Part 13 (2/2)
”The experiineer
”Well!” said Pencroft ”When that fellow is outside, and feels the fresh air, he will be off as fast as his legs can carry hi
”Let us try,” said Spilett
”We will try,” replied the engineer
This was on the 30th of October, and consequently the castaway of Tabor Island had been a prisoner in Granite House for nine days It arht sun darted his rays on the island Cyrus Harding and Pencroft went to the roo near theand gazing at the sky
”Coer rose i, and he followed him, whilst the sailor marched behind them, little confident as to the result of the experi and Pencroft made him take his place in the lift, whilst Neb, Herbert, and Gideon Spilett waited for them before Granite House The lift descended, and in a few moments all were united on the beach
The settlers went a short distance froer, so as to leave him at liberty
He then htened with extrehtest atte at the little waves, which broken by the islet rippled on the sand
”This is only the sea,” observed Gideon Spilett, ”and possibly it does not inspire hi, ”we must take him to the plateau, on the border of the forest There the experiment will be more conclusive”
”Besides, he could not run away,” said Neb, ”since the bridge is raised”
”Oh!” said Pencroft, ”that isn't a man to be troubled by a streale bound!”
”We shall soon see,” Harding contented hi those of his patient
The latter was then led towards thethe left bank of the river, reached Prospect Heights
Arrived at the spot on which grew the first beautiful trees of the forest, their foliage slightly agitated by the breeze, the stranger appeared greedily to drink in the penetrating odour which filled the ath escaped from his chest
The settlers kept behind him, ready to seize him if he made any movement to escape!
And, indeed, the poor creature was on the point of springing into the creek which separated his were bent for an instant as if for a spring, but ale tear fell fro, ”you have becoain, for you can weep!”
[Illustration: THE EXPERIMENT]
CHAPTER XVI
A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avohich escapes hi's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands
Yes! the unfortunate man had wept! Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding's expression, by those tears he was once more a man
The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew theht feel hi by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to le with their common life He evidently heard and understood, but no less evidently was he strangely deter, Pencroft, listening at the door of his room, heard these words escape from his lips:-- ”No! here! I! never!”
The sailor reported these words to his companions
”There is soer had begun to use the labouring tools, and he worked in the garden When he stopped in his work, as was often the case, he reineer's recommendation, they respected the reserve which he apparently wished to keep If one of the settlers approached him, he drew back, and his chest heaved with sobs, as if overburthened!
Was it remorse that overwhelmed him thus? They were compelled to believe so, and Gideon Spilett could not help one daythis observation,-- ”If he does not speak it is because he has, I fear, things too serious to be told!”
They must be patient and wait
[Illustration: ”WHO ARE YOU?” HE ASKED IN A HOLLOW VOICE]
A few days later, on the 3rd of Nove on the plateau, had stopped, letting his spade drop to the ground, and Harding as observing hi from his eyes A sort of irresistible pity led hihtly
”My friend!” said he
The stranger tried to avoid his look, and Cyrus Harding, having endeavoured to take his hand, he drew back quickly
”My friend,” said Harding in a firer looked at the engineer, and seemed to be under his power, as a subject under the influence of a mesmerist He wished to run away But then his countenance suddenly underwent a transforled to escape froer contain himself! At last he folded his arms, then, in a hollow voice,-- ”Who are you?” he asked Cyrus Harding
”Castaways, like you,” replied the engineer, whose e your fellow-men”
”My fellow-men! I have none!”
”You are in the midst of friends”
”Friends!--forhis face in his hands ”No--never--leave me! leave me!”
Then he rushed to the side of the plateau which overlooked the sea, and re rejoined his companions and related to them what had just happened
”Yes! there is some mystery in that man's life,” said Gideon Spilett, ”and it appears as if he had only re-entered society by the path of reht here,” said the sailor ”He has secrets--”
”Which ill respect,” interrupted Cyrus Harding quickly ”If he has committed any crime, he has most fearfully expiated it, and in our eyes he is absolved”
[Illustration: THE STRANGER]