Таємничий острів

           Allhandswereenchanted,theyhadagoodvessel,which,incaseofneed,wouldbeofgreatservicetothem,andwithfineweatherandafreshbreezethevoyagepromisedtobecharming.

           Pencroftnowstoodofftheshore,threeorfourmilesacrossfromPortBalloon.Theislandthenappearedinallitsextentandunderanewaspect,withthevariedpanoramaofitsshorefromClawCapetoReptileEnd,theforestsinwhichdarkfirscontrastedwiththeyoungfoliageofothertreesandoverlookedthewhole,andMountFranklinwhoseloftyheadwasstillwhitenedwithsnow.

           "Howbeautifulitis!"criedHerbert.

           "Yes,ourislandisbeautifulandgood,"repliedPencroft."IloveitasIlovedmypoormother.Itreceiveduspooranddestitute,andnowwhatiswantingtousfivefellowswhofellonitfromthesky?"

           "Nothing,"repliedNeb;"nothing,captain."

           Andthetwobravemengavethreetremendouscheersinhonoroftheirisland!

           DuringallthistimeGideonSpilett,leaningagainstthemast,sketchedthepanoramawhichwasdevelopedbeforehiseyes.

           CyrusHardinggazedonitinsilence.

           "Well,CaptainHarding,"askedPencroft,"whatdoyouthinkofourvessel?"

           "Sheappearstobehavewell,"repliedtheengineer.

           "Good!Anddoyouthinknowthatshecouldundertakeavoyageofsomeextent?"

           "Whatvoyage,Pencroft?"

           "OnetoTaborIsland,forinstance."