第63章

This ladder was manufactured with extreme care, and its uprights, formed of the twisted fibers of a species of cane, had the strength of a thick cable.As to the rounds, they were made of a sort of red cedar, with light, strong branches; and this apparatus was wrought by the masterly hand of Pencroft.

Other ropes were made with vegetable fibers, and a sort of crane with a tackle was fixed at the door.In this way bricks could easily be raised into Granite House.The transport of the materials being thus simplified, the arrangement of the interior could begin immediately.There was no want of lime, and some thousands of bricks were there ready to be used.The framework of the partitions was soon raised, very roughly at first, and in a short time, the cave was divided into rooms and storehouses, according to the plan agreed upon.

These different works progressed rapidly under the direction of the engineer, who himself handled the hammer and the trowel.No labor came amiss to Cyrus Harding, who thus set an example to his intelligent and zealous companions.They worked with confidence, even gaily, Pencroft always having some joke to crack, sometimes carpenter, sometimes rope-maker, sometimes mason, while he communicated his good humor to all the members of their little world.His faith in the engineer was complete;nothing could disturb it.He believed him capable of undertaking anything and succeeding in everything.The question of boots and clothes--assuredly a serious question,--that of light during the winter months, utilizing the fertile parts of the island, transforming the wild flora into cultivated flora, it all appeared easy to him; Cyrus Harding helping, everything would be done in time.He dreamed of canals facilitating the transport of the riches of the ground; workings of quarries and mines; machines for every industrial manufacture; railroads; yes, railroads! of which a network would certainly one day cover Lincoln Island.

The engineer let Pencroft talk.He did not put down the aspirations of this brave heart.He knew how communicable confidence is; he even smiled to hear him speak, and said nothing of the uneasiness for the future which he felt.In fact, in that part of the Pacific, out of the course of vessels, it was to be feared that no help would ever come to them.It was on themselves, on themselves alone, that the settlers must depend, for the distance of Lincoln Island from all other land was such, that to hazard themselves in a boat, of a necessarily inferior construction, would be a serious and perilous thing.

"But," as the sailor said, "they quite took the wind out of the sails of the Robinsons, for whom everything was done by a miracle."In fact, they were energetic; an energetic man will succeed where an indolent one would vegetate and inevitably perish.

Herbert distinguished himself in these works.He was intelligent and active; understanding quickly, he performed well; and Cyrus Harding became more and more attached to the boy.Herbert had a lively and reverent love for the engineer.Pencroft saw the close sympathy which existed between the two, but he was not in the least jealous.Neb was Neb: he was what he would be always, courage, zeal, devotion, self-denial personified.He had the same faith in his master that Pencroft had, but he showed it less vehemently.When the sailor was enthusiastic, Neb always looked as if he would say, "Nothing could be more natural." Pencroft and he were great friends.

As to Gideon Spilett, he took part in the common work, and was not less skilful in it than his companions, which always rather astonished the sailor.A "journalist," clever, not only in understanding, but in performing everything.

The ladder was finally fixed on the 28th of May.There were not less than a hundred rounds in this perpendicular height of eighty feet.Harding had been able, fortunately, to divide it in two parts, profiting by an overhanging of the cliff which made a projection forty feet above the ground.This projection, carefully leveled by the pickaxe, made a sort of platform, to which they fixed the first ladder, of which the oscillation was thus diminished one-half, and a rope permitted it to be raised to the level of Granite House.As to the second ladder, it was secured both at its lower part, which rested on the projection, and at its upper end, which was fastened to the door.In short the ascent had been made much easier.

Besides, Cyrus Harding hoped later to establish an hydraulic apparatus, which would avoid all fatigue and loss of time, for the inhabitants of Granite House.

The settlers soon became habituated to the use of this ladder.They were light and active, and Pencroft, as a sailor, accustomed to run up the masts and shrouds, was able to give them lessons.But it was also necessary to give them to Top.The poor dog, with his four paws, was not formed for this sort of exercise.But Pencroft was such a zealous master, that Top ended by properly performing his ascents, and soon mounted the ladder as readily as his brethren in the circus.It need not be said that the sailor was proud of his pupil.However, more than once Pencroft hoisted him on his back, which Top never complained of.