Таинственный остров

           Duringallthistime,theconvictsdidnotonceappearinthevicinityofGraniteHouse.TherewasnonewsofAyrton,andthoughtheengineerandHerbertstillhadsomehopesoffindinghimagain,theircompanionsdidnotdoubtbutthattheunfortunatemanhadperished.However,thisuncertaintycouldnotlast,andwhenoncetheladshouldhaverecovered,theexpedition,theresultofwhichmustbesoimportant,wouldbeundertaken.Buttheywouldhavetowaitamonth,perhaps,forallthestrengthofthecolonymustbeputintorequisitiontoobtainsatisfactionfromtheconvicts.

           However,Herbert’sconvalescenceprogressedrapidly.Thecongestionoftheliverhaddisappeared,andhiswoundsmightbeconsideredcompletelyhealed.

           DuringthemonthofJanuary,importantworkwasdoneontheplateauofProspectHeights;butitconsistedsolelyinsavingasmuchaswaspossiblefromthedevastatedcrops,eitherofcornorvegetables.Thegrainandtheplantsweregathered,soastoprovideanewharvestfortheapproachinghalf-season.Withregardtorebuildingthepoultry-yard,wall,orstables,CyrusHardingpreferredtowait.Whileheandhiscompanionswereinpursuitoftheconvicts,thelattermightveryprobablypayanothervisittotheplateau,anditwouldbeuselesstogivethemanopportunityofrecommencingtheirworkofdestruction.whentheislandshouldbeclearedofthesemiscreants,theywouldsetaboutrebuilding.TheyoungconvalescentbegantogetupinthesecondweekofJanuary,atfirstforonehouraday,thentwo,thenthree.