Таємничий острів

           Supposethattheirvessel,onceoutatsea,shouldbeunabletoreachTaborIsland,andcouldnotreturntoLincolnIsland,whatwouldbecomeofherinthemidstofthePacific,sofruitfulofdisasters?

           HardingoftentalkedoverthisprojectwithPencroft,andhefoundhimstrangelybentuponundertakingthisvoyage,forwhichdeterminationhehimselfcouldgivenosufficientreason.

           "Now,"saidtheengineeronedaytohim,"Imustobserve,myfriend,thatafterhavingsaidsomuch,inpraiseofLincolnIsland,afterhavingspokensooftenofthesorrowyouwouldfeelifyouwereobligedtoforsakeit,youarethefirsttowishtoleaveit."

           "Onlytoleaveitforafewdays,"repliedPencroft,"onlyforafewdays,captain.Timetogoandcomeback,andseewhatthatisletislike!"

           "ButitisnotnearlyasgoodasLincolnIsland."

           "Iknowthatbeforehand."

           "Thenwhyventurethere?"

           "ToknowwhatisgoingoninTaborIsland."

           "Butnothingisgoingonthere;nothingcouldhappenthere."

           "Whoknows?"

           "Andifyouarecaughtinahurricane?"

           "Thereisnofearofthatinthefineseason,"repliedPencroft."But,captain,aswemustprovideagainsteverything,IshallaskyourpermissiontotakeHerbertonlywithmeonthisvoyage."