Таємничий острів

           Neverthelesshewasstillsadandreserved,andjoinedmoreintheworkthaninthepleasuresofhiscompanions.Buthewasavaluableworkmanatneed—strong,skilful,ingenious,intelligent.Hewasesteemedandlovedbyall,andhecouldnotbeignorantofit.

           Inthemeanwhilethecorralwasnotabandoned.Everyotherdayoneofthesettlers,drivingthecartormountedonanonager,wenttolookaftertheflockofmusmonsandgoatsandbringbackthesupplyofmilkrequiredbyNeb.Theseexcursionsatthesametimeaffordedopportunitiesforhunting.ThereforeHerbertandGideonSpilett,withTopinfront,traversedmoreoftenthantheircompanionstheroadtothecorral,andwiththecapitalgunswhichtheycarried,capybaras,agouties,kangaroos,andwildpigsforlargegame,ducks,grouse,jacamars,andsnipeforsmallgame,wereneverwantinginthehouse.Theproduceofthewarren,oftheoyster-bed,severalturtleswhichweretaken,excellentsalmonwhichcameuptheMercy,vegetablesfromtheplateau,wildfruitfromtheforest,wererichesuponriches,andNeb,theheadcook,couldscarcelybyhimselfstorethemaway.

           ThetelegraphicwirebetweenthecorralandGraniteHousehadofcoursebeenrepaired,anditwasworkedwheneveroneorotherofthesettlerswasatthecorralandfounditnecessarytospendthenightthere.Besides,theislandwassafenowandnoattacksweretobefeared,atanyratefrommen.

           However,thatwhichhadhappenedmighthappenagain.Adescentofpirates,orevenofescapedconvicts,wasalwaystobefeared.