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, surrounded by evergreens.
– So, it is a fresh water lake? – asked Pencroff.
– Yes, of course, – said the engineer.
– I can see a little river there, – said Herbert. He was pointing to a narrow brook.
The volcano did not occupy the centre of the island. It rose in the northwest. On the southwest, south, and southeast, the beginnings of the spurs were lost in masses of verdure.
They remained for an hour at the summit of the mountain. The island lay stretched before them. They understood the configuration of the entire island, but there remained a great question: was the island inhabited? It was the reporter who put this question. Nowhere could they perceive the handiwork of man; no late settlement on the beach, not even a lonely cabin or a fisherman’s hut. No smoke.
The exploration of the island was finished. They drew a map of it, and calculated its size. They wanted now to descend the declivities of the mountain, and to examine into the animal, vegetable, and mineral resources of the country. But before the departure, Cyrus Smith, in a calm, grave voice, 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, lay railroads, establish telegraphs. We will be not castaways, but colonists. Well, let’s start!
– One minute, my friends, – said the engineer; – let’s 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[33] , the southern indentation Washington Bay[34] , the mountain on which we are standing Mount Franklin[35] , the lake beneath our feet Lake Grant[36] . These names will recall our country and its great citizens. What will you say, my friends?
The engineer’s proposal was unanimously applauded. Spilett put down the names over the proper places, and the geographical nomenclature of the island was complete.
– Now, – said the reporter, – to that peninsula projecting from the southwest I propose to give the name of Serpentine Peninsula[37] , and to call the twisted curve at the termination of it Reptile End [38] . It is just like a snake’s tail.
– And the other extremity of the island, – said Herbert, – the gulf is like a pair of jaws, let us call it Shark Gulf[39] .
– Good enough, – said Pencroff, – and we may call the two capes North Mandible[40] and South Mandible[41] . Now we must name the southwestern extremity of the island.
– Claw Cape[42] , – suggested Neb.
The river with fresh water they called the Mercy[43] . The islet on which they first arrived, was Safety Island[44] ; the plateau at the top of the high granite wall above the Chimneys, from which the whole sweep of the bay was visible, Prospect Plateau [45] . And, finally, that mass of impenetrable woods which covered Serpentine Peninsula, the Forests of the Far West[46] .
The colonists were going to descend the mountain, when Pencroff cried:
– Why, what idiots we are!
– Why so? – said Spilett, who had closed his note-book.
– We have forgotten to name our island!
Cyrus Smith said quietly:
– Let us give it the name of a great citizen, my friends, of the defender of American unity! Let us call it Lincoln Island[47] !
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 proposed to his companions to take a new road back to the Chimneys. He wished to explore Lake Grant. The colonists used only the names which they invented, and found that they could express themselves much more easily. Herbert and Pencroff were delighted, and the sailor said as they walked along:
– Well, Herbert, this is jolly! We can’t lose ourselves now, my boy, since, whether we follow Lake Grant or get to the Mercy through the woods of the Far West, we must come to Prospect Plateau, and so to Union Bay.
Pencroff, Herbert, and Neb walked in front, preceded by Top, who poked his nose into every corner. The reporter and engineer walked together. The reporter was ready to note down every incident, the engineer seldom spoke, and was picking up sometimes one thing, sometimes another, vegetable or mineral, which he put in his pocket.
About 10 o’clock 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, which extended to the border of the wood. Suddenly they saw Herbert, he was running back.
– What’s the matter, my boy? – said Spilett.
– Smoke, – answered Herbert. – We saw smoke, it was ascending from among the rocks, a hundred steps in front.
– Men in this region! – cried the reporter.
– We must not show ourselves till we know with whom we have to deal, – answered Smith. Where is Top?
– Top is on ahead.
– And did it bark?
– No.
– That is strange. Still, let us try to call him back.
In a few moments the three rejoined their companions. They saw, very evidently, a yellowish smoke. Top was recalled by a low whistle from his master.
– Nature is responsible for that smoke, – said Smith, – It is nothing but a sulphur spring[48] , which will be good for our sore throats.
– Good! – said Pencroff; – what a pity that I haven’t got a cold!
The colonists walked towards the smoke. There they beheld a spring of sulphate of soda, which flowed in currents among the rocks, and whose waters, absorbing the oxygen of the air, gave off a lively odor. Smith dipped his hand into the spring and found it oily.
The colonists walked towards the thick border of the forest, a few hundred paces distant. There they saw a brook with bright limpid waters between high, reddish banks. Its color showed the presence of oxide of iron. They named the water course Red Creek[49] . It was a large mountain brook, deep and clear. It was a mile and a half long; its breadth varied from thirty to forty feet. Its water was fresh.
Happily, there was neither wild beast nor savage native, but merely mountain pheasants. Some crows and magpies flew about. The colonists had nothing but stones and sticks, very insufficient weapons. Suddenly a troop of quadrupeds[50] leaped away through the underbrush.
– Kangaroos! – cried Herbert.
– Can you eat them? – said Pencroff.
– They make a delicious stew, – said the reporter.
The sailor with Neb and Herbert rushed after the kangaroos. Smith tried in vain to recall them. After five minutes’ chase, 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.
– Bows and arrows! – said Pencroff. – They are for children!
– Don’t be so proud, my friend, – said the reporter. – Bows and arrows were sufficient for many centuries for the warfare of mankind. Powder is an invention of yesterday.
– That’s true, Mr. Spilett, – said the sailor. – I always speak before I think. Forgive me.
Top rushed hither and thither. About 3 o’clock Top disappeared into the rushes, from which came grunts and growls. Neb rushed in. Top was greedily devouring an animal. Neb reappeared in triumph with a rodent in each hand. They were a sort of agouti[51] , American hares with long ears.
– Hurrah! – cried Pencroff, – the roast is here; now we can go back to the house.
As the party emerged from a massive thicket of fine trees, the lake suddenly 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. Towards the east, appeared a shining horizon of sea. To the north the curve of the lake was concave. Numerous aquatic birds frequented the banks of this lake. The waters of the lake were fresh and limpid, somewhat dark, and were evidently full of fish.