screw missing. I have looked at everything already, recognised
everything, handled everything. I guessed that the paddles were in the
two cases. And here you are once more! I have been looking for you in
the little cabin. I rang the bell. I was seeking for you. I said to
myself, 'Where is he, that I may devour him?' You must admit that
wonderful things do come to pass. He has brought back life to me.
_Tonnerre!_ you are an angel! Yes, yes; it is my engine. Nobody will
believe it; people will see it, and say, 'It can't be true.' Not a tap,
not a pin missing. The feed-pipe has never budged an inch. It is
incredible that there should have been no more damage. We have only to
put a little oil. But how did you accomplish it? To think that the
Durande will be moving again. The axle of the wheels must have been
taken to pieces by some watchmaker. Give me your word that I am not
crazy."

He sprang to his feet, breathed a moment, and continued:

"Assure me of that. What a revolution! I pinched myself to be certain I
was not dreaming. You are my child, you are my son, you are my
Providence. Brave lad! To go and fetch my good old engine. In the open
sea, among those cut-throat rocks. I have seen some strange things in my
life; nothing like that. I have known Parisians, who were veritable
demons, but I'll defy them to have done that. It beats the Bastille. I
have seen the _gauchos_ labouring in the _Pampas_, with a crooked branch
of a tree for a plough and a bundle of thorn-bushes for a harrow,
dragged by a leathern strap; they get harvests of wheat that way, with
grains as big as hedgenuts. But that is a trifle compared with your
feats. You have performed a miracle--a real one. Ah! _gredin!_ let me
hug you. How they will gossip in St. Sampson. I shall set to work at
once to build the boat. It is astonishing that the crank is all right.
Gentlemen, he has been to the Douvres; I say to the Douvres. He went
alone. The Douvres! I defy you to find a worse spot. Do you know, have
they told you, that it's proved that Clubin sent the Durande to the
bottom to swindle me out of money which he had to bring me? He made
Tangrouille drunk. It's a long story. I'll tell you another day of his
piratical tricks. I, stupid idiot, had confidence in Clubin. But he
trapped himself, the villain, for he couldn't have got away. There is a
God above, scoundrel! Do you see, Gilliatt, bang! bang! the irons in the
fire; we'll begin at once to rebuild the Dur