Таємничий острів

           "Theymusthavecrossedthebridgeontheshore,"repliedtheengineer,"whichoneofusmusthaveforgottentoclose."

           "True,"saidSpilett,"Irememberhavingleftitopen."

           "Afinejobyouhavemadeofit,Mr.Spilett,"criedthesailor.

           "Whatisdonecannotbeundone,"repliedCyrusHarding."Wemustconsultwhatitwillnowbebesttodo."

           SuchwerethequestionsandanswerswhichwererapidlyexchangedbetweenHardingandhiscompanions.Itwascertainthatthebridgehadbeencrossed,thattheshorehadbeeninvadedbyanimals,andthatwhatevertheymightbetheycouldbyascendingtheleftbankoftheMercyreachProspectHeights.Theymustthereforebeadvancedagainstquicklyandfoughtwithifnecessary.

           "Butwhatarethesebeasts?"wasaskedasecondtime,astheyelpingswereagainheardmoreloudlythanbefore.TheseyelpsmadeHerbertstart,andherememberedhavingheardthembeforeduringhisfirstvisittothesourcesoftheRedCreek.

           "Theyarecolpeofoxes!"heexclaimed.

           "Forward!"shoutedthesailor.

           Andallarmingthemselveswithhatchets,carbines,andrevolvers,threwthemselvesintotheliftandsoonsetfootontheshore.

           Colpeosaredangerousanimalswheningreatnumbersandirritatedbyhunger,neverthelessthecolonistsdidnothesitatetothrowthemselvesintothemidstofthetroop,andtheirfirstshotsvividlylightingupthedarknessmadetheirassailantsdrawback.