Part 14 (2/2)

On the 15th of Noveathered in Hoonderfully had the field increased in extent, since eighteen rain of wheat was sown! The second crop of six hundred thousand grains produced this tirains!

The colony was rich in corn, for ten bushels alone were sufficient for sowing every year to produce an ample crop for the food both of men and beasts The harvest was coht of theit into food for man In fact, they had corn, but not flour, and the establish could have utilised the second fall which flowed into the Mercy to establish histhe felting mill; but after some consultation, it was decided that a sihts The building of this presented noof the former, and it was moreover certain that there would be no want of wind on the plateau, exposed as it was to the sea breezes

”Not to mention,” said Pencroft, ”that the windood effect in the landscape!”

They set to work by choosing tie stones, found at the north of the lake, could be easily transformed into millstones; and as to the sails, the inexhaustible case of the balloon furnished the necessarymade his ht of the poultry-yard, near the shore of the lake The fra timbers, so that it could turn with all theas the wind required it The work advanced rapidly Neb and Pencroft had beco to do but to copy the ineer

Soon a sort of cylindrical box, in shape like a pepperpot, with a pointed roof, rose on the spot chosen The four frames which formed the sails had been firle with it, and secured with iron clamps As to the different parts of the internal mechanism, the box destined to contain the twostone, the hopper, a sort of large square trough, wide at the top, narrow at the bottorain to fall on the stones, the oscillating spout intended to regulate the passing of the grain, and lastly the bolting , separates the bran froood, and the work not difficult, for in reality, the machinery of a mill is very simple This was only a question of time

Every one had worked at the construction of the mill, and on the 1st of Decehted with his work, and had no doubt that the apparatus was perfect

”Now for a good wind,” said he, ”and we shall grind our first harvest splendidly!”

”A good wind, certainly,” answered the engineer, ”but not too o the faster!”

”There is no need for it to go so very fast,” replied Cyrus Harding ”It is known by experience that the greatest quantity of work is performed by a mill when the number of turns made by the sails in a minute is six times the number of feet traversed by the wind in a second A moderate breeze, which passes over twenty-four feet to the second, will give sixteen turns to the sails during a minute, and there is no need of more”

”Exactly!” cried Herbert; ”a fine breeze is blowing from the north-east, which will soon do our business for us”

There was no reason for delaying the inauguration of the er to taste the first piece of bread in Lincoln Island On this round, and the next day at breakfast a h raised with yeast, appeared on the table at Granite House Every one munched away at it with a pleasure which er had not reappeared Several tihbourhood of Granite House, withoutany trace of hied absence Certainly, the fore of Tabor Island could not be perplexed how to live in the forest, abounding in game, but was it not to be feared that he had resumed his habits, and that this freedo, by a sort of presentiitive would return

”Yes, he will return!” he repeated with a confidence which his companions could not share ”When this unfortunate man was on Tabor Island, he knew hi him! Since he has partially spoken of his past life, the poor penitent will return to tell the whole, and fro to us!”

The event justified Cyrus Harding's predictions On the 3rd of Deceo and fish on the southern bank of the lake He was unarmed, and till then had never taken any precautions for defence as dangerous animals had not shown themselves on that part of the island

Meanwhile, Pencroft and Neb orking in the poultry-yard, whilst Harding and the reporter were occupied at the Chi exhausted

Suddenly cries resounded,-- ”Help! help!”

Cyrus Harding and the reporter, being at too great a distance, had not been able to hear the shouts Pencroft and Neb, leaving the poultry-yard in all haste, rushed towards the lake

[Illustration: NOW FOR A GOOD WIND]

But before theer, whose presence at this place no one had suspected, crossed Creek Glycerine, which separated the plateau from the forest, and bounded up the opposite bank

Herbert was there face to face with a fierce jaguar, similar to the one which had been killed on Reptile End Suddenly surprised, he was standing with his back against a tree, whilst the ani

But the stranger, with no other weapon than a knife, rushed on the formidable anile was short The stranger possessed iuar's throat with one powerful hand, holding it as in a vice, without heeding the beast's clahich tore his flesh, and with the other he plunged his knife into its heart

The jaguar fell The stranger kicked away the body, and was about to fly at the moment when the settlers arrived on the field of battle, but Herbert, clinging to hi advanced towards the stranger, who frohen he saw hi The blood flowed from his shoulder under his torn shi+rt, but he took no notice of it

”My friend,” said Cyrus Harding, ”we have just contracted a debt of gratitude to you To save our boy you have risked your life!”

”My life!” !”

”You are wounded!”

”It is no ive me your hand?”

And as Herbert endeavoured to seize the hand which had just saved hier folded his arms, his chest heaved, his look darkened, and he appeared to wish to escape, buta violent effort over himself, and in an abrupt tone,-- ”Who are you?” he asked, ”and what do you claim to be to me?”

It was the colonists' history which he thus demanded, and for the first time Perhaps this history recounted, he would tell his own

[Illustration: HE SEIZED THE JAGUAR'S THROAT WITH ONE POWERFUL HAND]

In a feords Harding related all that had happened since their departure froed, and what resources they now had at their disposal

The stranger listened with extreineer told who they all were, Gideon Spilett, Herbert, Pencroft, Neb, hireatest happiness they had felt since their arrival in Lincoln Island was on the return of the vessel frost theer's face flushed, his head sunk on his breast, and confusion was depicted on his countenance

”And now that you know us,” added Cyrus Harding, ”will you give us your hand?”

”No,” replied the stranger in a hoarse voice; ”no! You are honest men, you! And I--”

CHAPTER XVII

Still alone -- The Stranger's Request -- The Faro -- The Boatswain's Mate of the Britannia -- Left on Tabor Island -- Cyrus Harding's Hand -- The mysterious Document

These last words justified the colonists' presentiment There had been soht of men, but from which his conscience had not yet absolved hiuilty man felt remorse, he repented, and his new friends would have cordially pressed the hand which they sought; but he did not feel himself worthy to extend it to honest uar, he did not return to the forest, and froo beyond the enclosure of Granite House

What was the er one day speak of it? Tireed that his secret should never be asked from him, and that they would live with hi