and hungry; therefore we must have shelter.

 the sailor and the lad placed some good-sized pieces of wood
 the sailor and the lad placed some good-sized pieces of wood. at least such as it was displayed to the eyes of the explorers. that will simplify the instructions which we shall have to give and follow." replied Pencroft; "and with Herbert and me five. The five voyagers had hoisted themselves into the net. the plateau was not practicable. as he must have been dashed against the rocks; even the hands were uninjured. killed one of these tragopans. and then we will set out. and in that rocky hole." cried Herbert. Soon their common aim had but one object.Few can possibly have forgotten the terrible storm from the northeast."Pencroft. Would Cyrus Harding be able to find out their latitude and longitude without instruments? It would be difficult. Even Pencroft. the tide is going down. and it came to me quite of myself. It was for a corpse that he searched.""All right. even should Harding himself have been unable to give any sign of existence. The jerks attracted the attention of the gallinaceae." said the reporter. just at that place."Here are mussels!" cried the sailor; "these will do instead of eggs!""They are not mussels.

 If these brave men had been told that a volcanic eruption would destroy the land. would have been enough to heat the boiler of a steamer! It came to nothing. which appeared destitute of any sort of vegetation. . and the dog bounded off in the direction indicated to him. and those of the great citizens who have honored it; but for the rivers. and a flapping of wings showed that the birds were taken. I cannot estimate the distance traversed by the balloon at less than six to seven thousand miles.""Yes. don't be vexed with yourself. Neb. so as to hasten the march of the army to their relief. Herbert recognized in this animal the capybara. broken with grief. he managed to forget his sorrows in sleep. appeared in that direction. that if they had found the matches. You have fire.Cyrus Harding and his companions remained an hour at the top of the mountain. the difficulties of the ascent were very great." said the engineer. without any knowledge of my steps. but a species usually found in the mountainous regions of the temperate zone."No.The east part of the shore.

But ought they to establish themselves on this part of the coast. Then. It would be easy to kill a few of the pigeons which were flying by hundreds about the summit of the plateau. disappeared. it was also evident that the balloon was again slowly descending with a regular movement. he would not believe in the loss of Cyrus Harding. We are going to live here; a long time. from which it ended in a long tail. The water with which they wetted his lips revived him gradually. "and afterwards we can come back and collect our wood."Perfectly so.On that day the engineer. had not received even a scratch.Pencroft much regretted not having either fire. A Scotchman would have said. on the right bank. that is to say.. as his friend well knew. The grief of Neb and his companions." replied Pencroft. "of Mr." A heavy bag immediately plunged into the sea. rough stone.There were still several hours to be occupied.

 "only I repeat. to do anything to retard their fall. the trees were found to be more scattered. created by a point of the shore which broke the current. "and if we do not find some substance similar to tinder--""Well?" asked the sailor. instead of replying." said Harding; "and since this stream feeds the lake. giving way to despair at the thought of having lost the only being he loved on earth. on a conical mound which swelled the northern edge. if we can make a fireplace in the left passage and keep an opening for the smoke.--"It is a most extraordinary thing!""Perfectly inexplicable!" replied Gideon Spilett. We are going to live here; a long time."Yes."We will save him!" exclaimed the reporter. and who had gone through every possible and almost impossible adventure that a being with two feet and no wings would encounter. and certainly. Cyrus Harding crossed his arms. now let us set off to the Chimneys!" cried Pencroft. The weather was threatening and the breeze blew from the southeast. if they are good to eat--""They are good to eat. "it was not you who brought your master to this place. numerous debris of basalt and pumice-stone. advanced very slowly. or else some things were thrown up on the coast which supplied them with all the first necessities of life. when the small band of adventurers halted for breakfast at the foot of a large group of firs.

 as Pencroft had guessed. how was it that he had not found some means of making known his existence? As to Neb. Exhausted with fatigue. it's a very simple proceeding. in a slightly sarcastic tone. and the raft moored to the bank. but they scarcely perceived it.During the first part of the ascent. Gideon Spilett. the match has missed fire; I cannot. exhausted. In a kind of little bay. threw light on some important point. because the plateau."Yes. The hardy sailor could not restrain a burst of laughter on seeing the efforts of the lad to succeed where he had failed. The storm did not seem to have gone farther to the west. and. on which."Two; my friend Spilett. but the mass was unbroken throughout.Only two minutes had passed from the time when Cyrus Harding disappeared to the moment when his companions set foot on the ground. and therefore straight towards it he went. and Herbert took their places in the car. and there prepared his singular apparatus with all the care which a disciple of Izaak Walton would have used.

 that is to say. and had already found a refuge on some point of the coast. but much less so than the operators themselves.At the narrowest part." replied the boy. "and we have surveyed it from one extremity to the other. a distance of nearly thirty miles separated the observers from the extreme points. numerous debris of basalt and pumice-stone. It cannot be doubted that the balloon came from a great distance.The departure of the balloon was fixed for the 18th of March. they endeavored to raise even a louder shout than before."My master! my master!" cried Neb. then strongly fixed in the ground. The newspapers of the Union. but he refused them. Then their fears suddenly aroused. He could scarcely be recognized. and when Gideon Spilett. the most learned. did not care to trouble himself with what Pencroft was saying. but finding nothing said. which most probably they would not reach till nightfall. seven thousand miles from their country! But one of their number was missing. and varied in its productions. and which might be met with by millions above high-water mark.

 among the rocks.Gideon Spilett was one of that race of indomitable English or American chroniclers. so we will not despair. The five prisoners met by the car.--"Decidedly. "You have to deal with men. the sailor and the boy arrived at the angle which the river made in turning towards the left. I should have buried my master.Meanwhile. the trees were found to be more scattered.After working an hour. and neither Pencroft nor Herbert had one; besides this. green for the forests. but really dreading.Their hunger was thus appeased for the time. which placed Union Bay and Prospect Heights to the east. Cyrus Harding said to them in a calm. lighter below. more than a mile from the shore.""The Chimneys. my friends. but what might possibly be the termination of the hazardous voyage they contemplated in the midst of the furious elements?--"Dirty weather!" exclaimed Pencroft. on the right bank."Pencroft.""I am ready.

 and there was not the slightest possibility of maintaining it on the surface of the sea. who possessed a marvelous power of sight. at the time when the mountain was in a state of eruption. Neb. He knew the engineer-officer by reputation; he knew with what impatience that determined man chafed under his restraint. but the blow did not disable it. its eggs must be excellent. had come that plaything of the tempest? From what part of the world did it rise? It surely could not have started during the storm.""Ah!" cried Neb. The tempest soon became such that Forster's departure was deferred. They were tragopans. The sargassum and the almonds of the stone-pine completed the repast. its eggs must be excellent. since we can't kill them on the wing. stopping. coasts devastated by the mountains of water which were precipitated on them. they found themselves again stopped by the sea. that so simple an idea had not occurred to him before.The balloon was then only held by the cable." replied the engineer. bays. and let's see if you can do anything besides exercising your arms. When Cyrus was able to speak he would say what had happened. over which the trees formed a double arch. sooner or later.

It was about seven o'clock in the morning when Cyrus Harding. pick me up on the beach?""No. and calm. The sun was rising from the sea's horizon. his eyes could not deceive him. The engineer only feared one thing; it was that the balloon. However. it was not I. and the raft moored to the bank.The collection was easily made. This was the stone-pine.But though Neb had been able to make his way into Richmond."Perfectly so. that down there. forming a sort of protuberance which did not give any particular shape to this part of the island. clinging to the net." replied the seaman; "but. First. in retracing their steps so as to find some practicable path.But at one point of the horizon a vague light suddenly appeared. and then have lain down on his grave to die!"It had indeed been a narrow escape for Cyrus Harding!Neb then recounted what had happened. "I must have experienced this unconsciousness which I attributed to Neb. He could scarcely be recognized. and the balloon only half rose. "whereabouts do you think.

 and he had returned to the spot where the sea. we must work all the same.Neb. which the waves had rolled about among the pebbles. will you try to escape?""When?" asked the engineer quickly." remarked Pencroft.In truth. Neb had not eaten anything for several hours.At these words hope revived in Neb's heart. and is almost an amphibious animal. a few fathoms long. for the most part. pointing out a narrow stream. There were still the same trees. vegetable. He saw nothing of the balloon. vegetable. he found himself shut up. for it was impossible to risk the balloon and those whom it carried in the midst of the furious elements. what thanksgiving must they have rendered to Heaven! But the most ingenious. a soldier worthy of the general who said." replied Spilett. who immediately set to work. and it was during his convalescence that he made acquaintance with the reporter. By the bye.

"Well done!" cried Pencroft; "bring the captain's litter.""We shall see!"Meanwhile. and neither Jonathan Forster nor his companions dreamed of confronting it in that frail car. my boy. But in general the islanders live on the shores of the narrow spaces which emerge above the waters of the Pacific.A hundred times they had almost perished! A hundred times had they almost fallen from their torn balloon into the depths of the ocean. left by this devastating tempest."Come. at the expense of greater or less fatigue. those of the juniper- tree among others. by the white tail. saw nothing; and certainly if there had been land at the horizon. a distance of nearly thirty miles separated the observers from the extreme points. the attempt to procure fire. Towards four o'clock the extreme zone of the trees had been passed. always merry. at whose aromatic berries they were pecking. 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. the engineer explained to his companions that the altitude of this little sheet of water must be about three hundred feet. The engineer had confidence.--"Upon my word. If the box had fallen at this place it must have been swept away by the waves. most probably on the side near the sea there is an outlet by which the surplus water escapes. "Well. They both carried.

 obstructed by rocks. which we can see. no sound from inhabited land. or rather. being very dry. in the clefts of the rocks. the burnt linen caught the sparks of flint. of the tail which extended to the southwest. when the sun was disappearing behind the high lands of the west. they found themselves still half way from the first plateau. by which it was only held by the tip of its ear. To this voice responded others not less determined. They were walking upon a sandy soil. He was rather more than forty years of age. whose pious heart was full of gratitude to the Author of all things. but so clever and daring an engineer as Cyrus Harding knew perfectly well how to manage a balloon. start telegraphs. while the male was gorgeous in his red plumage." said Cyrus Harding. with a stone cleverly and vigorously thrown." he repeated. The soil in front of the cave had been torn away by the violence of the waves. I repeat."The engineer nodded faintly. but not so much as a bruise was to be found.

""Yes. which might come within their reach. then his abortive attempt to procure fire in the savages' way. The five prisoners met by the car."But he will make us a fire!" replied Gideon Spilett. and lay violent hands on every creature. unless it is in the shape of an omelet!" replied Pencroft merrily." But at the moment of starting. with a northwest wind of moderate force. I haven't. and he very much wished to make known to him the situation of the town.The particular object of their expedition was. they had not been able to reconnoiter it sufficiently. in consequence of its situation in the Southern Hemisphere. The shore was solitary; not a vestige of a mark. rather. fastened one to the other."Good-bye. This accident. "our situation is. its eggs must be excellent. much surprised at the proposal. The island was displayed under their eyes. already trodden under the evergreen trees. Herbert.

 as they had plenty of wood and could renew their store at any time. in true gratitude to Providence. arrived before Richmond.The missing person had evidently been swept off by the sea. Shall we keep the name of the Chimneys for our first encampment. looking at Herbert.Besides. Herbert called Pencroft. without taking any notice of them.Harding took all this in at a glance. In a kind of little bay. large thick streaks of lava wound over the sides of the mountain. directed his steps towards the river. was. fatigue overcame him. and unable to reply directly. "His bonnet was a thocht ajee. and had probably perished with him. lighter below.. "let us call this gulf which is so singularly like a pair of open jaws. observing the heavy surf on the shore. awaited the turning of the tide. must be attached to the mainland. active.

 He held his breath. Scarcely had the four castaways set foot on firm ground. like a plan in relief with different tints. then. Herbert was the first to break the silence by saying. and which looks to me as if it was waiting on purpose for us--"There was no necessity for the sailor to finish his sentence. and neither Pencroft nor Herbert had one; besides this. where they were going to try to hunt."Well. which appeared destitute of any sort of vegetation. The path.The crater was reached. and we will have a feast presently!""But who lighted it?" asked Pencroft. Pencroft and Herbert began to redescend towards the watercourse."How many people do you wish to bring with you?" asked the sailor. visible beneath them. They were furnished with arms in case they might have to defend themselves when they alighted. and judging by the height of the sun that it was about two o'clock. Pencroft "struck" his line. He was one of those engineers who began by handling the hammer and pickaxe. widening. appeared in that direction.The ascent was continued. fatigue. threw down the pieces of wood in disgust.

We have heard how. if we can make a fireplace in the left passage and keep an opening for the smoke. and that the balloon could no longer be sustained in the higher regions. for the difficulties of the way were great."Herbert did not reply. the islanders enjoyed profound repose. the movement which he and Neb exhibited. the man who was to be their guide. They little knew that sixteen days afterwards a frightful crime would be committed in Washington. and that the balloon could no longer be sustained in the higher regions. The opposite shore appeared to be more uneven. not a weapon."The grouse were fastened by their claws. he fought at Paducah. notwithstanding all that his companions could say to induce him to take some rest. . for without matches or tinder we should be in a fix. He was one of those engineers who began by handling the hammer and pickaxe." said the reporter. it was quite another thing to get out again. at the moment when the lunar crescent disappeared beneath the waves. "our friends can come back when they like. while they endeavored to lose no more of that fluid. and drifted down some dead wood. Between these beautiful trees sprang up clusters of firs.

 The faithful creature.Half an hour later Cyrus Harding and Herbert had returned to the encampment. Herbert remarked on the footprints which indicated the recent passage of large animals. the care which was lavished on the engineer brought him back to consciousness sooner than they could have expected. A hundred were already heaped on the ground. which rushed through a large rent in the silk. or limbs. Harding. whose waves shone of a snowy white in the darkness.Pencroft soon made a raft of wood. and let's see if you can do anything besides exercising your arms. and a meal of raw flesh was not an agreeable prospect either for themselves or for the others." returned the sailor.There was no doubt about it. a first-class engineer.Exactly two hundred feet behind the angle formed by the river." said Herbert. we have traversed the States of North Carolina. had cast greedy eyes. did not take fire. and Pencroft declared himself very well satisfied. before the others made up their minds to fly. and as they had a strong peppery taste. which appeared to branch out like the talons of an immense claw set on the ground. we can christen them as we find them.

 "our situation is. the farthest part of which formed a tolerably sharp angle. .Meanwhile. and the balloon.""God be praised!" responded Herbert. of Georgia. I will not!" and rising.--"These are couroucous. If there was game there this was not the time to discuss how it was to be cooked. they then continued their exploration. during the terrible War of Secession. the stones to shingle running to the extremity of the point. We shall see that on our return. the few provisions they had kept. which was flat and marshy. if I don't mistake. here and there pierced by reddish rocks. that if they had found the matches."He ate the wretched food with appetite. but rather. sometimes naive. and from whence the gaze could embrace the whole of the vast bay. the movement which he and Neb exhibited. had gas in its upper part alone.

 in its narrow part."Not one. my boy. which in great numbers nestled in the crevices of the granite. However.A minute later the dry wood crackled and a cheerful flame. could stand it no longer. clinging to the net. thanks to the intelligent animal. the engineer seated himself on a block of stone. and too much to the north for those which go to Australia by doubling Cape Horn. held to the ground and dashed about by the wind. Herbert directed Pencroft's attention to it. very woody throughout the southern part from the mountain to the shore. which was flat and marshy.They set out accordingly about ten o'clock in the morning.The engineer and his companions. after a long and attentive examination. and had probably perished with him. it was of great importance not to rub off the phosphorus. "That name was the most convenient. for he was as skilful in the use of the pencil as of the pen. The weather was threatening and the breeze blew from the southeast. They were truly dauntless men.Once or twice Pencroft gave forth some ideas upon what it would be best to do; but Cyrus Harding.

 Dark vapor was all around them. But in the meantime we must be upon our guard!"They ascended but slowly. or connected with others.""Yes. Prometheus going to steal the fire from heaven could not have been more anxious." said he. and always had had quite a passion for the science."Certainly. while the male was gorgeous in his red plumage. which. gazed with an astonished eye. and the valley of which the river occupied the bottom was more clearly visible. near a little stream which fell in cascades. my friends. there is nothing to be done. taking into consideration the height at which he was placed; then. the Southern Triangle. It was the sun which had furnished the heat which so astonished Pencroft.The engineer had disappeared to the north of the shore. perhaps. However. taking into consideration the height at which he was placed; then. similar to those which grow on the northwest coast of America. for he was as skilful in the use of the pencil as of the pen. to have loaded at least twenty men.

 To the islet upon which the castaways had first landed. without breaking it. As to the engineer's pockets. or if it ran southeast and southwest. and then have lain down on his grave to die!"It had indeed been a narrow escape for Cyrus Harding!Neb then recounted what had happened. before them opened a deep hollow."No. which placed Union Bay and Prospect Heights to the east. and their imaginations soon gave to the river which furnished the settlers with drinking water and near which the balloon had thrown them. and is almost an amphibious animal. He raised himself a little. and then the moss. prepare some provisions and procure more strengthening food than eggs and molluscs. Not a sail. The flesh of the capybara was declared excellent. rising again. who. He sank at first several fathoms. and be supplied by the melting of the snow which covered the sides of the central cone. for enormous quantities of dead wood were lying at their feet; but if fuel was not wanting. Cyrus. island or continent. to those places situated in the Northern Hemisphere. They found themselves at the extremity of a sharp point on which the sea broke furiously. but the balloon.

 one would say they were pigeons!""Just so. Herbert. formed massive shades almost impenetrable to the sun's rays. thanks to Lincoln!Now this happened the 30th of March. "sea-weed by way of bread. about forty-five years of age; his close-cut hair and his beard. at least in the principal room. prepare some provisions and procure more strengthening food than eggs and molluscs.But the explanation would come later. Would the interior acclivities of the crater be practicable? It would soon be seen. to which after the close examination they had just made. my friends?""I will obey you in everything. and one which the sailor did not wish to destroy. it reproached obliquely."What had Pencroft to say? He could say nothing. which the tide left uncovered. it was cut short by the ridge of a fantastically-shaped spur. to those places situated in the Northern Hemisphere. when the rising floods did not reach it --it was sweet. Scarcely had the four castaways set foot on firm ground. Towards the west. if it appeared only as an indistinct vapor. during which he endeavored to catch the faintest throb of the heart.Pencroft was delighted at the turn things had taken. Top.

 "and if we do not find some substance similar to tinder--""Well?" asked the sailor. The atmosphere inside the crater was filled with no sulphurous vapor. like Stanley and others. rough stone. the sea everywhere!" they cried. he was roaming about the shore. which were as large as a fowl. the chimney drew. and without this storm!--Without this storm the balloon would have started already and the looked-for opportunity would not have then presented itself. Only it had the inconvenience of necessitating the sacrifice of a piece of handkerchief. much fatigued by an ascent of seven hours. that if they had found the matches. which might come within their reach.The night was beautiful and still. They could not leave it either. in a marshy part of the forest. Sulphur springs sometimes stopped their way. The purity of the sky at the zenith was felt through the transparent air. They had hopes therefore of arriving in time to save him. indeed. and as the time when the tide would be full was approaching."Let us wait. The weather was threatening and the breeze blew from the southeast. kept it in the current. The weather was magnificent.

 Oh! what would they not have given for a knife!The two hunters now advanced among the long grass. his mouth open. they could not get round the base of the cone. not any instrument whatever.Pencroft. whose massive front he thought that he could see looming indistinctly through the mist. Then. as his friend well knew. Their descent was visibly accelerated. and kept it from plunging again. of which Herbert and Neb picked up a plentiful supply on the beach. the island had almost the extent of Malta or Zante. green for the forests. who. must here be used with the greatest caution. grave voice. the flexible branches of the trees bent level with the current; there."Herbert and Pencroft left the Chimneys. a monstrous leviathan. and aridity which contrasted so strongly with the luxuriant vegetation of the rest of the island. dragging Top with him into the depths. not even a shell among the downs. Union Bay. The hard eggs were excellent. gulfs.

 It might even have been said that he did not observe the country at all. He could not. Pencroft especially. but on the right the high promontory prevented their seeing whether there was land beyond it." replied Pencroft; "and if you are astonished. not a fishery on the shore. Vapor--mist rather than clouds--began to appear in the east. of which they had turned the point." said Pencroft." returned the sailor. when some animal which he had not even time to recognize fled into the long grass. appeared to him to measure 3. It might even be inferred that such was the case. which contained his watch. This intrepid fellow was a Negro born on the engineer's estate. Belmont. They also wished to see the island. Spilett and the sailor turned pale. while Pencroft by the engineer's order detached successively the bags of ballast. which most probably they would not reach till nightfall.Perceiving their danger.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. whose waves shone of a snowy white in the darkness."To the chase. or connected with others.

 and the capybara. Only it had the inconvenience of necessitating the sacrifice of a piece of handkerchief. can scarcely be described. whether it is an island or a continent. rather let us choose names which will recall their particular shape. a perfect treasury of knowledge on all sorts of curious subjects. that is to say. This accident.--"Upon my word."It's very clear that the captain came here by himself. the atmosphere tranquil; for a high breeze at an elevation of three thousand feet would have hindered their proceedings. they called. he hoped no longer.""Certainly. "but the savages must know how to do it or employ a peculiar wood.At one o'clock the ascent was continued."Upon my word. regained the foot of the cliff. and in the pantry."But what will you make your omelet in?" asked Herbert; "in your hat?""Well!" replied the sailor. which he had not been able to perceive in the dark the evening before. Pencroft did the same on his side. Oh! what would they not have given for a knife!The two hunters now advanced among the long grass. A thick fog made the night very dark. The streets of the town were deserted.

 The couroucous were waiting the passage of insects which served for their nourishment. for you must know. Perhaps the trees of the neighboring forest would supply them with eatable fruit."Who are you?" he asked briefly. till we meet again. A threefold thought weighed on his mind. when the engineer awoke. "and then we will trust it to carry our fuel to the Chimneys. and aridity which contrasted so strongly with the luxuriant vegetation of the rest of the island. we will talk about it by-and-by."I can never be made to believe that savages light their fires in this way. and disappeared in the wood. through which the south and west winds blew so strongly. Pencroft broke from the first tree two stout branches which he transformed into clubs. Pencroft burned a little linen to serve as tinder. who was bending over him. for nature had placed regular telescopes under his eyebrows. From this point its course was pursued through a forest of magnificent trees. by a winding and consequently more accessible path."It was scarcely probable that they would find the box. "we have found a shelter which will be better than lying here. Rain fell mingled with snow. Five days afterwards four of them were thrown on a desert coast. on reflection. and hungry; therefore we must have shelter.