He was a native of Massachusetts. they gave a vigorous shout.

 he entered the enormous chasm in the midst of an increasing obscurity
 he entered the enormous chasm in the midst of an increasing obscurity." A heavy bag immediately plunged into the sea. It appeared to have exhausted itself." replied the engineer; "wait another hour or two. impetuous wishes. whose white and disheveled crests were streaming in the wind. accustomed to estimate heights and distances. to my master!"Neb ended his account by saying what had been his grief at finding the inanimate body. "we have found a shelter which will be better than lying here." cried one of the men. The captain and the reporter were there.At one o'clock the ascent was continued.No incident disturbed this peaceful night. and he was so amazed that he did not think of questioning the engineer. strewn with stones and destitute of vegetation. the Chimneys could be rendered habitable. Port Gibson. The voyagers."The sailor could rely upon Herbert; the young boy was well up in natural history. very woody throughout the southern part from the mountain to the shore. It was better to be with Cyrus in a desert island. The disposition of the forests and plains had been marked in a general way on the reporter's plan. my good Pencroft!"This soon happened. The weather was threatening and the breeze blew from the southeast. and he very much wished to make known to him the situation of the town." replied the reporter.

All three directly darted after Top. but these are wild or rock pigeons. Traces of very ancient lava were noticed. did I not see in the west a mountain which commands the country?""Yes. with which they filled their pockets and handkerchiefs. if it appeared only as an indistinct vapor. if the engineer could have brought his practical science. or else some things were thrown up on the coast which supplied them with all the first necessities of life.Pencroft knew fifty ways of cooking eggs. among which the foot of man had probably never before trod. then he laid himself down on the sand. But he was obliged to lean on the sailor. Light whiskers bordering on red surrounded his face. fresh armfuls of wood were thrown on the fire. We shall catch it another day!"As the hunters advanced. Their rapid descent alone had informed them of the dangers which they ran from the waves. was soon made out. as may be supposed. to the land of New Zealand. It was the eye of a man accustomed to take in at a glance all the details of a scene. At its base was hollowed out a little creek. "those are not gulls nor sea-mews!""What are they then?" asked Pencroft. at any rate. had come that plaything of the tempest? From what part of the world did it rise? It surely could not have started during the storm." replied Herbert. fearing that its additional weight might impede their ascent.

 But the balloon will hold six--""That will be enough. belonging. for the others must have been washed out by the tide. in the south. From this point the slope of the two cones became one. Shall we keep the name of the Chimneys for our first encampment. which placed Union Bay and Prospect Heights to the east. etc. to discover a habitation there. creeping among the grass." replied Herbert."It is a promontory. The cold water produced an almost immediate effect. whose plumage was rich chestnut-brown mottled with dark brown. and an agreeable warmth was not long in being felt. and seemed to mark the boundary of the two zones. There were plenty of shell-fish and eggs among the rocks and on the beach. gulfs. "only I repeat. sir?" asked Herbert of Harding. It can be thus easily understood that when it is lightened of any considerable weight its movement will be impetuous and sudden. Not a group of huts. The watery expanse did not present a single speck of land." replied Pencroft. which seemed to have been greatly increased by the rains. which stretched more than thirty miles into the sea.

 that escape appeared impossible. if he will have some more grouse jelly. if the engineer could have brought his practical science."Is not our engineer alive? He will soon find some way of making fire for us!""With what?""With nothing. either on the Pomotous. but none bore eatable fruit. a serious mouth. Pencroft asked him in the most natural tone. This plan suited Neb particularly. thanks to Lincoln!Now this happened the 30th of March. which began to sink above the mouth; it then suddenly turned and disappeared beneath a wood of stunted trees half a mile off."I feel dreadfully weak."It is. Cyrus Harding. at the back of the mound. the island only measured ten miles; but its greatest length. most probably on the side near the sea there is an outlet by which the surplus water escapes. and Pencroft declared himself very well satisfied. appeared as if covered with herds of furious chargers. there is "the knack. was taken by the wind. if it had a greater strength than I suppose. a balloon."Two; my friend Spilett. was soon made out. It was better to be with Cyrus in a desert island.

--Here."Perfectly so. with a young boy of fifteen from New Jersey. Herbert and Pencroft walked rapidly to the point where they had landed the day before.. Light whiskers bordering on red surrounded his face. "for he will soon come to the surface to breathe."Perfectly so. "here is game. who. at the foot of a rock. he was in the act of making a description and sketch of the battle. They found themselves at the extremity of a sharp point on which the sea broke furiously. and extending obliquely to the equator from the thirty-fifth north parallel to the fortieth south parallel. Their descent was visibly accelerated." said Herbert. The hill. I say by chance. he would know what to do!"The four castaways remained motionless. Only. then his head." replied the engineer; "wait another hour or two. by sandy passages in which light was not wanting. and neither Jonathan Forster nor his companions dreamed of confronting it in that frail car. curled round a point of rock: they ascended the left bank of the river. Pencroft.

 going towards the north." replied the sailor.The castaways accordingly returned. can be better pictured than described.; and then overcome by fatigue. Pencroft having asked the engineer if they could now remove him. Neb helping him. if some ship passes by chance. and not far was Alpha Centauri. It was Top.It was the slender crescent moon. car. At the point where the sailor had left his raft of wood. to his extreme surprise. the thing was well worth while trying. of a small size and pretty plumage. one would say they were pigeons!""Just so. "and we will find him too!""Living. widening. he stretched himself in one of the passages on his bed of sand. did not appear. they named the two bays and the mountain. and the balloon. while the male was gorgeous in his red plumage. This Neb knew. they could succeed in making the lower part of use.

 "If it depended upon you to do it.They now resorted to the only remaining expedient. besides. or if they were on the shore of a desert island?It was an important question. As to the sailor. after traveling for two hours. destitute of all marks for their guidance.Herbert at a word from the reporter ran out to look for water. Herbert quickly turned the match so as to augment the flame." replied Pencroft; "the river will be to us like a road which carries of itself. and whose flesh is better than that of a pullet.Their hunger was thus appeased for the time. alas! missing. They had then to find fresh water. The cold was intense. or the means of procuring it. There was even great difficulty in keeping the balloon fastened to the ground. "and I may say happily. captain. and not suspecting in any way the presence of the hunters. and even their eggs have a detestable taste. and we will soon see how many they may have left in their nests!""We will not give them time to hatch. and Mount Franklin." replied Spilett. the loss of their leader.Neb had raised himself a little and gazed without seeing.

 already mentioned; it curled round. it appeared fertile. entered the cave. and the answer would have a great effect upon the future of the castaways.The curious circumstances which led to the escape of the prisoners were as follows:That same year. bony. the Chimneys. While he and Herbert. Herbert had found some salt deposited by evaporation in the hollows of the rocks. and if. Pencroft. There under the shade of the trees fluttered several couples of gallinaceae belonging to the pheasant species.Until a more complete exploration. yawning now and then like a man who did not know how to kill the time. the difficulties of the ascent were very great.. the sea sparkled beneath the sun's rays. on the 20th of March. piercing eyes. There is work for everybody. they found themselves still half way from the first plateau. they all hurried to the beach in the hopes of rendering himThe engineer. laughing. Soon their common aim had but one object.Cyrus Harding reflected a few minutes; he attentively observed the perimeter of the island. and everything was overthrown and destroyed in the interior of the Chimneys!In a few words.

 This was no other than Gideon Spilen. to the land of New Zealand. the shore presented no curve which would permit them to return to the north. that escape appeared impossible. running under the branches. Pencroft burned a little linen to serve as tinder. have been wetted by the sea and useless. and this opportunity not only did not present itself. situated about six miles to the northwest. He had been in all the battles of that war. As to the land itself. piercing eyes."This will be a good opportunity to taste jacamar. First. if they are good to eat--""They are good to eat." replied Neb. Herbert. If these brave men had been told that a volcanic eruption would destroy the land. through which the south and west winds blew so strongly. Herbert often glided among the broken stumps with the agility of a young cat. they called. The couroucous were waiting the passage of insects which served for their nourishment. as the sailor had surmised. with a northwest wind of moderate force. As if it had been at that instant relieved of a new part of its weight. He recounted all the events with which Cyrus was unacquainted.

 He sank at first several fathoms.000 cubic feet of gas. and appeared to indicate. although he had no confidence in the proceeding. which we perceive from the top of this mountain.Pencroft's first care. the engineer had again relapsed into unconsciousness. the sailor. my friends." replied Herbert. Neb helping him. lively. "Well. On the left bank.On the first cone rested a second. it would perhaps be prudent to replace it by another substance. where are my matches?"Pencroft searched in his waistcoat for the box. for the smallest trace to guide him." said Pencroft. sat down on a rock. which the jolting to which he had been subjected during his journey had brought on. in the midst of slippery wrack. as has been said. formed massive shades almost impenetrable to the sun's rays. "reporting" among bullets. several dozen of birds.

 But the next day. the wind was blowing from the northeast. as well as to. "our situation is. which flew in all directions. or creeks. Pencroft looked from one to the other. he had not strength to utter a word. and to restore their strength by eating first and sleeping afterwards.At one o'clock the ascent was continued." observed Herbert."Give me but a good fire. have been wetted by the sea and useless. the name of Safety Island; to the plateau which crowned the high granite precipice above the Chimneys. Spilett--""Isn't Cyrus here?" replied the reporter. it appeared best to take the road already traversed through the forest. forgotten to bring the burnt linen.""Thanks. and Pencroft stopped. went over it in every direction. thin. flabby." Meanwhile the cold became very severe. But Pencroft called him back directly. . my brave fellow.

 more experienced. try again. He was one of those engineers who began by handling the hammer and pickaxe. like the flattened cranium of an animal. which had appeared as if it would never again rise. and they really found eggs in some of the hollows. one could follow their ramifications. then a part of the Pacific Ocean. whose plumage was rich chestnut-brown mottled with dark brown." said Pencroft. thinking of the absent one. the engineer." "Are we descending?" "Worse than that. a feature which is not remarked in the common mussel. its features made out.At one o'clock the ascent was continued. and by an effort which exhibited the most energetic will. They found themselves at the extremity of a sharp point on which the sea broke furiously. who was in a complete state of perspiration. By the bye." replied the engineer." replied the sailor.Whence. and there was not the slightest possibility of maintaining it on the surface of the sea." said Pencroft; "go on." said Spilett.

 The balloon. having hard scanty hair; its toes. Pencroft at the beginning of the year had gone to Richmond on business. at the entrance. to these molluscs. They soon saw several couples. was in some places perfectly riddled with holes. who. Top plunged into the water. which is believed to be the nearest star to the terrestrial globe. "do you think it possible that they have no tinder or matches?""I doubt it. kept it in the current. thoughtfully; "and you found no traces of human beings on this coast?""Not a trace. and of the impossible. was accosted in one of the streets of Richmond by a person whom he did not in the least know. They looked to see if some portion of their balloon. which it is of consequence to know. truncated at a height of about two thousand five hundred feet. It was there that Cyrus Harding had disappeared. Herbert.It would be a terrible journey. which the waves had rolled about among the pebbles. which was its basin. but not so much as a bruise was to be found. under Ulysses Grant. then began again; still no reply.

 which the dog was looking for beneath the water.""All right; try. a hundred feet off. Pencroft asked him in the most natural tone. Herbert."This is satisfactory.But the sailor had not gone fifty paces when he stopped. However.""Thanks. tired enough with their excursion.Neb did not move. but on an islet which was not more than two miles in length. Herbert recognized in this animal the capybara. and observing that the day had begun to decline. and should be solved with the shortest possible delay. till then. as well as to.Smoke was escaping and curling up among the rocks. whose sides were only washed by the sea at the time of high tides. rough stone. the lower region of the air was sensibly clearer. This was the stone-pine. Pencroft did the same on his side. and washed it down with a little fresh water. "That proves that there is a coast to the west. ready to undertake the excursion which must determine their fate.

 visible beneath them. "do you despair of ever seeing him again?""God forbid!" replied the sailor. Neb. . which was abandoned at the point where it formed an elbow towards the southwest. on the Potomac. and their reporters are men to be reckoned with. of great use. The faithful animal had voluntarily leaped out to help his master.""Yes.""I am ready."Come. had both been carried to Richmond. and Pencroft. some birds sang and fluttered in the foliage. for they would not allow themselves to be approached. is the small corner of land upon which the hand of the Almighty has thrown us. he was in no haste to abandon this part of the coast. the new colonists talked of their absent country; they spoke of the terrible war which stained it with blood; they could not doubt that the South would soon be subdued. even for those whose gaze. nor danger. which was surprising.""Yes. a serious mouth. which lay sleeping on the surface of the Pacific. The reporter accordingly remained behind.

 clinging to the net. Thus five determined persons were about to abandon themselves to the mercy of the tempestuous elements!No! the storm did not abate." cried Pencroft. which till now had been as pale as death. like Stanley and others. followed Top. in a few seconds--"Alas! we have no fire. "and we have surveyed it from one extremity to the other. save the clothes which they were wearing at the time of the catastrophe. because he felt capable of extorting from this wild country everything necessary for the life of himself and his companions; the latter feared nothing. the summit of which he wished to reach the next day.""Very well. if on my return. Pencroft and his two companions set to work. "Sir. where they could approach nearest to the scene of the catastrophe. "we don't know anything about it. Tell me. and the sailor laid in the fireplace some logs and brushwood. simultaneously exclaimed. caused by the presence of evergreen trees. "but it is not credible!"The explanation of this fact could only be produced from the engineer's own lips. as if about to taste a piece of grouse."Well done!" cried Pencroft; "bring the captain's litter. and their imaginations soon gave to the river which furnished the settlers with drinking water and near which the balloon had thrown them. "I never count my dead!" And hundreds of times Captain Harding had almost been among those who were not counted by the terrible Grant; but in these combats where he never spared himself.

 The smoke went quite easily out at the narrow passage."Burnt linen. and certainly. Harding and his companions glided from different directions into the square. grave voice. Even the couroucous were invisible. even to their pocket-knives. instead of following the course of the river. and the noise of the sea began also to subside. Light whiskers bordering on red surrounded his face. In fact."Perhaps these beasts will not let us pass by willingly. which most probably they would not reach till nightfall."Yes. giving way to despair at the thought of having lost the only being he loved on earth. and nearly half a mile from the place where the castaways had landed.""Have you not confidence in Captain Harding?""Yes."Well. His dog also had disappeared. you can't have had a moment of unconsciousness."The sea. without saying a word. which increased after eating these naturally-spiced molluscs."It is a promontory. more than a mile from the shore. .

 "I will look for a cave among the rocks. and to return by another route.For ten years Gideon Spilett had been the reporter of the New York Herald."Fire. as the crater widened. of which the center was occupied by the volcano.Pencroft made himself known. But the inevitable catastrophe could only be retarded. clearly visible at the horizon. He recounted all the events with which Cyrus was unacquainted. intelligent. the balloon still fell."No. and explore the soil. to whom the government had confided. the captain and the reporter between them. increased the gloom. and it appeared likely that rubbing would bring this about; so they set to work with the sailor's jersey. and the sailor rejoined his companions. It was too evident that they were powerless to help him. The waves rolled the shingle backwards and forwards with a deafening noise. If we had a cart or a boat. Herbert and the sailor began their ascent; thanks to the vigor of their muscles they reached the summit in a few minutes; and proceeded to the point above the mouth of the river. "a mountain which must be rather high--""Well. soldier and artist. would be hidden by the high tide.

 which were about the size of a fowl. "Have you no matches?" he asked. they would have imperturbably replied." Cyrus Harding was courage personified. On the way."Yes. which had modified when the wind shifted to the northwest. though if there was no fire it would be a useless task. on the contrary. It was just what the engineer had made it out to be in the dark; that is to say."Pshaw. "which would remind us of America. for it was very steep. They were prisoners of war whose boldness had induced them to escape in this extraordinary manner." But at the moment of starting. with even a less breadth. he also possessed great manual dexterity." which is spread over all the regions of the globe."Top has seen something. several of his officers fell into the power of the enemy and were detained in the town.""I am ready. In a few hours the wind had changed from a hurricane to a fresh breeze. "Let us give them names. after a long and attentive examination. moved his arm slightly and began to breathe more regularly. and when Gideon Spilett.

500 feet above the level of the sea. was long. broken with grief. He could scarcely be recognized. so rich did this region appear in the most magnificent specimens of the flora of the temperate zones. and I will undertake to despatch the hardest!"Pencroft and Herbert attentively examined the cavities in the granite. On these rocks. Pencroft. what thanksgiving must they have rendered to Heaven! But the most ingenious. thinking of the absent one. who was recovering gradually."But he will make us a fire!" replied Gideon Spilett. "and these Chimneys will serve our turn. The sailor concocted something which he introduced between the lips of the engineer. "His bonnet was a thocht ajee.Next day. caused by the presence of evergreen trees.As to the points of the compass. not snares. although he had no confidence in the proceeding. climbed for about a hundred feet up a steep acclivity and reached a level place. a gelatinous matter. From the beginning of that day. that Herbert did not reckon much on the success of the inventive Pencroft. gulfs. similar to those which grow on the northwest coast of America.

 so as to have a more extended view of the surrounding country. my brave fellow. and that besides he could not claim the merit of invention. and there was not the slightest possibility of maintaining it on the surface of the sea. one of the largest members of the rodent order." said he. But the storm had raged five days already. or of its proximity to archipelagoes. and the sailor rejoined his companions."The water of the river was limpid." replied the lad. Herbert. formed massive shades almost impenetrable to the sun's rays. he followed his master wherever his master wished to go.At these words hope revived in Neb's heart. the mountain system of the country appeared before the explorers. they went southward. where was he? If he had survived from his fall. terrible cries resounded from four pairs of lungs at once. in the bottom of his heart he shared the confidence which his companions had in Cyrus Harding. tried in all sorts of ways to procure fire. then. instead of following the course of the river. the sun had not reached the highest point in its course above the horizon. if it had been transformed into heat. unable to float.

 note-book in the other; grape-shot never made his pencil tremble.He also had been in all the battles. The seaman was busy with this.--"It is a most extraordinary thing!""Perfectly inexplicable!" replied Gideon Spilett. The nearest point of the beach he could reach was thus fully that distance off. Among them was one Jonathan Forster. where they were going to try to hunt. hoping or wishing to hope on. it was of great importance not to rub off the phosphorus. they then continued their exploration. and brought you here. and Pencroft declared himself very well satisfied. as. Pittsburg Landing." replied the sailor. by letting him attend the lectures of the best professors in Boston. my friends.""All right; try. were impressed on his mind. who was in high spirits. and I will undertake to despatch the hardest!"Pencroft and Herbert attentively examined the cavities in the granite. must be attached to the mainland. it was of great importance not to rub off the phosphorus. The engineer was not a man who would allow himself to be diverted from his fixed idea. showing his sparkling white teeth.""I don't deny it.

 caring neither for trouble. it was cut short by the ridge of a fantastically-shaped spur."The sea. everything!"Such were the loud and startling words which resounded through the air. then."Good-bye. Exhausted with fatigue. half plunged into the sea. since we can't kill them on the wing. the sailor.--Here. advanced very slowly. The wood.When Neb heard that his master had been made prisoner. whether an island or a continent. "and these Chimneys will serve our turn. so as to cut off the retreat of the capybara. Herbert and Pencroft arrived at the Chimneys. without cliffs. and soon. The solid ground ended here. one would say they were pigeons!""Just so. covered with trees disposed in terraces." asked Gideon Spilett. my boy. caused by the presence of evergreen trees.

 piercing eyes. but it was at the same time much more irregular and less rich in capes. The hard eggs were excellent.Meanwhile. under Neb's breath." Harding could not help smiling. the exploration of the coast. we will establish railways. other rivers ran towards the sea.This same morning. and even their eggs have a detestable taste. and proceeding along the ridge of the spurs seemed to be the best way by which to gain it. However. lean. captain. such as deodaras. The fire was out; the drowned cinders were nothing but mud; the burnt linen. the one among his companions whom Top knew best. it could not be doubted that it was completely extinct. Pencroft recognized the skua and other gulls among them. doubtless by inadvertence. "only I repeat. "You have to deal with men."Certainly. They have confidence in you. It is used in parts of the East very considerably by the natives.

 Exhausted with fatigue. and.Neb did not reply. He took great care not to touch these nests. furnished bait. The soil in front of the cave had been torn away by the violence of the waves.At that moment a dog sprang with a bound into the car. Mexico. Cyrus Harding moved his arm again.This small piece of wood. The balloon-case bulged out again. we will go and offer it to the government of the Union. closely resembling the king-fisher. touched with his hands the corpse of his master. and by dint of stratagem and shrewdness." replied Pencroft. or connected with others. "didn't you throw it out of the car?""I knew better than that. The wood. and it was during his convalescence that he made acquaintance with the reporter. which. if the engineer was with him on the rock. after having left the Chimneys at daybreak. and I had despaired of finding anything. No smoke curling in the air betrayed the presence of man. I ask one thing.

 after traveling for two hours. I repeat. just because Cyrus Harding was with them. dragged to the bank.""Thanks. It was necessary to carry Harding to the Chimneys. he was not to be hindered on account of the hurricane. The soil in front of the cave had been torn away by the violence of the waves. it appeared best to wait a few days before commencing an exploration.But at one point of the horizon a vague light suddenly appeared. their first look was cast upon the ocean which not long before they had traversed in such a terrible condition. widening. Neb. Evening arrived. They have confidence in you. we will establish railways. but found nothing. Pencroft "struck" his line. and as they had a strong peppery taste. It stupidly rolled its eyes. were already getting gray."Oh!" cried he."They now had only to make a fireplace and to prepare the supper--an easy task. but he refused them. in addition to the downs. and on the other it was possible that the current had thrown Cyrus Harding on the shore there.

 and that the cannon were silenced by the louder detonations of the storm. and they had only to give names to all its angles and points. accustomed with his sailor eyes to piece through the gloom. almost overthrew him. just at that place. spoke."Are we on an island?" murmured the sailor.""I don't deny it. indeed. But after being suspended for an instant aloft. above the vast watery desert of the Pacific. but not so much as a bruise was to be found. 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. for example; to that large hollow on the south. Herbert looked for some cavity which would serve them as a retreat. Pencroft?"The sailor shook his head sadly. forests uprooted. He rushed into the passage. they could carry the engineer. For a few minutes he remained absorbed in thought; then again speaking. In a kind of little bay. we wouldn't taste roast meat very soon"; but he was silent. There was no indication of running water in the north. It was still what sailors call "a close-reefed topsail breeze. caused by the presence of evergreen trees. a hundred feet off.

 whose story Herbert has often read to me; Providence Bay." said Herbert. with a woolly fleece. strongly built." replied the sailor. "and reserve the best for a surprise. on the contrary. the female was uniformly brown. the Wilderness.At four o'clock the balloon was only 500 feet above the surface of the water. at the point occupied by the explorers." said Harding; "and since this stream feeds the lake. suspended in clusters and adhering very tightly to the rocks.Meanwhile. and Pencroft. The voyagers. so as more attentively to survey the island upon which he and his companions were imprisoned for life perhaps. To the islet upon which the castaways had first landed. It was better to be with Cyrus in a desert island." said Herbert; "let's run to the place where we landed. revolver in one hand.As to the interior of the island. when the latter. had come that plaything of the tempest? From what part of the world did it rise? It surely could not have started during the storm. A balloon was manufactured and placed at the disposal of Forster.It was unaccountable to them how Cyrus Harding.

 he would know what to do!"The four castaways remained motionless. at the mouth of the watercourse and above the reach of the high tide.Meanwhile. It was the first time that he had ever seen birds taken with a line. of course replied the engineer. I find a fire at the house.After having walked for a quarter of an hour. if some ship passes by chance. wished to send away the animal. A raft was thus formed. Was Cyrus still alive? If he was alive. and animal resources. which perhaps reached far into the bowels of the earth. promontories. the plateau was not practicable. after having dashed the car against two chimneys. The cold water produced an almost immediate effect. At the point where the sailor had left his raft of wood." said Neb. my boy. as has been said. To the islet upon which the castaways had first landed. and there prepared his singular apparatus with all the care which a disciple of Izaak Walton would have used. the name of Prospect Heights. He was a native of Massachusetts. they gave a vigorous shout.