Таємничий острів

           Astothegunsobtainedfromthebrig,theywereprettypiecesofordnance,which,atPencroft’sentreaty,werehoistedbymeansoftackleandpulleys,rightupintoGraniteHouse;embrasuresweremadebetweenthewindows,andtheshiningmuzzlesofthegunscouldsoonbeseenthroughthegranitecliff.FromthisheighttheycommandedallUnionBay.ItwaslikealittleGibraltar,andanyvesselanchoredofftheisletwouldinevitablybeexposedtothefireofthisaerialbattery.

           "Captain,"saidPencroftoneday,itwasthe8thofNovember,"nowthatourfortificationsarefinished,itwouldbeagoodthingifwetriedtherangeofourguns."

           "Doyouthinkthatisuseful?"askedtheengineer.

           "Itismorethanuseful,itisnecessary!Withoutthathowarewetoknowtowhatdistancewecansendoneofthoseprettyshotwithwhichweareprovided?"

           "Trythem,Pencroft,"repliedtheengineer."However,Ithinkthatinmakingtheexperiment,weoughttoemploy,nottheordinarypowder,thesupplyofwhich,Ithink,shouldremainuntouched,butthepyroxylewhichwillneverfailus."

           "Canthecannonsupporttheshockofthepyroxyle?"askedthereporter,whowasnotlessanxiousthanPencrofttotrytheartilleryofGraniteHouse.

           "Ibelieveso.However,"addedtheengineer,"wewillbeprudent."Theengineerwasrightinthinkingthatthegunswereofexcellentmake.Madeofforgedsteel,andbreech-loaders,theyoughtconsequentlytobeabletobearaconsiderablecharge,andalsohaveanenormousrange.