\"WhereIdonotknow——whenIcannotsay;or,rather,Isupposeitwillendwhentheseseashavenothingmoretoteachus.\"
\"Thenwhatdoyouhopefor?\"demandedtheCanadian.
\"Thatcircumstancesmayoccuraswellsixmonthshenceasnowbywhichwemayandoughttoprofit.\"
\"Oh!\"saidNedLand,\"andwhereshallwebeinsixmonths,ifyouplease,SirNaturalist?\"
\"PerhapsinChina;youknowtheNautilusisarapidtraveller.
Itgoesthroughwaterasswallowsthroughtheair,orasanexpressontheland.Itdoesnotfearfrequentedseas;whocansaythatitmaynotbeatthecoastsofFrance,England,orAmerica,onwhichflightmaybeattemptedasadvantageouslyashere.\"
\"M.Aronnax,\"repliedtheCanadian,\"yourargumentsarerottenatthefoundation.Youspeakinthefuture,`Weshallbethere!
weshallbehere!\'Ispeakinthepresent,`Wearehere,andwemustprofitbyit.\'\"
NedLand\'slogicpressedmehard,andIfeltmyselfbeatenonthatground.
Iknewnotwhatargumentwouldnowtellinmyfavour.
\"Sir,\"continuedNed,\"letussupposeanimpossibility:
ifCaptainNemoshouldthisdayofferyouyourliberty;
wouldyouacceptit?\"
\"Idonotknow,\"Ianswered.
\"Andif,\"headded,\"theoffermadeyouthisdaywasnevertoberenewed,wouldyouacceptit?\"
\"FriendNed,thisismyanswer.Yourreasoningisagainstme.
WemustnotrelyonCaptainNemo\'sgood-will.Commonprudenceforbidshimtosetusatliberty.Ontheotherside,prudencebidsusprofitbythefirstopportunitytoleavetheNautilus.\"
\"Well,M.Aronnax,thatiswiselysaid.\"
\"Onlyoneobservation——justone.Theoccasionmustbeserious,andourfirstattemptmustsucceed;ifitfails,weshallneverfindanother,andCaptainNemowillneverforgiveus.\"
\"Allthatistrue,\"repliedtheCanadian.\"Butyourobservationappliesequallytoallattemptsatflight,whetherintwoyears\'
time,orintwodays\'.Butthequestionisstillthis:
Ifafavourableopportunitypresentsitself,itmustbeseized.\"
\"Agreed!Andnow,Ned,willyoutellmewhatyoumeanbyafavourableopportunity?\"
\"Itwillbethatwhich,onadarknight,willbringtheNautilusashortdistancefromsomeEuropeancoast.\"
\"Andyouwilltryandsaveyourselfbyswimming?\"
\"Yes,ifwewerenearenoughtothebank,andifthevesselwasfloatingatthetime.Notifthebankwasfaraway,andtheboatwasunderthewater.\"
\"Andinthatcase?\"
\"Inthatcase,Ishouldseektomakemyselfmasterofthepinnace.
Iknowhowitisworked.Wemustgetinside,andtheboltsoncedrawn,weshallcometothesurfaceofthewater,withouteventhepilot,whoisinthebows,perceivingourflight.\"
\"Well,Ned,watchfortheopportunity;butdonotforgetthatahitchwillruinus.\"
\"Iwillnotforget,sir.\"
\"Andnow,Ned,wouldyouliketoknowwhatIthinkofyourproject?\"
\"Certainly,M.Aronnax.\"
\"Well,Ithink——IdonotsayIhope——Ithinkthatthisfavourableopportunitywillneverpresentitself.\"
\"Whynot?\"
\"BecauseCaptainNemocannothidefromhimselfthatwehavenotgivenupallhopeofregainingourliberty,andhewillbeonhisguard,aboveall,intheseasandinthesightofEuropeancoasts.\"
\"Weshallsee,\"repliedNedLand,shakinghisheaddeterminedly.
\"Andnow,NedLand,\"Iadded,\"letusstophere.
Notanotherwordonthesubject.Thedaythatyouareready,comeandletusknow,andwewillfollowyou.
Irelyentirelyuponyou.\"
Thusendedaconversationwhich,atnoverydistanttime,ledtosuchgraveresults.Imustsayherethatfactsseemedtoconfirmmyforesight,totheCanadian\'sgreatdespair.
DidCaptainNemodistrustusinthesefrequentedseas?ordidheonlywishtohidehimselffromthenumerousvessels,ofallnations,whichploughedtheMediterranean?
Icouldnottell;butwewereoftenerbetweenwatersandfarfromthecoast.Or,iftheNautilusdidemerge,nothingwastobeseenbutthepilot\'scage;andsometimesitwenttogreatdepths,for,betweentheGrecianArchipelagoandAsiaMinorwecouldnottouchthebottombymorethanathousandfathoms.
ThusIonlyknewwewereneartheIslandofCarpathos,oneoftheSporades,byCaptainNemorecitingtheselinesfromVirgil:
\"EstCarpathioNeptunigurgitevates,CaeruleusProteus,\"
ashepointedtoaspotontheplanisphere.
ItwasindeedtheancientabodeofProteus,theoldshepherdofNeptune\'sflocks,nowtheIslandofScarpanto,situatedbetweenRhodesandCrete.
Isawnothingbutthegranitebasethroughtheglasspanelsofthesaloon.
Thenextday,the14thofFebruary,IresolvedtoemploysomehoursinstudyingthefishesoftheArchipelago;butforsomereasonorotherthepanelsremainedhermeticallysealed.UpontakingthecourseoftheNautilus,IfoundthatweweregoingtowardsCandia,theancientIsleofCrete.
AtthetimeIembarkedontheAbrahamLincoln,thewholeofthisislandhadrisenininsurrectionagainstthedespotismoftheTurks.
ButhowtheinsurgentshadfaredsincethattimeIwasabsolutelyignorant,anditwasnotCaptainNemo,deprivedofalllandcommunications,whocouldtellme.
ImadenoallusiontothiseventwhenthatnightIfoundmyselfalonewithhiminthesaloon.Besides,heseemedtobetaciturnandpreoccupied.
Then,contrarytohiscustom,heorderedbothpanelstobeopened,and,goingfromonetotheother,observedthemassofwatersattentively.
TowhatendIcouldnotguess;so,onmyside,Iemployedmytimeinstudyingthefishpassingbeforemyeyes.
Inthemidstofthewatersamanappeared,adiver,carryingathisbeltaleathernpurse.Itwasnotabodyabandonedtothewaves;
itwasalivingman,swimmingwithastronghand,disappearingoccasionallytotakebreathatthesurface.
IturnedtowardsCaptainNemo,andinanagitatedvoiceexclaimed:
\"Amanshipwrecked!Hemustbesavedatanyprice!\"
TheCaptaindidnotanswerme,butcameandleanedagainstthepanel.
Themanhadapproached,and,withhisfaceflattenedagainsttheglass,waslookingatus.
Tomygreatamazement,CaptainNemosignedtohim.
Thediveransweredwithhishand,mountedimmediatelytothesurfaceofthewater,anddidnotappearagain.
\"Donotbeuncomfortable,\"saidCaptainNemo.\"ItisNicholasofCapeMatapan,surnamedPesca.HeiswellknowninalltheCyclades.
Abolddiver!waterishiselement,andhelivesmoreinitthanonland,goingcontinuallyfromoneislandtoanother,evenasfarasCrete.\"
\"Youknowhim,Captain?\"
\"Whynot,M.Aronnax?\"
Sayingwhich,CaptainNemowenttowardsapieceoffurniturestandingneartheleftpanelofthesaloon.Nearthispieceoffurniture,Isawachestboundwithiron,onthecoverofwhichwasacopperplate,bearingthecypheroftheNautiluswithitsdevice.
Atthatmoment,theCaptain,withoutnoticingmypresence,openedthepieceoffurniture,asortofstrongbox,whichheldagreatmanyingots.
Theywereingotsofgold.Fromwhencecamethispreciousmetal,whichrepresentedanenormoussum?WheredidtheCaptaingatherthisgoldfrom?andwhatwashegoingtodowithit?
Ididnotsayoneword.Ilooked.CaptainNemotooktheingotsonebyone,andarrangedthemmethodicallyinthechest,whichhefilledentirely.
Iestimatedthecontentsatmorethan4,000lb.weightofgold,thatistosay,nearlyL200,000.
Thechestwassecurelyfastened,andtheCaptainwroteanaddressonthelid,incharacterswhichmusthavebelongedtoModernGreece.
Thisdone,CaptainNemopressedaknob,thewireofwhichcommunicatedwiththequartersofthecrew.Fourmenappeared,and,notwithoutsometrouble,pushedthechestoutofthesaloon.ThenIheardthemhoistingituptheironstaircasebymeansofpulleys.
Atthatmoment,CaptainNemoturnedtome.
\"Andyouweresaying,sir?\"saidhe.
\"Iwassayingnothing,Captain.\"
\"Then,sir,ifyouwillallowme,Iwillwishyougoodnight.\"
Whereuponheturnedandleftthesaloon.
Ireturnedtomyroommuchtroubled,asonemaybelieve.
Ivainlytriedtosleep——Isoughttheconnectinglinkbetweentheapparitionofthediverandthechestfilledwithgold.
Soon,IfeltbycertainmovementsofpitchingandtossingthattheNautiluswasleavingthedepthsandreturningtothesurface.
ThenIheardstepsupontheplatform;andIknewtheywereunfasteningthepinnaceandlaunchingituponthewaves.
ForoneinstantitstruckthesideoftheNautilus,thenallnoiseceased.
Twohoursafter,thesamenoise,thesamegoingandcomingwasrenewed;
theboatwashoistedonboard,replacedinitssocket,andtheNautilusagainplungedunderthewaves.
Sothesemillionshadbeentransportedtotheiraddress.
Towhatpointofthecontinent?WhowasCaptainNemo\'scorrespondent?
ThenextdayIrelatedtoConseilandtheCanadiantheeventsofthenight,whichhadexcitedmycuriositytothehighestdegree.
Mycompanionswerenotlesssurprisedthanmyself.
\"Butwheredoeshetakehismillionsto?\"askedNedLand.
Tothattherewasnopossibleanswer.Ireturnedtothesaloonafterhavingbreakfastandsettowork.Tillfiveo\'clockintheeveningIemployedmyselfinarrangingmynotes.
Atthatmoment——(oughtItoattributeittosomepeculiaridiosyncrasy)——
IfeltsogreataheatthatIwasobligedtotakeoffmycoat.
Itwasstrange,forwewereunderlowlatitudes;andeventhentheNautilus,submergedasitwas,oughttoexperiencenochangeoftemperature.
Ilookedatthemanometer;itshowedadepthofsixtyfeet,towhichatmosphericheatcouldneverattain.
Icontinuedmywork,butthetemperaturerosetosuchapitchastobeintolerable.
\"Couldtherebefireonboard?\"Iaskedmyself.
Iwasleavingthesaloon,whenCaptainNemoentered;heapproachedthethermometer,consultedit,and,turningtome,said:
\"Forty-twodegrees.\"
\"Ihavenoticedit,Captain,\"Ireplied;\"andifitgetsmuchhotterwecannotbearit.\"
\"Oh,sir,itwillnotgetbetterifwedonotwishit.\"
\"Youcanreduceitasyouplease,then?\"
\"No;butIcangofartherfromthestovewhichproducesit.\"
\"Itisoutward,then!\"
\"Certainly;wearefloatinginacurrentofboilingwater.\"
\"Isitpossible!\"Iexclaimed.
\"Look.\"
Thepanelsopened,andIsawtheseaentirelywhiteallround.
Asulphuroussmokewascurlingamidthewaves,whichboiledlikewaterinacopper.Iplacedmyhandononeofthepanesofglass,buttheheatwassogreatthatIquicklytookitoffagain.
\"Wherearewe?\"Iasked.
\"NeartheIslandofSantorin,sir,\"repliedtheCaptain.
\"Iwishedtogiveyouasightofthecuriousspectacleofasubmarineeruption.\"
\"Ithought,\"saidI,\"thattheformationofthesenewislandswasended.\"
\"Nothingiseverendedinthevolcanicpartsofthesea,\"
repliedCaptainNemo;\"andtheglobeisalwaysbeingworkedbysubterraneanfires.Already,inthenineteenthyearofourera,accordingtoCassiodorusandPliny,anewisland,Theia(thedivine),appearedintheveryplacewheretheseisletshaverecentlybeenformed.Thentheysankunderthewaves,toriseagainintheyear69,whentheyagainsubsided.
SincethattimetoourdaysthePlutonianworkhasbeensuspended.
Butonthe3rdofFebruary,1866,anewisland,whichtheynamedGeorgeIsland,emergedfromthemidstofthesulphurousvapournearNeaKamenni,andsettledagainthe6thofthesamemonth.
Sevendaysafter,the13thofFebruary,theIslandofAphroessaappeared,leavingbetweenNeaKamennianditselfacanaltenyardsbroad.Iwasintheseseaswhenthephenomenonoccurred,andIwasablethereforetoobserveallthedifferentphases.
TheIslandofAphroessa,ofroundform,measured300feetindiameter,and30feetinheight.Itwascomposedofblackandvitreouslava,mixedwithfragmentsoffelspar.
Andlastly,onthe10thofMarch,asmallerisland,calledReka,showeditselfnearNeaKamenni,andsincethenthesethreehavejoinedtogether,formingbutoneandthesameisland.\"
\"Andthecanalinwhichweareatthismoment?\"Iasked.
\"Hereitis,\"repliedCaptainNemo,showingmeamapoftheArchipelago.
\"Yousee,Ihavemarkedthenewislands.\"
Ireturnedtotheglass.TheNautiluswasnolongermoving,theheatwasbecomingunbearable.Thesea,whichtillnowhadbeenwhite,wasred,owingtothepresenceofsaltsofiron.
Inspiteoftheship\'sbeinghermeticallysealed,aninsupportablesmellofsulphurfilledthesaloon,andthebrilliancyoftheelectricitywasentirelyextinguishedbybrightscarletflames.
Iwasinabath,Iwaschoking,Iwasbroiled.
\"Wecanremainnolongerinthisboilingwater,\"saidItotheCaptain.
\"Itwouldnotbeprudent,\"repliedtheimpassiveCaptainNemo.
Anorderwasgiven;theNautilustackedaboutandleftthefurnaceitcouldnotbravewithimpunity.Aquarterofanhourafterwewerebreathingfreshaironthesurface.
Thethoughtthenstruckmethat,ifNedLandhadchosenthispartoftheseaforourflight,weshouldneverhavecomealiveoutofthisseaoffire.
Thenextday,the16thofFebruary,weleftthebasinwhich,betweenRhodesandAlexandria,isreckonedabout1,500fathomsindepth,andtheNautilus,passingsomedistancefromCerigo,quittedtheGrecianArchipelagoafterhavingdoubledCapeMatapan.
CHAPTERVII
THEMEDITERRANEANINFORTY-EIGHTHOURS
TheMediterranean,theblueseaparexcellence,\"thegreatsea\"
oftheHebrews,\"thesea\"oftheGreeks,the\"marenostrum\"
oftheRomans,borderedbyorange-trees,aloes,cacti,andsea-pines;
embalmedwiththeperfumeofthemyrtle,surroundedbyrudemountains,saturatedwithpureandtransparentair,butincessantlyworkedbyundergroundfires;aperfectbattlefieldinwhichNeptuneandPlutostilldisputetheempireoftheworld!
Itisuponthesebanks,andonthesewaters,saysMichelet,thatmanisrenewedinoneofthemostpowerfulclimatesoftheglobe.
But,beautifulasitwas,Icouldonlytakearapidglanceatthebasinwhosesuperficialareaistwomillionofsquareyards.
EvenCaptainNemo\'sknowledgewaslosttome,forthispuzzlingpersondidnotappearonceduringourpassageatfullspeed.
IestimatedthecoursewhichtheNautilustookunderthewavesoftheseaataboutsixhundredleagues,anditwasaccomplishedinforty-eighthours.Startingonthemorningofthe16thofFebruaryfromtheshoresofGreece,wehadcrossedtheStraitsofGibraltarbysunriseonthe18th.
ItwasplaintomethatthisMediterranean,enclosedinthemidstofthosecountrieswhichhewishedtoavoid,wasdistastefultoCaptainNemo.
Thosewavesandthosebreezesbroughtbacktoomanyremembrances,ifnottoomanyregrets.Herehehadnolongerthatindependenceandthatlibertyofgaitwhichhehadwhenintheopenseas,andhisNautilusfeltitselfcrampedbetweenthecloseshoresofAfricaandEurope.
Ourspeedwasnowtwenty-fivemilesanhour.ItmaybewellunderstoodthatNedLand,tohisgreatdisgust,wasobligedtorenouncehisintendedflight.Hecouldnotlaunchthepinnace,goingattherateoftwelveorthirteenyardseverysecond.
ToquittheNautilusundersuchconditionswouldbeasbadasjumpingfromatraingoingatfullspeed——animprudentthing,tosaytheleastofit.Besides,ourvesselonlymountedtothesurfaceofthewavesatnighttorenewitsstockofair;
itwassteeredentirelybythecompassandthelog.
IsawnomoreoftheinteriorofthisMediterraneanthanatravellerbyexpresstrainperceivesofthelandscapewhichfliesbeforehiseyes;
thatistosay,thedistanthorizon,andnotthenearerobjectswhichpasslikeaflashoflightning.
WewerethenpassingbetweenSicilyandthecoastofTunis.
InthenarrowspacebetweenCapeBonandtheStraitsofMessinathebottomofthesearosealmostsuddenly.
Therewasaperfectbank,onwhichtherewasnotmorethanninefathomsofwater,whilstoneithersidethedepthwasninetyfathoms.
TheNautilushadtomanoeuvreverycarefullysoasnottostrikeagainstthissubmarinebarrier.
IshowedConseil,onthemapoftheMediterranean,thespotoccupiedbythisreef.
\"Butifyouplease,sir,\"observedConseil,\"itislikearealisthmusjoiningEuropetoAfrica.\"
\"Yes,myboy,itformsaperfectbartotheStraitsofLybia,andthesoundingsofSmithhaveprovedthatinformertimesthecontinentsbetweenCapeBocoandCapeFurinawerejoined.\"
\"Icanwellbelieveit,\"saidConseil.
\"Iwilladd,\"Icontinued,\"thatasimilarbarrierexistsbetweenGibraltarandCeuta,whichingeologicaltimesformedtheentireMediterranean.\"
\"Whatifsomevolcanicburstshouldonedayraisethesetwobarriersabovethewaves?\"
\"Itisnotprobable,Conseil.\"
\"Well,butallowmetofinish,please,sir;ifthisphenomenonshouldtakeplace,itwillbetroublesomeforM.Lesseps,whohastakensomuchpainstopiercetheisthmus.\"
\"Iagreewithyou;butIrepeat,Conseil,thisphenomenonwillneverhappen.Theviolenceofsubterraneanforceiseverdiminishing.
Volcanoes,soplentifulinthefirstdaysoftheworld,arebeingextinguishedbydegrees;theinternalheatisweakened,thetemperatureofthelowerstrataoftheglobeisloweredbyaperceptiblequantityeverycenturytothedetrimentofourglobe,foritsheatisitslife.\"
\"Butthesun?\"
\"Thesunisnotsufficient,Conseil.Canitgiveheattoadeadbody?\"
\"NotthatIknowof.\"
\"Well,myfriend,thisearthwillonedaybethatcoldcorpse;
itwillbecomeuninhabitableanduninhabitedlikethemoon,whichhaslongsincelostallitsvitalheat.\"
\"Inhowmanycenturies?\"
\"Insomehundredsofthousandsofyears,myboy.\"
\"Then,\"saidConseil,\"weshallhavetimetofinishourjourney——
thatis,ifNedLanddoesnotinterferewithit.\"
AndConseil,reassured,returnedtothestudyofthebank,whichtheNautiluswasskirtingatamoderatespeed.
Duringthenightofthe16thand17thFebruarywehadenteredthesecondMediterraneanbasin,thegreatestdepthofwhichwas1,450fathoms.
TheNautilus,bytheactionofitscrew,sliddowntheinclinedplanesandburieditselfinthelowestdepthsofthesea.
Onthe18thofFebruary,aboutthreeo\'clockinthemorning,wewereattheentranceoftheStraitsofGibraltar.Thereonceexistedtwocurrents:
anupperone,longsincerecognised,whichconveysthewatersoftheoceanintothebasinoftheMediterranean;andalowercounter-current,whichreasoninghasnowshowntoexist.Indeed,thevolumeofwaterintheMediterranean,incessantlyaddedtobythewavesoftheAtlanticandbyriversfallingintoit,wouldeachyearraisethelevelofthissea,foritsevaporationisnotsufficienttorestoretheequilibrium.
Asitisnotso,wemustnecessarilyadmittheexistenceofanunder-current,whichemptiesintothebasinoftheAtlanticthroughtheStraitsofGibraltarthesurpluswatersoftheMediterranean.Afactindeed;
anditwasthiscounter-currentbywhichtheNautilusprofited.
Itadvancedrapidlybythenarrowpass.ForoneinstantIcaughtaglimpseofthebeautifulruinsofthetempleofHercules,buriedintheground,accordingtoPliny,andwiththelowislandwhichsupportsit;andafewminuteslaterwewerefloatingontheAtlantic.
CHAPTERVIII
VIGOBAY
TheAtlantic!avastsheetofwaterwhosesuperficialareacoverstwenty-fivemillionsofsquaremiles,thelengthofwhichisninethousandmiles,withameanbreadthoftwothousandsevenhundred——
anoceanwhoseparallelwindingshoresembraceanimmensecircumference,wateredbythelargestriversoftheworld,theSt.Lawrence,theMississippi,theAmazon,thePlata,theOrinoco,theNiger,theSenegal,theElbe,theLoire,andtheRhine,whichcarrywaterfromthemostcivilised,aswellasfromthemostsavage,countries!
Magnificentfieldofwater,incessantlyploughedbyvesselsofeverynation,shelteredbytheflagsofeverynation,andwhichterminatesinthosetwoterriblepointssodreadedbymariners,CapeHornandtheCapeofTempests.
TheNautiluswaspiercingthewaterwithitssharpspur,afterhavingaccomplishednearlytenthousandleaguesinthreemonthsandahalf,adistancegreaterthanthegreatcircleoftheearth.
Wherewerewegoingnow,andwhatwasreservedforthefuture?
TheNautilus,leavingtheStraitsofGibraltar,hadgonefarout.
Itreturnedtothesurfaceofthewaves,andourdailywalksontheplatformwererestoredtous.
Imountedatonce,accompaniedbyNedLandandConseil.
Atadistanceofabouttwelvemiles,CapeSt.Vincentwasdimlytobeseen,formingthesouth-westernpointoftheSpanishpeninsula.Astrongsoutherlygalewasblowing.
Theseawasswollenandbillowy;itmadetheNautilusrockviolently.
Itwasalmostimpossibletokeepone\'sfootontheplatform,whichtheheavyrollsoftheseabeatovereveryinstant.
Sowedescendedafterinhalingsomemouthfulsoffreshair.
Ireturnedtomyroom,Conseiltohiscabin;buttheCanadian,withapreoccupiedair,followedme.OurrapidpassageacrosstheMediterraneanhadnotallowedhimtoputhisprojectintoexecution,andhecouldnothelpshowinghisdisappointment.
Whenthedoorofmyroomwasshut,hesatdownandlookedatmesilently.
\"FriendNed,\"saidI,\"Iunderstandyou;butyoucannotreproachyourself.
TohaveattemptedtoleavetheNautilusunderthecircumstanceswouldhavebeenfolly.\"
NedLanddidnotanswer;hiscompressedlipsandfrowningbrowshowedwithhimtheviolentpossessionthisfixedideahadtakenofhismind.
\"Letussee,\"Icontinued;\"weneednotdespairyet.
WearegoingupthecoastofPortugalagain;FranceandEnglandarenotfaroff,wherewecaneasilyfindrefuge.
NowiftheNautilus,onleavingtheStraitsofGibraltar,hadgonetothesouth,ifithadcarriedustowardsregionswheretherewerenocontinents,Ishouldshareyouruneasiness.
ButweknownowthatCaptainNemodoesnotflyfromcivilisedseas,andinsomedaysIthinkyoucanactwithsecurity.\"
NedLandstilllookedatmefixedly;atlengthhisfixedlipsparted,andhesaid,\"Itisforto-night.\"
Idrewmyselfupsuddenly.Iwas,Iadmit,littlepreparedforthiscommunication.IwantedtoanswertheCanadian,butwordswouldnotcome.
\"Weagreedtowaitforanopportunity,\"continuedNedLand,\"andtheopportunityhasarrived.ThisnightweshallbebutafewmilesfromtheSpanishcoast.Itiscloudy.
Thewindblowsfreely.Ihaveyourword,M.Aronnax,andI
relyuponyou.\"
AsIwassilent,theCanadianapproachedme.
\"To-night,atnineo\'clock,\"saidhe.\"IhavewarnedConseil.
AtthatmomentCaptainNemowillbeshutupinhisroom,probablyinbed.
Neithertheengineersnortheship\'screwcanseeus.
ConseilandIwillgainthecentralstaircase,andyou,M.Aronnax,willremaininthelibrary,twostepsfromus,waitingmysignal.
Theoars,themast,andthesailareinthecanoe.Ihaveevensucceededingettingsomeprovisions.IhaveprocuredanEnglishwrench,tounfastentheboltswhichattachittotheshelloftheNautilus.
Soallisready,tillto-night.\"
\"Theseaisbad.\"
\"ThatIallow,\"repliedtheCanadian;\"butwemustriskthat.
Libertyisworthpayingfor;besides,theboatisstrong,andafewmileswithafairwindtocarryusisnogreatthing.
Whoknowsbutbyto-morrowwemaybeahundredleaguesaway?
Letcircumstancesonlyfavourus,andbytenoreleveno\'clockweshallhavelandedonsomespotofterrafirma,aliveordead.
Butadieunowtillto-night.\"
WiththesewordstheCanadianwithdrew,leavingmealmostdumb.
Ihadimaginedthat,thechancegone,Ishouldhavetimetoreflectanddiscussthematter.Myobstinatecompanionhadgivenmenotime;and,afterall,whatcouldIhavesaidtohim?
NedLandwasperfectlyright.Therewasalmosttheopportunitytoprofitby.CouldIretractmyword,andtakeuponmyselftheresponsibilityofcompromisingthefutureofmycompanions?
To-morrowCaptainNemomighttakeusfarfromallland.
Atthatmomentaratherloudhissingnoisetoldmethatthereservoirswerefilling,andthattheNautiluswassinkingunderthewavesoftheAtlantic.
AsaddayIpassed,betweenthedesireofregainingmylibertyofactionandofabandoningthewonderfulNautilus,andleavingmysubmarinestudiesincomplete.
WhatdreadfulhoursIpassedthus!Sometimesseeingmyselfandcompanionssafelylanded,sometimeswishing,inspiteofmyreason,thatsomeunforeseencircumstance,wouldpreventtherealisationofNedLand\'sproject.
TwiceIwenttothesaloon.Iwishedtoconsultthecompass.
IwishedtoseeifthedirectiontheNautiluswastakingwasbringingusnearerortakingusfartherfromthecoast.
Butno;theNautiluskeptinPortuguesewaters.
Imustthereforetakemypartandprepareforflight.
Myluggagewasnotheavy;mynotes,nothingmore.
AstoCaptainNemo,Iaskedmyselfwhathewouldthinkofourescape;
whattrouble,whatwrongitmightcausehimandwhathemightdoincaseofitsdiscoveryorfailure.CertainlyIhadnocausetocomplainofhim;
onthecontrary,neverwashospitalityfreerthanhis.InleavinghimIcouldnotbetaxedwithingratitude.Nooathboundustohim.
Itwasonthestrengthofcircumstancesherelied,andnotuponourword,tofixusforever.
IhadnotseentheCaptainsinceourvisittotheIslandofSantorin.
Wouldchancebringmetohispresencebeforeourdeparture?
Iwishedit,andIfeareditatthesametime.IlistenedifIcouldhearhimwalkingtheroomcontiguoustomine.Nosoundreachedmyear.
Ifeltanunbearableuneasiness.Thisdayofwaitingseemedeternal.
Hoursstrucktooslowlytokeeppacewithmyimpatience.
Mydinnerwasservedinmyroomasusual.Iatebutlittle;
Iwastoopreoccupied.Ileftthetableatseveno\'clock.A
hundredandtwentyminutes(Icountedthem)stillseparatedmefromthemomentinwhichIwastojoinNedLand.
Myagitationredoubled.Mypulsebeatviolently.
Icouldnotremainquiet.Iwentandcame,hopingtocalmmytroubledspiritbyconstantmovement.Theideaoffailureinourboldenterprisewastheleastpainfulofmyanxieties;
butthethoughtofseeingourprojectdiscoveredbeforeleavingtheNautilus,ofbeingbroughtbeforeCaptainNemo,irritated,or(whatwasworse)saddened,atmydesertion,mademyheartbeat.
Iwantedtoseethesaloonforthelasttime.Idescendedthestairsandarrivedinthemuseum,whereIhadpassedsomanyusefulandagreeablehours.
Ilookedatallitsriches,allitstreasures,likeamanontheeveofaneternalexile,whowasleavingnevertoreturn.
ThesewondersofNature,thesemasterpiecesofart,amongstwhichforsomanydaysmylifehadbeenconcentrated,Iwasgoingtoabandonthemforever!
IshouldliketohavetakenalastlookthroughthewindowsofthesaloonintothewatersoftheAtlantic:butthepanelswerehermeticallyclosed,andacloakofsteelseparatedmefromthatoceanwhichIhadnotyetexplored.
Inpassingthroughthesaloon,IcamenearthedoorletintotheanglewhichopenedintotheCaptain\'sroom.
Tomygreatsurprise,thisdoorwasajar.Idrewbackinvoluntarily.
IfCaptainNemoshouldbeinhisroom,hecouldseeme.
But,hearingnosound,Idrewnearer.Theroomwasdeserted.
Ipushedopenthedoorandtooksomestepsforward.Stillthesamemonklikeseverityofaspect.
Suddenlytheclockstruckeight.Thefirstbeatofthehammeronthebellawokemefrommydreams.Itrembledasifaninvisibleeyehadplungedintomymostsecretthoughts,andIhurriedfromtheroom.
Theremyeyefelluponthecompass.Ourcoursewasstillnorth.
Thelogindicatedmoderatespeed,themanometeradepthofaboutsixtyfeet.
Ireturnedtomyroom,clothedmyselfwarmly——seaboots,anotterskincap,agreatcoatofbyssus,linedwithsealskin;
Iwasready,Iwaswaiting.Thevibrationofthescrewalonebrokethedeepsilencewhichreignedonboard.
Ilistenedattentively.WouldnoloudvoicesuddenlyinformmethatNedLandhadbeensurprisedinhisprojectedflight.
Amortaldreadhungoverme,andIvainlytriedtoregainmyaccustomedcoolness.
Atafewminutestonine,IputmyeartotheCaptain\'sdoor.
Nonoise.Ileftmyroomandreturnedtothesaloon,whichwashalfinobscurity,butdeserted.
Iopenedthedoorcommunicatingwiththelibrary.
Thesameinsufficientlight,thesamesolitude.
Iplacedmyselfnearthedoorleadingtothecentralstaircase,andtherewaitedforNedLand\'ssignal.
Atthatmomentthetremblingofthescrewsensiblydiminished,thenitstoppedentirely.Thesilencewasnowonlydisturbedbythebeatingsofmyownheart.Suddenlyaslightshockwasfelt;
andIknewthattheNautilushadstoppedatthebottomoftheocean.
Myuneasinessincreased.TheCanadian\'ssignaldidnotcome.
IfeltinclinedtojoinNedLandandbegofhimtoputoffhisattempt.
Ifeltthatwewerenotsailingunderourusualconditions.
Atthismomentthedoorofthelargesaloonopened,andCaptainNemoappeared.Hesawme,andwithoutfurtherpreamblebeganinanamiabletoneofvoice:
\"Ah,sir!Ihavebeenlookingforyou.DoyouknowthehistoryofSpain?\"
Now,onemightknowthehistoryofone\'sowncountrybyheart;
butintheconditionIwasatthetime,withtroubledmindandheadquitelost,Icouldnothavesaidawordofit.
\"Well,\"continuedCaptainNemo,\"youheardmyquestion!
DoyouknowthehistoryofSpain?\"
\"Veryslightly,\"Ianswered.
\"Well,herearelearnedmenhavingtolearn,\"saidtheCaptain.
\"Come,sitdown,andIwilltellyouacuriousepisodeinthishistory.
Sir,listenwell,\"saidhe;\"thishistorywillinterestyouononeside,foritwillansweraquestionwhichdoubtlessyouhavenotbeenabletosolve.\"
\"Ilisten,Captain,\"saidI,notknowingwhatmyinterlocutorwasdrivingat,andaskingmyselfifthisincidentwasbearingonourprojectedflight.
\"Sir,ifyouhavenoobjection,wewillgobackto1702.Youcannotbeignorantthatyourking,LouisXIV,thinkingthatthegestureofapotentatewassufficienttobringthePyreneesunderhisyoke,hadimposedtheDukeofAnjou,hisgrandson,ontheSpaniards.
ThisprincereignedmoreorlessbadlyunderthenameofPhilipV,andhadastrongpartyagainsthimabroad.Indeed,theprecedingyear,theroyalhousesofHolland,Austria,andEnglandhadconcludedatreatyofallianceattheHague,withtheintentionofpluckingthecrownofSpainfromtheheadofPhilipV,andplacingitonthatofanarchduketowhomtheyprematurelygavethetitleofCharlesIII.
\"Spainmustresistthiscoalition;butshewasalmostentirelyunprovidedwitheithersoldiersorsailors.However,moneywouldnotfailthem,providedthattheirgalleons,ladenwithgoldandsilverfromAmerica,onceenteredtheirports.Andabouttheendof1702theyexpectedarichconvoywhichFrancewasescortingwithafleetoftwenty-threevessels,commandedbyAdmiralChateau-Renaud,fortheshipsofthecoalitionwerealreadybeatingtheAtlantic.ThisconvoywastogotoCadiz,buttheAdmiral,hearingthatanEnglishfleetwascruisinginthosewaters,resolvedtomakeforaFrenchport.
\"TheSpanishcommandersoftheconvoyobjectedtothisdecision.
TheywantedtobetakentoaSpanishport,and,ifnottoCadiz,intoVigoBay,situatedonthenorthwestcoastofSpain,andwhichwasnotblocked.
\"AdmiralChateau-Renaudhadtherashnesstoobeythisinjunction,andthegalleonsenteredVigoBay.
\"Unfortunately,itformedanopenroadwhichcouldnotbedefendedinanyway.Theymustthereforehastentounloadthegalleonsbeforethearrivalofthecombinedfleet;
andtimewouldnothavefailedthemhadnotamiserablequestionofrivalrysuddenlyarisen.
\"Youarefollowingthechainofevents?\"askedCaptainNemo.
\"Perfectly,\"saidI,notknowingtheendproposedbythishistoricallesson.
\"Iwillcontinue.Thisiswhatpassed.ThemerchantsofCadizhadaprivilegebywhichtheyhadtherightofreceivingallmerchandisecomingfromtheWestIndies.Now,todisembarktheseingotsattheportofVigowasdeprivingthemoftheirrights.TheycomplainedatMadrid,andobtainedtheconsentoftheweak-mindedPhilipthattheconvoy,withoutdischargingitscargo,shouldremainsequesteredintheroadsofVigountiltheenemyhaddisappeared.
\"Butwhilstcomingtothisdecision,onthe22ndofOctober,1702,theEnglishvesselsarrivedinVigoBay,whenAdmiralChateau-Renaud,inspiteofinferiorforces,foughtbravely.
But,seeingthatthetreasuremustfallintotheenemy\'shands,heburntandscuttledeverygalleon,whichwenttothebottomwiththeirimmenseriches.\"
CaptainNemostopped.IadmitIcouldnotseeyetwhythishistoryshouldinterestme.
\"Well?\"Iasked.
\"Well,M.Aronnax,\"repliedCaptainNemo,\"weareinthatVigoBay;
anditrestswithyourselfwhetheryouwillpenetrateitsmysteries.\"
TheCaptainrose,tellingmetofollowhim.Ihadhadtimetorecover.
Iobeyed.Thesaloonwasdark,butthroughthetransparentglassthewavesweresparkling.Ilooked.
ForhalfamilearoundtheNautilus,thewatersseemedbathedinelectriclight.Thesandybottomwascleanandbright.
Someoftheship\'screwintheirdiving-dresseswereclearingawayhalf-rottenbarrelsandemptycasesfromthemidstoftheblackenedwrecks.
Fromthesecasesandfromthesebarrelsescapedingotsofgoldandsilver,cascadesofpiastresandjewels.Thesandwasheapedupwiththem.
Ladenwiththeirpreciousbooty,themenreturnedtotheNautilus,disposedoftheirburden,andwentbacktothisinexhaustiblefisheryofgoldandsilver.
Iunderstoodnow.Thiswasthesceneofthebattleofthe22ndofOctober,1702.HereonthisveryspotthegalleonsladenfortheSpanishGovernmenthadsunk.HereCaptainNemocame,accordingtohiswants,topackupthosemillionswithwhichheburdenedtheNautilus.
ItwasforhimandhimaloneAmericahadgivenupherpreciousmetals.
Hewasheirdirect,withoutanyonetoshare,inthosetreasurestornfromtheIncasandfromtheconqueredofFerdinandCortez.
\"Didyouknow,sir,\"heasked,smiling,\"thattheseacontainedsuchriches?\"
\"Iknew,\"Ianswered,\"thattheyvaluemoneyheldinsuspensioninthesewatersattwomillions.\"
\"Doubtless;buttoextractthismoneytheexpensewouldbegreaterthantheprofit.Here,onthecontrary,Ihavebuttopickupwhatmanhaslost——andnotonlyinVigoBay,butinathousandotherportswhereshipwreckshavehappened,andwhicharemarkedonmysubmarinemap.
CanyouunderstandnowthesourceofthemillionsIamworth?\"
\"Iunderstand,Captain.ButallowmetotellyouthatinexploringVigoBayyouhaveonlybeenbeforehandwitharivalsociety.\"
\"Andwhich?\"
\"AsocietywhichhasreceivedfromtheSpanishGovernmenttheprivilegeofseekingthoseburiedgalleons.
Theshareholdersareledonbytheallurementofanenormousbounty,fortheyvaluetheserichshipwrecksatfivehundredmillions.\"
\"Fivehundredmillionstheywere,\"answeredCaptainNemo,\"buttheyaresonolonger.\"
\"Justso,\"saidI;\"andawarningtothoseshareholderswouldbeanactofcharity.Butwhoknowsifitwouldbewellreceived?
Whatgamblersusuallyregretaboveallislessthelossoftheirmoneythanoftheirfoolishhopes.Afterall,Ipitythemlessthanthethousandsofunfortunatestowhomsomuchricheswell-distributedwouldhavebeenprofitable,whilstforthemtheywillbeforeverbarren.\"
IhadnosoonerexpressedthisregretthanIfeltthatitmusthavewoundedCaptainNemo.
\"Barren!\"heexclaimed,withanimation.\"Doyouthinkthen,sir,thattheserichesarelostbecauseIgatherthem?
Isitformyselfalone,accordingtoyouridea,thatItakethetroubletocollectthesetreasures?WhotoldyouthatI
didnotmakeagooduseofit?DoyouthinkIamignorantthattherearesufferingbeingsandoppressedracesonthisearth,miserablecreaturestoconsole,victimstoavenge?
Doyounotunderstand?\"
CaptainNemostoppedattheselastwords,regrettingperhapsthathehadspokensomuch.ButIhadguessedthat,whateverthemotivewhichhadforcedhimtoseekindependenceunderthesea,ithadlefthimstillaman,thathisheartstillbeatforthesufferingsofhumanity,andthathisimmensecharitywasforoppressedracesaswellasindividuals.
AndIthenunderstoodforwhomthosemillionsweredestinedwhichwereforwardedbyCaptainNemowhentheNautiluswascruisinginthewatersofCrete.
CHAPTERIX
AVANISHEDCONTINENT
Thenextmorning,the19thofFebruary,IsawtheCanadianentermyroom.
Iexpectedthisvisit.Helookedverydisappointed.
\"Well,sir?\"saidhe.
\"Well,Ned,fortunewasagainstusyesterday.\"
\"Yes;thatCaptainmustneedsstopexactlyatthehourweintendedleavinghisvessel.\"
\"Yes,Ned,hehadbusinessathisbankers.\"
\"Hisbankers!\"
\"Orratherhisbanking-house;bythatImeantheocean,wherehisrichesaresaferthaninthechestsoftheState.\"
IthenrelatedtotheCanadiantheincidentsoftheprecedingnight,hopingtobringhimbacktotheideaofnotabandoningtheCaptain;
butmyrecitalhadnootherresultthananenergeticallyexpressedregretfromNedthathehadnotbeenabletotakeawalkonthebattlefieldofVigoonhisownaccount.
\"However,\"saidhe,\"allisnotended.Itisonlyablowoftheharpoonlost.Anothertimewemustsucceed;
andto-night,ifnecessary——\"