the air as if by the eruption of a volcano. The shock produced by the displacing of the air was such, that the rocks of the Chimneys shook. The settlers, although they were more than two miles from the mine, were thrown on the ground.
They rose, climbed the plateau, and ran towards the place where the bank of the lake must have been shattered by the explosion.
A cheer escaped them! A large rent was seen in the granite! A rapid stream of water rushed foaming across the plateau and dashed down a height of three hundred feet on to the beach!
CHAPTER XVIII
THE CREATURE OF THE UNDERWORLD
Cyrus Harding's project had succeeded, but, according to his usual habit, he showed no satisfaction; with closed lips and a fixed look, he remained motionless. Herbert was in ecstasies, Neb bounded with joy, Pencroft nodded his great head, murmuring, "Come, our engineer gets on capitally!"
The nitro-glycerine had indeed acted powerfully. The opening which it had made was so large that the volume of water which escaped through this new outlet was at least treble that which before passed through the old one. The result was, that a short time after the operation the level of the lake would be lowered two feet, or more. The settlers went to the Chimneys, to take some pickaxes, iron-tipped spears, string made of fibres, flint and steel; they then returned to the plateau, Top accompanying them.
On the way the sailor could not help saying to the engineer, "Don't you think, captain, that by means of that charming liquid you have made, one could blow up the whole of our island?
"Without any doubt, the island, continents, and the world itself," replied the engineer. "It is only a question of quantity."
"Then could you not use this nitro-glycerine for loading fire-arms?" asked the sailor.
