"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,Theiathedivine,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
　　hundredandtwentyminutesIcountedthemstillseparatedmefromthemomentinwhichIwastojoinNedLand.
　　Myagitationredoubled.Mypulsebeatviolently.
　　Icouldnotremainquiet.Iwentandcame,hopingtocalmmytroubledspiritbyconstantmovement.Theideaoffailureinourboldenterprisewastheleastpainfulofmyanxieties;
　　butthethoughtofseeingourprojectdiscoveredbeforeleavingtheNautilus,ofbeingbroughtbeforeCaptainNemo,irritated,orwhatwasworsesaddened,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——"