The Mysterious Island Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Captain Grant's Children

Chapter 151 The Mysterious Island (36)
Kojima has been completely exposed in front of everyone.To everyone's astonishment, there was no smoke rising to indicate that the island was inhabited, nor was there a signal anywhere along the coast!I saw that the island was full of lush rubber trees and other tall trees of the same species as those that grew on "Lincoln Island".

But the letter was very clear: there was a victim.Had the victim gone into hiding?

At this time, the "Lucky" was sailing adventurously among the very irregular reefs.Pencroft let Harbert take the helm, while he himself stood in the bow, watching the winding channel intently, and at the same time held the rope in his hand, ready to lower the sail at any time.Jardin Splane surveyed the whole coast with binoculars, but found nothing.Near noon, the bow of the "Lucky" finally touched a beach.After dropping anchor and furling the sails, all the crew on the boat landed on the island.

Needless to say, this is Tabor Island.The latest published maps also show that there are no other islands in that part of the Pacific Ocean between the coast of America and New Zealand.

In order to prevent the boat from being washed away when the sea ebbs, the boat is firmly tied.Then Pencroft and his two companions, armed, went ashore, with the intention of ascending a volcanic cone rising half a mile away.This volcanic cone is about 250 to [-] feet high.

Jardine Splane said: "Standing on the top of this hill, we can basically see the overview of the entire island. This makes it easier to patrol."

Hubbert interjected: "We're doing the same thing that Mr. Cyrus did when he first landed on 'Lincoln Island.' He was on 'Franklin Peak.'"

The reporter replied: "Yes, the practice is the same, it is the best practice!"

Everyone walked along the edge of a meadow and chatted.The meadow terminates at the foot of the volcanic cone.Flocks of rock pigeons and gulls like those on "Lincoln Island" flew swiftly before them.A forest stretches to the left of the meadow.They saw the grass shake violently, and heard the faint rustling of the brambles.This shows that many timid animals ran away after seeing them, but everyone still found no signs of inhabitation on the island.

In a few moments Pencroft, Harbert, and Jardine Splane climbed to the top of the cone.They pay attention to every place in sight.

This is a small lonely island, the whole island is in the shape of a long oval, with a circumference of no more than six nautical miles, and its surroundings are desolate, with few promontories, bays or bays, just boundless sea water.There is no land in sight, let alone a sail!

"Lincoln Island" has a variety of appearances, some are arid and barren, and the other is fertile and rich, but this small island is all green trees.In one of these large meadows flowed a brook, which slanted through the oval island and emptied into the sea by a narrow mouth on the west coast; and there were two or three moderately high hills.

"It's not a big island," said Hubbert.

Pencroft replied: "Yes, it is a little small for us!"

The reporter replied: "It looks like no one lives there."

"Yes," replied Hubbert, "no sign of man."

"Let's go down and look," said Pencroft.

The three returned to the place where they had just parked.They agreed to walk around the island for a week before venturing inside.In this way, their inspection of the island is very meticulous.

The beach is easy to walk, although there are large rocks blocking it in a few places, it is easy to get around.Everyone walked south and down.At this time, countless groups of waterfowl saw them fleeing one after another.The seal saw them from a distance, and jumped into the water to hide.

The reporter reminded: "Pay attention to these beasts, it doesn't look like they are seeing people for the first time. They are afraid of people, which means they have dealt with people before."

An hour later, the three walked to the sand spit in the south of the island.The spit stopped at a sharp promontory.Then head north along the west coast.This part of the coast is also full of sand and rocks, and in the distance it is a dense forest.

Four hours later, they finished circling the island, and there was no trace of human existence at all, not even human footprints.

This made everyone feel very strange, and everyone had to believe that no one had been to Tabor Island, or people had left.It is also possible that the document was written many months or years ago.In this way, the victims may have been rescued back home, or died a tragic death.

Pencroft, Jardine Splane, and Harbert conceived of several endings, while hastily supper aboard the Good Luck, and prepared to search till dark.

At five o'clock in the evening they went on an expedition in the woods.Many animals fled when they saw them approaching.These animals are mainly goats and wild boars.It is easy to judge that they belong to the European breed.It is estimated that some whaling ship unloaded them on the island, and finally they multiplied rapidly on the island.Hubbert intended to capture a couple alive and bring them back to "Lincoln Island."

It is certain that, at some time, the island was visited.When they passed through the woods, they also clearly found this point. They saw tree trunks cut down by axes in the forest, and there were split paths. It can be said that there are traces of human activities everywhere.But the trees that were felled were rotting, and the cuts were covered with shaggy moss.This means that it has been cut down for many years; and the path is also covered with tall and dense grass, which is difficult to recognize unless you look carefully.

Jardin Splane said: "It looks like not only have people landed on this island, but they can also be seen to have lived here for a while. Now what needs to be known is, who are these people? Where are they from? They have been there. How many? How many are left?"

"Only one victim was mentioned in the letter."

"Yes," said Pencroft, "as long as he lives on the island we shall be able to find him!"

So, we continued to investigate.The three of them naturally walked along the road diagonally across the island opened up by people who had lived or were living on the island, and at the end they walked parallel to the stream that flowed to the sea.

If the European animals found are not enough to prove that humans once lived on this island, then the several plants seen in front of us should strongly prove that humans have come to this island [-]%.

In some clearings in the forest, it is obvious that some vegetables have been planted, but not many, and it seems that it has been a long time ago.

Hubbert easily identified the vegetables, potatoes, sorrel, endives, cabbages, carrots and turnips, and he was delighted!Then hurry to collect their seeds and plan to take them to "Lincoln Island"!
Pencroft said happily: "Great! Great! This is the business of Neb and all of us. Even if we can't find the victims, it's not in vain. This is God's reward for us!" "

Jardine Splane replied: "Maybe, just judging from the growth of these plants, the island may have been uninhabited for a long time!"

Hubbert replied: "It must be so. Even if there is only one resident on the island, no matter what, such important plants will not be neglected!"

"Yes," said Pencroft, "it appears that the victim is gone!"

"Are you sure that the letter was written long ago?"

"of course."

"Did that bottle take a long time at sea to reach 'Lincoln Island'?"

"That is so," replied Pencroft, adding, "But now that it is dark, let us suspend our search."

The reporter said: "Continue tomorrow, go back to the boat now."

It was the best course of action, and they were about to adopt the suggestion when suddenly Hubbert exclaimed, "A dwelling place!"

At the same time point to a pile of hazy things among the trees.

The three immediately ran to the residence.In the faint light at dusk, it can be seen that it is really a dwelling made of wooden boards, with a thick layer of oilcloth covering the top.

Pencroft pushed open the half-closed door, and entered eagerly. . . .

There is nothing inside.

The appearance of the savage

Pencroft, Harbert, and Jardine Splane were silent in the dark.

Pencroft gave a cry.No one answered.

The sailor made fire with a flint and steel, and then lit a branch.The firelight illuminated the small room.Apparently it was an abandoned room, with a crude fireplace in the back, and the ashes still cooling, and a bundle of dry wood on the ashes.Pencroft threw the burning twig into the hearth, whereupon the logs crackled, and the fire blazed up and glowed brightly.

The room was clearly presented in front of the eyes of the three of them.A scattered bed with damp and yellowed quilts, indicating that the bed has not had an owner for a long time; an overturned pot and two rusty kettles in one corner of the fireplace; a wardrobe with some moldy items a damp Bible and tin-cutlery on the table; a shovel, a pickaxe, a pick, and two shotguns, one of which was broken, in the corner; Buckshot and boxes of detonators rested on a wooden stand; all of this was covered with a thick layer of what might have been accumulated dust.

"No one," said the reporter.

Pencroft replied: "No one!"

"Look," said Hubbert, "the room has been unoccupied for a long time."

The reporter replied: "That's right, it's been a long time!"

"Mr. Splain, I think we shall spend the night in this room, without going back to the ship," said Pencroft.

"Yes, Pencroft," replied Jardine Splane, "if the master of the house comes back, hey! and finds us in his place, I believe he will not complain!"

The sailor shook his head and said, "He won't come back!"

The reporter asked: "Do you think he has left the island?"

Pencroft looked at the house full of things, and said: "You know that the shipwreck cherishes these things very much. They are the last survivors of the shipwreck! If he leaves the island, he will take his weapons and tools with him." The sailor suddenly added with great certainty: "No! No! He didn't leave the island! If he escaped in his self-made boat, he would take these very important things with him! No, he is on the island! "

Hubbert asked: "Alive? . . . "

Pencroft replied: "He may be alive, or he may be dead, but if he is dead, he should not be able to bury himself. I think we can at least find his remains!"

So, everyone decided to spend the night in the abandoned house.The firewood stored in the corner is enough to warm the whole house.With the door closed, the three sat on a bench, each imagining everything, and rarely chatting.They don't let go of all the sounds outside, imagining and waiting.They wouldn't be surprised if the door flung open at this moment.Although the abandoned house proves that the owner is no longer there, everyone still looks forward to the return of the strange friend and can hold his hand tightly.

Time passed by, and there was no sound, and the door was not opened.It was a long night for the sailor and his two companions!The three of them can't wait to start the next day's survey. They must search the island carefully, and never let go of any corner!Hubbert was really struggling and dozed off for two hours.At his age, sleep is essential.

It is certain that Pencroft's conjecture was correct.Since the tools, utensils, and weapons are still there, and the house is abandoned, it means that its owner is dead.His remains should therefore be found, and a Christian funeral must be held for him.

It was finally dawn.Pencroft and his companions at once made a study of the dwelling.Sure enough, it was built on a very favorable terrain, backed by a small hill, and the hill was shaded by five or six rubber trees.In front of it is a large open space cut by an ax in the forest.In this way, standing at the door can see the sea all the time.There was also a small lawn leading down to the shore, surrounded by a wooden fence, which had now collapsed.On the left side of the coast is the mouth of the creek.

It is not difficult to see that the wood used for this house is the hull and deck of a certain ship.It is certain that a ship wrecked and unmanageable was thrown ashore on the shore of the island, and at least one of its occupants escaped.So he built the dwelling out of the ship's fragments and the tools he had at hand.

When Jardin Splane walked around the house, he saw several blurred letters on a wooden board: BR·TAN·A.This should be a bulwark of the wrecked ship.

The facts became clearer.

The reporter called Pencroft over to look at it, and Pencroft exclaimed: "Britannia! But so many ships bear that name that I cannot tell whether it is an English or an American!"

"Nationality does not matter, Pencroft!"

The sailor replied: "It doesn't matter, no matter which country he is a survivor, as long as he is still alive, we will save him! But, before the survey, we'd better go back to the 'Lucky' first!"

At the mention of the "Lucky," Pencroft felt a sudden uneasiness.If the island is indeed inhabited, if the people on the island hijack the boat... what will happen to them, he dare not think about it any longer.

The sailor had no objection to returning to the ship for lunch.There is a well-paved road, and the distance is only one nautical mile, which is not long.As they walked, they searched the surrounding trees and coppice, and hundreds of wild boars and goats fled across them.

After about twenty or ten minutes, Pencroft and his companions could see the east coast of the island and the "Lucky" anchored by anchors deep into the sand.

Pencroft could not help breathing a sigh of relief.In all fairness, he treated the ship like a child, and therefore worried about it as much as his father did.We boarded the ship, and had lunch, and had enough to eat, so that it would not be a hindrance to dinner even if it was late.

Then proceeded to investigate very carefully.

It is believed that the sole inhabitant of the island is dead.Therefore, Pencroft and his companions were looking for the remains, not a living person!But for half a day they searched in vain the trees that covered the island.Therefore, everyone had to admit that the victim was indeed dead, and his body had been eaten by some wild beast so that not even the bones remained.

At around 02:30 pm, they lay down to rest in the shade of a clump of pine trees.Pencroft said to his companions: "To-morrow we will return at first light."

Hubbert added: "I don't think we have any concerns about the island. We can take all the remaining equipment of that victim."

Jardin Splane replied: "I think so too, these weapons and tools can make up for the lack of the "Granite Palace", especially the gunpowder and bullets are very important, I am right. "

Pencroft replied: "Yes, but one or two pairs of wild boars must be caught and brought back. There are none on 'Lincoln Island'..."

Hubbert added; "Remember to collect those seeds too so we'll have a complete vegetable crop."

The reporter said: "Maybe we stay on Tabor Island one more day, so we can pick up everything that is useful to us."

"No, Mr. Splain," replied Pencroft, "we must set out at first light to-morrow. I think the wind may turn to the westerly, so that we shall have a favorable wind on our coming and a favorable wind on our return."

Hubbert got up and said, "Then seize all the time!"

Pencroft replied: "Well, make haste, Harbert; you know plants well, and I will leave the collection of seeds to you. Mr. Spline and I went to catch the wild boar, and I hope we can, though Top is away." Catch a few!"

So Hubbert followed the path to the vegetable-growing part of the island; the sailor and reporter went into the forest again.

Many pig-like animals fled in front of them.These animals didn't want people to approach at all, and avoided them flexibly.After half an hour of chasing, a pair was finally caught in a pig's nest in the dense undergrowth.Suddenly, in the northern part of the island, hundreds of paces away from them, Harbert's shouts were heard, mixed with unhuman roars.

The sailor was just about to tie up the boars, and when they heard the shout, they stood up together, and the pair of boars took advantage of the opportunity to escape.

"It's Hubbert's voice!" said the reporter.

"Go!" cried Pencroft, "Go!"

The sailor and Jardine Splane rushed with all their might to the source of the sound.

Thankfully they arrived quickly.At the bend of the path, near a clearing in the woods, Harbert had been struck down by a wild man who was about to hurt him.It looked like a giant monkey.

Pencroft and Jardine Splane together sprang upon the monster, knocked it down, and bound it firmly.Hubbert was saved.It all happens in an instant.Sailors are mighty, journalists are strong.Although the monster resisted desperately, it was still firmly bound and could not move at all.

Jardine Splane asked: "Harbert, are you not hurt?"

"No! I'm fine."

"Hmph! If it hurts you, the monkey..."

Hubbert replied, "It's not a monkey!"

Hearing this, Pencroft and Jardine Splane looked carefully at the monster lying on the ground.

Sure enough, this is really not a monkey, but a person, and a man!What kind of man is this!No matter which angle you look at, it is frightening, and what is even more frightening is that he has become an out-and-out savage!
His body is basically naked, except for a rag around his waist; his hair stands on end, and his unkempt and dirty beard hangs down to his chest; his face is brown and red, and his eyes are fierce; Hard as an animal's hoof: this is the poor man, if he can be called a man at all!Seeing this appearance, everyone can't help but ask, is there still a soul in his body?Is he completely animal nature?

Pencroft asked the reporter: "Are you sure that this is a man, or that he was a man?"

"Oh, poor! Yes, there is no doubt about it."

"Is this the victim?" said Hubbert.

"Yes," replied Jardine Splane, "only the unfortunate man is not at all human."

(End of this chapter)