<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN>
<h2><big>ABANDONED</big><br/> BY JULES VERNE</h2>
<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</SPAN></span></p>
<h2>INTRODUCTION</h2>
<p>The present romance, the second in the Mysterious Island triad, was
originally issued in Paris with the title of <i>L'Abandonné</i>. Jules
Verne's list of stories already ran then to some twenty volumes—a
number which has since grown to almost Dumasien proportions.
<i>L'Abandonné</i>, like its two companion tales, ran its course as a serial
through the <i>Magasin Illustré</i> of education and recreation, before its
issue as a boy's story-book. Its success in both forms seems to have
established a record in the race for popularity and a circulation in
both the French and English fields of current literature. The present
book was translated into English by the late W. H. G. Kingston; and is
printed in <span class="smcap">Everyman's Library</span> by special exclusive arrangement with
Messrs. Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd.</p>
<p class="salute">1909</p>
<hr style='width: 45%;' />
<p>The list of tales and favourite romances by Jules Verne includes the
following:—</p>
<div class="blockquot"><p>Five Weeks in a Balloon, 1870; A Journey to the Centre of the Earth,
translated by J. V., 1872; tr. F. A. Malleson, 1876; Twenty Thousand
Leagues under the Sea, 1873; tr. H. Frith, 1876; From the Earth to
the Moon, and a Trip Round it, tr. Q. Mercier and E. G. King, 1873;
The English at the North Pole, 1873; Meridiana: Adventures of Three
English and Three Russians, 1873; Dr. Ox's Experiment and other
Stories, 1874; A Floating City, 1874; The Blockade Runners, 1874;
Around the World in Eighty Days, tr. G. M. Towle and N. D'Anvers,
1874, 1876; tr. H. Frith, 1879; The Fur Country, or Seventy Degrees
North Latitude, tr. N. D'Anvers, 1874; tr H. Frith, 1879; The
Mysterious Island, tr. W. H. G. Kingston, 1875; The Survivors of the
<i>Chancellor</i>: Diary of J. R. Kazallon, tr E. Frewer, 1875; Martin
Paz, tr. E. Frewer, 1876; Field of Ice, 1876; Child of the Cavern,
tr. W. H. G. Kingston, 1877, Michael Strogoff, tr. W. H. G. Kingston,
1877; A Voyage Round the World, 1877; Hector Senvadac, tr. E.
Frewer, 1878; Dick Sands, the Boy Captain, tr. E. Frewer, 1879;
Celebrated Travels and Travellers: The Great Navigators of the
Eighteenth Century, tr. Dora Leigh, N. D'Anvers, etc., 1879-81; Tribulations
<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</SPAN></span>
of a Chinaman, tr. E. Frewer, 1880; The Begum's
Fortune, tr. W. H. G. Kingston, 1880; The Steam House, tr. A. D.
Kingston, 1881; The Giant Raft, W. J. Gordon, 1881; Godfrey Morgan,
1883; The Green Ray, tr. M. de Hauteville, 1883; The Vanished
Diamond, 1885; The Archipelago on Fire, 1886; Mathias Sandorf, 1886;
Kérabân the Inflexible, 1887; The Lottery Ticket, 1887; Clipper of
the Clouds, 1887; The Flight to France, or Memoirs of a Dragoon,
1888; North against South: Story of the American Civil War, 1888;
Adrift in the Pacific, 1889; Cesar Cacabel, 1891; The Purchase of
the North Pole, 1891; A Family without a Name, 1891; Mistress
Branican, 1892; Claudius Bombarnac, 1894; Foundling Mick, 1895;
Clovis Dardentor, 1897; For the Flag, tr. Mrs. C. Hoey, 1897; An
Antarctic Mystery, 1898.</p>
<p>Jules Verne's works are published in an authorised and illustrated
edition by Messrs. Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd.</p>
</div>
<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg ix]</span></p>
<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
<table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" summary="Table of Contents">
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td align="right"><small>PAGE</small></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center"><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet—Construction of a
Canoe—Hunting—At the Top of a Kauri—Nothing to
attest the Presence of Man—Neb and Herbert's Prize—Turning
a Turtle—The Turtle disappears—Cyrus Harding's Explanation</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_15">1</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center"><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>First Trial of the Canoe—A Wreck on the Coast—Towing—Flotsam
Point—Inventory of the Case: Tools, Weapons,
Instruments, Clothes, Books, Utensils—What Pencroft
misses—The Gospel—A Verse from the Sacred Book</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_25">11</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center"><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>The Start—The rising Tide—Elms and different Plants—The
Jacamar—Aspect of the Forest—Gigantic Eucalypti—The
Reason they are called "Fever Trees"—Troops of Monkeys—A
Waterfall—The Night Encampment</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_37">23</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center"><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Journey to the Coast—Troops of Monkeys—A new River—The
Reason the Tide was not felt—A woody Shore—ReptilePromontory—Herbert
envies Gideon Spilett—Explosion of Bamboos</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_48">34</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center"><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Proposal to return by the Southern Shore—Configuration of the
Coast—Searching for the supposed Wreck—A Wreck in the
Air—Discovery of a small Natural Port—At Midnight on
the Banks of the Mercy—The Canoe Adrift</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_59">45</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center"><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI</SPAN><span class="pagenum">[Pg x]</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pencroft's Halloos—A Night in the Chimneys—Herbert's Arrows—The
Captain's Project—An unexpected Explanation—What
has happened in Granite House—How a new Servant
enters the Service of the Colonists</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_72">58</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center"><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Plans—A Bridge over the Mercy—Mode adopted for making an
Island of Prospect Heights—The Drawbridge—Harvest—The
Stream—The Poultry-yard—A Pigeon-house—The two
Onagas—The Cart—Excursion to Port Balloon</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_84">70</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center"><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Linen—Shoes of Seal-leather—Manufacture of Pyroxyle—Gardening
—Fishing—Turtle-eggs—Improvement of Master
Jup—The Corral—Musmon Hunt—New Animal and Vegetable
Possessions—Recollections of their Native Land</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_95">81</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center"><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bad Weather—The Hydraulic Lift—Manufacture of Glass-ware—The
Bread-tree—Frequent Visits to the Corral—Increase of
the Flock—The Reporter's Question—Exact Position of
Lincoln Island—Pencroft's Proposal</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_106">92</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center"><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Boat-building—Second Crop of Corn—Hunting Koalas—A new
Plant, more Pleasant than Useful—Whale in Sight—A
Harpoon from the Vineyard—Cutting up the Whale—Use
for the Bones—End of the Month of May—Pencroft has
nothing left to wish for</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_117">103</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center"><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Winter—Felling Wood—The Mill—Pencroft's fixed Idea—The
Bones—To what Use an Albatross may be put—Fuel for
the Future—Top and Jup—Storms—Damage to the Poultry-yard—Excursion
to the Marsh—Cyrus Harding alone—Exploring
the Well</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_128">114</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center"><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII</SPAN><span class="pagenum">[Pg xi]</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>The Rigging of the Vessel—An Attack from Foxes—Jup wounded—Jup
cured—Completion of the Boat—Pencroft's Triumph—The
<i>Bonadventure's</i> trial Trip to the South of the Island—An
unexpected Document</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_141">127</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center"><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Departure decided upon—Conjectures—Preparations—The three
Passengers—First Night—Second Night—Tabor Island—Searching
the Shore—Searching the Wood—No one—Animals—Plants—A
Dwelling—Deserted</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_156">142</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center"><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>The Inventory—Night—A few Letters—Continuation of the
Search—Plants and Animals—Herbert in great Danger—On
Board—The Departure—Bad Weather—A Gleam of Reason—Lost
on the Sea—A timely Light</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_168">154</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center"><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>The Return—Discussion—Cyrus Harding and the Stranger—Port
Balloon—The Engineer's Devotion—A touching
Incident—Tears flow</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_180">166</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center"><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>A Mystery to be cleared up—The Stranger's first Words—Twelve
Years on the Islet—Avowal which escapes him—The
Disappearance—Cyrus Harding's Confidence—Construction
of a Mill—The first Bread—An Act of Devotion—Honest Hands</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_190">176</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center"><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Still alone—The Stranger's Request—The Farm established at
the Corral—Twelve Years ago—The Boatswain's Mate of
the <i>Britannia</i>—Left on Tabor Island—Cyrus Harding's
Hand—The mysterious Document</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_205">191</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center"><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII</SPAN><span class="pagenum">[Pg xii]</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Conversation—Cyrus Harding and Gideon Spilett—An Idea of
the Engineer's—The Electric Telegraph—The Wires—The
Battery—The Alphabet—Fine Season—Prosperity of the
Colony—Photography—An Appearance of Snow—Two
Years on Lincoln Island</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_217">203</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center"><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Recollections of their Native Land—Probable Future—Project
for surveying the Coasts of the Island—Departure on the
16th of April—Sea-view of Reptile End—The basaltic Rocks
of the Western Coast—Bad Weather—Night comes on—New Incident</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_230">216</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center"><SPAN href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>A Night at Sea—Shark Gulf—Confidences—Preparations for
Winter—Forwardness of the Bad Season—Severe Cold—Work
in the Interior—In Six Months—A Photographic
Negative—Unexpected Incident</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_240">226</SPAN></td>
</tr>
</table>
<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg xiii]</span></p>
<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2>
<div class='center'>
<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS">
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban010.jpg">TURNING A TURTLE</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_23">9</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban013.jpg">FLOTSAM AND JETSAM</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_29">15</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban014.jpg">UNPACKING THE MARVELLOUS CHEST</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_31">17</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban016.jpg">PENCROFT'S SUPERSTITION</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_35">21</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban019.jpg">IS IT TOBACCO?</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_41">27</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban020.jpg">THE HALT FOR BREAKFAST</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_43">29</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban024.jpg">DENIZENS OF THE FOREST</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_51">37</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban025.jpg">THE SEA</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_53">39</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban027.jpg">AT THAT MOMENT A SHOT STRUCK THE JAGUAR BETWEEN THE EYES AND IT FELL DEAD</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_57">43</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban031.jpg">"NOW THERE'S SOMETHING TO EXPLAIN THE BULLET!" EXCLAIMED PENCROFT</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_65">51</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban032.jpg">A WRECK IN THE AIR</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_67">53</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban034.jpg">THERE WAS NO LONGER A LADDER!</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_71">57</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban037.jpg">THE INVADERS OF GRANITE HOUSE</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_77">63</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban039.jpg">CAPTURING THE ORANG</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_81">67</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban040.jpg">ENGAGING THE NEW SERVANT</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_83">69</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban042.jpg">BUILDING THE BRIDGE</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_87">73</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban044.jpg">PENCROFT'S SCARECROWS</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_91">77</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban047.jpg">THE SETTLERS' NEW SHIRTS</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_97">83</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban049.jpg">JUP PASSED MOST OF HIS TIME IN THE KITCHEN, TRYING TO IMITATE NEB</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_101">87</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban052.jpg">PENCROFT TO THE RESCUE</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_107">93</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban054.jpg">THE GLASS-BLOWERS</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_111">97</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban056.jpg">THE VERANDAH ON THE EDGE OF PROSPECT HEIGHTS</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_115">101</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban058.jpg">THE DOCKYARD</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_119">105</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban060.jpg">A VALUABLE PRIZE</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_123">109</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban062.jpg">PENCROFT HAS NOTHING LEFT TO WISH FOR</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_127">113</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban065.jpg">THE MESSENGER</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_133">119</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban066.jpg">WINTER EVENINGS IN GRANITE HOUSE</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_135">121</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban068.jpg">HE SAW NOTHING SUSPICIOUS</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_139">125</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban072.jpg">TOP VISITING THE INVALID</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_147">133</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban074.jpg">THE TRIAL TRIP</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_151">137</SPAN><span class="pagenum">[Pg xiv]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban076.jpg">"LUFF, PENCROFT, LUFF!"</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_155">141</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban078.jpg">THE DEPARTURE</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_159">145</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban080.jpg">NEARING THE ISLAND</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_163">149</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban082.jpg">A HUT!</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_167">153</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban085.jpg">HERBERT IN DANGER</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_173">159</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban088.jpg">A LIGHT! A LIGHT!</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_179">165</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban090.jpg">"POOR FELLOW," MURMURED THE ENGINEER</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_183">169</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban093.jpg">THE EXPERIMENT</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_189">175</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban094.jpg">"WHO ARE YOU?" HE ASKED IN A HOLLOW VOICE</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_191">177</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban095.jpg">THE STRANGER</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_193">179</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban099.jpg">NOW FOR A GOOD WIND</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_201">187</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban100.jpg">HE SEIZED THE JAGUAR'S THROAT WITH ONE POWERFUL HAND</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_203">189</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban103.jpg">THE STRANGER'S STORY</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_209">195</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban106.jpg">"HERE IS MY HAND," SAID THE ENGINEER</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_215">201</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban110.jpg">THE ENGINEER AT WORK</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_223">209</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban112.jpg">JUP SITTING FOR HIS PORTRAIT</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_227">213</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban113.jpg">THE SNOWY SHEET AROSE AND DISPERSED IN THE AIR</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_229">215</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban118.jpg">ANOTHER MYSTERY</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_239">225</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban122.jpg">RETURNING FROM A SPORTING EXCURSION</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_247">233</SPAN></td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'><SPAN href="./images/aban123.jpg">THE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEGATIVE</SPAN></td><td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_249">235</SPAN></td></tr>
</table></div>
<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<h1>THE ABANDONED</h1>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 1]</SPAN></span></p>
<h2><SPAN name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></SPAN>CHAPTER I</h2>
<div class="blockquot"><p>Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet—Construction of a
Canoe—Hunting—At the Top of a Kauri—Nothing to attest the
Presence of Man—Neb and Herbert's Prize—Turning a Turtle—The
Turtle disappears—Cyrus Harding's Explanation.</p>
</div>
<p>It was now exactly seven months since the balloon voyagers had been
thrown on Lincoln Island. During that time, notwithstanding the
researches they had made, no human being had been discovered. No smoke
even had betrayed the presence of man on the surface of the island. No
vestiges of his handiwork showed that either at an early or at a late
period had man lived there. Not only did it now appear to be uninhabited
by any but themselves, but the colonists were compelled to believe that
it never had been inhabited. And now, all this scaffolding of reasonings
fell before a simple ball of metal, found in the body of an inoffensive
rodent! In fact, this bullet must have issued from a firearm, and who
but a human being could have used such a weapon?</p>
<p>When Pencroft had placed the bullet on the table, his companions looked
at it with intense astonishment. All the consequences likely to result
from this incident, notwithstanding its apparent insignificance,
immediately took possession of their minds. The sudden apparition of a
supernatural being could not have startled them more completely.</p>
<p>Cyrus Harding did not hesitate to give utterance to the suggestions
which this fact, at once surprising and unexpected, could not fail to
raise in his mind. He took the bullet, turned it over and over, rolled
it between his finger and thumb; then, turning to Pencroft, he asked,—</p>
<p>"Are you sure that the peccary wounded by this bullet was not more than
three months old?"<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 2]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>"Not more, captain," replied Pencroft. "It was still sucking its mother
when I found it in the trap."</p>
<p>"Well," said the engineer, "that proves that within three months a
gun-shot was fired in Lincoln Island."</p>
<p>"And that a bullet," added Gideon Spilett, "wounded, though not
mortally, this little animal."</p>
<p>"That is unquestionable," said Cyrus Harding, "and these are the
deductions which must be drawn from this incident: that the island was
inhabited before our arrival, or that men have landed here within three
months. Did these men arrive here voluntarily or involuntarily, by
disembarking on the shore or by being wrecked? This point can only be
cleared up later. As to what they were, Europeans or Malays, enemies or
friends of our race, we cannot possibly guess; and if they still inhabit
the island, or if they have left it, we know not. But these questions
are of too much importance to be allowed to remain long unsettled."</p>
<p>"No! a hundred times no! a thousand times no!" cried the sailor,
springing up from the table. "There are no other men than ourselves on
Lincoln Island! By my faith! The island isn't large, and if it had been
inhabited, we should have seen some of the inhabitants long before
this!"</p>
<p>"In fact, the contrary would be very astonishing," said Herbert.</p>
<p>"But it would be much more astonishing, I should think," observed the
reporter, "that this peccary should have been born with a bullet in its
inside!"</p>
<p>"At least," said Neb seriously, "if Pencroft has not had—"</p>
<p>"Look here, Neb," burst out Pencroft. "Do you think I could have a
bullet in my jaw for five or six months without finding it out? Where
could it be hidden?" he asked opening his mouth to show the
two-and-thirty teeth with which it was furnished. "Look well, Neb, and
if you find one hollow tooth in this set, I will let you pull out half a
dozen!"</p>
<p>"Neb's supposition is certainly inadmissible," replied Harding, who,
notwithstanding the gravity of his thoughts, could not restrain a smile.
"It is certain that a gun has been fired in the island, within three
months at most. But<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 3]</SPAN></span> I am inclined to think that the people who landed
on this coast were only here a very short time ago, or that they just
touched here; for if, when we surveyed the island from the summit of
Mount Franklin, it had been inhabited, we should have seen them or we
should have been seen ourselves. It is therefore probable that within
only a few weeks castaways have been thrown by a storm on some part of
the coast. However that may be, it is of consequence to us to have this
point settled."</p>
<p>"I think that we should act with caution," said the reporter.</p>
<p>"Such is my advice," replied Cyrus Harding, "for it is to be feared that
Malay pirates have landed on the island!"</p>
<p>"Captain," asked the sailor, "would it not be a good plan, before
setting out, to build a canoe in which we could either ascend the river,
or, if we liked, coast round the island? It will not do to be
unprovided."</p>
<p>"Your idea is good, Pencroft," replied the engineer, "but we cannot wait
for that. It would take at least a month to build a boat."</p>
<p>"Yes, a real boat," replied the sailor; "but we do not want one for a
sea voyage, and in five days at the most, I will undertake to construct
a canoe fit to navigate the Mercy."</p>
<p>"Five days," cried Neb, "to build a boat?"</p>
<p>"Yes, Neb; a boat in the Indian fashion."</p>
<p>"Of wood?" asked the negro, looking still unconvinced.</p>
<p>"Of wood," replied Pencroft, "or rather of bark. I repeat, captain, that
in five days the work will be finished!"</p>
<p>"In five days, then, be it," replied the engineer.</p>
<p>"But till that time we must be very watchful," said Herbert.</p>
<p>"Very watchful indeed, my friends," replied Harding; "and I beg you to
confine your hunting excursions to the neighbourhood of Granite House."</p>
<p>The dinner ended less gaily than Pencroft had hoped.</p>
<p>So, then, the island was, or had been, inhabited by others than the
settlers. Proved as it was by the incident of the bullet, it was
hereafter an unquestionable fact, and such a discovery could not but
cause great uneasiness amongst the colonists.<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 4]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>Cyrus Harding and Gideon Spilett, before sleeping, conversed long about
the matter. They asked themselves if by chance this incident might not
have some connection with the inexplicable way in which the engineer had
been saved, and the other peculiar circumstances which had struck them
at different times. However Cyrus Harding, after having discussed the
pros and cons of the question, ended by saying,—</p>
<p>"In short, would you like to know my opinion, my dear Spilett?"</p>
<p>"Yes, Cyrus."</p>
<p>"Well, then, it is this: however minutely we explore the island, we
shall find nothing."</p>
<p>The next day Pencroft set to work. He did not mean to build a boat with
boards and planking, but simply a flat-bottomed canoe, which would be
well suited for navigating the Mercy—above all, for approaching its
source, where the water would naturally be shallow. Pieces of bark,
fastened one to the other, would form a light boat; and in case of
natural obstacles, which would render a portage necessary, it would be
easily carried. Pencroft intended to secure the pieces of bark by means
of nails, to insure the canoe being water-tight.</p>
<p>It was first necessary to select the trees which would afford a strong
and supple bark for the work. Now the last storm had brought down a
number of large birch trees, the bark of which would be perfectly suited
for their purpose. Some of these trees lay on the ground, and they had
only to be barked, which was the most difficult thing of all, owing to
the imperfect tools which the settlers possessed. However, they overcame
all difficulties.</p>
<p>Whilst the sailor, seconded by the engineer, thus occupied himself
without losing an hour, Gideon Spilett and Herbert were not idle. They
were made purveyors to the colony. The reporter could not but admire the
boy, who had acquired great skill in handling the bow and spear. Herbert
also showed great courage and much of that presence of mind which may
justly be called "the reasoning of bravery." These two companions of the
chase, remembering Cyrus Harding's recommendations, did not go beyond a
radius of two miles round Granite House; but the borders of the<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 5]</SPAN></span> forest
furnished a sufficient tribute of agouties, capybaras, kangaroos,
peccaries, etc.; and if the result from the traps was less than during
the cold, still the warren yielded its accustomed quota, which might
have fed all the colony in Lincoln Island.</p>
<p>Often during these excursions, Herbert talked with Gideon Spilett on the
incident of the bullet, and the deductions which the engineer drew from
it, and one day—it was the 26th of October—he said,—</p>
<p>"But, Mr. Spilett, do you not think it very extraordinary that, if any
castaways have landed on the island, they have not yet shown themselves
near Granite House?"</p>
<p>"Very astonishing if they are still here," replied the reporter, "but
not astonishing at all if they are here no longer!"</p>
<p>"So you think that these people have already quitted the island?"
returned Herbert.</p>
<p>"It is more than probable, my boy; for if their stay was prolonged, and
above all, if they were still here, some accident would have at last
betrayed their presence."</p>
<p>"But if they were able to go away," observed the lad, "they could not
have been castaways."</p>
<p>"No, Herbert; or, at least, they were what might be called provisional
castaways. It is very possible that a storm may have driven them to the
island without destroying their vessel, and that, the storm over, they
went away again."</p>
<p>"I must acknowledge one thing," said Herbert, "it is that Captain
Harding appears rather to fear than desire the presence of human beings
on our island."</p>
<p>"In short," responded the reporter, "there are only Malays who frequent
these seas, and those fellows are ruffians which it is best to avoid."</p>
<p>"It is not impossible, Mr. Spilett," said Herbert, "that some day or
other we may find traces of their landing."</p>
<p>"I do not say no, my boy. A deserted camp, the ashes of a fire, would
put us on the track, and this is what we will look for in our next
expedition."</p>
<p>The day on which the hunters spoke thus, they were in a part of the
forest near the Mercy, remarkable for its beautiful trees. There, among
others, rose, to a height of nearly 200<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 6]</SPAN></span> feet above the ground, some of
those superb coniferæ, to which, in New Zealand, the natives give the
name of Kauris.</p>
<p>"I have an idea, Mr. Spilett," said Herbert. "If I were to climb to the
top of one of these kauris, I could survey the country for an immense
distance round."</p>
<p>"The idea is good," replied the reporter; "but could you climb to the
top of those giants?"</p>
<p>"I can at least try," replied Herbert.</p>
<p>The light and active boy then sprang on the first branches, the
arrangement of which made the ascent of the kauri easy, and in a few
minutes he arrived at the summit, which emerged from the immense plain
of verdure.</p>
<p>From this elevated situation his gaze extended over all the southern
portion of the island, from Claw Cape on the south-east, to Reptile End
on the south-west. To the north-west rose Mount Franklin, which
concealed a great part of the horizon.</p>
<p>But Herbert, from the height of his observatory, could examine all the
yet unknown portion of the island which might have given shelter to the
strangers whose presence they suspected.</p>
<p>The lad looked attentively. There was nothing in sight on the sea, not a
sail, neither on the horizon nor near the island. However, as the bank
of trees hid the shore, it was possible that a vessel, especially if
deprived of her masts, might lie close to the land and thus be invisible
to Herbert.</p>
<p>Neither in the forests of the Far West was anything to be seen. The wood
formed an impenetrable screen, measuring several square miles, without a
break or an opening. It was impossible even to follow the course of the
Mercy, or to ascertain in what part of the mountain it took its source.
Perhaps other creeks also ran towards the west, but they could not be
seen.</p>
<p>But at last, if all indication of an encampment escaped Herbert's sight,
could he not even catch a glimpse of smoke, the faintest trace of which
would be easily discernible in the pure atmosphere?</p>
<p>For an instant Herbert thought he could perceive a slight smoke in the
west, but a more attentive examination showed that he was mistaken. He
strained his eyes in every direction,<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 7]</SPAN></span> and his sight was excellent. No,
decidedly there was nothing there.</p>
<p>Herbert descended to the foot of the kauri, and the two sportsmen
returned to Granite House. There Cyrus Harding listened to the lad's
account, shook his head and said nothing. It was very evident that no
decided opinion could be pronounced on this question until after a
complete exploration of the island.</p>
<p>Two days after—the 28th of October—another incident occurred, for
which an explanation was again required.</p>
<p>Whilst strolling along the shore about two miles from Granite House,
Herbert and Neb were fortunate enough to capture a magnificent specimen
of the order of chelonia. It was a turtle of the species Midas, the
edible green turtle, so called from the colour both of its shell and
fat.</p>
<p>Herbert caught sight of this turtle as it was crawling among the rocks
to reach the sea.</p>
<p>"Help, Neb, help!" he cried.</p>
<p>Neb ran up.</p>
<p>"What a fine animal!" said Neb; "but how are we to catch it?"</p>
<p>"Nothing is easier, Neb," replied Herbert. "We have only to turn the
turtle on its back, and it cannot possibly get away. Take your spear and
do as I do."</p>
<p>The reptile, aware of danger, had retired between its carapace and
plastron. They no longer saw its head or feet, and it was motionless as
a rock.</p>
<p>Herbert and Neb then drove their sticks underneath the animal, and by
their united efforts managed without difficulty to turn it on its back.
The turtle, which was three feet in length, would have weighed at least
four hundred pounds.</p>
<p>"Capital!" cried Neb; "this is something which will rejoice friend
Pencroft's heart."</p>
<p>In fact, the heart of friend Pencroft could not fail to be rejoiced, for
the flesh of the turtle, which feeds on wrack-grass, is extremely
savoury. At this moment the creature's head could be seen, which was
small, flat, but widened behind by the large temporal fossæ hidden
under the long roof.</p>
<p>"And now, what shall we do with our prize?" said Neb. "We can't drag it
to Granite House!"<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 8]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>"Leave it here, since it cannot turn over," replied Herbert, "and we
will come back with the cart to fetch it."</p>
<p>"That is the best plan."</p>
<p>However, for greater precaution, Herbert took the trouble, which Neb
deemed superfluous, to wedge up the animal with great stones, after
which the two hunters returned to Granite House, following the beach,
which the tide had left uncovered. Herbert, wishing to surprise
Pencroft, said nothing about the "superb specimen of a chelonian" which
they had turned over on the sand, but, two hours later, he and Neb
returned with the cart to the place where they had left it. The "superb
specimen of a chelonian" was no longer there!</p>
<p>Neb and Herbert stared at each other first, then they stared about them.
It was just at this spot that the turtle had been left. The lad even
found the stones which he had used, and therefore he was certain of not
being mistaken.</p>
<p>"Well!" said Neb, "these beasts can turn themselves over, then?"</p>
<p>"It appears so," replied Herbert, who could not understand it at all,
and was gazing at the stones scattered on the sand.</p>
<p>"Well, Pencroft will be disgusted!"</p>
<p>"And Captain Harding will perhaps be very perplexed how to explain this
disappearance" thought Herbert.</p>
<p>"Look here," said Neb, who wished to hide his ill-luck, "we won't speak
about it."</p>
<p>"On the contrary, Neb we must speak about it," replied Herbert.</p>
<p>And the two, taking the cart, which there was now no use for, returned
to Granite House.</p>
<p>Arrived at the dockyard, where the engineer and the sailor were working
together Herbert recounted what had happened.</p>
<p>"Oh! the stupids!" cried the sailor, "to have let at least fifty meals
escape!"</p>
<p>"But, Pencroft," replied Neb, "it wasn't our fault that the beast got
away, as I tell you, we had turned it over on its back!"</p>
<p>"Then you didn't turn it over enough!" returned the obstinate sailor.<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 9]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/aban010.jpg" class="jpg" width-obs="312" height-obs="448" alt="TURNING A TURTLE" title="TURNING A TURTLE" /> <span class="link"><SPAN href="images/aban010.jpg"><b>TURNING A TURTLE</b></SPAN></span></div>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 10]</SPAN></span>
"Not enough!" cried Herbert.</p>
<p>And he told how he had taken care to wedge up the turtle with stones.</p>
<p>"It is a miracle, then!" replied Pencroft.</p>
<p>"I thought, captain," said Herbert, "that turtles, once placed on their
backs, could not regain their feet, especially when they are of a large
size?"</p>
<p>"That is true, my boy," replied Cyrus Harding.</p>
<p>"Then how did it manage?"</p>
<p>"At what distance from the sea did you leave this turtle?" asked the
engineer, who, having suspended his work, was reflecting on this
incident.</p>
<p>"Fifteen feet at the most," replied Herbert.</p>
<p>"And the tide was low at the time?"</p>
<p>"Yes, captain."</p>
<p>"Well," replied the engineer, "what the turtle could not do on the sand
it might have been able to do in the water. It turned over when the tide
overtook it, and then quietly returned to the deep sea."</p>
<p>"Oh! what stupids we were!" cried Neb.</p>
<p>"That is precisely what I had the honour of telling you before!"
returned the sailor.</p>
<p>Cyrus Harding had given this explanation, which, no doubt, was
admissible. But was he himself convinced of the accuracy of this
explanation? It cannot be said that he was.</p>
<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 11]</SPAN></span></p>
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