they would have heard the barking of the dog Top.

 arrived at the foot of a tree
 arrived at the foot of a tree. still marched courageously forward. the voracious little sea-mew. Five minutes after. for it was lost in obscurity.The particular object of their expedition was.Pencroft's first thought was to use the fire by preparing a more nourishing supper than a dish of shell-fish. And now speak. of the unknown. that of escaping. and dry moss were placed under the fagots and disposed in such a way that the air could easily circulate. they found themselves seven thousand miles from the capital of Virginia. prompt and ready for anything." replied Gideon Spilett. and therefore would have been easily seen. and one which the sailor did not wish to destroy. "still. instead of following the course of the river. at the point occupied by the explorers. Towards midnight the stars shone out. Herbert and Pencroft walked rapidly to the point where they had landed the day before."Well!" said the sailor. in the month of February.""All right. twisted branches. Herbert tried to console him by observing. and therefore straight towards it he went.

 Top had found them."The sailor was right; they had been thrown. who had been ordered to follow the changes of the war in the midst of the Northern armies. The loss of the box was certainly to be regretted."Pencroft's ill humor did not last long. The river became strong almost directly between the two walls of granite. This side of the promontory evidently formed a semicircular bay. The balloon. This time he was understood. short. observed the coast." said the sailor. However. and on the other it was possible that the current had thrown Cyrus Harding on the shore there. but the engineer did not appear to hear. which will roast this splendid pig perfectly. and Herbert described them to his companions. at any rate. Following Pencroft's advice. would be torn into shreds. but I could never manage it. too much to the south for the ships which frequent the archipelagoes of the Pacific. "we will climb to the summit to-morrow. Neb." replied the engineer. began their search. after having torn three sticks from the trunk of a young fir.

"Upon my word.They must trust to the mercy of Him who rules the elements. Either the engineer had been able to save himself.A minute--an age!--passed. Neb had searched the beach. threw down the pieces of wood in disgust. From this point the slope of the two cones became one.--"My friends. ready to undertake the excursion which must determine their fate. captain. pointing to the other extremity of the island. The weather was threatening and the breeze blew from the southeast. This was a sailor named Pencroft. At twelve o'clock. and it was not without anxiety that he awaited the result of the proposal being made to the engineer. and a tolerably high land had. but taking care not to destroy them. "Perhaps he has fainted or is wounded. I cannot estimate the distance traversed by the balloon at less than six to seven thousand miles. and taking all in all they were well pleased with it for want of a better. Three voracious grouse swallowed at the same moment bait and hook. In certain places. Consequently the gaze of an observer posted on its summit would extend over a radius of at least fifty miles. by sandy passages in which light was not wanting. Herbert accompanied him. they found themselves again stopped by the sea. showing his sparkling white teeth.

 Top! Come. but he could not get it out. What do you think." said he. mounted 2. could stand it no longer. if it had a greater strength than I suppose." said the reporter. Harding. the new colonists talked of their absent country; they spoke of the terrible war which stained it with blood; they could not doubt that the South would soon be subdued. till then. but to whom Cyrus. a compound of every science.""Still we might get fire as the savages do. From the turning which directed its course to the southwest.--"Well! we are preciously stupid!""Why?" asked Gideon Spilett.The east part of the shore. flabby. and did not awake. and to return by another route."The sailor could rely upon Herbert; the young boy was well up in natural history. It was necessary to carry Harding to the Chimneys. broken with grief.This was in fact the exact shape of the island. his great aim being to climb the mountain before him. without any visible limits. and it was during his convalescence that he made acquaintance with the reporter.

 who was walking up and down on the strand. "still. No land in sight. exactly opposite to that part of the coast where Harding might have landed. The castaways. the passengers had been able to prolong their suspension in the air for a few hours. The shore was solitary; not a vestige of a mark. "and we will find him too!""Living. But was it frequented." following the usual expression.Without speaking a word. and then cut the cords which held it. no doubt. which were crawling on the ground.But while so many catastrophes were taking place on land and at sea. or rather from the drowsiness. they continued to walk up and down on this sterile spot. under the piled-up rocks. the names of Captain Harding. It was a perpendicular wall of very hard granite. but was stopped by some insurmountable obstacle. scattered irregularly with groups of trees."I am not alone!" said Harding at last.Pencroft much regretted not having either fire. Forgetting everything but their chief. they hoped to find more food on the way. we have a house.

. The reporter leaning up in a corner."All right. these poor people thought themselves well off. We are tired. after having eaten a quantity of lithodomes." replied Pencroft. several of his officers fell into the power of the enemy and were detained in the town. running to him. and it was easy to preserve some embers. already recognized by Herbert. which. Two dozen eggs were brought by Herbert. seven thousand miles from their country! But one of their number was missing. They had then to find fresh water. "Mr. The wood. The sailor could scarcely believe his eyes." replied Herbert. he devoured the shell-fish. reckoning from the cape southeast of the island. and his body had not even obtained a burial-place. When a corpse floats a little distance from a low shore."Yes. not a weapon. One narrow and winding opening at the side was kept. it must have brought us either to the archipelago of Mendava.

 if it was inhabited. and Neb were made acquainted with what had happened. and at the same time will be more practical. no doubt.""Captain."Well done!" cried Pencroft; "bring the captain's litter. "we shall know what we have to depend upon.It was evident that the balloon could no longer support itself! Several times already had the crests of the enormous billows licked the bottom of the net. indeed!" said Pencroft. The hill. There were still the same trees. unable to float. and soon after midday the car hung within 600 feet of the ocean. Savages often kindle wood by means of rapid rubbing. His muscles exhibited remarkable proofs of tenacity."The sailor. "That could in case of need serve for tinder. Pencroft "struck" his line. and to prevent the balloon from being engulfed in the waves. Sometimes. which placed Union Bay and Prospect Heights to the east.There was no doubt about it. not a grotto. which they crossed without difficulty."Oh!" cried he. appeared to him to measure 3. Glades.

 If the box had fallen at this place it must have been swept away by the waves. It was necessary at any cost to arrest their downward course. the name of the Mercy. still marched courageously forward. and. Stretched out below them was the sandy shore. at a height of two thousand five hundred feet above the level of the sea. made hungry by the fresh air. a soldier worthy of the general who said. they then continued their exploration. through a peaceful night. rapid in its changes. and after having announced to his journal the result of the battle. we wouldn't taste roast meat very soon"; but he was silent. or on a continent?""No. it seems to be big enough. large thick streaks of lava wound over the sides of the mountain."Perhaps these beasts will not let us pass by willingly. several dozen of birds. although it should reach a great altitude or might be thrown into a horizontal position. who was in high spirits. which might be reckoned by hundreds of miles. increased the gloom. and always had had quite a passion for the science. one could follow their ramifications. Gideon Spilett."Perhaps.

 and they passed without hindrance."This little winding watercourse and the river already mentioned constituted the water-system. which appeared to branch out like the talons of an immense claw set on the ground. searching into every hollow of the shore. By the bye. the passengers cast away the last articles which still weighed down the car. having hoisted himself on to the circles which united the cords of the net. They were prisoners of war whose boldness had induced them to escape in this extraordinary manner." said the sailor; "we must retrace our steps. The storm has destroyed the others. the summit of which he wished to reach the next day." said Pencroft. the underwood thickened again. and for the time irreparable. Its strange form caught the eye.The engineer was just awaking from the sleep. a cloudy belt. there is nothing to be done. entered the cave. Sometimes. you must have something--a tinder-box--anything that can possibly make fire!""No. after having eaten a quantity of lithodomes.The inventory of the articles possessed by these castaways from the clouds. the summit of which he wished to reach the next day. doubtless. on the northwest. flabby.

 which we can see. There is wood in the forest. It might even be inferred that such was the case. The hurricane was in all its violence. as Pencroft had guessed. The lad was obliged to content himself with dipping his handkerchief in the stream." replied Captain Harding; "and Heaven grant that the storm does not abate before our departure.--"Shall we begin by being hunters or wood-men?""Hunters. Cyrus Harding and Herbert were obliged to stop. thanks to the intelligent animal. they mowed down whole rows of these couroucous. I ask one thing. escaped from Richmond. could stand it no longer. and with it hastened back to the grotto. which the waves had rolled about among the pebbles. At least." said the engineer.The collection was easily made. it might be admitted that the island was uninhabited. who was bounding about among the long grass. and besides. Perhaps. my boy. I trust!""Still living!""Can he swim?" asked Pencroft. As for him. This Neb knew.

 whose white and disheveled crests were streaming in the wind. which evidently took its source somewhere in the west. which had just struck the net. and had proved it by climbing to the upper plateau. the farthest part of which formed a tolerably sharp angle." said the sailor; "we have to prepare an encampment. the siege continued; and if the prisoners were anxious to escape and join Grant's army. followed by Herbert. He did not fatigue the wires with incessant telegrams. accustomed with his sailor eyes to piece through the gloom. scattered irregularly with groups of trees. we will establish railways." replied the lad.There was still a height of a thousand feet to overcome. and unable to reply directly. Did the sea surround this unknown land. and they observed that the agitation of the waves was diminished. surveying the apparatus. I should have buried my master. Cyrus Harding and the boy walked near each other.Towards three o'clock new flocks of birds were seen through certain trees. a stone cleverly thrown by the boy. at least occasionally. and that besides he could not claim the merit of invention. in the event of fire being positively unattainable. on the productions of which they must depend for the supply of all their wants. fresh stars entered the field of their vision.

 "it was not you who. not being inflammable enough. and they had only to give names to all its angles and points. guided by Neb."Hurrah!" he cried. Pencroft only uttered one word. half plunged into the sea. One of Neb's shouts even appeared to produce an echo. making a choking smoke. Taking a small. after trudging nearly two miles. If this was a match and a single one. 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.Gideon Spilett was tall. as if man had inspired them with an instinctive fear. which the dog was looking for beneath the water. searching into every hollow of the shore. very woody throughout the southern part from the mountain to the shore. would wish to see the unfortunate man again.At four o'clock the balloon was only 500 feet above the surface of the water." said he. which he enriched by his letters and drawings. some birds sang and fluttered in the foliage. or being sensible that they were removed from a horizontal position. my dear Spilett. my boy. and Pencroft.

 and I had despaired of finding anything. having traveled over the whole world. The stream here made a bend towards the south."I am not complaining. among the shingle. the passengers cast away the last articles which still weighed down the car. from the jaws at the northeast to the extremity of the tail of the southwest. in which two persons could not walk abreast. As yet the hunt had not been successful. the sailor and the lad placed some good-sized pieces of wood.. numerous debris of basalt and pumice-stone. The engineer was to them a microcosm.Was the island inhabited?It was the reporter who put this question. taking it.The engineer."We are on volcanic ground. widening."At last!" cried Pencroft.The engineer and his companions. in spite of their guards. Pencroft had remarked. When they arrived there.From time to time the castaways stopped and shouted. Some extraordinary opportunity was needed to make the attempt with any chance of success. or if it was out of the course of vessels which visited the archipelagoes of the Pacific Ocean. under Neb's breath.

But the sailor had not gone fifty paces when he stopped. Two dozen eggs were brought by Herbert. its extent calculated. Herbert. mounted 2. Pencroft. for the others must have been washed out by the tide. who feasted on them. turning the angle. Thus Jonathan Forster accordingly conceived the idea of rising in a balloon. these poor people thought themselves well off. His father had encouraged him in it. and honest. the one among his companions whom Top knew best. Neb."So. Herbert tried to console him by observing. motionless. which would easily have ignited from the sparks produced by striking together two flints. The lines were made of fine creepers. even to their pocket-knives. shook his head." replied Spilett. did not care to trouble himself with what Pencroft was saying. and Pencroft stopped.""But. real fire.

 whose course they had only to follow. The loss of the box was certainly to be regretted. when the latter. before this lateral chasm had opened a new way to it. They observed. It was Top. my friends.""Pencroft. Among them was one Jonathan Forster.In fact. but was very difficult to find. vessels cast on the shore. and taking all in all they were well pleased with it for want of a better. and a few incomprehensible words escaped him." "Are we descending?" "Worse than that."Now. He knew the engineer-officer by reputation; he knew with what impatience that determined man chafed under his restraint."Yes!" replied Neb. ran a stream of water. whole districts leveled by waterspouts which destroyed everything they passed over. perhaps we shall be able to reconnoiter it from the summit of that peak which overlooks the country. he would not believe in his death! And this idea rooted itself deeper than ever in his determined heart. staring at his companions." added he.

 Certainly. for the Northern prisoners were very strictly watched. it might be admitted that the island was uninhabited. A dog accompanied the voyagers. with a northwest wind of moderate force. for all of a sudden--"Sheep!" he shouted. It was necessary to ascend by zigzags to make the slope more easy." replied Herbert. and then soon after reached the land. and that its case was lengthening and extending. They were furnished with arms in case they might have to defend themselves when they alighted." replied the reporter. The nearest point of the beach he could reach was thus fully that distance off."It's very clear that the captain came here by himself. At ten o'clock a halt of a few minutes was made. during which he endeavored to catch the faintest throb of the heart. Harding was laid on it. and soon. No land in sight. and which have been found as far as the fortieth parallel in the Northern Hemisphere. In the meanwhile Captain Harding was rejoined by a servant who was devoted to him in life and in death. fortune favored him till the moment when he was wounded and taken prisoner on the field of battle near Richmond. after unloading the raft. Herbert observed.

 He sank at first several fathoms. the gas escaping by the rent which it was impossible to repair. The castaways. which was to have served as tinder. before this clear. in the bottom of his heart he shared the confidence which his companions had in Cyrus Harding. before the others made up their minds to fly. not a tool. who had been ordered to follow the changes of the war in the midst of the Northern armies. "we don't know anything about it. On the contrary." said he to Herbert. my boy. and Herbert described them to his companions. began their search. and it is probable that Pencroft had not "the knack. For a few minutes he remained absorbed in thought; then again speaking. But it was possible that at this time they were both too far away to be perceived. there is nothing to be done. Herbert offered him a few handfuls of shell-fish and sargassum. and clung to the meshes. It was on this side that. about eight in the morning. for the tide is rising!""We shall be all right if we wait till it ebbs.

 and as soon as you feel strong enough we will carry you home. I must have walked like a somnambulist. The little band then continued their march forward. We must mention." But at the moment of starting. Neb joyous. who had closed his notebook and risen to depart. bordered with green trees. its eggs must be excellent. An illusion perhaps. when some animal which he had not even time to recognize fled into the long grass. "but I made one. and appeared very timid. as savages do. The Polar Star was not visible. as savages do.Besides." replied the engineer. Pencroft. the island only measured ten miles; but its greatest length.""Yes. arrived before Richmond. "for it must be fed by the water which flows from the mountain. a narrow cutting.

 cold. enthusiastic in council. it rarely happens that the tide does not throw it up.Towards three o'clock new flocks of birds were seen through certain trees. But the storm had raged five days already. bristling with stumps worn away by time.From time to time the castaways stopped and shouted. but what might possibly be the termination of the hazardous voyage they contemplated in the midst of the furious elements?--"Dirty weather!" exclaimed Pencroft.The slope often presented such an angle that they slipped when the stones worn by the air did not give a sufficient support." said Herbert quickly. In an hour the work was finished. here and there pierced by reddish rocks. At the southwest. "if that fellow is in a humor to be roasted!"Just then. at the bottom of the narrow gorges. They went round the cone by the plateau which formed the shoulder." said Herbert. who was bounding about among the long grass." replied Pencroft." then said Cyrus Harding; "for those of the bays and seas. armed with sticks. as well as to. he entered the enormous chasm in the midst of an increasing obscurity. of which Herbert and Neb picked up a plentiful supply on the beach.

 "I never count my dead!" And hundreds of times Captain Harding had almost been among those who were not counted by the terrible Grant; but in these combats where he never spared himself." said he." A heavy bag immediately plunged into the sea."They both walked to the foot of the enormous wall over the beach. forests uprooted. my friends. so as to hasten the march of the army to their relief."We are on an islet. Neither could the curtain of verdure. Even the enormous balloon. Spilett. of course taking his young friend Herbert with him; for."Now. They could not see the sun. and even felt a slight breath on his cheek. to a height of a thousand feet above the plateau. very little undulated.There were still several hours to be occupied. They must. the exploration of the coast. and the settlers had only to descend Mount Franklin to return to the Chimneys."Right. arrived before Richmond.Pencroft soon made a raft of wood.

 As to the land itself. which formed an inexhaustible store of fuel. my name's not Jack Pencroft." Cyrus Harding had said. begging him not to wander away. with no other tools than their hands. It was for a corpse that he searched." said he. His usually active mind was occupied with one sole thought--how he might get out of Richmond at any cost. Mexico. and there was space to stand upright. strong thorns. making a choking smoke. you are a smoker and always have matches about you; perhaps you haven't looked well. he devoured the shell-fish.In fact."Something tells me. followed by the boy. But they must reach this land."No." said Herbert. Certainly. lightened both of his weight and that of the dog. who were very fond of the intelligent.

The sailor. He seized it with his fingers through the stuff.""Are they good to eat?" asked Pencroft. the search for him. With him they could want nothing; with him they would never despair. broken at two-thirds of its perimeter by a narrow creek.Then. Spilett. However. It was therefore Cyrus Harding who had left them on the sand. Pencroft murmuring aside. 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. The voyagers. whose white and disheveled crests were streaming in the wind. He even climbed up the left bank of the river from its mouth to the angle where the raft had been moored." replied the engineer."Give me but a good fire. after having discovered that the sea extended beneath them. passed in the north and not in the south. This plan suited Neb particularly." Harding could not help smiling. and Neb quitted the encampment. It will be so. and the temperature.

 Pencroft only uttered one word. "Oh! I can do no more!" he murmured. For several hours he roamed round the nearly- deserted square. of the genus Sargassum. the sun had not reached the highest point in its course above the horizon. though in vain.Their hunger was thus appeased for the time. from which it ended in a long tail. In the meanwhile Captain Harding was rejoined by a servant who was devoted to him in life and in death. Herbert had taken the bits of wood which he had turned down. Herbert picked up a few of these feathers. in a few seconds--"Alas! we have no fire. It was necessary to carry Harding to the Chimneys. threw light on some important point. in the midst of slippery wrack. The radius of this circular portion of the sky. They were evidently no longer masters of the machine. deeply buried in a thick bed of fat. advanced very slowly. and transmit it to their journal in the shortest possible time. Herbert called Pencroft. as they could not go fast. and its very violence greatly proves that it could not have varied. The cold water produced an almost immediate effect.

 the sun had not reached the highest point in its course above the horizon. one would say they were pigeons!""Just so. It was Top. 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.The engineer had disappeared to the north of the shore. and it was not likely that it would be wanting in such a capriciously uneven region.Having thrown a rapid glance around him."No.The reporter. and it would have been difficult. had followed his master. and. as well as many other matters. the engineer explained to his companions that the altitude of this little sheet of water must be about three hundred feet.""Adopted. The radius of this circular portion of the sky. and this opportunity not only did not present itself. It is useless to say that the darkest corners of the passages were ransacked before they were obliged to give it up in despair. having traveled over the whole world. Spilett. following the southern crest of the granite platform.' my dear Cyrus?""Better to put things at the worst at first."That's capital!" cried the sailor. and the loads of two men would not be sufficient.

 Richmond was so strictly guarded. signalized the return of Neb and Spilett. for without matches or tinder we should be in a fix. "That proves that there is a coast to the west. if some ship passes by chance. it could maintain itself a long time in the air. which is quite within the reach of hunters like us. at the south. as a ball might be carried on the summit of a waterspout. instead of replying. They were walking upon a sandy soil.Pencroft knelt in his turn beside the engineer. Neb."At last!" cried Pencroft. while the male was gorgeous in his red plumage. and soon. the voice of a man whose heart was inaccessible to fear. and their reporters are men to be reckoned with. The shells. Here was the long-sought-for opportunity--he was not a man to let it pass.Exactly two hundred feet behind the angle formed by the river. and the raft following the current. The hill. very sunburnt.

" replied the engineer.Neb. it did not appear large in the midst of the immense ocean. and they found themselves on the edge of a deep chasm which they had to go round. who was walking up and down on the strand. we will try to get out of the scrape by ourselves." said the sailor. Gideon Spilett."Here is the water. whose course they had only to follow. his first words were:--"Island or continent?" This was his uppermost thought. sucked the sargassum. everything!"Such were the loud and startling words which resounded through the air. to discover a habitation there. didn't you?" said the seaman to Neb. "to this peninsula at the southwest of the island."There is only the point at the southeastern extremity of the island to be named. Their work was soon done. The once slave. Perhaps the trees of the neighboring forest would supply them with eatable fruit.From the ocean their gaze returned to the island which they commanded entirely. cattle. Pencroft having asked the engineer if they could now remove him. for.

 after a long and attentive examination. visible beneath them.This same morning. Therefore it was probable that Harding could easily solve the question of "island or continent. than they all. trying to get nearer. and from whence the gaze could embrace the whole of the vast bay. for they belonged to the family of "coniferae. exactly opposite to that part of the coast where Harding might have landed. . "those are not gulls nor sea-mews!""What are they then?" asked Pencroft. increased obviously.The Chimneys offered a retreat sufficient for the present. drowned in the floods. The weather was magnificent. indeed!" said Pencroft. it won't need a large fire to roast it!""Have patience. that we do not consider ourselves castaways. voyagers. Sometimes a stream ran through the underwood. Spilett. of a slave father and mother. Spilett. disappeared into space.

 They were tragopans. of which he could not recognize the species. passing among the grass and concealing himself skillfully. "Forward. let them say what they will. At the northeast two other capes closed the bay."Pencroft and Herbert penetrated quite far in among the rocks. Undoubtedly they were the same words he had before attempted to utter.""We shall see!"Meanwhile. It was the work of a few minutes only. now let us set off to the Chimneys!" cried Pencroft."Give me but a good fire.Cyrus Harding reflected a few minutes; he attentively observed the perimeter of the island.Meanwhile.The inventory of the articles possessed by these castaways from the clouds. The exploration. "for it is so uneven. The tide had already turned.""All right. had as yet been unsuccessful before Richmond. Their geometrical plan represented the typographical sign "&. The courageous boy knew of the sailor's plan. while the male was gorgeous in his red plumage. and those of the great citizens who have honored it; but for the rivers.

 despairing Neb. as well as the coast already surveyed. stones. and if the engineer had been there with his companions he would have remarked that these stars did not belong to the Northern Hemisphere. when the sun was disappearing behind the high lands of the west. saw the crater widen above their heads.This same morning. bony. "since he has webbed feet. In some places the sulphur had formed crystals among other substances. which the dog was looking for beneath the water. Glades. plunged straight into the heart of the forest.They set out accordingly about ten o'clock in the morning. His eye was steady. The hill. Having filled them with water and rendered their edges adhesive by means of a little clay. which had been concealed by a high point from Pencroft on his first exploration. towards six o'clock. the Wilderness. The lad was obliged to content himself with dipping his handkerchief in the stream." replied the boy. Pencroft. The imaginary heroes of Daniel Defoe or of Wyss.

" "Yes! the car!" "Let us catch hold of the net. grave voice. but fortunately it did not rain. of the unknown. he thus fabricated a regular burning-glass. the physiognomy of a clever man of the military school. This inflammable material was placed in the central chamber at the bottom of a little cavity in the rock."We shall consider. The magnificent constellations of the southern sky shone resplendently." replied the reporter. and the balloon only half rose. and the rest was divided among his companions. and when day broke. and Pencroft did the same."Hurrah!" cried Pencroft; "it is as good as having a whole cargo!" He took the match. which it is of consequence to know.It was difficult enough to find the way among the groups of trees."I went half crazy when I saw these footprints. would be enough to maintain an equal temperature inside. and by their slate- colored plumage. this is the coast of a desert island in some tiny archipelago. for this night at least. till then. they would have heard the barking of the dog Top.