Таємничий острів

           "No,Ican’tdoit,"saidhe,"myhandtrembles,thematchhasmissedfire;Icannot,Iwillnot!"andrising,hetoldHerberttotakehisplace.

           Certainlytheboyhadneverinallhislifebeensonervous.Prometheusgoingtostealthefirefromheavencouldnothavebeenmoreanxious.Hedidnothesitate,however,butstruckthematchdirectly.

           Alittlesplutteringwasheardandatinyblueflamesprangup,makingachokingsmoke.Herbertquicklyturnedthematchsoastoaugmenttheflame,andthenslippeditintothepapercone,whichinafewsecondstoocaughtfire,andthenthemoss.

           Aminutelaterthedrywoodcrackledandacheerfulflame,assistedbythevigorousblowingofthesailor,sprangupinthemidstofthedarkness.

           "Atlast!"criedPencroft,gettingup;"Iwasneversonervousbeforeinallmylife!"

           Theflatstonesmadeacapitalfireplace.Thesmokewentquiteeasilyoutatthenarrowpassage,thechimneydrew,andanagreeablewarmthwasnotlonginbeingfelt.

           Theymustnowtakegreatcarenottoletthefiregoout,andalwaystokeepsomeembersalight.Itonlyneededcareandattention,astheyhadplentyofwoodandcouldrenewtheirstoreatanytime.

           Pencroft’sfirstthoughtwastousethefirebypreparingamorenourishingsupperthanadishofshell-fish.TwodozeneggswerebroughtbyHerbert.Thereporterleaningupinacorner,watchedthesepreparationswithoutsayinganything.Athreefoldthoughtweighedonhismind.