第14章

Iwasprovidedwithalanternwhichwastoenablemetosetfiretothewickoftheinfernalmachine。

"Go，myboy，"saidmyuncle，"andHeavenbewithyou。Butcomebackassoonasyoucan。Ishallbeallimpatience。"

"Beeasyonthatmatter，"Ireplied，"thereisnofearofmydelayingontheroad。"

Havingsaidthis，Iadvancedtowardtheopeningofthesombergallery。Myheartbeatwildly。Iopenedmylanternandseizedtheextremityofthewick。

TheProfessor，whowaslookingon，heldhischronometerinhishand。

"Areyouready?"criedhe。

"Quiteready。"

"Well，then，fireaway!"

Ihastenedtoputthelighttothewick，whichcrackledandsparkled，hissingandspittinglikeaserpent；then，runningasfastasIcould，Ireturnedtotheshore。

"Getonboard，mylad，andyou，Hans，shoveoff，"criedmyuncle。

ByavigorousapplicationofhispoleHanssentusflyingoverthewater。Theraftwasquitetwentyfathomsdistant。

Itwasamomentofpalpitatinginterest，ofdeepanxiety。Myuncle，theProfessor，nevertookhiseyesoffthechronometer。

"Onlyfiveminutesmore，"hesaidinalowtone，"onlyfour，onlythree。"

Mypulsewentahundredtotheminute。Icouldhearmyheartbeating。

"Onlytwo，one!Now，then，mountainsofgranite，crumblebeneaththepowerofman!"

Whathappenedafterthat?Astotheterrificroaroftheexplosion，IdonotthinkIheardit。Buttheformoftherockscompletelychangedinmyeyes-theyseemedtobedrawnasidelikeacurtain。Isawafathomless，abottomlessabyss，whichyawnedbeneaththeturgidwaves。Thesea，whichseemedsuddenlytohavegonemad，thenbecameonegreatmountainousmass，uponthetopofwhichtheraftroseperpendicularly。

Wewereallthrowndown。Inlessthanasecondthelightgaveplacetothemostprofoundobscurity。ThenIfeltallsolidsupportgivewaynottomyfeet，buttotheraftitself。Ithoughtitwasgoingbodilydownatremendouswell。Itriedtospeak，toquestionmyuncle。Nothingcouldbeheardbuttheroaringofthemightywaves。Weclungtogetherinuttersilence。

Despitetheawfuldarkness，despitethenoise，thesurprise，theemotion，Ithoroughlyunderstoodwhathadhappened。

Beyondtherockwhichhadbeenblownup，thereexistedamightyabyss。Theexplosionhadcausedakindofearthquakeinthissoil，brokenbyfissuresandrents。Thegulf，thussuddenlythrownopen，wasabouttoswallowtheinlandsealwhich，transformedintoamightytorrent，wasdragginguswithit。

Onlyoneideafilledmymind。Wewereutterlyandcompletelylost!

Onehour，twohours-whatmoreIcannotsay，passedinthismanner。Wesatclosetogether，elbowtouchingelbow，kneetouchingknee!Weheldoneanother"shandsnottobethrownofftheraft。Weweresubjectedtothemostviolentshocks，wheneveroursoledependence，afrailwoodenraft，struckagainsttherockysidesofthechannel。Fortunatelyforus，theseconcussionsbecamelessandlessfrequent，whichmademefancythatthegallerywasgettingwiderandwider。TherecouldbenownodoubtthatwehadchancedupontheroadoncefollowedbySaknussemm，butinsteadofgoingdowninapropermanner，wehad，throughourownimprudence，drawnawholeseawithus!

Theseideaspresentedthemselvestomymindinaveryvagueandobscuremanner。Ifeltratherthanreasoned。Iputmyideastogetheronlyconfusedly，whilespinningalonglikeamangoingdownawaterfall。Tojudgebytheairwhich，asitwere，whippedmyface，wemusthavebeenrushingataperfectlylightningrate。

Toattemptunderthesecircumstancestolightatorchwassimplyimpossible，andthelastremainsofourelectricmachine，ofourRuhmkorffcoil，hadbeendestroyedduringthefearfulexplosion。

Iwasthereforeverymuchconfusedtoseeatlastabrightlightshiningclosetome。Thecalmcountenanceoftheguideseemedtogleamuponme。Thecleverandpatienthunterhadsucceededinlightingthelantern；andthough，inthekeenandthoroughdraft，theflameFlickeredandvacillatedandwasnearlyputout，itservedpartiallytodissipatetheawfulobscurity。

Thegalleryintowhichwehadenteredwasverywide。Iwas，therefore，quiterightinthatpartofmyconjecture。Theinsufficientlightdidnotallowustoseebothofthewallsatthesametime。

Theslopeofwaters，whichwascarryingusaway，wasfargreaterthanthatofthemostrapidriverofAmerica。Thewholesurfaceofthestreamseemedtobecomposedofliquidarrows，dartedforwardwithextremeviolenceandpower。Icangivenoideaoftheimpressionitmadeuponme。

Theraft，attimes，caughtincertainwhirlpools，andrushedforward，yetturnedonitselfallthetime。HowitdidnotupsetI

shallneverbeabletounderstand。Whenitapproachedthesidesofthegallery，Itookcaretothrowuponthemthelightofthelantern，andIwasabletojudgeoftherapidityofmotionbylookingattheprojectingmassesofrock，whichassoonasseenwereagaininvisible。

Sorapidwasourprogressthatpointsofrockataconsiderabledistanceonefromtheotherappearedlikeportionsoftransverselines，whichenclosedusinakindofnet，likethatofalineoftelegraphicwires。

Ibelievewewerenowgoingatarateofnotlessthanahundredmilesanhour。

MyuncleandIlookedatoneanotherwithwildandhaggardeyes；

weclungconvulsivelytothestumpofthemast，which，atthemomentwhenthecatastrophetookplace，hadsnappedshortoff。Weturnedourbacksasmuchaspossibletothewind，inordernottobestifledbyarapidityofmotionwhichnothinghumancouldfaceandlive。

Andstillthelongmonotonoushourswenton。Thesituationdidnotchangeintheleast，thoughadiscoveryIsuddenlymadeseemedtocomplicateitverymuch。

Whenwehadslightlyrecoveredourequilibrium，Iproceededtoexamineourcargo。Ithenmadetheunsatisfactorydiscoverythatthegreaterpartofithadutterlydisappeared。

Ibecamealarmed，anddeterminedtodiscoverwhatwereourresources。Myheartbeatattheidea，butitwasabsolutelynecessarytoknowonwhatwehadtodepend。Withthisview，Itookthelanternandlookedaround。

Ofallourformercollectionofnauticalandphilosophicalinstruments，thereremainedonlythechronometerandthecompass。

Theladdersandropeswerereducedtoasmallpieceofropefastenedtothestumpofthemast。Notapickax，notacrowbar，notahammer，and，farworsethanall，nofood-notenoughforoneday!

Thisdiscoverywasapreludetoacertainandhorribledeath。

Seatedgloomilyontheraft，claspingthestumpofthemastmechanically，IthoughtofallIhadreadastosufferingsfromstarvation。

Irememberedeverythingthathistoryhadtaughtmeonthesubject，andIshudderedattheremembranceoftheagoniestobeendured。

Maddenedattheprospectsofenduringthemiseriesofstarvation，IpersuadedmyselfthatImustbemistaken。Iexaminedthecracksintheraft；Ipokedbetweenthejointsandbeams；Iexaminedeverypossibleholeandcorner。Theresultwas-simplynothing!

Ourstockofprovisionsconsistedofnothingbutapieceofdrymeatandsomesoakedandhalf-moldybiscuits。

Igazedaroundmescaredandfrightened。Icouldnotunderstandtheawfultruth。Andyetofwhatconsequencewasitinregardtoanynewdanger?Supposingthatwehadhadprovisionsformonths，andevenforyears，howcouldweevergetoutoftheawfulabyssintowhichwewerebeinghurledbytheirresistibletorrentwehadletloose?

Whyshouldwetroubleourselvesaboutthesufferingsandtorturestobeenduredfromhungerwhendeathstaredusinthefaceundersomanyotherswifterandperhapsevenmorehorridforms?

Itwasverydoubtful，underthecircumstancesinwhichwewereplaced，ifweshouldhavetimetodieofinanition。

Butthehumanframeissingularlyconstituted。

Iknownothowitwas；but，fromsomesingularhallucinationofthemind，Iforgotthereal，serious，andimmediatedangertowhichwewereexposed，tothinkofthemenacesofthefuture，whichappearedbeforeusinalltheirnakedterror。Besides，afterall，suggestedHope，perhapswemightfinallyescapethefuryoftheragingtorrent，andoncemorerevisittheglimpsesofthemoon，onthesurfaceofourbeautifulMotherEarth。

Howwasittobedone?Ihadnottheremotestidea。Wherewerewetocomeout?Nomatter，sothatwedid。

Onechanceinathousandisalwaysachance，whiledeathfromhungergaveusnoteventhefaintestglimpseofhope。Itlefttotheimaginationnothingbutblankhorror，withoutthefaintestchanceofescape!

Ihadthegreatestmindtorevealalltomyuncle，toexplaintohimtheextraordinaryandwretchedpositiontowhichwewerereduced，inorderthat，betweenthetwo，wemightmakeacalculationastotheexactspaceoftimewhichremainedforustolive。

Itwas，itappearedtome，theonlythingtobedone。ButIhadthecouragetoholdmytongue，tognawatmyentrailsliketheSpartanboy。Iwishedtoleavehimallhiscoolness。

Atthismoment，thelightofthelanternslowlyfell，andatlastwentout!

Thewickhadwhollyburnttoanend。Theobscuritybecameabsolute。Itwasnolongerpossibletoseethroughtheimpenetrabledarkness!Therewasonetorchleft，butitwasimpossibletokeepitalight。Then，likeachild，Ishutmyeyes，thatImightnotseethedarkness。

Afteragreatlapseoftime，therapidityofourjourneyincreased。Icouldfeelitbytherushofairuponmyface。Theslopeofthewaterswasexcessive。Ibegantofeelthatwewerenolongergoingdownaslope；wewerefalling。Ifeltasonedoesinadream，goingdownbodily-falling；falling；falling!

IfeltthatthehandsofmyuncleandHanswerevigorouslyclaspingmyarms。

Suddenly，afteralapseoftimescarcelyappreciable，Ifeltsomethinglikeashock。Therafthadnotstruckahardbody，buthadsuddenlybeencheckedinitscourse。Awaterspout，aliquidcolumnofwater，felluponus。Ifeltsuffocating。Iwasbeingdrowned。

Stillthesuddeninundationdidnotlast。InafewsecondsIfeltmyselfoncemoreabletobreathe。MyuncleandHanspressedmyarms，andtheraftcarriedusallthreeaway。

CHAPTER40

TheApeGigansITisdifficultformetodeterminewhatwastherealtime，butI

shouldsuppose，byaftercalculation，thatitmusthavebeentenatnight。

Ilayinastupor，ahalfdream，duringwhichIsawvisionsofastoundingcharacter。Monstersofthedeepweresidebysidewiththemightyelephantineshepherd。Giganticfishandanimalsseemedtoformstrangeconjunctions。

Therafttookasuddenturn，whirledround，enteredanothertunnel-thistimeilluminedinamostsingularmanner。Theroofwasformedofporousstalactite，throughwhichamoonlitvaporappearedtopass，castingitsbrilliantlightuponourgauntandhaggardfigures。Thelightincreasedasweadvanced，whiletheroofascended；untilatlast，wewereoncemoreinakindofwatercavern，theloftydomeofwhichdisappearedinaluminouscloud!

Aruggedcavernofsmallextentappearedtoofferahaltingplacetoourwearybodies。

Myuncleandtheguidemovedasmeninadream。Iwasafraidtowakenthem，knowingthedangerofsuchasuddenstart。Iseatedmyselfbesidethemtowatch。

AsIdidso，Ibecameawareofsomethingmovinginthedistance，whichatoncefascinatedmyeyes。Itwasfloating，apparently，uponthesurfaceofthewater，advancingbymeansofwhatatfirstappearedpaddles。Ilookedwithglaringeyes。Oneglancetoldmethatitwassomethingmonstrous。

Butwhat?

Itwasthegreat"shark-crocodile"oftheearlywritersongeology。Aboutthesizeofanordinarywhale，withhideousjawsandtwogiganticeyes，itadvanced。Itseyesfixedonmewithterriblesternness。Someindefinitewarningtoldmethatithadmarkedmeforitsown。

Iattemptedtorise-toescape，nomatterwhere，butmykneesshookunderme；mylimbstrembledviolently；Ialmostlostmysenses。Andstillthemightymonsteradvanced。Myuncleandtheguidemadenoefforttosavethemselves。

Withastrangenoise，likenoneotherIhadeverheard，thebeastcameon。Hisjawswereatleastsevenfeetapart，andhisdistendedmouthlookedlargeenoughtohaveswallowedaboatfulofmen。

WewereabouttenfeetdistantwhenIdiscoveredthatmuchashisbodyresembledthatofacrocodile，hismouthwaswhollythatofashark。

Histwofoldnaturenowbecameapparent。Tosnatchusupatamouthfulitwasnecessaryforhimtoturnonhisback，whichmotionnecessarilycausedhislegstokickuphelplesslyintheair。

Iactuallylaughedevenintheveryjawsofdeath!

Butnextminute，withawildcry，Idartedawayintotheinteriorofthecave，leavingmyunhappycomradestotheirfate!Thiscavernwasdeepanddreary。Afteraboutahundredyards，Ipausedandlookedaround。

Thewholefloor，composedofsandandmalachite，wasstrewnwithbones，freshlygnawedbonesofreptilesandfish，withamixtureofmammalia。Myverysoulgrewsickasmybodyshudderedwithhorror。I

hadtruly，accordingtotheoldproverb，fallenoutofthefryingpanintothefire。Somebeastlargerandmoreferociouseventhantheshark-crocodileinhabitedthisden。

WhatcouldIdo?Themouthofthecavewasguardedbyoneferociousmonster，theinteriorwasinhabitedbysomethingtoohideoustocontemplate。Flightwasimpossible!

Onlyoneresourceremained，andthatwastofindsomesmallhidingplacetowhichthefearfuldenizensofthecaverncouldnotpenetrate。

Igazedwildlyaround，andatlastdiscoveredafissureintherock，towhichIrushedinthehopeofrecoveringmyscatteredsenses。

Crouchingdown，Iwaitedshiveringasinanaguefit。Nomanisbraveinpresenceofanearthquake，oraburstingboiler，oranexplodingtorpedo。Icouldnotbeexpectedtofeelmuchcourageinpresenceofthefearfulfatethatappearedtoawaitme。

Anhourpassed。Iheardallthetimeastrangerumblingoutsidethecave。

Whatwasthefateofmyunhappycompanions?Itwasimpossibleformetopausetoinquire。MyownwretchedexistencewasallIcouldthinkof。

Suddenlyagroaning，asoffiftybearsinafight，felluponmyears-hisses，spitting，moaning，hideoustohear-andthenIsaw-

Never，wereagestopassovermyhead，shallIforgetthehorribleapparition。

ItwastheApeGigans!

Fourteenfeethigh，coveredwithcoarsehair，ofablackishbrown，thehaironthearms，fromtheshouldertotheelbowjoints，pointingdownwards，whilethatfromthewristtotheelbowpointedupwards，itadvanced。Itsarmswereaslongasitsbody，whileitslegswereprodigious。Ithadthick，long，andsharplypointedteeth-

likeamammothsaw。

Itstruckitsbreastasitcameonsmellingandsniffing，remindingmeofthestorieswereadinourearlychildhoodofgiantswhoatetheFleshofmenandlittleboys!

Suddenlyitstopped。Myheartbeatwildly，forIwasconsciousthat，somehoworother，thefearfulmonsterhadsmelledmeoutandwaspeeringaboutwithhishideouseyestotryanddiscovermywhereabouts。

Myreading，whichasaruleisablessing，butwhichonthisoccasion，seemedmomentarilytoproveacurse，toldmetherealtruth。

ItwastheApeGigans，theantediluviangorilla。

Yes!Thisawfulmonster，confinedbygoodfortunetotheinterioroftheearth，wastheprogenitorofthehideousmonsterofAfrica。

Heglaredwildlyabout，seekingsomething-doubtlessmyself。I

gavemyselfupforlost。Nohopeofsafetyorescapeseemedtoremain。

Atthismoment，justasmyeyesappearedtocloseindeath，therecameastrangenoisefromtheentranceofthecave；andturning，thegorillaevidentlyrecognizedsomeenemymoreworthyhisprodigioussizeandstrength。Itwasthehugeshark-crocodile，whichperhapshavingdisposedofmyfriends，wascominginsearchoffurtherprey。

Thegorillaplacedhimselfonthedefensive，andclutchingabonesomesevenoreightfeetinlength，aperfectclub，aimedadeadlyblowatthehideousbeast，whichrearedupwardsandfellwithallitsweightuponitsadversary。

Aterriblecombat，thedetailsofwhichitisimpossibletogive，nowensued。Thestrugglewasawfulandferocious，I，however，didnotwaittowitnesstheresult。Regardingmyselfastheobjectofcontention，Ideterminedtoremovefromthepresenceofthevictor。

Isliddownfrommyhidingplace，reachedtheground，andglidingagainstthewall，strovetogaintheopenmouthofthecavern。

ButIhadnottakenmanystepswhenthefearfulclamorceased，tobefollowedbyamumblingandgroaningwhichappearedtobeindicativeofvictory。

Ilookedbackandsawthehugeape，gorywithblood，comingaftermewithglaringeyes，withdilatednostrilsthatgaveforthtwocolumnsofheatedvapor。Icouldfeelhishotandfetidbreathonmyneck；andwithahorridjump-awokefrommynightmaresleep。

Yes-itwasalladream。Iwasstillontheraftwithmyuncleandtheguide。

Thereliefwasnotinstantaneous，forundertheinfluenceofthehideousnightmaremysenseshadbecomenumbed。Afterawhile，however，myfeelingsweretranquilized。Thefirstofmyperceptionswhichreturnedinfullforcewasthatofhearing。Ilistenedwithacuteandattentiveears。Allwasstillasdeath。AllIcomprehendedwassilence。Totheroaringofthewaters，whichhadfilledthegallerywithawfulreverberations，succeededperfectpeace。

Aftersomelittletimemyunclespoke，inalowandscarcelyaudibletone:"Harry，boy，whereareyou?"

"Iamhere，"wasmyfaintrejoinder。

"Well，don"tyouseewhathashappened?Wearegoingupwards。"

"Mydearuncle，whatcanyoumean?"wasmyhalf-deliriousreply。

"Yes，Itellyouweareascendingrapidly。Ourdownwardjourneyisquitechecked。"

Iheldoutmyhand，and，aftersomelittledifficulty，succeededintouchingthewall。Myhandwasinaninstantcoveredwithblood。

Theskinwastornfromtheflesh。Wewereascendingwithextraordinaryrapidity。

"Thetorch-thetorch!"criedtheProfessor，wildly；"itmustbelighted。"

Hans，theguide，aftermanyvainefforts，atlastsucceededinlightingit，andtheflame，havingnownothingtopreventitsburning，shedatolerablyclearlight。Wewereenabledtoformanapproximateideaofthetruth。

"ItisjustasIthought，"saidmyuncle，afteramomentortwoofsilentattention。"Weareinanarrowwellaboutfourfathomssquare。Thewatersofthegreatinlandsea，havingreachedthebottomofthegulfarenowforcingthemselvesupthemightyshaft。

Asanaturalconsequence，wearebeingcastuponthesummitofthewaters。"

"ThatIcansee，"wasmylugubriousreply；"butwherewillthisshaftend，andtowhatfallarewelikelytobeexposed?"

"OfthatIamasignorantasyourself。AllIknowis，thatweshouldbepreparedfortheworst。Wearegoingupatafearfullyrapidrate。AsfarasIcanjudge，weareascendingattherateoftwofathomsasecond，ofahundredandtwentyfathomsaminute，orrathermorethanthreeandahalfleaguesanhour。Atthisrate，ourfatewillsoonbeamatterofcertainty。"

"Nodoubtofit，"wasmyreply。"ThegreatconcernIhavenow，however，istoknowwhetherthisshafthasanyissue。Itmayendinagraniteroof-inwhichcaseweshallbesuffocatedbycompressedair，ordashedtoatomsagainstthetop。Ifancy，already，thattheairisbeginningtobecloseandcondensed。Ihaveadifficultyinbreathing。"

Thismightbefancy，oritmightbetheeffectofourrapidmotion，butIcertainlyfeltagreatoppressionofthechest。

"Henry，"saidtheProfessor，"Idobelievethatthesituationistoacertainextentdesperate。Thereremain，however，manychancesofultimatesafety，andIhave，inmyownmind，beenrevolvingthemover，duringyourheavybutagitatedsleep。Ihavecometothislogicalconclusion-whereaswemayatanymomentperish，soatanymomentwemaybesaved!Weneed，therefore，prepareourselvesforwhatevermayturnupinthegreatchapterofaccidents。"

"Butwhatwouldyouhaveusdo?"Icried。"Arewenotutterlyhelpless?"

"No!Whilethereislifethereishope。Atallevents，thereisonethingwecando-eat，andthusobtainstrengthtofacevictoryordeath。"

Ashespoke，Ilookedatmyunclewithahaggardglance。Ihadputoffthefatalcommunicationaslongaspossible。Itwasnowforceduponme，andImusttellhimthetruth。

StillIhesitated。

"Eat，"Isaid，inadeprecatingtoneasiftherewerenohurry。

"Yes，andatonce。Ifeellikeastarvingprisoner，"hesaid，rubbinghisyellowandshiveringhandstogether。

And，turningroundtotheguide，hespokesomehearty，cheeringwords，asIjudgedfromhistone，inDanish。Hansshookhisheadinaterriblysignificantmanner。Itriedtolookunconcerned。

"What!"criedtheProfessor，"youdonotmeantosaythatallourprovisionsarelost?"

"Yes，"wasmylowlyspokenreply，asIheldoutsomethinginmyhand，"thismorselofdriedmeatisallthatremainsforusthree。"

Myunclegazedatmeasifhecouldnotfullyappreciatethemeaningofmywords。Theblowseemedtostunhimbyitsseverity。Iallowedhimtoreflectforsomemoments。

"Well，saidI，afterashortpause，"whatdoyouthinknow?Isthereanychanceofourescapingfromourhorriblesubterraneandangers?Arewenotdoomedtoperishinthegreathollowsofthecenteroftheearth?"

Butmypertinentquestionsbroughtnoanswer。Myuncleeitherheardmenot，orappearednottodoso。

Andinthiswayawholehourpassed。Neitherofuscaredtospeak。

Formyself，Ibegantofeelthemostfearfulanddevouringhunger。

Mycompanions，doubtless，feltthesamehorribletortures，butneitherofthemwouldtouchthewretchedmorselofmeatthatremained。Itlaythere，alastremnantofallourgreatpreparationsforthemadandsenselessjourney!

Ilookedback，withwonderment，tomyownfolly。FullywasIawarethat，despitehisenthusiasm，andtheever-to-be-hatedscrollofSaknussemm，myuncleshouldneverhavestartedonhisperilousvoyage。

Whatmemoriesofthehappypast，whatprevisionsofthehorriblefuture，nowfilledmybrain!

CHAPTER41

HungerHUNGER，prolonged，istemporarymadness!Thebrainisatworkwithoutitsrequiredfood，andthemostfantasticnotionsfillthemind。HithertoIhadneverknownwhathungerreallymeant。Iwaslikelytounderstanditnow。

Andyet，threemonthsbeforeIcouldtellmyterriblestoryofstarvation，asIthoughtit。AsaboyIusedtomakefrequentexcursionsintheneighborhoodoftheProfessor"shouse。

Myunclealwaysactedonsystem，andhebelievedthat，inadditiontothedayofrestandworship，thereshouldbeadayofrecreation。

Inconsequence，IwasalwaysfreetodoasIlikedonaWednesday。

Now，asIhadanotiontocombinetheusefulandtheagreeable，myfavoritepastimewasbirds"nesting。Ihadoneofthebestcollectionsofeggsinallthetown。Theywereclassified，andunderglasscases。

Therewasacertainwood，which，byrisingatearlymorn，andtakingthecheaptrain，Icouldreachateleveninthemorning。HereI

wouldbotanizeorgeologizeatmywill。Myunclewasalwaysgladofspecimensforhisherbarium，andstonestoexamine。WhenIhadfilledmywallet，Iproceededtosearchfornests。

Afterabouttwohoursofhardwork，I，oneday，satdownbyastreamtoeatmyhumblebutcopiouslunch。Howtheremembranceofthespicedsausage，thewheatenloaf，andthebeer，mademymouthwaternow!Iwouldhavegiveneveryprospectofworldlywealthforsuchameal。Buttomystory。

Whileseatedthusatmyleisure，Ilookedupattheruinsofanoldcastle，atnogreatdistance。Itwastheremainsofanhistoricaldwelling，ivy-clad，andnowfallingtopieces。

Whilelooking，Isawtwoeaglescirclingaboutthesummitofaloftytower。Isoonbecamesatisfiedthattherewasanest。Now，inallmycollection，Ilackedeggsofthenativeeagleandthelargeowl。

Mymindwasmadeup。Iwouldreachthesummitofthattower，orperishintheattempt。Iwentnearer，andsurveyedtheruins。Theoldstaircase，yearsbefore，hadfallenin。Theouterwallswere，however，intact。Therewasnochancethatway，unlessIlookedtotheivysolelyforsupport。Thiswas，asIsoonfoundout，futile。

Thereremainedthechimney，whichstillwentuptothetop，andhadonceservedtocarryoffthesmokefromeverystoryofthetower。

UpthisIdeterminedtoventure。Itwasnarrow，rough，andthereforethemoreeasilyclimbed。Itookoffmycoatandcreptintothechimney。Lookingup，Isawasmall，lightopening，proclaimingthesummitofthechimney。

Up-upIwent，forsometimeusingmyhandsandknees，afterthefashionofachimneysweep。Itwasslowwork，but，therebeingcontinualprojections，thetaskwascomparativelyeasy。Inthisway，I

reachedhalfway。Thechimneynowbecamenarrower。Theatmospherewasclose，and，atlast，toendthematter，Istuckfast。Icouldascendnohigher。

Therecouldbenodoubtofthis，andthereremainednoresourcebuttodescend，andgiveupmygloriouspreyindespair。Iyieldedtofateandendeavoredtodescend。ButIcouldnotmove。Someunseenandmysteriousobstacleintervenedandstoppedme。Inaninstantthefullhorrorofmysituationseizedme。

Iwasunabletomoveeitherway，andwasdoomedtoaterribleandhorribledeath，thatofstarvation。Inaboy"smind，however，thereisanextraordinaryamountofelasticityandhope，andIbegantothinkofallsortsofplanstoescapemygloomyfate。

Inthefirstplace，Irequirednofoodjustatpresent，havinghadanexcellentmeal，andwasthereforeallowedtimeforreflection。Myfirstthoughtwastotryandmovethemortarwithmyhand。HadI

possessedaknife，somethingmighthavebeendone，butthatusefulinstrumentIhadleftinmycoatpocket。

Isoonfoundthatalleffortsofthiskindwerevainanduseless，andthatallIcouldhopetodowastowriggledownwards。

ButthoughIjerkedandstruggled，andstrovetoturn，itwasallinvain。Icouldnotmoveaninch，onewayortheother。Andtimeflewrapidly。MyearlyrisingprobablycontributedtothefactthatI

feltsleepy，andgraduallygavewaytothesensationofdrowsiness。

Islept，andawokeindarkness，ravenouslyhungry。

Nighthadcome，andstillIcouldnotmove。Iwastightbound，anddidnotsucceedinchangingmypositionaninch。Igroanedaloud。

Neversincethedaysofmyhappychildhood，whenitwasahardshiptogofrommealtomealwithouteating，hadIreallyexperiencedhunger。Thesensationwasasnovelasitwaspainful。Ibegannowtolosemyheadandtoscreamandcryoutinmyagony。Somethingappeared，startledbymynoise。Itwasaharmlesslizard，butitappearedtomealoathsomereptile。AgainImadetheoldruinsresoundwithmycries，andfinallysoexhaustedmyselfthatIfainted。

HowlongIlayinakindoftranceorsleepIcannotsay，butwhenagainIrecoveredconsciousnessitwasday。HowillIfelt，howhungerstillgnawedatme，itwouldbehardtosay。Iwastooweaktoscreamnow，fartooweaktostruggle。

SuddenlyIwasstartledbyaroar。

"Areyouthere，Henry?"saidthevoiceofmyuncle；"areyouthere，myboy?"

Icouldonlyfaintlyrespond，butIalsomadeadesperateefforttoturn。Somemortarfell。TothisIowedmybeingdiscovered。Whenthesearchtookplace，itwaseasilyseenthatmortarandsmallpiecesofstonehadrecentlyfallenfromabove。Hencemyuncle"scry。

"Becalm，"hecried，"ifwepulldownthewholeruin，youshallbesaved。"

Theyweredeliciouswords，butIhadlittlehope。

Soonhowever，aboutaquarterofanhourlaterIheardavoiceaboveme，atoneoftheupperfireplaces。

"Areyoubeloworabove?"

"Below，"wasmyreply。

Inaninstantabasketwasloweredwithmilk，abiscuit，andanegg。

Myunclewasfearfultobetooreadywithhissupplyoffood。I

drankthemilkfirst，forthirsthadnearlydeadenedhunger。Ithen，muchrefreshed，atemybreadandhardegg。

Theywerenowatworkatthewall。Icouldhearapickax。WishingtoescapealldangerfromthisterribleweaponImadeadesperatestruggle，andthebelt，whichsurroundedmywaistandwhichhadbeenhitchedonastone，gaveway。Iwasfree，andonlyescapedfallingdownbyarapidmotionofmyhandsandknees。

IntenminutesmoreIwasinmyuncle"sarms，afterbeingtwodaysandnightsinthathorribleprison。Myoccasionaldeliriumpreventedmefromcountingtime。

Iwasweeksrecoveringfromthatawfulstarvationadventure；andyetwhatwasthattothehideoussufferingsInowendured?

Afterdreamingforsometime，andthinkingofthisandothermatters，Ioncemorelookedaroundme。Wewerestillascendingwithfearfulrapidity。Everynowandthentheairappearedtocheckourrespirationasitdoesthatofaeronautswhentheascensionoftheballoonistoorapid。Butiftheyfeeladegreeofcoldinproportiontotheelevationtheyattainintheatmosphere，weexperiencedquiteacontraryeffect。Theheatbegantoincreaseinamostthreateningandexceptionalmanner。Icannottellexactlythemean，butIthinkitmusthavereachedonehundredtwenty-twodegreesFahrenheit。

Whatwasthemeaningofthisextraordinarychangeinthetemperature?Asfaraswehadhithertogone，factshadprovedthetheoriesofDavyandofLidenbrocktobecorrect。Untilnow，allthepeculiarconditionsofrefractoryrocks，ofelectricity，ofmagnetism，hadmodifiedthegenerallawsofnature，andhadcreatedforusamoderatetemperature；forthetheoryofthecentralfire，remained，inmyeyes，theonlyexplainableone。

Werewe，then，goingtoreachapositioninwhichthesephenomenaweretobecarriedoutinalltheirrigor，andinwhichtheheatwouldreducetherockstoastateoffusion?

Suchwasmynotunnaturalfear，andIdidnotconcealthefactfrommyuncle。Mywayofdoingsomightbecoldandheartless，butI

couldnothelpit。

"Ifwearenotdrowned，orsmashedintopancakes，andifwedonotdieofstarvation，wehavethesatisfactionofknowingthatwemustbeburnedalive。"

Myuncle，inpresenceofthisbrusqueattack，simplyshruggedhisshoulders，andresumedhisreflections-whatevertheymightbe。

Anhourpassedaway，andexceptthattherewasaslightincreaseinthetemperaturenoincidentmodifiedthesituation。

Myuncleatlast，ofhisownaccord，brokesilence。

"Well，Henry，myboy，"hesaid，inacheerfulway，"wemustmakeupourminds。"

"Makeupourmindstowhat?"Iasked，inconsiderablesurprise。

"Well-tosomething。Wemustatwhateverriskrecruitourphysicalstrength。Ifwemakethefatalmistakeofhusbandingourlittleremnantoffood，wemayprobablyprolongourwretchedexistenceafewhours-butweshallremainweaktotheend。"

"Yes，"Igrowled，"totheend。That，however，willnotkeepuslongwaiting。"

"Well，onlyletachanceofsafetypresentitself-onlyallowthatamomentofactionbenecessary-whereshallwefindthemeansofactionifweallowourselvestobereducedtophysicalweaknessbyinanition?"

"Whenthispieceofmeatisdevoured，Uncle，whathopewillthereremainuntous?"

"None，mydearHenry，none。Butwillitdoyouanygoodtodevouritwithyoureyes?Youappeartometoreasonlikeonewithoutwillordecision，likeabeingwithoutenergy。"

"Then，"criedI，exasperatedtoadegreewhichisscarcelytobeexplained，"youdonotmeantotellme-thatyou-thatyou-havenotlostallhope。

"Certainlynot，"repliedtheProfessorwithconsummatecoolness。

"Youmeantotellme，Uncle，thatweshallgetoutofthismonstroussubterraneanshaft?"

"Whilethereislifethereishope。Ibegtoassert，Henry，thataslongasaman"sheartbeats，aslongasaman"sfleshquivers，Idonotallowthatabeinggiftedwiththoughtandwillcanallowhimselftodespair。"

Whatanerve!Themanplacedinapositionlikethatweoccupiedmusthavebeenverybravetospeaklikethis。

"Well，"Icried，"whatdoyoumeantodo?"

"Eatwhatremainsofthefoodwehaveinourhands；letusswallowthelastcrumb。ItwillbelHeavenwilling，ourlastrepast。Well，nevermind-insteadofbeingexhaustedskeletons，weshallbemen。"

"True，"mutteredIinadespairingtone，"letustakeourfill。"

"Wemust，repliedmyuncle，withadeepsigh，"callitwhatyouwill。"

Myuncletookapieceofthemeatthatremained，andsomecrustsofbiscuitwhichhadescapedthewreck。Hedividedthewholeintothreeparts。

Eachhadonepoundoffoodtolasthimaslongasheremainedintheinterioroftheearth。

Eachnowactedinaccordancewithhisownprivatecharacter。

Myuncle，theProfessor，ategreedily，butevidentlywithoutappetite，eatingsimplyfromsomemechanicalmotion。Iputthefoodinsidemylips，andhungryasIwas，chewedmymorselwithoutpleasure，andwithoutsatisfaction。

Hans，theguide，justasifhehadbeeneider-downhunting，swallowedeverymouthful，asthoughitwereausualaffair。Helookedlikeamanequallypreparedtoenjoysuperfluityortotalwant。