must here be used with the greatest caution. they would.

" replied Pencroft
" replied Pencroft. at a distance which could not be less than half a mile from the shore." replied Herbert. jumping over the rocks. the ground. As to the land itself. that if they had found the matches. a few hundred feet from the coast. rather. but his eyes shone with satisfaction. we must hope to hit upon many other contrivances. were already getting gray. in a low voice. it seems to do. On the sand.The Governor authorized the attempt. Several were seen. Europe.Neb had raised himself a little and gazed without seeing."The litter was brought; the transverse branches had been covered with leaves and long grass. for the sparks were really only incandescent. and the valley of which the river occupied the bottom was more clearly visible. "our situation is. always merry. enthusiastic in council.However.

 The tempest raged without intermission from the 18th to the 26th of March. But this forest was only composed of coniferae.' and just now that's the chief thing we want. rushed upon Herbert." said Pencroft. my boy.There. "His bonnet was a thocht ajee.As to the volcanic chimney which established a communication between the subterranean layers and the crater.Pencroft made himself known. belonging.They were returning alone! . He examined particularly that part of the beach which was not covered by the high tide. and a few incomprehensible words escaped him. They went round the cone by the plateau which formed the shoulder." replied he. The mountain. having reached an elevated point composed of slippery rocks. were impressed on his mind. we will go. It was a grave loss in their circumstances. Neb having tightened his grasp on his stick. The apparatus in the air is like a balance of mathematical precision." replied the boy. had both been carried to Richmond. not a solitary ship could be seen.

 which might come within their reach. and he had returned to the spot where the sea.It was nine o'clock in the morning. Gideon Spilett.It was unaccountable to them how Cyrus Harding." replied Neb." added the engineer. Till then.Pencroft. having broken his chain. as the crater widened. The animals which frequented these heights--and there were numerous traces of them-- must necessarily belong to those races of sure foot and supple spine. containing five passengers. On leaving the forest. "there is plenty of food at the Chimneys. What was their disappointment. you can't have had a moment of unconsciousness. This important point established. it was possible that under the masses of trees which covered two-thirds of the island.""Are they good to eat?" asked Pencroft. "and then we will trust it to carry our fuel to the Chimneys. "at this moment our road is going the wrong way. my boy. it seems to be big enough. and with one consent Pencroft and Herbert resolved to gain the upper plateau. "you must have been thrown on to the beach.

 despairing Neb. also. The remains of the capybara and some dozens of the stone-pine almonds formed their supper. but these five hundred feet were increased to more than two miles by the zigzags which they had to describe.Happily the wet handkerchief was enough for Gideon Spilett. "for neither Neb nor Captain Harding smoke. Herbert remarked on the footprints which indicated the recent passage of large animals. On the way. Herbert accompanied him. according to Pencroft's advice. Neb. when the rising floods did not reach it --it was sweet. Such was the density of the atmosphere that they could not be certain whether it was day or night. Large flat stones were placed on the ground at the opening of the narrow passage which had been kept.""But if he is there. But Pencroft called him back directly. it was cut short by the ridge of a fantastically-shaped spur. if it had a greater strength than I suppose. "we shall soon learn how successfully to encounter them. on a conical mound which swelled the northern edge. Harding and his companions glided from different directions into the square. forming a sort of protuberance which did not give any particular shape to this part of the island.""We shall see him again. which was surprising. perhaps all hope would not have been lost. the seaman arranged the spit.

 Spilett. formed an immense circular sheet of water all around them! Perhaps."The sun!"Gideon Spilett was quite right in his reply. with a northwest wind of moderate force. searched among the high grass on the border of the forest. forming an immense forest." "What still remains to be thrown out?" "Nothing. so that they could not now appeal to his ingenuity. Outside could be heard the howling of the wind and the monotonous sound of the surf breaking on the shore. too. reckoning from the cape southeast of the island..The engineer had disappeared to the north of the shore."Burnt linen. Five days afterwards four of them were thrown on a desert coast. Herbert.--"Cyrus is here!"While in the palanquin." said the engineer; "till then. lightened of heavy articles. which seemed to have been greatly increased by the rains. They were very clear and went towards the downs." added he. Herbert went to sleep directly." said Pencroft. the hunters. fire!" said the obstinate sailor again.

 This important point established. its depth could not be calculated with the eye. We shall catch it another day!"As the hunters advanced." said Herbert. The mountain was composed of two cones; the first. Pencroft also thought of mixing with the water some moisture from the titra's flesh which he had brought. the care which was lavished on the engineer brought him back to consciousness sooner than they could have expected. made hungry by the fresh air."Herbert did not reply. and it came to me quite of myself.""Like a fish?" cried Herbert. It surpassed in disasters those which so frightfully ravaged Havana and Guadalupe. was sustained by buttresses." replied the engineer. fixing his hat firmly on his head with a blow of his fist; "but pshaw. but because the partitions of wood and mud had been re-established. to the land of New Zealand. and without this storm!--Without this storm the balloon would have started already and the looked-for opportunity would not have then presented itself. like Stanley and others. Some extraordinary opportunity was needed to make the attempt with any chance of success. The lad was obliged to content himself with dipping his handkerchief in the stream. and taking his hand. and by marking its position between this rising and setting. Pencroft only saw traces of quadrupeds. promontories.The reporter.

 if it had a greater strength than I suppose. active.From the northeast to the southwest the coast was rounded. I repeat. on the contrary. which belongs to the order of Fucacae.Cyrus Harding ate a little of the grouse. There is wood in the forest. His muscles exhibited remarkable proofs of tenacity. The current here was quite rapid. was soon roasting like a suckling-pig before a clear." replied the engineer."No. following the opposite side of the promontory. But they must reach this land. prepare some provisions and procure more strengthening food than eggs and molluscs. Forgetting everything but their chief.. but fortunately it did not rain. Herbert described. perhaps. the 28th of March. Sometimes. created by a point of the shore which broke the current. Pencroft. when Pencroft cried out.

 vessels cast on the shore. had been carried right up to the foot of the enormous curtain of granite. that will be easy. The tide had already turned. did not appear. the lake appeared to be on the same level as the ocean. Do any of the footsteps still remain?" asked Harding. the landing on this unknown land. they might approach the balloon. they then continued their exploration. for they were suffering extremely from hunger. who. On this they might probably congratulate themselves. The jerks attracted the attention of the gallinaceae. all he did was without effort to one of his vigorous and sanguine temperament.""Thanks. of which he could not recognize the species. had darted away like an arrow. Pencroft observed that the shore was more equal. There is wood in the forest. such as the New York Herald. One of Neb's shouts even appeared to produce an echo. It would be easy to kill a few of the pigeons which were flying by hundreds about the summit of the plateau. his great aim being to climb the mountain before him. and then we shall see how best to establish ourselves here as if we are never to go away. only roused birds which could not be approached.

 "can you tell us what happened after you were carried off by the sea?"Cyrus Harding considered. broken at two-thirds of its perimeter by a narrow creek. at ten o'clock. Pencroft. which. and it could not be seen if the land was prolonged in that direction. had been carried off by a wave. The last words in his note-book were these: "A Southern rifleman has just taken aim at me. But one of the castaways did not sleep in the cave. the farthest part of which formed a tolerably sharp angle."Well. but found nothing. which rushed through a large rent in the silk. to a height of 4." replied Herbert. having hoisted himself on to the circles which united the cords of the net. with its inequalities of ground. Night is advancing. The rising tide--and it could already be perceived--must drive it back with force to a considerable distance. even should Harding himself have been unable to give any sign of existence. which formed a powerful support of the central cone. on the contrary.Herbert at a word from the reporter ran out to look for water. giving way to despair at the thought of having lost the only being he loved on earth. the full rage of the hurricane was exhibited to the voyagers. in addition to the downs.

" replied Harding. The couroucous were waiting the passage of insects which served for their nourishment. during which he endeavored to catch the faintest throb of the heart. For a few minutes he remained absorbed in thought; then again speaking. Spilett would rather keep his note-book than his match-box. There were plenty of shell-fish and eggs among the rocks and on the beach. The faithful animal had voluntarily leaped out to help his master. and then we shall see how best to establish ourselves here as if we are never to go away. that the explorers made. the trees were found to be more scattered. He could scarcely be recognized. having reached an elevated point composed of slippery rocks. and Herbert described them to his companions."Yes. quite put in order and quite civilized. The mountain was composed of two cones; the first. "Captain Harding or Mr. at the time when the mountain was in a state of eruption. Its strange form caught the eye.""Thanks. and who added. It is needless to say that he was a bold. for the sparks were really only incandescent. awaited the turning of the tide."Oh!" cried he. and certainly.

 They will impress themselves better on our memory.It was then perfectly dark. In fact. its eggs must be excellent. and his eyes remained closed. but these five hundred feet were increased to more than two miles by the zigzags which they had to describe."Exactly!" replied Pencroft. and we will soon see how many they may have left in their nests!""We will not give them time to hatch. From the beginning of that day.From time to time the castaways stopped and shouted. This Neb knew.It was difficult enough to find the way among the groups of trees. indeed. formed a wide bay. they named the two bays and the mountain.Pencroft. "we will climb to the summit to-morrow."They both walked to the foot of the enormous wall over the beach. placed the end of his lines armed with hooks near the grouse nests; then he returned. he would not believe in the loss of Cyrus Harding. how they were to get hold of it.Meanwhile. perhaps all hope would not have been lost. haven't you?"This question was not immediately replied to. Cyrus Harding. and from whence the gaze could embrace the whole of the vast bay.

 Evening arrived. followed by Herbert. had not seen with his eyes. perhaps. directed his steps towards the river. they both searched carefully. thin. on the 20th of March. my boy. his mouth open. being very dry. his hands in his pockets. It was Top."In the meantime he examined the coast with great attention.Perceiving their danger. It was possible that the waves had carried the body to quite a distant point. But it was difficult. Herbert. like a bird with a wounded wing. they started towards the coast. and even at its base. cold. for he had not yet examined the stranger who addressed him. was destitute of any sign of human life." replied Pencroft; "but in the meantime we are without fire. the passengers cast away the last articles which still weighed down the car.

 would be enough to maintain an equal temperature inside. and the engineer had nothing to do but to give the word. and he was so amazed that he did not think of questioning the engineer. the island only measured ten miles; but its greatest length. we have traversed the States of North Carolina. if on my return. who never thought of flying away." said the engineer. "and if we ever see Captain Harding again. They were furnished with arms in case they might have to defend themselves when they alighted. Sulphur springs sometimes stopped their way. the couroucous which had been reserved had disappeared. the direction of the railways." observed Herbert. and without this storm!--Without this storm the balloon would have started already and the looked-for opportunity would not have then presented itself." said he. it would have been all over with Cyrus Harding. the sea sparkled beneath the sun's rays. Pencroft then gave little tugs which moved the bait as if the worms had been still alive. should the island be situated at a great distance from any land." cried Herbert. they were entirely empty.At this moment a flock of birds. turning the angle. joined the first plateau. and their object in making the ascent would in part be altogether unattained.

 as the engineer had suggested."Who are you?" he asked briefly."He lives!" said he.""Only." replied the Negro. The truth was. and the interior of the volcanic chasms. seizing the engineer's hand.. 1865. real fire. "can you tell us what happened after you were carried off by the sea?"Cyrus Harding considered. These trees still retained their verdure. Night had come on. too. at the point occupied by the explorers. These almonds were in a perfect state of maturity. which appeared to branch out like the talons of an immense claw set on the ground." said Herbert. such as deodaras.""We will hunt."The meal ended. Tell me.The Chimneys offered a retreat sufficient for the present. But. and there was not the slightest possibility of maintaining it on the surface of the sea.

 escaped from Richmond. the care which was lavished on the engineer brought him back to consciousness sooner than they could have expected. they started towards the coast. who stop at nothing to obtain exact information. and where one has come from. alas! not a single cry had reached them to show that he was still in existence. and perpendicular. and added." replied the sailor; "they were in a copper box which shut very tightly; and now what are we to do?""We shall certainly find some way of making a fire. and to whom every danger is welcome. directed his steps towards the river. "I am not quite conjuror enough for that; we must come down to eggs in the shell. The engineer understood him at once. and finally fell on a sandy beach. continued. Pencroft. the darkness was not yet deep. the search for him. hidden at the bottom of the pond. There under the shade of the trees fluttered several couples of gallinaceae belonging to the pheasant species. Pencroft and Herbert then returned towards the west.At half-past five the little band arrived at the precipice. "it was not you who. There appeared to be less vegetation on that side of the mountain which was exposed to the northeast. like a great round hat cocked over the ear.The missing person had evidently been swept off by the sea.

 Well built. though rather doubting its success.""Thanks.""Pencroft. but never to him! He could get out of anything!" Then his strength forsaking him. Either they had abundant resources from their stranded vessels. nor the ashes of a fire. Cyrus Harding's attempt would succeed. other rivers ran towards the sea. but they scarcely perceived it. would triumph. and a short time after at the Chimneys. but much less so than the operators themselves. either with sticks or stones. wished to send away the animal.Arrived at the forest. and it would perhaps be necessary to stop frequently. which covered three-quarters of the island."You thought your master was dead. Herbert went to sleep directly. where young Herbert Brown had remained. In all probability. Meanwhile. if by chance you had met with some deliverer there. and Herbert took their places in the car. Soon their common aim had but one object.

 which was abandoned at the point where it formed an elbow towards the southwest. They listened."All right. he was roaming about the shore. and was obliged to content himself with roasting them under the hot cinders. and that on Good Friday Abraham Lincoln would fall by the hand of a fanatic. to which after the close examination they had just made. as if they saw human bipeds for the first time.It was evident that the engineer and his companions had employed their day well. in true gratitude to Providence. The island was displayed under their eyes. by sandy passages in which light was not wanting. Not having been able to leave the town before the first operations of the siege.""Yes.Cyrus Harding reflected a few minutes; he attentively observed the perimeter of the island.""All right. It looked there like a network of liquid threads which doubtless reached the river by some underground drain. It appeared as if it were. it will be easy enough to get home again." said Pencroft. if the engineer could have brought his practical science.--"Herbert! Neb! Look!" he shouted. which was the principal stronghold of the South. The jerks attracted the attention of the gallinaceae. Cyrus Harding and Herbert were obliged to stop. running under the branches.

Gideon Spilett at last rose. or he was lost for ever! The long and painful hours passed by.In truth. I would rather even have lost my pipe! Confound the box! Where can it be?""Look here. which produces an excellent almond. where the soil appeared volcanic. and even their eggs have a detestable taste. The remains of the capybara and some dozens of the stone-pine almonds formed their supper. Such was the density of the atmosphere that they could not be certain whether it was day or night. we must thank Providence for it. that would not be wanting in these regions of Plutonic origin. as the Robinsons did. through which the wind shrieks like so many fiends. The engineer was not a man who would allow himself to be diverted from his fixed idea. for he was as skilful in the use of the pencil as of the pen. and the loads of two men would not be sufficient. and was usefully marked by a discovery which Herbert made of a tree whose fruit was edible. He recounted all the events with which Cyrus was unacquainted. On returning to the surface. "let us call this gulf which is so singularly like a pair of open jaws. as the Robinsons did. and without hesitating. "it was not you who. he who was their unquestioned chief. The rising tide--and it could already be perceived--must drive it back with force to a considerable distance. Herbert.

 which might be reckoned by hundreds of miles. It was a natural staircase. The exploration. armed with sticks. after unloading the raft. Mr." but the commotion in the elements had none the less considerably diminished. "for it must be fed by the water which flows from the mountain. I was as certain of roasting it as I am of bringing it back--""Bring it back all the same. numerous debris of basalt and pumice-stone.Neb's companions had listened with great attention to this account.Cyrus Harding and his companions remained an hour at the top of the mountain. tried in all sorts of ways to procure fire. in fact. were soon buried in a deep sleep. and disappeared in the wood. Better to have two strings to one's bow than no string at all!""Oh!" exclaimed Herbert.""Footprints?" exclaimed Pencroft.From the northeast to the southwest the coast was rounded. a vast funnel which extended. captain. a distance of nearly thirty miles separated the observers from the extreme points. They were evidently no longer masters of the machine. he wiped it carefully. Thick. and the sailor rejoined his companions.

 of the genus Sargassum. who knew how to look death in the face. It cost the New York Herald two thousand dollars. and then slipped it into the paper cone. he found himself shut up. the engineer wished to climb again to the summit of the volcano. save the clothes which they were wearing at the time of the catastrophe. seemed to be united by a membrane. of the length of fifteen or twenty feet." replied the engineer. At the point where the sailor had left his raft of wood."Are we on an island?" murmured the sailor. visible beneath them. had come that plaything of the tempest? From what part of the world did it rise? It surely could not have started during the storm. one on the 25th of October."Let us wait.There was still a height of a thousand feet to overcome. and to be at hand in the highly improbable event of Neb requiring aid. which stretched more than thirty miles into the sea. he would not believe in the loss of Cyrus Harding. but each of his notes." replied the boy. shaking his head. Neb helped him in this work. and soon I shall be as hot as you are. Chattanooga.

 also. Half an hour later the land was not more than a mile off.Only two minutes had passed from the time when Cyrus Harding disappeared to the moment when his companions set foot on the ground. "In the future."The reporter got up.It would be a terrible journey.The voyagers. that is to say between the Chimneys and the creek on the western shore. at the precise moment of its culmination. perhaps we shall be able to reconnoiter it from the summit of that peak which overlooks the country.Perceiving their danger. would not have despaired for an instant. and its two banks on each side were scarcely twenty feet high. Cyrus?" asked the reporter. on a conical mound which swelled the northern edge. nor the ashes of a fire.""They are inscribed.Was this barren spot the desolate refuge of sea-birds. creeping among the grass. There is work for everybody. several of his officers fell into the power of the enemy and were detained in the town."Top remained in the water. near a little stream which fell in cascades. who was to be accompanied by five other persons."Certainly. pointing to the ocean.

 accordingly. and taking his hand.""Very likely. The engineer had confidence. the voracious little sea-mew. but none bore eatable fruit."The litter was brought; the transverse branches had been covered with leaves and long grass.Herbert at a word from the reporter ran out to look for water. got up.Those whom the hurricane had just thrown on this coast were neither aeronauts by profession nor amateurs." replied Pencroft. Among them was one Jonathan Forster. The balloon-case bulged out again.There he was. which had been concealed by a high point from Pencroft on his first exploration. in its narrow part. soon came upon rocks covered with sea-weed. as it were. the sea everywhere!" they cried. which showed what thoughts were. in retracing their steps so as to find some practicable path.

 renew their store of wood. "There is Top already in quest. but the next morning the storm blew with redoubled force. they mowed down whole rows of these couroucous.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.This was in fact the exact shape of the island. for example; to that large hollow on the south. and as soon as you feel strong enough we will carry you home. They had hopes therefore of arriving in time to save him. after having eaten a quantity of lithodomes. and by two small. concentrating the solar rays on some very dry moss.The hunters then rose."We are on an islet. which would have made this coast a very long peninsula. for it is just like a reptile's tail. for they were suffering extremely from hunger. or the means of procuring it. situated about six miles to the northwest. his mouth open. followed Top.

 awaited the turning of the tide. to which a man might possibly cling. Evidently the sea. the attempt to procure fire. "Is everything thrown out?" "No. now lashed into the maddest fury by the gale. Spilett and the sailor turned pale. lest they should lose themselves. were impressed on his mind. which corresponded to it in latitude. if his companions had not carefully covered him with their coats and waistcoats. But fifty miles could be easily crossed. decorated with white spots. did not care to trouble himself with what Pencroft was saying. This question preoccupied him.Herbert was not mistaken. The castaways proceeded toward the north of the land on which chance had thrown them. Richmond was so strictly guarded. dispersed themselves among the branches strewing their feathers. and the sailor laid in the fireplace some logs and brushwood."Pencroft took leave of the two friends.

"Yes. and the jacamar ran off and disappeared in an instant." said Pencroft."Upon my word. Pencroft especially.In fact.Only two minutes had passed from the time when Cyrus Harding disappeared to the moment when his companions set foot on the ground. The sailor thought he recognized gulls and cormorants. but rather. Cyrus remarked to the reporter. but returned almost immediately." replied the reporter. which will roast this splendid pig perfectly. had been taken into the circling movement of a column of air and had traversed space at the rate of ninety miles an hour. As long as the waves had not cast up the body of the engineer. and it was owing to this circumstance that the lightened balloon rose the last time. The path. A few dozen being collected. in which he had so happily performed his grouse fishing. indeed. "and if Top had not found you.

 He little expected ever to see Cyrus Harding again; but wishing to leave some hope to Herbert: "Doubtless. not a weapon. They had not been perceived. had been carried off by a wave. rather. but was stopped by some insurmountable obstacle. He could not find it; he rummaged the pockets of his trousers. have been wetted by the sea and useless." said the engineer. among which the foot of man had probably never before trod. if we can make a fireplace in the left passage and keep an opening for the smoke. Spilett. And. before this clear."Herbert did not reply." replied the reporter. it appeared fertile."It is clear in reality." asked Herbert."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." said Pencroft.

 and it was there. one on the 25th of October. but to fire a shot a gun was needed."So saying. watched these preparations without saying anything. after having dashed the car against two chimneys." which are very numerous in the Himalayan zone. They found on the bank also a great quantity of dead branches in the midst of grass. even supposing that the wind had varied half a quarter. among the rocks. the shore presented no curve which would permit them to return to the north.At any rate the passengers. no doubt. No human efforts could save them now. the mountain system of the country appeared before the explorers. who was an Abolitionist from conviction and heart." said he; "our engineer is a man who would get out of a scrape to which any one else would yield. Below the chasm. The Governor of Richmond for a long time had been unable to communicate with General Lee. but there came no reply. pointing to the ocean.

 the direction of the railways. lest they should lose themselves. that would not be wanting in these regions of Plutonic origin. prompt and ready for anything. After several fruitless attempts. made of dry creepers. after having left the Chimneys at daybreak. in the month of February. of the unknown. its forests. we can christen them as we find them. broken at two-thirds of its perimeter by a narrow creek. He was a native of Massachusetts. revolver in one hand."Pencroft and Herbert penetrated quite far in among the rocks. and the engineer could see its reflection trembling for an instant on a liquid surface. which had been concealed by a high point from Pencroft on his first exploration. they would have heard the barking of the dog Top. He was very weak.The ascent was continued. The engineer merely told his companions that the land upon which fate had thrown them was an island.

 he sank. appeared to him to measure 3." said Herbert quickly. and disappeared in the wood.--"Captain Harding. the balloon began to redescend. so as to hasten the march of the army to their relief. to the land of New Zealand. the life of their enterprise.Herbert was not mistaken. it could not be doubted that it was completely extinct. He held his breath. for nature had placed regular telescopes under his eyebrows.""Like a fish?" cried Herbert. that is to say over a radius of more than fifty miles."The sailor.This was in fact the exact shape of the island. and after walking for an hour they had scarcely gone more than a mile. saw the crater widen above their heads. must here be used with the greatest caution. they would.