by Jules Verne
CHAPTER SIX.
EXPEDITIONS PLANNED--AYRTON AT THE CORRAL--VISIT TO PORT BALLOON--PENCROFT'S OBSERVATIONS ON BOARD THE BONADVENTURE--DESPATCH SENT TO THECORRAL--NO REPLY FROM AYRTON--DEPARTURE THE NEXT DAY--THE REASON WHY THEWIRE DID NOT WORK--A REPORT.
However, the chief business of the colonists was to make that completeexploration of the island which had been decided upon, and which wouldhave two objects: to discover the mysterious being whose existence wasnow indisputable, and at the same time to find out what had become ofthe pirates, what retreat they had chosen, what sort of life they wereleading, and what was to be feared from them. Cyrus Harding wished toset out without delay; but as the expedition would be of some days'duration, it appeared best to load the cart with different materials andtools in order to facilitate the organisation of the encampments. Oneof the onagers, however, having hurt its leg, could not be harnessed atpresent, and a few days' rest was necessary. The departure was,therefore, put off for a week, until the 20th of November. The month ofNovember in this latitude corresponds to the month of May in thenorthern zones. It was, therefore, the fine season. The sun wasentering the tropic of Capricorn, and gave the longest days in the year.The time was, therefore, very favourable for the projected expedition,which, if it did not accomplish its principal object, would at any ratebe fruitful in discoveries, especially of natural productions, sinceHarding proposed to explore those dense forests of the Far West, whichstretched to the extremity of the Serpentine Peninsula.
During the nine days which preceded their departure, it was agreed thatthe work on Prospect Heights should be finished off.
Moreover, it was necessary for Ayrton to return to the corral, where thedomesticated animals required his care. It was decided that he shouldspend two days there, and return to Granite House after having liberallysupplied the stables.
As he was about to start, Harding asked him if he would not like one ofthem to accompany him, observing that the island was less safe thanformerly. Ayrton replied that this was unnecessary, as he was enoughfor the work, and that besides he apprehended no danger. If anythingoccurred at the corral, or in the neighbourhood, he could instantly warnthe colonists by sending a telegram to Granite House.
Ayrton departed at dawn on the 9th, taking the cart drawn by one onager,and two hours after, the electric wire announced that he had found allin order at the corral.
During these two days Harding busied himself in executing a projectwhich would completely guard Granite House against any surprise. It wasnecessary to completely conceal the opening of the old outlet, which wasalready walled up and partly hidden under grass and plants, at thesouthern angle of Lake Grant. Nothing was easier, since if the level ofthe lake was raised two or three feet, the opening would be quitebeneath it. Now, to raise this level they had only to establish a damat the two openings made by the lake, and by which were fed CreekGlycerine and Falls River.
The colonists worked with a will, and the two dams, which besides didnot exceed eight feet in width by three in height, were rapidly erectedby means of well-cemented blocks of stone.
This work finished, it would have been impossible to guess that at thatpart of the lake, there existed a subterranean passage through which theoverflow of the lake formerly escaped.
Of course the little stream which fed the reservoir of Granite House andworked the lift had been carefully preserved, and the water could notfail. The lift once raised, this sure and comfortable retreat would besafe from any surprise.
This work had been so quickly done, that Pencroft, Gideon Spilett, andHerbert found time to make an expedition to Port Balloon. The sailorwas very anxious to know if the little creek in which the _Bonadventure_was moored, had been visited by the convicts.
"These gentlemen," he observed, "landed on the south coast, and if theyfollowed the shore, it is to be feared that they may have discovered thelittle harbour, and in that case, I wouldn't give half-a-dollar for our_Bonadventure_."
Pencroft's apprehensions were not without foundation, and a visit toPort Balloon appeared to be very desirable. The sailor and hiscompanions set off on the 10th of November, after dinner, well-armed.Pencroft, ostentatiously slipping two bullets into each barrel of hisrifle, shook his head in a way which betokened nothing good to any onewho approached too near to him, whether "man or beast," as he said.Gideon Spilett and Herbert also took their guns, and about three o'clockall three left Granite House.
Neb accompanied them to the turn of the Mercy, and after they hadcrossed, he raised the bridge. It was agreed that a gun-shot shouldannounce the colonists' return, and that at the signal Neb should returnand re-establish the communication between the two banks of the river.
The little band advanced directly along the road which led to thesouthern coast of the island. This was only a distance of three milesand a half, but Gideon Spilett and his companions took two hours totraverse it. They examined all the border of the road, the thickforest, as well as Tabor Marsh. They found no trace of the fugitiveswho, no doubt, not having yet discovered the number of the colonists, orthe means of defence which they had at their disposal, had gained theless accessible parts of the island.
Arrived at Port Balloon, Pencroft saw with extreme satisfaction that the_Bonadventure_ was tranquilly floating in the narrow creek. However,Port Balloon was so well hidden amongst high rocks that it couldscarcely be discovered either from the land or the sea.
"Come," said Pencroft, "the blackguards have not been there yet. Longgrass suits reptiles best, and evidently we shall find them in the FarWest."
"And it's very lucky, for if they had found the _Bonadventure_," addedHerbert, "they would have gone off in her, and we should have beenprevented from returning to Tabor Island."
"Indeed," remarked the reporter, "it will be important to take adocument there which will make known the situation of Lincoln Island,and Ayrton's new residence, in case the Scotch yacht returns to fetchhim."
"Well, the _Bonadventure_ is always there, Mr Spilett," answered thesailor. "She and her crew are ready to start at a moment's notice!"
"I think, Pencroft, that that is a thing to be done after ourexploration of the island is finished. It is possible after all thatthe stranger, if we manage to find him, may know as much about TaborIsland as about Lincoln Island. Do not forget that he is certainly theauthor of the document, and he may, perhaps, know how far we may counton the return of the yacht!"
"But!" exclaimed Pencroft, "who in the world can he be? The fellowknows us and we know nothing about him! If he is a simple castaway, whyshould he conceal himself? We are honest men, I suppose, and thesociety of honest men isn't unpleasant to any one. Did he come herevoluntarily? Can he leave the island if he likes? Is he here still?Will he remain any longer?"
Chatting thus, Pencroft, Gideon Spilett, and Herbert got on board andlooked about the deck of the _Bonadventure_. All at once, the sailorhaving examined the bitts to which the cable of the anchor was secured--
"Hallo," he cried, "this is queer!"
"What is the matter, Pencroft?" asked the reporter.
"The matter is, that it was not I who made this knot!"
And Pencroft showed a rope which fastened the cable to the bitt itself.
"What, it was not you?" asked Gideon Spilett.
"No! I can swear to it. This is a reef knot, and I always make arunning bowline."
"You must be mistaken, Pencroft."
"I am not mistaken!" declared the sailor. "My hand does it sonaturally, and one's hand is never mistaken!"
"Then can the convicts have been on board?" asked Herbert.
"I know nothing about that," answered Pencroft, "but what is certain, isthat some one has weighed the _Bonadventure's_ anchor and dropped itagain! And look here, here is another proof! The cable of the anchorhas been run out, and its service is no longer at the hawse-hole. Irepeat that some one has been using our vessel!"
"But if the convicts had used her, they would have pillaged her, orr
ather gone off with her."
"Gone off! where to--to Tabor Island?" replied Pencroft. "Do you thinkthey would risk themselves in a boat of such small tonnage?"
"We must, besides, be sure that they know of the islet," rejoined thereporter.
"However that may be," said the sailor, "as sure as my name isBonadventure Pencroft, of the Vineyard, our _Bonadventure_ has sailedwithout us!"
The sailor was so positive that neither Gideon Spilett nor Herbert coulddispute his statement. It was evident that the vessel had been moved,more or less, since Pencroft had brought her to Port Balloon. As to thesailor, he had not the slightest doubt that the anchor had been raisedand then dropped again. Now, what was the use of these two manoeuvres,unless the vessel had been employed in some expedition?
"But how was it we did not see the _Bonadventure_ pass in sight of theisland?" observed the reporter, who was anxious to bring forward everypossible objection.
"Why, Mr Spilett," replied the sailor, "they would only have to startin the night with a good breeze, and they would be out of sight of theisland in two hours."
"Well," resumed Gideon Spilett, "I ask again, what object could theconvicts have had in using the _Bonadventure_, and why, after they hadmade use of her, should they have brought her back to port?"
"Why, Mr Spilett," replied the sailor, "we must put that among theunaccountable things, and not think anything more about it. The chiefthing is that the _Bonadventure_ was there, and she is there now. Only,unfortunately, if the convicts take her a second time, we shall verylikely not find her again in her place!"
"Then, Pencroft," said Herbert, "would it not be wisest to bring the_Bonadventure_ off to Granite House?"
"Yes and no," answered Pencroft, "or rather no. The mouth of the Mercyis a bad place for a vessel, and the sea is heavy there."
"But by hauling her up on the sand, to the foot of the Chimneys?"
"Perhaps yes," replied Pencroft. "At any rate, since we must leaveGranite House for a long expedition, I think the _Bonadventure_ will besafer here during our absence, and we shall do best to leave her hereuntil the island is rid of these blackguards."
"That is exactly my opinion," said the reporter. "At any rate in theevent of bad weather, she will not be exposed here as she would be atthe mouth of the Mercy."
"But suppose the convicts pay her another visit," said Herbert.
"Well, my boy," replied Pencroft, "not finding her here, they would notbe long in finding her on the sands of Granite House, and, during ourabsence, nothing could hinder them from seizing her! I agree,therefore, with Mr Spilett, that she must be left in Port Balloon.But, if on our return we have not rid the island of those rascals, itwill be prudent to bring our boat to Granite House, until the time whenwe need not fear any unpleasant visits."
"That's settled. Let us be off," said the reporter.
Pencroft, Herbert, and Gideon Spilett, on their return to Granite House,told the engineer all that had passed, and the latter approved of theirarrangements both for the present and the future. He also promised thesailor that he would study that part of the channel situated between theislet and the coast; so as to ascertain if it would not be possible tomake an artificial harbour there by means of dams. In this way, the_Bonadventure_ would be always within reach, under the eyes of thecolonists, and if necessary, under lock and key.
That evening a telegram was sent to Ayrton, requesting him to bring fromthe corral a couple of goats, which Neb wished to acclimatise to theplateau. Singularly enough, Ayrton did not acknowledge the receipt ofthe despatch, as he was accustomed to do. This could not but astonishthe engineer. But it might be that Ayrton was not at that moment in thecorral, or even that he was on his way back to Granite House. In fact,two days had already passed since his departure, and it had been decidedthat on the evening of the 10th or at the latest the morning of the11th, he should return. The colonists waited, therefore, for Ayrton toappear on Prospect Heights. Neb and Herbert even watched at the bridgeso as to be ready to lower it the moment their companion presentedhimself.
But up to ten in the evening, there were no signs of Ayrton. It was,therefore, judged best to send a fresh despatch, requiring an immediatereply.
The bell of the telegraph at Granite House remained mute.
The colonists' uneasiness was great. What had happened? Was Ayrton nolonger at the corral, or if he was still there, had he no longer controlover his movements? Could they go to the corral in this dark night?
They consulted. Some wished to go, the others to remain.
"But," said Herbert, "perhaps some accident had happened to thetelegraphic apparatus, so that it works no longer?"
"That may be," said the reporter.
"Wait till to-morrow," replied Cyrus Harding. "It is possible, indeed,that Ayrton has not received our despatch, or even that we have notreceived his."
They waited, of course not without some anxiety.
At dawn of day, the 11th of November, Harding again sent the electriccurrent along the wire and received no reply.
He tried again: the same result.
"Off to the corral," said he.
"And well-armed!" added Pencroft.
It was immediately decided that Granite House should not be left aloneand that Neb should remain there. After having accompanied his friendsto Creek Glycerine, he raised the bridge; and waiting behind a tree hewatched for the return of either his companions or Ayrton.
In the event of the pirates presenting themselves and attempting toforce the passage, he was to endeavour to stop them by firing on them,and as a last resource he was to take refuge in Granite House, where,the lift once raised, he would be in safety.
Cyrus Harding, Gideon Spilett, Herbert, and Pencroft were to repair tothe corral, and if they did not find Ayrton, search the neighbouringwoods.
At six o'clock in the morning, the engineer and his three companions hadpassed Creek Glycerine, and Neb posted himself behind a small moundcrowned by several dragoniners on the left bank of the stream.
The colonists, after leaving the plateau of Prospect Heights,immediately took the road to the corral. They shouldered their guns,ready to fire on the smallest hostile demonstration. The two rifles andthe two guns had been loaded with ball.
The wood was thick on each side of the road and might easily haveconcealed the convicts, who owing to their weapons would have beenreally formidable.
The colonists walked rapidly and in silence. Top preceded them,sometimes running on the road, sometimes taking a ramble into the wood,but always quiet and not appearing to fear anything unusual. And theycould be sure that the faithful dog would not allow them to besurprised, but would bark at the least appearance of danger.
Cyrus Harding and his companions followed beside the road the wire whichconnected the corral with Granite House. After walking for nearly twomiles, they had not as yet discovered any explanation of the difficulty.The posts were in good order, the wire regularly expended. However, atthat moment the engineer observed that the wire appeared to be slack,and on arriving at post Number 74, Herbert, who was in advance stopped,exclaiming--
"The wire is broken!"
His companions hurried forward and arrived at the spot where the lad wasstanding. The post was rooted up and lying across the path. Theunexpected explanation of the difficulty was here, and it was evidentthat the despatches from Granite House had not been received at thecorral, nor those from the corral at Granite House.
"It wasn't the wind that blew down this post," observed Pencroft.
"No," replied Gideon Spilett. "The earth has been dug up round itsfoot, and it has been torn up by the hand of man."
"Besides, the wire is broken," added Herbert, showing that the wire hadbeen snapped.
"Is the fracture recent?" asked Harding.
"Yes," answered Herbert, "it has certainly been done quite lately."
"To the corral! to the corral!" exclaimed the sailor.
The colonists were now half way be
tween Granite House and the corral,having still two miles and a half to go. They pressed forward withredoubled speed.
Indeed, it was to be feared that some serious accident had occurred inthe corral. No doubt, Ayrton might have sent a telegram which had notarrived, but this was not the reason why his companions were so uneasy,for, a more unaccountable circumstance, Ayrton, who had promised toreturn the evening before, had not reappeared. In short, it was notwithout a motive that all communication had been stopped between thecorral and Granite House, and who but the convicts could have anyinterest in interrupting this communication?
The settlers hastened on, their hearts oppressed with anxiety. Theywere sincerely attached to their new companion. Were they to find himstruck down by the hands of those of whom he was formerly the leader?
Soon they arrived at the place where the road led along the side of alittle stream which flowed from the Red Creek and watered the meadows ofthe corral. They then moderated their pace so that they should not beout of breath at the moment when a struggle might be necessary. Theirguns were in their hands ready cocked. The forest was watched on everyside. Top uttered sullen groans which were rather ominous.
At last the palisade appeared through the trees. No trace of any damagecould be seen. The gate was shut as usual. Deep silence reigned in thecorral. Neither the accustomed bleating of the sheep nor Ayrton's voicecould be heard.
"Let us enter," said Cyrus Harding.
And the engineer advanced, whilst his companions, keeping watch abouttwenty paces behind him, were ready to fire at a moment's notice.
Harding raised the inner latch of the gate and was about to push itback, when Top barked loudly. A report sounded and was responded to bya cry of pain.
Herbert, struck by a bullet, lay stretched on the ground.
