The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the "Bonadventure" gently glided1 up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.
Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect2 Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel3 which had been so long in returning.
"God be praised! there they are!" exclaimed Cyrus Harding.
As to Neb in his joy, he began to dance, to twirl round, clapping his hands and shouting, "Oh! my master!" A more touching4 pantomime than the finest discourse5.
The engineer's first idea, on counting the people on the deck of the "Bonadventure," was that Pencroft had not found the castaway of Tabor Island, or at any rate that the unfortunate man had refused to leave his island and change one prison for another.
Indeed Pencroft, Gideon Spilett, and Herbert were alone on the deck of the "Bonadventure."
The moment the vessel touched, the engineer and Neb were waiting on the beach, and before the passengers had time to leap on to the sand, Harding said: "We have been very uneasy at your delay, my friends! Did you meet with any accident?"
"No," replied Gideon Spilett; "on the contrary, everything went wonderfully well. We will tell you all about it."
"However," returned the engineer, "your search has been unsuccessful, since you are only three, just as you went!"
"Excuse me, captain," replied the sailor, "we are four."
"You have found the castaway?"
"Yes."
"And you have brought him?"
"Yes."
"Living?"
"Yes."
"Where is he? Who is he?"
"He is," replied the reporter, "or rather he was a man! There, Cyrus, that is all we can tell you!"
The engineer was then informed of all that had passed during the voyage, and under what conditions the search had been conducted; how the only dwelling7 in the island had long been abandoned; how at last a castaway had been captured, who appeared no longer to belong to the human species.
"And that's just the point," added Pencroft, "I don't know if we have done right to bring him here."
"Certainly you have, Pencroft," replied the engineer quickly.
"But the wretched creature has no sense!"
"That is possible at present," replied Cyrus Harding, "but only a few months ago the wretched creature was a man like you and me. And who knows what will become of the survivor8 of us after a long solitude9 on this island? It is a great misfortune to be alone, my friends; and it must be believed that solitude can quickly destroy reason, since you have found this poor creature in such a state!"
"But, captain," asked Herbert, "what leads you to think that the brutishness of the unfortunate man began only a few months back?"
"Because the document we found had been recently written," answered the engineer, "and the castaway alone can have written it."
"Always supposing," observed Gideon Spilett, "that it had not been written by a companion of this man, since dead."
"That is impossible, my dear Spilett."
"Why so?" asked the reporter.
"Because the document would then have spoken of two castaways," replied Harding, "and it mentioned only one."
Herbert then in a few words related the incidents of the voyage, and dwelt on the curious fact of the sort of passing gleam in the prisoner's mind, when for an instant in the height of the storm he had become a sailor.
"Well, Herbert," replied the engineer, "you are right to attach great importance to this fact. The unfortunate man cannot be incurable11, and despair has made him what he is; but here he will find his fellow-men, and since there is still a soul in him, this soul we shall save!"
The castaway of Tabor Island, to the great pity of the engineer and the great astonishment12 of Neb, was then brought from the cabin which he occupied in the fore6 part of the "Bonadventure"; when once on land he manifested a wish to run away.
But Cyrus Harding approaching, placed his hand on his shoulder with a gesture full of authority, and looked at him with infinite tenderness. Immediately the unhappy man, submitting to a superior will, gradually became calm, his eyes fell, his head bent14, and he made no more resistance.
"Poor fellow!" murmured the engineer.
Cyrus Harding had attentively15 observed him. To judge by his appearance this miserable16 being had no longer anything human about him, and yet Harding, as had the reporter already, observed in his look an indefinable trace of intelligence.
It was decided17 that the castaway, or rather the stranger as he was thenceforth termed by his companions, should live in one of the rooms of Granite18 House, from which, however, he could not escape. He was led there without difficulty, and with careful attention, it might, perhaps, be hoped that some day he would be a companion to the settlers in Lincoln Island.
Cyrus Harding, during breakfast, which Neb had hastened to prepare, as the reporter, Herbert, and Pencroft were dying of hunger, heard in detail all the incidents which had marked the voyage of exploration to the islet. He agreed with his friends on this point, that the stranger must be either English or American, the name Britannia leading them to suppose this, and, besides, through the bushy beard, and under the shaggy, matted hair, the engineer thought he could recognize the characteristic features of the Anglo-Saxon.
"But, by the bye," said Gideon Spilett, addressing Herbert, "you never told us how you met this savage20, and we know nothing, except that you would have been strangled, if we had not happened to come up in time to help you!"
"Upon my word," answered Herbert, "it is rather difficult to say how it happened. I was, I think, occupied in collecting my plants, when I heard a noise like an avalanche21 falling from a very tall tree. I scarcely had time to look round. This unfortunate man, who was without doubt concealed22 in a tree, rushed upon me in less time than I take to tell you about it, and unless Mr. Spilett and Pencroft--"
"My boy!" said Cyrus Harding, "you ran a great danger, but, perhaps, without that, the poor creature would have still hidden himself from your search, and we should not have had a new companion."
"You hope, then, Cyrus, to succeed in reforming the man?" asked the reporter.
"Yes," replied the engineer.
Breakfast over, Harding and his companions left Granite House and returned to the beach. They there occupied themselves in unloading the "Bonadventure," and the engineer, having examined the arms and tools, saw nothing which could help them to establish the identity of the stranger.
The capture of pigs, made on the islet, was looked upon as being very profitable to Lincoln Island, and the animals were led to the sty, where they soon became at home.
The two barrels, containing the powder and shot, as well as the box of caps, were very welcome. It was agreed to establish a small powder- magazine, either outside Granite House or in the Upper Cavern23, where there would be no fear of explosion. However, the use of pyroxyle was to be continued, for this substance giving excellent results, there was no reason for substituting ordinary powder.
When the unloading of the vessel was finished,--
"Captain," said Pencroft, "I think it would be prudent24 to put our 'Bonadventure' in a safe place."
"Is she not safe at the mouth of the Mercy?" asked Cyrus Harding.
"No, captain," replied the sailor. "Half of the time she is stranded25 on the sand, and that works her. She is a famous craft, you see, and she behaved admirably during the squall which struck us on our return."
"Could she not float in the river?"
"No doubt, captain, she could; but there is no shelter there, and in the east winds, I think that the 'Bonadventure' would suffer much from the surf."
"Well, where would you put her, Pencroft?"
"In Port Balloon," replied the sailor. "That little creek26, shut in by rocks, seems to me to be just the harbor we want."
"Is it not rather far?"
"Pooh! it is not more than three miles from Granite House, and we have a fine straight road to take us there!"
"Do it then, Pencroft, and take your 'Bonadventure' there," replied the engineer, "and yet I would rather have her under our more immediate13 protection. When we have time, we must make a little harbor for her."
"Famous!" exclaimed Pencroft. "A harbor with a lighthouse, a pier27, and dock! Ah! really with you, captain, everything becomes easy."
"Yes, my brave Pencroft," answered the engineer, "but on condition, however, that you help me, for you do as much as three men in all our work."
Herbert and the sailor then re-embarked on board the "Bonadventure," the anchor was weighed, the sail hoisted28, and the wind drove her rapidly towards Claw Cape19. Two hours after, she was reposing29 on the tranquil30 waters of Port Balloon.
During the first days passed by the stranger in Granite House, had he already given them reason to think that his savage nature was becoming tamed? Did a brighter light burn in the depths of that obscured mind? In short, was the soul returning to the body?
Yes, to a certainty, and to such a degree, that Cyrus Harding and the reporter wondered if the reason of the unfortunate man had ever been totally extinguished. At first, accustomed to the open air, to the unrestrained liberty which he had enjoyed on Tabor Island, the stranger manifested a sullen31 fury, and it was feared that he might throw himself onto the beach, out of one of the windows of Granite House. But gradually he became calmer, and more freedom was allowed to his movements.
They had reason to hope, and to hope much. Already, forgetting his carnivorous instincts, the stranger accepted a less bestial32 nourishment33 than that on which he fed on the islet, and cooked meat did not produce in him the same sentiment of repulsion which he had showed on board the "Bonadventure." Cyrus Harding had profited by a moment when he was sleeping, to cut his hair and matted beard, which formed a sort of mane and gave him such a savage aspect. He had also been clothed more suitably, after having got rid of the rag which covered him. The result was that, thanks to these attentions, the stranger resumed a more human appearance, and it even seemed as if his eyes had become milder. Certainly, when formerly34 lighted up by intelligence, this man's face must have had a sort of beauty.
Every day, Harding imposed on himself the task of passing some hours in his company. He came and worked near him, and occupied himself in different things, so as to fix his attention. A spark, indeed, would be sufficient to reillumine that soul, a recollection crossing that brain to recall reason. That had been seen, during the storm, on board the "Bonadventure!" The engineer did not neglect either to speak aloud, so as to penetrate35 at the same time by the organs of hearing and sight the depths of that torpid36 intelligence. Sometimes one of his companions, sometimes another, sometimes all joined him. They spoke10 most often of things belonging to the navy, which must interest a sailor.
At times, the stranger gave some slight attention to what was said, and the settlers were soon convinced that he partly understood them. Sometimes the expression of his countenance37 was deeply sorrowful, a proof that he suffered mentally, for his face could not be mistaken; but he did not speak, although at different times, however, they almost thought that words were about to issue from his lips. At all events, the poor creature was quite quiet and sad!
But was not his calm only apparent? Was not his sadness only the result of his seclusion38? Nothing could yet be ascertained39. Seeing only certain objects and in a limited space, always in contact with the colonists40, to whom he would soon become accustomed, having no desires to satisfy, better fed, better clothed, it was natural that his physical nature should gradually improve; but was he penetrated41 with the sense of a new life? or rather, to employ a word which would be exactly applicable to him, was he not becoming tamed, like an animal in company with his master? This was an important question, which Cyrus Harding was anxious to answer, and yet he did not wish to treat his invalid42 roughly! Would he ever be a convalescent?
How the engineer observed him every moment! How he was on the watch for his soul, if one may use the expression! How he was ready to grasp it! The settlers followed with real sympathy all the phases of the cure undertaken by Harding. They aided him also in this work of humanity, and all, except perhaps the incredulous Pencroft, soon shared both his hope and his faith.
The calm of the stranger was deep, as has been said, and he even showed a sort of attachment43 for the engineer, whose influence he evidently felt. Cyrus Harding resolved then to try him, by transporting him to another scene, from that ocean which formerly his eyes had been accustomed to contemplate44, to the border of the forest, which might perhaps recall those where so many years of his life had been passed!
"But," said Gideon Spilett, "can we hope that he will not escape, if once set at liberty?"
"The experiment must be tried," replied the engineer.
"Well!" said Pencroft. "When that fellow is outside, and feels the fresh air, he will be off as fast as his legs can carry him!"
"I do not think so," returned Harding.
"Let us try," said Spilett.
"We will try," replied the engineer.
This was on the 30th of October, and consequently the castaway of Tabor Island had been a prisoner in Granite House for nine days. It was warm, and a bright sun darted45 its rays on the island. Cyrus Harding and Pencroft went to the room occupied by the stranger, who was found lying near the window and gazing at the sky.
"Come, my friend," said the engineer to him.
The stranger rose immediately. His eyes were fixed46 on Cyrus Harding, and he followed him, while the sailor marched behind them, little confident as to the result of the experiment.
Arrived at the door, Harding and Pencroft made him take his place in the lift, while Neb, Herbert, and Gideon Spilett waited for them before Granite House. The lift descended47, and in a few moments all were united on the beach.
The settlers went a short distance from the stranger, so as to leave him at liberty.
He then made a few steps toward the sea, and his look brightened with extreme animation48, but he did not make the slightest attempt to escape. He was gazing at the little waves which, broken by the islet, rippled49 on the sand.
"This is only the sea," observed Gideon Spilett, "and possibly it does not inspire him with any wish to escape!"
"Yes," replied Harding, "we must take him to the plateau, on the border of the forest. There the experiment will be more conclusive50."
"Besides, he could not run away," said Neb, "since the bridge is raised."
"Oh!" said Pencroft, "that isn't a man to be troubled by a stream like Creek Glycerine! He could cross it directly, at a single bound!"
"We shall soon see," Harding contented51 himself with replying, his eyes not quitting those of his patient.
The latter was then led towards the mouth of the Mercy, and all climbing the left bank of the river, reached Prospect Heights.
Arrived at the spot on which grew the first beautiful trees of the forest, their foliage52 slightly agitated53 by the breeze, the stranger appeared greedily to drink in the penetrating54 odor which filled the atmosphere, and a long sigh escaped from his chest.
The settlers kept behind him, ready to seize him if he made any movement to escape!
And, indeed, the poor creature was on the point of springing into the creek which separated him from the forest, and his legs were bent for an instant as if for a spring, but almost immediately he stepped back, half sank down, and a large tear fell from his eyes.
"Ah!" exclaimed Cyrus Harding, "you have become a man again, for you can weep!"
第二天是10月20日，乘风破浪号航行了四天，终于在这天早上七点钟，慢慢地向慈悲河口的沙滩驶来了。
赛勒斯.史密斯和纳布对于变天和伙伴们的迟迟不归感到非常不安，天一亮他们就爬上了眺望岗，最后终于看见这只误期的船了。
“谢天谢地！他们到底回来了！”赛勒斯.史密斯大声说。
纳布更是非常高兴，他跳起舞来，转着身子，拍手喊道，“啊！我的主人！”看他那副模样，比听最好的演说还要动人
工程师起初推测遇难的人不在乘风破浪号的甲板上，他认为不是潘克洛夫没有找到达抱岛上的遇难人，就是这个不幸的人不愿意离开他的岛换一个困守的地方。
果然，乘风破浪号的甲板上只有潘克洛夫、吉丁.史佩莱和赫伯特三个人。
工程师早就和纳布在沙滩上等着了，船刚靠岸，史密斯不等旅客们上岸，就说：“你们到现在才回来，真把我们急坏了，朋友们！你们遇到什么意外了吗？”
“没有，”吉丁.史佩莱答道；“相反的，一切都很顺利。经过的情况我们全都要告诉你们的。”
“可是，”工程师说，“你们的搜索却没有成功，去的时候是三个人，回来还是三个人！”
“对不起，史密斯先生，”水手说，“我们是四个人。”
“你们找到遇难的人了吗？”
“是的。”
“你们把他带回来了吗？”
“是的。”
“活的吗？”
“是的。”
“他在哪儿？是什么人？”
“他是，”通讯记者答道，“说得更正确些，他过去是一个人！赛勒斯，我们所能答复你的只能是这样！”
然后他把探险的全部经过和搜查时的各种情况都告诉了工程师，岛上唯一的房屋怎样长期地被遗弃着没有人住，怎样最后捉住了这个已经不象人的遇难者。
“问题就在这儿，”潘克洛夫接着说，“我不知道我们该不该把他带回来。”
“当然应该，潘克洛夫。”工程师很快地说。
“可是这个可怜的家伙不懂人事！”
“目前可能是这样，”赛勒斯.史密斯说，“但仅仅几个月以前，这个可怜的家伙还和我们一样，是一个人呢。要是我们之中有谁长期孤独地留住在这个岛上，谁知道他会变成什么样子呢？剩下孤单单的一个人是最大的不幸！朋友们，既然你们发现这个可怜的家伙变得这样，我们就应该相信，孤独能够很快地摧残人的理智！”
“可是，史密斯先生，”赫伯特问道，“你怎么会认为这个不幸的人是最近几个月才变得这么野蛮的呢？”
“因为我们发现的那张纸条是最近才写的，”工程师答道，“而写这张纸条的又只能是这个遇难的人。”
“也可能是这个人的一个已经死了的伙伴写的。”吉丁.史佩莱说。
“那是不可能的，亲爱的史佩莱。”
“为什么？”通讯记者问道。
“如果是那样的话，纸条上就会提到有两个遇难的人了。”史密斯答道，“可是它只提到一个人。”
然后赫伯特简单地叙述了旅途中发生的事情，他详细地谈到在风暴正激烈的时候，俘虏突然变成水手的奇事，这说明他脑子里可能闪过什么念头。
“好，赫伯特，”工程师说，“你注意这件事很正确。这个不幸的人不是无法医治的，绝望把他变成这样，可是在这儿他遇见了他的同胞，他既然还有灵魂，我们就要挽救他的灵魂！”
他们把达抱岛上的遇难人从乘风破浪号的前仓里带了出来，工程师对他十分同情，而纳布则表示非常惊奇，刚上岸来，他就表现出有逃跑的意图。
可是赛勒斯.史密斯走过去，把一只手搁在他的肩膀上，样子显得非常威严，同时又以无限仁慈的目光看着他。这个可怜的人受了这种崇高感情的影响，马上就听从了，他逐渐安静下来，垂着眼睛，低下头，不再抗拒了。
“可怜的人！”工程师喃喃地说。
赛勒斯.史密斯长久地注视着他。单从外表来看，这个可怜的人已经完全不象个人了，然而也和通讯记者一样，史密斯发现他的眼睛里有一线不能用言语形容的智慧之光。
大家决定让这个遇难人，也就是陌生人——他的伙伴们从此都这么叫他——在“花岗石宫”里单独住一间房子，到那里他就逃不出去了。他们毫不困难地把他领到那里；经过细心的看护，也许有一天他会变成林肯岛上居民们的一个伙伴的。
通讯记者、赫伯特和潘克洛夫都饿得要死，纳布急忙准备早饭；在吃饭的时候，赛勒斯.史密斯详细地听他们讲述了到小岛探险的全部经过。他同意伙伴们的看法，陌生人不是英国人就是美国人，他们由“不……颠……”这个名字可以联想到这一点；此外，从浓密的胡须和纠结蓬松的头发里，工程师还能隐约认出盎格鲁——萨克逊人的特征。
“可是，”吉丁.史佩莱对赫伯特说，“你一直没有跟我们说，你是怎样遇到这个野蛮人的；我们什么都不知道，只知道如果不是我们及时赶去救你，你就要被他掐死了！”
“嗳呀，”赫伯特答道，“我也说不清那是怎么回事。我记得当时我正在搜集植物，忽然听见轰咚一声，好象有什么东西从大树上掉下来似的。我几乎还没来得及转身，这个不幸的人——他无疑是藏在一棵树上的——比我现在嘴说还要快，一下子就扑在我的身上了，要不是史佩莱先生和潘克洛夫……”
“我的孩子！”赛勒斯.史密斯说，“你冒了极大的危险；可是，如果没有这次冒险，这个可怜的人也许还隐藏着不让你们找到，我们就不会有一个新的伙伴了。”
“那么，赛勒斯，你打算把他重新变成人吗？”通讯记者问道。
“是的。”工程师回答说。
吃完早饭，史密斯和他的伙伴们走出“花岗石宫”，又回到海滩来了。他们在那里忙着把乘风破浪号上的东西搬下来，工程师把武器和工具仔细地看了一遍，但是在任何东西上也找不到能证明陌生人身份的痕迹。
大家都认为小岛上捉来的猪对林肯岛非常有用，他们把猪送进猪圈，它们很快就在那里安居下来了。
两桶弹药和几匣雷管也很受欢迎。大家一致同意，在“花岗石宫”的外边或是上面的石洞里建立一个小型火药库，这样就可以不必担心爆炸了。棉花火药还可以继续使用，它的效果非常好，没有理由因为有了普通火药就不要它。
卸完货物以后，潘克洛夫说：
“史密斯先生，为了谨慎起见，我想最好把我们的乘风破浪号放在一个妥当的地方。”
“把它放在慈悲河口不妥当吗？”赛勒斯.史密斯问道。
“不行，史密斯先生，”水手答道。“要是放在慈悲河口，就要有一半时间使搁在沙滩上，那是会受磨损的。你要知道，它是一艘上好的名船，我们回来的时候，一路上遭到那么大的风浪袭击，它还是航行得很稳当。”
“不能让它浮在河上吗？”
“当然可以，史密斯先生；可是那里没有东西遮蔽，一刮东风，我相乘风破浪号就要遭到波浪的冲击了。”
“那么，你打算把它放在哪儿呢，潘克洛夫？”
“放在气球港，”水手答道。“那条小河外面有岩石挡着，我看做我们的港口正合适。”
“不嫌太远吗？”
“不！离‘花岗石宫’才不过三英里，再说，我们又有一条平坦大道通到那儿！”
“就这么办吧，潘克洛夫，把你的乘风破浪号送到那儿去，”工程师说，“可是我总想把它放在邻近的地方，我们好照管它。等我们有空，一定要给它筑一个港口。”
“好极了！”潘克洛夫叫道。“筑一个有灯塔，有码头，有船坞的港口！啊！史密斯先生，和你在一起，真是什么都好办。”
“是的，勇敢的潘克洛夫，”工程师说，“可是有一个条件，那就是需要你大力帮助，因为在我们所有的工作里，你都能够一个人干三个人的活。”
于是赫伯特和水手重新上了乘风破浪号，他们拨起锚，扯起帆，一阵风把它飞快地吹向爪角去。两个钟头以后，它就停泊在气球港平静的水面上了。
陌生人住在“花岗石宫”里已经有好几天了，居民们有没有根据说他的野性子已经慢慢驯化了呢？在他蒙蔽了的心灵深处，已经燃起更亮的火焰了吗？简单地说，他的灵魂已经返回肉体了吗？
是的，回答是肯定的，而且情况发展得很快，赛勒斯.史密斯和通讯记者简直不相信这个不幸的人曾经有过完全丧失理智的时候。陌生人在露天里生活惯了，在达抱岛上无拘无束，自由自在，因此初来的时候总是一言不发非常生气，大家都怕他从“花岗石宫”的窗口跳到沙滩上去。后来他逐渐平静下来，大家也就随着让他有更多的自由了。
他们对他抱着希望，而且是很大的希望，这完全是有理由的。陌生人已经忘记了茹毛饮血的本性，开始吃一些比小岛上的食物稍微文明一些的营养品；他现在看见熟肉，也不象在乘风破浪号上时那样起反感了。赛勒斯.史密斯乘他睡着的时候，给他剪短了头发和乱蓬蓬的胡子，这些须发象鬃毛似的，使他的相貌显得更加野蛮。他那遮身的破布也换成比较合适的衣服了。由于大家的照料，陌生人初步恢复了人的模样，仿佛连他的眼睛也显得比较温和了。肯定地说，当他过去脸上罩着智慧的光芒时，一定是相当漂亮的。
史密斯每天总要们这个伙伴在一起呆上几个钟头，，他走到陌生人旁边来，进行各种各样的工作，吸引他的注意。的确，星星之火就可以照亮他的心，脑海中的一点回忆就可以勾起他的理智，在乘风破浪号上中途遇到风暴的时候，这一点已经得到证明了！此外，工程师在说话的时候还特地放开嗓子，以便通过听觉和视觉来打动他那麻痹的心灵。有时候这个伙伴，有时候那个，有时候全体都和他一起进行这种工作。他们谈的最多的是和航海有关的事情。一个水手听了这些事情一定会感到兴趣的。
陌生人对他们的谈话常常表示有些注意，居民们不久就相信，他听得懂一部分。有时候他显得非常苦闷，说明他精神上很痛苦，这是不会错的，因为从他的表情上可以看得出来；有好几次，他们觉得他几乎就要开口说话了，结果他还是没有说什么。不管怎么样，这个可怜的人总是非常沉默和忧郁！
然而他的沉默会不会仅仅是表面的呢？他的忧郁会不会仅仅是由于孤独所造成的呢，现在还不能肯定。在一定的环境里，成天只看见有限的东西，接触的总是这几个移民——不久他就要惯于和他们生活在一起了——什么都不缺少，吃得饱，穿得暖，在这种情况下，他的习惯自然会一天天改变的；然而，他是不是喜欢这种新生活？或者，换句对他更恰当的话来说，他是不是会象畜生对它的主人那样“驯服”，这是一个重要的问题。赛勒斯.史密斯急于得到答案，可是他又不愿意草率地对待他的病人（在他看来，这陌生人就是一个病人）！他能慢慢地复原吗？
工程师随时都注意着他！不妨这样说，他在等待他的灵魂出现，并且随时准备抓住它！居民们都衷心地关怀着史密斯诊疗的每一步骤。他们也帮助他进行这项人道主义的工作，不久以后，也许潘克洛夫还表示怀疑，其他的人都和工程师一样，满怀信心和希望了。
正如前面所说的那样，陌生人非常安静；他甚至对工程师表示依恋，显然，他已经感受到工程师的影响了，于是赛勒斯.史密斯决定对他进行一次试验，他常常注视着眼前的海洋，现在要把他从大海的面前带到森林的边缘去，也许这一片绿树会使他回忆起多年来自己生活的地方！
“可是，”吉丁.史佩莱说，“如果一旦让他自由，他不会逃跑吗？”
“这正是要试一试的。”工程师答道。
“好吧！”潘克洛夫说。“这个家伙出去以后，呼吸到新鲜空气，非撒开两腿逃走不可！”
“我不相信。”史密斯说。
“我们试试看。”史佩莱说。
“试试看吧。”工程师答道。
这是10月30日的事情，达抱岛上的遇难人在“花岗石宫”里已经被监禁了九天。这一天天气很暖和，阳光明朗地照耀在海岛上。赛勒斯.史密斯和潘克洛夫走到陌生人的房间里去，只见他靠窗口躺着，凝视着天空。
“来吧，朋友。”工程师对他说。
陌生人马上就起来了。他注视着赛勒斯.史密斯，并且跟着他走，水手随着他们，对于这次试验不抱什么希望。
走到门口，史密斯和潘克洛夫帮助他进入升降梯，这时纳布、赫伯特和吉丁.史佩莱已经在“花岗石宫”前面等着他们，升降梯下降了。几分钟以后，大家都集合在海滩上。
居民们走开了一些，让陌生人独自随便行动。
他向大海走了几步，容光顿时焕发起来，然而他一点也没有打算逃跑。他注视着被小岛隔断的、漫上沙滩来的一片细浪。
“这不过是海，”吉丁.史佩莱说，“看来这不会引起他逃跑的念头！”
“是的，”史密斯答道，“我们应该把他带到高地上的森林边缘去。在那里试验的结果就可以作为结论了。”
“他就是想跑也没法跑，”纳布说，“吊桥已经扯起来了。”
“呃！”潘克洛夫说，“这样的人是不在乎甘油河那样的小河的！他只要一跳，就能够过得去！”
“我们马上就可以知道了。”史密斯只是简单地说，他还是看着病人的眼睛。
于是陌生人被带到慈悲河口，大家爬上河的左岸，来到眺望岗上。
这里是森林的边缘，树木非常美丽，微风吹过，树叶微微有些摆动，他们来到这里，陌生人深深地呼了一口气，似乎贪婪地吸着大气里扑鼻的芬芳。
居民们紧跟在他的背后，随时防备着。如果他打算逃走，马上就可以把他抓住！
果然，这个可怜的人打算跳到他和森林之间的河流里去，一刹那间，他一蹲身，好象要纵身跳下去似的，可是几乎立刻又退了回来，在昏昏沉沉的状况中，一大颗泪珠从他的眼睛里掉下来了。
“啊！”赛勒斯.史密斯叫道，“你又变成人了，因为你能够流泪了！”
