“Then, it is your opinion that our friend has perished in the waves?” again asked the reporter.

“That is my opinion.”

“My own opinion,” said Gideon Spilett, “with due deference to your experience, Pencroft, is that in the double fact of the absolute disappearance of Cyrus and Top, living or dead, there is something unaccountable and unlikely.”

“I wish I could think like you, Mr. Spilett,” replied Pencroft; “unhappily, my mind is made up on this point.”  Having said this, the sailor returned to the Chimneys.  A good fire crackled on the hearth.  Herbert had just thrown on an armful of dry wood, and the flame cast a bright light into the darkest parts of the passage.

Pencroft immediately began to prepare the dinner.  It appeared best to introduce something solid into the bill of fare, for all needed to get up their strength.  The strings of couroucous were kept for the next day, but they plucked a couple of grouse, which were soon spitted on a stick, and roasting before a blazing fire.

At seven in the evening Neb had not returned.  The prolonged absence of the Negro made Pencroft very uneasy.  It was to be feared that he had met with an accident on this unknown land, or that the unhappy fellow had been driven to some act of despair.  But Herbert drew very different conclusions from this absence.  According to him, Neb’s delay was caused by some new circumstances which had induced him to prolong his search.  Also, everything new must be to the advantage of Cyrus Harding.  Why had Neb not returned unless hope still detained him?  Perhaps he had found some mark, a footstep, a trace which had put him in the right path.  Perhaps he was at this moment on a certain track.  Perhaps even he was near his master.

Thus the lad reasoned.  Thus he spoke.  His companions let him talk.  The reporter alone approved with a gesture.  But what Pencroft thought most probable was, that Neb had pushed his researches on the shore farther than the day before, and that he had not as yet had time to return.

Herbert, however, agitated by vague presentiments, several times manifested an intention to go to meet Neb.  But Pencroft assured him that that would be a useless course, that in the darkness and deplorable weather he could not find any traces of Neb, and that it would be much better to wait.  If Neb had not made his appearance by the next day, Pencroft would not hesitate to join him in his search.

Gideon Spilett approved of the sailor’s opinion that it was best not to divide, and Herbert was obliged to give up his project; but two large tears fell from his eyes.

The reporter could not refrain from embracing the generous boy.