Таинственный остров

           "GraniteHouse,"repliedHarding;anamewhichhiscompanionsagainsalutedwithacheer.

           Thetorcheswerenowalmostconsumed,andastheywereobligedtoreturnbythepassagetoreachthesummitoftheplateau,itwasdecidedtoputofftheworknecessaryforthearrangementoftheirnewdwellingtillthenextday.

           Beforedeparting,CyrusHardingleanedoncemoreoverthedarkwell,whichdescendedperpendicularlytothelevelofthesea.Helistenedattentively.Nonoisewasheard,noteventhatofthewater,whichtheundulationsofthesurgemustsometimesagitateinitsdepths.Aflamingbranchwasagainthrownin.Thesidesofthewellwerelightedupforaninstant,butasatthefirsttime,nothingsuspiciouswasseen.

           Ifsomemarinemonsterhadbeensurprisedunawaresbytheretreatofthewater,hewouldbythistimehaveregainedtheseabythesubterraneanpassage,beforethenewopeninghadbeenofferedtohim.

           Meanwhile,theengineerwasstandingmotionless,hiseyesfixedonthegulf,withoututteringaword.

           Thesailorapproachedhim,andtouchinghisarm,"Captain!"saidhe.

           "Whatdoyouwant,myfriend?"askedtheengineer,asifhehadreturnedfromthelandofdreams.

           "Thetorcheswillsoongoout."

           "Forward!"repliedCyrusHarding.

           Thelittlebandleftthecavernandbegantoascendthroughthedarkpassage.Topclosedtherear,stillgrowlingeverynowandthen.Theascentwaspainfulenough.Thesettlersrestedafewminutesintheuppergrotto,whichmadeasortoflanding-placehalfwayupthelonggranitestaircase