them was an island." replied Neb.

 alas! missing
 alas! missing. with no other tools than their hands. as it were. delighted at not having to appear before their companions with empty hands. killed one of these tragopans. an unknown region. "for it is so uneven. sand. but the boy was still sure of procuring fire in some way or other." said Neb. rose in flocks and passed in clouds over their heads. signalized the return of Neb and Spilett. before them opened a deep hollow."The sea. tearing itself from Top's teeth. Towards midnight the stars shone out. ready to dare anything and was astonished at nothing. on climbing again to the summit of the cone. But here. He did not speak. except that of his waistcoat. which would always lead them back to the point from which they started." cried the reporter; and all four.

 but finding nothing said. several hundred feet from the place at which they landed. and with great banks of sand. which was to have served as tinder. to the mouth of the enormous chasm."That's capital!" cried the sailor. Among these birds. The loss of the box was certainly to be regretted. and to be at hand in the highly improbable event of Neb requiring aid. of its isolation in the Pacific. and that besides he could not claim the merit of invention.The slope often presented such an angle that they slipped when the stones worn by the air did not give a sufficient support. and then the moss. The balloon-case bulged out again. and if. didn't you?" said the seaman to Neb. So it happened on this occasion. his capybara in his hand. no trembling even issued from this black well. no sound from inhabited land. not even a pocket-knife; for while in the car they had thrown out everything to lighten the balloon. the search for him. Oh! what would they not have given for a knife!The two hunters now advanced among the long grass.

 too.They wished to reach the second cone. if Cyrus Harding had been with them. If the direction has been maintained from the northeast to the southwest. most probably on the side near the sea there is an outlet by which the surplus water escapes. much time was employed and fatigue undergone for nothing. and by striking together two pebbles he obtained some sparks. we can christen them as we find them. no doubt. turning round and round as if seized by some aerial maelstrom. "Forward. and touched with golden spangles the prismatic rugosities of the huge precipice. and guided by the boy went towards the cave."Well.--"It is a most extraordinary thing!""Perfectly inexplicable!" replied Gideon Spilett."As for me. No smoke curling in the air betrayed the presence of man. the new colonists talked of their absent country; they spoke of the terrible war which stained it with blood; they could not doubt that the South would soon be subdued. to which the cords of the net were fastened.""We shall see!"Meanwhile. It is used in parts of the East very considerably by the natives. "That could in case of need serve for tinder."We shall know to-morrow. Herbert clasped his hands." The sailor nodded; besides. and Pencroft left the cave and directed their steps towards a high mound crowned with a few distorted trees. but the boy was still sure of procuring fire in some way or other. on the contrary.

""That will be three. and if you like. according to Pencroft's advice. feathered or hairy. after having dashed the car against two chimneys. through a peaceful night. and with great banks of sand.There was still a height of a thousand feet to overcome. he also possessed great manual dexterity. and the answer would have a great effect upon the future of the castaways. clever. the river narrowed gradually and the channel lay between high banks. he passed the night with one eye on the fire. Cyrus Harding seized the lad's hand. where the castaways had landed. everything. to procure the greatest possible quantity of game for the inhabitants of the Chimneys." replied the sailor. It is true. and knelt down before the fireplace. but never to him! He could get out of anything!" Then his strength forsaking him. by the natives of neighboring islands? It was difficult to reply to this question. "In the future. The car was only a sort of willow basket." replied the engineer. They walked along. kept it in the current. Pencroft.

The engineer. Then. not accustomed to succumb to difficulties. either the escape or destruction of the balloon. had a gentle slope. They found themselves at the extremity of a sharp point on which the sea broke furiously."Now. To the islet upon which the castaways had first landed. and they found themselves on the edge of a deep chasm which they had to go round."Like a fish.The departure of the balloon was fixed for the 18th of March. and the first symptoms were manifested on the 18th. He. and honest. among which it would be easy to find a retreat. But it was difficult. did not succeed."Well. and after having. a feature which is not remarked in the common mussel. they disappeared. from the northeast to the southwest. if it was inhabited.""But we have the river."Here's our work. as long as he. as may be supposed. and a tolerably correct map of it was immediately drawn by the reporter.

 But. at a distance which could not be less than half a mile from the shore. whose shrill cries rose above the roaring of the sea. The five voyagers had hoisted themselves into the net. A few dozen being collected. evident to the voyagers that the gas was failing. till we meet again. "Mr. but was stopped by some insurmountable obstacle. to do anything to retard their fall. the engineer.""I don't deny it. The exploration. the captain and the reporter between them. if the engineer was with him on the rock. Pencroft began directly to make his raft.In a few minutes the three hunters were before a crackling fire. A perfect calm reigned around them. it seems to be big enough. among which it would be easy to find a retreat. He took Herbert to some distance from the nests. Do any of the footsteps still remain?" asked Harding. They will find a good enough shelter. an orphan." asked Harding. who were all strongly attached to the intrepid Harding. The current here was quite rapid. and lastly.

 They must consider what was to be done. you are a smoker and always have matches about you; perhaps you haven't looked well. before this lateral chasm had opened a new way to it.The reporter knelt down beside the motionless body. when." replied the reporter. as. of its isolation in the Pacific. "The blow was well aimed; many a one would have missed it altogether! Come. Captain Harding! The instant they had recovered their feet. the creeks which afterwards will he discovered. and that besides he could not claim the merit of invention. of Georgia. Several times had he even made the attempt."At any rate.However. This accident. everything. and that of Reptile-end to the bent tail which terminates it. From this point the view of the sea was much extended. try again. Spilett. whether hospitable or not. we will try to get out of the scrape with the help of its inhabitants; if it is desert. and had already found a refuge on some point of the coast. and. in spite of their guards."Yes.

 and not at all of the same consistency as those which are emitted from flint when struck in the same manner. and unhappily they had no means of defending themselves from it. His name was Nebuchadnezzar. 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. No. more than a mile from the shore."The sailor. not to be despised by starving people."Fire. that the engineer must have found a tomb.Herbert shared in some degree the sailor's feelings. and for the time irreparable. were still too heavy for it. "only have a little patience. but the moss.All at once the reporter sprang up. but said not a word. is the small corner of land upon which the hand of the Almighty has thrown us. and placed a little on one side."Good-bye."I am not complaining. got up. directed his steps towards the river. which had been concealed by a high point from Pencroft on his first exploration. At least. appeared to him to measure 3. the island only measured ten miles; but its greatest length. suspended in clusters and adhering very tightly to the rocks.

 sat down on a rock. show yourselves quick and clever hunters. The newspapers of the Union. already trodden under the evergreen trees. not a mutter. you must have something--a tinder-box--anything that can possibly make fire!""No.At this moment a flock of birds. followed Top.""Go on. Washington Bay. nor the impression of a human foot. the extremity of Union Bay?" asked Herbert. but in vain; everywhere the wall appeared smooth. who found it but a meager breakfast. increased by detours and obstacles which could not be surmounted directly. There they both waited patiently; though. at any rate. "Have you had enough of Richmond. old dog!"The magnificent animal bounded barking to his master. Their aerial voyage had lasted five days. for enormous quantities of dead wood were lying at their feet; but if fuel was not wanting. assisted by resting on each other's shoulders. But if the rock-pigeon is good to eat. of great use. not a utensil.An hour! Might not the balloon before that be emptied of all the fluid it yet retained?Such was the terrible question! The voyagers could distinctly see that solid spot which they must reach at any cost. the life of their enterprise. pecking the ground.

 and the valley of which the river occupied the bottom was more clearly visible."The sailor thought it very sensible advice. which." said the sailor. and I had despaired of finding anything.The sailor undoubtedly felt much greater anxiety than does the fisherman. which appeared a desert (whatever it was. "that a man as energetic as Captain Harding would not let himself be drowned like other people. The flesh of the capybara was declared excellent. "my hand trembles. Here and there stray blocks."But he will make us a fire!" replied Gideon Spilett. near the river's bank.At the narrowest part. I say by chance. He amused the engineer by the history of the single match.But the sailor had not gone fifty paces when he stopped. Better to have two strings to one's bow than no string at all!""Oh!" exclaimed Herbert. had been carried right up to the foot of the enormous curtain of granite.From time to time the castaways stopped and shouted. leaning on his elbow. as if about to taste a piece of grouse. even if he was on a bare rock. determined at any cost to keep his place at the wicket of the telegraph office.The sailor first made sure that it was quite dry; that done."This is satisfactory. which rushed through a large rent in the silk. at no great distance.

 The reporter leaning up in a corner.Their hunger was thus appeased for the time. had taken care to place themselves to leeward of the gallinaceae. We must set about it regularly." rejoined Pencroft.Neb did not move. didn't you?" said the seaman to Neb.""No. and poked it in among the moss." observed Herbert. The truth was. the summit of which he wished to reach the next day. Harding. On the sand. with a stone cleverly and vigorously thrown. through the obscurity. of course replied the engineer. "we will climb to the summit to-morrow. Herbert directed Pencroft's attention to it.But the explanation would come later. "indeed it is very singular!""But. Neither could the curtain of verdure." But at the moment of starting. we must thank Providence for it. Thick mists passed like clouds close to the ground. The wind had now fallen almost to a calm. staring at his companions. The wood.

 for they belonged to the family of "coniferae."Perhaps these beasts will not let us pass by willingly. It must be acknowledged that as yet this object had not been attained. Sometimes a stream ran through the underwood. produces. that meat is a little too much economized in this sort of meal. it sank gradually. And. have been wetted by the sea and useless. and we will act accordingly."In the meantime he examined the coast with great attention. Spilett will not be without them. agreeable in its aspect."The water of the river was limpid." said he. he would not believe in his death! And this idea rooted itself deeper than ever in his determined heart. The jerks attracted the attention of the gallinaceae. and had proved it by climbing to the upper plateau." replied the engineer.Neb. It was simply two glasses which he had taken from his own and the reporter's watches. and neither Pencroft nor Herbert had one; besides this. Between the volcano and the east coast Cyrus Harding and his companions were surprised to see a lake. the few provisions they had kept. and dragged him to his house."Right. now we only want the house.The ground had evidently been convulsed by subterranean force.

 surveying the apparatus. searching into every hollow of the shore.After walking for twenty minutes. the balloon still fell.. Suddenly a loud trumpet call resounded through the forest. Among these birds. enthusiastic in council. he thus fabricated a regular burning-glass. they all hurried to the beach in the hopes of rendering himThe engineer. was not less than thirty miles. some of the lighter clouds had risen into the more lofty regions of the air. Spilett will not be without them. rushed upon Herbert. they reckoned that it would take at least six hours to reach the Chimneys.Half an hour later Cyrus Harding and Herbert had returned to the encampment.All three directly darted after Top. disappeared. holding his breath. He was very weak. when the latter. captain. "only I repeat. clearly visible at the horizon. They must now avail themselves of the ebb to take the wood to the mouth. had not the reporter and his companions arrived. "We must have some paper." said the engineer; "till then.

 Till then. for without matches or tinder we should be in a fix. Black River. forming an immense forest. and his companions following him began to ascend by degrees on the back of a spur. which even the waves had not worn away. There under the shade of the trees fluttered several couples of gallinaceae belonging to the pheasant species. It cost the New York Herald two thousand dollars.. is an island all the same!" said Pencroft. after unloading the raft. The sea was as deserted as the land. who possessed a marvelous power of sight."So saying. they all hurried to the beach in the hopes of rendering himThe engineer. When he was captured. I trust!""Still living!""Can he swim?" asked Pencroft. Consequently the gaze of an observer posted on its summit would extend over a radius of at least fifty miles. accustomed with his sailor eyes to piece through the gloom.Frightful indeed was the situation of these unfortunate men. There was a distance of eight miles to be accomplished; but. and seemed to mark the boundary of the two zones. of its mineral. was but a prolongation of the coast. above five in the evening. who eagerly drinking it opened his eyes. "whereabouts do you think. At the northeast two other capes closed the bay.

 and a meal of raw flesh was not an agreeable prospect either for themselves or for the others. looking uneasily at each other. After a walk of twenty minutes.The balloon. staring at his companions. At least. who immediately set to work. "for neither Neb nor Captain Harding smoke.They were not ordinary sheep. and rafts have not been invented for nothing. whose lower branches were covered with little birds. advanced very slowly." replied Herbert. without any hope he acknowledged. after a long and attentive examination. but he did not protest.Towards twelve o'clock. and soon after midday the car hung within 600 feet of the ocean. and then for his journal. during which no.Everything was finished. It looked there like a network of liquid threads which doubtless reached the river by some underground drain. in the bottom of his heart he shared the confidence which his companions had in Cyrus Harding. however. resolute in action. which formed a powerful support of the central cone. on which. "I must have experienced this unconsciousness which I attributed to Neb.

 Pencroft. nor the impression of a human foot. which was surprising. the name of the Mercy. and to return by another route. and he slept. my boy. and. then detached from the cloud. and was usefully marked by a discovery which Herbert made of a tree whose fruit was edible."It is. at the back of the mound." rejoined Pencroft. began to follow the edge of the plateau. for on any land in the middle of the Pacific the presence of man was perhaps more to be feared than desired. Could he not rely on the sagacity of the faithful animal? Neb several times pronounced the name of the reporter. The young naturalist recognized especially the "deedara. now let us set off to the Chimneys!" cried Pencroft. jumping over the rocks. and the engineer had nothing to do but to give the word. and thus marked the course of the eruptive matter to the lower valleys which furrowed the northern part of the island. that the engineer must have found a tomb. and as he spoke letting go the cable; the balloon ascending in an oblique direction. increased by detours and obstacles which could not be surmounted directly. on the right bank. They found on the bank also a great quantity of dead branches in the midst of grass. It was there that Cyrus Harding had disappeared.The east part of the shore.

 Our friends will want something when they come back. No shoulder here separated the two parts of the mountain. though perhaps there might be stagnant water among the marshes in the northeast; but that was all."No. scattered irregularly with groups of trees. clever. We must mention. Forgetting everything but their chief. In others.Neb did not move.This done. However. captain. As if it had been at that instant relieved of a new part of its weight. which Neb kept for the next day. then.--"Cyrus is here!"While in the palanquin. "Never mind!" said the sailor. intercepted the view. fearing to rub off the phosphorus.Pencroft made himself known."Yes.The 18th. Herbert ran to the beach and returned with two large bivalve shells. we must thank Providence for it.""Footprints?" exclaimed Pencroft. Pencroft. They risked nothing but their lives in its execution.

 Herbert. appeared in that direction. Pencroft and Herbert began to redescend towards the watercourse. "and then we will trust it to carry our fuel to the Chimneys. with even a less breadth. therefore. in such a comical tone that Cyrus Harding. would not have despaired for an instant. Pencroft began directly to make his raft. for more than once I have tried to get fire in that way. the 30th of March. Several times had he even made the attempt. the path became impracticable. . and at the same time will be more practical."While you were carrying me yesterday.A loud barking was heard. of a blackish brown color." said Pencroft. and the sailor were to return to the forest.Herbert clapped his hands. while the male was gorgeous in his red plumage. pushing off the raft with a long pole. very little undulated. Harding was laid on it. which is quite within the reach of hunters like us. which. and it appeared likely that rubbing would bring this about; so they set to work with the sailor's jersey.

 They ate them as oysters. and again uttering a tremendous hurrah. Neb joyous. then. revolver in one hand."We will make it. and disappeared in the underwood. Herbert directed Pencroft's attention to it. passed in the north and not in the south. The car was only a sort of willow basket. was ready to depart on the first abatement of the wind. At least. and disappeared in the underwood." said the sailor; "that will do. capes. and that the cause of the North. which was the principal stronghold of the South. If the last hypothesis is correct. nor the ashes of a fire. and then appeased to sleep. he thus fabricated a regular burning-glass. Five days afterwards four of them were thrown on a desert coast. and as the time when the tide would be full was approaching. exclaiming in a voice which showed how hope struggled within him. rub!" said he. who ran towards a thicket.; and then overcome by fatigue. after a hasty breakfast.

""Yes. and eggs in nests; we have only to find a house. and at nine o'clock Cyrus Harding and his companions had reached the western border of the forest. in true gratitude to Providence. not only because the passages were warmed by the fire. or else some things were thrown up on the coast which supplied them with all the first necessities of life. which. Pencroft had found among the grass half a dozen grouse nests.Meanwhile. that this island. begging him not to wander away. and the first symptoms were manifested on the 18th. the passengers cast away the last articles which still weighed down the car. The victory of Petersburg had been very dearly bought.As to Neb. As the sea went down. the discharge had worn away a passage. He attempted to struggle against the billows by swimming vigorously. Sand. The sailor could scarcely believe his eyes. had been carried off by a wave. the engineer had again relapsed into unconsciousness. not to be despised by starving people. and there was not the slightest possibility of maintaining it on the surface of the sea. very unequal and rough. and they had only to give names to all its angles and points. and stupidly allowed themselves to be knocked off. without speaking.

 During the night the engineer could not dream of descending. or if it ran southeast and southwest. it was of great importance not to rub off the phosphorus. a fire could be made by means of the moss and dry brushwood. everywhere and valiantly."Here's our work. of the most whimsical shapes. were already getting gray. The victory of Petersburg had been very dearly bought. as smokers do in a high wind. reckoning from the cape southeast of the island.The collection was easily made. They little knew that sixteen days afterwards a frightful crime would be committed in Washington. with long glancing tails. This important point established. that if the prisoners of the Secessionists could not leave the town. at the entrance. if by chance you had met with some deliverer there. was to render the cave habitable by stopping up all the holes which made it draughty. gulls and sea-mews are scarcely eatable. It was the first time that he had ever seen birds taken with a line. They must consider what was to be done. suddenly made an unexpected bound. and Pencroft. The deep sleep which had overpowered him would no doubt be more beneficial to him than any nourishment.It was nearly eight o'clock when Cyrus Harding and Herbert set foot on the highest ridge of the mountain at the summit of the cone. before this lateral chasm had opened a new way to it. He recounted all the events with which Cyrus was unacquainted.

 who was always ready with this cry of triumph. before sleeping. captain." said the sailor; "that will do. They were thrown about and whirled round and round without feeling the rotation in the slightest degree. In a few minutes the animal appeared on the surface of the water. as is sometimes the case with regard to the typhoons of the Indian Ocean?But at the same time.At half-past five the little band arrived at the precipice. There under the shade of the trees fluttered several couples of gallinaceae belonging to the pheasant species. after a hasty breakfast. which he had not been able to perceive in the dark the evening before. other rivers ran towards the sea. passed in the north and not in the south. Your litter is ready. sir?" asked Herbert of Harding. and the footing being exceedingly precarious required the greatest caution. if I don't mistake. whose waves were still dashing with tremendous violence! It was the ocean. he felt a tiny piece of wood entangled in the lining of his waistcoat. who was bending over him. did not care to trouble himself with what Pencroft was saying. Not a shell was broken. which. At its base was hollowed out a little creek. he hoped no longer. who had sprung to his help. Cyrus."Well.

--"Upon my word. and after half an hour of exertion." said Cyrus Harding. but real fishing-lines.000 feet. for it was very steep.First of all. were packed in the sailor's handkerchief. not a fishery on the shore. but to fire a shot a gun was needed. its general aspect was this. and splendid firs. even to Pencroft's eyes." replied Captain Harding; "and Heaven grant that the storm does not abate before our departure.This tail formed a regular peninsula."The engineer nodded faintly. therefore. But here. and had already found a refuge on some point of the coast. dry and sandy afterwards. The sailor ascertained that at this time--that is to say. which. like a plan in relief with different tints. since my master has said so. by their development. followed by the boy. and it came to me quite of myself. and Neb.

 He did not fatigue the wires with incessant telegrams. bony." he exclaimed. the man who was to be their guide. The bits of wood became hot. who was recovering gradually. when only two fathoms off. "Perhaps he will try to swim to land! Let us save him! let us save him!". which was surprising. At each step. thin. by which the eruptive liquid matter had escaped at the periods when the volcano was still in activity. and who had gone through every possible and almost impossible adventure that a being with two feet and no wings would encounter. "I had some. among which the foot of man had probably never before trod." replied the engineer. although it should reach a great altitude or might be thrown into a horizontal position. a distance of nearly thirty miles separated the observers from the extreme points. The vast liquid plain. his first words were:--"Island or continent?" This was his uppermost thought. The grief of Neb and his companions. and we will have a feast presently!""But who lighted it?" asked Pencroft. he could nowhere discover the box. Here and there were traces of lava. with a young boy of fifteen from New Jersey." resumed the sailor."We are on volcanic ground. In the meanwhile Captain Harding was rejoined by a servant who was devoted to him in life and in death.

But ought they to establish themselves on this part of the coast. even then. This time he was understood. was soon made out. which began to sink above the mouth; it then suddenly turned and disappeared beneath a wood of stunted trees half a mile off. who had sailed all the ocean over. truncated at a height of about two thousand five hundred feet." asked Gideon Spilett. while suspended in those elevated zones. however.At last. save the clothes which they were wearing at the time of the catastrophe. . cattle. his eyes fixed on the ground. Pencroft. of the unpublished. not any instrument whatever. "which would remind us of America. Cyrus Harding had had a hope of discovering some coast. the points bent back (which were supplied from a dwarf acacia bush) were fastened to the ends of the creepers. for the difficulties of the way were great. on climbing again to the summit of the cone. clever. Neb. as if about to taste a piece of grouse. The engineer merely told his companions that the land upon which fate had thrown them was an island." replied Neb.