Таємничий острів

           Thewindhadfallen,andabsolutesilencereignedunderthegreattrees.Thesnappingofthesmallesttwig,afootsteponthedryleaves,theglidingofabodyamongthegrass,wouldhavebeenheardwithoutdifficulty.Allwasquiet.Besides,Top,lyingonthegrass,hisheadstretchedoutonhispaws,gavenosignofuneasiness.Ateighto’clockthedayappearedfarenoughadvancedforthereconnaissancetobemadeunderfavorableconditions.GideonSpilettdeclaredhimselfreadytosetoutaccompaniedbyPencroft.CyrusHardingconsented.TopandJupweretoremainwiththeengineer,Herbert,andNeb,forabarkoracryatawrongmomentwouldgivethealarm.

           "Donotbeimprudent,"saidHardingtothereporterandPencroft,"youhavenottogainpossessionofthecorral,butonlytofindoutwhetheritisoccupiedornot."

           "Allright,"answeredPencroft.

           Andthetwodeparted.

           Underthetrees,thankstothethicknessoftheirfoliage,theobscurityrenderedanyobjectinvisiblebeyondaradiusoffromthirtytofortyfeet.ThereporterandPencroft,haltingatanysuspicioussound,advancedwithgreatcaution.

           Theywalkedalittledistanceapartfromeachothersoastoofferalessmarkforashot.And,totellthetruth,theyexpectedeverymomenttohearareport.Fiveminutesafterleavingthecart,GideonSpilettandPencroftarrivedattheedgeofthewoodbeforetheclearingbeyondwhichrosethepalisade.

           Theystopped.Afewstragglingbeamsstillfellonthefieldclearoftrees.