Kitabı oku: «Таинственный остров / The Mysterious Island. Уровень 2», sayfa 10
The exploration of the island was finished. They drew a map of it, and calculated its size. They wanted now to examine the animal, vegetable, and mineral resources of the country. But before the departure, Cyrus Smith addressed his companions.
– Look, my friends, upon this little corner of the earth. Here, perhaps, we may long dwell.
– Mr. Smith, – said the sailor, – we will make a little America here. We will build cities, railroads, telegraphs. We will be not castaways, but colonists!
– One minute, my friends, – said the engineer; – let’s name the island, the capes, promontories, and water-courses.
– Yes, – said Smith, – for instance, let us call the great bay to the eastUnion Bay24, the southern indentation Washington Bay25, the mountain on which we are standing Mount Franklin26, the lake beneath our feet Lake Grant27.
Spilett put down the names over the proper places, and the geographical nomenclature of the island was complete.
– Now, – said the reporter, – I propose to give the name ofSerpentine Peninsula28, and to call the twisted curve at the termination of it Reptile End29. It is just like a snake’s tail.
– And the other extremity of the island, – said Herbert, – the gulf is like a pair of jaws, let us call itShark Gulf30.
– Good, – said Pencroff, – and we may
call the two capesNorth Mandible31 and South Mandible32. Now we must name the southwestern extremity of the island.
–Claw Cape33, – suggested Neb.
The river with fresh water they called theMercy34. The islet on which they first arrived, was Safety Island35; the plateau at the top of the high granite wall above the Chimneys, Prospect Plateau36. And, finally, the woods which covered Serpentine Peninsula, the Forests of the Far West37.
The colonists were going to descend the mountain, when Pencroff cried:
– We forgot to name our island!
Cyrus Smith said quietly:
– Let us call itLincoln Island38!
Chapter XII
The colonists of Lincoln Island walked around the verge of the crater. Half an hour afterwards they were again upon the lower plateau. Pencroff thought it was breakfast time.
As they were leaving the plateau, Smith wished to explore Lake Grant. About 10 o’clock the little company descended the last declivities of Mount Franklin. A few bushes and trees were scattered over the ground. They were walking on a yellowish soil. Suddenly they saw Herbert, he was running back.
– What’s the matter, my boy? – said Spilett.
– Smoke, – answered Herbert. – We saw smoke, a hundred steps in front.
– Men in this region! – cried the reporter.
– Where is Top? – answered Smith.
– Top is on ahead.
– And did it bark?
– No.
– That is strange.
They saw, indeed, some smoke.
– You see, – said Smith, – It is nothing but asulphur spring39, it is good for our sore throats.
The colonists walked towards the smoke. They beheld a spring of sulphate of soda, which flowed among the rocks. Smith dipped his hand into the spring and found it oily.
