Таємничий острів

           Heavyrainwasdashedbythestormintoparticleslikedust.Raggedmassesofvapordrovealongthebeach,onwhichthetormentedshinglessoundedasifpouredoutincart-loads,whilethesandraisedbythewindaddedasitweremineraldusttothatwhichwasliquid,andrenderedtheunitedattackinsupportable.Betweentheriver’smouthandtheendofthecliff,eddiesofwindwhirledandgustsfromthismaelstromlashedthewaterwhichranthroughthenarrowvalley.Thesmokefromthefireplacewasalsodrivenbackthroughtheopening,fillingthepassagesandrenderingthemuninhabitable.

           Therefore,asthegrousewerecooked,Pencroftletthefiredieaway,andonlypreservedafewembersburiedundertheashes.

           Ateighto’clockNebhadnotappeared,buttherewasnodoubtthatthefrightfulweatheralonehinderedhisreturn,andthathemusthavetakenrefugeinsomecave,toawaittheendofthestormoratleastthereturnofday.Astogoingtomeethim,orattemptingtofindhim,itwasimpossible.

           Thegameconstitutedtheonlydishatsupper;themeatwasexcellent,andPencroftandHerbert,whoselongexcursionhadrenderedthemveryhungry,devoureditwithinfinitesatisfaction.

           Theirmealconcluded,eachretiredtothecornerinwhichhehadrestedtheprecedingnight,andHerbertwasnotlongingoingtosleepnearthesailor,whohadstretchedhimselfbesidethefireplace.

           Outside,asthenightadvanced,thetempestalsoincreasedinstrength,untilitwasequaltothatwhichhadcarriedtheprisonersfromRichmondtothislandinthePacific.