There were only 500 feet between the explorers and the plateau where they wanted to encamp for the night. It was almost night when the party arrived at the top of the first cone.
Now they must pitch their camp, and think of supper and sleep. The sailor built up a fireplace with huge stones. Neb and Herbert brought a load of thistles. The night was beautiful and not very dark. Cyrus decided to go further and Herbert accompanied him. Sometimes the plateau was wide and easy, sometimes very encumbered with rubbish. There were yet 1,000 feet to climb.
It was nearly 8 oclock when they reached the summit of the cone. They hardly saw around them. Was the land an island or a continent? At one point of the horizon suddenly appeared a vague light. The line of the horizon was now cloudless, and as the moon touched it. The engineer seized the boys hand.
An island! said he.
Chapter XI
Then they walked back to the camp. The country is an island, and tomorrow they will consider what to do.
The next day, March 30, after breakfast, they started out for the summit of the volcano. All desired to see the isle. It was about 7 oclock in the morning when they left the camp.
It was a superb day, and the southern side of the mountain was sunny. The crater was a huge shaft gradually opening to a height of 1,000 feet above the plateau. They saw on the way traces of ancient lava. At 8 oclock, they were standing at the summit of the crater.
The sea! the sea everywhere! was their exclamation.
Yes, water around them on every side. Around the island stretched an ocean. They were silent and motionless. Spilett asked:
How large is this island?
Small enough in the midst of the infinite ocean.
My friends, said Smith, I think, the coast of the island is more than 100 miles around.
If Smith was right, the island was about the size of Malta[22]. The eastern coast was a curve, it was embracing a large bay. On the northeast, two other capes shut in the bay. Between them lay a narrow gulf. From northeast to northwest the coast was round and flat. Then came a hump, whose centre was occupied by the volcanic mountain. From this point the coast ran directly north and south. For two-thirds[23] of its length it was bordered by a narrow creek; then it finished in a long cue. The narrowest part of the island, between the Chimneys and the creek, on the west, was ten miles wide.
The southern part, from the shore to the mountain, was covered with woods. The northern part was arid and sandy. Between the volcano and the eastern coast there was a lake.
So, it is a fresh water lake? asked Pencroff.
Yes, of course, said the engineer.
I see a little river there, said Herbert. He pointed to a narrow brook.
The volcano did not occupy the centre of the island. It rose in the northwest.
They remained at the summit of the mountain for an hour. It was the island, but was the island inhabited? They did not perceive the handiwork of man; no settlement on the beach, no fishermans hut. No smoke.
The exploration of the island was finished. They drew a map of it, and calculated its size. They wanted now to examine the animal, vegetable, and mineral resources of the country. But before the departure, Cyrus Smith addressed his companions.
Look, my friends, upon this little corner of the earth. Here, perhaps, we may long dwell.
Mr. Smith, said the sailor, we will make a little America here. We will build cities, railroads, telegraphs. We will be not castaways, but colonists!
One minute, my friends, said the engineer; lets name the island, the capes, promontories, and water-courses.
Yes, said Smith, for instance, let us call the great bay to the east Union Bay[24], the southern indentation Washington Bay[25], the mountain on which we are standing Mount Franklin[26], the lake beneath our feet Lake Grant[27].
Spilett put down the names over the proper places, and the geographical nomenclature of the island was complete.
Now, said the reporter, I propose to give the name of Serpentine Peninsula[28], and to call the twisted curve at the termination of it Reptile End[29]. It is just like a snakes tail.
And the other extremity of the island, said Herbert, the gulf is like a pair of jaws, let us call it Shark Gulf[30].
Good, said Pencroff, and we may
call the two capes North Mandible[31] and South Mandible[32]. Now we must name the southwestern extremity of the island.
Claw Cape[33], suggested Neb.
The river with fresh water they called the Mercy[34]. The islet on which they first arrived, was Safety Island[35]; the plateau at the top of the high granite wall above the Chimneys, Prospect Plateau[36]. And, finally, the woods which covered Serpentine Peninsula, the Forests of the Far West[37].
The colonists were going to descend the mountain, when Pencroff cried:
We forgot to name our island!
Cyrus Smith said quietly:
Let us call it Lincoln Island[38]!
Chapter XII
The colonists of Lincoln Island walked around the verge of the crater. Half an hour afterwards they were again upon the lower plateau. Pencroff thought it was breakfast time.
As they were leaving the plateau, Smith wished to explore Lake Grant. About 10 oclock the little company descended the last declivities of Mount Franklin. A few bushes and trees were scattered over the ground. They were walking on a yellowish soil. Suddenly they saw Herbert, he was running back.
Whats the matter, my boy? said Spilett.
Smoke, answered Herbert. We saw smoke, a hundred steps in front.
Men in this region! cried the reporter.
Where is Top? answered Smith.
Top is on ahead.
And did it bark?
No.
That is strange.
They saw, indeed, some smoke.
You see, said Smith, It is nothing but a sulphur spring[39], it is good for our sore throats.
The colonists walked towards the smoke. They beheld a spring of sulphate of soda, which flowed among the rocks. Smith dipped his hand into the spring and found it oily.
The colonists walked towards the thick border of the forest. There they saw a brook with bright waters between high, reddish banks. Its color showed the presence of oxide of iron. They named the water course Red Creek[40]. It was a large mountain brook, deep and clear. Its water was fresh.
They saw some mountain pheasants. Some crows and magpies flew about. The colonists had nothing but stones and sticks. Suddenly some kangaroos leaped away through the underbrush.
Can you eat them? said Pencroff.
They make a delicious stew, said the reporter.
The sailor with Neb and Herbert rushed after the kangaroos. Soon they came back.
You see, Mr. Smith, said Pencroff, we need guns. Will it be possible to make them?
Perhaps, replied the engineer; but first we will make bows and arrows.
Top rushed hither and thither. About 3 oclock Top disappeared into the bushes, from which came grunts and growls. Neb rushed in. Top was greedily devouring an animal. It was an agouti[41], an American hare with long ears.
Hurrah! cried Pencroff, the roast is here; now we can go back to the house.
The lake appeared before them. They were now on its left bank, and a picturesque region opened to their view. The smooth sheet of water, about seven miles in circumference and 250 acres in extent. It lay among the trees. To the north the curve of the lake was concave. The waters of the lake were fresh and limpid, somewhat dark, and were evidently full of fish.
How beautiful this lake is! said Spilett. We can live on its banks.
We will live there! answered Smith.
The colonists went down. After a two miles walk they came upon the thick turf of the plateau, and saw before them the infinite ocean. It was now half past 4. The party reached the Chimneys by the left bank of the Mercy. Then the fire was lighted, and Neb and Pencroff broiled the agouti. Smith drew from his pocket some minerals, and said quietly,