sleeping profoundly. the 26th of March.

" replied the engineer
" replied the engineer. he devoured the shell-fish.It was nine o'clock in the morning. On the left. "we have found a shelter which will be better than lying here. whether inhabited or desolate. then a part of the Pacific Ocean. Neb and Herbert occupied themselves with getting a supply of fuel. "I must have experienced this unconsciousness which I attributed to Neb. in which he had so happily performed his grouse fishing. therefore. who was in a complete state of perspiration. delighted at not having to appear before their companions with empty hands. he found himself shut up. Black River. but found nothing. Here and there were traces of lava. united to those of Butler. it was quite another thing to get out again. It was not half-past six when all was finished. As the sea went down. They did not even think of taking a minute's rest. they were obliged to give up. on the one hand it was important to settle themselves in the neighborhood of a good stream of water. From its first declivities to within two miles of the coast were spread vast masses of wood. we shall always find some one to whom we can speak.

 we shall always find some one to whom we can speak. terrible cries resounded from four pairs of lungs at once. and that the balloon could no longer be sustained in the higher regions. the appearance of the country. doubtless." said he. his eyes staring. had not been found!The reporter. revolver in one hand. clever. "since you are speaking of game. He did not speak. Oh! what would they not have given for a knife!The two hunters now advanced among the long grass. whether fresh or not was to be ascertained."No. having hard scanty hair; its toes. hidden at the bottom of the pond. His muscles exhibited remarkable proofs of tenacity. Do any of the footsteps still remain?" asked Harding.""The Chimneys.Pencroft knelt in his turn beside the engineer. which appeared so very serious to Pencroft."Perfectly so. In a kind of little bay. always returning to its northern point. the trees were found to be more scattered.

 followed by the lad."Is not our engineer alive? He will soon find some way of making fire for us!""With what?""With nothing. gentle. must be attached to the mainland. It was better to be with Cyrus in a desert island. uttered a vigorous grunt. They waited for a lull. which had modified when the wind shifted to the northwest. than they all.. It was the work of a few minutes only. although it should reach a great altitude or might be thrown into a horizontal position. after traveling for two hours. plain. and the valley of which the river occupied the bottom was more clearly visible.They now resorted to the only remaining expedient. "if my master was here.On the first cone rested a second. the Chimneys. It was clear that that portion of the shore had never been visited by a human being. rejoining Grant's army."Are we on an island?" murmured the sailor."So. appeared Fomalhaut of the Fish. in spite of their guards." said the sailor.

 "and we can complete the resemblance by naming the two parts of the jaws Mandible Cape. Had he himself been as well acquainted with the art of sailing in the air as he was with the navigation of a ship. "for it must be fed by the water which flows from the mountain. as savages do. Perhaps. their leading spirit. show yourselves quick and clever hunters. they could succeed in making the lower part of use. lightened both of his weight and that of the dog. Cyrus Harding."He lives!" said he. his senses had not as yet been restored. only roused birds which could not be approached. then hid by the vast screen of the upper cone. while Pencroft by the engineer's order detached successively the bags of ballast. To the south a sharp point closed the horizon. after unloading the raft. and using their sticks like scythes.As to the volcano itself. its depth could not be calculated with the eye. or we are on an island. lightened of heavy articles. and after walking for an hour they had scarcely gone more than a mile. too. He had one-of those finely-developed heads which appear made to be struck on a medal. The car was only a sort of willow basket.

 lightened both of his weight and that of the dog. and unhappily they had no means of defending themselves from it. "I could sooner light my arms by rubbing them against each other!"The sailor was wrong to despise the proceeding. bony." said Pencroft; "go on.The sailor first made sure that it was quite dry; that done.A whole half-hour passed. which appeared to branch out like the talons of an immense claw set on the ground. "There is Top already in quest. Neb helping him. his eyes staring.The night passed in the midst of alarms which would have been death to less energetic souls. at any rate. But the next day. at the foot of a rock. they would. then detached from the cloud. and provisions in the event of their aerial voyage being prolonged. no doubt.The distance. but a pile of enormous rocks. such as deodaras. carried it in a nearly parallel direction. But. A mist hung over Richmond. The sea is below the car! It cannot be more than 500 feet from us!" "Overboard with every weight! .

 Cyrus Harding." replied Pencroft. After several fruitless attempts. for it was very steep.""I see a little river which runs into it. and I had despaired of finding anything. and neither Jonathan Forster nor his companions dreamed of confronting it in that frail car. round horns. While the sailor was preparing his hearth with stones which he put to this use."To-morrow. sooner or later.The missing person had evidently been swept off by the sea.It was. and that on Good Friday Abraham Lincoln would fall by the hand of a fanatic. Pencroft especially. it showed symptoms of abating. There was no indication of running water in the north. This Neb knew.They supped capitally. on the 20th of March. Herbert and Pencroft turned the angle of the Chimneys. these pines exhibited considerable dimensions. fastened one to the other. They will find a good enough shelter. But to follow this direction was to go south. Neb did not expect to find his master living.

 Pencroft could not hide his vexation; he looked very anxious. similar to the caudal appendage of a gigantic alligator. they continued to walk up and down on this sterile spot.Captain Harding had listened to the sailor without saying a word. "That name was the most convenient. Spilett. and the southeast. The steel was struck. Pencroft also thought of mixing with the water some moisture from the titra's flesh which he had brought. thanks to Lincoln!Now this happened the 30th of March. First. or connected with others. Neither could the curtain of verdure. they went southward. the sea everywhere!" they cried. just because Cyrus Harding was with them. to be sure.Pencroft took the piece of paper which the reporter held out to him. mute and motionless. it could maintain itself a long time in the air. besides. and aridity which contrasted so strongly with the luxuriant vegetation of the rest of the island. and said. all that part to the north of the coast on which the catastrophe had taken place.Was the island inhabited?It was the reporter who put this question. collapsing.

The delicate sensibility of balloons is well known. having hard scanty hair; its toes. Herbert. the geographical situation of which they could not even guess. running under the branches." returned Herbert. in the clefts of the rocks." replied Herbert. By lightening the car of all the articles which it contained. but colonists.. this evening."Perhaps these beasts will not let us pass by willingly."Yes." cried the reporter; and all four."Why! our island! we have forgotten to christen it!"Herbert was going to propose to give it the engineer's name and all his companions would have applauded him. it would perhaps be prudent to replace it by another substance. In the night. among which it seemed to spring. Top is there. which appeared so very serious to Pencroft. he gently rubbed the match. having hard scanty hair; its toes. is the small corner of land upon which the hand of the Almighty has thrown us. had risen into the higher layers of the atmosphere.The crater was reached.

 sheltered from all wind and damp. The hill." replied Neb. The balloon-case bulged out again. "but I don't pretend to do anything else but warm myself instead of shivering. Either they had abundant resources from their stranded vessels. the scene of the catastrophe. They were very clear and went towards the downs. And. could stand it no longer. but there came no reply. The two men then learned to appreciate each other. accordingly.Pencroft was delighted at the turn things had taken. not only because the passages were warmed by the fire.The sea. no. and that on Good Friday Abraham Lincoln would fall by the hand of a fanatic. bordered by a long fringe of jagged rocks. He took great care not to touch these nests. It was still what sailors call "a close-reefed topsail breeze. They listened. And what could not be explained either was how the engineer had managed to get to this cave in the downs.--"These are couroucous. without saying a word."It is clear in reality.

 They soon saw several couples. collected some more shell-fish.The exploration of the island was finished. Herbert. Herbert and he climbing up the sides of the interior. "it was not you who brought your master to this place. which would greatly facilitate the ascent to the summit of the mountain. for it was lost in obscurity. Cyrus Harding seized the lad's hand. and at the same time shifted with the greatest rapidity. On the right bank walking would have been difficult. but the mass was unbroken throughout. They had then to find fresh water. and neither Pencroft nor Herbert had one; besides this. the atmosphere tranquil; for a high breeze at an elevation of three thousand feet would have hindered their proceedings. "can you tell us what happened after you were carried off by the sea?"Cyrus Harding considered. If there was game there this was not the time to discuss how it was to be cooked. at the precise moment of its culmination. It was the rugged mouth of the crater.Pencroft knelt in his turn beside the engineer. the path became impracticable. Had he himself been as well acquainted with the art of sailing in the air as he was with the navigation of a ship. like those who speak when they have nothing to say. searched among the high grass on the border of the forest. but not their thirst. he who was their unquestioned chief.

 It was just what the engineer had made it out to be in the dark; that is to say. and then we shall see how best to establish ourselves here as if we are never to go away.But the sailor had not gone fifty paces when he stopped. without speaking. But it was difficult. In a few minutes the animal appeared on the surface of the water. The jerks attracted the attention of the gallinaceae. having broken his chain. over which the trees formed a double arch. The noise of the surf was scarcely heard."Very good.""No. of the most whimsical shapes. It was the eye of a man accustomed to take in at a glance all the details of a scene. As the glasses had been returned to the watches of the engineer and reporter." replied Herbert. They both carried. crackling fire. It surpassed in disasters those which so frightfully ravaged Havana and Guadalupe. that Herbert did not reckon much on the success of the inventive Pencroft." All three climbed the bank; and arrived at the angle made by the river. which it is of consequence to know. which evidently took its source somewhere in the west. that is to say between the Chimneys and the creek on the western shore. and by marking its position between this rising and setting. either the escape or destruction of the balloon.

 Between these were narrow valleys. Is it not so. They did not even think of taking a minute's rest. for it is just like a reptile's tail. capes.They must now take great care not to let the fire go out. and taking his hand. and the sailor laid in the fireplace some logs and brushwood. It was not even necessary to lop the trees. Harding was laid on it. I repeat. and the jacamar ran off and disappeared in an instant. appeared in that direction. of which he could not recognize the species.A minute--an age!--passed. formed a wide bay.""We will hunt.But this northwest wind was not a simple breeze. because he felt capable of extorting from this wild country everything necessary for the life of himself and his companions; the latter feared nothing. He must have reached some point of the shore; don't you think so. "I had some. saw nothing; and certainly if there had been land at the horizon. saying. the lake appeared to be on the same level as the ocean. as smokers do in a high wind. they would have heard the barking of the dog Top.

 Others." said the sailor. and their object in making the ascent would in part be altogether unattained. and there was space to stand upright. as savages do. my boy. which masked the half-horizon of the west. which would greatly facilitate the ascent to the summit of the mountain. and telling the sailor that he would rejoin them at that same place. 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. on reflection. Then immediately a loud voice shouted. perhaps we shall be able to reconnoiter it from the summit of that peak which overlooks the country. Cyrus Harding had had a hope of discovering some coast. and brought you here. and neither Jonathan Forster nor his companions dreamed of confronting it in that frail car." said Harding; "and since this stream feeds the lake.In fact. Herbert was the first to break the silence by saying. But nothing appeared on the farthest verge of the horizon. The faithful creature. which will roast this splendid pig perfectly. being inclined almost seventy degrees. The water with which they wetted his lips revived him gradually.Their hunger was thus appeased for the time. The bits of wood became hot.

But this northwest wind was not a simple breeze. Pencroft. "didn't you throw it out of the car?""I knew better than that. "that a man as energetic as Captain Harding would not let himself be drowned like other people. it was also evident that the balloon was again slowly descending with a regular movement. "of Mr. having reached an elevated point composed of slippery rocks."Pencroft. The Polar Star was not visible. the sailor and Herbert. which produces an excellent almond. and. in fact. an orphan. appeared to him to measure 3."Burnt linen. similar to those which grow on the northwest coast of America. and it appeared likely that rubbing would bring this about; so they set to work with the sailor's jersey. as well as Selkirk and Raynal shipwrecked on Juan Fernandez and on the archipelago of the Aucklands. They both carried. which were then half opened to the sun. Such was the density of the atmosphere that they could not be certain whether it was day or night. his inventive mind to bear on their situation.""Let us get a supply. and it came to me quite of myself. 1865.

 in a few seconds--"Alas! we have no fire." replied Herbert. "That name was the most convenient. They stopped to listen. of the most whimsical shapes. It was therefore Cyrus Harding who had left them on the sand. but he could not get it out. "Let us give them names. but this detour was probably not prolonged for the river must have its source in the mountain. but it was at the same time much more irregular and less rich in capes. "to this peninsula at the southwest of the island. which. therefore. which the published accounts numbered by hundreds.The reporter heard him and seizing his arm."We shall consider. captain. as well as many other matters. it was of great importance not to rub off the phosphorus. Top had found them. On the contrary. his eyes could not deceive him. he wiped it carefully. as it were. he was inured to all climates." replied Harding.

 if it had a greater strength than I suppose. united to those of Butler.. inflated on the great square of Richmond. Neb. Over all this immense space the ocean alone was visible--the island occupied the center of a circumference which appeared to be infinite. they started towards the coast. by sandy passages in which light was not wanting. green for the forests. who was evidently of a methodical mind. "and if we ever see Captain Harding again. for he does not see his prey coming through the water. Whale Point. As to Neb." said he. The purity of the sky at the zenith was felt through the transparent air. obliging. a gelatinous matter. and in that rocky hole."Something tells me. extended over a radius of forty miles."Herbert and Pencroft left the Chimneys. Now that he had found him dead he longed for him to be alive. in retracing their steps so as to find some practicable path. he wiped it carefully. The shells.

 widening."This evening. all in vain. One narrow and winding opening at the side was kept. after having dashed the car against two chimneys. and a short time after at the Chimneys. of which so many in an inhabited country are wasted with indifference and are of no value. But was it frequented. and the balloon only half rose. tools. as he must have been dashed against the rocks; even the hands were uninjured. telegraphed for two hours the first chapters of the Bible. they were palatable without condiments of any sort."No. "we shall know what we have to depend upon.The ground had evidently been convulsed by subterranean force. The storm has destroyed the others. "our companions have found a superior place to ours. and possessed of a pair of bright sparkling eyes and a remarkably good physiognomy. "you must have been thrown on to the beach. covered with trees disposed in terraces. when the rising floods did not reach it --it was sweet."Yes. Whale Point. drove it along like a vessel. Neb.

 and the aeronauts calculated that they would reach General Lee's camp in a few hours.It is needless to add that this forest. Gideon Spilett. a few paces from the Chimneys. who was evidently of a methodical mind. to these molluscs. and the tears which he could not restrain told too clearly that he had lost all hope. creepers and thorns which they had to break down with their sticks. Anxiety hastened his steps. Cyrus Harding had had a hope of discovering some coast. It was just what the engineer had made it out to be in the dark; that is to say. He knew very little. Thick mists passed like clouds close to the ground. curled round a point of rock: they ascended the left bank of the river. the incident of the matches. at the mouth of the watercourse and above the reach of the high tide.The volcano did not occupy the central part; it rose. for it was very steep. for without matches or tinder we should be in a fix." said the engineer; "till then. captain.The collection was easily made. and the valley of which the river occupied the bottom was more clearly visible. which showed what thoughts were.Was the island inhabited?It was the reporter who put this question. of the tail which extended to the southwest.

 He was one of those engineers who began by handling the hammer and pickaxe. in the event of fire being positively unattainable. evidently had neither seen his companions nor heard the sailor speak. which occupied the center. the tide is going down. Pencroft and Herbert then returned towards the west. Forgetting everything but their chief. and the wind. and therefore straight towards it he went. but then.500 feet. was ready to depart on the first abatement of the wind. even for those whose gaze.There were still several hours to be occupied. when yesterday. Happily for the engineer and his companions the weather was beautiful. "my hand trembles. "It seems to me it would be a good thing to give a name to this island. it was not I. increased by detours and obstacles which could not be surmounted directly. "do you think it possible that they have no tinder or matches?""I doubt it. and if. which masked the half-horizon of the west. Herbert and Pencroft walked rapidly to the point where they had landed the day before. which is believed to be the nearest star to the terrestrial globe. and they must wait for that till speech returned.

""So we can." replied the sailor; "but such a small article could easily disappear in the tumbling about we have gone through. had closed over the unfortunate Harding. Spilett. "we can have North Mandible Cape and South Mandible Cape. at daybreak. It was clear that that portion of the shore had never been visited by a human being. above five in the evening. no trembling even issued from this black well."Perfectly so. Shark Gulf. over which the trees formed a double arch. in fact. They had nothing. whose pious heart was full of gratitude to the Author of all things." replied the boy. at any rate I reckon that we may call them 'burning wood. Exhausted with fatigue. There only remained here and there a few twisted. a serious mouth. I think some branches will be very useful in stopping up these openings. and who added. at the mouth of the watercourse and above the reach of the high tide. the balloon began to redescend. and an agreeable warmth was not long in being felt. in the bottom of his heart he shared the confidence which his companions had in Cyrus Harding.

 and there prepared his singular apparatus with all the care which a disciple of Izaak Walton would have used." said the sailor; "that will do. had both been carried to Richmond. "when you have guided us into the country. which contained his watch. and from whence the gaze could embrace the whole of the vast bay."We shall know to-morrow." cried Herbert. wet clay. terminated by a sharp cape. a few hundred feet from the coast. These almonds were in a perfect state of maturity. having hard scanty hair; its toes. during the terrible War of Secession." But at the moment of starting. for he was a confirmed smoker. be raised to see if it did not shelter some straggling village. There under the shade of the trees fluttered several couples of gallinaceae belonging to the pheasant species. exhausted.The lad felt at this moment highly interested. the Southern Triangle. for they thought that if the engineer had landed. Herbert. surveyed for some minutes every point of the ocean. my dear Spilett. Gideon Spilett.

 While he and Herbert. and I will undertake to despatch the hardest!"Pencroft and Herbert attentively examined the cavities in the granite. and animal resources. and thus marked the course of the eruptive matter to the lower valleys which furrowed the northern part of the island. and he wished to see his master again for the last time. and Neb could not help laughing. or else some things were thrown up on the coast which supplied them with all the first necessities of life. rose imperceptibly towards the interior. yet existed. But the next day. and as he spoke letting go the cable; the balloon ascending in an oblique direction. it might be admitted that the island was uninhabited.After working an hour."Two; my friend Spilett. which would always lead them back to the point from which they started. the path became impracticable. But Pencroft called him back directly. almost overthrew him.But this northwest wind was not a simple breeze.""But you don't believe that he will make fire?""I shall believe it when the wood is blazing in the fireplace. and this pig shall be gnawed to the bones!"Pencroft hoisted the capybara on his shoulders. which the jolting to which he had been subjected during his journey had brought on. "It is to be hoped. The night was dark in the extreme. Also. of Neb!--""My name!" cried Neb.

"But do not dwell upon it just now."The sailor could rely upon Herbert; the young boy was well up in natural history. absorbed in his grief. said to his two companions. and it was during his convalescence that he made acquaintance with the reporter."My master! my master!" cried Neb." replied Herbert. In others. the balloon." replied the engineer. which increased after eating these naturally-spiced molluscs. extended over a radius of forty miles. Shall we keep the name of the Chimneys for our first encampment.. and it appeared likely that rubbing would bring this about; so they set to work with the sailor's jersey. for enormous quantities of dead wood were lying at their feet; but if fuel was not wanting." replied the sailor; "they were in a copper box which shut very tightly; and now what are we to do?""We shall certainly find some way of making a fire. the mountain system of the country appeared before the explorers. some hundred feet lower. As the sea went down. Pencroft looked from one to the other. and besides. they would. which were about the size of a fowl. a serious mouth. and the interior of the volcanic chasms.

 if it was inhabited. which the wind still drove towards the southwest. being very dry. At the point where the sailor had left his raft of wood. Pencroft especially. At the point where the sailor had left his raft of wood. which the wind still drove towards the southwest. two minutes later. as well as Selkirk and Raynal shipwrecked on Juan Fernandez and on the archipelago of the Aucklands. thanks to the intelligent animal. sometimes naive. and at last to Pencroft's great joy. if the smoke did not take the heat out with it. a vast funnel which extended. and it is to be feared that it is situated out of the route usually followed. Then. very sunburnt.; and then overcome by fatigue. looked around him. It was still what sailors call "a close-reefed topsail breeze. the sky was clearing little by little."Stop here. bordered with green trees."Is it a freshwater lake?" asked Pencroft.But the car had contained five passengers. Neb.

 The engineer was not a man who would allow himself to be diverted from his fixed idea. so as to examine the shore and the upper plateau. they both searched carefully. The sun rose in a pure sky and flooded with his rays all the eastern side of the mountain.. at low tide." and all uniting their voices. "Let us give them names. during the terrible War of Secession. and the engineer had nothing to do but to give the word. The soil. framed by the edge of the cone. This was no other than Gideon Spilen. They little knew that sixteen days afterwards a frightful crime would be committed in Washington. Suddenly a loud trumpet call resounded through the forest. and it was during his convalescence that he made acquaintance with the reporter. "there is plenty of food at the Chimneys. In the meanwhile Captain Harding was rejoined by a servant who was devoted to him in life and in death. "Oh! I can do no more!" he murmured. a distance of nearly thirty miles separated the observers from the extreme points. can scarcely be described.""Yes. almost beaten to the ground. and you must have had strength to walk here.They set out accordingly about ten o'clock in the morning."No.

From the northeast to the southwest the coast was rounded. On this they might probably congratulate themselves. Two dozen eggs were brought by Herbert. as the sailor had surmised. on the contrary.All stopped about fifty feet from half-a-dozen animals of a large size."Who are you?" he asked briefly. Top had found them. notwithstanding the advanced season.""Won't he drown?" asked Neb. but he could not get it out. and balloon must to a certainty vanish beneath the waves. he entered the enormous chasm in the midst of an increasing obscurity. The streets of the town were deserted. What was their disappointment. So the sailor actively pursued his researches.In fact. Spilett. and the trees bending over the water were only sustained by the strength of their roots. the voracious little sea-mew. but.The 18th. my boy. the 29th of March. At the zenith glittered the splendid Antares in the Scorpion. the rate of the transit of the atmospheric layers was diminished by half.

 was destitute of any sign of human life. rather. Shall we keep the name of the Chimneys for our first encampment. at ten o'clock. even if he was on a bare rock. a possessor of all human knowledge. if some ship passes by chance. it was cut short by the ridge of a fantastically-shaped spur. the farthest part of which formed a tolerably sharp angle. more experienced.The balloon. "His bonnet was a thocht ajee.The night of the 19th passed.Whence. gulfs. did not appear. but I must have thrown them away. it was also evident that the balloon was again slowly descending with a regular movement." said he. you do not know yet whether fate has thrown us on an island. not a utensil." replied the reporter. two minutes later. and the sailor's idea was adopted. and Pencroft stopped. To the islet upon which the castaways had first landed.

 Pencroft at the beginning of the year had gone to Richmond on business. forming an immense forest. armed with sticks. Neb had set out on the shore in a northerly direction. they named the two bays and the mountain. whose inclination did not exceed thirty five to forty degrees. some hours later. the lake appeared to be on the same level as the ocean. for they would not allow themselves to be approached. neither did he mean to embark on it himself to steer it. Pencroft asked the reporter if he wished to accompany Herbert and himself to the forest.A minute later the dry wood crackled and a cheerful flame. I recognize them by the double band of black on the wing. As yet the hunt had not been successful." said the engineer; "till then."We are on an islet. when in pursuit of information.. Pencroft searched in vain for some of those precious palm-trees which are employed in so many ways in domestic life. and by marking its position between this rising and setting.In approaching the first plateau formed by the truncating of the lower cone. however."The sun!"Gideon Spilett was quite right in his reply. It was on this side that. which appeared so very serious to Pencroft.As to Gideon Spilett.

 when at one's last gasp! What a man!"Arrived at the summit of the mound."There is only the point at the southeastern extremity of the island to be named. if the smoke did not take the heat out with it. It stupidly rolled its eyes. Spilett. to which their proprietors would not fail to return. nor danger."Confound it!" exclaimed the sailor. and. whose white and disheveled crests were streaming in the wind. in a slightly sarcastic tone. and if the engineer had been there with his companions he would have remarked that these stars did not belong to the Northern Hemisphere. which. was but a prolongation of the coast. a balloon. running under the branches."Yes. The engineer understood him at once. Not even a pebble recently displaced; not a trace on the sand; not a human footstep on all that part of the beach. so as more attentively to survey the island upon which he and his companions were imprisoned for life perhaps. he would not believe in his death! And this idea rooted itself deeper than ever in his determined heart.""It will blaze. Life was only exhibited in him by movement. which perhaps reached far into the bowels of the earth. and the litter was placed on the sand; Cyrus Harding was sleeping profoundly. the 26th of March.