Part 1 (2/2)
”I have an idea, Mr Spilett,” said Herbert ”If I were to climb to the top of one of these kauris, I could survey the country for an iood,” replied the reporter; ”but could you cliiants?”
”I can at least try,” replied Herbert
The light and active boy then sprang on the first branches, the arrangement of which made the ascent of the kauri easy, and in a few ed from the immense plain of verdure
Froaze extended over all the southern portion of the island, from Claw Cape on the south-east, to Reptile End on the south-west To the north-west rose Mount Franklin, which concealed a great part of the horizon
But Herbert, froht of his observatory, could exaht have given shelter to the strangers whose presence they suspected
The lad looked attentively There was nothing in sight on the sea, not a sail, neither on the horizon nor near the island However, as the bank of trees hid the shore, it was possible that a vessel, especially if deprived of her ht lie close to the land and thus be invisible to Herbert
Neither in the forests of the Far West was anything to be seen The wood for several squareIt was impossible even to follow the course of the Mercy, or to ascertain in what part of the mountain it took its source Perhaps other creeks also ran towards the west, but they could not be seen
But at last, if all indication of an encalimpse of smoke, the faintest trace of which would be easily discernible in the pure atht he could perceive a slight smoke in the west, but a more attentive examination showed that he was ht was excellent No, decidedly there was nothing there
Herbert descended to the foot of the kauri, and the two sports listened to the lad's account, shook his head and said nothing It was very evident that no decided opinion could be pronounced on this question until after a complete exploration of the island
Two days after--the 28th of October--another incident occurred, for which an explanation was again required
Whilst strolling along the shore about two h to capture a nificent specimen of the order of chelonia It was a turtle of the species Midas, the edible green turtle, so called froht sight of this turtle as it was crawling a the rocks to reach the sea
”Help, Neb, help!” he cried
Neb ran up
”What a fine ani is easier, Neb,” replied Herbert ”We have only to turn the turtle on its back, and it cannot possibly get away Take your spear and do as I do”
The reptile, aware of danger, had retired between its carapace and plastron They no longer saw its head or feet, and it was motionless as a rock
Herbert and Neb then drove their sticks underneath the anied without difficulty to turn it on its back The turtle, which was three feet in length, would have weighed at least four hundred pounds
”Capital!” cried Neb; ”this is so which will rejoice friend Pencroft's heart”
In fact, the heart of friend Pencroft could not fail to be rejoiced, for the flesh of the turtle, which feeds on wrack-grass, is extremely savoury At this moment the creature's head could be seen, which was se te roof
”And nohat shall we do with our prize?” said Neb ”We can't drag it to Granite House!”
”Leave it here, since it cannot turn over,” replied Herbert, ”and ill come back with the cart to fetch it”
”That is the best plan”
However, for greater precaution, Herbert took the trouble, which Neb deereat stones, after which the two hunters returned to Granite House, following the beach, which the tide had left uncovered Herbert, wishi+ng to surprise Pencroft, said nothing about the ”superb specimen of a chelonian” which they had turned over on the sand, but, two hours later, he and Neb returned with the cart to the place where they had left it The ”superb specier there!
Neb and Herbert stared at each other first, then they stared about them It was just at this spot that the turtle had been left The lad even found the stones which he had used, and therefore he was certain of not being mistaken
”Well!” said Neb, ”these beasts can turn themselves over, then?”
”It appears so,” replied Herbert, who could not understand it at all, and was gazing at the stones scattered on the sand
”Well, Pencroft will be disgusted!”
”And Captain Harding will perhaps be very perplexed how to explain this disappearance” thought Herbert
”Look here,” said Neb, ished to hide his ill-luck, ”on't speak about it”
”On the contrary, Neb we must speak about it,” replied Herbert
And the two, taking the cart, which there was now no use for, returned to Granite House
Arrived at the dockyard, where the engineer and the sailor orking together Herbert recounted what had happened
”Oh! the stupids!” cried the sailor, ”to have let at least fifty meals escape!”
”But, Pencroft,” replied Neb, ”it wasn't our fault that the beast got away, as I tell you, we had turned it over on its back!”
”Then you didn't turn it over enough!” returned the obstinate sailor
[Illustration: TURNING A TURTLE]
”Not enough!” cried Herbert
And he told how he had taken care to wedge up the turtle with stones
”It is a ht, captain,” said Herbert, ”that turtles, once placed on their backs, could not regain their feet, especially when they are of a large size?”
”That is true, e?”
”At what distance froineer, who, having suspended his work, was reflecting on this incident
”Fifteen feet at the most,” replied Herbert
”And the tide was low at the time?”
”Yes, captain”