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。