Chapter 36 Chapter Fourteen

Pencroft, Herbert and Gideon.Spilett, standing quietly in the darkness. Pencroft cried out several times. no answer. The sailor lit a twig.For a moment the branches lit up the small room, which appeared to be completely empty.At the back of the room was a crude fireplace, with some ashes in it, and on it stood an armful of dry wood, which, when Pencroft threw the burning twigs, burst into flames. At this moment, the sailor and his two companions found a messy bed in the room, and the damp and yellowed sheets showed that it had not been used for a long time.In one corner of the fireplace stood two rusted kettles and a covered iron pan.In the cupboard were some sailor's clothes, all moldy; on the table was a pewter set, and a Bible, corroded by damp; A pickaxe and two shotguns, one of which was damaged, and on a shelf made of wood stood an unused keg of powder, a barrel of bullets, and boxes of detonators, all of which were heavily covered with , Probably the dust accumulated over the years.

There is no one here.said the correspondent. nobody.replied Pencroft. No one has lived in this room for a long time.Herbert said. Yes, it's been a long time!replied the correspondent. M. Spilett, continued Pencroft, I think we shall spend the night in this house, without going back to the ship. You are right, Pencroft, Gideon.Spilett said that even if the owner came back, hey!He probably wouldn't object to someone occupying his house. He will not come back.Said the sailor shaking his head. Do you think he has left the island?asked the correspondent. If he left the island, he would take his arms and tools with him, replied Pencroft. "These are the only things left from the shipwreck, and do you not know how much they are valued by the shipwrecked?"No!Will not!The sailor repeated affirmatively, no, he did not leave the island!If he had built a boat himself and left here, he would not have left behind these indispensable necessities.No!He's still on the island!

still alive?asked Herbert. Maybe dead, maybe alive.But if he died, I don't think he would have buried himself, at least we could find his body! So they decided to spend the night in this empty house, the pile of firewood in the corner was enough to keep the room warm.After closing the door, Pencroft, Herbert, and Spilett sat down on their stools, talking little, but thinking a lot.They fantasize about all kinds of things and wait for them to appear.They were eager to hear the noise outside.Someone may suddenly open the door and stand in front of them; although the house seems to be completely abandoned, they will not be surprised if this happens: they are always ready to talk to this stranger. He shook hands with friends in distress who were waiting for him.

However, there was no voice and the door did not open.Time passed like this. How long was the night for the sailor and his companions!Only Herbert slept for two hours. Because of his age, it was just the time when he needed sleep. The three of them were anxious to continue yesterday's expedition and search the most hidden corners of the island!Pencroft's inferences were quite reasonable, and since the house was abandoned, but the tools, utensils, and weapons were still there, the owner was almost certainly dead.It was then agreed to find his body, or at least give him a Christian burial.

When day came, Pencroft and his companions at once began to inspect the house.The house was built on a very favorable site, behind a hill, covered with five or six beautiful rubber trees.In front of the house was the woods, and in the middle there was a wide open space which was cut with an axe, so that the sea could be seen from the house all the way.The clearing was a small clearing surrounded by a row of rickety wooden fences, extending down to the sea, beyond which was the mouth of the river. The house is built with wooden boards, and it can be seen at a glance that these wooden boards were originally the hull and deck of a ship.Presumably the wreck had drifted on the shore of the island, and at least one of the sailors escaped with his life, and he built this house out of the wreckage with the tools at hand.

Ji Ding.Spilett further confirmed this assumption. After walking up and down the room for a while, he saw some indistinct writing on a wooden board, which probably turned out to be the shell of a shipwreck.It says: Not British Britannia, exclaimed Pencroft, being summoned by the correspondent, to look at it, is generally the name of the ship, though I am not sure whether it is an English or American ship! It does not matter, Pencroft! Yes, said the sailor, if the escaped sailor is alive, we will save him, no matter what nationality he may be.But before re-searching, we'd better go back to the Windbreaker.

Pencroft was unconsciously anxious about his ship.Maybe there were people on the island, maybe someone occupied it, but he realized that there was no basis for this assumption, so he shrugged.In any case, the sailor was willing to go back to the ship for breakfast.The distance that has been traveled is not far, hardly a mile.As they walked, they inspected the depths of the jungle, and saw hundreds of goats and pigs running in it. Twenty minutes after leaving the house, Pencroft and his companions came to the eastern shore of the isle, and there they found the Windbreaker still well anchored, with her anchor sunk deep in the sand.

Pencroft could not help but breathe a sigh of relief.This boat can be regarded as his child, and it is a father's right to spend time thinking about his children. They returned to the ship, and ate a breakfast sufficient to last till late at lunch; and when this was done they continued their expedition, this time with great care.Indeed, the sole inhabitant of the island is likely dead.Pencroft and his companions, therefore, were chiefly after the dead than for traces of the living.The search was in vain, however, and nothing was found that morning in the dense forest that covered the island.It is now almost certain that if the wreck is dead and no remains are to be found, it is probably due to wild beasts eating him down to the bones.

We shall start at dawn next morning, said Pencroft to his two companions, who were resting for a few minutes under the shade of a fir-tree at this time about two o'clock. I think we can take back the utensils of the victims, which is not a bad conscience.Herbert added. I agree too, Keating.These weapons and implements, Spilett said, would have filled the storehouses of the Granite Palace.It is also very important to replenish bullets and gunpowder. Yes, said Pencroft, but let us not forget that a pair or two of pigs will also be caught, which Lincoln Island does not have. And don't forget to collect seeds, Herbert added, which will give us all kinds of vegetables from the old and the new world.

Then we'd better stay on Tabor Island for another day, said the correspondent, so that we can collect what is useful to us. No, Monsieur Spilett, said Pencroft, I still insist on starting early in the morning.I think the wind is likely to turn to the west; we came with fair sail, and we had better have fair sail when we come back. Then don't waste your time.Herbert stood up and said. We shall waste no time, said Pencroft, and gather seeds, Herbert, for you know better than we, and while you gather seeds, Monsieur Spilett and I hunt pigs, though there is no Top, and I I think we can still find a way to catch a few!

So Herbert went straight to where the crops grew on the isle, and the sailor and reporter entered the jungle. Many kinds of piglike animals fled before them, with such agility that it seemed difficult to approach them. After chasing for half an hour, the hunters finally caught a pair of pigs lying in the dense forest, but at this moment, they suddenly heard a cry from about a hundred meters away from the north of the island.The shouts were mingled with terrible screams, which hardly sounded like coming from human throats. Pencroft and Gideon.Spilett ran away, and the sailors had prepared ropes to tie the pigs, and at this time they also took the opportunity to escape. It was Herbert's voice.said the correspondent. run!cried Pencroft. The sailor and Spilett ran as fast as they could to the place where the cry had come from. Fortunately, they ran fast, and as soon as they turned a corner, they saw the boy being pushed down by a savage in a clearing.The savage looked like a gigantic ape that was about to hurt Herbert. It was too late to say, but it was too soon; Pencroft and Gideon.Spilett threw himself upon the monster, threw him on his back, rescued Herbert from his grasp, and bound him securely.A sailor is a born strong man, Gideon.Spilett was also a strong man. After struggling for a while, the monster was bound tightly and could not move. Are you hurt, Herbert?asked Spilett. No no! Ah, if the apes hurt him, so be it!cried Pencroft. He is not an ape.Herbert said. Pencroft and Gideon.After hearing this, Spilett looked at the monster lying on the ground.Sure enough, he was not an ape, but a man.But what a hideous look the man had!This is a savage beyond description, and what is especially horrifying is that he seems to have been so cruel that he has completely lost his humanity! Messy hair, a beard that hangs down to the chest, naked, only a rag around the waist, wild and untamed eyes, a pair of big hands with extremely long nails, skin the color of mahogany, as hard as horns Feet like feet are the image of this strange thing, but he still has to be called a human after all.But one may well ask: is it the soul of man in his body, or the bestiality of an animal? Are you sure it's a person, or was a person?said Pencroft to the correspondent. Hi!This is not a problem.Spella replied. So, he must be the one who died?asked Herbert. Yes, Keating.But, says Spilett, this unfortunate man has lost all his humanity! The correspondent was right.Even if the wrecked man had been a civilized man, it is certain that life in solitude had turned him into a savage, or worse, perhaps into an ape.He clenched his teeth tightly, making a hoarse sound in his throat. The teeth were very sharp, just like the sharp teeth used by wild animals to eat raw meat. He must have lost his memory long ago, he has forgotten how to use guns and tools for a long time, and he can't even make fire!It was seen that he was very agile and quick, but his physical development caused mental deterioration.Ji Ding.Spilett had a few words with him.He didn't seem to understand, or even seemed to be listening at all.Yet the correspondent could see in his eyes that he did not seem entirely out of his wits.The captive does not struggle, nor does he want to break free from his bondage.He was also a part of human beings in the past, is it because he is too emotional when he sees people now?Was it some memory that suddenly flashed through his mind and restored his humanity?If he were set free, would he run away and stay here?Maybe they didn't try it, Gideon.Spilett looked him over for a long time, and then said: Whatever he is, what he was, and what he will be, it is our duty to bring him back to Lincoln Island. Yep!Herbert said: We tended him carefully, and perhaps he could restore a glimmer of wisdom to him. The soul is immortal, said the correspondent, and it was a joy to save a man from ignorance. Pencroft shook his head suspiciously. In short, we must try, said the correspondent, humanity demands it. Indeed, it is their duty as Christians and civilized people.All three of them knew this, and they believed in Cyrus.Smith would certainly agree with this approach. Just keep him tied up?asked the sailor. If he loosens his feet, he may be able to walk.Herbert said. Let's try it out.said Pencroft. They cut the ropes from the captive's feet, but bound his hands firmly.He stood up by himself, with no intention of running away.They came up to him, and the hard eyes looked hard at the three; yet he did not seem to remember at all that he was of their kind, or at least had been.There was a hissing sound from his lips from time to time, and his appearance was very savage, but he didn't intend to resist. At the suggestion of the correspondent, the unfortunate man was taken to the cabin.Maybe seeing his own things, he will have some insights!Maybe a single spark can illuminate his chaotic wisdom and revitalize his numb soul.The house is not far away.After a few minutes they were there, but the prisoner remembered nothing, and seemed to have no sense of anything. The poor fellow may have been rational when he first arrived, and perhaps the solitude of his long stay on the island has made him what he is now; otherwise, they could never imagine how he could have degenerated to such a degree of savagery. up. It also occurred to the correspondent that showing him the light of the fire might have some effect.A moment later, there was a raging fire in the hearth, such a beautiful flame that even wild animals would often be attracted to it.At first the fire seemed to attract the attention of the unfortunate man, but then he turned away, and the gleam of wisdom died out of his eyes.Evidently there was nothing else to do at present but to take him aboard the Rider.This was so done, and Pencroft remained on board to watch over him. Herbert and Spilett went ashore again to continue their unfinished work; and after a few hours they returned to the sea, bringing utensils, guns, a great quantity of vegetables and seeds, a good deal of game and Two pairs of pigs. Everyone got on the boat, and just waiting for the high tide in the morning, the Riding the Wind and the Waves was about to lift anchor and set sail. The prisoner was placed in the front barn, where he remained without a word, very still, as if he were deaf or dumb. Pencroft offered him some cooked meat, which he pushed away, doubtless not to his liking.But as soon as he saw Pencroft bring out before him a duck which Herbert had sent for, he seized it like a wild animal, and devoured it. Do you think he'll come to his senses?asked Pencroft, shaking his head. Possibly, replied the correspondent, it might have some effect, if we watch carefully; solitude has made him what he is now, and from now on he is no longer alone. The poor man must have been like this for a long time.Herbert said. Maybe.Ji Ding.Spilett said. How old is he?the boy asked. It's hard to say, says the correspondent, he's covered with a thick beard, and it's impossible to see his true face!But he is not young anymore, I think he may be about fifty years old. Did you notice?Monsieur Spilett, how sunken are his eyes!Herbert said. Yes, Herbert; but I will add that his eyes are human in comparison with his appearance. At any rate we shall wait and see, said Pencroft, and I should like to know what Mr. Smith thinks of our savage.What we came to look for was a human being, but what we brought back was a monster!But we finally did what we could. The night passed, and they didn't know if the prisoner was asleep, but even though he was unshackled, he didn't move.He was like a wild animal. When he was caught, he was a little dazed at first, but after a while his wildness broke out again. The next day was the fifteenth of October, and, as Pencroft had predicted, the weather changed at first light in the morning.The wind direction turned to the northwest, which was beneficial to the return of the Windbreaker, but at the same time the weather was getting colder and colder, which added a lot of difficulties to the navigation. Anchor was lifted at five o'clock in the morning.Pencroft drew in his mainsail, and sailed northeast, straight for Lincoln Island. On the first day, there were no accidents during the voyage.The captive remained quietly in the foreroom; he had been a sailor, and perhaps the pitching of the ship would have elicited a favorable response from him.Did he recall past careers coming?However, he stayed there quietly all the time, it seemed that he didn't feel depressed, but was a little surprised. On the second day, the wind was stronger and the northerly wind was getting stronger and stronger. As a result, Riding the Wind and the Waves could not grasp the correct direction.Before long, Pencroft was obliged to tackle the wind, and though he said nothing, he felt a little uneasy about the state of the sea, as the waves repeatedly beat against the bow.If the wind does not die down, it is safe to say that the return to Lincoln Island will take longer than the journey to Bo Island. Sure enough, after two days and two nights of sailing in the sea, the Rider of the Wind and the Waves did not see Lincoln Island in the early morning of the 17th.Since the speed of the voyage is fast and slow, it is impossible to estimate how far it has traveled, and it is impossible to know the exact direction. Another twenty-four hours passed, still no land in sight.The wind was blowing head-on, and the sea was rough.The sails of the boat were tightened, and they changed direction from time to time.On the 18th a great swell covered the Windbreaker in its entirety, and the sailors would have been swept away had they not lashed themselves to the deck beforehand. Pencroft and his companions were busily freeing themselves from their bonds, when, unexpectedly, the prisoner came to their aid, and, as if suddenly regaining his sailor's instincts, he ran out of the hatch, and with a log, A bulwark was pierced, causing the water on the deck to flow out.After the water in the boat ran out, he walked down to his barn without saying a word.Pencroft, Keating.Spilett and Herbert watched him work with great astonishment. Their situation was indeed grave, and the sailors were apprehensive, and not without reason, for they feared that they had lost their way in the sea, and could never find their way again. The nights were very dark and cold.It was not until eleven o'clock that the wind abated, and the sea calmed down; and the speed of the ship was greatly increased, as the pitching was no longer so great. Neither Pencroft, Spilett, nor Herbert wanted to sleep.They watched carefully.There were two possibilities before them, either they were not far from Lincoln Island and could see it at dawn, or the Ride the Wind and Waves was swept far away by the current and could never return to the correct course.Pencroft, who is always optimistic, was not disappointed at this moment, although he was troubled; he held the tiller tightly, wishing to pierce the surrounding darkness at once. At two o'clock in the morning he suddenly jumped forward and cried out: Light!Light! Sure enough, twenty nautical miles to the northeast, there was a little light, Lincoln Island was there, and it was evident that this was Cyrus.The wildfire that Smith ignited showed them the direction of sailing.Pencroft's course was too far north, so he turned his head and sailed straight for the light.The flames burned on the horizon, shining brightly like a first-magnitude star.