It must be mentioned here, that during these works, which were actively conducted, for the bad season was approaching, the alimentary question was not neglected.Every day, the reporter and Herbert, who had been voted purveyors to the colony, devoted some hours to the chase.As yet, they only hunted in Jacamar Wood, on the left of the river, because, for want of a bridge or boat, the Mercy had not yet been crossed.All the immense woods, to which the name of the Forests of the Far West had been given, were not explored.They reserved this important excursion for the first fine days of the next spring.But Jacamar Wood was full of game; kangaroos and boars abounded, and the hunters iron-tipped spears and bows and arrows did wonders.Besides, Herbert discovered towards the southwest point of the lagoon a natural warren, a slightly damp meadow, covered with willows and aromatic herbs which scented the air, such as thyme, basil, savory, all the sweet-scented species of the labiated plants, which the rabbits appeared to be particularly fond of.
On the reporter observing that since the table was spread for the rabbits, it was strange that the rabbits themselves should be wanting, the two sportsmen carefully explored the warren.At any rate, it produced an abundance of useful plants, and a naturalist would have had a good opportunity of studying many specimens of the vegetable kingdom.Herbert gathered several shoots of the basil, rosemary, balm, betony, etc., which possess different medicinal properties, some pectoral, astringent, febrifuge, others anti-spasmodic, or anti-rheumatic.When, afterwards, Pencroft asked the use of this collection of herbs,--"For medicine," replied the lad, "to treat us when we are ill.""Why should we be ill, since there are no doctors in the island?" asked Pencroft quite seriously.
There was no reply to be made to that, but the lad went on with his collection all the same, and it was well received at Granite House.Besides these medicinal herbs, he added a plant known in North America as "Oswego tea," which made an excellent beverage.
At last, by searching thoroughly, the hunters arrived at the real site of the warren.There the ground was perforated like a sieve.
"Here are the burrows!" cried Herbert.
"Yes," replied the reporter, "so I see."
"But are they inhabited?"
"That is the question."
This was soon answered.Almost immediately, hundreds of little animals, similar to rabbits, fled in every direction, with such rapidity that even Top could not overtake them.Hunters and dog ran in vain; these rodents escaped them easily.But the reporter resolved not to leave the place, until he had captured at least half-a-dozen of the quadrupeds.He wished to stock their larder first, and domesticate those which they might take later.It would not have been difficult to do this, with a few snares stretched at the openings of the burrows.But at this moment they had neither snares, nor anything to make them of.They must, therefore, be satisfied with visiting each hole, and rummaging in it with a stick, hoping by dint of patience to do what could not be done in any other way.
At last, after half an hour, four rodents were taken in their holes.They were similar to their European brethren, and are commonly known by the name of American rabbits.
This produce of the chase was brought back to Granite House, and figured at the evening repast.The tenants of the warren were not at all to be despised, for they were delicious.It was a valuable resource of the colony, and it appeared to be inexhaustible.
On the 31st of May the partitions were finished.The rooms had now only to be furnished, and this would be work for the long winter days.A chimney was established in the first room, which served as a kitchen.The pipe destined to conduct the smoke outside gave some trouble to these amateur bricklayers.It appeared simplest to Harding to make it of brick clay; as creating an outlet for it to the upper plateau was not to be thought of, a hole was pierced in the granite above the window of the kitchen, and the pipe met it like that of an iron stove.Perhaps the winds which blew directly against the facade would make the chimney smoke, but these winds were rare, and besides, Master Neb, the cook, was not so very particular about that.
When these interior arrangements were finished, the engineer occupied himself in blocking up the outlet by the lake, so as to prevent any access by that way.Masses of rock were rolled to the entrance and strongly cemented together.Cyrus Harding did not yet realize his plan of drowning this opening under the waters of the lake, by restoring them to their former level by means of a dam.He contented himself with hiding the obstruction with grass and shrubs, which were planted in the interstices of the rocks, and which next spring would sprout thickly.However, he used the waterfall so as to lead a small stream of fresh water to the new dwelling.
A little trench, made below their level, produced this result; and this derivation from a pure and inexhaustible source yielded twenty-five or thirty gallons a day.There would never be any want of water at Granite House.At last all was finished, and it was time, for the bad season was near.Thick shutters closed the windows of the facade, until the engineer had time to make glass.
Gideon Spilett had very artistically arranged on the rocky projections around the windows plants of different kinds, as well as long streaming grass, so that the openings were picturesquely framed in green, which had a pleasing effect.
The inhabitants of this solid, healthy, and secure dwelling, could not but be charmed with their work.The view from the windows extended over a boundless horizon, which was closed by the two Mandible Capes on the north, and Claw Cape on the south.All Union Bay was spread before them.Yes, our brave settlers had reason to be satisfied, and Pencroft was lavish in his praise of what he humorously called, "his apartments on the fifth floor above the ground!"
