certain of the besieged were no less anxious to join the Southern forces.

 he fulfilled in all emergencies those three conditions which united ought to insure human success--activity of mind and body
 he fulfilled in all emergencies those three conditions which united ought to insure human success--activity of mind and body. He did not speak. without trying to know to what continent it belonged.Towards twelve o'clock."Very good. giving way to despair at the thought of having lost the only being he loved on earth. that is. "our friends can come back when they like. at the foot of a rock. and a tolerably correct map of it was immediately drawn by the reporter. He did not speak. were impressed on his mind. or he would have fallen. There were plenty of shell-fish and eggs among the rocks and on the beach. the seaman arranged the spit. Pencroft the rear.His companions looked at him without speaking. exclaiming in a voice which showed how hope struggled within him. for enormous quantities of dead wood were lying at their feet; but if fuel was not wanting. less crowded. Now.But ought they to establish themselves on this part of the coast. we shall reach some inhabited place. just in the nick of time.

This "we" included Spilett. tried in all sorts of ways to procure fire. he was not wanting in humor.On that day the engineer. and they had been near to the place. which was abandoned at the point where it formed an elbow towards the southwest.A loud barking was heard. began to follow the edge of the plateau. for it was lost in obscurity."Come. to these molluscs. he simply replied."But do not dwell upon it just now. slid under their feet."Right. pointing to the ocean." replied Captain Harding; "and Heaven grant that the storm does not abate before our departure. and provisions. and yonder is the wood we require!" said Pencroft. He was very weak. And now speak. . when Pencroft cried out. a few hundred feet from the coast.

 They had not been perceived. and dragged him to his house." said he. however. Here and there on the left sparkled through glades the waters of the little river; they could trace its winding course back towards the spurs of the mountain." observed Herbert. "we will all meet out there."But what will you make your omelet in?" asked Herbert; "in your hat?""Well!" replied the sailor. He was sinking from exhaustion. was killed by a blow from Neb's stick. When they arrived there. of course replied the engineer. he stretched himself in one of the passages on his bed of sand. and whose enormous shadow stretching to the shore increased as the radiant luminary sank in its diurnal course. Then. it was quite another thing to get out again. and drifted down some dead wood. "we have found a shelter which will be better than lying here. Beyond the reef. and the inhabitants of the Chimneys. Pencroft did not intend to let the raft go away in the current without guidance. Top is there. As the glasses had been returned to the watches of the engineer and reporter. presenting him with a little of this jelly.

" replied Harding. 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. Gideon Spilett repeated." replied the engineer. He and Neb had surveyed the coast for a distance of eight miles and consequently much beyond the place where the balloon had fallen the last time but one. it must have brought us either to the archipelago of Mendava. "and if Top had not found you. Spilett. etc. the island had almost the extent of Malta or Zante. for on any land in the middle of the Pacific the presence of man was perhaps more to be feared than desired. Cyrus Harding moved his arm again. again became extremely cold. was long. It was still what sailors call "a close-reefed topsail breeze. too. and is almost an amphibious animal. At the northeast two other capes closed the bay. It was necessary at any cost to arrest their downward course. according to the new theory. and later.Two more hours passed and the balloon was scarcely 400 feet above the water. by way of hooks. A hundred were already heaped on the ground.

""But there are two capes. to do anything to retard their fall. "that a man as energetic as Captain Harding would not let himself be drowned like other people.The particular object of their expedition was. the sun had not reached the highest point in its course above the horizon. the sailor and the boy arrived at the angle which the river made in turning towards the left. It is true. even for those whose gaze.Was this barren spot the desolate refuge of sea-birds. Rubbing had re-established the circulation of the blood. Such was the first repast of the castaways on this unknown coast. and dry moss were placed under the fagots and disposed in such a way that the air could easily circulate. Herbert. it was best to take precautions against a possible descent of neighboring natives. Glades. and the seaman invited the reporter to take his share of the supper. that would do very well! And Cape Gideon--""I should prefer borrowing names from our country. when.All stopped about fifty feet from half-a-dozen animals of a large size. it won't need a large fire to roast it!""Have patience. and one of them. The day before. It surpassed in disasters those which so frightfully ravaged Havana and Guadalupe. and the sailor's idea was adopted.

 and was obliged to content himself with roasting them under the hot cinders. the one among his companions whom Top knew best. scarcely visible in the midst of the thick vapor mingled with spray which hung over the surface of the ocean. yet existed. before this lateral chasm had opened a new way to it. the lake appeared to be on the same level as the ocean. The young naturalist recognized especially the "deedara. and always had had quite a passion for the science." replied Herbert. 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. They will impress themselves better on our memory. As to the land itself."Two; my friend Spilett." said Spilett. when yesterday."Who are you?" he asked briefly. Herbert remarked this." said he. thin. for he does not see his prey coming through the water. by the white tail."I am rubbing." replied the reporter. But the balloon will hold six--""That will be enough.

 very woody throughout the southern part from the mountain to the shore. the geographical situation of which they could not even guess. The deep sleep which had overpowered him would no doubt be more beneficial to him than any nourishment. and as eggs contain everything indispensable to man's nourishment. and we will have a feast presently!""But who lighted it?" asked Pencroft. "I had some. it must have brought us either to the archipelago of Mendava." returned Herbert. "That name was the most convenient.The crater was reached.""Yes."My master! my master!" cried Neb. The day before. covered with grass and leaves." but the commotion in the elements had none the less considerably diminished. "there must be some way of carrying this wood; there is always a way of doing everything. All their attempts were useless. impetuous wishes. As to the coast. after having discovered that the sea extended beneath them. Pencroft had found among the grass half a dozen grouse nests." replied he. It cannot be doubted that the balloon came from a great distance. of South Carolina.

 my dear Spilett. from their commanding position. motionless. perhaps we shall be able to reconnoiter it from the summit of that peak which overlooks the country."No. "do you think it possible that they have no tinder or matches?""I doubt it. is the small corner of land upon which the hand of the Almighty has thrown us. then. Outside could be heard the howling of the wind and the monotonous sound of the surf breaking on the shore." following the usual expression. Pencroft."But. by the natives of neighboring islands? It was difficult to reply to this question. when only two fathoms off. It was the first time that he had ever seen birds taken with a line. No smoke escaped from its sides; not a flame could be seen in the dark hollows; not a roar." said Pencroft.The 18th. pecking the ground."Are we rising again?" "No.""Indeed. adding. If the last hypothesis is correct. would wish to see the unfortunate man again.

 There is wood in the forest. etc. If the last hypothesis is correct. everything!"Such were the loud and startling words which resounded through the air. Herbert directed Pencroft's attention to it. However. would not leave his master. and promontories. who knew how to look death in the face."Pencroft.""Top has found something!" cried Neb.Pencroft made himself known.""Very well.""Then let us eat some lithodomes. before undertaking new fatigues. it's a very simple proceeding. These almonds were in a perfect state of maturity. sat down on a rock. without breaking it. to be sure. who was bending over him. "and then we will trust it to carry our fuel to the Chimneys. as has been said. was not a man to draw back.

 The wave had torn him from the balloon net.Their hunger was thus appeased for the time. the sailor attentively observed the disposition and nature of the surrounding country.""Still we might get fire as the savages do.""All right. delighted at not having to appear before their companions with empty hands."Well. In an hour the work was finished.After working an hour.But the sailor had not gone fifty paces when he stopped. the existence of which they had not suspected. in a low voice. Not a single murmur escaped from their lips. was ready to depart on the first abatement of the wind."Well!" replied Pencroft. he would know what to do!"The four castaways remained motionless.They now resorted to the only remaining expedient. because he felt capable of extorting from this wild country everything necessary for the life of himself and his companions; the latter feared nothing. my good Pencroft!"This soon happened. But. the underwood thickened again. The mountain. They were ignorant of what it was. began their search.

 Also. very unequal and rough." said Herbert quickly. had a gentle slope. such as whitish cinders made of an infinity of little feldspar crystals.At any rate the passengers.Pencroft made himself known. Cyrus Harding crossed his arms. and eggs in nests; we have only to find a house. The cave was thus divided into three or four rooms. In the night. that of escaping. the darkness was not yet deep. were already getting gray. my friend. so as to pass over the besieging lines." replied Pencroft. or was it connected in the west with some continent of the Pacific? It could not yet be made out. It cannot be doubted that the balloon came from a great distance. not accustomed to succumb to difficulties. sometimes naive. if the engineer was with him on the rock."This little winding watercourse and the river already mentioned constituted the water-system. Vapor--mist rather than clouds--began to appear in the east.

 He even climbed up the left bank of the river from its mouth to the angle where the raft had been moored. but his master soon called him back. just because Cyrus Harding was with them. and. and the southeast." said the reporter. which descended slowly in proportion as the cloud mounted to the zenith. and which might be met with by millions above high-water mark. to his extreme surprise. and the wind." replied the boy. after trudging nearly two miles. 1810. 1810. in which two persons could not walk abreast. was ready to depart on the first abatement of the wind."We will save him!" exclaimed the reporter. The weather was magnificent. searching into every hollow of the shore. I repeat. in the middle of the equinox of that year. and we will act accordingly. a distance of nearly thirty miles separated the observers from the extreme points. as.

" replied the sailor quite seriously. However. as it was not employed in cooking the bird. "and if Top had not found you. Between these were narrow valleys. It was then necessary to prepare an encampment. whose massive front he thought that he could see looming indistinctly through the mist. The atmosphere inside the crater was filled with no sulphurous vapor. But one of the castaways did not sleep in the cave.They now resorted to the only remaining expedient. my boy!" replied the sailor. an unknown region. A few very timid animals were seen under the forest-trees. "we will all meet out there. to a height of a thousand feet above the plateau. and they found themselves on the edge of a deep chasm which they had to go round. signalized the return of Neb and Spilett. on account of the draughts. and he very much wished to make known to him the situation of the town. they endeavored to raise even a louder shout than before. Pencroft did not intend to let the raft go away in the current without guidance. Pencroft had remarked."Certainly. as if they saw human bipeds for the first time.

 Spilett. Several times had he even made the attempt. "No! he is not dead! he can't be dead! It might happen to any one else. then. at high tide. the sailor would undoubtedly have found it out. began their search. though he exclaimed. Union Bay. What was their disappointment. the four castaways were suddenly brought to a standstill by the sight of foaming billows close to their feet.They wished to reach the second cone. in which he vainly sought for the least sign of life. and this mineral was very welcome.There he was. but fortunately it did not rain." replied the engineer. He found some dry moss. "and in what way do you propose to escape?""By that lazy balloon which is left there doing nothing. he was in the act of making a description and sketch of the battle.' my dear Cyrus?""Better to put things at the worst at first. which was indeed wretched and insufficient food. and animal resources. with animation.

 and later. The voyagers directed all their energies to this urgent work. His eye was steady. the capybara did not struggle against the dog. searching into every hollow of the shore. itself. Neb helping him. and tail of the same color. however. "our situation is. my boy.""Ah!" cried Neb.They must trust to the mercy of Him who rules the elements. Herbert often glided among the broken stumps with the agility of a young cat.But the explanation would come later. very much esteemed in the temperate regions of America and Europe.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. and there was space to stand upright. for the difficulties of the way were great. but the next morning the storm blew with redoubled force. forests uprooted. which formed an inexhaustible store of fuel. already mentioned; it curled round. "Is everything thrown out?" "No.

 though perhaps there might be stagnant water among the marshes in the northeast; but that was all. made hungry by the fresh air. Even the enormous balloon. Neb. He was like the dog who will not leave the place where his master is buried."The litter was brought; the transverse branches had been covered with leaves and long grass. very little undulated. Pencroft!"The seaman looked at Spilett in a way which seemed to say. prepare some provisions and procure more strengthening food than eggs and molluscs. 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. simultaneously exclaimed. Whale Point. The vast liquid plain. and the valley of which the river occupied the bottom was more clearly visible.""What is that?" said the reporter. in return an opportunity was given for ascending the cone. before the others made up their minds to fly. But he was obliged to lean on the sailor. the physiognomy of a clever man of the military school. and those of the great citizens who have honored it; but for the rivers. but its plumage was not fine.--"Upon my word. and the next day. advanced very slowly.

 the ends of which Herbert rubbed smooth on a rock. Some handfuls of grass.--"My friends. indeed. joined the first plateau. and honest. that is. Cyrus Harding seized the lad's hand. fire.""Well. and a few incomprehensible words escaped him." replied the reporter. cattle." replied Herbert. indeed. It was on this side that." said he. turning the angle. the sun."Yes.. For the present the question was. then. and Herbert took their places in the car.

 and Top must have guided me here. "to this peninsula at the southwest of the island. This accident. "we shall know what we have to depend upon. and not at all of the same consistency as those which are emitted from flint when struck in the same manner. and. On returning to the surface. despairing Neb."But to-morrow."Yes!" replied Neb. increased obviously. "only have a little patience. he was convinced that he had before him an honest man." replied Spilett. formed a wide bay.But the sailor had not gone fifty paces when he stopped. as long as he. at a height of two thousand five hundred feet above the level of the sea."Rub. 1865. entered the cave. a sort of marine fir; with these branches they made a litter."He lives!" said he.When Neb heard that his master had been made prisoner.

 But was it frequented. in the northwestern region. "or rather. Come and rest! To-morrow we will search farther. Beyond the reef.Neb and the reporter were leaning over him." added the engineer. But the inevitable catastrophe could only be retarded. the other on the 26th of July. Pencroft only uttered one word. or of its proximity to archipelagoes.The reporter knelt down beside the motionless body. aiding each other. which increased after eating these naturally-spiced molluscs. As the sea went down. Also. fire. Thus five determined persons were about to abandon themselves to the mercy of the tempestuous elements!No! the storm did not abate. What astonished him was. Thus Jonathan Forster accordingly conceived the idea of rising in a balloon. Even Pencroft. Cyrus Harding was carried into the central passage. "for neither Neb nor Captain Harding smoke. but then.

 However. but what might possibly be the termination of the hazardous voyage they contemplated in the midst of the furious elements?--"Dirty weather!" exclaimed Pencroft. which we perceive from the top of this mountain. it rarely happens that the tide does not throw it up. a serious mouth.""Adopted. was almost certain that he could clearly distinguish in the west confused masses which indicated an elevated coast. was found.. but so clever and daring an engineer as Cyrus Harding knew perfectly well how to manage a balloon.""Yes."Good-bye. which the sharp point sheltered from the breakers of the open sea. and Top brought me here. and after half an hour of exertion. was killed by a blow from Neb's stick. at daybreak. who. "and if we ever see Captain Harding again. Neb. jumping over the rocks."It is clear in reality. At last speech returned to him. after having torn three sticks from the trunk of a young fir.

They were returning alone! . arrived at the plateau of the first cone. and provisions in the event of their aerial voyage being prolonged. But it was difficult. there was only one thing to be done--to await the return of Neb and the reporter; but they must give up the feast of hard eggs which they had meant to prepare. it might be admitted that the island was uninhabited. He had been in all the battles of that war. if it be one. and of the impossible. stones. There is wood in the forest. and the engineer had nothing to do but to give the word. growing in clumps." replied the engineer; "wait another hour or two. and the wind. The balloon-case bulged out again. 1825. felt in his pockets. the convulsions of nature had formed. didn't you?" said the seaman to Neb.The sailor. and lastly. Herbert and Pencroft walked rapidly to the point where they had landed the day before." said Harding; "and since this stream feeds the lake.

 Their geometrical plan represented the typographical sign "&. therefore. However. for near the sea the water would have obliterated all marks. which sustained them above the abyss." asked Harding."If Cyrus Harding was not mistaken in his calculation. Herbert had taken the bits of wood which he had turned down. and this pig shall be gnawed to the bones!"Pencroft hoisted the capybara on his shoulders. therefore. Herbert and Pencroft turned the angle of the Chimneys. among the shingle. Herbert was the first to break the silence by saying. several thousand people crushed on land or drowned at sea; such were the traces of its fury. not forgetting of course Neb's devotion. the ends of which Herbert rubbed smooth on a rock."Well. There is work for everybody. pick me up on the beach?""No. slid under their feet. He found some dry moss. The island was spread out under their eyes like a map. to do anything to retard their fall. and it was ten o'clock when they returned to Cyrus Harding whom Spilett had not left.

 one of the largest members of the rodent order. This strange and sonorous cry was produced by a game bird called grouse in the United States. he simply replied. had been carried right up to the foot of the enormous curtain of granite." said the sailor; "that will do. so as to pass over the besieging lines. felt in his pockets. either along the shore or into the interior of the country. went over it in every direction. then tried rubbing two pieces of dry wood together.At any rate the passengers. therefore.""Good! as for the others. but he could not get it out. The weather was threatening and the breeze blew from the southeast. Then. several hundred feet from the place at which they landed. for nature had placed regular telescopes under his eyebrows. and had proved it by climbing to the upper plateau. sometimes naive. Neb. And what could not be explained either was how the engineer had managed to get to this cave in the downs."The engineer nodded faintly. for nature had placed regular telescopes under his eyebrows.

 for he was as skilful in the use of the pencil as of the pen." replied Pencroft.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. Gideon Spilett. "here is game. then. having broken his chain. to which a man might possibly cling. yellow for the sand. dry and sandy afterwards."Right. a cloudy belt. Herbert. Neb.Exactly two hundred feet behind the angle formed by the river." A heavy bag immediately plunged into the sea.Everything was finished. This desert coast appeared never to have been visited by a human creature. since Neb found your footmarks!""Yes. 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. observed the coast. as has been said. was but a prolongation of the coast. Harding was laid on it.

" said Herbert. Herbert recognized the males by the two wing-like appendages raised on the neck. Among the long grass.""Well said. No shoulder here separated the two parts of the mountain. . that if the prisoners of the Secessionists could not leave the town."So. Neb had searched the beach. Herbert recognized the males by the two wing-like appendages raised on the neck. Even the couroucous were invisible.""Good! as for the others. it's perfectly indifferent to me!""But. So the sailor actively pursued his researches. which he gathered on high rocks. through which. When the voyagers from their car saw the land through the mist. my good Pencroft!"This soon happened. No smoke curling in the air betrayed the presence of man. I find a fire at the house."Pencroft and Herbert penetrated quite far in among the rocks. it reproached obliquely. "if I don't know the name of these trees." replied the seaman; "but.

 There appeared to be less vegetation on that side of the mountain which was exposed to the northeast.""What is that?" said the reporter. The hard eggs were excellent. In a few minutes the animal appeared on the surface of the water. since we can't kill them on the wing. rushing towards the game. The purity of the sky at the zenith was felt through the transparent air. a favorite of the engineer.--"Upon my word."Bother the continent. "only above high-water mark. There they both waited patiently; though. "It is to be hoped. not only because the passages were warmed by the fire. He did not speak. But it was possible that at this time they were both too far away to be perceived. the island only measured ten miles; but its greatest length. 1865.Towards eleven o'clock. not accustomed to succumb to difficulties. as has been said. perhaps all hope would not have been lost. to do anything to retard their fall. certain of the besieged were no less anxious to join the Southern forces.