Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Abandoned
Abandoned

Chapter XV

Cover illustration for Abandoned
Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The Return -- Discussion -- Cyrus Harding and the Stranger -- Port Balloon -- The Engineer's Devotion -- A touching Incident -- Tears flow.
The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.
Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.
"God be praised! there they are!" exclaimed Cyrus Harding.
As to Neb in his joy, he began to dance, to twirl round, clapping his hands and shouting, "Oh! my master!"
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Abandoned

Chapter XV

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The Return -- Discussion -- Cyrus Harding and the Stranger -- Port Balloon -- The Engineer's Devotion -- A touching Incident -- Tears flow.
Line 2
The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.
Line 3
Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.
Line 4
"God be praised! there they are!" exclaimed Cyrus Harding.
Line 5
As to Neb in his joy, he began to dance, to twirl round, clapping his hands and shouting, "Oh! my master!"

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As to Neb in his joy, he began to dance, to twirl round, clapping his hands and shouting, "Oh! my master!"”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “As to Neb in his joy, he began to dance, to twirl round, clapping his hands and shouting, "Oh! my master!"”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.”

Plateau noun US /plateau/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.”

All words in this reading · 85

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

20th

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The Return -- Discussion -- Cyrus Harding and the Stranger -- Port Balloon -- The Engineer's Devotion -- A touching Incident -- Tears flow.

absence

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The Return -- Discussion -- Cyrus Harding and the Stranger -- Port Balloon -- The Engineer's Devotion -- A touching Incident -- Tears flow.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading "God be praised! there they are!" exclaimed Cyrus Harding.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading As to Neb in his joy, he began to dance, to twirl round, clapping his hands and shouting, "Oh! my master!"

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.

bad

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

Balloon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Return -- Discussion -- Cyrus Harding and the Stranger -- Port Balloon -- The Engineer's Devotion -- A touching Incident -- Tears flow.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading "God be praised! there they are!" exclaimed Cyrus Harding.

beach

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.

become

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As to Neb in his joy, he began to dance, to twirl round, clapping his hands and shouting, "Oh! my master!"

Bonadventure

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.

caught

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

clapping

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As to Neb in his joy, he began to dance, to twirl round, clapping his hands and shouting, "Oh! my master!"

climbed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

companions

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

Cyrus

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Return -- Discussion -- Cyrus Harding and the Stranger -- Port Balloon -- The Engineer's Devotion -- A touching Incident -- Tears flow.

dance

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As to Neb in his joy, he began to dance, to twirl round, clapping his hands and shouting, "Oh! my master!"

day

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.

daybreak

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

days

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.

Devotion

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Return -- Discussion -- Cyrus Harding and the Stranger -- Port Balloon -- The Engineer's Devotion -- A touching Incident -- Tears flow.

Discussion

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Return -- Discussion -- Cyrus Harding and the Stranger -- Port Balloon -- The Engineer's Devotion -- A touching Incident -- Tears flow.

Engineer's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Return -- Discussion -- Cyrus Harding and the Stranger -- Port Balloon -- The Engineer's Devotion -- A touching Incident -- Tears flow.

exclaimed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "God be praised! there they are!" exclaimed Cyrus Harding.

flow

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Return -- Discussion -- Cyrus Harding and the Stranger -- Port Balloon -- The Engineer's Devotion -- A touching Incident -- Tears flow.

four

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.

gently

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.

glided

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.

God

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "God be praised! there they are!" exclaimed Cyrus Harding.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading As to Neb in his joy, he began to dance, to twirl round, clapping his hands and shouting, "Oh! my master!"

Harding

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Return -- Discussion -- Cyrus Harding and the Stranger -- Port Balloon -- The Engineer's Devotion -- A touching Incident -- Tears flow.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading As to Neb in his joy, he began to dance, to twirl round, clapping his hands and shouting, "Oh! my master!"

Heights

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading As to Neb in his joy, he began to dance, to twirl round, clapping his hands and shouting, "Oh! my master!"

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.

Incident

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Return -- Discussion -- Cyrus Harding and the Stranger -- Port Balloon -- The Engineer's Devotion -- A touching Incident -- Tears flow.

joy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As to Neb in his joy, he began to dance, to twirl round, clapping his hands and shouting, "Oh! my master!"

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

master

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As to Neb in his joy, he began to dance, to twirl round, clapping his hands and shouting, "Oh! my master!"

Mercy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.

mouth

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading As to Neb in his joy, he began to dance, to twirl round, clapping his hands and shouting, "Oh! my master!"

Neb

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.

o'clock

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.

October

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.

Oh

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As to Neb in his joy, he began to dance, to twirl round, clapping his hands and shouting, "Oh! my master!"

plateaunounUS /plateau/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

Port

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Return -- Discussion -- Cyrus Harding and the Stranger -- Port Balloon -- The Engineer's Devotion -- A touching Incident -- Tears flow.

praised

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "God be praised! there they are!" exclaimed Cyrus Harding.

prolonged

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

Prospect

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

Return

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Return -- Discussion -- Cyrus Harding and the Stranger -- Port Balloon -- The Engineer's Devotion -- A touching Incident -- Tears flow.

returning

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

round

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As to Neb in his joy, he began to dance, to twirl round, clapping his hands and shouting, "Oh! my master!"

seven

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.

shouting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As to Neb in his joy, he began to dance, to twirl round, clapping his hands and shouting, "Oh! my master!"

sight

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

Stranger

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Return -- Discussion -- Cyrus Harding and the Stranger -- Port Balloon -- The Engineer's Devotion -- A touching Incident -- Tears flow.

Tears

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Return -- Discussion -- Cyrus Harding and the Stranger -- Port Balloon -- The Engineer's Devotion -- A touching Incident -- Tears flow.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The Return -- Discussion -- Cyrus Harding and the Stranger -- Port Balloon -- The Engineer's Devotion -- A touching Incident -- Tears flow.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

there

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "God be praised! there they are!" exclaimed Cyrus Harding.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.

touching

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Return -- Discussion -- Cyrus Harding and the Stranger -- Port Balloon -- The Engineer's Devotion -- A touching Incident -- Tears flow.

twirl

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As to Neb in his joy, he began to dance, to twirl round, clapping his hands and shouting, "Oh! my master!"

uneasy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

up

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.

very

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

vessel

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

voyage

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The next day, the 20th of October, at seven o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of four days, the _Bonadventure_ gently glided up to the beach at the mouth of the Mercy.

weather

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Cyrus Harding and Neb, who had become very uneasy at the bad weather and the prolonged absence of their companions, had climbed at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect Heights, and they had at last caught sight of the vessel which had been so long in returning.