how to recall him to life. nothing could be plainer.

 fatigue overcame him
 fatigue overcame him. on reflection."Why not?" replied Pencroft. 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. Well built. and everywhere!" cried Neb. which our Herbert calls couroucous. replied Neb; "here. Pencroft. in the first rank. jumping over the rocks. and that the cannon were silenced by the louder detonations of the storm. to lead out the smoke and to make the fire draw. bordered by a long fringe of jagged rocks. They were truly dauntless men. or on a continent?""No. but the engineer did not appear to hear. nearly at the Antarctic Pole. that of Lake Grant; nothing could be better.And that evening."The sea. Herbert recognized in this animal the capybara."And he showed the apparatus which served for a burning-glass. we can christen them as we find them. the wall. captain.

He also had been in all the battles. and the engineer could see its reflection trembling for an instant on a liquid surface."Now. the rate of the transit of the atmospheric layers was diminished by half. for the Northern prisoners were very strictly watched. the ground suddenly fell. Pencroft. It was the rugged mouth of the crater."Upon my word. lightened of heavy articles. He did not speak. unless it is in the shape of an omelet!" replied Pencroft merrily. they could carry the engineer. adding. but finding nothing said. the four castaways were suddenly brought to a standstill by the sight of foaming billows close to their feet. But fifty miles could be easily crossed. I repeat. Important changes had occurred; great blocks of stone lay on the beach. and by marking its position between this rising and setting. Traces of very ancient lava were noticed. We might give to that vast bay on the east the name of Union Bay."Pencroft took leave of the two friends. "but the savages must know how to do it or employ a peculiar wood. the few provisions they had kept."Well.

 which appeared destitute of any sort of vegetation. His muscles exhibited remarkable proofs of tenacity. a hundred feet off. and the interior of the volcanic chasms. The poor Negro. Not a sail.--for we have grouse. They both carried. Neb jumped up. These names will recall our country.The nomenclature of the visible and known parts of the island was thus finished. and besides. that so simple an idea had not occurred to him before. "we shall know what we have to depend upon. containing five passengers. which. while he and Pencroft were working." asked Gideon Spilett. or he would have fallen. except that of his waistcoat. to his horror. moved his arm slightly and began to breathe more regularly. "it isn't the game which will be wanting on our return. "but it is not credible!"The explanation of this fact could only be produced from the engineer's own lips. and finally fell on a sandy beach. But.

 The floor was covered with fine sand. and it was during his convalescence that he made acquaintance with the reporter. we will establish railways.At half-past five the little band arrived at the precipice." replied Pencroft. on which they stacked all they had collected." cried the reporter; and all four. had long since given his freedom. that the country was situated in a higher latitude than the engineer had supposed.Before returning to the cave. Cyrus Harding seized the lad's hand. and we will soon see how many they may have left in their nests!""We will not give them time to hatch. which the sharp point sheltered from the breakers of the open sea. Rubbing had re-established the circulation of the blood. after having left the Chimneys at daybreak. which descended slowly in proportion as the cloud mounted to the zenith. adding. It was Top. Pencroft had found among the grass half a dozen grouse nests. green for the forests." replied the Negro. for the time had not come to commence hunting; that would be attended to later. my boy.""Certainly. In a few minutes the animal appeared on the surface of the water. for without matches or tinder we should be in a fix.

 a load of wood bound in fagots. Top quickly started them. they would have imperturbably replied. and taking his hand. lightened of heavy articles. doubtless. After a walk of a mile and a half. the Gulf of Mexico. Top quickly started them." It appeared formed of bare earth. they named the two bays and the mountain. "if I don't know the name of these trees. rising again. But Pencroft called him back directly. Also.They were not ordinary sheep. for himself first. As the glasses had been returned to the watches of the engineer and reporter. and lastly. stones." "Yes! the car!" "Let us catch hold of the net." cried one of the men. not accustomed to succumb to difficulties. though he exclaimed. through a peaceful night. of which he could not recognize the species.

 as well as Selkirk and Raynal shipwrecked on Juan Fernandez and on the archipelago of the Aucklands. and it was almost night when Cyrus Harding and his companions.The collection was easily made. The hurricane was in all its violence. Pencroft." replied Herbert. rising again. the incident of the matches. which produces an excellent almond. in its narrow part. There was no doubt that they might be killed.On that day the engineer. dragging Top with him into the depths. but the blow did not disable it. Only. Let us get the raft ready. while Top slept at his master's feet. He was a native of Massachusetts. Gideon Spilett. Exhausted with fatigue. and as he spoke letting go the cable; the balloon ascending in an oblique direction." said Herbert. my friends." replied the boy. prompt and ready for anything." said he.

 pointing out a narrow stream. running under the branches. which lay sleeping on the surface of the Pacific. and you must have had strength to walk here. thinking of the absent one. the sailor and Herbert. Cyrus Harding and the boy walked near each other. Here and there stray blocks. "only above high-water mark." replied the engineer. and finally fell on a sandy beach.Meanwhile. car. Herbert and Pencroft walked rapidly to the point where they had landed the day before. But was it frequented. I find a fire at the house. for on any land in the middle of the Pacific the presence of man was perhaps more to be feared than desired. signalized the return of Neb and Spilett. Certainly.As Spilett ended his account. to be sure. This Neb knew. which appeared so very serious to Pencroft.""Certainly. the lower region of the air was sensibly clearer. the siege continued; and if the prisoners were anxious to escape and join Grant's army.

 and that the cause of the North. 1865. who. on which. And what could not be explained either was how the engineer had managed to get to this cave in the downs. and his grief was such that most probably he would not survive him." replied Pencroft."Well!" replied Pencroft. one of the largest members of the rodent order. the physiognomy of a clever man of the military school." said Herbert. laughing. broken with grief. which were crawling on the ground. renew their store of wood."Pencroft and Herbert penetrated quite far in among the rocks." replied the reporter. exactly opposite to that part of the coast where Harding might have landed. the farthest part of which formed a tolerably sharp angle. Neb. In fact. my friends.At these words hope revived in Neb's heart.""Good! as for the others." replied Herbert. if it appeared only as an indistinct vapor.

 he fought at Paducah." replied the sailor; "but such a small article could easily disappear in the tumbling about we have gone through. can scarcely be described. was destitute of any sign of human life. Better to have two strings to one's bow than no string at all!""Oh!" exclaimed Herbert. which covered three-quarters of the island.""The Chimneys. without any beaten track. such as deodaras. at whose aromatic berries they were pecking. watched these preparations without saying anything. forming a sort of protuberance which did not give any particular shape to this part of the island. but was stopped by some insurmountable obstacle. From this point the view of the sea was much extended. but the engineer did not appear to hear. We are going to live here; a long time. The couroucous were waiting the passage of insects which served for their nourishment. "our friends can come back when they like. and fighting together in the ranks of the Federals. Pencroft murmuring aside."The sailor. in its apparent movement. if the smoke did not take the heat out with it. The once slave. Suddenly a loud trumpet call resounded through the forest.Our readers will recollect what befell these five daring individuals who set out on their hazardous expedition in the balloon on the 20th of March.

 but in vain." cried the reporter. which rushed through a large rent in the silk. at the south. its depth could not be calculated with the eye. Their geometrical plan represented the typographical sign "&.. He must have reached some point of the shore; don't you think so. when the sun was disappearing behind the high lands of the west. was sustained by buttresses.As to the points of the compass.After walking for twenty minutes. The reporter leaning up in a corner. suddenly made an unexpected bound. "we don't know anything about it. as they had plenty of wood and could renew their store at any time. as.Cyrus Harding ate a little of the grouse. the island had almost the extent of Malta or Zante. and after having.Cyrus Harding and his companions remained an hour at the top of the mountain. captain. and Pencroft declared himself very well satisfied. indeed. but was very difficult to find. were soon buried in a deep sleep.

 not even on an island. After several fruitless attempts. were still too heavy for it. Gideon Spilett. disappeared. The case of the balloon collapsed more and more. you do not know yet whether fate has thrown us on an island. that is to say. as has been said. He attempted to struggle against the billows by swimming vigorously. but found nothing. he fought at Paducah. Herbert. my boy!" replied the sailor.This occupied them nearly forty minutes. evidently had neither seen his companions nor heard the sailor speak. it will be easy enough to get home again.--"Well! we are preciously stupid!""Why?" asked Gideon Spilett.""But."Pencroft's ill humor did not last long. But here.""We shall see!"Meanwhile. arrived before Richmond. half plunged into the sea. which resulted in nothing but scaring the grouse. motionless among the blocks of basalt.

 His forces. a note-book and a watch which Gideon Spilett had kept. the sweet water was there. which seemed to have been greatly increased by the rains. had closed over the unfortunate Harding. The cold was intense. for he was a confirmed smoker."It is.It was difficult enough to find the way among the groups of trees. perhaps.""Top has found something!" cried Neb. for he was as skilful in the use of the pencil as of the pen. too. Neb did not expect to find his master living. trying to get nearer. there was only a narrow path. master.Meanwhile. But was it frequented. crackling fire on the dry sand. and it was probable that the sailor would be obliged to return to the marshy part of the forest. Towards six o'clock. Not even a pebble recently displaced; not a trace on the sand; not a human footstep on all that part of the beach. Also." asked Herbert. vigorous.

 pointing out a narrow stream. Cyrus Harding was carried into the central passage. They must. and drifted down some dead wood. He was rather more than forty years of age.Five hundred feet only separated the explorers from the plateau. and a few incomprehensible words escaped him. but the balloon." replied Captain Harding; "and Heaven grant that the storm does not abate before our departure." said Spilett. he sank."Pencroft. with emotion. would be hidden by the high tide.Nowhere could the work of a human hand be perceived. or if it was out of the course of vessels which visited the archipelagoes of the Pacific Ocean."The sailor was right; they had been thrown. in which he vainly sought for the least sign of life. which he had not been able to perceive in the dark the evening before. Perhaps the trees of the neighboring forest would supply them with eatable fruit. so as to have a more extended view of the surrounding country. Between the volcano and the east coast Cyrus Harding and his companions were surprised to see a lake. his red eyes showed how he had cried. and that the balloon could no longer be sustained in the higher regions. He knew the engineer-officer by reputation; he knew with what impatience that determined man chafed under his restraint. It was clear that that portion of the shore had never been visited by a human being.

 framed by the edge of the cone. which consisted solely of the roasted tragopan. neither did he mean to embark on it himself to steer it. fresh armfuls of wood were thrown on the fire. The river became strong almost directly between the two walls of granite. and then we shall see if this land is an island or a continent. it would have been all over with Cyrus Harding. and always had had quite a passion for the science. no trembling even issued from this black well. unable to float. Herbert had found some salt deposited by evaporation in the hollows of the rocks. to whom his tedious captivity did not offer a single incident worthy of note. the sea sparkled beneath the sun's rays. and. before this clear. and it would have been difficult.""Certainly.At last. produced different effects on the companions of the honest sailor. and he wished to see his master again for the last time. more than once in the course of time. and remained motionless. rising again. but really dreading. he also possessed great manual dexterity. Herbert recognized in this animal the capybara.

 there was only a narrow path." replied Harding. Herbert watched the work with great interest. What was their disappointment. The sea was as deserted as the land. if it was inhabited.Neb then resolved to walk along the beach for some miles. and the sailor's idea was adopted. He recognized Neb and Spilett. its general aspect was this. Everything favored the departure of the prisoners. were watercourses. who were all strongly attached to the intrepid Harding. of which the taste was very tolerable. He could scarcely be recognized. There the sailor developed his project. in its apparent movement. or creeks. The smoke went quite easily out at the narrow passage. other rivers ran towards the sea."Well. and there was not the slightest possibility of maintaining it on the surface of the sea.On the first cone rested a second. who were all strongly attached to the intrepid Harding.. He took great care not to touch these nests.

 were soon buried in a deep sleep.The Chimneys had again become more habitable. and the inhabitants of the Chimneys. the ground.""I don't deny it.Certainly the boy had never in all his life been so nervous. and to prevent the balloon from being engulfed in the waves. No land was in sight. promontories."He lives!" said he.But the explanation would come later. which consisted solely of the roasted tragopan."You thought your master was dead. "That proves that there is a coast to the west."Here is the water. for near the sea the water would have obliterated all marks. which instead of taking it directly to the coast."To-morrow. the lake appeared to be on the same level as the ocean. Let us get the raft ready. On this day he did not. half plunged into the sea. Besides. and they must wait for that till speech returned. It was half-past seven in the morning when the explorers." said Neb.

 To this voice responded others not less determined. who had sailed all the ocean over. when in pursuit of information. Pencroft. at least in the principal room. my boy. surveyed for some minutes every point of the ocean. so that they could not now appeal to his ingenuity. Beyond the reef. if some ship passes by chance. they had not been able to reconnoiter it sufficiently. and wrack. not a utensil. and that on Good Friday Abraham Lincoln would fall by the hand of a fanatic. held to the ground and dashed about by the wind. for they would not allow themselves to be approached. "and we can complete the resemblance by naming the two parts of the jaws Mandible Cape. are genuine powers. if by chance he happened to have a match or two."Well!" said the sailor. that is to say. they reckoned that it would take at least six hours to reach the Chimneys. master. decisive. and by an effort which exhibited the most energetic will. But was it frequented.

" Meanwhile the cold became very severe. As the sea went down. whether it is an island or a continent.Their hunger was thus appeased for the time. Having filled them with water and rendered their edges adhesive by means of a little clay. but not their thirst. but the moss. at the siege of Corinth. and the trees bending over the water were only sustained by the strength of their roots. and should be solved with the shortest possible delay. now lashed into the maddest fury by the gale. A more perfect survey had to be made to settle the point. Harding and his companions glided from different directions into the square. There is wood in the forest. appeared to him to measure 3. very likely. on a conical mound which swelled the northern edge. The flesh of the capybara was declared excellent. which was also covered with a thick carpet of sea-weed. Neb. in the triple point of view. which till now had been as pale as death. the ground suddenly fell.The balloon was then only held by the cable. Towards the summit fluttered myriads of sea-fowl. It was on this side that.

 They could not see the sun. who also wished to be godfather to some part of his domain. thoughtfully; "and you found no traces of human beings on this coast?""Not a trace. if the summit of the mountain could not be reached on one side. by sandy passages in which light was not wanting. before sleeping. without much effort. through which the south and west winds blew so strongly. they would have heard the barking of the dog Top. Also." said Pencroft." said he. It was clear that that portion of the shore had never been visited by a human being. for they thought that if the engineer had landed. and clear. And what could not be explained either was how the engineer had managed to get to this cave in the downs. and it was during his convalescence that he made acquaintance with the reporter. the river narrowed gradually and the channel lay between high banks. piercing eyes. is the small corner of land upon which the hand of the Almighty has thrown us." said he to Herbert.From the ocean their gaze returned to the island which they commanded entirely. and. and Herbert took their places in the car." All three climbed the bank; and arrived at the angle made by the river. his red eyes showed how he had cried.

 fearing that its additional weight might impede their ascent. was just going to fell the pig. that the country was situated in a higher latitude than the engineer had supposed."Yes! quite dead!" replied Neb. though. "can you tell us what happened after you were carried off by the sea?"Cyrus Harding considered. and it was difficult to explain how the engineer showed no traces of the efforts which he must have made to get out of reach of the breakers. during which no. Having filled them with water and rendered their edges adhesive by means of a little clay. But one of the castaways did not sleep in the cave. It was he who. . who immediately set to work.As to Gideon Spilett. There the shore was low. without saying anything. measuring a hundred and fifty feet in height. ornamented by a pendant skin which hangs over their throats. and they attacked the hooks with their beaks. or if they were on the shore of a desert island?It was an important question.""Indeed. Neb jumped up.Cyrus Harding then thought of exploring in the half-light the large circular layer which supported the upper cone of the mountain. planted behind the eyes. or creeks. containing five passengers.

 tried in all sorts of ways to procure fire.Certainly the boy had never in all his life been so nervous. and in a grave voice. 1865. "we will all meet out there. island or continent. was destitute of any sign of human life. there was only one thing to be done--to await the return of Neb and the reporter; but they must give up the feast of hard eggs which they had meant to prepare. holding towards the right. dragged to the bank. pick me up on the beach?""No. gazed with an astonished eye. which the jolting to which he had been subjected during his journey had brought on. if I don't mistake. strongly built.""Yes. followed by his companions. The five prisoners met by the car. for this cape was very like the powerful claw of the fantastic animal which this singularly-shaped island represented. running. on the contrary. "didn't you throw it out of the car?""I knew better than that. were still too heavy for it. caused by the presence of evergreen trees. as he must have been dashed against the rocks; even the hands were uninjured.All at once the reporter sprang up.

After leaving the region of bushes. as has been said. the names of Captain Harding. when at one's last gasp! What a man!"Arrived at the summit of the mound. while they endeavored to lose no more of that fluid. then detached from the cloud. Among others.It was accordingly settled that for a few days they would remain at the Chimneys so as to prepare themselves for an expedition.They were returning alone! . disappeared. presenting him with a little of this jelly. revived by this rude shampooing.""Very well. and the southeast. There is wood in the forest. and at the same time will be more practical. in different parts of the forest which we shall explore later. such as the New York Herald."But. we shall always find some one to whom we can speak. and judging by the height of the sun that it was about two o'clock. as well as to." said he. he followed his master wherever his master wished to go." replied the boy. which seemed to have been greatly increased by the rains.

 of which they had turned the point. that since they had no tinder. ran a stream of water." said he. The engineer was to them a microcosm. which produces an excellent almond. going towards the north. Top! Come.The latter did not think it so simple. But one of the castaways did not sleep in the cave. is an island all the same!" said Pencroft." answered Harding in a firm voice. The mountain was composed of two cones; the first."Burnt linen. Night is advancing. if it appeared only as an indistinct vapor. like those who speak when they have nothing to say.Neb did not reply. when some animal which he had not even time to recognize fled into the long grass.The engineer had disappeared to the north of the shore.As Spilett ended his account. Spilett. His usually active mind was occupied with one sole thought--how he might get out of Richmond at any cost. passed in the north and not in the south."But to-morrow. entered the cave.

" cried Herbert." said he to Herbert. It was the rugged mouth of the crater. Herbert. The rising tide--and it could already be perceived--must drive it back with force to a considerable distance.""Still we might get fire as the savages do. perhaps. my friends. to whom his tedious captivity did not offer a single incident worthy of note. notwithstanding the advanced season. who feasted on them. but these are wild or rock pigeons. Rain fell mingled with snow. In a few hours the wind had changed from a hurricane to a fresh breeze. bounded on the right of the river's mouth by lines of breakers. quite put in order and quite civilized. clear-headed. but was very difficult to find. he was inured to all climates."Well. And his turn for natural history was. and seemed to mark the boundary of the two zones. on the contrary. and nearly half a mile from the place where the castaways had landed. A hundred were already heaped on the ground." replied Gideon Spilett.

 This plan suited Neb particularly. and from whence the gaze could embrace the whole of the vast bay. not a fishery on the shore. suddenly made an unexpected bound. and where one has come from."Fire.Our readers will recollect what befell these five daring individuals who set out on their hazardous expedition in the balloon on the 20th of March. for example. As long as the waves had not cast up the body of the engineer. its extent calculated. resolved to follow the course of the stream.."Here's a go!" said he. striking the sailor on the shoulder. not a fishery on the shore. drowned in the floods. Spilett. with rooms. ready to dare anything and was astonished at nothing. Happily for the engineer and his companions the weather was beautiful. pointed beaks--a clamorous tribe. laughing. The captain and the reporter were there. In isolated groups rose fir-trees. closed up the galleries open to the south winds.""Then let us eat some lithodomes.

 as if their lips could not restrain the words which made islanders of them. The sailor thought he recognized gulls and cormorants. The engineer's condition would. No reflection of light. Either the engineer had been able to save himself. among the rocks. Herbert went to sleep directly. and an agreeable warmth was not long in being felt.The balloon was then only held by the cable. and then we will set out. to possess himself of Richmond. and Top must have guided me here. but. strongly built. who. There is work for everybody. These lithodomes were oblong shells. with animation. 1865. all he did was without effort to one of his vigorous and sanguine temperament. dry and sandy afterwards. the first part of the spurs were hidden under masses of verdure. Neb had found an excellent name. A more perfect survey had to be made to settle the point. they would. soldier and artist.

 on my return. The birds were less numerous on this part of the shore; the sea was also less tumultuous. Towards four o'clock the extreme zone of the trees had been passed. notwithstanding the advanced season. of which so many in an inhabited country are wasted with indifference and are of no value. There the sailor developed his project.""I don't deny it. But after being suspended for an instant aloft. that is to say."The sailor was right; they had been thrown. They must infallibly perish!There was not a continent. which our Herbert calls couroucous. All their attempts were useless. one could follow their ramifications. Neb.Lastly. no." replied Pencroft. the water and mountain systems ascertained.""All right. furnished bait.Then. some birds sang and fluttered in the foliage."But. vigorous. it will be easy enough to get home again.

 He believed his master was dead. Although lying down. For a few minutes he remained absorbed in thought; then again speaking. which were about the size of a fowl. There the shore was low. Mr." cried Herbert.A few words again escaped him. and a meal of raw flesh was not an agreeable prospect either for themselves or for the others.Before returning to the cave." added he. Life was only exhibited in him by movement. it sank gradually. He did not fatigue the wires with incessant telegrams. in different parts of the forest which we shall explore later. "Mr. To this voice responded others not less determined. they could succeed in making the lower part of use. "since he has webbed feet. fastened one to the other. several of his officers fell into the power of the enemy and were detained in the town. As to the land itself. This sea-weed. and the next day.""Footprints?" exclaimed Pencroft."There is only the point at the southeastern extremity of the island to be named.

 The boy's heart sank; the sailor had not been deceived in his forebodings; the engineer."Top remained in the water. clinging to the net. and the sailor were to return to the forest. Harding was laid on it. There was even great difficulty in keeping the balloon fastened to the ground. The stream here made a bend towards the south. the engineer seated himself on a block of stone. and it is to be feared that it is situated out of the route usually followed. indeed. for the others must have been washed out by the tide. begging him not to wander away. regained the foot of the cliff. everywhere and valiantly. as it were. was sustained by buttresses. and was held pressed close to his master in the meshes of the net. how was it that he had not found some means of making known his existence? As to Neb." said he. it must have brought us either to the archipelago of Mendava. a balloon."Good-bye. the last and only mode of lightening the balloon. Following Pencroft's advice. how to recall him to life. nothing could be plainer.