Таинственный остров

           "Thismachineisnotmyowninvention,anditisfrequentlyemployedbytheAleutianhuntersinRussianAmerica.Youseethesebones,myfriends;well,whenitfreezes,Iwillbendthem,andthenwetthemwithwatertilltheyareentirelycoveredwithice,whichwillkeepthembent,andIwillstrewthemonthesnow,havingpreviouslycoveredthemwithfat.Now,whatwillhappenifahungryanimalswallowsoneofthesebaits?Why,theheatofhisstomachwillmelttheice,andthebone,springingstraight,willpiercehimwithitssharppoints."

           "Well!Idocallthatingenious!"saidPencroft.

           "Anditwillsparethepowderandshot,"rejoinedCyrusHarding.

           "Thatwillbebetterthantraps!"addedNeb.

           Inthemeanwhiletheboat-buildingprogressed,andtowardstheendofthemonthhalftheplankingwascompleted.Itcouldalreadybeseenthathershapewasexcellent,andthatshewouldsailwell.

           Pencroftworkedwithunparalleledardor,andonlyasturdyframecouldhavebornesuchfatigue;buthiscompanionswerepreparinginsecretarewardforhislabors,andonthe31stofMayhewastomeetwithoneofthegreatestjoysofhislife.

           Onthatday,afterdinner,justashewasabouttoleavethetable,Pencroftfeltahandonhisshoulder.

           ItwasthehandofGideonSpilett,whosaid,—

           "Onemoment,MasterPencroft,youmustn’tsneakofflikethat!You’veforgottenyourdessert."

           "Thankyou,Mr.Spilett,"repliedthesailor,"Iamgoingbacktomywork."

           "Well,acupofcoffee,myfriend?"

           "Nothingmore."