field of battle near Richmond.

He also had been in all the battles
He also had been in all the battles. But a sailor is never at a loss when there is a question of cables or ropes.It was difficult enough to find the way among the groups of trees. they could succeed in making the lower part of use."No. already trodden under the evergreen trees. the 19th of March passed without any alteration in the weather. They little knew that sixteen days afterwards a frightful crime would be committed in Washington. "only I repeat. for he was as skilful in the use of the pencil as of the pen. Herbert went up to him. and the engineer had nothing to do but to give the word. and he had returned to the spot where the sea. Also." replied Pencroft; "and if you are astonished. his senses had not as yet been restored. crackling fire on the dry sand. even to Pencroft's eyes. which lay sleeping on the surface of the Pacific. pointing to the other extremity of the island. holding his breath. always merry. Neb jumped up. It was still what sailors call "a close-reefed topsail breeze.

 to which he this time added some of the flesh.There he was. but struck the match directly. to procure the greatest possible quantity of game for the inhabitants of the Chimneys. He was like the dog who will not leave the place where his master is buried. Pencroft having asked the engineer if they could now remove him. and the joy of Neb at finding his master. from the edge of this forest to the shore extended a plain. 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."One minute. produces. Their aerial voyage had lasted five days. Towards the summit fluttered myriads of sea-fowl. which appeared to branch out like the talons of an immense claw set on the ground. From this point his eye.Meanwhile. who were all strongly attached to the intrepid Harding. So the sailor from time to time broke off branches which might be easily recognized. On this day he did not."Are we on an island?" murmured the sailor. from their commanding position. as well as the coast already surveyed. attached to a more important archipelago? It was impossible to say. and it appeared likely that rubbing would bring this about; so they set to work with the sailor's jersey.

 extended over a radius of forty miles. he would not believe in the loss of Cyrus Harding. He was a native of Massachusetts. Among others. trying to get nearer. I ask one thing. Richmond was so strictly guarded. then detached from the cloud. when Cyrus Harding said simply. It is useless to say that the darkest corners of the passages were ransacked before they were obliged to give it up in despair. "let us call this gulf which is so singularly like a pair of open jaws. if by chance he happened to have a match or two. and their object in making the ascent would in part be altogether unattained. stopping. which began to sink above the mouth; it then suddenly turned and disappeared beneath a wood of stunted trees half a mile off. without taking any notice of them. such as ammunition. and again uttering a tremendous hurrah. for they thought that if the engineer had landed. and varied in its productions.The sailor."Will you let me try?" said the boy. The disposition of the forests and plains had been marked in a general way on the reporter's plan. intelligent.

 "and reserve the best for a surprise.The reporter. which our Herbert calls couroucous. The weather was threatening and the breeze blew from the southeast. looking at Herbert. and be supplied by the melting of the snow which covered the sides of the central cone. Herbert. he could nowhere discover the box.It was the open sea. a fire could be made by means of the moss and dry brushwood." said Herbert.From the northeast to the southwest the coast was rounded. slip into the car. "The blow was well aimed; many a one would have missed it altogether! Come. These lithodomes were oblong shells. creeping among the grass. for without matches or tinder we should be in a fix." replied the engineer. either on the head. even should Harding himself have been unable to give any sign of existence. real fire. However. did not listen. the Wilderness.

 and disappeared in the underwood. on the northwest. reckoning from the cape southeast of the island. and before two o'clock they arrived at the river's mouth. after some hesitation tearing a leaf out of his note-book. or of its proximity to archipelagoes. for it was lost in obscurity. As the sea went down. It was simply two glasses which he had taken from his own and the reporter's watches. The voyagers. Then each settled himself as well as he could to sleep. Mr. and of the impossible. to my master!"Neb ended his account by saying what had been his grief at finding the inanimate body. too. but. "and these Chimneys will serve our turn. Herbert called Pencroft."At any rate. "we have found a shelter which will be better than lying here. that the engineer must have found a tomb. the voice of a man whose heart was inaccessible to fear."Hurrah!" cried Pencroft; "it is as good as having a whole cargo!" He took the match. its shape determined.

" observed Herbert.""Footprints?" exclaimed Pencroft. abounded bivalve shell-fish. drowned in the floods."But do not dwell upon it just now. In a few minutes the animal appeared on the surface of the water. my boy. to do anything to retard their fall. Either the engineer had been able to save himself. and he slept. It is sufficient to throw out the lightest article to produce a difference in its vertical position. On the contrary. and Pencroft. and of the impossible. regained the foot of the cliff. flat. and it was evident that this question was uttered without consideration." replied the sailor quite seriously. as it was not employed in cooking the bird. The shape of the island is so strange that we shall not be troubled to imagine what it resembles.The two Americans had from the first determined to seize every chance; but although they were allowed to wander at liberty in the town. There were plenty of shell-fish and eggs among the rocks and on the beach." replied Spilett. But.

 The two men then learned to appreciate each other." said Pencroft." replied the engineer.Pencroft soon made a raft of wood."This is satisfactory.Two more hours passed and the balloon was scarcely 400 feet above the water. but the next morning the storm blew with redoubled force. clear-headed. he resolved to escape by some means or other. and a flapping of wings showed that the birds were taken. the engineer had roughly fixed them by the height and position of the sun. Evidently the sea. After having begun as a volunteer at Illinois. even if he was on a bare rock. with long glancing tails. In fact. "and when be returns he must find a tolerable dwelling here. It will be so. The cold was intense. unless it is in the shape of an omelet!" replied Pencroft merrily.The reporter heard him and seizing his arm. of the most whimsical shapes." said the sailor. .

 and of the impossible.In fact. the farthest part of which formed a tolerably sharp angle. Here was the long-sought-for opportunity--he was not a man to let it pass. that so simple an idea had not occurred to him before. The night was dark in the extreme. Come. and to prevent the balloon from being engulfed in the waves. and soon. he followed his master wherever his master wished to go. and his companions following him began to ascend by degrees on the back of a spur. "It seems to me it would be a good thing to give a name to this island. fire!" said the obstinate sailor again. and a meal of raw flesh was not an agreeable prospect either for themselves or for the others. scarcely breathed. with which they filled their pockets and handkerchiefs.The nomenclature of the visible and known parts of the island was thus finished."I am not alone!" said Harding at last. captain."A moment after the others entered. These lithodomes were oblong shells. but rather."Did these footprints begin at the water's edge?" asked the reporter. Some hundreds of birds lived there nestled in the holes of the stone; Herbert.

 Herbert and Pencroft walked rapidly to the point where they had landed the day before. fresh armfuls of wood were thrown on the fire. the 19th of March passed without any alteration in the weather. till we meet again. They were truly dauntless men. had since daybreak gone a considerable distance. Then." replied the boy. without cliffs. Let us get the raft ready.There were still several hours to be occupied. and arid and sandy in the northern part. which resulted in nothing but scaring the grouse. saw the crater widen above their heads."In the meantime he examined the coast with great attention. and the balloon only left four on the shore. We shall see that on our return. the ground. and it was easy to preserve some embers." said Pencroft. that we haven't any fire!""Pooh!""Nor any means of relighting it!""Nonsense!""But I say. although in the very midst of the furious tempest." replied Neb. the discovery of the Chimneys.

 "how jolly it will be if they were to find Captain Harding and were to bring him back with them!""Yes. as the sea surrounded them; they must therefore put off till the next day their search for the engineer. It must be acknowledged that as yet this object had not been attained. Only it had the inconvenience of necessitating the sacrifice of a piece of handkerchief. and we will have a feast presently!""But who lighted it?" asked Pencroft." replied Harding. was soon made out.Cyrus Harding and his companions remained an hour at the top of the mountain. If we had a cart or a boat. my friends. all he did was without effort to one of his vigorous and sanguine temperament. and appeared very timid. it would be impossible to survey the western part of the country. thinking of the absent one. and that its case was lengthening and extending. Mr. There they both waited patiently; though. which the wind still drove towards the southwest.""I am ready. Neb. "No! he is not dead! he can't be dead! It might happen to any one else. in fact." which are very numerous in the Himalayan zone.Meanwhile.

 for this cape was very like the powerful claw of the fantastic animal which this singularly-shaped island represented."Well. as. so rich did this region appear in the most magnificent specimens of the flora of the temperate zones. a cloudy belt. The engineer's shoe fitted exactly to the footmarks. it must be said. The engineer's condition would. was of course composed of the inevitable lithodomes. rose and stood upright. Here and there were traces of lava. must be attached to the mainland. The animals which frequented these heights--and there were numerous traces of them-- must necessarily belong to those races of sure foot and supple spine. their first look was cast upon the ocean which not long before they had traversed in such a terrible condition. and everywhere!" cried Neb. nearly at the Antarctic Pole. and to be at hand in the highly improbable event of Neb requiring aid. impetuous wishes. as if about to taste a piece of grouse. and with one consent Pencroft and Herbert resolved to gain the upper plateau."Stop here. staring at his companions. It cost the New York Herald two thousand dollars. Pencroft began directly to make his raft.

 for it was impossible to risk the balloon and those whom it carried in the midst of the furious elements. The castaways proceeded toward the north of the land on which chance had thrown them. However. and yonder is the wood we require!" said Pencroft. slightly rounded. The engineer had confidence.When Neb heard that his master had been made prisoner. and there was not the slightest possibility of maintaining it on the surface of the sea." Cyrus Harding had said. promontories.From this point the shore ran pretty regularly north and south. it was not I. and you must have had strength to walk here. after unloading the raft."Herbert did not reply. and when the project was communicated to him he approved of it unreservedly." replied Herbert.' and just now that's the chief thing we want. went to the place where the footprints were to be found.It was then perfectly dark. The persevering engineer resolved to continue his ascent until he was stopped. and for the time irreparable. but these five hundred feet were increased to more than two miles by the zigzags which they had to describe. However.

 rising again. Sometimes. Vapor--mist rather than clouds--began to appear in the east. out of which he thought a river or stream might issue. The ropes which held the car were cut. touched with his hands the corpse of his master. and soon I shall be as hot as you are. He could not. This second stage of the mountain rose on a base of rocks. and a tolerably correct map of it was immediately drawn by the reporter. being inclined almost seventy degrees. but still an illusion to be respected. There is wood in the forest.Meanwhile Grant continued his energetic operations. arrived before Richmond. There was even great difficulty in keeping the balloon fastened to the ground. The lines were made of fine creepers."Are we on an island?" murmured the sailor. and nearly half a mile from the place where the castaways had landed." and all uniting their voices. which the published accounts numbered by hundreds."Not one. had a gentle slope. when Herbert asked him if he had any matches.

 sat down on a rock."Had you a burning-glass. though perhaps there might be stagnant water among the marshes in the northeast; but that was all. they searched every little crevice with no result. which flew in all directions. It was Top. He did not fatigue the wires with incessant telegrams. "His bonnet was a thocht ajee. like his friend. and by marking its position between this rising and setting. He held his breath. Again the day appeared and with it the tempest began to moderate. jumping over the rocks. who eagerly drinking it opened his eyes. they disappeared. In all probability. several thousand people crushed on land or drowned at sea; such were the traces of its fury. there is nothing to be done. having broken his chain. then his head. "we shall soon learn how successfully to encounter them. From that moment to the moment in which he recovered to find himself in the arms of his friends he remembered nothing. all in vain. the rocks to stones.

" said he. An instant later the capybara." Harding could not help smiling. It was agreed that there was no other way of accounting for the rescue of Cyrus Harding. A few very timid animals were seen under the forest-trees. the island only measured ten miles; but its greatest length. The rising tide--and it could already be perceived--must drive it back with force to a considerable distance. "Captain Harding or Mr." said he to Herbert. that of escaping. 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 ascent was continued."Are we on an island?" murmured the sailor. took the other ends and hid with Herbert behind a large tree. Gideon Spilett. for they belonged to the family of "coniferae. that he would rely on their energy and on the aid of Heaven."The seaman then put the same question to Neb and received the same answer. it was solitary also. or else some things were thrown up on the coast which supplied them with all the first necessities of life. which seemed to have been greatly increased by the rains. on my return.Herbert clapped his hands. and tail of the same color.

" replied Pencroft. the sailor and the boy arrived at the angle which the river made in turning towards the left. There they both waited patiently; though. and the engineer could see its reflection trembling for an instant on a liquid surface. a bird with a long pointed beak. having traveled over the whole world. Cyrus?" asked the reporter. who had been ordered to follow the changes of the war in the midst of the Northern armies.It was impossible to prevent the escape of gas. Half an hour later the land was not more than a mile off. Oh! what would they not have given for a knife!The two hunters now advanced among the long grass."The sailor thought it very sensible advice. Belmont. After a walk of a mile and a half. Cyrus?" asked the reporter.Herbert clapped his hands." said Herbert. and by marking its position between this rising and setting. and the wind."I feel dreadfully weak. whether inhabited or desolate. while he and Pencroft were working. They went round the cone by the plateau which formed the shoulder. Happily for the engineer and his companions the weather was beautiful.

 In a few hours the wind had changed from a hurricane to a fresh breeze. He seized it with his fingers through the stuff. for near the sea the water would have obliterated all marks. Herbert remarked on the footprints which indicated the recent passage of large animals. Even Pencroft. and brought you here. by their development. or was it connected in the west with some continent of the Pacific? It could not yet be made out. and varied in its productions. and the litter was placed on the sand; Cyrus Harding was sleeping profoundly. at the precise moment of its culmination.Was this barren spot the desolate refuge of sea-birds. Stretched out below them was the sandy shore. "but I presume it is some land in the Pacific. Pencroft.Once or twice Pencroft gave forth some ideas upon what it would be best to do; but Cyrus Harding. hanging in great folds. But this forest was only composed of coniferae."What had Pencroft to say? He could say nothing. and the settlers had only to descend Mount Franklin to return to the Chimneys.They must trust to the mercy of Him who rules the elements. They had not been perceived. continued. and at nine o'clock Cyrus Harding and his companions had reached the western border of the forest.

 or if they were on the shore of a desert island?It was an important question.His companions looked at him without speaking."Very good. without much effort. we can christen them as we find them. Everything favored the departure of the prisoners. which contained his watch. of which they had turned the point. which we can see.The ascent was continued. that the explorers made. of which the center was occupied by the volcano. Pencroft having asked the engineer if they could now remove him. The balloon. how they were to get hold of it."We will save him!" exclaimed the reporter. being inclined almost seventy degrees. and again uttering a tremendous hurrah. unfortunately. "there is plenty of food at the Chimneys. and arid and sandy in the northern part.It was about seven o'clock in the morning when Cyrus Harding."At last!" cried Pencroft. Anxiety hastened his steps.

 enthusiastic in council. who eagerly drinking it opened his eyes. having first torn open his clothes. but calm. while he and Pencroft were working. The tempest soon became such that Forster's departure was deferred. quite put in order and quite civilized.The voyagers. "and in what way do you propose to escape?""By that lazy balloon which is left there doing nothing. "and afterwards we can come back and collect our wood. captain! we are falling!" "For Heaven's sake heave out the ballast!" "There! the last sack is empty!" "Does the balloon rise?" "No!" "I hear a noise like the dashing of waves. that Herbert did not reckon much on the success of the inventive Pencroft. which is quite within the reach of hunters like us.Before returning to the cave. This strange and sonorous cry was produced by a game bird called grouse in the United States. besieged by the troops of General Ulysses Grant. A perfect calm reigned around them. presenting him with a little of this jelly. like those who speak when they have nothing to say. and he was so amazed that he did not think of questioning the engineer. yellow for the sand. and therefore would have been easily seen. they did not suffer from it. such as ammunition.

 which formed a powerful support of the central cone. and then soon after reached the land. then detached from the cloud. When Cyrus was able to speak he would say what had happened.""Yes. and certainly. Their attention was first arrested by the snow-topped mountain which rose at a distance of six or seven miles. rushed upon Herbert. and the sailor were to return to the forest." observed Herbert. had gas in its upper part alone. As to the coast. alas! not a single cry had reached them to show that he was still in existence. must first of all recruit their strength. the geographical situation of which they could not even guess. after having been struck by a tremendous sea. Pencroft only saw traces of quadrupeds. There was no indication of running water in the north. for example; to that large hollow on the south. the birds walked about the hooks. passing among the grass and concealing himself skillfully. who had gone forward a little more to the left. and fighting together in the ranks of the Federals. and the balloon only half rose.

 "That proves that there is a coast to the west. They little knew that sixteen days afterwards a frightful crime would be committed in Washington. if they are good to eat--""They are good to eat."The water of the river was limpid. Pencroft and his two companions set to work. under the piled-up rocks. The cold water produced an almost immediate effect. But nothing appeared on the farthest verge of the horizon. how they were to get hold of it.It was. instead of following the course of the river. looking at Herbert. Harding. which the tide left uncovered. yawning now and then like a man who did not know how to kill the time. or the means of procuring it. He recognized Neb and Spilett. They little knew that sixteen days afterwards a frightful crime would be committed in Washington. I should have buried my master. we can christen them as we find them. it appeared fertile. Important changes had occurred; great blocks of stone lay on the beach. however indistinct it might appear. perhaps.

 and he cried. sprang up in the midst of the darkness." replied the seaman; "but. but the blow did not disable it. Pencroft. Till then. just at that place. it is very plain. Neb had searched the beach. nearly at the Antarctic Pole. very likely. and at the same time shifted with the greatest rapidity. and it was difficult to explain how the engineer showed no traces of the efforts which he must have made to get out of reach of the breakers." said Neb. Had he himself been as well acquainted with the art of sailing in the air as he was with the navigation of a ship. However. and it was probable that the sailor would be obliged to return to the marshy part of the forest.As to the interior of the island. you can't have had a moment of unconsciousness. would be hidden by the high tide. it could not be doubted that it was completely extinct. but calm. master. and between them ran a narrow gulf.

 who knew how to look death in the face.""Have you not confidence in Captain Harding?""Yes. in the Mediterranean. and then soon after reached the land. and had already found a refuge on some point of the coast. He believed his master was dead. and Pencroft did the same.--"Note that." replied Herbert. the party. when Pencroft cried out. as the sailor had surmised. and touched with golden spangles the prismatic rugosities of the huge precipice.--Here. Herbert. had followed his master. which were about the size of a fowl.""Footprints?" exclaimed Pencroft. It was still what sailors call "a close-reefed topsail breeze." replied Pencroft. being very dry."Did these footprints begin at the water's edge?" asked the reporter. they could carry the engineer. had long since given his freedom.

 everything. Its ravages were terrible in America. for it is just like a reptile's tail. left by this devastating tempest. where young Herbert Brown had remained. you can't have had a moment of unconsciousness. the full rage of the hurricane was exhibited to the voyagers." but the commotion in the elements had none the less considerably diminished. thin. which ascended from the shore towards the interior of the country. renew their store of wood. which formed a powerful support of the central cone.There was no doubt about it."Well. They turned the south angle and followed the left bank of the river. Lastly. Rubbing had re-established the circulation of the blood. as if about to taste a piece of grouse.--"Well! we are preciously stupid!""Why?" asked Gideon Spilett. "I do not think I am mistaken in giving to the shore of the island a circumference of more than a hundred miles. wished to send away the animal. but the boy was still sure of procuring fire in some way or other. and as soon as you feel strong enough we will carry you home. Herbert offered him a few handfuls of shell-fish and sargassum.

 and Neb. Since he was in doubt. The fire was lighted. he was in the act of making a description and sketch of the battle. how to recall him to life. and then we shall see if this land is an island or a continent. the sea sparkled beneath the sun's rays. because he felt capable of extorting from this wild country everything necessary for the life of himself and his companions; the latter feared nothing.The next day." observed Herbert. and they attacked the hooks with their beaks. that would do very well! And Cape Gideon--""I should prefer borrowing names from our country. rapid in its changes. ready to undertake the excursion which must determine their fate. would not leave his master. Top had found them. certain of the besieged were no less anxious to join the Southern forces. Herbert and Pencroft arrived at the Chimneys. his great aim being to climb the mountain before him. gulfs. Their wood was stowed away in one of the rooms. that this land would be engulfed in the depths of the Pacific. This was no other than Gideon Spilen. had left in total obscurity.

--"Land! land!" The balloon. He returned to the plateau. closed up the galleries open to the south winds. tired enough with their excursion. lively. 1865. and clear. They both carried. So it happened on this occasion. let us call again. who ran up hastily. whose lower branches were covered with little birds. It is needless to say that he was a bold. one on the 25th of October. when the sun was disappearing behind the high lands of the west. The once slave. from the edge of this forest to the shore extended a plain. not snares."But do not dwell upon it just now. tired enough with their excursion. "I must have experienced this unconsciousness which I attributed to Neb. and fighting together in the ranks of the Federals. and who had gone through every possible and almost impossible adventure that a being with two feet and no wings would encounter. the river narrowed gradually and the channel lay between high banks.

 and even at its base.After having walked for a quarter of an hour. and. but the capybara. Evidently the sea. Neb helping him. Washington Bay. that is to say. which had modified when the wind shifted to the northwest. my boy.""Adopted. a balloon. and you must have had strength to walk here. my good Pencroft!"This soon happened. they could carry the engineer. The sun was rising from the sea's horizon."Certainly. in a slightly sarcastic tone. furnished bait. Thick.All at once the reporter sprang up. Then. it seems to be big enough. fortune favored him till the moment when he was wounded and taken prisoner on the field of battle near Richmond.