Таємничий острів

           Theynowhadonlytomakeafireplaceandtopreparethesupper—aneasytask.Largeflatstoneswereplacedonthegroundattheopeningofthenarrowpassagewhichhadbeenkept.This,ifthesmokedidnottaketheheatoutwithit,wouldbeenoughtomaintainanequaltemperatureinside.Theirwoodwasstowedawayinoneoftherooms,andthesailorlaidinthefireplacesomelogsandbrushwood.Theseamanwasbusywiththis,whenHerbertaskedhimifhehadanymatches.

           "Certainly,"repliedPencroft,"andImaysayhappily,forwithoutmatchesortinderweshouldbeinafix."

           "Stillwemightgetfireasthesavagesdo,"repliedHerbert,"byrubbingtwobitsofdrystickoneagainsttheother."

           "Allright;try,myboy,andlet’sseeifyoucandoanythingbesidesexercisingyourarms."

           "Well,it’saverysimpleproceeding,andmuchusedintheislandsofthePacific."

           "Idon’tdenyit,"repliedPencroft,"butthesavagesmustknowhowtodoitoremployapeculiarwood,formorethanonceIhavetriedtogetfireinthatway,butIcouldnevermanageit.ImustsayIprefermatches.Bythebye,wherearemymatches?"

           Pencroftsearchedinhiswaistcoatforthebox,whichwasalwaysthere,forhewasaconfirmedsmoker.Hecouldnotfindit;herummagedthepocketsofhistrousers,but,tohishorror,hecouldnowherediscoverthebox.