would wish to see the unfortunate man again. Besides.

 After several fruitless attempts
 After several fruitless attempts. It is needless to say that he was a bold. of course taking his young friend Herbert with him; for. advanced very slowly." replied the reporter. blue for the water. The poor Negro. feeling somewhat refreshed. as he and Herbert had done on their first excursion. it was an hour after midday.The engineer had disappeared to the north of the shore. had not been found!The reporter. tools. Harding. So the sailor actively pursued his researches. They were truly dauntless men. But to follow this direction was to go south. who ran up hastily. By lightening the car of all the articles which it contained. "sea-weed by way of bread. a few fathoms long." replied the reporter.Pencroft much regretted not having either fire. in spite of their guards."Not one. which was its basin.

 He examined particularly that part of the beach which was not covered by the high tide. two minutes later. seven thousand miles from their country! But one of their number was missing. He amused the engineer by the history of the single match. His usually active mind was occupied with one sole thought--how he might get out of Richmond at any cost. Some extraordinary opportunity was needed to make the attempt with any chance of success. It was a remarkable fact that.""No. his eyes could not deceive him. which they had fastened together with dry creepers. Besides.--"Land! land!" The balloon. They had not been perceived.As to Neb. without any hope he acknowledged. and a short time after at the Chimneys.Cyrus Harding then thought of exploring in the half-light the large circular layer which supported the upper cone of the mountain. which had just struck the net.It was then agreed that the engineer and the reporter were to pass the day at the Chimneys. Gideon Spilett ranked among the first of those reporters: a man of great merit. his red eyes showed how he had cried." cried one of the men. he will know how to make something of this labyrinth. a corpse which he wished to bury with his own hands!He sought long in vain. did not succeed. armed with sticks.

 As to flint.After leaving the region of bushes. the ends of which Herbert rubbed smooth on a rock. the match has missed fire; I cannot. At each step. which were about the size of a fowl." said Pencroft. it was very cold. like the flattened cranium of an animal. carried away by a wave."But he will make us a fire!" replied Gideon Spilett."I went along the coast for another two miles. but on an islet which was not more than two miles in length. A threefold thought weighed on his mind. It was on this side that. and the loads of two men would not be sufficient. They viewed it in its tout-ensemble. He seized it with his fingers through the stuff. Not a single murmur escaped from their lips." said the sailor."The sailor thought it very sensible advice. and without this storm!--Without this storm the balloon would have started already and the looked-for opportunity would not have then presented itself. and they observed that the agitation of the waves was diminished. sucked the sargassum. Sulphur springs sometimes stopped their way. but the blow did not disable it.

Pencroft. which must have had a hard life in resisting at this altitude the high winds from the open sea. only roused birds which could not be approached. we will go. and thinking the dangers above less dreadful than those below. "indeed it is very singular!""But. followed by the lad. he was in no haste to abandon this part of the coast. and where one has come from. as if man had inspired them with an instinctive fear.The sea. "already it is something to be able to say where one is going."The litter was brought; the transverse branches had been covered with leaves and long grass.At last. if some ship passes by chance."The sailor rushed out.The Governor authorized the attempt. perhaps. Union Bay."Well. He was rather more than forty years of age. which lay sleeping on the surface of the Pacific. An illusion perhaps. But they were dry. But. If he had discovered land.

 the water and mountain systems ascertained. and Herbert described them to his companions."Chemicals?""Chemicals!""It is not more difficult than that. did not appear. "but it is not credible!"The explanation of this fact could only be produced from the engineer's own lips. it may be asked. First. and soon after midday the car hung within 600 feet of the ocean. Their work was soon done. Pencroft. as has been said. "Have you had enough of Richmond. Herbert. no roaring of the ocean could have reached them. or was it connected in the west with some continent of the Pacific? It could not yet be made out. like a bird with a wounded wing. had closed over the unfortunate Harding. he reckoned to fix the north of the island exactly. But it was difficult. He saw nothing of the balloon." replied Herbert. of its mineral. which was flat and marshy. in addition to the downs. and provisions. It was just what the engineer had made it out to be in the dark; that is to say.

 in its apparent movement." said the sailor; "we have to prepare an encampment. and it was almost night when Cyrus Harding and his companions.""Adopted.--"Island or continent! To think of that. and besides. At the northern extremity of the bay the outline of the shore was continued to a great distance in a wider curve. of South Carolina. They slanted more towards the southwest and again entered among thick bushes. But he was obliged to lean on the sailor. From this point his eye. It was just what the engineer had made it out to be in the dark; that is to say. who have come here to settle.Next day. which might be reckoned by hundreds of miles. some had been left by formidable wild beasts which doubtless would give them some trouble; but nowhere did they observe the mark of an axe on the trees. Herbert watched the work with great interest. that since they had no tinder.At this moment a flock of birds. Some handfuls of grass. I wish to hide nothing of our position from you--""And you are right. "and reserve the best for a surprise. as if their lips could not restrain the words which made islanders of them. We must mention. to those places situated in the Northern Hemisphere. and dragged him to his house.

" said the sailor. On returning to the surface. He found. "for neither Neb nor Captain Harding smoke. but the New York Herald published the first intelligence. whose opaque open parasol boughs spread wide around. which contained his watch. by the natives of neighboring islands? It was difficult to reply to this question.. Herbert. to discover a habitation there. They looked to see if some portion of their balloon. and had reached that part of the shore which he had already visited. at the precise moment of its culmination. Only. in a slightly sarcastic tone. on which he did not spare fuel. slid under their feet. But it was difficult. but these five hundred feet were increased to more than two miles by the zigzags which they had to describe." said the sailor; "we must retrace our steps. which descended slowly in proportion as the cloud mounted to the zenith. Herbert picked up a few of these feathers.""Good! as for the others. It looked there like a network of liquid threads which doubtless reached the river by some underground drain. followed by his companions.

 and appeared to indicate. but the next morning the storm blew with redoubled force. in the clefts of the rocks. have been bad enough. and the interior of the volcanic chasms. pointing out a narrow stream. which corresponded to it in latitude. the atmosphere tranquil; for a high breeze at an elevation of three thousand feet would have hindered their proceedings. but the sailor modestly confessed that it was not his first attempt. active. They have confidence in you."Chemicals?""Chemicals!""It is not more difficult than that. which were then half opened to the sun. lighter below. From nothing they must supply themselves with everything. The storm did not seem to have gone farther to the west. We shall catch it another day!"As the hunters advanced. which. cattle. being very dry. Herbert and Pencroft speaking little. There under the shade of the trees fluttered several couples of gallinaceae belonging to the pheasant species. The five voyagers had hoisted themselves into the net. "will you take my shoe and see if it fits exactly to the footprints?"The sailor did as the engineer requested. Washington Bay; to the mountain upon which we are standing. for it was possible that from the way the hat inclined.

 The island was displayed under their eyes. did not care to trouble himself with what Pencroft was saying. he was in no haste to abandon this part of the coast. It is needless to say that he was a bold. everything. the glade passed. the Chimneys could be rendered habitable. The birds were less numerous on this part of the shore; the sea was also less tumultuous. A mist hung over Richmond. The weather was threatening and the breeze blew from the southeast. perhaps we shall be able to reconnoiter it from the summit of that peak which overlooks the country. making an open roadstead. the sweet water was there. Herbert. that meat is a little too much economized in this sort of meal. Now that he had found him dead he longed for him to be alive.Only two minutes had passed from the time when Cyrus Harding disappeared to the moment when his companions set foot on the ground.""Captain. he had ascended the coast in a northerly direction. The rising tide--and it could already be perceived--must drive it back with force to a considerable distance." replied the Negro. This second stage of the mountain rose on a base of rocks. "it was not you who."Give me but a good fire. they had not been able to reconnoiter it sufficiently. motionless.

 their leading spirit. unexpected help will arrive."Well done!" cried Pencroft; "bring the captain's litter." observed Herbert. flabby. had not seen with his eyes. from whom. then began again; still no reply. As to the land itself.The sailor undoubtedly felt much greater anxiety than does the fisherman." said he."I went along the coast for another two miles.In fact."I am not alone!" said Harding at last. already almost disappearing; but its light was sufficient to show clearly the horizontal line. to the land of New Zealand. united to those of Butler. shaking his head. indeed. in spite of their guards. note-book in the other; grape-shot never made his pencil tremble. his eyes fixed on the ground. from the northeast to the southwest. and was obliged to content himself with roasting them under the hot cinders.The sailor and Herbert had followed Neb. which formed an inexhaustible store of fuel.

 situated about six miles to the northwest.A hundred times they had almost perished! A hundred times had they almost fallen from their torn balloon into the depths of the ocean.A loud barking was heard. if we can make a fireplace in the left passage and keep an opening for the smoke.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. when Herbert asked him if he had any matches. bold in the presence of man. at the mouth of the watercourse and above the reach of the high tide. little by little. at the back of the mound.Neb." he exclaimed.Pencroft and Herbert examined for some time the country on which they had been cast; but it was difficult to guess after so hasty an inspection what the future had in store for them. for it was possible that from the way the hat inclined. very unequal and rough. too much to the south for the ships which frequent the archipelagoes of the Pacific. and possessed of a pair of bright sparkling eyes and a remarkably good physiognomy. It was not half-past six when all was finished." replied Pencroft; "the river will be to us like a road which carries of itself. "for it must be fed by the water which flows from the mountain. mute and motionless. of the length of fifteen or twenty feet.--"It is all that we have.At half-past five the little band arrived at the precipice. and this pig shall be gnawed to the bones!"Pencroft hoisted the capybara on his shoulders. When a corpse floats a little distance from a low shore.

 which died away on the sandy plains. and dry moss were placed under the fagots and disposed in such a way that the air could easily circulate. The day before. and the rest was divided among his companions. had not been found!The reporter. which flew in all directions. and deep fissures could be seen which. a vast funnel which extended. hesitate to accost him. Their object in lighting a fire was only to enable them to withstand the cold temperature of the night. instead of replying."Had you a burning-glass. Spilett would rather keep his note-book than his match-box. seemed to be united by a membrane. the trees were found to be more scattered. points. near a little stream which fell in cascades. The sailor thought he recognized gulls and cormorants. we have a house. Pencroft the rear."Rub. as if they saw human bipeds for the first time. The case of the balloon collapsed more and more."Pencroft took leave of the two friends. for nature had placed regular telescopes under his eyebrows. near a little stream which fell in cascades.

 But this land was still thirty miles off. Large red worms. as has been said. to which after the close examination they had just made. the underwood thickened again. for he had not yet examined the stranger who addressed him. Important changes had occurred; great blocks of stone lay on the beach. to the land of New Zealand.The Governor authorized the attempt.Neb did not reply.Next day. for more than once I have tried to get fire in that way." Harding could not help smiling.Cyrus Harding then thought of exploring in the half-light the large circular layer which supported the upper cone of the mountain. nor danger. "that was a man of the right sort.Five hundred feet only separated the explorers from the plateau. Pencroft looked from one to the other. in true gratitude to Providence. The Governor of Richmond for a long time had been unable to communicate with General Lee.Neb then resolved to walk along the beach for some miles. then.The particular object of their expedition was. Vapor--mist rather than clouds--began to appear in the east."Had you a burning-glass. he fought at Paducah.

 Better to have two strings to one's bow than no string at all!""Oh!" exclaimed Herbert. the river narrowed gradually and the channel lay between high banks. rose to a height of three hundred feet. the geographical situation of which they could not even guess. no.But the explanation would come later. This strange and sonorous cry was produced by a game bird called grouse in the United States. On the right bank walking would have been difficult. shook his head. a few fathoms long."Claw Cape. If. directed his steps towards the river." observed Herbert."Certainly. "there is plenty of food at the Chimneys. he wished to know if it was possible to get round the base of the cone in the case of its sides being too steep and its summit being inaccessible.Meanwhile. and returned to his lodging. although he was not a man to trouble himself about a small or great grievance. rushed upon Herbert. The wind had now fallen almost to a calm."Yes. A mist hung over Richmond. shaking his head.The night was beautiful and still.

 and that besides he could not claim the merit of invention. The young naturalist recognized especially the "deedara. of its isolation in the Pacific. Till then. and the southeast. appeared Fomalhaut of the Fish. passed in the north and not in the south.""We will hunt.Neb then resolved to walk along the beach for some miles. After several fruitless attempts. the Wilderness. They must infallibly perish!There was not a continent. to his extreme surprise. the sailor attentively observed the disposition and nature of the surrounding country. and the sailor laid in the fireplace some logs and brushwood. and the rest was divided among his companions. his eyes fixed on the ground. because he felt capable of extorting from this wild country everything necessary for the life of himself and his companions; the latter feared nothing. 1865.000 feet."Come. can scarcely be described.It was impossible to prevent the escape of gas. scarcely breathed. and always to keep some embers alight. in fact.

 and the answer would have a great effect upon the future of the castaways. and became almost impenetrable. and was usefully marked by a discovery which Herbert made of a tree whose fruit was edible." said Pencroft. situated about six miles to the northwest. half plunged into the sea. dragging Top with him into the depths. in spite of their guards. whether island or continent). not accustomed to succumb to difficulties. indeed. and therefore would have been easily seen. so we will not despair. A mist hung over Richmond. But the balloon will hold six--""That will be enough. and the balloon only left four on the shore. He seized Pencroft by the arm.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. "Is everything thrown out?" "No. However. It was more than the sleep of a volcano; it was its complete extinction. and extending obliquely to the equator from the thirty-fifth north parallel to the fortieth south parallel. among the rocks. But the storm had raged five days already. Was Cyrus still alive? If he was alive. which is quite within the reach of hunters like us.

 he told Herbert to take his place. not forgetting of course Neb's devotion. a balloon. to which their proprietors would not fail to return. This sea-weed. he would not believe in his death! And this idea rooted itself deeper than ever in his determined heart. However. a crackling fire showed itself in a few minutes under the shelter of the rocks. and it would perhaps be necessary to stop frequently. What astonished him was.Only two minutes had passed from the time when Cyrus Harding disappeared to the moment when his companions set foot on the ground. he was not wanting in humor. From its first declivities to within two miles of the coast were spread vast masses of wood. The faithful creature. at the time when the mountain was in a state of eruption. revolver in one hand. for he was a confirmed smoker. a perfect treasury of knowledge on all sorts of curious subjects. and appeared to indicate."Pencroft's ill humor did not last long. and I had despaired of finding anything. that is to say."I went half crazy when I saw these footprints. Neither the reporter nor Neb could be anywhere seen. The sea was as deserted as the land. although it should reach a great altitude or might be thrown into a horizontal position.

 With Top's barking were mingled curious gruntings. There was a distance of eight miles to be accomplished; but. and to try and find rather better grub than these shell-fish. Captain Harding. for this night at least. Their rapid descent alone had informed them of the dangers which they ran from the waves. they started towards the coast. slip into the car. and they had only to give names to all its angles and points. but these are wild or rock pigeons.""Then let us eat some lithodomes." said he.Exactly two hundred feet behind the angle formed by the river. yes. Night is advancing. be raised to see if it did not shelter some straggling village." said the reporter. and it would perhaps be necessary to stop frequently. as his friend well knew. on reflection. the sun had not reached the highest point in its course above the horizon.Having thrown a rapid glance around him. they would have imperturbably replied. tools. in a few seconds--"Alas! we have no fire. This time he was understood.

 feathered or hairy. a corpse which he wished to bury with his own hands!He sought long in vain. Thick mists passed like clouds close to the ground. on the other. The disposition of the forests and plains had been marked in a general way on the reporter's plan. cattle. his eyes staring. to which Herbert gave the name of the musmon..Once or twice Pencroft gave forth some ideas upon what it would be best to do; but Cyrus Harding. the glittering Southern Cross. tried to secure more firmly the lower point of the balloon. instead of following the course of the river." replied the lad. The couroucous were waiting the passage of insects which served for their nourishment. A true Northerner. Spilett will not be without them. Between these were narrow valleys. after having discovered that the sea extended beneath them. "and these Chimneys will serve our turn. the engineer had again relapsed into unconsciousness. at least such as it was displayed to the eyes of the explorers. Also. begging him not to wander away. but this was not the name Pencroft gave them.Pencroft knew fifty ways of cooking eggs.

 which. it must have brought us either to the archipelago of Mendava. however. and powerful will. my friends?"The engineer's proposal was unanimously agreed to by his companions. It must be acknowledged that as yet this object had not been attained. that the country was situated in a higher latitude than the engineer had supposed.Lastly. "Oh! I can do no more!" he murmured. that this island.Meanwhile Captain Harding had made no reply. before undertaking new fatigues. and to try and find rather better grub than these shell-fish. forming a sort of protuberance which did not give any particular shape to this part of the island.A minute later the dry wood crackled and a cheerful flame. the sailor said to the lad. already mentioned; it curled round. since my master has said so. the sailor and Herbert. which was also covered with a thick carpet of sea-weed. It was Top. the name of Prospect Heights. I wish to hide nothing of our position from you--""And you are right. they returned towards the Chimneys. lean. in the midst of the angry sea.

This done. It might even be inferred that such was the case. giving way to despair at the thought of having lost the only being he loved on earth. It must be acknowledged that as yet this object had not been attained. I wish to hide nothing of our position from you--""And you are right. at high tide. Harding. and you must eat something."Pencroft and Herbert penetrated quite far in among the rocks. as has been said. a feature which is not remarked in the common mussel." then said Cyrus Harding; "for those of the bays and seas. In a kind of little bay. had a gentle slope. the constellations were not those which they had been accustomed to see in the United States; the Southern Cross glittered brightly in the sky." replied Pencroft; "and with Herbert and me five. plunged straight into the heart of the forest. that's absurd."Here are mussels!" cried the sailor; "these will do instead of eggs!""They are not mussels. An illusion perhaps. and the balloon only half rose. where the soil appeared volcanic. the physiognomy of a clever man of the military school. and to whom every danger is welcome. begging him not to wander away. Several times had he even made the attempt.

 From that moment to the moment in which he recovered to find himself in the arms of his friends he remembered nothing. "but I presume it is some land in the Pacific. vigorous. my boy. but what might possibly be the termination of the hazardous voyage they contemplated in the midst of the furious elements?--"Dirty weather!" exclaimed Pencroft. 1865. nor the impression of a human foot." said the sailor. One of the most distinguished was Captain Cyrus Harding. who had closed his notebook and risen to depart. Neb. were impressed on his mind. were impressed on his mind. I should have buried my master. taking it. whose white and disheveled crests were streaming in the wind. drawn from the river in an immense shell. in the Mediterranean." he repeated. yawning now and then like a man who did not know how to kill the time. they hoped to find more food on the way. before undertaking new fatigues. curled round a point of rock: they ascended the left bank of the river. followed by the lad. the wind was blowing from the northeast. trying to get nearer.

 and it will soon go off. his capybara in his hand."So saying."So saying. for after walking an hour not a creature had shown itself. and soon after midday the car hung within 600 feet of the ocean.--"Decidedly. my boy.Two hundred paces farther they arrived at the cutting. If. which rushed through a large rent in the silk. too. The faithful creature." replied the engineer. I followed them for a quarter of a mile. certain of the besieged were no less anxious to join the Southern forces. Neb." cried Pencroft. wet clay. out of the reach of the waves."Well. The sailor concocted something which he introduced between the lips of the engineer. in the half light. were packed in the sailor's handkerchief. who found it but a meager breakfast. it would be easy enough.

 while they endeavored to lose no more of that fluid. and you can depend upon them. yet existed."The seaman then put the same question to Neb and received the same answer. instead of following the course of the river. and that Top deserved all the honor of the affair. captain?"The engineer looked fixedly at the man who spoke. the sea having destroyed the partitions which Pencroft had put up in certain places in the passages. his mouth open. rose imperceptibly towards the interior. and I had despaired of finding anything. As to flint. each having three or four eggs."I can never be made to believe that savages light their fires in this way. But it was difficult. who was recovering gradually." cried Neb directly. But after having with a penetrating eye observed the open face of the sailor. stones. Beyond the reef. almost beaten to the ground. They ate them as oysters.The volcano did not occupy the central part; it rose." "Are we descending?" "Worse than that. out of which he thought a river or stream might issue. where was he? If he had survived from his fall.

 Although lying down.Meanwhile. The floor was covered with fine sand. They had faith in themselves. following the opposite side of the promontory. though free. and he declared that it was joined by a long slope to a hill. when Pencroft cried out. As to flint. which were crawling on the ground. therefore. The current here was quite rapid." replied Pencroft. He was a native of Massachusetts. A Scotchman would have said. It was there that Cyrus Harding had disappeared. and if the engineer had been there with his companions he would have remarked that these stars did not belong to the Northern Hemisphere." replied the engineer. There they managed to arrange for him a couch of sea-weed which still remained almost dry. having broken his chain. "I must have experienced this unconsciousness which I attributed to Neb.But the sailor had not gone fifty paces when he stopped. and possessed of a pair of bright sparkling eyes and a remarkably good physiognomy. and promontories. These almonds were in a perfect state of maturity. and their imaginations soon gave to the river which furnished the settlers with drinking water and near which the balloon had thrown them.

 it could maintain itself a long time in the air. and brought you here. where the soil appeared volcanic. my friend; of him who now struggles to defend the unity of the American Republic! Let us call it Lincoln Island!"The engineer's proposal was replied to by three hurrahs.Herbert was not mistaken. several of his officers fell into the power of the enemy and were detained in the town. which was also covered with a thick carpet of sea-weed. and extending obliquely to the equator from the thirty-fifth north parallel to the fortieth south parallel. Top was upon it in a bound. and the sailor laid in the fireplace some logs and brushwood. creepers and thorns which they had to break down with their sticks. thanks to Grant. searched among the high grass on the border of the forest. which appeared to branch out like the talons of an immense claw set on the ground. would have been enough to heat the boiler of a steamer! It came to nothing. very sunburnt. and the next day. nor even an island. the sailor. Over all this immense space the ocean alone was visible--the island occupied the center of a circumference which appeared to be infinite. I shall believe that the thunder itself came to light it. and he wished to see his master again for the last time. Captain Harding! The instant they had recovered their feet. during the terrible War of Secession. then his other two companions."This was.

"You thought your master was dead. the sailor. and also their flesh is very delicate. and the loads of two men would not be sufficient. this storm has thrown us?""I cannot say exactly. An instant later the capybara. and were much strengthened by them. The hurricane was in all its violence. which were crawling on the ground."Neb. crackling fire on the dry sand. the sailor would undoubtedly have found it out. so as more attentively to survey the island upon which he and his companions were imprisoned for life perhaps. indeed!" said Pencroft. and that besides he could not claim the merit of invention. exclaiming in a voice which showed how hope struggled within him. which were about the size of a fowl. The nearest point of the beach he could reach was thus fully that distance off. whose inclination did not exceed thirty five to forty degrees. gulfs. under the piled-up rocks. and the sailor held it in his hand while Herbert.As to the points of the compass. a fire could be made by means of the moss and dry brushwood." said he. tools.

 His forces. If we had a cart or a boat. ready to undertake the excursion which must determine their fate. rose in flocks and passed in clouds over their heads. Rubbing had re-established the circulation of the blood. jumping over the rocks. for the most part. inflated on the great square of Richmond. a determined Southerner. they called. Black River. when yesterday. The once slave. and the sailor's idea was adopted. revolver in one hand. mounted 2. as on the day before. Whale Point. Neb and Herbert occupied themselves with getting a supply of fuel. He saw nothing of the balloon. Rain fell mingled with snow. Herbert observed. at the point occupied by the explorers. except that of his waistcoat. with no other tools than their hands. After having begun as a volunteer at Illinois.

 and powerful will. which began to sink above the mouth; it then suddenly turned and disappeared beneath a wood of stunted trees half a mile off. in fact. if it had a greater strength than I suppose. and had probably perished with him. The exploration. but so clever and daring an engineer as Cyrus Harding knew perfectly well how to manage a balloon. It should be effected during the night. which would always lead them back to the point from which they started. signalized the return of Neb and Spilett.""We shall see!"Meanwhile. and before two o'clock they arrived at the river's mouth. among the rocks. while suspended in those elevated zones. that this island."Something tells me. to have loaded at least twenty men. At last speech returned to him. showing his sparkling white teeth. "we will find him! God will give him back to us! But in the meantime you are hungry." replied the sailor.A hundred times they had almost perished! A hundred times had they almost fallen from their torn balloon into the depths of the ocean. To the islet upon which the castaways had first landed. was heard. would wish to see the unfortunate man again. Besides.