Pencroft,Herbert,andGideonSpilettremainedsilentinthemidstofthedarkness.

           Pencroftshoutedloudly.

           Noreplywasmade.

           Thesailorthenstruckalightandsetfiretoatwig.Thislightedforaminuteasmallroom,whichappearedperfectlyempty.Atthebackwasarudefireplace,withafewcoldcinders,supportinganarmfulofdrywood.Pencroftthrewtheblazingtwigonit,thewoodcrackledandgaveforthabrightlight.

           Thesailorandhistwocompanionsthenperceivedadisorderedbed,ofwhichthedampandyellowcoverletsprovedthatithadnotbeenusedforalongtime.Inthecornerofthefireplaceweretwokettles,coveredwithrust,andanoverthrownpot.Acupboard,withafewmoldysailor’sclothes;onthetableatinplateandaBible,eatenawaybydamp;inacornerafewtools,aspade,pickaxe,twofowling-pieces,oneofwhichwasbroken;onaplank,formingashelf,stoodabarrelofpowder,stilluntouched,abarrelofshot,andseveralboxesofcaps,allthicklycoveredwithdust,accumulated,perhaps,bymanylongyears.

           "Thereisnoonehere,"saidthereporter.

           "Noone,"repliedPencroft.

           "Itisalongtimesincethisroomhasbeeninhabited,"observedHerbert.

           "Yes,averylongtime!"answeredthereporter.

           "Mr.Spilett,"thensaidPencroft,"insteadofreturningonboard,Ithinkthatitwouldbewelltopassthenightinthishut."

           "Youareright,Pencroft,"answeredGideonSpilett,"andifitsownerreturns,well!perhapshewillnotbesorrytofindtheplacetakenpossessionof."