The storm began. Furious wind passed over the coast from the southeast. At 8 oclock Neb did not return. The birds were all they had for supper. Pencroff and Herbert devoured them. Then each one retired to their corners, and Herbert was soon asleep.
It was about 2 oclock when Pencroff suddenly woke up. The reporter was shaking him.
Whats the matter? Pencroff cried.
Listen, Pencroff, listen!
It is the wind, the sailor said.
No, answered Spilett, listen again! I think I heard
What?
The barking of a dog![19]
Impossible! answered the sailor.
Wait and listen, said the reporter.
It is Top! It is Top! cried Herbert, and they rushed to the entrance of the Chimneys. The darkness was absolute. The sea, the sky, and the earth were black. Then again, in the hush of the storm, they heard the barking of a dog.
It was indeed Top. But he was alone! Neither his master nor Neb accompanied him. The dog came to the Chimneys. Herbert drew the dog towards him.
Top will guide us to its master! said Herbert.
The tempest was terrible. It was difficult to follow a straight course. The reporter and the lad walked behind the dog, and the sailor followed after.
Probably, Neb found his master and sent the faithful dog to them. But is the engineer dead?
Saved! He is saved! Isnt he, Top? repeated the boy. And the dog barked.
The wind was dry and cold. They followed Top. At 5 oclock the sailor and his companions were six miles from the Chimneys. Top ran ahead, returned, and ran again.
Five minutes after the reporter and his companions reached a hollow, before which Top stopped with a loud bark. The men entered the cave. Neb was there, he was kneeling beside a body upon a bed of grass. It was the body of Cyrus Smith.
Chapter VIII
Neb did not move.
Is he alive? the sailor cried.
Neb did not answer. Herbert did not move. The reporter knelt down beside the motionless body, and pressed his ear to the chest of the engineer. Gideon Spilett rose up.
He is alive! he said.
Pencroff knelt down beside Cyrus Smith; he also detected the heartbeat. Herbert brought water. He found a brook; so the lad soaked his handkerchief in the stream. The drops of fresh water produced an instantaneous effect. A sigh escaped from the breast of Smith.
We will save him, said the reporter.
Neb removed the clothing from his master. Neither on his head nor body nor limbs was there a bruise or even a scratch. That was astonishing.
I thought he was dead, said Neb. And I wanted to die near my master.
Then Neb told them everything. Neb followed along the coast to the north, until he reached that part of the beach. There he searched the shore, the rocks, and the sand for any marks. He did not hope to find his master. Then he decided to continue some miles further up the coast.
I followed the shore two miles further, and yesterday evening, about 5 oclock, I discovered footprints upon the sand.
Did they begin at the water? demanded the reporter.
No, answered Neb, above high-water mark. They went towards the downs. I followed them for a quarter of an hour. Then I heard a dog. It was Top. Top brought me here, to my master.
So you, Neb, said the reporter, did not bring your master to this place?
No, it was not I, answered Neb.
It was a real mystery. But they had carry Cyrus Smith to the Chimneys as soon as possible and they had no time to solve the mystery.
Soon the engineer opened his eyes.
My master! my master! cried Neb.
The engineer heard him. He recognized Neb and his companions.
Is it an island or a continent? he murmured.
What is the difference? cried Pencroff, you are alive! Island or continent? We will see that later.
The engineer closed his eyes. Pencroff and his companions constructed a stretcher[20], which they covered with leaves and grass. It was 10 oclock when three men returned to Smith and Spilett.
The engineer woke from his sleep. The color came back to his lips. He raised himself slightly.
Well, said the sailor, Mr. Smith, your stretcher is ready, and we will carry you to our house.
Thanks, my friend, replied the engineer. in an hour or two we will go. Did you find me on the beach?
No, replied the reporter.
And it was not you who brought me to this hollow?
No.
How far is this place from the reef?
Half a mile, replied Pencroff, and we are very surprised to find you here. Do you remember what happened after you were washed away?
Cyrus Smith remembered little. The wave swept him from the net of the balloon. Then Top sprang to him. Smith found himself in the midst of the tumultuous sea, more than half a mile from shore. He was swimming; but a strong current seized him. It carried him to the north, and soon he sank into the abyss. From that moment he remembered nothing.
Its strange, said the reporter. Did anyone rescue you from the waves?
I dont know.
The rain stopped. At half past 5 the little party reached the Chimneys.
Chapter IX
The engineer was sleeping. They carried Cyrus Smith into the main corridor and made a couch of seaweeds for him.
The next day, the 28th of March, when the engineer awoke, about 8 oclock, he saw his companions beside him. His first words were,
Island or continent?
Mr. Smith, answered Pencroff, we dont know. But we will, when you guide us in this country.
I think that I am able to do that now, answered the engineer. When you were carrying me here yesterday, did not I see a mountain in the west?
Yes, said Spilett, a high mountain.
All right, exclaimed the engineer. Tomorrow we will climb to its summit and determine whether this is an island or a continent.
But, asked Spilett, where are we, Cyrus?
I cannot say, replied the engineer, we are somewhere in the Pacific. We will know how to act when we ascend the mountain.
But will you be able, Mr. Smith, to make the climb tomorrow? asked Herbert.
I hope so, answered the engineer.
Chapter X
Soon Smith recovered his strength. They had a pleasant supper. The engineer said little; he was planning for the next day. After supper, the party lay down to sleep. In the morning they were fresh and eager for the expedition.
Everything was ready. At half past 7 they left the Chimneys, each had a stout cudgel. Pencroff recommended to take the route of the previous day, which was the shortest way to the mountain. They turned the southern angle, and followed the left bank of the river. They took the path under the evergreens, and soon reached the northern border of the forest. The soil was flat and swampy, then dry and sandy. Among the trees appeared a few animals. The engineer was going to the top of the mountain.
The mountain was composed of two cones. The first was truncated about 2,500 feet up, and supported by fantastic spurs. Between these spurs were narrow valleys.
On the first cone lay the second one. It was slightly rounded towards the summit. The goal of the expedition was to reach the top of this cone.
We are in a volcanic country, said Cyrus Smith, as they began to climb.
They were gradually going up. At noon, the little company stopped to dine. They were still half way from the first plateau. They could hardly reach it before nightfall. From this point the sea was beneath their feet. On the left they saw directly north for several miles; but they could not see far to the northwest.
At 1 oclock, the ascent[21] began again. The easiest route slanted upwards towards the southwest, through the thick copse. The climbers reached a terrace, its soil was volcanic. From hence, their course was a zigzag towards the east. Neb and Herbert led the way.
They saw large animals, with thick horns and woolly fleece. As the ascension continued, the traces of lava were more frequent. As they neared the first plateau, the ascent became very difficult. By 4 oclock they passed the last belt of trees. It was a pleasant, mild day. The sky was bright and clear.