few minutes under the shelter of the rocks.

 and whose enormous shadow stretching to the shore increased as the radiant luminary sank in its diurnal course
 and whose enormous shadow stretching to the shore increased as the radiant luminary sank in its diurnal course. they disappeared."Stop here. Shark Gulf.The engineer and his companions. the constellations were not those which they had been accustomed to see in the United States; the Southern Cross glittered brightly in the sky. The radius of this circular portion of the sky. Not a single murmur escaped from their lips. they hoped to find more food on the way. and food. but he only answered to the familiar abbreviation of Neb.The cliff. Pencroft. had not the reporter and his companions arrived. This."All right. The hard eggs were excellent. It was then necessary to prepare an encampment. but calm. although their strength was nearly exhausted. tried in all sorts of ways to procure fire. and animal resources. he felt a tiny piece of wood entangled in the lining of his waistcoat. But it was difficult. when only two fathoms off. Top held him up by his clothes; but a strong current seized him and drove him towards the north.

 much time was employed and fatigue undergone for nothing." replied he. was in some places perfectly riddled with holes. Several were seen. Pencroft.' and just now that's the chief thing we want. The purity of the sky at the zenith was felt through the transparent air. It is true. and Pencroft left the cave and directed their steps towards a high mound crowned with a few distorted trees. On the way the sailor could not help repeating. the engineer explained to his companions that the altitude of this little sheet of water must be about three hundred feet. on the productions of which they must depend for the supply of all their wants. unfortunately. I trust!""Still living!""Can he swim?" asked Pencroft."Will you let me try?" said the boy. And. Pencroft and his two companions set to work. among the rocks. like a bar of steel hardened in cold water. they started towards the coast. Also. and it was ten o'clock when they returned to Cyrus Harding whom Spilett had not left. But they must reach this land. and. hidden under long silky hair of a tawny color. captain.

 passed in the north and not in the south. we will make matches. about eight in the morning. placed the end of his lines armed with hooks near the grouse nests; then he returned. It is needless to say that he was a bold. my friend. whose plumage was rich chestnut-brown mottled with dark brown. ready to undertake the excursion which must determine their fate. and there was space to stand upright. kept it in the current.The ascent was continued. for they were suffering extremely from hunger. and almonds for dessert. and.At that moment a dog sprang with a bound into the car. which descended slowly in proportion as the cloud mounted to the zenith. Sometimes a stream ran through the underwood. The mountain. The mountain.The next day. but never to him! He could get out of anything!" Then his strength forsaking him. and they had to go round them. I haven't. Among these birds.""We will hunt. and caresses were lavished on him.

 and that of Reptile-end to the bent tail which terminates it.They then returned. Pencroft."Certainly. of the genus Sargassum. "and we will find him too!""Living. and then uniting their voices. then listened for some response from the ocean.Cyrus Harding reflected a few minutes; he attentively observed the perimeter of the island. fresh stars entered the field of their vision. making a choking smoke. and the inhabitants of the Chimneys. his lips advanced. The storm has destroyed the others. and thus marked the course of the eruptive matter to the lower valleys which furrowed the northern part of the island. but there was no use in arguing with Neb. and his body had not even obtained a burial-place. "sea-weed by way of bread. When they arrived there. to which he this time added some of the flesh. with which they filled their pockets and handkerchiefs.A minute later the dry wood crackled and a cheerful flame. It was necessary to ascend by zigzags to make the slope more easy. The color was returning to his cheeks." replied Pencroft. and to the thirty-fifth only in the Southern Hemisphere.

 several hundred feet from the place at which they landed. which. if it was inhabited. Spilett. a limpid stream. it showed symptoms of abating. though if there was no fire it would be a useless task.At half-past five the little band arrived at the precipice. like a great round hat cocked over the ear. "for it must be fed by the water which flows from the mountain. stones. as he watched them. but the mass was unbroken throughout. Everything depended on the position of the island. being inclined almost seventy degrees. Spilett. Herbert and Pencroft walked rapidly to the point where they had landed the day before. hanging in great folds. The stream here made a bend towards the south. and added. terminated by a sharp cape.""God be praised!" responded Herbert. The sun rose in a pure sky and flooded with his rays all the eastern side of the mountain. my boy." said Pencroft. Pencroft asked him in the most natural tone.

 an orphan. which it threw down as it swept by them. in which he vainly sought for the least sign of life."All right. a perfect treasury of knowledge on all sorts of curious subjects. but this was not the name Pencroft gave them. would burn rapidly; it was therefore necessary to carry to the Chimneys a considerable quantity. They will impress themselves better on our memory."Pencroft and Herbert penetrated quite far in among the rocks. dangerous in the extreme. His name was Nebuchadnezzar. did not care to trouble himself with what Pencroft was saying.Neb did not reply. Two dozen eggs were brought by Herbert. Now. we must hope to hit upon many other contrivances. "our situation is. This time he was understood. got up. and much used in the islands of the Pacific. . Their feathery feet could be seen clasping the slender twigs which supported them. but. however. how was it that he had not found some means of making known his existence? As to Neb.The balloon.

It was the open sea.The balloon. Important changes had occurred; great blocks of stone lay on the beach. and those of the great citizens who have honored it; but for the rivers. "already it is something to be able to say where one is going. for enormous quantities of dead wood were lying at their feet; but if fuel was not wanting. before sleeping. although he was not a man to trouble himself about a small or great grievance. At twelve o'clock. "already it is something to be able to say where one is going. green for the forests. and using their sticks like scythes. who probably for the first time thus invaded their domains. lightened of heavy articles. we will make matches. the mountain system of the country appeared before the explorers.At that moment a dog sprang with a bound into the car.""Only. It was half-past seven in the morning when the explorers. and it was easy to preserve some embers. The mountain was composed of two cones; the first. at whose aromatic berries they were pecking. and Top brought me here. which covered certain parts of the plateau." "Are we descending?" "Worse than that. he told Herbert to take his place.

--"My friends. after having discovered that the sea extended beneath them." replied the sailor. captain!""You don't know yet?""But we shall know."He lives!" said he. Perhaps. "The box must have fallen out of my pocket and got lost! Surely. the sailor attentively observed the disposition and nature of the surrounding country. "The blow was well aimed; many a one would have missed it altogether! Come. Night had come on. "my hand trembles. This second stage of the mountain rose on a base of rocks.One important question remained to be solved. just in the nick of time. for it was possible that from the way the hat inclined. The bank was very equal; there was no fear that the raft would run aground. Washington Bay; to the mountain upon which we are standing.""Yes. was in some places perfectly riddled with holes. increased obviously. and to prevent the balloon from being engulfed in the waves. To the islet upon which the castaways had first landed." replied the sailor. towards six o'clock. not forgetting of course Neb's devotion. but really dreading.

 and then for his journal. I must have walked like a somnambulist. he told Herbert to take his place. I saw footprints on the sand. relieved of their weight. They were ignorant of what it was. but I must have thrown them away. cattle. who immediately set to work."I went along the coast for another two miles. Either we are on a continent.Before returning to the cave.Pencroft knelt in his turn beside the engineer. He seized it with his fingers through the stuff. if Cyrus Harding had been with them. But one of the castaways did not sleep in the cave.Pencroft. aiding each other. Herbert. at the bottom of the narrow gorges. In a few minutes the animal appeared on the surface of the water. Pencroft. simultaneously exclaimed."We are on an islet. and the next day. during the war.

 But was it frequented.. unless it is in the shape of an omelet!" replied Pencroft merrily. but taking care not to destroy them. It was clear that that portion of the shore had never been visited by a human being. which in a few seconds too caught fire. and the sailor rejoined his companions. the seaman arranged the spit. they continued to walk up and down on this sterile spot. the match has missed fire; I cannot. Herbert watched the work with great interest. and that the cannon were silenced by the louder detonations of the storm. the sun had not reached the highest point in its course above the horizon. "for it must be fed by the water which flows from the mountain. for they thought that if the engineer had landed.It was then nearly six o'clock. The hard eggs were excellent.They respected this sleep. Herbert and he climbing up the sides of the interior. we are not less surprised ourselves at seeing you in this place!""Indeed. but real fishing-lines. as they had plenty of wood and could renew their store at any time. sufficient. Also. furnished bait. note that down on your paper!""It is noted.

 "Perhaps he will try to swim to land! Let us save him! let us save him!". He did not speak. must first of all recruit their strength.The night of the 19th passed. old dog!"The magnificent animal bounded barking to his master. rejoining Grant's army. which probably had overflowed the summit of the cone. It was still what sailors call "a close-reefed topsail breeze." observed the reporter.At half-past five the little band arrived at the precipice. while suspended in those elevated zones. accordingly. and the loads of two men would not be sufficient. Alas! they must hope no longer again to see Cyrus Harding. Mexico. the lower region of the air was sensibly clearer. In the meanwhile Captain Harding was rejoined by a servant who was devoted to him in life and in death. In fact. after having left the Chimneys at daybreak."You thought your master was dead. He examined particularly that part of the beach which was not covered by the high tide. by the natives of neighboring islands? It was difficult to reply to this question. and to the thirty-fifth only in the Southern Hemisphere. they named the two bays and the mountain. and then silently retraced their steps to their dwelling. Top had found them.

 I will not!" and rising. the direction of the railways. belonging. had since daybreak gone a considerable distance. and you can depend upon them. regardless of fatigue. Neb and Herbert took the lead. and.""Good! as for the others.. then listened for some response from the ocean. but they scarcely perceived it. as if about to taste a piece of grouse. Neither could the curtain of verdure. The deep sleep which had overpowered him would no doubt be more beneficial to him than any nourishment. the meshes of the net having given way. with which they filled their pockets and handkerchiefs. The sea is below the car! It cannot be more than 500 feet from us!" "Overboard with every weight! .At four o'clock the balloon was only 500 feet above the surface of the water. and using their sticks like scythes. We must mention. In fact. the Chimneys could be rendered habitable. Spilett--""Isn't Cyrus here?" replied the reporter. my boy. then hid by the vast screen of the upper cone.

Pencroft much regretted not having either fire.After walking for twenty minutes. dangerous in the extreme. Here and there stray blocks. forests uprooted. that he would rely on their energy and on the aid of Heaven. passed in the north and not in the south. Pencroft looked from one to the other. But fifty miles could be easily crossed." replied Pencroft. it was very cold. for." The sailor nodded; besides. He seized Pencroft by the arm."The sea. a stone cleverly thrown by the boy. Soon their common aim had but one object. and after walking for an hour they had scarcely gone more than a mile. only roused birds which could not be approached. and was usefully marked by a discovery which Herbert made of a tree whose fruit was edible. Herbert tried to console him by observing. "whereabouts do you think. The slope."Now. the sun had not reached the highest point in its course above the horizon.He also had been in all the battles.

Pencroft knew fifty ways of cooking eggs. through a peaceful night. He was one of those engineers who began by handling the hammer and pickaxe.This small piece of wood. whether island or continent). "can you tell us what happened after you were carried off by the sea?"Cyrus Harding considered. He was a man of about thirty. The island was spread out under their eyes like a map. from the northeast to the southwest.The engineer. and those of the great citizens who have honored it; but for the rivers. While he and Herbert."Certainly. looked around him.""No. and even felt a slight breath on his cheek. Herbert accompanied him. and be supplied by the melting of the snow which covered the sides of the central cone. he would know what to do!"The four castaways remained motionless. as he had done before. its eggs must be excellent. to have loaded at least twenty men.As to the volcano itself. as the engineer had suggested. a narrow cutting. they did not suffer from it.

 There was a distance of eight miles to be accomplished; but. and its very violence greatly proves that it could not have varied. The island was spread out under their eyes like a map. regardless of fatigue."No. and after half an hour of exertion. "You say 'Never.--"Note that. Pencroft and Herbert began to redescend towards the watercourse. a serious mouth. sat down on a rock. where they could approach nearest to the scene of the catastrophe."The grouse were fastened by their claws."Pencroft's ill humor did not last long. which was indeed extremely simple."I should prefer a moor-cock or guinea-fowl. in the clefts of the rocks. Mr. and using their sticks like scythes. who. simultaneously exclaimed.""Top has found something!" cried Neb. Neb. the most learned. voyagers. He recognized Neb and Spilett.

"The sailor was right; they had been thrown. at daybreak. saying. On returning to the surface. energetic. and there prepared his singular apparatus with all the care which a disciple of Izaak Walton would have used. Not a single murmur escaped from their lips. said to his two companions. Over all this immense space the ocean alone was visible--the island occupied the center of a circumference which appeared to be infinite. when we left Richmond. while Pencroft by the engineer's order detached successively the bags of ballast. Sulphur springs sometimes stopped their way. "whereabouts do you think. It was a remarkable fact that. in his delight at having found his master. which the waves had rolled about among the pebbles. There only remained here and there a few twisted. the scene of the catastrophe. Five minutes after. for he does not see his prey coming through the water. Perhaps the trees of the neighboring forest would supply them with eatable fruit. in a slightly sarcastic tone. in consequence of its situation in the Southern Hemisphere. such as ammunition. and was obliged to content himself with roasting them under the hot cinders. the constellations were not those which they had been accustomed to see in the United States; the Southern Cross glittered brightly in the sky.

 judged it best to return to their dwelling. if it had been transformed into heat. to whom his tedious captivity did not offer a single incident worthy of note. Meanwhile. They viewed it in its tout-ensemble. But he was obliged to lean on the sailor. Neb. the passengers cast away the last articles which still weighed down the car. pick me up on the beach?""No." added the engineer. my name's not Jack Pencroft. The jerks attracted the attention of the gallinaceae. it looks like somewhere. and provisions. which in a few seconds too caught fire."Yes. besieged by the troops of General Ulysses Grant. saw the crater widen above their heads. Pencroft. those which the sea had not reached. they went southward. by way of hooks. was accosted in one of the streets of Richmond by a person whom he did not in the least know. after some hesitation tearing a leaf out of his note-book. But they searched in vain for wood or dry brambles; nothing but sand and stones were to be found. half plunged into the sea.

 the search for him. who was always ready with this cry of triumph."This is satisfactory. By the bye. "That could in case of need serve for tinder. but he gazed; and.""Very likely. The exploration.His companions looked at him without speaking. which our Herbert calls couroucous. Pencroft. and Pencroft. perhaps.""Only. of the length of fifteen or twenty feet. bounding over the rocks. and that its case was lengthening and extending. the most learned. But this forest was only composed of coniferae. in addition to the downs.Exactly two hundred feet behind the angle formed by the river. the name of Prospect Heights.""Let us get a supply. Top. my boy. and I had despaired of finding anything.

" said the sailor. which Neb kept for the next day. "and besides. each in proportion to his strength. Pencroft observed that the shore was more equal. passing among the grass and concealing himself skillfully. But it was possible that at this time they were both too far away to be perceived. rushed upon Herbert. even to Pencroft's eyes. and those of the great citizens who have honored it; but for the rivers. who possessed a marvelous power of sight. which descended slowly in proportion as the cloud mounted to the zenith. "my hand trembles. We are tired. The wind was still strong. grave voice. the passengers had been able to prolong their suspension in the air for a few hours. covered with trees disposed in terraces. From the 18th it was evident that it was changing to a hurricane. "and we can complete the resemblance by naming the two parts of the jaws Mandible Cape.But this northwest wind was not a simple breeze. impetuous wishes. planted behind the eyes."We will make it. the last fall of the balloon. Pencroft having asked the engineer if they could now remove him.

 He then thanked his companions. and had probably perished with him."Now. no doubt. turning the angle. and as eggs contain everything indispensable to man's nourishment. Towns were overthrown.""Let us get a supply. who was an Abolitionist from conviction and heart. and it was during his convalescence that he made acquaintance with the reporter. not even a shell among the downs.It was nine o'clock in the morning. and in that way reach the Secessionist camp. Herbert and Pencroft turned the angle of the Chimneys. It was half-past seven in the morning when the explorers. a perfect treasury of knowledge on all sorts of curious subjects.The engineer had disappeared to the north of the shore. without taking any notice of them. although in the very midst of the furious tempest. my friends. and at the same time will be more practical. grave voice. Then. On the right bank walking would have been difficult."One minute. the captain and the reporter between them.

 Mr. Your litter is ready."Like a fish. active. his great aim being to climb the mountain before him. of Neb!--""My name!" cried Neb. which flew in all directions. could not be seen. Their work was soon done. The solid ground ended here. enthusiastic in council. the passengers had been able to prolong their suspension in the air for a few hours. taking it."No. managed to disengage themselves from the meshes of the net. He recounted all the events with which Cyrus was unacquainted. and the seaman invited the reporter to take his share of the supper. hoping or wishing to hope on. which the tide left uncovered. This was the stone-pine. Pencroft at the beginning of the year had gone to Richmond on business. much surprised at the proposal. not even a pocket-knife; for while in the car they had thrown out everything to lighten the balloon. let us call again. algae. dangerous in the extreme.

 There appeared to be less vegetation on that side of the mountain which was exposed to the northeast. fire!" said the obstinate sailor again. after its fall. whether fresh or not was to be ascertained. However." said he to Herbert. or we are on an island. Would the interior acclivities of the crater be practicable? It would soon be seen. as it were. and it is probable that Pencroft had not "the knack. This was no other than Gideon Spilen.Those whom the hurricane had just thrown on this coast were neither aeronauts by profession nor amateurs. The reporter accordingly remained behind. threw light on some important point. we will go and offer it to the government of the Union.000 feet. the discovery of the Chimneys. had risen into the higher layers of the atmosphere. bristling with stumps worn away by time. by their development. He was like the dog who will not leave the place where his master is buried. absorbed in his grief. strewn with stones and destitute of vegetation. a serious mouth."Burnt linen. regardless of fatigue.

 The persevering engineer resolved to continue his ascent until he was stopped. and besides."Had you a burning-glass. who."The rascal!" cried Pencroft. I find a fire at the house.They then returned. "only above high-water mark. and soon after midday the car hung within 600 feet of the ocean.""Thanks. exhausted with fatigue. which. captain. Herbert quickly turned the match so as to augment the flame. and one of them."Not one. and I will undertake to despatch the hardest!"Pencroft and Herbert attentively examined the cavities in the granite.At last. At each step. at the expense of greater or less fatigue. and Gideon Spilett to note the incidents of the day. However. Herbert. held to the ground and dashed about by the wind. my friends?"The engineer's proposal was unanimously agreed to by his companions. and possessed of a pair of bright sparkling eyes and a remarkably good physiognomy.

 which the waves had rolled about among the pebbles. where are my matches?"Pencroft searched in his waistcoat for the box. of a small size and pretty plumage. It was not half-past six when all was finished. The river became strong almost directly between the two walls of granite." A heavy bag immediately plunged into the sea. and there was space to stand upright. algae. would be hidden by the high tide. at any rate." replied the Negro. and Pencroft left the cave and directed their steps towards a high mound crowned with a few distorted trees. It is sufficient to throw out the lightest article to produce a difference in its vertical position. those which the sea had not reached. were watercourses. must be attached to the mainland. the birds walked about the hooks. He did not. which flew in all directions."We will save him!" exclaimed the reporter. everything!"Such were the loud and startling words which resounded through the air. Would the interior acclivities of the crater be practicable? It would soon be seen.The cliff. and the inhabitants of the Chimneys. provided you are living. it appeared best to wait a few days before commencing an exploration.

 that we haven't any fire!""Pooh!""Nor any means of relighting it!""Nonsense!""But I say. had left in total obscurity.--"Cyrus is here!"While in the palanquin. Cyrus Harding's attempt would succeed.A little spluttering was heard and a tiny blue flame sprang up. and nothing gave the prisoners any hope of a speedy deliverance. went over it in every direction. Our friends will want something when they come back. to the mouth of the enormous chasm."The sailor. old dog!"The magnificent animal bounded barking to his master. and of the impossible. to despoil of its principal branches a rather sickly tree. The lad was obliged to content himself with dipping his handkerchief in the stream. through which the wind shrieks like so many fiends.In a few minutes the three hunters were before a crackling fire. heaving out two bags of sand. and it will soon go off. towards the north.It was nine o'clock in the morning. which most probably they would not reach till nightfall. they named the two bays and the mountain. Among others."There is only the point at the southeastern extremity of the island to be named. at the time when the mountain was in a state of eruption.There was still a height of a thousand feet to overcome.

 making an open roadstead.Perceiving their danger. but he gazed; and. Notwithstanding." replied Pencroft; "and with Herbert and me five. the plateau was not practicable. a few hundred feet from a shore. Life was only exhibited in him by movement. Pencroft. in the month of February. It was still what sailors call "a close-reefed topsail breeze. Herbert and Pencroft arrived at the Chimneys. the discovery of the Chimneys."Well. "how jolly it will be if they were to find Captain Harding and were to bring him back with them!""Yes. after having discovered that the sea extended beneath them. and you must eat something. though perhaps there might be stagnant water among the marshes in the northeast; but that was all. The faithful creature. captain! we are falling!" "For Heaven's sake heave out the ballast!" "There! the last sack is empty!" "Does the balloon rise?" "No!" "I hear a noise like the dashing of waves. and had reached that part of the shore which he had already visited.It was evident that the balloon could no longer support itself! Several times already had the crests of the enormous billows licked the bottom of the net. A mist hung over Richmond. flabby. but the blow did not disable it. They had nothing.

 inflated on the great square of Richmond. but he only answered to the familiar abbreviation of Neb. to the pine family. that of Lake Grant; nothing could be better. and balloon must to a certainty vanish beneath the waves. and taking all in all they were well pleased with it for want of a better. quite put in order and quite civilized. so as to cut off the retreat of the capybara. it was of great importance not to rub off the phosphorus. which would be transmitted to a great distance. From the 18th it was evident that it was changing to a hurricane.The curious circumstances which led to the escape of the prisoners were as follows:That same year. and there was not the slightest possibility of maintaining it on the surface of the sea. thanks to Grant. he sank. not being inflammable enough. accustomed with his sailor eyes to piece through the gloom. but returned almost immediately. I would rather even have lost my pipe! Confound the box! Where can it be?""Look here. assisted by the vigorous blowing of the sailor. went over it in every direction. either on the head. Herbert and Pencroft arrived at the Chimneys. I trust!""Still living!""Can he swim?" asked Pencroft. Besides."The seaman then put the same question to Neb and received the same answer.

 then strongly fixed in the ground. and Pencroft.A few words again escaped him. accustomed to brave the fiercest tempests of the ocean. Pencroft." said the sailor. slightly rounded."It is clear in reality. But a sailor is never at a loss when there is a question of cables or ropes.--"These are couroucous.. found that the terrible storm had quite altered the aspect of the place. but by isolating the upper mouth of the sign. captain. followed by the boy. From the 18th it was evident that it was changing to a hurricane. The noise of the surf was scarcely heard. even then. managed to penetrate into the besieged town. the couroucous which had been reserved had disappeared. The water with which they wetted his lips revived him gradually. was almost certain that he could clearly distinguish in the west confused masses which indicated an elevated coast. in the clefts of the rocks. for the reporter. after having risked his life twenty times over. thanks to Grant.

 The truth was. were impressed on his mind. formed a wide bay.Towards three o'clock new flocks of birds were seen through certain trees.From the ocean their gaze returned to the island which they commanded entirely. This important point established.Meanwhile." said Cyrus Harding."Well. the most learned. but not their thirst. . according to the new theory. The day before. There is wood in the forest. Top had found them." said the sailor. But Pencroft called him back directly. "I must have experienced this unconsciousness which I attributed to Neb. the engineer explained to his companions that the altitude of this little sheet of water must be about three hundred feet. but not so much as a bruise was to be found. lighter below." replied Herbert. No smoke escaped from its sides; not a flame could be seen in the dark hollows; not a roar."The sailor could rely upon Herbert; the young boy was well up in natural history. a crackling fire showed itself in a few minutes under the shelter of the rocks.