DURING this time,we had left the bright and transparent forest far behind us.We were mute with astonishment,overcome by a kind of feeling which was next door to apathy.We kept running in spite of ourselves.It was a perfect Right,which resembled one of those horrible sensations we sometimes meet with in our dreams.
Instinctively we made our way towards the Central Sea,and Icannot now tell what wild thoughts passed through my mind,nor of what follies I might have been guilty,but for a very serious preoccupation which brought me back to practical life.
Though I was aware that we were treading on a soil quite new to us,I,however,every now and then noticed certain aggregations of rock,the shape of which forcibly reminded me of those near Port Gretchen.
This confirmed,moreover,the indications of the compass and our extraordinary and unlooked-for,as well as involuntary,return to the north of this great Central Sea.It was so like our starting point,that I could scarcely doubt the reality of our position.
Streams and cascades fell in hundreds over the numerous projections of the rocks.
I actually thought I could see our faithful and monotonous Hans and the wonderful grotto in which I had come back to life after my tremendous fall.
Then,as we advanced still farther,the position of the cliffs,the appearance of a stream,the unexpected profile of a rock,threw me again into a state of bewildering doubt.
After some time,I explained my state of mental indecision to my uncle.He confessed to a similar feeling of hesitation.He was totally unable to make up his mind in the midst of this extraordinary but uniform panorama.
"There can be no doubt,"I insisted,"that we have not landed exactly at the place whence we first took our departure;but the tempest has brought us above our starting point.I think,therefore,that if we follow the coast we shall once more find Port Gretchen.""In that case,"cried my uncle,"it is useless to continue our exploration.The very best thing we can do is to make our way back to the raft.Are you quite sure,Harry,that you are not mistaken?""It is difficult,"was my reply,"to come to any decision,for all these rocks are exactly alike.There is no marked difference between them.At the same time,the impression on my mind is that Irecognize the promontory at the foot of which our worthy Hans constructed the raft.We are,I am nearly convinced,near the little port:if this be not it,"I added,carefully examining a creek which appeared singularly familiar to my mind.
"My dear Harry-if this were the case,we should find traces of our own footsteps,some signs of our passage;and I can really see nothing to indicate our having passed this way.""But I see something,"I cried,in an impetuous tone of voice,as I rushed forward and eagerly picked up something which shone in the sand under my feet.
"What is it?"cried the astonished and bewildered Professor.
"This,"was my reply.
And I handed to my startled relative a rusty dagger,of singular shape.
"What made you bring with you so useless a weapon?"he exclaimed.
"It was needlessly hampering yourself."