Part 39

It goes without saying that the four cannons were in perfect condition. Since they had been taken out of the water, the sailor had set himself the task of conscientiously polishing them. How many hours he had spent rubbing them, greasing them, burnishing them, cleaning the breech mechanism, the lock, the pressure screw! And now these pieces were as bright as if they had been aboard a frigate of the United States Navy.

On that day, then, in the presence of all the colony's personnel, Master Jup and Top included, the four cannons were successively tested. They were loaded with pyroxylin, taking into account its explosive power, which, as has been said, is quadruple that of ordinary powder; the projectile they were to fire was cylindro-conical.

Pencroff, holding the lanyard of the primer, was ready to fire. At a sign from Cyrus Smith, the shot went off. The ball, aimed at the sea, passed over the islet and was lost in the offing, at a distance that could not, moreover, be precisely determined.

The second cannon was trained on the outermost rocks of the wreck point, and the projectile, striking a sharp stone nearly three miles from Granite House, shattered it.

It was Harbert who had aimed the cannon and fired it, and he was very proud of his first attempt.

Only Pencroff was prouder of it than he! Such a shot, the honor of which belonged to his dear boy!

The third projectile, launched this time upon the dunes forming the upper coast of Union Bay, struck the sand at a distance of at least four miles; then, after ricocheting, it was lost in the sea in a cloud of foam.

For the fourth piece, Cyrus Smith overloaded it somewhat, in order to test its extreme range. Then, everyone having moved aside in case it should burst, the primer was ignited by means of a long cord. A violent detonation was heard, but the piece had held, and the colonists, rushing to the window, were able to see the projectile chip the rocks of Cape Mandible, nearly five miles from Granite House, and disappear into Shark Gulf.

"Well, Mr. Cyrus," cried Pencroff, whose hurrahs might have rivaled the detonations produced, "what do you say to our battery? All the pirates of the Pacific have only to show themselves before Granite House! Not one of them will land now without our permission!"

"If you will take my advice, Pencroff," replied the engineer, "it would be better not to put it to the test."

"By the way," resumed the sailor, "and those six rascals who are prowling about the island, what shall we do with them? Are we going to let them roam our forests, our fields, our meadows? They are real jaguars, those pirates, and it seems to me we ought not to hesitate to treat them as such. What do you think, Ayrton?" added Pencroff, turning toward his companion.

Ayrton hesitated at first to reply, and Cyrus Smith regretted that Pencroff had rather thoughtlessly put the question to him. He was therefore much moved when Ayrton answered in a humble voice:

"I was one of those jaguars, Mr. Pencroff, and I have no right to speak..."

And with slow step he moved away.

Pencroff had understood.

"Confounded brute that I am!" he cried. "Poor Ayrton! And yet he has as much right to speak here as anyone!..."

"Yes," said Gideon Spilett, "but his reserve does him honor, and we should respect this feeling he has of his sad past."

"Agreed, Mr. Spilett," replied the sailor, "and you won't catch me at it again! I'd rather swallow my tongue than give Ayrton a sorrow! But let us return to the question. It seems to me those bandits deserve no pity and that we should rid the island of them as soon as possible."

"Is that quite your opinion, Pencroff?" asked the engineer.

"Quite my opinion."

"And before pursuing them without mercy, you would not wait until they had again committed an act of hostility against us?"

"Wasn't what they did enough?" asked Pencroff, who understood nothing of these hesitations.

"They may return to better feelings!" said Cyrus Smith, "and perhaps repent..."

"Repent, them!" cried the sailor, shrugging his shoulders.

"Pencroff, think of Ayrton!" said Harbert then, taking the sailor's hand. "He became an honest man again!"

Pencroff looked at his companions one after another. He would never have believed that his proposal would raise any hesitation whatsoever. His rough nature could not admit that one should compromise with the rascals who had landed on the island, with Bob Harvey's accomplices, the murderers of the Speedy's crew, and he regarded them as wild beasts that must be destroyed without hesitation and without remorse.

"Well, then!" he said. "I have everyone against me! You want to show generosity to those scoundrels! So be it. May we not repent of it!"

"What danger do we run," said Harbert, "if we take care to be on our guard?"

"Hum!" said the reporter, who was not too decided. "They are six and well armed. Let each of them hide in a corner and fire on one of us, and they will soon be masters of the colony!"

"Why haven't they done it?" replied Harbert. "No doubt because it was not in their interest to do so. Besides, we are six also."

"Good! Good!" answered Pencroff, whom no reasoning could have convinced. "Let these fine fellows go about their little occupations, and let us think no more of them!"

"Come, Pencroff," said Nab, "don't be so wicked as that! One of those unfortunates here before you, within good range of your gun, and you would not fire on him..."

"I would fire on him like on a mad dog, Nab," Pencroff answered coldly.

"Pencroff," said the engineer then, "you have often shown much deference to my advice. Will you, in this circumstance, refer yourself to me again?"

"I will do as you please, Mr. Smith," replied the sailor, who was by no means convinced.

"Well, let us wait, and attack only if we are attacked."

Thus was decided the conduct to be held toward the pirates, although Pencroff augured nothing good from it.

They would not attack them, but they would be on their guard. After all, the island was large and fertile. If some sentiment of honesty remained at the bottom of their souls, these wretches might perhaps amend. Was not their well-understood interest, in the conditions in which they had to live, to make themselves a new life? In any case, if only out of humanity, one should wait. The colonists would perhaps no longer, as before, have the facility of going and coming without distrust.

Hitherto they had had only wild beasts to guard against, and now six convicts, perhaps of the worst sort, were prowling on their island. It was grave, without doubt, and would have been, for less brave people, the loss of security.

No matter! In the present, the colonists were right against Pencroff. Would they be right in the future? That would be seen.

CHAPTER VI

Meanwhile, the great preoccupation of the colonists was to carry out that complete exploration of the island which had been decided upon, an exploration which would now have two aims: to discover first the mysterious being whose existence was no longer questionable, and, at the same time, to ascertain what had become of the pirates, what retreat they had chosen, what life they led, and what was to be feared from them.

Cyrus Smith wished to depart without delay; but, the expedition being to last several days, it had seemed advisable to load the wagon with various camping effects and utensils which would facilitate the organization of halts. Now, at this moment, one of the onaggas, wounded in the leg, could not be harnessed; a few days of rest were necessary for it, and it was thought one might without inconvenience put off the departure for a week, that is to say until the 20th of November. The month of November, under this latitude, corresponds to the month of May of the northern zones. They were therefore in the fine season. The sun was reaching the tropic of Capricorn and giving the longest days of the year. The time would therefore be quite favorable to the projected expedition, an expedition which, if it did not attain its principal object, might be fruitful in discoveries, especially from the point of view of natural productions, since Cyrus Smith proposed to explore those thick forests of the Far-West, which extended to the extremity of the Serpentine Peninsula.

During the nine days which were to precede the departure, it was agreed that they would set hand to the last works of the Grand View Plateau.

However, it was necessary that Ayrton return to the corral, where the domestic animals required his care. It was decided then that he would spend two days there, and that he would not return to Granite House until after having abundantly supplied the stables. At the moment of his leaving, Cyrus Smith asked him if he wished that one of them accompany him, observing to him that the island was less safe than formerly.

Ayrton answered that it was useless, that he would suffice for the task, and that, besides, he feared nothing. If some incident occurred at the corral or in the surroundings, he would immediately warn the colonists by a telegram to the address of Granite House.

Ayrton departed then on the 9th at dawn, taking the wagon, harnessed to a single onagga, and, two hours later, the electric bell announced that he had found everything in order at the corral.

During these two days, Cyrus Smith occupied himself with executing a project which was to put Granite House definitively beyond any surprise. It was a matter of absolutely concealing the upper orifice of the old spillway, which was already masonry and half-hidden under grasses and plants, at the south angle of Lake Grant. Nothing was easier, since it sufficed to raise the level of the lake waters by two or three feet, under which the orifice would then be completely submerged.

Now, to raise this level, there was only to establish a dam at the two cuts made in the lake and by which were fed the Glycerine Creek and the Great Fall Creek. The colonists were summoned to this work, and the two dams, which, moreover, did not exceed seven to eight feet in width on three in height, were rapidly erected by means of rock blocks well cemented.

This work finished, it was impossible to suspect that at the point of the lake there existed a subterranean conduit by which the overflow of the waters formerly discharged.

It goes without saying that the small derivation which served for the supply of the reservoir of Granite House and for the working of the lift had been carefully provided for, and that the water would be lacking in no case.

The lift once raised, this sure and comfortable retreat defied any surprise or coup de main.

This work had been rapidly dispatched, and Pencroff, Gideon Spilett and Harbert found the time to push a point as far as Balloon Harbor.

The sailor was very desirous to know if the little creek at the bottom of which the Bonadventure was moored had been visited by the convicts.

"Precisely," he observed, "these gentlemen landed on the southern coast, and if they followed the shore, it is to be feared they may have discovered the little port, in which case I wouldn't give half a dollar for our Bonadventure."

Pencroff's apprehensions were not without some foundation, and a visit to Balloon Harbor appeared very opportune.

The sailor and his companions departed then in the afternoon of November 10, and they were well armed. Pencroff, ostentatiously slipping two balls into each barrel of his gun, shook his head, which foreboded nothing good for whoever should approach him too closely, "beast or man," said he.

Gideon Spilett and Harbert also took their guns, and, toward three o'clock, all three left Granite House.

Nab accompanied them to the bend of the Mercy, and, after their passage, he raised the bridge. It was agreed that a gunshot would announce the return of the colonists, and that Nab, at this signal, would come back to re-establish communication between the two banks of the river.

The little troop advanced directly by the port road toward the southern coast of the island. It was only a distance of three and a half miles, but Gideon Spilett and his companions took two hours to cover it. Also, had they searched all the edge of the road, as well on the side of the thick forest as on the side of the Tadorn Marsh. They found no trace of the fugitives, who, no doubt, not being yet certain of the number of the colonists and of the means of defense they disposed of, had had to gain the least accessible portions of the island.

Pencroff, arrived at Balloon Harbor, saw with extreme satisfaction the Bonadventure quietly moored in the narrow creek. Besides, Balloon Harbor was so well hidden amid those high rocks that neither from the sea nor from the land could it be discovered, unless one were upon or within it.

"Come," said Pencroff, "those rascals have not come here yet. The tall grasses suit reptiles better, and it is evidently in the Far-West that we shall find them again."

"And it is very fortunate, for if they had found the Bonadventure," added Harbert, "they would have seized it to flee, which would have prevented us from soon returning to Tabor Island."

"Indeed," replied the reporter, "it will be important to carry there a document making known the situation of Lincoln Island and the new residence of Ayrton, in case the Scottish yacht should come to take him back."

"Well, the Bonadventure is still there, Mr. Spilett!" answered the sailor. "Her crew and she are ready to depart at the first signal!"

"I think, Pencroff, that this will be a thing to do as soon as our expedition in the island is ended. It is possible, after all, that this unknown, if we manage to find him, knows much both of Lincoln Island and of Tabor Island. Let us not forget that he is the unquestionable author of the document, and he perhaps knows what to think of the return of the yacht!"

"A thousand devils!" cried Pencroff, "who can that be? He knows us, that personage, and we do not know him! If he is a simple castaway, why hide? We are honest folk, I suppose, and the society of honest folk is disagreeable to no one! Did he come here voluntarily? Can he leave the island if he pleases? Is he still there? Is he no longer there?..."

While talking thus, Pencroff, Harbert and Gideon Spilett had embarked and were walking the deck of the Bonadventure. Suddenly, the sailor, having examined the bitt around which the anchor cable was turned:

"Ah! Upon my word!" he cried. "That is too much!"

"What is it, Pencroff?" asked the reporter.

"It is that it was not I who made that knot!"

And Pencroff showed a rope which made fast the cable on the bitt itself, to prevent it from slipping.

"How, not you?" asked Gideon Spilett.

"No! I would swear it. This is a flat knot, and I have the habit of making two half-hitches."

"You must have been mistaken, Pencroff."

"I was not mistaken!" affirmed the sailor. "One has that in the hand, naturally, and the hand does not mistake!"

"Then the convicts would have come aboard?" asked Harbert.

"I know nothing of it," replied Pencroff, "but what is certain is that the anchor of the Bonadventure has been weighed and moored again! And see! There is another proof. They have veered out anchor cable, and its gear is no longer at the hawsehole. I repeat to you that our boat has been made use of!"

"But if the convicts had used it, either they would have pillaged it, or else they would have fled..."

"Fled!... where?... to Tabor Island?..." replied Pencroff! "Do you think they would have risked themselves on a boat of so small tonnage?"

"It would be necessary, besides, to admit that they had knowledge of the islet," replied the reporter.

"Be that as it may," said the sailor, "as surely as I am Bonadventure Pencroff, of the Vineyard, our Bonadventure has navigated without us!"

The sailor was so affirmative that neither Gideon Spilett nor Harbert could contest his saying.

It was evident that the boat had been displaced, more or less, since Pencroff had brought it back to Balloon Harbor. For the sailor, there was no doubt that the anchor had been weighed, then afterward sent down again by the bottom. Now, why these two maneuvers, if the boat had not been employed for some expedition?

"But how should we not have seen the Bonadventure pass off the island?" observed the reporter, who was anxious to formulate all possible objections.

"Eh! Mr. Spilett," replied the sailor, "it suffices to depart by night with a good breeze, and, in two hours, one is out of sight of the island!"

"Well," resumed Gideon Spilett, "I ask it again, to what end would the convicts have used the Bonadventure, and why, after having used it, would they have brought it back to port?"

"Eh! Mr. Spilett," replied the sailor, "let us put that among the inexplicable things, and think no more of it! The important thing was that the Bonadventure was there, and there it is. Unfortunately, if the convicts took it a second time, it might well not be found again in its place!"

"Then, Pencroff," said Harbert, "perhaps it would be prudent to bring the Bonadventure before Granite House?"

"Yes and no," replied Pencroff, "or rather no. The mouth of the Mercy is a bad place for a boat, and the sea there is rough."

"But by hauling it onto the sand, to the very foot of the chimneys?..."

"Perhaps... yes...," replied Pencroff. "In any case, since we must leave Granite House for a rather long expedition, I think the Bonadventure will be safer here during our absence, and that we shall do well to leave it there until the island is purged of those rascals."

"That is also my opinion," said the reporter. "At least, in case of bad weather, it will not be exposed as it would be at the mouth of the Mercy."

"But if the convicts were to pay it a visit again!" said Harbert.

"Well, my boy," replied Pencroff, "not finding it here, they would soon seek it toward Granite House, and, during our absence, nothing would prevent them from seizing it! I think then, as Mr. Spilett, that we must leave it at Balloon Harbor. But when we are returned, if we have not cleared the island of those rascals, it will be prudent to bring our boat to Granite House until the moment it has nothing more to fear from any evil visit."

"That is agreed. On the road!" said the reporter.

Pencroff, Harbert and Gideon Spilett, when they were returned to Granite House, made known to the engineer what had passed, and he approved their dispositions for the present and for the future. He promised even the sailor to study the portion of the canal situated between the islet and the coast, in order to see if it would not be possible to create there an artificial port by means of dams. In this way, the Bonadventure would always be at hand, under the eyes of the colonists, and under lock if need be.

That very evening, they sent a telegram to Ayrton to beg him to bring back from the corral a couple of goats which Nab wished to acclimate on the meadows of the plateau. Singular thing, Ayrton did not acknowledge receipt of the dispatch, as he had the habit of doing. This did not fail to astonish the engineer. But it might be that Ayrton was not at this moment at the corral, or even that he was on the road back to Granite House. Indeed, two days had elapsed since his departure, and it had been decided that on the 10th in the evening, or the 11th at the latest, early in the morning, he would be back.

The colonists waited then for Ayrton to show himself on the heights of Grand View. Nab and Harbert even watched at the approaches of the bridge, in order to lower it as soon as their companion should present himself.

But, toward ten o'clock in the evening, there was no question whatever of Ayrton. They judged then advisable to send a new dispatch, demanding an immediate reply.

The bell of Granite House remained mute.

Then the anxiety of the colonists was great. What had happened? Was Ayrton then no longer at the corral, or, if he were still there, had he no longer the liberty of his movements? Ought they to go to the corral through that dark night?

They discussed. Some wished to depart, the others to remain.

"But," said Harbert, "perhaps some accident has occurred in the telegraphic apparatus and it no longer functions?"

"That may be," said the reporter.

"Let us wait until tomorrow," replied Cyrus Smith. "It is possible, indeed, that Ayrton has not received our dispatch, or even that we have not received his."

They waited, and, as may be understood, not without a certain anxiety.

At the first light of day -- November 11 -- Cyrus Smith again sent the electric current through the wire and received no answer.

He began again: same result.

"On the road for the corral!" said he.

"And well armed!" added Pencroff.

It was immediately decided that Granite House would not remain alone and that Nab would stay there. After having accompanied his companions to the Glycerine Creek, he would raise the bridge, and, hidden behind a tree, he would watch for either their return or that of Ayrton. In case the pirates should present themselves and attempt to cross the passage, he would try to stop them with gunshots, and, in the end, he would take refuge in Granite House, where, the lift once raised, he would be in safety.

Cyrus Smith, Gideon Spilett, Harbert and Pencroff were to go directly to the corral, and, if they did not find Ayrton there, to beat the wood in the surroundings.

At six o'clock in the morning, the engineer and his three companions had crossed the Glycerine Creek, and Nab posted himself behind a slight shoulder crowned with some great dragon-trees, on the left bank of the stream.

The colonists, after leaving the Grand View Plateau, took immediately the road to the corral.

They carried the gun on the arm, ready to fire at the least hostile demonstration. The two carbines and the two guns had been loaded with ball. On each side of the road, the thicket was dense and could easily hide malefactors, who, thanks to their weapons, would have been truly formidable.

The colonists marched rapidly and in silence. Top preceded them, now running on the road, now making some detour under the woods, but always mute and seeming to presage nothing unusual.

And one might count that the faithful dog would not let himself be surprised and that he would bark at the least appearance of danger. At the same time as the road, Cyrus Smith and his companions followed the telegraph wire which connected the corral and Granite House. After having marched for about two miles, they had not yet remarked any break in it. The posts were in good condition, the insulators intact, the wire regularly stretched. However, from this point, the engineer observed that this tension appeared to be less complete, and finally, arrived at post No. 74, Harbert, who held the front, stopped crying: "the wire is broken!"

His companions quickened their pace and arrived at the place where the young boy had stopped.

There, the overturned post lay across the road. The break in the wire was then ascertained, and it was evident that the dispatches from Granite House could not have been received at the corral, nor those of the corral at Granite House.

"It is not the wind that overturned that post," observed Pencroff.

"No," replied Gideon Spilett. "The earth has been dug at its foot, and it has been uprooted by a human hand."

"Moreover, the wire is broken," added Harbert, showing the two ends of the iron wire, which had been violently snapped.

"Is the break fresh?" asked Cyrus Smith.

"Yes," replied Harbert, "and certainly it is but a short time since the rupture was produced."

"To the corral! To the corral!" cried the sailor.

“Stories of the world, in your language.”