登陆注册
15324700000118

第118章

"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 contemplated 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 latitude and longitude of the island exactly as we ourselves found it, and to a second of approximation; secondly, that he is either English or American, as the document is written in the English language.""That is perfectly 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 wreck, 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.

"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?"During this conversation Pencroft had not remained inactive.He had put the vessel about, and the "Bonadventure," all sails set, was running rapidly towards Claw Cape.

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 colonists! 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 succor.

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 barometer was rising, the wind appeared settled, everything then was in favor 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 Granite House, but an objection was raised, and Spilett, who had not forgotten his business as reporter to the New York Herald, having declared 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, utensils, arms, ammunition, a compass, provisions for a week; this being rapidly done, the colonists ascended 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 southwest.

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 in 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 center.The heights, diminished by distance, did not present an appearance likely to tempt vessels to touch there.Reptile 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 ridges 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 hoisted the foresail, and steering 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 its first quarter until the 16th, appeared in the twilight and soon set again.The night was dark but starry, and the next day again promised to be fine.

Pencroft prudently lowered the foresail, not wishing to be caught by a sudden gust while carrying too much canvas; it was perhaps an unnecessary precaution on such a calm night, but Pencroft was a prudent sailor and cannot be blamed for it.

同类推荐
  • 佛说法律三昧经

    佛说法律三昧经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • The Divine Comedy

    The Divine Comedy

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 南华真经

    南华真经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 偶谭

    偶谭

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 补农书

    补农书

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 星光闪亮,笑颜

    星光闪亮,笑颜

    那一个自己,真的活的好累。既然可以变成回忆,那就让它过去…而现在的自己,只是一个平凡的普通人,呃…除了家世比较好,颜值比较高,才能比较多,桃花比较旺点而已,她真的只是一个普通人!可是,突然的狗皮膏药扎回事?赖定她了?“先生,我不认识你!”“我认识你不就行了。”某男一脸的坏笑和宠溺
  • tfboys之旧念

    tfboys之旧念

    “凉曦,遇见你是我这辈子最大的幸运……”—源“小曦,答应我,哪怕是一天也好,你要活得更久“—凯“凉曦,我不知道遇见你是对是错,但我知道,遇见你,我开心过。”—玺
  • 庶女不愁嫁

    庶女不愁嫁

    宣若是21世纪江南宣家的小女,自幼深得父母兄长疼爱,却在结婚的前一日得知未婚夫和自己的姐姐合谋,将宣家财产全部吞占,并且下毒害死了自己的父母,宣若与未婚夫在争执的过程中跌落高楼而死,灵魂却穿越到了被人推落水的欧阳萱若身上。(本文纯属虚构,请勿模仿。)
  • 六月轮回:卒华

    六月轮回:卒华

    无论去往何方,都不要害怕。即便相隔再远,即便各奔东西,即便孤单一人,也要不断前行。现在有你陪着,我已经不再孤单。只要闭上双眼,就可以听到你的声音。纵使有一天,我们会分开,在这里学到的,也可以让我实现梦想。多么希望遇见你。多么庆幸遇见你。
  • 阙歌图

    阙歌图

    她是被赶出家门的将军夫人,却身具一统七国的神秘宝藏;他是功高盖世,追寻自己身世的暴戾王爷;原本毫无交集的两人,却因一张江山阙歌图与各自谋划硬生生绑在一起。战乱纷争,情可假可真,义可虚可实,是谁先失了心,没了理智,不惜代价只为博得一方世外桃源,逍遥自在。“阿君,这世道真乱。”“我给你一个太平盛世。”--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 我们的恋歌

    我们的恋歌

    你像一首词,风度翩翩像我袭来,伴随着点点心动,我想我已经坠入爱河。我并没有掌握游泳的方法,你只投给了我一个破旧的救生圈,我渴望被救助……
  • 李小宝的变异之旅

    李小宝的变异之旅

    他叫李小宝,他是时代巨人的独生子,却因遥不可及的父爱,离家出走;他是源基因完美融合的第一人,一次次通过基因变异挑战昊天星球的生存规则;他即是五系法师又是破魔者,同时兼具战神和死神的顶级体质;他尝尽友情,爱情,忠诚与背叛,终无法填补内心深处的缺憾。然,岁月流逝,归路已断……
  • 权少贪欢:撩婚99天

    权少贪欢:撩婚99天

    身为一个法学系的高材生,最憋屈的是什么?是不能将把自己强X的男人绳之以法!安宁以为,这就是极限了。可她还是高估了那男人的无耻——相亲宴上,被他掳走且扒光……马路边上,被他掳走且扒光……“现在连我的订婚宴你也要插一脚?!”“订婚宴?安小妞儿,你、以及你的人生,老子都插定了!”
  • 战祭

    战祭

    离家而去,踏过万千山水,只为让她看到,其实,我真的可以。光明神殿,光明至尊普众生。幽冥谷内,灵柩长埋,幽冥至尊斩万魔。天地动荡,四方神尊傲天地。这是一个妖魔横行的时代,青年的路便是这样开始了。大器晚成,谁说普通人不可以。
  • 福妻驾到

    福妻驾到

    现代饭店彪悍老板娘魂穿古代。不分是非的极品婆婆?三年未归生死不明的丈夫?心狠手辣的阴毒亲戚?贪婪而好色的地主老财?吃上顿没下顿的贫困宭境?不怕不怕,神仙相助,一技在手,天下我有!且看现代张悦娘,如何身带福气玩转古代,开面馆、收小弟、左纳财富,右傍美男,共绘幸福生活大好蓝图!!!!快本新书《天媒地聘》已经上架开始销售,只要3.99元即可将整本书抱回家,你还等什么哪,赶紧点击下面的直通车,享受乐乐精心为您准备的美食盛宴吧!)