by Jules Verne
Chapter 13
"A castaway!" exclaimed Pencroft; "left on this Tabor Island not twohundred miles from us! Ah, Captain Harding, you won't now oppose mygoing."
"No, Pencroft," replied Cyrus Harding; "and you shall set out as soon aspossible."
"To-morrow?"
"To-morrow!"
The engineer still held in his hand the paper which he had taken fromthe bottle. He contemplated it for some instants, then resumed,
"From this document, my friends, from the way in which it is worded,we may conclude this: first, that the castaway on Tabor Island is a manpossessing a considerable knowledge of navigation, since he gives thelatitude and longitude of the island exactly as we ourselves found it,and to a second of approximation; secondly, that he is either English orAmerican, as the document is written in the English language."
"That is perfectly logical," answered Spilett; "and the presence of thiscastaway explains the arrival of the case on the shores of our island.There must have been a wreck, since there is a castaway. As to thelatter, whoever he may be, it is lucky for him that Pencroft thought ofbuilding this boat and of trying her this very day, for a day later andthis bottle might have been broken on the rocks."
"Indeed," said Herbert, "it is a fortunate chance that the'Bonadventure' passed exactly where the bottle was still floating!"
"Does not this appear strange to you?" asked Harding of Pencroft.
"It appears fortunate, that's all," answered the sailor. "Do you seeanything extraordinary in it, captain? The bottle must go somewhere, andwhy not here as well as anywhere else?"
"Perhaps you are right, Pencroft," replied the engineer; "and yet--"
"But," observed Herbert, "there's nothing to prove that this bottle hasbeen floating long in the sea."
"Nothing," replied Gideon Spilett, "and the document appears even tohave been recently written. What do you think about it, Cyrus?"
During this conversation Pencroft had not remained inactive. He had putthe vessel about, and the "Bonadventure," all sails set, was runningrapidly towards Claw Cape.
Every one was thinking of the castaway on Tabor Island. Should theybe in time to save him? This was a great event in the life of thecolonists! They themselves were but castaways, but it was to be fearedthat another might not have been so fortunate, and their duty was to goto his succor.
Claw Cape was doubled, and about four o'clock the "Bonadventure" droppedher anchor at the mouth of the Mercy.
That same evening the arrangements for the new expedition were made.It appeared best that Pencroft and Herbert, who knew how to work thevessel, should undertake the voyage alone. By setting out the next day,the 10th of October, they would arrive on the 13th, for with the presentwind it would not take more than forty-eight hours to make this passageof a hundred and fifty miles. One day in the island, three or four toreturn, they might hope therefore that on the 17th they would againreach Lincoln Island. The weather was fine, the barometer was rising,the wind appeared settled, everything then was in favor of these bravemen whom an act of humanity was taking far from their island.
Thus it had been agreed that Cyrus Harding, Neb, and Gideon Spilettshould remain at Granite House, but an objection was raised, andSpilett, who had not forgotten his business as reporter to the New YorkHerald, having declared that he would go by swimming rather than losesuch an opportunity, he was admitted to take a part in the voyage.
The evening was occupied in transporting on board the "Bonadventure,"articles of bedding, utensils, arms, ammunition, a compass, provisionsfor a week; this being rapidly done, the colonists ascended to GraniteHouse.
The next day, at five o'clock in the morning, the farewells were said,not without some emotion on both sides, and Pencroft setting sail madetowards Claw Cape, which had to be doubled in order to proceed to thesouthwest.
The "Bonadventure" was already a quarter of a mile from the coast whenthe passengers perceived on the heights of Granite House two men wavingtheir farewells; they were Cyrus Harding and Neb.
"Our friends," exclaimed Spilett, "this is our first separation infifteen months."
Pencroft, the reporter and Herbert waved in return, and Granite Housesoon disappeared behind the high rocks of the Cape.
During the first part of the day the "Bonadventure" was still in sightof the southern coast of Lincoln Island, which soon appeared just likea green basket, with Mount Franklin rising from the center. The heights,diminished by distance, did not present an appearance likely to temptvessels to touch there. Reptile End was passed in about an hour, thoughat a distance of about ten miles.
At this distance it was no longer possible to distinguish anything ofthe Western Coast, which stretched away to the ridges of Mount Franklin,and three hours after the last of Lincoln Island sank below the horizon.
The "Bonadventure" behaved capitally. Bounding over the waves sheproceeded rapidly on her course. Pencroft had hoisted the foresail, andsteering by the compass followed a rectilinear direction. From time totime Herbert relieved him at the helm, and the lad's hand was so firmthat the sailor had not a point to find fault with.
Gideon Spilett chatted sometimes with one, sometimes with the other, ifwanted he lent a hand with the ropes, and Captain Pencroft was perfectlysatisfied with his crew.
In the evening the crescent moon, which would not be in its firstquarter until the 16th, appeared in the twilight and soon set again. Thenight was dark but starry, and the next day again promised to be fine.
Pencroft prudently lowered the foresail, not wishing to be caught bya sudden gust while carrying too much canvas; it was perhaps anunnecessary precaution on such a calm night, but Pencroft was a prudentsailor and cannot be blamed for it.
The reporter slept part of the night. Pencroft and Herbert took turnsfor a spell of two hours each at the helm. The sailor trusted Herbert ashe would himself, and his confidence was justified by the coolness andjudgment of the lad. Pencroft gave him his directions as a commander tohis steersman, and Herbert never allowed the "Bonadventure" to swerveeven a point. The night passed quickly, as did the day of the 12th ofOctober. A south-easterly direction was strictly maintained. Unless the"Bonadventure" fell in with some unknown current she would come exactlywithin sight of Tabor Island.
As to the sea over which the vessel was then sailing, it was absolutelydeserted. Now and then a great albatross or frigate bird passed withingunshot, and Gideon Spilett wondered if it was to one of them that hehad confided his last letter addressed to the New York Herald. Thesebirds were the only beings that appeared to frequent this part of theocean between Tabor and Lincoln Islands.
"And yet," observed Herbert, "this is the time that whalers usuallyproceed towards the southern part of the Pacific. Indeed I do not thinkthere could be a more deserted sea than this."
"It is not quite so deserted as all that," replied Pencroft.
"What do you mean?" asked the reporter.
"We are on it. Do you take our vessel for a wreck and us for porpoises?"
And Pencroft laughed at his joke.
By the evening, according to calculation, it was thought that the"Bonadventure" had accomplished a distance of a hundred and twenty milessince her departure from Lincoln Island, that is to say in thirty-sixhours, which would give her a speed of between three and four knots.The breeze was very slight and might soon drop altogether.However, it was hoped that the next morning by break of day, if thecalculation had been correct and the course true, they would sight TaborIsland.
Neither Gideon Spilett, Herbert, nor Pencroft slept that night. In theexpectation of the next day they could not but feel some emotion.There was so much uncertainty in their enterprise! Were they near TaborIsland? Was the island still inhabited by the castaway to whose succorthey had come? Who was this man? Would not his presence disturb thelittle colony till then so united? Besides, would he be content toexchange his prison for another? All these questions, which would nodoubt be answered the next day, kept them in suspense, and at the dawnof day they a
ll fixed their gaze on the western horizon.
"Land!" shouted Pencroft at about six o'clock in the morning.
And it was impossible that Pencroft should be mistaken, it wasevident that land was there. Imagine the joy of the little crew ofthe "Bonadventure." In a few hours they would land on the beach of theisland!
The low coast of Tabor Island, scarcely emerging from the sea, was notmore than fifteen miles distant.
The head of the "Bonadventure," which was a little to the south of theisland, was set directly towards it, and as the sun mounted in the east,its rays fell upon one or two headlands.
"This is a much less important isle than Lincoln Island," observedHerbert, "and is probably due like ours to some submarine convulsion."
At eleven o'clock the "Bonadventure" was not more than two miles off,and Pencroft, while looking for a suitable place at which to land,proceeded very cautiously through the unknown waters. The whole of theisland could now be surveyed, and on it could be seen groups of gumand other large trees, of the same species as those growing on LincolnIsland. But the astonishing thing was that no smoke arose to show thatthe island was inhabited, no signal whatever appeared on the shore!
And yet the document was clear enough; there was a castaway, and thiscastaway should have been on the watch.
In the meanwhile the "Bonadventure" entered the winding channels amongthe reefs, and Pencroft observed every turn with extreme care. He hadput Herbert at the helm, posting himself in the bows, inspecting thewater, while he held the halliard in his hand, ready to lower the sailat a moment's notice. Gideon Spilett with his glass eagerly scanned theshore, though without perceiving anything.
However, at about twelve o'clock the keel of the "Bonadventure" gratedon the bottom. The anchor was let go, the sails furled, and the crew ofthe little vessel landed.
And there was no reason to doubt that this was Tabor Island, sinceaccording to the most recent charts there was no island in this part ofthe Pacific between New Zealand and the American Coast.
The vessel was securely moored, so that there should be no danger ofher being carried away by the receding tide; then Pencroft and hiscompanions, well armed, ascended the shore, so as to gain an elevationof about two hundred and fifty or three hundred feet which rose at adistance of half a mile.
"From the summit of that hill," said Spilett, "we can no doubt obtain acomplete view of the island, which will greatly facilitate our search."
"So as to do here," replied Herbert, "that which Captain Harding did thevery first thing on Lincoln Island, by climbing Mount Franklin."
"Exactly so," answered the reporter, "and it is the best plan."
While thus talking the explorers had advanced along a clearingwhich terminated at the foot of the hill. Flocks of rock-pigeons andsea-swallows, similar to those of Lincoln Island, fluttered around them.Under the woods which skirted the glade on the left they could hear thebushes rustling and see the grass waving, which indicated the presenceof timid animals, but still nothing to show that the island wasinhabited.
Arrived at the foot of the hill, Pencroft, Spilett, and Herbert climbedit in a few minutes, and gazed anxiously round the horizon.
They were on an islet, which did not measure more than six miles incircumference, its shape not much bordered by capes or promontories,bays or creeks, being a lengthened oval. All around, the lonely seaextended to the limits of the horizon. No land nor even a sail was insight.
This woody islet did not offer the varied aspects of Lincoln Island,arid and wild in one part, but fertile and rich in the other. On thecontrary this was a uniform mass of verdure, out of which rose two orthree hills of no great height. Obliquely to the oval of the island rana stream through a wide meadow falling into the sea on the west by anarrow mouth.
"The domain is limited," said Herbert.
"Yes," rejoined Pencroft: "It would have been too small for us."
"And moreover," said the reporter, "it appears to be uninhabited."
"Indeed," answered Herbert, "nothing here betrays the presence of man."
"Let us go down," said Pencroft, "and search."
The sailor and his two companions returned to the shore, to the placewhere they had left the "Bonadventure."
They had decided to make the tour of the island on foot, beforeexploring the interior; so that not a spot should escape theirinvestigations. The beach was easy to follow, and only in some placeswas their way barred by large rocks, which, however, they easily passedround. The explorers proceeded towards the south, disturbing numerousflocks of sea-birds and herds of seals, which threw themselves into thesea as soon as they saw the strangers at a distance.
"Those beasts yonder," observed the reporter, "do not see men for thefirst time. They fear them, therefore they must know them."
An hour after their departure they arrived on the southern point of theislet, terminated by a sharp cape, and proceeded towards the north alongthe western coast, equally formed by sand and rocks, the backgroundbordered with thick woods.
There was not a trace of a habitation in any part, not the print of ahuman foot on the shore of the island, which after four hours' walkinghad been gone completely round.
It was to say the least very extraordinary, and they were compelled tobelieve that Tabor Island was not or was no longer inhabited. Perhaps,after all the document was already several months or several years old,and it was possible in this case, either that the castaway had beenenabled to return to his country, or that he had died of misery.
Pencroft, Spilett, and Herbert, forming more or less probableconjectures, dined rapidly on board the "Bonadventure" so as to beable to continue their excursion until nightfall. This was done at fiveo'clock in the evening, at which hour they entered the wood.
Numerous animals fled at their approach, being principally, one mightsay, only goats and pigs, which were obviously European species.
Doubtless some whaler had landed them on the island, where they hadrapidly increased. Herbert resolved to catch one or two living, and takethem back to Lincoln Island.
It was no longer doubtful that men at some period or other had visitedthis islet, and this became still more evident when paths appearedtrodden through the forest, felled trees, and everywhere traces of thehand of man; but the trees were becoming rotten, and had been felledmany years ago; the marks of the axe were velveted with moss, and thegrass grew long and thick on the paths, so that it was difficult to findthem.
"But," observed Gideon Spilett, "this not only proves that men havelanded on the island, but also that they lived on it for some time. Now,who were these men? How many of them remain?"
"The document," said Herbert, "only spoke of one castaway."
"Well, if he is still on the island," replied Pencroft, "it isimpossible but that we shall find him."
The exploration was continued. The sailor and his companions naturallyfollowed the route which cut diagonally across the island, and they werethus obliged to follow the stream which flowed towards the sea.
If the animals of European origin, if works due to a human hand, showedincontestably that men had already visited the island, several specimensof the vegetable kingdom did not prove it less. In some places, in themidst of clearings, it was evident that the soil had been planted withculinary plants, at probably the same distant period.
What, then, was Herbert's joy, when he recognized potatoes, chicory,sorrel, carrots, cabbages, and turnips, of which it was sufficient tocollect the seed to enrich the soil of Lincoln Island.
"Capital, jolly!" exclaimed Pencroft. "That will suit Neb as well as us.Even if we do not find the castaway, at least our voyage will not havebeen useless, and God will have rewarded us."
"Doubtless," replied Gideon Spilett, "but to see the state in which wefind these plantations, it is to be feared that the island has not beeninhabited for some time."
"Indeed," answered Herbert, "an inhabitant, whoever he was, could nothave neglected such an important culture!"
"Yes," said Pen
croft, "the castaway has gone."
"We must suppose so."
"It must then be admitted that the document has already a distant date?"
"Evidently."
"And that the bottle only arrived at Lincoln Island after having floatedin the sea a long time."
"Why not?" returned Pencroft. "But night is coming on," added he, "and Ithink that it will be best to give up the search for the present."
"Let us go on board, and to-morrow we will begin again," said thereporter.
This was the wisest course, and it was about to be followed whenHerbert, pointing to a confused mass among the trees, exclaimed,--
"A hut!"
All three immediately ran towards the dwelling. In the twilight it wasjust possible to see that it was built of planks and covered with athick tarpaulin.
The half-closed door was pushed open by Pencroft, who entered with arapid step.
The hut was empty!