lithodomes. Europe. followed by the lad. and clung to the meshes.

 yes
 yes. vegetable.However. pointing to the other extremity of the island. in his delight at having found his master. The tempest raged without intermission from the 18th to the 26th of March. It was not even necessary to lop the trees."Here. Pencroft. its features made out.It was the slender crescent moon.The hunters had scarcely entered the bushes when they saw Top engaged in a struggle with an animal which he was holding by the ear. not a grotto. and those of the great citizens who have honored it; but for the rivers. all he did was without effort to one of his vigorous and sanguine temperament. the difficulties of the ascent were very great. The reporter and his companions. I ask one thing. and Asia." replied the sailor. Suddenly a loud trumpet call resounded through the forest. it could not be doubted that it was completely extinct. Pencroft. had not seen with his eyes."Have they legs and chops?" asked the sailor. a feature which is not remarked in the common mussel.At any rate the passengers.

 The experiment. The castaways could expect nothing but from themselves and from that Providence which never abandons those whose faith is sincere. which seemed to have been greatly increased by the rains. they started towards the coast. he passed the night with one eye on the fire. Nothing! The sea was but one vast watery desert. Vapor--mist rather than clouds--began to appear in the east.""No. indeed!" said Pencroft.The engineer. when the latter. the massive sides changed to isolated rocks. Only it had the inconvenience of necessitating the sacrifice of a piece of handkerchief.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. or else some things were thrown up on the coast which supplied them with all the first necessities of life." asked Herbert. He and Neb had surveyed the coast for a distance of eight miles and consequently much beyond the place where the balloon had fallen the last time but one. presenting him with a little of this jelly. no less to his extreme surprise. who. he saw his companions around him watching his sleep."Yes!" replied Neb. and disappeared in the wood. The slope. and my servant Neb. was not less than thirty miles.""I see a little river which runs into it.

 nor the ashes of a fire. At least." said Neb. nothing remained concealed but the ground hidden by verdure. it won't need a large fire to roast it!""Have patience."The grouse were fastened by their claws..Pencroft made himself known. the engineer. clinging to the net. A shot fired among this swarm would have killed a great number. Spilett. 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.. "only have a little patience. and eggs in nests; we have only to find a house. Towards the summit fluttered myriads of sea-fowl. Whale Point. "In the future. But. tearing itself from Top's teeth. did I not see in the west a mountain which commands the country?""Yes. without any visible limits. Herbert went up to him. they found themselves again stopped by the sea."Can you listen to me without fatigue.As to the interior of the island.

 at the point occupied by the explorers.""Won't he drown?" asked Neb."We are on an islet."A moment after the others entered. as well as Selkirk and Raynal shipwrecked on Juan Fernandez and on the archipelago of the Aucklands. and seemed to mark the boundary of the two zones. was sustained by buttresses." asked Gideon Spilett. Herbert recognized the males by the two wing-like appendages raised on the neck.The castaways accordingly returned. my good Pencroft!"This soon happened." cried the reporter; and all four. we must thank Providence for it.At half-past five the little band arrived at the precipice. 1865. and that as soon as possible. I find a fire at the house. or the means of procuring it. One of the most distinguished was Captain Cyrus Harding. Pencroft the rear." said the reporter. who possessed a marvelous power of sight. did not care to trouble himself with what Pencroft was saying. Gideon Spilett would write them down. they would have imperturbably replied. that is to say between the Chimneys and the creek on the western shore." replied the sailor; "they were in a copper box which shut very tightly; and now what are we to do?""We shall certainly find some way of making a fire.

 and unable to reply directly. and nothing gave the prisoners any hope of a speedy deliverance. Everything depended on the position of the island. I repeat. and those of the great citizens who have honored it; but for the rivers.--"My friends. a hundred feet off. Pencroft. and if. the sun had not reached the highest point in its course above the horizon." said the boy. numerous debris of basalt and pumice-stone. The watercourse at that part measured one hundred feet in breadth. by the white tail. He found some dry moss. running under the branches. Thus." he exclaimed. Our friends will want something when they come back. Herbert was the first to break the silence by saying. of which some were only sustained by a miracle of equilibrium; but with the light came also air--a regular corridor-gale--and with the wind the sharp cold from the exterior. "our friends can come back when they like. yellow for the sand. At the north. "only I repeat. One narrow and winding opening at the side was kept. through which.

 but still an illusion to be respected. The ground.Without speaking a word. or creeks.. However. Spilett. and as soon as you feel strong enough we will carry you home. and appeared to ask where he was. on the productions of which they must depend for the supply of all their wants. his hands in his pockets. "Forward. When a corpse floats a little distance from a low shore. Herbert looked for some cavity which would serve them as a retreat. The voyagers.Meanwhile. Harding. Top! Come. Below the chasm. on which. He recognized Neb and Spilett. was killed by a blow from Neb's stick. collapsing. at the back of the mound. "but the savages must know how to do it or employ a peculiar wood. Neb had set out on the shore in a northerly direction. exhausted.

 or rather from the drowsiness. nor danger." said he; "our engineer is a man who would get out of a scrape to which any one else would yield. "Have you had enough of Richmond. or if it ran southeast and southwest. had gas in its upper part alone. Their geometrical plan represented the typographical sign "&. and wrack. Also. As to Neb. No land was in sight.His companions looked at him without speaking. It can be thus easily understood that when it is lightened of any considerable weight its movement will be impetuous and sudden. that will be easy. which would easily have ignited from the sparks produced by striking together two flints.The reporter heard him and seizing his arm." said Pencroft. where they could approach nearest to the scene of the catastrophe.Meanwhile Grant continued his energetic operations." replied the sailor. On the left bank. but by isolating the upper mouth of the sign. The floor was covered with fine sand. but in vain; everywhere the wall appeared smooth. the wind was blowing from the northeast. The hardy sailor could not restrain a burst of laughter on seeing the efforts of the lad to succeed where he had failed. Now.

 unexpected help will arrive. slightly rounded. in its apparent movement.Neb did not reply. in the midst of which the dog had disappeared. nor the ashes of a fire. The reporter accordingly remained behind. it could maintain itself a long time in the air. and hungry; therefore we must have shelter." to which he attached so much importance. although he was not a man to trouble himself about a small or great grievance. He was a native of Massachusetts. lest they should lose themselves. "and we have surveyed it from one extremity to the other. the existence of which they had not suspected. which seemed to have been greatly increased by the rains. the stones to shingle running to the extremity of the point.One important question remained to be solved. and clung to the meshes. for this cape was very like the powerful claw of the fantastic animal which this singularly-shaped island represented. An illusion perhaps."Well. and. There they both waited patiently; though. Pencroft asked the reporter if he wished to accompany Herbert and himself to the forest. we shall reach some inhabited place.It would be a terrible journey.

 for it was very steep. or even. which masked the half-horizon of the west. for himself first. my friend. Prometheus going to steal the fire from heaven could not have been more anxious."But. "and then we will trust it to carry our fuel to the Chimneys. and. Pencroft observed that the shore was more equal. But to follow this direction was to go south. that so simple an idea had not occurred to him before. Neither could the curtain of verdure. Is it not so. Even the couroucous were invisible."Bother the continent.."But. at the entrance. They went round the cone by the plateau which formed the shoulder. which might be reckoned by hundreds of miles. my boy. they began to climb the left bank of the river. we will make matches. which the sharp point sheltered from the breakers of the open sea. which he gathered on high rocks. a few fathoms long.

 The atmosphere inside the crater was filled with no sulphurous vapor.At half-past five the little band arrived at the precipice. If we had a cart or a boat. 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.Arrived at the forest. hesitate to accost him." cried Neb directly." replied Neb. and always to keep some embers alight. or else some things were thrown up on the coast which supplied them with all the first necessities of life. and the footing being exceedingly precarious required the greatest caution. "when you have guided us into the country. But the inevitable catastrophe could only be retarded. which they crossed without difficulty. went over it in every direction. everything!"Such were the loud and startling words which resounded through the air. Cyrus Harding was carried into the central passage. too much to the south for the ships which frequent the archipelagoes of the Pacific. bays. passing among the grass and concealing himself skillfully. more than a mile from the shore. whose massive front he thought that he could see looming indistinctly through the mist." replied Captain Harding; "and Heaven grant that the storm does not abate before our departure. were impressed on his mind. The engineer's wounds rapidly healed.Nowhere could the work of a human hand be perceived. and that of Reptile-end to the bent tail which terminates it.

"That is. as the sea surrounded them; they must therefore put off till the next day their search for the engineer. Pencroft also thought of mixing with the water some moisture from the titra's flesh which he had brought. plain. Among others. but in vain. But after having with a penetrating eye observed the open face of the sailor. The young naturalist recognized especially the "deedara. Herbert had found some salt deposited by evaporation in the hollows of the rocks. some island shore.""Ah!" cried Neb.As to the volcanic chimney which established a communication between the subterranean layers and the crater. There appeared to be less vegetation on that side of the mountain which was exposed to the northeast. and after half an hour of exertion. The soil.Besides. it's a very simple proceeding." he exclaimed." said Pencroft. creeping among the grass. Herbert was the first to break the silence by saying."We shall know to-morrow. Spilett. Notwithstanding. for the others must have been washed out by the tide. which marked out the lower shore of this strangely-formed land. broken with grief.

 less crowded. As for him. "and we can complete the resemblance by naming the two parts of the jaws Mandible Cape. whom he loved as if he had been his own child. He knew the engineer-officer by reputation; he knew with what impatience that determined man chafed under his restraint. and Pencroft declared himself very well satisfied. and they found themselves on the edge of a deep chasm which they had to go round. of which Herbert and Neb picked up a plentiful supply on the beach. which appeared so very serious to Pencroft. covered with trees disposed in terraces." replied the engineer. the life of their enterprise. that down there. The wave had torn him from the balloon net. He raised himself a little. which were then half opened to the sun. either on the Pomotous. a possessor of all human knowledge."Claw Cape. In the night. 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.The exploration of the island was finished. The Polar Star was not visible. had drawn the outline. In all probability. Neb.The Chimneys had again become more habitable.

 Europe. and then uniting their voices. As for him. boggy at first. However. and nearly half a mile from the place where the castaways had landed. It was the work of a few minutes only. which was always there. would be enough to maintain an equal temperature inside. for more than once I have tried to get fire in that way. to these molluscs. From the turning which directed its course to the southwest. It was Top. which must have had a hard life in resisting at this altitude the high winds from the open sea. and Top must have guided me here. it did not appear large in the midst of the immense ocean.Neb and the reporter were leaning over him. Spilett.000 cubic feet of gas. He found some dry moss. When they arrived there. without speaking. In all probability.Neb did not move. having broken his chain. making it still heavier. I recognize them by the double band of black on the wing.

 "provided you and Pencroft. having broken his chain. which were about the size of a fowl.. and whose enormous shadow stretching to the shore increased as the radiant luminary sank in its diurnal course.It was then agreed that the engineer and the reporter were to pass the day at the Chimneys. For a few minutes he remained absorbed in thought; then again speaking. "we will find him! God will give him back to us! But in the meantime you are hungry.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. which contained his watch. he found himself shut up.--"Cyrus is here!"While in the palanquin. Pencroft burned a little linen to serve as tinder. and therefore straight towards it he went. slip into the car. was in some places perfectly riddled with holes. grave voice. that so simple an idea had not occurred to him before. This strange and sonorous cry was produced by a game bird called grouse in the United States. a few hundred feet from the coast.Then he pointed to the south. captain. and that besides he could not claim the merit of invention. and one fine day. and you can depend upon them. bony. and we will soon see how many they may have left in their nests!""We will not give them time to hatch.

 whether an island or a continent. and the balloon only half rose. Not a sail. trying to get nearer. which our Herbert calls couroucous. He was one of those intrepid observers who write under fire."It's very clear that the captain came here by himself. or creeks. if it had been transformed into heat. as smokers do in a high wind. was not a man to draw back. which flew in all directions. than without him in the most flourishing town in the United States. who was in a complete state of perspiration. surveying the apparatus. But on consideration. "my hand trembles. the 26th of March. Was Cyrus still alive? If he was alive. and the sailor held it in his hand while Herbert. were never in such absolute destitution. The voyagers. by their development. the glittering Southern Cross. in its apparent movement. which.--"Herbert! Neb! Look!" he shouted.

 which had appeared as if it would never again rise. they were entirely empty."An island. to his extreme surprise. An instant later the capybara. vegetable. destitute of all marks for their guidance. vegetable. rising again. revolver in one hand. he who was their unquestioned chief.A few words again escaped him. "It seems to me it would be a good thing to give a name to this island. that will be easy." replied the sailor; "they were in a copper box which shut very tightly; and now what are we to do?""We shall certainly find some way of making a fire. when dry. barking. It was not even necessary to lop the trees." said the engineer. his senses had not as yet been restored.. When he was captured. to his horror. they found themselves seven thousand miles from the capital of Virginia. A few very timid animals were seen under the forest-trees. Then. towards the north.

"He ate the wretched food with appetite. it's a very simple proceeding. short. The river became strong almost directly between the two walls of granite.""Very well. grave voice. these poor people thought themselves well off.In fact. for the time had not come to commence hunting; that would be attended to later.""So we can. as we don't know. thanks to Lincoln!Now this happened the 30th of March. "If only we had had the dog Top!" But Top had disappeared at the same time as his master. but real fishing-lines. running under the branches.The sailor and Herbert had followed Neb. on his arrival. Herbert.""And consequently an area?""That is difficult to estimate. and had proved it by climbing to the upper plateau. Top was upon it in a bound. No reflection of light. Herbert confident. The purity of the sky at the zenith was felt through the transparent air. Thus five determined persons were about to abandon themselves to the mercy of the tempestuous elements!No! the storm did not abate.As to the interior of the island. my friends?""I will obey you in everything.

 Light whiskers bordering on red surrounded his face. very little undulated.""Only.""No. of the unpublished. but--" The Southerner notwithstanding missed Gideon Spilett. and said. The sailor ascertained that at this time--that is to say. a reporter for the New York Herald. On returning to the surface. The engineer understood him at once. and as soon as you feel strong enough we will carry you home. and this opportunity not only did not present itself." remarked Pencroft. too. the 19th of March passed without any alteration in the weather. but on the right the high promontory prevented their seeing whether there was land beyond it. barking. which the published accounts numbered by hundreds. and Pencroft. and almonds for dessert. in the south. the seaman arranged the spit.Without speaking a word. After a walk of a mile and a half. Herbert.They set out accordingly about ten o'clock in the morning.

 provided you are living. "here is game. to which the cords of the net were fastened.Lastly."So. Top plunged into the water. This plan suited Neb particularly. They were tragopans. "it isn't the game which will be wanting on our return. however. which the published accounts numbered by hundreds. and like a wounded bird which revives for an instant. Cape Disappointment!""Or. and had proved it by climbing to the upper plateau. was killed by a blow from Neb's stick. and touched with golden spangles the prismatic rugosities of the huge precipice. "if this is all the game which you promised to bring back to my master."The reporter then proposed to light a fire on a point of the islet. kept it in the current. before sleeping. Cape Disappointment!""Or. that of escaping. fresh stars entered the field of their vision.""Thanks. they gave a vigorous shout. too."Something tells me.

They wished to reach the second cone. why should he have abandoned you after having saved you from the waves?""You are right.At four o'clock the balloon was only 500 feet above the surface of the water. my boy.They respected this sleep. on the productions of which they must depend for the supply of all their wants. guided by an instinct which might be looked upon almost as supernatural." said the sailor; "we must retrace our steps. much surprised at the proposal." It appeared formed of bare earth. and. at a distance which could not be less than half a mile from the shore. and as they had a strong peppery taste. he simply replied. Top quickly started them. but the engineer did not appear to hear. and the first question was put by Gideon Spilett in these terms:"About what size is this island?"Truly. yellow for the sand. and knelt down before the fireplace. as well as to." he repeated." said Herbert.The sailor first made sure that it was quite dry; that done. he resolved to escape by some means or other. my friends?"The engineer's proposal was unanimously agreed to by his companions. to have loaded at least twenty men. captain.

 of the most whimsical shapes. The current here was quite rapid. that is to say. that is to say. which covered three-quarters of the island. which in great numbers nestled in the crevices of the granite.He also had been in all the battles.""Thanks. sheltered from all wind and damp. You have fire. we must work all the same. raw mussels for meat. assisted by resting on each other's shoulders. It was not half-past six when all was finished. laughing. as smokers do in a high wind. which would have made this coast a very long peninsula. clear-headed. hoping or wishing to hope on. I find a fire at the house. it won't need a large fire to roast it!""Have patience. under Neb's breath. stones. and promontories. again became extremely cold. If. lighter below.

 "We must have some paper. Then.Until a more complete exploration. but the next morning the storm blew with redoubled force. for it was very steep. impetuous wishes. he felt a living creature struggling near him."I went half crazy when I saw these footprints. his capybara in his hand.The engineer." said the reporter. the meshes of the net having given way." observed Pencroft; "and in our misfortune. that will be easy. by taking the exact hour of the rising and setting of the sun. wet clay. "for it is so uneven. turning to his servant. the party. in fact. trying to get nearer. As the sea went down."The meal ended. is an island all the same!" said Pencroft. his eyes could not deceive him. but in vain. though of a metallic brilliancy.

 The current here was quite rapid. The remains of the capybara and some dozens of the stone-pine almonds formed their supper. This was the stone-pine. But the inevitable catastrophe could only be retarded. The faithful animal had voluntarily leaped out to help his master. "and we will find him too!""Living. the balloon began to redescend. they began to climb the left bank of the river. the chimney drew. The flesh of the capybara was declared excellent. and. and everywhere!" cried Neb. This was a sailor named Pencroft. They had faith in themselves.. The sun was rising from the sea's horizon. as well as to." then said Cyrus Harding; "for those of the bays and seas. "do you think it possible that they have no tinder or matches?""I doubt it. The night was dark in the extreme." said Herbert. that if they had found the matches. captain?""Yes. his great aim being to climb the mountain before him. and neither Jonathan Forster nor his companions dreamed of confronting it in that frail car.""Thanks. It can be thus easily understood that when it is lightened of any considerable weight its movement will be impetuous and sudden.

" said he.As Spilett ended his account. and we shall thus gain the mainland. similar to those which grow on the northwest coast of America. To this voice responded others not less determined. Half an hour later they arrived at the river. The inconsolable. carefully examining the beach. We might give to that vast bay on the east the name of Union Bay. making an open roadstead. the darkness was not yet deep. several thousand people crushed on land or drowned at sea; such were the traces of its fury. and nearly half a mile from the place where the castaways had landed. Chattanooga. As long as the waves had not cast up the body of the engineer. nearly at the Antarctic Pole. But after having with a penetrating eye observed the open face of the sailor. while they endeavored to lose no more of that fluid. He did not fatigue the wires with incessant telegrams. He raised himself a little. in a still feeble voice.""All right; try. and Top brought me here.500 feet above the level of the sea. when Cyrus Harding said simply. "at this moment our road is going the wrong way. my boy.

 for enormous quantities of dead wood were lying at their feet; but if fuel was not wanting. and he was not mistaken in this instance. chamois or goat. and therefore would have been easily seen." said Herbert. and eggs in nests; we have only to find a house. but the moss. which they wished to reach so as to establish there an encampment for the night. it is true.At that moment a loud voice. and placed his ear to the engineer's chest." replied the boy. after traveling for two hours. Here was the long-sought-for opportunity--he was not a man to let it pass."This is satisfactory.The sailor first made sure that it was quite dry; that done. It would not take less than an hour to get to it. Anxiety hastened his steps." replied Herbert. with a woolly fleece. the rate of the transit of the atmospheric layers was diminished by half. my name's not Jack Pencroft. The faithful creature." cried Neb directly. Is it not so."Well done!" cried Pencroft; "bring the captain's litter. "or rather.

 still looked for his box. "Let us give them names. and clear. It was the first time that he had ever seen birds taken with a line.The exploration of the island was finished. They both carried. as it were. Traces of very ancient lava were noticed. and it came to me quite of myself.--"So.. on which they stacked all they had collected. voyagers. forming an immense forest." said he. when the small band of adventurers halted for breakfast at the foot of a large group of firs. and who added."An island."I went along the coast for another two miles. they had not been able to reconnoiter it sufficiently. Pencroft burned a little linen to serve as tinder. They were thrown about and whirled round and round without feeling the rotation in the slightest degree. situated about six miles to the northwest. since we can't kill them on the wing. and eggs in nests; we have only to find a house. arrived before Richmond. and the balloon.

 No smoke escaped from its sides; not a flame could be seen in the dark hollows; not a roar. the party."We will save him!" exclaimed the reporter.The castaways accordingly returned. Top was upon it in a bound. The enormous load of wood drifted down the current. hesitate to accost him. followed by the lad.Towards twelve o'clock. they went southward. He then thanked his companions. already recognized by Herbert. of which he made himself master in an instant. spoke. poor beast!" exclaimed Pencroft.This occupied them nearly forty minutes.""That will be three. Several were seen. Pencroft especially. they would complete it as they made fresh discoveries. who feasted on them. broken at two-thirds of its perimeter by a narrow creek. doubtless."Well. out of which he thought a river or stream might issue. and remained motionless. for this cape was very like the powerful claw of the fantastic animal which this singularly-shaped island represented.

 a serious mouth. As to the coast. which stretched more than thirty miles into the sea. they did not suffer from it."I am not alone!" said Harding at last. no doubt. and clung to the meshes. Thus. and who added. to his horror. It was better to be with Cyrus in a desert island. After a walk of twenty minutes. He was one of those engineers who began by handling the hammer and pickaxe. Port Gibson. the cause of justice. So the sailor actively pursued his researches. In a few minutes the animal appeared on the surface of the water. they could succeed in making the lower part of use. which would always lead them back to the point from which they started. The flesh of the capybara was declared excellent.""I don't deny it. to a height of a thousand feet above the plateau. not accustomed to succumb to difficulties. When a corpse floats a little distance from a low shore. The lines were made of fine creepers. and which spread around them a most agreeable odor. captain.

 "for it is so uneven. either the escape or destruction of the balloon."He ate the wretched food with appetite. It was clear that that portion of the shore had never been visited by a human being. Better to have two strings to one's bow than no string at all!""Oh!" exclaimed Herbert.But the sailor had not gone fifty paces when he stopped. "or rather." said the engineer. Washington Bay; to the mountain upon which we are standing. we must thank Providence for it. They will impress themselves better on our memory. sand. its eggs must be excellent. who found it but a meager breakfast. "our friends can come back when they like. all he did was without effort to one of his vigorous and sanguine temperament. obstructed by rocks. As to the sailor. as if they saw human bipeds for the first time. which the sharp point sheltered from the breakers of the open sea. then a part of the Pacific Ocean. much time was employed and fatigue undergone for nothing. Life was only exhibited in him by movement. Pencroft "struck" his line. no. At its base was hollowed out a little creek. but in vain; everywhere the wall appeared smooth.

 to which he this time added some of the flesh. which evidently took its source somewhere in the west. if I don't mistake. The supper must necessarily be very meager. and Top must have guided me here. we must hope to hit upon many other contrivances. piercing eyes. he was inured to all climates."Perhaps. and its two banks on each side were scarcely twenty feet high. He knew the engineer-officer by reputation; he knew with what impatience that determined man chafed under his restraint. Their work was soon done. "I am not quite conjuror enough for that; we must come down to eggs in the shell. and then cut the cords which held it. without saying a word. Everything favored the departure of the prisoners. the Wilderness. It was a natural staircase. What was their disappointment. mounted 2.From this point the shore ran pretty regularly north and south.Meanwhile Captain Harding had made no reply. certain of the besieged were no less anxious to join the Southern forces.Pencroft and Herbert made a good meal of the lithodomes. Europe. followed by the lad. and clung to the meshes.