The two barrels, containing the powder and shot, as well as the box of caps, were very welcome. It was agreed to establish a small powder-magazine, either outside Granite House or in the Upper Cavern, where there would be no fear of explosion. However, the use of pyroxyle was to be continued, for this substance giving excellent results, there was no reason for substituting ordinary powder. When the unloading of the vessel was finished,-- "Captain," said Pencroft, "I think it would be prudent to put our _Bonadventure_ in a safe place." "Is she not safe at the mouth of the Mercy?" asked Cyrus Harding. "No, captain," replied the sailor. "Half of the time she is stranded on the sand, and that works her. She is a famous craft, you see, and she behaved admirably during the squall which struck us on our return." "Could she not float in the river?" "No doubt, captain, she could; but there is no shelter there, and in the east winds, I think that the _Bonadventure_ would suffer much from the surf." "Well, where would you put her, Pencroft?" "In Port Balloon," replied the sailor. "That little creek, shut in by rocks, seems to me to be just the harbour we want." "Is it not rather far?" "Pooh! it is not more than three miles from Granite House, and we have a fine straight road to take us there!" "Do it then, Pencroft, and take your _Bonadventure_ there," replied the engineer, "and yet I would rather have her under our more immediate protection. When we have time, we must make a little harbour for her." "Famous!" exclaimed Pencroft. "A harbour with a lighthouse, a pier, and a dock! Ah! really with you, captain, everything becomes easy." "Yes, my brave Pencroft," answered the engineer, "but on condition, however, that you help me, for you do as much as three men in all our work." Herbert and the sailor then re-embarked on board the _Bonadventure_, the anchor was weighed, the sail hoisted, and the wind drove her rapidly towards Claw Cape. Two hours after, she was reposing on the tranquil waters of Port Balloon. During the first days passed by the stranger in Granite House, had he already given them reason to think that his savage nature was becoming tamed? Did a brighter light burn in the depths of that obscured mind? In short, was the soul returning to the body? Yes, to a certainty, and to such a degree, that Cyrus Harding and the reporter wondered if the reason of the unfortunate man had ever been totally extinguished. At first, accustomed to the open air, to the unrestrained liberty which he had enjoyed on Tabor Island, the stranger manifested a sullen fury, and it was feared that he might throw himself on to the beach, out of one of the windows of Granite House. But gradually he became calmer, and more freedom was allowed to his movements.