Part 3 - The Secret of the Island: Chapter 6

by Jules Verne

　　However, the chief business of the colonists was to make that completeexploration of the island which had been decided upon, and which would havetwo objects: to discover the mysterious being whose existence was nowindisputable, and at the same time to find out what had become of thepirates, what retreat they had chosen, what sort of life they were leading,and what was to be feared from them. Cyrus Harding wished to set outwithout delay; but as the expedition would be of some days duration, itappeared best to load the cart with different materials and tools in orderto facilitate the organization of the encampments. One of the onagers,however, having hurt its leg, could not be harnessed at present, and a fewdays' rest was necessary. The departure was, therefore, put off for a week,until the 20th of November. The month of November in this latitudecorresponds to the month of May in the northern zones. It was, therefore,the fine season. The sun was entering the tropic of Capricorn, and gave thelongest days in the year. The time was, therefore, very favorable for theprojected expedition, which, if it did not accomplish its principal object,would at any rate be fruitful in discoveries, especially of naturalproductions, since Harding proposed to explore those dense forests of theFar West, which stretched 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 should spendtwo days there, and return to Granite House after having liberally suppliedthe 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 enough forthe work, and that besides he apprehended no danger. If anything occurredat the corral, or in the neighborhood, he could instantly warn thecolonists 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 all inorder at the corral.

　　During these two days Harding busied himself in executing a project whichwould completely guard Granite House against any surprise. It was necessaryto completely conceal the opening of the old outlet, which was alreadywalled up and partly hidden under grass and plants, at the southern angleof Lake Grant. Nothing was easier, since if the level of the lake wasraised two or three feet, the opening would be quite beneath it. Now, toraise this level they had only to establish a dam at the two openings madeby the lake, and by which were fed Creek Glycerine and 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 guessthat at that part of the lake, there existed a subterranean passagethrough which the overflow 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 be safefrom 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 visit to PortBalloon appeared to be very desirable. The sailor and his companions setoff on the 10th of November, after dinner, well armed. Pencroft,ostentatiously slipping two bullets into each barrel of his rifle, shookhis head in a way which betokened nothing good to any one who approachedtoo near him, whether "man or beast," as he said. Gideon Spilett andHerbert also took their guns, and about three o'clock all three leftGranite House.

　　Neb accompanied them to the turn of the Mercy, and after they hadcrossed, he raised the bridge. It was agreed that a gunshot should announcethe colonists' return, and that at the signal Neb should return andreestablish 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 miles and ahalf, but Gideon Spilett and his companions took two hours to traverse it.They examined all the border of the road, the thick forest, as well asTabor Marsh. They found no trace of the fugitives who, no doubt, not havingyet discovered the number of the colonists, or the means of defense whichthey had at their disposal, had gained the less accessible parts of theisland.

　　Arrived at Port Balloon, Pencroft saw with extreme satisfaction that the"Bonadventure" was tranquilly floating in the narrow creek. However, PortBalloon was so well hidden among high rocks, that it could scarcely bediscovered 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 a documentthere which will make known the situation of Lincoln Island, and Ayrton'snew residence, in case the Scotch yacht returns to fetch him."

　　"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 our explorationof the island is finished. It is possible after all that the stranger, ifwe manage to find him, may know as much about Tabor Island as about LincolnIsland. Do not forget that he is certainly the author of the document, andhe may, perhaps, know how far we may count on the return 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 should heconceal himself! We are honest men, I suppose, and the society of honestmen isn't unpleasant to any one. Did he come here voluntarily? Can he leavethe 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 sailor havingexamined 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 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, isthat some one has weighed the 'Bonadventure's' anchor and dropped it again!And look here, here is another proof! The cable of the anchor has been runout, and its service is no longer at the hawse-hole. I repeat that some onehas 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 that 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, moreor less, since Pencroft had brought her to Port Balloon. As to the sailor,he had not the slightest doubt that the anchor had been raised and thendropped again. Now, what was the use of these two maneuvers, unless thevessel 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 forward everypossible objection.

　　"Why, Mr. Spilett," replied the sailor, "they would only have to start inthe night with a good breeze, and they would be out of sight of the islandin two hours."

　　"Well," resumed Gideon Spilett, "I ask again, what object could theconvicts have had in using the 'Bonadventure,' and why, after they had madeuse 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 chief thingis that the 'Bonadventure' was there, and she is there now. Only,unfortunately, if the convicts take her a second time, we shall very likelynot 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 Mercy isa 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 here untilthe 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 at themouth 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 prudent tobring our boat to Granite House, until the time when we need not fear anyunpleasant 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 to makean 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 of thedespatch, as he was accustomed to do. This could not but astonish theengineer. But it might be that Ayrton was not at that moment in the corral,or even that he was on his way back to Granite House. In fact, two days hadalready passed since his departure, and it had been decided that on theevening of the 10th or at the latest the morning of the 11th, he shouldreturn. The colonists waited, therefore, for Ayrton to appear on ProspectHeights. Neb and Herbert even watched at the bridge so as to be ready tolower it the moment their companion presented himself.

　　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 friends toCreek Glycerine, he raised the bridge; and waiting behind a tree he watchedfor the return of either his companions or Ayrton.

　　In the event of the pirates presenting themselves and attempting to forcethe passage, he was to endeavor to stop them by firing on them, and as alast resource he was to take refuge in Granite House, where, the lift onceraised, he would be in safety.

　　Cyrus Harding, Gideon Spilett, Herbert, and Pencroft were to repair to thecorral, and if they did not find Ayrton, search the neighboring woods.

　　At six o'clock in the morning, the engineer and his three companions hadpassed Creek Glycerine, and Neb posted himself behind a small mound crownedby several dragon trees, on the left bank of the stream.

　　The colonists, after leaving the plateau of Prospect Heights, immediatelytook the road to the corral. They shouldered their guns, ready to fire onthe slightest hostile demonstration. The two rifles and the two guns hadbeen 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 been reallyformidable.

　　The colonists walked rapidly and in silence. Top preceded them, sometimesrunning on the road, sometimes taking a ramble into the wood, but alwaysquiet and not appearing to fear anything unusual. And they could be surethat the faithful dog would not allow them to be surprised, but would barkat 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, at thatmoment the engineer observed that the wire appeared to be slack, and onarriving 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 lad wasstanding. The post was rooted up and lying across the path. The unexpectedexplanation of the difficulty was here, and it was evident that thedespatches from Granite House had not been received at the corral, northose 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 to returnthe evening before, had not reappeared. In short, it was not without amotive that all communication had been stopped between the corral andGranite House, and who but the convicts could have any interest ininterrupting 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 meadows ofthe corral. They then moderated their pace so that they should not be outof breath at the moment when a struggle might be necessary. Their guns werein their hands ready cocked. The forest was watched on every side. Toputtered 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 it back,when Top barked loudly. A report sounded and was responded to by a cry ofpain.

　　Herbert, struck by a bullet, lay stretched on the ground.