Kitabı oku: «The Mysterious Island. B2 / Таинственный остров», sayfa 12

Chapter X

Soon Smith recovered his strength. They had a pleasant supper. The engineer said little; he was planning for the next day. After supper, the party lay down to sleep. In the morning they were fresh and ready for the expedition.

Everything was ready. At half past 7 they left the Chimneys, each had a stoutcudgel. Pencroff recommended to take the route of the previous day, which was the shortest way to the mountain. They turned the southern angle, and followed the left bank of the river. They took the path under the evergreens, and soon reached the northern border of the forest. The soil was flat and swampy, then dry and sandy. Among the trees appeared a few animals. The engineer was going to the top of the mountain.

The mountain was composed of two cones. The first was truncated about 2,500 feet up, and supported by fantastic spurs. Between these spurs were narrow valleys.

On the first cone lay the second one. It was slightly rounded towards thesummit. The goal of the expedition was to reach the top of this cone.

– We are in a volcanic country, – said Cyrus Smith, as they began to climb.

They were gradually going up. At 12 o’clock, the little company stopped to dine. They were still half way from the first plateau. They could hardly reach it before nightfall. From this point the sea wasbeneath their feet. On the left they saw directly north for several miles; but they could not see far to the northwest.

At 1 o’clock, theascent began again. The easiest route slanted upwards towards the southwest, through the thick copse. The climbers reached a terrace, its soil was volcanic. From hence, their course was a zigzag towards the east. Neb and Herbert led the way.

They saw large animals and, as the ascension continued, the traces of lava were more frequent. As they neared the first plateau, theascent became very difficult. By 4 o’clock they passed the last belt of trees. It was a pleasant, mild day. The sky was bright and clear.

There were only 500 feet between the explorers and the plateau where they wanted to encamp for the night. It was almost night when the party arrived at the top of the first cone.