CHAPTER VII
Plans -- A Bridge over the Mercy -- Mode adopted for making an Island of Prospect Heights -- The Drawbridge -- Harvest -- The Stream -- The Poultry Yard -- A Pigeon-house -- The two Onagas -- The Cart -- Excursion to Port Balloon.
The settlers in Lincoln Island had now regained their dwelling,without having been obliged to reach it by the old opening, and weretherefore spared the trouble of mason's work. It was certainly lucky,that at the moment they were about to set out to do so, the apes hadbeen seized with that terror, no less sudden than inexplicable, whichhad driven them out of Granite House. Had the animals discovered thatthey were about to be attacked from another direction? This was theonly explanation of their sudden retreat.
During the day the bodies of the apes were carried into the wood,where they were buried; then the settlers busied themselves inrepairing the disorder caused by the intruders, disorder but notdamage, for although they had turned everything in the roomstopsy-turvy, yet they had broken nothing. Neb relighted his stove, andthe stores in the larder furnished a substantial repast, to which alldid ample justice.
Jup was not forgotten, and he ate with relish some stone-pine almondsand rhizome roots, with which he was abundantly supplied. Pencroft hadunfastened his arms, but judged it best to have his legs tied untilthey were more sure of his submission.
Then, before retiring to rest, Harding and his companions seated roundtheir table, discussed those plans, the execution of which was mostpressing. The most important and most urgent was the establishment ofa bridge over the Mercy, so as to form a communication with thesouthern part of the island and Granite House; then the making of anenclosure for the musmons or other woolly animals which they wished tocapture.
These two projects would help to solve the difficulty as to theirclothing, which was now serious. The bridge would render easy thetransport of the balloon case, which would furnish them with linen,and the inhabitants of the enclosure would yield wool which wouldsupply them with winter clothes.
As to the enclosure, it was Cyrus Harding's intention to establish itat the sources of the Red Creek, where the ruminants would find freshand abundant pasture. The road between Prospect Heights and thesources of the stream was already partly beaten, and with a bettercart than the first, the material could be easily conveyed to thespot, especially if they could manage to capture some animals to drawit.
But though there might be no inconvenience in the enclosure being sofar from Granite House, it would not be the same with thepoultry-yard, to which Neb called the attention of the colonists. Itwas indeed necessary that the birds should be close within reach ofthe cook, and no place appeared more favourable for the establishmentof the said poultry-yard than that portion of the banks of the lakewhich was close to the old opening.
Water-birds would prosper there as well as others, and the couple oftinamous taken in their last excursion would be the first to bedomesticated.
The next day, the 3rd of November, the new works were begun by theconstruction of the bridge, and all hands were required for thisimportant task. Saws, hatchets, and hammers were shouldered by thesettlers, who, now transformed into carpenters, descended to theshore.
There Pencroft observed,--
"Suppose, that during our absence, Master Jup takes it into his headto draw up the ladder which he so politely returned to us yesterday?"
"Let us tie its lower end down firmly," replied Cyrus Harding.
This was done by means of two stakes securely fixed in the sand. Thenthe settlers, ascending the left bank of the Mercy, soon arrived atthe angle formed by the river.
There they halted, in order to ascertain if the bridge could be thrownacross. The place appeared suitable.
In fact, from this spot, to Port Balloon, discovered the day before onthe southern coast, there was only a distance of three miles and ahalf, and from the bridge to the Port, it would be easy to make a goodcart-road which would render the communication between Granite Houseand the south of the island extremely easy.
Cyrus Harding now imparted to his companions a scheme for completelyisolating Prospect Heights so as to shelter it from the attacks bothof quadrupeds and quadrumana. In this way, Granite House, theChimneys, the poultry-yard, and all the upper part of the plateauwhich was to be used for cultivation, would be protected against thedepredations of animals. Nothing could be easier than to execute thisproject, and this is how the engineer intended to set to work.
The plateau was already defended on three sides by watercourses,either artificial or natural. On the north-west, by the shores of LakeGrant, from the entrance of the passage to the breach made in thebanks of the lake for the escape of the water.
On the north, from this breach to the sea, by the new watercoursewhich had hollowed out a bed for itself across the plateau and shore,above and below the fall, and it would be enough to dig the bed ofthis creek a little deeper to make it impracticable for animals, onall the eastern border by the sea itself, from the mouth of theaforesaid creek to the mouth of the Mercy.
Lastly on the south, from the mouth to the turn of the Mercy where thebridge was to be established.
The western border of the plateau now remained between the turn of theriver and the southern angle of the lake, a distance of about a mile,which was open to all comers. But nothing could be easier than to diga broad deep ditch, which could be filled from the lake, and theoverflow of which would throw itself by a rapid fall into the bed ofthe Mercy. The level of the lake would, no doubt, be somewhat loweredby this fresh discharge of its waters, but Cyrus Harding hadascertained that the volume of water in the Red Creek was considerableenough to allow of the execution of this project.
BUILDING THE BRIDGE]
"So then," added the engineer, "Prospect Heights will become a regularisland, being surrounded with water on all sides, and onlycommunicating with the rest of our domain by the bridge which we areabout to throw across the Mercy, the two little bridges alreadyestablished above and below the fall; and, lastly, two other littlebridges which must be constructed, one over the canal which I proposeto dig, the other across to the left bank of the Mercy. Now, if thesebridges can be raised at will, Prospect Heights will be guarded fromany surprise."
The bridge was the most urgent work. Trees were selected, cut down,stripped of their branches, and cut into beams, joists, and planks.The end of the bridge which rested on the right bank of the Mercy wasto be firm, but the other end on the left bank was to be movable, sothat it might be raised by means of a counterpoise, as some canalbridges are managed.
This was certainly a considerable work, and though it was skilfullyconducted, it took some time, for the Mercy at this place was eightyfeet wide. It was therefore necessary to fix piles in the bed of theriver so as to sustain the floor of the bridge and establish apile-driver to act on the tops of these piles, which would thus formtwo arches and allow the bridge to support heavy loads.
Happily there was no want of tools with which to shape the wood, norof iron-work to make it firm, nor of the ingenuity of a man who had amarvellous knowledge of the work, nor lastly, the zeal of hiscompanions, who in seven months had necessarily acquired great skillin the use of their tools; and it must be said that not the leastskillful was Gideon Spilett, who in dexterity almost equalled thesailor himself. "Who would ever have expected so much from a newspaperman!" thought Pencroft.
The construction of the Mercy bridge lasted three weeks of regularhard work. They even breakfasted on the scene of their labours, andthe weather being magnificent, they only returned to Granite House tosleep.
During this period it may be stated that Master Jup grew moreaccustomed to his new masters, whose movements he always watched withvery inquisitive eyes. However, as a precautionary measure, Pencroftdid not as yet allow him complete liberty, rightly wishing to waituntil the limits of the plateau should be settled by the projectedworks. Top and Jup were good friends and played willingly together,but Jup did everything solemnly.
On the 20t
h of November the bridge was finished. The movable part,balanced by the counterpoise, swung easily, and only a slight effortwas needed to raise it; between its hinge and the last cross-bar onwhich it rested when closed, there existed a space of twenty feet,which was sufficiently wide to prevent any animals from crossing.
The settlers now began to talk of fetching the balloon-case, whichthey were anxious to place in perfect security; but to bring it, itwould be necessary to take a cart to Port Balloon, and consequently,necessary to beat a road through the dense forests of the Far West.This would take some time. Also, Neb and Pencroft having gone toexamine into the state of things at Port Balloon, and reported thatthe stock of cloth would suffer no damage in the grotto where it wasstored, it was decided that the work at Prospect Heights should not bediscontinued.
"That," observed Pencroft, "will enable us to establish ourpoultry-yard under better conditions, since we need have no fear ofvisits from foxes nor the attacks of other beasts."
"Then," added Neb, "we can clear the plateau, and transplant wildplants to it."
"And prepare our second cornfield!" cried the sailor with a triumphantair.
In fact, the first cornfield sown with a single grain had prosperedadmirably, thanks to Pencroft's care. It had produced the ten earsforetold by the engineer, and each ear containing eighty grains, thecolony found itself in possession of eight hundred grains, in sixmonths, which promised a double harvest each year.
These eight hundred grains, except fifty, which were prudentlyreserved, were to be sown in a new field, but with no less care thanwas bestowed on the single grain.
The field was prepared, then surrounded with a strong palisade, highand pointed, which quadrupeds would have found difficulty in leaping.As to birds, some scarecrows, due to Pencroft's ingenious brain, wereenough to frighten them. The seven hundred and fifty grains, depositedin very regular furrows, were then left for nature to do the rest.
On the 21st of November, Cyrus Harding began to plan the canal whichwas to close the plateau on the west, from the south angle of LakeGrant to the angle of the Mercy. There was there two or three feet ofvegetable earth, and below that granite. It was therefore necessary tomanufacture some more nitro glycerine, and the nitro glycerine did itsaccustomed work. In less than a fortnight a ditch twelve feet wide andsix deep, was dug out in the hard ground of the plateau. A new trenchwas made by the same means in the rocky border of the lake forming asmall stream, to which they gave the name of Creek Glycerine, andwhich was thus an affluent of the Mercy. As the engineer hadpredicted, the level of the lake was lowered, though very slightly. Tocomplete the enclosure the bed of the stream on the beach wasconsiderably enlarged, and the sand supported by means of stakes.
By the end of the first fortnight of December these works werefinished, and Prospect Heights--that is to say, a sort of irregularpentagon having a perimeter of nearly four miles, surrounded by aliquid belt--was completely protected from depredators of everydescription.
During the month of December, the heat was very great. In spite of ithowever, the settlers continued their work, and as they were anxiousto possess a poultry-yard they forthwith commenced it.
It is useless to say that since the enclosing of the plateau had beencompleted, Master Jup had been set at liberty. He did not leave hismasters, and evinced no wish to escape. He was a gentle animal, thoughvery powerful and wonderfully active. He was already taught to makehimself useful by drawing loads of wood and carting away the stoneswhich were extracted from the bed of Creek Glycerine.
The poultry yard occupied an area of two hundred square yards on thesouth eastern bank of the lake. It was surrounded by a palisade, andin it were constructed various shelters for the birds which were topopulate it. These were simply built of branches and divided intocompartments made ready for the expected guests.
PENCROFT'S SCARECROWS]
The first were the two tinamous, which were not long in having anumber of young ones; they had for companions half a dozen ducks,accustomed to the borders of the lake. Some belonged to the Chinesespecies, of which the wings open like a fan, and which by thebrilliancy of their plumage rival the golden pheasants. A few daysafterwards, Herbert snared a couple of gallinaceae, with spreadingtails composed of long feathers, magnificent alectors, which soonbecame tame. As to pelicans, kingfishers, water-hens, they came ofthemselves to the shores of the poultry-yard, and this littlecommunity, after some disputes, cooing, screaming, clucking, ended bysettling down peacefully, and increased in encouraging proportion forthe future use of the colony.
Cyrus Harding, wishing to complete his performance, established apigeon-house in a corner of the poultry-yard. There he lodged a dozenof those pigeons which frequented the rocks of the plateau. Thesebirds soon became accustomed to returning every evening to their newdwelling, and showed more disposition to domesticate themselves thantheir congeners, the wood-pigeons.
Lastly, the time had come for turning the balloon-case to use, bycutting it up to make shirts and other articles; for as to keeping itin its present form, and risking themselves in a balloon filled withgas, above a sea of the limits of which they had no idea, it was notto be thought of.
It was necessary to bring the case to Granite House, and the colonistsemployed themselves in rendering their heavy cart lighter and moremanageable. But though they had a vehicle, the moving power was yet tobe found.
But did there not exist in the island some animal which might supplythe place of the horse, ass, or ox? That was the question.
"Certainly," said Pencroft, "a beast of burden would be very useful tous until the captain has made a steam cart, or even an engine, forsome day we shall have a railroad from Granite House to Port Balloon,with a branch line to Mount Franklin!"
One day, the 23rd of December, Neb and Top were heard shouting andbarking, each apparently trying who could make the most noise. Thesettlers, who were busy at the Chimneys, ran, fearing some vexatiousincident.
What did they see? Two fine animals of a large size, who hadimprudently ventured on the plateau, when the bridges were open. Onewould have said they were horses, or at least donkeys, male andfemale, of a fine shape, dove-coloured, the legs and tail white,striped with black on the head and neck. They advanced quietly withoutshowing any uneasiness, and gazed at the men, in whom they could notas yet recognise their future masters.
"These are onagas!" cried Herbert, "animals something between thezebra and the conaga!"
"Why not donkeys?" asked Neb.
"Because they have not long ears, and their shape is more graceful!"
"Donkeys or horses," interrupted Pencroft, "they are 'moving powers,'as the captain would say, and as such must be captured!"
The sailor, without frightening the animals, crept through the grassto the bridge over Creek Glycerine, lowered it, and the onagas wereprisoners.
Now, should they seize them with violence and master them by force?No. It was decided that for a few days they should be allowed to roamfreely about the plateau, where there was an abundance of grass, andthe engineer immediately began to prepare a stable near thepoultry-yard, in which the onagas might find food, with a good litter,and shelter during the night.
This done, the movements of the two magnificent creatures were leftentirely free, and the settlers avoided even approaching them so as toterrify them. Several times, however, the onagas appeared to wish toleave the plateau, too confined for animals accustomed to the plainsand forests. They were then seen following the water-barrier whicheverywhere presented itself before them, uttering short neighs, thengalloping through the grass, and becoming calmer, they would remainentire hours gazing at the woods, from which they were cut off forever!
In the meantime harness of vegetable fibre had been manufactured, andsome days after the capture of the onagas, not only the cart wasready, but a straight road, or rather a cutting, had been made throughthe forests of the Far West, from the angle of the Mercy to PortBalloon. The cart might then be driven there, and towards the end ofDecember t
hey tried the onagas for the first time.
Pencroft had already coaxed the animals to come and eat out of hishand, and they allowed him to approach without making any difficulty,but once harnessed they reared and could with difficulty be held in.However it was not long before they submitted to this new service, forthe onaga, being less refractory than the zebra, is frequently put inharness in the mountainous regions of Southern Africa, and it has evenbeen acclimatised in Europe, under zones of a relative coolness.
On this day all the colony, except Pencroft who walked at the animals'heads, mounted the cart, and set out on the road to Port Balloon.
Of course they were jolted over the somewhat rough road, but thevehicle arrived without any accident, and was soon loaded with thecase and rigging of the balloon.
At eight o'clock that evening the cart, after passing over the Mercybridge, descended the left bank of the river, and stopped on thebeach. The onagas being unharnessed, were thence led to their stable,and Pencroft before going to sleep gave vent to his feelings in a deepsigh of satisfaction that awoke all the echoes of Granite House.