Таємничий острів

           ItwasTop,whohadsprungtohishelp.Hesawnothingoftheballoon,which,lightenedbothofhisweightandthatofthedog,haddartedawaylikeanarrow.

           Therehewas,inthemidstoftheangrysea,atadistancewhichcouldnotbelessthanhalfamilefromtheshore.Heattemptedtostruggleagainstthebillowsbyswimmingvigorously.Topheldhimupbyhisclothes;butastrongcurrentseizedhimanddrovehimtowardsthenorth,andafterhalfanhourofexertion,hesank,draggingTopwithhimintothedepths.Fromthatmomenttothemomentinwhichherecoveredtofindhimselfinthearmsofhisfriendsherememberednothing.

           "However,"remarkedPencroft,"youmusthavebeenthrownontothebeach,andyoumusthavehadstrengthtowalkhere,sinceNebfoundyourfootmarks!"

           "Yes...ofcourserepliedtheengineer,thoughtfully;"andyoufoundnotracesofhumanbeingsonthiscoast?"

           "Notatrace,"repliedthereporter;"besides,ifbychanceyouhadmetwithsomedelivererthere,justinthenickoftime,whyshouldhehaveabandonedyouafterhavingsavedyoufromthewaves?"

           "Youareright,mydearSpilett.Tellme,Neb,"addedtheengineer,turningtohisservant,"itwasnotyouwho...youcan’thavehadamomentofunconsciousness...duringwhichno,that’sabsurd....Doanyofthefootstepsstillremain?"askedHarding.

           "Yes,master,repliedNeb;"here,attheentrance,atthebackofthemound,inaplaceshelteredfromtherainandwind.Thestormhasdestroyedtheothers."