Part 3 - The Secret of the Island: Chapter 1

by Jules Verne

　　It was now two years and a half since the castaways from the balloon hadbeen thrown on Lincoln Island, and during that period there had been nocommunication between them and their fellow-creatures. Once the reporterhad attempted to communicate with the inhabited world by confiding to abird a letter which contained the secret of their situation, but that was achance on which it was impossible to reckon seriously. Ayrton, alone, underthe circumstances which have been related, had come to join the littlecolony. Now, suddenly, on this day, the 17th of October, other men hadunexpectedly appeared in sight of the island, on that deserted sea!

　　There could be no doubt about it! A vessel was there! But would she passon, or would she put into port? In a few hours the colonists woulddefinitely know what to expect.

　　Cyrus Harding and Herbert having immediately called Gideon Spilett,Pencroft, and Neb into the dining-room of Granite House, told them what hadhappened. Pencroft, seizing the telescope, rapidly swept the horizon, andstopping on the indicated point, that is to say, on that which had made thealmost imperceptible spot on the photographic negative,--

　　"I'm blessed but it is really a vessel!" he exclaimed, in a voice whichdid not express any great amount of satisfaction.

　　"Is she coming here?" asked Gideon Spilett.

　　"Impossible to say anything yet," answered Pencroft, "for her riggingalone is above the horizon, and not a bit of her hull can be seen."

　　"What is to be done?" asked the lad.

　　"Wait," replied Harding.

　　And for a considerable time the settlers remained silent, given up to allthe thoughts, and the emotions, all the fears, all the hopes, which werearoused by this incident--the most important which had occurred since theirarrival in Lincoln Island. Certainly, the colonists were not in thesituation of castaways abandoned on a sterile islet, constantly contendingagainst a cruel nature for their miserable existence, and incessantlytormented by the longing to return to inhabited countries. Pencroft andNeb, especially, who felt themselves at once so happy and so rich, wouldnot have left their island without regret. They were accustomed, besides,to this new life in the midst of the domain which their intelligence had asit were civilized. But at any rate this ship brought news from the world,perhaps even from their native land. It was bringing fellow-creatures tothem, and it may be conceived how deeply their hearts were moved at thesight!

　　From time to time Pencroft took the glass and rested himself at thewindow. From thence he very attentively examined the vessel, which was at adistance of twenty miles to the east. The colonists had as yet, therefore,no means of signalizing their presence. A flag would not have beenperceived; a gun would not have been heard; a fire would not have beenvisible. However, it was certain that the island, overtopped by MountFranklin, could not escape the notice of the vessel's lookout. But why wasthe ship coming there? Was it simple chance which brought it to that partof the Pacific, where the maps mentioned no land except Tabor Island, whichitself was out of the route usually followed by vessels from the PolynesianArchipelagoes, from New Zealand, and from the American coast? To thisquestion, which each one asked himself, a reply was suddenly made byHerbert.

　　"Can it be the 'Duncan'?" he cried.

　　The "Duncan," as has been said, was Lord Glenarvan's yacht, which hadleft Ayrton on the islet, and which was to return there someday to fetchhim. Now, the islet was not so far distant from Lincoln Island, but that avessel, standing for the one, could pass in sight of the other. A hundredand fifty miles only separated them in longitude, and seventy in latitude.

　　"We must tell Ayrton," said Gideon Spilett, "and send for himimmediately. He alone can say if it is the 'Duncan.'"

　　This was the opinion of all, and the reporter, going to the telegraphicapparatus which placed the corral in communication with Granite House, sentthis telegram:--"Come with all possible speed."

　　In a few minutes the bell sounded.

　　"I am coming," replied Ayrton.

　　Then the settlers continued to watch the vessel.

　　"If it is the 'Duncan,' " said Herbert, "Ayrton will recognize herwithout difficulty, since he sailed on board her for some time."

　　"And if he recognizes her," added Pencroft, "it will agitate himexceedingly!"

　　"Yes," answered Cyrus Harding; "but now Ayrton is worthy to return onboard the 'Duncan,' and pray Heaven that it is indeed Lord Glenarvan'syacht, for I should be suspicious of any other vessel. These are ill-famedseas, and I have always feared a visit from Malay pirates to our island."

　　"We could defend it,', cried Herbert.

　　"No doubt, my boy," answered the engineer smiling, "but it would bebetter not to have to defend it."

　　"A useless observation," said Spilett. "Lincoln Island is unknown tonavigators, since it is not marked even on the most recent maps. Do youthink, Cyrus, that that is a sufficient motive for a ship, finding herselfunexpectedly in sight of new land, to try and visit rather than avoid it?"

　　"Certainly," replied Pencroft.

　　"I think so too," added the engineer. "It may even be said that it is theduty of a captain to come and survey any land or island not yet known, andLincoln Island is in this position."

　　"Well," said Pencroft, "suppose this vessel comes and anchors there a fewcables-lengths from our island, what shall we do?"

　　This sudden question remained at first without any reply. But CyrusHarding, after some moments' thought, replied in the calm tone which wasusual to him,--

　　"What we shall do, my friends? What we ought to do is this:--we willcommunicate with the ship, we will take our passage on board her, and wewill leave our island, after having taken possession of it in the name ofthe United States. Then we will return with any who may wish to follow usto colonize it definitely, and endow the American Republic with a usefulstation in this part of the Pacific Ocean!"

　　"Hurrah!" exclaimed Pencroft, "and that will be no small present which weshall make to our country! The colonization is already almost finished;names are given to every part of the island; there is a natural port, freshwater, roads, a telegraph, a dockyard, and manufactories; and there will benothing to be done but to inscribe Lincoln Island on the maps!"

　　"But if anyone seizes it in our absence?" observed Gideon Spilett.

　　"Hang it!" cried the sailor. "I would rather remain all alone to guardit: and trust to Pencroft, they shouldn't steal it from him, like a watchfrom the pocket of a swell!"

　　For an hour it was impossible to say with any certainty whether thevessel was or was not standing towards Lincoln Island. She was nearer, butin what direction was she sailing? This Pencroft could not determine.However, as the wind was blowing from the northeast, in all probability thevessel was sailing on the starboard tack. Besides, the wind was favorablefor bringing her towards the island, and, the sea being calm, she would notbe afraid to approach although the shallows were not marked on the chart.

　　Towards four o'clock--an hour after he had been sent for--Ayrton arrived atGranite House. He entered the dining-room saying,--

　　"At your service, gentlemen."

　　Cyrus Harding gave him his hand, as was his custom to do, and, leadinghim to the window,--

　　"Ayrton," said he, "we have begged you to come here for an importantreason. A ship is in sight of the island."

　　Ayrton at first paled slightly, and for a moment his eyes became dim;then, leaning out the window, he surveyed the horizon, but could seenothing.

　　"Take this telescope," said Spilett, "and look carefully, Ayrton, for itis possible that this ship may be the 'Duncan' come to these seas for thepurpose of taking you home again."

　　"The 'Duncan!'" murmured Ayrton. "Already?" This last word escapedAyrton's lips as if involuntarily, and his head drooped upon his hands.

　　Did not twelve years' solitude on a desert island appear to him asufficient expiation? Did not the penitent yet feel himself pardoned,either in his own eyes or in the eyes of others?

　　"No," said he, "no! it cannot be the 'Duncan'!"

　　"Look, Ayrton," then said the engineer, "for it is necessary that weshould know beforehand what to expect."

　　Ayrton took the glass and pointed it in the direction indicated. Duringsome minutes he examined the horizon without moving, without uttering aword. Then,--

　　"It is indeed a vessel," said he, "but I do not think she is the'Duncan.'"

　　"Why do you not think so?" asked Gideon Spilett.

　　"Because the 'Duncan' is a steam-yacht, and I cannot perceive any traceof smoke either above or near that vessel."

　　"Perhaps she is simply sailing," observed Pencroft. "The wind isfavorable for the direction which she appears to be taking, and she may beanxious to economize her coal, being so far from land."

　　"It is possible that you may be right, Mr. Pencroft," answered Ayrton,"and that the vessel has extinguished her fires. We must wait until she isnearer, and then we shall soon know what to expect."

　　So saying, Ayrton sat down in a corner of the room and remained silent.The colonists again discussed the strange ship, but Ayrton took no part inthe conversation. All were in such a mood that they found it impossible tocontinue their work. Gideon Spilett and Pencroft were particularly nervous,going, coming, not able to remain still in one place. Herbert felt morecuriosity. Neb alone maintained his usual calm manner. Was not his countrythat where his master was? As to the engineer, he remained plunged in deepthought, and in his heart feared rather than desired the arrival of theship. In the meanwhile, the vessel was a little nearer the island. With theaid of the glass, it was ascertained that she was a brig, and not one ofthose Malay proas, which are generally used by the pirates of the Pacific.It was, therefore, reasonable to believe that the engineer's apprehensionswould not be justified, and that the presence of this vessel in thevicinity of the island was fraught with no danger.

　　Pencroft, after a minute examination, was able positively to affirm thatthe vessel was rigged as a brig, and that she was standing obliquelytowards the coast, on the starboard tack, under her topsails and top-gallant-sails. This was confirmed by Ayrton. But by continuing in thisdirection she must soon disappear behind Claw Cape, as the wind was fromthe southwest, and to watch her it would be then necessary to ascend theheight of Washington Bay, near Port Balloon--a provoking circumstance, for itwas already five o'clock in the evening, and the twilight would soon makeany observation extremely difficult.

　　"What shall we do when night comes on?" asked Gideon Spilett. "Shall welight a fire, so as to signal our presence on the coast?"

　　This was a serious question, and yet, although the engineer stillretained some of his presentiments, it was answered in the affirmative.During the night the ship might disappear and leave for ever, and, thisship gone, would another ever return to the waters of Lincoln Island? Whocould foresee what the future would then have in store for the colonists?

　　"Yes," said the reporter, "we ought to make known to that vessel, whoevershe may be, that the island is inhabited. To neglect the opportunity whichis offered to us might be to create everlasting regrets."

　　It was therefore decided that Neb and Pencroft should go to Port Balloon,and that there, at nightfall, they should light an immense fire, the blazeof which would necessarily attract the attention of the brig.

　　But at the moment when Neb and the sailor were preparing to leave GraniteHouse, the vessel suddenly altered her course, and stood directly for UnionBay. The brig was a good sailer, for she approached rapidly. Neb andPencroft put off their departure, therefore, and the glass was put intoAyrton's hands, that he might ascertain for certain whether the ship was orwas not the "Duncan." The Scotch yacht was also rigged as a brig. Thequestion was, whether a chimney could be discerned between the two masts ofthe vessel, which was now at a distance of only five miles.

　　The horizon was still very clear. The examination was easy, and Ayrtonsoon let the glass fall again, saying--

　　"It is not the 'Duncan'! It could not be!"

　　Pencroft again brought the brig within the range of the telescope, andcould see that she was of between three and four hundred tons burden,wonderfully narrow, well-masted, admirably built, and must be a very rapidsailer. But to what nation did she belong? That was difficult to say.

　　"And yet," added the sailor, "a flag is floating from her peak, but Icannot distinguish the colors of it."

　　"In half an hour we shall be certain about that," answered the reporter."Besides, it is very evident that the intention of the captain of this shipis to land, and, consequently, if not today, to-morrow at the latest, weshall make his acquaintance."

　　"Never mind!" said Pencroft. "It is best to know whom we have to dealwith, and I shall not be sorry to recognize that fellow's colors!"

　　And, while thus speaking, the sailor never left the glass. The day beganto fade, and with the day the breeze fell also. The brig's ensign hung infolds, and it became more and more difficult to observe it.

　　"It is not the American flag," said Pencroft from time to time, "nor theEnglish, the red of which could be easily seen, nor the French or Germancolors, nor the white flag of Russia, nor the yellow of Spain. One wouldsay it was all one color. Let's see: in these seas, what do we generallymeet with? The Chilean flag?--but that is tri-color. Brazilian?--it isgreen. Japanese?--it is yellow and black, while this--"

　　At that moment the breeze blew out the unknown flag. Ayrton seizing thetelescope which the sailor had put down, put it to his eye, and in a hoarsevoice, --

　　"The black flag!" he exclaimed.

　　And indeed the somber bunting was floating from the mast of the brig, andthey had now good reason for considering her to be a suspicious vessel!

　　Had the engineer, then, been right in his presentiments? Was this apirate vessel? Did she scour the Pacific, competing with the Malay proaswhich still infest it? For what had she come to look at the shores ofLincoln Island? Was it to them an unknown island, ready to become amagazine for stolen cargoes? Had she come to find on the coast a shelteredport for the winter months? Was the settlers' honest domain destined to betransformed into an infamous refuge--the headquarters of the piracy of thePacific?

　　All these ideas instinctively presented themselves to the colonists'imaginations. There was no doubt, besides, of the signification which mustbe attached to the color of the hoisted flag. It was that of pirates! Itwas that which the "Duncan" would have carried, had the convicts succeededin their criminal design! No time was lost before discussing it.

　　"My friends," said Cyrus Harding, "perhaps this vessel only wishes tosurvey the coast of the island. Perhaps her crew will not land. There is achance of it. However that may be, we ought to do everything we can to hideour presence here. The windmill on Prospect Heights is too easily seen. LetAyrton and Neb go and take down the sails. We must also conceal the windowsof Granite House with thick branches. All the fires must be extinguished,so that nothing may betray the presence of men on the island."

　　"And our vessel?" said Herbert.

　　"Oh," answered Pencroft, "she is sheltered in Port Balloon, and I defyany of those rascals there to find her!"

　　The engineer's orders were immediately executed. Neb and Ayrton ascendedthe plateau, and took the necessary precautions to conceal any indicationof a settlement. While they were thus occupied, their companions went tothe border of Jacamar Wood, and brought back a large quantity of branchesand creepers, which would at some distance appear as natural foliage, andthus disguise the windows in the granite cliff. At the same time, theammunition and guns were placed ready so as to be at hand in case of anunexpected attack.

　　When all these precautions had been taken,--

　　"My friends," said Harding, and his voice betrayed some emotion, "if thewretches endeavor to seize Lincoln Island, we shall defend it--shall wenot?"

　　"Yes, Cyrus," replied the reporter, "and if necessary we will die todefend it!"

　　The engineer extended his hand to his companions, who pressed it warmly.Ayrton remained in his corner, not joining the colonists. Perhaps he, theformer convict, still felt himself unworthy to do so!

　　Cyrus Harding understood what was passing in Ayrton's mind, and going tohim--

　　"And you, Ayrton," he asked, "what will you do?"

　　"My duty," answered Ayrton.

　　He then took up his station near the window and gazed through thefoliage.

　　It was now half-past seven. The sun had disappeared twenty minutes agobehind Granite House. Consequently the Eastern horizon was becomingobscured. In the meanwhile the brig continued to advance towards Union Bay.She was now not more than two miles off, and exactly opposite the plateauof Prospect Heights, for after having tacked off Claw Cape, she had driftedtowards the north in the current of the rising tide. One might have saidthat at this distance she had already entered the vast bay, for a straightline drawn from Claw Cape to Cape Mandible would have rested on herstarboard quarter.

　　Was the brig about to penetrate far into the bay? That was the firstquestion. When once in the bay, would she anchor there? That was thesecond. Would she not content herself with only surveying the coast, andstand out to sea again without landing her crew? They would know this in anhour. The colonists could do nothing but wait.

　　Cyrus Harding had not seen the suspected vessel hoist the black flagwithout deep anxiety. Was it not a direct menace against the work which heand his companions had till now conducted so successfully? Had thesepirates--for the sailors of the brig could be nothing else--already visitedthe island, since on approaching it they had hoisted their colors. Had theyformerly invaded it, so that certain unaccountable peculiarities might beexplained in this way? Did there exist in the as yet unexplored parts someaccomplice ready to enter into communication with them?

　　To all these questions which he mentally asked himself, Harding knew notwhat to reply; but he felt that the safety of the colony could not but beseriously threatened by the arrival of the brig.

　　However, he and his companions were determined to fight to the last gasp.It would have been very important to know if the pirates were numerous andbetter armed than the colonists. But how was this information to heobtained?

　　Night fell. The new moon had disappeared. Profound darkness enveloped theisland and the sea. No light could pierce through the heavy piles of cloudson the horizon. The wind had died away completely with the twilight. Not aleaf rustled on the trees, not a ripple murmured on the shore. Nothingcould be seen of the ship, all her lights being extinguished, and if shewas still in sight of the island, her whereabouts could not be discovered.

　　"Well! who knows?" said Pencroft. "Perhaps that cursed craft will standoff during the night, and we shall see nothing of her at daybreak."

　　As if in reply to the sailor's observation, a bright light flashed in thedarkness, and a cannon-shot was heard.

　　The vessel was still there and had guns on board.

　　Six seconds elapsed between the flash and the report.

　　Therefore the brig was about a mile and a quarter from the coast.

　　At the same time, the chains were heard rattling through the hawse-holes.

　　The vessel had just anchored in sight of Granite House!