第4章

"InwhatdirectionistheNautilusgoing?"Iasked.

"Idonotknow,"repliedNed.

"Well,atnoonweshallseethepoint."

TheCanadianreturnedtoConseil.AssoonasIwasdressed,Iwentintothesaloon.Thecompasswasnotreassuring.

ThecourseoftheNautiluswasS.S.W.WewereturningourbacksonEurope.

Iwaitedwithsomeimpatiencetilltheship"splacewasprickedonthechart.Atabouthalf-pasteleventhereservoirswereemptied,andourvesselrosetothesurfaceoftheocean.

Irushedtowardstheplatform.NedLandhadprecededme.

Nomorelandinsight.Nothingbutanimmensesea.

Somesailsonthehorizon,doubtlessthosegoingtoSanRoqueinsearchoffavourablewindsfordoublingtheCapeofGoodHope.

Theweatherwascloudy.Agaleofwindwaspreparing.

Nedraved,andtriedtopiercethecloudyhorizon.

Hestillhopedthatbehindallthatfogstretchedthelandhesolongedfor.

Atnoonthesunshoweditselfforaninstant.Thesecondprofitedbythisbrightnesstotakeitsheight.Then,theseabecomingmorebillowy,wedescended,andthepanelclosed.

Anhourafter,uponconsultingthechart,IsawthepositionoftheNautiluswasmarkedat16@17"long.,and33@22"

lat.,at150leaguesfromthenearestcoast.Therewasnomeansofflight,andIleaveyoutoimaginetherageoftheCanadianwhenIinformedhimofoursituation.

Formyself,Iwasnotparticularlysorry.Ifeltlightenedoftheloadwhichhadoppressedme,andwasabletoreturnwithsomedegreeofcalmnesstomyaccustomedwork.

Thatnight,abouteleveno"clock,IreceivedamostunexpectedvisitfromCaptainNemo.HeaskedmeverygraciouslyifIfeltfatiguedfrommywatchoftheprecedingnight.

Iansweredinthenegative.

"Then,M.Aronnax,Iproposeacuriousexcursion."

"Propose,Captain?"

"Youhavehithertoonlyvisitedthesubmarinedepthsbydaylight,underthebrightnessofthesun.Woulditsuityoutoseetheminthedarknessofthenight?"

"Mostwillingly."

"Iwarnyou,thewaywillbetiring.Weshallhavefartowalk,andmustclimbamountain.Theroadsarenotwellkept."

"Whatyousay,Captain,onlyheightensmycuriosity;

Iamreadytofollowyou."

"Comethen,sir,wewillputonourdiving-dresses."

Arrivedattherobing-room,Isawthatneitherofmycompanionsnoranyoftheship"screwweretofollowusonthisexcursion.

CaptainNemohadnotevenproposedmytakingwithmeeitherNedorConseil.

Inafewmomentswehadputonourdiving-dresses;theyplacedonourbacksthereservoirs,abundantlyfilledwithair,butnoelectriclampswereprepared.IcalledtheCaptain"sattentiontothefact.

"Theywillbeuseless,"hereplied.

IthoughtIhadnotheardaright,butIcouldnotrepeatmyobservation,fortheCaptain"sheadhadalreadydisappearedinitsmetalcase.

Ifinishedharnessingmyself.Ifeltthemputaniron-pointedstickintomyhand,andsomeminuteslater,aftergoingthroughtheusualform,wesetfootonthebottomoftheAtlanticatadepthof150fathoms.

Midnightwasnear.Thewaterswereprofoundlydark,butCaptainNemopointedoutinthedistanceareddishspot,asortoflargelightshiningbrilliantlyabouttwomilesfromtheNautilus.Whatthisfiremightbe,whatcouldfeedit,whyandhowitlituptheliquidmass,Icouldnotsay.

Inanycase,itdidlightourway,vaguely,itistrue,butIsoonaccustomedmyselftothepeculiardarkness,andIunderstood,undersuchcircumstances,theuselessnessoftheRuhmkorffapparatus.

Asweadvanced,Iheardakindofpatteringabovemyhead.

Thenoiseredoubling,sometimesproducingacontinualshower,Isoonunderstoodthecause.Itwasrainfallingviolently,andcrispingthesurfaceofthewaves.InstinctivelythethoughtflashedacrossmymindthatIshouldbewetthrough!

Bythewater!inthemidstofthewater!Icouldnothelplaughingattheoddidea.But,indeed,inthethickdiving-dress,theliquidelementisnolongerfelt,andoneonlyseemstobeinanatmospheresomewhatdenserthantheterrestrialatmosphere.

Nothingmore.

Afterhalfanhour"swalkthesoilbecamestony.

Medusae,microscopiccrustacea,andpennatuleslititslightlywiththeirphosphorescentgleam.Icaughtaglimpseofpiecesofstonecoveredwithmillionsofzoophytesandmassesofseaweed.

Myfeetoftenslippeduponthisstickycarpetofseaweed,andwithoutmyiron-tippedstickIshouldhavefallenmorethanonce.

Inturninground,IcouldstillseethewhitishlanternoftheNautilusbeginningtopaleinthedistance.

Buttherosylightwhichguidedusincreasedandlitupthehorizon.

Thepresenceofthisfireunderwaterpuzzledmeinthehighestdegree.

WasIgoingtowardsanaturalphenomenonasyetunknowntothesavantsoftheearth?Oreven(forthisthoughtcrossedmybrain)hadthehandofmanaughttodowiththisconflagration?Hadhefannedthisflame?

WasItomeetinthesedepthscompanionsandfriendsofCaptainNemowhomhewasgoingtovisit,andwho,likehim,ledthisstrangeexistence?

ShouldIfinddownthereawholecolonyofexileswho,wearyofthemiseriesofthisearth,hadsoughtandfoundindependenceinthedeepocean?

Allthesefoolishandunreasonableideaspursuedme.Andinthisconditionofmind,over-excitedbythesuccessionofwonderscontinuallypassingbeforemyeyes,IshouldnothavebeensurprisedtomeetatthebottomoftheseaoneofthosesubmarinetownsofwhichCaptainNemodreamed.

Ourroadgrewlighterandlighter.Thewhiteglimmercameinraysfromthesummitofamountainabout800feethigh.ButwhatIsawwassimplyareflection,developedbytheclearnessofthewaters.

Thesourceofthisinexplicablelightwasafireontheoppositesideofthemountain.

InthemidstofthisstonymazefurrowingthebottomoftheAtlantic,CaptainNemoadvancedwithouthesitation.Heknewthisdrearyroad.

Doubtlesshehadoftentravelledoverit,andcouldnotlosehimself.

Ifollowedhimwithunshakenconfidence.Heseemedtomelikeagenieofthesea;and,ashewalkedbeforeme,Icouldnothelpadmiringhisstature,whichwasoutlinedinblackontheluminoushorizon.

Itwasoneinthemorningwhenwearrivedatthefirstslopesofthemountain;

buttogainaccesstothemwemustventurethroughthedifficultpathsofavastcopse.

Yes;acopseofdeadtrees,withoutleaves,withoutsap,treespetrifiedbytheactionofthewaterandhereandthereovertoppedbygiganticpines.Itwaslikeacoal-pitstillstanding,holdingbytherootstothebrokensoil,andwhosebranches,likefineblackpapercuttings,showeddistinctlyonthewateryceiling.

PicturetoyourselfaforestintheHartzhangingontothesidesofthemountain,butaforestswallowedup.Thepathswereencumberedwithseaweedandfucus,betweenwhichgrovelledawholeworldofcrustacea.Iwentalong,climbingtherocks,stridingoverextendedtrunks,breakingtheseabind-weedwhichhungfromonetreetotheother;andfrighteningthefishes,whichflewfrombranchtobranch.Pressingonward,Ifeltnofatigue.

Ifollowedmyguide,whowasnevertired.Whataspectacle!

HowcanIexpressit?howpainttheaspectofthosewoodsandrocksinthismedium——theirunderpartsdarkandwild,theuppercolouredwithredtints,bythatlightwhichthereflectingpowersofthewatersdoubled?Weclimbedrockswhichfelldirectlyafterwithgiganticboundsandthelowgrowlingofanavalanche.

Torightandleftranlong,darkgalleries,wheresightwaslost.

Hereopenedvastgladeswhichthehandofmanseemedtohaveworked;

andIsometimesaskedmyselfifsomeinhabitantofthesesubmarineregionswouldnotsuddenlyappeartome.

ButCaptainNemowasstillmounting.Icouldnotstaybehind.

Ifollowedboldly.Mystickgavemegoodhelp.Afalsestepwouldhavebeendangerousonthenarrowpassesslopingdowntothesidesofthegulfs;butIwalkedwithfirmstep,withoutfeelinganygiddiness.NowIjumpedacrevice,thedepthofwhichwouldhavemademehesitatehaditbeenamongtheglaciersontheland;

nowIventuredontheunsteadytrunkofatreethrownacrossfromoneabysstotheother,withoutlookingundermyfeet,havingonlyeyestoadmirethewildsitesofthisregion.

There,monumentalrocks,leaningontheirregularly-cutbases,seemedtodefyalllawsofequilibrium.Frombetweentheirstonykneestreessprang,likeajetunderheavypressure,andupheldotherswhichupheldthem.

Naturaltowers,largescarps,cutperpendicularly,likea"curtain,"inclinedatananglewhichthelawsofgravitationcouldneverhavetoleratedinterrestrialregions.

TwohoursafterquittingtheNautiluswehadcrossedthelineoftrees,andahundredfeetaboveourheadsrosethetopofthemountain,whichcastashadowonthebrilliantirradiationoftheoppositeslope.

Somepetrifiedshrubsranfantasticallyhereandthere.Fishesgotupunderourfeetlikebirdsinthelonggrass.Themassiverockswererentwithimpenetrablefractures,deepgrottos,andunfathomableholes,atthebottomofwhichformidablecreaturesmightbeheardmoving.

MybloodcurdledwhenIsawenormousantennaeblockingmyroad,orsomefrightfulclawclosingwithanoiseintheshadowofsomecavity.

Millionsofluminousspotsshonebrightlyinthemidstofthedarkness.

Theyweretheeyesofgiantcrustaceacrouchedintheirholes;

giantlobsterssettingthemselvesuplikehalberdiers,andmovingtheirclawswiththeclickingsoundofpincers;titaniccrabs,pointedlikeagunonitscarriage;andfrightful-lookingpoulps,interweavingtheirtentacleslikealivingnestofserpents.

Wehadnowarrivedonthefirstplatform,whereothersurprisesawaitedme.

Beforeuslaysomepicturesqueruins,whichbetrayedthehandofmanandnotthatoftheCreator.Therewerevastheapsofstone,amongstwhichmightbetracedthevagueandshadowyformsofcastlesandtemples,clothedwithaworldofblossomingzoophytes,andoverwhich,insteadofivy,sea-weedandfucusthrewathickvegetablemantle.Butwhatwasthisportionoftheglobewhichhadbeenswallowedbycataclysms?

Whohadplacedthoserocksandstoneslikecromlechsofprehistorictimes?

WherewasI?WhitherhadCaptainNemo"sfancyhurriedme?

Iwouldfainhaveaskedhim;notbeingableto,Istoppedhim——

Iseizedhisarm.But,shakinghishead,andpointingtothehighestpointofthemountain,heseemedtosay:

"Come,comealong;comehigher!"

Ifollowed,andinafewminutesIhadclimbedtothetop,whichforacircleoftenyardscommandedthewholemassofrock.

Ilookeddownthesidewehadjustclimbed.Themountaindidnotrisemorethansevenoreighthundredfeetabovetheleveloftheplain;butontheoppositesideitcommandedfromtwicethatheightthedepthsofthispartoftheAtlantic.

Myeyesrangedfaroveralargespacelitbyaviolentfulguration.

Infact,themountainwasavolcano.

Atfiftyfeetabovethepeak,inthemidstofarainofstonesandscoriae,alargecraterwasvomitingforthtorrentsoflavawhichfellinacascadeoffireintothebosomoftheliquidmass.

Thussituated,thisvolcanolitthelowerplainlikeanimmensetorch,eventotheextremelimitsofthehorizon.

Isaidthatthesubmarinecraterthrewuplava,butnoflames.

Flamesrequiretheoxygenoftheairtofeeduponandcannotbedevelopedunderwater;butstreamsoflava,havinginthemselvestheprinciplesoftheirincandescence,canattainawhiteheat,fightvigorouslyagainsttheliquidelement,andturnittovapourbycontact.

RapidcurrentsbearingallthesegasesindiffusionandtorrentsoflavaslidtothebottomofthemountainlikeaneruptionofVesuviusonanotherTerradelGreco.

Thereindeedundermyeyes,ruined,destroyed,layatown——

itsroofsopentothesky,itstemplesfallen,itsarchesdislocated,itscolumnslyingontheground,fromwhichonewouldstillrecognisethemassivecharacterofTuscanarchitecture.

Furtheron,someremainsofagiganticaqueduct;herethehighbaseofanAcropolis,withthefloatingoutlineofaParthenon;

theretracesofaquay,asifanancientporthadformerlyabuttedonthebordersoftheocean,anddisappearedwithitsmerchantvesselsanditswar-galleys.Fartheronagain,longlinesofsunkenwallsandbroad,desertedstreets——

aperfectPompeiiescapedbeneaththewaters.SuchwasthesightthatCaptainNemobroughtbeforemyeyes!

WherewasI?WherewasI?Imustknowatanycost.

Itriedtospeak,butCaptainNemostoppedmebyagesture,and,pickingupapieceofchalk-stone,advancedtoarockofblackbasalt,andtracedtheoneword:

ATLANTIS

Whatalightshotthroughmymind!Atlantis!theAtlantisofPlato,thatcontinentdeniedbyOrigenandHumbolt,whoplaceditsdisappearanceamongstthelegendarytales.

Ihadittherenowbeforemyeyes,bearinguponittheunexceptionabletestimonyofitscatastrophe.

TheregionthusengulfedwasbeyondEurope,Asia,andLybia,beyondthecolumnsofHercules,wherethosepowerfulpeople,theAtlantides,lived,againstwhomthefirstwarsofancientGreekswerewaged.

Thus,ledbythestrangestdestiny,Iwastreadingunderfootthemountainsofthiscontinent,touchingwithmyhandthoseruinsathousandgenerationsoldandcontemporarywiththegeologicalepochs.

Iwaswalkingontheveryspotwherethecontemporariesofthefirstmanhadwalked.

WhilstIwastryingtofixinmymindeverydetailofthisgrandlandscape,CaptainNemoremainedmotionless,asifpetrifiedinmuteecstasy,leaningonamossystone.

Washedreamingofthosegenerationslongsincedisappeared?

Washeaskingthemthesecretofhumandestiny?Wasitherethisstrangemancametosteephimselfinhistoricalrecollections,andliveagainthisancientlife——hewhowantednomodernone?

WhatwouldInothavegiventoknowhisthoughts,tosharethem,tounderstandthem!Weremainedforanhouratthisplace,contemplatingthevastplainsunderthebrightnessofthelava,whichwassometimeswonderfullyintense.Rapidtremblingsranalongthemountaincausedbyinternalbubblings,deepnoise,distinctlytransmittedthroughtheliquidmediumwereechoedwithmajesticgrandeur.Atthismomentthemoonappearedthroughthemassofwatersandthrewherpaleraysontheburiedcontinent.

Itwasbutagleam,butwhatanindescribableeffect!

TheCaptainrose,castonelastlookontheimmenseplain,andthenbademefollowhim.

Wedescendedthemountainrapidly,and,themineralforestoncepassed,IsawthelanternoftheNautilusshininglikeastar.

TheCaptainwalkedstraighttoit,andwegotonboardasthefirstraysoflightwhitenedthesurfaceoftheocean.

CHAPTERX

THESUBMARINECOAL-MINES

Thenextday,the20thofFebruary,Iawokeverylate:thefatiguesofthepreviousnighthadprolongedmysleepuntileleveno"clock.I

dressedquickly,andhastenedtofindthecoursetheNautiluswastaking.

Theinstrumentsshowedittobestilltowardthesouth,withaspeedoftwentymilesanhourandadepthoffiftyfathoms.

Thespeciesoffishesheredidnotdiffermuchfromthosealreadynoticed.

Therewereraysofgiantsize,fiveyardslong,andendowedwithgreatmuscularstrength,whichenabledthemtoshootabovethewaves;

sharksofmanykinds;amongstothers,onefifteenfeetlong,withtriangularsharpteeth,andwhosetransparencyrendereditalmostinvisibleinthewater.

AmongstbonyfishConseilnoticedsomeaboutthreeyardslong,armedattheupperjawwithapiercingsword;otherbright-colouredcreatures,knowninthetimeofAristotlebythenameofthesea-dragon,whicharedangeroustocaptureonaccountofthespikesontheirback.

Aboutfouro"clock,thesoil,generallycomposedofathickmudmixedwithpetrifiedwood,changedbydegrees,anditbecamemorestony,andseemedstrewnwithconglomerateandpiecesofbasalt,withasprinklingoflava.

Ithoughtthatamountainousregionwassucceedingthelongplains;

andaccordingly,afterafewevolutionsoftheNautilus,Isawthesoutherlyhorizonblockedbyahighwallwhichseemedtocloseallexit.

Itssummitevidentlypassedtheleveloftheocean.Itmustbeacontinent,oratleastanisland——oneoftheCanaries,oroftheCapeVerdeIslands.

Thebearingsnotbeingyettaken,perhapsdesignedly,Iwasignorantofourexactposition.Inanycase,suchawallseemedtometomarkthelimitsofthatAtlantis,ofwhichwehadinrealitypassedoveronlythesmallestpart.

MuchlongershouldIhaveremainedatthewindowadmiringthebeautiesofseaandsky,butthepanelsclosed.AtthismomenttheNautilusarrivedatthesideofthishigh,perpendicularwall.

Whatitwoulddo,Icouldnotguess.Ireturnedtomyroom;

itnolongermoved.Ilaidmyselfdownwiththefullintentionofwakingafterafewhours"sleep;butitwaseighto"clockthenextdaywhenIenteredthesaloon.Ilookedatthemanometer.

IttoldmethattheNautiluswasfloatingonthesurfaceoftheocean.

Besides,Iheardstepsontheplatform.Iwenttothepanel.

Itwasopen;but,insteadofbroaddaylight,asIexpected,Iwassurroundedbyprofounddarkness.Wherewerewe?

WasImistaken?Wasitstillnight?No;notastarwasshiningandnighthasnotthatutterdarkness.

Iknewnotwhattothink,whenavoicenearmesaid:

"Isthatyou,Professor?"

"Ah!Captain,"Ianswered,"wherearewe?"

"Underground,sir."

"Underground!"Iexclaimed."AndtheNautilusfloatingstill?"

"Italwaysfloats."

"ButIdonotunderstand."

"Waitafewminutes,ourlanternwillbelit,and,ifyoulikelightplaces,youwillbesatisfied."

Istoodontheplatformandwaited.ThedarknesswassocompletethatIcouldnotevenseeCaptainNemo;but,lookingtothezenith,exactlyabovemyhead,Iseemedtocatchanundecidedgleam,akindoftwilightfillingacircularhole.Atthisinstantthelanternwaslit,anditsvividnessdispelledthefaintlight.

Iclosedmydazzledeyesforaninstant,andthenlookedagain.

TheNautiluswasstationary,floatingnearamountainwhichformedasortofquay.Thelake,then,supportingitwasalakeimprisonedbyacircleofwalls,measuringtwomilesindiameterandsixincircumference.Itslevel(themanometershowed)

couldonlybethesameastheoutsidelevel,fortheremustnecessarilybeacommunicationbetweenthelakeandthesea.

Thehighpartitions,leaningforwardontheirbase,grewintoavaultedroofbearingtheshapeofanimmensefunnelturnedupsidedown,theheightbeingaboutfiveorsixhundredyards.

Atthesummitwasacircularorifice,bywhichIhadcaughttheslightgleamoflight,evidentlydaylight.

"Wherearewe?"Iasked.

"Intheveryheartofanextinctvolcano,theinteriorofwhichhasbeeninvadedbythesea,aftersomegreatconvulsionoftheearth.

Whilstyouweresleeping,Professor,theNautiluspenetratedtothislagoonbyanaturalcanal,whichopensabouttenyardsbeneaththesurfaceoftheocean.Thisisitsharbourofrefuge,asure,commodious,andmysteriousone,shelteredfromallgales.

Showme,ifyoucan,onthecoastsofanyofyourcontinentsorislands,aroadwhichcangivesuchperfectrefugefromallstorms."

"Certainly,"Ireplied,"youareinsafetyhere,CaptainNemo.

Whocouldreachyouintheheartofavolcano?ButdidInotseeanopeningatitssummit?"

"Yes;itscrater,formerlyfilledwithlava,vapour,andflames,andwhichnowgivesentrancetothelife-givingairwebreathe."

"Butwhatisthisvolcanicmountain?"

"Itbelongstooneofthenumerousislandswithwhichthisseaisstrewn——tovesselsasimplesandbank——tousanimmensecavern.

Chanceledmetodiscoverit,andchanceservedmewell."

"Butofwhatuseisthisrefuge,Captain?TheNautiluswantsnoport."

"No,sir;butitwantselectricitytomakeitmove,andthewherewithaltomaketheelectricity——sodiumtofeedtheelements,coalfromwhichtogetthesodium,andacoal-minetosupplythecoal.

Andexactlyonthisspottheseacoversentireforestsembeddedduringthegeologicalperiods,nowmineralisedandtransformedintocoal;

formetheyareaninexhaustiblemine."

"Yourmenfollowthetradeofminershere,then,Captain?"

"Exactlyso.TheseminesextendunderthewavesliketheminesofNewcastle.

Here,intheirdiving-dresses,pickaxeandshovelinhand,mymenextractthecoal,whichIdonotevenaskfromtheminesoftheearth.

WhenIburnthiscombustibleforthemanufactureofsodium,thesmoke,escapingfromthecraterofthemountain,givesittheappearanceofastill-activevolcano."

"Andweshallseeyourcompanionsatwork?"

"No;notthistimeatleast;forIaminahurrytocontinueoursubmarinetouroftheearth.SoIshallcontentmyselfwithdrawingfromthereserveofsodiumIalreadypossess.

Thetimeforloadingisonedayonly,andwecontinueourvoyage.

So,ifyouwishtogooverthecavernandmaketheroundofthelagoon,youmusttakeadvantageofto-day,M.Aronnax."

IthankedtheCaptainandwenttolookformycompanions,whohadnotyetlefttheircabin.Iinvitedthemtofollowmewithoutsayingwherewewere.

Theymountedtheplatform.Conseil,whowasastonishedatnothing,seemedtolookuponitasquitenaturalthatheshouldwakeunderamountain,afterhavingfallenasleepunderthewaves.ButNedLandthoughtofnothingbutfindingwhetherthecavernhadanyexit.

Afterbreakfast,aboutteno"clock,wewentdownontothemountain.

"Hereweare,oncemoreonland,"saidConseil.

"Idonotcallthisland,"saidtheCanadian."Andbesides,wearenotonit,butbeneathit."

Betweenthewallsofthemountainsandthewatersofthelakelayasandyshorewhich,atitsgreatestbreadth,measuredfivehundredfeet.

Onthissoilonemighteasilymakethetourofthelake.Butthebaseofthehighpartitionswasstonyground,withvolcaniclocksandenormouspumice-stoneslyinginpicturesqueheaps.Allthesedetachedmasses,coveredwithenamel,polishedbytheactionofthesubterraneousfires,shoneresplendentbythelightofourelectriclantern.Themicadustfromtheshore,risingunderourfeet,flewlikeacloudofsparks.

Thebottomnowrosesensibly,andwesoonarrivedatlongcircuitousslopes,orinclinedplanes,whichtookushigherbydegrees;butwewereobligedtowalkcarefullyamongtheseconglomerates,boundbynocement,thefeetslippingontheglassycrystal,felspar,andquartz.

Thevolcanicnatureofthisenormousexcavationwasconfirmedonallsides,andIpointeditouttomycompanions.

"Picturetoyourselves,"saidI,"whatthiscratermusthavebeenwhenfilledwithboilinglava,andwhentheleveloftheincandescentliquidrosetotheorificeofthemountain,asthoughmeltedonthetopofahotplate."

"Icanpictureitperfectly,"saidConseil."But,sir,willyoutellmewhytheGreatArchitecthassuspendedoperations,andhowitisthatthefurnaceisreplacedbythequietwatersofthelake?"

"Mostprobably,Conseil,becausesomeconvulsionbeneaththeoceanproducedthatveryopeningwhichhasservedasapassagefortheNautilus.

ThenthewatersoftheAtlanticrushedintotheinteriorofthemountain.

Theremusthavebeenaterriblestrugglebetweenthetwoelements,astrugglewhichendedinthevictoryofNeptune.Butmanyageshaverunoutsincethen,andthesubmergedvolcanoisnowapeaceablegrotto."

"Verywell,"repliedNedLand;"Iaccepttheexplanation,sir;but,inourowninterests,Iregretthattheopeningofwhichyouspeakwasnotmadeabovethelevelofthesea."

"But,friendNed,"saidConseil,"ifthepassagehadnotbeenunderthesea,theNautiluscouldnothavegonethroughit."

Wecontinuedascending.Thestepsbecamemoreandmoreperpendicularandnarrow.Deepexcavations,whichwewereobligedtocross,cutthemhereandthere;slopingmasseshadtobeturned.

Wesliduponourkneesandcrawledalong.ButConseil"sdexterityandtheCanadian"sstrengthsurmountedallobstacles.

Ataheightofabout31feetthenatureofthegroundchangedwithoutbecomingmorepracticable.Totheconglomerateandtrachytesucceededblackbasalt,thefirstdispreadinlayersfullofbubbles,thelatterformingregularprisms,placedlikeacolonnadesupportingthespringoftheimmensevault,anadmirablespecimenofnaturalarchitecture.Betweentheblocksofbasaltwoundlongstreamsoflava,longsincegrowncold,encrustedwithbituminousrays;

andinsomeplacestherewerespreadlargecarpetsofsulphur.

Amorepowerfullightshonethroughtheuppercrater,sheddingavagueglimmeroverthesevolcanicdepressionsforeverburiedinthebosomofthisextinguishedmountain.Butourupwardmarchwassoonstoppedataheightofabouttwohundredandfiftyfeetbyimpassableobstacles.Therewasacompletevaultedarchoverhangingus,andourascentwaschangedtoacircularwalk.

Atthelastchangevegetablelifebegantostrugglewiththemineral.

Someshrubs,andevensometrees,grewfromthefracturesofthewalls.

Irecognisedsomeeuphorbias,withthecausticsugarcomingfromthem;heliotropes,quiteincapableofjustifyingtheirname,sadlydroopedtheirclustersofflowers,boththeircolourandperfumehalfgone.Hereandtheresomechrysanthemumsgrewtimidlyatthefootofanaloewithlong,sickly-lookingleaves.

Butbetweenthestreamsoflava,Isawsomelittlevioletsstillslightlyperfumed,andIadmitthatIsmeltthemwithdelight.

Perfumeisthesouloftheflower,andsea-flowershavenosoul.

Wehadarrivedatthefootofsomesturdydragon-trees,whichhadpushedasidetherockswiththeirstrongroots,whenNedLandexclaimed:

"Ah!sir,ahive!ahive!"

"Ahive!"Ireplied,withagestureofincredulity.

"Yes,ahive,"repeatedtheCanadian,"andbeeshummingroundit."

Iapproached,andwasboundtobelievemyowneyes.Thereataholeboredinoneofthedragon-treesweresomethousandsoftheseingeniousinsects,socommoninalltheCanaries,andwhoseproduceissomuchesteemed.

Naturallyenough,theCanadianwishedtogatherthehoney,andIcouldnotwellopposehiswish.Aquantityofdryleaves,mixedwithsulphur,helitwithasparkfromhisflint,andhebegantosmokeoutthebees.

Thehummingceasedbydegrees,andthehiveeventuallyyieldedseveralpoundsofthesweetesthoney,withwhichNedLandfilledhishaversack.

"WhenIhavemixedthishoneywiththepasteofthebread-fruit,"

saidhe,"Ishallbeabletoofferyouasucculentcake."

{`bread-fruit"hasbeensubstitutedfor`artocarpus"inthised.}

""Ponmyword,"saidConseil,"itwillbegingerbread."

"Nevermindthegingerbread,"saidI;"letuscontinueourinterestingwalk."

Ateveryturnofthepathwewerefollowing,thelakeappearedinallitslengthandbreadth.Thelanternlitupthewholeofitspeaceablesurface,whichknewneitherripplenorwave.

TheNautilusremainedperfectlyimmovable.Ontheplatform,andonthemountain,theship"screwwereworkinglikeblackshadowsclearlycarvedagainsttheluminousatmosphere.

Wewerenowgoingroundthehighestcrestofthefirstlayersofrockwhichupheldtheroof.Ithensawthatbeeswerenottheonlyrepresentativesoftheanimalkingdomintheinteriorofthisvolcano.

Birdsofpreyhoveredhereandthereintheshadows,orfledfromtheirnestsonthetopoftherocks.Thereweresparrowhawks,withwhitebreasts,andkestrels,anddowntheslopesscampered,withtheirlonglegs,severalfinefatbustards.IleaveanyonetoimaginethecovetousnessoftheCanadianatthesightofthissavourygame,andwhetherhedidnotregrethavingnogun.

Buthedidhisbesttoreplacetheleadbystones,and,afterseveralfruitlessattempts,hesucceededinwoundingamagnificentbird.

Tosaythatheriskedhislifetwentytimesbeforereachingitisbutthetruth;buthemanagedsowellthatthecreaturejoinedthehoney-cakesinhisbag.Wewerenowobligedtodescendtowardtheshore,thecrestbecomingimpracticable.

Aboveusthecraterseemedtogapelikethemouthofawell.

Fromthisplacetheskycouldbeclearlyseen,andclouds,dissipatedbythewestwind,leavingbehindthem,evenonthesummitofthemountain,theirmistyremnants——certainproofthattheywereonlymoderatelyhigh,forthevolcanodidnotrisemorethaneighthundredfeetabovetheleveloftheocean.HalfanhouraftertheCanadian"slastexploitwehadregainedtheinnershore.

Heretheflorawasrepresentedbylargecarpetsofmarinecrystal,alittleumbelliferousplantverygoodtopickle,whichalsobearsthenameofpierce-stoneandsea-fennel.Conseilgatheredsomebundlesofit.

Astothefauna,itmightbecountedbythousandsofcrustaceaofallsorts,lobsters,crabs,spider-crabs,chameleonshrimps,andalargenumberofshells,rockfish,andlimpets.Three-quartersofanhourlaterwehadfinishedourcircuitouswalkandwereonboard.

Thecrewhadjustfinishedloadingthesodium,andtheNautiluscouldhaveleftthatinstant.ButCaptainNemogavenoorder.

Didhewishtowaituntilnight,andleavethesubmarinepassagesecretly?

Perhapsso.Whateveritmightbe,thenextday,theNautilus,havingleftitsport,steeredclearofalllandatafewyardsbeneaththewavesoftheAtlantic.

CHAPTERXI

THESARGASSOSEA

ThatdaytheNautiluscrossedasingularpartoftheAtlanticOcean.

NoonecanbeignorantoftheexistenceofacurrentofwarmwaterknownbythenameoftheGulfStream.AfterleavingtheGulfofFlorida,wewentinthedirectionofSpitzbergen.

ButbeforeenteringtheGulfofMexico,about45@ofN.lat.,thiscurrentdividesintotwoarms,theprincipalonegoingtowardsthecoastofIrelandandNorway,whilstthesecondbendstothesouthabouttheheightoftheAzores;then,touchingtheAfricanshore,anddescribingalengthenedoval,returnstotheAntilles.

Thissecondarm——itisratheracollarthananarm——surroundswithitscirclesofwarmwaterthatportionofthecold,quiet,immovableoceancalledtheSargassoSea,aperfectlakeintheopenAtlantic:

ittakesnolessthanthreeyearsforthegreatcurrenttopassroundit.

SuchwastheregiontheNautiluswasnowvisiting,aperfectmeadow,aclosecarpetofseaweed,fucus,andtropicalberries,sothickandsocompactthatthestemofavesselcouldhardlytearitswaythroughit.

AndCaptainNemo,notwishingtoentanglehisscrewinthisherbaceousmass,keptsomeyardsbeneaththesurfaceofthewaves.ThenameSargassocomesfromtheSpanishword"sargazzo"whichsignifieskelp.

Thiskelp,orberry-plant,istheprincipalformationofthisimmensebank.

AndthisisthereasonwhytheseplantsuniteinthepeacefulbasinoftheAtlantic.Theonlyexplanationwhichcanbegiven,hesays,seemstometoresultfromtheexperienceknowntoalltheworld.

Placeinavasesomefragmentsofcorkorotherfloatingbody,andgivetothewaterinthevaseacircularmovement,thescatteredfragmentswilluniteinagroupinthecentreoftheliquidsurface,thatistosay,inthepartleastagitated.

Inthephenomenonweareconsidering,theAtlanticisthevase,theGulfStreamthecircularcurrent,andtheSargassoSeathecentralpointatwhichthefloatingbodiesunite.

IshareMaury"sopinion,andIwasabletostudythephenomenonintheverymidst,wherevesselsrarelypenetrate.Aboveusfloatedproductsofallkinds,heapedupamongthesebrownishplants;

trunksoftreestornfromtheAndesortheRockyMountains,andfloatedbytheAmazonortheMississippi;numerouswrecks,remainsofkeels,orships"bottoms,side-planksstovein,andsoweightedwithshellsandbarnaclesthattheycouldnotagainrisetothesurface.

AndtimewillonedayjustifyMaury"sotheropinion,thatthesesubstancesthusaccumulatedforageswillbecomepetrifiedbytheactionofthewaterandwillthenforminexhaustiblecoal-mines——

apreciousreservepreparedbyfar-seeingNatureforthemomentwhenmenshallhaveexhaustedtheminesofcontinents.

Inthemidstofthisinextricablemassofplantsandseaweed,Inoticedsomecharmingpinkhalcyonsandactiniae,withtheirlongtentaclestrailingafterthem,andmedusae,green,red,andblue.

Allthedayofthe22ndofFebruarywepassedintheSargassoSea,wheresuchfishasarepartialtomarineplantsfindabundantnourishment.

Thenext,theoceanhadreturnedtoitsaccustomedaspect.

Fromthistimefornineteendays,fromthe23rdofFebruarytothe12thofMarch,theNautiluskeptinthemiddleoftheAtlantic,carryingusataconstantspeedofahundredleaguesintwenty-fourhours.

CaptainNemoevidentlyintendedaccomplishinghissubmarineprogramme,andIimaginedthatheintended,afterdoublingCapeHorn,toreturntotheAustralianseasofthePacific.NedLandhadcauseforfear.

Intheselargeseas,voidofislands,wecouldnotattempttoleavetheboat.NorhadweanymeansofopposingCaptainNemo"swill.

Ouronlycoursewastosubmit;butwhatwecouldneithergainbyforcenorcunning,Ilikedtothinkmightbeobtainedbypersuasion.

Thisvoyageended,wouldhenotconsenttorestoreourliberty,underanoathnevertorevealhisexistence?——anoathofhonourwhichweshouldhavereligiouslykept.ButwemustconsiderthatdelicatequestionwiththeCaptain.ButwasIfreetoclaimthisliberty?

Hadhenothimselfsaidfromthebeginning,inthefirmestmanner,thatthesecretofhislifeexactedfromhimourlastingimprisonmentonboardtheNautilus?Andwouldnotmyfourmonths"silenceappeartohimatacitacceptanceofoursituation?Andwouldnotareturntothesubjectresultinraisingsuspicionswhichmightbehurtfultoourprojects,ifatsomefuturetimeafavourableopportunityofferedtoreturntothem?

Duringthenineteendaysmentionedabove,noincidentofanykindhappenedtosignaliseourvoyage.IsawlittleoftheCaptain;hewasatwork.InthelibraryIoftenfoundhisbooksleftopen,especiallythoseonnaturalhistory.

Myworkonsubmarinedepths,connedoverbyhim,wascoveredwithmarginalnotes,oftencontradictingmytheoriesandsystems;

buttheCaptaincontentedhimselfwiththuspurgingmywork;

itwasveryrareforhimtodiscussitwithme.

SometimesIheardthemelancholytonesofhisorgan;

butonlyatnight,inthemidstofthedeepestobscurity,whentheNautilussleptuponthedesertedocean.Duringthispartofourvoyagewesailedwholedaysonthesurfaceofthewaves.

Theseaseemedabandoned.Afewsailing-vessels,ontheroadtoIndia,weremakingfortheCapeofGoodHope.

Onedaywewerefollowedbytheboatsofawhaler,who,nodoubt,tookusforsomeenormouswhaleofgreatprice;butCaptainNemodidnotwishtheworthyfellowstolosetheirtimeandtrouble,soendedthechasebyplungingunderthewater.