Таємничий острів

           ThisreturnofspringdelightedthetenantsofGraniteHouse,andtheysoononlypasseditinthehoursnecessaryforeatingandsleeping.

           TheyhuntedmuchinthesecondpartofSeptember,whichledPencrofttoagainentreatforthefirearms,whichheassertedhadbeenpromisedbyCyrusHarding.Thelatter,knowingwellthatwithoutspecialtoolsitwouldbenearlyimpossibleforhimtomanufactureagunwhichwouldbeofanyuse,stilldrewbackandputofftheoperationtosomefuturetime,observinginhisusualdryway,thatHerbertandSpiletthadbecomeveryskilfularchers,sothatmanysortsofexcellentanimals,agouties,kangaroos,capybaras,pigeons,bustards,wildducks,snipes,inshort,gamebothwithfurandfeathers,fellvictimstotheirarrows,andthat,consequently,theycouldwait.Buttheobstinatesailorwouldlistentonothingofthis,andhewouldgivetheengineernopeacetillhepromisedtosatisfyhisdesire.GideonSpilett,however,supportedPencroft.

           "If,whichmaybedoubted,"saidhe,"theislandisinhabitedbywildbeasts,wemustthinkhowtofightwithandexterminatethem.Atimemaycomewhenthiswillbeourfirstduty."

           Butatthisperiod,itwasnotthequestionoffirearmswhichoccupiedHarding,butthatofclothes.Thosewhichthesettlersworehadpassedthiswinter,buttheywouldnotlastuntilnextwinter.