Таємничий острів

           Butatlasthearrivedatthepartitiondividingtheaftercabin,andfoundthedooropeningintothemagazineitself.

           Ayrton,compelledtoforceitopen,settowork.Itwasadifficultoperationtoperformwithoutnoise,forhehadtobreakapadlock.Butunderhisvigoroushand,thepadlockbroke,andthedoorwasopen.

           AtthatmomentahandwaslaidonAyrton’sshoulder.

           "Whatareyoudoinghere?"askedatailman,inaharshvoice,who,standingintheshadow,quicklythrewthelightofalanterninAyrton’sface.

           Ayrtondrewbeck.Intherapidflashofthelantern,hehadrecognizedhisformeraccomplice,BobHarvey,whocouldnothaveknownhim,ashemusthavethoughtAyrtonlongsincedead.

           "Whatareyoudoinghere?"againsaidBobHarvey,seizingAyrtonbythewaistband.

           ButAyrton,withoutreplying,wrenchedhimselffromhisgraspandattemptedtorushintothemagazine.Ashotfiredintothemidstofthepowder-casks,andallwouldbeover!

           "Help,lads!"shoutedBobHarvey.

           Athisshouttwoorthreepiratesawoke,jumpedup,and,rushingonAyrton,endeavoredtothrowhimdown.Hesoonextricatedhimselffromtheirgrasp.Hefiredhisrevolver,andtwooftheconvictsfell,butablowfromaknifewhichhecouldnotwardoffmadeagashinhisshoulder.

           Ayrtonperceivedthathecouldnolongerhopetocarryouthisproject.BobHarveyhadreclosedthedoorofthepowder-magazine,andamovementonthedeckindicatedageneralawakeningofthepirates.AyrtonmustreservehimselftofightatthesideofCyrusHarding.