not be imagined that because Harding and his companions spoke of these things, they were men to despair. Far from that. They looked their situation in the face, they analyzed the chances, they prepared themselves for any event, they stood firm before the future, and when adversity struck at them, it found them men prepared to struggle against it.
CHAPTER IX
THE PIRATE'S ATTACK
The convalescence of the young invalid was regularly progressing; and they desired much to bring him to Granite House. However well built and supplied the corral was, it could not be so comfortable as the healthy granite dwelling. Besides, it did not offer the same security, and its tenants, notwithstanding their watchfulness, were here always in fear of some shot from the convicts. There, on the contrary, in the middle of that impregnable and inaccessible cliff, they would have nothing to fear. They therefore waited impatiently for the moment when Herbert might be moved without danger from his wound, and they were determined to make this move, although the communication through Jacamar Wood was very difficult.
They had no news from Neb, but were not uneasy on that account. The courageous negro, well intrenched in Granite House, would not allow himself to be surprised. Top had not been sent again to him, as it appeared useless to expose the faithful dog to some shot which might deprive them of their most useful auxiliary.
They waited, therefore, although they were anxious to be reunited. It pained the engineer to see his forces divided, for it gave great advantage to the pirates. Since Ayrton's loss they were only four against five, for Herbert could not yet be counted. This worried the brave boy, who well understood the trouble of which he was the cause. The question how, in their condition, they were to act against the pirates, was thoroughly discussed on the 29th of November by Harding, Spilett, and Pencroft, at a moment when Herbert was asleep and could not hear them.
"My friends," said the reporter, after they had talked of Neb and of the impossibility of communicating with him,
