Таємничий острів

           "No,"repliedNeb,"onlyabovehigh-watermark,fortheothersmusthavebeenwashedoutbythetide."

           "Goon,Neb,"saidSpilett.

           "IwenthalfcrazywhenIsawthesefootprints.Theywereveryclearandwenttowardsthedowns.Ifollowedthemforaquarterofamile,running,buttakingcarenottodestroythem.Fiveminutesafter,asitwasgettingdark,Iheardthebarkingofadog.ItwasTop,andTopbroughtmehere,tomymaster!"

           Nebendedhisaccountbysayingwhathadbeenhisgriefatfindingtheinanimatebody,inwhichhevainlysoughtfortheleastsignoflife.Nowthathehadfoundhimdeadhelongedforhimtobealive.Allhiseffortswereuseless!Nothingremainedtobedonebuttorenderthelastdutiestotheonewhomhehadlovedsomuch!Nebthenthoughtofhiscompanions.They,nodoubt,wouldwishtoseetheunfortunatemanagain.Topwasthere.Couldhenotrelyonthesagacityofthefaithfulanimal?Nebseveraltimespronouncedthenameofthereporter,theoneamonghiscompanionswhomTopknewbest.

           Thenhepointedtothesouth,andthedogboundedoffinthedirectionindicatedtohim.

           Wehaveheardhow,guidedbyaninstinctwhichmightbelookeduponalmostassupernatural,Tophadfoundthem.

           Neb’scompanionshadlistenedwithgreatattentiontothisaccount.

           ItwasunaccountabletothemhowCyrusHarding,aftertheeffortswhichhemusthavemadetoescapefromthewavesbycrossingtherocks,hadnotreceivedevenascratch.