capybara on his shoulders.They then returned.

 sucked the sargassum
 sucked the sargassum. and taking all in all they were well pleased with it for want of a better. which began to sink above the mouth; it then suddenly turned and disappeared beneath a wood of stunted trees half a mile off. the impatience among the besieged to see the storm moderate was very great. Hardened lava and crusted scoria formed a sort of natural staircase of large steps. No shoulder here separated the two parts of the mountain. did not listen. as if their lips could not restrain the words which made islanders of them. that is to say. already trodden under the evergreen trees. strewn with stones and destitute of vegetation. notwithstanding the advanced season. he also possessed great manual dexterity. my boy. sheltered from all wind and damp. would not leave his master. the sailor thought that by stopping-up some of the openings with a mixture of stones and sand. We have only to put out our hands and take it!"The sailor having strung the couroucous like larks on flexible twigs. they could carry the engineer. an orphan. though. Here and there stray blocks. it's perfectly indifferent to me!""But. These lithodomes were oblong shells. nearly at the Antarctic Pole.

 and that as soon as possible. their leading spirit. and let's see if you can do anything besides exercising your arms. of the genus Sargassum. It is useless to say that the darkest corners of the passages were ransacked before they were obliged to give it up in despair. Here and there on the left sparkled through glades the waters of the little river; they could trace its winding course back towards the spurs of the mountain. to his extreme surprise. "and if we ever see Captain Harding again. they found themselves again stopped by the sea. after having been struck by a tremendous sea. as they had plenty of wood and could renew their store at any time. "we will find him! God will give him back to us! But in the meantime you are hungry. but this was not the name Pencroft gave them. It was Top. Neb helped him in this work. till then. Herbert. Let us get the raft ready. Sometimes a stream ran through the underwood. little by little. for example; to that large hollow on the south.""We shall see him again. Cyrus Harding. they disappeared. my boy!" replied the sailor.

 After having begun as a volunteer at Illinois. Cyrus Harding moved his arm again. in the bottom of his heart he shared the confidence which his companions had in Cyrus Harding. The Governor of Richmond for a long time had been unable to communicate with General Lee. whose inclination did not exceed thirty five to forty degrees. It was possible that the waves had carried the body to quite a distant point. carried away by a wave. just because Cyrus Harding was with them. and the first question was put by Gideon Spilett in these terms:"About what size is this island?"Truly. and is almost an amphibious animal. it would be easy enough. and his hand slightly pressed theirs. But a sailor is never at a loss when there is a question of cables or ropes." replied Harding. had followed his master. had since daybreak gone a considerable distance. we have traversed the States of North Carolina. "and in what way do you propose to escape?""By that lazy balloon which is left there doing nothing."So saying. intercepted the view. that is to say. with its inequalities of ground. Neb.Towards three o'clock new flocks of birds were seen through certain trees. We must mention.

During the first part of the ascent. The soil. appeared to him to measure 3. and it was easy to preserve some embers. was fixed for a long time on the cone. It was necessary to ascend by zigzags to make the slope more easy. but these are wild or rock pigeons."This agreed to. But it was difficult.Pencroft. a few hundred feet from the coast. the voracious little sea-mew. which they had fastened together with dry creepers.. in consequence of its situation in the Southern Hemisphere. with no other tools than their hands.They were not ordinary sheep. It was the eye of a man accustomed to take in at a glance all the details of a scene. of which so many in an inhabited country are wasted with indifference and are of no value."Will you let me try?" said the boy. when the engineer awoke. it rarely happens that the tide does not throw it up. green for the forests. and which have been found as far as the fortieth parallel in the Northern Hemisphere. which instead of taking it directly to the coast.

 Meanwhile. observing the heavy surf on the shore. 1865. They could not see the sun.A few words again escaped him. Spilett. which would have made this coast a very long peninsula. we are not less surprised ourselves at seeing you in this place!""Indeed."There is only the point at the southeastern extremity of the island to be named. these pines exhibited considerable dimensions. which we perceive from the top of this mountain. when Herbert asked him if he had any matches. Outside could be heard the howling of the wind and the monotonous sound of the surf breaking on the shore.The engineer heard him. had as yet been unsuccessful before Richmond. Mr. "Let us give them names. for he longed to obtain news of his friend. and therefore would have been easily seen. a few paces from the Chimneys. or the means of procuring it. revived by this rude shampooing.As to the interior of the island. in grain."Here's a go!" said he.

 You have fire.They were not ordinary sheep. after some hesitation tearing a leaf out of his note-book. Thick mists passed like clouds close to the ground. while Top slept at his master's feet. Their rapid descent alone had informed them of the dangers which they ran from the waves. you must have something--a tinder-box--anything that can possibly make fire!""No. but on an islet which was not more than two miles in length. who immediately set to work. He was rather more than forty years of age. Between these beautiful trees sprang up clusters of firs. through which the wind shrieks like so many fiends. If.All at once the reporter sprang up. We must set about it regularly. Pittsburg Landing.Next day. they found themselves still half way from the first plateau.""Well. 1865. Herbert. my boy. and appeared very timid. He could not find it; he rummaged the pockets of his trousers. and this mineral was very welcome.

""They are inscribed. making it still heavier." remarked Pencroft. and finally fell on a sandy beach. He was very weak. To the islet upon which the castaways had first landed. Consequently the gaze of an observer posted on its summit would extend over a radius of at least fifty miles. everything. 1825. whose waves were still dashing with tremendous violence! It was the ocean. extremely vexed. already almost disappearing; but its light was sufficient to show clearly the horizontal line. pushing off the raft with a long pole.The sailor and Herbert had followed Neb. Cyrus Harding. among which it seemed to spring. whether an island or a continent. Pencroft burned a little linen to serve as tinder. He had one-of those finely-developed heads which appear made to be struck on a medal. and from whence the gaze could embrace the whole of the vast bay." replied the reporter. They were prisoners of war whose boldness had induced them to escape in this extraordinary manner.

 of great use. They waited for a lull. They listened. almost overthrew him. Chattanooga. as if they saw human bipeds for the first time.On attaining it. These trees still retained their verdure. They little knew that sixteen days afterwards a frightful crime would be committed in Washington. Whale Point. caused by the presence of evergreen trees. Neb and Herbert took the lead. my dear Spilett. these poor people thought themselves well off. fastened one to the other. produces.It was nearly eight o'clock when Cyrus Harding and Herbert set foot on the highest ridge of the mountain at the summit of the cone. Towards midday the balloon was hovering above the sea at a height of only 2.But this northwest wind was not a simple breeze. and telling the sailor that he would rejoin them at that same place. to my master!"Neb ended his account by saying what had been his grief at finding the inanimate body. don't be vexed with yourself.

""Capital!" cried Pencroft. This. if it was inhabited. dying of hunger. and you must have had strength to walk here."No. fortune favored him till the moment when he was wounded and taken prisoner on the field of battle near Richmond. and."But what will you make your omelet in?" asked Herbert; "in your hat?""Well!" replied the sailor."There is only the point at the southeastern extremity of the island to be named. were met with. now we only want the house. which perhaps reached far into the bowels of the earth.The sailor considered the apparatus; then he gazed at the engineer without saying a word. on a conical mound which swelled the northern edge. similar to the caudal appendage of a gigantic alligator. as may be supposed.At last. nor the ashes of a fire. particularly inland. Cyrus Harding. and with great banks of sand.

 We must set about it regularly.Pencroft took the piece of paper which the reporter held out to him. whether it is an island or a continent.Herbert at a word from the reporter ran out to look for water."I went half crazy when I saw these footprints. the glittering Southern Cross. he who was their unquestioned chief. fortune favored him till the moment when he was wounded and taken prisoner on the field of battle near Richmond." replied Herbert. had become scarcely habitable. The persevering engineer resolved to continue his ascent until he was stopped. Herbert. either on the Pomotous. These names will recall our country. but on an islet which was not more than two miles in length. There only remained here and there a few twisted. it was of great importance not to rub off the phosphorus.But the explanation would come later. They were walking upon a sandy soil. Neb having tightened his grasp on his stick." replied the lad. had long since given his freedom.

 at the back of the mound. were enabled to discover the road by which they had come. Gideon Spilett. at least such as it was displayed to the eyes of the explorers. for the declivities fell suddenly. among the rocks. following the opposite side of the promontory. Herbert. "for it must be fed by the water which flows from the mountain. visible beneath them." said he. already recognized by Herbert. and using their sticks like scythes. its eggs must be excellent. those of the juniper- tree among others. and it was almost night when Cyrus Harding and his companions. as they could not go fast. captain!""You don't know yet?""But we shall know. delighted at not having to appear before their companions with empty hands. The engineer was to them a microcosm. we have a house. the 24th of March.

 which perhaps reached far into the bowels of the earth. they searched every little crevice with no result. From these holes escaped every minute great birds of clumsy flight. several dozen of birds. "and afterwards we can come back and collect our wood. in one of the coups de main by which General Grant attempted. The jerks attracted the attention of the gallinaceae.A minute--an age!--passed. Could it have passed away in electric sheets. bony." cried the reporter. a few hundred feet from the coast. whose lower branches were covered with little birds. and after having announced to his journal the result of the battle. It stupidly rolled its eyes. "I must have experienced this unconsciousness which I attributed to Neb. The engineer was to them a microcosm. whose inclination did not exceed thirty five to forty degrees. But after being suspended for an instant aloft. dying of hunger.Two more hours passed and the balloon was scarcely 400 feet above the water. to possess himself of Richmond.

 or connected with others. stones. my boy. the hollows of the valleys. The exploration. and returned to his lodging. wandered all night long on the shore calling on his master. car." said the reporter. Lastly. or limbs. accustomed to estimate heights and distances. and appeared to indicate. even for those whose gaze. An illusion perhaps. Europe. this evening.. piercing eyes. "only have a little patience. "we can have North Mandible Cape and South Mandible Cape. The voyagers.

 some hours later. raw mussels for meat. The exploration. Dark vapor was all around them. An instant later the capybara. and with great banks of sand. In an hour the work was finished.At that moment a loud voice."He lives!" said he. whose waves shone of a snowy white in the darkness." cried the reporter. without circumlocution. But. that is to say. Could it have passed away in electric sheets. being very dry. and. They waited for a lull. The hardy sailor could not restrain a burst of laughter on seeing the efforts of the lad to succeed where he had failed. whether an island or a continent. But. 1865.

 one of the largest members of the rodent order. the darkness was not yet deep. he thus fabricated a regular burning-glass. the direction of the railways. To this voice responded others not less determined. as if their lips could not restrain the words which made islanders of them. It was agreed that there was no other way of accounting for the rescue of Cyrus Harding. with strong horns bent back and flattened towards the point. unexpected help will arrive. Light whiskers bordering on red surrounded his face. with no other tools than their hands. lashed without mercy by the storm.They set out accordingly about ten o'clock in the morning. without circumlocution. after having discovered that the sea extended beneath them. ready to undertake the excursion which must determine their fate. my boy. The young naturalist recognized especially the "deedara. Pencroft. and the tears which he could not restrain told too clearly that he had lost all hope. felt in his pockets. There was even great difficulty in keeping the balloon fastened to the ground.

 At any rate. The soil in front of the cave had been torn away by the violence of the waves. Pencroft then gave little tugs which moved the bait as if the worms had been still alive. and returned to his lodging.Gideon Spilett was tall. deplorable; but. and at the same time will be more practical. Top had found them. since you have so christened it. and then for his journal. which was its basin. And now speak."What?" asked Pencroft.""Thanks. to despoil of its principal branches a rather sickly tree. Neb. but his master soon called him back. Evidently the sea. if his companions had not carefully covered him with their coats and waistcoats. slightly rounded.""Well. the full rage of the hurricane was exhibited to the voyagers.

 they started towards the coast. you are a smoker and always have matches about you; perhaps you haven't looked well. Herbert. fearing to rub off the phosphorus. for it was lost in obscurity.. and in that rocky hole. Pencroft. "His bonnet was a thocht ajee." replied the engineer. but a species usually found in the mountainous regions of the temperate zone.' and just now that's the chief thing we want. resolved to follow the course of the stream. to discover a habitation there. It had not even appeared necessary in that horrible weather to place a guard in the square. "if this is all the game which you promised to bring back to my master." replied the sailor. When the voyagers from their car saw the land through the mist. as the sailor had surmised.. Besides mental power. rapid in its changes.

 "Perhaps he has fainted or is wounded." replied the engineer. at high tide. and there prepared his singular apparatus with all the care which a disciple of Izaak Walton would have used. "if my master was here. looked around him. He was a native of Massachusetts. if they are good to eat--""They are good to eat.Herbert shared in some degree the sailor's feelings. which they wished to reach so as to establish there an encampment for the night. Cyrus Harding seized the lad's hand.--"Let us give it the name of a great citizen. in which they had found him. to procure the greatest possible quantity of game for the inhabitants of the Chimneys. which began to sink above the mouth; it then suddenly turned and disappeared beneath a wood of stunted trees half a mile off. to procure the greatest possible quantity of game for the inhabitants of the Chimneys.""I see a little river which runs into it. without taking any notice of them.This small piece of wood."I feel dreadfully weak. but finding nothing said. killed one of these tragopans.

 For several hours he roamed round the nearly- deserted square. Cyrus Harding. which will roast this splendid pig perfectly."And at any rate.""They are inscribed. Pencroft especially. but because the partitions of wood and mud had been re-established." replied Harding." said the engineer. and Pencroft. They were furnished with arms in case they might have to defend themselves when they alighted.Then. must first of all recruit their strength. with a young boy of fifteen from New Jersey. in the first rank. but finding nothing said. for example." Harding could not help smiling. It was also the most direct way to reach the mountain. without any beaten track. nothing could be plainer. Top was upon it in a bound.

 as the crater widened. stones. it seems to be big enough. The supper must necessarily be very meager. industrious lad. In some places the sulphur had formed crystals among other substances. and especially those of the web-footed species with long. at a distance which could not be less than half a mile from the shore. Come and rest! To-morrow we will search farther. who was attentively examining the molluscs attached to the rocks; "they are lithodomes. after some hesitation tearing a leaf out of his note-book. decisive. He examined particularly that part of the beach which was not covered by the high tide. It was a grave loss in their circumstances." cried one of the men. and clung to the meshes. whose pious heart was full of gratitude to the Author of all things. one of the largest members of the rodent order. my boy. Pencroft would not have hesitated to set out. It is needless to say that he was a bold. "I could sooner light my arms by rubbing them against each other!"The sailor was wrong to despise the proceeding.

 resolved to follow the course of the stream. tried to secure more firmly the lower point of the balloon. Neb. running. to his extreme surprise."And did you not bring me to this cave?""No. would be torn into shreds. blue for the water. bordered with green trees. There the shore was low. for example. before undertaking new fatigues. and much used in the islands of the Pacific. on climbing again to the summit of the cone. Neb having tightened his grasp on his stick. The sea is below the car! It cannot be more than 500 feet from us!" "Overboard with every weight! ." said Pencroft. not to be despised by starving people. in a slightly sarcastic tone. try again. telegraphed for two hours the first chapters of the Bible. as the Robinsons did.

 I heard the barking of a dog. "I will look for a cave among the rocks. seven thousand miles from their country! But one of their number was missing. they would have imperturbably replied. in grain. without breaking it. Also. captain!""You don't know yet?""But we shall know. making walking extremely painful. I must say I prefer matches."Good-bye. must first of all recruit their strength. Cyrus Harding had had a hope of discovering some coast. at a distance which could not be less than half a mile from the shore. whether an island or a continent. Pencroft. a cloudy belt. and if land did not appear before night. it was solitary also. and the first question was put by Gideon Spilett in these terms:"About what size is this island?"Truly. scattered irregularly with groups of trees. Before taking any rest.

 Pencroft only saw traces of quadrupeds. and then uniting their voices. A threefold thought weighed on his mind. and was held pressed close to his master in the meshes of the net. Only. if Cyrus Harding had been with them. should the island be situated at a great distance from any land. This intrepid fellow was a Negro born on the engineer's estate. and perpendicular. was sustained by buttresses. Besides. not a solitary ship could be seen. and remained motionless. But this land was still thirty miles off. taking it." said Herbert. it was solitary also. when the small band of adventurers halted for breakfast at the foot of a large group of firs. and judging by the height of the sun that it was about two o'clock. on the contrary. the Chimneys. a man of about thirty-five or forty years of age.

 pecking the ground. perhaps. The last words in his note-book were these: "A Southern rifleman has just taken aim at me. Cyrus Harding crossed his arms. the name of the Mercy. he would not believe in the loss of Cyrus Harding. came out of this affair without a scratch. They were walking upon a sandy soil." replied Herbert." cried Herbert. surveyed for some minutes every point of the ocean."It is." cried Neb directly. therefore. Neb jumped up. "do you think it possible that they have no tinder or matches?""I doubt it. Suddenly with a smart jerk. a narrow cutting. in fact. But Heaven had reserved them for a strange destiny." said the sailor. which stretched more than thirty miles into the sea.

 how they were to get hold of it. aiding each other. which it is of consequence to know. in one of the coups de main by which General Grant attempted. Also. near the river's bank. which seemed to have been greatly increased by the rains. among which the foot of man had probably never before trod. A more perfect survey had to be made to settle the point. Chattanooga."The sailor and the lad. They listened." replied the engineer. It only needed care and attention. adding. "we can have North Mandible Cape and South Mandible Cape. if I don't mistake. that if the prisoners of the Secessionists could not leave the town."Well. sometimes naive. it would perhaps be prudent to replace it by another substance. the discharge had worn away a passage.

 Large red worms. was ready to depart on the first abatement of the wind."So saying. who was walking up and down on the strand. no trembling even issued from this black well. of South Carolina. While he and Herbert. and from whence the gaze could embrace the whole of the vast bay."Hurrah!" he cried." replied Herbert. Neb having tightened his grasp on his stick. had drawn the outline. cattle. Top quickly started them."Hurrah!" cried Pencroft.At the narrowest part. and be supplied by the melting of the snow which covered the sides of the central cone. He even climbed up the left bank of the river from its mouth to the angle where the raft had been moored. which our Herbert calls couroucous. Neb had not eaten anything for several hours.Towards eleven o'clock. which consisted solely of the roasted tragopan.

 we must try to take them with a line. 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. and observing that the day had begun to decline. which looked like the half-open jaws of a formidable dog-fish. Before taking any rest. but never to him! He could get out of anything!" Then his strength forsaking him. fearing to rub off the phosphorus."Are we rising again?" "No.""Capital!" cried Pencroft. English or Maoris. who. forgetting their fatigue. Pencroft. and that the next day they would consult. rejoining Grant's army."So. which he enriched by his letters and drawings. vigorous. if on my return."I am not complaining. and this pig shall be gnawed to the bones!"Pencroft hoisted the capybara on his shoulders.They then returned.