“The Dobryna!” exclaimed Servadac, keeping his eye unmoved at his telescope.
“Impossible, sir!” rejoined Ben Zoof; “there are no signs of smoke.”
“The Dobryna!” repeated the captain, positively4. “She is under sail; but she is Count Timascheff’s yacht.”
He was right. If the count were on board, a strange fatality5 was bringing him to the presence of his rival. But no longer now could Servadac regard him in the light of an adversary6; circumstances had changed, and all animosity was absorbed in the eagerness with which he hailed the prospect7 of obtaining some information about the recent startling and inexplicable8 events. During the twenty-seven days that she had been absent, the Dobryna, he conjectured9, would have explored the Mediterranean10, would very probably have visited Spain, France, or Italy, and accordingly would convey to Gourbi Island some intelligence from one or other of those countries. He reckoned, therefore, not only upon ascertaining12 the extent of the late catastrophe13, but upon learning its cause. Count Timascheff was, no doubt, magnanimously coming to the rescue of himself and his orderly.
The wind being adverse14, the Dobryna did not make very rapid progress; but as the weather, in spite of a few clouds, remained calm, and the sea was quite smooth, she was enabled to hold a steady course. It seemed unaccountable that she should not use her engine, as whoever was on board, would be naturally impatient to reconnoiter the new island, which must just have come within their view. The probability that suggested itself was that the schooner’s fuel was exhausted15.
Servadac took it for granted that the Dobryna was endeavoring to put in. It occurred to him, however, that the count, on discovering an island where he had expected to find the mainland of Africa, would not unlikely be at a loss for a place of anchorage. The yacht was evidently making her way in the direction of the former mouth of the Shelif, and the captain was struck with the idea that he would do well to investigate whether there was any suitable mooring16 towards which he might signal her. Zephyr17 and Galette were soon saddled, and in twenty minutes had carried their riders to the western extremity18 of the island, where they both dismounted and began to explore the coast.
They were not long in ascertaining that on the farther side of the point there was a small well-sheltered creek19 of sufficient depth to accommodate a vessel of moderate tonnage. A narrow channel formed a passage through the ridge20 of rocks that protected it from the open sea, and which, even in the roughest weather, would ensure the calmness of its waters.
Whilst examining the rocky shore, the captain observed, to his great surprise, long and well-defined rows of seaweed, which undoubtedly21 betokened22 that there had been a very considerable ebb23 and flow of the waters — a thing unknown in the Mediterranean, where there is scarcely any perceptible tide. What, however, seemed most remarkable24, was the manifest evidence that ever since the highest flood (which was caused, in all probability, by the proximity25 of the body of which the huge disc had been so conspicuous26 on the night of the 31st of December) the phenomenon had been gradually lessening27, and in fact was now reduced to the normal limits which had characterized it before the convulsion.
Without doing more than note the circumstance, Servadac turned his entire attention to the Dobryna, which, now little more than a mile from shore, could not fail to see and understand his signals. Slightly changing her course, she first struck her mainsail, and, in order to facilitate the movements of her helmsman, soon carried nothing but her two topsails, brigantine and jib. After rounding the peak, she steered28 direct for the channel to which Servadac by his gestures was pointing her, and was not long in entering the creek. As soon as the anchor, imbedded in the sandy bottom, had made good its hold, a boat was lowered. In a few minutes more Count Timascheff had landed on the island. Captain Servadac hastened towards him.
“First of all, count,” he exclaimed impetuously, “before we speak one other word, tell me what has happened.”
The count, whose imperturbable29 composure presented a singular contrast to the French officer’s enthusiastic vivacity30, made a stiff bow, and in his Russian accent replied: “First of all, permit me to express my surprise at seeing you here. I left you on a continent, and here I have the honor of finding you on an island.”
“I assure you, count, I have never left the place.”
“I am quite aware of it. Captain Servadac, and I now beg to offer you my sincere apologies for failing to keep my appointment with you.”
“Never mind, now,” interposed the captain; “we will talk of that by-and-by. First, tell me what has happened.”
“The very question I was about to put to you, Captain Servadac.”
“Do you mean to say you know nothing of the cause, and can tell me nothing of the extent, of the catastrophe which has transformed this part of Africa into an island?”
“Nothing more than you know yourself.”
“But surely, Count Timascheff, you can inform me whether upon the northern shore of the Mediterranean —”
“Are you certain that this is the Mediterranean?” asked the count significantly, and added, “I have discovered no sign of land.”
The captain stared in silent bewilderment. For some moments he seemed perfectly31 stupefied; then, recovering himself, he began to overwhelm the count with a torrent32 of questions. Had he noticed, ever since the 1st of January, that the sun had risen in the west? Had he noticed that the days had been only six hours long, and that the weight of the atmosphere was so much diminished? Had he observed that the moon had quite disappeared, and that the earth had been in imminent33 hazard of running foul34 of the planet Venus? Was he aware, in short, that the entire motions of the terrestrial sphere had undergone a complete modification35? To all these inquiries36, the count responded in the affirmative. He was acquainted with everything that had transpired37; but, to Servadac’s increasing astonishment38, he could throw no light upon the cause of any of the phenomena39.
“On the night of the 31st of December,” he said, “I was proceeding40 by sea to our appointed place of meeting, when my yacht was suddenly caught on the crest41 of an enormous wave, and carried to a height which it is beyond my power to estimate. Some mysterious force seemed to have brought about a convulsion of the elements. Our engine was damaged, nay42 disabled, and we drifted entirely at the mercy of the terrible hurricane that raged during the succeeding days. That the Dobryna escaped at all is little less than a miracle, and I can only attribute her safety to the fact that she occupied the center of the vast cyclone43, and consequently did not experience much change of position.”
He paused, and added: “Your island is the first land we have seen.”
“Then let us put out to sea at once and ascertain11 the extent of the disaster,” cried the captain, eagerly. “You will take me on board, count, will you not?”
“My yacht is at your service, sir, even should you require to make a tour round the world.”
“A tour round the Mediterranean will suffice for the present, I think,” said the captain, smiling.
The count shook his head.
“I am not sure,” said he, “but what the tour of the Mediterranean will prove to be the tour of the world.”
Servadac made no reply, but for a time remained silent and absorbed in thought.
After the silence was broken, they consulted as to what course was best to pursue; and the plan they proposed was, in the first place, to discover how much of the African coast still remained, and to carry on the tidings of their own experiences to Algiers; or, in the event of the southern shore having actually disappeared, they would make their way northwards and put themselves in communication with the population on the river banks of Europe.
Before starting, it was indispensable that the engine of the Dobryna should be repaired: to sail under canvas only would in contrary winds and rough seas be both tedious and difficult. The stock of coal on board was adequate for two months’ consumption; but as it would at the expiration44 of that time be exhausted, it was obviously the part of prudence45 to employ it in reaching a port where fuel could be replenished46.
The damage sustained by the engine proved to be not very serious; and in three days after her arrival the Dobryna was again ready to put to sea.
Servadac employed the interval47 in making the count acquainted with all he knew about his small domain48. They made an entire circuit of the island, and both agreed that it must be beyond the limits of that circumscribed49 territory that they must seek an explanation of what had so strangely. transpired.
It was on the last day of January that the repairs of the schooner were completed. A slight diminution50 in the excessively high temperature which had prevailed for the last few weeks, was the only apparent change in the general order of things; but whether this was to be attributed to any alteration51 in the earth’s orbit was a question which would still require several days to decide. The weather remained fine, and although a few clouds had accumulated, and might have caused a trifling52 fall of the barometer53, they were not sufficiently54 threatening to delay the departure of the Dobryna.
Doubts now arose, and some discussion followed, whether or not it was desirable for Ben Zoof to accompany his master. There were various reasons why he should be left behind, not the least important being that the schooner had no accommodation for horses, and the orderly would have found it hard to part with Zephyr, and much more with his own favorite Galette; besides, it was advisable that there should be some one left to receive any strangers that might possibly arrive, as well as to keep an eye upon the herds55 of cattle which, in the dubious56 prospect before them, might prove to be the sole resource of the survivors57 of the catastrophe. Altogether, taking into consideration that the brave fellow would incur58 no personal risk by remaining upon the island, the captain was induced with much reluctance59 to forego the attendance of his servant, hoping very shortly to return and to restore him to his country, when he had ascertained60 the reason of the mysteries in which they were enveloped61.
On the 31st, then, Ben Zoof was “invested with governor’s powers,” and took an affecting leave of his master, begging him, if chance should carry him near Montmartre, to ascertain whether the beloved “mountain” had been left unmoved.
Farewells over, the Dobryna was carefully steered through the creek, and was soon upon the open sea.
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1
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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schooner
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| n.纵帆船 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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fatality
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| n.不幸，灾祸，天命 | |
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adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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inexplicable
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| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
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conjectured
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| 推测，猜测，猜想( conjecture的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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Mediterranean
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| adj.地中海的；地中海沿岸的 | |
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ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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12
ascertaining
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的现在分词 ) | |
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catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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adverse
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| adj.不利的；有害的；敌对的，不友好的 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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mooring
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| n.停泊处；系泊用具，系船具；下锚v.停泊，系泊（船只）(moor的现在分词) | |
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17
zephyr
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| n.和风，微风 | |
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extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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betokened
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| v.预示，表示( betoken的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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ebb
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| vi.衰退，减退；n.处于低潮，处于衰退状态 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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proximity
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| n.接近，邻近 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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lessening
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| 减轻，减少，变小 | |
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steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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29
imperturbable
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| adj.镇静的 | |
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vivacity
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| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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32
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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34
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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35
modification
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| n.修改，改进，缓和，减轻 | |
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36
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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transpired
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| （事实，秘密等）被人知道( transpire的过去式和过去分词 )； 泄露； 显露； 发生 | |
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38
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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phenomena
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| n.现象 | |
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40
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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41
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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42
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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43
cyclone
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| n.旋风，龙卷风 | |
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44
expiration
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| n.终结，期满，呼气，呼出物 | |
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45
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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46
replenished
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| 补充( replenish的过去式和过去分词 )； 重新装满 | |
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47
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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48
domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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49
circumscribed
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| adj.[医]局限的：受限制或限于有限空间的v.在…周围划线( circumscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；划定…范围；限制；限定 | |
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50
diminution
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| n.减少；变小 | |
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51
alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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52
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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53
barometer
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| n.气压表，睛雨表，反应指标 | |
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54
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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55
herds
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| 兽群( herd的名词复数 )； 牧群； 人群； 群众 | |
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56
dubious
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| adj.怀疑的，无把握的；有问题的，靠不住的 | |
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57
survivors
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| 幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 ) | |
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58
incur
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| vt.招致，蒙受，遭遇 | |
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59
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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60
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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