Таинственный остров

           Hishandsandfeetstillborethebloodymarksofthecordswhichboundhimdayandnight.Everymomentheexpectedtobeputtodeath,nordiditappearpossiblethathecouldescape.

           MattersremainedthusuntilthethirdweekofFebruary.Theconvicts,stillwatchingforafavorableopportunity,rarelyquittedtheirretreat,andonlymadeafewhuntingexcursions,eithertotheinterioroftheisland,orthesouthcoast.

           Ayrtonhadnofurthernewsofhisfriends,andrelinquishedallhopeofeverseeingthemagain.Atlast,theunfortunateman,weakenedbyill-treatment,fellintoaprostrationsoprofoundthatsightandhearingfailedhim.Fromthatmoment,thatistosay,sincethelasttwodays,hecouldgivenoinformationwhateverofwhathadoccurred.

           "But,CaptainHarding,"headded,"sinceIwasimprisonedinthatcavern,howisitthatIfindmyselfinthecorral?"

           "Howisitthattheconvictsarelyingyonderdead,inthemiddleoftheenclosure?"answeredtheengineer.

           "Dead!"criedAyrton,halfrisingfromhisbed,notwithstandinghisweakness.

           Hiscompanionssupportedhim.Hewishedtogetup,andwiththeirassistancehedidso.Theythenproceededtogethertowardsthelittlestream.

           Itwasnowbroaddaylight.

           There,onthebank,inthepositioninwhichtheyhadbeenstrickenbydeathinitsmostinstantaneousform,laythecorpsesofthefiveconvicts!

           Ayrtonwasastounded.Hardingandhiscompanionslookedathimwithoututteringaword.Onasignfromtheengineer,NebandPencroftexaminedthebodies,alreadystiffenedbythecold.