"Yes。"
"Well，makeready，Iamabouttopronounceyourname，"saidtheProfessor。
Iappliedmyearclosetothesidesofthecavernousgallery，andassoonastheword"Harry"reachedmyear，Iturnedroundand，placingmylipstothewall，repeatedthesound。
"Fortyseconds，"saidmyuncle。"Therehaselapsedfortysecondsbetweenthetwowords。Thesound，therefore，takestwentysecondstoascend。Now，allowingathousandandtwentyfeetforeverysecond-
wehavetwentythousandfourhundredfeet-aleagueandahalfandone-eighth。"
Thesewordsfellonmysoullikeakindofdeathknell。
"Aleagueandahalf，"Imutteredinalowanddespairingvoice。
"Itshallbegotover，myboy，"criedmyuncleinacheerytone；
"dependonus。"
"Butdoyouknowwhethertoascendordescend?"Iaskedfaintlyenough。
"Wehavetodescend，andIwilltellyouwhy。Youhavereachedavastopenspace，akindofbarecrossroad，fromwhichgalleriesdivergeineverydirection。Thatinwhichyouarenowlyingmustnecessarilybringyoutothispoint，foritappearsthatallthesemightyfissures，thesefracturesoftheglobe'sinterior，radiatefromthevastcavernwhichweatthismomentoccupy。Rouseyourself，then，havecourageandcontinueyourroute。Walkifyoucan，ifnotdragyourselfalong-slide，ifnothingelseispossible。Theslopemustberatherrapid-andyouwillfindstrongarmstoreceiveyouattheendofyourjourney。Makeastart，likeagoodfellow。"
Thesewordsservedtorousesomekindofcourageinmysinkingframe。
"Farewellforthepresent，gooduncle，Iamabouttotakemydeparture。AssoonasIstart，ourvoiceswillceasetocommingle。
Farewell，then，untilwemeetagain。"
"Adieu，Harry-untilwesayWelcome。"SuchwerethelastwordswhichreachedmyanxiousearsbeforeIcommencedmywearyandalmosthopelessjourney。
Thiswonderfulandsurprisingconversationwhichtookplacethroughthevastmassoftheearth'slabyrinth，thesewordsexchanged，thespeakersbeingaboutfivemilesapart-endedwithhopefulandpleasantexpressions。IbreathedonemoreprayertoHeaven，Isentupwordsofthanksgiving-believinginmyinmostheartthatHehadledmetotheonlyplacewherethevoicesofmyfriendscouldreachmyears。
Thisapparentlyastoundingacousticmysteryiseasilyexplainablebysimplenaturallaws；itarosefromtheconductibilityoftherock。
Therearemanyinstancesofthissingularpropagationofsoundwhicharenotperceptibleinitslessmediatepositions。IntheinteriorgalleryofSt。Paul's，andamidthecuriouscavernsinSicily，thesephenomenaareobservable。ThemostmarvelousofthemallisknownastheEarofDionysius。
Thesememoriesofthepast，ofmyearlyreadingandstudies，camefreshtomythoughts。Moreover，IbegantoreasonthatifmyuncleandIcouldcommunicateatsogreatadistance，noseriousobstaclecouldexistbetweenus。AllIhadtodowastofollowthedirectionwhencethesoundhadreachedme；andlogicallyputtingit，Imustreachhimifmystrengthdidnotfail。
Iaccordinglyrosetomyfeet。Isoonfound，however，thatIcouldnotwalk；thatImustdragmyselfalong。TheslopeasIexpectedwasveryrapid；butIallowedmyselftoslipdown。
Soontherapidityofthedescentbegantoassumefrightfulproportions；andmenacedafearfulfall。Iclutchedatthesides；I
graspedatprojectionsofrocks；Ithrewmyselfbackwards。Allinvain。MyweaknesswassogreatIcoulddonothingtosavemyself。
Suddenlyearthfailedme。
Iwasfirstlaunchedintoadarkandgloomyvoid。Ithenstruckagainsttheprojectingasperitiesofaverticalgallery，aperfectwell。Myheadboundedagainstapointedrock，andIlostallknowledgeofexistence。AsfarasIwasconcerned，deathhadclaimedmeforhisown。
CHAPTER26
ARapidRecoveryWHENIreturnedtotheconsciousnessofexistence，Ifoundmyselfsurroundedbyakindofsemiobscurity，lyingonsomethickandsoftcoverlets。Myunclewaswatching-hiseyesfixedintentlyonmycountenance，agraveexpressiononhisface，atearinhiseye。Atthefirstsighwhichstruggledfrommybosom，hetookholdofmyhand。
Whenhesawmyeyesopenandfixthemselvesuponhis，heutteredaloudcryofloudcryofjoy。"Helives!helives!"
"Yes，mygooduncle，"Iwhispered。
"Mydearboy，"continuedthegrimProfessor，claspingmetohisheart，"youaresaved!"
Iwasdeeplyandunaffectedlytouchedbythetoneinwhichthesewordswereuttered，andevenmorebythekindlycarewhichaccompaniedthem。TheProfessor，however，wasoneofthosemenwhomustbeseverelytriedinordertoinduceanydisplayofaffectionorgentleemotion。AtthismomentourfriendHans，theguide，joinedus。Hesawmyhandinthatofmyuncle，andIventuretosaythat，taciturnashewas，hiseyesbeamedwithlivelysatisfaction。
"Goddag，"hesaid。
"Goodday，Hans，goodday，"Ireplied，inasheartyatoneasI
couldassume，"andnow，Uncle，thatwearetogether，tellmewhereweare。Ihavelostallideaofourposition，asofeverythingelse。"
"Tomorrow，Harry，tomorrow，"hereplied。"Todayyouarefartooweak。Yourheadissurroundedwithbandagesandpoulticesthatmustnotbetouched。Sleep，myboy，sleep，andtomorrowyouwillknowallthatyourequire。"
"But，"Icried，letmeknowwhato'clockitis-whatdayitis?"
"Itisnoweleveno'clockatnight，andthisisoncemoreSunday。ItisnowtheninthofthemonthofAugust。AndIdistinctlyprohibityoufromaskinganymorequestionsuntilthetenthofthesame。"
Iwas，ifthetruthweretold，veryweakindeed，andmyeyessoonclosedinvoluntarily。Ididrequireagoodnight'srest，andIwentoffreflectingatthelastmomentthatmyperilousadventureintheinterioroftheearth，intotaldarkness，hadlastedfourdays!
Onthemorningofthenextday，atmyawakening，Ibegantolookaroundme。Mysleepingplace，madeofallourtravelingbedding，wasinacharminggrotto，adornedwithmagnificentstalagmites，glitteringinallthecolorsoftherainbow，thefloorofsoftandsilverysand。
Adimobscurityprevailed。Notorch，nolampwaslighted，andyetcertainunexplainedbeamsoflightpenetratedfromwithout，andmadetheirwaythroughtheopeningofthebeautifulgrotto。
I，moreover，heardavagueandindefinitemurmur，liketheebbandflowofwavesuponastrand，andsometimesIverilybelievedIcouldhearthesighingofthewind。
Ibegantobelievethat，insteadofbeingawake，Imustbedreaming。
Surelymybrainhadnotbeenaffectedbymyfall，andallthatoccurredduringthelasttwenty-fourhourswasnotthefrenziedvisionsofmadness?Andyetaftersomereflection，atrialofmyfaculties，IcametotheconclusionthatIcouldnotbemistaken。Eyesandearscouldnotsurelybothdeceiveme。
"Itisarayoftheblesseddaylight，"Isaidtomyself，"whichhaspenetratedthroughsomemightyfissureintherocks。Butwhatisthemeaningofthismurmurofwaves，thisunmistakablemoaningofthesalt-seabillows?Icanhear，too，plainlyenough，thewhistlingofthewind。ButcanIbealtogethermistaken?Ifmyuncle，duringmyillness，hasbutcarriedmebacktothesurfaceoftheearth!Hashe，onmyaccount，givenuphiswondrousexpedition，orinsomestrangemannerhasitcometoanend?"
Iwaspuzzlingmybrainovertheseandotherquestions，whentheProfessorjoinedme。
"Goodday，Harry，"hecriedinajoyoustone。"Ifancyyouarequitewell。"
"Iamverymuchbetter，"Ireplied，actuallysittingupinmybed。
"Iknewthatwouldbetheendofit，asyousleptbothsoundlyandtranquilly。HansandIhaveeachtakenturntowatch，andeveryhourwehaveseenvisiblesignsofamelioration。"
"Youmustberight，Uncle，"wasmyreply，"forIfeelasifI
coulddojusticetoanymealyoucouldputbeforeme。"
"Youshalleat，myboy，youshalleat。Thefeverhasleftyou。OurexcellentfriendHanshasrubbedyourwoundsandbruiseswithIknownotwhatointment，ofwhichtheIcelandersalonepossessthesecret。
Andtheyhavehealedyourbruisesinthemostmarvelousmanner。Ah，he'sawisefellowisMasterHans。"
Whilehewasspeaking，myunclewasplacingbeforemeseveralarticlesoffood，which，despitehisearnestinjunctions，Ireadilydevoured。Assoonasthefirstrageofhungerwasappeased，I
overwhelmedhimwithquestions，towhichhenownolongerhesitatedtogiveanswers。
Ithenlearned，forthefirsttime，thatmyprovidentialfallhadbroughtmetothebottomofanalmostperpendiculargallery。AsIcamedown，amidstaperfectshowerofstones，theleastofwhichfallingonmewouldhavecrushedmetodeath，theycametotheconclusionthatIhadcarriedwithmeanentiredislocatedrock。Ridingasitwereonthisterriblechariot，Iwascastheadlongintomyuncle'sarms。
AndintothemIfell，insensibleandcoveredwithblood。
"Itisindeedamiracle，"wastheProfessor'sfinalremark，"thatyouwerenotkilledathousandtimesover。Butletustakecarenevertoseparate；forsurelyweshouldrisknevermeetingagain。"
"Letustakecareneveragaintoseparate。"
Thesewordsfellwithasortofchilluponmyheart。Thejourney，then，wasnotover。Ilookedatmyunclewithsurpriseandastonishment。Myuncle，afteraninstant'sexaminationofmycountenance，said:"Whatisthematter，Harry?"
"Iwanttoaskyouaveryseriousquestion。YousaythatIamallrightinhealth?"
"Certainlyyouare。"
"Andallmylimbsaresoundandcapableofnewexertion?"Iasked。
"Mostundoubtedly。"
"Butwhataboutmyhead?"wasmynextanxiousquestion。
"Well，yourhead，exceptthatyouhaveoneortwocontusions，isexactlywhereitoughttobe-onyourshoulders，"saidmyuncle，laughing。
"Well，myownopinionisthatmyheadisnotexactlyright。Infact，Ibelievemyselfslightlydelirious。"
"Whatmakesyouthinkso?"
"IwillexplainwhyIfancyIhavelostmysenses，"Icried。"HavewenotreturnedtothesurfaceofMotherEarth?"
"Certainlynot。"
"ThentrulyImustbemad，fordoInotseethelightofday?doI
nothearthewhistlingofthewind?andcanInotdistinguishthewashofagreatsea?"
"Andthatisallthatmakesyouuneasy?"saidmyuncle，withasmile。
"Canyouexplain?"
"Iwillnotmakeanyattempttoexplain；forthewholematterisutterlyinexplicable。Butyoushallseeandjudgeforyourself。Youwillthenfindthatgeologicalscienceisasyetinitsinfancy-andthatwearedoomedtoenlightentheworld。"
"Letusadvance，then，"Icriedeagerly，nolongerabletorestrainmycuriosity。
"Waitamoment，mydearHarry，"heresponded；"youmusttakeprecautionsafteryourillnessbeforegoingintotheopenair。"
"Theopenair?"
"Yes，myboy。Ihavetowarnyouthatthewindisratherviolent-
andIhavenowishforyoutoexposeyourselfwithoutnecessaryprecautions。"
"ButIbegtoassureyouthatIamperfectlyrecoveredfrommyillness。"
"Havejustalittlepatience，myboy。Arelapsewouldbeinconvenienttoallparties。Wehavenotimetolose-asourapproachingseavoyagemaybeoflongduration。"
"Seavoyage?"Icried，morebewilderedthanever。
"Yes。Youmusttakeanotherday'srest，andweshallbereadytogoonboardbytomorrow，"repliedmyuncle，withapeculiarsmile。
"Goonboard!"Thewordsutterlyastonishedme。
Goonboard-whatandhow?Hadwecomeuponariver，alake，hadwediscoveredsomeinlandsea?Wasavessellyingatanchorinsomepartoftheinterioroftheearth?
Mycuriositywasworkeduptotheveryhighestpitch。Myunclemadevainattemptstorestrainme。Whenatlast，however，hediscoveredthatmyfeverishimpatiencewoulddomoreharmthangood-
andthatthesatisfactionofmywishescouldalonerestoremetoacalmstateofmind-hegaveway。
Idressedmyselfrapidly-andthentakingtheprecautiontopleasemyuncle，ofwrappingmyselfinoneofthecoverlets，Irushedoutofthegrotto。
CHAPTER27
TheCentralSeaATfirstIsawabsolutelynothing。Myeyes，whollyunusedtotheeffulgenceoflight，couldnotbearthesuddenbrightness；andIwascompelledtoclosethem。WhenIwasabletoreopenthem，Istoodstill，farmorestupefiedthanastonished。Notallthewildesteffectsofimaginationcouldhaveconjuredupsuchascene!"Thesea-thesea，"Icried。
"Yes，"repliedmyuncle，inatoneofpardonablepride；"theCentralSea。Nofuturenavigatorwilldenythefactofmyhavingdiscoveredit；andhenceofacquiringarightofgivingitaname。"
Itwasquitetrue。Avast，limitlessexpanseofwater，theendofalakeifnotofanocean，spreadbeforeus，untilitwaslostinthedistance。Theshore，whichwasverymuchindented，consistedofabeautifulsoftgoldensand，mixedwithsmallshells，thelong-desertedhomeofsomeofthecreaturesofapastage。Thewavesbrokeincessantly-andwithapeculiarlysonorousmurmur，tobefoundinundergroundlocalities。Aslightfrothyflakearoseasthewindblewalongthepellucidwaters；andmanyadashofspraywasblownintomyface。Themightysuperstructureofrockwhichroseabovetoaninconceivableheightleftonlyanarrowopening-butwherewestood，therewasalargemarginofstrand。Onallsideswerecapesandpromontoriesandenormouscliffs，partiallywornbytheeternalbreakingofthewaves，throughcountlessages!AndasIgazedfromsidetoside，themightyrocksfadedawaylikeafleecyfilmofcloud。
Itwasinrealityanocean，withantheusualcharacteristicsofaninlandsea，onlyhorriblywild-sorigid，coldandsavage。
Onethingstartledandpuzzledmegreatly。HowwasitthatIwasabletolookuponthatvastsheetofwaterinsteadofbeingplungedinutterdarkness?Thevastlandscapebeforemewaslituplikeday。
Buttherewaswantingthedazzlingbrilliancy，thesplendidirradiationofthesun；thepalecoldilluminationofthemoon；thebrightnessofthestars。Theilluminatingpowerinthissubterraneanregion，fromitstremblingandRickeringcharacter，itscleardrywhiteness，theveryslightelevationofitstemperature，itsgreatsuperioritytothatofthemoon，wasevidentlyelectric；somethinginthenatureoftheauroraborealis，onlythatitsphenomenawereconstant，andabletolightupthewholeoftheoceancavern。
Thetremendousvaultaboveourheads，thesky，sotospeak，appearedtobecomposedofaconglomerationofnebulousvapors，inconstantmotion。Ishouldoriginallyhavesupposedthat，undersuchanatmosphericpressureasmustexistinthatplace，theevaporationofwatercouldnotreallytakeplace，andyetfromtheactionofsomephysicallaw，whichescapedmymemory，therewereheavyanddensecloudsrollingalongthatmightyvault，partiallyconcealingtheroof。
Electriccurrentsproducedastonishingplayoflightandshadeinthedistance，especiallyaroundtheheavierclouds。Deepshadowswerecastbeneath，andthensuddenly，betweentwoclouds，therewouldcomearayofunusualbeauty，andremarkableintensity。Andyetitwasnotlikethesun，foritgavenoheat。
Theeffectwassadandexcruciatinglymelancholy。Insteadofanoblefirmamentofblue，studdedwithstars，therewasabovemeaheavyroofofgranite，whichseemedtocrushme。
Gazingaround，IbegantothinkofthetheoryoftheEnglishcaptainwhocomparedtheearthtoavasthollowsphereintheinteriorofwhichtheairisretainedinaluminousstatebymeansofatmosphericpressure，whiletwostars，PlutoandProserpine，circledthereintheirmysteriousorbits。Afterall，supposetheoldfellowwasright!
Intruth，wewereimprisoned-boundasitwere，inavastexcavation。Itswidthitwasimpossibletomakeout；theshore，oneitherhand，wideningrapidlyuntillosttosight；whileitslengthwasequallyuncertain。Ahazeonthedistanthorizonboundedourview。
Astoitsheight，wecouldseethatitmustbemanymilestotheroof。
Lookingupward，itwasimpossibletodiscoverwherethestupendousroofbegan。Thelowestofthecloudsmusthavebeenfloatingatanelevationoftwothousandyards，aheightgreaterthanthatofterrestrialvapors，whichcircumstancewasdoubtlessowingtotheextremedensityoftheair。
Iusetheword"cavern"inordertogiveanideaoftheplace。I
cannotdescribeitsawfulgrandeur；humanlanguagefailstoconveyanideaofitssavagesublimity。Whetherthissingularvacuumhadorhadnotbeencausedbythesuddencoolingoftheearthwheninastateoffusion，Icouldnotsay。Ihadreadofmostwonderfulandgiganticcaverns-but，noneinanywaylikethis。
ThegreatgrottoofGuachara，inColombia，visitedbythelearnedHumboldt；thevastandpartiallyexploredMammothCaveinKentucky-
whatweretheseholesintheearthtothatinwhichIstoodinspeechlessadmiration!withitsvaporyclouds，itselectriclight，andthemightyoceanslumberinginitsbosom!Imagination，notdescription，canalonegiveanideaofthesplendorandvastnessofthecave。
Igazedatthesemarvelsinprofoundsilence。WordswereutterlywantingtoindicatethesensationsofwonderIexperienced。I
seemed，asIstooduponthatmysteriousshore，asifIweresomewanderinginhabitantofadistantplanet，presentforthefirsttimeatthespectacleofsometerrestrialphenomenabelongingtoanotherexistence。Togivebodyandexistencetosuchnewsensationswouldhaverequiredthecoinageofnewwords-andheremyfeeblebrainfounditselfwhollyatfault。Ilookedon，Ithought，Ireflected，I
admired，inastateofstupefactionnotaltogetherunmingledwithfear!
Theunexpectedspectaclerestoredsomecolortomypallidcheeks。
Iseemedtobeactuallygettingbetterundertheinfluenceofthisnovelty。Moreover，thevivacityofthedenseatmospherereanimatedmybodybyinflatingmylungswithunaccustomedoxygen。
Itwillbereadilyconceivedthatafteranimprisonmentofforty-sevendays，inadarkandmiserabletunnelitwaswithinfinitedelightthatIbreathedthissalineair。Itwaslikethegenial，revivinginfluenceofthesaltseawaves。
Myunclehadalreadygotoverthefirstsurprise。
WiththeLatinpoetHoracehisideawasthat-
NottoadmireisalltheartIknow，Tomakemanhappyandtokeephimso。
"Well，"hesaid，aftergivingmetimethoroughlytoappreciatethemarvelsofthisundergroundsea，"doyoufeelstrongenoughtowalkupanddown?"
"Certainly，"wasmyreadyanswer，"nothingwouldgivemegreaterpleasure。"
"Wellthen，myboy，"hesaid，leanonmyarm，andwewillstrollalongthebeach。"
Iacceptedhisoffereagerly，andwebegantowalkalongtheshoresofthisextraordinarylake。Toourleftwereabruptrocks，piledoneupontheother-astupendoustitanicpile；downtheirsidesleapedinnumerablecascades，whichatlast，becominglimpidandmurmuringstreams，werelostinthewatersofthelake。Lightvapors，whichrosehereandthere，andfloatedinfleecycloudsfromrocktorock，indicatedhotsprings，whichalsopouredtheirsuperfluityintothevastreservoiratourfeet。
AmongthemIrecognizedouroldandfaithfulstream，theHansbach，which，lostinthatwildbasin，seemedasifithadbeenflowingsincethecreationoftheworld。
"WeshallmissourexcellentfriendIremarked，withadeepsigh。
"Bah!"saidmyuncletestily，"whatmattersit?Thatoranother，itisallthesame。"
Ithoughttheremarkungrateful，andfeltalmostinclinedtosayso；
butIforbore。
Atthismomentmyattentionwasattractedbyanunexpectedspectacle。Afterwehadgoneaboutfivehundredyards，wesuddenlyturnedasteeppromontory，andfoundourselvesclosetoaloftyforest!Itconsistedofstraighttrunkswithtuftedtops，inshapelikeparasols。Theairseemedtohavenoeffectuponthesetrees-
whichinspiteofatolerablebreezeremainedasstillandmotionlessasiftheyhadbeenpetrified。
Ihastenedforward。Icouldfindnonameforthesesingularformations。Didtheynotbelongtothetwothousandandmoreknowntrees-orwerewetomakethediscoveryofanewgrowth?Bynomeans。Whenweatlastreachedtheforest，andstoodbeneaththetrees，mysurprisegavewaytoadmiration。
Intruth，Iwassimplyinthepresenceofaveryordinaryproductoftheearth，ofsingularandgiganticproportions。Myuncleunhesitatinglycalledthembytheirrealnames。
"Itisonly，"hesaid，inhiscoolestmanner，"aforestofmushrooms。"
OncloseexaminationIfoundthathewasnotmistaken。Judgeofthedevelopmentattainedbythisproductofdamphotsoils。IhadheardthattheLycoperdongiganteumreachesninefeetincircumference，butherewerewhitemushrooms，nearlyfortyfeethigh，andwithtopsofequaldimensions。Theygrewincountlessthousands-thelightcouldnotmakeitswaythroughtheirmassivesubstance，andbeneaththemreignedagloomyandmysticdarkness。
StillIwishedtogoforward。Thecoldintheshadesofthissingularforestwasintense。Fornearlyanhourwewanderedaboutinthisvisibledarkness。AtlengthIleftthespot，andoncemorereturnedtotheshoresofthelake，tolightandcomparativewarmth。
Buttheamazingvegetationofsubterraneouslandwasnotconfinedtogiganticmushrooms。Newwondersawaitedusateverystep。Wehadnotgonemanyhundredyards，whenwecameuponamightygroupofothertreeswithdiscoloredleaves-thecommonhumbletreesofMotherEarth，ofanexorbitantandphenomenalsize:lycopodsahundredfeethigh；
floweringfernsastallaspines；giganticgrasses!
"Astonishing，magnificent，splendid!"criedmyuncle；"herewehavebeforeusthewholefloraofthesecondperiodoftheworld，thatoftransition。Beholdthehumbleplantsofourgardens，whichinthefirstagesoftheworldweremightytrees。Lookaroundyou，mydearHarry。Nobotanisteverbeforegazedonsuchasight!"
Myuncle'senthusiasm，alwaysalittlemorethanwasrequired，wasnowexcusable。
"Youareright，Uncle，"Iremarked。"Providenceappearstohavedesignedthepreservationinthisvastandmysterioushothouseofantediluvianplants，toprovethesagacityoflearnedmeninfiguringthemsomarvelouslyonpaper。"
"Wellsaid，myboy-verywellsaid；itisindeedamightyhothouse。Butyouwouldalsobewithintheboundsofreasonandcommonsense，ifyouaddedthatitisalsoavastmenagerie。"
Ilookedratheranxiouslyaround。Iftheanimalswereasexaggeratedastheplants，thematterwouldcertainlybeserious。
"Amenagerie?"
"Doubtless。Lookatthedustwearetreadingunderfoot-beholdtheboneswithwhichthewholesoiloftheseashoreiscovered-"
"Bones，"Ireplied，"yes，certainly，thebonesofantediluviananimals。"
IstoopeddownasIspoke，andpickeduponeortwosingularremains，relicsofabygoneage。Itwaseasytogiveanametothesegiganticbones，insomeinstancesasbigastrunksoftrees。
"Hereis，clearly，thelowerjawboneofamastodon，"Icried，almostaswarmlyandenthusiasticallyasmyuncle；"herearethemolarsoftheDinotherium；hereisalegbonewhichbelongedtotheMegatherium。
Youareright，Uncle，itisindeedamenagerie；forthemightyanimalstowhichthesebonesoncebelonged，havelivedanddiedontheshoresofthissubterraneansea，undertheshadowoftheseplants。
Look，yonderarewholeskeletons-andyet-"
"Andyet，nephew?"saidmyuncle，noticingthatIsuddenlycametoafullstop。
"Idonotunderstandthepresenceofsuchbeastsingranitecaverns，howevervastandprodigious，"wasmyreply。
"Whynot?"saidmyuncle，withverymuchofhisoldprofessionalimpatience。
"Becauseitiswellknownthatanimallifeonlyexistedonearthduringthesecondaryperiod，whenthesedimentarysoilwasformedbythealluviums，andthusreplacedthehotandburningrocksoftheprimitiveage。"
"Ihavelistenedtoyouearnestlyandwithpatience，Harry，andI
haveasimpleandclearanswertoyourobjections:andthatis，thatthisitselfisasedimentarysoil。"
"Howcanthatbeatsuchenormousdepthfromthesurfaceoftheearth?"
"Thefactcanbeexplainedbothsimplyandgeologically。Atacertainperiod，theearthconsistedonlyofanelasticcrust，liabletoalternativeupwardanddownwardmovementsinvirtueofthelawofattraction。Itisveryprobablethatmanyalandsliptookplaceinthosedays，andthatlargeportionsofsedimentarysoilwerecastintohugeandmightychasms。"
"Quitepossible，"Idrylyremarked。"But，Uncle，iftheseantediluviananimalsformerlylivedinthesesubterraneanregions，whatmorelikelythanthatoneofthesemonstersmayatthismomentbeconcealedbehindoneofyondermightyrocks。"
AsIspoke，Ilookedkeenlyaround，examiningwithcareeverypointofthehorizon；butnothingaliveappearedtoexistonthesedesertedshores。
Inowfeltratherfatigued，andtoldmyuncleso。Thewalkandexcitementweretoomuchformeinmyweakstate。Ithereforeseatedmyselfattheendofapromontory，atthefootofwhichthewavesbrokeinincessantrolls。Ilookedroundabayformedbyprojectionsofvastgraniticrocks。Attheextremeendwasalittleportprotectedbyhugepyramidsofstones。Abrigandthreeorfourschoonersmighthavelaintherewithperfectease。Sonaturaldiditseem，thateveryminutemyimaginationinducedmetoexpectavesselcomingoutunderallsailandmakingfortheopenseaundertheinfluenceofawarmsoutherlybreeze。
Butthefantasticillusionneverlastedmorethanaminute。Weweretheonlylivingcreaturesinthissubterraneanworld!
Duringcertainperiodstherewasanuttercessationofwind，whenasilencedeeper，moreterriblethanthesilenceofthedesertfelluponthesesolitaryandaridrocks-andseemedtohanglikealeadenweightuponthewatersofthissingularocean。Isought，amidtheawfulstillness，topenetratethroughthedistantfog，toteardowntheveilwhichconcealedthemysteriousdistance。Whatunspokenwordsweremurmuredbymytremblinglips-whatquestionsdidIwishtoaskanddidnot!Wheredidthisseaend-towhatdiditlead?Shouldweeverbeabletoexamineitsdistantshores?
Butmyunclehadnodoubtsaboutthematter。Hewasconvincedthatourenterprisewouldintheendbesuccessful。Formypart，Iwasinastateofpainfulindecision-Idesiredtoembarkonthejourneyandtosucceed，andstillIfearedtheresult。
Afterwehadpassedanhourormoreinsilentcontemplationofthewondrousspectacle，weroseandwentdowntowardsthebankonourwaytothegrotto，whichIwasnotsorrytogain。Afteraslightrepast，Isoughtrefugeinslumber，andatlength，aftermanyandtediousstruggles，sleepcameovermywearyeyes。
CHAPTER28
LaunchingtheRaftONthemorningofthenextday，tomygreatsurprise，Iawokecompletelyrestored。Ithoughtabathwouldbedelightfulaftermylongillnessandsufferings。So，soonafterrising，IwentandplungedintothewatersofthisnewMediterranean。Thebathwascool，freshandinvigorating。
Icamebacktobreakfastwithanexcellentappetite。Hans，ourworthyguide，thoroughlyunderstoodhowtocooksucheatablesaswewereabletoprovide；hehadbothfireandwateratdiscretion，sothathewasenabledslightlytovarythewearymonotonyofourordinaryrepast。