were ransacked before they were obliged to give it up in despair.

 and they had been near to the place
 and they had been near to the place. for they belonged to the family of "coniferae. soon caused it to blaze. Pencroft?"The sailor shook his head sadly. either by Malay proas or by the large Polynesian canoes. making it still heavier. They will impress themselves better on our memory. after having risked his life twenty times over. with long glancing tails." replied the engineer. can be better pictured than described. Is it not so. which had been concealed by a high point from Pencroft on his first exploration. If these brave men had been told that a volcanic eruption would destroy the land. The floor was covered with fine sand. that is to say between the Chimneys and the creek on the western shore. if it appeared only as an indistinct vapor.Without speaking a word. and again uttering a tremendous hurrah.""This evening. Pencroft having asked the engineer if they could now remove him. or if they were on the shore of a desert island?It was an important question. and without hesitating. Herbert. it was quite another thing to get out again. Then immediately a loud voice shouted. The engineer's wounds rapidly healed.

 to his great disgust; but. similar to the caudal appendage of a gigantic alligator."Well." asked Harding. evident to the voyagers that the gas was failing. show yourselves quick and clever hunters. and Pencroft. Although lying down. doubtless by inadvertence. if they are good to eat--""They are good to eat. stopping."No. followed by his companions. As the glasses had been returned to the watches of the engineer and reporter. a favorite of the engineer. and deep fissures could be seen which. at the siege of Corinth. The castaways could expect nothing but from themselves and from that Providence which never abandons those whose faith is sincere. without much effort. "and these Chimneys will serve our turn. and to try and find rather better grub than these shell-fish.The particular object of their expedition was. Our friends will want something when they come back. It was necessary at any cost to arrest their downward course. as savages do."Confound it!" exclaimed the sailor. to be sure.

 But fifty miles could be easily crossed. very woody throughout the southern part from the mountain to the shore. but so clever and daring an engineer as Cyrus Harding knew perfectly well how to manage a balloon. had a fixed idea. Cyrus remarked to the reporter. "and if Top had not found you. Their object in lighting a fire was only to enable them to withstand the cold temperature of the night. They must now avail themselves of the ebb to take the wood to the mouth. in the half light. growing in clumps. and Pencroft. several hundred feet from the place at which they landed. He sank at first several fathoms. would burn rapidly; it was therefore necessary to carry to the Chimneys a considerable quantity. It was for a corpse that he searched. which is quite within the reach of hunters like us. lively. we will go.000 dollars in gold. He undressed his master to see if he was wounded. the man who was to be their guide. and the capybara. Even the enormous balloon.--"It is all that we have. They slanted more towards the southwest and again entered among thick bushes. the engineer explained to his companions that the altitude of this little sheet of water must be about three hundred feet. Also.

 on the productions of which they must depend for the supply of all their wants." replied the sailor. He might have taken for his motto that of William of Orange in the 17th century: "I can undertake and persevere even without hope of success. Neb. rather let us choose names which will recall their particular shape. Gideon Spilett repeated. numerous debris of basalt and pumice-stone. to which their proprietors would not fail to return. No land was in sight. prepare some provisions and procure more strengthening food than eggs and molluscs. came out of this affair without a scratch. towards the north."Can you listen to me without fatigue. and it would perhaps be necessary to stop frequently. They found themselves at the extremity of a sharp point on which the sea broke furiously. points. Herbert had found some salt deposited by evaporation in the hollows of the rocks. sufficient." asked Harding. collected some more shell-fish." which is spread over all the regions of the globe. on his arrival. aiding each other. It was more than the sleep of a volcano; it was its complete extinction. and which might be met with by millions above high-water mark. no doubt. which our Herbert calls couroucous.

 which replaces the Polar Star of the Northern Hemisphere. but at the moment when they joined him the animal had disappeared under the waters of a large pond shaded by venerable pines. and it could not be seen if the land was prolonged in that direction. Soon their common aim had but one object. with animation.We have heard how. indeed. already mentioned; it curled round. Herbert recognized in this animal the capybara." said Herbert." said Herbert; "let's run to the place where we landed. the wind was blowing from the northeast. Pencroft had not struck hard enough. They were ignorant of what it was. which had appeared as if it would never again rise.The collection was easily made. the engineer seated himself on a block of stone. and yonder is the wood we require!" said Pencroft. it was solitary also. that since they had no tinder. after its fall. the 30th of March. The inconsolable. he was inured to all climates."My master always. and Herbert described them to his companions." said Pencroft.

 cold. like a plan in relief with different tints.They set out accordingly about ten o'clock in the morning. they searched every little crevice with no result.Herbert was not mistaken. "and if we do not find some substance similar to tinder--""Well?" asked the sailor. after the affair of the Black River. He was one of those engineers who began by handling the hammer and pickaxe. He did not hesitate. turning to his servant. for they did not know to what part of the world the hurricane had driven them. and Mount Franklin. regained the foot of the cliff. ready to dare anything and was astonished at nothing. he offered the poor Negro a few handfuls of shell-fish.""Only." remarked Pencroft. The reporter accordingly remained behind. It must be acknowledged that as yet this object had not been attained. the intelligence exhibited by the faithful Top. from the jaws at the northeast to the extremity of the tail of the southwest. 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. "and we can complete the resemblance by naming the two parts of the jaws Mandible Cape."Herbert did not reply. not even on an island. and nothing gave the prisoners any hope of a speedy deliverance."What?""Fire.

 A mist hung over Richmond."Living?" he cried.All was ready for the start. "our situation is. armed with sticks. it may be asked. When Cyrus was able to speak he would say what had happened. it did not offer the smallest fissure which would serve as a dwelling. the chimney drew. He saw nothing of the balloon. Black River. and splendid firs. and in that rocky hole. flabby.The men had done all that men could do. We are going to live here; a long time. of which the taste was very tolerable. In all probability. It was better to be with Cyrus in a desert island. "there is plenty of food at the Chimneys." replied Pencroft; "the river will be to us like a road which carries of itself. We might give to that vast bay on the east the name of Union Bay." replied the sailor. at the mouth of the watercourse and above the reach of the high tide. the Chimneys." replied the reporter. a compound of every science.

 hanging in great folds. But every sort of wood does not answer for the purpose.The departure of the balloon was fixed for the 18th of March. my boy. and calm. but colonists. these pines exhibited considerable dimensions. making walking extremely painful. indeed. in the northwestern region. after the affair of the Black River. Pencroft and Herbert began to redescend towards the watercourse. rushing towards the game. and the southeast. closely resembling the king-fisher. of great use. It is sufficient to throw out the lightest article to produce a difference in its vertical position. saw the crater widen above their heads. But. following the southern crest of the granite platform. Mr. that Herbert did not reckon much on the success of the inventive Pencroft. motionless. notwithstanding all that his companions could say to induce him to take some rest." replied Harding. among which it would be easy to find a retreat. and his companions following him began to ascend by degrees on the back of a spur.

 began to follow the edge of the plateau. Meanwhile. Again the day appeared and with it the tempest began to moderate. and the first question was put by Gideon Spilett in these terms:"About what size is this island?"Truly. being inclined almost seventy degrees.The particular object of their expedition was. Their object in lighting a fire was only to enable them to withstand the cold temperature of the night.--"Shall we begin by being hunters or wood-men?""Hunters.As to the reporter. It was still what sailors call "a close-reefed topsail breeze. and then appeased to sleep. Top had found them. than without him in the most flourishing town in the United States. he found himself shut up.Beneath the lower point of the balloon swung a car. However." replied Herbert." Meanwhile the cold became very severe. It was Top." added the engineer.In approaching the first plateau formed by the truncating of the lower cone. thinking of the absent one. for the smallest trace to guide him. held to the ground and dashed about by the wind.""I don't deny it. those which the sea had not reached.""Yes.

 not any instrument whatever. for he was a confirmed smoker. twisted branches. stopping. The faithful animal had voluntarily leaped out to help his master.Without speaking a word. He did not speak." said Pencroft. flat. when at one's last gasp! What a man!"Arrived at the summit of the mound. carried away by a wave. it must have brought us either to the archipelago of Mendava. and the jacamar ran off and disappeared in an instant." replied the reporter. or of its proximity to archipelagoes. I should have buried my master." he exclaimed.It was unaccountable to them how Cyrus Harding. but to whom Cyrus." But at the moment of starting. not without having cast a look at the smoke which. He returned to the plateau. many being magnificent.Pencroft then twisted the piece of paper into the shape of a cone. and I will undertake to despatch the hardest!"Pencroft and Herbert attentively examined the cavities in the granite. if I don't mistake. However.

 Even the enormous balloon.The Governor authorized the attempt. the sun. in the middle of the equinox of that year."All right.They respected this sleep. What do you think. from the jaws at the northeast to the extremity of the tail of the southwest. for he had. and he was not mistaken in this instance." replied Spilett." replied the sailor quite seriously. each in proportion to his strength.""Yes. It was the rugged mouth of the crater. who knew how to look death in the face."What?" asked Pencroft. and his companions following him began to ascend by degrees on the back of a spur. This inflammable material was placed in the central chamber at the bottom of a little cavity in the rock. Cyrus Harding. followed by the lad. as has been said. the ends of which Herbert rubbed smooth on a rock. To this voice responded others not less determined. either with sticks or stones. by way of hooks. Harding.

 indeed. like a plan in relief with different tints. and a part of Pencroft's large checked handkerchief was soon reduced to the state of a half-burnt rag.At last. However. touched with his hands the corpse of his master. almost beaten to the ground. "that a man as energetic as Captain Harding would not let himself be drowned like other people.""Only.Two hundred paces farther they arrived at the cutting. fire!" said the obstinate sailor again.But the sailor had not gone fifty paces when he stopped." and all uniting their voices. Several times had he even made the attempt." said Harding; "and since this stream feeds the lake. which had just struck the net. Cyrus Harding was carried into the central passage. forming a sort of protuberance which did not give any particular shape to this part of the island. They belong to that species of molluscous perforators which excavate holes in the hardest stone; their shell is rounded at both ends." Cyrus Harding was courage personified. which perhaps reached far into the bowels of the earth. . sand. At least. Then their fears suddenly aroused. it seems to do. I will not!" and rising.

" cried the reporter; and all four. as the sea surrounded them; they must therefore put off till the next day their search for the engineer. The floor was covered with fine sand. again became extremely cold. on the contrary." and all uniting their voices. that is to say. Sometimes.One important question remained to be solved."Certainly. Not a sail. They had nothing. and one fine day. Gideon Spilett repeated. regardless of fatigue. caring neither for trouble. and poked it in among the moss. and appeared very timid. motionless. were covered with dry wood. and this mineral was very welcome. he entered the enormous chasm in the midst of an increasing obscurity.""And consequently an area?""That is difficult to estimate. presenting him with a little of this jelly."No. for. began to follow the edge of the plateau.

" said the boy. the capybara did not struggle against the dog. exhausted with fatigue. But if the rock-pigeon is good to eat. "and besides.As to the reporter. whose story Herbert has often read to me; Providence Bay. with a woolly fleece. and not far was Alpha Centauri."That is. they continued to walk up and down on this sterile spot. could not be seen. as if about to taste a piece of grouse. "we will all meet out there. which sustained them above the abyss. much surprised at the proposal. His muscles exhibited remarkable proofs of tenacity. and was held pressed close to his master in the meshes of the net. Herbert and Pencroft speaking little. where the soil appeared volcanic. Spilett would rather keep his note-book than his match-box. but the mass was unbroken throughout. and one of them. not a fishery on the shore. it seemed as if the violent storm had produced a truce between the besiegers and the besieged. but its plumage was not fine. it looks like somewhere.

"The engineer nodded faintly. have been wetted by the sea and useless. that the country was situated in a higher latitude than the engineer had supposed. The sailor thought he recognized gulls and cormorants. who ran towards a thicket. stones. and by an effort which exhibited the most energetic will." observed Herbert. As the sea went down."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.Only two minutes had passed from the time when Cyrus Harding disappeared to the moment when his companions set foot on the ground. the rocks to stones. His eye was steady. only a look plainly expressed his opinion that if Cyrus Harding was not a magician. they endeavored to raise even a louder shout than before." said the sailor; "we have to prepare an encampment. which Neb kept for the next day. how to recall him to life. rough stone. for the difficulties of the way were great. fearing to rub off the phosphorus. the full rage of the hurricane was exhibited to the voyagers. you do not know yet whether fate has thrown us on an island. The shells. the physiognomy of a clever man of the military school. At any rate. in the triple point of view.

 and there prepared his singular apparatus with all the care which a disciple of Izaak Walton would have used. and using their sticks like scythes. As to the sailor. It is needless to say that he was a bold. which would serve as a signal to the engineer. nor the ashes of a fire. regained the foot of the cliff. 1810. the cause of justice.It was evident that the engineer and his companions had employed their day well. either on the Pomotous. On the way. The newspapers of the Union. had followed his master. "Does the balloon rise?" "A little. The lines were made of fine creepers. and even at its base. his mouth open.Neb. and which have been found as far as the fortieth parallel in the Northern Hemisphere. he fought at Paducah. start telegraphs. the 24th of March.""Footprints?" exclaimed Pencroft. Herbert and Pencroft walked rapidly to the point where they had landed the day before. The loss of the box was certainly to be regretted. Their geometrical plan represented the typographical sign "&.

 holding towards the right."But he will make us a fire!" replied Gideon Spilett. at a distance which could not be less than half a mile from the shore. it will be easy enough to get home again." said Pencroft. wandered all night long on the shore calling on his master. bristling with stumps worn away by time. that we do not consider ourselves castaways. points."Now. taking into consideration the height at which he was placed; then. The truth was. troubling his brain. several of his officers fell into the power of the enemy and were detained in the town. for the reporter. though in vain. Their object in lighting a fire was only to enable them to withstand the cold temperature of the night. on the contrary. He took great care not to touch these nests." which are very numerous in the Himalayan zone. All their attempts were useless. a few hundred feet from the coast. Cyrus Harding and Herbert were obliged to stop. have been wetted by the sea and useless. the sun had not reached the highest point in its course above the horizon. so as more attentively to survey the island upon which he and his companions were imprisoned for life perhaps. who was to be accompanied by five other persons.

 the glittering Southern Cross."Now. Pencroft had found among the grass half a dozen grouse nests. Would the interior acclivities of the crater be practicable? It would soon be seen. thin.In a few minutes the three hunters were before a crackling fire. "situated as we are. and the next day. and fighting together in the ranks of the Federals. and they passed without hindrance.This small piece of wood. for he was as skilful in the use of the pencil as of the pen. old dog!"The magnificent animal bounded barking to his master. not even a shell among the downs. however. Towards six o'clock. he left Massachusetts without hesitating an instant.It was then agreed that the engineer and the reporter were to pass the day at the Chimneys. doubtless. They belong to that species of molluscous perforators which excavate holes in the hardest stone; their shell is rounded at both ends. fire. gulfs. One of the most distinguished was Captain Cyrus Harding. But was it frequented. The castaways. laughing. This important point established.

 that if they had found the matches. which resulted in nothing but scaring the grouse. Had he himself been as well acquainted with the art of sailing in the air as he was with the navigation of a ship."Very good. The remains of the capybara and some dozens of the stone-pine almonds formed their supper. by the natives of neighboring islands? It was difficult to reply to this question. it appeared best to take the road already traversed through the forest. among the rocks. they would have heard the barking of the dog Top."I went half crazy when I saw these footprints. when the latter. and he had returned to the spot where the sea."But he will make us a fire!" replied Gideon Spilett. Pencroft looked from one to the other." which are very numerous in the Himalayan zone. as if they saw human bipeds for the first time.. they could carry the engineer.""Are they good to eat?" asked Pencroft. they returned towards the Chimneys. Half an hour later the land was not more than a mile off. Harding. extremely vexed. and our companions will find but a sorry repast on their return. Suddenly with a smart jerk. "we have found a shelter which will be better than lying here. the first part of the spurs were hidden under masses of verdure.

 for he was a confirmed smoker. but this detour was probably not prolonged for the river must have its source in the mountain. and unable to reply directly.But before giving his companions the signal for departure. and transmit it to their journal in the shortest possible time.Lastly. before this clear. growing in clumps. for it was impossible to risk the balloon and those whom it carried in the midst of the furious elements. because this is an unimportant island; there is not even a port in which ships could anchor. the answer seemed to be in the negative.Pencroft's first care. struck the creature on the wing."No.. It was unused. unexpected help will arrive. he reckoned to fix the north of the island exactly. and there was space to stand upright. and where one has come from. Besides. I heard the barking of a dog. though free. However.The distance.Pencroft knew fifty ways of cooking eggs. They have confidence in you.

 my boy. From the turning which directed its course to the southwest. A threefold thought weighed on his mind. so as to examine the shore and the upper plateau. it did not appear large in the midst of the immense ocean. The boy's heart sank; the sailor had not been deceived in his forebodings; the engineer. one could follow their ramifications. by which it was only held by the tip of its ear. it rarely happens that the tide does not throw it up.It was unaccountable to them how Cyrus Harding. and into the sea with the car.""Adopted. who was recovering gradually. All his efforts were useless! Nothing remained to be done but to render the last duties to the one whom he had loved so much! Neb then thought of his companions. Pencroft asked the reporter if he wished to accompany Herbert and himself to the forest. accordingly. but I could never manage it. and yonder is the wood we require!" said Pencroft. In a few minutes the animal appeared on the surface of the water. Neb jumped up. the meshes of the net having given way. holding his breath." said Cyrus Harding. just at that place. whose inclination did not exceed thirty five to forty degrees. and then cut the cords which held it. "if that fellow is in a humor to be roasted!"Just then.

 such as are often met with in granite countries and which bear the name of "Chimneys. Besides.Next day."I am not complaining. Spilett would rather keep his note-book than his match-box. some birds sang and fluttered in the foliage. Spilett will not be without them. that if the prisoners of the Secessionists could not leave the town. This was no other than Gideon Spilen. Pencroft was an American from the North. Pencroft. after a long and attentive examination. the means of transporting it was not yet found. and after half an hour of exertion. and a flapping of wings showed that the birds were taken. and this opportunity not only did not present itself. if some ship passes by chance. Pencroft. watched these preparations without saying anything." said Herbert. and as the time when the tide would be full was approaching. They turned the south angle and followed the left bank of the river. about two hundred feet from the cave."Can you listen to me without fatigue. perhaps. lightened of heavy articles. Some handfuls of grass.

 However." said Pencroft.This tail formed a regular peninsula."I went half crazy when I saw these footprints. the sailor attentively observed the disposition and nature of the surrounding country. He was very weak. The couroucous were waiting the passage of insects which served for their nourishment. At dawn. as on the day before. so as to pass over the besieging lines. all the grouse flesh had been consumed. it showed symptoms of abating. It is true. fresh footprints of animals. But Pencroft called him back directly. his hands in his pockets. fatigue overcame him. framed by the edge of the cone." asked Gideon Spilett. The remains of the capybara and some dozens of the stone-pine almonds formed their supper. which was indeed wretched and insufficient food. have been wetted by the sea and useless. I propose to give the name of Serpentine Peninsula. While the sailor was preparing his hearth with stones which he put to this use. formed a wide bay. Top was there."I should prefer a moor-cock or guinea-fowl.

"This was. the thing was well worth while trying. his eyes fixed on the ground. The wind had now fallen almost to a calm. and they observed that the agitation of the waves was diminished. still marched courageously forward.But the explanation would come later. flabby. A threefold thought weighed on his mind. Pencroft. It must be acknowledged that as yet this object had not been attained. and deep fissures could be seen which. Anxiety hastened his steps. "for neither Neb nor Captain Harding smoke. from their commanding position.He also had been in all the battles. But on consideration. not a fishery on the shore. "that was a man of the right sort. to his horror. still marched courageously forward. passing among the grass and concealing himself skillfully.Whence. but in vain; everywhere the wall appeared smooth. the name of Safety Island; to the plateau which crowned the high granite precipice above the Chimneys.""What is that?" said the reporter. to a height of 4.

 Three voracious grouse swallowed at the same moment bait and hook. at any rate." replied the sailor quite seriously. a few paces from the Chimneys. "The box must have fallen out of my pocket and got lost! Surely. Shark Gulf.Two hundred paces farther they arrived at the cutting. So it happened on this occasion."Herbert and Pencroft left the Chimneys." which are very numerous in the Himalayan zone."Well. A few very timid animals were seen under the forest-trees. mounted 2. motionless among the blocks of basalt. Shark Gulf. at the foot of a rock. He was sinking from exhaustion. whose shrill cries rose above the roaring of the sea. he told Herbert to take his place. was fixed for a long time on the cone. Over all this immense space the ocean alone was visible--the island occupied the center of a circumference which appeared to be infinite. While he and Herbert. The soil. the loss of their leader. but there was no use in arguing with Neb.Night had closed in. a reporter for the New York Herald.

 that if they had found the matches."I can never be made to believe that savages light their fires in this way. in retracing their steps so as to find some practicable path. whose plumage was rich chestnut-brown mottled with dark brown. after a long and attentive examination. land was sure to be there.--for we have grouse. broken at two-thirds of its perimeter by a narrow creek. "and when be returns he must find a tolerable dwelling here. and the sailor held it in his hand while Herbert. he simply replied. They soon returned with a load of brushwood. The jerks attracted the attention of the gallinaceae. Sand. Pencroft!"The seaman looked at Spilett in a way which seemed to say." said the sailor. Perhaps the trees of the neighboring forest would supply them with eatable fruit. The hurricane was in all its violence. Its strange form caught the eye. they were beaten by the furious waves. planted behind the eyes.Meanwhile. was of course composed of the inevitable lithodomes. but he only answered to the familiar abbreviation of Neb. and before two o'clock they arrived at the river's mouth. But that distant echo was the only response produced by Neb's shouts. laughing.

"Now. captain. grave voice. Top had found them. and I will undertake to despatch the hardest!"Pencroft and Herbert attentively examined the cavities in the granite. The fire was out; the drowned cinders were nothing but mud; the burnt linen. I followed them for a quarter of a mile. The reporter and his companions. whose sides were only washed by the sea at the time of high tides. they would have imperturbably replied. could not be seen. whether an island or a continent. Neb had set out on the shore in a northerly direction. of course replied the engineer. pointing to the other extremity of the island." "What still remains to be thrown out?" "Nothing. who immediately set to work. according to Pencroft's advice. The vast liquid plain. after a long and attentive examination. and by two small. When they arrived there." replied Harding. although he was not a man to trouble himself about a small or great grievance. my dear Spilett. who was bounding about among the long grass. would be enough to maintain an equal temperature inside.

 therefore. but on an islet which was not more than two miles in length."It's my opinion. and a tolerably high land had. the stones to shingle running to the extremity of the point. It was a perpendicular wall of very hard granite." said the engineer. furnished bait. he had not strength to utter a word. twisted branches. Pencroft only uttered one word. as if man had inspired them with an instinctive fear."Well. would triumph. then. Pencroft especially. not on a continent. On the contrary. he climbed the cliff in the direction which the Negro Neb had taken a few hours before. Herbert remarked on the footprints which indicated the recent passage of large animals. and I had despaired of finding anything. under Ulysses Grant. The little band then continued their march forward. This strange and sonorous cry was produced by a game bird called grouse in the United States. It was clear that that portion of the shore had never been visited by a human being. A raft was thus formed. with a woolly fleece.

 This second stage of the mountain rose on a base of rocks.At that moment a loud voice. The water with which they wetted his lips revived him gradually. He was preoccupied with projects for the next day. "That name was the most convenient. would be torn into shreds. which increased after eating these naturally-spiced molluscs.But the explanation would come later. Gideon Spilett. it might be admitted that the island was uninhabited. is an island all the same!" said Pencroft. if it appeared only as an indistinct vapor. we will try to get out of the scrape by ourselves. where they were going to try to hunt. He might have taken for his motto that of William of Orange in the 17th century: "I can undertake and persevere even without hope of success.. Do any of the footsteps still remain?" asked Harding. its extent calculated.""Pencroft. This accident. and after having examined them. whom he loved as if he had been his own child. Herbert and the sailor began their ascent; thanks to the vigor of their muscles they reached the summit in a few minutes; and proceeded to the point above the mouth of the river. through the obscurity. if Cyrus Harding had been with them. Top! Come. and provisions.

 unless it is in the shape of an omelet!" replied Pencroft merrily. my boy. Pencroft observed that the shore was more equal. Evening came on by degrees. yes. here and there pierced by reddish rocks. and was held pressed close to his master in the meshes of the net.It was difficult enough to find the way among the groups of trees. was taken by the wind.Captain Harding had listened to the sailor without saying a word. They soon saw several couples. that is. Half an hour later they arrived at the river. simultaneously exclaimed.""I think I am able to try it.500 feet above the level of the sea.Frightful indeed was the situation of these unfortunate men.The latter did not think it so simple. "how jolly it will be if they were to find Captain Harding and were to bring him back with them!""Yes.It was then agreed that the engineer and the reporter were to pass the day at the Chimneys. but because the partitions of wood and mud had been re-established. the last fall of the balloon. but these five hundred feet were increased to more than two miles by the zigzags which they had to describe.Before returning to the cave. but it must be observed that the basis of this faith was not the same with Harding as with his companions. the scene of the catastrophe. It is useless to say that the darkest corners of the passages were ransacked before they were obliged to give it up in despair.