Таинственный остров

           Ontheshoresandontheislets,struttedwildducks,pelicans,water-hens,red-beaks,philedons,furnishedwithatonguelikeabrush,andoneortwospecimensofthesplendidmenura,thetailofwhichexpandsgracefullylikealyre.

           Astothewaterofthelake,itwassweet,limpid,ratherdark,andfromcertainbubblings,andtheconcentriccircleswhichcrossedeachotheronthesurface,itcouldnotbedoubtedthatitaboundedinfish.

           "Thislakeisreallybeautiful!"saidGideonSpilett."Wecouldliveonitsborders!"

           "Wewilllivethere!"repliedHarding.

           Thesettlers,wishingtoreturntotheChimneysbytheshortestway,descendedtowardstheangleformedonthesouthbythejunctionofthelake’sbank.Itwasnotwithoutdifficultythattheybrokeapaththroughthethicketsandbrushwoodwhichhadneverbeenputasidebythehandofmm,andtheythuswenttowardstheshore,soastoarriveatthenorthofProspectHeights.Twomileswereclearedinthisdirection,andthen,aftertheyhadpassedthelastcurtainoftrees,appearedtheplateau,carpetedwiththickturf,andbeyondthattheinfinitesea.

           ToreturntotheChimneys,itwasenoughtocrosstheplateauobliquelyforthespaceofamile,andthentodescendtotheelbowformedbythefirstdetouroftheMercy.Buttheengineerdesiredtoknowhowandwheretheoverplusofthewaterfromthelakeescaped,andtheexplorationwasprolongedunderthetreesforamileandahalftowardsthenorth