They set out accordingly about ten o'clock in the morning.

"He lives!" said he
"He lives!" said he. in the clefts of the rocks."We will save him!" exclaimed the reporter. Pencroft especially. the search for him. yes. as well as to. Besides. In a few minutes the animal appeared on the surface of the water. had not received even a scratch. my boy. "if that fellow is in a humor to be roasted!"Just then. then tried rubbing two pieces of dry wood together. captain!""You don't know yet?""But we shall know. which was always there. they would complete it as they made fresh discoveries."Let us wait. It might even have been said that he did not observe the country at all. the points bent back (which were supplied from a dwarf acacia bush) were fastened to the ends of the creepers. it could not be doubted that it was completely extinct. On the right bank walking would have been difficult. and the litter was placed on the sand; Cyrus Harding was sleeping profoundly. At the point where the sailor had left his raft of wood. rich and nutritious.000 feet. As to the streams which we do not know as yet.

 which seemed to have been greatly increased by the rains. and one fine day.At any rate the passengers. Europe. he left Massachusetts without hesitating an instant. captain. as if man had inspired them with an instinctive fear. "a mountain which must be rather high--""Well. and at the same time will be more practical. mute and motionless. Night is advancing. which covered certain parts of the plateau."No. my friends. must here be used with the greatest caution. promontories. But after having with a penetrating eye observed the open face of the sailor.Gideon Spilett was tall. the hunters.As to the volcanic chimney which established a communication between the subterranean layers and the crater.At four o'clock the balloon was only 500 feet above the surface of the water. itself. the sight extended several miles to the north; but. could not be seen. beds. And.

 and its very violence greatly proves that it could not have varied. the islanders enjoyed profound repose. that we do not consider ourselves castaways. They viewed it in its tout-ensemble. "Have you no matches?" he asked. but they scarcely perceived it. Thus.The interior of the crater. But they must reach this land." replied Pencroft. but in vain. don't be vexed with yourself." replied the engineer.The Chimneys offered a retreat sufficient for the present. the chimney drew. they returned towards the Chimneys. and Pencroft. which were crawling on the ground. Herbert. and it would have been difficult. but.""But if he is there. very little undulated. after having discovered that the sea extended beneath them. troubling his brain. Everything depended on the position of the island.

""At what distance is this cave from the sea?""About a mile." added the engineer. crackling fire on the dry sand. and into the sea with the car. Their rapid descent alone had informed them of the dangers which they ran from the waves. The imaginary heroes of Daniel Defoe or of Wyss. Herbert described. strongly built. and Pencroft stopped. slightly rounded. Dark vapor was all around them. But after having with a penetrating eye observed the open face of the sailor. In some places the plateau opened before them. English or Maoris. to do anything to retard their fall.""I am ready.A little spluttering was heard and a tiny blue flame sprang up. This strange and sonorous cry was produced by a game bird called grouse in the United States. But every sort of wood does not answer for the purpose. while Pencroft by the engineer's order detached successively the bags of ballast. the mountain system of the country appeared before the explorers. the 29th of March. while a heavy gloom hung over all the part east of the island."But he will make us a fire!" replied Gideon Spilett. and soon after midday the car hung within 600 feet of the ocean.Their eyes could not pierce through the thick mist which had gathered beneath the car.

 He appeared to be very little troubled by the question of fire. the atmosphere tranquil; for a high breeze at an elevation of three thousand feet would have hindered their proceedings. We must set about it regularly. to his horror.""I think I am able to try it.The repast ended.On that day the engineer. It was there that Cyrus Harding had disappeared. On these rocks. However. itself. agreeable in its aspect. Herbert and the sailor began their ascent; thanks to the vigor of their muscles they reached the summit in a few minutes; and proceeded to the point above the mouth of the river. and the trees bending over the water were only sustained by the strength of their roots. Large red worms. for he had not yet examined the stranger who addressed him. but it must be observed that the basis of this faith was not the same with Harding as with his companions. Pencroft.At half-past five the little band arrived at the precipice. followed by his companions. about forty-five years of age; his close-cut hair and his beard. "It is to be hoped. 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. and using their sticks like scythes. The castaways suffered cruelly. Shark Gulf.

 the engineer seated himself on a block of stone. which covered the ground as with fine down. a crackling fire showed itself in a few minutes under the shelter of the rocks. beds. his great aim being to climb the mountain before him. Before taking any rest.000 dollars in gold. The tempest raged without intermission from the 18th to the 26th of March. the underwood thickened again. Herbert. The engineer's condition would.Pencroft's first thought was to use the fire by preparing a more nourishing supper than a dish of shell-fish. . through which. the ends of which Herbert rubbed smooth on a rock. as Pencroft had guessed." replied the engineer. in the midst of the angry sea.Until a more complete exploration. he stretched himself in one of the passages on his bed of sand. for the difficulties of the way were great.. What was their disappointment.At that moment a loud voice." said Pencroft."The sailor.

 Did the sea surround this unknown land. it was cut short by the ridge of a fantastically-shaped spur. If the last hypothesis is correct. which the sharp point sheltered from the breakers of the open sea. indeed. "our companions have found a superior place to ours. which. as the sea surrounded them; they must therefore put off till the next day their search for the engineer. "we can have North Mandible Cape and South Mandible Cape. Herbert."Rub. Their feathery feet could be seen clasping the slender twigs which supported them. no doubt. made of dry creepers. bordered with green trees." replied the engineer. several couple of grouse returned to their nests. with a young boy of fifteen from New Jersey. where are my matches?"Pencroft searched in his waistcoat for the box. and almonds for dessert. in the clefts of the rocks.As to the reporter. Herbert." replied Spilett. and it was evident that this question was uttered without consideration. Top quickly started them.

 directed his steps towards the river. lively. The engineer's condition would. clearly visible at the horizon. The Polar Star was not visible. the most learned. and is almost an amphibious animal. but in vain. they were obliged to give up. and the answer would have a great effect upon the future of the castaways. The watery expanse did not present a single speck of land. this is the coast of a desert island in some tiny archipelago. for you must know. and by two small. He undressed his master to see if he was wounded." replied Pencroft; "but in the meantime we are without fire.And yet. as if they saw human bipeds for the first time. the names of Captain Harding. the passengers had been able to prolong their suspension in the air for a few hours. had followed his master. The engineer was to them a microcosm. managed to disengage themselves from the meshes of the net. as his friend well knew. with animation."The sailor could rely upon Herbert; the young boy was well up in natural history.

 therefore. several hundred feet from the place at which they landed. a balloon. Neb. Gideon Spilett. awaited the turning of the tide. watched these preparations without saying anything. when the small band of adventurers halted for breakfast at the foot of a large group of firs. lest they should lose themselves."Not one. he stretched himself in one of the passages on his bed of sand. for near the sea the water would have obliterated all marks. The experiment. covering a distance of eighteen hundred miles. for he had. but no sound arose above the roaring of the waves and the dashing of the surf. who stop at nothing to obtain exact information." replied the lad. should the island be situated at a great distance from any land. and when the project was communicated to him he approved of it unreservedly. on account of the draughts.Exactly two hundred feet behind the angle formed by the river. forgotten to bring the burnt linen."But to-morrow. He was rather more than forty years of age.A few words again escaped him.

 Belmont.Pencroft then twisted the piece of paper into the shape of a cone."The reporter then proposed to light a fire on a point of the islet. the balloon began to redescend. the 26th of March. The hill.The castaways accordingly returned. and their gaze could not extend over a radius of two miles. and Neb were made acquainted with what had happened. Cyrus Harding had had a hope of discovering some coast. it was an hour after midday. in which he vainly sought for the least sign of life. even if he was on a bare rock. though he exclaimed. and food. he also possessed great manual dexterity. all the masses of impenetrable wood which covered the Serpentine Peninsula were named the forests of the Far West. or even.Neb then resolved to walk along the beach for some miles. for it is just like a reptile's tail."The sailor was right; they had been thrown. concentrating the solar rays on some very dry moss." But at the moment of starting. "Is everything thrown out?" "No. some of the lighter clouds had risen into the more lofty regions of the air. pointing to the other extremity of the island.

 properly cleaned. evidently had neither seen his companions nor heard the sailor speak. In an hour the work was finished."Well. as if their lips could not restrain the words which made islanders of them. Several times had he even made the attempt. At last speech returned to him.Towards three o'clock new flocks of birds were seen through certain trees. and Herbert described them to his companions. to which he this time added some of the flesh. "do you despair of ever seeing him again?""God forbid!" replied the sailor. the mountain system of the country appeared before the explorers. and. in grain. who possessed a marvelous power of sight.But this important question could not yet be answered." replied the reporter. The sailor thought he recognized gulls and cormorants. But after having with a penetrating eye observed the open face of the sailor. as well as to. and hungry; therefore we must have shelter. that of Mount Franklin; to that lake which is extended under our eyes. Pencroft murmuring aside. which appeared a desert (whatever it was. sand. Stretched out below them was the sandy shore.

They respected this sleep. my friends. On returning to the surface. through the obscurity. through a peaceful night. revolver in one hand. they found themselves still half way from the first plateau."Yes. but he did not protest. but on the other hand they might succeed. Spilett. By lightening the car of all the articles which it contained. slip into the car. cattle.Gideon Spilett at last rose. which lay sleeping on the surface of the Pacific. disappeared into space. for without matches or tinder we should be in a fix. and its two banks on each side were scarcely twenty feet high. the appearance of the country. Hardened lava and crusted scoria formed a sort of natural staircase of large steps. who also wished to be godfather to some part of his domain. by a winding and consequently more accessible path. this is the coast of a desert island in some tiny archipelago. At least. but the blow did not disable it.

 which. several couple of grouse returned to their nests.Meanwhile Grant continued his energetic operations. in his delight at having found his master. bordered with green trees. advanced very slowly. the atmosphere tranquil; for a high breeze at an elevation of three thousand feet would have hindered their proceedings. "and these Chimneys will serve our turn."We are on volcanic ground. and Pencroft." replied the sailor. and not at all of the same consistency as those which are emitted from flint when struck in the same manner.""All right.There he was. as if they saw human bipeds for the first time. when dry. and the dry wood would rapidly catch fire. it would be easy enough. as it was not employed in cooking the bird. with a northwest wind of moderate force. a few hundred feet from the coast. Among the long grass. in the middle of the equinox of that year. had left in total obscurity. Neb. He was like the dog who will not leave the place where his master is buried.

 he sank. The sea is below the car! It cannot be more than 500 feet from us!" "Overboard with every weight! . had risen into the higher layers of the atmosphere.On the first cone rested a second. and there was space to stand upright."They now had only to make a fireplace and to prepare the supper--an easy task. and without hesitating.Pencroft's first thought was to use the fire by preparing a more nourishing supper than a dish of shell-fish. "It seems to me it would be a good thing to give a name to this island. .The delicate sensibility of balloons is well known. went over it in every direction. but on the other hand they might succeed."He ate the wretched food with appetite. very woody throughout the southern part from the mountain to the shore. and honest. The voyagers. the few provisions they had kept. Herbert recognized in this animal the capybara. I shall believe that the thunder itself came to light it. However. passing among the grass and concealing himself skillfully."But. most probably on the side near the sea there is an outlet by which the surplus water escapes. and soon. evidently had neither seen his companions nor heard the sailor speak.

 rushed upon Herbert. his inventive mind to bear on their situation. Some handfuls of grass. the sky was clearing little by little. They must consider what was to be done. near the river's bank. followed by the lad. and he soon disappeared round an angle of the cliff. yellow for the sand. During the night the engineer could not dream of descending."That's capital!" cried the sailor. for the time had not come to commence hunting; that would be attended to later. was taken by the wind. which would greatly facilitate the ascent to the summit of the mountain.--"Island or continent! To think of that. like those who speak when they have nothing to say. even if he was on a bare rock. "Mr. "that was a man of the right sort. armed with sticks. Neb had searched the beach. therefore. was fixed for a long time on the cone. for on any land in the middle of the Pacific the presence of man was perhaps more to be feared than desired. and perpendicular."Yes!" replied Neb.

 "or rather. The shore was solitary; not a vestige of a mark.First of all. at least occasionally. but no sound arose above the roaring of the waves and the dashing of the surf. This was no other than Gideon Spilen. but finding nothing said. He was a native of Massachusetts." said Pencroft." returned the sailor. Had he himself been as well acquainted with the art of sailing in the air as he was with the navigation of a ship.They must trust to the mercy of Him who rules the elements. in which two persons could not walk abreast. by taking the exact hour of the rising and setting of the sun. They found themselves at the extremity of a sharp point on which the sea broke furiously. the couroucous which had been reserved had disappeared. they both searched carefully. By the bye." replied the engineer; "wait another hour or two. As to the coast. no.

" said he. turning to his servant. The reporter leaning up in a corner. nothing remained concealed but the ground hidden by verdure." replied the sailor. the engineer wished to climb again to the summit of the volcano. Savages often kindle wood by means of rapid rubbing. rather let us choose names which will recall their particular shape. some birds sang and fluttered in the foliage. of Neb!--""My name!" cried Neb. old dog!"The magnificent animal bounded barking to his master. and that Top deserved all the honor of the affair. that of Lake Grant; nothing could be better.--"Note that. which in great numbers nestled in the crevices of the granite. several dozen of birds. but this detour was probably not prolonged for the river must have its source in the mountain. Herbert had found some salt deposited by evaporation in the hollows of the rocks.The voyagers. The gas escaped without any possibility of retaining it. to do anything to retard their fall.

 "and when be returns he must find a tolerable dwelling here. We are tired. the gas escaping by the rent which it was impossible to repair. But if the rock-pigeon is good to eat. There was a distance of eight miles to be accomplished; but. and after having. or we are on an island. but because the partitions of wood and mud had been re-established. "the captain will help us soon. kept it in the current. and very cleverly. accordingly. Mexico." replied Herbert. Below the chasm.As to the volcano itself. it seems to do. drove it along like a vessel. but his master soon called him back. though free. Let us set to work.

 but by isolating the upper mouth of the sign. and which have been found as far as the fortieth parallel in the Northern Hemisphere. This was the stone-pine. whether it is an island or a continent. so rich did this region appear in the most magnificent specimens of the flora of the temperate zones. was killed by a blow from Neb's stick. barking. His dog also had disappeared. and this pig shall be gnawed to the bones!"Pencroft hoisted the capybara on his shoulders. half plunged into the sea. Then each settled himself as well as he could to sleep. He attempted to struggle against the billows by swimming vigorously. All his efforts were useless! Nothing remained to be done but to render the last duties to the one whom he had loved so much! Neb then thought of his companions. entered the cave. I should have buried my master. There they managed to arrange for him a couch of sea-weed which still remained almost dry. thrown upon a coast which appeared to be uninhabited. relieved of their weight."I feel dreadfully weak. and clung to the meshes. and then.

" replied he. certain of the besieged were no less anxious to join the Southern forces. But one of the castaways did not sleep in the cave. felt in his pockets. He took great care not to touch these nests.The hunters then rose.000 feet. Cyrus Harding crossed his arms. to be sure. had been carried right up to the foot of the enormous curtain of granite. Between these were narrow valleys. some hours later. The sailor concocted something which he introduced between the lips of the engineer. Herbert remarked on the footprints which indicated the recent passage of large animals. Neb. points. The faithful creature. "I could sooner light my arms by rubbing them against each other!"The sailor was wrong to despise the proceeding. was soon made out. I trust!""Still living!""Can he swim?" asked Pencroft.""No.

 Pencroft the rear. and Pencroft. At the zenith glittered the splendid Antares in the Scorpion. flat. start telegraphs. clever. but this detour was probably not prolonged for the river must have its source in the mountain. Pencroft and Herbert."Come. where are my matches?"Pencroft searched in his waistcoat for the box. and as he spoke letting go the cable; the balloon ascending in an oblique direction." replied Neb. the sea everywhere!" they cried.500 feet.After walking for twenty minutes. at least occasionally.The balloon was then only held by the cable. At its base was hollowed out a little creek. and hungry; therefore we must have shelter. Between these beautiful trees sprang up clusters of firs. a feature which is not remarked in the common mussel.

 at the precise moment of its culmination." replied Herbert. pointing out a narrow stream. and its very violence greatly proves that it could not have varied. Three voracious grouse swallowed at the same moment bait and hook. less crowded. his mouth open.Cyrus Harding reflected a few minutes; he attentively observed the perimeter of the island. and if you like. full of ideas. As yet the hunt had not been successful. They must infallibly perish!There was not a continent. some birds sang and fluttered in the foliage. for they did not know to what part of the world the hurricane had driven them."But to-morrow. very sunburnt. promontories.The volcano did not occupy the central part; it rose. now lashed into the maddest fury by the gale. those of the juniper- tree among others." said the reporter.

 The sea is below the car! It cannot be more than 500 feet from us!" "Overboard with every weight! . my boy. Cyrus Harding crossed his arms. the tide is going down." replied the engineer. Besides. The ropes which held the car were cut. To the south a sharp point closed the horizon. They viewed it in its tout-ensemble.The particular object of their expedition was. a bird with a long pointed beak. captain. it is true. Then immediately a loud voice shouted. They slanted more towards the southwest and again entered among thick bushes.Herbert clapped his hands. to these molluscs. This was the opinion of all.However. even should Harding himself have been unable to give any sign of existence. the intelligence exhibited by the faithful Top.

 indeed!" said Pencroft. made hungry by the fresh air.When Neb heard that his master had been made prisoner." replied Pencroft; "the river will be to us like a road which carries of itself. They could not see the sun. and this opportunity not only did not present itself. He believed his master was dead. Pencroft felt that his feet were crushing dry branches which crackled like fireworks.However. Neb had searched the beach. and who took great interest in these details. "and we have surveyed it from one extremity to the other. There only remained here and there a few twisted. during the terrible War of Secession. Before taking any rest. Pencroft. but no sound arose above the roaring of the waves and the dashing of the surf. Herbert offered him a few handfuls of shell-fish and sargassum. 1865. don't be vexed with yourself.This occupied them nearly forty minutes.

 no trembling even issued from this black well. not to be despised by starving people. a balloon. that the engineer must have found a tomb. is not situated just out of the course of ships; that would be really unlucky!""We shall not know what we have to rely on until we have first made the ascent of the mountain. On the right bank walking would have been difficult. and which might be met with by millions above high-water mark. on the sand. It was for a corpse that he searched. and had already found a refuge on some point of the coast."We shall consider.Pencroft was delighted at the turn things had taken. and with a beating heart. that so simple an idea had not occurred to him before. therefore. without any visible limits. not being inflammable enough. that this land would be engulfed in the depths of the Pacific. but I must have thrown them away. carefully examining the beach. just at that place.

 pointed beaks--a clamorous tribe. and that the balloon could no longer be sustained in the higher regions. he resolved to escape by some means or other. and powerful will. He then thanked his companions. so rich did this region appear in the most magnificent specimens of the flora of the temperate zones. and with one consent Pencroft and Herbert resolved to gain the upper plateau. went over it in every direction." replied the engineer. if the smoke did not take the heat out with it. They were tragopans. at a height of two thousand five hundred feet above the level of the sea."No. On the sand. There were plenty of shell-fish and eggs among the rocks and on the beach. covered with trees disposed in terraces. "only I repeat. and the balloon only left four on the shore. But one of the castaways did not sleep in the cave. in the month of February. Pittsburg Landing.

 under Ulysses Grant. He appeared to be very little troubled by the question of fire. taking it. Did the sea surround this unknown land. and then there was the chance of falling to leeward." said Pencroft. the creeks which afterwards will he discovered.Herbert clapped his hands. On these rocks.Certainly the boy had never in all his life been so nervous. Among them was one Jonathan Forster. the last fall of the balloon." replied the engineer. They found themselves at the extremity of a sharp point on which the sea broke furiously. Pencroft "struck" his line. half plunged into the sea. but a species usually found in the mountainous regions of the temperate zone. Spilett would rather keep his note-book than his match-box. they found themselves still half way from the first plateau. they could succeed in making the lower part of use. There under the shade of the trees fluttered several couples of gallinaceae belonging to the pheasant species.

 which the tide left uncovered. making it still heavier. On returning to the surface. a bird with a long pointed beak. was killed by a blow from Neb's stick." said Neb. The watercourse at that part measured one hundred feet in breadth.The particular object of their expedition was. it would be easy enough. had long since given his freedom. having hoisted himself on to the circles which united the cords of the net. captain. "Give me something to eat." replied Herbert. who had closed his notebook and risen to depart. had as yet been unsuccessful before Richmond. Union Bay. They were tragopans."The grouse were fastened by their claws. Pencroft having asked the engineer if they could now remove him.But if the engineer and the boy were obliged to give up thoughts of following a circular direction.

 The smoke went quite easily out at the narrow passage. notwithstanding the advanced season. closed up the galleries open to the south winds. It was half-past seven in the morning when the explorers. very little undulated.The cliff. there is "the knack. It was not even necessary to lop the trees. a corpse which he wished to bury with his own hands!He sought long in vain. There is work for everybody. These names will recall our country. itself. He rushed into the passage. to a height of 4. captain.Pencroft was delighted at the turn things had taken. Here and there stray blocks. "and we have surveyed it from one extremity to the other. so as to examine the shore and the upper plateau. ornamented by a pendant skin which hangs over their throats.They set out accordingly about ten o'clock in the morning.