Chapter 43 The Secret of the Island Part 3 Chapter 1

It had been two and a half years since the group of victims fell from a balloon on Lincoln Island, during which time they had had no contact with the outside world.Once the correspondent had written their location in a letter to be carried to the mainland by a bird, but this was only a chance, and no great hopes could be expected of it.Ayrton was the only one who joined the squad, and the circumstances have already been described.On October 17th, on this desolate island, I suddenly saw some other people unexpectedly. This is an ironclad fact!There's a boat over there!Is it passing by here, or is it coming to dock?What happened, the inhabitants will know in a few hours.

Cyrus.Smith and Herbert immediately took Keating.Spilett, Pencroft, and Neb called into the dining-room of the Granite Palace, and told them what had happened.Pencroft took up the telescope, and after a quick glance over the horizon, stopped at the point they indicated, which was obscured on the photographic plate. Thank goodness!What a boat!he cried, but not in a tone of complete satisfaction. Is it heading here?Ji Ding.asked Spilett. It was hard to say at present, replied Pencroft, since only the masts were above the horizon, and nothing of the hull was visible. what can we do about it?the boy asked.

Wait, then.Smith replied. The inhabitants were silent for a long time, and this was the most important incident that had happened to them since they came to Lincoln Island.They were preoccupied with all the thoughts, feelings, fears, and hopes the event had aroused.Of course, the environment of the residents is not the same as that of refugees living on the deserted islands. Those people often have to struggle for hard survival and cruel nature, and often feel depressed due to homesickness.But here, especially Pencroft and Neb, they were happy and well off; so that they would even be sorry if they ever had to leave this deserted island.The residents developed this land by relying on their wisdom.They are used to their new life here.But the ship was in any case bringing news from the mainland, and possibly even from their homeland.It was going to bring them companions; therefore, imagine their agitation at the sight of the ship!

Pencroft leaned against the window, taking up his glass from time to time.From that moment he kept his eyes on the ship.Its location is twenty nautical miles to the east.Due to the considerable distance, the immigrants have not yet been able to signal.The signal flag cannot be seen, the gunfire cannot be heard, and even the beacon fire cannot be seen from the ship.But one thing is certain: this island with its towering Mount Franklin will never escape the sight of the watchmen on board.But what is this ship doing here?Came here purely by chance?This part of the Pacific has no landmass on the map except the island of Tabo, which itself is not within the usual routes of ships sailing from the Polynesian islands, New Zealand, and the coast of the United States.The question which everyone was considering, Herbert suddenly answered.

Could this be the Duncan?he said aloud. As I have said before, the Duncan was Sir Glenarvan's cruise ship, which once abandoned Ayrton on the island, and will come to fetch him back in the future.Tabor Island is not too far from Lincoln Island, only one hundred and fifty miles in longitude and seventy-five miles in latitude. Ships heading for that island can still be seen from Lincoln Island. We must tell Ayrton, Keating.said Spilett, calling him at once.Only he can tell us if the ship is the Duncan. Everyone agreed, and the correspondent ran to the telegraph connecting the corral to Granite Palace, and sent a telegram: Come quickly.

A few minutes later, the bell rang. Ayrton's call back was: Coming soon. So the residents continued to watch the ship. If it had been the Duncan, said Herbert, Ayrton would have had no difficulty in recognizing it, for he had spent some time on that ship. Had Ayrton recognized it, continued Pencroft, he would have been very excited! Yes, Cyrus.If only it were really Sir Glenarvan's pleasure-boat, said Smith, Ayrton would be long enough to go back to the Duncan now.But I'm worried it might be another ship.This area of ​​the sea is a place where bad guys come and go, and I am always afraid that pirates will come to our island.

We can defend.cried Herbert. Of course, boy, the engineer said with a smile, wouldn't it be better if he could not defend himself? Such inferences are unnecessary, said Spilett, because the sailors did not know of Lincoln Island, and it was not even marked on the latest maps.But, Cyrus, a ship stumbles across new lands, and never misses them, don't you think? certainly.replied Pencroft. I think so too, added the engineer, and it may even be said that it is the captain's duty to visit and inspect lands or islands which have not yet been discovered.Lincoln Island is one such island.

What shall we do, said Pencroft, if the ship comes and anchors just a few anchors from our island? This sudden question was not answered for a while.Cyrus.Smith thought about it for a while, and then replied in a calm tone as usual: what to do?My friends, this should be done: We want to get in touch with the ship, we occupy this island on behalf of the United States, and then leave here on this ship, and return to the island with those who are willing to come with us in the future, occupy it clearly, and divide the Pacific Ocean This useful base on is dedicated to the United States of America.

Ha ha!What a gift we make to the country, cried Pencroft!The formalities of colonization were almost complete: every part of the island was named, and there were natural harbours, reservoirs, roads, telegraph installations, shipyards, and some manufactures.All it takes is to put Lincoln Island on the map. But what if someone came to take it while we were away?Ji Ding.Spilett said. Damn it!cried the sailor, I would rather stay and watch it alone.Leave this task to me, Pencroft, for they will never snatch the island from me like pickpockets! An hour passed, but it was still uncertain whether the boat was heading for Lincoln Island.It was closer, but in what direction was it sailing?Pencroft could not be sure of this.However, the wind was blowing from the northeast at this time and the boat was probably tacking to starboard.And now it happened to be sailing towards Lincoln Island with a favorable wind; the sea was calm, and although there was no sign of the ford on the map, it could be safely and boldly approaching.

Ayrton arrived at Granite Palace about four o'clock, an hour after he had been invited.He went into the dining room and said: Do you have any orders, gentlemen? Cyrus.Smith held out his hand, as usual, and led him to the window. Ayrton, said he, we have invited you on an important matter.We found a boat. At first Ayrton's face changed a little, his eyes dimmed for a moment, then he leaned out of the window and looked at the horizon, but saw nothing. Take a closer look with a telescope!Spilett said, Ayrton, perhaps the Duncan has come here to fetch you. Duncan!murmured Ayrton, and then, involuntarily, so soon?When he had finished speaking, he held his head in his hands.

Twelve years alone on a desert island, did he not think it enough to atone for his sin?Doesn't the repentant man, whether it seems good to himself or to others, feel that he is forgiven? No, he said, no!Definitely not the Duncan. You see, Ayrton, said the engineer, we must know in advance what is going to happen. Ayrton picked up the binoculars and looked in the direction everyone pointed.He looked at the horizon in silence for a few minutes without moving, and then said: A ship indeed, but I don't think it was the Duncan. Why do you think it's not the Duncan?Ji Ding.asked Spilett. For the Duncan was a pleasure-boat, and not a speck of smoke could be seen on or around this ship. Perhaps it was sailing, said Pencroft, and it seemed that its bearing was with the wind, so far from land that it might intend to save some coal. Perhaps you are right, M. Pencroft, replied Ayrton, that the ship is out.We'll just have to wait for it to get closer.That's when you'll know what's going to happen. After finishing speaking, Ayrton sat down in a corner of the room and stopped talking.The emigrants spoke again of the strange ship, but Ayrton took no part in the conversation.Everyone was very excited and felt that they couldn't continue working.Ji Ding.Spilett and Pencroft were particularly nervous; they kept walking up and down, and could not sit still for a moment.Herbert was curious.Only Neb was as quiet as ever.Is not the place where his master is his homeland?As for the engineer, he was deep in thought, more afraid of the ship than longing for it.At this time, the boat was getting closer to the deserted island.They could tell from the binoculars that it was a brig, and not a sailing vessel of the kind commonly used by Pacific pirates.Therefore, it may be affirmed now that the engineer's worries are unnecessary, and the appearance of this ship near the island will not bring any danger.Pencroft, after looking carefully for a moment, was sure that it was a brig, with topsails and topsails, coming obliquely towards the shore, on the starboard side.Ayrton also affirmed this point.The wind was then from the southwest, however, and if the brig continued in that direction she would soon be held back by the claw horns.In those days it was necessary to climb to the high hills in Washington Bay near Balloon Harbor to watch it.Unfortunately, it was already five o'clock in the evening, and in the vast twilight, it would soon be impossible to see anything. What shall we do when it gets dark?Ji Ding.Spilett asked, Shall we go to the sea and light a fire to show that we are here? It was a great question, and though the engineer still had more or less a hunch, he finally agreed.In the night the ship may be gone forever, and when she is gone, will any other ship come near Lincoln Island?Who can foresee the future of immigrants? Yes, said the correspondent, whatever ship it is, we ought to let it know that the island is inhabited.If you miss this opportunity that comes to your door, you may regret it for the rest of your life. It was therefore resolved that Neb and Pencroft should go to Balloon Harbor.When it is dark, a fire is lit, so that the light of the fire will surely attract the attention of the ship. But, just as Neb and the sailors were preparing to leave Granite House, the ship changed course, and sailed straight for Union Bay.It drove deftly and approached the coast in no time.So Neb and Pencroft did not go away for the time being.They handed the telescope to Ayrton to ascertain whether the ship was the Duncan or not.The Scottish yacht Duncan was also a brig.The boat was only ten miles from shore now.What needs to be seen clearly is whether there is a chimney between its two masts. The horizon is still clear.It is very easy to observe.Ayrton quickly put down his glass and said: Not the Duncan!It can't be it! Pencroft took the telescope, and pointed it at the approaching ship.It can be seen that its load is between 300 and 400 tons. The hull is very narrow, the mast sails are neat, and the structure is exquisite and beautiful. This must be a fast sailing ship.But which country's ship it is, it's hard to say. However, the sailor went on, there was a flag flying over the top of the ship, though I could not yet see its color. It will be certain in half an hour, said the correspondent, and the captain of the boat evidently wants to go ashore, so we shall be able to meet him either today or tomorrow. It doesn't matter!It would be better, said Pencroft, to know what kind of people we have to deal with, if only I could recognize the ensigns of ships. The sailor never took his eyes off his glass as he spoke.It was getting dark, and the wind also stopped, and the flags on the ship were hanging in a roll, making it even more difficult to see clearly. This is not the American flag, murmured Pencroft, nor the British flag, for if it were a British or American flag, the red color would be easy to see.Nor the flag of France or Germany, nor the white flag of Russia, nor the yellow flag of Spain.It's like a monochromatic flag.Let me think about it, what kind of flags do we often encounter on the sea in this area?Chilean flag?That's tricolor.Brazil flag?That's green.Japanese flag?That's yellow and black, and this At this time, the breeze blew away the unfamiliar flag again.Ayrton took up the glass which the sailor had put down, and looked at it, and exclaimed hoarsely; It's a black flag! Indeed, a sombre flag was flying from the masts, and now they could not help feeling suspicious of the approaching ship! So, was the engineer's hunch right?Is this a pirate ship?Is it haunting the Pacific Ocean, trying to compete with the Malay boats that are rampant for a while?What does he come to the coast of Lincoln Island for?Did they think it was a nameless desert island, and were they going to use it as a storehouse for stolen goods, or was it going to find a winter port along the coast?Was this pure land of its inhabitants destined to become a hideout of infamy, a lair of Pacific pirates? They can't help but have these thoughts.Also, the color of the flag is of course notable.This is the flag of the pirates!If the criminal conspiracy of those criminals had succeeded, the Duncan would also have hung such a banner.Everyone immediately started talking. Friends, Cyrus.Maybe the boat wanted to do some coastal patrol, Smith said.It is also possible that the people on board will never come ashore at all.But, in any case, we must remain as concealed as possible.The wind mill on Prospect Heights is too conspicuous.Ayrton and Neb hurried to bring down the windwing.The windows of Granite Palace must also be densely covered with branches.Put out all the fires, and don't show anyone on the island at all. Where is our ship?Herbert said. Oh, replied Pencroft, it's hidden in the Balloon Harbor, and I don't believe the rascals can find it! The engineer's orders were carried out immediately.Neb and Ayrton climbed up to the heights, and taking the necessary precautions, concealed all signs of habitation.While they were doing this work, the others went to the edge of the woodpecker forest and gathered a lot of twigs and creepers.From a distance they appear as natural foliage, and thus the windows of the Granite Palace are camouflaged.At the same time, guns and ammunition are also prepared in case of sudden attacks. When everything was ready, Smith said: Friends, his voice is a little excited. If these villains want to occupy Lincoln Island, we must defend it, right? Yes, Cyrus, replied the correspondent, and we will sacrifice our lives to defend it if necessary! The engineer held out his hand to his companions, and they all clasped his hand warmly. Ayrton alone remained crouched in a corner, away from the rest.This past criminal may not feel qualified to do so! Cyrus.Smith read Ayrton's mind, and went up to him. You, Ayrton, he asked, what are you going to do? Do my duty.Ayrton replied. So he stood by the window and looked out through the thick foliage. It was half past seven.The sun had disappeared behind Granite Palace twenty minutes ago.So the horizon to the east gradually blurred.Meanwhile the brig continued on to Union Bay.After passing Cape Claw, it followed the rising tide to the north, so that it now faced the plateau of Prospect Heights, only two miles away.The brig was now in the broad bay, and if a straight line was drawn between the angle of the claw and the angle of the mandible, this line passed the starboard rear of the ship. Is this ship going to go deep into the bay?This is the first question.Once it enters the port, will it break down there?This is the second question.In the end, will it just go round and drive away without letting the crew ashore?These, within the next hour, they will all know.But for now we can only wait. Cyrus.Smith was disturbed by the sight of the suspicious ship with its black flag.He and his partners have been working very well so far. Will this ship pose a threat to their work?The crew of this ship could not have been anything but pirates, and had they been here before, and therefore carried their flags as they approached the desert island?Some incomprehensible strange things happened on the island in the past. Could this explain that they once invaded this place?There are some places that the residents haven't explored yet. Are there any pirates' accomplices who are going to contact the pirates on the ship? Smith thought about these questions secretly, not knowing how to answer them; he only felt that the arrival of the brig would pose a serious threat to their safety. In any case, he and his partner decided to fight to the end.There is an urgent need to know: how many pirates are there, and whether their weapons are superior to those of the immigrants.But how to get this information? Night has come.The new moon has disappeared.Darkness hangs over deserted islands and oceans.The horizon was covered with black clouds, through which not a ray of light could penetrate.The wind also died away with the twilight.There was no rustling of leaves, no murmur of water on the shore.The lights of the ship were completely extinguished, so that it could not be seen at all.Even if it is still around the deserted island, there is no trace of it. All right!Who knows?Perhaps, said Pencroft, the accursed ship will sail away in the night, and we shall not be able to find her by to-morrow morning. At this moment, a light suddenly flashed out of the darkness, and a cannon shot sounded, as if in answer to the sailor's question. The boat is still there, and it still has guns on board. Six seconds after the flash of light the cannon was heard. So the boat was about a mile and a quarter mile offshore. At this time, the iron chain came out of the chain hole with a clatter. The brig broke down within sight of Granite Palace.