Таинственный остров

           Perhapsevennowthecartwasinthehandsoftheconvicts!

           InamomentthereporterandhistwocompanionshadcrossedthecorralandreachedthegateofthepalisadebehindwhichTopwasheardgrowlingsullenly.

           Theengineer,leavingAyrtonforaninstant,cameoutreadytofire.Herbertwasathisside.Bothsurveyedthecrestofthespuroverlookingthecorral.Iftheconvictswerelyinginambushthere,theymightknockthesettlersoveroneaftertheother.

           Atthatmomentthemoonappearedintheeast,abovetheblackcurtainoftheforest,andawhitesheetoflightspreadovertheinterioroftheenclosure.Thecorral,withitsclumpsoftrees,thelittlestreamwhichwateredit,itswidecarpetofgrass,wassuddenlyilluminated.Fromthesideofthemountain,thehouseandapartofthepalisadestoodoutwhiteinthemoonlight.Ontheoppositesidetowardsthedoor,theenclosureremaineddark.Ablackmasssoonappeared.Thiswasthecartenteringthecircleoflight,andCyrusHardingcouldhearthenoisemadebythedoor,ashiscompanionsshutitandfastenedtheinteriorbars.

           But,atthatmoment,Top,breakingloose,begantobarkfuriouslyandrushtothebackofthecorral,totherightofthehouse.

           "Bereadytofire,myfriends!"criedHarding.

           Thecolonistsraisedtheirpiecesandwaitedthemomenttofire.

           Topstillbarked,andJup,runningtowardsthedog,utteredshrillcries.

           Thecolonistsfollowedhim,andreachedthebordersofthelittlestream,shadedbylargetrees