Таємничий острів

           Hadtheinhabitantsfledintotheinterior?Thusprobablythepiratecaptainreasoned,anddoubtless,likeaprudentman,hewishedtoreconnoiterthelocalitybeforeheallowedhismentoventurethere.

           Duringanhourandahalf,noindicationofattackorlandingcouldbeobservedonboardthebrig.EvidentlyBobHarveywashesitating.Evenwithhisstrongesttelescopeshecouldnothaveperceivedoneofthesettlerscrouchedamongtherocks.ItwasnotevenprobablethathisattentionhadbeenawakenedbythescreenofgreenbranchesandcreepershidingthewindowsofGraniteHouse,andshowingratherconspicuouslyonthebarerock.Indeed,howcouldheimaginethatadwellingwashollowedout,atthatheight,inthesolidgranite?FromClawCapetotheMandibleCapes,inalltheextentofUnionBay,therewasnothingtoleadhimtosupposethattheislandwasorcouldbeinhabited.

           Ateighto’clock,however,thecolonistsobservedamovementonboardthe"Speedy."Aboatwaslowered,andsevenmenjumpedintoher.Theywerearmedwithmuskets;onetooktheyoke-lines,fourotherstheoars,andthetwoothers,kneelinginthebows,readytofire,reconnoiteredtheisland.Theirobjectwasnodoubttomakeanexaminationbutnottoland,forinthelattercasetheywouldhavecomeinlargernumbers.Thepiratesfromtheirlook-outcouldhaveseenthatthecoastwasshelteredbyanislet,separatedfromitbyachannelhalfamileinwidth.