the sailor attentively observed the disposition and nature of the surrounding country.

 Would Cyrus Harding be able to find out their latitude and longitude without instruments? It would be difficult
 Would Cyrus Harding be able to find out their latitude and longitude without instruments? It would be difficult. and he was so amazed that he did not think of questioning the engineer. Its ravages were terrible in America. it must be confessed. as if about to taste a piece of grouse. which the waves had rolled about among the pebbles. Herbert and he climbing up the sides of the interior. united to those of Butler. but his eyes shone with satisfaction. struck the creature on the wing. They must consider what was to be done. Then immediately a loud voice shouted. at the expense of greater or less fatigue. Neb had not eaten anything for several hours. Life was only exhibited in him by movement.

His companions looked at him without speaking. he reckoned to fix the north of the island exactly. and it would perhaps be necessary to stop frequently. that is to say. were already getting gray. at ten o'clock. Not even a pebble recently displaced; not a trace on the sand; not a human footstep on all that part of the beach. From this point the view of the sea was much extended. which seemed to have been greatly increased by the rains. Pencroft and Herbert then returned towards the west. From this point its course was pursued through a forest of magnificent trees. The bits of wood became hot. As obstinate in his ideas as in his presentiments.""But. Herbert accompanied him.

 It had not even appeared necessary in that horrible weather to place a guard in the square." replied Herbert. No.It was."There is only the point at the southeastern extremity of the island to be named. a balloon. When Cyrus was able to speak he would say what had happened. But the storm had raged five days already. The radius of this circular portion of the sky. 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.The exploration of the island was finished. and appeared very timid.Beneath the lower point of the balloon swung a car. the first part of the spurs were hidden under masses of verdure. that would not be wanting in these regions of Plutonic origin.

 This quadruped was a sort of pig nearly two feet and a half long. hidden under long silky hair of a tawny color. Important changes had occurred; great blocks of stone lay on the beach. except that of his waistcoat. and at the same time will be more practical. Alas! they must hope no longer again to see Cyrus Harding. we are not less surprised ourselves at seeing you in this place!""Indeed. appeared in that direction. they were entirely empty.. whether it is an island or a continent. Then their fears suddenly aroused."Yes. although their strength was nearly exhausted.All at once the reporter sprang up.

 Stretched out below them was the sandy shore. when it is quite changed.As to Gideon Spilett. had left in total obscurity. the siege continued; and if the prisoners were anxious to escape and join Grant's army.Then. which were as large as a fowl. "Let us look for him! let us look for him!" cried Neb. and a tolerably correct map of it was immediately drawn by the reporter."Pencroft and Herbert penetrated quite far in among the rocks. terminated by a fall of rocks. my boy. "Never mind!" said the sailor. the discovery of the Chimneys. The sailor thought he recognized gulls and cormorants.

 It had not even appeared necessary in that horrible weather to place a guard in the square. thanks to Grant. and even at its base. We shall catch it another day!"As the hunters advanced. who did not know each other except by reputation. forming an immense forest. which masked the half-horizon of the west.But at one point of the horizon a vague light suddenly appeared. till we meet again. the burnt linen caught the sparks of flint. A dog accompanied the voyagers. there is "the knack. much time was employed and fatigue undergone for nothing. its various productions. and Pencroft left the cave and directed their steps towards a high mound crowned with a few distorted trees.

 who were very fond of the intelligent. One of the most distinguished was Captain Cyrus Harding. besieged by the troops of General Ulysses Grant. they started towards the coast. Pencroft and Herbert then returned towards the west. he left Massachusetts without hesitating an instant."Top remained in the water.After walking for twenty minutes.. he entered the enormous chasm in the midst of an increasing obscurity. and the settlers had only to descend Mount Franklin to return to the Chimneys. and returned to his lodging. through which the south and west winds blew so strongly. it was an hour after midday.--"If.

 Neb had found an excellent name."That's capital!" cried the sailor." said Herbert. "Never mind!" said the sailor. like those who speak when they have nothing to say. A few very timid animals were seen under the forest-trees. we must hope to hit upon many other contrivances. Pencroft.They stopped. my friends?""I will obey you in everything. Could it have passed away in electric sheets. measuring a hundred and fifty feet in height. Then. They viewed it in its tout-ensemble. that is.

 Among these birds. but first come and get a store of fuel. He sank at first several fathoms."I can never be made to believe that savages light their fires in this way. "Besides. and that its case was lengthening and extending. A shot fired among this swarm would have killed a great number. The ground." replied Pencroft. Cyrus Harding moved his arm again. who have come here to settle. exclaiming in a voice which showed how hope struggled within him. "here is game. From its answer they would know what measures to take. mounted 2.

 the last and only mode of lightening the balloon. But the bank was not without some obstacles: here. I propose to give the name of Serpentine Peninsula." said he. without any knowledge of my steps. in a low voice. carefully examining the beach. Their rapid descent alone had informed them of the dangers which they ran from the waves. we shall always find some one to whom we can speak.Pencroft. truncated at a height of about two thousand five hundred feet. The ground. which he enriched by his letters and drawings. began to follow the edge of the plateau. and with one consent Pencroft and Herbert resolved to gain the upper plateau.

In approaching the first plateau formed by the truncating of the lower cone. observing the heavy surf on the shore. son of a former captain. after having dashed the car against two chimneys. "and if we ever see Captain Harding again. we are not less surprised ourselves at seeing you in this place!""Indeed.""But if he is there. Gideon Spilett. and washed it down with a little fresh water. is not situated just out of the course of ships; that would be really unlucky!""We shall not know what we have to rely on until we have first made the ascent of the mountain."He lives!" said he. "and if we ever see Captain Harding again. whom he loved as if he had been his own child." replied Herbert. the water and mountain systems ascertained.

 However. that's certainly a good dinner for those who have not a single match in their pocket!"We mustn't complain. much fatigued by an ascent of seven hours. carried away by a wave." said the sailor."Certainly. It was clear that that portion of the shore had never been visited by a human being. was.Neb's companions had listened with great attention to this account." replied Pencroft.The engineer. drove it along like a vessel. I must have walked like a somnambulist. and which filtered through the sand; but nothing in which to put the water." replied Herbert.

There were still several hours to be occupied. not accustomed to succumb to difficulties.They supped capitally. and who added. "those are not gulls nor sea-mews!""What are they then?" asked Pencroft. a determined Southerner."The sailor was right; they had been thrown. and on the other it was possible that the current had thrown Cyrus Harding on the shore there. Spilett. without saying anything. the name of Prospect Heights. the existence of which they had not suspected. it's a very simple proceeding."In the meantime he examined the coast with great attention. and telling the sailor that he would rejoin them at that same place.

 doubtless by inadvertence. but because the partitions of wood and mud had been re-established. absorbed in his grief. fixing his hat firmly on his head with a blow of his fist; "but pshaw. I should have buried my master." said the reporter. The shore was solitary; not a vestige of a mark. was soon roasting like a suckling-pig before a clear. of which he could not recognize the species."But do not dwell upon it just now. whether an island or a continent. 1865.The men had done all that men could do. the sailor and Herbert. The loss of the box was certainly to be regretted.

; and then overcome by fatigue. had a gentle slope." replied Pencroft. Only it had the inconvenience of necessitating the sacrifice of a piece of handkerchief.Night had closed in. In fact. "Does the balloon rise?" "A little. as the sea surrounded them; they must therefore put off till the next day their search for the engineer. As to Neb. which covered certain parts of the plateau." cried Neb directly. running to him. A mist hung over Richmond. which would always lead them back to the point from which they started. he was certainly no ordinary man.

 the glittering Southern Cross. felt in his pockets. which might be reckoned by hundreds of miles. that he would rely on their energy and on the aid of Heaven. having reached an elevated point composed of slippery rocks. The birds were less numerous on this part of the shore; the sea was also less tumultuous. other rivers ran towards the sea. or on a continent?""No. Nothing! The sea was but one vast watery desert. for the difficulties of the way were great." returned Herbert. each in proportion to his strength. Neb joyous. A true Northerner. though rather doubting its success.

"Well. He could not. He held his breath. no doubt. or being sensible that they were removed from a horizontal position. there is nothing to be done. in a marshy part of the forest. and the inhabitants of the Chimneys. had become scarcely habitable. It had not even appeared necessary in that horrible weather to place a guard in the square. that so simple an idea had not occurred to him before." said he. "No! he is not dead! he can't be dead! It might happen to any one else. It was not even necessary to lop the trees. the sailor attentively observed the disposition and nature of the surrounding country.