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On the last President&#x27;s Day of Biden&#x27;s current term — in times when the country is perhaps its most fractious since the 1860s — documents from the National Archive revealed that Lincoln pardoned a Union army civilian employee named Moses J. Robinette, Biden&#x27;s great-great-grandfather.

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If you thought the world of Alex Garland&#x27;s upcoming thriller Civil War couldn&#x27;t get any more disturbing after its first trailer teased a country at violent odds with itself, the film&#x27;s new preview takes things one step further and, uh, blows up the Lincoln Memorial.

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Thunderstorms are bringing intense deluges to parts of New South Wales and Queensland, Cyclone Lincoln is likely to re-emerge off the north coast of Western Australia, while elevated fire danger will return to South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.

Another wild week of weather is in store for Australia, with potentially damaging consequences

Linc

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Abandoned by Jules Verne, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book . CHAPTER VII here CHAPTER VII Plans—A Bridge over the Mercy—Mode adopted for making an Island of Prospect Heights—The Drawbridge—Harvest—The Stream—The Poultry Yard—A Pigeon-house—The two Onagas—The Cart—Excursion to Port Balloon The settlers in Lincoln Island had now regained their dwelling, without having been obliged to reach it by the old opening, and were therefore spared the trouble of mason's work. It was certainly lucky, that at the moment they were about to set out to do so, the apes had been seized with that terror, no less sudden than inexplicable, which had driven them out of Granite House. Had the animals discovered that they were about to be attacked from another direction? This was the only explanation of their sudden retreat. During the day the bodies of the apes were carried into the wood, where they were buried; then the settlers busied themselves in repairing the disorder caused by the intruders, disorder but not damage, for although they had turned everything in the rooms topsy-turvy, yet they had broken nothing. Neb relighted his stove, and the stores in the larder furnished a substantial repast, to which all did ample justice. Jup was not forgotten, and he ate with relish some stone-pine almonds and rhizome roots, with which he was abundantly supplied. Pencroft had unfastened his arms, but judged it best to have his legs tied until they were more sure of his submission. Then, before retiring to rest, Harding and his companions seated round their table, discussed those plans, the execution of which was most pressing. The most important and most urgent was the establishment of a bridge over the Mercy, so as to form a communication with the southern part of the island and Granite House; then the making of an enclosure for the musmons or other woolly animals which they wished to capture. These two projects would help to solve the difficulty as to their clothing, which was now serious. The bridge would render easy the transport of the balloon case, which would furnish them with linen, and the inhabitants of the enclosure would yield wool which would supply them with winter clothes. As to the enclosure, it was Cyrus Harding's intention to establish it at the sources of the Red Creek, where the ruminants would find fresh and abundant pasture. The road between Prospect Heights and the sources of the stream was already partly beaten, and with a better cart than the first, the material could be easily conveyed to the spot, especially if they could manage to capture some animals to draw it. But though there might be no inconvenience in the enclosure being so far from Granite House, it would not be the same with the poultry-yard, to which Neb called the attention of the colonists. It was indeed necessary that the birds should be close within reach of the cook, and no place appeared more favourable for the establishment of the said poultry-yard than that portion of the banks of the lake which was close to the old opening. Water-birds would prosper there as well as others, and the couple of tinamous taken in their last excursion would be the first to be domesticated. The next day, the 3rd of November, the new works were begun by the construction of the bridge, and all hands were required for this important task. Saws, hatchets, and hammers were shouldered by the settlers, who, now transformed into carpenters, descended to the shore. There Pencroft observed,— "Suppose, that during our absence, Master Jup takes it into his head to draw up the ladder which he so politely returned to us yesterday?" "Let us tie its lower end down firmly," replied Cyrus Harding. This was done by means of two stakes securely fixed in the sand. Then the settlers, ascending the left bank of the Mercy, soon arrived at the angle formed by the river. There they halted, in order to ascertain if the bridge could be thrown across. The place appeared suitable. In fact, from this spot, to Port Balloon, discovered the day before on the southern coast, there was only a distance of three miles and a half, and from the bridge to the Port, it would be easy to make a good cart-road which would render the communication between Granite House and the south of the island extremely easy. Cyrus Harding now imparted to his companions a scheme for completely isolating Prospect Heights so as to shelter it from the attacks both of quadrupeds and quadrumana. In this way, Granite House, the Chimneys, the poultry-yard, and all the upper part of the plateau which was to be used for cultivation, would be protected against the depredations of animals. Nothing could be easier than to execute this project, and this is how the engineer intended to set to work. The plateau was already defended on three sides by watercourses, either artificial or natural. On the north-west, by the shores of Lake Grant, from the entrance of the passage to the breach made in the banks of the lake for the escape of the water. On the north, from this breach to the sea, by the new watercourse which had hollowed out a bed for itself across the plateau and shore, above and below the fall, and it would be enough to dig the bed of this creek a little deeper to make it impracticable for animals, on all the eastern border by the sea itself, from the mouth of the aforesaid creek to the mouth of the Mercy. Lastly on the south, from the mouth to the turn of the Mercy where the bridge was to be established. The western border of the plateau now remained between the turn of the river and the southern angle of the lake, a distance of about a mile, which was open to all comers. But nothing could be easier than to dig a broad deep ditch, which could be filled from the lake, and the overflow of which would throw itself by a rapid fall into the bed of the Mercy. The level of the lake would, no doubt, be somewhat lowered by this fresh discharge of its waters, but Cyrus Harding had ascertained that the volume of water in the Red Creek was considerable enough to allow of the execution of this project. "So then," added the engineer, "Prospect Heights will become a regular island, being surrounded with water on all sides, and only communicating with the rest of our domain by the bridge which we are about to throw across the Mercy, the two little bridges already established above and below the fall; and, lastly, two other little bridges which must be constructed, one over the canal which I propose to dig, the other across to the left bank of the Mercy. Now, if these bridges can be raised at will, Prospect Heights will be guarded from any surprise." The bridge was the most urgent work. Trees were selected, cut down, stripped of their branches, and cut into beams, joists, and planks. The end of the bridge which rested on the right bank of the Mercy was to be firm, but the other end on the left bank was to be movable, so that it might be raised by means of a counterpoise, as some canal bridges are managed. This was certainly a considerable work, and though it was skilfully conducted, it took some time, for the Mercy at this place was eighty feet wide. It was therefore necessary to fix piles in the bed of the river so as to sustain the floor of the bridge and establish a pile-driver to act on the tops of these piles, which would thus form two arches and allow the bridge to support heavy loads. Happily there was no want of tools with which to shape the wood, nor of iron-work to make it firm, nor of the ingenuity of a man who had a marvellous knowledge of the work, nor lastly, the zeal of his companions, who in seven months had necessarily acquired great skill in the use of their tools; and it must be said that not the least skillful was Gideon Spilett, who in dexterity almost equalled the sailor himself. "Who would ever have expected so much from a newspaper man!" thought Pencroft. The construction of the Mercy bridge lasted three weeks of regular hard work. They even breakfasted on the scene of their labours, and the weather being magnificent, they only returned to Granite House to sleep. During this period it may be stated that Master Jup grew more accustomed to his new masters, whose movements he always watched with very inquisitive eyes. However, as a precautionary measure, Pencroft did not as yet allow him complete liberty, rightly wishing to wait until the limits of the plateau should be settled by the projected works. Top and Jup were good friends and played willingly together, but Jup did everything solemnly. On the 20th of November the bridge was finished. The movable part, balanced by the counterpoise, swung easily, and only a slight effort was needed to raise it; between its hinge and the last cross-bar on which it rested when closed, there existed a space of twenty feet, which was sufficiently wide to prevent any animals from crossing. The settlers now began to talk of fetching the balloon-case, which they were anxious to place in perfect security; but to bring it, it would be necessary to take a cart to Port Balloon, and consequently, necessary to beat a road through the dense forests of the Far West. This would take some time. Also, Neb and Pencroft having gone to examine into the state of things at Port Balloon, and reported that the stock of cloth would suffer no damage in the grotto where it was stored, it was decided that the work at Prospect Heights should not be discontinued. "That," observed Pencroft, "will enable us to establish our poultry-yard under better conditions, since we need have no fear of visits from foxes nor the attacks of other beasts." "Then," added Neb, "we can clear the plateau, and transplant wild plants to it." "And prepare our second cornfield!" cried the sailor with a triumphant air. In fact, the first cornfield sown with a single grain had prospered admirably, thanks to Pencroft's care. It had produced the ten ears foretold by the engineer, and each ear containing eighty grains, the colony found itself in possession of eight hundred grains, in six months, which promised a double harvest each year. These eight hundred grains, except fifty, which were prudently reserved, were to be sown in a new field, but with no less care than was bestowed on the single grain. The field was prepared, then surrounded with a strong palisade, high and pointed, which quadrupeds would have found difficulty in leaping. As to birds, some scarecrows, due to Pencroft's ingenious brain, were enough to frighten them. The seven hundred and fifty grains, deposited in very regular furrows, were then left for nature to do the rest. On the 21st of November, Cyrus Harding began to plan the canal which was to close the plateau on the west, from the south angle of Lake Grant to the angle of the Mercy. There was there two or three feet of vegetable earth, and below that granite. It was therefore necessary to manufacture some more nitro glycerine, and the nitro glycerine did its accustomed work. In less than a fortnight a ditch twelve feet wide and six deep, was dug out in the hard ground of the plateau. A new trench was made by the same means in the rocky border of the lake forming a small stream, to which they gave the name of Creek Glycerine, and which was thus an affluent of the Mercy. As the engineer had predicted, the level of the lake was lowered, though very slightly. To complete the enclosure the bed of the stream on the beach was considerably enlarged, and the sand supported by means of stakes. By the end of the first fortnight of December these works were finished, and Prospect Heights—that is to say, a sort of irregular pentagon having a perimeter of nearly four miles, surrounded by a liquid belt—was completely protected from depredators of every description. During the month of December, the heat was very great. In spite of it however, the settlers continued their work, and as they were anxious to possess a poultry-yard they forthwith commenced it. It is useless to say that since the enclosing of the plateau had been completed, Master Jup had been set at liberty. He did not leave his masters, and evinced no wish to escape. He was a gentle animal, though very powerful and wonderfully active. He was already taught to make himself useful by drawing loads of wood and carting away the stones which were extracted from the bed of Creek Glycerine. The poultry yard occupied an area of two hundred square yards on the south eastern bank of the lake. It was surrounded by a palisade, and in it were constructed various shelters for the birds which were to populate it. These were simply built of branches and divided into compartments made ready for the expected guests. The first were the two tinamous, which were not long in having a number of young ones; they had for companions half a dozen ducks, accustomed to the borders of the lake. Some belonged to the Chinese species, of which the wings open like a fan, and which by the brilliancy of their plumage rival the golden pheasants. A few days afterwards, Herbert snared a couple of gallinaceæ, with spreading tails composed of long feathers, magnificent alectors, which soon became tame. As to pelicans, kingfishers, water-hens, they came of themselves to the shores of the poultry-yard, and this little community, after some disputes, cooing, screaming, clucking, ended by settling down peacefully, and increased in encouraging proportion for the future use of the colony. Cyrus Harding, wishing to complete his performance, established a pigeon-house in a corner of the poultry-yard. There he lodged a dozen of those pigeons which frequented the rocks of the plateau. These birds soon became accustomed to returning every evening to their new dwelling, and showed more disposition to domesticate themselves than their congeners, the wood-pigeons. Lastly, the time had come for turning the balloon-case to use, by cutting it up to make shirts and other articles; for as to keeping it in its present form, and risking themselves in a balloon filled with gas, above a sea of the limits of which they had no idea, it was not to be thought of. It was necessary to bring the case to Granite House, and the colonists employed themselves in rendering their heavy cart lighter and more manageable. But though they had a vehicle, the moving power was yet to be found. But did there not exist in the island some animal which might supply the place of the horse, ass, or ox? That was the question. "Certainly," said Pencroft, "a beast of burden would be very useful to us until the captain has made a steam cart, or even an engine, for some day we shall have a railroad from Granite House to Port Balloon, with a branch line to Mount Franklin!" One day, the 23rd of December, Neb and Top were heard shouting and barking, each apparently trying who could make the most noise. The settlers, who were busy at the Chimneys, ran, fearing some vexatious incident. What did they see? Two fine animals of a large size, who had imprudently ventured on the plateau, when the bridges were open. One would have said they were horses, or at least donkeys, male and female, of a fine shape, dove-coloured, the legs and tail white, striped with black on the head and neck. They advanced quietly without showing any uneasiness, and gazed at the men, in whom they could not as yet recognise their future masters. "These are onagas!" cried Herbert, "animals something between the zebra and the conaga!" "Why not donkeys?" asked Neb. "Because they have not long ears, and their shape is more graceful!" "Donkeys or horses," interrupted Pencroft, "they are 'moving powers,' as the captain would say, and as such must be captured!" The sailor, without frightening the animals, crept through the grass to the bridge over Creek Glycerine, lowered it, and the onagas were prisoners. Now, should they seize them with violence and master them by force? No. It was decided that for a few days they should be allowed to roam freely about the plateau, where there was an abundance of grass, and the engineer immediately began to prepare a stable near the poultry-yard, in which the onagas might find food, with a good litter, and shelter during the night. This done, the movements of the two magnificent creatures were left entirely free, and the settlers avoided even approaching them so as to terrify them. Several times, however, the onagas appeared to wish to leave the plateau, too confined for animals accustomed to the plains and forests. They were then seen following the water-barrier which everywhere presented itself before them, uttering short neighs, then galloping through the grass, and becoming calmer, they would remain entire hours gazing at the woods, from which they were cut off for ever! In the meantime harness of vegetable fibre had been manufactured, and some days after the capture of the onagas, not only the cart was ready, but a straight road, or rather a cutting, had been made through the forests of the Far West, from the angle of the Mercy to Port Balloon. The cart might then be driven there, and towards the end of December they tried the onagas for the first time. Pencroft had already coaxed the animals to come and eat out of his hand, and they allowed him to approach without making any difficulty, but once harnessed they reared and could with difficulty be held in. However it was not long before they submitted to this new service, for the onaga, being less refractory than the zebra, is frequently put in harness in the mountainous regions of Southern Africa, and it has even been acclimatised in Europe, under zones of a relative coolness. On this day all the colony, except Pencroft who walked at the animals' heads, mounted the cart, and set out on the road to Port Balloon. Of course they were jolted over the somewhat rough road, but the vehicle arrived without any accident, and was soon loaded with the case and rigging of the balloon. At eight o'clock that evening the cart, after passing over the Mercy bridge, descended the left bank of the river, and stopped on the beach. The onagas being unharnessed, were thence led to their stable, and Pencroft before going to sleep gave vent to his feelings in a deep sigh of satisfaction that awoke all the echoes of Granite House. About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Jules Verne (2010). Abandoned. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved October 2022 https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/33516/pg33516-images.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at , located at . www.gutenberg.org https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html

The settlers in Lincoln Island had now regained their dwelling

Abandoned by Jules Verne, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book . CHAPTER I here CHAPTER I Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet—Construction of a Canoe—Hunting—At the Top of a Kauri—Nothing to attest the Presence of Man—Neb and Herbert's Prize—Turning a Turtle—The Turtle disappears—Cyrus Harding's Explanation. It was now exactly seven months since the balloon voyagers had been thrown on Lincoln Island. During that time, notwithstanding the researches they had made, no human being had been discovered. No smoke even had betrayed the presence of man on the surface of the island. No vestiges of his handiwork showed that either at an early or at a late period had man lived there. Not only did it now appear to be uninhabited by any but themselves, but the colonists were compelled to believe that it never had been inhabited. And now, all this scaffolding of reasonings fell before a simple ball of metal, found in the body of an inoffensive rodent! In fact, this bullet must have issued from a firearm, and who but a human being could have used such a weapon? When Pencroft had placed the bullet on the table, his companions looked at it with intense astonishment. All the consequences likely to result from this incident, notwithstanding its apparent insignificance, immediately took possession of their minds. The sudden apparition of a supernatural being could not have startled them more completely. Cyrus Harding did not hesitate to give utterance to the suggestions which this fact, at once surprising and unexpected, could not fail to raise in his mind. He took the bullet, turned it over and over, rolled it between his finger and thumb; then, turning to Pencroft, he asked,— "Are you sure that the peccary wounded by this bullet was not more than three months old?" "Not more, captain," replied Pencroft. "It was still sucking its mother when I found it in the trap." "Well," said the engineer, "that proves that within three months a gun-shot was fired in Lincoln Island." "And that a bullet," added Gideon Spilett, "wounded, though not mortally, this little animal." "That is unquestionable," said Cyrus Harding, "and these are the deductions which must be drawn from this incident: that the island was inhabited before our arrival, or that men have landed here within three months. Did these men arrive here voluntarily or involuntarily, by disembarking on the shore or by being wrecked? This point can only be cleared up later. As to what they were, Europeans or Malays, enemies or friends of our race, we cannot possibly guess; and if they still inhabit the island, or if they have left it, we know not. But these questions are of too much importance to be allowed to remain long unsettled." "No! a hundred times no! a thousand times no!" cried the sailor, springing up from the table. "There are no other men than ourselves on Lincoln Island! By my faith! The island isn't large, and if it had been inhabited, we should have seen some of the inhabitants long before this!" "In fact, the contrary would be very astonishing," said Herbert. "But it would be much more astonishing, I should think," observed the reporter, "that this peccary should have been born with a bullet in its inside!" "At least," said Neb seriously, "if Pencroft has not had—" "Look here, Neb," burst out Pencroft. "Do you think I could have a bullet in my jaw for five or six months without finding it out? Where could it be hidden?" he asked opening his mouth to show the two-and-thirty teeth with which it was furnished. "Look well, Neb, and if you find one hollow tooth in this set, I will let you pull out half a dozen!" "Neb's supposition is certainly inadmissible," replied Harding, who, notwithstanding the gravity of his thoughts, could not restrain a smile. "It is certain that a gun has been fired in the island, within three months at most. But I am inclined to think that the people who landed on this coast were only here a very short time ago, or that they just touched here; for if, when we surveyed the island from the summit of Mount Franklin, it had been inhabited, we should have seen them or we should have been seen ourselves. It is therefore probable that within only a few weeks castaways have been thrown by a storm on some part of the coast. However that may be, it is of consequence to us to have this point settled." "I think that we should act with caution," said the reporter. "Such is my advice," replied Cyrus Harding, "for it is to be feared that Malay pirates have landed on the island!" "Captain," asked the sailor, "would it not be a good plan, before setting out, to build a canoe in which we could either ascend the river, or, if we liked, coast round the island? It will not do to be unprovided." "Your idea is good, Pencroft," replied the engineer, "but we cannot wait for that. It would take at least a month to build a boat." "Yes, a real boat," replied the sailor; "but we do not want one for a sea voyage, and in five days at the most, I will undertake to construct a canoe fit to navigate the Mercy." "Five days," cried Neb, "to build a boat?" "Yes, Neb; a boat in the Indian fashion." "Of wood?" asked the negro, looking still unconvinced. "Of wood," replied Pencroft, "or rather of bark. I repeat, captain, that in five days the work will be finished!" "In five days, then, be it," replied the engineer. "But till that time we must be very watchful," said Herbert. "Very watchful indeed, my friends," replied Harding; "and I beg you to confine your hunting excursions to the neighbourhood of Granite House." The dinner ended less gaily than Pencroft had hoped. So, then, the island was, or had been, inhabited by others than the settlers. Proved as it was by the incident of the bullet, it was hereafter an unquestionable fact, and such a discovery could not but cause great uneasiness amongst the colonists. Cyrus Harding and Gideon Spilett, before sleeping, conversed long about the matter. They asked themselves if by chance this incident might not have some connection with the inexplicable way in which the engineer had been saved, and the other peculiar circumstances which had struck them at different times. However Cyrus Harding, after having discussed the pros and cons of the question, ended by saying,— "In short, would you like to know my opinion, my dear Spilett?" "Yes, Cyrus." "Well, then, it is this: however minutely we explore the island, we shall find nothing." The next day Pencroft set to work. He did not mean to build a boat with boards and planking, but simply a flat-bottomed canoe, which would be well suited for navigating the Mercy—above all, for approaching its source, where the water would naturally be shallow. Pieces of bark, fastened one to the other, would form a light boat; and in case of natural obstacles, which would render a portage necessary, it would be easily carried. Pencroft intended to secure the pieces of bark by means of nails, to insure the canoe being water-tight. It was first necessary to select the trees which would afford a strong and supple bark for the work. Now the last storm had brought down a number of large birch trees, the bark of which would be perfectly suited for their purpose. Some of these trees lay on the ground, and they had only to be barked, which was the most difficult thing of all, owing to the imperfect tools which the settlers possessed. However, they overcame all difficulties. Whilst the sailor, seconded by the engineer, thus occupied himself without losing an hour, Gideon Spilett and Herbert were not idle. They were made purveyors to the colony. The reporter could not but admire the boy, who had acquired great skill in handling the bow and spear. Herbert also showed great courage and much of that presence of mind which may justly be called "the reasoning of bravery." These two companions of the chase, remembering Cyrus Harding's recommendations, did not go beyond a radius of two miles round Granite House; but the borders of the forest furnished a sufficient tribute of agouties, capybaras, kangaroos, peccaries, etc.; and if the result from the traps was less than during the cold, still the warren yielded its accustomed quota, which might have fed all the colony in Lincoln Island. Often during these excursions, Herbert talked with Gideon Spilett on the incident of the bullet, and the deductions which the engineer drew from it, and one day—it was the 26th of October—he said,— "But, Mr. Spilett, do you not think it very extraordinary that, if any castaways have landed on the island, they have not yet shown themselves near Granite House?" "Very astonishing if they are still here," replied the reporter, "but not astonishing at all if they are here no longer!" "So you think that these people have already quitted the island?" returned Herbert. "It is more than probable, my boy; for if their stay was prolonged, and above all, if they were still here, some accident would have at last betrayed their presence." "But if they were able to go away," observed the lad, "they could not have been castaways." "No, Herbert; or, at least, they were what might be called provisional castaways. It is very possible that a storm may have driven them to the island without destroying their vessel, and that, the storm over, they went away again." "I must acknowledge one thing," said Herbert, "it is that Captain Harding appears rather to fear than desire the presence of human beings on our island." "In short," responded the reporter, "there are only Malays who frequent these seas, and those fellows are ruffians which it is best to avoid." "It is not impossible, Mr. Spilett," said Herbert, "that some day or other we may find traces of their landing." "I do not say no, my boy. A deserted camp, the ashes of a fire, would put us on the track, and this is what we will look for in our next expedition." The day on which the hunters spoke thus, they were in a part of the forest near the Mercy, remarkable for its beautiful trees. There, among others, rose, to a height of nearly 200 feet above the ground, some of those superb coniferæ, to which, in New Zealand, the natives give the name of Kauris. "I have an idea, Mr. Spilett," said Herbert. "If I were to climb to the top of one of these kauris, I could survey the country for an immense distance round." "The idea is good," replied the reporter; "but could you climb to the top of those giants?" "I can at least try," replied Herbert. The light and active boy then sprang on the first branches, the arrangement of which made the ascent of the kauri easy, and in a few minutes he arrived at the summit, which emerged from the immense plain of verdure. From this elevated situation his gaze extended over all the southern portion of the island, from Claw Cape on the south-east, to Reptile End on the south-west. To the north-west rose Mount Franklin, which concealed a great part of the horizon. But Herbert, from the height of his observatory, could examine all the yet unknown portion of the island which might have given shelter to the strangers whose presence they suspected. The lad looked attentively. There was nothing in sight on the sea, not a sail, neither on the horizon nor near the island. However, as the bank of trees hid the shore, it was possible that a vessel, especially if deprived of her masts, might lie close to the land and thus be invisible to Herbert. Neither in the forests of the Far West was anything to be seen. The wood formed an impenetrable screen, measuring several square miles, without a break or an opening. It was impossible even to follow the course of the Mercy, or to ascertain in what part of the mountain it took its source. Perhaps other creeks also ran towards the west, but they could not be seen. But at last, if all indication of an encampment escaped Herbert's sight, could he not even catch a glimpse of smoke, the faintest trace of which would be easily discernible in the pure atmosphere? For an instant Herbert thought he could perceive a slight smoke in the west, but a more attentive examination showed that he was mistaken. He strained his eyes in every direction, and his sight was excellent. No, decidedly there was nothing there. Herbert descended to the foot of the kauri, and the two sportsmen returned to Granite House. There Cyrus Harding listened to the lad's account, shook his head and said nothing. It was very evident that no decided opinion could be pronounced on this question until after a complete exploration of the island. Two days after—the 28th of October—another incident occurred, for which an explanation was again required. Whilst strolling along the shore about two miles from Granite House, Herbert and Neb were fortunate enough to capture a magnificent specimen of the order of chelonia. It was a turtle of the species Midas, the edible green turtle, so called from the colour both of its shell and fat. Herbert caught sight of this turtle as it was crawling among the rocks to reach the sea. "Help, Neb, help!" he cried. Neb ran up. "What a fine animal!" said Neb; "but how are we to catch it?" "Nothing is easier, Neb," replied Herbert. "We have only to turn the turtle on its back, and it cannot possibly get away. Take your spear and do as I do." The reptile, aware of danger, had retired between its carapace and plastron. They no longer saw its head or feet, and it was motionless as a rock. Herbert and Neb then drove their sticks underneath the animal, and by their united efforts managed without difficulty to turn it on its back. The turtle, which was three feet in length, would have weighed at least four hundred pounds. "Capital!" cried Neb; "this is something which will rejoice friend Pencroft's heart." In fact, the heart of friend Pencroft could not fail to be rejoiced, for the flesh of the turtle, which feeds on wrack-grass, is extremely savoury. At this moment the creature's head could be seen, which was small, flat, but widened behind by the large temporal fossæ hidden under the long roof. "And now, what shall we do with our prize?" said Neb. "We can't drag it to Granite House!" "Leave it here, since it cannot turn over," replied Herbert, "and we will come back with the cart to fetch it." "That is the best plan." However, for greater precaution, Herbert took the trouble, which Neb deemed superfluous, to wedge up the animal with great stones, after which the two hunters returned to Granite House, following the beach, which the tide had left uncovered. Herbert, wishing to surprise Pencroft, said nothing about the "superb specimen of a chelonian" which they had turned over on the sand, but, two hours later, he and Neb returned with the cart to the place where they had left it. The "superb specimen of a chelonian" was no longer there! Neb and Herbert stared at each other first, then they stared about them. It was just at this spot that the turtle had been left. The lad even found the stones which he had used, and therefore he was certain of not being mistaken. "Well!" said Neb, "these beasts can turn themselves over, then?" "It appears so," replied Herbert, who could not understand it at all, and was gazing at the stones scattered on the sand. "Well, Pencroft will be disgusted!" "And Captain Harding will perhaps be very perplexed how to explain this disappearance" thought Herbert. "Look here," said Neb, who wished to hide his ill-luck, "we won't speak about it." "On the contrary, Neb we must speak about it," replied Herbert. And the two, taking the cart, which there was now no use for, returned to Granite House. Arrived at the dockyard, where the engineer and the sailor were working together Herbert recounted what had happened. "Oh! the stupids!" cried the sailor, "to have let at least fifty meals escape!" "But, Pencroft," replied Neb, "it wasn't our fault that the beast got away, as I tell you, we had turned it over on its back!" "Then you didn't turn it over enough!" returned the obstinate sailor. "Not enough!" cried Herbert. And he told how he had taken care to wedge up the turtle with stones. "It is a miracle, then!" replied Pencroft. "I thought, captain," said Herbert, "that turtles, once placed on their backs, could not regain their feet, especially when they are of a large size?" "That is true, my boy," replied Cyrus Harding. "Then how did it manage?" "At what distance from the sea did you leave this turtle?" asked the engineer, who, having suspended his work, was reflecting on this incident. "Fifteen feet at the most," replied Herbert. "And the tide was low at the time?" "Yes, captain." "Well," replied the engineer, "what the turtle could not do on the sand it might have been able to do in the water. It turned over when the tide overtook it, and then quietly returned to the deep sea." "Oh! what stupids we were!" cried Neb. "That is precisely what I had the honour of telling you before!" returned the sailor. Cyrus Harding had given this explanation, which, no doubt, was admissible. But was he himself convinced of the accuracy of this explanation? It cannot be said that he was. About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Jules Verne (2010). Abandoned. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved October 2022 https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/33516/pg33516-images.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at , located at . www.gutenberg.org https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html

Exactly seven months since the balloon voyagers had been thrown on Lincoln Island

Two years and a half since the castaways from the balloon had been thrown on Lincoln Island

When US President Abraham Lincoln stood on the battlefield on November 19, 1863, at the official dedication of the Soldiers National Cemetery (now called the Gettysburg National Cemetery) at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania., he delivered a short speech which expressed his belief that the Civil War was not just a fight to save the Union, but a struggle for freedom and equality for all. His short three-minute speech followed the long-winded orator and politician Edward Everett who allegedly spoke for a surely-dreadful two hours. Lincoln’s address, which appears to have undergone several revisions before his final delivered version, reads as follows: Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. The speech was handwritten and supposedly composed on the fly that same day. But what if Lincoln had had access to ChatGPT, the amazing artificial intelligence technology that can put together sentences based on a query? If Lincoln had access to ChatGPT to help him write speeches, it could potentially have made the process of speechwriting more efficient and effective. ChatGPT's ability to understand and respond to natural language input, as well as its extensive knowledge base, could have been used to assist Lincoln in researching and organizing his thoughts. Additionally, ChatGPT's ability to generate text based on a given prompt could have helped Lincoln to craft powerful and persuasive language for his speeches. However, it's worth noting that even with the help of AI, Lincoln's speeches were not only the product of his own intellect, analytical and oratory skills, but also the reflection of historical context, personal experience, and his mastery of rhetoric. By entering the following query into ChatGPT, the program rewrote the Gettysburg Address as if Lincoln himself had not written it, but rather a computer: “rewrite the gettysburg address as if it was written with artificial intelligence.” The program rewrote the speech, transforming it into a slightly more simple version of the original. Here is what ChatGPT produced: "Eighty-seven years ago, our forefathers founded a new nation, grounded in freedom and equality for all. We are currently engaged in a great civil war, testing the strength and endurance of that nation. I stand here on this sacred land to consecrate a portion of it as a final resting place for those who gave their lives for the nation's survival. It is appropriate that we do this. But on a larger scale, we cannot consecrate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot sanctify this land. The brave men, living and dead, who fought here, have consecrated it far beyond our ability to add or subtract. The world will not remember the words spoken here today, but it will never forget the sacrifices made here. It is our duty, the living, to continue the work that these brave men have begun, to honor their sacrifices by dedicating ourselves to the unfinished task that lies ahead. We pledge to renew our devotion to the cause for which they gave their last full measure of devotion, and to ensure that their sacrifices were not in vain. We vow that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this earth." Based on this interesting yet disappointing result, it is safe to say that it is a good thing Lincoln did not use AI to write his famed speech. His version is far better, more meaningful, and more memorable. AI today is mostly an assisting tool and not one that can develop thoughts or ideas that do not already exist on the internet. When it comes to writing a speech, use your own thoughts and experiences. As intelligent as they are, computers cannot and will not replicate the human mind. After all, computers are created by the people, for the people.

What if Abraham Lincoln Had Used ChatGPT?

HackerNoon Reporter: Please tell us briefly about your background. 10-years experience in media industry, 8+ years startup experience, worked with big brands like Google, Facebook, and Huawei. What's your startup called? And in a sentence or two, what does it do? Filmplace. We’re a marketplace that connects brands with unique locations. Just like AirBnB but for the film and media industry. What is the origin story? Filmplace was founded in 2019 to solve a global problem within the industry. Looking for a location for your videos or photos takes 4-7 days, and it cost tons. With Filmplace, you can secure locations within a matter of minutes and cut costs by over 80%! What do you love about your team, and why are you the ones to solve this problem? We are a global team that consists of me (CEO), my CTO (technology), CSO (strategy), CFO (Finance). On top of that, we have the head of partnership, business development, tech, community team. We are young and passionate about what we do and always hungry to strive for more. With this mindset, we can achieve higher and reach for the stars. If you weren’t building your startup, what would you be doing? That’s a good question. I believe many people will answer they will work for some company but for myself, I just couldn’t imagine not building my startup. I always have 101 ideas that may potentially change the world. (Many people who know me will agree) At the moment, how do you measure success? What are your core metrics? Success isn’t measured by numbers and metrics. Everyone has a different idea for success. As for myself, it would be building something that can excite everyone and at the same time, solving big problems globally. What’s most exciting about your traction to date? $0 cost per acquisition, but managed to get big brands that are already using Filmplace such as Tik Tok, Shopee, AirBnB, Microsoft, Dell, Warner Music, etc. What technologies are you currently most excited about, and most worried about? And why? Cybernetics. Can humans really live forever? Or will fully conscious AI take over humans one day? What drew you to get published on HackerNoon? What do you like most about our platform? Curiosity. Makes me feel like I’m in a global blackhat hacking community. (just kidding) What advice would you give to the 21-year-old version of yourself? Please continue to do what I do and never give up. And continue to defer military until you build something first. lol (every Singaporean male needs to serve 2 years) Filmplace was in Startups of the Year hosted by HackerNoon nominated as one of the best startups in Singapore

Lincoln Lin, Filmplace's Founder/CEO, on building the Airbnbs of filming locations

Explaining the Blockchain with Lincoln Logs

The Critical Role of Data Annotation in Shaping the Future of Generative AI

Крытычна важная роля анатацыі даных у фарміраванні будучыні генератыўнага ІІ

Критичната роля на анотирането на данни при оформянето на бъдещето на генериращия ИИ

Den kritiske rolle for dataannotering i at forme fremtiden for generativ AI

El papel fundamental de la anotación de datos en la configuración del futuro de la IA generativa

Le rôle crucial de l’annotation des données dans la définition de l’avenir de l’IA générative

Il ruolo critico dell'annotazione dei dati nel plasmare il futuro dell'intelligenza artificiale generativa

生成型 AI の未来を形作るデータ注釈の重要な役割

생성 AI의 미래를 형성하는 데 있어서 데이터 주석의 중요한 역할

Karolo ye Bohlokwa ya Tlhaloso ya Datha go Bopeng Bokamoso bja AI ya Tlhagišo

Rolul critic al adnotării datelor în modelarea viitorului IA generativă

Rozhodujúca úloha anotácie údajov pri formovaní budúcnosti generatívnej AI

Den kritiska rollen för datakommentarer i att forma framtiden för generativ AI

Thermodynamic Limits Around M-dwarf Stars: Acknowledgements

Overview Mastering the Art of Publication: A comprehensive guide outlining key criteria for evaluating publications, common recommendations for successful content creation, essential publication structure guidelines, and must-have chapters. Learn how to optimize your publications for engagement and readability while ensuring effective organization and categorization through tags. Criteria for Evaluating Publications Understanding the effectiveness of published works is paramount in today's digital landscape. Having posted numerous publications across seven different sites, I've identified several key criteria for determining the success and interest level of each publication: Number of Views: The total number of times the publication has been viewed is a primary indicator of its reach and impact.
Comments: Engaging comments indicate that the publication has sparked discussion and resonated with the audience.
Likes and Reposts: The number of likes and reposts reflects the level of appreciation and the desire to share the publication with others.
Savings into Bookmarks: When readers save the publication into their bookmarks, it suggests that they find the content valuable and wish to revisit it in the future. By assessing these metrics, I can gauge the effectiveness of each publication and tailor future content to better meet the interests and preferences of the audience. Common Recommendations Crafting compelling and impactful content requires adherence to certain guiding principles. When publishing, it's crucial to ensure that the content reads like a story rather than a mere collection of facts. It's immensely valuable to draw from personal experiences rather than relying solely on information gathered from books and online sources, avoiding mere reposts. Our content should reflect our own opinions, which might sometimes be provocative to stimulate discussion and even elicit strong reactions. For example, you can describe any pain points for yourself and for society. Additionally, the content should encourage readers to form their own opinions and engage in meaningful dialogue. Furthermore, it's important to be responsive to comments by addressing any questions or concerns raised. This interaction helps foster a sense of community and encourages further engagement with the content. Publication Structure A well-structured publication enhances readability and comprehension. So, when creating content, it is crucial to prioritize structure, especially for larger texts. The following guidelines should be adhered to: Paragraphs and Indentation: Ensure that paragraphs are used to maintain clear segmentation of ideas. Implement proper indentation to enhance readability.
Headings and Subheadings: Utilize headings and subheadings to organize content hierarchically. Limit heading levels to three for simplicity and clarity.
Lists: Integrate bulleted or numbered lists to present information concisely.
Chapter Order: Recognize the significance of the order of chapters, following the conventions of scientific documents. By adhering to these guidelines, your content will not only be well-structured but also enhance the overall readability and comprehension of the larger text. Must-Have Chapters Certain chapters serve as linchpins in the architecture of comprehensive documents. In any comprehensive document, the following chapters are essential: Headline: This chapter serves as the introduction, providing a concise and compelling overview of the document's main theme or purpose.
Overview: The overview chapter expands on the headline, offering a more detailed insight into the document's content, objectives, and key points.
Tags: In this chapter, relevant tags are included to categorize and label the document, aiding in searchability and organization.
Table of Contents: The table of contents chapter provides a structured outline of the document, listing its sections and subsections, guiding readers through the content. Ensuring the inclusion of these must-have chapters will contribute to the clarity, accessibility, and overall effectiveness of the document. Optional Chapters While some chapters are essential, others offer additional value and flexibility in content creation. I would like to note that the Alternative Headline, Definitions, Acronyms, Abbreviations, Introduction, and References chapters are optional. Generally, there is no need for a glossary. If there are terms that the reader may not know, please explain them where and when they are mentioned. "Headline" chapter The headline serves as the gateway to the publication, encapsulating its essence in a concise and compelling manner. I use ChatGPT to assist me in generating headlines. Therefore, I copy the entire content into ChatGPT and ask it to generate a headline. Please note that sometimes, it may require a few corrections because it might extract a headline based only on a part of the content and not the entire text. "Table of Contents" Chapter The table of contents provides readers with a structured overview of the publication's contents, facilitating navigation and comprehension. "Overview" Chapter The overview chapter typically offers a brief summary or introduction to the main topics covered in the document. It serves as a way to orient the reader and provide context before delving into more detailed information. Alternatively, this chapter is often referred to as TL;DR - too long; didn't read. Similar to the previous chapter, I use ChatGPT to help me generate the overview. Therefore, I copy the entire content into ChatGPT and ask it to generate an Overview. "Tags" Chapter Tags for text documents are keywords or labels assigned to the document to categorize or describe its content. Tags play a crucial role in categorizing and organizing content, enhancing searchability and discoverability. These tags aid in organizing and classifying documents, making them easier to search, filter, and retrieve later. I use these tags to include on the platform where I am publishing. Once more, I utilize ChatGPT to generate the tags. "Definitions, Acronyms, Abbreviations" Chapter Clarifying terminology is essential for enhancing reader comprehension and clarity. This chapter lists Definitions, Acronyms, and Abbreviations in the form of a table. It consists of 3 columns: Number: Indicates the row number.
Abbreviation or Acronym: The name of the Abbreviation or Acronym.
Definition: Explains the Abbreviation or Acronym. "References" Chapter Citing sources and references adds credibility and authority to the publication. It is recommended that links be included at the point of mention. Additionally, a separate chapter for references in the form of a table is desired. The table consists of 6 columns: Number: Indicates the row number.
Name: The name of the reference.
Source: The name of the resource where it is published.
Release Date: The date of release.
Author: The content creator.
Description: An additional field for details. Overview Mastering the Art of Publication: A comprehensive guide outlining key criteria for evaluating publications, common recommendations for successful content creation, essential publication structure guidelines, and must-have chapters. Learn how to optimize your publications for engagement and readability while ensuring effective organization and categorization through tags. Criteria for Evaluating Publications Understanding the effectiveness of published works is paramount in today's digital landscape. Having posted numerous publications across seven different sites, I've identified several key criteria for determining the success and interest level of each publication: Number of Views: The total number of times the publication has been viewed is a primary indicator of its reach and impact. Comments: Engaging comments indicate that the publication has sparked discussion and resonated with the audience. Likes and Reposts: The number of likes and reposts reflects the level of appreciation and the desire to share the publication with others. Savings into Bookmarks: When readers save the publication into their bookmarks, it suggests that they find the content valuable and wish to revisit it in the future. Number of Views : The total number of times the publication has been viewed is a primary indicator of its reach and impact. Number of Views Comments : Engaging comments indicate that the publication has sparked discussion and resonated with the audience. Comments Likes and Reposts : The number of likes and reposts reflects the level of appreciation and the desire to share the publication with others. Likes and Reposts Savings into Bookmarks : When readers save the publication into their bookmarks, it suggests that they find the content valuable and wish to revisit it in the future. Savings into Bookmarks By assessing these metrics, I can gauge the effectiveness of each publication and tailor future content to better meet the interests and preferences of the audience. Common Recommendations Crafting compelling and impactful content requires adherence to certain guiding principles. When publishing, it's crucial to ensure that the content reads like a story rather than a mere collection of facts. It's immensely valuable to draw from personal experiences rather than relying solely on information gathered from books and online sources, avoiding mere reposts. Our content should reflect our own opinions, which might sometimes be provocative to stimulate discussion and even elicit strong reactions. For example, you can describe any pain points for yourself and for society. Additionally, the content should encourage readers to form their own opinions and engage in meaningful dialogue. Furthermore, it's important to be responsive to comments by addressing any questions or concerns raised. This interaction helps foster a sense of community and encourages further engagement with the content. Publication Structure A well-structured publication enhances readability and comprehension. So, when creating content, it is crucial to prioritize structure, especially for larger texts. The following guidelines should be adhered to: Paragraphs and Indentation: Ensure that paragraphs are used to maintain clear segmentation of ideas. Implement proper indentation to enhance readability. Headings and Subheadings: Utilize headings and subheadings to organize content hierarchically. Limit heading levels to three for simplicity and clarity. Lists: Integrate bulleted or numbered lists to present information concisely. Chapter Order: Recognize the significance of the order of chapters, following the conventions of scientific documents. Paragraphs and Indentation: Ensure that paragraphs are used to maintain clear segmentation of ideas. Implement proper indentation to enhance readability. Headings and Subheadings: Utilize headings and subheadings to organize content hierarchically. Limit heading levels to three for simplicity and clarity. Lists: Integrate bulleted or numbered lists to present information concisely. Chapter Order: Recognize the significance of the order of chapters, following the conventions of scientific documents. By adhering to these guidelines, your content will not only be well-structured but also enhance the overall readability and comprehension of the larger text. Must-Have Chapters Certain chapters serve as linchpins in the architecture of comprehensive documents. In any comprehensive document, the following chapters are essential: Headline: This chapter serves as the introduction, providing a concise and compelling overview of the document's main theme or purpose. Overview: The overview chapter expands on the headline, offering a more detailed insight into the document's content, objectives, and key points. Tags: In this chapter, relevant tags are included to categorize and label the document, aiding in searchability and organization. Table of Contents: The table of contents chapter provides a structured outline of the document, listing its sections and subsections, guiding readers through the content. Headline: This chapter serves as the introduction, providing a concise and compelling overview of the document's main theme or purpose. Overview: The overview chapter expands on the headline, offering a more detailed insight into the document's content, objectives, and key points. Tags: In this chapter, relevant tags are included to categorize and label the document, aiding in searchability and organization. Table of Contents: The table of contents chapter provides a structured outline of the document, listing its sections and subsections, guiding readers through the content. Ensuring the inclusion of these must-have chapters will contribute to the clarity, accessibility, and overall effectiveness of the document. Optional Chapters While some chapters are essential, others offer additional value and flexibility in content creation. I would like to note that the Alternative Headline , Definitions, Acronyms, Abbreviations , Introduction, and References chapters are optional. Alternative Headline Definitions, Acronyms, Abbreviations Introduction, References Generally, there is no need for a glossary. If there are terms that the reader may not know, please explain them where and when they are mentioned. "Headline" chapter The headline serves as the gateway to the publication, encapsulating its essence in a concise and compelling manner. I use ChatGPT to assist me in generating headlines. Therefore, I copy the entire content into ChatGPT and ask it to generate a headline. Please note that sometimes, it may require a few corrections because it might extract a headline based only on a part of the content and not the entire text. ChatGPT ChatGPT "Table of Contents" Chapter The table of contents provides readers with a structured overview of the publication's contents, facilitating navigation and comprehension. "Overview" Chapter The overview chapter typically offers a brief summary or introduction to the main topics covered in the document. It serves as a way to orient the reader and provide context before delving into more detailed information. overview Alternatively, this chapter is often referred to as TL;DR - too long; didn't read . TL;DR too long; didn't read Similar to the previous chapter, I use ChatGPT to help me generate the overview. Therefore, I copy the entire content into ChatGPT and ask it to generate an Overview . ChatGPT ChatGPT Overview "Tags" Chapter Tags for text documents are keywords or labels assigned to the document to categorize or describe its content. Tags play a crucial role in categorizing and organizing content, enhancing searchability and discoverability. These tags aid in organizing and classifying documents, making them easier to search, filter, and retrieve later. Tags tags I use these tags to include on the platform where I am publishing. tags Once more, I utilize ChatGPT to generate the tags . ChatGPT tags "Definitions, Acronyms, Abbreviations" Chapter Clarifying terminology is essential for enhancing reader comprehension and clarity. This chapter lists Definitions , Acronyms , and Abbreviations in the form of a table. Definitions Acronyms Abbreviations It consists of 3 columns: Number: Indicates the row number. Abbreviation or Acronym: The name of the Abbreviation or Acronym. Definition: Explains the Abbreviation or Acronym. Number : Indicates the row number. Number Abbreviation or Acronym : The name of the Abbreviation or Acronym. Abbreviation or Acronym Definition : Explains the Abbreviation or Acronym. Definition "References" Chapter Citing sources and references adds credibility and authority to the publication. It is recommended that links be included at the point of mention. Additionally, a separate chapter for references in the form of a table is desired. The table consists of 6 columns: Number: Indicates the row number. Name: The name of the reference. Source: The name of the resource where it is published. Release Date: The date of release. Author: The content creator. Description: An additional field for details. Number : Indicates the row number. Number Name : The name of the reference. Name Source : The name of the resource where it is published. Source Release Date : The date of release. Release Date Author : The content creator. Author Description : An additional field for details. Description

Stories, News & Mentions about LINC

Linc’s Stories on HackerNoon

Linc's News & Mentions