Kitabı oku: «The Mysterious Island. B2 / Таинственный остров», sayfa 3
All these people were in Richmond, and it was very difficult to escape.The Southerners wanted to pass over the lines of the besiegers in a balloon. So the balloon was ready. The departure of the balloon was on the 18th of March. On the morning of the 18th, there was a great storm. The weather was terrible.
Cyrus Smith met a man whom he did not know. It was Pencroff, a sailor. He was about thirty- five years old. He was strong. Pencroff came to Richmond on business. He had with him Herbert Brown, a boy. This boy was fifteen years old, he was the son of Pencroff’s captain, and an orphan. Pencroff loved the boy.
So, Pencroff wanted to get out. He addressed Mr. Smith:
– Mr. Smith?
The engineer looked at the man.
– Mr. Smith, do you want to escape?
– How? – answered the engineer, quickly. – Who are you?
Pencroff told him about himself.
– Well, – replied Smith. – And how will you escape?
– By this balloon!
The sailor explained his project, which was very simple. The storm was terrible, it is true; but a skilful engineer, Smith, knew how to manage a balloon. He saw many storms in his life.
Cyrus Smith listened to the sailor and stayed silent. This was the opportunity! The project was very dangerous, but it was real. During the night, they will reach the balloon, and get into the basket!
– I am not alone, – said Smith.
– How many people more? – demanded the sailor.
– Two; my friend Spilett, and my man Neb.
– Three, – replied Pencroff; – and, with Herbert and myself, five. Can the balloon carry us?
– Yes. We will go! – said the engineer.
– Tonight, at ten o’clock, – replied Smith.
Evening arrived. Fog passed over the earth. The weather was cold. The streets of the city were empty. No one cared to guard the balloon in a weather like this.
At half past 9, Cyrus Smith and hiscompanions came together at the basket. Four of them took their places in the basket, while Pencroff unfastened the bundles of ballast. Then the sailor joined his companions. At that moment, a dog jumped into the basket. It was Top, the dog of the engineer.
Then the storm started. It was not until five days later that they saw the sea below them.
