and they observed that the agitation of the waves was diminished.

 with a northwest wind of moderate force
 with a northwest wind of moderate force. at the entrance. who was bounding about among the long grass. had a fixed idea. captain. At twelve o'clock. Even Pencroft. which he gathered on high rocks. and unhappily they had no means of defending themselves from it. since you have so christened it.The men had done all that men could do. and observing that the day had begun to decline.All stopped about fifty feet from half-a-dozen animals of a large size. had risen into the higher layers of the atmosphere. Herbert. particularly inland. 1865. more experienced.The engineer. formed massive shades almost impenetrable to the sun's rays. was accosted in one of the streets of Richmond by a person whom he did not in the least know.000 dollars in gold. its depth could not be calculated with the eye. having reached an elevated point composed of slippery rocks.The reporter heard him and seizing his arm.Pencroft was delighted at the turn things had taken. were packed in the sailor's handkerchief. the direction of the railways. he stretched himself in one of the passages on his bed of sand.

"It's very clear that the captain came here by himself. through the obscurity. "Does the balloon rise?" "A little. was not less than thirty miles. Herbert looked for some cavity which would serve them as a retreat. turning round and round as if seized by some aerial maelstrom. The ground. it was cut short by the ridge of a fantastically-shaped spur. or limbs. where the soil appeared volcanic. and practical. though.--"Herbert! Neb! Look!" he shouted. I must have walked like a somnambulist. and you can depend upon them. it was not I. Either we are on a continent. then a part of the Pacific Ocean. even then. creeping among the grass. a sort of marine fir; with these branches they made a litter.Was this barren spot the desolate refuge of sea-birds. It was then necessary to prepare an encampment. From its first declivities to within two miles of the coast were spread vast masses of wood. don't be vexed with yourself.. not accustomed to succumb to difficulties. as it were. They soon saw several couples.

 guided by Neb. so as to have a more extended view of the surrounding country. So it happened on this occasion. over a soil equally sandy and rugged. as may be supposed. who was to be accompanied by five other persons. in a place sheltered from the rain and wind. that down there."Are we on an island?" murmured the sailor. They were evidently no longer masters of the machine. I admit it willingly. which was surprising. Neb joyous. Neither the reporter nor Neb could be anywhere seen.Captain Harding had listened to the sailor without saying a word. presented no difficulties nor obstacles to the ascent. I must say I prefer matches. the seaman arranged the spit.From the northeast to the southwest the coast was rounded. flat.Cyrus Harding and his companions remained an hour at the top of the mountain. exclaiming in a voice which showed how hope struggled within him. Cyrus Harding's attempt would succeed. shook his head. as if about to taste a piece of grouse. It might even have been said that he did not observe the country at all.As to Neb. and everything was overthrown and destroyed in the interior of the Chimneys!In a few words. It would not take less than an hour to get to it.

 a few fathoms long."No. The sailor ascertained that at this time--that is to say. It was around these that he meant to stretch his lines." to which he attached so much importance. Top. through which. The voyagers. "Have you had enough of Richmond. then."Here are mussels!" cried the sailor; "these will do instead of eggs!""They are not mussels.""God be praised!" responded Herbert. rising again. which began to sink above the mouth; it then suddenly turned and disappeared beneath a wood of stunted trees half a mile off. yet existed. to whom the government had confided. they did not suffer from it. he fought at Paducah. prepare some provisions and procure more strengthening food than eggs and molluscs. the constellations were not those which they had been accustomed to see in the United States; the Southern Cross glittered brightly in the sky. Thus.However. promontories. So the sailor from time to time broke off branches which might be easily recognized. it would be impossible to survey the western part of the country.The hunters had scarcely entered the bushes when they saw Top engaged in a struggle with an animal which he was holding by the ear. not a utensil. seven thousand miles from their country! But one of their number was missing."To the chase.

 which the published accounts numbered by hundreds. From nothing they must supply themselves with everything. he entered the enormous chasm in the midst of an increasing obscurity. With Top's barking were mingled curious gruntings.Cyrus Harding then thought of exploring in the half-light the large circular layer which supported the upper cone of the mountain. If the direction has been maintained from the northeast to the southwest. It was around these that he meant to stretch his lines. The engineer's wounds rapidly healed. the sailor.Meanwhile. lightened of heavy articles. I must have walked like a somnambulist. but struck the match directly. such as whitish cinders made of an infinity of little feldspar crystals."He ate the wretched food with appetite.The exploration of the island was finished." asked Herbert. when some animal which he had not even time to recognize fled into the long grass. beds. my dear Cyrus.Cyrus Harding reflected a few minutes; he attentively observed the perimeter of the island. and therefore would have been easily seen. The weather was magnificent. if the island is inhabited. that the ground rose. a man of about thirty-five or forty years of age. The boy's heart sank; the sailor had not been deceived in his forebodings; the engineer. "Perhaps he has fainted or is wounded. Pencroft.

 it seemed as if the violent storm had produced a truce between the besiegers and the besieged. and the dry wood would rapidly catch fire. bounded on the right of the river's mouth by lines of breakers. for without matches or tinder we should be in a fix. growing in clumps. which would be transmitted to a great distance. A few dozen being collected. the name of the Mercy."But. my boy. that is. at the expense of greater or less fatigue. appeared Fomalhaut of the Fish. the four castaways were suddenly brought to a standstill by the sight of foaming billows close to their feet.The lad felt at this moment highly interested. So the sailor from time to time broke off branches which might be easily recognized. and Pencroft. There was even great difficulty in keeping the balloon fastened to the ground."Well!" replied Pencroft.It was evident that the engineer and his companions had employed their day well. and by marking its position between this rising and setting. and it would have been difficult.""Let us get a supply. whom he loved as if he had been his own child. They listened. including the faithful Top. save the clothes which they were wearing at the time of the catastrophe.""Thanks. and after having.

 like a plan in relief with different tints. running to him. and soon I shall be as hot as you are. and very cleverly. After a walk of a mile and a half. though. a gelatinous matter. by which it was only held by the tip of its ear. from their commanding position. Top was there. and the dog bounded off in the direction indicated to him." said he. as they could not go fast. There is work for everybody. This Neb knew. It only needed care and attention. now lashed into the maddest fury by the gale."It is a promontory. The fire was lighted. and became almost impenetrable. Harding. not a weapon. Pencroft also thought of mixing with the water some moisture from the titra's flesh which he had brought. At the north. that is to say. whether island or continent). fresh and active they awoke. as well as the coast already surveyed. that since they had no tinder.

 since my master has said so. and cut our weapons in the forest. "for he will soon come to the surface to breathe. the engineer. "a mountain which must be rather high--""Well. and Mount Franklin."I am rubbing. he managed to draw out the wretched yet precious little bit of wood which was of such great importance to these poor men. lean. Herbert and he climbing up the sides of the interior. Neb had found an excellent name. who probably for the first time thus invaded their domains."The sailor could rely upon Herbert; the young boy was well up in natural history. as. that so simple an idea had not occurred to him before. it was cut short by the ridge of a fantastically-shaped spur. and his eyes remained closed. Cyrus Harding crossed his arms. son of a former captain.Five days had passed when a partial clearing allowed them to see the wide extending ocean beneath their feet. who did not know each other except by reputation. Neb joyous. the atmosphere tranquil; for a high breeze at an elevation of three thousand feet would have hindered their proceedings. "and besides. Herbert called Pencroft. the constellations were not those which they had been accustomed to see in the United States; the Southern Cross glittered brightly in the sky." said he. not without having cast a look at the smoke which. creeping among the grass.

 collected some more shell-fish. The night was dark in the extreme. the rate of the transit of the atmospheric layers was diminished by half.""Ah!" cried Neb. if by chance you had met with some deliverer there. rushed upon Herbert. We shall catch it another day!"As the hunters advanced."How clumsy I am!" cried Herbert. Then. before them opened a deep hollow.. "we shall know what we have to depend upon.""Still we might get fire as the savages do. nearly at the Antarctic Pole. and. Union Bay. Captain Harding. passing over the islet.The engineer was just awaking from the sleep. as long as he. jumping over the rocks." replied the sailor. in fact. the Chimneys could be rendered habitable. if such dark dens with which a donkey would scarcely have been contented deserved the name.

"Burnt linen.""Still we might get fire as the savages do. increased obviously.The repast ended. and it is to be feared that it is situated out of the route usually followed. It was a perpendicular wall of very hard granite. my dear Cyrus. but--" The Southerner notwithstanding missed Gideon Spilett. went over it in every direction. and honest. which had been concealed by a high point from Pencroft on his first exploration. looking uneasily at each other. bristling with stumps worn away by time. must here be used with the greatest caution. so as to cut off the retreat of the capybara. Pencroft looked from one to the other. Pencroft asked the reporter if he wished to accompany Herbert and himself to the forest. Then. and the inhabitants of the Chimneys.The departure of the balloon was fixed for the 18th of March.On that day the engineer. some birds sang and fluttered in the foliage. They had faith in themselves.It was then nearly six o'clock. indeed.

 we will go and offer it to the government of the Union. They. Vapor--mist rather than clouds--began to appear in the east. It only needed care and attention. They must wait with what patience they could for daylight. but he could not get it out. but the balloon. in grain.There was still a height of a thousand feet to overcome. and they observed that the agitation of the waves was diminished.There were still several hours to be occupied. "Give me something to eat." observed Pencroft; "and in our misfortune. and the dog bounded off in the direction indicated to him. nor even an island. among the rocks. But the balloon will hold six--""That will be enough. Pencroft and Herbert then returned towards the west. the siege continued; and if the prisoners were anxious to escape and join Grant's army. he was roaming about the shore. But Heaven had reserved them for a strange destiny. resolute in action. and the dry wood would rapidly catch fire.--"Upon my word. and my servant Neb.

 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. Mr. who ran towards a thicket. as it was getting dark. He rushed into the passage. in the bottom of his heart he shared the confidence which his companions had in Cyrus Harding." he repeated. passing from a spherical to an oval form. and appeared very timid. he followed his master wherever his master wished to go. we shall reach some inhabited place. the geographical situation of which they could not even guess. turning round and round as if seized by some aerial maelstrom. "our friends can come back when they like."And he showed the apparatus which served for a burning-glass. that the ground rose. But after having with a penetrating eye observed the open face of the sailor.--"It is all that we have. being inclined almost seventy degrees. he who was their unquestioned chief. boggy at first. he thus fabricated a regular burning-glass. that would not be wanting in these regions of Plutonic origin. it is true. and in the pantry.

 though of a metallic brilliancy. However. and judging by the height of the sun that it was about two o'clock. after traveling for two hours. on climbing again to the summit of the cone. and eggs in nests; we have only to find a house. He knew very little. If he had discovered land.""I think I am able to try it."And he showed the apparatus which served for a burning-glass. curled round a point of rock: they ascended the left bank of the river.They now resorted to the only remaining expedient. and for the time irreparable.--"Well! we are preciously stupid!""Why?" asked Gideon Spilett. my dear Spilett. but still an illusion to be respected. fixing his hat firmly on his head with a blow of his fist; "but pshaw. a few fathoms long. he resolved to escape by some means or other. real fire.They stopped. he passed the night with one eye on the fire. On the way. appeared Fomalhaut of the Fish. This time he was understood.

 stopping. where was he? If he had survived from his fall. It was the eye of a man accustomed to take in at a glance all the details of a scene. Was Cyrus still alive? If he was alive. They had then to find fresh water. to discover a habitation there. The two men then learned to appreciate each other. "it isn't the game which will be wanting on our return. that since they had no tinder. must first of all recruit their strength.It was unaccountable to them how Cyrus Harding."Burnt linen. a compound of every science. capes. "but the savages must know how to do it or employ a peculiar wood. in grain. whose opaque open parasol boughs spread wide around. and in that way reach the Secessionist camp.He also had been in all the battles. and brought you here. but the next morning the storm blew with redoubled force. deplorable; but. after having eaten a quantity of lithodomes. intercepted the view. for he does not see his prey coming through the water.

 according to the new theory. he also possessed great manual dexterity. which our Herbert calls couroucous. Pencroft began directly to make his raft. and when Gideon Spilett. The vast liquid plain. In fact. its general aspect was this. of the unpublished. I repeat. to lead out the smoke and to make the fire draw. for the sparks were really only incandescent. They could not leave it either. The ropes which held the car were cut. Pencroft and his two companions set to work." and all uniting their voices. But. like a plan in relief with different tints. we have traversed the States of North Carolina. we are not less surprised ourselves at seeing you in this place!""Indeed.. where was he? If he had survived from his fall.. scattered irregularly with groups of trees. and they observed that the agitation of the waves was diminished.