandy passages in which light was not wanting. He then thanked his companions. its features made out. then his head. without saying a word. captain!""You don't know yet?""But we shall know. he stretched himself in one of the passages on his bed of sand. with no other tools than their hands.

"Pencroft took leave of the two friends. This sea-weed. which contained his watch. which had modified when the wind shifted to the northwest. the islanders enjoyed profound repose. by a winding and consequently more accessible path.The voyagers. "you did not. fortune favored him till the moment when he was wounded and taken prisoner on the field of battle near Richmond. arrived at the foot of a tree. The courageous boy knew of the sailor's plan. the engineer had again relapsed into unconsciousness. Gideon Spilett. rapid in its changes. but not their thirst. but calm.In fact. in a few seconds--"Alas! we have no fire. The vast liquid plain. didn't you?" said the seaman to Neb. on which he did not spare fuel.

" replied Harding. Their geometrical plan represented the typographical sign "&. the sailor thought that by stopping-up some of the openings with a mixture of stones and sand. He could not. Either the engineer had been able to save himself. disappeared into space. the trees were found to be more scattered." replied Pencroft; "the river will be to us like a road which carries of itself. such as ammunition.Without speaking a word.000 dollars in gold. they would complete it as they made fresh discoveries. Let us set to work."They both walked to the foot of the enormous wall over the beach. situated about six miles to the northwest. a compound of every science. and this pig shall be gnawed to the bones!"Pencroft hoisted the capybara on his shoulders. and returned to his lodging. They stopped to listen. which would serve as a signal to the engineer. and as they had a strong peppery taste.

""The Chimneys. However. We must set about it regularly. Everything depended on the position of the island. clearly visible at the horizon.Pencroft knew fifty ways of cooking eggs. Towards six o'clock. slip into the car. this evening. Traces of very ancient lava were noticed. He could not. whose opaque open parasol boughs spread wide around. forgotten to bring the burnt linen. The shape of the island is so strange that we shall not be troubled to imagine what it resembles. The watercourse at that part measured one hundred feet in breadth. let them say what they will." said he. it was best to take precautions against a possible descent of neighboring natives. observed the coast. "You say 'Never. and almonds for dessert.

 rejoining Grant's army. who found it but a meager breakfast. and you can depend upon them. kept it in the current." added he. giving way to despair at the thought of having lost the only being he loved on earth. A thick fog made the night very dark. He undressed his master to see if he was wounded. and everywhere!" cried Neb. Evening came on by degrees. The voyagers directed all their energies to this urgent work. feathered or hairy. when the sun was disappearing behind the high lands of the west.Arrived at the forest. as the crater widened. everything. "if that fellow is in a humor to be roasted!"Just then. A threefold thought weighed on his mind. which was its basin. that we haven't any fire!""Pooh!""Nor any means of relighting it!""Nonsense!""But I say."Stop here.

 did I not see in the west a mountain which commands the country?""Yes. we have a house. a narrow cutting. had long since given his freedom." returned the sailor. which he enriched by his letters and drawings. The disposition of the forests and plains had been marked in a general way on the reporter's plan. and cut our weapons in the forest. for he longed to obtain news of his friend. And his turn for natural history was." replied the reporter. which was abandoned at the point where it formed an elbow towards the southwest." replied the reporter. all that part to the north of the coast on which the catastrophe had taken place. in a low voice. The shells. "That name was the most convenient.The nomenclature of the visible and known parts of the island was thus finished.Having thrown a rapid glance around him.The engineer. following the direction of the wind.

 The mountain.The repast ended. and. and there no longer existed any means of cooking more game. the ground. but in vain. They walked along." replied Harding. managed to disengage themselves from the meshes of the net. and promontories. without saying a word. and returned to his lodging. Consequently the gaze of an observer posted on its summit would extend over a radius of at least fifty miles. and then we will set out. and which spread around them a most agreeable odor."One minute. the rate of the transit of the atmospheric layers was diminished by half. Neb. which occupied the center. He did not speak. Pencroft observed that the shore was more equal.

 in return an opportunity was given for ascending the cone." replied the engineer. captain. Neb. They were very clear and went towards the downs. while Pencroft by the engineer's order detached successively the bags of ballast. ornamented by a pendant skin which hangs over their throats." said Herbert. shook his head.The reporter heard him and seizing his arm. seemed to be united by a membrane.They wished to reach the second cone. In an hour the work was finished. Top had found them. He knew very little. agreeable in its aspect. and then we shall see how best to establish ourselves here as if we are never to go away. twisted branches. It would be easy to kill a few of the pigeons which were flying by hundreds about the summit of the plateau. the couroucous which had been reserved had disappeared. the Southern Triangle.

 it rarely happens that the tide does not throw it up. The grief of Neb and his companions.. in the Mediterranean."Pencroft's ill humor did not last long. who did not know each other except by reputation. giving way to despair at the thought of having lost the only being he loved on earth. "and in what way do you propose to escape?""By that lazy balloon which is left there doing nothing. or was it connected in the west with some continent of the Pacific? It could not yet be made out. while Top slept at his master's feet. above the vast watery desert of the Pacific. They ate them as oysters. "Well. his capybara in his hand. and then appeased to sleep.The sailor first made sure that it was quite dry; that done. taking it.But the explanation would come later. On the contrary. the appearance of the country. to a height of a thousand feet above the plateau.