Free The Survivors of the Chancellor by Jules Verne Page B

of
being one gigantic crystal; and the remarkable transparency
of the sea enabled us plainly to observe the curious shafts
of the prismatic columns that support the marvelous sub-
structure.
    "This is indeed a singular island," said M. Letourneur;
"evidently it is of quite recent origin."
    "Yes, father," said Andre, "and I should think it has
been caused by a phenomenon similar to those which pro-
duced the Julia Island, off the coast of Sicily, or the group
of the Santorini, in the Grecian Archipelago. One could
almost fancy that it had been created expressly for the Chan-
cellor to strand upon."
    "It is very certain," I observed, "that some upheaving
has lately taken place. This is by no means an unfrequented
part of the Atlantic, so that it is not at all likely that it could
have escaped the notice of sailors if it had been always in
existence; yet it is not marked even in the most modern
charts. We must try and explore it thoroughly and give
future navigators the benefit of our observations."
    "But, perhaps, it will disappear as it came," said Andre.
"You are no doubt aware, Mr. Kazallon, that these volcanic
islands sometimes have a very transitory existence. Not im-
possibly, by the time it gets marked upon the maps it may no
longer be here."
    "Never mind, my boy," answered his father, "it is bet-
ter to give warning of a danger that does not exist than
overlook one that does. I dare say the sailors will not
grumble much, if they don't find a reef where we have
marked one."
    "No, I dare say not, father," said Andre, "and after all
this island is very likely as firm as a continent. However,
if it is to disappear, I expect Captain Curtis would be glad
to see it take its departure as soon as possible after he has
finished his repairs; it would save him a world of trouble
in getting his ship afloat."
    "Why, what a fellow you are, Andre!" I said, laugh-
ing; "I believe you would like to rule Nature with a magic
wand, first of all, you would call up a reef from the depth
of the ocean to give the Chancellor time to extinguish her
flames, and then you would make it disappear just that the
ship might be free again."
    Andre smiled; then, in a more serious tone, he expressed
his gratitude for the timely help that had been vouchsafed
us in our hour of need.
    The more we examined the rocks that formed the base
of the little island, the more we became convinced that its
formation was quite recent. Not a mollusk, not a tuft of
seaweed was found clinging to the sides of the rocks; not a
germ had the wind carried to its surface, not a bird had
taken refuge amid the crags upon its summits. To a lover
of natural history, the spot did not yield a single point of
interest; the geologist alone would find subject of study in
the basaltic mass.
    When we reached the southern point of the island I pro-
posed that we should disembark. My companions readily
assented, young Letourneur jocosely observing that if the
little island was destined to vanish, it was quite right that it
should first be visited by human beings. The boat was
accordingly brought alongside, and we set foot upon the
reef, and began to ascend the gradual slope that leads to its
highest elevation.
    The walking was not very rough, and as Andre could get
along tolerably well without the assistance of an arm, he
led the way, his father and I following close behind. A
quarter of an hour sufficed to bring us to the loftiest point
in the islet, when we seated ourselves on the basaltic prism
that crowned its summit.
    Andre took a sketch-book from his pocket, and proceeded
to make a drawing of the reef. Scarcely had he completed
the outline when his father exclaimed:
    "Why, Andre, you have drawn a ham!"
    "Something uncommonly like it, I confess," replied
Andre. "I think we had better ask Captain Curtis to let
us call our island Ham Rock."
    "Good," said I; "though sailors will need to keep it at
a respectful distance, for they will scarcely find that their
teeth are strong enough to tackle