followed the shore two miles further, and yesterday evening, about 5 o’clock, I discovered footprints upon the sand.
– Did they begin at the water? – demanded the reporter.
– No, – answered Neb, – above high-water mark. They went towards the downs. I followed them for a quarter of an hour. Then I heard a dog. It was Top. Top brought me here, to my master.
– So you, Neb, – said the reporter, – did not bring your master to this place?
– No, it was not I, – answered Neb.
It was a real mystery. But they had carry Cyrus Smith to the Chimneys as soon as possible and they had no time to solve the mystery.
Soon the engineer opened his eyes.
– My master! my master! – cried Neb.
The engineer heard him. He recognized Neb and his companions.
– Is it an island or a continent? – he murmured.
– What is the difference? – cried Pencroff, – you are alive! Island or continent? We will see that later.
The engineer closed his eyes. Pencroff and his companions constructed a stretcher[20], which they covered with leaves and grass. It was 10 o’clock when three men returned to Smith and Spilett.
The engineer woke from his sleep. The color came back to his lips. He raised himself slightly.
– Well, – said the sailor, – Mr. Smith, your stretcher is ready, and we will carry you to our house.
– Thanks, my friend, – replied the engineer. – in an hour or two we will go. Did you find me on the beach?
– No, – replied the reporter.
– And it was not you who brought me to this hollow?
– No.
– How far is this place from the reef?
– Half a mile, – replied Pencroff, – and we are very surprised to find you here. Do you remember what happened after you were washed away?
Cyrus Smith remembered little. The wave swept him from the net of the balloon. Then Top sprang to him. Smith found himself in the midst of the tumultuous sea, more than half a mile from shore. He was swimming; but a strong current seized him. It carried him to the north, and soon he sank into the abyss. From that moment he remembered nothing.
– It’s strange, – said the reporter. – Did anyone rescue you from the waves?
– I don’t know.
The rain stopped. At half past 5 the little party reached the Chimneys.
Chapter IX
The engineer was sleeping. They carried Cyrus Smith into the main corridor and made a couch of seaweeds for him.
The next day, the 28th of March, when the engineer awoke, about 8 o’clock, he saw his companions beside him. His first words were,
– Island or continent?
– Mr. Smith, – answered Pencroff, – we don’t know. But we will, when you guide us in this country.
– I think that I am able to do that now, – answered the engineer. – When you were carrying me here yesterday, did not I see a mountain in the west?
– Yes, – said Spilett, – a high mountain.
– All right, – exclaimed the engineer. – Tomorrow we will climb to its summit and determine whether this is an island or a continent.
– But, – asked Spilett, – where are we, Cyrus?
– I cannot say, – replied the engineer, – we are somewhere in the Pacific. We will know how to act when we ascend the mountain.
– But will you be able, Mr. Smith, to make the climb tomorrow? – asked Herbert.
– I hope so, – answered the engineer.
Chapter X
Soon Smith recovered his strength. They had a pleasant supper. The engineer said little; he was planning for the next day. After supper, the party lay down to sleep. In the morning they were fresh and eager for the expedition.
Everything was ready. At half past 7 they left the Chimneys, each had a stout cudgel. Pencroff recommended to take the route of the previous day, which was the shortest way to the mountain. They turned the southern angle, and followed the left bank of the river. They took the path under the evergreens, and soon reached the northern border of the forest. The soil was flat and swampy, then dry and sandy. Among the trees appeared a few animals. The engineer was going to the top of the mountain.
The mountain was composed of two cones. The first was truncated about 2,500 feet up, and supported by fantastic spurs. Between these spurs were narrow valleys.
On the first cone lay the second one. It was slightly rounded towards the summit. The goal of the expedition was to reach the top of this cone.
– We are in a volcanic country, – said Cyrus Smith, as they began to climb.
They were gradually going up. At noon, the little company stopped to dine. They were still half way from the first plateau. They could hardly reach it before nightfall. From this point the sea was beneath their feet. On the left they saw directly north for several miles; but they could not see far to the northwest.
At 1 o’clock, the ascent[21] began again. The easiest route slanted upwards towards the southwest, through the thick copse. The climbers reached a terrace, its soil was volcanic. From hence, their course was a zigzag towards the east. Neb and Herbert led the way.
They saw large animals, with thick horns and woolly fleece. As the ascension continued, the traces of lava were more frequent. As they neared the first plateau, the ascent became very difficult. By 4 o’clock they passed the last belt of trees. It was a pleasant, mild day. The sky was bright and clear.
There were only 500 feet between the explorers and the plateau where they wanted to encamp for the night. It was almost night when the party arrived at the top of the first cone.
Now they must pitch their camp, and think of supper and sleep. The sailor built up a fireplace with huge stones. Neb and Herbert brought a load of thistles. The night was beautiful and not very dark. Cyrus decided to go further and Herbert accompanied him. Sometimes the plateau was wide and easy, sometimes very encumbered with rubbish. There were yet 1,000 feet to climb.
It was nearly 8 o’clock when they reached the summit of the cone. They hardly saw around them. Was the land an island or a continent? At one point of the horizon suddenly appeared a vague light. The line of the horizon was now cloudless, and as the moon touched it. The engineer seized the boy’s hand.
– An island! – said he.
Chapter XI
Then
stretcher – носилки
ascent – подъем
