Chapter 7

Gideon Spilett was standing motionless on the shore, his arms crossed,

gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in

a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith.

The wind was already strong, and increased with the decline of day.

The whole sky was of a threatening aspect, and the first symptoms of a

violent storm were clearly visible.

Herbert entered the Chimneys, and Pencroft went towards the reporter.

The latter, deeply absorbed, did not see him approach.

“We are going to have a dirty night, Mr. Spilett!” said the sailor:

“Petrels delight in wind and rain.”

The reporter, turning at the moment, saw Pencroft, and his first words

were,--

“At what distance from the coast would you say the car was, when the

waves carried off our companion?”

The sailor had not expected this question. He reflected an instant and

replied,--

“Two cables lengths at the most.”

“But what is a cable’s length?” asked Gideon Spilett.

“About a hundred and twenty fathoms, or six hundred feet.”

“Then,” said the reporter, “Cyrus Harding must have disappeared twelve

hundred feet at the most from the shore?”

“About that,” replied Pencroft.

“And his dog also?”

“Also.”

“What astonishes me,” rejoined the reporter, “while admitting that our

companion has perished, is that Top has also met his death, and that

neither the body of the dog nor of his master has been cast on the

shore!”

“It is not astonishing, with such a heavy sea,” replied the sailor.

“Besides, it is possible that currents have carried them farther down

the coast.”

“Then, it is your opinion that our friend has perished in the waves?”

again asked the reporter.

“That is my opinion.”

“My own opinion,” said Gideon Spilett, “with due deference to your

experience, Pencroft, is that in the double fact of the absolute

disappearance of Cyrus and Top, living or dead, there is something

unaccountable and unlikely.”

“I wish I could think like you, Mr. Spilett,” replied Pencroft;

“unhappily, my mind is made up on this point.” Having said this, the

sailor returned to the Chimneys. A good fire crackled on the hearth.

Herbert had just thrown on an armful of dry wood, and the flame cast a

bright light into the darkest parts of the passage.

Pencroft immediately began to prepare the dinner. It appeared best to

introduce something solid into the bill of fare, for all needed to get

up their strength. The strings of couroucous were kept for the next day,

but they plucked a couple of grouse, which were soon spitted on a stick,

and roasting before a blazing fire.

At seven in the evening Neb had not returned. The prolonged absence of

the Negro made Pencroft very uneasy. It was to be feared that he had met

with an accident on this unknown land, or that the unhappy fellow had

been driven to some act of despair. But Herbert drew very different

conclusions from this absence. According to him, Neb’s delay was caused

by some new circumstances which had induced him to prolong his search.

Also, everything new must be to the advantage of Cyrus Harding. Why had

Neb not returned unless hope still detained him? Perhaps he had found

some mark, a footstep, a trace which had put him in the right path.

Perhaps he was at this moment on a certain track. Perhaps even he was

near his master.

Thus the lad reasoned. Thus he spoke. His companions let him talk. The

reporter alone approved with a gesture. But what Pencroft thought most

probable was, that Neb had pushed his researches on the shore farther

than the day before, and that he had not as yet had time to return.

Herbert, however, agitated by vague presentiments, several times

manifested an intention to go to meet Neb. But Pencroft assured him

that that would be a useless course, that in the darkness and deplorable

weather he could not find any traces of Neb, and that it would be much

better to wait. If Neb had not made his appearance by the next day,

Pencroft would not hesitate to join him in his search.

Gideon Spilett approved of the sailor’s opinion that it was best not to

divide, and Herbert was obliged to give up his project; but two large

tears fell from his eyes.

The reporter could not refrain from embracing the generous boy.

Bad weather now set in. A furious gale from the southeast passed over

the coast. The sea roared as it beat over the reef. Heavy rain was

dashed by the storm into particles like dust. Ragged masses of vapor

drove along the beach, on which the tormented shingles sounded as if

poured out in cart-loads, while the sand raised by the wind added as

it were mineral dust to that which was liquid, and rendered the united

attack insupportable. Between the river’s mouth and the end of the

cliff, eddies of wind whirled and gusts from this maelstrom lashed the

water which ran through the narrow valley. The smoke from the fireplace

was also driven back through the opening, filling the passages and

rendering them uninhabitable.

Therefore, as the grouse were cooked, Pencroft let the fire die away,

and only preserved a few embers buried under the ashes.

At eight o’clock Neb had not appeared, but there was no doubt that the

frightful weather alone hindered his return, and that he must have

taken refuge in some cave, to await the end of the storm or at least the

return of day. As to going to meet him, or attempting to find him, it

was impossible.

The game constituted the only dish at supper; the meat was excellent,

and Pencroft and Herbert, whose long excursion had rendered them very

hungry, devoured it with infinite satisfaction.

Their meal concluded, each retired to the corner in which he had rested

the preceding night, and Herbert was not long in going to sleep near the

sailor, who had stretched himself beside the fireplace.

Outside, as the night advanced, the tempest also increased in strength,

until it was equal to that which had carried the prisoners from Richmond

to this land in the Pacific. The tempests which are frequent during the

seasons of the equinox, and which are so prolific in catastrophes, are

above all terrible over this immense ocean, which opposes no obstacle to

their fury. No description can give an idea of the terrific violence of

the gale as it beat upon the unprotected coast.

Happily the pile of rocks which formed the Chimneys was solid. It was

composed of enormous blocks of granite, a few of which, insecurely

balanced, seemed to tremble on their foundations, and Pencroft could

feel rapid quiverings under his head as it rested on the rock. But he

repeated to himself, and rightly, that there was nothing to fear, and

that their retreat would not give way. However he heard the noise of

stones torn from the summit of the plateau by the wind, falling down on

to the beach. A few even rolled on to the upper part of the Chimneys,

or flew off in fragments when they were projected perpendicularly. Twice

the sailor rose and intrenched himself at the opening of the passage, so

as to take a look in safety at the outside. But there was nothing to be

feared from these showers, which were not considerable, and he returned

to his couch before the fireplace, where the embers glowed beneath the

ashes.

Notwithstanding the fury of the hurricane, the uproar of the tempest,

the thunder, and the tumult, Herbert slept profoundly. Sleep at last

took possession of Pencroft, whom a seafaring life had habituated to

anything. Gideon Spilett alone was kept awake by anxiety. He reproached

himself with not having accompanied Neb. It was evident that he had not

abandoned all hope. The presentiments which had troubled Herbert did not

cease to agitate him also. His thoughts were concentrated on Neb. Why

had Neb not returned? He tossed about on his sandy couch, scarcely

giving a thought to the struggle of the elements. Now and then, his

eyes, heavy with fatigue, closed for an instant, but some sudden thought

reopened them almost immediately.

Meanwhile the night advanced, and it was perhaps two hours from morning,

when Pencroft, then sound asleep, was vigorously shaken.

“What’s the matter?” he cried, rousing himself, and collecting his ideas

with the promptitude usual to seamen.

The reporter was leaning over him, and saying,--

“Listen, Pencroft, listen!”

The sailor strained his ears, but could hear no noise beyond those

caused by the storm.

“It is the wind,” said he.

“No,” replied Gideon Spilett, listening again, “I thought I heard--”

“What?”

“The barking of a dog!”

“A dog!” cried Pencroft, springing up.

“Yes--barking--”

“It’s not possible!” replied the sailor. “And besides, how, in the

roaring of the storm--”

“Stop--listen--” said the reporter.

Pencroft listened more attentively, and really thought he heard, during

a lull, distant barking.

“Well!” said the reporter, pressing the sailor’s hand.

“Yes--yes!” replied Pencroft.

“It is Top! It is Top!” cried Herbert, who had just awoke; and all three

rushed towards the opening of the Chimneys. They had great difficulty in

getting out. The wind drove them back. But at last they succeeded, and

could only remain standing by leaning against the rocks. They looked

about, but could not speak. The darkness was intense. The sea, the sky,

the land were all mingled in one black mass. Not a speck of light was

visible.

The reporter and his companions remained thus for a few minutes,

overwhelmed by the wind, drenched by the rain, blinded by the sand.

Then, in a pause of the tumult, they again heard the barking, which they

found must be at some distance.

It could only be Top! But was he alone or accompanied? He was most

probably alone, for, if Neb had been with him, he would have made

his way more directly towards the Chimneys. The sailor squeezed the

reporter’s hand, for he could not make himself heard, in a way which

signified “Wait!” then he reentered the passage.

An instant after he issued with a lighted fagot, which he threw into the

darkness, whistling shrilly.

It appeared as if this signal had been waited for; the barking

immediately came nearer, and soon a dog bounded into the passage.

Pencroft, Herbert, and Spilett entered after him.

An armful of dry wood was thrown on the embers. The passage was lighted

up with a bright flame.

“It is Top!” cried Herbert.

It was indeed Top, a magnificent Anglo-Norman, who derived from these

two races crossed the swiftness of foot and the acuteness of smell which

are the preeminent qualities of coursing dogs. It was the dog of the

engineer, Cyrus Harding. But he was alone! Neither Neb nor his master

accompanied him!

How was it that his instinct had guided him straight to the Chimneys,

which he did not know? It appeared inexplicable, above all, in the

midst of this black night and in such a tempest! But what was still more

inexplicable was, that Top was neither tired, nor exhausted, nor even

soiled with mud or sand!--Herbert had drawn him towards him, and was

patting his head, the dog rubbing his neck against the lad’s hands.

“If the dog is found, the master will be found also!” said the reporter.

“God grant it!” responded Herbert. “Let us set off! Top will guide us!”

Pencroft did not make any objection. He felt that Top’s arrival

contradicted his conjectures. “Come along then!” said he.

Pencroft carefully covered the embers on the hearth. He placed a few

pieces of wood among them, so as to keep in the fire until their return.

Then, preceded by the dog, who seemed to invite them by short barks to

come with him, and followed by the reporter and the boy, he dashed out,

after having put up in his handkerchief the remains of the supper.

The storm was then in all its violence, and perhaps at its height. Not a

single ray of light from the moon pierced through the clouds. To follow

a straight course was difficult. It was best to rely on Top’s instinct.

They did so. The reporter and Herbert walked behind the dog, and the

sailor brought up the rear. It was impossible to exchange a word. The

rain was not very heavy, but the wind was terrific.

However, one circumstance favored the seaman and his two companions. The

wind being southeast, consequently blew on their backs. The clouds of

sand, which otherwise would have been insupportable, from being received

behind, did not in consequence impede their progress. In short, they

sometimes went faster than they liked, and had some difficulty in

keeping their feet; but hope gave them strength, for it was not at

random that they made their way along the shore. They had no doubt that

Neb had found his master, and that he had sent them the faithful dog.

But was the engineer living, or had Neb only sent for his companions

that they might render the last duties to the corpse of the unfortunate

Harding?

After having passed the precipice, Herbert, the reporter, and Pencroft

prudently stepped aside to stop and take breath. The turn of the rocks

sheltered them from the wind, and they could breathe after this walk or

rather run of a quarter of an hour.

They could now hear and reply to each other, and the lad having

pronounced the name of Cyrus Harding, Top gave a few short barks, as

much as to say that his master was saved.

“Saved, isn’t he?” repeated Herbert; “saved, Top?”

And the dog barked in reply.

They once more set out. The tide began to rise, and urged by the wind it

threatened to be unusually high, as it was a spring tide. Great billows

thundered against the reef with such violence that they probably passed

entirely over the islet, then quite invisible. The mole no longer

protected the coast, which was directly exposed to the attacks of the

open sea.

As soon as the sailor and his companions left the precipice, the wind

struck them again with renewed fury. Though bent under the gale they

walked very quickly, following Top, who did not hesitate as to what

direction to take.

They ascended towards the north, having on their left an interminable

extent of billows, which broke with a deafening noise, and on their

right a dark country, the aspect of which it was impossible to guess.

But they felt that it was comparatively flat, for the wind passed

completely over them, without being driven back as it was when it came

in contact with the cliff.

At four o’clock in the morning, they reckoned that they had cleared

about five miles. The clouds were slightly raised, and the wind, though

less damp, was very sharp and cold. Insufficiently protected by their

clothing, Pencroft, Herbert and Spilett suffered cruelly, but not

a complaint escaped their lips. They were determined to follow Top,

wherever the intelligent animal wished to lead them.

Towards five o’clock day began to break. At the zenith, where the fog

was less thick, gray shades bordered the clouds; under an opaque belt, a

luminous line clearly traced the horizon. The crests of the billows were

tipped with a wild light, and the foam regained its whiteness. At the

same time on the left the hilly parts of the coast could be seen, though

very indistinctly.

At six o’clock day had broken. The clouds rapidly lifted. The seaman and

his companions were then about six miles from the Chimneys. They were

following a very flat shore bounded by a reef of rocks, whose heads

scarcely emerged from the sea, for they were in deep water. On the left,

the country appeared to be one vast extent of sandy downs, bristling

with thistles. There was no cliff, and the shore offered no resistance

to the ocean but a chain of irregular hillocks. Here and there grew two

or three trees, inclined towards the west, their branches projecting in

that direction. Quite behind, in the southwest, extended the border of

the forest.

At this moment, Top became very excited. He ran forward, then returned,

and seemed to entreat them to hasten their steps. The dog then left the

beach, and guided by his wonderful instinct, without showing the least

hesitation, went straight in among the downs. They followed him. The

country appeared an absolute desert. Not a living creature was to be

seen.

The downs, the extent of which was large, were composed of hillocks

and even of hills, very irregularly distributed. They resembled a

Switzerland modeled in sand, and only an amazing instinct could have

possibly recognized the way.

Five minutes after having left the beach, the reporter and his two

companions arrived at a sort of excavation, hollowed out at the back of

a high mound. There Top stopped, and gave a loud, clear bark. Spilett,

Herbert, and Pencroft dashed into the cave.

Neb was there, kneeling beside a body extended on a bed of grass.

The body was that of the engineer, Cyrus Harding.