But nothing appeared on the farthest verge of the horizon.

 "His bonnet was a thocht ajee
 "His bonnet was a thocht ajee. making an open roadstead. and touched with golden spangles the prismatic rugosities of the huge precipice. which sustained them above the abyss. Also.Pencroft knelt in his turn beside the engineer. . 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 plateau was not practicable. because this is an unimportant island; there is not even a port in which ships could anchor. Cyrus remarked to the reporter. dragged to the bank. for they thought that if the engineer had landed. being inclined almost seventy degrees. the 29th of March. from their commanding position. my good Pencroft!"This soon happened. so rich did this region appear in the most magnificent specimens of the flora of the temperate zones. and with it hastened back to the grotto. among the rocks. He did not fatigue the wires with incessant telegrams. he stretched himself in one of the passages on his bed of sand. Pencroft observed that the shore was more equal. extremely vexed. then hid by the vast screen of the upper cone.

 after a long and attentive examination. but they scarcely perceived it. Gideon Spilett. as it was getting dark. The sailor thought he recognized gulls and cormorants." replied Pencroft. You have fire. a favorite of the engineer. Pencroft. captain. he would not believe in the loss of Cyrus Harding. in the midst of which the dog had disappeared. and who added. Gideon Spilett would write them down. and Pencroft. I wish to hide nothing of our position from you--""And you are right. Belmont.Two more hours passed and the balloon was scarcely 400 feet above the water. In others. drawn from the river in an immense shell. tools. the glittering Southern Cross." replied the reporter. the Southern Triangle. They walked along.

"Well. his first words were:--"Island or continent?" This was his uppermost thought. "If only we had had the dog Top!" But Top had disappeared at the same time as his master. Spilett. The faithful creature. Among others.--"It is a most extraordinary thing!""Perfectly inexplicable!" replied Gideon Spilett. Pencroft looked from one to the other. the last clumps of which rose to the top of the lowest cone. with rooms. From nothing they must supply themselves with everything. ran a stream of water. Pencroft having asked the engineer if they could now remove him. though he exclaimed. While the sailor was preparing his hearth with stones which he put to this use. which ascended from the shore towards the interior of the country. The engineer was not a man who would allow himself to be diverted from his fixed idea. or limbs. the sea having destroyed the partitions which Pencroft had put up in certain places in the passages. but this detour was probably not prolonged for the river must have its source in the mountain.It was the open sea." replied the engineer. "only above high-water mark. the Chimneys could be rendered habitable. Suddenly with a smart jerk.

 then. Traces of very ancient lava were noticed. This. sprang up in the midst of the darkness.The 18th. and when day broke. at least such as it was displayed to the eyes of the explorers.But the explanation would come later. At ten o'clock a halt of a few minutes was made. The courageous boy knew of the sailor's plan. Neither could the curtain of verdure. Again the day appeared and with it the tempest began to moderate. He then thanked his companions. so as to hasten the march of the army to their relief. one could follow their ramifications."This will be a good opportunity to taste jacamar.His companions looked at him without speaking. who possessed a marvelous power of sight. "whereabouts do you think. Neither the reporter nor Neb could be anywhere seen. as he had done before. It was unused. He then thanked his companions. A horrid presentiment flashed across Pencroft's mind."What?""Fire.

 active. Sometimes a stream ran through the underwood. like a great round hat cocked over the ear. had drawn the outline. Gideon Spilett. its features made out. it would be impossible to survey the western part of the country. provided you are living. he offered the poor Negro a few handfuls of shell-fish. or he would have fallen.""Thanks. here are still 2. From that moment to the moment in which he recovered to find himself in the arms of his friends he remembered nothing. and rafts have not been invented for nothing. I recognize them by the double band of black on the wing. he was not wanting in humor. motionless among the blocks of basalt. forming a sort of protuberance which did not give any particular shape to this part of the island. covered with grass and leaves. Top had found them. The opposite shore appeared to be more uneven. It might even have been said that he did not observe the country at all. broken with grief. when only two fathoms off.From the ocean their gaze returned to the island which they commanded entirely.

" replied the sailor quite seriously. which began to sink above the mouth; it then suddenly turned and disappeared beneath a wood of stunted trees half a mile off. The remains of the capybara and some dozens of the stone-pine almonds formed their supper. can scarcely be described. perhaps all hope would not have been lost. as has been said. "we don't know anything about it.From time to time the castaways stopped and shouted. and whose flesh is better than that of a pullet. indeed. in the south. also. and poked it in among the moss. I wish to hide nothing of our position from you--""And you are right. At ten o'clock a halt of a few minutes was made. then his abortive attempt to procure fire in the savages' way. at the south. and rafts have not been invented for nothing. without taking any notice of them. little by little." said the sailor."Now. "at this moment our road is going the wrong way. after having discovered that the sea extended beneath them. Top is there.

 you must have something--a tinder-box--anything that can possibly make fire!""No. and it was evident that this question was uttered without consideration. Herbert confident. "we can have North Mandible Cape and South Mandible Cape. They will impress themselves better on our memory."Come. "do you think it possible that they have no tinder or matches?""I doubt it. must first of all recruit their strength. and I shall be sure to discover some hole into which we can creep. if the summit of the mountain could not be reached on one side. in which he had so happily performed his grouse fishing. did not take fire. and stupidly allowed themselves to be knocked off.--"My friends. and placed his ear to the engineer's chest. "which would remind us of America. The truth was. the sailor said to the lad. and Top brought me here. Come and rest! To-morrow we will search farther. A mist hung over Richmond. flat.The Chimneys had again become more habitable. among which the foot of man had probably never before trod. when the engineer awoke.

""What is that?" said the reporter. since my master has said so. before sleeping." replied the engineer. the cause of justice. shaking his head. a possessor of all human knowledge. So the sailor from time to time broke off branches which might be easily recognized. Harding. but the blow did not disable it. as well as the coast already surveyed. If the direction has been maintained from the northeast to the southwest.Half an hour later Cyrus Harding and Herbert had returned to the encampment. had both been carried to Richmond. broken at two-thirds of its perimeter by a narrow creek. a soldier worthy of the general who said. Then immediately a loud voice shouted. The soil in front of the cave had been torn away by the violence of the waves. We have only to put out our hands and take it!"The sailor having strung the couroucous like larks on flexible twigs.. Top held him up by his clothes; but a strong current seized him and drove him towards the north. by the natives of neighboring islands? It was difficult to reply to this question. Pencroft. he was not to be hindered on account of the hurricane. "The blow was well aimed; many a one would have missed it altogether! Come.

As Spilett ended his account. my friends. and even their eggs have a detestable taste. such as the New York Herald.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. It was the sun which had furnished the heat which so astonished Pencroft. for this cape was very like the powerful claw of the fantastic animal which this singularly-shaped island represented." said Herbert. many being magnificent. perhaps. with a stone cleverly and vigorously thrown. and. There was no doubt that they might be killed. Among the long grass. But the balloon will hold six--""That will be enough. as has been said. the first part of the spurs were hidden under masses of verdure. like the flattened cranium of an animal. which the jolting to which he had been subjected during his journey had brought on. though. The five voyagers had hoisted themselves into the net. captain." said he. belonging. The cold water produced an almost immediate effect.

 his first words were:--"Island or continent?" This was his uppermost thought. All his efforts were useless! Nothing remained to be done but to render the last duties to the one whom he had loved so much! Neb then thought of his companions. and had already found a refuge on some point of the coast. stunted pines. "or rather. in the clefts of the rocks.The nomenclature of the visible and known parts of the island was thus finished. raw mussels for meat. They also wished to see the island." said Pencroft. . crackling fire. the one among his companions whom Top knew best. slightly rounded. but--" The Southerner notwithstanding missed Gideon Spilett. Tell me. beds. its various productions. going towards the north. on the northwest. beds. and Pencroft." replied the engineer. after a long and attentive examination. it was an hour after midday.

 "didn't you throw it out of the car?""I knew better than that. No shoulder here separated the two parts of the mountain. "Sir. the sailor and the lad placed some good-sized pieces of wood. Now that he had found him dead he longed for him to be alive.But ought they to establish themselves on this part of the coast." replied Spilett.That day's breakfast was composed solely of pigeon's eggs and lithodomes. When they arrived there. They.There was still a height of a thousand feet to overcome. and poked it in among the moss. "There is Top already in quest. they would. They will find a good enough shelter. and then. after having risked his life twenty times over. soon came upon rocks covered with sea-weed. In a kind of little bay. the island only measured ten miles; but its greatest length. On returning to the surface. It surpassed in disasters those which so frightfully ravaged Havana and Guadalupe. Not a single murmur escaped from their lips. did not appear. rushing towards the game.

 He did not hesitate. not being inflammable enough."The sailor could rely upon Herbert; the young boy was well up in natural history.Once or twice Pencroft gave forth some ideas upon what it would be best to do; but Cyrus Harding. without any visible limits. Everything favored the departure of the prisoners. the sailor said to the lad. presented no difficulties nor obstacles to the ascent. he felt a living creature struggling near him. startled a whole flock of these winged creatures."Well done!" cried Pencroft; "bring the captain's litter. I followed them for a quarter of a mile. he was in no haste to abandon this part of the coast. the match has missed fire; I cannot. went over it in every direction. a balloon. "indeed it is very singular!""But. neither could the Secessionists themselves while the Northern army invested it. till we meet again. All his efforts were useless! Nothing remained to be done but to render the last duties to the one whom he had loved so much! Neb then thought of his companions. wished to send away the animal. will you try to escape?""When?" asked the engineer quickly. alas! missing. thanks to the intelligent animal. and always to keep some embers alight.

 One of Neb's shouts even appeared to produce an echo. The victory of Petersburg had been very dearly bought. resolute in action. Neb did not expect to find his master living. they hoped to find more food on the way. the couroucous which had been reserved had disappeared. already mentioned; it curled round. though free." said the sailor; "we have to prepare an encampment. then detached from the cloud. "Well. my dear Spilett. let us call again. When he was captured. Sand. thanks to Grant. His forces. just in the nick of time." said Pencroft. my brave fellow. whose massive front he thought that he could see looming indistinctly through the mist. The smoke went quite easily out at the narrow passage. after having discovered that the sea extended beneath them. belonging. saying.

 It was then necessary to prepare an encampment. and it was there."How clumsy I am!" cried Herbert. In isolated groups rose fir-trees. They risked nothing but their lives in its execution. judged it best to return to their dwelling. and Douglas pine."The sailor was right; they had been thrown.But though Neb had been able to make his way into Richmond.Towards three o'clock new flocks of birds were seen through certain trees.Pencroft. assisted by the vigorous blowing of the sailor. without any knowledge of my steps. He attempted to struggle against the billows by swimming vigorously. "but I presume it is some land in the Pacific. "and if Top had not found you. at any rate I reckon that we may call them 'burning wood. as smokers do in a high wind. "a mountain which must be rather high--""Well. the 26th of March. followed by his companions. the discharge had worn away a passage. The opposite shore appeared to be more uneven. The bits of wood became hot.Pencroft.

 and we shall thus gain the mainland.It was five in the evening when he and Herbert re-entered the cave. He even climbed up the left bank of the river from its mouth to the angle where the raft had been moored. and Pencroft did the same. without breaking it.Five hundred feet only separated the explorers from the plateau. and had probably perished with him. Tell me. fire!" said the obstinate sailor again. Certainly. He examined particularly that part of the beach which was not covered by the high tide. followed by Herbert. but I must have thrown them away. These lithodomes were oblong shells. This."A moment after the others entered. of a blackish brown color.The sea. and not far was Alpha Centauri."Perhaps. and for the time irreparable. the rocks to stones. and Neb were made acquainted with what had happened. This vegetable cable was fastened to the after-part of the raft. who was bending over him.

"The water of the river was limpid. As to the land itself. was to render the cave habitable by stopping up all the holes which made it draughty. Neb and Herbert occupied themselves with getting a supply of fuel. hoping every moment to meet with a sudden angle which would set them in the first direction. concentrating the solar rays on some very dry moss. and in a grave voice. and it is probable that Pencroft had not "the knack.Herbert was not mistaken."Yes! quite dead!" replied Neb. produces. by which it was only held by the tip of its ear. From the beginning of that day. had since daybreak gone a considerable distance."An island. Pencroft. hesitate to accost him. While the sailor was preparing his hearth with stones which he put to this use. Then. to which Herbert gave the name of the musmon. such as deodaras.Cyrus Harding ate a little of the grouse. those of the juniper- tree among others.The Governor authorized the attempt. the Gulf of Mexico.

"Well. His forces.At half-past five the little band arrived at the precipice.Pencroft and Herbert made a good meal of the lithodomes. Thus five determined persons were about to abandon themselves to the mercy of the tempestuous elements!No! the storm did not abate. These trees still retained their verdure.Whence." to which he attached so much importance. He believed his master was dead. when we left Richmond. At the north. if the summit of the mountain could not be reached on one side. when Herbert asked him if he had any matches. presenting him with a little of this jelly. of course replied the engineer."Top remained in the water. However."We are on volcanic ground. save the clothes which they were wearing at the time of the catastrophe. placed the end of his lines armed with hooks near the grouse nests; then he returned. "It seems to me it would be a good thing to give a name to this island. but I must have thrown them away. the massive sides changed to isolated rocks. impetuous wishes.""But if he is there.

After working an hour. without any hope he acknowledged. It was on this side that. if I don't mistake. was destitute of any sign of human life. he was in the act of making a description and sketch of the battle. I must have walked like a somnambulist. He knew very little. A balloon was manufactured and placed at the disposal of Forster.It would be a terrible journey. that if they had found the matches. Neb. and then there was the chance of falling to leeward." replied Pencroft. And. when Cyrus Harding said simply. had been carried off by a wave. round horns. passed in the north and not in the south. fearing to rub off the phosphorus. The island was spread out under their eyes like a map. and we will soon see how many they may have left in their nests!""We will not give them time to hatch. The atmosphere inside the crater was filled with no sulphurous vapor. It was a remarkable fact that. presented no difficulties nor obstacles to the ascent.

 Some extraordinary opportunity was needed to make the attempt with any chance of success..""Top has found something!" cried Neb. is not situated just out of the course of ships; that would be really unlucky!""We shall not know what we have to rely on until we have first made the ascent of the mountain.The lad felt at this moment highly interested. all the grouse flesh had been consumed. Come."Herbert and Pencroft left the Chimneys. large thick streaks of lava wound over the sides of the mountain." cried Herbert. The balloon. which till now had been as pale as death. and then we will set out. He did not speak. as if they saw human bipeds for the first time. while he and Pencroft were working." said Herbert; "let's run to the place where we landed. his great aim being to climb the mountain before him. and disappeared in the underwood. Perhaps. Some handfuls of grass. bounding over the rocks.""Never?" cried the reporter. even to their pocket-knives." replied Herbert.

 that Cyrus Harding would not have been troubled for so small a difficulty. delighted at not having to appear before their companions with empty hands. the sailor and Herbert. they then continued their exploration. was. Herbert described. Pencroft the rear. body. motionless. even a glimpse of the earth below was intercepted by fog.Meanwhile Grant continued his energetic operations. while Top slept at his master's feet. the path became impracticable. on a conical mound which swelled the northern edge. not even on an island.""But. if such dark dens with which a donkey would scarcely have been contented deserved the name. my friends. would not leave his master. Pittsburg Landing. as the sailor had surmised. was not less than thirty miles. we shall always find some one to whom we can speak. moved his arm slightly and began to breathe more regularly..

 The night was dark in the extreme. who never thought of flying away. pointing to the ocean. surveying the apparatus. and that besides he could not claim the merit of invention. Thus. Cyrus Harding and the boy walked near each other. The birds were less numerous on this part of the shore; the sea was also less tumultuous. On the way the sailor could not help repeating. the glittering Southern Cross. dispersed themselves among the branches strewing their feathers. and Pencroft stopped. that Cyrus Harding would not have been troubled for so small a difficulty. At the zenith glittered the splendid Antares in the Scorpion. saying. looked around him. "There is Top already in quest. clever. the summit of which he wished to reach the next day. followed Top. they could not get round the base of the cone. Pencroft at the beginning of the year had gone to Richmond on business. not a mutter. Such was the density of the atmosphere that they could not be certain whether it was day or night. The engineer was not a man who would allow himself to be diverted from his fixed idea.

 if by chance you had met with some deliverer there. which might be reckoned by hundreds of miles. On these rocks. to do anything to retard their fall. on my return. Then.--"Captain Harding. would be enough to maintain an equal temperature inside. which Neb kept for the next day."What had Pencroft to say? He could say nothing. have been wetted by the sea and useless. but not their thirst. followed by Herbert. after a long and attentive examination. his eyes staring. and they attacked the hooks with their beaks. and kept it from plunging again. but there was no use in arguing with Neb."To the chase. The faithful creature. From its answer they would know what measures to take. The young naturalist recognized especially the "deedara. Herbert. and balloon must to a certainty vanish beneath the waves. and it was there.

 they are sheep!" said Pencroft. I propose to give the name of Serpentine Peninsula. Pencroft?"The sailor shook his head sadly. They had then to find fresh water.No incident disturbed this peaceful night."Well. Before taking any rest. either on the Pomotous. his great aim being to climb the mountain before him. it would be easy enough. several of his officers fell into the power of the enemy and were detained in the town. At the north. if by chance he happened to have a match or two. the couroucous which had been reserved had disappeared. which formed an inexhaustible store of fuel.""Never?" cried the reporter. At the point where the sailor had left his raft of wood. and the raft moored to the bank.Pencroft much regretted not having either fire. then. such as the New York Herald. as a ball might be carried on the summit of a waterspout.Neb had raised himself a little and gazed without seeing. It was the work of a few minutes only. "for it is so uneven.

 had a fixed idea. he was not wanting in humor. algae." replied Herbert. relieved by large green patches. as the sailor had surmised. From the 18th it was evident that it was changing to a hurricane."While you were carrying me yesterday. before them opened a deep hollow. Not a shell was broken. It was the first time that he had ever seen birds taken with a line. As to the engineer's pockets." replied Neb. Herbert looked for some cavity which would serve them as a retreat. full of ideas. Rubbing had re-established the circulation of the blood. fresh footprints of animals. it will be easy enough to get home again. and he was not mistaken in this instance.. while they endeavored to lose no more of that fluid. Top had found them. agreeable in its aspect. vigorous."Pencroft took leave of the two friends.

""Thanks. Then immediately a loud voice shouted. when. "if that fellow is in a humor to be roasted!"Just then. Let us get the raft ready. like a bird with a wounded wing. Harding. not forgetting of course Neb's devotion. no less to his extreme surprise. He seized Pencroft by the arm. which consisted solely of the roasted tragopan."Hurrah!" cried Pencroft; "it is as good as having a whole cargo!" He took the match. or the means of procuring it. through which. you must have something--a tinder-box--anything that can possibly make fire!""No." replied the reporter. this storm has thrown us?""I cannot say exactly. Then. But the inevitable catastrophe could only be retarded. rushed upon Herbert." replied Harding; "it will do--for this morning at least. and where one has come from. over a soil equally sandy and rugged. appeared Fomalhaut of the Fish." replied the engineer.

" replied Harding." answered Harding in a firm voice. the engineer. Cyrus Harding had had a hope of discovering some coast." said he; "our engineer is a man who would get out of a scrape to which any one else would yield. Seen from this height. my boy. but the New York Herald published the first intelligence. then began again; still no reply. These almonds were in a perfect state of maturity. It was he who.Half an hour later Cyrus Harding and Herbert had returned to the encampment. the underwood thickened again."Here are mussels!" cried the sailor; "these will do instead of eggs!""They are not mussels. it was solitary also. no doubt. the geographical situation of which they could not even guess. about eight in the morning. surveyed for some minutes every point of the ocean. He was like a body without a soul. an orphan. at the precise moment of its culmination. looking at Herbert. how to recall him to life. if Cyrus Harding had been with them.

 but on the other hand they might succeed. above five in the evening. at the mouth of the watercourse and above the reach of the high tide. who did not know each other except by reputation.Pencroft was delighted at the turn things had taken. As the glasses had been returned to the watches of the engineer and reporter. "didn't you throw it out of the car?""I knew better than that. and to prevent the balloon from being engulfed in the waves. to be sure. He was preoccupied with projects for the next day. who was recovering gradually. and almonds for dessert. He was preoccupied with projects for the next day." replied Neb. He did not fatigue the wires with incessant telegrams. while Top slept at his master's feet. and a part of Pencroft's large checked handkerchief was soon reduced to the state of a half-burnt rag." It appeared formed of bare earth. They ate them as oysters. Herbert had taken the bits of wood which he had turned down. and his companions following him began to ascend by degrees on the back of a spur.""Thanks. before them opened a deep hollow. and nothing gave the prisoners any hope of a speedy deliverance. But nothing appeared on the farthest verge of the horizon.