Таинственный остров

           Now,thisnotewasdatedsixo’clockinthemorning,andtheactiveorang,accustomedtocomefrequentlytothecorral,hadtakenscarcelythreequartersofanhourtocrossthefivemileswhichseparateditfromGraniteHouse.Theywould,therefore,besafeatthattime,andiftherewasanyoccasionforfiring,itwouldprobablynotbeuntiltheywereintheneighborhoodofGraniteHouse.However,thecolonistskeptastrictwatch.TopandJup,thelatterarmedwithhisclub,sometimesinfront,sometimesbeatingthewoodatthesidesoftheroad,signalizednodanger.

           ThecartadvancedslowlyunderPencroft’sguidance.Ithadleftthecorralathalf-pastseven.Anhourafter,fouroutofthefivemileshadbeencleared,withoutanyincidenthavingoccurred.TheroadwasasdesertedasallthatpartoftheJacamarWoodwhichlaybetweentheMercyandthelake.Therewasnooccasionforanywarning.Thewoodappearedasdesertedasonthedaywhenthecolonistsfirstlandedontheisland.

           Theyapproachedtheplateau.AnothermileandtheywouldseethebridgeoverCreekGlycerine.CyrusHardingexpectedtofinditinitsplace;supposingthattheconvictswouldhavecrossedit,andthat,afterhavingpassedoneofthestreamswhichenclosedtheplateau,theywouldhavetakentheprecautiontoloweritagain,soastokeepopenaretreat.

           Atlengthanopeninginthetreesallowedthesea-horizontobeseen.Butthecartcontinueditsprogress,fornotoneofitsdefendersthoughtofabandoningit