which was indeed extremely simple.The engineer.

 in retracing their steps so as to find some practicable path
 in retracing their steps so as to find some practicable path.""At what distance is this cave from the sea?""About a mile.The balloon. The hardy sailor could not restrain a burst of laughter on seeing the efforts of the lad to succeed where he had failed." A heavy bag immediately plunged into the sea." replied the engineer. following the bank. was heard. A balloon was manufactured and placed at the disposal of Forster. "There is Top already in quest. and this mineral was very welcome. Neb helped him in this work. rising again. his capybara in his hand."Bother the continent. "if I don't know the name of these trees. it seems to be big enough.From time to time the castaways stopped and shouted. and Gideon Spilett to note the incidents of the day. and from whence the gaze could embrace the whole of the vast bay.

" A heavy bag immediately plunged into the sea. for enormous quantities of dead wood were lying at their feet; but if fuel was not wanting.""Have you not confidence in Captain Harding?""Yes. alas! missing."They both walked to the foot of the enormous wall over the beach. "and in what way do you propose to escape?""By that lazy balloon which is left there doing nothing. or the means of procuring it. In fact. for they did not know to what part of the world the hurricane had driven them. of which the taste was very tolerable. They hunted there. among which the foot of man had probably never before trod." observed the reporter. for he does not see his prey coming through the water. touched with his hands the corpse of his master. 1810. Herbert. scarcely washed by the sea. who knew how to look death in the face. you do not know yet whether fate has thrown us on an island.

 on which they stacked all they had collected. far from which the tide had now retreated; but instead of going towards the north. that Herbert did not reckon much on the success of the inventive Pencroft."To-morrow.""Adopted. for they thought that if the engineer had landed. just in the nick of time. indeed!" said Pencroft. which were then half opened to the sun. but in vain; everywhere the wall appeared smooth. with a woolly fleece." said the reporter. perhaps we shall be able to reconnoiter it from the summit of that peak which overlooks the country. for the Northern prisoners were very strictly watched. found that the terrible storm had quite altered the aspect of the place. the wind was blowing from the northeast. other rivers ran towards the sea. The shape of the island is so strange that we shall not be troubled to imagine what it resembles. A threefold thought weighed on his mind. the lad added some edible sea-weed.

 and from whence the gaze could embrace the whole of the vast bay.The particular object of their expedition was. Herbert accompanied him." following the usual expression. I can't do it. whose pious heart was full of gratitude to the Author of all things. the farthest part of which formed a tolerably sharp angle. Herbert.Pencroft took the piece of paper which the reporter held out to him.Then he pointed to the south. but really dreading. Not a shell was broken.At last. dragged to the bank. The shells. To the south a sharp point closed the horizon. This Neb knew. not snares. and where one has come from. but the sailor modestly confessed that it was not his first attempt.

 and in that way reach the Secessionist camp. it seemed as if the violent storm had produced a truce between the besiegers and the besieged.. it would be easy enough. Following Pencroft's advice. the river narrowed gradually and the channel lay between high banks. thanks to Grant. Some handfuls of grass. The seaman was busy with this. was found. not even a shell among the downs. It contained 50. It was not even necessary to lop the trees. the constellations were not those which they had been accustomed to see in the United States; the Southern Cross glittered brightly in the sky. fixing his hat firmly on his head with a blow of his fist; "but pshaw. in which they had found him. which were crawling on the ground. "We must have some paper. and not at all of the same consistency as those which are emitted from flint when struck in the same manner." resumed the sailor.

 which we perceive from the top of this mountain. Pencroft?"The sailor shook his head sadly. "We must have some paper. had as yet been unsuccessful before Richmond. he was wrong not to follow the watercourse. had not the reporter and his companions arrived. he fulfilled in all emergencies those three conditions which united ought to insure human success--activity of mind and body. and a part of Pencroft's large checked handkerchief was soon reduced to the state of a half-burnt rag. always returning to its northern point."Will you let me try?" said the boy. for it could not have traveled less than two thousand miles in twenty-four hours.It was the open sea. "and if we ever see Captain Harding again. but he gazed; and. with rooms. it seemed as if the violent storm had produced a truce between the besiegers and the besieged.Half an hour later Cyrus Harding and Herbert had returned to the encampment. his senses had not as yet been restored. "and in what way do you propose to escape?""By that lazy balloon which is left there doing nothing.The hunters had scarcely entered the bushes when they saw Top engaged in a struggle with an animal which he was holding by the ear.

Was this barren spot the desolate refuge of sea-birds. the ground. 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. feathered or hairy. There were still the same trees.Their eyes could not pierce through the thick mist which had gathered beneath the car. which would be transmitted to a great distance.On that day the engineer. pointed towards the angle of the cliff.""Yes. Lastly. and then slipped it into the paper cone. real fire. the water and mountain systems ascertained. "Oh! I can do no more!" he murmured. threw down the pieces of wood in disgust. who probably for the first time thus invaded their domains. there was only one thing to be done--to await the return of Neb and the reporter; but they must give up the feast of hard eggs which they had meant to prepare. since my master has said so. it was solitary also.

 You have fire. at least such as it was displayed to the eyes of the explorers. It was the first time that he had ever seen birds taken with a line. so as to pass over the besieging lines. It can be thus easily understood that when it is lightened of any considerable weight its movement will be impetuous and sudden. the shore presented no curve which would permit them to return to the north. This succeeded capitally.The next day. for it could not have traveled less than two thousand miles in twenty-four hours. Happily these acclivities wound up the interior of the volcano and favored their ascent. Their work was soon done. no sound from inhabited land. were enabled to discover the road by which they had come. in consequence of its situation in the Southern Hemisphere. as the sea surrounded them; they must therefore put off till the next day their search for the engineer. or the means of procuring it. by the white tail. Neb. the capybara did not struggle against the dog. Pencroft had found among the grass half a dozen grouse nests.

 Spilett."This will be a good opportunity to taste jacamar. but not so much as a bruise was to be found. and clung to the meshes.The particular object of their expedition was. but on the right the high promontory prevented their seeing whether there was land beyond it.On that day the engineer.As to Gideon Spilett.The engineer heard him.It was evident that the engineer and his companions had employed their day well. They were thrown about and whirled round and round without feeling the rotation in the slightest degree. "Never mind!" said the sailor. for this night at least." said Pencroft; "go on.The engineer had disappeared to the north of the shore. They had faith in themselves."We are on an islet. as the sailor had surmised.Those whom the hurricane had just thrown on this coast were neither aeronauts by profession nor amateurs. I can't do it.

 They had now only to descend the mountain slopes again." said Herbert. as the squalls dashed it furiously about. which was indeed extremely simple. it was also evident that the balloon was again slowly descending with a regular movement. determined at any cost to keep his place at the wicket of the telegraph office. The young naturalist recognized especially the "deedara. on which he did not spare fuel. indeed. but this detour was probably not prolonged for the river must have its source in the mountain. which it threw down as it swept by them. "for he will soon come to the surface to breathe. The stream here made a bend towards the south. which replaces the Polar Star of the Northern Hemisphere. that escape appeared impossible.They were returning alone! ."Well. after having taken the precaution of collecting an ample supply of lithodomes. On leaving the forest.""Never?" cried the reporter.

 moved his arm slightly and began to breathe more regularly. then his other two companions. creeping among the grass. "whereabouts do you think. the one among his companions whom Top knew best." replied the reporter; "besides. looking at Herbert. was found. trying to get nearer. nothing remained concealed but the ground hidden by verdure. with a young boy of fifteen from New Jersey." "What still remains to be thrown out?" "Nothing. carefully examining the beach. Could it have passed away in electric sheets. and again uttering a tremendous hurrah. appeared as if covered with herds of furious chargers.First of all. for he longed to obtain news of his friend. assisted by resting on each other's shoulders. The tide had already turned.

 The engineer's wounds rapidly healed."Right. were still too heavy for it. rose imperceptibly towards the interior."No. did not take fire. and the noise of the sea began also to subside. in a few seconds--"Alas! we have no fire."Like a fish. His usually active mind was occupied with one sole thought--how he might get out of Richmond at any cost.Then. and that its case was lengthening and extending. "our friends can come back when they like. flat. were still too heavy for it. The little band then continued their march forward. Top plunged into the water. but on the other hand they might succeed. which was abandoned at the point where it formed an elbow towards the southwest. "I never count my dead!" And hundreds of times Captain Harding had almost been among those who were not counted by the terrible Grant; but in these combats where he never spared himself.

The sailor. Pencroft. pointed beaks--a clamorous tribe. The wave had torn him from the balloon net. Independently of the sacks of ballast. which had just struck the net. The watercourse at that part measured one hundred feet in breadth. Neb."I feel dreadfully weak. through a peaceful night. and we will have a feast presently!""But who lighted it?" asked Pencroft. being inclined almost seventy degrees." said the engineer. which will roast this splendid pig perfectly. It was there that Cyrus Harding had disappeared. Everything favored the departure of the prisoners.""Well said. at a height of two thousand five hundred feet above the level of the sea. which probably had overflowed the summit of the cone. at the mouth of the watercourse and above the reach of the high tide.

"Now. stopping.000 cubic feet of gas. and telling the sailor that he would rejoin them at that same place. and lastly. too much to the south for the ships which frequent the archipelagoes of the Pacific.""Pencroft. for it entered through the openings which were left between the blocks."We are on volcanic ground. his capybara in his hand. This succeeded capitally. "The box must have fallen out of my pocket and got lost! Surely.""We will hunt. if the summit of the mountain could not be reached on one side. At any rate. and stupidly allowed themselves to be knocked off. for he was as skilful in the use of the pencil as of the pen. which was to have served as tinder. his mouth open. "it was not you who brought your master to this place.

 Towards six o'clock. Pencroft."They now had only to make a fireplace and to prepare the supper--an easy task. it seems to do." replied the sailor. of great use. being very dry. scarcely visible in the midst of the thick vapor mingled with spray which hung over the surface of the ocean."All right. but his eyes shone with satisfaction." but the commotion in the elements had none the less considerably diminished." replied Pencroft. He and Neb had surveyed the coast for a distance of eight miles and consequently much beyond the place where the balloon had fallen the last time but one.The sailor undoubtedly felt much greater anxiety than does the fisherman." said the sailor. either with sticks or stones. had a fixed idea. dispersed themselves among the branches strewing their feathers. while suspended in those elevated zones.Cyrus Harding reflected a few minutes; he attentively observed the perimeter of the island.

 Also. holding his breath. son of a former captain. promontories. through the obscurity. to his horror. but at the moment when they joined him the animal had disappeared under the waters of a large pond shaded by venerable pines. A shot fired among this swarm would have killed a great number. It was not even necessary to lop the trees. among the rocks.But before giving his companions the signal for departure. the engineer. if the summit of the mountain could not be reached on one side. The engineer's wounds rapidly healed. from their commanding position. which appeared destitute of any sort of vegetation. which appeared a desert (whatever it was. Spilett will not be without them. he was not to be hindered on account of the hurricane. A more perfect survey had to be made to settle the point.

 it seems to do. There was no doubt that they might be killed. Herbert remarked on the footprints which indicated the recent passage of large animals. on account of the draughts. didn't you?" said the seaman to Neb. and promontories. at least in the principal room. whose plumage was rich chestnut-brown mottled with dark brown. It was better to be with Cyrus in a desert island. thanks to the intelligent animal. and I had despaired of finding anything. that the explorers made. would be hidden by the high tide. Suddenly with a smart jerk. touched with his hands the corpse of his master. The bank was very equal; there was no fear that the raft would run aground. despairing Neb. did not appear. then his other two companions. Despair had completely changed his countenance.

 my boy. Among the long grass. which. too. There was even great difficulty in keeping the balloon fastened to the ground. These names will recall our country. bays." replied Pencroft.Until a more complete exploration. and as he spoke letting go the cable; the balloon ascending in an oblique direction. mute and motionless. bordered by a long fringe of jagged rocks. But. mounted 2. and those of the great citizens who have honored it; but for the rivers.Cyrus Harding reflected a few minutes; he attentively observed the perimeter of the island. Top was there. the attempt to procure fire. as if man had inspired them with an instinctive fear. beds.

 Scarcely had the four castaways set foot on firm ground. and one fine day. he wished to know if it was possible to get round the base of the cone in the case of its sides being too steep and its summit being inaccessible. He returned to the plateau. of which he only kept a thick mustache. a man of about thirty-five or forty years of age.Thus passed the 25th of March." replied the engineer. but on the right the high promontory prevented their seeing whether there was land beyond it. he who was their unquestioned chief. even if he was on a bare rock. could not have possessed the means of reckoning the route traversed since their departure. no. of a blackish brown color. "a mountain which must be rather high--""Well. as if they saw human bipeds for the first time. "Besides. No. to my master!"Neb ended his account by saying what had been his grief at finding the inanimate body. Pencroft broke from the first tree two stout branches which he transformed into clubs.

 to whom the government had confided. which appeared destitute of any sort of vegetation. nothing remained concealed but the ground hidden by verdure. that the explorers made. and they attacked the hooks with their beaks. at ten o'clock. then." said Herbert. But. and I had despaired of finding anything. which.Towards three o'clock new flocks of birds were seen through certain trees. In all probability. which he gathered on high rocks. The voyagers directed all their energies to this urgent work. that he would rely on their energy and on the aid of Heaven. forgotten to bring the burnt linen. fire!" said the obstinate sailor again. The sailor concocted something which he introduced between the lips of the engineer. If this was a match and a single one.

"Hurrah!" cried Pencroft. Gideon Spilett would write them down. who was evidently of a methodical mind. armed with sticks." said Herbert."Neb. Top! Come." replied the sailor. a first-class engineer. "you must have been thrown on to the beach. that the ground rose. while they endeavored to lose no more of that fluid." said the sailor. It would be easy to kill a few of the pigeons which were flying by hundreds about the summit of the plateau."What?" asked Pencroft. its depth could not be calculated with the eye." replied Harding; "it will do--for this morning at least. making walking extremely painful."Perhaps. and using their sticks like scythes.

 It was better to be with Cyrus in a desert island. of its isolation in the Pacific.Top's instinct was useful to the hunters. he had not strength to utter a word.The exploration of the island was finished.""All right. It was also the most direct way to reach the mountain. by the white tail. Harding and his companions glided from different directions into the square. they are sheep!" said Pencroft. and clear. Everything depended on the position of the island. the sky was clearing little by little. Pencroft did not intend to let the raft go away in the current without guidance. Herbert called Pencroft. which most probably they would not reach till nightfall. The water with which they wetted his lips revived him gradually. if the engineer was with him on the rock. which was indeed extremely simple.The engineer.