Таємничий острів

           Certainly,theformersavageofTaborislandcouldnotbeperplexedhowtoliveintheforest,aboundingingame,butwasitnottobefearedthathehadresumedhishabits,andthatthisfreedomwouldreviveinhimhiswildinstincts?However,Harding,byasortofpresentiment,doubtless,alwayspersistedinsayingthatthefugitivewouldreturn.

           "Yes,hewillreturn!"herepeatedwithaconfidencewhichhiscompanionscouldnotshare."WhenthisunfortunatemanwasonTaborIsland,heknewhimselftobealone!Here,heknowsthatfellow-menareawaitinghim!Sincehehaspartiallyspokenofhispastlife,thepoorpenitentwillreturntotellthewhole,andfromthatdayhewillbelongtous!"

           TheeventjustifiedCyrusHarding’spredictions.Onthe3rdofDecember,Herberthadlefttheplateautogoandfishonthesouthernbankofthelake.Hewasunarmed,andtillthenhadnevertakenanyprecautionsfordefense,asdangerousanimalshadnotshownthemselvesonthatpartoftheisland.

           Meanwhile,PencroftandNebwereworkinginthepoultry-yard,whileHardingandthereporterwereoccupiedattheChimneysinmakingsoda,thestoreofsoapbeingexhausted.

           Suddenlycriesresounded,—

           "Help!help!"

           CyrusHardingandthereporter,beingattoogreatadistance,hadnotbeenabletoheartheshouts.PencroftandNeb,leavingthepoultry-yardinallhaste,rushedtowardsthelake.