Таємничий острів

           Theirattentionwasfirstarrestedbythesnow-toppedmountainwhichroseatadistanceofsixorsevenmiles.Fromitsfirstdeclivitiestowithintwomilesofthecoastwerespreadvastmassesofwood,relievedbylargegreenpatches,causedbythepresenceofevergreentrees.Then,fromtheedgeofthisforesttotheshoreextendedaplain,scatteredirregularlywithgroupsoftrees.Hereandthereontheleftsparkledthroughgladesthewatersofthelittleriver;theycouldtraceitswindingcoursebacktowardsthespursofthemountain,amongwhichitseemedtospring.Atthepointwherethesailorhadlefthisraftofwood,itbegantorunbetweenthetwohighgranitewalls;butifontheleftbankthewallremainedclearandabrupt,ontherightbank,onthecontrary,itsankgradually,themassivesideschangedtoisolatedrocks,therockstostones,thestonestoshinglerunningtotheextremityofthepoint.

           "Areweonanisland?"murmuredthesailor.

           "Atanyrate,itseemstobebigenough,"repliedthelad.

           "Anisland,eversobig,isanislandallthesame!"saidPencroft.

           Butthisimportantquestioncouldnotyetbeanswered.Amoreperfectsurveyhadtobemadetosettlethepoint.Astothelanditself,islandorcontinent,itappearedfertile,agreeableinitsaspect,andvariedinitsproductions.

           "Thisissatisfactory,"observedPencroft;"andinourmisfortune,wemustthankProvidenceforit."

           "Godbepraised!"respondedHerbert,whosepiousheartwasfullofgratitudetotheAuthorofallthings.