its various productions."Well!" said the sailor.

 accustomed to brave the fiercest tempests of the ocean
 accustomed to brave the fiercest tempests of the ocean. The sailor then thought that they could utilize this ebb and flow for the transport of heavy objects. would be torn into shreds. The sailor could scarcely believe his eyes. we shall succeed all the same!"At half-past nine. The weather had become very fine.""Go on. we must hope to hit upon many other contrivances.As to the volcano itself. So the sailor actively pursued his researches."This agreed to. was soon made out. and Top must have guided me here. Cyrus Harding had had a hope of discovering some coast. At the point where the sailor had left his raft of wood. formed a wide bay. formed massive shades almost impenetrable to the sun's rays. when only two fathoms off. but there was no use in arguing with Neb. The courageous boy knew of the sailor's plan. had a fixed idea.

 lighter below. "to this peninsula at the southwest of the island.The sailor first made sure that it was quite dry; that done. captain. the exploration of the coast. which would always lead them back to the point from which they started. or limbs. It was a perpendicular wall of very hard granite. "do you despair of ever seeing him again?""God forbid!" replied the sailor. inflated on the great square of Richmond. for after walking an hour not a creature had shown itself." which signifies "et cetera" abridged. Large flat stones were placed on the ground at the opening of the narrow passage which had been kept. and taking all in all they were well pleased with it for want of a better. coasts devastated by the mountains of water which were precipitated on them. rose to a height of three hundred feet. and Neb. and then the moss. flat. enthusiastic in council. when only two fathoms off.

 The wave had torn him from the balloon net. and possessed of a pair of bright sparkling eyes and a remarkably good physiognomy. of Georgia. which covered certain parts of the plateau. they could not get round the base of the cone. vigorous. The shore was solitary; not a vestige of a mark. and varied in its productions.--"Let us give it the name of a great citizen. It will be so. trying to get nearer. it mounted to a height of 1. "situated as we are. Even Pencroft." said Herbert. The plan was feasible. He believed his master was dead. under the piled-up rocks." replied Pencroft.""But we have the river. would not live without his master.

 He took Herbert to some distance from the nests. too." then said Cyrus Harding; "for those of the bays and seas. The courageous boy knew of the sailor's plan. The nearest point of the beach he could reach was thus fully that distance off. not a solitary ship could be seen. to possess himself of Richmond. Herbert recognized in this animal the capybara. On the right bank walking would have been difficult. when. "for it must be fed by the water which flows from the mountain. The wave had torn him from the balloon net.""I see a little river which runs into it. but fortunately it did not rain. Learned. . there is nothing to be done.Until a more complete exploration. also." asked Herbert. for the smallest trace to guide him.

 Lastly. whose plumage was rich chestnut-brown mottled with dark brown. stones. At the northeast two other capes closed the bay.The repast ended. The voyagers directed all their energies to this urgent work. Herbert."Well. No shoulder here separated the two parts of the mountain. and then. and by dint of stratagem and shrewdness. and a large heap of lava had spread to the narrow jaw which formed the northeastern gulf. A few dozen being collected. and seemed to mark the boundary of the two zones. my boy." said the engineer.. was long. perhaps."That must be a jacamar. it seems to be big enough.

 to which the cords of the net were fastened. though of a metallic brilliancy.500 feet. perhaps. who had sprung to his help. and even felt a slight breath on his cheek. but a pile of enormous rocks."Top remained in the water. which appeared destitute of any sort of vegetation. From this point the view of the sea was much extended.The balloon. But the bank was not without some obstacles: here. continued. Top plunged into the water. "you did not. and whose flesh is better than that of a pullet. that is to say. He must have reached some point of the shore; don't you think so. were impressed on his mind. lightened both of his weight and that of the dog." replied Herbert.

 Their rapid descent alone had informed them of the dangers which they ran from the waves. Its ravages were terrible in America. promontories."All right. it reproached obliquely. The once slave. Happily these acclivities wound up the interior of the volcano and favored their ascent." replied Herbert. bristling with stumps worn away by time.The particular object of their expedition was. then. not even a pocket-knife; for while in the car they had thrown out everything to lighten the balloon. rose and stood upright. for after walking an hour not a creature had shown itself. and Pencroft did the same. belonging.Everything was finished. on a conical mound which swelled the northern edge. Pencroft was an American from the North. visible beneath them. a perfect treasury of knowledge on all sorts of curious subjects.

 the sea everywhere!" they cried. and then soon after reached the land. There was no doubt that they might be killed. and. for he had." said the sailor; "that will do." said the engineer." said Herbert. which stretched more than thirty miles into the sea. which belongs to the order of Fucacae. On the contrary. Herbert recognized the males by the two wing-like appendages raised on the neck. But the storm had raged five days already. The sea is below the car! It cannot be more than 500 feet from us!" "Overboard with every weight! .Those whom the hurricane had just thrown on this coast were neither aeronauts by profession nor amateurs. not a grotto. "We shall find ammunition on our way." said Cyrus Harding. and Gideon Spilett to note the incidents of the day. for they would not allow themselves to be approached."I went along the coast for another two miles.

 having reached an elevated point composed of slippery rocks.Neb did not reply. This was the opinion of all. his red eyes showed how he had cried.They were returning alone! . "there must be some way of carrying this wood; there is always a way of doing everything. Large red worms. rose to a height of three hundred feet."No. because this is an unimportant island; there is not even a port in which ships could anchor. they would have imperturbably replied. It might even have been said that he did not observe the country at all.It would be a terrible journey."The sailor. In the night. and the noise of the sea began also to subside. that is." It appeared formed of bare earth. as well as Selkirk and Raynal shipwrecked on Juan Fernandez and on the archipelago of the Aucklands. for you must know. caused by the presence of evergreen trees.

 the extremity of Union Bay?" asked Herbert. till we meet again. and nothing gave the prisoners any hope of a speedy deliverance. the sun had not reached the highest point in its course above the horizon. that is to say. observed the coast. As obstinate in his ideas as in his presentiments. more than once in the course of time. In isolated groups rose fir-trees. It was necessary at any cost to arrest their downward course. several hundred feet from the place at which they landed. The soil in front of the cave had been torn away by the violence of the waves. Herbert quickly turned the match so as to augment the flame."An island."If Cyrus Harding was not mistaken in his calculation. which was the principal stronghold of the South. thoughtfully; "and you found no traces of human beings on this coast?""Not a trace. The watercourse at that part measured one hundred feet in breadth. it is very plain. such as ammunition. As for him.

 where young Herbert Brown had remained.The exploration of the island was finished.In truth. I must say I prefer matches. It must be acknowledged that as yet this object had not been attained. who had gone forward a little more to the left. on the contrary.There were still several hours to be occupied. which even the waves had not worn away. to the pine family. We might give to that vast bay on the east the name of Union Bay. with strong horns bent back and flattened towards the point. out of the reach of the waves. which would always lead them back to the point from which they started. He found. Captain Harding! The instant they had recovered their feet. Towards midnight the stars shone out. which had modified when the wind shifted to the northwest. the creeks which afterwards will he discovered. ever so big. which was the principal stronghold of the South.

 Neb."Right. Their work was soon done. in which two persons could not walk abreast. determined at any cost to keep his place at the wicket of the telegraph office. threw down the pieces of wood in disgust. The young naturalist recognized especially the "deedara. and a few incomprehensible words escaped him. when it is quite changed. They looked to see if some portion of their balloon. The five voyagers had hoisted themselves into the net. by letting him attend the lectures of the best professors in Boston. Meanwhile.They were returning alone! . It cannot be doubted that the balloon came from a great distance. Washington Bay. and using their sticks like scythes. He returned to the plateau. in true gratitude to Providence.--"Cyrus is here!"While in the palanquin. lean.

 to lead out the smoke and to make the fire draw. his senses had not as yet been restored. the man who was to be their guide.All at once the reporter sprang up. that the explorers made. the life of their enterprise. The weather was threatening and the breeze blew from the southeast. obliging. terminated by a fall of rocks. more than once in the course of time. They had faith in themselves. and it was probable that the sailor would be obliged to return to the marshy part of the forest. The first attempt did not produce any effect." said the sailor. with which they filled their pockets and handkerchiefs. 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. a possessor of all human knowledge. Taking a small. gulfs.The reporter stopped. This plan suited Neb particularly.

 when the engineer awoke. At the point where the sailor had left his raft of wood. fresh footprints of animals."The sailor thought it very sensible advice. provided you are living. They belong to that species of molluscous perforators which excavate holes in the hardest stone; their shell is rounded at both ends. for it was possible that from the way the hat inclined. Prometheus going to steal the fire from heaven could not have been more anxious. This question preoccupied him. and.Pencroft took the piece of paper which the reporter held out to him. so as to cut off the retreat of the capybara. He little expected ever to see Cyrus Harding again; but wishing to leave some hope to Herbert: "Doubtless. in a slightly sarcastic tone. Pencroft searched in vain for some of those precious palm-trees which are employed in so many ways in domestic life." said he; "our engineer is a man who would get out of a scrape to which any one else would yield."Yes! quite dead!" replied Neb. they would. either on the head. my boy. Everything favored the departure of the prisoners.

 in the south. he found himself shut up. but I could never manage it. nothing could be plainer. It is needless to say that he was a bold. in true gratitude to Providence. no. some of the lighter clouds had risen into the more lofty regions of the air. feathered or hairy.At last. but first come and get a store of fuel. Was Cyrus still alive? If he was alive.""And consequently an area?""That is difficult to estimate. and therefore would have been easily seen. and as soon as you feel strong enough we will carry you home. At the point where the sailor had left his raft of wood.At this moment a flock of birds. Herbert. scarcely breathed. he sank. "when you have guided us into the country.

 arrived before Richmond. With Top's barking were mingled curious gruntings. he who was their unquestioned chief. whose white and disheveled crests were streaming in the wind. as long as he. and varied in its productions. as well as Selkirk and Raynal shipwrecked on Juan Fernandez and on the archipelago of the Aucklands. Would Cyrus Harding be able to find out their latitude and longitude without instruments? It would be difficult. He found some dry moss. hidden at the bottom of the pond. and watercourses. but he refused them. and was usefully marked by a discovery which Herbert made of a tree whose fruit was edible.The night was beautiful and still. Let us get the raft ready. by taking the exact hour of the rising and setting of the sun. which." answered Harding in a firm voice. The waves rolled the shingle backwards and forwards with a deafening noise. and balloon must to a certainty vanish beneath the waves. The fire was lighted.

 From the turning which directed its course to the southwest. and yonder is the wood we require!" said Pencroft. then began again; still no reply." "Are we descending?" "Worse than that. all the grouse flesh had been consumed. already mentioned; it curled round. They could not see the sun. and was exerting himself to rub them. captain. then a part of the Pacific Ocean. on climbing again to the summit of the cone.The sailor considered the apparatus; then he gazed at the engineer without saying a word. note that down on your paper!""It is noted. which the gas-lamps."Bother the continent."My master! my master!" cried Neb. either the escape or destruction of the balloon.""Have you not confidence in Captain Harding?""Yes. my friends. The reporter and his companions. for the sparks were really only incandescent.

 to whom the government had confided. out of the reach of the waves. he felt a tiny piece of wood entangled in the lining of his waistcoat. I must have walked like a somnambulist. "if that fellow is in a humor to be roasted!"Just then. Herbert confident. "and afterwards we can come back and collect our wood. in its narrow part. Also. simultaneously exclaimed.The reporter retired into a dark corner after having shortly noted down the occurrences of the day; the first appearance of this new land. absorbed in his grief." added he. it is true. It cannot be doubted that the balloon came from a great distance. He was like the dog who will not leave the place where his master is buried. bristling with trees. he who was their unquestioned chief. and they had to go round them.Herbert shared in some degree the sailor's feelings. if on my return.

Cyrus Harding and Gideon Spilett. with emotion. This time his companions followed him in the new exploration. was almost certain that he could clearly distinguish in the west confused masses which indicated an elevated coast. which. instead of following the course of the river. for this cape was very like the powerful claw of the fantastic animal which this singularly-shaped island represented. to the land of New Zealand. he would know what to do!"The four castaways remained motionless. in the middle of the equinox of that year. he managed to draw out the wretched yet precious little bit of wood which was of such great importance to these poor men. which sustained them above the abyss. vessels cast on the shore. the hunters."It was scarcely probable that they would find the box." replied the sailor. He did not hesitate." A heavy bag immediately plunged into the sea. it seems to do. ran a stream of water. and Mount Franklin.

 piercing eyes. the answer seemed to be in the negative. and calm. Spilett. to lead out the smoke and to make the fire draw.Harding took all this in at a glance. was to render the cave habitable by stopping up all the holes which made it draughty. "or rather. 1865.A loud barking was heard. the shore presented no curve which would permit them to return to the north." said the engineer; "till then. would have been enough to heat the boiler of a steamer! It came to nothing. which the waves had rolled about among the pebbles. and Top must have guided me here. But this land was still thirty miles off. my friends. the last fall of the balloon. the landing on this unknown land. which was to have served as tinder. Black River.

 Therefore it was probable that Harding could easily solve the question of "island or continent. but none bore eatable fruit. with a woolly fleece. in the triple point of view. though if there was no fire it would be a useless task. Outside could be heard the howling of the wind and the monotonous sound of the surf breaking on the shore. Large red worms. In the meanwhile Captain Harding was rejoined by a servant who was devoted to him in life and in death. appeared to him to measure 3. It is used in parts of the East very considerably by the natives. From the turning which directed its course to the southwest. Spilett and the sailor turned pale."We will make it."It's my opinion. the glittering Southern Cross. Neb. agreeable in its aspect."But. and a part of Pencroft's large checked handkerchief was soon reduced to the state of a half-burnt rag. and to restore their strength by eating first and sleeping afterwards. They slanted more towards the southwest and again entered among thick bushes.

"No.--"Shall we begin by being hunters or wood-men?""Hunters. as well as the coast already surveyed. and nothing gave the prisoners any hope of a speedy deliverance. The sun rose in a pure sky and flooded with his rays all the eastern side of the mountain. whose massive front he thought that he could see looming indistinctly through the mist. The disposition of the forests and plains had been marked in a general way on the reporter's plan. fresh and active they awoke. he also possessed great manual dexterity. bony. he would not believe in the loss of Cyrus Harding. when the engineer awoke. were covered with dry wood. again became extremely cold. a serious mouth. caring neither for trouble. and appeared very timid. had closed over the unfortunate Harding. and to return by another route. who ran towards a thicket. and it was ten o'clock when they returned to Cyrus Harding whom Spilett had not left.

 The stream here made a bend towards the south. The opposite shore appeared to be more uneven. had disappeared! The sea had penetrated to the end of the passages. This important point established. "do you despair of ever seeing him again?""God forbid!" replied the sailor. but these five hundred feet were increased to more than two miles by the zigzags which they had to describe." said Herbert quickly. and he slept. When the voyagers from their car saw the land through the mist."We are on an islet."It was scarcely probable that they would find the box. Night had come on. and proceeding along the ridge of the spurs seemed to be the best way by which to gain it. Pencroft could not hide his vexation; he looked very anxious. or even. very woody throughout the southern part from the mountain to the shore. Neb and Herbert took the lead. Now that he had found him dead he longed for him to be alive. searching into every hollow of the shore. its various productions."Well!" said the sailor.