by Jules Verne
Chapter 6
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 wishedto set out without delay; but as the expedition would be of some daysduration, it appeared best to load the cart with different materials andtools in order to facilitate the organization of the encampments. Oneof the onagers, however, having hurt its leg, could not be harnessedat present, and a few days' rest was necessary. The departure was,therefore, put off for a week, until the 20th of November. The monthof November in this latitude corresponds to the month of May in thenorthern zones. It was, therefore, the fine season. The sun was enteringthe tropic of Capricorn, and gave the longest days in the year. The timewas, therefore, very favorable for the projected expedition, which,if it did not accomplish its principal object, would at any rate befruitful 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 oneof them 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 neighborhood, 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, whichwas already walled up and partly hidden under grass and plants, at thesouthern angle of Lake Grant. Nothing was easier, since if the levelof the lake was raised two or three feet, the opening would be quitebeneath it. Now, to raise this level they had only to establish a dam atthe two openings made by the lake, and by which were fed Creek Glycerineand Falls River.
The colonists worked with a will, and the two dams which besides did notexceed eight feet in width by three in height, were rapidly erected bymeans 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 sailor wasvery anxious to know if the little creek in which the "Bonadventure" wasmoored, 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 harbor, and in that case, I wouldn't give half-a-dollar for our'Bonadventure.'"
Pencroft's apprehensions were not without foundation, and a visitto Port 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 him, whether "man or beast," as he said. GideonSpilett and Herbert also took their guns, and about three o'clock allthree 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 gunshot shouldannounce the colonists' return, and that at the signal Neb should returnand reestablish 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 thick forest,as well as Tabor Marsh. They found no trace of the fugitives who, nodoubt, not having yet discovered the number of the colonists, or themeans of defense which they had at their disposal, had gained the lessaccessible parts of the island.
Arrived at Port Balloon, Pencroft saw with extreme satisfaction thatthe "Bonadventure" was tranquilly floating in the narrow creek. However,Port Balloon was so well hidden among high rocks, that it could scarcelybe 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 that thestranger, if we manage to find him, may know as much about Tabor Islandas about Lincoln Island. Do not forget that he is certainly the authorof the document, and he may, perhaps, know how far we may count on thereturn of the yacht!"
"But!" exclaimed Pencroft, "who in the world can he be? The fellow knowsus and we know nothing about him! If he is a simple castaway, why shouldhe conceal himself! We are honest men, I suppose, and the society ofhonest men isn't unpleasant to any one. Did he come here voluntarily?Can he leave the island if he likes? Is he here still? Will he remainany 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 wassecured,--
"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 a runningbowline."
"You must be mistaken, Pencroft."
"I am not mistaken!" declared the sailor. "My hand does it so naturally,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,is that some one has weighed the 'Bonadventure's' anchor and dropped itagain! And look here, here is another proof! The cable of the anchor hasbeen run out, and its service is no longer at the hawse-hole. I repeatthat some one has been using our vessel!"
"But if the convicts had used her, they would have pillaged her, orrather gone off with her."
"Gone off! where to--to Tabor Island?" replied Pencroft. "Do you think,they would risk themselves in a boat of such small tonnage?"
"We must, besides, be sure that they know of the islet," rejoined thereporter.
"However tha
t may be," said the sailor, "as sure as my name isBonadventure Pencroft, of the Vineyard, our 'Bonadventure' has sailedwithout us!"
The sailor was 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 maneuvers,unless the vessel had been employed in some expedition?
"But how was it we did not see the 'Bonadventure' pass in the sight ofthe island?" observed the reporter, who was anxious to bring forwardevery possible 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 ourreturn we have not rid the island of those rascals, it will be prudentto bring our boat to Granite House, until the time when we need not fearany 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 possibleto make an artificial harbor 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 acclimatize 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 has 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 endeavor 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 repairto the corral, and if they did not find Ayrton, search the neighboringwoods.
At six o'clock in the morning, the engineer and his three companionshad passed Creek Glycerine, and Neb posted himself behind a small moundcrowned by several dragon trees, 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 slightest 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. Andthey could 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 extended. However, atthat moment the engineer observed that the wire appeared to be slack,and on arriving at post No. 74, Herbert, who was in advance stopped,exclaiming,--
"The wire is broken!"
His companions hurried forward and arrived at the spot where the ladwas standing. 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 its foot,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 between 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. They weresincerely attached to their new companion. Were they to find him struckdown 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 thelittle stream which flowed from the Red Creek and watered the meadowsof the corral. They then moderated their pace so that they should notbe out 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, while 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 by acry of pain.
Herbert, struck by a bullet, lay stretched on the ground.
