The Mysterious Island. B2 / Таинственный остров

But how can they carry them to the Chimneys?

– We have the river, – suggested Herbert.

– Exactly, said Pencroff. – The river will be our road and our carrier, too. They looked at the ocean. The sea was a watery desert.

– Something tells me, – said Herbert, – that Mr. Smith is a very energetic man. So he saved himself. Don’t you think so, Pencroff?

The sailor shook his head sadly.

– Yes, – said he, – our engineer saved himself.

Pencroff and Herbert walked towards the west.

They looked at the snowcapped mountain, which rose six or seven miles away. They saw a forest. Then from the edge of this forest to the coast stretched a plateau.

Glossary:

lithodomes – литодомы

Chapter V

Pencroff made the real house from the Chimneys. The Chimneys were divided into three or four chambers. They were dry, and they could stand up in them. The floor was covered with sand.

– Perhaps, – said Herbert, – our companions found a better place than ours.

– It is possible, – answered Pencroff, – but don’t stop. We will have two houses!

– Oh, – said Herbert, – will they find Mr. Smith, and bring him back?

– Yes, – murmured Pencroff. – He was a good man.

– Was! – said Herbert. – Do you think we will not see him again?

– Never! – replied the sailor. – But now our friends may return, and they will find a good shelter. At 6 o’clock, Neb and Gideon Spilett returned.

They came back alone. The sailor was right: they did not find the engineer.

The reporter sat upon a rock. He was tired and very hungry. Neb was weeping, he lost all hope.

The reporter told Pencroff and Herbert about their search. Neb and he followed the coast for more than eight miles. The shore was deserted. Not a trace upon the sand, not a footprint. At that moment Neb raised his head, and exclaimed:

– No, he is not dead! It is impossible!

Herbert ran to him and cried:

– Neb, we will find him! But please eat something.

But Neb refused to eat. He did not want to live.

As to Gideon Spilett, he devoured the mollusks. He was exhausted, but calm. Herbert took his hand.

– Mr. Spilett, – said he, – we discovered a shelter. You will be more comfortable there. So let us rest there. Tomorrow we will see.

The reporter rose, and proceeded towards the Chimneys.

Pencroff took the match and made fire.