"A castaway!" exclaimed Pencroft; "left on this Tabor Island not two hundred miles from us! Ah, Captain Harding, you won't now oppose my going."
"No, Pencroft," replied Cyrus Harding; "and you shall set out as soon as possible."
"To-morrow?"
"To-morrow!"
The engineer still held in his hand the paper which he had taken from the bottle. He contemplated5 it for some instants, then resumed,—
"From this document, my friends, from the way in which it is worded, we may conclude this: first, that the castaway on Tabor Island is a man possessing a considerable knowledge of navigation, since he gives the latitude6 and longitude7 of the island exactly as we ourselves found it, and to a second of approximation; secondly8, that he is either English or American, as the document is written in the English language."
"That is perfectly9 logical," answered Spilett; "and the presence of this castaway explains the arrival of the case on the shores of our island. There must have been a wreck10, since there is a castaway. As to the latter, whoever he may be, it is lucky for him that Pencroft thought of building this boat and of trying her this very day, for a day later and this bottle might have been broken on the rocks."
"Indeed," said Herbert, "it is a fortunate chance that the Bonadventure passed exactly where the bottle was still floating!"
"Does not this appear strange to you?" asked Harding of Pencroft.[Pg 143]
"It appears fortunate, that's all," answered the sailor. "Do you see anything extraordinary in it, captain. The bottle must go somewhere, and why not here as well as anywhere else?"
"Perhaps you are right, Pencroft," replied the engineer; "and yet—"
"But," observed Herbert, "there's nothing to prove that this bottle has been floating long in the sea."
"Nothing," replied Gideon Spilett; "and the document appears even to have been recently written. What do you think about it, Cyrus?"
"It is difficult to say, and besides we shall soon know," replied Harding.
During this conversation Pencroft had not remained in-active. He had put the vessel11 about, and the Bonadventure, all sails set, was running rapidly towards Claw Cape12.
Every one was thinking of the castaway on Tabor Island. Should they be in time to save him? This was a great event in the life of the colonists13! They themselves were but castaways, but it was to be feared that another might not have been so fortunate, and their duty was to go to his succour.
Claw Cape was doubled, and about four o'clock the Bonadventure dropped her anchor at the mouth of the Mercy.
That same evening the arrangements for the new expedition were made. It appeared best that Pencroft and Herbert, who knew how to work the vessel, should undertake the voyage alone. By setting out the next day, the 10th of October, they would arrive on the 13th, for with the present wind it would not take more than forty-eight hours to make this passage of a hundred and fifty miles. One day in the island, three or four to return, they might hope therefore that on the 17th they would again reach Lincoln Island. The weather was fine, the barometer14 was rising, the wind appeared settled, everything then was in favour of these brave men whom an act of humanity was taking far from their island.
Thus it had been agreed that Cyrus Harding, Neb, and Gideon Spilett, should remain at Granite15 House, but an objection was raised, and Spilett, who had not forgotten his business as reporter to the New York Herald16, having declared[Pg 144] that he would go by swimming rather than lose such an opportunity, he was admitted to take a part in the voyage.
The evening was occupied in transporting on board the Bonadventure articles of bedding, utensils17, arms, ammunition18, a compass, provisions for a week, and this business being rapidly accomplished19 the colonists ascended20 to Granite House.
The next day, at five o'clock in the morning, the farewells were said, not without some emotion on both sides, and Pencroft setting sail made towards Claw Cape, which had to be doubled in order to proceed to the south-west.
The Bonadventure was already a quarter of a mile from the coast, when the passengers perceived on the heights of Granite House two men waving their farewells; they were Cyrus Harding and Neb.
"Our friends," exclaimed Spilett, "this is our first separation for fifteen months."
Pencroft, the reporter, and Herbert waved in return, and Granite House soon disappeared behind the high rocks of the Cape.
During the first part of the day the Bonadventure was still in sight of the southern coast of Lincoln Island, which soon appeared just like a green basket, with Mount Franklin rising from the centre. The heights, diminished by distance, did not present an appearance likely to tempt21 vessels22 to touch there. Reptile23 End was passed in about an hour, though at a distance of about ten miles.
At this distance it was no longer possible to distinguish anything of the Western Coast, which stretched away to the ridges24 of Mount Franklin, and three hours after the last of Lincoln Island sank below the horizon.
The Bonadventure behaved capitally. Bounding over the waves she proceeded rapidly on her course. Pencroft had hoisted25 the foresail, and steering26 by the compass followed a rectilinear direction. From time to time Herbert relieved him at the helm, and the lad's hand was so firm that the sailor had not a point to find fault with.
Gideon Spilett chatted sometimes with one, sometimes with the other, if wanted he lent a hand with the ropes, and Captain Pencroft was perfectly satisfied with his crew.
In the evening the crescent moon, which would not be in[Pg 146] its first quarter until the 16th, appeared in the twilight27 and soon set again. The night was dark but starry28, and the next day again promised to be fine.
Pencroft prudently29 lowered the foresail, not wishing to be caught by a sudden gust31 while carrying too much canvas; it was perhaps an unnecessary precaution on such a calm night, but Pencroft was a prudent30 sailor and cannot be blamed for it.
The reporter slept part of the night. Pencroft and Herbert took turns for a spell of two hours each at the helm. The sailor trusted Herbert as he would himself, and his confidence was justified32 by the coolness and judgment33 of the lad. Pencroft gave him his directions as a commander to his steersman, and Herbert never allowed the Bonadventure to swerve34 even a point. The night passed quietly, as did the day of the 12th of October. A south-easterly direction was strictly35 maintained, unless the Bonadventure fell in with some unknown current she would come exactly within sight of Tabor Island.
As to the sea over which the vessel was then sailing, it was absolutely deserted. Now and then a great albatross or frigate36 bird passed within gun-shot, and Gideon Spilett wondered if it was to one of them that he had confided37 his last letter addressed to the New York Herald. These birds were the only beings that appeared to frequent this part of the ocean between Tabor and Lincoln Island.
"And yet," observed Herbert, "this is the time that whalers usually proceed towards the southern part of the Pacific. Indeed I do not think there could be a more deserted sea than this."
"It is not quite so deserted as all that," replied Pencroft.
"What do you mean," asked the reporter.
"We are on it. Do you take our vessel for a wreck and us for porpoises38?"
And Pencroft laughed at his joke.
By the evening, according to calculation, it was thought that the Bonadventure had accomplished a distance of a hundred and twenty miles since her departure from Lincoln Island, that is to say in thirty-six hours, which would give her a speed of between three and four knots an hour. The breeze was very slight and might soon drop altogether. However it was hoped that the next morning by break of[Pg 147] day, if the calculation had been correct and the course true, they would sight Tabor Island.
Neither Gideon Spilett, Herbert, nor Pencroft slept that night. In the expectation of the next day they could not but feel some emotion. There was so much uncertainty39 in their enterprise! Were they near Tabor Island? Was the island still inhabited by the castaway to whose succour they had come. Who was this man? Would not his presence disturb the little colony till then so united? Besides, would he be content to exchange his prison for another? All these questions, which would no doubt be answered the next day, kept them in suspense40, and at the dawn of day they all fixed41 their gaze on the western horizon.
"Land!" shouted Pencroft at about six o'clock in the morning.
And it was impossible that Pencroft should be mistaken, it was evident that land was there. Imagine the joy of the little crew of the Bonadventure. In a few hours they would land on the beach of the island!
The low coast of Tabor Island, scarcely emerging from the sea, was not more than fifteen miles distant.
The head of the Bonadventure, which was a little to the south of the island, was set directly towards it, and as the sun mounted in the east, his rays fell upon one or two headlands.
"This is a much less important isle42 than Lincoln Island," observed Herbert, "and is probably due like ours to some submarine convulsion."
At eleven o'clock the Bonadventure was not more than two miles off, and Pencroft, whilst looking for a suitable place at which to land, proceeded very cautiously through the unknown waters. The whole of the island could now be surveyed, and on it could be seen groups of gum and other large trees, of the same species as those growing on Lincoln Island. But the astonishing thing was that no smoke arose to show that the island was inhabited, not a signal appeared on any point of the shore whatever!
And yet the document was clear enough; there was a castaway, and this castaway should have been on the watch.
In the meanwhile the Bonadventure entered the winding[Pg 148] channels among the reefs, and Pencroft observed every turn with extreme care. He had put Herbert at the helm, posting himself in the bows, inspecting the water, whilst he held the halliard in his hand, ready to lower the sail at a moment's notice. Gideon Spilett with his glass eagerly scanned the shore, though without perceiving anything.
However at about twelve o'clock the keel of the Bonadventure grated on the bottom. The anchor was let go, the sails furled, and the crew of the little vessel landed.
And there was no reason to doubt that this was Tabor Island, since according to the most recent charts there was no island in this part of the Pacific between New Zealand and the American coast.
The vessel was securely moored43, so that there should be no danger of her being carried away by the receding44 tide; then Pencroft and his companions, well armed, ascended the shore, so as to gain an elevation45 of about two hundred and fifty or three hundred feet which rose at a distance of half a mile.
"From the summit of that hill," said Spilett, "we can no doubt obtain a complete view of the island, which will greatly facilitate our search."
"So as to do here," replied Herbert, "that which Captain Harding did the very first thing on Lincoln Island, by climbing Mount Franklin."
"Exactly so," answered the reporter; "and it is the best plan of proceeding46."
Whilst thus talking the explorers had advanced along a clearing which terminated at the foot of the hill. Flocks of rock-pigeons and sea-swallows, similar to those of Lincoln Island, fluttered around them. Under the woods which skirted the glade47 on the left they could hear the bushes rustling48 and see the grass waving, which indicated the presence of timid animals, but still nothing to show that the island was inhabited.
Arrived at the foot of the hill, Pencroft, Spilett, and Herbert climbed it in a few minutes, and gazed anxiously round the horizon.
They were on an islet which did not measure more than six miles in circumference49, its shape not much bordered by capes50 or promontories51, bays or creeks52, being a lengthened[Pg 150] oval. All around, the lonely sea extended to the limits of the horizon. No land nor even a sail was in sight.
This woody islet did not offer the varied53 aspects of Lincoln Island, arid54 and wild in one part, but fertile and rich in the other. On the contrary this was a uniform mass of verdure, out of which rose two or three hills of no great height. Obliquely55 to the oval of the island ran a stream through a wide meadow falling into the sea on the west by a narrow mouth.
"The domain56 is limited," said Herbert.
"Yes," rejoined Pencroft. "It would have been too small for us."
"And moreover," said the reporter, "it appears to be uninhabited."
"Indeed," answered Herbert, "nothing here betrays the presence of man."
"Let us go down," said Pencroft, "and search."
The sailor and his two companions returned to the shore, to the place where they had left the Bonadventure.
They had decided to make the tour of the island on foot, before exploring the interior, so that not a spot should escape their investigations57. The beach was easy to follow, and only in some places was their way barred by large rocks, which, however, they easily passed round. The explorers proceeded towards the south, disturbing numerous flocks of sea-birds and herds58 of seals, which threw themselves into the sea as soon as they saw the strangers at a distance.
"Those beasts yonder," observed the reporter, "do not see men for the first time. They fear them, therefore they must know them."
An hour after their departure they arrived on the southern point of the islet, terminated by a sharp cape, and proceeded towards the north along the western coast, equally formed by sand and rocks, the background bordered with thick woods.
There was not a trace of a habitation in any part, not the print of a human foot on the shore of the island, which after four hours' walking had been gone completely round.
It was to say the least very extraordinary, and they were compelled to believe that Tabor Island was not or was no longer inhabited. Perhaps, after all, the document was already several months or several years old, and it was[Pg 151] possible in this case, either that the castaway had been enabled to return to his country, or that he had died of misery59.
Pencroft, Spilett, and Herbert, forming more or less probable conjectures, dined rapidly on board the Bonadventure, so as to be able to continue their excursion until nightfall. This was done at five o'clock in the evening, at which hour they entered the wood.
Numerous animals fled at their approach, being principally, one might say, only goats and pigs, which it was easy to see belonged to European species.
Doubtless some whaler had landed them on the island, where they had rapidly increased. Herbert resolved to catch one or two living, and take them back to Lincoln Island.
It was no longer doubtful that men at some period or other had visited this islet, and this became still more evident when paths appeared trodden through the forest, felled trees, and everywhere traces of the hand of man; but the trees were becoming rotten, and had been felled many years ago; the marks of the axe60 were velveted61 with moss62, and the grass grew long and thick on the paths, so that it was difficult to find them.
"But," observed Gideon Spilett, "this not only proves that men have landed on the island, but also that they lived on it for some time. Now, who were these men? How many of them remain?"
"The document," said Herbert, "only spoke63 of one castaway."
"Well, if he is still on the island," replied Pencroft, "it is impossible but that we shall find him."
The exploration was continued. The sailor and his companions naturally followed the route which cut diagonally across the island, and they were thus obliged to follow the stream which flowed towards the sea.
If the animals of European origin, if works due to a human hand, showed incontestably that men had already visited the island, several specimens64 of the vegetable kingdom did not prove it less. In some places, in the midst of clearings, it was evident that the soil had been planted with culinary plants, at probably the same distant period.
What, then, was Herbert's joy, when he recognised[Pg 152] potatoes, chicory, sorrel, carrots, cabbages, and turnips65, of which it was sufficient to collect the seed to enrich the soil of Lincoln Island.
"Capital, jolly!" exclaimed Pencroft. "That will suit Neb as well as us. Even if we do not find the castaway, at least our voyage will not have been useless, and God will have rewarded us."
"Doubtless," replied Gideon Spilett; "but to see the state in which we find these plantations66, it is to be feared that the island has not been inhabited for some time."
"Indeed," answered Herbert, "an inhabitant, whoever he was, could not have neglected such an important culture!"
"Yes," said Pencroft, "the castaway has gone."
"We must suppose so."
"It must then be admitted that the document has already a distant date?"
"Evidently."
"And that the bottle only arrived at Lincoln Island after having floated in the sea a long time."
"Why not," returned Pencroft. "But night is coming on," added he, "and I think that it will be best to give up the search for the present."
"Let us go on board, and to-morrow we will begin again," said the reporter.
This was the wisest course, and it was about to be followed when Herbert, pointing to a confused mass among the trees, exclaimed,—
"A hut!"
All three immediately ran towards the dwelling. In the twilight it was just possible to see that it was built of planks67 and covered with a thick tarpaulin68.
The half-closed door was pushed open by Pencroft, who entered with a rapid step.
The hut was empty!
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1
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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conjectures
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| 推测，猜想( conjecture的名词复数 ) | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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5
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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latitude
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| n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区 | |
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7
longitude
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| n.经线，经度 | |
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8
secondly
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| adv.第二，其次 | |
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9
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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10
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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11
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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colonists
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| n.殖民地开拓者，移民，殖民地居民( colonist的名词复数 ) | |
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14
barometer
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| n.气压表，睛雨表，反应指标 | |
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15
granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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herald
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| vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎 | |
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utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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reptile
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| n.爬行动物；两栖动物 | |
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ridges
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| n.脊( ridge的名词复数 )；山脊；脊状突起；大气层的)高压脊 | |
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hoisted
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| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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steering
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| n.操舵装置 | |
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twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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starry
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| adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的 | |
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prudently
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| adv. 谨慎地，慎重地 | |
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prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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gust
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| n.阵风，突然一阵（雨、烟等），（感情的）迸发 | |
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justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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swerve
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| v.突然转向，背离；n．转向，弯曲，背离 | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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frigate
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| n.护航舰，大型驱逐舰 | |
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confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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porpoises
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| n.鼠海豚( porpoise的名词复数 ) | |
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uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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moored
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| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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receding
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的现在分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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45
elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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glade
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| n.林间空地，一片表面有草的沼泽低地 | |
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rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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circumference
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| n.圆周，周长，圆周线 | |
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50
capes
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| 碎谷； 斗篷( cape的名词复数 )； 披肩； 海角； 岬 | |
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promontories
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| n.岬，隆起，海角( promontory的名词复数 ) | |
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creeks
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| n.小湾( creek的名词复数 )；小港；小河；小溪 | |
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53
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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arid
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| adj.干旱的；(土地)贫瘠的 | |
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obliquely
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| adv.斜； 倾斜； 间接； 不光明正大 | |
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56
domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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57
investigations
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| （正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究 | |
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58
herds
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| 兽群( herd的名词复数 )； 牧群； 人群； 群众 | |
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59
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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velveted
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| 穿着天鹅绒的，天鹅绒覆盖的 | |
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moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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turnips
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| 芜青( turnip的名词复数 )； 芜菁块根； 芜菁甘蓝块根； 怀表 | |
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66
plantations
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| n.种植园，大农场( plantation的名词复数 ) | |
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planks
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| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
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tarpaulin
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| n.涂油防水布，防水衣，防水帽 | |
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