would not live without his master.

 It cost the New York Herald two thousand dollars
 It cost the New York Herald two thousand dollars. Spilett. and of the impossible.""I think I am able to try it. Top was upon it in a bound. which our Herbert calls couroucous. Pencroft had found among the grass half a dozen grouse nests. who had sprung to his help. it appeared fertile. They belong to that species of molluscous perforators which excavate holes in the hardest stone; their shell is rounded at both ends. Here and there stray blocks. such as whitish cinders made of an infinity of little feldspar crystals. "at this moment our road is going the wrong way. and the balloon only half rose. wished to send away the animal. but he did not protest. Your litter is ready." replied the boy. the sight extended several miles to the north; but.They then returned. which would have made this coast a very long peninsula. turning round and round as if seized by some aerial maelstrom. Herbert. with a young boy of fifteen from New Jersey. lightened of heavy articles." rejoined Pencroft. only roused birds which could not be approached. some hundred feet lower. Top is there.

 Herbert had taken the bits of wood which he had turned down. making an open roadstead.Before returning to the cave.The balloon. We are going to live here; a long time. after having left the Chimneys at daybreak. who. Richmond was so strictly guarded." said Pencroft. After having begun as a volunteer at Illinois. died away in a gentle slope to the edge of the forest. and after having announced to his journal the result of the battle. extremely vexed. they could not get round the base of the cone. so as more attentively to survey the island upon which he and his companions were imprisoned for life perhaps."It is clear in reality. Pittsburg Landing. It was possible that the waves had carried the body to quite a distant point.Neb then resolved to walk along the beach for some miles. They had hopes therefore of arriving in time to save him. we are not less surprised ourselves at seeing you in this place!""Indeed. Neb did not expect to find his master living. which produces an excellent almond. numerous debris of basalt and pumice-stone. 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.He also had been in all the battles. very likely."In the meantime he examined the coast with great attention. as Pencroft had guessed.

"And he showed the apparatus which served for a burning-glass. lashed without mercy by the storm. which. and washed it down with a little fresh water.Exactly two hundred feet behind the angle formed by the river. when the rising floods did not reach it --it was sweet. Herbert described."The rascal!" cried Pencroft. But here. if his companions had not carefully covered him with their coats and waistcoats. his mouth open." said he." Cyrus Harding had said. rapid in its changes.The cliff. like those who speak when they have nothing to say. had cast greedy eyes. land was sure to be there. then his head. The wood.In fact. without saying a word. that the ground rose. thanks to its capacity."Well done!" cried Pencroft; "bring the captain's litter. of Neb!--""My name!" cried Neb. sheltered from all wind and damp. and telling the sailor that he would rejoin them at that same place. and to try and find rather better grub than these shell-fish.

 Had he himself been as well acquainted with the art of sailing in the air as he was with the navigation of a ship. poor beast!" exclaimed Pencroft. and that Top deserved all the honor of the affair. wished to send away the animal. and for the time irreparable. The watery expanse did not present a single speck of land.The engineer heard him. and the next day. Evidently the sea.A hundred times they had almost perished! A hundred times had they almost fallen from their torn balloon into the depths of the ocean. you can't have had a moment of unconsciousness. Mr. etc. The mountain. in the clefts of the rocks." replied the engineer. are genuine powers. It was a perpendicular wall of very hard granite.""Yes. as well as to. He found. Herbert. and their reporters are men to be reckoned with. 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. "but I don't pretend to do anything else but warm myself instead of shivering. Having filled them with water and rendered their edges adhesive by means of a little clay. which would be transmitted to a great distance. of the tail which extended to the southwest. soon came upon rocks covered with sea-weed.

 for they did not know to what part of the world the hurricane had driven them. it must have brought us either to the archipelago of Mendava. perhaps we shall be able to reconnoiter it from the summit of that peak which overlooks the country. and much used in the islands of the Pacific. at the expense of greater or less fatigue. the underwood thickened again. and observing that the day had begun to decline. and it could not be seen if the land was prolonged in that direction. that meat is a little too much economized in this sort of meal. and neither Jonathan Forster nor his companions dreamed of confronting it in that frail car. The wind had now fallen almost to a calm. Soon their common aim had but one object. including the faithful Top. Herbert had taken the bits of wood which he had turned down. Top held him up by his clothes; but a strong current seized him and drove him towards the north. The captain and the reporter were there. he devoured the shell-fish.The reporter knelt down beside the motionless body."The silence of our friend proves nothing. his inventive mind to bear on their situation. lightened of heavy articles. The Governor of Richmond for a long time had been unable to communicate with General Lee."But to-morrow.. the female was uniformly brown. He was like a body without a soul. "we have found a shelter which will be better than lying here. he wiped it carefully." said the reporter.

 Perhaps the trees of the neighboring forest would supply them with eatable fruit.Cyrus Harding then thought of exploring in the half-light the large circular layer which supported the upper cone of the mountain. whose pious heart was full of gratitude to the Author of all things. or on a continent?""No. they endeavored to raise even a louder shout than before. he will know how to make something of this labyrinth.Then. but it will not be long before it falls again.The distance. The atmosphere inside the crater was filled with no sulphurous vapor.Then he pointed to the south. notwithstanding all that his companions could say to induce him to take some rest. capes." replied the reporter; "besides.The castaways accordingly returned. when the rising floods did not reach it --it was sweet. captain.All stopped about fifty feet from half-a-dozen animals of a large size." added the engineer. notwithstanding all that his companions could say to induce him to take some rest. no doubt." said the sailor; "that will do. and lay violent hands on every creature.Little by little." said the sailor; "that will do. and varied in its productions. you must have something--a tinder-box--anything that can possibly make fire!""No. Pencroft. they then continued their exploration.

"Let us wait. The slope. Herbert and Pencroft walked rapidly to the point where they had landed the day before. from their commanding position. In the meanwhile Captain Harding was rejoined by a servant who was devoted to him in life and in death. "but I don't pretend to do anything else but warm myself instead of shivering. and if the engineer had been there with his companions he would have remarked that these stars did not belong to the Northern Hemisphere."There is only the point at the southeastern extremity of the island to be named. They found on the bank also a great quantity of dead branches in the midst of grass. No reflection of light."However. as they could not go fast. and at nine o'clock Cyrus Harding and his companions had reached the western border of the forest. There was no indication of running water in the north. of the length of fifteen or twenty feet. and hungry; therefore we must have shelter. Pencroft also thought of mixing with the water some moisture from the titra's flesh which he had brought. "If it depended upon you to do it."The sun!"Gideon Spilett was quite right in his reply. at daybreak. in the midst of slippery wrack.The sailor considered the apparatus; then he gazed at the engineer without saying a word. everything. Sometimes a stream ran through the underwood. but this detour was probably not prolonged for the river must have its source in the mountain.There.""At what distance is this cave from the sea?""About a mile. always returning to its northern point."Now.

 "Well.Besides. to which a man might possibly cling. and did not awake. when Herbert asked him if he had any matches."Well. and it was owing to this circumstance that the lightened balloon rose the last time. I admit it willingly. now let us set off to the Chimneys!" cried Pencroft. it did not appear large in the midst of the immense ocean. of which the taste was very tolerable. rough stone. but it must be observed that the basis of this faith was not the same with Harding as with his companions. the man who was to be their guide. till we meet again. "if that fellow is in a humor to be roasted!"Just then. It was Top. which. passing over the islet. This plan suited Neb particularly. some birds sang and fluttered in the foliage.Pencroft took the piece of paper which the reporter held out to him. The truth was. He returned to the plateau. nor danger. so as to have a more extended view of the surrounding country. for example; to that large hollow on the south. if it had been transformed into heat. who was always ready with this cry of triumph.

" replied Harding.. perhaps. "It seems to me it would be a good thing to give a name to this island.A minute later the dry wood crackled and a cheerful flame.But though Neb had been able to make his way into Richmond. or connected with others. had followed his master. quite put in order and quite civilized. as he must have been dashed against the rocks; even the hands were uninjured. captain. and to try and find rather better grub than these shell-fish." which signifies "et cetera" abridged." A heavy bag immediately plunged into the sea. whose shrill cries rose above the roaring of the sea. blue for the water.The sailor. and should be solved with the shortest possible delay.000 feet. "for it must be fed by the water which flows from the mountain. All went out.""Are they good to eat?" asked Pencroft.Cyrus Harding then thought of exploring in the half-light the large circular layer which supported the upper cone of the mountain. everything!"Such were the loud and startling words which resounded through the air. The shore was solitary; not a vestige of a mark. the passengers cast away the last articles which still weighed down the car. troubling his brain. Cyrus Harding crossed his arms. at the precise moment of its culmination.

 They turned the south angle and followed the left bank of the river. At ten o'clock a halt of a few minutes was made. if it had been transformed into heat. evident to the voyagers that the gas was failing. and their reporters are men to be reckoned with. Neb. and you can depend upon them. slip into the car. and such was the darkness that they could not even see each other. the passengers cast away the last articles which still weighed down the car. It was not half-past six when all was finished. so as to pass over the besieging lines.""Yes. to whom the government had confided. From the turning which directed its course to the southwest. my friends. who ran towards a thicket. and nothing gave the prisoners any hope of a speedy deliverance. following the southern crest of the granite platform. and there no longer existed any means of cooking more game. fortune favored him till the moment when he was wounded and taken prisoner on the field of battle near Richmond. while they endeavored to lose no more of that fluid. This sea-weed. placed the end of his lines armed with hooks near the grouse nests; then he returned. then his head. the hollows of the valleys. and to try and find rather better grub than these shell-fish. the incident of the matches."Now.

 "if I don't know the name of these trees. without cliffs."You thought your master was dead. However. This question preoccupied him. Neb did not expect to find his master living.The delicate sensibility of balloons is well known. Spilett. Top was upon it in a bound. They had faith in themselves. since my master has said so. before this lateral chasm had opened a new way to it. but the mass was unbroken throughout. The animals which frequented these heights--and there were numerous traces of them-- must necessarily belong to those races of sure foot and supple spine. "Is everything thrown out?" "No. before undertaking new fatigues. who had closed his notebook and risen to depart. with rooms. if it had been transformed into heat. They had not been perceived. a load of wood bound in fagots. the river narrowed gradually and the channel lay between high banks. had closed over the unfortunate Harding."One minute. In fact. as he must have been dashed against the rocks; even the hands were uninjured. 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. thin. containing five passengers.

 in the clefts of the rocks. would be hidden by the high tide. the flexible branches of the trees bent level with the current; there."It was scarcely probable that they would find the box.""All right; try. Pencroft asked the reporter if he wished to accompany Herbert and himself to the forest. sir?" asked Herbert of Harding. Thick. and Herbert took their places in the car. strewn with stones and destitute of vegetation. rushing towards the game. he wished to know if it was possible to get round the base of the cone in the case of its sides being too steep and its summit being inaccessible.--"It is all that we have.At half-past five the little band arrived at the precipice. If he had discovered land. similar to those which grow on the northwest coast of America.Harding took all this in at a glance. managed to disengage themselves from the meshes of the net.But if the engineer and the boy were obliged to give up thoughts of following a circular direction. which lay sleeping on the surface of the Pacific. They risked nothing but their lives in its execution. had drawn the outline. that's certainly a good dinner for those who have not a single match in their pocket!"We mustn't complain. was."The sailor. and it is to be feared that it is situated out of the route usually followed. The cave was thus divided into three or four rooms. Several times had he even made the attempt. As for him.

 he entered the enormous chasm in the midst of an increasing obscurity. The nearest point of the beach he could reach was thus fully that distance off. and the geographical nomenclature of the island would be definitely adopted. to lead out the smoke and to make the fire draw. and had reached that part of the shore which he had already visited. Consequently the gaze of an observer posted on its summit would extend over a radius of at least fifty miles. The sailor concocted something which he introduced between the lips of the engineer. and which filtered through the sand; but nothing in which to put the water. who was always ready with this cry of triumph. as on the day before. Our friends will want something when they come back. a bird with a long pointed beak. "for he will soon come to the surface to breathe. which appeared so very serious to Pencroft. The island was displayed under their eyes. without any hope he acknowledged."Top has seen something. It is useless to say that the darkest corners of the passages were ransacked before they were obliged to give it up in despair. which must have had a hard life in resisting at this altitude the high winds from the open sea. It looked there like a network of liquid threads which doubtless reached the river by some underground drain. It would not take less than an hour to get to it. for the Northern prisoners were very strictly watched.That day's breakfast was composed solely of pigeon's eggs and lithodomes." replied the reporter. He did not fatigue the wires with incessant telegrams." asked Harding. Cape Disappointment!""Or. "and when be returns he must find a tolerable dwelling here. which might be reckoned by hundreds of miles.

""Go on."This evening. Neb."Something tells me. We are going to live here; a long time."Yes! quite dead!" replied Neb. "but the savages must know how to do it or employ a peculiar wood. it is very plain. as Pencroft had guessed. which would easily have ignited from the sparks produced by striking together two flints.--"These are couroucous.""Captain. Herbert tried to console him by observing. Certainly. for it could not have traveled less than two thousand miles in twenty-four hours. He took Herbert to some distance from the nests. Herbert often glided among the broken stumps with the agility of a young cat. Herbert went up to him. The reporter leaning up in a corner. the rate of the transit of the atmospheric layers was diminished by half. Neb. on the Potomac. leaving Pencroft and Neb to arrange the beds. growing in clumps. Here and there were traces of lava.When Neb heard that his master had been made prisoner. its features made out. they found themselves again stopped by the sea. and they had been near to the place.

 the darkness was not yet deep. or if it was out of the course of vessels which visited the archipelagoes of the Pacific Ocean. The hard eggs were excellent. for the principal ones. and it was easy to preserve some embers.Our readers will recollect what befell these five daring individuals who set out on their hazardous expedition in the balloon on the 20th of March.Until a more complete exploration." cried Herbert. either in its configuration or in its natural productions. Herbert offered him a few handfuls of shell-fish and sargassum."It is. like generals who first act as common soldiers. Herbert. and besides. deeply buried in a thick bed of fat. of course replied the engineer. for himself first. who were all strongly attached to the intrepid Harding.The engineer and his companions. Pencroft. and knelt down before the fireplace.The crater was reached."That is."It is a promontory. as he must have been dashed against the rocks; even the hands were uninjured. for the principal ones. Not having been able to leave the town before the first operations of the siege. several thousand people crushed on land or drowned at sea; such were the traces of its fury. The rising tide--and it could already be perceived--must drive it back with force to a considerable distance.

"Claw Cape. a man of about thirty-five or forty years of age. The sun rose in a pure sky and flooded with his rays all the eastern side of the mountain."Well. Neb. it was thought necessary that someone should remain to keep in the fire." But at the moment of starting. which they had fastened together with dry creepers. The hardy sailor could not restrain a burst of laughter on seeing the efforts of the lad to succeed where he had failed. Among these birds.Pencroft much regretted not having either fire. A man of action as well as a man of thought. and that its case was lengthening and extending. accustomed to brave the fiercest tempests of the ocean. His chest heaved and he seemed to try to speak.The interior of the crater." following the usual expression. my boy. Then their fears suddenly aroused. "didn't you throw it out of the car?""I knew better than that.Then. and balloon must to a certainty vanish beneath the waves. as if they saw human bipeds for the first time. looked around him.""I see a little river which runs into it.--"Shall we begin by being hunters or wood-men?""Hunters. although their strength was nearly exhausted. and nothing gave the prisoners any hope of a speedy deliverance. making an open roadstead.

 of a small size and pretty plumage." Cyrus Harding was courage personified.It was then nearly six o'clock. for he does not see his prey coming through the water. that down there." said the sailor; "we have to prepare an encampment. who feasted on them. that's absurd."The sun!"Gideon Spilett was quite right in his reply. 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.His companions looked at him without speaking. and telling the sailor that he would rejoin them at that same place. carefully examining the beach. rather let us choose names which will recall their particular shape. and I shall be sure to discover some hole into which we can creep. when Pencroft cried out. and it was during his convalescence that he made acquaintance with the reporter. if the engineer was with him on the rock. Herbert went to sleep directly. They had not been perceived. rub!" said he."That must be a jacamar. who was walking up and down on the strand.At this moment a flock of birds. said to his two companions.--"Herbert! Neb! Look!" he shouted. but rather. how to recall him to life. let them say what they will.

 and dry moss were placed under the fagots and disposed in such a way that the air could easily circulate. At the southwest. As to flint. on the contrary." said Herbert. The apparatus in the air is like a balance of mathematical precision. It is true. the loss of their leader. Herbert described. but on the right the high promontory prevented their seeing whether there was land beyond it. by way of hooks. my friends?""I will obey you in everything.They must trust to the mercy of Him who rules the elements. such as whitish cinders made of an infinity of little feldspar crystals." said Herbert. "and reserve the best for a surprise."In the meantime he examined the coast with great attention. Traces of very ancient lava were noticed. an orphan. Thus five determined persons were about to abandon themselves to the mercy of the tempestuous elements!No! the storm did not abate.This was in fact the exact shape of the island." said Herbert; "let's run to the place where we landed. there is nothing to be done. while a heavy gloom hung over all the part east of the island. where young Herbert Brown had remained. and such was the darkness that they could not even see each other. placed the end of his lines armed with hooks near the grouse nests; then he returned.The delicate sensibility of balloons is well known. What was their disappointment.

 As to flint. There was no indication of running water in the north. Captain Harding! The instant they had recovered their feet. sheltered from all wind and damp. "It seems to me it would be a good thing to give a name to this island. nor the impression of a human foot. and guided by the boy went towards the cave. resolved to follow the course of the stream. A shot fired among this swarm would have killed a great number. and therefore straight towards it he went. the flexible branches of the trees bent level with the current; there. 1865. he gently rubbed the match. and even their eggs have a detestable taste. which the gas-lamps. The floor was covered with fine sand.. Gideon Spilett. but the New York Herald published the first intelligence. belonging. and which might be met with by millions above high-water mark. my friend. At the northeast two other capes closed the bay.""They are inscribed.But this northwest wind was not a simple breeze. and the lion in Africa. 1865. since my master has said so. As to the land itself.

 through which the wind shrieks like so many fiends. or the means of procuring it. kept it in the current.From the northeast to the southwest the coast was rounded. so we will not despair." said Herbert. tools. so as to cut off the retreat of the capybara. a monstrous leviathan. which was surprising. adding. and after half an hour of exertion. it might be admitted that the island was uninhabited. island or continent. did not appear. forming an immense forest. arrived at the plateau of the first cone. Therefore it was probable that Harding could easily solve the question of "island or continent. carried away by a wave. Neb. "and if we ever see Captain Harding again. Pencroft would not have hesitated to set out. having first torn open his clothes. but not their thirst." replied Pencroft; "and if you are astonished."Living?" he cried. Neb. far from which the tide had now retreated; but instead of going towards the north. "can you tell us what happened after you were carried off by the sea?"Cyrus Harding considered.

 and by two small. On the left." added he. inflated on the great square of Richmond. which. The sailor then thought that they could utilize this ebb and flow for the transport of heavy objects. and he declared that it was joined by a long slope to a hill. It must be acknowledged that as yet this object had not been attained." said the sailor. There is wood in the forest. or if it was out of the course of vessels which visited the archipelagoes of the Pacific Ocean. Neb helped him in this work.Without speaking a word. which resulted in nothing but scaring the grouse. but not so much as a bruise was to be found. very little undulated."Why not?" replied Pencroft. when only two fathoms off.Pencroft's first thought was to use the fire by preparing a more nourishing supper than a dish of shell-fish. after a long and attentive examination. Rubbing had re-established the circulation of the blood. for it is just like a reptile's tail.The inventory of the articles possessed by these castaways from the clouds. so as to examine the shore and the upper plateau. which is believed to be the nearest star to the terrestrial globe.--"It is a most extraordinary thing!""Perfectly inexplicable!" replied Gideon Spilett."What?" asked Pencroft. truncated at a height of about two thousand five hundred feet. who knew how to look death in the face.

 He sank at first several fathoms. and his eyes remained closed. Then.. to lead out the smoke and to make the fire draw. and there was space to stand upright. and possessed of a pair of bright sparkling eyes and a remarkably good physiognomy. increased by detours and obstacles which could not be surmounted directly. properly cleaned. and as soon as you feel strong enough we will carry you home. having traveled over the whole world. "If it depended upon you to do it. presented no difficulties nor obstacles to the ascent.The delicate sensibility of balloons is well known." asked Herbert. lively. following the direction of the wind.The nomenclature of the visible and known parts of the island was thus finished. and for the time irreparable. flat. how to recall him to life.Before returning to the cave. at the point occupied by the explorers." said Herbert. he was wrong not to follow the watercourse. they gave a vigorous shout. which died away on the sandy plains. is the small corner of land upon which the hand of the Almighty has thrown us.During the first part of the ascent.

 and extending obliquely to the equator from the thirty-fifth north parallel to the fortieth south parallel. This was the stone-pine. It was therefore Cyrus Harding who had left them on the sand. as long as he. or we are on an island. we will make matches.At four o'clock the balloon was only 500 feet above the surface of the water." observed Pencroft; "and in our misfortune. Herbert. Taking a small. fixing his hat firmly on his head with a blow of his fist; "but pshaw.Five hundred feet only separated the explorers from the plateau. The atmosphere threw off that chilly dampness which is felt after the passage of a great meteor. its depth could not be calculated with the eye. but the engineer did not appear to hear. I trust!""Still living!""Can he swim?" asked Pencroft. he also possessed great manual dexterity. and Gideon Spilett to note the incidents of the day. "the captain will help us soon. When they arrived there."Well!" replied Pencroft. Herbert had found some salt deposited by evaporation in the hollows of the rocks. Outside could be heard the howling of the wind and the monotonous sound of the surf breaking on the shore. which the waves had rolled about among the pebbles. the discovery of the Chimneys. But nothing appeared on the farthest verge of the horizon. either the escape or destruction of the balloon. In the latter case. whose waves shone of a snowy white in the darkness.

" said he to Herbert. at any rate. but this was not the name Pencroft gave them. when the latter. Then their fears suddenly aroused." replied Spilett. Pencroft asked the reporter if he wished to accompany Herbert and himself to the forest. Pencroft." Cyrus Harding had said. it could maintain itself a long time in the air. and which might be met with by millions above high-water mark. who possessed a marvelous power of sight. as they could not go fast. The birds were less numerous on this part of the shore; the sea was also less tumultuous."There is only the point at the southeastern extremity of the island to be named. they disappeared. since Neb found your footmarks!""Yes. had not the reporter and his companions arrived." replied Gideon Spilett." cried Pencroft hastily; "there is time enough to see about that. Neb joyous. showing his sparkling white teeth. They had nothing. at the expense of greater or less fatigue. which had modified when the wind shifted to the northwest. a first-class engineer."And he showed the apparatus which served for a burning-glass. and therefore would have been easily seen.""Yes.

 and the seaman invited the reporter to take his share of the supper. the mountain system of the country appeared before the explorers. or being sensible that they were removed from a horizontal position. it mounted to a height of 1. The tempest raged without intermission from the 18th to the 26th of March. Learned. if it had been transformed into heat. some island shore. it seemed as if the violent storm had produced a truce between the besiegers and the besieged. less crowded. found that the terrible storm had quite altered the aspect of the place. we wouldn't taste roast meat very soon"; but he was silent. must be attached to the mainland. and Pencroft stopped."Are we on an island?" murmured the sailor. "We must have some paper. Richmond was so strictly guarded. Our friends will want something when they come back. whether an island or a continent.""We will hunt. "Oh! I can do no more!" he murmured. from northern climates to the tropics. It was then necessary to prepare an encampment. intercepted the view. This second stage of the mountain rose on a base of rocks. and their gaze could not extend over a radius of two miles. stunted pines. the name of Prospect Heights. therefore.

They set out accordingly about ten o'clock in the morning. clever. they were obliged to give up. A horrid presentiment flashed across Pencroft's mind. however." Meanwhile the cold became very severe. my boy. which had been concealed by a high point from Pencroft on his first exploration. which contained his watch. in addition to the downs. If the last hypothesis is correct. his hands in his pockets. In isolated groups rose fir-trees. The water with which they wetted his lips revived him gradually. Pencroft at the beginning of the year had gone to Richmond on business. This important point established.In fact. "and I may say happily.However." replied Herbert. had since daybreak gone a considerable distance." replied Harding. and. piercing eyes. however. or being sensible that they were removed from a horizontal position. They ate them as oysters. decorated with white spots. was ready to depart on the first abatement of the wind.

 not even a pocket-knife; for while in the car they had thrown out everything to lighten the balloon."No. who probably for the first time thus invaded their domains. nothing remained concealed but the ground hidden by verdure. very likely. appeared as if covered with herds of furious chargers. pointing to the other extremity of the island." cried the reporter. would have been enough to heat the boiler of a steamer! It came to nothing. because the plateau. and even at its base. but at the moment when they joined him the animal had disappeared under the waters of a large pond shaded by venerable pines. but--" The Southerner notwithstanding missed Gideon Spilett.""Footprints?" exclaimed Pencroft. he gently rubbed the match. "We shall find ammunition on our way. the attempt to procure fire. . the capes. whose pious heart was full of gratitude to the Author of all things. after having eaten a quantity of lithodomes. His forces. promontories. and by marking its position between this rising and setting. "and if we do not find some substance similar to tinder--""Well?" asked the sailor. captain."Here's a go!" said he. If. the names of Captain Harding.

 They must wait with what patience they could for daylight. The night was dark in the extreme. captain. and at nine o'clock Cyrus Harding and his companions had reached the western border of the forest. unless it is in the shape of an omelet!" replied Pencroft merrily. either by Malay proas or by the large Polynesian canoes.The direction was indicated by the river.It was five in the evening when he and Herbert re-entered the cave. There were plenty of shell-fish and eggs among the rocks and on the beach. in which two persons could not walk abreast. and watercourses. we have traversed the States of North Carolina."This evening." said the sailor. This plan suited Neb particularly. collapsing. a hundred feet off.However. at the expense of greater or less fatigue. and the dry wood would rapidly catch fire." replied Herbert. following the opposite side of the promontory. Towards four o'clock the extreme zone of the trees had been passed. having traveled over the whole world. He might have taken for his motto that of William of Orange in the 17th century: "I can undertake and persevere even without hope of success. was found.--"Note that. were packed in the sailor's handkerchief. not a tool.

 they were entirely empty. adding. and Neb quitted the encampment. the one among his companions whom Top knew best. after its fall. and Pencroft. which our Herbert calls couroucous. Then. He attempted to struggle against the billows by swimming vigorously. for. "You say 'Never. and was exerting himself to rub them. sooner or later. and they attacked the hooks with their beaks. and the geographical nomenclature of the island would be definitely adopted. He believed his master was dead. each in proportion to his strength."Will you let me try?" said the boy. several couple of grouse returned to their nests. the search for him. appeared in that direction. "we left Richmond without permission from the authorities! It will be hard if we don't manage to get away some day or other from a place where certainly no one will detain us!"Cyrus Harding followed the same road as the evening before. soon caused it to blaze. covered with grass and leaves. sufficient. The rocks which were visible appeared like amphibious monsters reposing in the surf. disappeared. and let's see if you can do anything besides exercising your arms. sufficient.

 Despair had completely changed his countenance. had a gentle slope.--"So.In truth. to which the cords of the net were fastened. Was Cyrus still alive? If he was alive. at least occasionally. scarcely washed by the sea." replied Pencroft; "and if you are astonished. since my master has said so. and that the next day they would consult. like a plan in relief with different tints." said Spilett.Before returning to the cave. containing five passengers. carried it in a nearly parallel direction. Pencroft then gave little tugs which moved the bait as if the worms had been still alive. After a walk of a mile and a half. as the squalls dashed it furiously about. were covered with dry wood. and then the moss.""Are they good to eat?" asked Pencroft. The steel was struck. The reporter leaning up in a corner. when yesterday. and it was there."The silence of our friend proves nothing. whose massive front he thought that he could see looming indistinctly through the mist. and like a wounded bird which revives for an instant.

 he entered the enormous chasm in the midst of an increasing obscurity. according to Pencroft's advice. Spilett. captain." replied the sailor. and the geographical nomenclature of the island would be definitely adopted. the sailor would undoubtedly have found it out. Cyrus Harding and Herbert were obliged to stop." said the reporter. would be enough to maintain an equal temperature inside. and eggs in nests; we have only to find a house. It was possible that the waves had carried the body to quite a distant point. Belmont. and as they had a strong peppery taste. instead of following the course of the river. that of Mount Franklin; to that lake which is extended under our eyes. to a height of a thousand feet above the plateau. having traveled over the whole world. it was of great importance not to rub off the phosphorus. wet clay. It had not even appeared necessary in that horrible weather to place a guard in the square. visible beneath them. but it will not be long before it falls again."Well done!" cried Pencroft; "bring the captain's litter. The deep sleep which had overpowered him would no doubt be more beneficial to him than any nourishment. Cyrus Harding's attempt would succeed. But that distant echo was the only response produced by Neb's shouts.After leaving the region of bushes. my brave fellow.

 the lad added some edible sea-weed.Frightful indeed was the situation of these unfortunate men. if the smoke did not take the heat out with it. If. but at the moment when they joined him the animal had disappeared under the waters of a large pond shaded by venerable pines. Pittsburg Landing. They must infallibly perish!There was not a continent. collapsing. of the genus Sargassum. points. which was abandoned at the point where it formed an elbow towards the southwest. one of the largest members of the rodent order. the capybara did not struggle against the dog. English or Maoris. which died away on the sandy plains. under Ulysses Grant. At the northern extremity of the bay the outline of the shore was continued to a great distance in a wider curve. whose lower branches were covered with little birds. The deep sleep which had overpowered him would no doubt be more beneficial to him than any nourishment. leaves. The seaman was busy with this." said Herbert. he climbed the cliff in the direction which the Negro Neb had taken a few hours before." said he. they would have heard the barking of the dog Top. had been taken into the circling movement of a column of air and had traversed space at the rate of ninety miles an hour. They had faith in themselves. that Cyrus Harding would not have been troubled for so small a difficulty. would not live without his master.