Таинственный остров / The Mysterious Island. Уровень 3

Herbert and Pencroff were delighted, and the sailor said as they walked along:

– Well, Herbert, this is jolly! We can’t lose ourselves now, my boy, since, whether we follow Lake Grant or get to the Mercy through the woods of the Far West, we must come to Prospect Plateau, and so to Union Bay.

Pencroff, Herbert, and Neb walked in front, preceded by Top, who poked his nose into every corner. The reporter and engineer walked together. The reporter was ready to note down every incident, the engineer seldom spoke, and was picking up sometimes one thing, sometimes another, vegetable or mineral, which he put in his pocket.

About 10 o’clock the little company descended the last declivities of Mount Franklin. A few bushes and trees were scattered over the ground. They were walking on a yellowish soil, which extended to the border of the wood. Suddenly they saw Herbert, he was running back.

– What’s the matter, my boy? – said Spilett.

– Smoke, – answered Herbert.

– Men in this region! – cried the reporter.

– We must not show ourselves till we know with whom we have to deal, – answered Smith. Where is Top?

– Top is on ahead.

– And did it bark?

– No.

– That is strange. Still, let us try to call him back.

In a few moments the three rejoined their companions. They saw, very evidently, a yellowish smoke. Top was recalled by a low whistle from his master.

– Nature is responsible for that smoke, – said Smith, – It is nothing but a sulphur spring[48 - sulphur spring – сернистый источник], which will be good for our sore throats.

– Good! – said Pencroff; – what a pity that I haven’t got a cold!

The colonists walked towards the smoke. There they beheld a spring of sulphate of soda, which flowed in currents among the rocks, and whose waters, absorbing the oxygen of the air, gave off a lively odor.

The colonists walked towards the thick border of the forest, a few hundred paces distant. There they saw a brook with bright limpid waters between high, reddish banks. Its color showed the presence of oxide of iron. They named the water course Red Creek[49 - Red Creek – Красный ручей]. It was a large mountain brook, deep and clear.