The Mysterious Island

Chapter 41

What was now happening in their country? The picture of their native land

was always before their eyes, the land torn by civil war at the time they

left it, and which the Southern rebellion was perhaps still staining with

blood! It was a great sorrow to them, and they often talked together of

these things, without ever doubting however that the cause of the North

must triumph, for the honor of the American Confederation.

During these two years not a vessel had passed in sight of the island;

or, at least, not a sail had been seen. It was evident that Lincoln Island

was out of the usual track, and also that it was unknown,--as was besides

proved by the maps,--for though there was no port, vessels might have

visited it for the purpose of renewing their store of water. But the

surro