THE ABANDONED 255 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ So be it. You will, however, always be welcome at Granite House. But since you wish to live at the corral we will make the necessary arrangements for your comfort." "That is not important. I will always manage." "My friend," replied Cyrus Smith, who purposely insisted on this cordial appellation, "let us judge what we ought to do in this regard." "Thank you, sir" replied the stranger on leaving. The engineer immediately told his companions about the proposition that had been made to him and it was decided that they would construct a wooden house at the corral and that they would make it as comfortable as possible. That very day the colonists went to the corral with the necessary tools and a week had not passed when the house was ready to receive its host. It had been raised some twenty feet above the stables and from there it would be easy to keep surveillance over the mouflon flocks which then counted more than eighty head. Some furniture, a bed, a table, a bench, a wardrobe and a chest were made, and weapons, munitions and tools were brought to the corral. The stranger however had not seen his new dwelling and he had allowed the colonists to work there without him, while he occupied himself on the plateau wanting doubtless to put the last touch on his work. As a matter of fact, thanks to him, the entire ground had been worked and was ready to be sowed as soon as the time would come. It was the 20th of December that these arrangements had been completed at the corral. The engineer announced to the stranger that his dwelling was ready to receive him and the latter replied that he would sleep there that very night. That evening the colonists were gathered in the large hall of Granite House. It was then eight o'clock when their companion was about to leave. Not wanting to inconvenience him by the need to say goodbye, which would perhaps be difficult for him, they had left him alone and had gone up to Granite House. They had been chatting for a few moments in the large hall when a light knock was heard on the door. Almost immediately the stranger entered and without any other preamble: "Gentlemen," he said, "before I leave you, it is best that you know my story. Here it is." These simple words did not fail to vividly impress Cyrus Smith and his companions. The engineer got up. "We ask nothing of you, my friend," he said. "You have the right to remain silent..." "It is my duty to speak." "Be seated then." "I will remain standing." "We are ready to listen to you," replied Cyrus Smith. The stranger stood in a corner of the room, a little in the shadows. His head was bare, his arms crossed on his chest and it was in this posture that, in a muffled voice, speaking 256 THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ like someone who was forcing himself to speak, he made the following recital which his listeners did not once interrupt. "On the 20th of December 1854, the steam pleasure yacht, the 'Duncan', belonging to the Scotch nobleman, Lord Glenarvan, dropped anchor off Cape Bernouilli on the western coast of Australia on the 37th parallel. On board this yacht were Lord Glenarvan, his wife, a major of the English army, a French geographer, a young girl and a young boy. These last two were the children of Captain Grant whose vessel, the 'Britannia', had been lost, men and cargo, the previous year. The 'Duncan' was commanded by Captain John Mangles and carried a crew of fifteen men. "This is the reason that the yacht found itself off the coast of Australia at this time. "Six months earlier a bottle enclosing a document written in English, in German, and in French had been found in the Irish Sea and picked up by the 'Duncan'. This document stated in substance that there still were three survivors from the wreck of the 'Britannia', that these survivors were Captain Grant and two of his men and that they had found refuge on a land whose latitude was given by the document but whose longitude was no longer legible, having been erased by the sea water. "This latitude was 37ø11' South. Thus, the longitude being unknown, if they followed this thirty seventh parallel across the continents and the seas, they were certain to reach the land inhabited by Captain Grant and his two companions. "The English admiralty having hesitated to undertake this search, Lord Glenarvan decided to attempt to find the captain himself. Mary and Robert Grant had been put in touch with him. The yacht, the 'Duncan', was equipped for a long voyage in which the lord's family and the captain's children would take part, and the 'Duncan', leaving Glasgow, crossed the Atlantic, doubled the Straits of Magellan and went up the Pacific to Patagonia where, according to a first interpretation of the document, they had thought that Captain Grant was a prisoner of the natives. "The 'Duncan' disembarked its passengers on the western coast of Patagonia and left in order to pick them up again on the eastern coast at Cape Corrientes. "Lord Glenarvan crossed Patagonia following the thirty seventh parallel and not having found any trace of the captain, he embarked again on the 13th of November, in order to pursue his search across the ocean. "After having unsuccessfully visited the islands of Tristan de Acunha and Amsterdam, situated on his course, the 'Duncan' as I have said, arrived at Cape Bernouilli on the Australian coast on the 20th of December 1854. "It was the intention of Lord Glenarvan to cross Australia as he had crossed America and he disembarked. A few miles from the shore was a farm belonging to an Irishman who offered his hospitality to the travelers. Lord Glenarvan acquainted this Irishman with the reasons that had brought him to these parts THE ABANDONED 257 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ and he asked him if he knew about the three masted English vessel, the 'Britannia', which was lost less than two years earlier on the western coast of Australia. "The Irishman had never heard anyone speak about this wreck; but, to the great surprise of those present, one of the Irishman's employees intervened and said: " 'My lord, praise and thank God. If Captain Grant is still living, he is living on Australian soil.' " 'Who are you?' asked Lord Glenarvan. " 'A Scotchman like yourself, my lord,' replied this man, 'and I am one of the companions of Captain Grant, one of the castaways of the "Britannia".' "This man was called Ayrton. He was, in fact, the first mate of the 'Britannia' as certified by his papers. But, separated from Captain Grant at the moment when the vessel was wrecked on the reef, he had believed until then that his captain had perished along with the entire crew and that it was he, Ayrton, who was the only survivor of the 'Britannia'. " 'Only,' he added, 'it was not on the west coast but on the east coast of Australia that the 'Britannia' was lost and if Captain Grant is still living, as the document indicates, then he is a prisoner of the Australian natives and it is on the other coast that you must look for him.' "This man spoke with a clear voice and with an assured look. They did not doubt his words. The Irishman, in whose service he had been for a year, vouched for him. Lord Glenarvan believed in this man's honesty and thanks to his advice, he resolved to cross Australia following the 37th parallel. Lord Glenarvan, his wife, the two children, the major, the Frenchman, Captain Mangles and several mates made up the small group under Ayrton's direction while the 'Duncan', commanded by the second mate, Tom Austin, went to Melbourne, there to await Lord Glenarvan's instructions. "They left on the 23rd of December 1854. "It is time to say that this Ayrton was a traitor. He was in fact the first mate of the 'Britannia', but after discussions with his captain he had tried to stir the crew to revolt and seize the vessel, and when Captain Grant touched shore on the western coast of Australia on the 8th of April 1852, he abandoned him there, which was only right. "So this wretch knew nothing about the wreck of the 'Britannia'. He came to know of it from Glenarvan's recital. Since his abandonment he had become, under the name of Ben Joyce, the chief of some escaped convicts, and if he impudently stated that the wreck had taken place on the eastern coast, if he could get Lord Glenarvan to go in this direction, it was because he hoped to separate him from his vessel, seize the 'Duncan' and make this yacht a pirate ship in the Pacific." Here the stranger stopped for a moment. His voice trembled but he continued with these words: "The expedition left and began to cross Australia. It was naturally full of misfortune, since Ayrton or Ben Joyce as we may call him, directed it, sometimes preceded, sometimes 258 THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ followed by his band of convicts, who had been previously told what to do. "However the 'Duncan' had been sent to Melbourne for repairs. He tried to convince Lord Glenarvan to give him an order directing the 'Duncan' to leave Melbourne to go to the eastern coast of Australia where it would be easy to seize it . After having led the expedition rather close to the coast, in the middle of vast forests where all resources were lacking, Ayrton obtained a letter which he was charged to carry to the second mate of the 'Duncan', a letter which gave the order for the yacht to proceed immediately to the eastern coast, to Twofold Bay, that is to say a few days travel from the place where the expedition had halted. It was there that Ayrton expected to rendez-vous with his accomplices. "Just at the moment when the letter was about to be given to him, the traitor was unmasked and there was nothing he could do but flee. But this letter which would put the 'Duncan' under his control, he had to have at all costs. Ayrton succeeded in getting it and two days later he arrived at Melbourne. "Up to that point the criminal had succeeded in his odious project. If he could lead the 'Duncan' to this Twofold Bay where it would be easy for the convicts to seize it and massacre its crew, Ben Joyce would become the master of the seas... God had to stop him from the accomplishment of these criminal designs. "Ayrton, arriving at Melbourne, gave the letter to the second, Tom Austin, who, obeying its instructions, got under weigh immediately; but judge the disappointment and rage of Ayrton when the day after weighing anchor, he found that the second was conducting the vessel not to the eastern coast of Australia, to Twofold Bay, but rather to the eastern coast of New Zealand! He objected. Austin showed him the letter!... And in fact, thanks to a providential error made by the French geographer who had drafted the letter, the eastern coast of New Zealand was indicated as the destination. "Ayrton's plans had miscarried. He rebelled. They locked him up. He was taken to the coast of New Zealand not knowing what became of his accomplices nor what became of Lord Glenarvan. "The 'Duncan' cruised along the coast until the 3rd of March. On that day Ayrton heard gunfire. It was the firing of the Duncan's cannons and soon Lord Glenarvan and all with him came on board. "This is what had happened. "After a thousand exertions and a thousand dangers, Lord Glenarvan had been able to complete his journey and arrive at the eastern coast of Australia at Twofold Bay. No Duncan. He telegraphed to Melbourne. They replied: '"Duncan" left on the 18th of this month for an unknown destination.' "Lord Glenarvan could think of only one thing: that the honest yacht had fallen into the hands of Ben Joyce and that it had become a pirate vessel! THE ABANDONED 259 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ "However Lord Glenarvan did not wish to abandon his undertaking. He was a dauntless and courageous man. He embarked on a merchant vessel which took him to the western coast of New Zealand and crossed it on the 37th parallel without finding any trace of Captain Grant; but on the other coast, to his great surprise and by the will of Heaven, he again found the 'Duncan' under the command of the second mate, waiting for him for five weeks! "It was the 3rd of March 1855. Lord Glenarvan was now on board the 'Duncan', but Ayrton was also there. He was summoned to appear before the lord who wanted to extract from him all that the ruffian knew on the subject of Captain Grant. Ayrton refused to speak. Lord Glenarvan told him that at the next port they would put him in the hands of English authorities. Ayrton remained silent. "The 'Duncan' resumed its journey along the 37th parallel. However Lady Glenarvan undertook to overcome the ruffian's resistance. Her influence finally swayed him and Ayrton, in exchange for what he could tell, proposed to Lord Glenarvan that they abandon him on one of the islets of the Pacific instead of delivering him to English authorities. Lord Glenarvan, deciding to learn all that he could concerning Captain Grant, consented to it. "Ayrton then related his entire life and he stated that he knew nothing from the day that Captain Grant had landed him on the Australian Coast. "Nevertheless Lord Glenarvan kept his word. The 'Duncan' continued on its way and arrived at Tabor Island. It was there that Ayrton would be deposed, and it was also there that, by a true miracle, they found Captain Grant and his two men, precisely on the 37th parallel. The convict was to take their place on this desert islet and just as he was leaving the yacht, Lord Glenarvan made this statement: " 'Here, Ayrton, you will be far from all land and without any possible communication with your fellow men. You will not be able to escape from this islet on which the 'Duncan' leaves you. You will be alone, under the eye of God, who reads into the depths of the heart, but you will neither be lost nor ignored as was Captain Grant. However unworthy you are to be remembered by men, men will remember you. I know where you are, Ayrton, and I know where to find you. I will never forget it!' "And the 'Duncan', getting underway, soon disappeared. "This was on the 18th of March 1855. (1) "Ayrton was alone but he lacked neither munitions, nor weapons, nor tools, nor seed. The convict had available to him ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ (1) The events which have been briefly related here are taken from a work which some of our readers have doubtless read and which is entitled "The Children of Captain Grant." They will note on this occasion, as well as later, a certain contradiction in the dates; but also later, they will understand why the real dates were not originally given. (Editor's note) 260 THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ the house constructed by the honest Captain Grant. It only remained for him to expiate in seclusion the crimes that he had committed. "Gentlemen, he repented, he was ashamed of his crimes and he suffered. He told himself that if one day men would find him on the islet, he must be worthy to return among them. How the wretch suffered! How he labored to redeem himself through work! How he begged for redemption through prayer! "And so it was for two or three years; but Ayrton, harassed by isolation, always looked to see if some vessel was in sight on the horizon. He asked himself if his period of expiation would soon be over. He suffered as he had never suffered. Ah! solitude was difficult for a soul undermined by remorse. "But doubtless Heaven did not find him sufficiently punished. Little by little the wretch felt himself becoming a savage. Little by little he felt brutishness overcoming him. He could not say if it was after two or four years of abandonment, but finally he became the beast that you found. "I have no need to tell you, gentlemen, that Ayrton, Ben Joyce and I are the same person." Cyrus Smith and his companions got up at the end of this recital. It was difficult to say at what point they had become affected. Such misery, such suffering and despair, exposed and bared to them! "Ayrton," Cyrus Smith then said, "you have been a hardened criminal but Heaven must certainly find that you have expiated your crimes. It has proved it by returning you to your fellow men. Ayrton, you are pardoned! And now will you be our companion?" Ayrton drew back. "Here is my hand," said the engineer. Ayrton rushed toward the hand that Cyrus Smith offered him and large tears flowed from his eyes. "Do you want to live with us?" asked Cyrus Smith. "Mister Smith, let me be still some time," replied Ayrton, "let me be alone in the hut at the corral" "As you wish, Ayrton," replied Cyrus Smith. Ayrton was about to leave when the engineer addressed one last question to him: "Still another word, my friend. Since your intention was to live in isolation, why did you throw into the sea this document which put us on your trail?" "A document?" replied Ayrton, who did not appear to understand what they were talking about. "Yes, this document enclosed in a bottle which we found, which gave the exact position of Tabor Island." Ayrton passed his hand over his forehead. Then after having thought about it: "I never threw any document into the sea!" he replied. "Never?" cried Pencroff. "Never." Ayrton bowed, went to the door, and left. THE ABANDONED 261 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Chapter XVIII Conversation - Cyrus Smith and Gideon Spilett - The engineer's idea - The electric telegraph - The wires - The battery - The alphabet - Fine season - The colony's prosperity - Photography - An impression of snow - Two years on Lincoln Island. Herbert went to the door. He saw Ayrton slide down the elevator's rope and disappear into the darkness. "The poor man!" he said after he returned. "He will return," said Cyrus Smith. "So, Mister Cyrus," shouted Pencroff, "what do you say to that? If Ayrton did not throw this bottle into the sea, then who did?" Surely, if ever a question had to be asked, this was it. "It was he," replied Neb, "only the poor soul was already half mad." "Yes!" said Herbert, "and he was no longer conscious of what he was doing." "That is the only way to explain it, my friends," Cyrus Smith vividly replied, "and now I understand how Ayrton was able to indicate the exact position of Tabor Island since the very events that preceded his abandonment on the island were known to him." "However," Pencroff noted, "if he still was not a brute when he wrote his document and if it has been seven or eight years since he threw it into the sea, why wasn't the paper affected by the dampness?" "That proves," replied Cyrus Smith, "that Ayrton was deprived of his intelligence much more recently than he thinks." "That's the way it must have happened," replied Pencroff. "We can't explain it otherwise." "It would be quite unexplainable," replied the engineer, who did not seem to want to prolong the conversation. "But has Ayrton told the truth?" asked the sailor. "Yes," replied the reporter. "The story that he has told is true on all points. I clearly recall the accounts in the newspapers of Lord Glenarvan's undertaking and of the result he attained." "Ayrton has told the truth," added Cyrus Smith, "do not doubt it, Pencroff, because it was bitter for him. One tells the truth when he accuses himself in this way." The next day - the 21th of December - the colonists descended to the beach. They climbed to the plateau and no longer found Ayrton there. Ayrton had reached his house in the corral during the night and the colonists judged it best not to disturb him with their presence. Time would doubtless do what encouragements could not. Herbert, Pencroff and Neb then resumed their accustomed occupations. On this day, Cyrus Smith and the reporter were together in the workshop at the Chimneys. "Do you know, my dear Cyrus," said Gideon Spilett, "that the explanation that you gave yesterday on the subject of the 262 THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ bottle has not satisfied me at all. How can we admit that the poor fellow was able to write this document and throw the bottle into the sea without having any memory of it?" "It was not he who threw it in, my dear Spilett." "Then you still believe..." "I believe nothing, I know nothing!" replied Cyrus Smith, interrupting the reporter. "I am content to rank this incident among those which I have not been able to explain to this day!" "Truthfully, Cyrus," said Gideon Spilett, "these things are unbelievable! Your rescue, the case stranded on the sand, Top's adventures, finally this bottle... Will we ever have some explanation to these enigmas?" "Yes!" replied the engineer vividly, "yes, if I have to search the very bowels of this island." "Chance perhaps will give us the key to this mystery!" "Chance, Spilett! I hardly believe in chance any more than I believe in the mysteries of this world. There is a reason for every unexplainable event that has occurred here and I will find it. But while waiting, let us observe and work." The month of January arrived and the year 1867 began. Summer activities were carried on industriously. During the days which followed, Herbert and Gideon Spilett went to the corral and assured themselves that Ayrton had taken possession of the dwelling that they had prepared for him. He occupied himself with the numerous flocks confined to his care which saved his companions the trouble of coming every two or three days to visit the corral. However, in order not to leave Ayrton alone for too long a time, the colonists visited him often. As a result of certain suspicions shared by the engineer and Gideon Spilett, they felt that this part of the island should be subject to a certain surveillance and that Ayrton should not neglect to inform the inhabitants of Granite House of any unexpected incident. However, such an incident had to be brought to the engineer's immediate attention. In addition to all the facts relating to the mystery of Lincoln Island, other things might occur which would call for the prompt intervention of the colonists, such as the appearance of a passing vessel on the open sea in view of the western coast, a wreck on the western shore, the possible arrival of pirates, etc. Cyrus Smith resolved to put the corral into instantaneous communication with Granite House. On the 10th of January he told his companions about his plan. "So, how do you intend to proceed, Mister Cyrus?" asked Pencroff. "Are you by any chance thinking of installing a telegraph?" "Precisely," replied the engineer. "Electric?" shouted Herbert. "Electric," replied Cyrus Smith. "We have all the elements necessary for making a battery; the most difficult part will be in drawing the iron wire, but by means of a drawplate I think that we will finally succeed." THE ABANDONED 263 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ "Well, after that," replied the sailor, "it wouldn't surprise me if we rolled out a railroad one day." They then got to work and began with the most difficult task, that is to say the making of the wires, because if that should miscarry it would be useless to make the battery and the other accessories. The iron of Lincoln Island, as we know, was of an excellent quality and consequently very suitable for being drawn. Cyrus Smith began by making a drawplate, that is to say a steel plate pierced by conical holes of various sizes which would successively bring the wire to the desired diameter. This piece of steel, after having been tempered "to maximum hardness" as they would say in metallurgy, was firmly fastened to a frame dug into the ground only a few feet from the large falls, whose motive force the engineer was going to use once again. In fact, they still had the fulling mill there, then not in operation, but whose shaft, when driven under power, would serve to draw the wire and roll it into coils. The operation was delicate and demanded much attention. The iron, previously prepared in long thin columns whose ends had been thinned with a file, was introduced into the largest caliber of the drawplate, drawn out by the shaft and rolled to a length of twenty five to thirty feet, then unrolled and successively introduced into the holes of smaller diameter. The engineer finally obtained wires forty to fifty feet long, which were easy to splice so as to stretch over this distance of five miles which separated the corral from the Granite House enclosure. It only needed a few days to carry out this work and when the machine was put in operation, Cyrus Smith left his companions to their task as wire drawers while he occupied himself with making his battery. His object, in this case, was to obtain a battery of constant current. As is known, the elements of modern batteries are generally composed of retort carbon, zinc and copper. The engineer definitely had no copper. In spite of his searches, he had not found any trace of it on Lincoln Island and he would have to do without it. Retort carbon, that is to say this hard graphite which is found in the retorts of gas works after coal has been dehydrogenated, this they could produce, but it would require the installation of special apparatus which would have been a big job. As to the zinc, it must be remembered that the case found at Flotsom Point had a double envelope of this metal which could not have found a better use under these circumstances. After thinking about it, Cyrus Smith decided to make a very simple battery based on one proposed by Becquerel in 1820 in which only zinc is used. As to the other materials, nitric acid and potassium, he had that. This is how the battery was made. The result would be the products of mutual interaction between the acid and the potassium. A certain number of glass bottles were made and filled with nitric acid. The engineer sealed them by means of a cork through which passed a glass tube. This tube was sealed 264 THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ at its lower end with a clay plug held in place with a cloth and then immersed into the acid. A solution of potassium, previously obtained by the burning of various plants, was poured into the tube from above and by this means the acid and the potassium reacted with each other through the clay. Cyrus Smith then took two strips of zinc. One was immersed in the nitric acid and the other in the potassium solution. A current was immediately produced going from the strip in the bottle to the strip in the tube, and the two strips, having been connected with a metallic wire, the strip in the tube became the positive pole and that in the bottle the negative pole of the apparatus. Each bottle produced an equal current which, when combined, sufficed to produce all the phenomena of the electric telegraph. Such was the ingenious yet very simple apparatus constructed by Cyrus Smith, an apparatus which would allow him to establish telegraphic communication between Granite House and the corral. It was on the 6th of February that they began to drive in the stakes, furnished with glass insulators designed to support the wire which would follow the route to the corral. A few days later, the wire was stretched out ready to carry the electric current which the ground would return to its starting point at a speed of one hundred thousand kilometers per second. Two batteries had been made, one for Granite House, the other for the corral, because if the corral ought to be able to communicate with Granite House, it would also be useful for Granite House to communicate with the corral. As to the receiver and the key, they were very simple. At the two stations, the wire was wrapped as an electro-magnet, that is to say a piece of iron wound with a wire. Communication was established between the two poles by the current which, leaving the positive pole, traversed the wire, passed through the electro-magnet which it temporarily magnetized, and returned through the ground to the negative pole. When the current was interrupted, the electro-magnet would immediately demagnetize. It sufficed then to place a bar of soft iron below the electro-magnet which, attracted to it during the passage of the current, would fall back when the current was interrupted. The movement of the bar thus obtained, Cyrus Smith easily attached a pointer on a swivel, which carried an inscription of the letters of the alphabet and in this way they could communicate from one station to the other. Everything was completely installed on the 12th of February. On this day Cyrus Smith, having thrown a current across the wire, asked if all was going well at the corral and a few moments later he received a satisfactory response from Ayrton. Pencroff could not contain his joy. Each morning and each evening he sent a telegram to the corral which always replied. This mode of communication presented two very real advantages, first because it permitted them to verify the THE ABANDONED 265 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ presence of Ayrton at the corral, and then because it did not leave him completely isolated. Besides this, Cyrus Smith never allowed a week to pass without going to see him, and Ayrton came to Granite House from time to time where he was always well received. The fine season passed in this way amidst their accustomed activity. The resources of the colony had increased from day to day, particularly with vegetables and corn, and the plants that had been brought over from Tabor Island succeeded perfectly. Grand View Plateau presented a very reassuring sight. The fourth corn harvest had been admirable and we may be sure that no one thought of counting if there were four hundred billion grains in the harvest. Cyrus Smith nevertheless advised Pencroff that even if he could count one hundred fifty grains per minute, making nine thousand per hour, he would need about five thousand five hundred years to complete his operation and the worthy sailor decided to give up the idea. The weather was magnificent and the temperature was very warm in the daytime, but in the evening the breezes from the open sea moderated the summer's heat and brought cool nights for the inhabitants of Granite House. However they had a few storms which, if they were not of long duration, fell none the less on Lincoln Island with an extraordinary force. For several hours the lightning lit up the sky and the thunder did not let up. During this time, the small colony was very prosperous. The hosts of the poultry yard had increased to excess and it became urgent to reduce the population to a more moderate number. The pigs had already produced young ones and one can understand that the care given to these animals absorbed a large part of Neb's and Pencroff's time. The onagers, who had two pretty offspring, were often mounted by Gideon Spilett and Herbert, who became an excellent horseman under the reporter's supervision. They also harnessed them to the cart either to carry wood and coal to Granite House or to carry the various mineral products used by the engineer. Several trips were made at this time into the depths of the forests of the Far West. The explorers could venture there without having to fear the excess temperature because the solar rays hardly pierced the thick branches above them. They also visited the left bank of the Mercy which bordered the route that went from the corral to the mouth of Falls River. But during these excursions, the colonists took care to be well armed because they frequently encountered certain very savage and very ferocious wild boar with whom they had serious conflicts. During this time, they also declared war on the jaguars against whom Gideon Spilett had a special grudge. His pupil, Herbert, seconded him. Armed as they were, there was hardly any need to fear an encounter with one of these beasts. Herbert's fearlessness was superb and the reporter's coolness was astonishing. About twenty magnificent skins already 266 THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ decorated the large hall of Granite House and if this continued, the jaguar race would soon become extinct on the island, a goal pursed by the hunters. The engineer sometimes took part in these reconnaissances made in the unknown portions of the island, which he observed with minute attention. It was for traces other than of animals that he looked for in the thickest portions of these vast woods, but never did he see anything suspicious. Neither Top nor Jup, who accompanied him, indicated that there was anything extraordinary there although more than once the dog barked at the opening of the well which the engineer had explored without result. It was at this time that Gideon Spilett, assisted by Herbert, took several pictures of the most picturesque parts of the island by means of the photographic apparatus that had been found in the case and which had not been used until then. This apparatus, which was provided with a powerful objective, was very complete. The materials necessary for photographic reproduction, collodion to prepare the glass plate, silver nitrate to sensitize it, sodium hyposulphate to fix the image obtained, ammonium chloride to wash the paper intended to give the positive print, sodium acetate and gold chloride to soak the latter, nothing was missing. Even the paper was there, all chlorinated, and before placing them on the frame over the negative prints, it sufficed to steep them for a few minutes in the silver nitrate diluted with water. In a short time, the reporter and his assistant became skilful operators and they obtained rather beautiful prints of the countryside, such as a full view of the island taken from Grand View Plateau, with Mount Franklin in the background, the mouth of the Mercy so picturesquely surrounded by high rocks, the glade and the corral against the first high land of the mountain, all the curious development of Cape Claw, Flotsom Point, etc. The photographers did not forget to take portraits of all the inhabitants of the island without exception. "Just plain folks," said Pencroff. And the sailor was enchanted to see his picture, faithfully reproduced, decorating the walls of Granite House. He joyfully stared at this exposition as if he were in front of the richest showcases of Broadway. But it must be said, the most successful portrait of all was incontestably that of Master Jup. Master Jup had posed with a seriousness impossible to describe and his picture was expressive. "One would say that he was about to grin," shouted Pencroff. If Master Jup had not been content, he would have been hard to please; but he was content and he contemplated his image sentimentally and with a bit of self-conceit. The intense summer heat ended with the month of March. Sometimes they had rainy weather but it was still hot. This month of March, which corresponds to the month of September in THE ABANDONED 267 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ the northern latitudes, was not as fine as they had hoped. Perhaps it announced an early and rigorous winter. They were even able to believe one morning - the 21st - that the first snow had made its appearance. Herbert had gone to one of the Granite House windows at an early hour and shouted: "Look here, the islet is covered with snow." "Snow at this time of the year?" replied the reporter, who had joined the lad. Their companions were soon beside them and they could only say that not only the islet but the entire shore at the foot of Granite House was covered with a white layer uniformly spread out on the ground. "It really is snow!" said Pencroff. "Or it resembles it very much!" replied Neb. "But the thermometer reads 58ø (14øC above zero)," noted Gideon Spilett. Cyrus Smith looked at the white covering without saying anything because he really did not know how to explain this phenomenon at this time of the year at this temperature. "A thousand devils!" shouted Pencroff, "our plantations will be frozen!" And the sailor was about to descend when he was preceded by the agile Jup who slid down to the ground. But the orang had not touched the ground when the enormous layer of snow rose up and scattered into the sky in such innumerable flocks that the light from the sun was masked for a few minutes. "Birds," shouted Herbert. It was in fact, swarms of sea fowl with brilliant white plumage. They had set down on the islet and on the shore by the hundreds of thousands and they disappeared in the distance, leaving the colonists dumbfounded as if they had witnessed a change from summer to winter in a scene from fairyland. Unfortunately, that change had been so sudden that neither the reporter nor the lad could attack one of these birds whose species they did not recognize. The 24th of March came a few days later and it was two years since the castaways from the sky had been thrown on Lincoln Island. 268 THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ CHAPTER XIX Recollections of their native land - Future chances - Proposed survey of the coasts of the island - Departure on the 16th of April - Serpentine Peninsula, a view from the sea - The basalts of the western coast - Bad weather - Night comes on - A new incident. Two years already! and for two years the colonists had had no communication with their fellow men. They were without news from the civilized world, lost on this island just as surely as if they had been on some infinitesimal asteroid of the solar system. What had occurred in their country during this time? The image of their native land was always before them, this land torn asunder by civil war at the moment when they left it. Perhaps it was still bloodied by the South's rebellion. This was painful for them and they spoke of it often without however doubting that the cause of the North must triumph for the honor of the American federation. During these two years not a vessel had passed in sight of the island or at least no sail had been seen. It was evident that Lincoln Island was outside the usual ship lanes and even that it was unknown - this was proved by the maps - because though there was no port, vessels would have landed there to renew their provision of fresh water. But the sea which surrounded them was always deserted as far as they could see, and they could only count on themselves for rescue. However one chance for salvation existed and this chance was discussed one day in the first week of April when the colonists were together in the large hall of Granite House. They were speaking of their native land, America, and wondering if there was a small hope of seeing it again. "Decidedly, we have only one way," said Gideon Spilett, "only one way of leaving Lincoln Island, to construct a vessel large enough to take to the open sea for several hundred miles. It seems to me that if we can make a boat, we can just as well make a ship." "Which would go to the Tuamotus," added Herbert, "the way we went to Tabor Island." "I do not say no," replied Pencroff, who always had the deciding vote on maritime questions. "I do not say no, although a short journey is not the same thing as a long one. If our boat had been menaced by some bad windstorm during our voyage to Tabor Island, we would have known that port was not far off either on one shore or the other; but to cross twelve hundred miles, that's quite a trip and the nearest land is at least that distance." "Would you not chance it, Pencroff, in that case?" asked the reporter. "I will undertake anything that is required, Mister Spilett," replied the sailor, "and you well know that I am not a man to hold back." THE ABANDONED 269 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ "Remember besides, that we now have another sailor amongst us," noted Neb. "Who?" asked Pencroff. "Ayrton." "That's right," replied Herbert. "If he would consent to come," noted Pencroff. "Fine!" said the reporter, "do you believe that if Lord Glenarvan's yacht had presented itself at Tabor Island while Ayrton was still living there, that he would have refused to leave?" "You forget, my friends," Cyrus Smith then said, "that Ayrton no longer had his sanity during the last years of his stay. But that is not the question. We must know if we can count on the return of the Scotch vessel as one of our chances for rescue. Now Lord Glenarvan had promised Ayrton that he would come to take him from Tabor Island when he judged that his crimes had been sufficiently expiated, and I believe that he will return." "Yes," said the reporter, "and I will add that he will return soon because it is twelve years that Ayrton has been abandoned." "Well," replied Pencroff, "I agree with you that the lord will return, even soon. But where will he land? At Tabor Island and not at Lincoln Island." "That is surely the case," replied Herbert, "since Lincoln Island is not even on the map." "So, my friends," replied the engineer, "we must take the necessary steps to announce our presence and that of Ayrton at Lincoln Island." "Evidently," replied the reporter, "and nothing could be easier than leaving a notice in the cabin used by Captain Grant and Ayrton, giving the position on our island, a notice which Lord Glenarvan and his crew cannot fail to find." "It is unfortunate," noted the sailor, "that we forgot to take this precaution on our first voyage to Tabor Island." "And why should we have taken this precaution?" replied Herbert. "At the time we did not know Ayrton's history. We did not know that they would come one day to rescue him, and when we knew his story the season was too far advanced to allow us to return to Tabor Island." "Yes," replied Cyrus Smith, "it was too late, and we must make this trip next spring." "But if the Scotch yacht comes in the meantime?" said Pencroff. "That is not probable," replied the engineer, "because Lord Glenarvan would not choose the winter season to venture into these distant seas. Either he has already returned to Tabor Island while Ayrton was with us, that is to say in the last five months, and he has left, or he will come later, and there will be time during the first fine days of October to go to Tabor Island and leave a notice there." "It must be admitted," said Neb, "that it would be very unfortunate if the 'Duncan' has returned to these seas in the last few months." 270 THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ "I hope that that is not so," replied Cyrus Smith, "and that Heaven has not taken from us the best chance that remains for us." "I believe," noted the reporter, "that in any case, we will know what we have to contend with when we return to Tabor Island, because if the Scotchmen have been there, they would have necessarily left some trace of their passage." "That is evident," replied the engineer. "Thus my friends, since we have this chance for being rescued, let us wait patiently, and if it is taken from us we will see then what we must do." "In any case," said Pencroff, "it is well understood that if we leave Lincoln Island by one means or another, it will not be because we find fault with it." "No, Pencroff," replied the engineer, "it will be because we are far from all that a man cherishes most in the world, his family, his friends, and his native land." Things being thus decided, there was no longer any question of undertaking the construction of a rather large vessel in order to venture either to the archipelagos in the north or to New Zealand in the west. They occupied themselves only with their usual tasks with the view to wintering in Granite House for the third time. Nevertheless, it was decided that the boat would be used to take a trip around the island before the bad season came on. The complete reconnaissance of the coasts had still not been accomplished and the colonists had only an imperfect idea of the shore to the west and the north from the mouth of Falls River to the Mandible Capes, not excluding the narrow bay cut between them like the jaw of a shark. The proposal for this excursion was first suggested by Pencroff, and Cyrus Smith gave his full approval. He wanted to see for himself all of this portion of his domain. The weather at the time was variable, but the barometer did not fluctuate with sudden changes and they could count on moderate conditions. More precisely, during the first week of April, after a large barometric drop, a return to a rising barometric pressure was indicated by a strong windstorm from the west which lasted five to six days; then the needle of the instrument once again became steady at twenty nine point nine inches (759.45 mm) and the circumstances seemed favorable for the exploration. The day of departure was fixed for the 16th of April and the Bonadventure, casting off from Port Balloon, was provisioned for a voyage which could be of some duration. Cyrus Smith told Ayrton about the proposed expedition and suggested that he take part in it, but Ayrton, preferring to remain on land, it was decided that he would come to Granite House during the absence of his companions. Master Jup would accompany him and he made no objection. On the morning of the 16th of April, all the colonists, accompanied by Top, embarked. A fine breeze blew from the southwest and the Bonadventure tacked on leaving Port Balloon in order to reach Reptile Promontory. Of the ninety miles that THE ABANDONED 271 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ comprised the perimeter of the island, there were about twenty from the port to the promontory. It would be necessary to sail close-hauled for these twenty miles because the wind was dead ahead. They needed not less that an entire day to reach the promontory because the boat, on leaving port, had only two hours of ebb tide and had, on the contrary, six hours of rising tide which made it very difficult to make headway. It was night time when the promontory was doubled. Pencroff then proposed to the engineer that they continue the journey at reduced speed with two reefs in his sail. But Cyrus Smith preferred to anchor a few cables from land in order to again see this part of the coast during the daytime. It was even agreed that since they were conducting a careful exploration of the island, that they should not sail at night but when evening came they would throw anchor near land when the weather permitted it. The night thus passed at anchor at the promontory and the wind having fallen with the night, the silence was not disturbed. The passengers, with the exception of the sailor, did not sleep quite as well on board the Bonadventure as they did in their rooms at Granite House, but at last they fell asleep. The next day, the 17th of April, Pencroff weighed anchor at the break of day and by going on the larboard tack, he was able to draw near the western shore. The colonists knew this magnificent wooded coast since they had already crossed this shore on foot. Nevertheless, it excited their admiration. By slowing down, they skirted land as close as possible so as to observe everything, but taking care not to collide with several tree trunks that were floating here and there. They even threw anchor several times, and Gideon Spilett took photographs of the superb coast. Around noon, the Bonadventure arrived at the mouth of Falls River. Further on the right bank, the trees were more scattered and three miles beyond they only appeared in isolated clusters among the mountain's western buttresses whose arid backbones reached to the shore. What a contrast between the southern portion and the northern portion of this coastline! As much as one was wooded and verdant, the other was harsh and wild. They could refer to the latter as "the iron coast" as it is called in certain countries. Its tortured arrangement seemed to indicate a true crystallization which had been abruptly produced in the basalt while it was still molten in geological times. Piled up in a frightening way, it would have scared the colonists if they had first been thrown on this part of the island. When they were on the summit of Mount Franklin, they had not been able to recognize the deeply sinister aspect of this coast because they were up too high; but seen from the sea, this shore presented a strange character without equivalent perhaps in any corner of the world. The Bonadventure passed before this coast at half a mile from shore. It was easy to see that it was composed of 272 THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ blocks of all dimensions, from twenty feet to three hundred feet in height, and of all forms, cylindrical as if made on a lathe, prismatic like steeples, pyramidic like obelisks and conical like a factory smokestack. For sheer horror, an ice- pack from the glacial seas could not have been more capriciously designed. Here bridges thrown from one rock to another, there arches arranged like the nave of a cathedral into whose depths the eye could not penetrate; in one place there were large excavations whose vaults presented a monumental aspect; in another place a conglomeration of sharp corners, pyramids and arrows such as no gothic cathedral ever had. All the caprices of nature, still more varied than those of the imagination, were arranged along this grandiose coast which extended for a distance of eight to nine miles. Cyrus Smith and his companions looked at all of this with a surprise that bordered on stupefaction. But if they remained mute, Top was not inhibited from barking. His echoes repeated by the thousands against the basalt wall. The engineer even noted that these barks had something strange about them, like those that the dog had made at the opening of the well in Granite House. "Let's come alongside," he said. And the Bonadventure grazed as close as possible to the rocks on the coast. Perhaps there was some grotto here that was worth exploring? But Cyrus Smith saw nothing, not a cavern nor a fracture which would serve as a retreat for any being whatsoever because the foot of these rocks was washed by the very surf of the water. Top soon stopped barking and the boat went back to a few cables from shore. In the northwest portion of the island, the shore became flat and sandy. A few rare trees grew above the low and marshy land that the colonists had already caught a glimpse of and, in violent contrast with the other deserted coast, life was in evidence by the myriads of water fowl. That evening, the Bonadventure anchored near land in a slight recess of the northern shoreline where the water was deep. The night passed pleasantly because the wind died out, so to speak, with the last rays of daylight, and started up again only at daybreak. Since it was easy to come alongside land on this morning, the appointed hunters of the colony, that is to say Herbert and Gideon Spilett, took a walk for two hours and returned with several strings of duck and snipe. Top did well and no game was lost thanks to his zeal and his skill. At eight o'clock in the morning, the Bonadventure weighed anchor and moved rapidly toward North Mandible Cape because the wind was aft and becoming stronger. "Besides," said Pencroff, "I will not be surprised if we have a windstorm from the west. Yesterday the sun set on a very red horizon and now this morning these 'cat tails' foretell nothing good." These cat tails were slender cirrus clouds scattered at the zenith whose height is never less than five thousand feet above sea level. One could call them flimsy pieces of cotton THE ABANDONED 273 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ whose presence ordinarily announces some approaching trouble in the weather. "Well," said Cyrus Smith, "let us carry as much sail as we are able to carry, and seek refuge in Shark Gulf. I think that the Bonadventure will be safe there." "Perfectly," replied Pencroff, "and besides, the north shore is only formed of dunes and is of little interest." "I will not be unhappy," added the engineer, "to pass not only the night but even tomorrow in this bay which deserves to be carefully explored." "I believe that we will be forced to do it whether we like it or not," replied Pencroff, "because the horizon in the west is becoming menacing. See how dirty it is." "In any event, we have a good wind for getting to Cape Mandible," noted the reporter. "A very good wind," replied the sailor, "but to enter the gulf, we must tack and I would rather have a clear view of these unknown waters." "Waters which may be full of rocks," added Herbert, "if we are to judge by what we saw of the southern coast of Shark Gulf." "Pencroff," Cyrus Smith then said, "do what is best. We leave it to you." "Be calm, Mister Cyrus," replied the sailor, "I will not expose myself needlessly. I would rather have a knife in my vital organs than a rock in those of my Bonadventure." What Pencroff called vital organs was that part of his boat below the water line and he loved it more than his own skin. "What time is it?" asked Pencroff. "Ten o'clock," replied Gideon Spilett. "And at what distance are we from the cape, Mister Cyrus?" "About fifteen miles," replied the engineer. "That's a matter of two hours and a half," the sailor then said, "and we will come alongside the cape between noontime and one o'clock. Unfortunately, the tide will be reversing at that moment and the ebb will be leaving the gulf. I fear that it will be difficult to enter it having wind and sea against us." "What's more, the moon is full today," noted Herbert, "and these April tides are very strong." "Well, Pencroff," asked Cyrus Smith, "can you anchor at the cape's point?" "Anchor near land with bad weather coming on!" shouted the sailor. "What are you thinking of, Mister Cyrus? That would surely ground us." "Then what would you do?" "I would try to keep in the open sea until the flood tide, that is to say until seven o'clock in the evening, and if there is still some light I will try to enter the gulf; otherwise we will stand off during the entire night and we will enter tomorrow at sunrise." "As I said Pencroff, we leave it to you." replied Cyrus Smith. 274 THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ "Ah!" said Pencroff, "if there only was a lighthouse on this coast, it would be very convenient for navigators." "Yes," replied Herbert, "and this time we will not have an obliging engineer to light a fire to guide us into port." "Incidentally, my dear Cyrus," said Gideon Spilett, "we never thanked you, but frankly without that fire we never would have been able to reach..." "A fire?..." asked Cyrus Smith, very astonished at the reporter's words. "We mean to say, Mister Cyrus," replied Pencroff, "that we were in trouble on board the Bonadventure during the final hours preceding our return and we would have passed windward of the island if not for the precaution which you took of lighting a fire during the night of the 19th to the 20th of October on Granite House Plateau." "Yes, yes!... That was a happy idea that I had there," replied the engineer. "And this time," added the sailor, "at least if the idea does not occur to Ayrton, there will be no one to render us this small service." "No! no one!" replied Cyrus Smith. And a few moments later, finding himself alone with the reporter in the front of the boat, the engineer bent over to his ear and said to him: "If there is one thing certain in this world, Spilett, it is that I never lit any fire during the night of the 19th to the 20th of October, neither on the plateau of Granite House nor on any other part of the island!" CHAPTER XX Night at sea - Shark Gulf - Confidences - Preparations for winter - An early winter - Intense frost - Interior Work - After six months - A photographic negative - Unexpected incident. Things happened as Pencroff had anticipated because his forebodings could not be in error. The wind became stronger and from a good wind it changed into a windstorm, that is to say it acquired a velocity of forty to forty five miles per hour and a ship on the high seas would have had its sails reefed and its topgallant sails lowered. Now, since it was about six o'clock when the Bonadventure was at a standstill in the gulf and at this moment the ebb tide was being felt, it was impossible to enter there. They were compelled to remain on the open sea because, even if they wanted to, Pencroff could not even reach the mouth of the Mercy. After having set up his jibsail on the mainmast by way of a storm-jib, he waited while facing his bow toward land. Very fortunately, if the wind was very strong, the sea, being protected by the coast, did not swell much. They thus THE ABANDONED 275 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ had nothing to fear from the waves which are so dangerous to small boats. Doubtless the Bonadventure would not have capsized because it was well ballasted; but enormous blocks of water falling on board could have damaged her if the panels had not resisted. As a skillful sailor, Pencroff was ready for any event. He certainly had much confidence in his boat but none the less he waited for the return of day with a certain anxiety. During this night, Cyrus Smith and Gideon Spilett had no occasion to speak together but the words pronounced in the reporter's ear by the engineer well merited further discussion about this mysterious influence which seemed to reign over Lincoln Island. Gideon Spilett did not stop thinking about this new inexplicable incident, about the appearance of fire on the coast of Lincoln Island. He had really seen this fire. His companions, Herbert and Pencroff, had seen it as well as he had. This fire showed them the location of the island on this dark night and they did not doubt that only the hand of the engineer had lit it, and there was Cyrus Smith expressly declaring that he had done no such thing! Gideon Spilett promised himself that he would discuss this incident after the Bonadventure returned and that he would urge Cyrus Smith to acquaint their companions with these strange events. Perhaps they would then decide to undertake a complete investigation of all parts of Lincoln Island. Be it as it may, on this evening there was no fire lit on these still unknown shores which formed the entrance to the gulf and the small vessel continued to keep to the open sea during the entire night. When the first rays of dawn appeared on the eastern horizon, the wind, which went down a little, shifted two points on the compass and allowed Pencroff to enter the narrow entrance to the gulf more easily. About seven o'clock in the morning the Bonadventure, leaving North Mandible Cape behind, carefully entered the pass and chanced upon these waters enclosed by the strangest lava formation. "There," said Pencroff, "is a bit of the sea that would make an admirable road where a navy could maneuver at its ease." "What is especially curious," observed Cyrus Smith, "is that this gulf has been formed by two lava flows vomited out by the volcano, which accumulated from successive eruptions. The result is that this gulf is completely protected on all sides and I believe that even in the worst winds the sea is as calm here as on a lake." "Doubtless," replied the sailor, "since the wind only has this narrow between the two capes to get in by, and the north cape protects the south cape in a way that makes it difficult for squalls to enter. In truth, our Bonadventure could remain here from one end of the year to the other without even pulling on its anchors." "It is a little too large for it," noted the reporter. "Well, Mister Spilett," replied the sailor, "I agree that it is too large for the Bonadventure, but if the navies of the 276 THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Union have need of a shelter in the Pacific, I believe that they will never find any better than this road." "We are in the shark's mouth," Neb then noted, making allusion to the shape of the gulf. "All the way into the mouth, my brave Neb," replied Herbert, "but you are not afraid that it will close on us, are you?" "No, Mister Herbert," replied Neb, "but nevertheless this gulf does not please me much! It has a wicked look." "Fine!" shouted Pencroff, "there is Neb depreciating my gulf just as I was thinking of making a gift of it to America." "But at least is the water deep?" asked the engineer, "because what is enough for the hull of the Bonadventure would not suffice for those of our ironclad vessels." "That is easy to verify," replied Pencroff. And the sailor took the end of a long cord which would serve him as a sounding line, to which was attached an iron block. This line measured about fifty fathoms and it was completely unrolled without reaching bottom. "So then," said Pencroff, "our ironclads can come here. They will not be grounded." "In fact," said Cyrus Smith, "this gulf is a real abyss; but taking account of the plutonic origin of the island, it is not astonishing that the bottom of the sea has similar depressions." "One would say," noted Herbert, "that these walls had been cast perpendicularly, and I believe that even with a line five or six times longer, Pencroff would not have found bottom." "That is all very good," the reporter then said, "but I must tell Pencroff that his road lacks one important thing." "Which is, Mister Spilett?" "An opening, any ledge whatever to give access to the interior of the island. I do not see any place on which to set foot." And, in fact, the very high sheer lava did not offer a single ledge for disembarking anywhere along the entire perimeter of the gulf. It was an insurmountable curtain which called to mind, but with still more barrenness, the fiords of Norway. The Bonadventure grazed these high walls without finding even a protrusion which would permit the passengers to leave the deck. Pencroff consoled himself by saying that, with the help of a mine, they would surely know how to make an opening in this wall when that would be necessary but since, decidedly, there was nothing to do in the gulf, he sailed his boat toward the mouth and left it about two o'clock in the afternoon. "Whew!" said Neb, letting out a sigh of satisfaction. One could truly say that the worthy negro did not feel at ease in this enormous jaw. There were barely eight miles between Cape Mandible and the mouth of the Mercy. The bow was then directed toward Granite House and the Bonadventure, with full sails, ran along a mile off shore. The enormous lava rocks were soon succeeded by those capricious dunes where the engineer had been so THE ABANDONED 277 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ mysteriously rescued and which the sea birds frequented by the hundreds. About four o'clock, Pencroff, leaving the point of the islet to his left, entered the channel which separated it from the coast and at five o'clock the Bonadventure's anchor gripped the sandy bottom at the mouth of the Mercy. The colonists had been away from their dwelling for three days. Ayrton was waiting for them on the beach and Master Jup was overjoyed, making growls of satisfaction. An entire exploration of the coasts of the island had thus been made and nothing suspicious had been found. If some mysterious being resided there, he could only be under the cover of the impenetrable woods of Serpentine Peninsula, there where the colonists still had not carried out their investigations. Gideon Spilett spoke about these things with the engineer and it was agreed that they would draw the attention of their companions to the strange character of certain incidents which had occurred on the island, the last of which was one of the most inexplicable. Returning again to the incident of a fire lit on the shore by an unknown hand, Cyrus Smith could not restrain himself from saying to the reporter for the twentieth time: "But are you sure of having seen it? Was it not some partial eruption of the volcano or some meteor?" "No, Cyrus," replied the reporter, "it was certainly a fire lit by the hand of man. Besides, question Pencroff and Herbert. They also saw it and they will confirm my words." It came to pass then that a few days later, on the evening of the 25th of April, when the colonists were together on Grand View Plateau, that Cyrus Smith said: "My friends, I feel that I must bring to your attention certain events which have occurred on the island and on the subject of which I should be very glad to have your advice. These events are supernatural so to speak..." "Supernatural!" shouted the sailor, letting out a puff of smoke. "Can our island be supernatural?" "No, Pencroff, but surely mysterious," replied the engineer, "unless you can explain to us that which Spilett and I have not been able to understand up to now." "Speak, Mister Cyrus," replied the sailor. "Well then, do you understand," the engineer then said, "how it was that after having fallen into the sea, I was found a quarter of a mile into the interior of the island without remembering being moved there?" "Perhaps unconsciously..." said Pencroff. "That is not admissible," replied the engineer. "But let us pass on. Have you understood how Top was able to discover your retreat, five miles from the grotto where I was lying?" "A dog's instinct..." replied Herbert. "Strange instinct!" noted the reporter, "since in spite of the rain and wind which had been raging during that night, Top arrived at the Chimneys dry and without a speck of mud." 278 THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ "Let us pass on," continued the engineer. "Have you understood how our dog was so strangely thrown out of the water of the lake after his fight with the dugong?" "No, not really, I admit," replied Pencroff, "and the wound which the dugong had in its side, a wound which seemed to have been made with a sharp instrument, that also cannot be understood." "Let us continue then," replied Cyrus Smith. "Have you understood, my friends, how that lead bullet was found in the body of the young peccary, how the case was so fortunately stranded without there being any trace of a wreck, how the bottle which enclosed the document was in so convenient a place during our first sea excursion, how our canoe, having broken its mooring, was moved by the Mercy's current and rejoined us precisely at the moment when we needed it, how after the ape's invasion, the ladder was so opportunely thrown down to us from Granite House, and finally how the document which Ayrton maintains he never wrote, fell into our hands?" Cyrus Smith had enumerated the strange events that had occurred on the island, without forgetting a single one. Herbert, Pencroff and Neb looked at each other, not knowing what to say because the succession of these incidents, grouped this way for the first time, surprised them to the highest pitch. "On my word," Pencroff finally said, "you are right, Mister Cyrus, and it is difficult to explain these things." "Well, my friends," continued the engineer, "a last fact has been added to these and it is just as incomprehensible as the others." "What, Mr. Cyrus," Herbert asked vividly. "When you returned from Tabor Island, Pencroff," continued the engineer, "you said that you saw a fire on Lincoln Island?" "Certainly," replied the sailor. "And are you certain that you saw this fire?" "Just as I see you." "You also, Herbert?" "Ah! Mister Cyrus," shouted Herbert, "this fire shone like a star of the first magnitude." "But was it not a star?" asked the engineer insistently. "No," replied Pencroff, "because the sky was covered with thick clouds and a star, in any case, would not have been so low on the horizon. But Mister Spilett also saw it and he can confirm our words." "I will add," said the reporter, "that this fire was very vivid and that it projected like an electric flame." "Yes! yes! exactly..." replied Herbert, "and it was certainly placed on the Granite House heights." "Well, my friends," replied Cyrus Smith, "during the night of the 19th to the 20th of October, neither Neb nor I lit any fire on the coast." "You did not?..." shouted Pencroff, full of astonishment, not even able to finish his sentence. THE ABANDONED 279 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ "We did not leave Granite House," replied Cyrus Smith, "and if a fire appeared on shore, it was lit by another hand than ours." Pencroff, Herbert and Neb were stupefied. No illusion was possible. They had really seen a fire during the night of the 19th to the 20th of October. Yes! They had to agree that a mystery existed. An inexplicable influence, evidently favorable to the colonists, but irritating to their curiosity, was making itself felt at the right moment on Lincoln Island. Was there some being hidden in the deepest retreats? They must know this at any price. Cyrus Smith also reminded his companions about the strange behavior of Top and Jup around the opening of the well which put Granite House in communication with the sea and he told them that he had explored this well without discovering anything suspicious there. Finally, the conclusion of this conversation was a determination taken by all members of the colony to search the entire island at the return of the fine season. But from this day on, Pencroff seemed to become anxious. This island that he had made his personal property seemed to no longer belong to him entirely. He felt that he shared it with another master to whom, for better or worse, he was subject to. Neb and he often spoke of these inexplicable things and both, by their very nature, being prone to believing in miracles, were not very far from thinking that Lincoln Island was under the influence of some supernatural power. The bad weather came on with the month of May - the November of the northern zones. It seemed that the winter would be harsh and premature. Winter activities were undertaken without delay. Besides, the colonists were well prepared to endure this winter, however hard it might be. There was no lack of felt clothing and the numerous sheep very abundantly furnished the wool needed for making this warm material. It goes without saying that Ayrton had been provided with these comfortable clothes. Cyrus Smith invited him to come and pass the bad season at Granite House where he would be better lodged than at the corral and Ayrton promised to do so as soon as the final work at the corral would be completed. This he did about mid-April. From this time on, Ayrton shared in the common life and made himself useful on every occasion; but, always humble and sad, he never took part in his companions' pleasures. During the greater part of this third winter that the colonists passed on Lincoln Island, they remained confined to Granite House. There were large storms and terrible squalls which seemed to shake the rocks from their foundations. Immense menacing tidal waves covered large parts of the islet and certainly any vessel anchored on shore would have been lost, crew and all. Twice during one of these storms, the 280 THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Mercy swelled to the point of making them fear that the bridges would not hold and it was even necessary to strengthen the ones on shore which disappeared under the layers of water when the sea beat against the beach. One would think that such windstorms, comparable to waterspouts mixed with rain and snow, would cause damage to Grand View Plateau. The mill and the poultry yard particularly suffered. The colonists often had to make urgent repairs without which the existence of the birds would have been seriously menaced. During this bad weather, several jaguars and bands of quadrumanes ventured to the edge of the plateau and it was always to be feared that the stronger and more audacious, driven by hunger, would succeed in crossing the brook which would moreover offer them easy passage when it was frozen. But for continual surveillance, plantations and domestic animals would have been destroyed without fail and they often had to fire their guns to keep these dangerous visitors at a respectable distance. There was no lack of winter activities. Without counting outdoor duties, there were always a thousand things to do at Granite House. During these severe frosts, there were several good hunts on the vast Tadorn marshes. Gideon Spilett and Herbert, aided by Top and Jup, did not waste a shot among the myriads of duck, snipe, teal, pintail and plovers. Besides, access to the game of this territory was easy and whether they took the road to Port Balloon by crossing over the Mercy bridge or if they doubled the rocks at Flotsom Point, the hunters were never far from Granite House. So passed the four months of winter which were really rigorous, that is to say June, July, August and September. But in short, Granite House did not suffer much from the bad weather and it was the same at the corral, which being less exposed than the plateau and protected in large part by Mount Franklin, only received what remained of the wind already broken up by the forests and the high rocks on shore. The damage was less significant there and Ayrton's skill and energy were sufficient to repair it promptly when he returned to pass a few days at the corral during the second half of October. During this winter, there were no new inexplicable incidents. Nothing strange occurred even though Pencroff and Neb watched for the most insignificant event to which they could ascribe a mysterious cause. Top and Jup themselves no longer prowled around the well nor gave any sign of uneasiness. There seemed to be an interruption in this series of supernatural incidents even though they often spoke of them during the evenings at Granite House and it was fully agreed that the island should be searched even in those parts most difficult to explore. But an event of the greatest gravity and whose consequences could be disastrous, momentarily distracted Cyrus Smith and his companions from their plans. It was the month of October. The fine season had returned in full measure. Nature was renewing itself under the rays of THE ABANDONED 281 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ the sun. Among the evergreen foliage of the conifers which formed the border of the woods, there already appeared the new foliage of nettle trees, banksias and deodars. It will be recalled that Gideon Spilett and Herbert had taken several photographs of Lincoln Island at various times. Now on the 17th of October, about three o'clock in the afternoon, Herbert, fascinated by the clearness of the sky, had a notion to photograph all of Union Bay facing Grand View Plateau from Mandible Cape to Cape Claw. The horizon was admirably delineated and the sea, undulating under a gentle breeze, seemed as still as the waters of a lake, broken here and there with a white spray. The objective was placed at one of the windows of the large hall in Granite House and consequently it overlooked the beach and the bay. Herbert proceeded in his usual way. After he obtained the negative, he went to fix it by means of substances which were stored in an obscure retreat in Granite House. Returning to full light, Herbert examined it carefully. He saw a small imperceptible blemish on the sea's horizon. He tried to make it disappear by washing it a few times but he did not succeed. "It is a defect in the lens," he thought. And then he had the curiosity to examine this imperfection with a strong lens that he removed from one of the telescopes. But he had barely looked at it when he uttered a cry and the negative almost fell from his hands. Running immediately to the room where Cyrus Smith was, he held out the negative and the lens to the engineer, indicating to him the small speck. Cyrus Smith examined this spot; then seizing the telescope he ran toward the window. The telescope, after slowly sweeping the horizon, finally stopped at the suspicious point and Cyrus Smith, putting it down, merely said, "a vessel." And in fact, a vessel was in sight of Lincoln Island! End of the second part THIRD PART THE SECRET OF THE ISLAND CHAPTER I Lost or saved? - Ayrton recalled - Important discussion - It is not the Duncan - Suspicious vessel - Precautions to be taken - The vessel approaches - A cannon shot - The brig anchors in sight of the island - Night comes on. In the two and a half years since the castaways of the balloon had been thrown on Lincoln Island, there had been no communication between them and their fellow men. Once the reporter had attempted to put himself in touch with the inhabited world by confiding to a bird a letter which contained the secret of their situation but this was a chance which it was impossible to take seriously. Ayrton alone, under circumstances which we know, had come to join the members of the small colony. Now, here on this very day - the 17th of October - other men appeared unexpectedly in sight of the island on this sea that was always deserted. There could be no doubt about it! A vessel was there! But would she pass out to sea or would she put into port? In several hours the colonists would evidently know what to expect. Cyrus Smith and Herbert immediately called Gideon Spilett, Pencroff and Neb into the large hall of Granite House and told them what had happened. Pencroff, seizing the telescope, rapidly scanned the horizon and stopped on the indicated point, that is to say on that which had made the imperceptible blemish on the photographic negative: "I'll be damned if it isn't really a vessel," he said in a voice that did not denote extraordinary satisfaction. "Is she coming toward us?" asked Gideon Spilett. "It's impossible to say anything yet," replied Pencroff, "because only her masts appear above the horizon and not a bit of her hull can be seen." "What should we do?" asked the lad. "Wait," replied Cyrus Smith. And during this rather long time the colonists remained silent, devoting themselves to all the thoughts, to all the emotions, to all the fears, to all the hopes that this incident could give rise to - the most serious to occur since their arrival on Lincoln Island. Certainly the colonists were not in the situation of abandoned castaways on a sterile island, who dispute their miserable existence with a cruel nature and are incessantly devoured by this need to see civilization again. Pencroff and Neb especially, who found themselves at this time so happy and so prosperous, would not have left their island without regret. Moreover, they were suited to this new life in the midst of 282 THE SECRET OF THE ISLAND 283 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ this domain that their intelligence had, so to speak, civilized! In any event this vessel brought news of the world. It was perhaps a fragment of their country coming to meet them! It brought other human beings to them and one can understand that their hearts thrilled at this prospect! From time to time, Pencroff took the telescope and positioned himself at the window. There he carefully examined the ship which was at a distance of twenty miles to the east. Thus the colonists still had no way to signal their presence. A flag would not have been perceived; an explosion would not have been heard; a fire would not be visible. However, it was certain that the island, dominated by Mount Franklin, could not escape the attention of the vessel's lookout. But why was this ship stopping here? Was it simply chance that had brought it to this part of the Pacific, where the maps only mentioned Tabor Island, which was itself outside the routes ordinarily followed by ocean going vessels from the Polynesian archipelagoes, from New Zealand and from the American coast? To this question which each one asked himself, a response was suddenly made by Herbert. "Can it be the 'Duncan'? he cried. The "Duncan", we must not forget, was Lord Glenarvan's yacht, which had abandoned Ayrton on the islet and which had the duty to return one day to find him there. Now the islet was not so far from Lincoln Island that a ship enroute to one could not pass in view of the other. Only one hundred fifty miles separated them in longitude and seventy five miles in latitude. "Let us call Ayrton," said Gideon Spilett, "and tell him immediately. He alone will be able to tell us if it is the 'Duncan'." This was everyone's opinion, and the reporter, going to the telegraphic apparatus which placed the corral and Granite House in communication, sent this telegram. "Come with all possible speed." Several moments later the bell rang. "I am coming," replied Ayrton. Then the colonists continued to watch the vessel. "If it is the 'Duncan'," said Herbert, "Ayrton will easily recognize it since he sailed on it for a while." "And if he recognizes it," Pencroff added, "it will make him very emotional!" "Yes," replied Cyrus Smith, "but now Ayrton is worthy to return on board the 'Duncan' and may Heaven grant that it is Lord Glenarvan's yacht because all other vessels would make me suspicious! These are ill used seas and I am always afraid of a visit to our island from some of these evil pirates." "We will defend it," cried Herbert. "No doubt, my child," replied the engineer smiling, "but it would be better not to have to defend it." "One simple observation," said Gideon Spilett. "Lincoln Island is unknown to navigators since it is not even noted on 284 THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ the most recent maps. Wouldn't you say, Cyrus, that it is enough of a reason for a vessel, finding itself unexpectedly in sight of a new land, to visit it rather than to run from it?" "Certainly," replied Pencroff. "I also think that," added the engineer. "One could even say that it is the duty of a captain to note and consequently to discover all lands or islands that are not already catalogued, and that is the case with Lincoln Island." "Well," Pencroff then said, "let us suppose that this vessel will land and anchor there, several cables from our island, what will we do?" This blunt question remained at first without an answer. Then, after reflection, Cyrus Smith replied with his usual calm tone: "This is what we will do, my friends, this is what we ought to do, it is this: We will communicate with the vessel, we will take passage on board, and we will leave our island after having taken possession of it in the name of the States of the Union. Then we will return here with all those who wish to follow us, to colonize it and to present to the American Republic a useful station in this part of the Pacific Ocean." "Hurrah," shouted Pencroff, "and it will be no small gift which we will make to our country! The colonization is almost completed, names have already been given to all parts of the island, it has a natural port, fresh water, roads, a telegraph line, a foundry, and a factory. Nothing has to be done except to inscribe Lincoln Island on the maps!" "But if someone takes it from us during our absence?" Gideon Spilett asked. "Damn it," cried the sailor, "I will stay here all alone to guard it and trust Pencroff, no one will steal it from me like a watch in the pocket of an idler." For an hour it was impossible to say with a certainty if the ship was or was not going directly toward Lincoln Island. It was getting closer to it but in what direction was it sailing? This Pencroff could not determine. However, since the wind was blowing from the northeast it was likely that the vessel was sailing on starboard tack. Moreover, the wind was a good one for driving her to the shores of the island and with this calm sea it need not fear to approach even though the soundings were not listed on the map. About four o'clock - a hour after he had been summoned - Ayrton arrived at Granite House. He entered the large hall and said: "At your service, gentlemen." Cyrus Smith took his hand, as was his custom, and led him to the window: "Ayrton," he said to him, "we have asked you to come for an important reason. A ship is in sight of the island." At first Ayrton paled slightly and his eyes seemed perplexed for a moment. Then he leaned outside the window and surveyed the horizon but he saw nothing. "Take this telescope," said Gideon Spilett, "and look THE SECRET OF THE ISLAND 285 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ carefully, Ayrton, because it is possible that this vessel is the 'Duncan' coming to these waters to take you home." "The 'Duncan'," murmured Ayrton. "Already!" This last word escaped Ayrton's lips involuntarily and his head fell into his hands. Did not twelve years of abandonment on a desert islet seem to him to be sufficient expiation? Could it be that the repentant criminal still did not feel pardoned neither in his own eyes nor in the eyes of others? "No," he said, "no! it cannot be the 'Duncan'." "Look, Ayrton," the engineer then said, "because it is important that we know in advance what we have to contend with." Ayrton took the telescope and pointed it in the indicated direction. For a few minutes he observed the horizon without fidgeting, without saying a word. Then: "It is a vessel in fact," he said, "but I do not believe that it is the 'Duncan'." "Why not?" asked Gideon Spilett. "Because the 'Duncan' is a steam yacht, and I do not see any trace of steam either above or near this ship." "Perhaps they are using the sails only?" noted Pencroff. "The wind is right for the direction they seem to be going in, and it would be in their interest to conserve their coal being so far from all land." "It is possible that you are right, Mister Pencroff," replied Ayrton, "and that this vessel has extinguished its fire. Let it come closer to shore and we will soon know what to expect." That said, Ayrton sat down in a corner of the large hall and remained silent. The colonists continued their discussion with respect to the unknown vessel, but Ayrton took no part in it. All found themselves in a mood that would not permit them to continue their work. Gideon Spilett and Pencroff were especially nervous, coming and going and not standing still. Herbert felt curious. Neb alone maintained his usual calm. Wasn't his country wherever his master was? As to the engineer, he remained absorbed in his thoughts and deep down he feared rather than desired the arrival of this vessel. However, the ship came a little closer to the island. With the help of the telescope they could see that it was an ocean going ship and not one of these Malayan proas that are usually used by the pirates of the Pacific. They could then allow themselves to believe that the engineer's apprehensions were not justified and that the presence of this ship in the waters of Lincoln Island did not constitute any danger. After a careful look, Pencroff thought that this vessel was rigged as a brig and that it was sailing obliquely to the coast on a starboard tack, under its lower sails, its topsails and its topgallant sails. This was confirmed by Ayrton. But if it continued in this direction, it would soon disappear behind Cape Claw because it was sailing to the southwest, and if they wanted to observe it, they must go to 286 THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Washington Bay heights near Port Balloon. This was an unfortunate circumstance because it was already five o'clock in the afternoon and twilight would soon make all observation difficult. "What shall we do when night comes?" asked Gideon Spilett. "Shall we light a fire in order to signal our presence on this shore?" It was a grave question but nevertheless it could not be resolved affirmatively because of the engineer's misgivings. During the night the vessel could disappear forever and with this vessel gone, would another ever come to Lincoln Island? Who could tell what was in store for the colonists in the future? "Yes," said the reporter, "we should let this vessel know, whatever it may be, that the island is inhabited. There will be regrets in the future if we neglect the chance that is offered to us." It was thus decided that Neb and Pencroff would go to Port Balloon and that when night came they would light a large fire to attract the attention of the ship's crew. But just as Neb and the sailor were preparing to leave Granite House, the ship changed its direction, sailing directly toward Union Bay. This brig was a fast sailer and approached rapidly. Neb and Pencroff put off their departure and the telescope was put into Ayrton's hands in order that he could say for sure whether or not this vessel was the 'Duncan'. The Scottish yacht was also rigged as a brig as was this one. The question was then to know if there was a chimney between the two masts of this ship which was then no more than ten miles away. The horizon was still very clear. The verification was easy and Ayrton soon put the telescope down saying: "It is not the 'Duncan'. It cannot be it!..." Pencroff again brought the brig within the field of view of the telescope and he saw that this brig of three to four hundred tons burden was well shaped and firmly masted. It had to be a fast sailer of the seas. But to which nation did it belong? That was difficult to say. "However," added the sailor, "a flag is flying from the truck of the mast but I cannot distinguish its colors." "In a half-hour we will know this," replied the reporter. "Besides, it is rather evident that the captain of this vessel intends to land and consequently we will make his acquaintance if not today then tomorrow at the latest." "Never mind," said Pencroff. "It is better to know whom we are dealing with and I will not be sorry to know his colors, particularly this one." And, while speaking, the sailor did not leave his telescope. Day began to fall and with the day the wind from the open sea also fell. The brig's flag, attached to the halyard, was less unfurled and it became more and more difficult to see it. "It is not the American flag," Pencroff said from time to time, "nor the English whose red could easily be seen, nor the THE SECRET OF THE ISLAND 287 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ French colors nor the German, nor the white flag of Russia, nor the yellow of Spain... One would say that it is of a uniform color... Let us see... in these seas... what does one usually find?... the Chilean flag? but it is tricolor... Brazilian? it is green... Japanese? it is black and yellow... while this one..." At that moment a breeze unfurled the unknown flag. Ayrton seized the telescope that the sailor had put down, applied it to his eye, and in a hollow voice: "The black flag," he shouted. In fact, a dark cloth unfolded from the truck of the brig's mast and now they had best assume it to be a suspicious vessel. Were the engineer's misgivings justified? Was it a pirate ship? Did it scour these lower seas of the Pacific in competition with the Malayan proas that still infested it? What were they seeking on the shores of Lincoln Island? Did they see in this ignored unknown land a hiding place for their stolen cargoes? Had they come looking for a port of refuge for the winter months? Would the colonist's honest domain be transformed into an infamous refuge - a sort of capital for the pirates of the Pacific? Instinctively these thoughts occurred to the colonists. Besides, there was no doubt about the significance to be attached to the color of the hoisted flag. It certainly was one of these scourers of the sea. This is what would have become of the 'Duncan' if the convicts had succeeded with their criminal projects. They lost no time in discussing it. "My friends," said Cyrus Smith, "perhaps this vessel only wishes to observe the shore of the island. Perhaps its crew will not land. There is a chance of that. Be it as it may, we must do everything to conceal our presence here. The windmill on Grand View Plateau is easy to recognize. Let Ayrton and Neb take down the arms. Let us also hide the windows of Granite House under thick branches. Let all fires be extinguished. Nothing must betray the presence of man on this island." "And our boat?" said Herbert. "Oh!" replied Pencroff, "she is sheltered in Port Balloon and I defy these scoundrels to find her there." The engineer's orders were immediately executed. Neb and Ayrton climbed the plateau and took the necessary measures to conceal any indications of human presence. While they were occupied with this task, their companions went to the border of Jacamar Woods and brought back a large quantity of branches and creepers which, from a distance, would look like natural foliage, to conceal the windows in the granite wall. At the same time, the munitions and the weapons were placed so they could be used at a moment's notice in case of an unexpected attack. When all these precautions had been taken: "My friends," said Cyrus Smith - and they sensed the emotion in his voice - "if these wretches attempt to seize Lincoln Island, we will defend it, is that not so?" 288 THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ "Yes, Cyrus," replied the reporter, "and if need be, we will all die to defend it." The engineer shook the hands of his companions who pressed his effusively. Ayrton alone remained in his corner, not joining the colonists. Perhaps the former convict still felt unworthy. Cyrus Smith understood what was passing in Ayrton's soul and he went to him. And you, Ayrton," he asked him, "what will you do?" "My duty," replied Ayrton. Then he stationed himself near the window and looked through the foliage. It was then seven thirty. The sun had already set about twenty minutes ago behind Granite House. Consequently the eastern horizon would become darker little by little. Nevertheless the brig continued to advance toward Union Bay. It was now not more than eight miles away and exactly opposite Grand View Plateau because, after having changed direction off Cape Claw, it had gone north taking advantage of the current produced by the rising tide. One could even say that at this distance it had already entered the vast bay because its starboard quarter was to the west of a straight line drawn from Cape Claw to Cape Mandible. Would the brig go well into the bay? That was the first question. Once in the bay, would it anchor there? That was the second. Would they merely be content to observe the shore and return to sea without landing the crew? This they would know in an hour. The colonists could only wait. Cyrus Smith had not seen the suspicious vessel unfurl its black flag without a deep anxiety. Was it not a direct menace against the work that his companions and he had accomplished so well up to that time? The pirates - there could be no doubt that such was the crew of the brig - had they already frequented this island, since they had raised their colors upon coming within sight of land? Had they been here previously, which would explain certain peculiarities that were still without explanation? Did there exist some accomplice in the still unexplored portions who was ready to enter into communication with them? Cyrus Smith did not know how to reply to all these questions that he asked himself silently; but he sensed that the colony's situation could only be gravely compromised by the arrival of this brig. Nevertheless, his companions and he had decided to resist them to the end. Were these pirates numerous and better armed than the colonists? It would be very important to know this! But how could they get this information? It was night. The new moon, carried away by the solar rays, had disappeared. A deep obscurity enveloped the island and the sea. Heavy clouds had accumulated on the horizon, allowing no light to filter through. The wind had fallen completely with the twilight. Not a branch stirred among the trees and not a wave murmured on the beach. They saw nothing of the vessel, its fires being restrained, and if it was still in view of the island, they did not even know where it was. THE SECRET OF THE ISLAND 289 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ "Well, what do you know?" Pencroff then said. "Perhaps this damn ship will have gone on its way during the night and we will no longer find it at daybreak." As if in response to the sailor's remark, a bright flash appeared at sea and a cannon resounded. The vessel was still there and it had artillery pieces on board. Six seconds elapsed between the flash and the roar. Therefore the brig was approximately a mile and a quarter from shore. And at the same time they heard the noise of chains grating through the hawse-holes. The vessel had anchored in sight of Granite House! CHAPTER II Discussions - Misgivings - Ayrton's proposition - They accept it - Ayrton and Pencroff on Grant Islet - Convicts from Norfolk - Their plans - Ayrton's heroic attempt - His return - Six against fifty. There was no longer any doubt about the pirates' intentions. They had thrown anchor a short distance from the island and it was evident that the next day, by means of their boats, they would come ashore. Cyrus Smith and his companions were ready to act but, determined as they were, they must not forget to be prudent. Perhaps their presence could still be concealed in the event that the pirates would be content to land on shore without venturing into the island's interior. Their only purpose might be to draw fresh water from the Mercy and it was not impossible that the bridge, thrown a mile and a half from the mouth, and the arrangements at the Chimneys, would escape their notice. But why this flag flying from the truck of the brig's mast? Why the firing of the cannon? Pure boasting doubtless, unless it indicated taking possession. Cyrus Smith now knew that the vessel was well armed. What did the colonists of Lincoln Island have to reply to the pirates' cannon? Merely a few guns. "Nevertheless," Cyrus Smith noted, "we are in an impregnable position here. The enemy cannot discover the opening of the passageway now that it is hidden under reeds and grass, and consequently it will be impossible for him to penetrate into Granite House." "But our plantations, our poultry yard, our corral, everything," shouted Pencroff, stamping his foot. "They can ravage everything, destroy everything in a few hours." "Everything, Pencroff," replied Cyrus Smith, "and we have no way to prevent it." "Are they numerous? That is the question," the reporter then said. "If there are only a dozen or so we will know how to stop them, but forty, fifty, more perhaps..." 290 THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ "Mister Smith," Ayrton then said, advancing toward the engineer, "will you grant me leave?" "For what, my friend?" "To go to the vessel to determine the size of her crew." "But Ayrton..." replied the engineer, hesitating, "you will risk your life..." "Why not, sir?" "That is more than your duty." "I have more than my duty to do," replied Ayrton. "You will go to the vessel with the canoe?" asked Gideon Spilett. "No, but I will swim. A man can glide between the waves while a canoe cannot." "Do you realize that the brig is a mile and a quarter from shore?" said Herbert. "I swim well, Mister Herbert." "I tell you that you will risk your life," the engineer repeated. "My life is of no value," replied Ayrton. "Mister Smith, I ask this of you as a favor. It is perhaps a way for me to gain respect for myself." "Go, Ayrton," replied the engineer, who sensed that a refusal would deeply hurt the former convict, who was now an honest man. "I will accompany you," said Pencroff. "You mistrust me?" Ayrton replied vividly. Then more humbly: "Alas!" "No, no," Cyrus Smith said, "no, Ayrton! Pencroff does not mistrust you. You misinterpret his words." "As a matter of fact," replied the sailor, "I propose to accompany Ayrton only to the islet. It is possible, though not probable, that one of these rascals has set foot there and in that case two men will not be too many for preventing him from giving the alarm. I will wait for Ayrton on the islet and he alone will go to the vessel since this is his wish." This agreed, Ayrton made preparations for his departure. His plan was audacious but it could succeed thanks to the obscurity of the night. Once he reached the ship, Ayrton could catch on either to the bob-stays or to the shroud chains. He could determine their number and perhaps overhear the intentions of the convicts. Ayrton and Pencroff, followed by their companions, descended to the beach. Ayrton undressed and rubbed himself with grease so as to lessen the effect of the water's temperature which was still cold. In fact, he might be obliged to remain in it for several hours. During this time, Pencroff and Neb went to find the canoe, moored a few hundred feet higher up on the banks of the Mercy, and when they returned, Ayrton was ready to leave. A cloak was thrown over Ayrton's shoulders and the colonists came to clasp his hand. Ayrton got into the canoe with Pencroff. THE SECRET OF THE ISLAND 291 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ It was ten thirty in the evening when the two disappeared into the darkness. Their companions went to the Chimneys to wait for them. The channel was easily crossed and the canoe reached the opposite shore of the islet. This was done cautiously in case some pirates were prowling about. But it appeared that the islet was deserted. Ayrton, followed by Pencroff, quickly crossed it, scaring off some birds nested in the cavities in the rocks; then without hesitation, he threw himself into the water and swam noiselessly in the direction of the vessel, whose recently lit lights indicated its exact position. As for Pencroff, he crouched behind a twist in the shoreline and waited for his companion's return. Ayrton swam with a vigorous stroke and glided across the sheet of water without producing the slightest quiver. His head barely emerged and his eyes were fixed on the dark mass of the brig whose lights were reflected in the water. He thought only of the task that he had promised to accomplish. He did not even consider the dangers that he ran not only on board the vessel but also in the waters which were often frequented by sharks. The current carried him and he rapidly moved away from the shore. A half-hour later Ayrton, without having been seen or heard, drew alongside the vessel and caught on to the bob-stays of the bowsprit. He took a breath, climbed the chains and reached the top of the cutwater. There several sailors' trousers were drying. He put on a pair. Then, settling down, he listened. No one was asleep on board the brig. On the contrary, they were talking, singing and laughing. And this is the talk, accompanied by oaths, overheard by Ayrton: "Our brig is a fine prize!" "The 'Speedy' sails well. It merits its name." "It can outdistance the entire navy of Norfolk." "Hurrah for its commander." "Hurrah for Bob Harvey." We can understand how Ayrton felt on hearing this fragment of conversation, when we realize that Bob Harvey was one of his former companions in Australia, an audacious sailor who had continued with his criminal activities. In the waters around Norfolk Island, Bob Harvey had seized this brig which was loaded with arms, munitions, utensils and tools of all sorts, destined for one of the Sandwich Islands. His entire gang went on board and, becoming pirates after having been convicts, they scoured the Pacific, destroying vessels and massacring their crews with more ferocity than the Malays themselves. The convicts shouted and boasted about their deeds while drinking to excess and this is what Ayrton discovered: The actual crew of the 'Speedy' was composed solely of English prisoners who had escaped from Norfolk. Now this is what Norfolk is: At 29ø 2' south latitude and 167ø 57' east longitude, to the east of Australia, there is a small island six leagues in