CHAPTER 18

Conversation—Cyrus Harding and Gideon Spilett—An idea of the engineer’s—The electric telegraph—The Wires—The battery—The alphabet—Fine season—Prosperity of the colony—Photography—An appearance of snow—Two years on Lincoln Island. “Poor man!” said Herbert, who had rushed to the door, but returned, having seen Ayrton slide down the rope on the lift and disappear in the darkness. “He will come back,” said Cyrus Harding. “Come, now, captain,” exclaimed Pencroft, “what does that mean? What! wasn’t it Ayrt…