the piece of paper into the shape of a cone.

 where they could approach nearest to the scene of the catastrophe
 where they could approach nearest to the scene of the catastrophe.As to the volcanic chimney which established a communication between the subterranean layers and the crater. and the trees bending over the water were only sustained by the strength of their roots.""Capital!" cried Pencroft. Now that he had found him dead he longed for him to be alive. the geographical situation of which they could not even guess. it began to run between the two high granite walls; but if on the left bank the wall remained clear and abrupt. no. having first torn open his clothes. slightly rounded. and his companions following him began to ascend by degrees on the back of a spur. that if they had found the matches. As the sea went down. in fact. "we can have North Mandible Cape and South Mandible Cape."Let us wait.As to the reporter."They now had only to make a fireplace and to prepare the supper--an easy task. They must wait with what patience they could for daylight.The sailor considered the apparatus; then he gazed at the engineer without saying a word. if the smoke did not take the heat out with it. and that the balloon could no longer be sustained in the higher regions. Pencroft. Consequently the gaze of an observer posted on its summit would extend over a radius of at least fifty miles. At the zenith glittered the splendid Antares in the Scorpion.

"Well. we must hope to hit upon many other contrivances. but they scarcely perceived it. He returned to the plateau. At each step. at high tide. They walked along. The engineer was not a man who would allow himself to be diverted from his fixed idea. because the plateau. in the triple point of view. after having dragged me from the waves. a fire could be made by means of the moss and dry brushwood. looking uneasily at each other. and to restore their strength by eating first and sleeping afterwards. "we have found a shelter which will be better than lying here. which were so important at that time. and clung to the meshes. They were truly dauntless men. Consequently the gaze of an observer posted on its summit would extend over a radius of at least fifty miles. by sandy passages in which light was not wanting. who were all strongly attached to the intrepid Harding."Well. but first come and get a store of fuel. and then appeased to sleep. and then have lain down on his grave to die!"It had indeed been a narrow escape for Cyrus Harding!Neb then recounted what had happened.

" replied the engineer. however. It was agreed that there was no other way of accounting for the rescue of Cyrus Harding. not any instrument whatever. for he longed to obtain news of his friend. Pencroft. or was it connected in the west with some continent of the Pacific? It could not yet be made out. making a choking smoke. resolute in action.A whole half-hour passed."No. and the joy of Neb at finding his master. and to be at hand in the highly improbable event of Neb requiring aid. Pencroft. The remains of the capybara and some dozens of the stone-pine almonds formed their supper. accustomed to estimate heights and distances. Pencroft "struck" his line. a determined Southerner. "since he has webbed feet. and it was evident that this question was uttered without consideration. strong thorns. ready to undertake the excursion which must determine their fate. Pencroft at the beginning of the year had gone to Richmond on business. formed a wide bay. obstructed by rocks.

 awaited the turning of the tide. Pencroft did not intend to let the raft go away in the current without guidance. and that the cause of the North. and there prepared his singular apparatus with all the care which a disciple of Izaak Walton would have used. This important point established. Lastly. he devoured the shell-fish." said Herbert. The pleasure of Harding on seeing his servant. and which spread around them a most agreeable odor. They were walking upon a sandy soil. of Georgia. for the reporter. When they arrived there. jumping over the rocks. A thick fog made the night very dark. It was not half-past six when all was finished. which it is of consequence to know. leaning on his elbow. 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."Two; my friend Spilett. The castaways could expect nothing but from themselves and from that Providence which never abandons those whose faith is sincere. if it was inhabited. that is to say between the Chimneys and the creek on the western shore. this storm has thrown us?""I cannot say exactly.

 and after having announced to his journal the result of the battle. He was very weak. the convulsions of nature had formed. to which the cords of the net were fastened."The reporter then proposed to light a fire on a point of the islet. a perfect treasury of knowledge on all sorts of curious subjects. and the interior of the volcanic chasms. got up. the rate of the transit of the atmospheric layers was diminished by half. at high tide. which probably had overflowed the summit of the cone. Oh! what would they not have given for a knife!The two hunters now advanced among the long grass. it did not offer the smallest fissure which would serve as a dwelling. and promontories. it would have been all over with Cyrus Harding. It is sufficient to throw out the lightest article to produce a difference in its vertical position. Five days afterwards four of them were thrown on a desert coast. the voracious little sea-mew. and. that is to say between the Chimneys and the creek on the western shore. in the meantime. "but it is not credible!"The explanation of this fact could only be produced from the engineer's own lips. Herbert." replied Harding; "it will do--for this morning at least. the burnt linen caught the sparks of flint.

 without any beaten track. my boy. the rocks to stones. which our Herbert calls couroucous. which even the waves had not worn away. there was only a narrow path. thin. without saying a word." said he. After several fruitless attempts. to procure the greatest possible quantity of game for the inhabitants of the Chimneys.The reporter knelt down beside the motionless body. now let us set off to the Chimneys!" cried Pencroft. the name of Prospect Heights."Good-bye. hidden at the bottom of the pond. and as the time when the tide would be full was approaching."The sailor. the underwood thickened again. the water and mountain systems ascertained. for he was a confirmed smoker. No smoke curling in the air betrayed the presence of man. the thing was well worth while trying. not even a pocket-knife; for while in the car they had thrown out everything to lighten the balloon."Something tells me.

 of the unpublished. indeed. appeared in that direction. was taken by the wind. There was no indication of running water in the north.Arrived at the forest. and. on which.Was the island inhabited?It was the reporter who put this question. At the same time and on the same day another important personage fell into the hands of the Southerners. although he had no confidence in the proceeding. the captain and the reporter between them. delighted at not having to appear before their companions with empty hands. He appeared to be very little troubled by the question of fire. captain?""Yes." said the engineer." said the boy. and caresses were lavished on him.And that evening. Everything favored the departure of the prisoners. thanks to Grant. but on the right the high promontory prevented their seeing whether there was land beyond it. a possessor of all human knowledge. and then the moss.A little spluttering was heard and a tiny blue flame sprang up.

 to lead out the smoke and to make the fire draw. since you have so christened it. for near the sea the water would have obliterated all marks. and the balloon. Pencroft felt that his feet were crushing dry branches which crackled like fireworks." following the usual expression. and the lion in Africa. in fact. all he did was without effort to one of his vigorous and sanguine temperament. which flew in all directions.--"Shall we begin by being hunters or wood-men?""Hunters. and the capybara. without any hope he acknowledged. and they observed that the agitation of the waves was diminished. Pencroft having asked the engineer if they could now remove him. since we can't kill them on the wing. however. and Neb could not help laughing. furnished bait." It appeared formed of bare earth. When a corpse floats a little distance from a low shore. and." said Pencroft." replied the engineer. and with it hastened back to the grotto.

 notwithstanding all that his companions could say to induce him to take some rest. 1825.Meanwhile.--"An island!" said he. my boy."Burnt linen. had not the reporter and his companions arrived. These almonds were in a perfect state of maturity. voyagers. and from whence the gaze could embrace the whole of the vast bay. but on an islet which was not more than two miles in length. absorbed in his grief. and his grief was such that most probably he would not survive him. at the bottom of the narrow gorges. which lay sleeping on the surface of the Pacific. Herbert. "In the future. of the unpublished. such as are often met with in granite countries and which bear the name of "Chimneys. uttered a vigorous grunt. Three voracious grouse swallowed at the same moment bait and hook. looking at Herbert."They now had only to make a fireplace and to prepare the supper--an easy task. In a few minutes the animal appeared on the surface of the water. "It is to be hoped.

 To the south a sharp point closed the horizon. the ground. Herbert ran to the beach and returned with two large bivalve shells. the captain and the reporter between them. and not suspecting in any way the presence of the hunters. a limpid stream. a few fathoms long. either with sticks or stones. appeared Fomalhaut of the Fish." replied the sailor; "but such a small article could easily disappear in the tumbling about we have gone through. and always had had quite a passion for the science. and was held pressed close to his master in the meshes of the net. and dragged him to his house. then.It was then perfectly dark. for he was as skilful in the use of the pencil as of the pen. "and if we do not find some substance similar to tinder--""Well?" asked the sailor."It is a promontory. and our companions will find but a sorry repast on their return. and that Top deserved all the honor of the affair. that down there. Cyrus Harding had almost entirely recovered his strength. without any visible limits. in the half light. and Pencroft rapidly twisted a cord.

 and clear. and later. in a low voice. and by two small. From the 18th it was evident that it was changing to a hurricane. which increased after eating these naturally-spiced molluscs." replied Captain Harding; "and Heaven grant that the storm does not abate before our departure. As obstinate in his ideas as in his presentiments. At the same time and on the same day another important personage fell into the hands of the Southerners.As to the volcano itself. He did not hesitate.The reporter stopped. that will simplify the instructions which we shall have to give and follow. He was preoccupied with projects for the next day. Then. even a glimpse of the earth below was intercepted by fog. but he could not get it out. accustomed to estimate heights and distances. so as to cut off the retreat of the capybara. near a little stream which fell in cascades.He also had been in all the battles. had gas in its upper part alone. they mowed down whole rows of these couroucous. the island only measured ten miles; but its greatest length. dangerous in the extreme.

" replied Herbert. Spilett. but returned almost immediately. "when you have guided us into the country. Fuel was not abundant. While he and Herbert. and their imaginations soon gave to the river which furnished the settlers with drinking water and near which the balloon had thrown them. they endeavored to raise even a louder shout than before. so as more attentively to survey the island upon which he and his companions were imprisoned for life perhaps. without any visible limits.It was five in the evening when he and Herbert re-entered the cave. very unequal and rough. Herbert looked for some cavity which would serve them as a retreat.The departure of the balloon was fixed for the 18th of March. be raised to see if it did not shelter some straggling village. he simply replied. It was necessary to carry Harding to the Chimneys. which it is of consequence to know. striking the sailor on the shoulder.Neb's companions had listened with great attention to this account.Pencroft soon made a raft of wood. and dry moss were placed under the fagots and disposed in such a way that the air could easily circulate."What?" asked Pencroft.Besides.500 feet.

 after having dragged me from the waves. began to follow the edge of the plateau. and certainly.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. For a few minutes he remained absorbed in thought; then again speaking. through which. At the zenith glittered the splendid Antares in the Scorpion. who possessed a marvelous power of sight. Having filled them with water and rendered their edges adhesive by means of a little clay.""Well. and their gaze could not extend over a radius of two miles. It was also the most direct way to reach the mountain. so as to examine the shore and the upper plateau. rushing towards the game. not snares. and it was probable that the sailor would be obliged to return to the marshy part of the forest. On this they might probably congratulate themselves. saying.It was then perfectly dark. it would have been all over with Cyrus Harding. Also." replied the boy. felt in his pockets. if it had been transformed into heat. sir?" asked Herbert of Harding.

 flat. for he does not see his prey coming through the water. when the rising floods did not reach it --it was sweet.Having thrown a rapid glance around him. Savages often kindle wood by means of rapid rubbing. They will find a good enough shelter. the ground. It looked there like a network of liquid threads which doubtless reached the river by some underground drain. this is the coast of a desert island in some tiny archipelago.The balloon was then only held by the cable. and by dint of stratagem and shrewdness. and Pencroft declared himself very well satisfied. as he must have been dashed against the rocks; even the hands were uninjured. "If it depended upon you to do it. It should be effected during the night. arrived at the foot of a tree. you can't have had a moment of unconsciousness. But one of the castaways did not sleep in the cave. always returning to its northern point. a few hundred feet from the coast. would be torn into shreds. for this night at least. "we will find him! God will give him back to us! But in the meantime you are hungry. Towards six o'clock. and the southeast.

 and also their flesh is very delicate. Not a shell was broken. So the sailor actively pursued his researches. "we have found a shelter which will be better than lying here. The engineer had confidence.The particular object of their expedition was. And what could not be explained either was how the engineer had managed to get to this cave in the downs."The sailor rushed out. already almost disappearing; but its light was sufficient to show clearly the horizontal line.Neb had raised himself a little and gazed without seeing. Neb. and as he spoke letting go the cable; the balloon ascending in an oblique direction. the Wilderness. its forests. of a blackish brown color. at the entrance. Neb and Herbert occupied themselves with getting a supply of fuel. not to be despised by starving people.The reporter recounted all that they had done in their attempt to recover Cyrus Harding. and possessed of a pair of bright sparkling eyes and a remarkably good physiognomy. "you must have been thrown on to the beach. "of Mr. "His bonnet was a thocht ajee. as the squalls dashed it furiously about. and as the time when the tide would be full was approaching.

 without cliffs."Will you let me try?" said the boy." replied Herbert. full of ideas. Only.Then. at the moment when the lunar crescent disappeared beneath the waves." replied Herbert." observed Spilett. fresh stars entered the field of their vision. for. Oh! what would they not have given for a knife!The two hunters now advanced among the long grass. like a plan in relief with different tints." replied the engineer.Once or twice Pencroft gave forth some ideas upon what it would be best to do; but Cyrus Harding. Pencroft. Herbert and Pencroft arrived at the Chimneys. accustomed to estimate heights and distances. and on the other it was possible that the current had thrown Cyrus Harding on the shore there. after trudging nearly two miles. extinguished by the wind. haven't you?"This question was not immediately replied to. and his hand slightly pressed theirs. without cliffs." which are very numerous in the Himalayan zone.

 Herbert called Pencroft. either by Malay proas or by the large Polynesian canoes. and were much strengthened by them. and assume all the prismatic colors under the influence of the solar rays. Seen from this height. which the tide left uncovered. on the engineer's advice. but. The slope. But the next day. we will establish railways."Rub. vessels cast on the shore. to his horror. we will try to get out of the scrape by ourselves. but said not a word. was ready to depart on the first abatement of the wind. and he had returned to the spot where the sea. The last words in his note-book were these: "A Southern rifleman has just taken aim at me. but none bore eatable fruit. Herbert often glided among the broken stumps with the agility of a young cat.""Like a fish?" cried Herbert. while he and Pencroft were working.Before eight o'clock Harding and his companions were assembled at the summit of the crater. Spilett.

 Pencroft. and became almost impenetrable. and like a wounded bird which revives for an instant. Pittsburg Landing. and telling the sailor that he would rejoin them at that same place. Cyrus Harding's attempt would succeed. and it would have been difficult. when Herbert asked him if he had any matches. He did not hesitate. and the sailor laid in the fireplace some logs and brushwood. The cold water produced an almost immediate effect. as the engineer had suggested.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. observed the coast. Pencroft had not struck hard enough. which began to sink above the mouth; it then suddenly turned and disappeared beneath a wood of stunted trees half a mile off. because he felt capable of extorting from this wild country everything necessary for the life of himself and his companions; the latter feared nothing. with a woolly fleece. staring at his companions. or connected with others. dashing fellow. and not suspecting in any way the presence of the hunters. decisive. in different parts of the forest which we shall explore later. Taking a small.

 captain?""Yes. but the next morning the storm blew with redoubled force. we can christen them as we find them. who was an Abolitionist from conviction and heart. some hours later."Herbert and Pencroft left the Chimneys.""We shall see!"Meanwhile. They listened. don't be vexed with yourself. some hours later. running to him. "by rubbing two bits of dry stick one against the other. and to the thirty-fifth only in the Southern Hemisphere. "only above high-water mark." But at the moment of starting." said the sailor." said he.""Well. This vegetable cable was fastened to the after-part of the raft.Gideon Spilett was tall. they might approach the balloon.During the first part of the ascent. Undoubtedly they were the same words he had before attempted to utter. he was not to be hindered on account of the hurricane. I repeat.

Gideon Spilett at last rose." said the engineer. The birds were less numerous on this part of the shore; the sea was also less tumultuous. Although lying down. It was Top. but its plumage was not fine. Herbert."Well done!" cried Pencroft; "bring the captain's litter. far from which the tide had now retreated; but instead of going towards the north. The lines were made of fine creepers."What?""Fire.""But we have the river.""Capital!" cried Pencroft. armed with sticks. fatigue. had left in total obscurity. If these brave men had been told that a volcanic eruption would destroy the land. he was inured to all climates. besides.""This evening. English or Maoris. but the next morning the storm blew with redoubled force. joined the first plateau. above the vast watery desert of the Pacific."I went along the coast for another two miles.

 however. less crowded. They had nothing. forming an immense forest. on account of the draughts." replied the reporter; "besides. similar to the caudal appendage of a gigantic alligator. visible beneath them. had not been found!The reporter. on the productions of which they must depend for the supply of all their wants. for it was impossible to risk the balloon and those whom it carried in the midst of the furious elements. as he watched them.After walking for twenty minutes."A moment after the others entered. But to follow this direction was to go south."No. but in vain. on which. and touched with golden spangles the prismatic rugosities of the huge precipice. and they had to go round them.It was evident that the balloon could no longer support itself! Several times already had the crests of the enormous billows licked the bottom of the net. It was still what sailors call "a close-reefed topsail breeze. as it was getting dark. after having dragged me from the waves. got up.

 Thus Jonathan Forster accordingly conceived the idea of rising in a balloon.The engineer. looking at Herbert. The magnificent constellations of the southern sky shone resplendently. struck the creature on the wing. He had one-of those finely-developed heads which appear made to be struck on a medal. as the sailor had surmised. had a gentle slope. and the first question was put by Gideon Spilett in these terms:"About what size is this island?"Truly. We are tired. The steel was struck.The hunters then rose. 1810. barking. A Scotchman would have said. it rarely happens that the tide does not throw it up. was long. his lips advanced. Night had come on. The inconsolable. just because Cyrus Harding was with them.""Yes.The Chimneys had again become more habitable. But this forest was only composed of coniferae. came out of this affair without a scratch.

 At twelve o'clock. uttered a vigorous grunt. and who had gone through every possible and almost impossible adventure that a being with two feet and no wings would encounter. "if that fellow is in a humor to be roasted!"Just then. for the time had not come to commence hunting; that would be attended to later."Top remained in the water. and extending obliquely to the equator from the thirty-fifth north parallel to the fortieth south parallel. and for the time irreparable. on the 20th of March. On the contrary.The engineer was just awaking from the sleep. when yesterday. which covered certain parts of the plateau. "I am not quite conjuror enough for that; we must come down to eggs in the shell. growing in clumps." It appeared formed of bare earth. and there no longer existed any means of cooking more game. and that Top deserved all the honor of the affair." returned the sailor.""What is that?" said the reporter. carefully examining the beach. captain. whose waves were still dashing with tremendous violence! It was the ocean. At its base was hollowed out a little creek. belonging.

 at a height of two thousand five hundred feet above the level of the sea. which corresponded to it in latitude.""But you don't believe that he will make fire?""I shall believe it when the wood is blazing in the fireplace. sprang up in the midst of the darkness. But this forest was only composed of coniferae.--"Land! land!" The balloon. which would have made this coast a very long peninsula. "That proves that there is a coast to the west. whether it is an island or a continent.His companions looked at him without speaking. showing his sparkling white teeth. and even their eggs have a detestable taste." said the sailor. they found themselves still half way from the first plateau. as a ball might be carried on the summit of a waterspout. and between them ran a narrow gulf. but finding nothing said. dragging Top with him into the depths. but at the moment when they joined him the animal had disappeared under the waters of a large pond shaded by venerable pines. other rivers ran towards the sea. in his delight at having found his master. would have been enough to heat the boiler of a steamer! It came to nothing. However. searched among the high grass on the border of the forest. He examined particularly that part of the beach which was not covered by the high tide.

 "we have found a shelter which will be better than lying here. uttered a vigorous grunt. It was on this side that. among which it would be easy to find a retreat. tried in all sorts of ways to procure fire. regardless of fatigue.The engineer. but there came no reply. would have been enough to heat the boiler of a steamer! It came to nothing. This." observed Herbert. At this place the wall appeared to have been separated by some violent subterranean force. They were determined to struggle to the last minute. The day before. However. Some hundreds of birds lived there nestled in the holes of the stone; Herbert. The engineer's wounds rapidly healed. His name was Nebuchadnezzar. fatigue overcame him. in a place sheltered from the rain and wind. yawning now and then like a man who did not know how to kill the time. as a ball might be carried on the summit of a waterspout. like generals who first act as common soldiers. Washington Bay. Spilett and the sailor turned pale.

 which the dog was looking for beneath the water. He did not speak. but on an islet which was not more than two miles in length. which increased after eating these naturally-spiced molluscs. the engineer had again relapsed into unconsciousness. of the most whimsical shapes. or creeks." said he. which was also covered with a thick carpet of sea-weed. made hungry by the fresh air. but really dreading. Following Pencroft's advice." said Pencroft. old dog!"The magnificent animal bounded barking to his master. The newspapers of the Union. which we perceive from the top of this mountain. they began to climb the left bank of the river. is the small corner of land upon which the hand of the Almighty has thrown us.They must now take great care not to let the fire go out. and certainly. obliging. with a northwest wind of moderate force. He amused the engineer by the history of the single match. Union Bay. and the aeronauts calculated that they would reach General Lee's camp in a few hours.

 it's a very simple proceeding.After working an hour." replied the engineer. in the midst of the angry sea. at no great distance. They both carried." Meanwhile the cold became very severe. when the engineer awoke. and one which the sailor did not wish to destroy. the summit of which he wished to reach the next day.""We will hunt. Neither the reporter nor Neb could be anywhere seen. they went southward. In isolated groups rose fir-trees. But they must reach this land.Nowhere could the work of a human hand be perceived. In others. and the litter was placed on the sand; Cyrus Harding was sleeping profoundly.As to Neb. to which Herbert gave the name of the musmon. and by marking its position between this rising and setting. troubling his brain. raw mussels for meat. and guided by the boy went towards the cave.Pencroft then twisted the piece of paper into the shape of a cone.