Off on a Comet! a Journey through Planetary Space

by Jules Verne

  CHAPTER XXI. WINTER QUARTERS

  The habitation that had now revealed itself, well lighted and thoroughlywarm, was indeed marvelous. Not only would it afford ample accommodationfor Hector Servadac and "his subjects," as Ben Zoof delighted tocall them, but it would provide shelter for the two horses, and for aconsiderable number of domestic animals.

  This enormous cavern was neither more or less than the common junctionof nearly twenty tunnels (similar to that which had been traversed bythe explorers), forming ramifications in the solid rock, and the pores,as it were, by which the internal heat exuded from the heart of themountain. Here, as long as the volcano retained its activity, everyliving creature on the new asteroid might brave the most rigorous ofclimates; and as Count Timascheff justly remarked, since it was the onlyburning mountain they had sighted, it was most probably the sole outletfor Gallia's subterranean fires, and consequently the eruption mightcontinue unchanged for ages to come.

  But not a day, not an hour, was to be lost now. The steam-launchreturned to Gourbi Island, and preparations were forthwith taken in handfor conveying man and beast, corn and fodder, across to the volcanicheadland. Loud and hearty were the acclamations of the little colony,especially of the Spaniards, and great was the relief of Nina, whenServadac announced to them the discovery of their future domicile; andwith requickened energies they labored hard at packing, anxious to reachtheir genial winter quarters without delay.

  For three successive days the _Dobryna_, laden to her very gunwale, madea transit to and fro. Ben Zoof was left upon the island to superintendthe stowage of the freight, whilst Servadac found abundant occupation inoverlooking its disposal within the recesses of the mountain. Firstof all, the large store of corn and fodder, the produce of the recentharvest, was landed and deposited in one of the vaults; then, on the15th, about fifty head of live cattle--bullocks, cows, sheep, andpigs--were conveyed to their rocky stalls. These were saved for the sakeof preserving the several breeds, the bulk of the island cattle beingslaughtered, as the extreme severity of the climate insured all meatremaining fresh for almost an indefinite period. The winter which theywere expecting would probably be of unprecedented length; it was quitelikely that it would exceed the six months' duration by which manyarctic explorers have been tried; but the population of Gallia hadno anxiety in the matter of provisions--their stock was far more thanadequate; while as for drink, as long as they were satisfied with purewater, a frozen sea would afford them an inexhaustible reservoir.

  The need for haste in forwarding their preparations became more and moremanifest; the sea threatened to be un-navigable very soon, as ice wasalready forming which the noonday sun was unable to melt. And if hastewere necessary, so also were care, ingenuity, and forethought. Itwas indispensable that the space at their command should be properlyutilized, and yet that the several portions of the store should all bereadily accessible.

  On further investigation an unexpected number of galleries wasdiscovered, so that, in fact, the interior of the mountain was like avast bee-hive perforated with innumerable cells; and in compliment tothe little Italian it was unanimously voted by the colony that their newhome should be called "Nina's Hive."

  The first care of Captain Servadac was to ascertain how he could makethe best possible use of the heat which nature had provided for themso opportunely and with so lavish a hand. By opening fresh vents in thesolid rock (which by the action of the heat was here capable of fissure)the stream of burning lava was diverted into several new channels, whereit could be available for daily use; and thus Mochel, the _Dobryna's_cook, was furnished with an admirable kitchen, provided with a permanentstove, where he was duly installed with all his culinary apparatus.

  "What a saving of expense it would be," exclaimed Ben Zoof, "if everyhousehold could be furnished with its own private volcano!"

  The large cavern at the general junction of the galleries was fitted upas a drawing-room, and arranged with all the best furniture both of thegourbi and of the cabin of the _Dobryna_. Hither was also brought theschooner's library, containing a good variety of French and Russianbooks; lamps were suspended over the different tables; and the walls ofthe apartment were tapestried with the sails and adorned with the flagsbelonging to the yacht. The curtain of fire extending over the openingof the cavern provided it, as already stated, with light and heat.

  The torrent of lava fell into a small rock-bound basin that had noapparent communication with the sea, and was evidently the aperture ofa deep abyss, of which the waters, heated by the descent of the eruptivematter, would no doubt retain their liquid condition long after theGallian Sea had become a sheet of ice.

  A small excavation to the left of the common hall was allotted forthe special use of Servadac and the count; another on the right wasappropriated to the lieutenant and Ben Zoof; whilst a third recess,immediately at the back, made a convenient little chamber for Nina. TheSpaniards and the Russian sailors took up their sleeping-quarters in theadjacent galleries, and found the temperature quite comfortable.

  Such were the internal arrangements of Nina's Hive, the refuge wherethe little colony were full of hope that they would be able to bravethe rigors of the stern winter-time that lay before them--a winter-timeduring which Gallia might possibly be projected even to the orbit ofJupiter, where the temperature would not exceed one twenty-fifth of thenormal winter temperature of the earth.

  The only discontented spirit was Isaac Hakkabut. Throughout all thepreparations which roused even the Spaniards to activity, the Jew,still incredulous and deaf to every representation of the true state ofthings, insisted upon remaining in the creek at Gourbi Island; nothingcould induce him to leave his tartan, where, like a miser, he would keepguard over his precious cargo, ever grumbling and growling, but with hisweather-eye open in the hope of catching sight of some passing sail. Itmust be owned that the whole party were far from sorry to be relievedof his presence; his uncomely figure and repulsive countenance wasa perpetual bugbear. He had given out in plain terms that he did notintend to part with any of his property, except for current money, andServadac, equally resolute, had strictly forbidden any purchases to bemade, hoping to wear out the rascal's obstinacy.

  Hakkabut persistently refused to credit the real situation; he couldnot absolutely deny that some portions of the terrestrial globe hadundergone a certain degree of modification, but nothing could bring himto believe that he was not, sooner or later, to resume his old line ofbusiness in the Mediterranean. With his wonted distrust of all with whomhe came in contact, he regarded every argument that was urged upon himonly as evidence of a plot that had been devised to deprive him of hisgoods. Repudiating, as he did utterly, the hypothesis that a fragmenthad become detached from the earth, he scanned the horizon for hourstogether with an old telescope, the case of which had been patched uptill it looked like a rusty stove-pipe, hoping to descry the passingtrader with which he might effect some bartering upon advantageousterms.

  At first he professed to regard the proposed removal intowinter-quarters as an attempt to impose upon his credulity; but thefrequent voyages made by the _Dobryna_ to the south, and the repeatedconsignments of corn and cattle, soon served to make him aware thatCaptain Servadac and his companions were really contemplating adeparture from Gourbi Island.

  The movement set him thinking. What, he began to ask himself--whatif all that was told him was true? What if this sea was no longerthe Mediterranean? What if he should never again behold his Germanfatherland? What if his marts for business were gone for ever? A vagueidea of ruin began to take possession of his mind: he must yieldto necessity; he must do the best he could. As the result of hiscogitations, he occasionally left his tartan and made a visit to theshore. At length he endeavored to mingle with the busy group, who werehurrying on their preparations; but his advances were only met by jeersand scorn, and, ridiculed by all the rest, he was fain to turn hisattention to Ben Zoof, to whom he offered a few pinches of tobacco.

  "No, old Zebulon," said Ben Zoof, steadily refusin
g the gift, "it isagainst orders to take anything from you. Keep your cargo to yourself;eat and drink it all if you can; we are not to touch it."

  Finding the subordinates incorruptible, Isaac determined to go to thefountain-head. He addressed himself to Servadac, and begged him to tellhim the whole truth, piteously adding that surely it was unworthy of aFrench officer to deceive a poor old man like himself.

  "Tell you the truth, man!" cried Servadac. "Confound it, I have toldyou the truth twenty times. Once for all, I tell you now, you have leftyourself barely time enough to make your escape to yonder mountain."

  "God and Mahomet have mercy on me!" muttered the Jew, whose creedfrequently assumed a very ambiguous character.

  "I will tell you what," continued the captain--"you shall have a few mento work the _Hansa_ across, if you like."

  "But I want to go to Algiers," whimpered Hakkabut.

  "How often am I to tell you that Algiers is no longer in existence? Onlysay yes or no--are you coming with us into winter-quarters?"

  "God of Israel! what is to become of all my property?"

  "But, mind you," continued the captain, not heeding the interruption,"if you do not choose voluntarily to come with us, I shall have the_Hansa_, by my orders, removed to a place of safety. I am not goingto let your cursed obstinacy incur the risk of losing your cargoaltogether."

  "Merciful Heaven! I shall be ruined!" moaned Isaac, in despair.

  "You are going the right way to ruin yourself, and it would serve youright to leave you to your own devices. But be off! I have no more tosay."

  And, turning contemptuously on his heel, Servadac left the old manvociferating bitterly, and with uplifted hands protesting vehementlyagainst the rapacity of the Gentiles.

  By the 20th all preliminary arrangements were complete, and everythingready for a final departure from the island. The thermometer stood onan average at 8 degrees below zero, and the water in the cistern wascompletely frozen. It was determined, therefore, for the colony toembark on the following day, and take up their residence in Nina's Hive.

  A final consultation was held about the _Hansa_. Lieutenant Procopepronounced his decided conviction that it would be impossible for thetartan to resist the pressure of the ice in the harbor of the Shelif,and that there would be far more safety in the proximity of thevolcano. It was agreed on all hands that the vessel must be shifted; andaccordingly orders were given, four Russian sailors were sent on board,and only a few minutes elapsed after the _Dobryna_ had weighed anchor,before the great lateen sail of the tartan was unfurled, and the"shop-ship," as Ben Zoof delighted to call it, was also on her way tothe southward.

  Long and loud were the lamentations of the Jew. He kept exclaiming thathe had given no orders, that he was being moved against his will, thathe had asked for no assistance, and needed none; but it required no verykeen discrimination to observe that all along there was a lurking gleamof satisfaction in his little gray eyes, and when, a few hours later, hefound himself securely anchored, and his property in a place of safety,he quite chuckled with glee.

  "God of Israel!" he said in an undertone, "they have made no charge; theidiots have piloted me here for nothing."

  For nothing! His whole nature exulted in the consciousness that he wasenjoying a service that had been rendered gratuitously.

  Destitute of human inhabitants, Gourbi Island was now left to thetenancy of such birds and beasts as had escaped the recent promiscuousslaughter. Birds, indeed, that had migrated in search of warmer shores,had returned, proving that this fragment of the French colony was theonly shred of land that could yield them any sustenance; but their lifemust necessarily be short. It was utterly impossible that they couldsurvive the cold that would soon ensue.

  The colony took possession of their new abode with but few formalities.Everyone, however, approved of all the internal arrangements of Nina'sHive, and were profuse in their expressions of satisfaction at findingthemselves located in such comfortable quarters. The only malcontentwas Hakkabut; he had no share in the general enthusiasm, refused evento enter or inspect any of the galleries, and insisted on remaining onboard his tartan.

  "He is afraid," said Ben Zoof, "that he will have to pay for hislodgings. But wait a bit; we shall see how he stands the cold out there;the frost, no doubt, will drive the old fox out of his hole."

  Towards evening the pots were set boiling, and a bountiful supper, towhich all were invited, was spread in the central hall. The stores ofthe _Dobryna_ contained some excellent wine, some of which was broachedto do honor to the occasion. The health of the governor general wasdrunk, as well as the toast "Success to his council," to which Ben Zoofwas called upon to return thanks. The entertainment passed off merrily.The Spaniards were in the best of spirits; one of them played theguitar, another the castanets, and the rest joined in a ringing chorus.Ben Zoof contributed the famous Zouave refrain, well known throughoutthe French army, but rarely performed in finer style than by this_virtuoso:_

  _"Misti goth dar dar tire lyre! Flic! floc! flac! lirette, lira! Far la rira, Tour tala rire, Tour la Ribaud, Ricandeau, Sans repos, repit, repit, repos, ris pot, ripette! Si vous attrapez mon refrain, Fameux vous etes."_

  The concert was succeeded by a ball, unquestionably the first that hadever taken place in Gallia. The Russian sailors exhibited some of theirnational dances, which gained considerable applause, even although theyfollowed upon the marvelous fandangos of the Spaniards. Ben Zoof, inhis turn, danced a _pas seul_ (often performed in the Elysee Montmartre)with an elegance and vigor that earned many compliments from Negrete.

  It was nine o'clock before the festivities came to an end, and by thattime the company, heated by the high temperature of the hall, and bytheir own exertions, felt the want of a little fresh air. Accordinglythe greater portion of the party, escorted by Ben Zoof, made their wayinto one of the adjacent galleries that led to the shore. Servadac,with the count and lieutenant, did not follow immediately; but shortlyafterwards they proceeded to join them, when on their way they werestartled by loud cries from those in advance.

  Their first impression was that they were cries of distress, and theywere greatly relieved to find that they were shouts of delight, whichthe dryness and purity of the atmosphere caused to re-echo like a volleyof musketry.

  Reaching the mouth of the gallery, they found the entire group pointingwith eager interest to the sky.

  "Well, Ben Zoof," asked the captain, "what's the matter now?"

  "Oh, your Excellency," ejaculated the orderly, "look there! look there!The moon! the moon's come back!"

  And, sure enough, what was apparently the moon was rising above themists of evening.