Таємничий острів

           Nowithappensthatitisduringthewinterofthesoutherncountriesthatitisatitsmostdistantpointfromthesun,andconsequently,inasituationforthoseregionstofeelthegreatestcold.Nothingcanbedonetopreventthat,andmen,Pencroft,howeverlearnedtheymaybe,canneverchangeanythingofthecosmographicalorderestablishedbyGodHimself."

           "Andyet,"addedPencroft,"theworldisverylearned.whatabigbook,captain,mightbemadewithallthatisknown!"

           "Andwhatamuchbiggerbookstillwithallthatisnotknown!"answeredHarding.

           Atlast,foronereasonoranother,themonthofJunebroughtthecoldwithitsaccustomedintensity,andthesettlerswereoftenconfinedtoGraniteHouse.Ah!howwearisomethisimprisonmentwastothem,andmoreparticularlytoGideonSpilett.

           "Lookhere,"saidhetoNeboneday,"Iwouldgiveyoubynotarialdeedalltheestateswhichwillcometomesomeday,ifyouwereagoodenoughfellowtogo,nomatterwhere,andsubscribetosomenewspaperforme!Decidedlythethingthatismostessentialtomyhappinessistheknowingeverymorningwhathashappenedthedaybeforeinotherplacesthanthis!"

           Nebbegantolaugh.

           "‘Ponmyword,"hereplied,"theonlythingIthinkaboutismydailywork!"

           Thetruthwasthatindoorsaswellasouttherewasnowantofwork.

           ThecolonyofLincolnIslandwasnowatitshighestpointofprosperity,achievedbythreeyearsofcontinuedhardwork.Thedestructionofthebrighadbeenanewsourceofriches.