"Note it then, my dear Spilett; for it appears proved that the presence of the eucalyptus is enough to neutralize miasmas.This natural antidote has been tried in certain countries in the middle of Europe and the north of Africa where the soil was absolutely unhealthy, and the sanitary condition of the inhabitants has been gradually ameliorated.No more intermittent fevers prevail in the regions now covered with forests of the myrtaceae.This fact is now beyond doubt, and it is a happy circumstance for us settlers in Lincoln Island.""Ah! what an island! What a blessed island!" cried Pencroft."I tell you, it wants nothing--unless it is--""That will come, Pencroft, that will be found," replied the engineer;"but now we must continue our voyage and push on as far as the river will carry our boat!"The exploration was therefore continued for another two miles in the midst of country covered with eucalypti, which predominated in the woods of this portion of the island.The space which they occupied extended as far as the eye could reach on each side of the Mercy, which wound along between high green banks.The bed was often obstructed by long weeds, and even by pointed rocks, which rendered the navigation very difficult.The action of the oars was prevented, and Pencroft was obliged to push with a pole.They found also that the water was becoming shallower and shallower, and that the canoe must soon stop.The sun was already sinking towards the horizon, and the trees threw long shadows on the ground.Cyrus Harding, seeing that he could not hope to reach the western coast of the island in one journey, resolved to camp at the place where any further navigation was prevented by want of water.He calculated that they were still five or six miles from the coast, and this distance was too great for them to attempt during the night in the midst of unknown woods.
The boat was pushed on through the forest, which gradually became thicker again, and appeared also to have more inhabitants; for if the eyes of the sailor did not deceive him, he thought he saw bands of monkeys springing among the trees.Sometimes even two or three of these animals stopped at a little distance from the canoe and gazed at the settlers without manifesting any terror, as if, seeing men for the first time, they had not yet learned to fear them.It would have been easy to bring down one of these quadramani with a gunshot, and Pencroft was greatly tempted to fire, but Harding opposed so useless a massacre.This was prudent, for the monkeys, or apes rather, appearing to be very powerful and extremely active, it was useless to provoke an unnecessary aggression, and the creatures might, ignorant of the power of the explorers' firearms, have attacked them.It is true that the sailor considered the monkeys from a purely alimentary point of view, for those animals which are herbivorous make very excellent game; but since they had an abundant supply of provisions, it was a pity to waste their ammunition.
Towards four o'clock, the navigation of the Mercy became exceedingly difficult, for its course was obstructed by aquatic plants and rocks.The banks rose higher and higher, and already they were approaching the spurs of Mount Franklin.The source could not be far off, since it was fed by the water from the southern slopes of the mountain.
"In a quarter of an hour," said the sailor, "we shall be obliged to stop, captain.""Very well, we will stop, Pencroft, and we will make our encampment for the night.""At what distance are we from Granite House?" asked Herbert.
"About seven miles," replied the engineer, "taking into calculation, however, the detours of the river, which has carried us to the northwest.""Shall we go on?" asked the reporter.
"Yes, as long as we can," replied Cyrus Harding."To-morrow, at break of day, we will leave the canoe, and in two hours I hope we shall cross the distance which separates us from the coast, and then we shall have the whole day in which to explore the shore.""Go ahead!" replied Pencroft.
But soon the boat grated on the stony bottom of the river, which was now not more than twenty feet in breadth.The trees met like a bower overhead, and caused a half-darkness.They also heard the noise of a waterfall, which showed that a few hundred feet up the river there was a natural barrier.
Presently, after a sudden turn of the river, a cascade appeared through the trees.The canoe again touched the bottom, and in a few minutes it was moored to a trunk near the right bank.
It was nearly five o'clock.The last rays of the sun gleamed through the thick foliage and glanced on the little waterfall, making the spray sparkle with all the colors of the rainbow.Beyond that, the Mercy was lost in the bushwood, where it was fed from some hidden source.The different streams which flowed into it increased it to a regular river further down, but here it was simply a shallow, limpid brook.
It was agreed to camp here, as the place was charming.The colonists disembarked, and a fire was soon lighted under a clump of trees, among the branches of which Cyrus Harding and his companions could, if it was necessary, take refuge for the night.
Supper was quickly devoured, for they were very hungry, and then there was only sleeping to think of.But, as roarings of rather a suspicious nature had been heard during the evening, a good fire was made up for the night, so as to protect the sleepers with its crackling flames.Neb and Pencroft also watched by turns, and did not spare fuel.They thought they saw the dark forms of some wild animals prowling round the camp among the bushes, but the night passed without incident, and the next day, the 31st of October, at five o'clock in the morning, all were on foot, ready for a start.
