of January, when
the orbit of Gallia was being traversed at its perihelion, and were now
exposed to the depredations of many thousands of birds; and although
a goodly number of stacks attested the industry of Ben Zoof during
the time of the _Dobryna_'s voyage, it was only too apparent that the
portion of the harvest that remained ungathered was liable to the most
imminent risk of being utterly devoured. It was, perhaps, only natural
that this clustered mass of birds, as representing the whole of the
feathered tribe upon the surface of Gallia, should resort to Gourbi
Island, of which the meadows seemed to be the only spot from which they
could get sustenance at all; but as this sustenance would be obtained
at the expense, and probably to the serious detriment, of the human
population, it was absolutely necessary that every possible resistance
should be made to the devastation that was threatened.

Once satisfied that Servadac and his friends would cooperate with him in
the raid upon "the thieves," Ben Zoof became calm and content, and began
to make various inquiries. "And what has become," he said, "of all our
old comrades in Africa?"

"As far as I can tell you," answered the captain, "they are all in
Africa still; only Africa isn't by any means where we expected to find
it."

"And France? Montmartre?" continued Ben Zoof eagerly. Here was the cry
of the poor fellow's heart.

As briefly as he could, Servadac endeavored to explain the true
condition of things; he tried to communicate the fact that Paris,
France, Europe, nay, the whole world was more than eighty millions of
leagues away from Gourbi Island; as gently and cautiously as he could
he expressed his fear that they might never see Europe, France, Paris,
Montmartre again.

"No, no, sir!" protested Ben Zoof emphatically; "that is all nonsense.
It is altogether out of the question to suppose that we are not to see
Montmartre again." And the orderly shook his head resolutely, with the
air of a man determined, in spite of argument, to adhere to his own
opinion.

"Very good, my brave fellow," replied Servadac, "hope on, hope while you
may. The message has come to us over the sea, 'Never despair'; but one
thing, nevertheless, is certain; we must forthwith commence arrangements
for making this island our permanent home."

Captain Servadac now led the way to the gourbi, which, by his servant's
exertions, had been entirely rebuilt; and here he did the honors of his