Two years already! and for two years the colonists had had no communication with their fellow-creatures! They were without news from the civilized world, lost on this island, as completely as if they had been on the most minute star of the celestial hemisphere!
What was now happening in their country? The picture of their native land was always before their eyes, the land torn by civil war at the time they left it, and which the Southern rebellion was perhaps still staining with blood! It was a great sorrow to them, and they often talked together of these things, without ever doubting however that the cause of the North must triumph, for the honor of the American Confederation.
During these two years not a vessel had passed in sight of the island;or, at least, not a sail had been seen.It was evident that Lincoln Island was out of the usual track, and also that it was unknown,--as was besides proved by the maps,--for though there was no port, vessels might have visited it for the purpose of renewing their store of water.But the surrounding ocean was deserted as far as the eye could reach, and the colonists must rely on themselves for regaining their native land.
However, one chance of rescue existed, and this chance was discussed one day on the first week of April, when the colonists were gathered together in the dining-room of Granite House.
They had been talking of America, of their native country, which they had so little hope of ever seeing again.
"Decidedly we have only one way, said Spilett, "one single way for leaving Lincoln Island, and that is, to build a vessel large enough to sail several hundred miles.It appears to me, that when one has built a boat it is just as easy to build a ship!""And in which we might go to the Pomoutous," added Herbert, "just as easily as we went to Tabor Island.""I do not say no," replied Pencroft, who had always the casting vote in maritime questions; "I do not say no, although it is not exactly the same thing to make a long as a short voyage! If our little craft had been caught in any heavy gale of wind during the voyage to Tabor Island, we should have known that land was at no great distance either way; but twelve hundred miles is a pretty long way, and the nearest land is at least that distance!""Would you not, in that case, Pencroft, attempt the adventure?" asked the reporter.
"I will attempt anything that is desired, Mr.Spilett," answered the sailor, "and you know well that I am not a man to flinch!""Remember, besides, that we number another sailor amongst us now,"remarked Neb.
"Who is that?" asked Pencroft.
"Ayrton."
"If he will consent to come," said Pencroft.
"Nonsense!" returned the reporter; "do you think that if Lord Glenarvan's yacht had appeared at Tabor Island, while he was still living there, Ayrton would have refused to depart?""You forget, my friends," then said Cyrus Harding, "that Ayrton was not in possession of his reason during the last years of his stay there.But that is not the question.The point is to know if we may count among our chances of being rescued, the return of the Scotch vessel.Now, Lord Glenarvan promised Ayrton that he would return to take him off from Tabor Island when he considered that his crimes were expiated, and I believe that he will return.""Yes," said the reporter, "and I will add that he will return soon, for it is twelve years since Ayrton was abandoned.""Well!" answered Pencroft, "I agree with you that the nobleman will return, and soon too.But where will he touch? At Tabor Island, and not at Lincoln Island.""That is the more certain," replied Herbert, "as Lincoln Island is not even marked on the map.""Therefore, my friends," said the engineer, "we ought to take the necessary precautions for making our presence and that of Ayrton on Lincoln Island known at Tabor Island.""Certainly," answered the reporter, "and nothing is easier than to place in the hut, which was Captain Grant's and Ayrton's dwelling, a notice which Lord Glenarvan and his crew cannot help finding, giving the position of our island.""It is a pity," remarked the sailor, "that we forgot to take that precaution on our first visit to Tabor Island.""And why should we have done it?" asked Herbert."At that time we did not know Ayrton's history; we did not know that any one was likely to come some day to fetch him, and when we did know his history, the season was too advanced to allow us to return then to Tabor Island.""Yes," replied Harding, "it was too late, and we must put off the voyage until next spring.""But suppose the Scotch yacht comes before that," said Pencroft.
