第181章

The night passed without any important change.Herbert was somewhat delirious, but the fever did not reappear in the night, and did not return either during the following day.

Pencroft again began to hope.Gideon Spilett said nothing.It might be that the fever was not quotidian, but tertian, and that it would return next day.Therefore, he awaited the next day with the greatest anxiety.

It might have been remarked besides that during this period Herbert remained utterly prostrate, his head weak and giddy.Another symptom alarmed the reporter to the highest degree.Herbert's liver became congested, and soon a more intense delirium showed that his brain was also affected.

Gideon Spilett was overwhelmed by this new complication.He took the engineer aside.

"It is a malignant fever," said he.

"A malignant fever!" cried Harding."You are mistaken, Spilett.Amalignant fever does not declare itself spontaneously; its germ must previously have existed.""I am not mistaken," replied the reporter."Herbert no doubt contracted the germ of this fever in the marshes of the island.He has already had one attack; should a second come on and should we not be able to prevent a third, he is lost.""But the willow bark?"

"That is insufficient," answered the reporter, "and the third attack of a malignant fever, which is not arrested by means of quinine, is always fatal."Fortunately, Pencroft heard nothing of this conversation or he would have gone mad.

It may be imagined what anxiety the engineer and the reporter suffered during the day of the 7th of December and the following night.

Towards the middle of the day the second attack came on.The crisis was terrible.Herbert felt himself sinking.He stretched his arms towards Cyrus Harding, towards Spilett, towards Pencroft.He was so young to die! The scene was heart-rending.They were obliged to send Pencroft away.

The fit lasted five hours.It was evident that Herbert could not survive a third.

The night was frightful.In his delirium Herbert uttered words which went to the hearts of his companions.He struggled with the convicts, he called to Ayrton, he poured forth entreaties to that mysterious being,--that powerful unknown protector,--whose image was stamped upon his mind; then he again fell into a deep exhaustion which completely prostrated him.Several times Gideon Spilett thought that the poor boy was dead.

The next day, the 8th of December, was but a succession of the fainting fits.Herbert's thin hands clutched the sheets.They had administered further doses of pounded bark, but the reporter expected no result from it.

"If before tomorrow morning we have not given him a more energetic febrifuge," said the reporter, "Herbert will be dead."Night arrived--the last night, it was too much to be feared, of the good, brave, intelligent boy, so far in advance of his years, and who was loved by all as their own child.The only remedy which existed against this terrible malignant fever, the only specific which could overcome it, was not to be found in Lincoln Island.

During the night of the 8th of December, Herbert was seized by a more violent delirium.His liver was fearfully congested, his brain affected, and already it was impossible for him to recognize any one.

Would he live until the next day, until that third attack which must infallibly carry him off? It was not probable.His strength was exhausted, and in the intervals of fever he lay as one dead.

Towards three o'clock in the morning Herbert uttered a piercing cry.He seemed to be torn by a supreme convulsion.Neb, who was near him, terrified, ran into the next room where his companions were watching.

Top, at that moment, barked in a strange manner.

All rushed in immediately and managed to restrain the dying boy, who was endeavoring to throw himself out of his bed, while Spilett, taking his arm, felt his pulse gradually quicken.

It was five in the morning.The rays of the rising sun began to shine in at the windows of Granite House.It promised to be a fine day, and this day was to be poor Herbert's last!

A ray glanced on the table placed near the bed.

Suddenly Pencroft, uttering a cry, pointed to the table.

On it lay a little oblong box, of which the cover bore these words:--"SULPHATE OF QUININE."