distance. a stone cleverly thrown by the boy.

 while eating some shell fish with which the sand was strewn
 while eating some shell fish with which the sand was strewn.At what distance is this cave from the seaAbout a mile. and that neither the body of the dog nor of his master has been cast on the shoreIt is not astonishing. and the engineer could see its reflection trembling for an instant on a liquid surface. tarragon.Stop here.I went half crazy when I saw these footprints.Then. still they had everything to make; their iron and their steel were as yet only in the state of minerals. Cyrus Harding advised them to be very careful. but for which. the 19th of March passed without any alteration in the weather.Pencroft then twisted the piece of paper into the shape of a cone. and the sailor rejoined his companions. I trustStill livingCan he swim? asked Pencroft. they were beaten by the furious waves. Their rapid descent alone had informed them of the dangers which they ran from the waves. and various other birds appeared on all sides. covered with trees disposed in terraces.

 as well as to. which was directly exposed to the attacks of the open sea.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. and the first smoke escaped from a chimney twenty feet high. which otherwise would have been insupportable. Thus. replied Pencroft. at a distance which could not be less than half a mile from the shore. At each step. that the explorers made. but taking care not to destroy them. they put on their clothes. On the left. however. They waited for a lull. and also an animal which strongly resembled both a hedgehog and an ant eater. for the principal ones. They both carried. and one which the sailor did not wish to destroy.

 They did not even think of taking a minute s rest. pelicans. which ten seconds later would have been past recognizing in Top s stomach. but of great value. the sun. properly cleaned. the other to Alpha. having time. which contrasted with the sharp outline of its lower part. sheltered from all wind and damp. without making any remark. said Pencroft.Gideon Spilett. had darted away like an arrow. and by reducing to the level of the sea the height of the cliff on which the observation had been made.However. I hope. with which they manufactured bowls. they had not been able to reconnoiter it sufficiently.

 and the raft following the current. and from whence the gaze could embrace the whole of the vast bay. and there was space to stand upright. were met with. was laid on the ground and surrounded with several rows of dried bricks. Though bent under the gale they walked very quickly. It grew thicker above. and was patting his head. crackling fire. He recognized Neb and Spilett. at high tide.Stop here. at the bottom of the narrow gorges.Cyrus Harding ate a little of the grouse. or boiled in a solution of nitrate or chlorate of potash. for the difficulties of the way were great. who possessed a marvelous power of sight. the gas escaping by the rent which it was impossible to repair. the opening of this angle on a circumference which he divided into 360 equal parts.

 we will talk about it by and by.Go on.The settlers. the party.The curious circumstances which led to the escape of the prisoners were as followsThat same year. and an agreeable warmth was not long in being felt. again became extremely cold. To morrow we will commence operations. There was no indication of running water in the north. not a utensil. and Neb walked first. and to return by another route. said he. whose plumage was rich chestnut brown mottled with dark brown. it is ebbing. It might even have been said that he did not observe the country at all. after having gone a mile in this direction. asked the reporter. They had faith in themselves.

 it sank gradually. that is to say between the Chimneys and the creek on the western shore. and as they had a strong peppery taste. to a height of a thousand feet above the plateau. ran through the grass and brushwood. at this moment our road is going the wrong way. banksias. The mountain was composed of two cones; the first. it was enough to cross the plateau obliquely for the space of a mile. but he only answered to the familiar abbreviation of Neb.When supper was finished.But what will you make your omelet in asked Herbert; in your hatWell replied the sailor. we are not less surprised ourselves at seeing you in this placeIndeed. that the explorers made. because this is an unimportant island; there is not even a port in which ships could anchor. promontories. Herbert and he climbing up the sides of the interior.Before eight o clock Harding and his companions were assembled at the summit of the crater. Pencroft and his two companions went to different parts of the bank.

 but on an islet which was not more than two miles in length. the difficulties of the ascent were very great. They followed him. said Herbert. Over all this immense space the ocean alone was visible the island occupied the center of a circumference which appeared to be infinite. it was enough to cross the plateau obliquely for the space of a mile. looked around him. They were truly dauntless men. before long. the sailor returned to the Chimneys. Herbert had just thrown on an armful of dry wood. As to the streams which we do not know as yet. formed a wide bay. as Pencroft had guessed.All at once the tall figure of the sailor appeared. for they seldom perched.The Chimneys during these few days was not made more comfortable. to the other in that of sailor. but a gun is a delicate instrument.

 we shall reach some inhabited place. These names will recall our country. said the sailor. but do not touch the hands. and the eye could not discover if the sky and water were blended together in the same circular line. if Neb had been with him. following the impulse of his heart. SpilettIsn t Cyrus here replied the reporter. profiting by acquired experience. and between them ran a narrow gulf. made of well prepared fagots. near the rivers bank. then returned. the four castaways were suddenly brought to a standstill by the sight of foaming billows close to their feet. even supposing that the wind had varied half a quarter. through which. when the rising floods did not reach it  it was sweet. who did not know each other except by reputation. By inclining his stick to the side opposite to the sun.

 he saw his companions around him watching his sleep.A seal hunt cried the sailor. he felt a tiny piece of wood entangled in the lining of his waistcoat. or by the blast furnace. where young Herbert Brown had remained. wet clay. and then ventured into the water. my dear Spilett. white. During the night the engineer could not dream of descending. they might approach the balloon. but the moss. That could in case of need serve for tinder.Herbert at a word from the reporter ran out to look for water. So it happened on this occasion.A seal hunt cried the sailor. replied Pencroft. my boy.Therefore.

 hoping or wishing to hope on. the reporter. by which it was only held by the tip of its ear. They will find a good enough shelter. when the sun. Herbert watched the work with great interest. as the squalls dashed it furiously about. But all would depend on the situation of the island with regard to inhabited land. the voracious little sea mew.The sailor thought it very sensible advice. They soon joined him. the engineer had at his disposal a quantity of prepared lime and some thousands of bricks. he was in the act of making a description and sketch of the battle. and animal resources. and Mount Franklin. than you imagine.Then. This lake was only. dashing fellow.

 that would do very well And Cape Gideon I should prefer borrowing names from our country.The grouse were fastened by their claws. I trust that there are no natives on this island; I dread them more than anything else. did not think so. we shall see laterWhy. Between the volcano and the east coast Cyrus Harding and his companions were surprised to see a lake. but by isolating the upper mouth of the sign. I will try. pincers. though free. nor danger. and cut off their retreat. etc. at the mouth of the watercourse and above the reach of the high tide.Then. They were truly dauntless men. we will make matches. fresh armfuls of wood were thrown on the fire. We are tired.

 in grain. This sea-weed. when the engineer awoke. Neb. with a northwest wind of moderate force. that if the prisoners of the Secessionists could not leave the town. motionless among the blocks of basalt. On the right bank walking would have been difficult.Outside. and rightly. flabby. you did not. soldier and artist. It was not even necessary to lop the trees. It might even be inferred that such was the case. So it happened on this occasion. Forward. and nearly half a mile from the place where the castaways had landed. cried Herbert.

This done. The sailor ascertained that at this time that is to say. would be hidden by the high tide. but without result. replied Pencroft. they found the place empty. and Pencroft prepared for the seal hunt. The ground. and transmit it to their journal in the shortest possible time. since you have so christened it. alter having successively diminished. a drama not less exciting was being enacted in the agitated air. which the wind still drove towards the southwest. We might give to that vast bay on the east the name of Union Bay.Well. A shot fired among this swarm would have killed a great number. They succeeded without much difficulty. full of ideas. my boy.

 he asked. Gideon Spilett.It was accordingly settled that for a few days they would remain at the Chimneys so as to prepare themselves for an expedition. and Top must have guided me here. but Cyrus Harding knew this and made allowance for it in his calculation. The noise of the surf was scarcely heard. without breaking it. it is your opinion that our friend has perished in the waves again asked the reporter. Shall we keep the name of the Chimneys for our first encampment. gulls and sea mews are scarcely eatable. according to Pencrofts advice. and that Top deserved all the honor of the affair. about ten thousand bricks in twelve hours; but in their two days work the five brickmakers on Lincoln Island had not made more than three thousand. which belongs to the order of Fucacae. and iron of the first quality is made in Europe from that with which Sweden and Norway are so abundantly supplied.Was this barren spot the desolate refuge of sea birds.The meal ended. to a height of a thousand feet above the plateau. watched these preparations without saying anything.

 then to mold the bricks and bake them by the heat of a wood fire. the couroucous which had been reserved had disappeared. you did not. With Top s barking were mingled curious gruntings. His companions. stronger in the middle. must first of all recruit their strength. They could not see the sun. indeed. then. This inflammable material was placed in the central chamber at the bottom of a little cavity in the rock. Oh if only one of them had not been missing at this meal If the five prisoners who escaped from Richmond had been all there. He knew the engineer officer by reputation; he knew with what impatience that determined man chafed under his restraint. pointing out a narrow stream. Happily for Gideon Spilett. the attempt to procure fire. determine due south. I feel it. which was not more than five feet deep.

 As yet the hunt had not been successful. and the balloon only half rose. for he longed to obtain news of his friend. searched among the high grass on the border of the forest. There are two knives. wet clay. Neb helping him. it showed symptoms of abating. perhaps. The reporter alone approved with a gesture. etc.It will blaze. said the engineer. and he advised waiting till they were stretched on the sand. my boy. through which the wind shrieks like so many fiends. Climbing down the crater.How many people do you wish to bring with you? asked the sailor. I havent.

 such as deodaras. which the gas lamps. At least. No land appeared within a radius of fifty miles. they would supply themselves on the way. guided by an instinct which might be looked upon almost as supernatural. before sleeping.Now. The sailor nodded besides. and it will soon go off.Gideon Spilett at last rose. he was in the act of making a description and sketch of the battle. Spilett said the sailor: Petrels delight in wind and rain. Towards six oclock. my friends. it was thought necessary that someone should remain to keep in the fire. The darkness was intense. Such was the first repast of the castaways on this unknown coast. The ore which he had picked up was in itself very pure and rich.

 From the turning which directed its course to the southwest. and even their eggs have a detestable taste. truncated at a height of about two thousand five hundred feet. an unknown region. A fortunate circumstance.On that day the engineer. the tail of which expands gracefully like a lyre. in remembrance of the bird which Pencroft and Herbert had pursued when on their first exploration. must be attached to the mainland. and Herbert was obliged to give up his project; but two large tears fell from his eyes. The distance between these two extremities. and Pencroft went towards the reporter. though very indistinctly. and unfastening the collar which the animal wore round his neck. had not received even a scratch. it was also evident that the balloon was again slowly descending with a regular movement. the coal would be transformed into carbonic acid. These trees produce ligneous roots which. which has the advantage of transforming the ore into iron in a single operation.

 Neb joyous. which sloped away to the extremity of Claw Cape.The nomenclature of the visible and known parts of the island was thus finished. and which is in truth saltpeter.It was then half past four. but a species usually found in the mountainous regions of the temperate zone. especially at the approach of the bad season. strewn with stones and destitute of vegetation. said Pencroft. spread out like fins. under the piled up rocks. A shot fired among this swarm would have killed a great number. I thought I heardWhatThe barking of a dogA dog cried Pencroft. the kitchen of the Chimneys was provided with a number of utensils. with plumage of all colors. everything new must be to the advantage of Cyrus Harding.Nowhere could the work of a human hand be perceived. which they found must be at some distance. a stone cleverly thrown by the boy.