# Top — The Mysterious Island character guide > Top in The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** XIII Top **First appearance:** 0001-i ## Snapshot Cyrus Smith's loyal dog, whose nose and bark turn a barren island into a place of discovery for five stranded men. ## Who they are Top belongs to Cyrus Smith, and after the balloon wreck he becomes the castaways' scout, tracking game and sniffing out what human eyes miss. His persistence is what leads the men to the torn balloon envelope snagged in a pine — shirts and cordage falling, as Pencroff jokes, from the trees. Without Top's instinct, the colonists' early survival on Lincoln Island would be far leaner, and his alertness keeps hinting that they are not as alone as they think. ## Relationships ### [Cyrus Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/cyrus_smith) _friendship_ Cyrus Smith and his dog Top share a deep, loyal partnership, with Top serving as a faithful companion and helper. ### [Neb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/neb) _friendship_ Neb and Top share a close, affectionate bond, with Top often following Neb and responding to his care. ### [Herbert Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/herbert_brown) _friendship_ Herbert and Top are playful companions, with the dog often accompanying the boy on explorations. ### [Pencroff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/pencroff) _friendship_ Pencroff treats Top as a useful and beloved member of the group, often working alongside the dog. ### [Cyrus Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/cyrus_smith) _friendship_ Cyrus Smith and his dog Top share a deep, loyal partnership, with Top serving as a faithful companion and helper. ### [Herbert Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/herbert_brown) _friendship_ Herbert and Top are playful companions, with the dog often accompanying the boy on explorations. ### [Neb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/neb) _friendship_ Neb and Top share a close, affectionate bond, with Top often following Neb and responding to his care. ### [Pencroff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/pencroff) _friendship_ Pencroff treats Top as a useful and beloved member of the group, often working alongside the dog. ### [Neb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/neb) _friendship_ Neb and Top share a close, affectionate bond, with Top often following Neb and responding to his care. ## In the story ### [The Hurricane of 1865](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/i) The dog in the balloon; barks and spots land, alerting the passengers. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/ii) Cyrus Smith's dog, who breaks his chain and leaps into the balloon basket just before departure. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/iii) Disappeared with Cyrus Smith after jumping into the water to rescue him. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/vii) Arrives alone at the Chimneys during the storm and guides the group to search for Cyrus Smith. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/viii) The dog is credited with rescuing Smith from the sea and guiding him to the cave. Smith praises Top for his instinct. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/ix) Accompanies the hunters into the forest, flushing out potential game. ### [The Ascent of the Volcano](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/x) Scouts ahead and is called back by Smith to avoid disturbing potential game. ### [Exploration of Lake Grant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xii) Explores ahead; catches and devours agoutis; does not bark at the suspicious smoke. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xiii) His steel collar is used to make two knives. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xv) Runs through the woods flushing game during the expedition. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xvi) Becomes agitated and dives into the lake, revealing the presence of a large aquatic animal. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xviii) Barks furiously at a deep well, alerting the colonists to something unknown. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xix) Learns to climb the rope ladder with Pencroff's training, sometimes carried up on the sailor's back. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxi) Assists in hunting birds in the swamp. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxv) Accompanies the party and retrieves game shot by Herbert. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxvii) Scouts ahead along the edge of the forest and barks furiously upon arrival at Granite House. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxviii) Remains on watch under the windows of Granite House and barks to alert the colonists of the monkeys' flight. ### [Winter Preparations and the Albatross Message](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxxiii) Barks strangely at the well, prompting Smith's investigation. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xxxix) Present as part of the colony but not specifically highlighted in this chapter. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xl) Accompanies Smith during explorations; growls near the pit but finds nothing. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xlii) Mentioned for his singular actions near the well, but shows no anxiety during winter. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xlv) Not mentioned in this chapter. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xlvii) Present during the artillery test. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xlix) Carries a message from the corral to Granite House and returns with Neb's reply. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/lii) Barks strangely during Herbert's crisis, alerting the colonists. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/liii) Bounded off into the grass; used as a skirmisher in thickets; participates in the expedition. ### [Exploration of Reptile End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/liv) Scouts ahead with Jup; breaks his fastening and barks furiously, leading the colonists to the convicts' bodies. ### [LXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/lxi) Shows extreme terror as the volcanic activity intensifies. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters/top - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/characters