Таинственный остров

           Evidentlytheisland,withitswater,itsharbor,itsresourcesofallkindssoincreasedinvaluebythecolonists,andtheconcealmentaffordedbyGraniteHouse,couldnotbutbeconvenientfortheconvicts;intheirhandsitwouldbecomeanexcellentplaceofrefuge,and,beingunknown,itwouldassurethem,foralongtimeperhaps,impunityandsecurity.Evidently,also,thelivesofthesettlerswouldnotberespected,andBobHarveyandhisaccomplices’firstcarewouldbetomassacrethemwithoutmercy.Hardingandhiscompanionshad,therefore,noteventhechoiceofflyingandhidingthemselvesintheisland,sincetheconvictsintendedtoresidethere,andsince,intheeventofthe"Speedy"departingonanexpedition,itwasprobablethatsomeofthecrewwouldremainonshore,soastosettlethemselvesthere.Therefore,itwouldbenecessarytofight,todestroyeveryoneofthesescoundrels,unworthyofpity,andagainstwhomanymeanswouldberight.SothoughtAyrton,andhewellknewthatCyrusHardingwouldbeofhiswayofthinking.

           Butwasresistanceand,inthelastplace,victorypossible?Thatwoulddependontheequipmentofthebrig,andthenumberofmenwhichshecarried.

           ThisAyrtonresolvedtolearnatanycost,andasanhourafterhisarrivalthevociferationshadbeguntodieaway,andasalargenumberoftheconvictswerealreadyburiedinadrunkensleep,Ayrtondidnothesitatetoventureontothe"Speedy’s"deck,whichtheextinguishedlanternsnowleftintotaldarkness.