Таинственный остров / Mysterious Island

The island lay stretched before them like a plan in relief[49 - a plan in relief – рельефная карта], with its different tints, green for the forests, yellow for the sands, blue for the water. 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 rising on the air.

The exploration of the island was finished, its configuration determined, a map of it drawn, its size calculated. They had only now to descend the declivities of the mountain, and to examine into the animal, vegetable, and mineral resources of the land. But before giving the signal of 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 should not consider ourselves any longer as castaways, but as colonists. Well, let’s start for the Chimneys!”

“One minute, my friends,” said the engineer; “let’s name the island, as well as the capes, promontories, and water-courses, which we see before us.”

“Yes,” said Smith, “for instance, let us call the great bay to the east Union Bay[50 - Union Bay – бухта Соединения], the southern indentation Washington Bay[51 - Washington Bay – бухта Вашингтона], the mountain on which we are standing Mount Franklin[52 - Mount Franklin – гора Франклина], the lake beneath our feet Lake Grant[53 - Lake Grant – озеро Гранта].

These names will recall our country and the great citizens who have honored it. 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[54 - Serpentine Peninsula – полуостров Р?звилистый], and to call the twisted curve at the termination of it Reptile End[55 - Reptile End – Змеиный мыс], for it is just like a snake’s tail.