Таємничий острів

           However,onecircumstancefavoredtheseamanandhistwocompanions.Thewindbeingsoutheast,consequentlyblewontheirbacks.Thecloudsofsand,whichotherwisewouldhavebeeninsupportable,frombeingreceivedbehind,didnotinconsequenceimpedetheirprogress.Inshort,theysometimeswentfasterthantheyliked,andhadsomedifficultyinkeepingtheirfeet;buthopegavethemstrength,foritwasnotatrandomthattheymadetheirwayalongtheshore.TheyhadnodoubtthatNebhadfoundhismaster,andthathehadsentthemthefaithfuldog.Butwastheengineerliving,orhadNebonlysentforhiscompanionsthattheymightrenderthelastdutiestothecorpseoftheunfortunateHarding?

           Afterhavingpassedtheprecipice,Herbert,thereporter,andPencroftprudentlysteppedasidetostopandtakebreath.Theturnoftherocksshelteredthemfromthewind,andtheycouldbreatheafterthiswalkorratherrunofaquarterofanhour.

           Theycouldnowhearandreplytoeachother,andtheladhavingpronouncedthenameofCyrusHarding,Topgaveafewshortbarks,asmuchastosaythathismasterwassaved.

           "Saved,isn’the?"repeatedHerbert;"saved,Top?"

           Andthedogbarkedinreply.

           Theyoncemoresetout.Thetidebegantorise,andurgedbythewinditthreatenedtobeunusuallyhigh,asitwasaspringtide.Greatbillowsthunderedagainstthereefwithsuchviolencethattheyprobablypassedentirelyovertheislet,thenquiteinvisible.Themolenolongerprotectedthecoast,whichwasdirectlyexposedtotheattacksoftheopensea.