The Mysterious Island. B2 / Таинственный остров

– And how will you escape?

– By this balloon!

The sailor explained his project, which was very simple. The storm was terrible, it is true; but a skilful engineer, Smith, knew how to manage a balloon. He saw many storms in his life.

Cyrus Smith listened to the sailor and stayed silent. This was the opportunity! The project was very dangerous, but it was real. During the night, they will reach the balloon, and get into the basket!

– I am not alone, – said Smith.

– How many people more? – demanded the sailor.

– Two; my friend Spilett, and my man Neb.

– Three, – replied Pencroff; – and, with Herbert and myself, five. Can the balloon carry us?

– Yes. We will go! – said the engineer.

– Tonight, at ten o’clock, – replied Smith.

Evening arrived. Fog passed over the earth. The weather was cold. The streets of the city were empty. No one cared to guard the balloon in a weather like this.

At half past 9, Cyrus Smith and his companions came together at the basket.

Four of them took their places in the basket, while Pencroff unfastened the bundles of ballast. Then the sailor joined his companions. At that moment, a dog jumped into the basket. It was Top, the dog of the engineer.

Then the storm started. It was not until five days later that they saw the sea below them.

So of these five men, four found themselves, four days later, on a desert coast. And their leader, Cyrus Smith, disappeared.

Glossary:

superb – превосходный

the Southerners – южане

companion – товарищ

find themselves – оказаться

ChapterВ III

The engineer’s dog disappeared, too.

The faithful animal tried to rescue its master.

It was nearly 6 o’clock. The night was very dark. The men went northward along the shore.

Where are they? They walked upon a sandy soil. They were searching all the corners.

After a walk of twenty minutes, the four men were suddenly stopped by a precipice.

They saw a sharp point upon which the sea broke.

– We must turn back, – said the sailor.

They cried, but without response. They waited, and tried once more. And again there was no answer. Then they turned back. However, Pencroff observed that the shore was bold there, and the birds were less numerous on this shore. They were walking towards the south. Soon they were on the shore again.

– We are on an island, – exclaimed Pencroff.