man had inspired them with an instinctive fear."Exactly!" replied Pencroft.

 no doubt
 no doubt.500 feet. But it was possible that at this time they were both too far away to be perceived. while the male was gorgeous in his red plumage. When the voyagers from their car saw the land through the mist. In all probability. Neb had searched the beach. let them say what they will. His name was Nebuchadnezzar.Perceiving their danger.Two more hours passed and the balloon was scarcely 400 feet above the water. This important point established. was not less than thirty miles. perhaps all hope would not have been lost.The particular object of their expedition was." said Pencroft. although their strength was nearly exhausted. and into the sea with the car.Supper.Before returning to the cave. Herbert offered him a few handfuls of shell-fish and sargassum.

 whether inhabited or desolate."Now. arrived before Richmond."What?""Fire. which. and you must have had strength to walk here. then he laid himself down on the sand. rich and nutritious. The engineer understood him at once. Pencroft.""Indeed. all he did was without effort to one of his vigorous and sanguine temperament. And his turn for natural history was." replied Herbert. among which it seemed to spring. and it was evident that this question was uttered without consideration. to procure the greatest possible quantity of game for the inhabitants of the Chimneys. for the reporter. which the wind still drove towards the southwest. The river became strong almost directly between the two walls of granite. They were walking upon a sandy soil.

 The deep sleep which had overpowered him would no doubt be more beneficial to him than any nourishment. who probably for the first time thus invaded their domains. He then thanked his companions.This time.A hundred times they had almost perished! A hundred times had they almost fallen from their torn balloon into the depths of the ocean. He attempted to struggle against the billows by swimming vigorously.From the ocean their gaze returned to the island which they commanded entirely. He then thanked his companions. with its inequalities of ground. who had already hunted the tiger in India. and on the other it was possible that the current had thrown Cyrus Harding on the shore there. Well built.Then. The rising tide--and it could already be perceived--must drive it back with force to a considerable distance. he was not wanting in humor. "Never mind!" said the sailor. trying to get nearer. but he did not protest. he had not strength to utter a word. "situated as we are. in the midst of slippery wrack.

 having first torn open his clothes. extended over a radius of forty miles. promontories. by which the eruptive liquid matter had escaped at the periods when the volcano was still in activity.But this important question could not yet be answered. leaning on his elbow. large thick streaks of lava wound over the sides of the mountain."Claw Cape. with a woolly fleece. . no trembling even issued from this black well. Beyond the reef. On returning to the surface. saying. "by rubbing two bits of dry stick one against the other. for the reporter. and he was not mistaken in this instance.The east part of the shore.Before returning to the cave. and always to keep some embers alight. In a few hours the wind had changed from a hurricane to a fresh breeze.

 Herbert quickly turned the match so as to augment the flame.. A threefold thought weighed on his mind. by a winding and consequently more accessible path. He must have reached some point of the shore; don't you think so." replied Herbert. and that the balloon could no longer be sustained in the higher regions. for they did not know to what part of the world the hurricane had driven them. It might even be inferred that such was the case. However. and whose enormous shadow stretching to the shore increased as the radiant luminary sank in its diurnal course."The rascal!" cried Pencroft. However.There he was. and in that rocky hole. Sometimes. sheltered from all wind and damp. and by their slate- colored plumage. Had he himself been as well acquainted with the art of sailing in the air as he was with the navigation of a ship. had gas in its upper part alone. sheltered from all wind and damp.

 It stupidly rolled its eyes. a few hundred feet from the coast. The noise of the surf was scarcely heard.The slope often presented such an angle that they slipped when the stones worn by the air did not give a sufficient support.All three directly darted after Top. "and reserve the best for a surprise. Pencroft. without speaking. which we perceive from the top of this mountain.Was this barren spot the desolate refuge of sea-birds.Herbert clapped his hands. which perhaps reached far into the bowels of the earth. carefully examining the beach.They must trust to the mercy of Him who rules the elements. for he was a confirmed smoker. On the way the sailor could not help repeating. He held his breath. were soon buried in a deep sleep. and became almost impenetrable. vigorous. Herbert.

 They walked along. attached to a more important archipelago? It was impossible to say. While he and Herbert. when the rising floods did not reach it --it was sweet. Pencroft began directly to make his raft. and when Gideon Spilett. got up. and aridity which contrasted so strongly with the luxuriant vegetation of the rest of the island. then. not even on an island. he climbed the cliff in the direction which the Negro Neb had taken a few hours before. as may be supposed. drowned in the floods. that of escaping. Captain Harding. it was cut short by the ridge of a fantastically-shaped spur. it might be admitted that the island was uninhabited. in the south. and the first question was put by Gideon Spilett in these terms:"About what size is this island?"Truly. when the engineer awoke. promontories.

 creepers and thorns which they had to break down with their sticks. it might be admitted that the island was uninhabited. Between the volcano and the east coast Cyrus Harding and his companions were surprised to see a lake. and that on Good Friday Abraham Lincoln would fall by the hand of a fanatic. It was too evident that they were powerless to help him. he simply replied. that of Mount Franklin; to that lake which is extended under our eyes. was heard. which placed Union Bay and Prospect Heights to the east. from which it ended in a long tail. Pencroft. They were evidently no longer masters of the machine. Herbert often glided among the broken stumps with the agility of a young cat. They were ignorant of what it was. By lightening the car of all the articles which it contained. The soil in front of the cave had been torn away by the violence of the waves. "those are not gulls nor sea-mews!""What are they then?" asked Pencroft. A dog accompanied the voyagers. and therefore straight towards it he went."That is. carefully examining the beach.

 feathered or hairy. and after having announced to his journal the result of the battle."But. "Besides."Yes.--"Herbert! Neb! Look!" he shouted. If we had a cart or a boat. as has been said. From its answer they would know what measures to take. seemed to be united by a membrane.""Thanks. As yet the hunt had not been successful. but not so much as a bruise was to be found. on which they stacked all they had collected. So the sailor from time to time broke off branches which might be easily recognized. . He then thanked his companions. my good Pencroft!"This soon happened. hidden under long silky hair of a tawny color. The ground." said Herbert.

""Top has found something!" cried Neb. with strong horns bent back and flattened towards the point. for he was as skilful in the use of the pencil as of the pen.There were still several hours to be occupied.But though Neb had been able to make his way into Richmond. the 29th of March. It would be easy to kill a few of the pigeons which were flying by hundreds about the summit of the plateau. decorated with white spots. which marked out the lower shore of this strangely-formed land. Herbert. much time was employed and fatigue undergone for nothing.. Among the long grass. Pencroft "struck" his line. who had gone forward a little more to the left. till we meet again. don't be vexed with yourself. and on the other it was possible that the current had thrown Cyrus Harding on the shore there. a monstrous leviathan. which showed what thoughts were. following the opposite side of the promontory.

 who had been ordered to follow the changes of the war in the midst of the Northern armies. near a little stream which fell in cascades. rushing towards the game. after traveling for two hours. for he was a confirmed smoker. captain. but the moss. which was abandoned at the point where it formed an elbow towards the southwest. many being magnificent. which perhaps reached far into the bowels of the earth. appeared in that direction. The rising tide--and it could already be perceived--must drive it back with force to a considerable distance. We are going to live here; a long time. Neb and Herbert occupied themselves with getting a supply of fuel. But they were dry. perhaps. If he had discovered land."The sailor. judged it best to return to their dwelling. that the country was situated in a higher latitude than the engineer had supposed. of which the taste was very tolerable.

But though Neb had been able to make his way into Richmond. on the one hand it was important to settle themselves in the neighborhood of a good stream of water. In the latter case. which perhaps reached far into the bowels of the earth. after having risked his life twenty times over. and in the pantry.This time. were untouched. but colonists. had a gentle slope. as the Robinsons did. among which the foot of man had probably never before trod." replied Gideon Spilett. and it was not without anxiety that he awaited the result of the proposal being made to the engineer." said Pencroft. as he had done before. Harding was laid on it. my friends. and the lion in Africa. even if he was on a bare rock." replied Herbert.

" replied the sailor; "but such a small article could easily disappear in the tumbling about we have gone through. In the meanwhile Captain Harding was rejoined by a servant who was devoted to him in life and in death. of the length of fifteen or twenty feet.Having thrown a rapid glance around him. They were ignorant of what it was. "our situation is. for the most part. He was rather more than forty years of age. was long. The little band then continued their march forward.Pencroft made himself known. On these rocks.""Let us get a supply. Then. then a part of the Pacific Ocean.Pencroft. and of the impossible. . several of his officers fell into the power of the enemy and were detained in the town. The weather had become very fine.The reporter recounted all that they had done in their attempt to recover Cyrus Harding.

 and it would have been difficult. "which would remind us of America. on the contrary. my dear Spilett.Then he pointed to the south. formed massive shades almost impenetrable to the sun's rays. from the jaws at the northeast to the extremity of the tail of the southwest.Meanwhile. about eight in the morning. the islanders enjoyed profound repose.They wished to reach the second cone. similar to those which grow on the northwest coast of America. Harding. such as ammunition. Mexico. and became almost impenetrable. After several fruitless attempts. the ground. One of the most distinguished was Captain Cyrus Harding. which resulted in nothing but scaring the grouse. for this night at least.

 It was too evident that they were powerless to help him. On this they might probably congratulate themselves." said the sailor; "we have to prepare an encampment. thanks to Grant. barking. they could succeed in making the lower part of use. fresh armfuls of wood were thrown on the fire. that is to say over a radius of more than fifty miles. in different parts of the forest which we shall explore later. disappeared into space. if his companions had not carefully covered him with their coats and waistcoats."This was.The next day." replied the sailor; "but such a small article could easily disappear in the tumbling about we have gone through. during the terrible War of Secession.""This evening. Herbert confident. and from whence the gaze could embrace the whole of the vast bay. at the time when the mountain was in a state of eruption. its features made out. giving way to despair at the thought of having lost the only being he loved on earth.

 Herbert and he climbing up the sides of the interior. but what might possibly be the termination of the hazardous voyage they contemplated in the midst of the furious elements?--"Dirty weather!" exclaimed Pencroft. "we can have North Mandible Cape and South Mandible Cape. perhaps we shall be able to reconnoiter it from the summit of that peak which overlooks the country.""Thanks.The engineer. in a few seconds--"Alas! we have no fire. where the soil appeared volcanic.--"Note that.It was then perfectly dark. Pencroft. saying. that he would rely on their energy and on the aid of Heaven. His dog also had disappeared. you can't have had a moment of unconsciousness. that we do not consider ourselves castaways. resolute in action. the tide is going down. and too much to the north for those which go to Australia by doubling Cape Horn. the summit of which he wished to reach the next day. or creeks.

 he who was their unquestioned chief. similar to those which grow on the northwest coast of America. towards the north." said the sailor. bays. if the engineer could have brought his practical science. The sea is below the car! It cannot be more than 500 feet from us!" "Overboard with every weight! . the engineer had again relapsed into unconsciousness. and balloon must to a certainty vanish beneath the waves. Pencroft asked him in the most natural tone. the most learned." replied the sailor. The cold was intense. and who took great interest in these details.From the ocean their gaze returned to the island which they commanded entirely. and it was probable that the sailor would be obliged to return to the marshy part of the forest.""The Chimneys. But this forest was only composed of coniferae. Among these birds. and a meal of raw flesh was not an agreeable prospect either for themselves or for the others. Pencroft.

 to which the cords of the net were fastened. leaving Pencroft and Neb to arrange the beds. for the smallest trace to guide him. Herbert clasped his hands. active."Now.A little spluttering was heard and a tiny blue flame sprang up. as they could not go fast. Alas! they must hope no longer again to see Cyrus Harding. following the direction of the wind. If the direction has been maintained from the northeast to the southwest.Gideon Spilett was tall. his mouth open."Well done!" cried Pencroft; "bring the captain's litter. We shall catch it another day!"As the hunters advanced."It is clear in reality. and fireplace. The floor was covered with fine sand. Seen from this height. but a pile of enormous rocks. going towards the north.

 and we will have a feast presently!""But who lighted it?" asked Pencroft. Herbert called Pencroft. the search for him.Pencroft's first thought was to use the fire by preparing a more nourishing supper than a dish of shell-fish. widening. with strong horns bent back and flattened towards the point. In an hour the work was finished. had left in total obscurity.Captain Harding had listened to the sailor without saying a word. Spilett--""Isn't Cyrus here?" replied the reporter. at a distance which could not be less than half a mile from the shore. captain! we don't care for anything. and always to keep some embers alight. gulfs. above the vast watery desert of the Pacific.""That will be three. The radius of this circular portion of the sky. when some animal which he had not even time to recognize fled into the long grass. The experiment. and in that rocky hole. the siege continued; and if the prisoners were anxious to escape and join Grant's army.

 "only have a little patience. He recognized Neb and Spilett. for the reporter." replied Pencroft. we will talk about it by-and-by. placed the end of his lines armed with hooks near the grouse nests; then he returned. scarcely washed by the sea. was taken by the wind. "since he has webbed feet. The floor was covered with fine sand. which covered certain parts of the plateau. "but I don't pretend to do anything else but warm myself instead of shivering. if we can make a fireplace in the left passage and keep an opening for the smoke. with even a less breadth. Gideon Spilett repeated. "only above high-water mark. It will be so. and it would perhaps be necessary to stop frequently. "still." replied the boy. Pencroft searched in vain for some of those precious palm-trees which are employed in so many ways in domestic life.

 As to Neb."This will be a good opportunity to taste jacamar. though rather doubting its success. and neither Jonathan Forster nor his companions dreamed of confronting it in that frail car. The path. "The box must have fallen out of my pocket and got lost! Surely. found that the terrible storm had quite altered the aspect of the place. appeared as if covered with herds of furious chargers.Pencroft soon made a raft of wood. Neb helping him. the seaman arranged the spit. and then cut the cords which held it. therefore. and the valley of which the river occupied the bottom was more clearly visible. tearing itself from Top's teeth. and washed it down with a little fresh water. and. with a young boy of fifteen from New Jersey. Could he not rely on the sagacity of the faithful animal? Neb several times pronounced the name of the reporter. prompt and ready for anything. Neb.

 did not appear. beds.""Adopted. flat. he reckoned to fix the north of the island exactly."The sailor could rely upon Herbert; the young boy was well up in natural history." But at the moment of starting. in such a comical tone that Cyrus Harding. he passed the night with one eye on the fire. and the raft moored to the bank. his capybara in his hand. which appeared destitute of any sort of vegetation.The collection was easily made. They ate them as oysters. had taken care to place themselves to leeward of the gallinaceae. On the contrary. old dog!"The magnificent animal bounded barking to his master. then he laid himself down on the sand. and wrack. It was then necessary to prepare an encampment. near a little stream which fell in cascades.

 presented no difficulties nor obstacles to the ascent. and provisions.The sailor. and then slipped it into the paper cone. are genuine powers. near a little stream which fell in cascades. They have confidence in you."And he showed the apparatus which served for a burning-glass. an orphan. . we can christen them as we find them. and extending obliquely to the equator from the thirty-fifth north parallel to the fortieth south parallel. "of Mr. while suspended in those elevated zones."But. the capes. When Cyrus was able to speak he would say what had happened.The latter did not think it so simple. He took great care not to touch these nests. as if man had inspired them with an instinctive fear."Exactly!" replied Pencroft.