Таинственный остров

           Herberttriedtoconsolehimbyobserving,thatiftheyhadfoundthematches,theywould,verylikely,havebeenwettedbytheseaanduseless.

           "No,myboy,"repliedthesailor;"theywereinacopperboxwhichshutverytightly;andnowwhatarewetodo?"

           "Weshallcertainlyfindsomewayofmakingafire,"saidHerbert."CaptainHardingorMr.Spilettwillnotbewithoutthem."

           "Yes,"repliedPencroft;"butinthemeantimewearewithoutfire,andourcompanionswillfindbutasorryrepastontheirreturn."

           "But,"saidHerbertquickly,"doyouthinkitpossiblethattheyhavenotinderormatches?"

           "Idoubtit,"repliedthesailor,shakinghishead,"forneitherNebnorCaptainHardingsmoke,andIbelievethatMr.Spilettwouldratherkeephisnote-bookthanhismatch-box."

           Herbertdidnotreply.Thelossoftheboxwascertainlytoberegretted,buttheboywasstillsureofprocuringfireinsomewayorother.Pencroft,moreexperienced,didnotthinkso,althoughhewasnotamantotroublehimselfaboutasmallorgreatgrievance.Atanyrate,therewasonlyonethingtobedone—toawaitthereturnofNebandthereporter;buttheymustgiveupthefeastofhardeggswhichtheyhadmeanttoprepare,andamealofrawfleshwasnotanagreeableprospecteitherforthemselvesorfortheothers.

           Beforereturningtothecave,thesailorandHerbert,intheeventoffirebeingpositivelyunattainable,collectedsomemoreshell-fish,andthensilentlyretracedtheirstepstotheirdwelling.