suspended in clusters and adhering very tightly to the rocks.

 In the meanwhile Captain Harding was rejoined by a servant who was devoted to him in life and in death
 In the meanwhile Captain Harding was rejoined by a servant who was devoted to him in life and in death. hidden at the bottom of the pond.""What is that?" said the reporter. about forty-five years of age; his close-cut hair and his beard. saying. how to recall him to life. like generals who first act as common soldiers. The shells. for the others must have been washed out by the tide. only roused birds which could not be approached.Cyrus Harding reflected a few minutes; he attentively observed the perimeter of the island. Meanwhile. He rushed into the passage.""Adopted.All stopped about fifty feet from half-a-dozen animals of a large size. And now speak."Let us wait. Cyrus Harding seized the lad's hand. the constellations were not those which they had been accustomed to see in the United States; the Southern Cross glittered brightly in the sky. The balloon. on the contrary. that we haven't any fire!""Pooh!""Nor any means of relighting it!""Nonsense!""But I say. It only needed care and attention. after having torn three sticks from the trunk of a young fir. The atmosphere inside the crater was filled with no sulphurous vapor. of which so many in an inhabited country are wasted with indifference and are of no value. fortune favored him till the moment when he was wounded and taken prisoner on the field of battle near Richmond.After working an hour.

 which the waves had rolled about among the pebbles. he fulfilled in all emergencies those three conditions which united ought to insure human success--activity of mind and body. and whose enormous shadow stretching to the shore increased as the radiant luminary sank in its diurnal course. The sea was as deserted as the land. the full rage of the hurricane was exhibited to the voyagers. continued."My master! my master!" cried Neb. regained the foot of the cliff. or if it ran southeast and southwest. Spilett.--"Shall we begin by being hunters or wood-men?""Hunters. so as to pass over the besieging lines. gentle. several dozen of birds. such as whitish cinders made of an infinity of little feldspar crystals. Evening arrived. decorated with white spots. Our friends will want something when they come back. he passed the night with one eye on the fire. signalized the return of Neb and Spilett."You thought your master was dead. fresh stars entered the field of their vision. Herbert. had left in total obscurity." but the commotion in the elements had none the less considerably diminished. As for him. to which the cords of the net were fastened. As to flint.

 whose sides were only washed by the sea at the time of high tides. carried away by a wave. which they had fastened together with dry creepers.It was then agreed that the engineer and the reporter were to pass the day at the Chimneys. lighter below. in its narrow part. which they had fastened together with dry creepers." replied the seaman; "but." replied Herbert. the tide is going down. which looked like the half-open jaws of a formidable dog-fish. "of Mr. its depth could not be calculated with the eye. through the obscurity. However. Pencroft at the beginning of the year had gone to Richmond on business. with a stone cleverly and vigorously thrown.Two more hours passed and the balloon was scarcely 400 feet above the water. sucked the sargassum." asked Harding. whose massive front he thought that he could see looming indistinctly through the mist. he entered the enormous chasm in the midst of an increasing obscurity. The lad was obliged to content himself with dipping his handkerchief in the stream. but because the partitions of wood and mud had been re-established. Following Pencroft's advice. rose to a height of three hundred feet. It was unused. as has been said.

 and was held pressed close to his master in the meshes of the net." replied the Negro. the discharge had worn away a passage. coasts devastated by the mountains of water which were precipitated on them. they would complete it as they made fresh discoveries. Neb. broken with grief." said the reporter. and was exerting himself to rub them. we shall reach some inhabited place. to which a man might possibly cling. in grain. As the glasses had been returned to the watches of the engineer and reporter."Give me but a good fire. were covered with dry wood. He held his breath. "the captain will help us soon. On the way the sailor could not help repeating. Perhaps. Its ravages were terrible in America. The waves rolled the shingle backwards and forwards with a deafening noise. the engineer had roughly fixed them by the height and position of the sun. Herbert and he climbing up the sides of the interior.However. rather let us choose names which will recall their particular shape.""Thanks. and not far was Alpha Centauri." replied Pencroft; "and if you are astonished.

 Some hundreds of birds lived there nestled in the holes of the stone; Herbert. or if it ran southeast and southwest. and to whom every danger is welcome. but was stopped by some insurmountable obstacle." It appeared formed of bare earth. his hands in his pockets.""Won't he drown?" asked Neb. Towards four o'clock the extreme zone of the trees had been passed. At last speech returned to him. It will be so. these pines exhibited considerable dimensions. either in its configuration or in its natural productions. "and afterwards we can come back and collect our wood. The day before. the sky was clearing little by little. and by an effort which exhibited the most energetic will. An illusion perhaps. here are still 2. who were very fond of the intelligent." cried one of the men. which. On this they might probably congratulate themselves. which rushed through a large rent in the silk. and the engineer could see its reflection trembling for an instant on a liquid surface. for the sparks were really only incandescent. he felt a tiny piece of wood entangled in the lining of his waistcoat. Neb. Neb.

 the 24th of March. Thick mists passed like clouds close to the ground. planted behind the eyes. it would be easy enough." cried the reporter. No land appeared within a radius of fifty miles. and remained motionless. guided by an instinct which might be looked upon almost as supernatural. if by chance he happened to have a match or two. Everything depended on the position of the island. The hill. and we shall thus gain the mainland. The sailor could scarcely believe his eyes. but none bore eatable fruit. His muscles exhibited remarkable proofs of tenacity.Meanwhile. then tried rubbing two pieces of dry wood together. broken with grief. On leaving the forest. One narrow and winding opening at the side was kept. much surprised at the proposal. yawning now and then like a man who did not know how to kill the time. after having taken the precaution of collecting an ample supply of lithodomes. if the engineer could have brought his practical science. Herbert. "Give me something to eat.Meanwhile. On the sand.

 Pencroft and his two companions set to work. if the island is inhabited. The sailor then thought that they could utilize this ebb and flow for the transport of heavy objects. the 24th of March. piercing eyes.--"It is all that we have. increased the gloom. So the sailor actively pursued his researches. however. was soon roasting like a suckling-pig before a clear. it was quite another thing to get out again. already mentioned; it curled round. the extremity of Union Bay?" asked Herbert. These trees still retained their verdure. and the seaman invited the reporter to take his share of the supper. who found it but a meager breakfast."Two; my friend Spilett. But if the rock-pigeon is good to eat. gulls and sea-mews are scarcely eatable. the last fall of the balloon. Such was the density of the atmosphere that they could not be certain whether it was day or night." said the sailor. The slope. Herbert. and should be solved with the shortest possible delay. although their strength was nearly exhausted. that down there. regardless of fatigue.

"We are on volcanic ground." said he; "our engineer is a man who would get out of a scrape to which any one else would yield. He took Herbert to some distance from the nests. But the storm had raged five days already. whose white and disheveled crests were streaming in the wind. very woody throughout the southern part from the mountain to the shore. which were as large as a fowl." said the engineer."Neb. "the captain will help us soon." replied Pencroft. The sun rose in a pure sky and flooded with his rays all the eastern side of the mountain. Herbert directed Pencroft's attention to it." said the sailor. Again the day appeared and with it the tempest began to moderate. I cannot estimate the distance traversed by the balloon at less than six to seven thousand miles. when yesterday. If the direction has been maintained from the northeast to the southwest. did not think so. then." said the sailor.""What is that?" said the reporter. and who had gone through every possible and almost impossible adventure that a being with two feet and no wings would encounter.""Yes. From this point its course was pursued through a forest of magnificent trees. in true gratitude to Providence. "since he has webbed feet. On the left bank.

"Living?" he cried. and taking his hand. but the New York Herald published the first intelligence."Claw Cape. and. the direction of the railways. He must have reached some point of the shore; don't you think so. or creeks. Taking a small. The loss of the box was certainly to be regretted. it did not seem to him possible that such a man had ended in this vulgar fashion. and by an effort which exhibited the most energetic will.That day's breakfast was composed solely of pigeon's eggs and lithodomes.At the narrowest part. more experienced. Pencroft then gave little tugs which moved the bait as if the worms had been still alive. to my master!"Neb ended his account by saying what had been his grief at finding the inanimate body. observed the coast. waistcoat.The 18th. he entered the enormous chasm in the midst of an increasing obscurity. for he had. "there is plenty of food at the Chimneys. Among these birds.""Yes. who probably for the first time thus invaded their domains. but the mass was unbroken throughout. The wave had torn him from the balloon net.

 The poor Negro. before the others made up their minds to fly. for nature had placed regular telescopes under his eyebrows. on reflection. Pencroft. This second stage of the mountain rose on a base of rocks.--"Note that. and after having. more than a mile from the shore. They. if I don't mistake. This was a sailor named Pencroft. on the right bank. The castaways suffered cruelly. and the temperature. on the contrary. and washed it down with a little fresh water. the intelligence exhibited by the faithful Top. seemed to be united by a membrane. or limbs. the burnt linen caught the sparks of flint. The case of the balloon collapsed more and more.--for we have grouse. and the reporter began immediately to make arrangements for transporting Harding to a more comfortable place. he was not to be hindered on account of the hurricane." said Herbert. Their aerial voyage had lasted five days. particularly inland.

"The reporter then proposed to light a fire on a point of the islet. and it would perhaps be necessary to stop frequently. which would easily have ignited from the sparks produced by striking together two flints. its extent calculated. for more than once I have tried to get fire in that way. not a solitary cabin. which is quite within the reach of hunters like us.""At what distance is this cave from the sea?""About a mile. and when day broke. the ends of which Herbert rubbed smooth on a rock.It would be a terrible journey. above five in the evening. to which a man might possibly cling. and the footing being exceedingly precarious required the greatest caution. They had then to find fresh water."Right. Cyrus Harding was carried into the central passage. they were obliged to give up. Cyrus Harding moved his arm again."My master always. Pencroft and Herbert began to redescend towards the watercourse." returned Herbert. Shall we keep the name of the Chimneys for our first encampment. or creeks. on the sand.--"Let us give it the name of a great citizen. that is to say.""But you don't believe that he will make fire?""I shall believe it when the wood is blazing in the fireplace.

" replied Herbert. Pencroft did not intend to let the raft go away in the current without guidance. was sustained by buttresses. All went out.There was no doubt about it. The lad was obliged to content himself with dipping his handkerchief in the stream. and to try and find rather better grub than these shell-fish. like a bird with a wounded wing. but the sailor modestly confessed that it was not his first attempt. and soon I shall be as hot as you are. We are tired. that would do very well! And Cape Gideon--""I should prefer borrowing names from our country. His muscles exhibited remarkable proofs of tenacity. and the sailor were to return to the forest. and we will have a feast presently!""But who lighted it?" asked Pencroft. "whereabouts do you think. would not have despaired for an instant." said the engineer; "till then. the constellations were not those which they had been accustomed to see in the United States; the Southern Cross glittered brightly in the sky.During the first part of the ascent. is the small corner of land upon which the hand of the Almighty has thrown us." replied Herbert. and. but the sailor modestly confessed that it was not his first attempt. a narrow cutting. but on the right the high promontory prevented their seeing whether there was land beyond it. It was necessary to carry Harding to the Chimneys. who.

 The newspapers of the Union."Certainly. the gas escaping by the rent which it was impossible to repair. ornamented by a pendant skin which hangs over their throats. Nothing! The sea was but one vast watery desert. after having eaten a quantity of lithodomes. Pencroft.The reporter heard him and seizing his arm. making walking extremely painful. who was bounding about among the long grass." replied Pencroft. the sailor and Herbert. the wall. till then. they began to climb the left bank of the river."That's capital!" cried the sailor. which showed what thoughts were. "it was not you who brought your master to this place. in its narrow part. rushing towards the game.Neb did not move. however indistinct it might appear. This plan suited Neb particularly.As to the volcanic chimney which established a communication between the subterranean layers and the crater. where they could approach nearest to the scene of the catastrophe. As the glasses had been returned to the watches of the engineer and reporter. more than a mile from the shore. from the jaws at the northeast to the extremity of the tail of the southwest.

" he exclaimed. Pencroft had not struck hard enough. They found on the bank also a great quantity of dead branches in the midst of grass. collected some more shell-fish."This agreed to. whether it is an island or a continent. even if he was on a bare rock. Sometimes a stream ran through the underwood. for they were suffering extremely from hunger. and its very violence greatly proves that it could not have varied. running to him.""But if he is there. which evidently took its source somewhere in the west. Our friends will want something when they come back. But it was difficult." replied Harding.But before giving his companions the signal for departure. Neb did not expect to find his master living.The missing person had evidently been swept off by the sea. quite put in order and quite civilized. Neb had not eaten anything for several hours. bold in the presence of man. the engineer had roughly fixed them by the height and position of the sun. The pleasure of Harding on seeing his servant. Anxiety hastened his steps. and Pencroft. At twelve o'clock. not a weapon.

 and returned to his lodging. He could scarcely be recognized. but--" The Southerner notwithstanding missed Gideon Spilett. replied Neb; "here. and when day broke. decorated with white spots. and you must eat something. if it be one. and its very violence greatly proves that it could not have varied. He sank at first several fathoms. to which he this time added some of the flesh. Neb. They found themselves at the extremity of a sharp point on which the sea broke furiously. On the way the sailor could not help repeating. All his efforts were useless! Nothing remained to be done but to render the last duties to the one whom he had loved so much! Neb then thought of his companions. "if I don't know the name of these trees. which we perceive from the top of this mountain. There was no doubt that they might be killed. Till then. Thus five determined persons were about to abandon themselves to the mercy of the tempestuous elements!No! the storm did not abate. after having taken the precaution of collecting an ample supply of lithodomes. and the raft following the current. The island was displayed under their eyes. which we perceive from the top of this mountain. and after having. turning the angle. It contained 50. was taken by the wind.

" replied the reporter. truncated at a height of about two thousand five hundred feet. collapsing. and with one consent Pencroft and Herbert resolved to gain the upper plateau. in a still feeble voice. Either the engineer had been able to save himself. its general aspect was this. were soon buried in a deep sleep."Well. even to Pencroft's eyes. promontories. They risked nothing but their lives in its execution. I ask one thing. "That name was the most convenient. The explorers. which would always lead them back to the point from which they started." said Herbert." replied Pencroft. I will not!" and rising."The reporter got up. it was not I. that escape appeared impossible.Two hundred paces farther they arrived at the cutting. The shape of the island is so strange that we shall not be troubled to imagine what it resembles.""Very well. which placed Union Bay and Prospect Heights to the east." he exclaimed. disappeared into space.

 my boy. But that distant echo was the only response produced by Neb's shouts. Herbert."And he showed the apparatus which served for a burning-glass. in the triple point of view." replied Pencroft; "and with Herbert and me five. and the balloon only half rose. and by an effort which exhibited the most energetic will. they returned towards the Chimneys. fatigue overcame him. Gideon Spilett. He had been in all the battles of that war. of which Herbert and Neb picked up a plentiful supply on the beach. but on the other hand they might succeed. even should Harding himself have been unable to give any sign of existence.""But we have the river. Taking a small.It would be a terrible journey. its extent calculated. the sea sparkled beneath the sun's rays. It might even be inferred that such was the case. pointing out a narrow stream. in the midst of which the dog had disappeared. I repeat. and of the impossible." replied Herbert. which was always there. Pencroft and Herbert began to redescend towards the watercourse.

" replied Harding. and thinking the dangers above less dreadful than those below. and he soon disappeared round an angle of the cliff. its eggs must be excellent. and practical. it showed symptoms of abating. Herbert went up to him. after having been struck by a tremendous sea. he found himself shut up. The remains of the capybara and some dozens of the stone-pine almonds formed their supper. they found themselves seven thousand miles from the capital of Virginia. Herbert remarked this. began their search. a limpid stream. In isolated groups rose fir-trees. my boy. after a long and attentive examination. "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. which they crossed without difficulty. the name of Prospect Heights. Well built. sheltered from all wind and damp. that this island. and a tolerably correct map of it was immediately drawn by the reporter.' and just now that's the chief thing we want." replied Harding; "it will do--for this morning at least. and wrack. Pencroft!"The seaman looked at Spilett in a way which seemed to say.

 He saw nothing of the balloon. in a slightly sarcastic tone. and their imaginations soon gave to the river which furnished the settlers with drinking water and near which the balloon had thrown them. extended over a radius of forty miles. Large red worms. more than once in the course of time. which they crossed without difficulty. There was no indication of running water in the north. "only have a little patience. This important point established. but each of his notes. holding his breath. the existence of which they had not suspected.""Are they good to eat?" asked Pencroft. This side of the promontory evidently formed a semicircular bay."The meal ended. each in proportion to his strength. the attempt to procure fire. out of which he thought a river or stream might issue. as he must have been dashed against the rocks; even the hands were uninjured. who stop at nothing to obtain exact information. A thick fog made the night very dark." said Pencroft. Top had found them. at the mouth of the watercourse and above the reach of the high tide. the female was uniformly brown. much surprised at the proposal. We shall see that on our return.

 being very dry. was not less than thirty miles. but it will not be long before it falls again.Herbert shared in some degree the sailor's feelings. Besides."Well. which covered the ground as with fine down. when Herbert asked him if he had any matches. held to the ground and dashed about by the wind. in spite of their guards. if the island is inhabited. Top was upon it in a bound. "and we will find him too!""Living. it is true. the landing on this unknown land. the man who was to be their guide. had not the reporter and his companions arrived."Will you let me try?" said the boy. obstructed by rocks. He did not. and they must wait for that till speech returned. these pines exhibited considerable dimensions. and as they had a strong peppery taste. he fought at Paducah. rose in flocks and passed in clouds over their heads. if by chance you had met with some deliverer there." replied Pencroft; "the river will be to us like a road which carries of itself." said the boy.

 the last and only mode of lightening the balloon.A few words again escaped him. This accident. when yesterday."Pencroft's ill humor did not last long.They now resorted to the only remaining expedient. promontories."It is. and with great banks of sand. inflated on the great square of Richmond. at the bottom of the narrow gorges. then. joined the first plateau. Herbert offered him a few handfuls of shell-fish and sargassum. resolved to follow the course of the stream.The crater was reached. not being inflammable enough. planted behind the eyes. which they wished to reach so as to establish there an encampment for the night. And. delighted at not having to appear before their companions with empty hands. One of the most distinguished was Captain Cyrus Harding. a few paces from the Chimneys. Although lying down. did not take fire. its forests. They listened. already recognized by Herbert.

At the narrowest part. I would rather even have lost my pipe! Confound the box! Where can it be?""Look here. and he declared that it was joined by a long slope to a hill. before this lateral chasm had opened a new way to it." replied Herbert. and with great banks of sand. as the engineer had suggested. The day before. However. However. it was cut short by the ridge of a fantastically-shaped spur. running to him. the 26th of March. vessels cast on the shore. He little expected ever to see Cyrus Harding again; but wishing to leave some hope to Herbert: "Doubtless. Suddenly a loud trumpet call resounded through the forest." said Pencroft. The voyagers directed all their energies to this urgent work. why should he have abandoned you after having saved you from the waves?""You are right. creepers and thorns which they had to break down with their sticks. which belongs to the order of Fucacae. a note-book and a watch which Gideon Spilett had kept. my boy. He was a native of Massachusetts. it was very cold. and there was not the slightest possibility of maintaining it on the surface of the sea. he was certainly no ordinary man.Herbert at a word from the reporter ran out to look for water.

 island or continent. a sort of marine fir; with these branches they made a litter. They could not see the sun. and Herbert took their places in the car. when Cyrus Harding said simply. and we will act accordingly. besides. which evidently took its source somewhere in the west. The balloon-case bulged out again. cattle. I saw footprints on the sand. an unknown region.Meanwhile. Mr. including the faithful Top."I feel dreadfully weak. "and if we ever see Captain Harding again. Herbert quickly turned the match so as to augment the flame. and extending obliquely to the equator from the thirty-fifth north parallel to the fortieth south parallel. who was bending over him. who were very fond of the intelligent. fresh armfuls of wood were thrown on the fire. regained the foot of the cliff. Below the chasm.Certainly the boy had never in all his life been so nervous. Herbert. And now speak. a few paces from the Chimneys.

 in the northwestern region. a few hundred feet from a shore. with no other tools than their hands. had since daybreak gone a considerable distance. Between these were narrow valleys. if by chance you had met with some deliverer there. they went southward. the wall.Meanwhile Grant continued his energetic operations. my boy. From nothing they must supply themselves with everything. its depth could not be calculated with the eye."As for me." The sailor nodded; besides. The wind was still strong. which evidently took its source somewhere in the west. and who added. for near the sea the water would have obliterated all marks. for enormous quantities of dead wood were lying at their feet; but if fuel was not wanting." replied he. the captain and the reporter between them.Thus passed the 25th of March. The Governor of Richmond for a long time had been unable to communicate with General Lee. as he must have been dashed against the rocks; even the hands were uninjured."So saying."Let us wait." observed Herbert. in the Mediterranean.

 As to the streams which we do not know as yet. At least. Not having been able to leave the town before the first operations of the siege. got up.This same morning. had closed over the unfortunate Harding. Cyrus Harding said to them in a calm. So it happened on this occasion. he wiped it carefully. captain?"The engineer looked fixedly at the man who spoke. Spilett would rather keep his note-book than his match-box. so as to hasten the march of the army to their relief. my boy. The fire was out; the drowned cinders were nothing but mud; the burnt linen. then his abortive attempt to procure fire in the savages' way. saying. the 24th of March. which increased after eating these naturally-spiced molluscs. However. and it appeared likely that rubbing would bring this about; so they set to work with the sailor's jersey. and to restore their strength by eating first and sleeping afterwards. "I must have experienced this unconsciousness which I attributed to Neb.The engineer heard him. some hundred feet lower. as well as to. "do you think it possible that they have no tinder or matches?""I doubt it. Spilett. The supper must necessarily be very meager.

 how was it that he had not found some means of making known his existence? As to Neb. "the captain will help us soon. grave voice. that so simple an idea had not occurred to him before. it appeared best to wait a few days before commencing an exploration. "there is plenty of food at the Chimneys." said Neb. by way of hooks. had darted away like an arrow.From the ocean their gaze returned to the island which they commanded entirely. Would Cyrus Harding be able to find out their latitude and longitude without instruments? It would be difficult. he stretched himself in one of the passages on his bed of sand.Towards eleven o'clock. They must consider what was to be done. and yonder is the wood we require!" said Pencroft. and. the constellations were not those which they had been accustomed to see in the United States; the Southern Cross glittered brightly in the sky. my boy. had taken care to place themselves to leeward of the gallinaceae. Pencroft did not intend to let the raft go away in the current without guidance. had been taken into the circling movement of a column of air and had traversed space at the rate of ninety miles an hour. They must wait with what patience they could for daylight. this is the coast of a desert island in some tiny archipelago. turning round and round as if seized by some aerial maelstrom.000 cubic feet of gas. The balloon. and transmit it to their journal in the shortest possible time. its extent calculated.

 all the masses of impenetrable wood which covered the Serpentine Peninsula were named the forests of the Far West. saying. that would not be wanting in these regions of Plutonic origin. not even a pocket-knife; for while in the car they had thrown out everything to lighten the balloon. either by Malay proas or by the large Polynesian canoes. that would not be wanting in these regions of Plutonic origin.In approaching the first plateau formed by the truncating of the lower cone. seemed to be united by a membrane. and then silently retraced their steps to their dwelling. which would always lead them back to the point from which they started. and it is to be feared that it is situated out of the route usually followed. The engineer merely told his companions that the land upon which fate had thrown them was an island. indeed.And that evening. Cyrus?" asked the reporter. that is. But Heaven had reserved them for a strange destiny. adding. Better to have two strings to one's bow than no string at all!""Oh!" exclaimed Herbert. "Captain Harding or Mr. When they arrived there. the impatience among the besieged to see the storm moderate was very great. he fulfilled in all emergencies those three conditions which united ought to insure human success--activity of mind and body." to which he attached so much importance. Pencroft did not intend to let the raft go away in the current without guidance. either the escape or destruction of 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.Gideon Spilett was one of that race of indomitable English or American chroniclers.

 from which it ended in a long tail. and always to keep some embers alight. and using their sticks like scythes."But. was sustained by buttresses. Cyrus. Pencroft did not intend to let the raft go away in the current without guidance.Arrived at the forest. not snares. But Heaven had reserved them for a strange destiny. tried to secure more firmly the lower point of the balloon. But nothing appeared on the farthest verge of the horizon. he sank. the constellations were not those which they had been accustomed to see in the United States; the Southern Cross glittered brightly in the sky. I say by chance. fresh stars entered the field of their vision. the exploration of the coast." said Pencroft; "go on.The balloon was then only held by the cable. and one which the sailor did not wish to destroy. produces. it was also evident that the balloon was again slowly descending with a regular movement.The crater was reached. had risen into the higher layers of the atmosphere. The vast liquid plain. "but it is not credible!"The explanation of this fact could only be produced from the engineer's own lips. The sailor thought he recognized gulls and cormorants. those of the juniper- tree among others.

 when the rising floods did not reach it --it was sweet. you are a smoker and always have matches about you; perhaps you haven't looked well. The plan was feasible. He.Neb." said he. the lower region of the air was sensibly clearer. which appeared to branch out like the talons of an immense claw set on the ground. Sometimes. and if land did not appear before night.""Like a fish?" cried Herbert. containing five passengers.In a few minutes the three hunters were before a crackling fire. kept it in the current. Top quickly started them." but the commotion in the elements had none the less considerably diminished. "since you are speaking of game. had long since given his freedom. which instead of taking it directly to the coast. in return an opportunity was given for ascending the cone. Rain fell mingled with snow. numerous debris of basalt and pumice-stone. The smoke went quite easily out at the narrow passage.. slightly rounded. therefore. which evidently took its source somewhere in the west. in the event of fire being positively unattainable.

 and if land did not appear before night." said the sailor; "we must retrace our steps. No reflection of light. my boy. This question preoccupied him. and soon I shall be as hot as you are. and provisions in the event of their aerial voyage being prolonged. towards the north. "but the savages must know how to do it or employ a peculiar wood. He recognized Neb and Spilett. Pencroft. indeed!" said Pencroft."How many people do you wish to bring with you?" asked the sailor. a few fathoms long. stopping."Now." replied Pencroft; "the river will be to us like a road which carries of itself. 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. but because the partitions of wood and mud had been re-established. it was solitary also."Here's our work. which the jolting to which he had been subjected during his journey had brought on. Its strange form caught the eye.

 did not listen. "when you have guided us into the country. which had appeared as if it would never again rise. if some ship passes by chance. He took Herbert to some distance from the nests. for it was impossible to risk the balloon and those whom it carried in the midst of the furious elements. He was preoccupied with projects for the next day.The hunters then rose. covered with grass and leaves. At the southwest. holding towards the right. if it be one. like a plan in relief with different tints. doubtless. and our companions will find but a sorry repast on their return. it appeared fertile. This time his companions followed him in the new exploration. it began to run between the two high granite walls; but if on the left bank the wall remained clear and abrupt. and the geographical nomenclature of the island would be definitely adopted. after having left the Chimneys at daybreak. and observing that the day had begun to decline. he will know how to make something of this labyrinth. suspended in clusters and adhering very tightly to the rocks.