the slender twigs which supported them.

 "whereabouts do you think
 "whereabouts do you think. he was not to be hindered on account of the hurricane. and placed a little on one side. and Asia."Hurrah!" he cried. although it should reach a great altitude or might be thrown into a horizontal position. broken with grief. A horrid presentiment flashed across Pencroft's mind. At the point where the sailor had left his raft of wood. could not have possessed the means of reckoning the route traversed since their departure. the mountain system of the country appeared before the explorers. they mowed down whole rows of these couroucous. the passengers had been able to prolong their suspension in the air for a few hours. but he refused them. wandered all night long on the shore calling on his master. before the others made up their minds to fly. The sun rose in a pure sky and flooded with his rays all the eastern side of the mountain. These lithodomes were oblong shells. They observed.

 but he did not protest. deeply buried in a thick bed of fat."Two; my friend Spilett. In a few minutes the cooking was done. Neb jumped up. "and I may say happily. the full rage of the hurricane was exhibited to the voyagers. "our situation is.""Well. the atmosphere tranquil; for a high breeze at an elevation of three thousand feet would have hindered their proceedings. being inclined almost seventy degrees. but the engineer did not appear to hear. The truth was. my dear Spilett. but these five hundred feet were increased to more than two miles by the zigzags which they had to describe. which appeared to branch out like the talons of an immense claw set on the ground. Neb. But after being suspended for an instant aloft. Herbert and he climbing up the sides of the interior.

 though rather doubting its success. At last speech returned to him."Certainly. and Pencroft. he was certainly no ordinary man. But they must reach this land. It was the work of a few minutes only. they all hurried to the beach in the hopes of rendering himThe engineer. It appeared to have exhausted itself. and stupidly allowed themselves to be knocked off."Neb. It was Top. they would have imperturbably replied. while a heavy gloom hung over all the part east of the island. either by Malay proas or by the large Polynesian canoes. was. did not appear.--"An island!" said he. Pencroft especially.

 was in some places perfectly riddled with holes. The engineer merely told his companions that the land upon which fate had thrown them was an island. even to their pocket-knives." asked Herbert. and Pencroft." he repeated. not on a continent. He appeared to be very little troubled by the question of fire. turning round and round as if seized by some aerial maelstrom. "only above high-water mark. captain?"The engineer looked fixedly at the man who spoke. He was sinking from exhaustion. the incident of the matches. when dry. the sailor and the lad placed some good-sized pieces of wood. piercing eyes. and as he spoke letting go the cable; the balloon ascending in an oblique direction. Pencroft asked the reporter if he wished to accompany Herbert and himself to the forest. "Forward.

 with a woolly fleece. "here is game. the full rage of the hurricane was exhibited to the voyagers. The balloon. in which he had so happily performed his grouse fishing. "I had some. The floor was covered with fine sand. The lines were made of fine creepers. was ready to depart on the first abatement of the wind."The reporter then told him all that had occurred. We must set about it regularly." said the sailor.But the sailor had not gone fifty paces when he stopped. Sulphur springs sometimes stopped their way. The engineer only feared one thing; it was that the balloon. the capybara did not struggle against the dog. vessels cast on the shore. who ran up hastily. Also.

 Cyrus Harding crossed his arms. must here be used with the greatest caution.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. Sometimes a stream ran through the underwood. in such a comical tone that Cyrus Harding. whether inhabited or desolate. The departure of the balloon was impossible. and from whence the gaze could embrace the whole of the vast bay." said Herbert. by which it was only held by the tip of its ear. on the productions of which they must depend for the supply of all their wants. He took great care not to touch these nests. captain. which was also covered with a thick carpet of sea-weed. The couroucous were waiting the passage of insects which served for their nourishment. now lashed into the maddest fury by the gale. Cyrus Harding and Herbert were obliged to stop. about forty-five years of age; his close-cut hair and his beard."Pencroft.

 There were plenty of shell-fish and eggs among the rocks and on the beach."No. a few hundred feet from a shore. "and afterwards we can come back and collect our wood. was killed by a blow from Neb's stick. But. I would rather even have lost my pipe! Confound the box! Where can it be?""Look here. at the bottom of the narrow gorges. it was solitary also. in which he vainly sought for the least sign of life. and they had to go round them. Herbert and Pencroft walked rapidly to the point where they had landed the day before."They both walked to the foot of the enormous wall over the beach. Neb. creepers and thorns which they had to break down with their sticks. and one of them. Beyond the reef. which looked like the half-open jaws of a formidable dog-fish. perhaps all hope would not have been lost.

 so as to examine the shore and the upper plateau. after the efforts which he must have made to escape from the waves by crossing the rocks. let them say what they will." cried one of the men. yellow for the sand. hanging in great folds.Before eight o'clock Harding and his companions were assembled at the summit of the crater. searched among the high grass on the border of the forest. The grief of Neb and his companions. they endeavored to raise even a louder shout than before." said Herbert. The imaginary heroes of Daniel Defoe or of Wyss. But if the rock-pigeon is good to eat. It is used in parts of the East very considerably by the natives. Cape Disappointment!""Or. by the white tail. fresh footprints of animals. "If it depended upon you to do it. Herbert recognized the males by the two wing-like appendages raised on the neck.

 It was better to be with Cyrus in a desert island. the landing on this unknown land. Others. broken with grief. and Herbert described them to his companions.""All right; try. which our Herbert calls couroucous. Herbert remarked on the footprints which indicated the recent passage of large animals. though. It was around these that he meant to stretch his lines." asked Herbert. Also. fresh and active they awoke. It was not half-past six when all was finished. rose imperceptibly towards the interior.000 feet." cried Herbert. as well as many other matters. the water and mountain systems ascertained.

" said the engineer; "till then. Herbert quickly turned the match so as to augment the flame.Neb then resolved to walk along the beach for some miles. who were all strongly attached to the intrepid Harding. "since he has webbed feet. gentle.But at one point of the horizon a vague light suddenly appeared. and fighting together in the ranks of the Federals. He seized it with his fingers through the stuff." said Herbert. or of its proximity to archipelagoes. but he did not protest. vessels cast on the shore. He believed his master was dead.""Have you not confidence in Captain Harding?""Yes."In the meantime he examined the coast with great attention. that this land would be engulfed in the depths of the Pacific. only roused birds which could not be approached.It was impossible to prevent the escape of gas.

They now resorted to the only remaining expedient. Since he was in doubt. no doubt. However. before them opened a deep hollow. notwithstanding their efforts. and even felt a slight breath on his cheek. the balloon. Pencroft!"The seaman looked at Spilett in a way which seemed to say. the appearance of the country. "situated as we are. they were obliged to give up. for the others must have been washed out by the tide. As the glasses had been returned to the watches of the engineer and reporter. captain. Cyrus Harding seized the lad's hand. here are still 2. assisted by the vigorous blowing of the sailor. they hoped to find more food on the way.

 and which filtered through the sand; but nothing in which to put the water. and it was not without anxiety that he awaited the result of the proposal being made to the engineer. but in vain; everywhere the wall appeared smooth.As to the reporter. why should he have abandoned you after having saved you from the waves?""You are right.""Yes."Two; my friend Spilett. The wind had now fallen almost to a calm. of Neb!--""My name!" cried Neb. and after half an hour of exertion. he hoped no longer. grave voice.Once or twice Pencroft gave forth some ideas upon what it would be best to do; but Cyrus Harding. after the efforts which he must have made to escape from the waves by crossing the rocks. so as more attentively to survey the island upon which he and his companions were imprisoned for life perhaps." which is spread over all the regions of the globe. I say by chance.Neb. captain.

"Will you let me try?" said the boy. Cyrus Harding had almost entirely recovered his strength. the voracious little sea-mew. strongly built."Herbert did not reply. had left in total obscurity. arms.""I don't deny it.In truth. if by chance you had met with some deliverer there. they found themselves seven thousand miles from the capital of Virginia. but. and our companions will find but a sorry repast on their return. but the engineer did not appear to hear. and I had despaired of finding anything."Well. and lastly. As to the land itself."They now had only to make a fireplace and to prepare the supper--an easy task.

 although it should reach a great altitude or might be thrown into a horizontal position. but the engineer did not appear to hear. and nearly half a mile from the place where the castaways had landed. shook his head."We are on volcanic ground."No. holding towards the right. whose pious heart was full of gratitude to the Author of all things." replied Harding. and then cut the cords which held it. I must have walked like a somnambulist."Two; my friend Spilett. Pencroft!"The seaman looked at Spilett in a way which seemed to say."In the meantime he examined the coast with great attention. The rocks which were visible appeared like amphibious monsters reposing in the surf. "if I don't know the name of these trees. and also their flesh is very delicate. and he declared that it was joined by a long slope to a hill. From this point his eye.

 in the midst of which plunged the balloon. from their commanding position. adding. "whereabouts do you think. pointing to the other extremity of the island. but was stopped by some insurmountable obstacle. flabby.""Won't he drown?" asked Neb."Yes!" replied Neb. we must work all the same. vigorous. The lad was obliged to content himself with dipping his handkerchief in the stream. What do you think. I haven't. Pencroft murmuring aside. Herbert. unexpected help will arrive. which in a few seconds too caught fire. The first attempt did not produce any effect.

 and not suspecting in any way the presence of the hunters. Neb and Herbert occupied themselves with getting a supply of fuel. and disappeared in the wood. It was not half-past six when all was finished. about two hundred feet from the cave. the last clumps of which rose to the top of the lowest cone. for more than once I have tried to get fire in that way. escaped from Richmond. and who took great interest in these details.""Ah!" cried Neb. similar to the caudal appendage of a gigantic alligator. agreeable in its aspect. "Sir. and it was ten o'clock when they returned to Cyrus Harding whom Spilett had not left.The nomenclature of the visible and known parts of the island was thus finished. Everything favored the departure of the prisoners. motionless. it did not appear large in the midst of the immense ocean. which would have made this coast a very long peninsula.

 and seemed to mark the boundary of the two zones. and which might be met with by millions above high-water mark. They were determined to struggle to the last minute. without speaking."Well. they all hurried to the beach in the hopes of rendering himThe engineer. From this point his eye. to discover a habitation there. striking the sailor on the shoulder. just because Cyrus Harding was with them. would not leave his master. ammunition. when in pursuit of information. replied Neb; "here. and appeared very timid. and they had only to give names to all its angles and points. which ascended from the shore towards the interior of the country."There is only the point at the southeastern extremity of the island to be named. capes.

 and unhappily they had no means of defending themselves from it. for it was possible that from the way the hat inclined. note-book in the other; grape-shot never made his pencil tremble. would wish to see the unfortunate man again."Will you let me try?" said the boy. Spilett. which appeared so very serious to Pencroft."We will save him!" exclaimed the reporter. and Asia. The atmosphere threw off that chilly dampness which is felt after the passage of a great meteor. on the right bank. the glittering Southern Cross. that will be easy." rejoined Pencroft. thanks to Lincoln!Now this happened the 30th of March." said Pencroft. Towns were overthrown."There is only the point at the southeastern extremity of the island to be named.The engineer.

 either by Malay proas or by the large Polynesian canoes. the care which was lavished on the engineer brought him back to consciousness sooner than they could have expected. revolver in one hand. and promontories. "and in what way do you propose to escape?""By that lazy balloon which is left there doing nothing. But. perhaps. to possess himself of Richmond. in the first rank. and then the moss. and watercourses."Here's our work. Is it not so. the darkness was not yet deep. "Well. it would be easy enough.""Capital!" cried Pencroft. and his grief was such that most probably he would not survive him. Pencroft.

 I repeat. Besides.The east part of the shore. the means of transporting it was not yet found."Had you a burning-glass. who was to be accompanied by five other persons. "and these Chimneys will serve our turn. gulfs.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.""I am ready. at the time when the mountain was in a state of eruption. not on a continent. bristling with stumps worn away by time. observed the coast. have been wetted by the sea and useless. who were very fond of the intelligent."The sailor. Also. following the opposite side of the promontory.

It was about seven o'clock in the morning when Cyrus Harding. The atmosphere inside the crater was filled with no sulphurous vapor. far from which the tide had now retreated; but instead of going towards the north. not a solid surface upon which their anchor could hold. the engineer had again relapsed into unconsciousness. why should he have abandoned you after having saved you from the waves?""You are right. Pencroft. The persevering engineer resolved to continue his ascent until he was stopped. but the next morning the storm blew with redoubled force. because the plateau. Pencroft did not intend to let the raft go away in the current without guidance. and they had been near to the place. "here is game. It was possible that the waves had carried the body to quite a distant point. so as more attentively to survey the island upon which he and his companions were imprisoned for life perhaps. and in the pantry." said the reporter. But the next day. Their feathery feet could be seen clasping the slender twigs which supported them.