Part 3 - The Secret of the Island: Chapter 11

by Jules Verne

　　Gideon Spilett took the box and opened it. It contained nearly two hundredgrains of a white powder, a few particles of which he carried to his lips.The extreme bitterness of the substance precluded all doubt; it wascertainly the precious extract of quinine, that pre-eminent antifebrile.

　　This powder must be administered to Herbert without delay. How it camethere might be discussed later.

　　"Some coffee!" said Spilett.

　　In a few moments Neb brought a cup of the warm infusion. Gideon Spilettthrew into it about eighteen grains of quinine, and they succeeded inmaking Herbert drink the mixture.

　　There was still time, for the third attack of the malignant fever had notyet shown itself. How they longed to be able to add that it would notreturn!

　　Besides, it must be remarked, the hopes of all had now revived. Themysterious influence had been again exerted, and in a critical moment, whenthey had despaired of it.

　　In a few hours Herbert was much calmer. The colonists could now discussthis incident. The intervention of the stranger was more evident than ever.But how had he been able to penetrate during the night into Granite House?It was inexplicable, and, in truth, the proceedings of the genius of theisland were not less mysterious than was that genius himself. During thisday the sulphate of quinine was administered to Herbert every three hours.

　　The next day some improvement in Herbert's condition was apparent.Certainly, he was not out of danger, intermittent fevers being subject tofrequent and dangerous relapses, but the most assiduous care was bestowedon him. And besides, the specific was at hand; nor, doubtless, was he whohad brought it far distant! And the hearts of all were animated byreturning hope.

　　This hope was not disappointed. Ten days after, on the 20th of December,Herbert's convalescence commenced.

　　He was still weak, and strict diet had been imposed upon him, but noaccess of fever supervened. And then, the poor boy submitted with suchdocility to all the prescriptions ordered him! He longed so to get well!

　　Pencroft was as a man who has been drawn up from the bottom of an abyss.Fits of joy approaching delirium seized him. When the time for the thirdattack had passed by, he nearly suffocated the reporter in his embrace.Since then, he always called him Dr. Spilett.

　　The real doctor, however, remained undiscovered.

　　"We will find him!" repeated the sailor.

　　Certainly, this man, whoever he was, might expect a somewhat tooenergetic embrace from the worthy Pencroft!

　　The month of December ended, and with it the year 1867, during which thecolonists of Lincoln Island had of late been so severely tried. Theycommenced the year 1868 with magnificent weather, great heat, and atropical temperature, delightfully cooled by the sea-breeze. Herbert'srecovery progressed, and from his bed, placed near one of the windows ofGranite House, he could inhale the fresh air, charged with ozone, whichcould not fail to restore his health. His appetite returned, and whatnumberless delicate, savory little dishes Neb prepared for him!

　　"It is enough to make one wish to have a fever oneself!" said Pencroft.

　　During all this time, the convicts did not once appear in the vicinity ofGranite House. There was no news of Ayrton, and though the engineer andHerbert still had some hopes of finding him again, their companions did notdoubt but that the unfortunate man had perished. However, this uncertaintycould not last, and when once the lad should have recovered, theexpedition, the result of which must be so important, would be undertaken.But they would have to wait a month, perhaps, for all the strength of thecolony must be put into requisition to obtain satisfaction from theconvicts.

　　However, Herbert's convalescence progressed rapidly. The congestion ofthe liver had disappeared, and his wounds might be considered completelyhealed.

　　During the month of January, important work was done on the plateau ofProspect Heights; but it consisted solely in saving as much as was possiblefrom the devastated crops, either of corn or vegetables. The grain and theplants were gathered, so as to provide a new harvest for the approachinghalf-season. With regard to rebuilding the poultry-yard, wall, or stables,Cyrus Harding preferred to wait. While he and his companions were inpursuit of the convicts, the latter might very probably pay another visitto the plateau, and it would be useless to give them an opportunity ofrecommencing their work of destruction. when the island should be clearedof these miscreants, they would set about rebuilding. The youngconvalescent began to get up in the second week of January, at first forone hour a day, then two, then three. His strength visibly returned, sovigorous was his constitution. He was now eighteen years of age. He wastall, and promised to become a man of noble and commanding presence. Fromthis time his recovery, while still requiring care,--and Dr. Spilett wasvery strict,--made rapid progress. Towards the end of the month, Herbertwas already walking about on Prospect Heights, and the beach.

　　He derived, from several sea-baths, which he took in company withPencroft and Neb, the greatest possible benefit. Cyrus Harding thought hemight now settle the day for their departure, for which the 15th ofFebruary was fixed. The nights, very clear at this time of year, would befavorable to the researches they intended to make all over the island.

　　The necessary preparations for this exploration were now commenced, andwere important, for the colonists had sworn not to return to Granite Houseuntil their twofold object had been achieved; on the one hand, toexterminate the convicts, and rescue Ayrton, if he was still living; on theother, to discover who it was that presided so effectually over thefortunes of the colony.

　　Of Lincoln Island, the settlers knew thoroughly all the eastern coastfrom Claw Cape to the Mandible Capes, the extensive Tadorn Marsh, theneighborhood of Lake Grant, Jacamar Wood, between the road to the corraland the Mercy, the courses of the Mercy and Red Creek, and lastly, thespurs of Mount Franklin, among which the corral had been established.

　　They had explored, though only in an imperfect manner, the vast shore ofWashington Bay from Claw Cape to Reptile End, the woody and marshy borderof the west coast, and the interminable downs, ending at the open mouth ofShark Gulf. But they had in no way surveyed the woods which covered theSerpentine Peninsula, all to the right of the Mercy, the left bank of FallsRiver, and the wilderness of spurs and valleys which supported threequarters of the base of Mount Franklin, to the east, the north, and thewest, and where doubtless many secret retreats existed. Consequently, manymillions of acres of the island had still escaped their investigations.

　　It was, therefore, decided that the expedition should be carried throughthe Far West, so as to include all that region situated on the right of theMercy.

　　It might, perhaps, be better worth while to go direct to the corral,where it might be supposed that the convicts had again taken refuge, eitherto pillage or to establish themselves there. But either the devastation ofthe corral would have been an accomplished fact by this time, and it wouldbe too late to prevent it, or it had been the convicts' interest toentrench themselves there, and there would be still time to go and turnthem out on their return.

　　Therefore, after some discussion, the first plan was adhered to, and thesettlers resolved to proceed through the wood to Reptile End. They wouldmake their way with their hatchets, and thus lay the first draft of a roadwhich would place Granite House in communication with the end of thepeninsula for a length of from sixteen to seventeen miles.

　　The cart was in good condition. The onagers, well rested, could go a longjourney. Provisions, camp effects, a portable stove, and various utensilswere packed in the cart, as also weapons and ammunition, carefully chosenfrom the now complete arsenal of Granite House. But it was necessary toremember that the convicts were, perhaps, roaming about the woods, and thatin the midst of these thick forests a shot might quickly be fired andreceived. It was therefore resolved that the little band of settlers shouldremain together and not separate under any pretext whatever.

　　It was also decided that no one should remain at Granite House. Top andJup themselves were to accompany the expedition; the inaccessible dwellingneeded no guard. The 14th of February, eve of the departure, wasconsecrated entirely to repose, and--thanksgiving addressed by the coloniststo the Creator. A place in the cart was reserved for Herbert, who, thoughthoroughly convalescent, was still a little weak. The next morning, atdaybreak, Cyrus Harding took the necessary measures to protect GraniteHouse from any invasion. The ladders, which were formerly used for theascent, were brought to the Chimneys and buried deep in the sand, so thatthey might be available on the return of the colonists, for the machineryof the lift had been taken to pieces, and nothing of the apparatusremained. Pencroft stayed the last in Granite House in order to finish thiswork, and he then lowered himself down by means of a double rope heldbelow, and which, when once hauled down, left no communication between theupper landing and the beach.

　　The weather was magnificent.

　　"We shall have a warm day of it," said the reporter, laughing.

　　"Pooh! Dr. Spilett," answered Pencroft, "we shall walk under the shade ofthe trees and shan't even see the sun!"

　　"Forward!" said the engineer.

　　The cart was waiting on the beach before the Chimneys. The reporter madeHerbert take his place in it during the first hours at least of thejourney, and the lad was obliged to submit to his doctor's orders.

　　Neb placed himself at the onagers' heads. Cyrus Harding, the reporter,and the sailor, walked in front. Top bounded joyfully along. Herbertoffered a seat in his vehicle to Jup, who accepted it without ceremony. Themoment for departure had arrived, and the little band set out.

　　The cart first turned the angle of the mouth of the Mercy, then, havingascended the left bank for a mile, crossed the bridge, at the other side ofwhich commenced the road to Port Balloon, and there the explorers, leavingthis road on their left, entered the cover of the immense woods whichformed the region of the Far West.

　　For the first two miles the widely scattered trees allowed the cart topass with ease; from time to time it became necessary to cut away a fewcreepers and bushes, but no serious obstacle impeded the progress of thecolonists.

　　The thick foliage of the trees threw a grateful shade on the ground.Deodars, Douglas firs, casuarinas, banksias, gum-trees, dragon-trees, andother well-known species, succeeded each other far as the eye could reach.The feathered tribes of the island were all represented--grouse, jacamars,pheasants, lories, as well as the chattering cockatoos, parrots, andparoquets. Agouties, kangaroos, and capybaras fled swiftly at theirapproach; and all this reminded the settlers of the first excursions theyhad made on their arrival at the island.

　　"Nevertheless," observed Cyrus Harding, "I notice that these creatures,both birds and quadrupeds, are more timid than formerly. These woods have,therefore, been recently traversed by the convicts, and we shall certainlyfind some traces of them."

　　And, in fact, in several places they could distinguish traces, more orless recent, of the passage of a band of men--here branches broken off thetrees, perhaps to mark out the way; there the ashes of a fire, andfootprints in clayey spots; but nothing which appeared to belong to asettled encampment.

　　The engineer had recommended his companions to refrain from hunting. Thereports of the firearms might give the alarm to the convicts, who were,perhaps, roaming through the forest. Moreover, the hunters wouldnecessarily ramble some distance from the cart, which it was dangerous toleave unguarded.

　　In the afterpart of the day, when about six miles from Granite House,their progress became much more difficult. In order to make their waythrough some thickets, they were obliged to cut down trees. Before enteringsuch places Harding was careful to send in Top and Jup, who faithfullyaccomplished their commission, and when the dog and orang returned withoutgiving any warning, there was evidently nothing to fear, either fromconvicts or wild beasts, two varieties of the animal kingdom, whoseferocious instincts placed them on the same level. On the evening of thefirst day the colonists encamped about nine miles from Granite House, onthe border of a little stream falling into the Mercy, and of the existenceof which they had till then been ignorant; it evidently, however, belongedto the hydiographical system to which the soil owed its astonishingfertility. The settlers made a hearty meal, for their appetites weresharpened, and measures were then taken that the night might be passed insafety. If the engineer had had only to deal with wild beasts, jaguars orothers, he would have simply lighted fires all around his camp, which wouldhave sufficed for its defense; but the convicts would be rather attractedthan terrified by the flames, and it was, therefore, better to besurrounded by the profound darkness of night.

　　The watch was, however, carefully organized. Two of the settlers were towatch together, and every two hours it was agreed that they should berelieved by their comrades. And so, notwithstanding his wish to thecontrary, Herbert was exempted from guard. Pencroft and Gideon Spilett inone party, the engineer and Neb in another, mounted guard in turns overthe camp.

　　The night, however, was but of few hours. The darkness was due rather tothe thickness of the foliage than to the disappearance of the sun. Thesilence was scarcely disturbed by the howling of jaguars and the chatteringof the monkeys, the latter appearing to particularly irritate Master Jup.The night passed without incident, and on the next day, the 15th ofFebruary, the journey through the forest, tedious rather than difficult,was continued. This day they could not accomplish more than six miles, forevery moment they were obliged to cut a road with their hatchets.

　　Like true settlers, the colonists spared the largest and most beautifultrees, which would besides have cost immense labor to fell, and the smallones only were sacrificed, but the result was that the road took a verywinding direction, and lengthened itself by numerous detours.

　　During the day Herbert discovered several new specimens not before metwith in the island, such as the tree-fern, with its leaves spread out likethe waters of a fountain, locust-trees, on the long pods of which theonagers browsed greedily, and which supplied a sweet pulp of excellentflavor. There, too, the colonists again found groups of magnificentkauries, their cylindrical trunks, crowded with a cone of verdure, risingto a height of two hundred feet. These were the tree-kings of New Zealand,as celebrated as the cedars of Lebanon.

　　As to the fauna, there was no addition to those species already known tothe hunters. Nevertheless, they saw, though unable to get near them, acouple of those large birds peculiar to Australia, a sort of cassowary,called emu, five feet in height, and with brown plumage, which belong tothe tribe of waders. Top darted after them as fast as his four legs couldcarry him, but the emus distanced him with ease, so prodigious was theirspeed.

　　As to the traces left by the convicts, a few more were discovered. Somefootprints found near an apparently recently extinguished fire wereattentively examined by the settlers. By measuring them one after theother, according to their length and breadth, the marks of five men's feetwere easily distinguished. The five convicts had evidently camped on thisspot; but,--and this was the object of so minute an examination,--a sixthfootprint could not be discovered, which in that case would have been thatof Ayrton.

　　"Ayrton was not with them!" said Herbert.

　　"No," answered Pencroft, "and if he was not with them, it was because thewretches had already murdered him! but then these rascals have not a den towhich they may be tracked like tigers!"

　　"No," replied the reporter, "it is more probable that they wander atrandom, and it is their interest to rove about until the time when theywill be masters of the island!"

　　"The masters of the island!" exclaimed the sailor; "the masters of theisland!..." he repeated, and his voice was choked, as if his throat wasseized in an iron grasp. Then in a calmer tone, "Do you know, CaptainHarding," said he, "what the ball is which I have rammed into my gun?"

　　"No, Pencroft!"

　　"It is the ball that went through Herbert's chest, and I promise you itwon't miss its mark!'

　　But this just retaliation would not bring Ayrton back to life, and fromthe examination of the footprints left in the ground, they must, alas!conclude that all hopes of ever seeing him again must be abandoned.

　　That evening they encamped fourteen miles from Granite House, and CyrusHarding calculated that they could not be more than five miles from ReptilePoint.

　　And indeed, the next day the extremity of the peninsula was reached, andthe whole length of the forest had been traversed; but there was nothing toindicate the retreat in which the convicts had taken refuge, nor that, noless secret, which sheltered the mysterious unknown.