Таинственный остров / The Mysterious Island. Уровень 2

If Smith was right, the island was about the size of Malta[22 - Malta – Мальта]. The eastern coast was a curve, it was embracing a large bay. On the northeast, two other capes shut in the bay. Between them lay a narrow gulf. From northeast to northwest the coast was round and flat. Then came a hump, whose centre was occupied by the volcanic mountain. From this point the coast ran directly north and south. For two-thirds[23 - two-thirds – две трети] of its length it was bordered by a narrow creek; then it finished in a long cue.

The southern part, from the shore to the mountain, was covered with woods. The northern part was arid and sandy. Between the volcano and the eastern coast there was a lake.

– So, it is a fresh water lake? – asked Pencroff.

– Yes, of course, – said the engineer.

– I see a little river there, – said Herbert.

The volcano did not occupy the centre of the island. It rose in the northwest.

They remained at the summit of the mountain for an hour. It was the island, but was the island inhabited? They did not perceive the handiwork of man; no settlement on the beach, no fisherman’s hut. No smoke.

The exploration of the island was finished. They drew a map of it, and calculated its size. They wanted now to examine the animal, vegetable, and mineral resources of the country.

– Look, my friends, upon this little corner of the earth. Here, perhaps, we may long dwell.

– Mr. Smith, – said the sailor, – we will make a little America here. We will build cities, railroads, telegraphs. We will be not castaways, but colonists!

– One minute, my friends, – said the engineer; – let’s name the island, the capes, promontories, and water-courses.

– Yes, – said Smith, – for instance, let us call the great bay to the east Union Bay[24 - Union Bay – бухта Соединения], the southern indentation Washington Bay[25 - Washington Bay – бухта Вашингтона], the mountain on which we are standing Mount Franklin[26 - Mount Franklin – гора Франклина], the lake beneath our feet Lake Grant[27 - Lake Grant – озеро Гранта].