Таємничий острів

           Therewasnoweightfeetoftheopeningabovethewater.Itwaslikethearchofabridge,underwhichrushedthefoamingwater.

           Leaningforward,theengineersawablackobjectfloatingonthewater.Hedrewittowardshim.Itwasaboat,mooredtosomeinteriorprojectionofthecave.Thisboatwasiron-plated.Twooarslayatthebottom.

           "Jumpin!"saidHarding.

           Inamomentthesettlerswereintheboat.NebandAyrtontooktheoars,Pencrofttherudder.CyrusHardinginthebows,withthelantern,lightedtheway.

           Theellipticalroof,underwhichtheboatatfirstpassed,suddenlyrose;butthedarknesswastoodeep,andthelightofthelanterntooslight,foreithertheextent,length,height,ordepthofthecavetobeascertained.Solemnsilencereignedinthisbasalticcavern.Notasoundcouldpenetrateintoit,eventhethunderpealscouldnotpierceitsthicksides.

           Suchimmensecavesexistinvariouspartsoftheworld,naturalcryptsdatingfromthegeologicalepochoftheglobe.Somearefilledbythesea;otherscontainentirelakesintheirsides.SuchisFingal’sCave,intheislandofStaffa,oneoftheHebrides;sucharethecavesofMorgat,inthebayofDouarnenez,inBrittany,thecavesofBonifacio,inCorsica,thoseofLyse-Fjord,inNorway;sucharetheimmenseMammothcavernsinKentucky,500feetinheight,andmorethantwentymilesinlength!Inmanypartsoftheglobe,naturehasexcavatedthesecaverns,andpreservedthemfortheadmirationofman.