It was now two years and a half since the castaways from the balloon had been thrown on Lincoln Island, and during that period there had been no communication between them and their fellow-creatures.Once the reporter had attempted to communicate with the inhabited world by confiding to a bird a letter which contained the secret of their situation, but that was a chance on which it was impossible to reckon seriously.Ayrton, alone, under the circumstances which have been related, had come to join the little colony.Now, suddenly, on this day, the 17th of October, other men had unexpectedly appeared in sight of the island, on that deserted sea!
There could be no doubt about it! A vessel was there! But would she pass on, or would she put into port? In a few hours the colonists would definitely know what to expect.
Cyrus Harding and Herbert having immediately called Gideon Spilett, Pencroft, and Neb into the dining-room of Granite House, told them what had happened.Pencroft, seizing the telescope, rapidly swept the horizon, and stopping on the indicated point, that is to say, on that which had made the almost imperceptible spot on the photographic negative,--"I'm blessed but it is really a vessel!" he exclaimed, in a voice which did not express any great amount of satisfaction.
"Is she coming here?" asked Gideon Spilett.
"Impossible to say anything yet," answered Pencroft, "for her rigging alone is above the horizon, and not a bit of her hull can be seen.""What is to be done?" asked the lad.
"Wait," replied Harding.
And for a considerable time the settlers remained silent, given up to all the thoughts, and the emotions, all the fears, all the hopes, which were aroused by this incident--the most important which had occurred since their arrival in Lincoln Island.Certainly, the colonists were not in the situation of castaways abandoned on a sterile islet, constantly contending against a cruel nature for their miserable existence, and incessantly tormented by the longing to return to inhabited countries.Pencroft and Neb, especially, who felt themselves at once so happy and so rich, would not have left their island without regret.They were accustomed, besides, to this new life in the midst of the domain which their intelligence had as it were civilized.But at any rate this ship brought news from the world, perhaps even from their native land.It was bringing fellow-creatures to them, and it may be conceived how deeply their hearts were moved at the sight!
From time to time Pencroft took the glass and rested himself at the window.From thence he very attentively examined the vessel, which was at a distance of twenty miles to the east.The colonists had as yet, therefore, no means of signalizing their presence.A flag would not have been perceived; a gun would not have been heard; a fire would not have been visible.However, it was certain that the island, overtopped by Mount Franklin, could not escape the notice of the vessel's lookout.But why was the ship coming there? Was it simple chance which brought it to that part of the Pacific, where the maps mentioned no land except Tabor Island, which itself was out of the route usually followed by vessels from the Polynesian Archipelagoes, from New Zealand, and from the American coast? To this question, which each one asked himself, a reply was suddenly made by Herbert.
"Can it be the 'Duncan'?" he cried.
The "Duncan," as has been said, was Lord Glenarvan's yacht, which had left Ayrton on the islet, and which was to return there someday to fetch him.Now, the islet was not so far distant from Lincoln Island, but that a vessel, standing for the one, could pass in sight of the other.A hundred and fifty miles only separated them in longitude, and seventy in latitude.
"We must tell Ayrton," said Gideon Spilett, "and send for him immediately.He alone can say if it is the 'Duncan.'"This was the opinion of all, and the reporter, going to the telegraphic apparatus which placed the corral in communication with Granite House, sent this telegram:--"Come with all possible speed."In a few minutes the bell sounded.
"I am coming," replied Ayrton.
Then the settlers continued to watch the vessel.
"If it is the 'Duncan,' " said Herbert, "Ayrton will recognize her without difficulty, since he sailed on board her for some time.""And if he recognizes her," added Pencroft, "it will agitate him exceedingly!""Yes," answered Cyrus Harding; "but now Ayrton is worthy to return on board the 'Duncan,' and pray Heaven that it is indeed Lord Glenarvan's yacht, for I should be suspicious of any other vessel.These are ill-famed seas, and I have always feared a visit from Malay pirates to our island.""We could defend it,', cried Herbert.
"No doubt, my boy," answered the engineer smiling, "but it would be better not to have to defend it.""A useless observation," said Spilett."Lincoln Island is unknown to navigators, since it is not marked even on the most recent maps.Do you think, Cyrus, that that is a sufficient motive for a ship, finding herself unexpectedly in sight of new land, to try and visit rather than avoid it?""Certainly," replied Pencroft.
