Part 1 Chapter 1
THE YEAR 1866 was marked by a bizarre development, an unexplained and downright inexplicable phenomenon that surely no one has forgotten. Without getting into those rumors that upset civilians in the seaports and deranged the public mind even far inland, it must be said that professional seamen were especially alarmed. Traders, shipowners, captains of vessels, skippers, and master mariners from Europe and America, naval officers from every country, and at their heels the various national governments on these two continents, were all extremely disturbed by the business.
In essence, over a period of time several ships had encountered "an enormous thing" at sea, a long spindle-shaped object, sometimes giving off a phosphorescent glow, infinitely bigger and faster than any whale.
The relevant data on this apparition, as recorded in various logbooks, agreed pretty closely as to the structure of the object or creature in question, its unprecedented speed of movement, its startling locomotive power, and the unique vitality with which it seemed to be gifted. If it was a cetacean, it exceeded in bulk any whale previously classified by science. No naturalist, neither Cuvier nor Lacépède, neither Professor Dumeril nor Professor de Quatrefages, would have accepted the existence of such a monster sight unseen-- specifically, unseen by their own scientific eyes.
Striking an average of observations taken at different times-- rejecting those timid estimates that gave the object a length of 200 feet, and ignoring those exaggerated views that saw it as a mile wide and three long--you could still assert that this phenomenal creature greatly exceeded the dimensions of anything then known to ichthyologists, if it existed at all.
Now then, it did exist, this was an undeniable fact; and since the human mind dotes on objects of wonder, you can understand the worldwide excitement caused by this unearthly apparition. As for relegating it to the realm of fiction, that charge had to be dropped.
In essence, on July 20, 1866, the steamer Governor Higginson, from the Calcutta & Burnach Steam Navigation Co., encountered this moving mass five miles off the eastern shores of Australia.
Captain Baker at first thought he was in the presence of an unknown reef; he was even about to fix its exact position when two waterspouts shot out of this inexplicable object and sprang hissing into the air some 150 feet. So, unless this reef was subject to the intermittent eruptions of a geyser, the Governor Higginson had fair and honest dealings with some aquatic mammal, until then unknown, that could spurt from its blowholes waterspouts mixed with air and steam.
Similar events were likewise observed in Pacific seas, on July 23 of the same year, by the Christopher Columbus from the West India & Pacific Steam Navigation Co. Consequently, this extraordinary cetacean could transfer itself from one locality to another with startling swiftness, since within an interval of just three days, the Governor Higginson and the Christopher Columbus had observed it at two positions on the charts separated by a distance of more than 700 nautical leagues.
Fifteen days later and 2,000 leagues farther, the Helvetia from the Compagnie Nationale and the Shannon from the Royal Mail line, running on opposite tacks in that part of the Atlantic lying between the United States and Europe, respectively signaled each other that the monster had been sighted in latitude 42 degrees 15' north and longitude 60 degrees 35' west of the meridian of Greenwich. From their simultaneous observations, they were able to estimate the mammal's minimum length at more than 350 English feet;* this was because both the Shannon and the Helvetia were of smaller dimensions, although each measured 100 meters stem to stern. Now then, the biggest whales, those rorqual whales that frequent the waterways of the Aleutian Islands, have never exceeded a length of 56 meters--if they reach even that.
*Author's Note: About 106 meters. An English foot is only 30.4 centimeters.
One after another, reports arrived that would profoundly affect public opinion: new observations taken by the transatlantic liner Pereire, the Inman line's Etna running afoul of the monster, an official report drawn up by officers on the French frigate Normandy, dead-earnest reckonings obtained by the general staff of Commodore Fitz-James aboard the Lord Clyde. In lighthearted countries, people joked about this phenomenon, but such serious, practical countries as England, America, and Germany were deeply concerned.
In every big city the monster was the latest rage; they sang about it in the coffee houses, they ridiculed it in the newspapers, they dramatized it in the theaters. The tabloids found it a fine opportunity for hatching all sorts of hoaxes. In those newspapers short of copy, you saw the reappearance of every gigantic imaginary creature, from "Moby Dick," that dreadful white whale from the High Arctic regions, to the stupendous kraken whose tentacles could entwine a 500-ton craft and drag it into the ocean depths. They even reprinted reports from ancient times: the views of Aristotle and Pliny accepting the existence of such monsters, then the Norwegian stories of Bishop Pontoppidan, the narratives of Paul Egede, and finally the reports of Captain Harrington-- whose good faith is above suspicion--in which he claims he saw, while aboard the Castilian in 1857, one of those enormous serpents that, until then, had frequented only the seas of France's old extremist newspaper, The Constitutionalist.
An interminable debate then broke out between believers and skeptics in the scholarly societies and scientific journals. The "monster question" inflamed all minds. During this memorable campaign, journalists making a profession of science battled with those making a profession of wit, spilling waves of ink and some of them even two or three drops of blood, since they went from sea serpents to the most offensive personal remarks.
For six months the war seesawed. With inexhaustible zest, the popular press took potshots at feature articles from the Geographic Institute of Brazil, the Royal Academy of Science in Berlin, the British Association, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., at discussions in The Indian Archipelago, in Cosmos published by Father Moigno, in Petermann's Mittheilungen,* and at scientific chronicles in the great French and foreign newspapers. When the monster's detractors cited a saying by the botanist Linnaeus that "nature doesn't make leaps," witty writers in the popular periodicals parodied it, maintaining in essence that "nature doesn't make lunatics," and ordering their contemporaries never to give the lie to nature by believing in krakens, sea serpents, "Moby Dicks," and other all-out efforts from drunken seamen. Finally, in a much-feared satirical journal, an article by its most popular columnist finished off the monster for good, spurning it in the style of Hippolytus repulsing the amorous advances of his stepmother Phaedra, and giving the creature its quietus amid a universal burst of laughter. Wit had defeated science.
*German: "Bulletin." Ed.
During the first months of the year 1867, the question seemed to be buried, and it didn't seem due for resurrection, when new facts were brought to the public's attention. But now it was no longer an issue of a scientific problem to be solved, but a quite real and serious danger to be avoided. The question took an entirely new turn. The monster again became an islet, rock, or reef, but a runaway reef, unfixed and elusive.
On March 5, 1867, the Moravian from the Montreal Ocean Co., lying during the night in latitude 27 degrees 30' and longitude 72 degrees 15', ran its starboard quarter afoul of a rock marked on no charts of these waterways. Under the combined efforts of wind and 400-horsepower steam, it was traveling at a speed of thirteen knots. Without the high quality of its hull, the Moravian would surely have split open from this collision and gone down together with those 237 passengers it was bringing back from Canada.
This accident happened around five o'clock in the morning, just as day was beginning to break. The officers on watch rushed to the craft's stern. They examined the ocean with the most scrupulous care. They saw nothing except a strong eddy breaking three cable lengths out, as if those sheets of water had been violently churned. The site's exact bearings were taken, and the Moravian continued on course apparently undamaged. Had it run afoul of an underwater rock or the wreckage of some enormous derelict ship? They were unable to say. But when they examined its undersides in the service yard, they discovered that part of its keel had been smashed.
This occurrence, extremely serious in itself, might perhaps have been forgotten like so many others, if three weeks later it hadn't been reenacted under identical conditions. Only, thanks to the nationality of the ship victimized by this new ramming, and thanks to the reputation of the company to which this ship belonged, the event caused an immense uproar.
No one is unaware of the name of that famous English shipowner, Cunard. In 1840 this shrewd industrialist founded a postal service between Liverpool and Halifax, featuring three wooden ships with 400-horsepower paddle wheels and a burden of 1,162 metric tons. Eight years later, the company's assets were increased by four 650-horsepower ships at 1,820 metric tons, and in two more years, by two other vessels of still greater power and tonnage. In 1853 the Cunard Co., whose mail-carrying charter had just been renewed, successively added to its assets the Arabia, the Persia, the China, the Scotia, the Java, and the Russia, all ships of top speed and, after the Great Eastern, the biggest ever to plow the seas. So in 1867 this company owned twelve ships, eight with paddle wheels and four with propellers.
If I give these highly condensed details, it is so everyone can fully understand the importance of this maritime transportation company, known the world over for its shrewd management. No transoceanic navigational undertaking has been conducted with more ability, no business dealings have been crowned with greater success. In twenty-six years Cunard ships have made 2,000 Atlantic crossings without so much as a voyage canceled, a delay recorded, a man, a craft, or even a letter lost. Accordingly, despite strong competition from France, passengers still choose the Cunard line in preference to all others, as can be seen in a recent survey of official documents. Given this, no one will be astonished at the uproar provoked by this accident involving one of its finest steamers.
On April 13, 1867, with a smooth sea and a moderate breeze, the Scotia lay in longitude 15 degrees 12' and latitude 45 degrees 37'. It was traveling at a speed of 13.43 knots under the thrust of its 1,000-horsepower engines. Its paddle wheels were churning the sea with perfect steadiness. It was then drawing 6.7 meters of water and displacing 6,624 cubic meters.
At 4:17 in the afternoon, during a high tea for passengers gathered in the main lounge, a collision occurred, scarcely noticeable on the whole, affecting the Scotia's hull in that quarter a little astern of its port paddle wheel.
The Scotia hadn't run afoul of something, it had been fouled, and by a cutting or perforating instrument rather than a blunt one. This encounter seemed so minor that nobody on board would have been disturbed by it, had it not been for the shouts of crewmen in the hold, who climbed on deck yelling:
"We're sinking! We're sinking!"
At first the passengers were quite frightened, but Captain Anderson hastened to reassure them. In fact, there could be no immediate danger. Divided into seven compartments by watertight bulkheads, the Scotia could brave any leak with impunity.
Captain Anderson immediately made his way into the hold. He discovered that the fifth compartment had been invaded by the sea, and the speed of this invasion proved that the leak was considerable. Fortunately this compartment didn't contain the boilers, because their furnaces would have been abruptly extinguished.
Captain Anderson called an immediate halt, and one of his sailors dived down to assess the damage. Within moments they had located a hole two meters in width on the steamer's underside. Such a leak could not be patched, and with its paddle wheels half swamped, the Scotia had no choice but to continue its voyage. By then it lay 300 miles from Cape Clear, and after three days of delay that filled Liverpool with acute anxiety, it entered the company docks.
The engineers then proceeded to inspect the Scotia, which had been put in dry dock. They couldn't believe their eyes. Two and a half meters below its waterline, there gaped a symmetrical gash in the shape of an isosceles triangle. This breach in the sheet iron was so perfectly formed, no punch could have done a cleaner job of it. Consequently, it must have been produced by a perforating tool of uncommon toughness-- plus, after being launched with prodigious power and then piercing four centimeters of sheet iron, this tool had needed to withdraw itself by a backward motion truly inexplicable.
This was the last straw, and it resulted in arousing public passions all over again. Indeed, from this moment on, any maritime casualty without an established cause was charged to the monster's account. This outrageous animal had to shoulder responsibility for all derelict vessels, whose numbers are unfortunately considerable, since out of those 3,000 ships whose losses are recorded annually at the marine insurance bureau, the figure for steam or sailing ships supposedly lost with all hands, in the absence of any news, amounts to at least 200!
Now then, justly or unjustly, it was the "monster" who stood accused of their disappearance; and since, thanks to it, travel between the various continents had become more and more dangerous, the public spoke up and demanded straight out that, at all cost, the seas be purged of this fearsome cetacean.
人们一定还记得1866年海上发生的一件离奇的、神秘的、无法解释的怪事。且不说当时哄动沿海居民和世界舆论的各种传闻，这里只说一般航海人员特别激动的心情。欧美的进出口商人、船长和船主、各国的海军官佐以及这两大洲的各国政府都非常注意这件事。
这事大体是这样：不久以前，好些大船在海上碰见了一一个“庞然大物”，一个很长的物体，形状很像纺锤，有时发出磷光，它的体积比鲸鱼大得多，行动起来也比鲸鱼快得多。关于这个东西的出现，许多航海日志所记下的事实（如这个东西或这个生物的形状，在它运动时的难以估计的速度，它转移的惊人力量，它那种像是夭生的特殊本领等等），大致是相同的。如果这东西是鲸鱼类动物，那么它的体积：是大大超过了生物学家曾经加以分类的鲸鱼。居维埃①、。
•拉色别德①、杜梅里②、卡特法日③，这些生物学家一一除非看见过，也就是说，除非这些科学家本人的眼睛看见过——是不承认有这样一种怪物存在的。
把多次观察的结果折中一下来看———方面丢开那些过低的估计，即这个东西只有二百英尺长，同时也不接受过于夸张的言论，即它有一英里。宽三英里长，——我们可以肯定他说，这个奇怪的生物，如果真是存在的话，它的体积是大大超过鱼类学家所承认的体积的。这东西既然存在，而事实本身又是不可否认的，那么，由于人类好奇的心理，我们就不难理解这个怪物的出现会在全世界引起怎样的骚动。至于说这是荒唐无稽之谈，那是决不会有人同意的。
因为，1866年7月20日，加尔各答一布纳希汽船公司的喜金孙总督号，在澳大利亚海岸东边五英里，碰见了这个游动的巨大物体。巴克船长起初还以为这是没有人知道的、暗礁，他正要测定它的位置的时候，突然这个不可解释的物体喷出两道水柱，哗的一声射到空中一百五十英尺高。这么说，除非这座暗礁上边有间歇喷泉，不然的话，喜金孙总督号面前的东西，就是还没有人知道的一种海中哺乳类动物，它还从鼻孔中喷出有气泡的水柱呢。
同年7月23日，西印度-太平洋汽船公司的克利斯托巴尔哥郎号，在太平洋上也碰到这样的事。喜金孙总督号看见这怪物以后三天，克利斯托巴尔哥郎号在相距七百里的地方也看见了它，由此可知，这个奇特的鲸鱼类动物能以掠人的速度从这一处转移到另一处。
十五天以后，在离上面说的地点有两千里远的地方，国营轮船公司的海尔维地亚号和皇家邮船公司的山农号，在美国和欧洲之间的大西洋海面上相遇的时候，在北纬42度15分、西经60度35分的地方，同时看到了这个大怪物。根据两船同时观察得到的结果，估计这只哺乳动物的长度至少有三百五十多英尺（约一百零六米），因为山农号和海尔维地亚号两船连起来，都还比它短，两船从头至尾只有一百米长。可是，最长的鲸鱼，像常常出役于阿留申群岛的久阑马克岛和翁居里克岛①附近海面的那些鲸鱼，也只不过是五十六米，而比这再长的，从来就没有过。
接连不断地传来的消息，横渡大西洋的贝雷尔号所做的种种观察，茵曼轮船公司的越提那号跟这个怪物的一次相碰，法国二级军舰诺曼第号军官们所写的记录，海军高级参谋弗兹一詹姆斯在克利德爵士号上所做的很精密的测算，这一切在当时的确曾经哄动一时。在民族性比较浮躁的国家里，大家都拿这件事作为谈笑资料，但在严肃和踏实的国家里，像英国、美国和德国就不同，它们对这事就非常关心。
在各大城市里，这怪物变成了家喻户晓的事件。咖啡馆里歌唱它，报刊上嘲笑它，舞台上扮演它。谣言正好有了机会，从这怪物身上捏造出各种各样的奇闻。在一些发行量不多的报刊上，出现了关于各种离奇的巨大动物的报道，从白鲸、北极海中可怕的“莫比•狄克”①一直到庞大的“克拉肯”②——这种怪鱼的触须可以缠住一只载重五百吨的船而把它拖到海底下去——都应有尽有。有些人甚至不惜引经据典，或者搬出古代的传说如亚里士多德③和蒲林尼④的见解（他们承认这类怪物的存在）：或者搬出彭土皮丹主教⑤的挪威童话，保罗•埃纪德的记述，以及哈林顿的报告；这报告是不容怀疑的，他说，1857年，他在嘉斯第兰号上看见过一种大蛇，那种蛇以前只在那立宪号到过的海面上⑤才能看见。
于是，在学术团体里和科学报刊中产生了相信者和怀疑者，这两派人无休止地争论着。“怪物问题”激动着人们。
自以为懂科学的新闻记者和一向自以为多才的文人开起火来，他们在这次值得纪念的笔战中花费了不少的墨水！甚至有几个人还流了两三滴血，因为有人把针对大海蛇的笔锋移向一些态度傲慢的家伙身上了。
在六个月当中，争论继续着。彼此有理，各执一词。当时流行的小报都兴致勃勃地刊登争论的文章，它们不是攻击巴西地理学院、柏林皇家科学院、不列颠学术联合会或华盛顿斯密孙学院发表的权威论文，就是驳斥印度群岛报、摩亚诺神父的宇宙杂志、皮德曼的消息报里面的讨论和法国及其他各国大报刊的科学新闻。这些多才的作家故意曲解反对派也常引证的林奈①的一句话：“大自然不制造蠢东西”；恳求大家不要相信北海的大怪鱼、大海蛇、“莫比•狄克”和疯狂的海员们臆造出来的其它怪物的存在，不要因此而否定了大自然。最后，某一著名尖刻的讽刺报有一位最受欢迎的编辑先生草草了事地发表一篇文章，处理了这个怪物；他像夷包列提②那样，在大家的笑声中，给这佳物最后一次打击、把它结果了。于是机智战胜了科学。
在1867年头几个月里，这个问题好像是人了土，不会再复洁了。但就在这个时候，人们又听说发生了一些新的事件。现在的问题并不是一个急待解决的科学问题，而是必须认真设法避免的一个危险。问题带了完全不同的面貌。这个怪物变成了小岛、岩石、暗礁，但它是会奔驰的、不可捉摸的、行动莫测的暗礁。
1867年8月5日，蒙特利奥航海公司的摩拉维安号夜间驶到北纬27度30分、西经72度15分的地方，船右舷撞上了一座岩石，可是，任何地图也没有记载过这一带海面上有这座岩石。由于风力的助航和四百匹马力的推动，船的速度达到每小时十三海里。毫无疑问，如果不是船身质地优良，特别坚固，摩拉维安号被撞以后，一定要把它从加拿大载来的二百三十六名乘客一齐带到海底去。
事故发生在早晨五点左右天刚破晓的时候。船上值班的海员们立即跑到船的后部；他们十分细心地观察海面。
除了有个六百多米宽的大漩涡——好像水面受过猛烈的冲击——以外，他们什么也没有看见，只把事故发生的地点确切地记了下来。摩拉维安号继续航行，似乎并没有受到什么损伤。•它是撞上了暗礁呢，还是撞上了一只沉没的破船？
当时没有法子知道。后来到船坞检查了船底，才发现一部分龙骨折断了。
这事实本身是十分严重的，可是，如果不是过了三个星期后，在相同的情况下又发生了相同的事件，它很可能跟许多其他的事件一样很快被人忘掉了。接着又发生的那一次撞船的事件，单单由于受害船的国籍和它所属公司的声望，就足以引起十分广泛的反响。
英国著名的船主苟纳尔的名字是没有一个人不知道伪。这位精明的企业家早在1840年就创办了一家邮船公司，开辟了从利物浦到哈利法克斯①的航线，当时只有三艘四百匹马力、载重一千一百六十二吨的明轮木船。八年以后，公司扩大了，共有四艘六百五十匹马力、载重一千八百二十吨的船。再过两年，又添了两艘马力和载重量更大的船，1853年，苟纳尔公司继续取得装运政府邮件的特权，一连添造了阿拉伯号、波斯号、中国号、斯备脱亚号、爪哇号、俄罗斯号，这些都是头等的快船，而且是最宽大的，除了大东方号外，在海上航行的船没有能跟它们相比的。到1867年，这家公司一共有十二艘船～八艘明轮的，四艘暗轮的。我所以要把上面的情形简单地介绍一下，是要大家知道这家海运公司的重要性。它由于经营得法，是全世界都闻名的。任何航海企业，没有比这公司搞得更精明，经营得更成功的了。二十六年来，苟纳尔公司的船在大西洋上航行了两千次，没有一次航行不达目的地，没有一次发生迟误，从没有遗失过一封信，损失过一个人或一只船。，因此，，尽管法国竭力要抢它的生意，但是乘客们都一致愿意搭苟纳尔公司的船，这点从近年来官方的统计文献中就可以看出来。了解这情形以后，便没有人奇怪这家公司的一只汽船遭遇到意外事件会引起那么巨大的反响。
1867年4月13日，海很平静，风又是顺风，斯备脱亚号在西经15度12分、北纬45度37分的海面上行驶着。它在一千匹马力的发动机推动下，速度为每小时十三海里半。
它的机轮在海中转动，完全正常。它当时的吃水深度是6米70厘米，排水量是6，685方米。
下午四点十六分，乘客们正在大厅中吃点心的时候，在斯各脱亚号船尾、左舷机轮后面一点，似乎发生了轻微的撞击。
斯各脱亚号不是撞上了什么，而是被什么撞上了。憧它的不是敲击的器械而是钻凿的器械。这次冲撞是十分轻微的，要不是管船舱的人员跑到甲板上来喊：“船要沉了：船要沉了！”也许船上的人谁也不会在意。
旅客们起初十分惊慌，但船长安德生很快就使他们安稳下来。危险并不会立刻就发生。斯各脱亚号由防水板分为七大间，一点也不在乎个把漏洞。
安德生船长立即跑到舱底下去。他查出第五间被海水浸人了，海水浸入十分快，证明漏洞相当大。好在这间里没有蒸汽炉，不然的话，炉火就要熄灭了。
安德生船长吩咐马上停船，并且命令一个潜水员下水检查船身的损坏情形。一会儿，他知道船底有一个长两米的大洞。这样一个裂口是没法堵住的，斯各脱亚号尽管机轮有一半浸在水里，但也必须继续行驶。当时船离克利亚峡还有三百海里，等船驶进公司的码头，已经误了三天期，在这三天里，利物浦的人都为它惶惶不安。
斯各脱亚号被架了起来，工程师们开始检查。他们眼睛所看见的情形连自己也不能相信。在船身吃水线下两米半的地方，露出一个很规则的等边三角形的缺口。铁皮上的伤痕十分整齐，、就是钻孔机也不能凿得这么准确，弄成这个裂口的锐利器械一定不是用普通的钢铁制的，因为，这家伙在以惊人的力量向前猛撞，凿穿了四厘米厚的铁皮以后、还能用一种很难做到的后退动作，使自己脱身逃走。
最近这次事件的经过大致就是这样。结果这又一次使舆论哄动起来。从这时候起，所有从前原因不明的航海遇难事件，现在都算在这个怪物的账上了。这只离奇古怪的动物于是负起了所有船只沉没的责任。不幸的是船沉的数目相当大，按照统计年鉴的记载，包括帆船和汽船在内，每年的损失约有三千艘左右，至于因下落不明而断定失踪：的，每年的数目也不下两百艘！
不管有没有冤枉这怪物，人们都把船只失踪的原因算在它身上。由于它的存在，五大洲间的海上交通越来越危险了，大家都坚决要求不惜任何代价清除海上这条可怕盼鲸鱼怪。
Part 1 Chapter 2
DURING THE PERIOD in which these developments were occurring, I had returned from a scientific undertaking organized to explore the Nebraska badlands in the United States. In my capacity as Assistant Professor at the Paris Museum of Natural History, I had been attached to this expedition by the French government. After spending six months in Nebraska, I arrived in New York laden with valuable collections near the end of March. My departure for France was set for early May. In the meantime, then, I was busy classifying my mineralogical, botanical, and zoological treasures when that incident took place with the Scotia.
I was perfectly abreast of this question, which was the big news of the day, and how could I not have been? I had read and reread every American and European newspaper without being any farther along. This mystery puzzled me. Finding it impossible to form any views, I drifted from one extreme to the other. Something was out there, that much was certain, and any doubting Thomas was invited to place his finger on the Scotia's wound.
When I arrived in New York, the question was at the boiling point. The hypothesis of a drifting islet or an elusive reef, put forward by people not quite in their right minds, was completely eliminated. And indeed, unless this reef had an engine in its belly, how could it move about with such prodigious speed?
Also discredited was the idea of a floating hull or some other enormous wreckage, and again because of this speed of movement.
So only two possible solutions to the question were left, creating two very distinct groups of supporters: on one side, those favoring a monster of colossal strength; on the other, those favoring an "underwater boat" of tremendous motor power.
Now then, although the latter hypothesis was completely admissible, it couldn't stand up to inquiries conducted in both the New World and the Old. That a private individual had such a mechanism at his disposal was less than probable. Where and when had he built it, and how could he have built it in secret?
Only some government could own such an engine of destruction, and in these disaster-filled times, when men tax their ingenuity to build increasingly powerful aggressive weapons, it was possible that, unknown to the rest of the world, some nation could have been testing such a fearsome machine. The Chassepot rifle led to the torpedo, and the torpedo has led to this underwater battering ram, which in turn will lead to the world putting its foot down. At least I hope it will.
But this hypothesis of a war machine collapsed in the face of formal denials from the various governments. Since the public interest was at stake and transoceanic travel was suffering, the sincerity of these governments could not be doubted. Besides, how could the assembly of this underwater boat have escaped public notice? Keeping a secret under such circumstances would be difficult enough for an individual, and certainly impossible for a nation whose every move is under constant surveillance by rival powers.
So, after inquiries conducted in England, France, Russia, Prussia, Spain, Italy, America, and even Turkey, the hypothesis of an underwater Monitor was ultimately rejected.
And so the monster surfaced again, despite the endless witticisms heaped on it by the popular press, and the human imagination soon got caught up in the most ridiculous ichthyological fantasies.
After I arrived in New York, several people did me the honor of consulting me on the phenomenon in question. In France I had published a two-volume work, in quarto, entitled The Mysteries of the Great Ocean Depths. Well received in scholarly circles, this book had established me as a specialist in this pretty obscure field of natural history. My views were in demand. As long as I could deny the reality of the business, I confined myself to a flat "no comment." But soon, pinned to the wall, I had to explain myself straight out. And in this vein, "the honorable Pierre Aronnax, Professor at the Paris Museum," was summoned by The New York Herald to formulate his views no matter what.
I complied. Since I could no longer hold my tongue, I let it wag. I discussed the question in its every aspect, both political and scientific, and this is an excerpt from the well-padded article I published in the issue of April 30.
"Therefore," I wrote, "after examining these different hypotheses one by one, we are forced, every other supposition having been refuted, to accept the existence of an extremely powerful marine animal.
"The deepest parts of the ocean are totally unknown to us. No soundings have been able to reach them. What goes on in those distant depths? What creatures inhabit, or could inhabit, those regions twelve or fifteen miles beneath the surface of the water? What is the constitution of these animals? It's almost beyond conjecture.
"However, the solution to this problem submitted to me can take the form of a choice between two alternatives.
"Either we know every variety of creature populating our planet, or we do not.
"If we do not know every one of them, if nature still keeps ichthyological secrets from us, nothing is more admissible than to accept the existence of fish or cetaceans of new species or even new genera, animals with a basically 'cast-iron' constitution that inhabit strata beyond the reach of our soundings, and which some development or other, an urge or a whim if you prefer, can bring to the upper level of the ocean for long intervals.
"If, on the other hand, we do know every living species, we must look for the animal in question among those marine creatures already cataloged, and in this event I would be inclined to accept the existence of a giant narwhale.
"The common narwhale, or sea unicorn, often reaches a length of sixty feet. Increase its dimensions fivefold or even tenfold, then give this cetacean a strength in proportion to its size while enlarging its offensive weapons, and you have the animal we're looking for. It would have the proportions determined by the officers of the Shannon, the instrument needed to perforate the Scotia, and the power to pierce a steamer's hull.
"In essence, the narwhale is armed with a sort of ivory sword, or lance, as certain naturalists have expressed it. It's a king-sized tooth as hard as steel. Some of these teeth have been found buried in the bodies of baleen whales, which the narwhale attacks with invariable success. Others have been wrenched, not without difficulty, from the undersides of vessels that narwhales have pierced clean through, as a gimlet pierces a wine barrel. The museum at the Faculty of Medicine in Paris owns one of these tusks with a length of 2.25 meters and a width at its base of forty-eight centimeters!
"All right then! Imagine this weapon to be ten times stronger and the animal ten times more powerful, launch it at a speed of twenty miles per hour, multiply its mass times its velocity, and you get just the collision we need to cause the specified catastrophe.
"So, until information becomes more abundant, I plump for a sea unicorn of colossal dimensions, no longer armed with a mere lance but with an actual spur, like ironclad frigates or those warships called 'rams,' whose mass and motor power it would possess simultaneously.
"This inexplicable phenomenon is thus explained away--unless it's something else entirely, which, despite everything that has been sighted, studied, explored and experienced, is still possible!"
These last words were cowardly of me; but as far as I could, I wanted to protect my professorial dignity and not lay myself open to laughter from the Americans, who when they do laugh, laugh raucously. I had left myself a loophole. Yet deep down, I had accepted the existence of "the monster."
My article was hotly debated, causing a fine old uproar. It rallied a number of supporters. Moreover, the solution it proposed allowed for free play of the imagination. The human mind enjoys impressive visions of unearthly creatures. Now then, the sea is precisely their best medium, the only setting suitable for the breeding and growing of such giants--next to which such land animals as elephants or rhinoceroses are mere dwarves. The liquid masses support the largest known species of mammals and perhaps conceal mollusks of incomparable size or crustaceans too frightful to contemplate, such as 100-meter lobsters or crabs weighing 200 metric tons! Why not? Formerly, in prehistoric days, land animals (quadrupeds, apes, reptiles, birds) were built on a gigantic scale. Our Creator cast them using a colossal mold that time has gradually made smaller. With its untold depths, couldn't the sea keep alive such huge specimens of life from another age, this sea that never changes while the land masses undergo almost continuous alteration? Couldn't the heart of the ocean hide the last-remaining varieties of these titanic species, for whom years are centuries and centuries millennia?
But I mustn't let these fantasies run away with me! Enough of these fairy tales that time has changed for me into harsh realities. I repeat: opinion had crystallized as to the nature of this phenomenon, and the public accepted without argument the existence of a prodigious creature that had nothing in common with the fabled sea serpent.
Yet if some saw it purely as a scientific problem to be solved, more practical people, especially in America and England, were determined to purge the ocean of this daunting monster, to insure the safety of transoceanic travel. The industrial and commercial newspapers dealt with the question chiefly from this viewpoint. The Shipping & Mercantile Gazette, the Lloyd's List, France's Packetboat and Maritime & Colonial Review, all the rags devoted to insurance companies--who threatened to raise their premium rates-- were unanimous on this point.
Public opinion being pronounced, the States of the Union were the first in the field. In New York preparations were under way for an expedition designed to chase this narwhale. A high-speed frigate, the Abraham Lincoln, was fitted out for putting to sea as soon as possible. The naval arsenals were unlocked for Commander Farragut, who pressed energetically forward with the arming of his frigate.
But, as it always happens, just when a decision had been made to chase the monster, the monster put in no further appearances. For two months nobody heard a word about it. Not a single ship encountered it. Apparently the unicorn had gotten wise to these plots being woven around it. People were constantly babbling about the creature, even via the Atlantic Cable! Accordingly, the wags claimed that this slippery rascal had waylaid some passing telegram and was making the most of it.
So the frigate was equipped for a far-off voyage and armed with fearsome fishing gear, but nobody knew where to steer it. And impatience grew until, on June 2, word came that the Tampico, a steamer on the San Francisco line sailing from California to Shanghai, had sighted the animal again, three weeks before in the northerly seas of the Pacific.
This news caused intense excitement. Not even a 24-hour breather was granted to Commander Farragut. His provisions were loaded on board. His coal bunkers were overflowing. Not a crewman was missing from his post. To cast off, he needed only to fire and stoke his furnaces! Half a day's delay would have been unforgivable! But Commander Farragut wanted nothing more than to go forth.
I received a letter three hours before the Abraham Lincoln left its Brooklyn pier;* the letter read as follows:
*Author's Note: A pier is a type of wharf expressly set aside for an individual vessel.
Pierre Aronnax
Professor at the Paris Museum
Fifth Avenue Hotel
New York
Sir:
If you would like to join the expedition on the Abraham Lincoln, the government of the Union will be pleased to regard you as France's representative in this undertaking. Commander Farragut has a cabin at your disposal.
Very cordially yours,
J. B. HOBSON,
Secretary of the Navy.
这些事件发生的时候，我正从美国内布拉斯加州的贫瘠地区做完了科学考察回来。由于我是巴黎自然科学博物馆的副教授，法国政府派我参加这次考察.在内布拉斯加州度过了六个月的时间，三月底，我满载了珍贵的标本回到纽约，我动身回法国的日期定在五月初。所以，我就利用逗留期间，把这次收集来的矿物标本和动、植物标本加以整理，而斯各脱亚号的意外事件就是在这个时候发生的。
我自然也熟悉当时议论纷纷的这个问题，而且我怎能不知道呢？我把美国和欧洲的各种报刊读了又读，但没有获得进一步的了解。因为这个怪物，我作了种种猜测。由于自己拿不定主意，我始终摇摆于极端不同的见解之间。
这是一件真实的事，那是无可置疑的；怀疑这事的人，请他们去摸一摸斯各脱亚号的裂口好了。
当我到纽约的时候，这问题正闹得热火朝天。有些不学无术的人曾经说那是浮动的小岛，是不可捉摸的暗礁，不过，这种假设,现在完全被推翻了。理由是：，除非这暗礁在腹部有一架机器，不然的话，它怎能这样快地一会儿到达这里一会儿又到那里呢?同样地，说它是一只浮动的船壳或是一只巨大的破船，这假设也不能成立，理由仍然是因为它转移得那么快。归根结底，这问题只可能有下面两种解释，因此人们分成了抱着不同主张的两派：一派说这是一个力大无穷的怪物，另一派说这是一艘动力十分强大的“潜水艇”。
后面那种假设虽然很可以成立，但到欧美两洲调查之后，便站不住了。如果说私人可以有这样一种机器，实在是不大可能的事。在什么地方，什么时候。他造了这个东西?他又怎能保守秘密而不泄露呢？
只有一国政府可以拥有这种破坏性的机器，在人们绞尽脑汁要增强武器威力的不幸时代，一个国家瞒着其他国家制造这种武器是可能的。机枪之后有水雷，水雷之后有潜水冲击机，然后一又是各种互相克制的武器，至少我自己心中是这样想的。
但是这个“潜水艇”的假设，由于各国欧府的声明又站不住了、因为这是有关公共利益的问题，既然海洋交通受到了破坏，各国政府的真诚，当然不容有所怀疑。并且，怎么能说这只“潜水艇”的建造竟可以逃避公众的耳目呢？在这种情形下，就是拿个人来说，要想保守秘密，也十分困难，对于一国政府，它的行动经常受到敌对国家的注意，那当然更是不可能的了。
、所以，根据在英国，在法国，在俄国，在普鲁士,在西班吁，在意大利，在美国，甚至于在土耳其所做的调查，“潜水艇”的假设，也终于不能不放弃。
这个怪物尽管当时一些报刊对它不断加以嘲笑，但它又出现在波涛上了，于是人们的想象就从鱼类这一方面打主意而造出种种最荒诞不经的传说来。
当我到纽约的时候，有些人特地来问我对这件怪事的意见占我以前在法国出版过一部八开本的书，共两册，书名为：《海底的神秘》。这部书特别受到学术界的赏识，使我成为自然科学中这一个相当奥秘的部门的专家。因此人们才询问我的意见。但我只要能够否认这事的真实性，我总是作否定的答复。但不久我被逼只得明确地表示我的意见。
况且《纽约先锋论坛报》已经约了“巴黎自然科学博物馆教。授，可敬的彼埃尔•阿龙纳斯先生”，请他发表对这个问题砌意见。
我发表了我的意见。我因为不能沉默，才不得不悦几句诸。我从政治上和学术上来讨论这个问题的各个方面。
现在我将我发表在4月30日《论坛报》上的一篇材料很丰富的文章的结论，节录几段在下面：“我一个一个研究了各种不同的假设和所有不可能成立的猜想，不得不承认实在有一种力量惊人的海洋动物的存在。“海洋深不可测的底层，我们完全不了解。探测器也不徙达到。最下层的深渊里是怎样的情形呢？海底二万二千梅里或一万五千海里的地方有些什么生物和可能有些什么生物呢？这些动物的身体构造是怎样的呢？我们实在很难推测。“可是，摆在我面前的问题可以用‘两刀论法’的公式来解决。“生活在地球上的各色各样的生物，或者我们认识，或者我们不认识。”““如果我们不认识所有的生物，而大自然又继续对我们保守某些鱼类学上的秘密，那么我们就不得不承认在探测器不可及的水层里还有鱼类鲸类的新品种，它们有一个‘不浮的’器官，因为在海底下呆久了，在偶然的情况下，由于一时高兴，或者任性，就突然浮到海面上来。这说法还是比较今人情服的。“反过来，如果我们的确认识了地球上所有的生物，那么我们就必须从已经加以分类的海洋生物中找出我们讨论的这个动物；在这种情形下，我就要承认有一种巨大的独角鲸的存在。“普通常见的独角鲸，或海麒麟，身长常常达到六十英尺，现在如果把这长度增加五倍，甚至十倍，同时让这条鲸、鱼类动物有和它身材戊比例的力量，再加强它的攻击武器，这样就是现在海上的那个动物了。也就是说它有山农号军官们所测定的长度那么长，它的角，可以刺穿斯各脱亚号、它的力量可以冲破一只汽船的船壳。“诚然，这条独角鲸，如某些生物学家所说，是具有一把：骨质的剑或一把骨质的乾，那么这一定是一根像钢铁一样：坚硬的长牙，有人曾经在鲸鱼身上发现过独角鲸的牙齿，。独角鲸用牙齿攻击鲸鱼总是成功的。有人也曾经从船底上拨出过——好容易才找出来——独角鲸的牙齿，它钻通船底就好像利锥穿透木桶那样。“巴黎医学院陈列馆就藏有一枚这种牙齿，长两米二十五厘米，底宽四十八厘米!“好吧！现在假定那武器还要厉害十倍，那动物的力量还要大十倍，如果它的前进速度是每小时二十英里，那么拿它的体重去乘它的速度平方，就能求出憧坏斯各脱亚号的那股冲击力。“因此，在还没有得到更多的材料之前，我认为这是一只海麒麟，这只海麒麟身躯非常巨大，身上的武装不是剑戟，而是真正的冲角，像铁甲船或战舰上所装有的那样，它同时又具备有战舰的重量和动力。“这样便说明了这种神秘不可解的现象。——或者相反地，不管人们所见到的、所感到的是怎样，实际上什么都不是；那也是可能的。”
最后几句话只能说明我没有主见，看问题摇摆不定；这是为了在一。定程度上保全我教授的身份，同时不愿意让美国人笑话，因为美国人笑起来，是笑得很厉害的。我于是自下这一条退路。其实我是承认这个“怪物"的存在的。我的文章引起了热烈的讨论，产生了很大的反响。很有一部分人拥护它。而且丈中提出的结论可以让人随便去设想，没有什么限制。人们总是对那些神奇怪诞的幻想感倒兴趣。、而海洋正是这些幻想的最好泉源，因为只有海才是巨大动物可以繁殖和成长的环境，陆上的动物，大象或犀牛之类。跟它们比较起来，简直渺小得很。一片汪洋大海里：既然有我们所知道的最巨大的哺乳类动物，说不定也有硕大无比的软体动物和看起来叫人害怕的甲壳动物，如一百米长的大虾，或二百吨重的螃蟹！为什么不能有呢？“从前，跟地质学纪年同时代的陆上动物，四足兽，四手兽，爬虫类，鸟类，都是按照巨大的模型创造的。造物者甩高大的模型把它们造出来，经过漫长的岁月，这模型渐渐缩小了。在深不可测的海洋底下（因为海洋是永不更改；而地壳几乎是不断变化着的），为什么不能保存从前另一时代的巨大生物的品种呢？海洋内部，为什么不能藏有那些巨大生物的最后变种，以一世纪为一年，以一千年为一世纪的那些巨大品种呢？我又让自己浸沉在种种空想中了.现在要停止这些空想，因为，在我看来，时间已经把这些空想变成为可怕的现实。我再说一次，当时对于这件怪事的性质有这一种意见，就是大家都一致承认有一种神奇东西的存在，而这种东西和怪诞的大海蛇并没有丝毫共同之点。可是，尽管有一些人把这事看成是一个待解决的纯粹科学问题，但另一些比较注意实利的人，特别在美国和英国，这类人很多，他们主张把海洋上这个可怕的怪物清除掠，使海上交通的安全获得保障。特别是工商界的报刊，都从这个观点来研究这个问题。《航业商情杂志》,<<来依特公司航海杂志》、《邮船杂志》、《海洋殖民杂志》以及为保险公司宣传公司要提高保险费的那些报纸，对于清除怪物这一点，都一致表示同意。公众的意见一提出来，北美合众国首先发表了声明，要在纽约作准备，组织清除独角鲸的远征队。一艘装有冲角的高速度的二级战舰林肯号定于最近的期间驶出海面。各造船厂都给法拉古司令宫以种种便利，帮助他早一天把这艘二级战舰装备起来。事情往往就是这样，等人们决定要追赶这怪物的时候。怪物再也不出现了。在两个月的时间内，谁都没有得到怪物的消息，也没有海船碰见它。好像这条海麒麟已经得到了人们准备进攻它的情报。因为大家说得大多了，甚至于用大西洋的海底电线来说！所以，喜欢说笑话的人说，这个精灵的东西一定在中途偷听了电报，现在它启己有了防备。不再随便出来。因此，这艘用作远征而且装有强大打鱼机的二级战舰,现在不知道向哪里开才好。大家越来越不耐烦了，忽然，7月2日，旧金山轮船公司从加利福尼亚开往上海的一只汽船唐比葛号，三星期前在太平洋北部的海面上又看见了这：个东西。这消息引起了极大的骚动。大家要法拉古司令宫立即出发，二十四小时的迟延都不许可。船中日用品全装上去了，舱底也载满了煤。船上各部门的人员一个也不少，都到齐了。现在只等升火，加热，解缆了：大家不容许这船再有：半天的延期：再说，法拉古司令宫本人也巴不得马上就出发！在株肯号离开布洛克袜码头之前三小时，我收到一封信，信的内容如下：。“递交纽约第五号路旅馆，巴黎自然科学博物馆教授阿龙纳斯先生。先生：如果您同意加入林肯号远征队，合众国政府很愿意看到这次远征有您代表法国参加。法拉古司令官已留下船上一个舱房供您使用。海军部长何伯逊敬启。”
Part 1 Chapter 3
THREE SECONDS before the arrival of J. B. Hobson's letter, I no more dreamed of chasing the unicorn than of trying for the Northwest Passage. Three seconds after reading this letter from the honorable Secretary of the Navy, I understood at last that my true vocation, my sole purpose in life, was to hunt down this disturbing monster and rid the world of it.
Even so, I had just returned from an arduous journey, exhausted and badly needing a rest. I wanted nothing more than to see my country again, my friends, my modest quarters by the Botanical Gardens, my dearly beloved collections! But now nothing could hold me back. I forgot everything else, and without another thought of exhaustion, friends, or collections, I accepted the American government's offer.
"Besides," I mused, "all roads lead home to Europe, and our unicorn may be gracious enough to take me toward the coast of France! That fine animal may even let itself be captured in European seas--as a personal favor to me--and I'll bring back to the Museum of Natural History at least half a meter of its ivory lance!"
But in the meantime I would have to look for this narwhale in the northern Pacific Ocean; which meant returning to France by way of the Antipodes.
"Conseil!" I called in an impatient voice.
Conseil was my manservant. A devoted lad who went with me on all my journeys; a gallant Flemish boy whom I genuinely liked and who returned the compliment; a born stoic, punctilious on principle, habitually hardworking, rarely startled by life's surprises, very skillful with his hands, efficient in his every duty, and despite his having a name that means "counsel," never giving advice-- not even the unsolicited kind!
From rubbing shoulders with scientists in our little universe by the Botanical Gardens, the boy had come to know a thing or two. In Conseil I had a seasoned specialist in biological classification, an enthusiast who could run with acrobatic agility up and down the whole ladder of branches, groups, classes, subclasses, orders, families, genera, subgenera, species, and varieties. But there his science came to a halt. Classifying was everything to him, so he knew nothing else. Well versed in the theory of classification, he was poorly versed in its practical application, and I doubt that he could tell a sperm whale from a baleen whale! And yet, what a fine, gallant lad!
For the past ten years, Conseil had gone with me wherever science beckoned. Not once did he comment on the length or the hardships of a journey. Never did he object to buckling up his suitcase for any country whatever, China or the Congo, no matter how far off it was. He went here, there, and everywhere in perfect contentment. Moreover, he enjoyed excellent health that defied all ailments, owned solid muscles, but hadn't a nerve in him, not a sign of nerves-- the mental type, I mean.
The lad was thirty years old, and his age to that of his employer was as fifteen is to twenty. Please forgive me for this underhanded way of admitting I had turned forty.
But Conseil had one flaw. He was a fanatic on formality, and he only addressed me in the third person--to the point where it got tiresome.
"Conseil!" I repeated, while feverishly beginning my preparations for departure.
To be sure, I had confidence in this devoted lad. Ordinarily, I never asked whether or not it suited him to go with me on my journeys; but this time an expedition was at issue that could drag on indefinitely, a hazardous undertaking whose purpose was to hunt an animal that could sink a frigate as easily as a walnut shell! There was good reason to stop and think, even for the world's most emotionless man. What would Conseil say?
"Conseil!" I called a third time.
Conseil appeared.
"Did master summon me?" he said, entering.
"Yes, my boy. Get my things ready, get yours ready. We're departing in two hours."
"As master wishes," Conseil replied serenely.
"We haven't a moment to lose. Pack as much into my trunk as you can, my traveling kit, my suits, shirts, and socks, don't bother counting, just squeeze it all in--and hurry!"
"What about master's collections?" Conseil ventured to observe.
"We'll deal with them later."
"What! The archaeotherium, hyracotherium, oreodonts, cheiropotamus, and master's other fossil skeletons?"
"The hotel will keep them for us."
"What about master's live babirusa?"
"They'll feed it during our absence. Anyhow, we'll leave instructions to ship the whole menagerie to France."
"Then we aren't returning to Paris?" Conseil asked.
"Yes, we are . . . certainly . . . ," I replied evasively, "but after we make a detour."
"Whatever detour master wishes."
"Oh, it's nothing really! A route slightly less direct, that's all. We're leaving on the Abraham Lincoln."
"As master thinks best," Conseil replied placidly.
"You see, my friend, it's an issue of the monster, the notorious narwhale. We're going to rid the seas of it! The author of a two-volume work, in quarto, on The Mysteries of the Great Ocean Depths has no excuse for not setting sail with Commander Farragut. It's a glorious mission but also a dangerous one! We don't know where it will take us! These beasts can be quite unpredictable! But we're going just the same! We have a commander who's game for anything!"
"What master does, I'll do," Conseil replied.
"But think it over, because I don't want to hide anything from you. This is one of those voyages from which people don't always come back!"
"As master wishes."
A quarter of an hour later, our trunks were ready. Conseil did them in a flash, and I was sure the lad hadn't missed a thing, because he classified shirts and suits as expertly as birds and mammals.
The hotel elevator dropped us off in the main vestibule on the mezzanine. I went down a short stair leading to the ground floor. I settled my bill at that huge counter that was always under siege by a considerable crowd. I left instructions for shipping my containers of stuffed animals and dried plants to Paris, France. I opened a line of credit sufficient to cover the babirusa and, Conseil at my heels, I jumped into a carriage.
For a fare of twenty francs, the vehicle went down Broadway to Union Square, took Fourth Ave. to its junction with Bowery St., turned into Katrin St. and halted at Pier 34. There the Katrin ferry transferred men, horses, and carriage to Brooklyn, that great New York annex located on the left bank of the East River, and in a few minutes we arrived at the wharf next to which the Abraham Lincoln was vomiting torrents of black smoke from its two funnels.
Our baggage was immediately carried to the deck of the frigate. I rushed aboard. I asked for Commander Farragut. One of the sailors led me to the afterdeck, where I stood in the presence of a smart-looking officer who extended his hand to me.
"Professor Pierre Aronnax?" he said to me.
"The same," I replied. "Commander Farragut?"
"In person. Welcome aboard, professor. Your cabin is waiting for you."
I bowed, and letting the commander attend to getting under way, I was taken to the cabin that had been set aside for me.
The Abraham Lincoln had been perfectly chosen and fitted out for its new assignment. It was a high-speed frigate furnished with superheating equipment that allowed the tension of its steam to build to seven atmospheres. Under this pressure the Abraham Lincoln reached an average speed of 18.3 miles per hour, a considerable speed but still not enough to cope with our gigantic cetacean.
The frigate's interior accommodations complemented its nautical virtues. I was well satisfied with my cabin, which was located in the stern and opened into the officers' mess.
"We'll be quite comfortable here," I told Conseil.
"With all due respect to master," Conseil replied, "as comfortable as a hermit crab inside the shell of a whelk."
I left Conseil to the proper stowing of our luggage and climbed on deck to watch the preparations for getting under way.
Just then Commander Farragut was giving orders to cast off the last moorings holding the Abraham Lincoln to its Brooklyn pier. And so if I'd been delayed by a quarter of an hour or even less, the frigate would have gone without me, and I would have missed out on this unearthly, extraordinary, and inconceivable expedition, whose true story might well meet with some skepticism.
But Commander Farragut didn't want to waste a single day, or even a single hour, in making for those seas where the animal had just been sighted. He summoned his engineer.
"Are we up to pressure?" he asked the man.
"Aye, sir," the engineer replied.
"Go ahead, then!" Commander Farragut called.
At this order, which was relayed to the engine by means of a compressed-air device, the mechanics activated the start-up wheel. Steam rushed whistling into the gaping valves. Long horizontal pistons groaned and pushed the tie rods of the drive shaft. The blades of the propeller churned the waves with increasing speed, and the Abraham Lincoln moved out majestically amid a spectator-laden escort of some 100 ferries and tenders.*
*Author's Note: Tenders are small steamboats that assist the big liners.
The wharves of Brooklyn, and every part of New York bordering the East River, were crowded with curiosity seekers. Departing from 500,000 throats, three cheers burst forth in succession. Thousands of handkerchiefs were waving above these tightly packed masses, hailing the Abraham
Lincoln until it reached the waters of the Hudson River, at the tip of the long peninsula that forms New York City.
The frigate then went along the New Jersey coast--the wonderful right bank of this river, all loaded down with country homes-- and passed by the forts to salutes from their biggest cannons. The Abraham Lincoln replied by three times lowering and hoisting the American flag, whose thirty-nine stars gleamed from the gaff of the mizzen sail; then, changing speed to take the buoy-marked channel that curved into the inner bay formed by the spit of Sandy Hook, it hugged this sand-covered strip of land where thousands of spectators acclaimed us one more time.
The escort of boats and tenders still followed the frigate and only left us when we came abreast of the lightship, whose two signal lights mark the entrance of the narrows to Upper New York Bay.
Three o'clock then sounded. The harbor pilot went down into his dinghy and rejoined a little schooner waiting for him to leeward. The furnaces were stoked; the propeller churned the waves more swiftly; the frigate skirted the flat, yellow coast of Long Island; and at eight o'clock in the evening, after the lights of Fire Island had vanished into the northwest, we ran at full steam onto the dark waters of the Atlantic.
在收到何伯逊部长的信之前三秒钟，我还像不愿意去北冰洋旅行一样不愿意去追逐海麒麟。读了这位海军部长的来信，三秒钟之后，我才理解到我的真正志愿，我生平的唯一目的，就是要捕捉这样捣乱的怪物，把它从世界上清除出去。
可是我刚刚长途跋涉回来，很疲倦，非常需要休息。我只想回去，回祖国去，看看朋友，看看我在植物园内的小房子和我收藏的珍贵标本。但现在什么也不能阻止我。我忘记了一切，忘记了疲倦、朋友、珍藏，我毫不犹豫就接受了美国政府的邀请。
而且，我还有这样一个想法，反正条条道路都可以回到欧洲，海麒麟也许客客气气地把我引到法国海岸边！这个有名的动物一也许讨我喜欢——要让我在欧洲海中捉到它，那么，我至少也要拿上半米以上的牙戟带给自然科学博物馆。
不过，目前我必须到太平洋的北部去找这个海麒麟，这。
和我要回法国去，却是背道而驰了。
"康塞尔!”我用不耐烦伪声音叫着。
康塞尔是我的仆人。他一向陪我出去旅行。这诚实的青年是佛兰蒙人，我很喜欢他，他对我也很好。他是一个生牲冷淡、循规蹈矩、一贯热心的人，对于生活中的突然事件并不惊奇，他的两手很灵巧，什么事都做得来，虽然他的名字叫做康塞尔（“劝告”的意思），可是人家不问他的时候，他决不发表意见。
因为跟植物园里学术界人士经常接触，康塞尔渐渐学了些东西〕我可以说他简直是一个专家，他对于生物学的分类十分熟悉，他能像杂技演员爬梯子一样熟练地从门、类、纲、亚纲、目、科、属、亚属、种、变种，一直数到最后的一个类别。可是他的学问只局限在分类学上。分类就是他的生活，除此以外他什么都不知道。他对于分类的理论很有研究，但缺乏实践，我想，他大概连大头鲸和长须鲸都分不出来!总之，他是个忠实正直的人：十年来，直到现在，凡我为科学而去的地方，康塞尔都跟我去。他自己从不想到旅行的长久或疲劳。不管有多远，不管去什么地方，去中国或是去刚果，他总是提起他的行李箱立即出发①他到哪里去都一样，连问也不问。他身体健康，肌肉结实，不在乎疾病，一点也不神经质，就是好像不会用脑子似的，至于思考能力，那就更谈不到了。
这个人二十岁了，他的年龄跟他主人的年龄的比例是十五比二十。请读者原谅我用这种说法来说我现在是四十岁可是康塞尔有1缺点，过份讲究礼貌，他总是用第三人称跟我说话，有时甚至叫人听了厌烦.“康塞尔！”我又叫了一声，我手里忙着准备出发的行装.当然，对于这样一个忠心的仆人我是信任的。通常我从不问他是不是愿意跟我去旅行，但这次旅行有点不同，是一次期限可以无限延长的远征，是凶多吉少的冒险，是追赶能像敲碎核桃壳一样撞沉一艘二级战舰的动物：就是最没有感觉的人，对这问题也得考虑考虑吧！康塞尔会有什么意见呢？
“康塞尔!”我第三次叫他。
康塞尔出来了。”
“先生，叫我吗？”他进来的时候说。
“是我叫你。快给我准备，你自己也赶快准备，我们两小时以后就要出发。”
“随您先生的便。”康塞尔安静地回答。
“一点时间也不能放过。所有的旅行用具、衣服、衬衣，袜子，都不必点数，”尽量地拿了，放在我的大箱里，快，赶快！”
“先生的标本怎么办呢？”康塞尔说。
“以后再整理好了。”
“先生的那些奇形怪状的动物、植物，大马、大蛇以及其他骨胳，又怎么办呢?"暂时寄放在旅馆里."“先生的那只活野猪呢？，“我们不在的时候，托人喂它。另外还要托人将我们的那群动物运回法国去。，“我们不回巴黎去吗？”康塞尔问。
“当然……要回去……”我含糊地回答，“不过要绕一个弯。”
“先生，您喜欢绕这个弯？”
“呵！那算不了什么！不过是一条不那么直捷的路而已。我们要搭林肯号出发。，“只要先生觉得合适就成了。”康塞尔安然地回答。
“朋友，你知道，这是关于那个怪物的问题……那条有名的独角鲸的问题……我们要把它从海上清除出去！……两本人开本的著作《海底的神秘》的作者。不能不跟法拉古司令一同出发。这是光荣的任务，但是……也是危险的任务！我们不晓得要到什么地方去！这怪物可能很任性！但我们仍然要去！我们船上有一位眼光敏锐的舰长！……”
“先生怎么做，我就怎么做。”康塞尔回答。
“你好好想一想，因为我对你什么也不隐瞒。这次旅行也许是最后一次，说不定口不来哩！”
“随您先生的便。”
一刻钟以后，康塞尔把箱子整理好了，我相信什么也不会缺少，因为这个人对衬衣和衣服的分类，跟对鸟类或哺乳类动物的分类一样能干。
旅馆的升降机把我们送到二楼下的大厅中。我步行数级，到了地面一层，在常有一大群人围住的大柜台上，我算清了账目，付了钱。我托人把一捆一捆打好包的动、植物标本运回巴黎（法国），还留下一笔钱，托人喂养我的野猪。
僚塞尔跟着我走出了旅馆，上了一辆马车。
马车从百老汇路直到团结广场，再经过第四号路到包法利街的十字路口，走人加上林街，停在三十四号码头，这一趟车费是二十法郎。码头边，加上林轮渡把我们（人、马和车）送到布洛克林。布洛克林是纽约的一个区，位于东河左岸，走了几分钟，我们便抵达停泊林肯号的码头，林肯号的两座烟囱正喷出浓密的黑烟。
立刻有人把我们的行李搬到达艘大船的甲板上。我赶紧上船，问法拉古司令在什么地方。一个水手领我到船尾楼上见他。这位军官气色很好，他向我伸手，对我说：“彼埃尔，阿龙纳斯先生吗？”
“对，”我答，“您是法拉古司令吗？”
①是。欢迎欢迎，教授。您的舱房早等着您了。”
我行个礼，让司令去作开船的准备，另外有人领我到给我预备的舱房。
林肯号是为着它的新目标而特选和装备好的。它是一般速度很快的二级战舰，装有高压蒸汽机，可以使气压增加到七个大气压力。在这个压力下，林肯号的速度平均可以达到每小时十八点三海里，这是很快的速度，但跟那只巨大的鲸鱼类动物搏斗还是不够的。
战舰内部的装备完全合乎这次航海任务的要求。我很满意我所住的舱房，它位于船的后部，房门对着军官们的餐室.“我们这舱房很舒服。”我对康塞尔说。
“先生不要见怪，一康塞尔回答，“住在这里跟寄生蟹住在海螺壳中一样舒服。"我留下康塞尔安顿我们的箱子，独自一个人上了甲板，观看准备开船的操作。这时候，法拉古舰长正要人解开布洛克林码头缆柱上拴住林肯号的最后几根铁索。看来如果我迟到一刻钟，半刻钟，船就会开走，我也就不能参加这次出奇的、神秘的、难以相信的远征了。这次远征的经过，虽然是真实记录，将来可能还会有人怀疑的。法拉古舰长不愿意耽搁一天甚至一小时，他要赶快把船开到那个动物所在的海中。他把船上的工程师叫来了。“蒸汽烧足了吗？”舰长问他。
“烧足了，舰长。”工程师答。
“开船！”法拉古舰长喊。
开船的命令通过话筒传到机器房，轮机人员接到命令，立即让机轮转动起来。蒸汽涌入半开的机关中；发出呼呼的啸声。一排排横列的活塞发出格格的声响，推动机轴的杠杆。推进器的轮翼不断加大速率，搅动海水，于是林肯号在上百只满载观众前来送别的渡轮和汽艇的行列中，庄严地向前行驶着、布洛克林码头和东河沿岸的整个纽约地区都挤满了好奇的人们。从五千万人胸中发出的欢呼声，震动了天地。
成千上万块手帕在挤得紧紧的群众头上招展，不停地向林肯号敬礼，直到船抵达赫德森河口，纽约城所在的长形半岛的尖端，人群才渐渐散去。、“这时候，大船沿着新西州海岸行驶，河的右岸都是别墅，从炮台中间穿过时，炮台鸣礼炮向大船致敬。林肯号方了向它们答礼，把美国国旗连升三次，那三＋九颗星在后桅。横木上闪闪发光。后来大船改变方向，驶进设有浮标的航道。大船掠过沙洲，洲上有数千观众，对船作最后一次的欢呼。护送大船的渡轮和汽艇老是紧跟着行驶，直到灯船附近，有两道灯光标明纽约航路的出口的地方，它们才离开大船回去。这时正是下午三点。领港人从大船下来，上了他的小。艇，驶到在下风等着他的一艘小快船那边。煤火添起来了，机轮更急地搅动水波，大船沿长岛低低的黄色海岸行驶，在晚间八点的时候，西北方不见了火岛的灯光，船便开足马力，在大西洋黑沉沉的波涛上奔驰了。
Part 1 Chapter 4
COMMANDER FARRAGUT was a good seaman, worthy of the frigate he commanded. His ship and he were one. He was its very soul. On the cetacean question no doubts arose in his mind, and he didn't allow the animal's existence to be disputed aboard his vessel. He believed in it as certain pious women believe in the leviathan from the Book of Job--out of faith, not reason. The monster existed, and he had vowed to rid the seas of it. The man was a sort of Knight of Rhodes, a latter-day Sir Dieudonné of Gozo, on his way to fight an encounter with the dragon devastating the island. Either Commander Farragut would slay the narwhale, or the narwhale would slay Commander Farragut. No middle of the road for these two.
The ship's officers shared the views of their leader. They could be heard chatting, discussing, arguing, calculating the different chances of an encounter, and observing the vast expanse of the ocean. Voluntary watches from the crosstrees of the topgallant sail were self-imposed by more than one who would have cursed such toil under any other circumstances. As often as the sun swept over its daily arc, the masts were populated with sailors whose feet itched and couldn't hold still on the planking of the deck below! And the Abraham Lincoln's stempost hadn't even cut the suspected waters of the Pacific.
As for the crew, they only wanted to encounter the unicorn, harpoon it, haul it on board, and carve it up. They surveyed the sea with scrupulous care. Besides, Commander Farragut had mentioned that a certain sum of $2,000.00 was waiting for the man who first sighted the animal, be he cabin boy or sailor, mate or officer. I'll let the reader decide whether eyes got proper exercise aboard the Abraham Lincoln.
As for me, I didn't lag behind the others and I yielded to no one my share in these daily observations. Our frigate would have had fivescore good reasons for renaming itself the Argus, after that mythological beast with 100 eyes! The lone rebel among us was Conseil, who seemed utterly uninterested in the question exciting us and was out of step with the general enthusiasm on board.
As I said, Commander Farragut had carefully equipped his ship with all the gear needed to fish for a gigantic cetacean. No whaling vessel could have been better armed. We had every known mechanism, from the hand-hurled harpoon, to the blunderbuss firing barbed arrows, to the duck gun with exploding bullets. On the forecastle was mounted the latest model breech-loading cannon, very heavy of barrel and narrow of bore, a weapon that would figure in the Universal Exhibition of 1867. Made in America, this valuable instrument could fire a four-kilogram conical projectile an average distance of sixteen kilometers without the least bother.
So the Abraham Lincoln wasn't lacking in means of destruction. But it had better still. It had Ned Land, the King of Harpooners.
Gifted with uncommon manual ability, Ned Land was a Canadian who had no equal in his dangerous trade. Dexterity, coolness, bravery, and cunning were virtues he possessed to a high degree, and it took a truly crafty baleen whale or an exceptionally astute sperm whale to elude the thrusts of his harpoon.
Ned Land was about forty years old. A man of great height--over six English feet--he was powerfully built, serious in manner, not very sociable, sometimes headstrong, and quite ill-tempered when crossed. His looks caught the attention, and above all the strength of his gaze, which gave a unique emphasis to his facial appearance.
Commander Farragut, to my thinking, had made a wise move in hiring on this man. With his eye and his throwing arm, he was worth the whole crew all by himself. I can do no better than to compare him with a powerful telescope that could double as a cannon always ready to fire.
To say Canadian is to say French, and as unsociable as Ned Land was, I must admit he took a definite liking to me. No doubt it was my nationality that attracted him. It was an opportunity for him to speak, and for me to hear, that old Rabelaisian dialect still used in some Canadian provinces. The harpooner's family originated in Quebec, and they were already a line of bold fishermen back in the days when this town still belonged to France.
Little by little Ned developed a taste for chatting, and I loved hearing the tales of his adventures in the polar seas. He described his fishing trips and his battles with great natural lyricism. His tales took on the form of an epic poem, and I felt I was hearing some Canadian Homer reciting his Iliad of the High Arctic regions.
I'm writing of this bold companion as I currently know him. Because we've become old friends, united in that permanent comradeship born and cemented during only the most frightful crises! Ah, my gallant Ned! I ask only to live 100 years more, the longer to remember you!
And now, what were Ned Land's views on this question of a marine monster? I must admit that he flatly didn't believe in the unicorn, and alone on board, he didn't share the general conviction. He avoided even dealing with the subject, for which one day I felt compelled to take him to task.
During the magnificent evening of June 25--in other words, three weeks after our departure--the frigate lay abreast of Cabo Blanco, thirty miles to leeward of the coast of Patagonia. We had crossed the Tropic of Capricorn, and the Strait of Magellan opened less than 700 miles to the south. Before eight days were out, the Abraham Lincoln would plow the waves of the Pacific.
Seated on the afterdeck, Ned Land and I chatted about one thing and another, staring at that mysterious sea whose depths to this day are beyond the reach of human eyes. Quite naturally, I led our conversation around to the giant unicorn, and I weighed our expedition's various chances for success or failure. Then, seeing that Ned just let me talk without saying much himself, I pressed him more closely.
"Ned," I asked him, "how can you still doubt the reality of this cetacean we're after? Do you have any particular reasons for being so skeptical?"
The harpooner stared at me awhile before replying, slapped his broad forehead in one of his standard gestures, closed his eyes as if to collect himself, and finally said:
"Just maybe, Professor Aronnax."
"But Ned, you're a professional whaler, a man familiar with all the great marine mammals--your mind should easily accept this hypothesis of an enormous cetacean, and you ought to be the last one to doubt it under these circumstances!"
"That's just where you're mistaken, professor," Ned replied. "The common man may still believe in fabulous comets crossing outer space, or in prehistoric monsters living at the earth's core, but astronomers and geologists don't swallow such fairy tales. It's the same with whalers. I've chased plenty of cetaceans, I've harpooned a good number, I've killed several. But no matter how powerful and well armed they were, neither their tails or their tusks could puncture the sheet-iron plates of a steamer."
"Even so, Ned, people mention vessels that narwhale tusks have run clean through."
"Wooden ships maybe," the Canadian replied. "But I've never seen the like. So till I have proof to the contrary, I'll deny that baleen whales, sperm whales, or unicorns can do any such thing."
"Listen to me, Ned--"
"No, no, professor. I'll go along with anything you want except that. Some gigantic devilfish maybe . . . ?"
"Even less likely, Ned. The devilfish is merely a mollusk, and even this name hints at its semiliquid flesh, because it's Latin meaning soft one. The devilfish doesn't belong to the vertebrate branch, and even if it were 500 feet long, it would still be utterly harmless to ships like the Scotia or the Abraham Lincoln. Consequently, the feats of krakens or other monsters of that ilk must be relegated to the realm of fiction."
"So, Mr. Naturalist," Ned Land continued in a bantering tone, "you'll just keep on believing in the existence of some enormous cetacean . . . ?"
"Yes, Ned, I repeat it with a conviction backed by factual logic. I believe in the existence of a mammal with a powerful constitution, belonging to the vertebrate branch like baleen whales, sperm whales, or dolphins, and armed with a tusk made of horn that has tremendous penetrating power."
"Humph!" the harpooner put in, shaking his head with the attitude of a man who doesn't want to be convinced.
"Note well, my fine Canadian," I went on, "if such an animal exists, if it lives deep in the ocean, if it frequents the liquid strata located miles beneath the surface of the water, it needs to have a constitution so solid, it defies all comparison."
"And why this powerful constitution?" Ned asked.
"Because it takes incalculable strength just to live in those deep strata and withstand their pressure."
"Oh really?" Ned said, tipping me a wink.
"Oh really, and I can prove it to you with a few simple figures."
"Bosh!" Ned replied. "You can make figures do anything you want!"
"In business, Ned, but not in mathematics. Listen to me. Let's accept that the pressure of one atmosphere is represented by the pressure of a column of water thirty-two feet high. In reality, such a column of water wouldn't be quite so high because here we're dealing with salt water, which is denser than fresh water. Well then, when you dive under the waves, Ned, for every thirty-two feet of water above you, your body is tolerating the pressure of one more atmosphere, in other words, one more kilogram per each square centimeter on your body's surface. So it follows that at 320 feet down, this pressure is equal to ten atmospheres, to 100 atmospheres at 3,200 feet, and to 1,000 atmospheres at 32,000 feet, that is, at about two and a half vertical leagues down. Which is tantamount to saying that if you could reach such a depth in the ocean, each square centimeter on your body's surface would be experiencing 1,000 kilograms of pressure. Now, my gallant Ned, do you know how many square centimeters you have on your bodily surface?"
"I haven't the foggiest notion, Professor Aronnax."
"About 17,000."
"As many as that?"
"Yes, and since the atmosphere's pressure actually weighs slightly more than one kilogram per square centimeter, your 17,000 square centimeters are tolerating 17,568 kilograms at this very moment."
"Without my noticing it?"
"Without your noticing it. And if you aren't crushed by so much pressure, it's because the air penetrates the interior of your body with equal pressure. When the inside and outside pressures are in perfect balance, they neutralize each other and allow you to tolerate them without discomfort. But in the water it's another story."
"Yes, I see," Ned replied, growing more interested. "Because the water surrounds me but doesn't penetrate me."
"Precisely, Ned. So at thirty-two feet beneath the surface of the sea, you'll undergo a pressure of 17,568 kilograms; at 320 feet, or ten times greater pressure, it's 175,680 kilograms; at 3,200 feet, or 100 times greater pressure, it's 1,756,800 kilograms; finally, at 32,000 feet, or 1,000 times greater pressure, it's 17,568,000 kilograms; in other words, you'd be squashed as flat as if you'd just been yanked from between the plates of a hydraulic press!"
"Fire and brimstone!" Ned put in.
"All right then, my fine harpooner, if vertebrates several hundred meters long and proportionate in bulk live at such depths, their surface areas make up millions of square centimeters, and the pressure they undergo must be assessed in billions of kilograms. Calculate, then, how much resistance of bone structure and strength of constitution they'd need in order to withstand such pressures!"
"They'd need to be manufactured," Ned Land replied, "from sheet-iron plates eight inches thick, like ironclad frigates."
"Right, Ned, and then picture the damage such a mass could inflict if it were launched with the speed of an express train against a ship's hull."
"Yes . . . indeed . . . maybe," the Canadian replied, staggered by these figures but still not willing to give in.
"Well, have I convinced you?"
"You've convinced me of one thing, Mr. Naturalist. That deep in the sea, such animals would need to be just as strong as you say-- if they exist."
"But if they don't exist, my stubborn harpooner, how do you explain the accident that happened to the Scotia?"
"It's maybe . . . ," Ned said, hesitating.
"Go on!"
"Because . . . it just couldn't be true!" the Canadian replied, unconsciously echoing a famous catchphrase of the scientist Arago.
But this reply proved nothing, other than how bullheaded the harpooner could be. That day I pressed him no further. The Scotia's accident was undeniable. Its hole was real enough that it had to be plugged up, and I don't think a hole's existence can be more emphatically proven. Now then, this hole didn't make itself, and since it hadn't resulted from underwater rocks or underwater machines, it must have been caused by the perforating tool of some animal.
Now, for all the reasons put forward to this point, I believed that this animal was a member of the branch Vertebrata, class Mammalia, group Pisciforma, and finally, order Cetacea. As for the family in which it would be placed (baleen whale, sperm whale, or dolphin), the genus to which it belonged, and the species in which it would find its proper home, these questions had to be left for later. To answer them called for dissecting this unknown monster; to dissect it called for catching it; to catch it called for harpooning it-- which was Ned Land's business; to harpoon it called for sighting it-- which was the crew's business; and to sight it called for encountering it-- which was a chancy business.
法拉古舰长是一位优秀海员，完全配得上他指挥的这只战舰。他的船跟他融为一体，他是船的灵魂。关于那条鲸鱼类动物的问题，他心中并不存在什么疑问，他不许在船上讨论有无这只动物的问题。他相信这动物的存在就像许多老实妇女相信有海怪一样，完全是出于信仰，而不是由于理智。这怪物是有的，他发誓要把它从海上清除出去。他像罗得岛①的骑士，像杜端尼。德•哥森②去迎击骚扰他海岛的大蛇。不是法拉古舰长杀死独角鲸，就是独角鲸弄死法拉古舰长，没有什么中间路线。船上的海员们都赞同他们长官的意见。他们总是在谈论着，争辩着和估计着碰见怪物的各种机会，他们总是在侦察着辽阔的海面。不止一个海员抢着要到桅顶横木上去值班，要是换了另一种情况，这种苦差事是没有人不咒骂的。只要太阳还在空中的时候，船桅边总是挤满了水手，尽管脚掌踩在船甲板上烫得吃不消，他们仍然站在那里一动也不动。其实，林肯号的船头这时还没有沾上太平洋的海水呢，至于船上的全体人员，大家都希望碰着海麒麟，用鱼叉喇死它，把它拖上船来，宰割它。他们全都十分小心地侦察着大海。何况，法拉古舰长说过，不论练习生成水手，水兵或军官，谁先报告海麒麟的消息，都可以得二千美元的奖金。因此，林肯号船上的眼睛会更忙起来，那是不难想象的。至于我，也不落后，我并不把我每天应做的观察让别人代劳。这只船真有许多理由可以称为“多眼号”，全体人员中间，唯有康塞尔相反，他对于我们共同发生兴趣的问题表示很冷淡，给船上大家的热情浇上一盆冷水。
我前面说过，法拉古舰长这人很细心，他把打巨大鲸鱼类用的各种装备都带在船上。就是一只捕鲸船也不会装备得更完备了。我们船上的武器，应有尽有，从手投的鱼叉。
一直到鸟枪的开花弹和用炮发射的铁箭。在前甲板上装有一门十分完善的后膛炮，炮身很厚，炮口很窄，这种炮的模型曾在1867年的万国博览会中展览过。这门宝贵的大炮：是美国造的，可以发出重四公斤的锥形炮弹，射程是十六公里。
因此，林肯号的歼灭性武器，可以说样样俱全，最妙的是船上还有鱼叉手之王尼德•兰。
尼德。兰是加拿大人，两手非常矫捷，在这种危险的叉鱼职业中，他还没有碰见过敌手。他又灵敏又冷静，又大胆：又机智，本领很高强，要不是一条狡猾的长须鲸，或是特殊聪明的大头鲸，是很难躲过他的鱼叉的。
尼德•兰大约四十岁。他身材魁伟，有六英尺多高，体；格健壮，神气庄严，不大爱说话，性情很暴躁，容易发脾气。
他的风度特别引人注意，尤其是他那双目光炯炯的眼睛，使他面部的表情更显得突出。我认为法拉古舰长把这人请到船上来，是完全正确的。
这个人，单单他一人，从手和眼两点来看，就相当于全体的：船员。我不能有再好的比方，只能说他是一架强度的望远镜，而且是一门随时可以发射的大炮。
说是加拿大人，就几乎可以说是法国人①。尽管尼、德•兰不多跟人接触，但我应当承认，他对我却有一种特别的好感。无疑地，那是由于我的国籍吸引了他.在他；这是一个机会，可以说说加拿大某些省份现在还通行的拉伯雷①的法国话，在我也是一个机会，可以听听这种法国话。
这位鱼叉手的老家是在魁北克，当这城市还属于法国的时候，他家里就已经出了一批大胆的打鱼人了。
尼德，兰渐渐有了谈话的兴趣，我很爱听他谈在北极海中冒险的故事。他常用诗一般的句子有声有色他讲述他打鱼和战斗的故事。他的故事具有史诗的形式，我听他讲，好像是在听一位加拿大的荷马②在朗诵着北极的《伊利亚特》③。
我所以要把我确实知道的这位大胆的鱼叉手描绘出来，那是因为在患难中产生和巩固了的友谊把我们结合在一起了！啊！勇敢的尼德•兰！但愿我再活一百年，可以更长久地想念着你！
目前，尼德•兰对于海怪问题的意见是怎样呢？我承认，他并不相信有什么海麒麟、独角鲸：船上的人，只有他不同意大家的看法。他甚至于避免讨论这件事情。但是，我想这事总有一天会使他谈到的。
7月30日，即我们出发以后三星期，船在黄昏的时候到了离巴塔戈尼亚海岸三十海里，跟白呷同一纬度的地方。
那时我们已经过了南回归线，麦哲伦海峡就在不到七百海里的南方、不用八天，林肯号便要在太平洋的波涛上行驶了.尼德。兰跟我一同坐在尾楼甲板上，一边看着这神秘的大海——它的深处到今天为止人们还无法到达：一边谈谈这个，说说那个，这时候，很自然地，我把话头转到巨大的海麒麟上面了，我又谈到我们这次远征成功或失败的各种可能。后来，我看见尼德.兰一声不响，只让我说，就直截了当地要他发言。
“尼德。兰，”我问他"您怎么能怀疑我们追逐着的鲸鱼类动物的存在呢？您这样怀疑，有什么特别理由吗？”
这位鱼叉手在回答之前，看了我一会儿，照他惯常的姿势，拿手拍拍他宽大的前额，闭闭眼睛，好像在沉思。他说：“阿龙纳斯先生，我有理由。”
“尼德•兰，您是一位职业的捕鲸专家，您很熟悉海中的巨大哺乳类动物，照理您应当容易承认这个巨大的鲸鱼类动物的存在，可是您竟要来做最后一个怀疑这事的人！”
“教授；这是因为您搞错了。"尼德•兰说，“一般的人相信有横过天空的非常特殊的慧星，有住在地球内部的太古时代的侄物，那还可以，但天文学家，地质学家，决不承认有这类荒唐古怪的东西存在。打鲸鱼的人也一样。鲸科动物，我追逐过许多，我用鱼叉叉过很多，我也杀死过好几条，可是，不论那些鲸鱼力量怎样大，怎样凶，它们的尾巴也好•它们的长牙也好，决不能弄坏一艘汽船的钢板。."“尼德•兰，可是，独角鲸的牙齿把船底钻通了的传说并不少。”
“木头船，那是可能的，”加拿大人回答，“不过，就是这样的事我也没有亲眼见过。所以，在没有真凭实据之前，我不能承认长须鲸、大头鲸、独角鲸可以穿透钢板。”
“尼德•兰，您好好听我说……”
“不，教授，什么都可以听您，这个可不能。也许这是一条巨大的章鱼吧?……”
“尼德•兰，那更不对了。章鱼是软体动物，单是这个名字就已经表明它的肌肉一点也不坚强。就是章鱼有五百英尺长，它也不会属于脊推动物这一门，它对于斯各脱亚号或林肯号这类的船，决不至有损害的。所以有关这类海怪或怪物的事迹，都应当看作是荒唐无稽之谈。”
“那么，生物学专家，”尼德。兰带着点讥诮的口气说,“您是坚持有巨大鲸鱼类动物的存在吗？……”
“是的，尼德•兰，我再说一遍，我所以相信，我是有事实根据的。我相信海中有一种哺乳类动物存在，它的躯体组织十分坚实，属于脊椎动物门，像长须鲸、大头鲸或海豚，一样，并且有一个角质的长牙，钻穿的力量十分大。”
“晤！”这位鱼叉手哼了一声，同时摇摇头，一副表示不能相信的神气。
“请您注意，”我又说，“我的诚实的加拿大人，如果有这样的一种动物，如果它是生活在海洋底下，如果它要在离水面几英里深的海底活动，它必然有坚强无比的机体。”
“为什么要这么坚强的机体呢？”尼德•兰问。
“因为要在很深的水中生活，要能抵抗水的压力，那就必须有一种不可估计的巨大力量。”
"真的吗？”尼德•兰挤一挤眼睛，看看我。
“真的，一些数目字很容易给您证明这享。”
“啊!”尼德•兰答，“数目字!人们可以随便拿数目字来证明自己喜欢的事!"“尼德•兰，这是实事求是的，而不是数学上的数目字。请您好好地听我说。我们都承认，一个大气压力等于三十二英尺高的水柱压力。实际上，这水柱的高度是最小的，因为我们现在讲的是海水，海水的密度大于淡水的密度。尼德•兰，好吧，当您潜入水中，在您上面有多少倍三十二英尺的水，您的身体就要顶住同等倍数大气压的压力，即每平方厘米面积上要顶住同等倍数公斤的压力。照这样推算，在三百二十英尺深处的压力是十大气压，在三千二百英尺深处是一百大气压，三万二千英尺深，就是说，约两里半深处，是一千大气压。这就等于说，如果您潜入大洋到这样的深度，您身上每平方厘米的面积上就要受到上千公斤的压力。可是，诚实的尼德•兰，您晓得您身上有多少平方厘米的面积吗?"“当然不少，阿龙纳斯先生。”
“大约有一万七千平方厘米的面积。"“这么多吗？”
“实际上，一大气压比每平方厘米的一公斤重量超过一些，现在，您身上一万七千平方厘米的面积就顶着一万七千五百六十八公斤的压力，”
“我怎么一点都不觉得？”
“您一点不觉得。您所以不被这样大的压力压扁，是因为进人您身体中的空气也有相等的压力。因此，内部压力和外部压力能够达到平衡，内外压力抵消了”，所以您可以顶着：不觉得辛苦。但在水中便不同了。”
“是的，我懂得了，”尼德•兰回答我，也比较注意了,“因为水在我周围，永不进入我身体。”
“对，尼德尸兰。所以，照这样推算.在海底下三十二英尺，您要受到一万七千五百六十八公斤的压力；在海底下三百二十英尺，受到十倍的压力，即十六万五千六百八十公斤的压力；在海底下三千二百英尺，受到百倍的压力，即一百七十五万六千八百公斤的压力；最后，在海底下三万二千英尺，受到千倍的压力，即一千七百五十六万八千公斤的压力；就是说，您要被压成薄片，压成像人们把您从水压机的铁板下拉出来似的！”
尼德•兰喊一声：“好家伙！”
“好，我的诚实的鱼叉手，如果一种脊推动物，身长好几百米，身宽按照身长的比例，它住在这样的海底深处，那么,它们有数百万平方厘米面积的身躯，所受到的压力，就要以千百亿公斤来计算了。现在请您算一算它们的骨架和机体，要顶住这样大的压力所必需的抵抗力吧！”
“那它们的身体要用八英寸厚的钢板造成，跟铁甲战舰那样才行。”尼德•兰回答。
“正像您说的那样，尼德•兰，现在您想想，这样一个巨大的物体，以快车的速度撞在一只船壳上，可能产生的破坏力量是怎样。”
“是……也许……是这样.“加拿大人回答，由于上面的数目字，他心中动摇了，但并不愿意马上认输。“那么，您相信了吗？”
“您使我相信了一件事，生物学专家，就是说，如果海底下有这样的动物，那它们的身体力量必须像您所说的那样强大。”
“可是，固执的鱼叉手、如果海底下没有这样的动物，您怎样说明斯各脱亚号所遭遇到的事故呢？“这或者……”尼德•兰迟疑地说。
“你说下去吧！”
“因为…。这不是真的！”这位加拿大人回答，他无意中背出阿拉哥①的这句有名的对话。
但这个回答不能说明什么，只不过说明了这位鱼叉手的固执罢了.这一天我不再追问他，斯各脱亚号的事故是不可否认的。船底上的洞是实实在在有的，而且这洞非堵住不可，当然我并不认为有一个洞就能说明问题，可是这洞决不是毫无原因就会有的。既然它不是暗礁撞的，那必然是某一种动物的尖利武器钻的了。
那么，把以上所举的理由归纳一下，我认为这个动物是属于脊椎动物门，哺乳动物纲，鱼类，鲸鱼目。它所属的科，是长须鲸、大头鲸、海豚的那一科；至于它应列入的“属”，应归人的“种”，那要等将来才能弄清楚。如果我们想解决这个问题，必须解剖这个神秘的怪物。要解剖它，就得捉住它；要捉住它，就得叉住它（这是尼德•兰的事）。要叉住它，就得看见它（这是全体船员的事）；要看见它，就得碰见它(这是碰运气的事）。
Part 1 Chapter 5
FOR SOME WHILE the voyage of the Abraham Lincoln was marked by no incident. But one circumstance arose that displayed Ned Land's marvelous skills and showed just how much confidence we could place in him.
Off the Falkland Islands on June 30, the frigate came in contact with a fleet of American whalers, and we learned that they hadn't seen the narwhale. But one of them, the captain of the Monroe, knew that Ned Land had shipped aboard the Abraham Lincoln and asked his help in hunting a baleen whale that was in sight. Anxious to see Ned Land at work, Commander Farragut authorized him to make his way aboard the Monroe. And the Canadian had such good luck that with a right-and-left shot, he harpooned not one whale but two, striking the first straight to the heart and catching the other after a few minutes' chase!
Assuredly, if the monster ever had to deal with Ned Land's harpoon, I wouldn't bet on the monster.
The frigate sailed along the east coast of South America with prodigious speed. By July 3 we were at the entrance to the Strait of Magellan, abreast of Cabo de las Virgenes. But Commander Farragut was unwilling to attempt this tortuous passageway and maneuvered instead to double Cape Horn.
The crew sided with him unanimously. Indeed, were we likely to encounter the narwhale in such a cramped strait? Many of our sailors swore that the monster couldn't negotiate this passageway simply because "he's too big for it!"
Near three o'clock in the afternoon on July 6, fifteen miles south of shore, the Abraham Lincoln doubled that solitary islet at the tip of the South American continent, that stray rock Dutch seamen had named Cape Horn after their hometown of Hoorn. Our course was set for the northwest, and the next day our frigate's propeller finally churned the waters of the Pacific.
"Open your eyes! Open your eyes!" repeated the sailors of the Abraham Lincoln.
And they opened amazingly wide. Eyes and spyglasses (a bit dazzled, it is true, by the vista of $2,000.00) didn't remain at rest for an instant. Day and night we observed the surface of the ocean, and those with nyctalopic eyes, whose ability to see in the dark increased their chances by fifty percent, had an excellent shot at winning the prize.
As for me, I was hardly drawn by the lure of money and yet was far from the least attentive on board. Snatching only a few minutes for meals and a few hours for sleep, come rain or come shine, I no longer left the ship's deck. Sometimes bending over the forecastle railings, sometimes leaning against the sternrail, I eagerly scoured that cotton-colored wake that whitened the ocean as far as the eye could see! And how many times I shared the excitement of general staff and crew when some unpredictable whale lifted its blackish back above the waves. In an instant the frigate's deck would become densely populated. The cowls over the companionways would vomit a torrent of sailors and officers. With panting chests and anxious eyes, we each would observe the cetacean's movements. I stared; I stared until I nearly went blind from a worn-out retina, while Conseil, as stoic as ever, kept repeating to me in a calm tone:
"If master's eyes would kindly stop bulging, master will see farther!"
But what a waste of energy! The Abraham Lincoln would change course and race after the animal sighted, only to find an ordinary baleen whale or a common sperm whale that soon disappeared amid a chorus of curses!
However, the weather held good. Our voyage was proceeding under the most favorable conditions. By then it was the bad season in these southernmost regions, because July in this zone corresponds to our January in Europe; but the sea remained smooth and easily visible over a vast perimeter.
Ned Land still kept up the most tenacious skepticism; beyond his spells on watch, he pretended that he never even looked at the surface of the waves, at least while no whales were in sight. And yet the marvelous power of his vision could have performed yeoman service. But this stubborn Canadian spent eight hours out of every twelve reading or sleeping in his cabin. A hundred times I chided him for his unconcern.
"Bah!" he replied. "Nothing's out there, Professor Aronnax, and if there is some animal, what chance would we have of spotting it? Can't you see we're just wandering around at random? People say they've sighted this slippery beast again in the Pacific high seas-- I'm truly willing to believe it, but two months have already gone by since then, and judging by your narwhale's personality, it hates growing moldy from hanging out too long in the same waterways! It's blessed with a terrific gift for getting around. Now, professor, you know even better than I that nature doesn't violate good sense, and she wouldn't give some naturally slow animal the ability to move swiftly if it hadn't a need to use that talent. So if the beast does exist, it's already long gone!"
I had no reply to this. Obviously we were just groping blindly. But how else could we go about it? All the same, our chances were automatically pretty limited. Yet everyone still felt confident of success, and not a sailor on board would have bet against the narwhale appearing, and soon.
On July 20 we cut the Tropic of Capricorn at longitude 105 degrees, and by the 27th of the same month, we had cleared the equator on the 110th meridian. These bearings determined, the frigate took a more decisive westward heading and tackled the seas of the central Pacific. Commander Farragut felt, and with good reason, that it was best to stay in deep waters and keep his distance from continents or islands, whose neighborhoods the animal always seemed to avoid--"No doubt," our bosun said, "because there isn't enough water for him!" So the frigate kept well out when passing the Tuamotu, Marquesas, and Hawaiian Islands, then cut the Tropic of Cancer at longitude 132 degrees and headed for the seas of China.
We were finally in the area of the monster's latest antics! And in all honesty, shipboard conditions became life-threatening. Hearts were pounding hideously, gearing up for futures full of incurable aneurysms. The entire crew suffered from a nervous excitement that it's beyond me to describe. Nobody ate, nobody slept. Twenty times a day some error in perception, or the optical illusions of some sailor perched in the crosstrees, would cause intolerable anguish, and this emotion, repeated twenty times over, kept us in a state of irritability so intense that a reaction was bound to follow.
And this reaction wasn't long in coming. For three months, during which each day seemed like a century, the Abraham Lincoln plowed all the northerly seas of the Pacific, racing after whales sighted, abruptly veering off course, swerving sharply from one tack to another, stopping suddenly, putting on steam and reversing engines in quick succession, at the risk of stripping its gears, and it didn't leave a single point unexplored from the beaches of Japan to the coasts of America. And we found nothing! Nothing except an immenseness of deserted waves! Nothing remotely resembling a gigantic narwhale, or an underwater islet, or a derelict shipwreck, or a runaway reef, or anything the least bit unearthly!
So the reaction set in. At first, discouragement took hold of people's minds, opening the door to disbelief. A new feeling appeared on board, made up of three-tenths shame and seven-tenths fury. The crew called themselves "out-and-out fools" for being hoodwinked by a fairy tale, then grew steadily more furious! The mountains of arguments amassed over a year collapsed all at once, and each man now wanted only to catch up on his eating and sleeping, to make up for the time he had so stupidly sacrificed.
With typical human fickleness, they jumped from one extreme to the other. Inevitably, the most enthusiastic supporters of the undertaking became its most energetic opponents. This reaction mounted upward from the bowels of the ship, from the quarters of the bunker hands to the messroom of the general staff; and for certain, if it hadn't been for Commander Farragut's characteristic stubbornness, the frigate would ultimately have put back to that cape in the south.
But this futile search couldn't drag on much longer. The Abraham Lincoln had done everything it could to succeed and had no reason to blame itself. Never had the crew of an American naval craft shown more patience and zeal; they weren't responsible for this failure; there was nothing to do but go home.
A request to this effect was presented to the commander. The commander stood his ground. His sailors couldn't hide their discontent, and their work suffered because of it. I'm unwilling to say that there was mutiny on board, but after a reasonable period of intransigence, Commander Farragut, like Christopher Columbus before him, asked for a grace period of just three days more. After this three-day delay, if the monster hadn't appeared, our helmsman would give three turns of the wheel, and the Abraham Lincoln would chart a course toward European seas.
This promise was given on November 2. It had the immediate effect of reviving the crew's failing spirits. The ocean was observed with renewed care. Each man wanted one last look with which to sum up his experience. Spyglasses functioned with feverish energy. A supreme challenge had been issued to the giant narwhale, and the latter had no acceptable excuse for ignoring this Summons to Appear!
Two days passed. The Abraham Lincoln stayed at half steam. On the offchance that the animal might be found in these waterways, a thousand methods were used to spark its interest or rouse it from its apathy. Enormous sides of bacon were trailed in our wake, to the great satisfaction, I must say, of assorted sharks. While the Abraham Lincoln heaved to, its longboats radiated in every direction around it and didn't leave a single point of the sea unexplored. But the evening of November 4 arrived with this underwater mystery still unsolved.
At noon the next day, November 5, the agreed-upon delay expired. After a position fix, true to his promise, Commander Farragut would have to set his course for the southeast and leave the northerly regions of the Pacific decisively behind.
By then the frigate lay in latitude 31 degrees 15' north and longitude 136 degrees 42' east. The shores of Japan were less than 200 miles to our leeward. Night was coming on. Eight o'clock had just struck. Huge clouds covered the moon's disk, then in its first quarter. The sea undulated placidly beneath the frigate's stempost.
Just then I was in the bow, leaning over the starboard rail. Conseil, stationed beside me, stared straight ahead. Roosting in the shrouds, the crew examined the horizon, which shrank and darkened little by little. Officers were probing the increasing gloom with their night glasses. Sometimes the murky ocean sparkled beneath moonbeams that darted between the fringes of two clouds. Then all traces of light vanished into the darkness.
Observing Conseil, I discovered that, just barely, the gallant lad had fallen under the general influence. At least so I thought. Perhaps his nerves were twitching with curiosity for the first time in history.
"Come on, Conseil!" I told him. "Here's your last chance to pocket that $2,000.00!"
"If master will permit my saying so," Conseil replied, "I never expected to win that prize, and the Union government could have promised $100,000.00 and been none the poorer."
"You're right, Conseil, it turned out to be a foolish business after all, and we jumped into it too hastily. What a waste of time, what a futile expense of emotion! Six months ago we could have been back in France--"
"In master's little apartment," Conseil answered. "In master's museum! And by now I would have classified master's fossils. And master's babirusa would be ensconced in its cage at the zoo in the Botanical Gardens, and it would have attracted every curiosity seeker in town!"
"Quite so, Conseil, and what's more, I imagine that people will soon be poking fun at us!"
"To be sure," Conseil replied serenely, "I do think they'll have fun at master's expense. And must it be said . . . ?"
"It must be said, Conseil."
"Well then, it will serve master right!"
"How true!"
"When one has the honor of being an expert as master is, one mustn't lay himself open to--"
Conseil didn't have time to complete the compliment. In the midst of the general silence, a voice became audible. It was Ned Land's voice, and it shouted:
"Ahoy! There's the thing in question, abreast of us to leeward!"
林肯号的航行，在这些天当中，并没有碰到什么意外。
但发生了一件事，这件事使得尼德•兰显出了他惊人的技巧，同时也说明了我们对他的那种信任是应该的。
6月30日，在马露因海面上，林肯号向美国的捕鲸船打听那条独角鲸的消息，这些捕鲸船都说役碰见。但其中一只名叫孟禄号的捕鲸船船长，知道尼德•兰在我们船上。
要请他帮忙，追捕已经发现了的一条鲸鱼。法拉古舰长很想看看尼德•兰的本领，就准许他到孟禄号船上去。我们的加拿大朋友运气真好，不仅是打了一条鲸鱼，而且是打了两条，他投出双叉，一叉直刺人一条鲸鱼的心脏，追赶了几分钟以后，另一条也被捕获了。
毫无疑问，如果我们追赶的那个怪物，真的跟尼德•兰的鱼叉相碰，我决不敢打赌，保证这个怪物无事。
战舰以惊人的速度，沿着美洲东南方的海岸行驶，7月3日，我们到达麦哲伦海峡口上，与童女峡在同一个纬度。但法拉古舰长不愿意通过这曲折的海峡，要从合恩角绕过去。
全体船员一致赞成他的主张。的确，我们哪能在这狭窄的海峡里碰到那条独角鲸呢？大多数水手都肯定怪物不能通过海峡，因为它身体很大，海峡容不下它！
的海面上，绕过这座孤岛。这是伸在美洲大陆南端的岩石。
从前荷兰水手把自己故乡的名字送给它，称它为合恩角。
现在船向西北开，明天，战舰的机轮就要在太平洋水波中搅动了。
“睁大眼睛！睁大眼睛！”林肯号上的水手们一再他说。
他们都把眼睛睁得大大的。真的，眼睛和望远镜好象被二千美元奖金的远景所眩惑，一刻也不愿休息。白天黑夜，人人都留心洋面，患昼盲症的人因在黑暗中能看得清。
比别人要多百分之五十的机会获得这笔奖金。
我个人是不受金钱引诱的，但我在船上也同样注意观察海面。除了用餐的几分钟，睡眠的几小时，不管日晒也好，雨淋也好，我总不离开甲板。有时伏在船头围板上，有时扶着船尾的栏杆，我目不转晴，死盯着一望无际、白练般的浪涛！有好几次，一条任性的鲸鱼把灰黑的脊背露在波涛上的时候，我跟船上全体职工人员一样马上就激动起来。
战舰的甲板上马上就挤满了人，水手和军官像水流一般地从布棚下涌出来了。人人都心头跳动，眼光闪烁，注视着鲸鱼的行动。我非常注意地看着，看得眼睛发黑，简直要变成瞎子了。但康塞尔总是若无其事的，用安静的语气一再对我说：“如果先生愿意少费些目力，眼睛不要睁得大大，先生也许能看得更清楚一些！”
但是，空欢喜了一场！林肯号转了方向，向发现的动物冲去，原来是一条平常的长须鲸，或一条普通的大头鲸，不多时就在大家的咒骂声中不见了！
可是天气很好。船在良好的情况中航行，这正是南半球天气恶劣的季节，而这一带的七月却和我们欧洲的一月差不多。不过海是平静的，人们一眼可以看得很远。
尼德。兰总是抱着不肯轻信的态度；除了轮到他在甲板上看守以外，他甚至故意不看洋面——至少在没有发现鲸鱼的时候是这样。他的神奇的眼力有很大的用处，可是在十二小时中有八小时，这位固执的加拿大人只是在舱房中看书或睡觉，我多少次责备他的冷淡和不关心。
“算了吧！”他答，“阿龙纳斯先生，什么都没有，就算海中真有什么怪物，我们可能有机会看见它吗？我们不是漫无计划地瞎捡吗？据说在太平洋的北部海中，又有人看见了这个无法找到的怪物，这我并不否认：但是，自从那次碰见后，两个月已经过去了，要是根据您的这条独角鲸的怪脾气来看，它决不愿意长久停在这一带海上！它移动极快，不可捉摸。并且，教授，您比我更了解，自然造物，决不自相矛盾，它决不使天性迟缓的动物，有快速走动的能力，因为这种能力对•它并无必要。所以，这种动物如果存在的话，它早就跑远了！”听了他这话，我没法回答。很明显，我们确实是盲目地行动着。可是，又有什么办法呢？我们的机会很有限，不过，对于事情的成功，还没有人加以怀疑，船上没有一名水手敢打赌，说没有独角鲸，说它不会出现。
7月20日南回归线正交在经度105度，同月27日我们穿过了在西经110度上的赤道线。此后，船便一直向西行驶，驶进太平洋的中部海中。法拉古舰长想得对，驶到深水的地方，离开这个怪物好像不愿意挨近的大陆和海岛。
这样也许好些，机会也许多些；“可能因为接近陆地的海，对于这个怪物，还不够深！”水手长这样说。战舰添了煤后，穿过帕摩图群岛、马贵斯群岛，夏威夷群岛，在东经：32度越过了北回归线，向中国海开去。
我们终于到了这个怪物最近活动的地方了！老实说。
我们在船上简直不是过生活了。心跳动得太厉害了，说不定将来会得不可治疗的血瘤症。全体船员，神经都极度紧张，那种程度，我简直不能形容。大家不吃饭、不睡觉。由于了望的水手估计错了或看错了而引起的骚动，每天总有一二十次。这种连续不断的骚动，更加强了人们的紧张，以致不能不产生反响。
三个月来（在这三个月当中，真是一天等于一世纪），林肯号跑遍了太平洋北部所有的海面，有时向着看到的鲸鱼冲去，有时忽然离开航线，有时突然掉转船头，有时一下子停住……它不惜弄坏机器，不惜浪费动力，从日本海岸到美洲海岸，没有一处不曾搜索过。但是，什么也没有看见！看见的只是那浩瀚无边的大海！至于什么巨大的独角鲸、潜在水中的海岛，沉没的破船、飞走的暗礁，以及什么神秘的东西，却都没有看见！
因此，反响发生了。首先是人心失望，给怀疑的心理打开一个缺口。船上产生了另一种情绪，造成这情绪的因素是三分羞愧，七分恼怒。死盯住一个空想，自然是“愚蠢",但更多的是恼怒！一年来累积起的像磐石一般的理由，一下子完全垮下来了，这时每个人都想好好吃一吃，睡一睡，来弥补因为自己愚蠢而牺牲了的时间。由于天生就的动摇性，容易从一个极端跑到另一个极端。当初最热诚拥护这次远征的人，现在却变成最激烈的反对者了。这次反响从舱底发生，从仓库看守人的岗位传到船参谋部的军官餐厅。毫无疑问，如果不是法拉古舰长特别坚持，这艘船早就掉头往南开了。可是，这种无益的搜索再也不能拖得过久。林肯号已经尽了最大的努力，实在丝毫没有可以责备的地方了。美国海军部派到这只船上的人员，从没有表现过这么大的耐心和热情；失败并不能怪他们；现在除了回航没有什么可做了。关于回航的建议向舰长提出来了。舰民不听，坚持自己的意见。水手们公然表示不满，船上事务当然要受影响。我不敢说船上就会发生叛变，但坚持了一个时期以后，法拉古舰长像从前的哥伦布①一样，请大家再忍耐三天。如果三天期满，怪物还不出现，掌舵的人把舵轮转三次，林肯号就向欧洲海岸进发。这个诺言在11月2日发出，它的效果首先是挽回了全体船员的失败心理。人人又以新的注意力观察洋面。人人都要最后看一下海洋，作为这次远征的纪念。望远镜不停地使用，没有一刻空着。这是对巨大独角鲸的最后挑战。对于这次“出庭”的传票，它决不能找出什么理由置之不理了两天过去了，林肯号以低速度慢慢前进。在可能碰到这个动物的海面上，人们想尽方法引起它的注意或刺激它迟钝的神经。人们把一大块一大块的腊肉拉在船后，——但我应该说，这内使鲨鱼们感到十分满意。林肯号一停下来，许多小船放下去，马上就向战舰周围各方出发，不让一处海面不被搜索到。11月4日晚上到了，这个潜在海底的秘密还是没有揭露出来。
明天，11月5日正午，规定的期限便满期了。中午一过，法拉古舰长就要履行他的诺言，使战舰离开太平洋的北部海面，向东南方开行。
船这时正在北纬31度15分，东经136度42分。日本本上就在高我们不及两百英里左右的下方。黑夜快到了。
船上正敲八点钟。一片片的乌云掩盖了上弦的新月。大海波纹在船后面平静地舒展着。这时候，我倚在船头右舷围板上。康塞尔站在我的旁边，眼睛向前看着。全体船员，爬在缆素梯绳上面，细心考察渐渐缩小和沉黑了的天边。军官们拿着夜间用的望远镜，向渐次黑暗的各方搜索。月亮有时从朵朵的云间吐出一线光芒，使沉黑的海面闪耀着光辉；一会儿又消逝在黑暗中了。
我看着康塞尔，看出他的情绪多少也受了船上一般的影响。至少我是这样感觉。也许，他的神经还是第一次在好奇心的力量下震动了。
“喂，康塞尔，”我跟他说，“现在是获得两千美元奖金的最后一次机会了。”
“请先生容许我对这件事说句话，”康塞尔答，“我从不想获得这笔奖金，合众国政府可以答应给十万美元，它也并不因此就穷了。”
“你说得对，康塞尔；总之，这是一件愚蠢的事情，我们没怎么考虑就参加进来了。白费了多少时间，消耗了多少精神！要不，六个月以前，我们已经回到法国了……”
‘在先生的小房子里！”康塞尔答道，“在先生的博物馆里！我早已把先生的生物化石分类了！先生的野猪也早就养在植物园的笼中、，吸引着巴黎全城所有好奇的人来参观了!"“正跟你所说的一样，康塞尔，并且，我想，我们还没有估计到人家会怎样嘲笑我们呢！”“可不是，，，康塞尔安然回答，“我想，人们一定会嘲笑您先生。我该不该说……？”“你说下去，康塞尔。”“好，那就是先生应得的报酬！”“确是这样！”“一个人如果有幸能和先生一样是一位学者，他就决不该冒昧从事……”康塞尔没有说完他的“恭维”话。在全船的沉默当中，大家听到了一个人的声音，那是尼德•兰的声音，他喊着：“看哪！我们寻找了多时的那家伙就在那里，正斜对着我们呢！”
Part 1 Chapter 6
AT THIS SHOUT the entire crew rushed toward the harpooner-- commander, officers, mates,
sailors, cabin boys, down to engineers leaving their machinery and stokers neglecting their furnaces. The order was given to stop, and the frigate merely coasted.
By then the darkness was profound, and as good as the Canadian's eyes were, I still wondered how he could see--and what he had seen. My heart was pounding fit to burst.
But Ned Land was not mistaken, and we all spotted the object his hand was indicating.
Two cable lengths off the Abraham Lincoln's starboard quarter, the sea seemed to be lit up from underneath. This was no mere phosphorescent phenomenon, that much was unmistakable. Submerged some fathoms below the surface of the water, the monster gave off that very intense but inexplicable glow that several captains had mentioned in their reports. This magnificent radiance had to come from some force with a great illuminating capacity. The edge of its light swept over the sea in an immense, highly elongated oval, condensing at the center into a blazing core whose unbearable glow diminished by degrees outward.
"It's only a cluster of phosphorescent particles!" exclaimed one of the officers.
"No, sir," I answered with conviction. "Not even angel-wing clams or salps have ever given off such a powerful light. That glow is basically electric in nature. Besides . . . look, look! It's shifting! It's moving back and forth! It's darting at us!"
A universal shout went up from the frigate.
"Quiet!" Commander Farragut said. "Helm hard to leeward! Reverse engines!"
Sailors rushed to the helm, engineers to their machinery. Under reverse steam immediately, the Abraham Lincoln beat to port, sweeping in a semicircle.
"Right your helm! Engines forward!" Commander Farragut called.
These orders were executed, and the frigate swiftly retreated from this core of light.
My mistake. It wanted to retreat, but the unearthly animal came at us with a speed double our own.
We gasped. More stunned than afraid, we stood mute and motionless. The animal caught up with us, played with us. It made a full circle around the frigate--then doing fourteen knots--and wrapped us in sheets of electricity that were like luminous dust. Then it retreated two or three miles, leaving a phosphorescent trail comparable to those swirls of steam that shoot behind the locomotive of an express train. Suddenly, all the way from the dark horizon where it had gone to gather momentum, the monster abruptly dashed toward the Abraham Lincoln with frightening speed, stopped sharply twenty feet from our side plates, and died out-- not by diving under the water, since its glow did not recede gradually-- but all at once, as if the source of this brilliant emanation had suddenly dried up. Then it reappeared on the other side of the ship, either by circling around us or by gliding under our hull. At any instant a collision could have occurred that would have been fatal to us.
Meanwhile I was astonished at the frigate's maneuvers. It was fleeing, not fighting. Built to pursue, it was being pursued, and I commented on this to Commander Farragut. His face, ordinarily so emotionless, was stamped with indescribable astonishment.
"Professor Aronnax," he answered me, "I don't know what kind of fearsome creature I'm up against, and I don't want my frigate running foolish risks in all this darkness. Besides, how should we attack this unknown creature, how should we defend ourselves against it? Let's wait for daylight, and then we'll play a different role."
"You've no further doubts, commander, as to the nature of this animal?"
"No, sir, it's apparently a gigantic narwhale, and an electric one to boot."
"Maybe," I added, "it's no more approachable than an electric eel or an electric ray!"
"Right," the commander replied. "And if it has their power to electrocute, it's surely the most dreadful animal ever conceived by our Creator. That's why I'll keep on my guard, sir."
The whole crew stayed on their feet all night long. No one even thought of sleeping. Unable to compete with the monster's speed, the Abraham Lincoln slowed down and stayed at half steam. For its part, the narwhale mimicked the frigate, simply rode with the waves, and seemed determined not to forsake the field of battle.
However, near midnight it disappeared, or to use a more appropriate expression, "it went out," like a huge glowworm. Had it fled from us? We were duty bound to fear so rather than hope so. But at 12:53 in the morning, a deafening hiss became audible, resembling the sound made by a waterspout expelled with tremendous intensity.
By then Commander Farragut, Ned Land, and I were on the afterdeck, peering eagerly into the profound gloom.
"Ned Land," the commander asked, "you've often heard whales bellowing?"
"Often, sir, but never a whale like this, whose sighting earned me $2,000.00."
"Correct, the prize is rightfully yours. But tell me, isn't that the noise cetaceans make when they spurt water from their blowholes?"
"The very noise, sir, but this one's way louder. So there can be no mistake. There's definitely a whale lurking in our waters. With your permission, sir," the harpooner added, "tomorrow at daybreak we'll have words with it."
"If it's in a mood to listen to you, Mr. Land," I replied in a tone far from convinced.
"Let me get within four harpoon lengths of it," the Canadian shot back, "and it had better listen!"
"But to get near it," the commander went on, "I'd have to put a whaleboat at your disposal?"
"Certainly, sir."
"That would be gambling with the lives of my men."
"And with my own!" the harpooner replied simply.
Near two o'clock in the morning, the core of light reappeared, no less intense, five miles to windward of the Abraham Lincoln. Despite the distance, despite the noise of wind and sea, we could distinctly hear the fearsome thrashings of the animal's tail, and even its panting breath. Seemingly, the moment this enormous narwhale came up to breathe at the surface of the ocean, air was sucked into its lungs like steam into the huge cylinders of a 2,000-horsepower engine.
"Hmm!" I said to myself. "A cetacean as powerful as a whole cavalry regiment--now that's a whale of a whale!"
We stayed on the alert until daylight, getting ready for action. Whaling gear was set up along the railings. Our chief officer loaded the blunderbusses, which can launch harpoons as far as a mile, and long duck guns with exploding bullets that can mortally wound even the most powerful animals. Ned Land was content to sharpen his harpoon, a dreadful weapon in his hands.
At six o'clock day began to break, and with the dawn's early light, the narwhale's electric glow disappeared. At seven o'clock the day was well along, but a very dense morning mist shrank the horizon, and our best spyglasses were unable to pierce it. The outcome: disappointment and anger.
I hoisted myself up to the crosstrees of the mizzen sail. Some officers were already perched on the mastheads.
At eight o'clock the mist rolled ponderously over the waves, and its huge curls were lifting little by little. The horizon grew wider and clearer all at once.
Suddenly, just as on the previous evening, Ned Land's voice was audible.
"There's the thing in question, astern to port!" the harpooner shouted.
Every eye looked toward the point indicated.
There, a mile and a half from the frigate, a long blackish body emerged a meter above the waves. Quivering violently, its tail was creating a considerable eddy. Never had caudal equipment thrashed the sea with such power. An immense wake of glowing whiteness marked the animal's track, sweeping in a long curve.
Our frigate drew nearer to the cetacean. I examined it with a completely open mind. Those reports from the Shannon and the Helvetia had slightly exaggerated its dimensions, and I put its length at only 250 feet. Its girth was more difficult to judge, but all in all, the animal seemed to be wonderfully proportioned in all three dimensions.
While I was observing this phenomenal creature, two jets of steam and water sprang from its blowholes and rose to an altitude of forty meters, which settled for me its mode of breathing. From this I finally concluded that it belonged to the branch Vertebrata, class Mammalia, subclass Monodelphia, group Pisciforma, order Cetacea, family . . . but here I couldn't make up my mind. The order Cetacea consists of three families, baleen whales, sperm whales, dolphins, and it's in this last group that narwhales are placed. Each of these families is divided into several genera, each genus into species, each species into varieties. So I was still missing variety, species, genus, and family, but no doubt I would complete my classifying with the aid of Heaven and Commander Farragut.
The crew were waiting impatiently for orders from their leader. The latter, after carefully observing the animal, called for his engineer. The engineer raced over.
"Sir," the commander said, "are you up to pressure?"
"Aye, sir," the engineer replied.
"Fine. Stoke your furnaces and clap on full steam!"
Three cheers greeted this order. The hour of battle had sounded. A few moments later, the frigate's two funnels vomited torrents of black smoke, and its deck quaked from the trembling of its boilers.
Driven forward by its powerful propeller, the Abraham Lincoln headed straight for the animal. Unconcerned, the latter let us come within half a cable length; then, not bothering to dive, it got up a little speed, retreated, and was content to keep its distance.
This chase dragged on for about three-quarters of an hour without the frigate gaining two fathoms on the cetacean. At this rate, it was obvious that we would never catch up with it.
Infuriated, Commander Farragut kept twisting the thick tuft of hair that flourished below his chin.
"Ned Land!" he called.
The Canadian reported at once.
"Well, Mr. Land," the commander asked, "do you still advise putting my longboats to sea?"
"No, sir," Ned Land replied, "because that beast won't be caught against its will."
"Then what should we do?"
"Stoke up more steam, sir, if you can. As for me, with your permission I'll go perch on the bobstays under the bowsprit, and if we can get within a harpoon length, I'll harpoon the brute."
"Go to it, Ned," Commander Farragut replied. "Engineer," he called, "keep the pressure mounting!"
Ned Land made his way to his post. The furnaces were urged into greater activity; our propeller did forty-three revolutions per minute, and steam shot from the valves. Heaving the log, we verified that the Abraham Lincoln was going at the rate of 18.5 miles per hour.
But that damned animal also did a speed of 18.5.
For the next hour our frigate kept up this pace without gaining a fathom! This was humiliating for one of the fastest racers in the American navy. The crew were working up into a blind rage. Sailor after sailor heaved insults at the monster, which couldn't be bothered with answering back. Commander Farragut was no longer content simply to twist his goatee; he chewed on it.
The engineer was summoned once again.
"You're up to maximum pressure?" the commander asked him.
"Aye, sir," the engineer replied.
"And your valves are charged to . . . ?"
"To six and a half atmospheres."
"Charge them to ten atmospheres."
A typical American order if I ever heard one. It would have sounded just fine during some Mississippi paddle-wheeler race, to "outstrip the competition!"
"Conseil," I said to my gallant servant, now at my side, "you realize that we'll probably blow ourselves skyhigh?"
"As master wishes!" Conseil replied.
All right, I admit it: I did wish to run this risk!
The valves were charged. More coal was swallowed by the furnaces. Ventilators shot torrents of air over the braziers. The Abraham Lincoln's speed increased. Its masts trembled down to their blocks, and swirls of smoke could barely squeeze through the narrow funnels.
We heaved the log a second time.
"Well, helmsman?" Commander Farragut asked.
"19.3 miles per hour, sir."
"Keep stoking the furnaces."
The engineer did so. The pressure gauge marked ten atmospheres. But no doubt the cetacean itself had "warmed up," because without the least trouble, it also did 19.3.
What a chase! No, I can't describe the excitement that shook my very being. Ned Land stayed at his post, harpoon in hand. Several times the animal let us approach.
"We're overhauling it!" the Canadian would shout.
Then, just as he was about to strike, the cetacean would steal off with a swiftness I could estimate at no less than thirty miles per hour. And even at our maximum speed, it took the liberty of thumbing its nose at the frigate by running a full circle around us! A howl of fury burst from every throat!
By noon we were no farther along than at eight o'clock in the morning.
Commander Farragut then decided to use more direct methods.
"Bah!" he said. "So that animal is faster than the Abraham Lincoln. All right, we'll see if it can outrun our conical shells! Mate, man the gun in the bow!"
Our forecastle cannon was immediately loaded and leveled. The cannoneer fired a shot, but his shell passed some feet above the cetacean, which stayed half a mile off.
"Over to somebody with better aim!" the commander shouted. "And $500.00 to the man who can pierce that infernal beast!"
Calm of eye, cool of feature, an old gray-bearded gunner-- I can see him to this day--approached the cannon, put it in position, and took aim for a good while. There was a mighty explosion, mingled with cheers from the crew.
The shell reached its target; it hit the animal, but not in the usual fashion--it bounced off that rounded surface and vanished into the sea two miles out.
"Oh drat!" said the old gunner in his anger. "That rascal must be covered with six-inch armor plate!"
"Curse the beast!" Commander Farragut shouted.
The hunt was on again, and Commander Farragut leaned over to me, saying:
"I'll chase that animal till my frigate explodes!"
"Yes," I replied, "and nobody would blame you!"
We could still hope that the animal would tire out and not be as insensitive to exhaustion as our steam engines. But no such luck. Hour after hour went by without it showing the least sign of weariness.
However, to the Abraham Lincoln's credit, it must be said that we struggled on with tireless persistence. I estimate that we covered a distance of at least 500 kilometers during this ill-fated day of November 6. But night fell and wrapped the surging ocean in its shadows.
By then I thought our expedition had come to an end, that we would never see this fantastic animal again. I was mistaken.
At 10:50 in the evening, that electric light reappeared three miles to windward of the frigate, just as clear and intense as the night before.
The narwhale seemed motionless. Was it asleep perhaps, weary from its workday, just riding with the waves? This was our chance, and Commander Farragut was determined to take full advantage of it.
He gave his orders. The Abraham Lincoln stayed at half steam, advancing cautiously so as not to awaken its adversary. In midocean it's not unusual to encounter whales so sound asleep they can successfully be attacked, and Ned Land had harpooned more than one in its slumber. The Canadian went to resume his post on the bobstays under the bowsprit.
The frigate approached without making a sound, stopped two cable lengths from the animal and coasted. Not a soul breathed on board. A profound silence reigned over the deck. We were not 100 feet from the blazing core of light, whose glow grew stronger and dazzled the eyes.
Just then, leaning over the forecastle railing, I saw Ned Land below me, one hand grasping the martingale, the other brandishing his dreadful harpoon. Barely twenty feet separated him from the motionless animal.
All at once his arm shot forward and the harpoon was launched. I heard the weapon collide resonantly, as if it had hit some hard substance.
The electric light suddenly went out, and two enormous waterspouts crashed onto the deck of the frigate, racing like a torrent from stem to stern, toppling crewmen, breaking spare masts and yardarms from their lashings.
A hideous collision occurred, and thrown over the rail with no time to catch hold of it, I was hurled into the sea.
一听到这喊声，全体船员，从舰长、军官、水手长一直到水手、练习生，甚至工程师也丢下机器，火夫也离开锅炉，大家都向鱼叉手这边跑来。停船的命令发出了，船只凭本身余下的动力走着。那时天色非常黑暗，不管这位加拿大人的眼力怎么好，我也要想想他怎能看见和他能够看见什么。我的心跳得非常厉害，简直要炸了。可是尼德•兰并没有弄错，我们大家都看到了他的手所指的那个东西。离林肯号右舷约三百七十米左右，海面好像是被水底发出的光照亮了。这光并不是一般的磷光，这谁也不会弄错。这个怪物潜在水面下几米深，放出十分强烈而神秘的光，就像有些船长的报告中所指出的那样。这种特别灿烂的光芒必定是从什么巨大的发光动力发出来的。发光的部分在海面上形成一个巨大的椭圆形，拉得很长，椭圆形中心是白热的焦点，射出不可逼视的光度，这光度渐远渐淡，至于熄灭。“那不过是无数磷分子的集合体。”一位军官说。“不，”我很有把握地答，“富拉得或沙尔已①之类的动物决不能发出这么强的光度。这种光只能是电力的光…看！看！它动了!它向前动，又向后移！它向我们冲采了！”战舰上处处发出喊声。“不要作声，”法拉古舰长说，“把稳舵，船迎着凤：开倒车！”水手们跑到舵旁边，工程师们跑到机器旁边。汽门立刻关掉了，林肯号从左舷转了一百八十度。法拉古舰长喊：“舵向右，向前开!"以上命令执行了，战舰很快离开了发光的中心。我弄错了。我们船要走开，但那神秘的动物却以加借的速度逼近来。我们气都喘不过来。当时，惊呆更甚于恐惧，弄得我们静默不动。这个动物好像开玩笑似的在海面上向我们冲来。它绕着战舰（这时船以每小时十四海里的速度走动），并且把船罩在像光尘一样的电光网中。然后它走出两三海里远，后面拖着一条磷光的尾巴，好像快车的机车留在后面的一团团烟雾般的气体。忽然间，这个怪物从天边的尽头。以惊人的速度突然向林肯号冲来，在离船身二十英尺的海而上又突然停住，光全灭了——不是潜入水中，因为它的光不是慢慢地消散，而是猝然地，像光的来源陡然断了一般！不久它又在战舰的另一边出现了，可能是绕过来的，也可能是从船底下潜水过来的。时时刻刻，都有可能给我们致命的打击.可是我们的战舰的行动使我莫名其妙。它在逃，并不去攻击。它本应该追逐怪物的，现在反而被追逐了，我于是向法拉古舰长提出意见。法拉古舰长的面孔，通常是很冷静的，现在却显得万分慌张。“阿龙纳斯先生，”他回答我，“我没摸清楚我所要对付的这怪物到底厉害到什么程度，我不愿意在这么一片黑暗中，随便让战舰去冒险。再说，怎样来攻击这个神秘东西呢，又怎样来防御这东西呢？我们等到天亮，情况便不同了."“舰长，您现在对于这个动物的性质没有什么疑惑了吗？”“没有疑惑了，先生，明明白白，这是一条巨大的独角鲸，同时又是一条带电的独角鲸。，，“也许，”我又说，“我们不能接近它，就像不能接近一条电鳗，或一个水雷那样!”“的确，”舰长答，“它身上有雷电般的力量，它一定是造物者造出来的最可怕的动物了。就是因为这个理由，先生，我才不得不十分小心在意。”全体船员在夜间都站着守望，没有一个人想到睡眠。林肯号在速度上敌不过这个怪物，只好保持着低速度慢慢行驶。而独角鲸也模仿战舰，在波涛上随意摆动者，好象还不打算离开这个比武场。不过，快到半夜的时候，它不见了，或用一句更准确的话说，它像一只大萤火虫一样不发光了。它逃了吗？我介就怕它逃，我们不希望它逃。但到早晨零点五十三分的时候传来一种震耳欲聋的啸声，好橡被极强的压力挤出的水柱所发的啸声那样。法拉古舰长、尼德•兰和我当时都在尾楼上，聚精会神地凝视着深沉的黑暗。“尼德•兰，”舰长问，“您听到鲸鱼叫过吗？”“时常听到，先生，但我从没有听过像现在这条使我获得二千美元奖金的鲸鱼那样的叫声。”“不错，您应获得这笔奖金。不过，请您告诉我，这声音是不是那鲸鱼类动物鼻孔吐水时所发出来的声音呢?"“正是那声音，先生，不过现在这声音不知要大多少倍。所以谁也不会弄错.我们面前海里的东西无疑是一条鲸鱼类动物。”这位鱼叉手又说，“请您容许我，先生，明天天亮时，我们对它说几句话。”“恐怕它不会有那样的耐心听您的话，尼德•兰师傅。汐我用半信半疑的声调回答。“假使我离它只有四鱼叉那么远，”这位加拿大人答，“那时候它非听我的话不可！”“不过你去挨近它的时候，”舰长说，“我得给一只捕鲸艇供您使用吧?"“当然要有一只，先生."“坐小船岂不是拿我的人员的生命去冒险？”“我的命不算命吗?“这位鱼叉手干脆地回答。到早晨两点左右，这发光的焦点，在跟林肯号前面相距五海里远的海面，又发出同样强烈的光。虽然距离大，虽然有风声和浪声，我们还是清楚地听到这动物尾巴的搅水声。并且听到它的喘息声。这只巨大的独角鲸到洋面上来呼吸的时候，空气吸人它肺中，就像水蒸气送到两千马力机器的大圆筒里面去那样。“晤！”我想，“这强大得像一队骑兵的鲸鱼，一定是一条了不得的鲸鱼!"大家一直警戒到天亮，每个人都在准备战斗。各种打鱼的器械都摆在船栏杆边。二副装好了大口径短铰，这短铣能把鱼叉射出一英里远，又装好了打开花弹的长沧，一击中就是致命伤，哪怕最强大的动物也不能例外。尼德•兰本人只是在那里磨他的鱼叉，鱼叉在他的手里就是件可怕的武器。六点，天亮起来了，晨曦的微光把独角鲸的电光俺没了。七点，天大亮了，但浓厚的朝雾缩小了视野，最好的望远镜也不济事，因此大家又产生了失望和懊恼的情绪。我一直攀上尾桅，有些军官早就在桅上面站着。八点，浓雾沉重地在海面上滚动，它那巨大的气团渐渐地散开了。天际也渐渐扩大，渐渐明朗了。突然，像昨晚那样，尼德•兰叫起来了。“我们找的那个东西，在船左舷后面！”鱼又手喊着。大家的眼光都转向他手指的地方。在那边，距战舰一海里半左右，一个长长的黑色躯体浮出水上一未来。它的尾巴，激动着水，搅成很大的一个漩涡。任何东西的尾巴都不能这样有力地击打海水。这个动物走过，尾后留下一行巨大、雪白耀眼的水纹，并且描成一条长长的曲线。我们的战舰埃近了这个鲸鱼类动物。我随便地观察了一下。山农号和海尔维地亚号两船的报告对它的体积有些夸张，我估计一下，它不过二百五十英尺长。至于宽，我很难估量;总之，这个动物在我看来：长宽高三方面的比例都十分匀称。当我观察这只奇怪动物的时候，两道水和汽从它的鼻孔吐出来，直喷到叫十米的高度，这一点使我肯定了它呼吸的方式。我最后断定这动物是属于脊推动物门，哺乳纲，唯一豚鱼亚纲，鱼类，鲸鱼目，……属。到这里我便不能往下说了。鲸鱼目有三科：长须鲸，大头鲸和海豚，独角鲸是归在最后一科。每一科分为好些属，属分为种，种分为变种。变种、种、属、科，我还不知道，但我不怀疑，借上帝和法拉古舰长的帮助，我可以完成对于这动物的分类。船上人员等他们首长的命令等得不耐烦了。舰长注意地观察了这个动物后，叫来了工程师。工程师跑来了。舰长问:“先生，气压足了吗？”“足了，先生。”工程师答。“好，增大火力，全力驶去！”大家欢呼三声来迎接这道命令。战斗的号角响了。过了一些时候，战舰上两个烟囱吐出一道一道的黑烟，甲板在汽锅的震动下震动起来。林肯号在机轮的猛力推送下，一直向这怪物冲去，这怪物一点也不在意，战舰离它半锚链①左右的时候，它还不潜入水中，仅略作逃避的样子，不走远，只是保持着这样的：距离。这样若即若离的追逐，延长了三刻钟左右，就是战舰想多接近这条鲸鱼四米也不可能。很明白，这样迫下去，永远迫不上它。法拉古舰长心里很烦躁，拈着那下巴下面蓬蓬的一撮浓须。“尼德•兰呢？”他喊。加拿大人跑到前面来。“好，尼德•兰师傅，”他问，“现在您看是不是还要把小船放下海去？”“先生，不，”尼德•兰答，“因为这个东西是不让人捕捉的，除非它出于自愿."“那怎么办呢?"“先生，尽可能加大气力。我自己，当然先要得到您的允许，我在船头前桅的绳梯上守着，等我们到了鱼叉投得着的距离时，我就把鱼叉投出去。”“尼德•兰，就这样办吧。”舰长答。他又喊：“工程师，快加大马力。”尼德•兰走上他的岗位。火力尽量加大着，机轮每分钟转四十三转，蒸汽从活塞里跑出。把测程器抛下去，测知林肯号这时的速度是每小时十八海里半。但那个可恶的动物每小时的速度也是十八海里半。在整个一小时内，战舰只能保持着这样的速度，多进二米也办不到！这对于美国海军中的一艘最快的战舰来说，实在是太难堪了。船员中间遍布着不可遏止的愤怒。水手们咒骂怪物，但是，怪物却不理睬他们。法拉古舰长不只是拈着他的那撮浓须，而且现在开始绞起它来了。他又把工程师叫过来。“您已经把马力加到最大的限度了吗？”舰长问。“是的，舰长，马力已加到了最大限度。”他答。“活塞都上紧了吗？…"“上到六气压半。”“把它们上到十气压。”这纯粹是美国式的命令了。恐怕在密西西比河上，跟人比赛、赌输赢的船，也不能这样做的了！“康塞尔，”我对站在我身边的老实人说，“你看，我们的船也许就要爆炸了！”“随您先生怎样说都好l”康塞尔答。我承认，这个机会，我倒很乐意去碰一碰。活塞都上好了。煤炭倒人火炉中，凤箱把空气送进去，煽红了火。林肯号的速度又增加了，船桅都连根震动了由于烟囱过窄，阵阵突出的浓烟几乎都找不到出路了。测程器又一次抛下去。“现在速度多少？”法拉古舰长问。“舰长，十九点三海里。”“再增加人力。”工程师照他的话做了。气压表正指＋气压。但这条鲸鱼也添了火力，因为它一点不困难地也以十九点三海里的速度走动。多么激烈的追逐呀！不，我真不能描写当时使我全身激动的情绪。尼德•兰站在他的岗位上,手拿着鱼叉。这动物有几次让人接近它。“我们追上它了！我们追上它了：”加拿大人喊。可是，在他准备投叉的时候，这条鲸鱼立即逃开了，它行动敏捷，照我来看，它的速度每小时至少是三十海里。甚至在我们的船以最快速度航行的时候，它竟然能够绕船一周，似乎跟我们开玩笑呢！愤怒的喊声从大家的胸膛中迸发出来！中午，我们跟早晨八点一样，一点没有进展。法拉古舰长决定采取更为直接的办法。“呵！”他说，“这东西比林肯号走得还快!好吧j我们看看它是不是能躲开我们的锥形炮弹。水手长，叫炮手都到船前头的炮边来。”船前头的炮立即装上炮弹，发出去了。炮是放了，可是炮弹在距半海里之远的动物上面掠过去，没有打中。“换一名好炮手！”舰长喊，“谁打中这恶魔，给五百美元!"一位胡子花白的老炮手——他现在仍然活现在我眼前——眼光镇定，面容冷静，走到大炮面前，把炮位摆好，瞄准了很久的时间。轰的一声炮响了，这时船员们的欢呼声混杂在一起。炮弹打中了，正打在动物身上，但是并没有给它致命的打击，而是从它圆圆的身上滑过去落在二海里远的海中。“真怪！”老炮手暴跳如雷，说，“这混蛋的身上一定有一层六英寸厚的铁甲！”“该死的东西！”法拉古舰长喊。追逐又开始了，法拉古舰长弯身对我说道：“我要一直追到我们的船爆炸为止！”“对，您对！”我答。人们只指望这动物筋疲力尽，它总不能跟蒸汽机一样，永远不感到疲倦。然而它一点也不疲倦。这么多时间过去了，它并没有显出一点疲劳的样子。再说，我们是应该表扬林肯号的，它用不屈不挠的精神进行了这次恶斗。我估计，在11月6日这倒媚的一天里，它所跑的路程不下五百公里！黑夜降临了，阴影笼罩了波涛汹涌的海洋。。这时候，我以为我们的远征结束了，我们永远不能再见到这个古怪的动物了。可是我错了。晚上十点五十分，电光又在战舰前面三海里的海面上亮起来，还是跟昨天夜里一样辉煌，一样强烈。那条独角鲸好像是停着不动。也许白天跑得累了。它睡着了，它随着海水荡漾。这是一个好机会，法拉古舰长决定利用这次机会。他发出命令。为了不至把敌方惊醒，林肯号减低速度，小心谨慎地前进。在大海中碰到睡着了的鲸鱼，因而胜利地攻击它们，这并不是希奇的事情，尼德•兰也不止一次在鲸鱼昏睡的时候叉中了它们。加拿大人又到了船头斜桅下，走上了他原来的岗位。战舰慢慢地前进着，一点声息也没有，离这动物三百七十米左右的时候关了气门，船现在只凭本身余下的气力走动。船上连呼吸声也听不到。甲板上绝对沉寂。人们距白热的焦点不到一百英尺了，光度更强起来，照得我们的眼睛发昏。这时候，我伏在船头前面的栏杆上，看见尼德。兰在我下面，一手拉着帆索，一手挥动他锋利的鱼叉。就和这睡着的动物距离不过二十英尺了。忽然，他的胳膊使劲地一伸，鱼叉投了出去。我听到鱼叉发出响亮的声音，像是碰上了坚硬的躯壳。对面的电光突然熄灭，两团巨大的水猛扑到战舰甲板上来，像急流一般从船头冲至船尾，冲倒船上的人，打断了护墙桅的绳索。接着船被狠狠撞了一下，我没来得及站稳，从船栏杆被抛掷到海中去了。
Part 1 Chapter 7
ALTHOUGH I WAS startled by this unexpected descent, I at least have a very clear recollection of my sensations during it.
At first I was dragged about twenty feet under. I'm a good swimmer, without claiming to equal such other authors as Byron and Edgar Allan Poe, who were master divers, and I didn't lose my head on the way down. With two vigorous kicks of the heel, I came back to the surface of the sea.
My first concern was to look for the frigate. Had the crew seen me go overboard? Was the Abraham Lincoln tacking about? Would Commander Farragut put a longboat to sea? Could I hope to be rescued?
The gloom was profound. I glimpsed a black mass disappearing eastward, where its running lights were fading out in the distance. It was the frigate. I felt I was done for.
"Help! Help!" I shouted, swimming desperately toward the Abraham Lincoln.
My clothes were weighing me down. The water glued them to my body, they were paralyzing my movements. I was sinking! I was suffocating . . . !
"Help!"
This was the last shout I gave. My mouth was filling with water. I struggled against being dragged into the depths. . . .
Suddenly my clothes were seized by energetic hands, I felt myself pulled abruptly back to the surface of the sea, and yes, I heard these words pronounced in my ear:
"If master would oblige me by leaning on my shoulder, master will swim with much greater ease."
With one hand I seized the arm of my loyal Conseil.
"You!" I said. "You!"
"Myself," Conseil replied, "and at master's command."
"That collision threw you overboard along with me?"
"Not at all. But being in master's employ, I followed master."
The fine lad thought this only natural!
"What about the frigate?" I asked.
"The frigate?" Conseil replied, rolling over on his back. "I think master had best not depend on it to any great extent!"
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that just as I jumped overboard, I heard the men at the helm shout, 'Our propeller and rudder are smashed!' "
"Smashed?"
"Yes, smashed by the monster's tusk! I believe it's the sole injury the Abraham Lincoln has sustained. But most inconveniently for us, the ship can no longer steer."
"Then we're done for!"
"Perhaps," Conseil replied serenely. "However, we still have a few hours before us, and in a few hours one can do a great many things!"
Conseil's unflappable composure cheered me up. I swam more vigorously, but hampered by clothes that were as restricting as a cloak made of lead, I was managing with only the greatest difficulty. Conseil noticed as much.
"Master will allow me to make an incision," he said.
And he slipped an open clasp knife under my clothes, slitting them from top to bottom with one swift stroke. Then he briskly undressed me while I swam for us both.
I then did Conseil the same favor, and we continued to "navigate" side by side.
But our circumstances were no less dreadful. Perhaps they hadn't seen us go overboard; and even if they had, the frigate-- being undone by its rudder--couldn't return to leeward after us. So we could count only on its longboats.
Conseil had coolly reasoned out this hypothesis and laid his plans accordingly. An amazing character, this boy; in midocean, this stoic lad seemed right at home!
So, having concluded that our sole chance for salvation lay in being picked up by the Abraham Lincoln's longboats, we had to take steps to wait for them as long as possible. Consequently, I decided to divide our energies so we wouldn't both be worn out at the same time, and this was the arrangement: while one of us lay on his back, staying motionless with arms crossed and legs outstretched, the other would swim and propel his partner forward. This towing role was to last no longer than ten minutes, and by relieving each other in this way, we could stay afloat for hours, perhaps even until daybreak.
Slim chance, but hope springs eternal in the human breast! Besides, there were two of us. Lastly, I can vouch--as improbable as it seems--that even if I had wanted to destroy all my illusions, even if I had been willing to "give in to despair," I could not have done so!
The cetacean had rammed our frigate at about eleven o'clock in the evening. I therefore calculated on eight hours of swimming until sunrise. A strenuous task, but feasible, thanks to our relieving each other. The sea was pretty smooth and barely tired us. Sometimes I tried to peer through the dense gloom, which was broken only by the phosphorescent flickers coming from our movements. I stared at the luminous ripples breaking over my hands, shimmering sheets spattered with blotches of bluish gray. It seemed as if we'd plunged into a pool of quicksilver.
Near one o'clock in the morning, I was overcome with tremendous exhaustion. My limbs stiffened in the grip of intense cramps. Conseil had to keep me going, and attending to our self-preservation became his sole responsibility. I soon heard the poor lad gasping; his breathing became shallow and quick. I didn't think he could stand such exertions for much longer.
"Go on! Go on!" I told him.
"Leave master behind?" he replied. "Never! I'll drown before he does!"
Just then, past the fringes of a large cloud that the wind was driving eastward, the moon appeared. The surface of the sea glistened under its rays. That kindly light rekindled our strength. I held up my head again. My eyes darted to every point of the horizon. I spotted the frigate. It was five miles from us and formed no more than a dark, barely perceptible mass. But as for longboats, not a one in sight!
I tried to call out. What was the use at such a distance! My swollen lips wouldn't let a single sound through. Conseil could still articulate a few words, and I heard him repeat at intervals:
"Help! Help!"
Ceasing all movement for an instant, we listened. And it may have been a ringing in my ear, from this organ filling with impeded blood, but it seemed to me that Conseil's shout had received an answer back.
"Did you hear that?" I muttered.
"Yes, yes!"
And Conseil hurled another desperate plea into space.
This time there could be no mistake! A human voice had answered us! Was it the voice of some poor devil left behind in midocean, some other victim of that collision suffered by our ship? Or was it one of the frigate's longboats, hailing us out of the gloom?
Conseil made one final effort, and bracing his hands on my shoulders, while I offered resistance with one supreme exertion, he raised himself half out of the water, then fell back exhausted.
"What did you see?"
"I saw . . . ," he muttered, "I saw . . . but we mustn't talk . . . save our strength . . . !"
What had he seen? Then, lord knows why, the thought of the monster came into my head for the first time . . . ! But even so, that voice . . . ? Gone are the days when Jonahs took refuge in the bellies of whales!
Nevertheless, Conseil kept towing me. Sometimes he looked up, stared straight ahead, and shouted a request for directions, which was answered by a voice that was getting closer and closer. I could barely hear it. I was at the end of my strength; my fingers gave out; my hands were no help to me; my mouth opened convulsively, filling with brine; its coldness ran through me; I raised my head one last time, then I collapsed. . . .
Just then something hard banged against me. I clung to it. Then I felt myself being pulled upward, back to the surface of the water; my chest caved in, and I fainted. . . .
For certain, I came to quickly, because someone was massaging me so vigorously it left furrows in my flesh. I half opened my eyes. . . .
"Conseil!" I muttered.
"Did master ring for me?" Conseil replied.
Just then, in the last light of a moon settling on the horizon, I spotted a face that wasn't Conseil's but which I recognized at once.
"Ned!" I exclaimed.
"In person, sir, and still after his prize!" the Canadian replied.
"You were thrown overboard after the frigate's collision?"
"Yes, professor, but I was luckier than you, and right away I was able to set foot on this floating islet."
"Islet?"
"Or in other words, on our gigantic narwhale."
"Explain yourself, Ned."
"It's just that I soon realized why my harpoon got blunted and couldn't puncture its hide."
"Why, Ned, why?"
"Because, professor, this beast is made of boilerplate steel!"
At this point in my story, I need to get a grip on myself, reconstruct exactly what I experienced, and make doubly sure of everything I write.
The Canadian's last words caused a sudden upheaval in my brain. I swiftly hoisted myself to the summit of this half-submerged creature or object that was serving as our refuge. I tested it with my foot. Obviously it was some hard, impenetrable substance, not the soft matter that makes up the bodies of our big marine mammals.
But this hard substance could have been a bony carapace, like those that covered some prehistoric animals, and I might have left it at that and classified this monster among such amphibious reptiles as turtles or alligators.
Well, no. The blackish back supporting me was smooth and polished with no overlapping scales. On impact, it gave off a metallic sonority, and as incredible as this sounds, it seemed, I swear, to be made of riveted plates.
No doubts were possible! This animal, this monster, this natural phenomenon that had puzzled the whole scientific world, that had muddled and misled the minds of seamen in both hemispheres, was, there could be no escaping it, an even more astonishing phenomenon-- a phenomenon made by the hand of man.
Even if I had discovered that some fabulous, mythological creature really existed, it wouldn't have given me such a terrific mental jolt. It's easy enough to accept that prodigious things can come from our Creator. But to find, all at once, right before your eyes, that the impossible had been mysteriously achieved by man himself: this staggers the mind!
But there was no question now. We were stretched out on the back of some kind of underwater boat that, as far as I could judge, boasted the shape of an immense steel fish. Ned Land had clear views on the issue. Conseil and I could only line up behind him.
"But then," I said, "does this contraption contain some sort of locomotive mechanism, and a crew to run it?"
"Apparently," the harpooner replied. "And yet for the three hours I've lived on this floating island, it hasn't shown a sign of life."
"This boat hasn't moved at all?"
"No, Professor Aronnax. It just rides with the waves, but otherwise it hasn't stirred."
"But we know that it's certainly gifted with great speed. Now then, since an engine is needed to generate that speed, and a mechanic to run that engine, I conclude: we're saved."
"Humph!" Ned Land put in, his tone denoting reservations.
Just then, as if to take my side in the argument, a bubbling began astern of this strange submersible--whose drive mechanism was obviously a propeller--and the boat started to move. We barely had time to hang on to its topside, which emerged about eighty centimeters above water. Fortunately its speed was not excessive.
"So long as it navigates horizontally," Ned Land muttered, "I've no complaints. But if it gets the urge to dive, I wouldn't give $2.00 for my hide!"
The Canadian might have quoted a much lower price. So it was imperative to make contact with whatever beings were confined inside the plating of this machine. I searched its surface for an opening or a hatch, a "manhole," to use the official term; but the lines of rivets had been firmly driven into the sheet-iron joins and were straight and uniform.
Moreover, the moon then disappeared and left us in profound darkness. We had to wait for daylight to find some way of getting inside this underwater boat.
So our salvation lay totally in the hands of the mysterious helmsmen steering this submersible, and if it made a dive, we were done for! But aside from this occurring, I didn't doubt the possibility of our making contact with them. In fact, if they didn't produce their own air, they inevitably had to make periodic visits to the surface of the ocean to replenish their oxygen supply. Hence the need for some opening that put the boat's interior in contact with the atmosphere.
As for any hope of being rescued by Commander Farragut, that had to be renounced completely. We were being swept westward, and I estimate that our comparatively moderate speed reached twelve miles per hour. The propeller churned the waves with mathematical regularity, sometimes emerging above the surface and throwing phosphorescent spray to great heights.
Near four o'clock in the morning, the submersible picked up speed. We could barely cope with this dizzying rush, and the waves battered us at close range. Fortunately Ned's hands came across a big mooring ring fastened to the topside of this sheet-iron back, and we all held on for dear life.
Finally this long night was over. My imperfect memories won't let me recall my every impression of it. A single detail comes back to me. Several times, during various lulls of wind and sea, I thought I heard indistinct sounds, a sort of elusive harmony produced by distant musical chords. What was the secret behind this underwater navigating, whose explanation the whole world had sought in vain? What beings lived inside this strange boat? What mechanical force allowed it to move about with such prodigious speed?
Daylight appeared. The morning mists surrounded us, but they soon broke up. I was about to proceed with a careful examination of the hull, whose topside formed a sort of horizontal platform, when I felt it sinking little by little.
"Oh, damnation!" Ned Land shouted, stamping his foot on the resonant sheet iron. "Open up there, you antisocial navigators!"
But it was difficult to make yourself heard above the deafening beats of the propeller. Fortunately this submerging movement stopped.
From inside the boat, there suddenly came noises of iron fastenings pushed roughly aside. One of the steel plates flew up, a man appeared, gave a bizarre yell, and instantly disappeared.
A few moments later, eight strapping fellows appeared silently, their faces like masks, and dragged us down into their fearsome machine.
我虽然由于意外落水而吓得发慌，但我还是很清楚地记得我当时的感觉。我首先下沉到二＋英尺深的水里。我是泅水的好手，但不能跟拜伦①；口埃德力口•坡③那两位游泳大师相比——我虽沉在水中，神志却一点没有昏迷。我两脚使劲一蹬又浮上了水面。我浮出水面来最关心的一件事就是看看战舰在哪里。船上是不是有人看见我掉下水了？林肯号是不是改变方向了？法拉古舰长是不是放小艇下海了？我能不能得救？夜色沉黑。我仿佛看到一大块黑东西在东方渐渐消失了，它的标灯远远地熄灭了。这一定是我们的战舰。我觉得自己没有希望了。“救命！救命！”我喊着，两手拼命划着向林肯号泅去。我身上的衣服非常碍事。衣服湿了贴在我身上，使我的动作不灵。我要沉下去了！我不能透气了！……“救命！”这是我发出的最后呼声。我嘴里满是海水。我极力挣扎，我就要被卷人深渊中了……忽然我的衣服被一只很有力的手拉住，我感到自己被托出水面上来了，我听到，我的确听到在我耳朵边响着这样的声音：“如果先生不嫌不方便，愿意靠着我的肩膀，先生便能更从容地游泳。”我一手抓住我忠实的康塞尔的胳膊。“是你呀！”我说，“是你呀！”“正是我，”康塞尔答，“我来伺候先生。，“就是刚才的一撞把你跟我同时抛人海中来的吗？"“不是。为了服侍先生，我就跟着先生下来了！这个好人觉得这样做是很自然的！“战舰呢？”我问。“战舰哪！”康塞尔转过身来回答，“我认为先生不要再指望它了."“你说的什么？”“我说的是，在我跳入海中的时候，我听见舵旁边的人喊：‘舵和螺旋桨都坏了"“都坏了?"“是的！被那怪物的牙齿咬坏了。我想，林肯号受到的损坏虽然只存这么一点儿，可是，这种情况对于我们是很不利的，因为船无法掌握方向了。”“那么，我们完了！”“也许完了，”康塞尔安静地回答，“不过，我们还可以支持几个钟头，在几个钟头内，我们可以做不少的事!"康塞尔这样坚定和冷静，鼓舞了我的力量。我用力地游着，但我的衣服像铅皮一样紧紧裹着我，很妨碍我的动作，我觉得很难支持下去。康塞尔发现了这一点。“我想先生一定会允许我把衣服割掉。”他说。他在我的衣服下面放入一把刀子，很快的一下，从上至下把衣服割开。然后，他敏捷地替我脱衣服，我就抓住他泅水。很快，我也给康塞尔脱掉了衣服，我们彼此轮流在水上“航行”。可是，我们的处境仍然十分危险：可能我们掉下海的时候，人家没有看见，也可能看见了，但因为战舰的舵坏了。不能回到这边来救我们。现在我们只有指靠大船上的小艇康塞尔很冷静地这样假设，并计划着随后应做的事。多奇怪的性格！这个冰一般冷的人在这里好像在自己家里那样！现在我们唯一的生路，就是希望林肯号放下小艇来救我们，所以我们应该想办法，尽力支持，时间愈久愈好，等待小艇到来。我于是决定节约使用我们的力量，使两人不至同时筋疲力尽，下面是我们的办法：我们一个人朝天躺着，两臂交叉，两腿伸直，浮着不动，另一个人泅水把前一人往前推送。做这种“拖船”的工作，每人不能超过十分钟，我们这样替换着做，我们就可以在水面浮好几个钟头，也许可以一直支持到天亮。这是碰运气的事！不过希望在人心中总是根深蒂固的！并且我们又是两个人。最后，我还要肯定一点——这看来像是不可能的——即使我要打破我心中的一切幻想，即使我要“绝望”，现在也办不到！战舰跟那鲸鱼冲撞的时间是在夜间十一点钟左右。所以到太阳升起，我们还得游泳八个小时。我们替换着游，游八小时必然可以做到。海面相当平静，我们还不至于过度疲劳。有时，我的眼光想看透深沉的黑暗，但什么也看不见，只有那由于我们游泳动作激起的浪花透出一点闪光来。在我手下破碎的明亮的水波，点缀在镜子般闪闪的水而上，就好像一块块青灰色的金属片。真可以说，我们是在水银中游泳了。到早晨一点左右，我感到极端疲倦。我的四肢痉挛得很厉害，渐渐发硬，不能灵活运用了。康塞尔不得不来支持我，我们保全生命的担子于是完全落在他一一人身上。不久我听到这个可怜人发喘了；他的呼吸渐渐短促了。我明白他也不能支持很久了。“丢下我吧！丢下我吧！”我对他说。“丢下先生！永远不能！”他答，“我还要死在先生前头呢!"这时候，有一片厚云被风吹向东边去，月亮露出来了。海水在月亮下闪闪发光。这仁慈的月亮重新鼓起了我们的气力。我的头又抬起来。我的眼光向天边各处了望。我看见了战舰。它在离我们五海里的海面，只是模糊不清的漆黑一团。但小艇呢，一只也没有！我想叫喊。距离这么远，叫喊有什么用！我的嘴唇肿得发不出声音。康塞尔还可以说话，我听到他好几次这样喊”救命呀！救命呀！”我们停一下动作，我们用心听。尽管我的耳朵充血，发出一种嗡嗡的声音，但我觉得似乎是有人呼喊，在回答康塞尔的叫唤。“你听见吗?“我低声说。“听见！听见！”康塞尔又向空中发出绝望的呼喊。这一次，不可能有错误了！是有一个人在回答我们的呼喊！是被抛弃在大海中的受难者吗？是撞船的另一牺牲者吗？还是战舰上的一只小艇在黑暗中呼唤我们呢？康塞尔用尽最后的力量，托住我的肩膀，我尽力抗拒我最后的一次痉挛，他半身浮出水面望望，然后又筋疲力尽地躺下“你看见什么吗?"“我看见……”他低声说，“我看见……我们不要说话……我们保留我们剩下的力量吧！……”他看见了什么呢？当时我也不知道为什么忽然想起那怪物来了！……可是那人声究竟……现在并不是约拿③躲在鲸鱼肚子里的时代了！不过康塞尔还拖着我。他有时抬起头来，直往前看，发出呼喊，回答他的声音越来越近了。我几乎没有听见，我的气力尽了，我的手指都僵了，我的手再不能支持我了：我的嘴抽搐着，一张开就灌满海水：冷气侵袭着我。我最后一次抬起头来，一会儿又沉下去了……就在这一瞬间，我碰到一个坚实的物体。我就紧靠着它。随后，我觉得有人拉我，把我拉到水面上来，我的胸部不胀了，我晕过去了……一定是由于我身体受到有力的摩擦，我才很快苏醒过来。我迷述糊糊地半睁开我的眼睛……“康塞尔！”我低声说。“先生叫我吗?“康塞尔答。这个时候，月亮正往西沉，在它的最后光芒下，我看到不是康塞尔的脸孔，但我立即认出是谁了。“尼德•兰!“我喊。“正是他哩，先生，他是来追他的奖金的!”加拿大人答.“您也是在战舰被撞的时候被抛人海中的吗？”“是的，教授，但情形比您好些，我几乎是立刻就能站立在一个浮动的小岛上了。”“一个小岛吗?"“或者更正确地说，是站在你的那只巨大的独角鲸上。”“尼德•兰，请你讲清楚吧."“不过，我很快就了解我的鱼叉为什么不能伤害它，为什么碰在它表皮上就碰弯了。”“为什么呢？尼德•兰，为什么呢？”“教授，因为那个东西是钢板做的！”到这里，我不能不振作精神，重新回忆一番，并且检查一下自己以前的想法。加拿大人的最后几句话使我心中的想法立即转变了。我很快爬到这个半浸在水中，已经作了我们的临时避难所的生物（或物体）上面。我用脚踢它，它分明是坚固结实、钻不透的硬物体，而不是构成海中哺乳类动物的庞大躯体的柔软物质。不过这个坚硬物体可能是一种骨质的•甲壳，跟太古时代动物的甲壳相似，我很可以把这个怪物归人两栖的爬虫类，如龟鳖、鳄鱼、遥龙之类。可是！不然！在我脚下的灰黑色的背脊是有光泽的。滑溜溜的，而不是粗糙有鳞的。它被撞时发出金属的响亮声，这是那么不可思议，看来，我只好说它是由螺丝钉铆成的铁板制造的了。再不可能怀疑了！这动物，这怪东西，这天然的怪物，它使整个学术界费尽了心血，它使东西两半球的航海家糊里糊涂，现在应当承认，它是一种更惊人的怪东西，它是人工制造的怪东西。看到最怪诞、最荒唐、甚至神话式的生物，也不会使我惊骇到这种程度。造物者手中造出来的东西怎么出奇，也容易了解。现在一下子看到那种不可能的事竟是奥妙地由人的双手实现的，那就不能不使人感到十分惊讶了！现在不容犹豫了。我们现在是躺在一只潜水船的脊背上，按照我可能的判断，这船似乎有点像一条巨大的钢鱼。对这，尼德•兰也早有他的看法：我们——康塞尔和我——只能同意他。“那么，这只船里面是不是有一套驾驶机器和一批驾驶人员?“我说。“当然有，”鱼叉手答，“不过，我上这浮动小岛已三小时了，它还没有一点动静。”“这船一直没有走动吗？”“没有走动，阿龙纳斯先生。它只是随波飘荡，而不是“它自己动。”“可是，我们都知道，它移动的速度很大。正因为它有这样的速度，所以就必然有一套机器，和一批操纵机器的人，所以，我的结论是……我们是得救了."“晤！”尼德•兰带着保留的语气说。这时候，好像是为了要证明我的论据是对的，这个奇异东西的后面沸腾起来，它现在开行了，推动它的分明是那推进器。我们赶快紧紧把住它那浮出水面约八十厘米的上层。还算运气，它的速度并不十分快。它如果就这样在水平面上行驶，我倒一点不在乎，”尼德•兰低声说，“但是，如果它忽然异想天开沉到水底下去，那我的性命就靠不住了！”加拿大人说得一点不错。所以，最要紧的是赶快想办法跟里面的人取得联系。我想在它上层找到一个开口，一块盖板，用专门术语来说，找到一个“人孔”；但一行行的螺丝钉很清楚、很均匀，把钢板衔接得十分结实，无缝可寻。而且这时，月亮又消逝了，我们是在一片深沉的黑暗中。只好等到天亮，才能想法进入这只潜水船的内部。所以，我们的命运是完全由指挥这机器的神秘的领航人的意思来决定了。如果他们潜入水中，我们便完了！除了这种情形，那我并不怀疑跟他们取得联系的可能性。正是，如果他们不能造空气，他们一定要常常到洋面上来，更换他们呼吸的空气。所以，船上层必然有一个孔，使船内部可以跟外间的大气互相交流。至于希望得到法拉古舰长来救的想法，现在要完全放弃了。我们被拖到西方去，我估计船的速度相当缓慢，每小时约十二海里。船的推进器搅动海水，十分规律，有时船浮出一些，向高空喷出磷光的水柱。到早晨四点左右，这船的速度增加了。我们被拖得头晕眼花，有点吃不消了，同时海浪又直接向我们打来。很幸运，尼德•兰一下子摸到了一个钉在钢背上的大环，我们就牢牢地挽住它，才不至滑倒。最后，长夜过去了。我的不完全的回忆不容我将当时的印象完全写出来。单有一件小事现在还可以记起来。就是当风浪比较平静的时候，我似乎几次都听到有模糊不清的声音，好像是从远方传来的不可捉摸的乐曲的和声。全世界的人都无法解释的那水底航行的秘密是怎么一回事呢？生活在这只•怪船里的是怎样的人呢？怎样的机械使它行动有这样惊人的速度呢？天亮了。朝雾笼罩着我们，但不久就消散了。我正要仔细观察一下上层形成平台的船壳的时候，我觉得船渐渐下沉了。“喂！鬼东西！”尼德•兰喊着，用脚狠踢钢板，“开门吧，不好客的航海人！”但在推进器拨水的隆隆声响中间，想叫人听到他的活是不容易的。很幸运，船一会儿又不往下沉了。突然，一片猛然推动铁板的声音从船里面发出来。一块铁板掀起了，出来一个人，这人怪叫了一声，立即又进去不见了。不久，八个又高又大的壮汉，蒙着脸，一声不响地走出来，把我们拉进了他们的可怕机器中。
Part 1 Chapter 8
THIS BRUTALLY EXECUTED capture was carried out with lightning speed. My companions and I had no time to collect ourselves. I don't know how they felt about being shoved inside this aquatic prison, but as for me, I was shivering all over. With whom were we dealing? Surely with some new breed of pirates, exploiting the sea after their own fashion.
The narrow hatch had barely closed over me when I was surrounded by profound darkness. Saturated with the outside light, my eyes couldn't make out a thing. I felt my naked feet clinging to the steps of an iron ladder. Forcibly seized, Ned Land and Conseil were behind me. At the foot of the ladder, a door opened and instantly closed behind us with a loud clang.
We were alone. Where? I couldn't say, could barely even imagine. All was darkness, but such utter darkness that after several minutes, my eyes were still unable to catch a single one of those hazy gleams that drift through even the blackest nights.
Meanwhile, furious at these goings on, Ned Land gave free rein to his indignation.
"Damnation!" he exclaimed. "These people are about as hospitable as the savages of New Caledonia! All that's lacking is for them to be cannibals! I wouldn't be surprised if they were, but believe you me, they won't eat me without my kicking up a protest!"
"Calm yourself, Ned my friend," Conseil replied serenely. "Don't flare up so quickly! We aren't in a kettle yet!"
"In a kettle, no," the Canadian shot back, "but in an oven for sure. It's dark enough for one. Luckily my Bowie knife hasn't left me, and I can still see well enough to put it to use.* The first one of these bandits who lays a hand on me--"
*Author's Note: A Bowie knife is a wide-bladed dagger that Americans are forever carrying around.
"Don't be so irritable, Ned," I then told the harpooner, "and don't ruin things for us with pointless violence. Who knows whether they might be listening to us? Instead, let's try to find out where we are!"
I started moving, groping my way. After five steps I encountered an iron wall made of riveted boilerplate. Then, turning around, I bumped into a wooden table next to which several stools had been set. The floor of this prison lay hidden beneath thick, hempen matting that deadened the sound of footsteps. Its naked walls didn't reveal any trace of a door or window. Going around the opposite way, Conseil met up with me, and we returned to the middle of this cabin, which had to be twenty feet long by ten wide. As for its height, not even Ned Land, with his great stature, was able to determine it.
Half an hour had already gone by without our situation changing, when our eyes were suddenly spirited from utter darkness into blinding light. Our prison lit up all at once; in other words, it filled with luminescent matter so intense that at first I couldn't stand the brightness of it. From its glare and whiteness, I recognized the electric glow that had played around this underwater boat like some magnificent phosphorescent phenomenon. After involuntarily closing my eyes, I reopened them and saw that this luminous force came from a frosted half globe curving out of the cabin's ceiling.
"Finally! It's light enough to see!" Ned Land exclaimed, knife in hand, staying on the defensive.
"Yes," I replied, then ventured the opposite view. "But as for our situation, we're still in the dark."
"Master must learn patience," said the emotionless Conseil.
This sudden illumination of our cabin enabled me to examine its tiniest details. It contained only a table and five stools. Its invisible door must have been hermetically sealed. Not a sound reached our ears. Everything seemed dead inside this boat. Was it in motion, or stationary on the surface of the ocean, or sinking into the depths? I couldn't tell.
But this luminous globe hadn't been turned on without good reason. Consequently, I hoped that some crewmen would soon make an appearance. If you want to consign people to oblivion, you don't light up their dungeons.
I was not mistaken. Unlocking noises became audible, a door opened, and two men appeared.
One was short and stocky, powerfully muscled, broad shouldered, robust of limbs, the head squat, the hair black and luxuriant, the mustache heavy, the eyes bright and penetrating, and his whole personality stamped with that southern-blooded zest that, in France, typifies the people of Provence. The philosopher Diderot has very aptly claimed that a man's bearing is the clue to his character, and this stocky little man was certainly a living proof of this claim. You could sense that his everyday conversation must have been packed with such vivid figures of speech as personification, symbolism, and misplaced modifiers. But I was never in a position to verify this because, around me, he used only an odd and utterly incomprehensible dialect.
The second stranger deserves a more detailed description. A disciple of such character-judging anatomists as Gratiolet or Engel could have read this man's features like an open book. Without hesitation, I identified his dominant qualities-- self-confidence, since his head reared like a nobleman's above the arc formed by the lines of his shoulders, and his black eyes gazed with icy assurance; calmness, since his skin, pale rather than ruddy, indicated tranquility of blood; energy, shown by the swiftly knitting muscles of his brow; and finally courage, since his deep breathing denoted tremendous reserves of vitality.
I might add that this was a man of great pride, that his calm, firm gaze seemed to reflect thinking on an elevated plane, and that the harmony of his facial expressions and bodily movements resulted in an overall effect of unquestionable candor-- according to the findings of physiognomists, those analysts of facial character.
I felt "involuntarily reassured" in his presence, and this boded well for our interview.
Whether this individual was thirty-five or fifty years of age, I could not precisely state. He was tall, his forehead broad, his nose straight, his mouth clearly etched, his teeth magnificent, his hands refined, tapered, and to use a word from palmistry, highly "psychic," in other words, worthy of serving a lofty and passionate spirit. This man was certainly the most wonderful physical specimen I had ever encountered. One unusual detail: his eyes were spaced a little far from each other and could instantly take in nearly a quarter of the horizon. This ability-- as I later verified--was strengthened by a range of vision even greater than Ned Land's. When this stranger focused his gaze on an object, his eyebrow lines gathered into a frown, his heavy eyelids closed around his pupils to contract his huge field of vision, and he looked! What a look--as if he could magnify objects shrinking into the distance; as if he could probe your very soul; as if he could pierce those sheets of water so opaque to our eyes and scan the deepest seas . . . !
Wearing caps made of sea-otter fur, and shod in sealskin fishing boots, these two strangers were dressed in clothing made from some unique fabric that flattered the figure and allowed great freedom of movement.
The taller of the two--apparently the leader on board--examined us with the greatest care but without pronouncing a word. Then, turning to his companion, he conversed with him in a language I didn't recognize. It was a sonorous, harmonious, flexible dialect whose vowels seemed to undergo a highly varied accentuation.
The other replied with a shake of the head and added two or three utterly incomprehensible words. Then he seemed to question me directly with a long stare.
I replied in clear French that I wasn't familiar with his language; but he didn't seem to understand me, and the situation grew rather baffling.
"Still, master should tell our story," Conseil said to me. "Perhaps these gentlemen will grasp a few words of it!"
I tried again, telling the tale of our adventures, clearly articulating my every syllable, and not leaving out a single detail. I stated our names and titles; then, in order, I introduced Professor Aronnax, his manservant Conseil, and Mr. Ned Land, harpooner.
The man with calm, gentle eyes listened to me serenely, even courteously, and paid remarkable attention. But nothing in his facial expression indicated that he understood my story. When I finished, he didn't pronounce a single word.
One resource still left was to speak English. Perhaps they would be familiar with this nearly universal language. But I only knew it, as I did the German language, well enough to read it fluently, not well enough to speak it correctly. Here, however, our overriding need was to make ourselves understood.
"Come on, it's your turn," I told the harpooner. "Over to you, Mr. Land. Pull out of your bag of tricks the best English ever spoken by an Anglo-Saxon, and try for a more favorable result than mine."
Ned needed no persuading and started our story all over again, most of which I could follow. Its content was the same, but the form differed. Carried away by his volatile temperament, the Canadian put great animation into it. He complained vehemently about being imprisoned in defiance of his civil rights, asked by virtue of which law he was hereby detained, invoked writs of habeas corpus, threatened to press charges against anyone holding him in illegal custody, ranted, gesticulated, shouted, and finally conveyed by an expressive gesture that we were dying of hunger.
This was perfectly true, but we had nearly forgotten the fact.
Much to his amazement, the harpooner seemed no more intelligible than I had been. Our visitors didn't bat an eye. Apparently they were engineers who understood the languages of neither the French physicist Arago nor the English physicist Faraday.
Thoroughly baffled after vainly exhausting our philological resources, I no longer knew what tactic to pursue, when Conseil told me:
"If master will authorize me, I'll tell the whole business in German."
"What! You know German?" I exclaimed.
"Like most Flemish people, with all due respect to master."
"On the contrary, my respect is due you. Go to it, my boy."
And Conseil, in his serene voice, described for the third time the various vicissitudes of our story. But despite our narrator's fine accent and stylish turns of phrase, the German language met with no success.
Finally, as a last resort, I hauled out everything I could remember from my early schooldays, and I tried to narrate our adventures in Latin. Cicero would have plugged his ears and sent me to the scullery, but somehow I managed to pull through. With the same negative result.
This last attempt ultimately misfiring, the two strangers exchanged a few words in their incomprehensible language and withdrew, not even favoring us with one of those encouraging gestures that are used in every country in the world. The door closed again.
"This is outrageous!" Ned Land shouted, exploding for the twentieth time. "I ask you! We speak French, English, German, and Latin to these rogues, and neither of them has the decency to even answer back!"
"Calm down, Ned," I told the seething harpooner. "Anger won't get us anywhere."
"But professor," our irascible companion went on, "can't you see that we could die of hunger in this iron cage?"
"Bah!" Conseil put in philosophically. "We can hold out a good while yet!"
"My friends," I said, "we mustn't despair. We've gotten out of tighter spots. So please do me the favor of waiting a bit before you form your views on the commander and crew of this boat."
"My views are fully formed," Ned Land shot back. "They're rogues!"
"Oh good! And from what country?"
"Roguedom!"
"My gallant Ned, as yet that country isn't clearly marked on maps of the world, but I admit that the nationality of these two strangers is hard to make out! Neither English, French, nor German, that's all we can say. But I'm tempted to think that the commander and his chief officer were born in the low latitudes. There must be southern blood in them. But as to whether they're Spaniards, Turks, Arabs, or East Indians, their physical characteristics don't give me enough to go on. And as for their speech, it's utterly incomprehensible."
"That's the nuisance in not knowing every language," Conseil replied, "or the drawback in not having one universal language!"
"Which would all go out the window!" Ned Land replied. "Don't you see, these people have a language all to themselves, a language they've invented just to cause despair in decent people who ask for a little dinner! Why, in every country on earth, when you open your mouth, snap your jaws, smack your lips and teeth, isn't that the world's most understandable message? From Quebec to the Tuamotu Islands, from Paris to the Antipodes, doesn't it mean: I'm hungry, give me a bite to eat!"
"Oh," Conseil put in, "there are some people so unintelligent by nature . . ."
As he was saying these words, the door opened. A steward entered.* He brought us some clothes, jackets and sailor's pants, made out of a fabric whose nature I didn't recognize. I hurried to change into them, and my companions followed suit.
*Author's Note: A steward is a waiter on board a steamer.
Meanwhile our silent steward, perhaps a deaf-mute, set the table and laid three place settings.
"There's something serious afoot," Conseil said, "and it bodes well."
"Bah!" replied the rancorous harpooner. "What the devil do you suppose they eat around here? Turtle livers, loin of shark, dogfish steaks?"
"We'll soon find out!" Conseil said.
Overlaid with silver dish covers, various platters had been neatly positioned on the table cloth, and we sat down to eat. Assuredly, we were dealing with civilized people, and if it hadn't been for this electric light flooding over us, I would have thought we were in the dining room of the Hotel Adelphi in Liverpool, or the Grand Hotel in Paris. However, I feel compelled to mention that bread and wine were totally absent. The water was fresh and clear, but it was still water--which wasn't what Ned Land had in mind. Among the foods we were served, I was able to identify various daintily dressed fish; but I couldn't make up my mind about certain otherwise excellent dishes, and I couldn't even tell whether their contents belonged to the vegetable or the animal kingdom. As for the tableware, it was elegant and in perfect taste. Each utensil, spoon, fork, knife, and plate, bore on its reverse a letter encircled by a Latin motto, and here is its exact duplicate:
MOBILIS IN MOBILI
N
Moving within the moving element! It was a highly appropriate motto for this underwater machine, so long as the preposition in is translated as within and not upon. The letter N was no doubt the initial of the name of that mystifying individual in command beneath the seas!
Ned and Conseil had no time for such musings. They were wolfing down their food, and without further ado I did the same. By now I felt reassured about our fate, and it seemed obvious that our hosts didn't intend to let us die of starvation.
But all earthly things come to an end, all things must pass, even the hunger of people who haven't eaten for fifteen hours. Our appetites appeased, we felt an urgent need for sleep. A natural reaction after that interminable night of fighting for our lives.
"Ye gods, I'll sleep soundly," Conseil said.
"Me, I'm out like a light!" Ned Land replied.
My two companions lay down on the cabin's carpeting and were soon deep in slumber.
As for me, I gave in less readily to this intense need for sleep. Too many thoughts had piled up in my mind, too many insoluble questions had arisen, too many images were keeping my eyelids open! Where were we? What strange power was carrying us along? I felt--or at least I thought I did--the submersible sinking toward the sea's lower strata. Intense nightmares besieged me. In these mysterious marine sanctuaries, I envisioned hosts of unknown animals, and this underwater boat seemed to be a blood relation of theirs: living, breathing, just as fearsome . . . ! Then my mind grew calmer, my imagination melted into hazy drowsiness, and I soon fell into an uneasy slumber.
像闪电一般炔，他们粗暴地把我们架进这只潜水船中。
我的伙伴和我，简直连辨明方向的时间都没有。他们走进这浮动的监牢中，心中会有什么感觉，我可不知道：但我自己却不禁打了个寒战，感觉皮肤都冰凉了。我们跟谁打交道呢？无疑地是跟一些新型的横行海上的海盗打交道。
我们一进去，上面狭小的盖板立即关上了，四周是漆黑的一团。从光亮的地方，突然进入黑暗中，我的眼睛什么也看不见。我感到我的光脚是紧紧地踩在一架铁梯上。尼德•兰和康塞尔，被人们抓得紧紧的，跟在我后面。铁梯下面一扇门打开了，我们走进去以后，门就立即关上，发出很响亮的声音。
关在里面的，现在单单剩下我们了。在什么地方呢？
我说不出来，甚至也猜不出来。只见一片漆黑，竟黑到这么一种程度：在几分钟后，就是通常在最黑暗的夜间浮来浮去的那种模糊光线，我的眼睛也一点没碰到。
尼德•兰对人家给我们的这种款待方式非常愤慨，池尽情地发泄他的愤怒。
“混蛋!“他喊，“这儿的人待客不亚于喀里多尼亚人①！他们只差吃人肉罢了！我才不奇怪呢，不过我要声明，我不会不反抗就让他们吃我!"“安静些，尼德•兰好朋友，安静些，”康塞尔平心静气他说，“没到时候，您用不着冒火。我们还没有被放在烤盘里呢！”
“对，还没有放在烤盘里，”加拿大人答，“但是毫无疑伺，我们已经在烤炉里了。这么黑。哼！好在我的尖板刀还带在身边，用得着它的时候，我是会看得清楚的。这些盗，看他们谁敢先来向我下手吧……”
“尼德•兰，您不用发脾气，”我于是对鱼叉手说，“暴躁：没有什么用，只会把事情搞坏了，谁知道有没有人在偷听我们说话呢！我们倒不如先想法知道我们是在什么地方。”我摸索着慢慢地走。走了五步，我碰到一堵铁墙，墙是用螺丝钉铆住的铁板。然后，我转回来，撞上一张木头桌子，桌子边放有几张方板凳。这间监狱的地板上铺着很厚的麻垫子，走起来没有一点脚步声。光光的墙壁摸不出有问窗的痕迹。康塞尔从相反的方向走过来，碰着我；我们回到这舱房的中间，这舱房大约长二十英尺，宽十英尺。至于高度，尼德•兰身材虽高，也没有能衡量出来。
半个钟头过去了，我们的情形一点没有改变，就在这时候，我们眼前的黑暗忽然转变为极度的光明。我们的牢狱突然明亮了，就是说，房中突然充满了十分强烈的发光体，我起初简直受不了这种光亮。看见这雪白、强烈的光，我认出，这就是发生在潜水艇周围，很美丽的磷光似的电光。我自然而然地闭了一下眼睛，一会儿又睁开，我看见光线是从装在舱顶上的一个半透明的半球体中发出来的。
“好了！我们能看清楚了广尼德•兰喊，手拿着刀，作防卫的姿势。“是的，我们能看清楚了，”我答，同时提出相反的意见，“不过我们的处境还是跟刚才一般黑暗。”
“愿先生耐心些。”冷静的康塞尔说。
舱房的突然明亮正好使我可以仔细地看一下里面的环境。房中只有一张桌子和五张凳子。看不见门户，想是闭得很紧密。没有什么声响传到我们耳边来。在这艇的内部似乎是死一般的沉寂。它是走着呢，在海面上呢，还是在海底下呢？我没有法子猜测。
不过那个光明的球总不会无缘无故地亮起来。我估计船上就会有人来。如果人家忘记了我们，人家便不会使这所黑牢亮起来。
我果然没有想错。不久就听到门闩响，门开了，两个人走进来。
一个是身材短小，筋肉发达，两肩宽阔，躯体壮健，坚强的头颅，蓬蓬的黑发，浓浓的胡须，犀利的眼光，他的风度带有法国普罗丈斯省人所特有的那种南方人的气概。狄德罗①认为人的手势是富于譬喻的，真是说的对，现在这个短小的人正是这句活的活证据。可以感觉到，在他惯用的语言中，一定是充满了修辞学中的各种譬喻词汇。当然我并役有机会证实这事，因为他对我讲的是一种特异的、听不懂的话。
第二个来人更值得详细地加以描写。格拉第奥列②或恩格尔③的门徒一看他的容貌，可能就知道他是怎样一个人。用不着迟疑，我立刻看出这个人的主要特点：第一，自信，因为他的头高傲地摆在两肩形成的弧线中，他那漆黑的眼睛冷静地注视着人；第二，镇定，因为他的肤色，苍白不红，表示他血脉的安定；第三，强毅，这从他眼眶筋肉的迅速收缩看出来；最后，勇敢，因为他的深呼吸就表明了他的胁活力强。
我还要说，这个人的样子很高傲，他坚定的眼光好像反映出他高深的思艺。从他整个形貌来看。丛他的举止和表情的一致性来看，根据相面先生的说法，无疑地，他是个但白直率的人。
我看见这个人在面前，心中自然而然地觉得很安定，我预料我们的会谈将很顺利。
这个人究竟是三十五岁还是五十岁，我可不能确定。
他的身材高大，他的前额宽阔，鼻子笔直，嘴唇平正，牙齿齐整，两手细长，用手相学家的话来说，特别“精灵"，就是说。正好配得上他富有情感的心灵。这人可能是我从来没有碰见过的最完美的人型。更有一个细微的特征，他的两个眼睛，彼此隔开略远一些，可以把整个一方景色同时收入眼帘中。这一特点——我在以后证实了——使他的眼力比尼德•兰的还要高强。当这个人注视着一件东西的时候，他紧喳起眉毛，微微合起他宽大的眼皮，这样，眼皮正好圈着眼珠，使得视野的范围缩小，他注视着！好厉害的眼光！远方缩小的物件都被他放大！他一眼便看透您的心事！在我们看来是很模糊的海波，他一目便能了然！他一眼便能看出海底深处的＝切情形！这两个陌生人，头上戴着水獭皮的便帽，脚上蹬着海豹皮的水靴，身上穿着特殊织物的衣服，腰身不紧，动作起来方便自如。两人中高大的一位——他显然是这船上的首脑——注意地打量着我们，一句话也不说。然后转身跟他的同伴谈了一会，他说的话我听不懂。这是一种响亮、和谐、婉转的语言，其中母音的声调好像变化很多。他的同伴一边点头一边回答，讲了几句完全听不懂的话。然后他的眼光回过来，好像直接问我。我拿法国话回答他，说我不懂他的诸；但他似乎不懂我说的什么，这情形真叫我相当为难。“先生就讲讲我们的经过情形好了，”康塞尔对我说，“这两位先生也许可能听懂几句！”
我重新讲述我们遭遇的经过，每个音节都念得清楚，一点细节都没有遗漏。我说出我们的姓名和身份，然后我正式介绍我们：阿龙纳斯教授，他的仆人康塞尔，鱼叉手尼德•兰师傅。
这个眼睛又温和又镇定的人，安详地、而且礼貌地、非常注意地听我说话。但他的面容没有露出一点迹象足以表明他听懂了我说的经过。当我说完了之后，他一句话也不说。
现在只有说英国活试试看。或者他可能听懂这种现在很通行的语言。我懂英语和德语，看书没有问题，可是谈话却还不行。但是，无论如何，总要想办法使人家听得懂。
“来吧，您来吧，我对鱼叉手说，”尼德•兰师傅，现在轮到您了，请您尽量从肚子里把英国人说的地道的英语拿出来。您想法比我说得更清楚一点。”
尼德•兰一点不推托，把我讲过的话又讲了一遍，他讲的我差不多都听得懂。内容是一样的，但形式不同了。加拿大人，由于他的性格，说话时很激动。他愤愤地埋怨人家蔑视人权，把我们关在这里，质问人家凭什么法律扣留我们，他引证了“人身保障法”的条文，说要控诉非法羁禁他的人，他全身激动，指手画脚，大声叫喊，最后，他用富于表情的手势，让对方明白，我们饿得要命。
这却是真话，但我们差不多完全忘记自己饿了。
鱼叉手很吃惊，因为他的话跟我说的一样，好像也没有为对方所了解。来看我们的这两个人，连眉头也没有皱一皱。很明显，他们既不懂得阿拉哥的语言，也不懂得法拉第①的语言。
我们所有的语言资本都拿出来了，可是并没有解决问题，我很为难，不知道怎么办才好，这时康塞尔对我说：“如果先生允许的活，我现在用德语来讲一讲。”
“什么！你会说德语？”我喊。
“这不至于使先生不高兴吧，我像普通佛兰德人一样，会说德语。”
“正相反，你会说德语，我很高兴。说吧，好小伙子."康塞尔拿他很镇定的语调，将我们的经过情形作了第三次的叙述。可是，不管讲述人怎样把话说得婉转漂亮，音调怎样和谐动听，德语也无济干事。最后，实在没有别的办法了，我极力想起我早年所学过的语言，我拿拉丁话来讲述我们的遭遇和经过。西赛罗①听了，可能要塞住耳朵，把我赶到厨房里去，可是，我也勉强对付着说完了。但结果还是白费。我们最后一次的尝试又失败了，这两个陌生人用那不可懂的语言彼此说了几句诸，他们就走开了，甚至于世界各国通用的使人安心的手势也没对我们做一下。门又关起来了。“这简直是太无耻了！”尼德•兰喊，他是第二十次发怒了。“怎么！我们给他们说法语、英语、德语、拉丁语，可是这些混蛋就没有一个人懂得礼貌，连理也不理！”
“尼德•兰，安静些，”我对愤怒的鱼叉手说，“发脾气解决不了问题。”
“但是，教授先生，”我们好动火的同伴答，“难道我们就这样饿死在这铁笼子里吗？”
“算了吧!“康塞尔说，“只要心中放宽一些，我们还可以支持得很久！”
“朋友们，不要失望，”我说，“我们现在是走在很坏的道路上。你们给我耐心等待一下，先说说你们对于这船的船长和船员的看法吧。”
“我的看法就是这样，”尼德•兰答，“这些人是混“老实的尼德•兰，这个国家在地图上还没有绘出来哩，我承认这两个人的国籍实在很难断定！他们不是英国人，不是法国人，不是德国人，这是可以肯定的了。我倒想说这个船长和他的助手是生长在低纬度地带的人。他们身上带有南方人的特点。他们可能是西班牙人、土耳其人、阿拉伯人或印度人吗？但是他们的身型还不容许我下断语。至于他们的语言，那是完全无法懂得的。”
“这就是不懂得各种语言的苦恼了，”康塞尔答，“也可以说世界上没有统一的语言真不方便！”
“这有什么用呢！”尼德•兰答，“你们没有看见吗？这些人有他们自己的语言，这种语言好像是为了叫好人没法向他们讨饭吃才创造的！但是，在地球上所有的国家，张张嘴，动动牙床，咬咬齿和唇，这意思难道还不明白吗？在魁北克和在帕摩图一样，在巴黎和跟巴黎对面的城市一样，这不就是说我饿了，给我东西吃吗！”
“呵！”康塞尔说，“真有那么不聪明的人！”
当他说这话的时候，房门开了，进来一个侍者，他给我们送来衣服，海上穿的上衣和短裤，衣服的质料我简直不认得。我赶快拿来穿上，我的同伴跟我一样，穿上了衣服。
这时候，侍者一可能是哑巴，也可能是聋子——把三份餐具放在桌上。
千这才像话，看来不是坏事。”康塞尔说。
“算了吧！”心中忿恨的鱼叉手说，“这里有什么可吃的？至多是甲鱼肝、鲨鱼片,海狗排罢了！”
“我们看吧！”康塞尔说。
食品用银制的罩子盖着，两边对称地在桌布上摆好了，我们在饭桌前坐下。很显然，我们是跟有文化和有礼貌的人打交道，如果没有那照耀着我们的电光，我简直要以为自己不是在利物浦阿德费旅馆里，就是在巴黎的大饭店里。
可是我得声明一句，面包和酒完全没有。饮水很新鲜、很清凉，但不过是水，水不是尼德•兰爱喝的。在端来给我们吃的肉类中间，有几种我认得是烹调得很精致的鱼：但有几盘很好吃的菜，我说不出名日来，甚至于它们是植物是动物，我都不敢说。至于桌上的食具，更是精美，无可指摘。每一件东西，匙子、叉子、刀、盘，上面都有一个字母，字母周围有一句题词，我们照原来的样式抄在下面：MOBILLSiNMOBILD，动中之动①！这句题词只要把原来的IN字译成“中”字而不译成“上”字，就正好用在这只潜水船上。“N”可能是在海底下发号施令的那位神秘人物的姓名开头的一个字母！
尼德•兰和康塞尔跟我不一样，并没有想得这么多。
他们在尽量地吃，我立刻也跟他们一样做。此外，我对，于我们的命运也放心了，据我看来事情很清楚，我们的主人决没有意思让我们俄死.可是，什么事都是有始有终的，都要过去的，就是饿眷肚子，十五小时没吃东西这样的事也不是例外的。现在矜们的肚子装满了，又迫切地感到需要睡觉了。我们跟死亡连续斗争了一夜，现在想睡觉也是很自然的。
“说真的，我真想好好地睡一觉。”康塞尔说。
“我也想睡一睡！”尼德•兰答。
我的两个同伴躺在舱房的地毯上，不久就呼呼地酣睡了。
至于我个人，虽然感到有睡觉的需要，可是却不那么容易睡得着。很多的思虑涌上心头，很多不可解决的问题塞满了我的脑子，很多的想象要我的眼睛睁开来!我们在哪儿？把我们带走的是什么奇异的力量？我感到——不如说我以为感到——这船正向海底最深的地方下沉。许多恶梦把我纠缠住了。我在这神秘的避难所里面，窥见一大群没人知道的动物，这只潜水艇似乎是它们的同类，它跟它们一样活着，一样动着，一样可怕！……之后，我的脑子安静下来，我蒙蒙咙陇地幻想着，不久也就沉沉地人睡了。
Part 1 Chapter 9
I HAVE NO IDEA how long this slumber lasted; but it must have been a good while, since we were
completely over our exhaustion. I was the first one to wake up. My companions weren't yet stirring and still lay in their corners like inanimate objects.
I had barely gotten up from my passably hard mattress when I felt my mind clear, my brain go on the alert. So I began a careful reexamination of our cell.
Nothing had changed in its interior arrangements. The prison was still a prison and its prisoners still prisoners. But, taking advantage of our slumber, the steward had cleared the table. Consequently, nothing indicated any forthcoming improvement in our situation, and I seriously wondered if we were doomed to spend the rest of our lives in this cage.
This prospect seemed increasingly painful to me because, even though my brain was clear of its obsessions from the night before, I was feeling an odd short-windedness in my chest. It was becoming hard for me to breathe. The heavy air was no longer sufficient for the full play of my lungs. Although our cell was large, we obviously had used up most of the oxygen it contained. In essence, over an hour's time a single human being consumes all the oxygen found in 100 liters of air, at which point that air has become charged with a nearly equal amount of carbon dioxide and is no longer fit for breathing.
So it was now urgent to renew the air in our prison, and no doubt the air in this whole underwater boat as well.
Here a question popped into my head. How did the commander of this aquatic residence go about it? Did he obtain air using chemical methods, releasing the oxygen contained in potassium chlorate by heating it, meanwhile absorbing the carbon dioxide with potassium hydroxide? If so, he would have to keep up some kind of relationship with the shore, to come by the materials needed for such an operation. Did he simply limit himself to storing the air in high-pressure tanks and then dispense it according to his crew's needs? Perhaps. Or, proceeding in a more convenient, more economical, and consequently more probable fashion, was he satisfied with merely returning to breathe at the surface of the water like a cetacean, renewing his oxygen supply every twenty-four hours? In any event, whatever his method was, it seemed prudent to me that he use this method without delay.
In fact, I had already resorted to speeding up my inhalations in order to extract from the cell what little oxygen it contained, when suddenly I was refreshed by a current of clean air, scented with a salty aroma. It had to be a sea breeze, life-giving and charged with iodine! I opened my mouth wide, and my lungs glutted themselves on the fresh particles. At the same time, I felt a swaying, a rolling of moderate magnitude but definitely noticeable. This boat, this sheet-iron monster, had obviously just risen to the surface of the ocean, there to breathe in good whale fashion. So the ship's mode of ventilation was finally established.
When I had absorbed a chestful of this clean air, I looked for the conduit--the "air carrier," if you prefer--that allowed this beneficial influx to reach us, and I soon found it. Above the door opened an air vent that let in a fresh current of oxygen, renewing the thin air in our cell.
I had gotten to this point in my observations when Ned and Conseil woke up almost simultaneously, under the influence of this reviving air purification. They rubbed their eyes, stretched their arms, and sprang to their feet.
"Did master sleep well?" Conseil asked me with his perennial good manners.
"Extremely well, my gallant lad," I replied. "And how about you, Mr. Ned Land?"
"Like a log, professor. But I must be imagining things, because it seems like I'm breathing a sea breeze!"
A seaman couldn't be wrong on this topic, and I told the Canadian what had gone on while he slept.
"Good!" he said. "That explains perfectly all that bellowing we heard, when our so-called narwhale lay in sight of the Abraham Lincoln."
"Perfectly, Mr. Land. It was catching its breath!"
"Only I've no idea what time it is, Professor Aronnax, unless maybe it's dinnertime?"
"Dinnertime, my fine harpooner? I'd say at least breakfast time, because we've certainly woken up to a new day."
"Which indicates," Conseil replied, "that we've spent twenty-four hours in slumber."
"That's my assessment," I replied.
"I won't argue with you," Ned Land answered. "But dinner or breakfast, that steward will be plenty welcome whether he brings the one or the other."
"The one and the other," Conseil said.
"Well put," the Canadian replied. "We deserve two meals, and speaking for myself, I'll do justice to them both."
"All right, Ned, let's wait and see!" I replied. "It's clear that these strangers don't intend to let us die of hunger, otherwise last evening's dinner wouldn't make any sense."
"Unless they're fattening us up!" Ned shot back.
"I object," I replied. "We have not fallen into the hands of cannibals."
"Just because they don't make a habit of it," the Canadian replied in all seriousness, "doesn't mean they don't indulge from time to time. Who knows? Maybe these people have gone without fresh meat for a long while, and in that case three healthy, well-built specimens like the professor, his manservant, and me ---"
"Get rid of those ideas, Mr. Land," I answered the harpooner. "And above all, don't let them lead you to flare up against our hosts, which would only make our situation worse."
"Anyhow," the harpooner said, "I'm as hungry as all Hades, and dinner or breakfast, not one puny meal has arrived!"
"Mr. Land," I answered, "we have to adapt to the schedule on board, and I imagine our stomachs are running ahead of the chief cook's dinner bell."
"Well then, we'll adjust our stomachs to the chef's timetable!" Conseil replied serenely.
"There you go again, Conseil my friend!" the impatient Canadian shot back. "You never allow yourself any displays of bile or attacks of nerves! You're everlastingly calm! You'd say your after-meal grace even if you didn't get any food for your before-meal blessing-- and you'd starve to death rather than complain!"
"What good would it do?" Conseil asked.
"Complaining doesn't have to do good, it just feels good! And if these pirates--I say pirates out of consideration for the professor's feelings, since he doesn't want us to call them cannibals-- if these pirates think they're going to smother me in this cage without hearing what cusswords spice up my outbursts, they've got another think coming! Look here, Professor Aronnax, speak frankly. How long do you figure they'll keep us in this iron box?"
"To tell the truth, friend Land, I know little more about it than you do."
"But in a nutshell, what do you suppose is going on?"
"My supposition is that sheer chance has made us privy to an important secret. Now then, if the crew of this underwater boat have a personal interest in keeping that secret, and if their personal interest is more important than the lives of three men, I believe that our very existence is in jeopardy. If such is not the case, then at the first available opportunity, this monster that has swallowed us will return us to the world inhabited by our own kind."
"Unless they recruit us to serve on the crew," Conseil said, "and keep us here--"
"Till the moment," Ned Land answered, "when some frigate that's faster or smarter than the Abraham Lincoln captures this den of buccaneers, then hangs all of us by the neck from the tip of a mainmast yardarm!"
"Well thought out, Mr. Land," I replied. "But as yet, I don't believe we've been tendered any enlistment offers. Consequently, it's pointless to argue about what tactics we should pursue in such a case. I repeat: let's wait, let's be guided by events, and let's do nothing, since right now there's nothing we can do."
"On the contrary, professor," the harpooner replied, not wanting to give in. "There is something we can do."
"Oh? And what, Mr. Land?"
"Break out of here!"
"Breaking out of a prison on shore is difficult enough, but with an underwater prison, it strikes me as completely unworkable."
"Come now, Ned my friend," Conseil asked, "how would you answer master's objection? I refuse to believe that an American is at the end of his tether."
Visibly baffled, the harpooner said nothing. Under the conditions in which fate had left us, it was absolutely impossible to escape. But a Canadian's wit is half French, and Mr. Ned Land made this clear in his reply.
"So, Professor Aronnax," he went on after thinking for a few moments, "you haven't figured out what people do when they can't escape from their prison?"
"No, my friend."
"Easy. They fix things so they stay there."
"Of course!" Conseil put in. "Since we're deep in the ocean, being inside this boat is vastly preferable to being above it or below it!"
"But we fix things by kicking out all the jailers, guards, and wardens," Ned Land added.
"What's this, Ned?" I asked. "You'd seriously consider taking over this craft?"
"Very seriously," the Canadian replied.
"It's impossible."
"And why is that, sir? Some promising opportunity might come up, and I don't see what could stop us from taking advantage of it. If there are only about twenty men on board this machine, I don't think they can stave off two Frenchmen and a Canadian!"
It seemed wiser to accept the harpooner's proposition than to debate it. Accordingly, I was content to reply:
"Let such circumstances come, Mr. Land, and we'll see. But until then, I beg you to control your impatience. We need to act shrewdly, and your flare-ups won't give rise to any promising opportunities. So swear to me that you'll accept our situation without throwing a tantrum over it."
"I give you my word, professor," Ned Land replied in an unenthusiastic tone. "No vehement phrases will leave my mouth, no vicious gestures will give my feelings away, not even when they don't feed us on time."
"I have your word, Ned," I answered the Canadian.
Then our conversation petered out, and each of us withdrew into his own thoughts. For my part, despite the harpooner's confident talk, I admit that I entertained no illusions. I had no faith in those promising opportunities that Ned Land mentioned. To operate with such efficiency, this underwater boat had to have a sizeable crew, so if it came to a physical contest, we would be facing an overwhelming opponent. Besides, before we could do anything, we had to be free, and that we definitely were not. I didn't see any way out of this sheet-iron, hermetically sealed cell. And if the strange commander of this boat did have a secret to keep-- which seemed rather likely--he would never give us freedom of movement aboard his vessel. Now then, would he resort to violence in order to be rid of us, or would he drop us off one day on some remote coast? There lay the unknown. All these hypotheses seemed extremely plausible to me, and to hope for freedom through use of force, you had to be a harpooner.
I realized, moreover, that Ned Land's brooding was getting him madder by the minute. Little by little, I heard those aforesaid cusswords welling up in the depths of his gullet, and I saw his movements turn threatening again. He stood up, pacing in circles like a wild beast in a cage, striking the walls with his foot and fist. Meanwhile the hours passed, our hunger nagged unmercifully, and this time the steward did not appear. Which amounted to forgetting our castaway status for much too long, if they really had good intentions toward us.
Tortured by the growling of his well-built stomach, Ned Land was getting more and more riled, and despite his word of honor, I was in real dread of an explosion when he stood in the presence of one of the men on board.
For two more hours Ned Land's rage increased. The Canadian shouted and pleaded, but to no avail. The sheet-iron walls were deaf. I didn't hear a single sound inside this dead-seeming boat. The vessel hadn't stirred, because I obviously would have felt its hull vibrating under the influence of the propeller. It had undoubtedly sunk into the watery deep and no longer belonged to the outside world. All this dismal silence was terrifying.
As for our neglect, our isolation in the depths of this cell, I was afraid to guess at how long it might last. Little by little, hopes I had entertained after our interview with the ship's commander were fading away. The gentleness of the man's gaze, the generosity expressed in his facial features, the nobility of his bearing, all vanished from my memory. I saw this mystifying individual anew for what he inevitably must be: cruel and merciless. I viewed him as outside humanity, beyond all feelings of compassion, the implacable foe of his fellow man, toward whom he must have sworn an undying hate!
But even so, was the man going to let us die of starvation, locked up in this cramped prison, exposed to those horrible temptations to which people are driven by extreme hunger? This grim possibility took on a dreadful intensity in my mind, and fired by my imagination, I felt an unreasoning terror run through me. Conseil stayed calm. Ned Land bellowed.
Just then a noise was audible outside. Footsteps rang on the metal tiling. The locks were turned, the door opened, the steward appeared.
Before I could make a single movement to prevent him, the Canadian rushed at the poor man, threw him down, held him by the throat. The steward was choking in the grip of those powerful hands.
Conseil was already trying to loosen the harpooner's hands from his half-suffocated victim, and I had gone to join in the rescue, when I was abruptly nailed to the spot by these words pronounced in French:
"Calm down, Mr. Land! And you, professor, kindly listen to me!"
我们睡了多少时候，我不知道；但一定很久，因为我们的精神完全恢复了。我醒得最早。我的同伴还没有动静，仍睡在那个角落里，像一堆东西一样。
从这张硬邦邦的床上起来，我立刻感到我的头脑清醒了了，我的精神充沛了。于是我又重新观察我们这间牢房.里面的布置丝毫没有变动。牢房还是牢房，囚徒还是囚徒。不过那个侍者乘我们睡熟的时候，把桌上的东西拿走了。没有任何迹象可以表明我们的处境就会发生变化，我冷静地在想，我们是不是注定要永远生活在这个囚笼中。
这种苦难就要临头的思想使我更为难过的是，我脑子虽然不像昨天那样纠缠不清了，可是心口上总觉得特别压抑。我呼吸非常困难，浓浊的空气已经不够我肺部一呼一吸的调换。虽然牢房还算宽大，但很明白，我们已经消耗掉了里面大部分氧气。本来每人每小时要消费一百升空气中所含有的氧，这空气到了含有差不多等量的二氧化碳时，就不能呼吸了。
因此，给我们的牢房换换空气，是很迫切需要的了，无疑的，整个潜水艇也该换换空气了。
这使我想到一个问题。这所浮动住宅的首脑是怎样解决换气问题的？他是用化学方法获得空气的吗？是用氯酸钾加热放出氧气，还是用氢氧化钾吸收二氧化碳气呢？真是这样的话，他必须与陆地保持一定的联系才能取得这些化学原料。或者他只是利用高压力把空气储藏在密封的房间里，然后根据船上人员的需要再把空气放出来吗？或者是这样。或者，他是用更方便，更经济，而且更可能的方法，那就是像鲸鱼类动物一样，浮到水面上来呼吸，二十四小时换一次空气。不管怎样，不管用哪种方法，我觉得为了慎重起见，现在应该赶快使用了。
事实上，我不得不加紧呼吸，把这房间里很少的一点氧气都吸取了，这时候，我忽然吸到一股带海水咸味的新鲜空气，我感到凉爽轻快。这正是使人精神焕发的海风；含有大量碘质的海风！我张大了嘴，让肺部充满了新鲜气体。同时我感到船在摇摆。这铁皮怪分明是浮到海面上来，用鲸鱼呼吸的方式呼吸了。因此我完全肯定了这船调换空气的办法。
我一边自由呼吸着新鲜空气，一边寻找把这种养人的气体送到我们周围的那个东西，或不如说“通气管子”，我不久便找到了。在房门上面，开有一个通气孔，一阵一阵的新鲜空气就从这通气孔进来，填补房中不足的空气。
我正在观察的时候，尼德•兰和康塞尔，在新鲜空气的刺激下，也差不多同时醒来了。他们擦擦眼睛，伸伸胳膊，一下就站起来。
“先生睡得好吗？”康塞尔跟平常一样客客气气地问。
“很不错。康塞尔.“我答，”尼德•兰师傅，您睡得怎样?"“十分甜美，教授。不过，我不知道我是不是弄错了，好像我现在呼吸的是海风！”
一个水手不可能弄错；我告诉加拿大人，当他睡熟的时候所发生的一切。
“对！”他说，“这就完全说明了我们在林肯号上看到这条所谓独角鲸的时候所听到的那种吼声了。”
“不错，足德•兰师傅，这是它的呼吸声!"“不过，阿龙纳斯先生，现在几点钟了，我完全不知道，恐怕至少也是晚餐时候了吧?"“老实的鱼叉手，晚餐时候吗？恐怕至少是午餐时候了，因为从昨天算起，我们现在是在过第二天了。”
“这么说，”康塞尔说，“我们是睡了二十四个小时了。”
“我想是的。”我答。
“我不反对你的意见，”尼德•兰答，“晚餐也好，午餐也好，不管侍者送来什么，都是欢迎的。”
“晚餐和午餐都来。”康塞尔说。
“不错，”加拿大人答，“我们有权利要这两顿饭，在我个人，这两顿饭我都得尝尝。”
“对呀！尼德•兰，再等一会，”我答，“现在很明白，这些人并不想饿死我们，因为，如果要饿死我们，昨天的晚餐便没有意义了。”
“是要把我们填肥！”尼德•兰答。
“我反对您这话，”我答，“我们并不是落在吃人的野蛮人手里！”
“一次送饭不能作为定论，”加拿大人很正经地答，“谁知道这些人是不是很久就没有新鲜的肉吃了，真是这样的话，像您教授，您的仆人和我，三个身体康健的人的肉……”
“尼德•兰师傅，您不要这样想，”我口答鱼叉手，“您更不能从这个角度来反对我们的主人，这样只能使情势更加严重，更加不利。”
“不管怎样，”鱼叉手说，“我肚子饿得要命，晚餐也好，今餐也好，还是不送来！”“尼德•兰师傅，”我答，“我们要遵照船上的规定，我想我们的胃口是走在用餐时间的前面了。”
“是！我们把胃口摆在规定的餐时就好了!“康塞尔安静地答。“康塞尔好朋友，在这件事上我佩服您，”性急的加拿大人答，“您不发愁，也不冒火！总是镇定，若无其事！您可骼把饭后的祷告挪到饭前来念，宁愿饿死，也不肯埋怨！”
“埋怨有什么用呢？”康塞尔问。
“至少总可以出口气呀！能这样就已经不错了。如果这些海盗——我说海盗是尊重他们，并且我也不愿意使教授不痛快，他不让我叫他们吃人的野人———如果这些海盗认为他们把我关在这气闷的笼子里，而可以一点不听到我、发脾气的咒骂，那他们就弄错了！好，阿龙纳斯先生，请您老实说，您想他们会不会把我们长时间关在这铁盒子里?“老实说，尼德•兰好朋友，我跟您一样，知道的不比您多。”
“那么，您就猜一猜，怎么样？”
“我想，这次偶然事件使我们知道了一个重大的秘密。如果潜水艇上的人认为这个秘密对他们有重大利害关系，一定要保守，如果这种利害关系比三个人的生命更要紧，那么，我认为我们的生命就危险了。反过来，如果情形不是这样，那么，一有机会，这个吞食我们的怪物就可以把我们送回我们人类居住的大陆。”
“就怕他们把我们编人他们的船员名册中了，”康塞尔说，“他们就这样把我们留下来了……”
“留下我们，”尼德•兰答，“一直到有一艘比林肯号更快、或更灵巧的战舰，破获了这个匪巢，把巢中的人员和我们送到船上大桅的横木上，让大家自由自在，尽量呼吸一次空气。”
“尼德•兰师傅，您想得对，”我答，“可是，据我们知道，人家还没有向我们提出关于这事的建议，我们现在就来讨论应该采取哪一种办法，是没有用处的。我一再说，我们要等待，既然没事就不必随便找事。”
“正相反！教授，”鱼叉手答，他坚持自己的意见，“一“定要干一下。”
“哎！尼德•兰师傅，干什么呀？”
“我们逃。”
“逃出陆上的监牢都很困难，何况逃出海底的监牢？我看绝对办不到。”
“好吧，尼德•兰，”康塞尔问，“您怎样回敬先生的反对意见呢？我相信一个美洲人是不会弄到束手无策的！”
鱼叉手显然很为难，默不作声。在目前的情况下，想逃出去，是一件绝对不可能的事。但一个加拿大人应当算做半个法国人，从尼德•兰师傅的回答，就可以看出来。
“那么，阿龙纳斯先生，”他思考了一会说，“您想想看，那无法逃出监牢的囚徒该怎么办呢？”
“想不出来，我的朋友。”
“这很简单，就是自己想办法留在里面。”
"对呀！”康塞尔说，“留在里面总比留在上面或下面好些！”
“不过，首先要将看守、警卫和把门的都赶出去.“尼德•兰补充说。“尼德，兰，您说什么？您真想夺取这只船吗？“真想。”加拿大人答。
“这是不可能的."“先生，为什么不可能呢？说不定会碰到个把好机会.那时，我不觉得有什么可以阻止我们不去利用它。如果这只机器船上只有二十个人，我想，他们是不能使两个法国人和一个加拿大人退缩的！”
接受鱼叉手的提议比讨论它好些。所以我只作了下面的回答：“尼德•兰师傅，到那时候我们再想办法。不过，我求您，在机会到来以前，千万不要性急，千万要忍耐，我们只能有计划有策略的行事，发脾气是创造不了有利条件的.所以您的答应我，要暂时忍耐，不能过于激动."“教授先生，我答应您不发脾气。尼德兰带着不大能使人安心得语气回答,“我不说一句粗话，也不露一个结果对我不利的粗暴动作，就是桌上的菜饭不按照心中想望的”时间端出来，我也同样不动火。”
“尼德•兰，这么说，那就一言为定了。”我这样回答了加拿大人。
随后，我们的谈话停止了，我们各自思考。至于我个人，我承认，不管鱼叉手怎样有信心，我对他的办法丝毫没有什么幻想。我不承认会有像尼德•兰所说的那些机会。
这艘潜水艇既然能开得这样稳稳当当的，上面一定有不少人，因此，万一斗起来，我们碰到的对手是强大的。再说，最要紧的是能够自由，可是我们现在根本就没有自由。我简。直想不出有什么方法可以从这关闭得密密实实的铁板房里、逃出去。其次，这位古怪的船长只要有点保守秘密的意：思——至少看来是这样——他决不让我们随便在船上自由行动。现在，他会不会用暴力把我们于掉，或者有一天把我们抛弃在某一个角落里？这都是不可知的事。不过这些假设在我看来都十分可能，都可以讲得通，只有那脑筋简单盼鱼叉手才指望能够重新取得自己的自由。
我看得出尼德•兰因为脑子里想得太多，变得更加激动了。我渐渐听到他喉咙中咕咕着不知骂些什么，我看见他的样子愈来愈怕人。他站起来，像一只关在笼中的老虎。
转来转去，用脚踢用拳打墙壁。时间过得很快，大家感觉饿得厉害，这一回，侍者并没有来。如果人家对我们真正怀着好意，那现在真是有些过于忽视我们受难人的处境了。
尼德•兰的胃口很大，他饿得发慌，越来越按捺不住了，尽管他有言在先，我还是怕他一看见船上的人就要发：作。
又过了两小时，尼德•兰愤怒得更厉害了。他叫叫喊喊，但没有用。铁板墙是又聋又哑的。我甚至听不到这只死气沉沉的船上有一点声响。船不动了，因为我不感觉到船身在推进器推动下所发生的震颤。它可能是潜入到大海的最深处，跟陆地毫无关系了。这种阴沉的寂静真叫人骇怕.我们受人冷落，困守在这间房子里，这样下去究竟还有多久，我不敢设想。我们跟这只船的船长会见以后所产生的各种希望，现在渐渐破灭了。这个人温和的眼光，慷慨的、够，高雅的举止都从我的记忆中消失了。现在，出现密我面前的却是一个无情的、冷酷的怪人。我感到他是没有入性、没有一点同情心的人，是人类不可饶恕的敌人，他琳人怀有永远不解的仇恨！
但是，他把我们关在这狭小的牢房里，不给我们饭吃。
听任我们因此链而走险，是不是存心要饿死我们呢，这个可怕的念头在我心中是这样强烈，我感到有一种莫名其妙的恐惧侵袭着我。康塞尔还是若无其事。尼德。兰就像猛虎般在吼叫。
这个时候，外面传来了声响。金属地板上发出脚步声。
门锁转动了，门开了，侍者进来了。
我还没来得及冲上去阻止他，加拿大人已经猛扑过去，抓住这个不幸的侍者，把他按倒，扼住他的喉咙。侍者被他那有力的大手掐得都不能透气了。
康塞尔正要从鱼叉手的双手中把这个上气不接下气的侍者拉过来，我也正要去尽我的力量帮着他的时候，忽然我听到下面用法语说的几句话，我呆在那里不动了：“您不要急，尼德•兰师傅；您，教授先生，请听我说！”
Part 1 Chapter 10
IT WAS THE ship's commander who had just spoken.
At these words Ned Land stood up quickly. Nearly strangled, the steward staggered out at a signal from his superior; but such was the commander's authority aboard his vessel, not one gesture gave away the resentment that this man must have felt toward the Canadian. In silence we waited for the outcome of this scene; Conseil, in spite of himself, seemed almost fascinated, I was stunned.
Arms crossed, leaning against a corner of the table, the commander studied us with great care. Was he reluctant to speak further? Did he regret those words he had just pronounced in French? You would have thought so.
After a few moments of silence, which none of us would have dreamed of interrupting:
"Gentlemen," he said in a calm, penetrating voice, "I speak French, English, German, and Latin with equal fluency. Hence I could have answered you as early as our initial interview, but first I wanted to make your acquaintance and then think things over. Your four versions of the same narrative, perfectly consistent by and large, established your personal identities for me. I now know that sheer chance has placed in my presence Professor Pierre Aronnax, specialist in natural history at the Paris Museum and entrusted with a scientific mission abroad, his manservant Conseil, and Ned Land, a harpooner of Canadian origin aboard the Abraham Lincoln, a frigate in the national navy of the United States of America."
I bowed in agreement. The commander hadn't put a question to me. So no answer was called for. This man expressed himself with perfect ease and without a trace of an accent. His phrasing was clear, his words well chosen, his facility in elocution remarkable. And yet, to me, he didn't have "the feel" of a fellow countryman.
He went on with the conversation as follows:
"No doubt, sir, you've felt that I waited rather too long before paying you this second visit. After discovering your identities, I wanted to weigh carefully what policy to pursue toward you. I had great difficulty deciding. Some extremely inconvenient circumstances have brought you into the presence of a man who has cut himself off from humanity. Your coming has disrupted my whole existence."
"Unintentionally," I said.
"Unintentionally?" the stranger replied, raising his voice a little. "Was it unintentionally that the Abraham Lincoln hunted me on every sea? Was it unintentionally that you traveled aboard that frigate? Was it unintentionally that your shells bounced off my ship's hull? Was it unintentionally that Mr. Ned Land hit me with his harpoon?"
I detected a controlled irritation in these words. But there was a perfectly natural reply to these charges, and I made it.
"Sir," I said, "you're surely unaware of the discussions that have taken place in Europe and America with yourself as the subject. You don't realize that various accidents, caused by collisions with your underwater machine, have aroused public passions on those two continents. I'll spare you the innumerable hypotheses with which we've tried to explain this inexplicable phenomenon, whose secret is yours alone. But please understand that the Abraham Lincoln chased you over the Pacific high seas in the belief it was hunting some powerful marine monster, which had to be purged from the ocean at all cost."
A half smile curled the commander's lips; then, in a calmer tone:
"Professor Aronnax," he replied, "do you dare claim that your frigate wouldn't have chased and cannonaded an underwater boat as readily as a monster?"
This question baffled me, since Commander Farragut would certainly have shown no such hesitation. He would have seen it as his sworn duty to destroy a contrivance of this kind just as promptly as a gigantic narwhale.
"So you understand, sir," the stranger went on, "that I have a right to treat you as my enemy."
I kept quiet, with good reason. What was the use of debating such a proposition, when superior force can wipe out the best arguments?
"It took me a good while to decide," the commander went on. "Nothing obliged me to grant you hospitality. If I were to part company with you, I'd have no personal interest in ever seeing you again. I could put you back on the platform of this ship that has served as your refuge. I could sink under the sea, and I could forget you ever existed. Wouldn't that be my right?"
"Perhaps it would be the right of a savage," I replied. "But not that of a civilized man."
"Professor," the commander replied swiftly, "I'm not what you term a civilized man! I've severed all ties with society, for reasons that I alone have the right to appreciate. Therefore I obey none of its regulations, and I insist that you never invoke them in front of me!"
This was plain speaking. A flash of anger and scorn lit up the stranger's eyes, and I glimpsed a fearsome past in this man's life. Not only had he placed himself beyond human laws, he had rendered himself independent, out of all reach, free in the strictest sense of the word! For who would dare chase him to the depths of the sea when he thwarted all attacks on the surface? What ship could withstand a collision with his underwater Monitor? What armor plate, no matter how heavy, could bear the thrusts of his spur? No man among men could call him to account for his actions. God, if he believed in Him, his conscience if he had one-- these were the only judges to whom he was answerable.
These thoughts swiftly crossed my mind while this strange individual fell silent, like someone completely self-absorbed. I regarded him with a mixture of fear and fascination, in the same way, no doubt, that Oedipus regarded the Sphinx.
After a fairly long silence, the commander went on with our conversation.
"So I had difficulty deciding," he said. "But I concluded that my personal interests could be reconciled with that natural compassion to which every human being has a right. Since fate has brought you here, you'll stay aboard my vessel. You'll be free here, and in exchange for that freedom, moreover totally related to it, I'll lay on you just one condition. Your word that you'll submit to it will be sufficient."
"Go on, sir," I replied. "I assume this condition is one an honest man can accept?"
"Yes, sir. Just this. It's possible that certain unforeseen events may force me to confine you to your cabins for some hours, or even for some days as the case may be. Since I prefer never to use violence, I expect from you in such a case, even more than in any other, your unquestioning obedience. By acting in this way, I shield you from complicity, I absolve you of all responsibility, since I myself make it impossible for you to see what you aren't meant to see. Do you accept this condition?"
So things happened on board that were quite odd to say the least, things never to be seen by people not placing themselves beyond society's laws! Among all the surprises the future had in store for me, this would not be the mildest.
"We accept," I replied. "Only, I'll ask your permission, sir, to address a question to you, just one."
"Go ahead, sir."
"You said we'd be free aboard your vessel?"
"Completely."
"Then I would ask what you mean by this freedom."
"Why, the freedom to come, go, see, and even closely observe everything happening here--except under certain rare circumstances-- in short, the freedom we ourselves enjoy, my companions and I."
It was obvious that we did not understand each other.
"Pardon me, sir," I went on, "but that's merely the freedom that every prisoner has, the freedom to pace his cell! That's not enough for us."
"Nevertheless, it will have to do!"
"What! We must give up seeing our homeland, friends, and relatives ever again?"
"Yes, sir. But giving up that intolerable earthly yoke that some men call freedom is perhaps less painful than you think!"
"By thunder!" Ned Land shouted. "I'll never promise I won't try getting out of here!"
"I didn't ask for such a promise, Mr. Land," the commander replied coldly.
"Sir," I replied, flaring up in spite of myself, "you're taking unfair advantage of us! This is sheer cruelty!"
"No, sir, it's an act of mercy! You're my prisoners of war! I've cared for you when, with a single word, I could plunge you back into the ocean depths! You attacked me! You've just stumbled on a secret no living man must probe, the secret of my entire existence! Do you think I'll send you back to a world that must know nothing more of me? Never! By keeping you on board, it isn't you whom I care for, it's me!"
These words indicated that the commander pursued a policy impervious to arguments.
"Then, sir," I went on, "you give us, quite simply, a choice between life and death?"
"Quite simply."
"My friends," I said, "to a question couched in these terms, our answer can be taken for granted. But no solemn promises bind us to the commander of this vessel."
"None, sir," the stranger replied.
Then, in a gentler voice, he went on:
"Now, allow me to finish what I have to tell you. I've heard of you, Professor Aronnax. You, if not your companions, won't perhaps complain too much about the stroke of fate that has brought us together. Among the books that make up my favorite reading, you'll find the work you've published on the great ocean depths. I've pored over it. You've taken your studies as far as terrestrial science can go. But you don't know everything because you haven't seen everything. Let me tell you, professor, you won't regret the time you spend aboard my vessel. You're going to voyage through a land of wonders. Stunned amazement will probably be your habitual state of mind. It will be a long while before you tire of the sights constantly before your eyes. I'm going to make another underwater tour of the world-- perhaps my last, who knows?--and I'll review everything I've studied in the depths of these seas that I've crossed so often, and you can be my fellow student. Starting this very day, you'll enter a new element, you'll see what no human being has ever seen before-- since my men and I no longer count--and thanks to me, you're going to learn the ultimate secrets of our planet."
I can't deny it; the commander's words had a tremendous effect on me. He had caught me on my weak side, and I momentarily forgot that not even this sublime experience was worth the loss of my freedom. Besides, I counted on the future to resolve this important question. So I was content to reply:
"Sir, even though you've cut yourself off from humanity, I can see that you haven't disowned all human feeling. We're castaways whom you've charitably taken aboard, we'll never forget that. Speaking for myself, I don't rule out that the interests of science could override even the need for freedom, which promises me that, in exchange, our encounter will provide great rewards."
I thought the commander would offer me his hand, to seal our agreement. He did nothing of the sort. I regretted that.
"One last question," I said, just as this inexplicable being seemed ready to withdraw.
"Ask it, professor."
"By what name am I to call you?"
"Sir," the commander replied, "to you, I'm simply Captain Nemo;* to me, you and your companions are simply passengers on the Nautilus."
*Latin: nemo means "no one." Ed.
Captain Nemo called out. A steward appeared. The captain gave him his orders in that strange language I couldn't even identify. Then, turning to the Canadian and Conseil:
"A meal is waiting for you in your cabin," he told them. "Kindly follow this man."
"That's an offer I can't refuse!" the harpooner replied.
After being confined for over thirty hours, he and Conseil were finally out of this cell.
"And now, Professor Aronnax, our own breakfast is ready. Allow me to lead the way."
"Yours to command, captain."
I followed Captain Nemo, and as soon as I passed through the doorway, I went down a kind of electrically lit passageway that resembled a gangway on a ship. After a stretch of some ten meters, a second door opened before me.
I then entered a dining room, decorated and furnished in austere good taste. Inlaid with ebony trim, tall oaken sideboards stood at both ends of this room, and sparkling on their shelves were staggered rows of earthenware, porcelain, and glass of incalculable value. There silver-plated dinnerware gleamed under rays pouring from light fixtures in the ceiling, whose glare was softened and tempered by delicately painted designs.
In the center of this room stood a table, richly spread. Captain Nemo indicated the place I was to occupy.
"Be seated," he told me, "and eat like the famished man you must be."
Our breakfast consisted of several dishes whose contents were all supplied by the sea, and some foods whose nature and derivation were unknown to me. They were good, I admit, but with a peculiar flavor to which I would soon grow accustomed. These various food items seemed to be rich in phosphorous, and I thought that they, too, must have been of marine origin.
Captain Nemo stared at me. I had asked him nothing, but he read my thoughts, and on his own he answered the questions I was itching to address him.
"Most of these dishes are new to you," he told me. "But you can consume them without fear. They're healthy and nourishing. I renounced terrestrial foods long ago, and I'm none the worse for it. My crew are strong and full of energy, and they eat what I eat."
"So," I said, "all these foods are products of the sea?"
"Yes, professor, the sea supplies all my needs. Sometimes I cast my nets in our wake, and I pull them up ready to burst. Sometimes I go hunting right in the midst of this element that has long seemed so far out of man's reach, and I corner the game that dwells in my underwater forests. Like the flocks of old Proteus, King Neptune's shepherd, my herds graze without fear on the ocean's immense prairies. There I own vast properties that I harvest myself, and which are forever sown by the hand of the Creator of All Things."
I stared at Captain Nemo in definite astonishment, and I answered him:
"Sir, I understand perfectly how your nets can furnish excellent fish for your table; I understand less how you can chase aquatic game in your underwater forests; but how a piece of red meat, no matter how small, can figure in your menu, that I don't understand at all."
"Nor I, sir," Captain Nemo answered me. "I never touch the flesh of land animals."
"Nevertheless, this . . . ," I went on, pointing to a dish where some slices of loin were still left.
"What you believe to be red meat, professor, is nothing other than loin of sea turtle. Similarly, here are some dolphin livers you might mistake for stewed pork. My chef is a skillful food processor who excels at pickling and preserving these various exhibits from the ocean. Feel free to sample all of these foods. Here are some preserves of sea cucumber that a Malaysian would declare to be unrivaled in the entire world, here's cream from milk furnished by the udders of cetaceans, and sugar from the huge fucus plants in the North Sea; and finally, allow me to offer you some marmalade of sea anemone, equal to that from the tastiest fruits."
So I sampled away, more as a curiosity seeker than an epicure, while Captain Nemo delighted me with his incredible anecdotes.
"But this sea, Professor Aronnax," he told me, "this prodigious, inexhaustible wet nurse of a sea not only feeds me, she dresses me as well. That fabric covering you was woven from the masses of filaments that anchor certain seashells; as the ancients were wont to do, it was dyed with purple ink from the murex snail and shaded with violet tints that I extract from a marine slug, the Mediterranean sea hare. The perfumes you'll find on the washstand in your cabin were produced from the oozings of marine plants. Your mattress was made from the ocean's softest eelgrass. Your quill pen will be whalebone, your ink a juice secreted by cuttlefish or squid. Everything comes to me from the sea, just as someday everything will return to it!"
"You love the sea, captain."
"Yes, I love it! The sea is the be all and end all! It covers seven-tenths of the planet earth. Its breath is clean and healthy. It's an immense wilderness where a man is never lonely, because he feels life astir on every side. The sea is simply the vehicle for a prodigious, unearthly mode of existence; it's simply movement and love; it's living infinity, as one of your poets put it. And in essence, professor, nature is here made manifest by all three of her kingdoms, mineral, vegetable, and animal. The last of these is amply represented by the four zoophyte groups, three classes of articulates, five classes of mollusks, and three vertebrate classes: mammals, reptiles, and those countless legions of fish, an infinite order of animals totaling more than 13,000 species, of which only one-tenth belong to fresh water. The sea is a vast pool of nature. Our globe began with the sea, so to speak, and who can say we won't end with it! Here lies supreme tranquility. The sea doesn't belong to tyrants. On its surface they can still exercise their iniquitous claims, battle each other, devour each other, haul every earthly horror. But thirty feet below sea level, their dominion ceases, their influence fades, their power vanishes! Ah, sir, live! Live in the heart of the seas! Here alone lies independence! Here I recognize no superiors! Here I'm free!"
Captain Nemo suddenly fell silent in the midst of this enthusiastic outpouring. Had he let himself get carried away, past the bounds of his habitual reserve? Had he said too much? For a few moments he strolled up and down, all aquiver. Then his nerves grew calmer, his facial features recovered their usual icy composure, and turning to me:
"Now, professor," he said, "if you'd like to inspect the Nautilus, I'm yours to command."
说这诺的人正是这船的船长。
尼德•兰听到这些话，立刻站了起来。侍者被掐得半死不活，看见他的主人一招手，便蹒跚地走出去了，一点也没有流露他对加拿大人的愤恨，这说明了船长在船上有很高的威信。康塞尔不禁有点奇怪，我也吓得发愣，我们默默等待这事的结局。
船长交叉着两手，靠着桌子的一角，注意地观察我们。他不说话，是因为有顾虑吗？他后悔刚才不该用法语说那些话吗？我们不妨这样设想。
我们谁也不想打破沉默，过了一会儿，他才用很镇定。很感动人的声调说：
“先生们，我会说法语、英语、德语和拉丁语。我本来可以在我们初次会见的时候回答你们，不过我想先认识你们，然后再考虑。你们把事实经过复述了四遍，内容完全相同，这使我肯定了你们的身份，我现在知道，偶然的机会使得我碰见了负有出国作科学考察使命的巴黎博物馆生物学教授彼埃尔•阿龙纳斯先生，他的仆人康塞尔以及北美合众国海军部林肯号战舰上的鱼叉手、加拿大人尼德•兰。”
我点点头，表示同意。船长向我提的不是问题，我没有必要回答。这人说法语一点不费力，没有任何土音。他用的句子很正确，词汇很恰当，说的话流畅通达。可是我总感。觉不出他是我的法国同胞。
他继续说下去，他这样说：
“先生，我现在才再一次来访问你们，你们一定认为我耽搁得大久了。所以这样，是因为我知道了你们的身份以后，要仔细考虑一下应该怎样对待你们，我很迟疑不决。最为难的是你们在跟一个与人类不相往来的人打交道。你们打乱了我的生活……”
“这不是故意的。”我说。
“不是故意的吗？”这个人把声音提高了一点回答,"林肯号在海面上到处追逐我，难道是无意的吗？你们上这艘战舰，难道不是故意的吗？你们用炮弹轰我的船，难道不是故意的吗？尼德•兰师傅用鱼叉打我的船，难道也不是故意的吗?"“我看得出在这些话里面，含有一种隐忍不发的愤怒。但对于他提出的这些责问，我有个很有道理的回答，我就说：
“先生，您一定不知道关于您的问题在美洲和欧洲所引起的争论。您不知道由于您的潜水艇的冲撞所发生的各种意外事件，已经哄动了两个大陆。现在我不想告诉您，人们为了解释那唯有您才知道其中奥妙的神秘现象所做的无数假设。，但您要知道，林肯号一直追逐您到太平洋北部海面。仍然认为是追打一种海怪，非把它从海洋中清除掉不可呢。”
船长的唇上浮现出微笑，然后语气比较温和地回答：
“阿龙纳斯先生，您敢肯定你们的战舰不是去追击潜水艇而只是追击海怪吗？”
这个问题使我很难回答，因为，法拉古舰长肯定是不会迟疑的，他一定相信，消灭这类潜水艇和打击巨大的独角鲸，同样是他的职责。
“先生，您要知道，”这个人又说，“我是有权利把你们当作敌人看待的。”
我故意不回答。因为碰到蛮不讲理的时候,再来讨论这类题目还有什么意义呢？
“我犹豫了很久，”船长又说，“我没有任何义务接待你们。如果我要撇开你们，我就不想再来看你们了。我会把际们重新放在曾经作为你们避难所的这只船的平台上，就当你们没有存在一样，只管潜入海中。难道我没有这样的权利吗？”
“这也许是野蛮人的权利，”我答，“而不是文明人的权利."
“教授先生，”船长很激动地回答，“我不是你们所说的文明人，为了我个人才能感觉到的理由，我跟整个人类社会断绝了关系。所以我不服从人类社会的法规。希望您以后不要再在我面前提这些东西了。”
这话说得十分干脆。这人眼中闪出愤怒和轻蔑的光芒，我看得出这个人的生活中一定有过一段不平凡的经历。他不单把自己放在人类的法律之外，而且使自己绝对的独立、自由，不受任何约束！既然人家在海面上和他交手都被他打败了，谁还敢到海底下去追赶他呢？什么船能吃得消他这艘潜水艇的冲击呢？不管钢板多么厚的铁甲舰，哪一艘能吃得消它的冲角的一撞呢？没有一个人能质问他所做的事。如果他相信上帝，如果他还有良心，那么只有上帝。只有良心，是他可以依据的唯一公断人了。
以上的这些感想在我心中很快地闪过去，这个奇怪的人当时默不作声，潜心思索，好像什么也不理会了。我既害怕又好奇地注视着他，像俄狄浦斯①注视人面狮身怪一样。
经过长久的沉默以后，船长又开口了，他说：
“因此，我迟疑不决，但是我认为，我的利益是能够与人类天生的那种同情心相一致的。既然命运把你们送到这里来，你们就留在我的船上吧。你们在船上是自由的，但为了换得这种自由——毕竟是相对的自由，我要你们答应我一个条件，你们只要口头上答应就可以了。”
“先生，您说吧，”我答，“我想这条件一定是一个正直的人可以接受的条件。”
“是的，先生，条件是这样。可能因为某种意外的事件，我不得不把你们关在你们住的舱房里，关上几小时，或是关上几天。我决不愿使用暴力，我希望你们在这种情况下，在任何其它情况下也一样，要绝对服从。这样做，一切都由我负责，与你们丝毫无关，因为我不要你们看见你们所不应度看的。你们能接受这条件吗？"
这样看来，船上一定有很离奇古怪的事，这事是服从社会法律的人不应该看的！那么，在我将来可能碰到的惊奇事件当中，这一定是非同小可的一件。
“我们接受，”我答，“但是，先生，我要求您允许我向您提一个问题，仅仅是一个。”
“说吧，先生。”
“您刚才说我们在船上可以自由，是不是？”
“完全自由。”
“我要问您，您所说的是怎样的自由？”
“就是往来行动、耳闻目见的自由，甚至于有观察船上、一切的自由——某些特殊情况除外——就是跟我们（我的
同伴和我）享有同样的自由。”
显然的，我们彼此都没有领会对方的意思。我于是又说：
“请原谅，先生，这种自由不过是国徒可以在监狱中走动的自由！这种自由对于我们并不够。”
“可是，对这种自由你们应当感到满足了。”
“什么! 我们将永不能再见我们的祖国，我们的朋友，我们的亲人吗！？”
“是的，先生，这不过是使您不再受那世俗的束缚罢了。这种束缚，人们还以为是自由，抛弃了它，不至于像你们所想象的那么难受吧！”
“好家伙!"尼德•兰喊道，“我决不能保证我以后不想法逃走!"
“尼德•兰师傅，我井没有要您保证。”船长冷淡地回答。
“先生，”我说，我不由自主地生气了，“您倚势欺人！太蛮横了！”
“不，先生，这不是蛮横，这是仁慈！你们是我在战斗以后的俘虏！那时，我只要说一句话就能把你们送到海底下去，但是我留下你们！你们攻击过我！你们盗窃了世上任何人都不应该知道的一种秘密，就是我一生的秘密！您以为我会把你们送回那再不应该看见我的陆地上去吗？那永不能！现在我所以要把你们留在这儿，并不是为了你们，实在是为我自己！”
从这些话可以看出，船长是非常固执的，任何理由都改变不了他的成见.
“先生，”我又说，“这样看来，您只是让我们在生死之间抉择罢了。”
“正是这样."
“对于这样提出的问题，我的朋友们就没有什么话可说了。”我说，”但我要声明，我们现在对于这只船上的主人并不受任何诺言的约束。”
“先生，您并不受任何诺言的约束。”这个神秘的人回答。
随后，他用比较温和的口气说：
“现在，请允许我说完我要跟您说的话。阿龙纳斯先生，我了解您。其实, 您也许不至于和您的同伴一样，会抱怨这个偶然把你们跟我的命运连结在一起的机会吧！在我喜欢研究的书籍中，您可以找到您发表的那本关于海底秘密的著作。我时常阅读这本书。地上的学问可以使您达到的，在您的著作中已经达到了。但您还不是什么都懂，还不是什么都看见过。教授，让我跟您说，您决不至懊悔您在我船上度过的时光。您以后将到神奇的世界中游历。震惊、奇怪，将是您心情中惯有的状态。，那不断呈现在您眼前的奇异景象会使您百看不厌。我在下一次周游海底世界的时候，（也许这是最后一次，谁知道？）又要在我跑过许多次的海底下看见我曾经研究过的一切事物，那时您将变为我这一次科学研究的同伴。从这一天起，您将进入一个新元素的世界，您将看见世界上除了我和我的同伴之外任何人都没有看到过的东西，由于我，我们的星球将把它最后的秘密玄给您。”
我不能否认船长的这些话对我发生了很大的影响，正好说中了我的心事；我暂时忘记了观看这些伟大的东西并不能抵偿我们失去了的自由！我甚至于想搁下自由的问题，留待以后再作打算。所以我只是这样回答他：
“先生,您虽然跟人类世界不相往来，但我想您还没有公开否认人的情感。我们是被您好心收留在您船上的受难者，我们忘不了您的好意。至于我，如果因为科学的关系可以把自由忘记的话，那我很知道，我们两人的相遇可能给我巨大的补偿。"
我想，船长是一定要跟我握手，借此表示我们的意见是一致的。但他并不这样做。我真替他惋惜。
“最后一个问题。”当这个神秘的人物想退出去的时候，我对他说。
“教授先生，您说吧。”
“我应当怎样称呼您呢？”
“先生，”船长回答，“在您来说，我不过是尼摩①船长，在我来说，您和您的同伴不过是诺第留斯②号的乘客。”
尼摩船长喊人，一个侍者进来。船长用我听不懂的那种语言吩咐了几句。然后他转身对加拿大人和康塞尔说：
“在你们的舱房里，正等着你们进餐呢，请你们跟着这个人去."
“这个，我不拒绝！”鱼叉手回答。
于是康塞尔和他走出关了他们三十多小时的这间小房子。
“阿龙纳斯先生，现在我们的午餐已经准备好了，让我给您引路。”
“船长，我当然听您的吩咐。”
我跟在船长后面走，一出房门，便走上一条有电光照耀。的走廊，像是船上的过道。约走了十多米以后，第二道门在我们面前打开。
我于是走进了餐厅，餐厅内的摆设和家具都十分讲究小餐厅的两端摆着镶嵌乌木花饰的高大橡木餐橱，在架子的隔板上，有价值不可估量的闪闪发光的陶器、瓷器、玻璃制品。金银制的餐具在由天花板倾泻的光线下显得辉煌夺目，天花板上绘有精美的图画，使光线更加柔和而悦目。
餐厅的中间摆着一桌丰盛的菜。尼摩船长指给我坐的位于。他对我说：
“请坐，请吃，您已经好久不吃东西了，请不要客气。”
午餐有好几道菜，全是海里的东西，其中有些荤菜，我简直不知道它们的性质和出处。我承认这些食品都很好，虽然有一种特殊味道，但我也吃得惯。这些式样不同的菜看来都富于磷质，所以我想这一定全是海中的产物。
尼摩船长看着我。我并没有问他，但他猜到了我的心事，他就主动地答复我急于要向他提出的问题。他说：
“这些菜大部分您以前都没见过。但您可以放心大胆地吃，不必害怕。这些菜很卫生，而且富有营养。很久以夹，我就不吃陆地上的食物了，我的身体也并不见得差。我砌船员——个个都身强力壮——他们和我一样都吃这种食品.
“那么，”我说，“所有的食品都是海产吗？”
“是的，教授，大海供应我一切必需品。有时我抛下拖网，等网满得都要断了就把它拉上来。有时我到那看来人没法去的大海中间打猎，我追逐那些居住在我的海底森林中的野味。我的牛羊家畜，像尼普顿①的老牧人的一样，无忧无虑地在那广阔的海底牧场上吃草。我在海底有一笔巨大的产业，这产业是由造物主亲手播种的。”
我有点惊异，看着尼摩船长，我这样回答他：
“先生，我完全相信您的鱼网能供应这桌上的许多鱼类，我也了解您如何在您的海底森林中打猎，但是我一点不明白在您的菜单上，如何能有肉类——尽管很少？”
“先生，”尼摩船长回答，“我从来也不吃陆上动物的肉。”
“不过，这是什么呢？”我手指着一个盘子里还剩下的几块肉说。
“教授，您以为这是牛肉吗？其实它不过是海鳖的里臀。这盘是海豚的肝，您或者要以为是炖猪肉。我的厨师是一位很精干的炊事员，他善于保藏海中各种不同的产物。猜尝一尝这些菜。这是一盘罐头海参，马来亚人说这是世界上美味无比的食物。这是奶油糕，所用的奶是从鲸鱼类的奶头上挤出来的，糖是从北极海中的一种大海藻里提炼：出来的。最后我请您尝这秋牡丹的果子酱，它的味道并不亚于最蜜甜的果子酱。”
我一一尝过了，与其说是由于贪食，不如说是由于好奇；同时尼摩船长讲他那不可思议的、似真似假的故事，使我听得心醉神迷。他说：
“阿龙纳斯先生，这海, 这奇妙的、取之不尽的生命泉源，不仅仅给我吃的，并且还给我穿的。现在您身上穿的衣料是由一种贝壳类的足丝织成的，染上古人喜欢的绊红色。又调配上我从地中海海兔类中取出的紫色。您在舱房中梳洗台上看到的香料，是从海产植物提炼出来的。您睡的床是侮中最软和的大叶海藻做的。您使的笔是鲸鱼的触须，墨水是墨鱼或乌贼分泌的汁。现在海给我一切，正像将来一切都要归还它一样！”
“船长，您爱海吧？”
“是的，我爱海！海是包罗万象的！海占地球面积的十分之七。海的气息纯洁而卫生。在这汪洋浩瀚的大海中，人们不是孤独的，园为他们感到在自己周围处处都有生命在颤动；海之为物是超越的、神妙的生存之乘舆；海是动，海是爱，正像你们法国一位大诗人所说的③，它是长存的生命。的确，教授，自然界在海中也同样有动物、植物、矿物三类。动物在海中可以大量地繁殖，主要的有腔肠动物四类，节肢动物三类，软体动物五类，脊椎动物三类，即哺乳类，爬虫类和成群无数的鱼类。鱼类是动物中无穷无尽的一目…共有一万三千多种，其中只有十分之一是在淡水中。海是大自然的仓库。可以说，地球是从海开始的，谁知道将来地球不是归给于海呢！海中有无比和平的环境。海不属于压迫者。在海面上，他们还可以使用他们的暴力，在那里互相攻打，在那里互相吞噬，把陆地上的各种恐怖手段都搬到那里。但在海平面三十英尺以下，他们的权力便达不到了，他们的气焰便熄灭了，他们的成势便消失了！啊！先生，您要生活，就生活在海中吧！只是在海中才有独立！在海中敌不承认有什么主子：在海中我是完全自由的！”
尼摩船长正说得兴高采烈的时候，他忽然停住不作声了。他是超出了他惯常的沉默，还是说得过多了呢？霎时间，他踱来踱去，情绪很激动。过了一会儿，他的神经安静下来，他的面容又现出惯常的冷淡神气，他转身对我说：
“现在，教授，如果您愿意参观我们的诺第留斯号，我愿意为您效劳，我领您看去。”
Part 1 Chapter 11
CAPTAIN NEMO stood up. I followed him. Contrived at the rear of the dining room, a double door opened, and I entered a room whose dimensions equaled the one I had just left.
It was a library. Tall, black-rosewood bookcases, inlaid with copperwork, held on their wide shelves a large number of uniformly bound books. These furnishings followed the contours of the room, their lower parts leading to huge couches upholstered in maroon leather and curved for maximum comfort. Light, movable reading stands, which could be pushed away or pulled near as desired, allowed books to be positioned on them for easy study. In the center stood a huge table covered with pamphlets, among which some newspapers, long out of date, were visible. Electric light flooded this whole harmonious totality, falling from four frosted half globes set in the scrollwork of the ceiling. I stared in genuine wonderment at this room so ingeniously laid out, and I couldn't believe my eyes.
"Captain Nemo," I told my host, who had just stretched out on a couch, "this is a library that would do credit to more than one continental palace, and I truly marvel to think it can go with you into the deepest seas."
"Where could one find greater silence or solitude, professor?" Captain Nemo replied. "Did your study at the museum afford you such a perfect retreat?"
"No, sir, and I might add that it's quite a humble one next to yours. You own 6,000 or 7,000 volumes here . . ."
"12,000, Professor Aronnax. They're my sole remaining ties with dry land. But I was done with the shore the day my Nautilus submerged for the first time under the waters. That day I purchased my last volumes, my last pamphlets, my last newspapers, and ever since I've chosen to believe that humanity no longer thinks or writes. In any event, professor, these books are at your disposal, and you may use them freely."
I thanked Captain Nemo and approached the shelves of this library. Written in every language, books on science, ethics, and literature were there in abundance, but I didn't see a single work on economics-- they seemed to be strictly banned on board. One odd detail: all these books were shelved indiscriminately without regard to the language in which they were written, and this jumble proved that the Nautilus's captain could read fluently whatever volumes he chanced to pick up.
Among these books I noted masterpieces by the greats of ancient and modern times, in other words, all of humanity's finest achievements in history, poetry, fiction, and science, from Homer to Victor Hugo, from Xenophon to Michelet, from Rabelais to Madame George Sand. But science, in particular, represented the major investment of this library: books on mechanics, ballistics, hydrography, meteorology, geography, geology, etc., held a place there no less important than works on natural history, and I realized that they made up the captain's chief reading. There I saw the complete works of Humboldt, the complete Arago, as well as works by Foucault, Henri Sainte-Claire Deville, Chasles, Milne-Edwards, Quatrefages, John Tyndall, Faraday, Berthelot, Father Secchi, Petermann, Commander Maury, Louis Agassiz, etc., plus the transactions of France's Academy of Sciences, bulletins from the various geographical societies, etc., and in a prime location, those two volumes on the great ocean depths that had perhaps earned me this comparatively charitable welcome from Captain Nemo. Among the works of Joseph Bertrand, his book entitled The Founders of Astronomy even gave me a definite date; and since I knew it had appeared in the course of 1865, I concluded that the fitting out of the Nautilus hadn't taken place before then. Accordingly, three years ago at the most, Captain Nemo had begun his underwater existence. Moreover, I hoped some books even more recent would permit me to pinpoint the date precisely; but I had plenty of time to look for them, and I didn't want to put off any longer our stroll through the wonders of the Nautilus.
"Sir," I told the captain, "thank you for placing this library at my disposal. There are scientific treasures here, and I'll take advantage of them."
"This room isn't only a library," Captain Nemo said, "it's also a smoking room."
"A smoking room?" I exclaimed. "Then one may smoke on board?"
"Surely."
"In that case, sir, I'm forced to believe that you've kept up relations with Havana."
"None whatever," the captain replied. "Try this cigar, Professor Aronnax, and even though it doesn't come from Havana, it will satisfy you if you're a connoisseur."
I took the cigar offered me, whose shape recalled those from Cuba; but it seemed to be made of gold leaf. I lit it at a small brazier supported by an elegant bronze stand, and I inhaled my first whiffs with the relish of a smoker who hasn't had a puff in days.
"It's excellent," I said, "but it's not from the tobacco plant."
"Right," the captain replied, "this tobacco comes from neither Havana nor the Orient. It's a kind of nicotine-rich seaweed that the ocean supplies me, albeit sparingly. Do you still miss your Cubans, sir?"
"Captain, I scorn them from this day forward."
"Then smoke these cigars whenever you like, without debating their origin. They bear no government seal of approval, but I imagine they're none the worse for it."
"On the contrary."
Just then Captain Nemo opened a door facing the one by which I had entered the library, and I passed into an immense, splendidly lit lounge.
It was a huge quadrilateral with canted corners, ten meters long, six wide, five high. A luminous ceiling, decorated with delicate arabesques, distributed a soft, clear daylight over all the wonders gathered in this museum. For a museum it truly was, in which clever hands had spared no expense to amass every natural and artistic treasure, displaying them with the helter-skelter picturesqueness that distinguishes a painter's studio.
Some thirty pictures by the masters, uniformly framed and separated by gleaming panoplies of arms, adorned walls on which were stretched tapestries of austere design. There I saw canvases of the highest value, the likes of which I had marveled at in private European collections and art exhibitions. The various schools of the old masters were represented by a Raphael Madonna, a Virgin by Leonardo da Vinci, a nymph by Correggio, a woman by Titian, an adoration of the Magi by Veronese, an assumption of the Virgin by Murillo, a Holbein portrait, a monk by Velazquez, a martyr by Ribera, a village fair by Rubens, two Flemish landscapes by Teniers, three little genre paintings by Gerard Dow, Metsu, and Paul Potter, two canvases by Gericault and Prud'hon, plus seascapes by Backhuysen and Vernet. Among the works of modern art were pictures signed by Delacroix, Ingres, Decamps, Troyon, Meissonier, Daubigny, etc., and some wonderful miniature statues in marble or bronze, modeled after antiquity's finest originals, stood on their pedestals in the corners of this magnificent museum. As the Nautilus's commander had predicted, my mind was already starting to fall into that promised state of stunned amazement.
"Professor," this strange man then said, "you must excuse the informality with which I receive you, and the disorder reigning in this lounge."
"Sir," I replied, "without prying into who you are, might I venture to identify you as an artist?"
"A collector, sir, nothing more. Formerly I loved acquiring these beautiful works created by the hand of man. I sought them greedily, ferreted them out tirelessly, and I've been able to gather some objects of great value. They're my last mementos of those shores that are now dead for me. In my eyes, your modern artists are already as old as the ancients. They've existed for 2,000 or 3,000 years, and I mix them up in my mind. The masters are ageless."
"What about these composers?" I said, pointing to sheet music by Weber, Rossini, Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Meyerbeer, Hérold, Wagner, Auber, Gounod, Victor Massé, and a number of others scattered over a full size piano-organ, which occupied one of the wall panels in this lounge.
"These composers," Captain Nemo answered me, "are the contemporaries of Orpheus, because in the annals of the dead, all chronological differences fade; and I'm dead, professor, quite as dead as those friends of yours sleeping six feet under!"
Captain Nemo fell silent and seemed lost in reverie. I regarded him with intense excitement, silently analyzing his strange facial expression. Leaning his elbow on the corner of a valuable mosaic table, he no longer saw me, he had forgotten my very presence.
I didn't disturb his meditations but continued to pass in review the curiosities that enriched this lounge.
After the works of art, natural rarities predominated. They consisted chiefly of plants, shells, and other exhibits from the ocean that must have been Captain Nemo's own personal finds. In the middle of the lounge, a jet of water, electrically lit, fell back into a basin made from a single giant clam. The delicately festooned rim of this shell, supplied by the biggest mollusk in the class Acephala, measured about six meters in circumference; so it was even bigger than those fine giant clams given to King Fran?ois I by the Republic of Venice, and which the Church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris has made into two gigantic holy-water fonts.
Around this basin, inside elegant glass cases fastened with copper bands, there were classified and labeled the most valuable marine exhibits ever put before the eyes of a naturalist. My professorial glee may easily be imagined.
The zoophyte branch offered some very unusual specimens from its two groups, the polyps and the echinoderms. In the first group: organ-pipe coral, gorgonian coral arranged into fan shapes, soft sponges from Syria, isis coral from the Molucca Islands, sea-pen coral, wonderful coral of the genus Virgularia from the waters of Norway, various coral of the genus Umbellularia, alcyonarian coral, then a whole series of those madrepores that my mentor Professor Milne-Edwards has so shrewdly classified into divisions and among which I noted the wonderful genus Flabellina as well as the genus Oculina from Réunion Island, plus a "Neptune's chariot" from the Caribbean Sea--every superb variety of coral, and in short, every species of these unusual polyparies that congregate to form entire islands that will one day turn into continents. Among the echinoderms, notable for being covered with spines: starfish, feather stars, sea lilies, free-swimming crinoids, brittle stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, etc., represented a complete collection of the individuals in this group.
An excitable conchologist would surely have fainted dead away before other, more numerous glass cases in which were classified specimens from the mollusk branch. There I saw a collection of incalculable value that I haven't time to describe completely. Among these exhibits I'll mention, just for the record: an elegant royal hammer shell from the Indian Ocean, whose evenly spaced white spots stood out sharply against a base of red and brown; an imperial spiny oyster, brightly colored, bristling with thorns, a specimen rare to European museums, whose value I estimated at 20,000 francs; a common hammer shell from the seas near Queensland, very hard to come by; exotic cockles from Senegal, fragile white bivalve shells that a single breath could pop like a soap bubble; several varieties of watering-pot shell from Java, a sort of limestone tube fringed with leafy folds and much fought over by collectors; a whole series of top-shell snails--greenish yellow ones fished up from American seas, others colored reddish brown that patronize the waters off Queensland, the former coming from the Gulf of Mexico and notable for their overlapping shells, the latter some sun-carrier shells found in the southernmost seas, finally and rarest of all, the magnificent spurred-star shell from New Zealand; then some wonderful peppery-furrow shells; several valuable species of cythera clams and venus clams; the trellis wentletrap snail from Tranquebar on India's eastern shore; a marbled turban snail gleaming with mother-of-pearl; green parrot shells from the seas of China; the virtually unknown cone snail from the genus Coenodullus; every variety of cowry used as money in India and Africa; a "glory-of-the-seas," the most valuable shell in the East Indies; finally, common periwinkles, delphinula snails, turret snails, violet snails, European cowries, volute snails, olive shells, miter shells, helmet shells, murex snails, whelks, harp shells, spiky periwinkles, triton snails, horn shells, spindle shells, conch shells, spider conchs, limpets, glass snails, sea butterflies-- every kind of delicate, fragile seashell that science has baptized with its most delightful names.
Aside and in special compartments, strings of supremely beautiful pearls were spread out, the electric light flecking them with little fiery sparks: pink pearls pulled from saltwater fan shells in the Red Sea; green pearls from the rainbow abalone; yellow, blue, and black pearls, the unusual handiwork of various mollusks from every ocean and of certain mussels from rivers up north; in short, several specimens of incalculable worth that had been oozed by the rarest of shellfish. Some of these pearls were bigger than a pigeon egg; they more than equaled the one that the explorer Tavernier sold the Shah of Persia for 3,000,000 francs, and they surpassed that other pearl owned by the Imam of Muscat, which I had believed to be unrivaled in the entire world.
Consequently, to calculate the value of this collection was, I should say, impossible. Captain Nemo must have spent millions in acquiring these different specimens, and I was wondering what financial resources he tapped to satisfy his collector's fancies, when these words interrupted me:
"You're examining my shells, professor? They're indeed able to fascinate a naturalist; but for me they have an added charm, since I've collected every one of them with my own two hands, and not a sea on the globe has escaped my investigations."
"I understand, captain, I understand your delight at strolling in the midst of this wealth. You're a man who gathers his treasure in person. No museum in Europe owns such a collection of exhibits from the ocean. But if I exhaust all my wonderment on them, I'll have nothing left for the ship that carries them! I have absolutely no wish to probe those secrets of yours! But I confess that my curiosity is aroused to the limit by this Nautilus, the motor power it contains, the equipment enabling it to operate, the ultra powerful force that brings it to life. I see some instruments hanging on the walls of this lounge whose purposes are unknown to me. May I learn--"
"Professor Aronnax," Captain Nemo answered me, "I've said you'd be free aboard my vessel, so no part of the Nautilus is off-limits to you. You may inspect it in detail, and I'll be delighted to act as your guide."
"I don't know how to thank you, sir, but I won't abuse your good nature. I would only ask you about the uses intended for these instruments of physical measure--"
"Professor, these same instruments are found in my stateroom, where I'll have the pleasure of explaining their functions to you. But beforehand, come inspect the cabin set aside for you. You need to learn how you'll be lodged aboard the Nautilus."
I followed Captain Nemo, who, via one of the doors cut into the lounge's canted corners, led me back down the ship's gangways. He took me to the bow, and there I found not just a cabin but an elegant stateroom with a bed, a washstand, and various other furnishings.
I could only thank my host.
"Your stateroom adjoins mine," he told me, opening a door, "and mine leads into that lounge we've just left."
I entered the captain's stateroom. It had an austere, almost monastic appearance. An iron bedstead, a worktable, some washstand fixtures. Subdued lighting. No luxuries. Just the bare necessities.
Captain Nemo showed me to a bench.
"Kindly be seated," he told me.
I sat, and he began speaking as follows:
尼摩船长站起来，我在他后面跟着，餐厅后部的两扇：门打开了。我走进一个房间，大小跟我刚才走出的那饭厅差不多。
这是图书室。图书室的四壁摆着高大的紫檀木嵌铜丝的书架，架上一层一层的隔板上放满了装潢统一的书籍。架子下面摆着一排蒙着栗色兽皮的长沙发；沙发的曲度正合适，坐上去很舒服。沙发旁边有可以随意移来移去的轻巧的活动书案，人们可以把书放在上面看。图书室中央放一张大桌子，上面摆满了许多小册子，其中有些是过时的报纸。半嵌在拱形天花板上的四个磨沙玻璃球发出柔和的电光，浸浴着这和谐的整体。我看了这所布置十分精致的图书室，心中十分赞美，我几乎都不敢信任我自己的眼睛。
“尼摩船长，”我对刚在沙发上躺下的主人说，“这样一个图书室，就是放在大陆上的宫廷中也足以自豪，我一想到它可以跟着您到海底的最深处，真不禁要眉飞色舞，十分高兴起来。”
“教授，试问哪里还可以找出比这里更隐僻更静溢的地方来？”尼摩船长答，“您的自然博物馆的工作室能供给您这样一个安静舒适的环境吗？”
“没有，先生，我还得说，我的工作室跟这比较起来，显然是太寒酸了。您这室中有六七千本书呢……”
“阿龙纳斯先生，共有一万二千本。这是我跟陆地上的唯一联系。但从我的诺第留斯号第一次潜入水底的那一天起，对我来说，人世就完结了。这一天，我买了我最后一批书，最后一批小册子，最后几份日报，从那时候起，我就认为，人类没有什么思想，也没有什么著作了.教授，这些书随您的便，您可以自由使用。”
我谢谢尼摩船长。我走近书架。各种文字的科学、哲学和文学书籍，架上多的是；可是我就没看到一本关于政治经济学的书籍，这类书籍似乎完全被剔出去了。说来也奇怪，所有的书不管哪种文字的，都随便混在一起，．没有醒目的分类，很显然，诺第留斯号的船长随手拿一本书都可以流利地读下去。
这些书籍中间，我看到有古代和近代大师的杰作——这些都是人类在史学、诗歌和科学方面多年积累的成果，从荷马到维克多•雨果①，从翟诺芬②到米歇列③，从拉伯雷到乔治•桑夫人。，都应有尽有。特别科学书籍，是这所图书室最珍贵的部分，机械学、弹道学、海洋绘图学、气象学、地理学、地质学等等书籍所占的位置不下于自然科学的书籍，我明白这些都是船长研究的重点。我看见架上有韩波尔⑤全集、阿拉哥全集，以及傅戈尔⑤、亨利•圣•克利•德维尔夏斯尔③、密尔•爱德华③、卡特法日、邓达尔、法拉第、白尔特洛＠、薛希修道院长＠、别台曼③、莫利少校、阿加昔斯②等人的著作；科学院的论文，各国地理学会的会刊等等也有。我写的那两本书也放在明显的位置上，我能得到尼摩船长的相当宽大的接待，大概就是由于这两本书。在伯特兰③的著作中间，他的那部《天文学的创始人），竟使我推算出这只船制造的确实日期；我知道这部书是于1865年出版，由此可以断定，诺第留斯号下水是在这一个时期之后。这样说来，尼摩船长开始他的海底生活，至多不过三年。我很希望有更新近的书籍可以让我确定这个日期：但我想，我会有时间来做这种研究工作的；我不愿再耽误游览诺第留斯号船上的奇迹。
“先生，”我对船长说，“我多谢您把这些图书让我随便使用。这是科学的宝库，我在这里一定能得到许多益处。，
“这里不仅是图书室."尼摩船长说，“同时又是吸烟室."
“吸烟室吗？”我喊，“船上也抽烟吗？”
“当然也抽烟."
“先生，那么，我不能不想您是跟哈瓦那有来往的了。”
“一点没有来往."船长回答，“阿龙纳斯先生，这支雪前，您抽抽看，这虽然不是从哈瓦那来的，但如果您是行家，您一定会满意的。”
我接过他给我的雪茄烟，形状有点像哈瓦那制的伦敦式雪茄，烟叶也似乎是上等的金色烟叶. 我在一根漂亮的铜托子上的小火盆上把烟点起来。爱吸烟的人两天来不抽烟，一拿起烟来，就觉浑身愉快，我尽情地吸了几口。我说：
“好极了，但不是烟草。”
“对，”船长回答，“这种烟草不是从哈瓦那来的，也不是从东方来的。这是海里供给我的一种富有烟精的海藻，这种海藻的数量并不多。先生，您抽不到哈瓦那制的雪前烟不觉得遗憾吗？”
“船长，从今天起我就看不起那些烟了。”
“那您就随便抽吧！用不着讨论这些烟的来历了。它们没有受过任何烟草管理局的检查，但我想质量也并不见得就差些。”
“正相反，很好。”
这时候，尼摩船长打开一扇门，这门跟我进入图书室的闩相对，我走进了宽敞华丽的客厅。
这客厅是一个长方形的大房间，长十米，宽六米，高五米，夭花板饰有淡淡的图案花纹，装在天花板上的灯球射出明亮柔和的光线，照耀着陈列在这博物馆中的奇珍异宝。因为这客厅实际上是一所博物馆，一只智慧的妙手把自然界和艺术上的一切珍奇都聚在这里，使它带着一个画家工作室所特有的那种富有艺术性的凌乱。
四周的墙壁悬挂着图案壁毯，壁毯上点缀着三十来幅名画，画框子都是一式一样的，每幅画之间隔以闪闪发亮的武器饰物。我看见其中有不少名贵的作品，大部分我在欧洲私人的收藏馆中，或在图画展览会上曾经欣赏过。历代各家大师的作品挂在这里的有：拉斐尔①的一幅圣母，达，芬奇③的一幅圣女，戈列治③的一幅少女，狄提恩④的一幅妇人，维郎尼斯⑤的一幅膜拜图，缨利罗⑤的一幅圣母升天图，贺尔拜因①的一幅肖像，委拉斯开兹③的一幅修士，里贝拉②的一幅殉教者，鲁本斯③的一幅节日欢宴图，狄尼埃②父子的两幅佛兰德风景，居拉都。、米苏。、包台尔派的三幅“世态画”，叶利哥②和普吕东⑤的两幅油画巴久生＠和魏宜＠的几幅海景图。在近代的作品中，有签署德拉克洛瓦①、安格尔③，德甘③、杜罗扬④、梅索尼”埃⑤、，多宾宜③等名字的油画、还有一些模仿古代最美典型的缩小铜像和石像，摆在这所华美博物馆角落的座架上。诺第留斯号船长所预言的那种惊奇的情况已经开始控制我、的心灵了。
“教授，”这个古怪人说，“请您原谅我这样毫不客气地在这里接待您，请您原谅这所客厅乱七八糟的没有秩序."
“船长，我并不想知道您是什么人，但我现在可以猜测您是一位艺术家吧？”
“先生，我至多不过是一个业余爱好者。我从前喜欢收藏人类双手创造出来的这些最美的作品。我当时是一个热烈的接触，一个不倦的追求家，因此收集了一些价值很高的美术品。这些东西是已经死亡的陆地——对我来说——所留下的最后纪念品了。在我看来，你们的那些近代的美术家也已经是古代的了，他们都已经有两三千年了，所以在我心中，也不把他们分为古代的和现代的。名家大师是没有时代的呀。”
“这些音乐家又怎样呢？”我指着韦伯、罗西尼③、莫扎特③、贝多芬②、海顿③、梅衣比尔。、海罗尔⑤、瓦格：纳⑤、奥比、古诺③以及其他许多人的乐谱说，这些乐谱杂乱地放在一座大型钢琴上面，钢琴占着客厅的一方格的地位。
尼摩船长回答我：“这些音乐家是俄尔甫斯＠的同时代人，因为在死者的记忆中，年代的差别消灭了——教授，我跟您的长眠在地下六英尺深的朋友们一样，我本来是死了！”
尼摩船长默不作声，他好像掉在深沉的幻想中。我激动地看着他，默默地分析他脸上的表情。他胳膊时靠在一张嵌花的桌子上，他一点也不看着我，似乎忘记了我在他面前。
我不敢打乱他的默想，我继续观看厅里的那些珍品。
除了艺术作品以外，自然界罕见的产品也占很重要的地位。这些东西主要是植物、贝壳，以及海中的其他产品，大约都是尼摩船长个人的发现。在大厅中间，有一个喷泉。水受电光的照耀，重又落在单由一片大贝壳制成的环形水池中。这个最大的无头软体类动物的贝壳，从它镶有精细花纹的边缘上量，周边约有六米长；这贝壳比威尼斯共和国送给佛朗索瓦一世①的那些美丽贝壳还要大得多，巴黎圣修佩斯教堂曾用这种贝壳做了两个巨大的圣水池。
在这环形水池周围，红铜架子的玻璃柜中，最珍贵的海产物品都分了类，并贴着标签，这些都是一个生物学家很难得看见的东西。作为教授的我所感到的喜悦，是谁都不难想象到的。
植虫动物门的两类，腔肠类和棘皮类，在柜中有根奇异的品种。在腔肠类中，有管状珊瑚，扇形矾花，叙利亚的柔软侮绵，摩鹿加群岛的海木贼，磷光珊瑚，挪威海中很好看的逗点珊瑚，各式各样的伞形珊瑚，八枚珊瑚虫，我的老师密尔•爱德华很清楚地分为许多种的整组的石蚕（这里面，我看见有很美丽的扇形石蚕）：波旁岛的眼形珊瑚，安的列斯群岛的“海神之车”，各种各样的美丽珊瑚，以及所有一切稀奇古怪的腔肠类动物；这些动物集合起来，能构成整个的海岛，这些岛将来有一天会结合成为大陆。在外表多刺的棘皮类中，有海盘车、海星球、五角星、慧星球、流盘星、海渭、海参等，作为这一类动物的整套标本摆在这里。
一位神经稍微锐敏一点的贝壳类专家，到了另一些陈列软体类动物标本的玻璃柜面前，一定要高兴得发昏了。我这里看见的这一套标本，简直是无价之宝，时间不允许我一一加以描写。在这些珍品中，我仅仅为了备忘起见举出数种：首先是美丽的印度洋的王槌贝，贝身上的规律白点衬着红棕色的底子，鲜明突出。其次，棘皮王风，颜色鲜艳，全身长着棘刺，是欧洲博物馆中罕有的品种）我估计它的价值为两万法郎。其次，新荷兰岛海中的普通糙贝，这种贝很不容易捕获。其次，塞内加尔岛的奇异唇贝，这贝的两片脆酥白壳好像是肥皂泡，一吹就要消散似的。其次，几种爪哇伪喷水壶形贝，这种贝像是边缘有叶状皱纹的石灰质的管子，最为爱好贝壳的人所欢迎。其次，整整一组的洼贝，有些是青黄色，从美洲海中打来的, 另一些是棕储色，是新荷兰岛海中繁殖的，后一种产自墨西哥湾，壳作鳞次柿比形, 最为突出，前一种是从南冰洋中采取的星状贝。这组中最稀罕的、最好看的是新西兰的马刺形贝。又其次，好看的带硫磺质的版形贝，珍贵的西德列和维纳斯优美贝，上阑格巴沿海的格子花盘贝，螺钿光辉的细纹蹄贝，中国海的绿色帆贝，锥形贝类中差不多没人知道的圆锥贝，印度和非洲作为货币使用的各种各类的磁贝，东印度群岛最珍贵的贝壳——“海的光荣’’。最后是纽丝螺、燕子螺、金字塔形螺、海介蛤、卵形贝、螺旋贝、僧帽贝、铁盔贝、朱红贝、油螺、竖琴螺、岩石螺、法螺、化石螺、纺锤螺、袖形贝、带翼贝、笠形贝、硝子贝、棱形贝，这些精美脆酥的烷贝，科学家把最美丽的名词作为它们的名字。
另外，在特殊的格子中，摆着最美丽的串珠，被电光照得发出星星的火花，其中有从红海的尖角螺中取出来的玫瑰红色珠，有蝶形海耳螺的青色珠，有黄色珠，蓝色珠，黑色珠，以及各海洋中各种软体动物，北方海中蚌蛤类的新奇产品。最后是价值不可估计的宝珠，那是从最稀罕的珍珠贝中取出来的。其中有的比鸽蛋大，它们的价值要超过旅行家达成尼埃①卖给波斯国王得价三百万的那颗珍珠，就是和我认为世界上独一无二的、马斯加提②教长的另一颗珍珠比较起来，它们还是贵重得多。
所以，要估计出这全部物品的价值，可以说是不可能的。尼摩船长一定花了数百万金钱来购买这些珍宝，我心里想，他从哪里弄来这笔款子，来满足他收藏家的欲望呢，我正想的时候，被下面的诺打断了：
“教授，您在看我的贝壳吗？当然，这些贝壳会使一位生物学家发生浓厚的兴趣：但在我来说，却另有一种乐趣，就是因为这些东西是我自己亲手！次集起来的，地球上没有一处海能躲过我的搜寻。”
“我了解，船长，我了解您在这样稀世宝藏当中走动的时候所感到的喜悦。您是亲手把自己的财宝收集起来的人。欧洲没有一所博物馆能有您这样的关于海洋产物的珍贵收藏。我对于这些收藏固然尽情赞美，可是，对于装载它的这只船，我不知道更要怎样来赞美呢！我并不想完全知道您的秘密！不过，我得承认，这艘诺第留斯号，它内部的动力，使它行动的机器，赋予它生命的强大原动力，所有这一切，都引起我的最大好奇心。我看见在这个客厅的墙壁上挂着许多仪器，它们的用处我完全不懂得，我是不是可以知道呢？……”
“阿龙纳斯先生，”尼摩船长回答我，“我跟您说过了，您在我船上是自由的，因此，诺第留斯号的任何一部分您都可以去看。所以，您可以详细参观它，我很高兴，能作您的向导。”
“我不知道怎么感谢您才好，先生，但我不能妄用您的美意，随便乱问，我单单想问那些物理仪器是作什么用的。……”
“教授，这样的一些仪器，我的房子里也有，到我房中的时候，我一定给您讲解它们的用处.现在请先去参观一下给您留下的舱房。 您应该知道您在诺第留斯号船上住得怎么样。”
我跟在尼摩船长后面，从容厅的一个门穿出，又回到过值中。他领我向船前头走去，我在那里看到的，不仅仅是一个舱房，并且是有床、有梳洗台和各种家具的一个漂亮的房间。
我不能不十分感谢我的主人。
“您的房间紧挨着我的房间，”他一边打开门，一边对我说，“我的房间跟我们刚离开的客厅相通。”
我走进船长的房间里。房间内部朴实整齐，有点像隐士住的，房中有一张铁床，一张办公台和一些梳洗用具。淡淡的灯光照着内部。里面没有什么讲究的东西。只有一些必需品。
尼摩船长指着一把椅子，对我说：
“请坐。”
我坐下，他对我说了下面的一些话。
Part 1 Chapter 12
"SIR," CAPTAIN NEMO SAID, showing me the instruments hanging on the walls of his stateroom,
"these are the devices needed to navigate the Nautilus. Here, as in the lounge, I always have them before my eyes, and they indicate my position and exact heading in the midst of the ocean. You're familiar with some of them, such as the thermometer, which gives the temperature inside the Nautilus; the barometer, which measures the heaviness of the outside air and forecasts changes in the weather; the humidistat, which indicates the degree of dryness in the atmosphere; the storm glass, whose mixture decomposes to foretell the arrival of tempests; the compass, which steers my course; the sextant, which takes the sun's altitude and tells me my latitude; chronometers, which allow me to calculate my longitude; and finally, spyglasses for both day and night, enabling me to scrutinize every point of the horizon once the Nautilus has risen to the surface of the waves."
"These are the normal navigational instruments," I replied, "and I'm familiar with their uses. But no doubt these others answer pressing needs unique to the Nautilus. That dial I see there, with the needle moving across it--isn't it a pressure gauge?"
"It is indeed a pressure gauge. It's placed in contact with the water, and it indicates the outside pressure on our hull, which in turn gives me the depth at which my submersible is sitting."
"And these are some new breed of sounding line?"
"They're thermometric sounding lines that report water temperatures in the different strata."
"And these other instruments, whose functions I can't even guess?"
"Here, professor, I need to give you some background information," Captain Nemo said. "So kindly hear me out."
He fell silent for some moments, then he said:
"There's a powerful, obedient, swift, and effortless force that can be bent to any use and which reigns supreme aboard my vessel. It does everything. It lights me, it warms me, it's the soul of my mechanical equipment. This force is electricity."
"Electricity!" I exclaimed in some surprise.
"Yes, sir."
"But, captain, you have a tremendous speed of movement that doesn't square with the strength of electricity. Until now, its dynamic potential has remained quite limited, capable of producing only small amounts of power!"
"Professor," Captain Nemo replied, "my electricity isn't the run-of-the-mill variety, and with your permission, I'll leave it at that."
"I won't insist, sir, and I'll rest content with simply being flabbergasted at your results. I would ask one question, however, which you needn't answer if it's indiscreet. The electric cells you use to generate this marvelous force must be depleted very quickly. Their zinc component, for example: how do you replace it, since you no longer stay in contact with the shore?"
"That question deserves an answer," Captain Nemo replied. "First off, I'll mention that at the bottom of the sea there exist veins of zinc, iron, silver, and gold whose mining would quite certainly be feasible. But I've tapped none of these land-based metals, and I wanted to make demands only on the sea itself for the sources of my electricity."
"The sea itself?"
"Yes, professor, and there was no shortage of such sources. In fact, by establishing a circuit between two wires immersed to different depths, I'd be able to obtain electricity through the diverging temperatures they experience; but I preferred to use a more practical procedure."
"And that is?"
"You're familiar with the composition of salt water. In 1,000 grams one finds 96.5% water and about 2.66% sodium chloride; then small quantities of magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium bromide, sulfate of magnesia, calcium sulfate, and calcium carbonate. Hence you observe that sodium chloride is encountered there in significant proportions. Now then, it's this sodium that I extract from salt water and with which I compose my electric cells."
"Sodium?"
"Yes, sir. Mixed with mercury, it forms an amalgam that takes the place of zinc in Bunsen cells. The mercury is never depleted. Only the sodium is consumed, and the sea itself gives me that. Beyond this, I'll mention that sodium batteries have been found to generate the greater energy, and their electro-motor strength is twice that of zinc batteries."
"Captain, I fully understand the excellence of sodium under the conditions in which you're placed. The sea contains it. Fine. But it still has to be produced, in short, extracted. And how do you accomplish this? Obviously your batteries could do the extracting; but if I'm not mistaken, the consumption of sodium needed by your electric equipment would be greater than the quantity you'd extract. It would come about, then, that in the process of producing your sodium, you'd use up more than you'd make!"
"Accordingly, professor, I don't extract it with batteries; quite simply, I utilize the heat of coal from the earth."
"From the earth?" I said, my voice going up on the word.
"We'll say coal from the seafloor, if you prefer," Captain Nemo replied.
"And you can mine these veins of underwater coal?"
"You'll watch me work them, Professor Aronnax. I ask only a little patience of you, since you'll have ample time to be patient. Just remember one thing: I owe everything to the ocean; it generates electricity, and electricity gives the Nautilus heat, light, motion, and, in a word, life itself."
"But not the air you breathe?"
"Oh, I could produce the air needed on board, but it would be pointless, since I can rise to the surface of the sea whenever I like. However, even though electricity doesn't supply me with breathable air, it at least operates the powerful pumps that store it under pressure in special tanks; which, if need be, allows me to extend my stay in the lower strata for as long as I want."
"Captain," I replied, "I'll rest content with marveling. You've obviously found what all mankind will surely find one day, the true dynamic power of electricity."
"I'm not so certain they'll find it," Captain Nemo replied icily. "But be that as it may, you're already familiar with the first use I've found for this valuable force. It lights us, and with a uniformity and continuity not even possessed by sunlight. Now, look at that clock: it's electric, it runs with an accuracy rivaling the finest chronometers. I've had it divided into twenty-four hours like Italian clocks, since neither day nor night, sun nor moon, exist for me, but only this artificial light that I import into the depths of the seas! See, right now it's ten o'clock in the morning."
"That's perfect."
"Another use for electricity: that dial hanging before our eyes indicates how fast the Nautilus is going. An electric wire puts it in contact with the patent log; this needle shows me the actual speed of my submersible. And . . . hold on . . . just now we're proceeding at the moderate pace of fifteen miles per hour."
"It's marvelous," I replied, "and I truly see, captain, how right you are to use this force; it's sure to take the place of wind, water, and steam."
"But that's not all, Professor Aronnax," Captain Nemo said, standing up. "And if you'd care to follow me, we'll inspect the Nautilus's stern."
In essence, I was already familiar with the whole forward part of this underwater boat, and here are its exact subdivisions going from amidships to its spur: the dining room, 5 meters long and separated from the library by a watertight bulkhead, in other words, it couldn't be penetrated by the sea; the library, 5 meters long; the main lounge, 10 meters long, separated from the captain's stateroom by a second watertight bulkhead; the aforesaid stateroom, 5 meters long; mine, 2.5 meters long; and finally, air tanks 7.5 meters long and extending to the stempost. Total: a length of 35 meters. Doors were cut into the watertight bulkheads and were shut hermetically by means of india-rubber seals, which insured complete safety aboard the Nautilus in the event of a leak in any one section.
I followed Captain Nemo down gangways located for easy transit, and I arrived amidships. There I found a sort of shaft heading upward between two watertight bulkheads. An iron ladder, clamped to the wall, led to the shaft's upper end. I asked the captain what this ladder was for.
"It goes to the skiff," he replied.
"What! You have a skiff?" I replied in some astonishment.
"Surely. An excellent longboat, light and unsinkable, which is used for excursions and fishing trips."
"But when you want to set out, don't you have to return to the surface of the sea?"
"By no means. The skiff is attached to the topside of the Nautilus's hull and is set in a cavity expressly designed to receive it. It's completely decked over, absolutely watertight, and held solidly in place by bolts. This ladder leads to a manhole cut into the Nautilus's hull and corresponding to a comparable hole cut into the side of the skiff. I insert myself through this double opening into the longboat. My crew close up the hole belonging to the Nautilus; I close up the one belonging to the skiff, simply by screwing it into place. I undo the bolts holding the skiff to the submersible, and the longboat rises with prodigious speed to the surface of the sea. I then open the deck paneling, carefully closed until that point; I up mast and hoist sail--or I take out my oars--and I go for a spin."
"But how do you return to the ship?"
"I don't, Professor Aronnax; the Nautilus returns to me."
"At your command?"
"At my command. An electric wire connects me to the ship. I fire off a telegram, and that's that."
"Right," I said, tipsy from all these wonders, "nothing to it!"
After passing the well of the companionway that led to the platform, I saw a cabin 2 meters long in which Conseil and Ned Land, enraptured with their meal, were busy devouring it to the last crumb. Then a door opened into the galley, 3 meters long and located between the vessel's huge storage lockers.
There, even more powerful and obedient than gas, electricity did most of the cooking. Arriving under the stoves, wires transmitted to platinum griddles a heat that was distributed and sustained with perfect consistency. It also heated a distilling mechanism that, via evaporation, supplied excellent drinking water. Next to this galley was a bathroom, conveniently laid out, with faucets supplying hot or cold water at will.
After the galley came the crew's quarters, 5 meters long. But the door was closed and I couldn't see its accommodations, which might have told me the number of men it took to operate the Nautilus.
At the far end stood a fourth watertight bulkhead, separating the crew's quarters from the engine room. A door opened, and I stood in the compartment where Captain Nemo, indisputably a world-class engineer, had set up his locomotive equipment.
Brightly lit, the engine room measured at least 20 meters in length. It was divided, by function, into two parts: the first contained the cells for generating electricity, the second that mechanism transmitting movement to the propeller.
Right off, I detected an odor permeating the compartment that was sui generis.* Captain Nemo noticed the negative impression it made on me.
*Latin: "in a class by itself." Ed.
"That," he told me, "is a gaseous discharge caused by our use of sodium, but it's only a mild inconvenience. In any event, every morning we sanitize the ship by ventilating it in the open air."
Meanwhile I examined the Nautilus's engine with a fascination easy to imagine.
"You observe," Captain Nemo told me, "that I use Bunsen cells, not Ruhmkorff cells. The latter would be ineffectual. One uses fewer Bunsen cells, but they're big and strong, and experience has proven their superiority. The electricity generated here makes its way to the stern, where electromagnets of huge size activate a special system of levers and gears that transmit movement to the propeller's shaft. The latter has a diameter of 6 meters, a pitch of 7.5 meters, and can do up to 120 revolutions per minute."
"And that gives you?"
"A speed of fifty miles per hour."
There lay a mystery, but I didn't insist on exploring it. How could electricity work with such power? Where did this nearly unlimited energy originate? Was it in the extraordinary voltage obtained from some new kind of induction coil? Could its transmission have been immeasurably increased by some unknown system of levers?** This was the point I couldn't grasp.
**Author's Note: And sure enough, there's now talk of such a discovery, in which a new set of levers generates considerable power. Did its inventor meet up with Captain Nemo?
"Captain Nemo," I said, "I'll vouch for the results and not try to explain them. I've seen the Nautilus at work out in front of the Abraham Lincoln, and I know where I stand on its speed. But it isn't enough just to move, we have to see where we're going! We must be able to steer right or left, up or down! How do you reach the lower depths, where you meet an increasing resistance that's assessed in hundreds of atmospheres? How do you rise back to the surface of the ocean? Finally, how do you keep your ship at whatever level suits you? Am I indiscreet in asking you all these things?"
"Not at all, professor," the captain answered me after a slight hesitation, "since you'll never leave this underwater boat. Come into the lounge. It's actually our work room, and there you'll learn the full story about the Nautilus!"
“先生，”尼摩船长指着挂在他房中墙壁上的仪表说，‘这些就是诺第留斯号航行所必需的仪表。在这里跟在客厅里一样，我总是注意着它们，这些仪表给我指出我在海洋中间的实际位置和准确方向。其中有些仪表您是知道的，例如温度表，指出诺第留斯号内的温度，风雨表，测出空气的重量和预告天气的变化，温度表，指示空气干温度数；暴风镜，一当镜中的混合物分解时，便预告暴风雨就将来到；罗盘，指引我的航路；六分仪，测太阳的高低，使我知道船所在的纬度，经线仪，使我可以算出船的经度；最后是日间用的望远镜和夜间用的望远镜，当诺第留斯号浮上水面时，我可以侦察天际四周。”
“这些是航海家常用的仪器，”我答，“我知道它们的用法。但这里还有其它的仪器，一定是作为诺第留斯号特殊需要而用的。我现在看见的这个表盘，上面有能转动的针，那不是流体压力计吗？”
“正是流体压力计。它是跟海水相通的，可以指出外面海水的压力，因此，我便知道我这船所在的深度。”“那些新式的测验器又是做什么用的呢？”
“那些是温度测验器，给我报告海底下面各水层的温度。”“还有那些我猜不到用处的仪器呢？”
“教授，谈到这里，我就应当给您说明一下，”尼摩船长说，“请您听我说吧."
他静默了一会，然后说：
“这里有一种强大的顺手的迅速的方便的原动力，它可以有各种用处，船上一切依靠它。所有一切都由它造出来。它给我光，它给我热，它是我船上机械的灵魂。这原动力就是电。”
“电！”我惊异得叫起来。
“是的，先生。”
“但是，船长，您这只船移动的速度这么快，这跟电的力量不太符合。到目前为止，电力还是很有限的，只能产生相当有限的力量！”
“教授，”尼摩船长回答，“我的电不是一般的电，这就是我可以对您说的一句话。”
“先生，我不想再追问，我只是对于这样一种效果感到十分奇怪。不过有一个问题我要提出来，如果是不应该问的，那您可以不答复。您用来生产这种出奇原动力的物质当然是很快就要用完的。例如锌，既然您跟地上没有什么联系，用完了，您怎样补充呢?"
“您这个问题可以得到答复。”尼摩船长回答，“首先，我对您说，海底有锌、铁、银、金等矿藏，开发并不是不可能的事。但我并不借助于陆地上的这些金属，我只是要大海本身来供给我生产电力的原料。，
“要海来供给？”
“是的，教授，我的方怯多着呢。譬如我可以把沉在不同深度下的金属线连结成电路，金属线受到的不同热度就产生电：但我通常采用的，是另一种比较方便而实用的方法。”
“是哪种方法呢？”
“海水的成份您是知道的。一千克的海水有百分之九十六点五是水，百分之二点七左右是氯化钠，其余就是小量的氯化镁，氯化钾，澳化镁，硫酸镁，硫酸和石炭酸。由此您可以看出，氯化钠在海水中含有相当大的分量。而我从海水中提出来的就是钠，我就是用这些钠制造我所需要的物质。”
“钠吗？”
“是的，先生。钠跟汞混合，成为一种合金，代替本生①电池中所需要的锌。汞是不会损失的，只有钠才要消耗，但海水本身供给我所需要的钠。此外我还可以告诉您，钠电池应当是最强的，它的电动力比锌电池要强好几倍。”
“船长， 我很明白您在这种情形中获得钠的优越性。海水中含有钠6对。不过还要把它制出来，就是说，要把它提出来。您是怎样做的呢？当然您的电池可以做这种工作，不过，如果我没有说错，电动机器消耗的钠的数量，恐怕要超过提出来的钠的数量。那么结果您为生产而消费的钠。实际上比您所能生产的钠数量要多！”
“教授，我并不用电池提取，我简单地用陆地上煤炭的热力就是了。，
“陆地上的？”我着重地说。
“就说是海底的煤炭吧。”尼摩船长回答。
“您可以在海底开采煤旷吗？”
“阿龙纳斯先生，您将会看到我开采。我只请您忍耐些时候，因为您有时间，可以等待一下。我单单请您注意这点：我什么都是取自海洋, 利用海洋发电，供给诺第留斯号热、光、动力，简单一句话。电给诺第留斯号生命。”
“但电不能供给您呼吸的空气吧？”
“呵！我也可以制造空气供我消费，但没有什么必要，因为我高兴时，我可以随便浮到海面上来。但是，电虽不供给我可以呼吸的空气，它可以发动强大的抽气机，把空气送人特殊的密封室，这样，我可以根据需要停留在海底深处，时间要多久就多久."
“船长，”我回答，“我只有佩服，您显然是找到了人类将来可能找到的东西，那就是真正的电的力量。”
“我不知道他们是不是总有一无能够找到，”尼摩船长冷淡地回答，“不管怎样，您已经看到了我用这种宝贵的原动力所做的第一次实际应用. 就是它，有太阳光所没有的平均性、连续性，给我们照亮。现在，您请看这座钟，它是用电转动的，走得十分准确，可跟最完善、最准确的钟表比赛。我把它分为二十四小时，像意大利制的钟一样；因为在我来说，既没有白天和黑夜，也没有太阳和月亮，只有我能一直把它带到海底去的这种人造光！您看，现在是早晨十点。”
“对。”
“下面是电的另一种用途。挂在我们面前的这个表盘，是用来指示诺第留斯号的速度的。一根电线把它跟测程器的螺旋桨连接起来，它上面的长针给我指出船行的实际快慢。请看，此刻我们是以每小时十五海里的中等速度行驶着。”。“真了不得。”我答，“船长，我很明白您使用这种原动力的理由，因为这原动力是可以替代风、水和蒸汽。、
“阿龙纳斯先生，我们的活还没有完呢，”尼摩船长站起来说，“请您跟着我来，我们去看看诺第留斯号的后部。”
我现在已经看完了这只潜水艇前头的整个部分，从船中心到船前头，前半部的正确区分如下：长五米的餐厅，一扇隔板，即不能让水渗人的隔板，把它跟图书室隔开；长五举的图书室，长十米的大客厅，第二扇隔板把它跟船长的房间隔开；长五米的船长室；长两米半的我的房间；最后是长六米半的储藏空气的密室，它紧贴着船头。前半部全长是三十五米。防水隔板都开有门，橡胶闭塞器把门关得紧紧的，即使有个把漏洞，也可以保证诺第留斯号的安全。、我跟着尼摩船长，穿过船边的狭窄过道，到了船的中心。在船中心两扇隔板之间有井一般的开口。顺着内壁有一架铁梯子一直通到这口井的上部。我问船长这梯子作什么用。
“它通到小艇。”他回答。
“什么！您还有一只小艇吗？”我有些惊异地说。
“当然喽。一只很好的小艇，轻快，又不怕沉没，可洪游览和钓鱼之用。”
“那么您想登上小艇的时候，您必定要浮到水面上去：吗
“并不需要。这小艇系在诺第留斯号船身的上部，放在一个特别用来藏它的凹洞里。小艇全部装有甲板，完全不透水，用结实的螺丝铰钉钉着。铁梯通到诺第留斯号船身上的一个单人小孔，这孔紧接着小艇身上的一个大小相同的孔。我就由这两个孔到小艇上去。一个人用压力螺钉，关上了诺第留斯号的孔门，同时我就关上了小艇的孔门；我松开铰钉，小艇就以很快的速度浮上水面。我于是就打开本来是紧闭着的盖板，竖起桅杆，扯开凤帆或划起桨来，我就在水上漫游了。
“但您怎样回到大船上呢？”
“阿龙纳斯先生，不是我回去，而是诺第留斯号回到我1身边来。”
“它听您的吩咐？”
“它听我的吩咐。一根电线把我跟它连系在一起。我只要打个电报就行了。”
“的确，”我说，我被这些奇迹陶醉了，“没有比这更方便的了！”
我走过了通到平台的梯笼间，看见一间长二米的舱房，康塞尔和尼德。兰两人正在那里狼吞虎咽，很快活地吃他们的饭。随后，又有一道门通到长三米的厨房，厨房是在宽大的食品储藏室中间。
在厨房里，一切烹任工作都利用电气，电气比煤气更有效更方便。电线接到炉子下面，把热力传给白金片，热力分配到各处，保持一定的、规律的温度。电又烧热蒸馏器，由。子汽化作用，可以供给人清洁的饮水。挨着厨房，有一个浴室，布置得很舒适，室内的水龙头可以随人的意思供应冷水或热水。
连着厨房的便是船员的工作室，长五米。房门关着，我看不见内部的布置，但是我似乎觉得它是根据驾驶诺第留斯号需要的人数来决定的.
里面，第四道防水板把这个工作室和机器间隔开。门打开了，我走进了一间房子，里面尼摩船长（他无疑是第一流的工程师）装置着各种驾驶船的机器。
这个机器间，照得通明，有二十多米长。内部很自然地分成两部分：第一部分放着生产电力的原料，第二部分装着转动螺旋桨的机器。
我一进去，由于满屋子有一种说不出是什么的气味，感到不习惯。尼摩船长看出我的神情，他说：
这是钠分解出来的气体；就这一点美中不足。我们每天早晨总要把船露出水面通一次凤，清除这种气体。”
这时我以极大的兴趣研究着诺第留斯号的机器设备。“您看，”尼摩船长对我说，“我用的是本生电池的装置，不是兰可夫①电池的装置，后一种电力不强。本生电池的装置虽然简单，但电力很强，经验证明，确实如此。产生出来的电传到后面，使面积很大的电磁铁对杠杆和轮齿组成的特殊机构所起的作用，转动推进器的轮轴，全船于是就走动了。推进器的直径是六米，涡轮的直径是七米半，每秒钟可转一百二十转。，
“那您可以达到的最大速度是多少呢?"
“可以有一小时五十海里的高速度。•
其中有一个秘密，但我并不坚持要知道。电怎能发生这么强大的力量呢？这种差不多无限制的力量是从哪里得来的呢？这是从一种新型的变压器所造成的高电压中得来的吗？还是从一种秘密的杠杆机构可以无限制的增强①的转动中得来的呢？这是我不能理解的问题。
“尼摩船长,"我说，“我看到摆在面前的事实，我不想求得这些事实的说明。我看见了诺第留斯号在林肯号前面行驶的力量，我就知道它的速度了。但只能使它走动是不够的〕我们还要能看见它向哪里走去！我们还要能指挥它向左、向右、向上、向下！您怎样能使它潜人最深的海底，因为水下面的阻力在不断增长，计算起来是有几千几万的大气压呢？您怎样又能使它上升到海面来呢？最后，您又怎样能使它维持在您认为合适的深度里面呢？我问您这些问题是不是太冒昧了?"
“并不冒昧，教授，”他略为迟疑了一下回答我，“因为您是不能离开我这只潜水艇的了。 请你进客厅来。客厅是我们 的真正工作室，在客厅里，您可以知道您对于诺第留斯号应该知道的一切！”
Part 1 Chapter 13
A MOMENT LATER we were seated on a couch in the lounge, cigars between our lips. The
captain placed before my eyes a working drawing that gave the ground plan, cross section, and side view of the Nautilus. Then he began his description as follows:
"Here, Professor Aronnax, are the different dimensions of this boat now transporting you. It's a very long cylinder with conical ends. It noticeably takes the shape of a cigar, a shape already adopted in London for several projects of the same kind. The length of this cylinder from end to end is exactly seventy meters, and its maximum breadth of beam is eight meters. So it isn't quite built on the ten-to-one ratio of your high-speed steamers; but its lines are sufficiently long, and their tapering gradual enough, so that the displaced water easily slips past and poses no obstacle to the ship's movements.
"These two dimensions allow you to obtain, via a simple calculation, the surface area and volume of the Nautilus. Its surface area totals 1,011.45 square meters, its volume 1,507.2 cubic meters-- which is tantamount to saying that when it's completely submerged, it displaces 1,500 cubic meters of water, or weighs 1,500 metric tons.
"In drawing up plans for a ship meant to navigate underwater, I wanted it, when floating on the waves, to lie nine-tenths below the surface and to emerge only one-tenth. Consequently, under these conditions it needed to displace only nine-tenths of its volume, hence 1,356.48 cubic meters; in other words, it was to weigh only that same number of metric tons. So I was obliged not to exceed this weight while building it to the aforesaid dimensions.
"The Nautilus is made up of two hulls, one inside the other; between them, joining them together, are iron T-bars that give this ship the utmost rigidity. In fact, thanks to this cellular arrangement, it has the resistance of a stone block, as if it were completely solid. Its plating can't give way; it's self-adhering and not dependent on the tightness of its rivets; and due to the perfect union of its materials, the solidarity of its construction allows it to defy the most violent seas.
"The two hulls are manufactured from boilerplate steel, whose relative density is 7.8 times that of water. The first hull has a thickness of no less than five centimeters and weighs 394.96 metric tons. My second hull, the outer cover, includes a keel fifty centimeters high by twenty-five wide, which by itself weighs 62 metric tons; this hull, the engine, the ballast, the various accessories and accommodations, plus the bulkheads and interior braces, have a combined weight of 961.52 metric tons, which when added to 394.96 metric tons, gives us the desired total of 1,356.48 metric tons. Clear?"
"Clear," I replied.
"So," the captain went on, "when the Nautilus lies on the waves under these conditions, one-tenth of it does emerge above water. Now then, if I provide some ballast tanks equal in capacity to that one-tenth, hence able to hold 150.72 metric tons, and if I fill them with water, the boat then displaces 1,507.2 metric tons-- or it weighs that much--and it would be completely submerged. That's what comes about, professor. These ballast tanks exist within easy access in the lower reaches of the Nautilus. I open some stopcocks, the tanks fill, the boat sinks, and it's exactly flush with the surface of the water."
"Fine, captain, but now we come to a genuine difficulty. You're able to lie flush with the surface of the ocean, that I understand. But lower down, while diving beneath that surface, isn't your submersible going to encounter a pressure, and consequently undergo an upward thrust, that must be assessed at one atmosphere per every thirty feet of water, hence at about one kilogram per each square centimeter?"
"Precisely, sir."
"Then unless you fill up the whole Nautilus, I don't see how you can force it down into the heart of these liquid masses."
"Professor," Captain Nemo replied, "static objects mustn't be confused with dynamic ones, or we'll be open to serious error. Comparatively little effort is spent in reaching the ocean's lower regions, because all objects have a tendency to become 'sinkers.' Follow my logic here."
"I'm all ears, captain."
"When I wanted to determine what increase in weight the Nautilus needed to be given in order to submerge, I had only to take note of the proportionate reduction in volume that salt water experiences in deeper and deeper strata."
"That's obvious," I replied.
"Now then, if water isn't absolutely incompressible, at least it compresses very little. In fact, according to the most recent calculations, this reduction is only .0000436 per atmosphere, or per every thirty feet of depth. For instance, to go 1,000 meters down, I must take into account the reduction in volume that occurs under a pressure equivalent to that from a 1,000-meter column of water, in other words, under a pressure of 100 atmospheres. In this instance the reduction would be .00436. Consequently, I'd have to increase my weight from 1,507.2 metric tons to 1,513.77. So the added weight would only be 6.57 metric tons."
"That's all?"
"That's all, Professor Aronnax, and the calculation is easy to check. Now then, I have supplementary ballast tanks capable of shipping 100 metric tons of water. So I can descend to considerable depths. When I want to rise again and lie flush with the surface, all I have to do is expel that water; and if I desire that the Nautilus emerge above the waves to one-tenth of its total capacity, I empty all the ballast tanks completely."
This logic, backed up by figures, left me without a single objection.
"I accept your calculations, captain," I replied, "and I'd be ill-mannered to dispute them, since your daily experience bears them out. But at this juncture, I have a hunch that we're still left with one real difficulty."
"What's that, sir?"
"When you're at a depth of 1,000 meters, the Nautilus's plating bears a pressure of 100 atmospheres. If at this point you want to empty the supplementary ballast tanks in order to lighten your boat and rise to the surface, your pumps must overcome that pressure of 100 atmospheres, which is 100 kilograms per each square centimeter. This demands a strength--"
"That electricity alone can give me," Captain Nemo said swiftly. "Sir, I repeat: the dynamic power of my engines is nearly infinite. The Nautilus's pumps have prodigious strength, as you must have noticed when their waterspouts swept like a torrent over the Abraham Lincoln. Besides, I use my supplementary ballast tanks only to reach an average depth of 1,500 to 2,000 meters, and that with a view to conserving my machinery. Accordingly, when I have a mind to visit the ocean depths two or three vertical leagues beneath the surface, I use maneuvers that are more time-consuming but no less infallible."
"What are they, captain?" I asked.
"Here I'm naturally led into telling you how the Nautilus is maneuvered."
"I can't wait to find out."
"In order to steer this boat to port or starboard, in short, to make turns on a horizontal plane, I use an ordinary, wide-bladed rudder that's fastened to the rear of the sternpost and worked by a wheel and tackle. But I can also move the Nautilus upward and downward on a vertical plane by the simple method of slanting its two fins, which are attached to its sides at its center of flotation; these fins are flexible, able to assume any position, and can be operated from inside by means of powerful levers. If these fins stay parallel with the boat, the latter moves horizontally. If they slant, the Nautilus follows the angle of that slant and, under its propeller's thrust, either sinks on a diagonal as steep as it suits me, or rises on that diagonal. And similarly, if I want to return more swiftly to the surface, I throw the propeller in gear, and the water's pressure makes the Nautilus rise vertically, as an air balloon inflated with hydrogen lifts swiftly into the skies."
"Bravo, captain!" I exclaimed. "But in the midst of the waters, how can your helmsman follow the course you've given him?"
"My helmsman is stationed behind the windows of a pilothouse, which protrudes from the topside of the Nautilus's hull and is fitted with biconvex glass."
"Is glass capable of resisting such pressures?"
"Perfectly capable. Though fragile on impact, crystal can still offer considerable resistance. In 1864, during experiments on fishing by electric light in the middle of the North Sea, glass panes less than seven millimeters thick were seen to resist a pressure of sixteen atmospheres, all the while letting through strong, heat-generating rays whose warmth was unevenly distributed. Now then, I use glass windows measuring no less than twenty-one centimeters at their centers; in other words, they've thirty times the thickness."
"Fair enough, captain, but if we're going to see, we need light to drive away the dark, and in the midst of the murky waters, I wonder how your helmsman can--"
"Set astern of the pilothouse is a powerful electric reflector whose rays light up the sea for a distance of half a mile."
"Oh, bravo! Bravo three times over, captain! That explains the phosphorescent glow from this so-called narwhale that so puzzled us scientists! Pertinent to this, I'll ask you if the Nautilus's running afoul of the Scotia, which caused such a great uproar, was the result of an accidental encounter?"
"Entirely accidental, sir. I was navigating two meters beneath the surface of the water when the collision occurred. However, I could see that it had no dire consequences."
"None, sir. But as for your encounter with the Abraham Lincoln . . . ?"
"Professor, that troubled me, because it's one of the best ships in the gallant American navy, but they attacked me and I had to defend myself! All the same, I was content simply to put the frigate in a condition where it could do me no harm; it won't have any difficulty getting repairs at the nearest port."
"Ah, commander," I exclaimed with conviction, "your Nautilus is truly a marvelous boat!"
"Yes, professor," Captain Nemo replied with genuine excitement, "and I love it as if it were my own flesh and blood! Aboard a conventional ship, facing the ocean's perils, danger lurks everywhere; on the surface of the sea, your chief sensation is the constant feeling of an underlying chasm, as the Dutchman Jansen so aptly put it; but below the waves aboard the Nautilus, your heart never fails you! There are no structural deformities to worry about, because the double hull of this boat has the rigidity of iron; no rigging to be worn out by rolling and pitching on the waves; no sails for the wind to carry off; no boilers for steam to burst open; no fires to fear, because this submersible is made of sheet iron not wood; no coal to run out of, since electricity is its mechanical force; no collisions to fear, because it navigates the watery deep all by itself; no storms to brave, because just a few meters beneath the waves, it finds absolute tranquility! There, sir. There's the ideal ship! And if it's true that the engineer has more confidence in a craft than the builder, and the builder more than the captain himself, you can understand the utter abandon with which I place my trust in this Nautilus, since I'm its captain, builder, and engineer all in one!"
Captain Nemo spoke with winning eloquence. The fire in his eyes and the passion in his gestures transfigured him. Yes, he loved his ship the same way a father loves his child!
But one question, perhaps indiscreet, naturally popped up, and I couldn't resist asking it.
"You're an engineer, then, Captain Nemo?"
"Yes, professor," he answered me. "I studied in London, Paris, and New York back in the days when I was a resident of the earth's continents."
"But how were you able to build this wonderful Nautilus in secret?"
"Each part of it, Professor Aronnax, came from a different spot on the globe and reached me at a cover address. Its keel was forged by Creusot in France, its propeller shaft by Pen & Co. in London, the sheet-iron plates for its hull by Laird's in Liverpool, its propeller by Scott's in Glasgow. Its tanks were manufactured by Cail & Co. in Paris, its engine by Krupp in Prussia, its spur by the Motala workshops in Sweden, its precision instruments by Hart Bros. in New York, etc.; and each of these suppliers received my specifications under a different name."
"But," I went on, "once these parts were manufactured, didn't they have to be mounted and adjusted?"
"Professor, I set up my workshops on a deserted islet in midocean. There our Nautilus was completed by me and my workmen, in other words, by my gallant companions whom I've molded and educated. Then, when the operation was over, we burned every trace of our stay on that islet, which if I could have, I'd have blown up."
"From all this, may I assume that such a boat costs a fortune?"
"An iron ship, Professor Aronnax, runs 1,125 francs per metric ton. Now then, the Nautilus has a burden of 1,500 metric tons. Consequently, it cost 1,687,000 francs, hence 2,000,000 francs including its accommodations, and 4,000,000 or 5,000,000 with all the collections and works of art it contains."
"One last question, Captain Nemo."
"Ask, professor."
"You're rich, then?"
"Infinitely rich, sir, and without any trouble, I could pay off the ten-billion-franc French national debt!"
I gaped at the bizarre individual who had just spoken these words. Was he playing on my credulity? Time would tell.
一会儿，我们坐在客厅的一张长沙发上，各人嘴里叼着雪茄。船长把一幅详细的图放在我面前，这图是诺第留斯号的平面图、侧面图和投影图。然后他用下面的话来描述这只船的形状：
“阿龙纳斯先生，下面就是您乘的这只船的形状和容积。船是很长的圆筒形，两端作圆锥状。很明显，它很像一支雪前烟。这种形式，在伦敦有些船的构造早已采用过了。这个圆筒的长度，从头到尾，正好是七十米，它的横柄，最宽、的地方是八米。所以这船的构造跟普通的远航大汽船不是”完全一样的，它的宽是长的十分之一，它从头至尾是够长、砌，两腰包底又相当圆，因此船行驶时积水容易排走，丝毫不会阻碍它的航行。
“拿上面宽长两个数量计算一下，就可以得到诺第留斯号的面积和体积。面积共为一千零十一平方米四十五厘米，体积共为一千五百点二立方米——就是说，船完全沉入水中时，它的徘水量或体重为一千五百立方米或一千五百吨。
“当我绘制这只在水底航行用的船的图样时，我要求它的吃水部分占十分之九，浮出部分只占十分之一，这样它就可以在水中保持平衡。因此，在这些条件下，它的排水量只能为它体积的十分之九，即一千三百五十六立方米四十八厘米，也就是说，船的体重等于这个数目的吨数。所以我制造这船要根据上面的积量，船的全体重量不能超过这个数目。
"诺第留斯号由双层船壳造成， 一层是内壳，另一层是外壳，两壳之间，用许多T字形的蹄铁把它们连接起来， 使船身坚硬无比。是的，由于壳与壳之间有这种细胞式的结构，这船像是一大块实铁，中间饱满无隙，可以抵抗一切。它的边缘不可能松动；船身合而为一，是由于结构本身的力量，不是由于铰钉的扣紧；因为材料配置完全适合，构造整齐划一，它可以在海洋中行驶，不怕最汹涌的风浪。
“这两层船壳是用钢板制造的，钢的密度与海水密度的比例是十比七至八。第一层船壳至少有五厘米厚，重量是三百九十四点九六吨。第二层内壳，就是龙骨，有五十厘米高，二十五厘米宽，只重六十二吨。机器，镇船机，各种附属船具和装置品，内部的各样墙板和木材等等的重量和上面的三百九十四点丸六吨蛆在尸袒，就是总重量一千三百五十六点四八吨中的一部分了。这您明白吗？”
“明白。"我答。
“所以，”船长又说，“在这种条件下，当诺第留斯号在海中时，它浮出海面十分之一。但是，如果我装设了容积等于这十分之一的储水池，容水重量为一百五十点七二吨，如果我让水池装满了水，这时船的排水量或重量是一千五百零七吨，那它就完全潜入水中了。教授，事情原来就是这：样。这些储水池实际是存在的，它们在诺第留斯号的下层。我打开储，水池的门，水池就填满了，刚被水面齐顶淹没的船于是往下沉了。•
“对，船长，可是这里有实际的困难。这样，您可以使船面跟洋面一致，我可以理解。但是，再向下沉，潜入水面以下，您的潜水机器不是碰到一种压力吗？碰到一种由下而上的浮力吗？这种力是以三十英尺高的水柱压力即一个大”气压力为计算标准的，也就是说，每一平方厘米所受的力约为一公斤。”
“对，先生。”
“所以，只有您把诺第留斯号全部装满了水，否则，我不明白您是怎样把船潜到海底下去。”
“教授，”尼摩船长回答，“不应当把静力学和动力学混：淆起来，不然的话，就要发生严重的错误。到达海洋的下层，实际不用费很大的力量，因为凡物体都有下沉到底的倾向。请您听我的推论吧。”
“船长，我静听着您的话。”
“要船潜入水底，就必需增加重量，当我决定增加时，我只须注意海水体积在不同深度中的压缩数量就成了。”
“当然。”我回答。
“可是，水虽不是绝对不可压缩，但至少是很难压缩。是这样，根据最近的计算，每一大气压（即三十英尺高的水柱压力）下，这种压缩数量是一千万分之四百三十六。比方要到一，千米深的水层，我这时要注意的就是海水在一千米：的压力下，即一百大气压的压力下它的体积的压缩数量。这个数量为十万分之四百三十六。所以我这时应增加到的总重量，不是，一千五百零七点二吨，而是一千五百十三点七七吨。因此，增加的重量数是六点五七吨。”
“仅仅这个数目吗？、
“仅仅这个数目，阿龙纳斯先生。并且，很容易用计算来证实。本来我有不少的补充储水池，能容百吨的水量。所以我可以下降至海底很深的地方。当我要上升，跟洋面相齐时，放出这些水就成，当我要诺第留斯号全身十分之一浮出水面时，把全部储水池的水排出去就可以了。”
对于根据数字的这些推理，我当然不能提出反对意见。
“船长，”我回答，“我承认您计算的精确，如果我还要争执，那就显得是无理取闹了，因为经验每天都说明您是对的。但目前我感到有一种实际困难的存在。”
“先生，什么困难呢?"
“当您到一千米深的时候，诺第留斯号的外层受着一百大气压的压力。如果在这个时候；”您想排出各补充储水池伪水量，使船轻快，上升到水面，那一定要船上抽水机的力量能超过这一百大气压的压力，这压力每平方厘米是一百公斤。因此，这一种力……”
“单单电就可以给我这一种力量！”尼摩船长急着说，“先生，我一再同您说，我的机器的动力差不多是无限的。诺第留斯号的抽水机有异乎寻常的力量，您应当看见过了，上次对林肯号喷出的水柱，像强大的激流一样，猛烈地冲去。另外，只是要到一千五百和二千米的中等深度时，我才使用那些补充储水池，这是为了爱护我的机器，小心使用它。所以，当我忽然想到水面下二、三里深的海洋底下时，我还使用别的驾驶法，虽然时间较长久，但也一样有效。”
“船长，什么方法呢？”我问。
“这样一来，我自然得告诉你我是怎样驾驶诺第留斯号的。”
“我很想知道。”
“驾驶这船，要它向左向右，简单说，要它在水平面上走时，我使用普通的舵，舵上还有宽阔的副舵，装在船尾，用机轮和滑车转动。但我又可以使诺第留斯号在水中上升、，下降，这时我就使用两个纵斜机板，机板装在船的两侧浮标线的中央，它们是活动的，可以随便变换位置，使用动力强大的杠杆，从船内部来操纵它们。纵斜机板的位置如果与船身平行，船便在水平面上行驶，如果它们的位置倾斜了，诺第留斯号在推进器的推动下，就沿着倾斜方向或沿着我所要的对角线沉下去，或沿着这对角线浮上来。并且，我想更快地浮上水面来时，我就催动推进器，水的压力使诺第留斯号直线地浮上来，像一只氢气球迅速升人空中一样。”
“真了不得！船长，”我喊道，“但是，领航人怎样能看见您在水底下指示船所应走的路线呢？”
“领航人是守在一个装有玻璃的笼间里，这笼间在诺第留斯号船身的上部突出部分，装有各种凹凸玻璃片，保证他可以清楚地看见航路。”
“玻璃片能抵抗这样强大的压力吗？，
“能抵抗。玻璃虽然经不起冲击，很脆，但有强大的耐压力。1864年在北方海中利用电光做打鱼的实验，我们知道，当时使用的玻璃片只有七毫米厚，可以抵抗十六大气压的压力，同时又可以让强烈发热的光线通过，使它获得不平均的热力的配给.何况我们使用的玻璃片， 中央的厚度至少是二十一厘米，就是说，比上面打鱼用的玻璃片厚三十倍。”
“尼摩船长，这个我承认；但是在海中要想看得清清楚楚，一定要有光亮来排除黑暗，请问在海水的漆黑中间……”
“在领航人的笼间后面，装有一座光度很强的电光探照灯，半海里以内的海洋都可以照亮。”
“啊！了不起，真是了不起！船长。我现在明白那种所谓独角鲸的磷光现象了，它真叫学者们迷离惊叹！我顺便问一下，那哄动一时的诺第留斯号和斯各脱亚号的相撞事件，是一次偶然的结果吗？”
“先生，那完全是出乎意外. 我那时正在水面下二米航行，所以发生了冲撞。可是我也看到斯各脱亚号并没有受到很大的损失。”
“先生，是的，没有受到重大的损失。但是跟林肯号的相碰呢？……”
“教授，关于这事，我对于美国海军部的这艘勇敢的、最好的战舰觉得有些抱歉，不过这是人家来攻击我，我不得不自卫！但我也只做到使这艘战舰不能伤害我，它可以到最近的海港修理好它所受到的损伤，并不很困难。”
“啊！船长，”我诚恳地喊道，“您这艘诺第留斯号真正是一艘神奇的船！”
“是的，教授，”尼摩船长情绪也很激动地回答，“我爱它，像是爱我最心爱的东西一样！虽然你们的船常受海洋的意外袭击.海上一切都是危险的,荷兰人杨生说的很好他说人们在海上的第一个印象就是怕人的无底深渊的感觉但是在诺底留斯号船上, 人们心中就一点没有什么害怕。用不着害怕船要损毁，因为这只船的双层船壳是刚铁似的坚硬；它没有风浪的翻腾或颠簸可以毁损的缆索一类东西：它没有风可以吹走的帆；它没有蒸汽可以破裂的铁炉；它不会发生可怕的火灾，因为船完全是钢铁制的，不是木头造的；它不用有时会用完的煤炭，因为电是它的机械原动力；因为它在深水独来独往，不会发生可怕的相撞；它又不用冒风暴的危险，因为它在水面几米下便能得到绝对的平静！先生，以上就是这船的优点。它是一只特殊优异，独一无二的船！对于这只船，设计工程师可能比监造建筑师有信心，监造建筑师可能又比船长更有信心，如果真是这样，那您就可以理解到我对我的诺第留斯号为什么完全信赖了，因为我同时是这只船的船长、建筑师和工程师！”
尼摩船长滔滔不绝地雄辩他说着。他眼中的火焰，他手势的激动，使他完全变成另一个人。是的！他爱他的船，像一个父亲爱他的儿子一样！
但有一个也许是冒昧的问题，自然而然的出现了，我忍不住问他：
“尼摩船长，您是这船的设计工程师吗?"
“是的，教授."他回答我，“当我还是陆地上的居民的时候，我曾在伦敦，在巴黎，在纽约学习过。”“但是，您怎样能秘密地建造这艘奇异的令人五体投地诺第留斯号呢？”“阿龙纳斯先生，船的每一块材料都是从地球上的不同点，写上假地址送来给我的。船的龙骨是法国克鲁棱工厂造的，推进器大轴是伦敦朋尼公司制的，船壳的钢铁板是利物浦利亚工厂造的，推进器是格拉斯哥斯各脱工厂制的。船上的储水池是巴黎嘉衣公司造的，机器是由普鲁士克虏由工厂制的，船前头的冲角出自瑞典的摩达拉工厂，精确的测验仪器出自纽约的哈提兄弟公司等等，上面的每一制造厂都收到上面署名不同的我的设计图， 按图样制造。 ” "不过，”我说，“这些制好了的一块一块材料，还得把它们配合起来、装置起来呢?"“教授，我在大洋中一个荒岛上建立了我的工作场。在岛上，我的工人，就是我所教养成的我的勇敢的同伴，跟我一起，共同把诺第留斯号完全装配好了。然后，工程完了，我放起火来，把我们在这岛上所遗留的痕迹都消灭了，如果可能的话，我还要把这岛都炸毁呢。”“那么，这样看来，我可以相信，这船的建筑费用一定是十分浩大了？”“阿龙纳斯先生，一只钢铁制的船，每吨容量的建筑费为一千一百二十五法郎。可是诺第留斯号的载重吨数是一千五百吨，那么它的建筑费是一百七十丸万法郎，连装备费一共为二百万法郎，连船内所有的美术品和收藏物一共为是五百万法郎①。”
“尼摩船长，我要问您最后一个问题。”
“请您问吧，教授。”
“您是很富有吗？”
“无限地富有，我可以一点不为难地偿清法国的几十亿国债①！”
我注视着这位跟我这样说话的古怪人物。难道他以为我可欺而故意吹牛吗？将来我一定有机会知道他这话是真是假。
Part 1 Chapter 14
THE PART OF THE planet earth that the seas occupy has been assessed at 3,832,558 square myriameters, hence more than 38,000,000,000 hectares. This liquid mass totals 2,250,000,000 cubic miles and could form a sphere with a diameter of sixty leagues, whose weight would be three quintillion metric tons. To appreciate such a number, we should remember that a quintillion is to a billion what a billion is to one, in other words, there are as many billions in a quintillion as ones in a billion! Now then, this liquid mass nearly equals the total amount of water that has poured through all the earth's rivers for the past 40,000 years!
During prehistoric times, an era of fire was followed by an era of water. At first there was ocean everywhere. Then, during the Silurian period, the tops of mountains gradually appeared above the waves, islands emerged, disappeared beneath temporary floods, rose again, were fused to form continents, and finally the earth's geography settled into what we have today. Solid matter had wrested from liquid matter some 37,657,000 square miles, hence 12,916,000,000 hectares.
The outlines of the continents allow the seas to be divided into five major parts: the frozen Arctic and Antarctic oceans, the Indian Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean.
The Pacific Ocean extends north to south between the two polar circles and east to west between America and Asia over an expanse of 145 degrees of longitude. It's the most tranquil of the seas; its currents are wide and slow-moving, its tides moderate, its rainfall abundant. And this was the ocean that I was first destined to cross under these strangest of auspices.
"If you don't mind, professor," Captain Nemo told me, "we'll determine our exact position and fix the starting point of our voyage. It's fifteen minutes before noon. I'm going to rise to the surface of the water."
The captain pressed an electric bell three times. The pumps began to expel water from the ballast tanks; on the pressure gauge, a needle marked the decreasing pressures that indicated the Nautilus's upward progress; then the needle stopped.
"Here we are," the captain said.
I made my way to the central companionway, which led to the platform. I climbed its metal steps, passed through the open hatches, and arrived topside on the Nautilus.
The platform emerged only eighty centimeters above the waves. The Nautilus's bow and stern boasted that spindle-shaped outline that had caused the ship to be compared appropriately to a long cigar. I noted the slight overlap of its sheet-iron plates, which resembled the scales covering the bodies of our big land reptiles. So I had a perfectly natural explanation for why, despite the best spyglasses, this boat had always been mistaken for a marine animal.
Near the middle of the platform, the skiff was half set in the ship's hull, making a slight bulge. Fore and aft stood two cupolas of moderate height, their sides slanting and partly inset with heavy biconvex glass, one reserved for the helmsman steering the Nautilus, the other for the brilliance of the powerful electric beacon lighting his way.
The sea was magnificent, the skies clear. This long aquatic vehicle could barely feel the broad undulations of the ocean. A mild breeze out of the east rippled the surface of the water. Free of all mist, the horizon was ideal for taking sights.
There was nothing to be seen. Not a reef, not an islet. No more Abraham Lincoln. A deserted immenseness.
Raising his sextant, Captain Nemo took the altitude of the sun, which would give him his latitude. He waited for a few minutes until the orb touched the rim of the horizon. While he was taking his sights, he didn't move a muscle, and the instrument couldn't have been steadier in hands made out of marble.
"Noon," he said. "Professor, whenever you're ready. . . ."
I took one last look at the sea, a little yellowish near the landing places of Japan, and I went below again to the main lounge.
There the captain fixed his position and used a chronometer to calculate his longitude, which he double-checked against his previous observations of hour angles. Then he told me:
"Professor Aronnax, we're in longitude 137 degrees 15' west--"
"West of which meridian?" I asked quickly, hoping the captain's reply might give me a clue to his nationality.
"Sir," he answered me, "I have chronometers variously set to the meridians of Paris, Greenwich, and Washington, D.C. But in your honor, I'll use the one for Paris."
This reply told me nothing. I bowed, and the commander went on:
"We're in longitude 137 degrees 15' west of the meridian of Paris, and latitude 30 degrees 7' north, in other words, about 300 miles from the shores of Japan. At noon on this day of November 8, we hereby begin our voyage of exploration under the waters."
"May God be with us!" I replied.
"And now, professor," the captain added, "I'll leave you to your intellectual pursuits. I've set our course east-northeast at a depth of fifty meters. Here are some large-scale charts on which you'll be able to follow that course. The lounge is at your disposal, and with your permission, I'll take my leave."
Captain Nemo bowed. I was left to myself, lost in my thoughts. They all centered on the Nautilus's commander. Would I ever learn the nationality of this eccentric man who had boasted of having none? His sworn hate for humanity, a hate that perhaps was bent on some dreadful revenge--what had provoked it? Was he one of those unappreciated scholars, one of those geniuses "embittered by the world," as Conseil expressed it, a latter-day Galileo, or maybe one of those men of science, like America's Commander Maury, whose careers were ruined by political revolutions? I couldn't say yet. As for me, whom fate had just brought aboard his vessel, whose life he had held in the balance: he had received me coolly but hospitably. Only, he never took the hand I extended to him. He never extended his own.
For an entire hour I was deep in these musings, trying to probe this mystery that fascinated me so. Then my eyes focused on a huge world map displayed on the table, and I put my finger on the very spot where our just-determined longitude and latitude intersected.
Like the continents, the sea has its rivers. These are exclusive currents that can be identified by their temperature and color, the most remarkable being the one called the Gulf Stream. Science has defined the global paths of five chief currents: one in the north Atlantic, a second in the south Atlantic, a third in the north Pacific, a fourth in the south Pacific, and a fifth in the southern Indian Ocean. Also it's likely that a sixth current used to exist in the northern Indian Ocean, when the Caspian and Aral Seas joined up with certain large Asian lakes to form a single uniform expanse of water.
Now then, at the spot indicated on the world map, one of these seagoing rivers was rolling by, the Kuroshio of the Japanese, the Black Current: heated by perpendicular rays from the tropical sun, it leaves the Bay of Bengal, crosses the Strait of Malacca, goes up the shores of Asia, and curves into the north Pacific as far as the Aleutian Islands, carrying along trunks of camphor trees and other local items, the pure indigo of its warm waters sharply contrasting with the ocean's waves. It was this current the Nautilus was about to cross. I watched it on the map with my eyes, I saw it lose itself in the immenseness of the Pacific, and I felt myself swept along with it, when Ned Land and Conseil appeared in the lounge doorway.
My two gallant companions stood petrified at the sight of the wonders on display.
"Where are we?" the Canadian exclaimed. "In the Quebec Museum?"
"Begging master's pardon," Conseil answered, "but this seems more like the Sommerard artifacts exhibition!"
"My friends," I replied, signaling them to enter, "you're in neither Canada nor France, but securely aboard the Nautilus, fifty meters below sea level."
"If master says so, then so be it," Conseil answered. "But in all honesty, this lounge is enough to astonish even someone Flemish like myself."
"Indulge your astonishment, my friend, and have a look, because there's plenty of work here for a classifier of your talents."
Conseil needed no encouraging. Bending over the glass cases, the gallant lad was already muttering choice words from the naturalist's vocabulary: class Gastropoda, family Buccinoidea, genus cowry, species Cypraea madagascariensis, etc.
Meanwhile Ned Land, less dedicated to conchology, questioned me about my interview with Captain Nemo. Had I discovered who he was, where he came from, where he was heading, how deep he was taking us? In short, a thousand questions I had no time to answer.
I told him everything I knew--or, rather, everything I didn't know-- and I asked him what he had seen or heard on his part.
"Haven't seen or heard a thing!" the Canadian replied. "I haven't even spotted the crew of this boat. By any chance, could they be electric too?"
"Electric?"
"Oh ye gods, I'm half tempted to believe it! But back to you, Professor Aronnax," Ned Land said, still hanging on to his ideas. "Can't you tell me how many men are on board? Ten, twenty, fifty, a hundred?"
"I'm unable to answer you, Mr. Land. And trust me on this: for the time being, get rid of these notions of taking over the Nautilus or escaping from it. This boat is a masterpiece of modern technology, and I'd be sorry to have missed it! Many people would welcome the circumstances that have been handed us, just to walk in the midst of these wonders. So keep calm, and let's see what's happening around us."
"See!" the harpooner exclaimed. "There's nothing to see, nothing we'll ever see from this sheet-iron prison! We're simply running around blindfolded--"
Ned Land was just pronouncing these last words when we were suddenly plunged into darkness, utter darkness. The ceiling lights went out so quickly, my eyes literally ached, just as if we had experienced the opposite sensation of going from the deepest gloom to the brightest sunlight.
We stood stock-still, not knowing what surprise was waiting for us, whether pleasant or unpleasant. But a sliding sound became audible. You could tell that some panels were shifting over the Nautilus's sides.
"It's the beginning of the end!" Ned Land said.
". . . order Hydromedusa," Conseil muttered.
Suddenly, through two oblong openings, daylight appeared on both sides of the lounge. The liquid masses came into view, brightly lit by the ship's electric outpourings. We were separated from the sea by two panes of glass. Initially I shuddered at the thought that these fragile partitions could break; but strong copper bands secured them, giving them nearly infinite resistance.
The sea was clearly visible for a one-mile radius around the Nautilus. What a sight! What pen could describe it? Who could portray the effects of this light through these translucent sheets of water, the subtlety of its progressive shadings into the ocean's upper and lower strata?
The transparency of salt water has long been recognized. Its clarity is believed to exceed that of spring water. The mineral and organic substances it holds in suspension actually increase its translucency. In certain parts of the Caribbean Sea, you can see the sandy bottom with startling distinctness as deep as 145 meters down, and the penetrating power of the sun's rays seems to give out only at a depth of 300 meters. But in this fluid setting traveled by the Nautilus, our electric glow was being generated in the very heart of the waves. It was no longer illuminated water, it was liquid light.
If we accept the hypotheses of the microbiologist Ehrenberg-- who believes that these underwater depths are lit up by phosphorescent organisms--nature has certainly saved one of her most prodigious sights for residents of the sea, and I could judge for myself from the thousandfold play of the light. On both sides I had windows opening over these unexplored depths. The darkness in the lounge enhanced the brightness outside, and we stared as if this clear glass were the window of an immense aquarium.
The Nautilus seemed to be standing still. This was due to the lack of landmarks. But streaks of water, parted by the ship's spur, sometimes threaded before our eyes with extraordinary speed.
In wonderment, we leaned on our elbows before these show windows, and our stunned silence remained unbroken until Conseil said:
"You wanted to see something, Ned my friend; well, now you have something to see!"
"How unusual!" the Canadian put in, setting aside his tantrums and getaway schemes while submitting to this irresistible allure. "A man would go an even greater distance just to stare at such a sight!"
"Ah!" I exclaimed. "I see our captain's way of life! He's found himself a separate world that saves its most astonishing wonders just for him!"
"But where are the fish?" the Canadian ventured to observe. "I don't see any fish!"
"Why would you care, Ned my friend?" Conseil replied. "Since you have no knowledge of them."
"Me? A fisherman!" Ned Land exclaimed.
And on this subject a dispute arose between the two friends, since both were knowledgeable about fish, but from totally different standpoints.
Everyone knows that fish make up the fourth and last class in the vertebrate branch. They have been quite aptly defined as: "cold-blooded vertebrates with a double circulatory system, breathing through gills, and designed to live in water." They consist of two distinct series: the series of bony fish, in other words, those whose spines have vertebrae made of bone; and cartilaginous fish, in other words, those whose spines have vertebrae made of cartilage.
Possibly the Canadian was familiar with this distinction, but Conseil knew far more about it; and since he and Ned were now fast friends, he just had to show off. So he told the harpooner:
"Ned my friend, you're a slayer of fish, a highly skilled fisherman. You've caught a large number of these fascinating animals. But I'll bet you don't know how they're classified."
"Sure I do," the harpooner replied in all seriousness. "They're classified into fish we eat and fish we don't eat!"
"Spoken like a true glutton," Conseil replied. "But tell me, are you familiar with the differences between bony fish and cartilaginous fish?"
"Just maybe, Conseil."
"And how about the subdivisions of these two large classes?"
"I haven't the foggiest notion," the Canadian replied.
"All right, listen and learn, Ned my friend! Bony fish are subdivided into six orders. Primo, the acanthopterygians, whose upper jaw is fully formed and free-moving, and whose gills take the shape of a comb. This order consists of fifteen families, in other words, three-quarters of all known fish. Example: the common perch."
"Pretty fair eating," Ned Land replied.
"Secundo," Conseil went on, "the abdominals, whose pelvic fins hang under the abdomen to the rear of the pectorals but aren't attached to the shoulder bone, an order that's divided into five families and makes up the great majority of freshwater fish. Examples: carp, pike."
"Ugh!" the Canadian put in with distinct scorn. "You can keep the freshwater fish!"
"Tertio," Conseil said, "the subbrachians, whose pelvic fins are attached under the pectorals and hang directly from the shoulder bone. This order contains four families. Examples: flatfish such as sole, turbot, dab, plaice, brill, etc."
"Excellent, really excellent!" the harpooner exclaimed, interested in fish only from an edible viewpoint.
"Quarto," Conseil went on, unabashed, "the apods, with long bodies that lack pelvic fins and are covered by a heavy, often glutinous skin, an order consisting of only one family. Examples: common eels and electric eels."
"So-so, just so-so!" Ned Land replied.
"Quinto," Conseil said, "the lophobranchians, which have fully formed, free-moving jaws but whose gills consist of little tufts arranged in pairs along their gill arches. This order includes only one family. Examples: seahorses and dragonfish."
"Bad, very bad!" the harpooner replied.
"Sexto and last," Conseil said, "the plectognaths, whose maxillary bone is firmly attached to the side of the intermaxillary that forms the jaw, and whose palate arch is locked to the skull by sutures that render the jaw immovable, an order lacking true pelvic fins and which consists of two families. Examples: puffers and moonfish."
"They're an insult to a frying pan!" the Canadian exclaimed.
"Are you grasping all this, Ned my friend?" asked the scholarly Conseil.
"Not a lick of it, Conseil my friend," the harpooner replied. "But keep going, because you fill me with fascination."
"As for cartilaginous fish," Conseil went on unflappably, "they consist of only three orders."
"Good news," Ned put in.
"Primo, the cyclostomes, whose jaws are fused into a flexible ring and whose gill openings are simply a large number of holes, an order consisting of only one family. Example: the lamprey."
"An acquired taste," Ned Land replied.
"Secundo, the selacians, with gills resembling those of the cyclostomes but whose lower jaw is free-moving. This order, which is the most important in the class, consists of two families. Examples: the ray and the shark."
"What!" Ned Land exclaimed. "Rays and man-eaters in the same order? Well, Conseil my friend, on behalf of the rays, I wouldn't advise you to put them in the same fish tank!"
"Tertio," Conseil replied, "The sturionians, whose gill opening is the usual single slit adorned with a gill cover, an order consisting of four genera. Example: the sturgeon."
"Ah, Conseil my friend, you saved the best for last, in my opinion anyhow! And that's all of 'em?"
"Yes, my gallant Ned," Conseil replied. "And note well, even when one has grasped all this, one still knows next to nothing, because these families are subdivided into genera, subgenera, species, varieties--"
"All right, Conseil my friend," the harpooner said, leaning toward the glass panel, "here come a couple of your varieties now!"
"Yes! Fish!" Conseil exclaimed. "One would think he was in front of an aquarium!"
"No," I replied, "because an aquarium is nothing more than a cage, and these fish are as free as birds in the air!"
"Well, Conseil my friend, identify them! Start naming them!" Ned Land exclaimed.
"Me?" Conseil replied. "I'm unable to! That's my employer's bailiwick!"
And in truth, although the fine lad was a classifying maniac, he was no naturalist, and I doubt that he could tell a bonito from a tuna. In short, he was the exact opposite of the Canadian, who knew nothing about classification but could instantly put a name to any fish.
"A triggerfish," I said.
"It's a Chinese triggerfish," Ned Land replied.
"Genus Balistes, family Scleroderma, order Plectognatha," Conseil muttered.
Assuredly, Ned and Conseil in combination added up to one outstanding naturalist.
The Canadian was not mistaken. Cavorting around the Nautilus was a school of triggerfish with flat bodies, grainy skins, armed with stings on their dorsal fins, and with four prickly rows of quills quivering on both sides of their tails. Nothing could have been more wonderful than the skin covering them: white underneath, gray above, with spots of gold sparkling in the dark eddies of the waves. Around them, rays were undulating like sheets flapping in the wind, and among these I spotted, much to my glee, a Chinese ray, yellowish on its topside, a dainty pink on its belly, and armed with three stings behind its eyes; a rare species whose very existence was still doubted in Lacépède's day, since that pioneering classifier of fish had seen one only in a portfolio of Japanese drawings.
For two hours a whole aquatic army escorted the Nautilus. In the midst of their leaping and cavorting, while they competed with each other in beauty, radiance, and speed, I could distinguish some green wrasse, bewhiskered mullet marked with pairs of black lines, white gobies from the genus Eleotris with curved caudal fins and violet spots on the back, wonderful Japanese mackerel from the genus Scomber with blue bodies and silver heads, glittering azure goldfish whose name by itself gives their full description, several varieties of porgy or gilthead (some banded gilthead with fins variously blue and yellow, some with horizontal heraldic bars and enhanced by a black strip around their caudal area, some with color zones and elegantly corseted in their six waistbands), trumpetfish with flutelike beaks that looked like genuine seafaring woodcocks and were sometimes a meter long, Japanese salamanders, serpentine moray eels from the genus Echidna that were six feet long with sharp little eyes and a huge mouth bristling with teeth; etc.
Our wonderment stayed at an all-time fever pitch. Our exclamations were endless. Ned identified the fish, Conseil classified them, and as for me, I was in ecstasy over the verve of their movements and the beauty of their forms. Never before had I been given the chance to glimpse these animals alive and at large in their native element.
Given such a complete collection from the seas of Japan and China, I won't mention every variety that passed before our dazzled eyes. More numerous than birds in the air, these fish raced right up to us, no doubt attracted by the brilliant glow of our electric beacon.
Suddenly daylight appeared in the lounge. The sheet-iron panels slid shut. The magical vision disappeared. But for a good while I kept dreaming away, until the moment my eyes focused on the instruments hanging on the wall. The compass still showed our heading as east-northeast, the pressure gauge indicated a pressure of five atmospheres (corresponding to a depth of fifty meters), and the electric log gave our speed as fifteen miles per hour.
I waited for Captain Nemo. But he didn't appear. The clock marked the hour of five.
Ned Land and Conseil returned to their cabin. As for me, I repaired to my stateroom. There I found dinner ready for me. It consisted of turtle soup made from the daintiest hawksbill, a red mullet with white, slightly flaky flesh, whose liver, when separately prepared, makes delicious eating, plus loin of imperial angelfish, whose flavor struck me as even better than salmon.
I spent the evening in reading, writing, and thinking. Then drowsiness overtook me, I stretched out on my eelgrass mattress, and I fell into a deep slumber, while the Nautilus glided through the swiftly flowing Black Current.
地球上海水占的面积共计为三百八十三亿二千五百五十八万平方公里②。海水的体积共有二十二亿五千万立方米，它可以成为一个圆球，这圆球的直径为六十里，重量为三百亿亿吨。想了解上面这个数目，必须设想这个数目对十亿之比，同于十亿对单位之比，即是说，在这个数目中所有的十亿数，等于十亿中所有的单位数。而这个数目的海水也就等于地上所有的河流在四万年中所流下来的水量。
在地质学的纪元中，火的时期之后为水的时期。首先，处处都是海洋。“然后，在初期志留纪中，山峰渐渐露出来了，岛屿浮现，又在部分发生的洪水下隐没，重又现出，连接起来，构成大陆，最后，陆地才固定为地理上的各大陆，跟我们今天所看见的一般。固体大陆从流体海水所取得的面积为三千七百万零六百五十七平方英里，即一千二百九十一万六千公亩。
地球上各大陆形状不同，把海水分为五大部分，即，北冰洋，南冰洋，印度洋；大西洋和太平洋.
太平洋从北至南，是在南北两极之间，从西至东，是在亚洲和美洲之间，共有经度145度的宽广。 太平洋是最平静的海，海潮阔大缓慢，潮水中常，雨量丰富。我的命运要我在最奇异的情况下首先走过的，就是这个海洋。
“教授，”尼摩船长对我说，“如果您高兴，我们先明确地记下我们现在的方位，决定这次旅行的出发点。现在时间是正午差一刻“我现在叫船浮上水面来。”
船长按了三次电铃；抽水机开始把储水他的水排出，气压表上的针从不同的气压度数，指出诺第留斯号的上升运动，后来船停住了。
船长说：“我们到了。
我走上通到平台去的中央梯子；我踏上一层一层的钢铁梯级，从打开的铁盖板，到了诺第雷斯号的上面部分。
平台仅仅浮出水面八十厘米。诺第留斯号前头和后部现出象纺锤形状，正好比一根长雪茄烟。我看到船身上的钢板，彼此稍微的鳞次着，很像地上大爬虫类动物身上所有的鳞甲。所以我很自然地明白了，即使有最好的望远镜，这船总会被认为是一只海中动物。
约在平台中间,有那只半藏在船壳中的小艇,好象是一个微微突出的瘤。在平台前后，各装上一个不很高的笼间、向侧边倾斜，一部分装着很厚的凹凸玻璃镜：这两个笼间卜一个作为诺第留斯号领航人之用，另一个装着强力的电灯，光芒四射，探照航路。
海上风平浪静，天空清朗无云。长长的船身差不多感不到海洋的阔大波动。一阵轻微的东风吹皱了洋面。夭惭全无烟雾，可以望得很远。
我们望不见什么。望不见暗礁，望不见小岛。林肯号不见了；望见的只是一片汪洋的海水。
尼摩船长带了他的六分仪，测量太阳的高度，因此可以。知道船所在的纬度。他等待了几分钟，让太阳跟地平线相：齐。当他观察的时候，他的肌肉没有一处颜动，仪器也像握：在铁石的手中一般，绝对平稳。
“正午，”他说，“教授，您要我们这时出发吗？”
我最后看一下海面，因为靠近日本海岸，海面微作努色，然后我回到客厅中来。
客厅中，船长在地图上记了方位，按合时计来算经度卜同时他拿从前做的“时角”观察记录来校对。然后他对我说：
“阿龙纳斯先生，我们是在西经137度15分……”
“您根据哪种子午线算的呢？”我急急地问，想从船长的回答中知道他的国籍。
“先生，”他答复我，“我有各种不同的时计，可以根据巴黎、格林威治和华盛顿子午线来计算。但因为您的关系，我以后将根据巴黎子午线计算."
这个回答使我得不到什么。我点头表示谢意，船长又说：
“我们在巴黎子午线西经137度15分，北纬30度7分，即是说，距日本海岸约为三百海里。今天11月8日，中午，我们开始作我们的海底探险旅行。”
“愿上帝保佑我们！”我答。
"教授， ”船长又说，“我现在让您做您的研究。我要船在水深五十米下，向东北偏东方行驶。这里有标记分明的地图，您可以看着我们的航行路线。客厅您可以随便使用，我向您告辞了。”
尼摩船长对我行个礼，出去了。我一人留下，默默地沉思。所想的都是关于这位诺第留斯号的船长。这个古怪的人，自以为不属于任何国籍，我将永远不知道他是哪一国的人吗？他对于人类的那种仇恨，或者他对于使他有那种仇恨的人，要想法作可怕的报复吗？他是不是像康塞尔说的，“有人给他受过痛苦的”一位被人轻视的学者，一位天才，一位近代的伽利略①呢？或者他是一位科学家，像美国人莫利一般）学术研究事业因为政治上的变动受到挫折呢？这我都还不能说。我是由于偶然的机会被抛在他船上的人，我的生命操在他手中，他冷淡地，但客气地收留了我。不过他从不握我伸出去的手，他也从不将他的手伸出来。
整整一个小时，我浸沉在深深的思虑中，总想明了这使我十分感兴味的秘密。后来我的眼光盯着摆在桌上的平面大地图，我就把手指放在上面所指出的经纬度相交的那点.
海洋跟大陆一样，也有江河。这些江河是特殊的水流，从它们的温度、它们的颜色，可以辨认出来，其中最显著的是大家所知道的“暖流”。科学决定了在地球上有下面的五条主要水流路线：第一条在大西洋北部，第二条在大西洋南部，第三条在太平洋北部，第四条在太平洋南部，第五条在印度洋南部。很可能在印度洋北部从前有第六条水流存在，那个时候，里海和阿拉伯海还跟亚洲的各大湖连起来，成为一片大海。
正是，在平面地图上记下的那个点，展开了上面说的一条暖流，日本人叫做黑水流①，黑水流从孟加拉湾出来，受热带太阳光线的直射，很为温暖，横过马六甲海峡，沿着亚洲海岸前进，人太平洋北部作环弯形，直到阿留地安群岛。它将樟脑树干和各地方的各样土产输送出去，它的暖流的纯靛蓝色跟大洋的水流显然分开。诺第留斯号要走的就是这条水流。我两眼盯着它，我看见它抿没在太平洋的无边水际中；我正感到自己跟水流一齐奔驰的时候，尼德•兰和康塞尔在客厅门口出现了。
我的两个老实同伴看见堆在他们眼前的神奇物品，惊怪得发楞了：
“我们在什么地方呢？我们在什么地方呢？”加拿大人喊，“我们在魁北克博物馆吗？”
“如果先生认为可以，”康塞尔答，“还不如说这是桑美拉大厦呢！”
“朋友们，”我回答，我同时做个手势，让他们进来，“你们不是在加拿大，也不是在法兰西，而是在诺第留斯号船上，在海底下五十米。”
“当然要相信先生的话，因为先生这样肯定了。”康塞尔回答，“老实说，这个客厅，就是让我这个佛兰蒙人看来也要惊奇."
“朋友，你惊奇吧，你好好地看吧，因为对于你这么能干的一个分类者，这里实在有不少的工作可做哩。”
我并不需要鼓励康塞尔去做。这个老实人早就弯身在“玻璃柜子上，嘴里已经低声说出生物学家所用的词汇：腹足纲，油螺科，磁贝属，马达加斯加介蛤种，等等……
这个时候。尼德•兰——他不是贝类学家——问我关于我跟尼摩船长会谈的情形。他问我，我是否发现他是哪一国人，他从哪里来，到哪里去，把我们拉到多少深的海底去？他问了许多问题，我简直来不及回答他。
我将我所知道的全部告诉他，或不如说，将我所不知道的全部告诉他。我又问他，他看到些什么或听到些什么。
“什么也没有看见，什么也没有听到!"加拿大人回答，“我甚至于连这船上的人员的影子也没有看见。真的，是不是他们都是电人？”
“电人！”
“说真的，我是要这样想呢。可是您，阿龙纳靳先生，”尼德•兰问，他总是不忘记他的那个念头，“您不能告诉我这船上一共有多少人吗？十人，二十人，五十人，一百人吗？”
“尼德•兰师傅，这我可不能回答您。而且您要相信我，此刻您必须抛弃您那夺取或逃出诺第留斯号的念头。这船是现代工业的杰作，我如果没有看见它，我不知要怎么惋惜呢！许多人，只为能看看这些神奇事物，也就乐意接受我们的处境了。所以您必须保持镇静，我们想法观看我们周围所有的事物。”
“观看！”鱼叉手喊，“除了这钢板的监牢，我们看不见什么，我们将来也看不见什么！我们就是跑，我们就是盲目行驶……”
当尼德•兰说最后这句话的时候，忽然全厅黑了，这是绝对的黑暗。明亮的天花板熄灭了，并且熄灭得十分快，使我的眼睛发生一种疼痛的感觉，跟在相反的情形中，即从漆一般的黑暗中忽见最辉煌的光明所发生的感觉一样。
我们都默不作声，动也不敢动，不知道有什么是福是祸的意外事件等着我们。我们听到一种滑走的声音。简直要使人认为是盖板在诺第留斯号的两侧动起来了。
“现在一切真要完蛋了！”尼德•兰说。
"水母目！”康塞尔低声说。
忽然，光线穿过两个长方形的孔洞，从容厅的备方面射进。海水受电光的照耀，通体明亮地显现出来。两块玻璃晶片把我们和海水分开。初时我想到这种脆弱的隔板可能碎裂，心中害怕得发抖；但由于有红铜的结实框架顶住，使它差不多有无限的抵抗力。
在诺第留斯号周围一海里内的海水，现在都可以清楚’地看见。多么光怪陆离的景象呵！无论多么高明的妙笔也描写不出来！谁能描绘光线穿过透明的水流所产生的新奇景色呢守谁能描绘那光线照在海洋上下两方，渐次递减的柔和光度呢！
我们认得海洋的透明性，我们知道海水的清澈超过山间清泉。海水中所含有的矿物质和有机物质，甚至于可队增加它的透明性。在太平洋中的某部分，例如在安的列斯群岛，一百四十五米深的海水可以让人看见水底下面的沙床，十分清澈，而阳光的照射力好像直至三百米的深度方才停止。但是，在诺第留斯号所走过的海水中，电光就在水波：中间照耀。这不是明亮的水，而是流动的光了。
如果我们承认爱兰伯①的假设，认为海底是有辉煌的磷光照耀的，那么，大自然一定给海中的居民保留下一种最出奇的景象，我现在看见这种光的无穷变化，就可以想到这景象是多么美丽。客厅每边都有窗户开向这未曾经过探测的深渊。厅中的黑暗愈显出外面的光辉，我们细看，好像这片纯晶体，真就是那大到了不得的养鱼缸的玻璃一样。
诺第留斯号好像是不动了，这是因为水中没有标炽盼缘故。可是，时时有那些船头冲角分开的水线纹，在我们眼前迅速地向后掠过。
我们简直心醉神迷了，时靠在玻璃窗面前，我们谁都还。没有打破这由于惊怪发怔所引起的静默。此时康塞尔说:
“尼德•兰朋友，您不是要看吗？现在您看吧!"
“真新鲜！真新鲜！”加拿大人说，他忘记了他的愤怒和他的逃走计划，受到一种不可抗拒的诱惑，“我们要从更远更远的地方走来赞美欣赏这景象哩！”
“啊！”我喊道，“我现在明白这个人的生活了！他自己另外造了一个世界，给他保留下最惊人的神奇！”“可是鱼在哪里呢？”加拿大人说，“我看不到鱼呀！”
“尼德•兰好朋友，”康塞尔回答，“那没有关系呀，因为
您不认识它们哩。”
“我不认识鱼!我这打鱼的人！”尼德•兰喊道。
关于这个问题，他们两个朋友间发生了争论，因为他们都认识，但认识的方式不同。
大家知道鱼类是脊推动物门中的第四纲和最后一纲。鱼类的确切定义是：“有双重循环作用的，冷血的，用鳃呼吸的，生活在水中的脊椎动物”。鱼类由不同的两类构成：硬骨鱼类一即脊骨是硬骨脊椎——和软骨鱼类——即脊骨是软骨脊椎。
加拿大人也许懂得这种区别，但康塞尔知道的就更多，现在他跟尼德。兰有了友谊，大家很要好，他不能承认自己的知识比尼德•兰差，所以他这样说:
“尼德•兰老朋友，不错，您是千个打鱼手，一个很能干的渔夫。您曾经捕捉过许多这些很有趣味的动物。不过我可以跟您打赌，您不知道人们怎样把它们分类。”
“我知道，”鱼叉手很正经地回答，“人们把它们分为可吃的鱼类和不可吃的鱼类！”
“这是讲究吃喝的人的一种分类法，”康塞尔回答，“请您告诉我，您知道硬骨鱼类和软骨鱼类之间存在的差别吗?"
“康塞尔，我可能知道."
“您知道这两大组鱼类的小分类吗"
“我想我不至于不知道。”加拿大人回答。
“尼德•兰老朋友，好吧，请您听我说，情您好好地记下来吧！硬骨鱼类可分为六目。第一目是硬鳍鱼，上鳃是完：整的，能动的，鳃作梳子形。这一目共有十五科，就是说，包。括已经知道的鱼类的四分之三。这目的类型是：普通鲫鱼。”
“相当好吃的鱼。”尼德。兰回答。
康塞尔又说：“第二目是腹鳍鱼，腹鳍是垂在肚腹下面和在胸绪后边，而不是长在肩骨上；这一目分为五科，包括大部分的淡水鱼。这目的类型是：鲤鱼、雄鱼。”
“呸！”加拿大人带着看不起的神气说，“淡水鱼！”
“第三目是副鳍鱼，”康塞尔说，”腹鳍是接在胸鳝的下面和挂在肩骨上。这一目共有四科。类型是：蝶鱼、比目鱼、鞋底鱼、大比目鱼等。”
“美味好吃的鱼！美味好吃的鱼！”鱼叉手喊，他只是从口味的观点来看鱼类。
“第四目是无腹鳍鱼，”康塞尔兴致丝毫不减地又说，“鱼身很长，没有腹鳍，身上有很厚的带粘性的皮；这一目只。有一科。类型是：鳝鱼、鳗鱼、电鳗鱼。”““味道平常！味道平常!尼德.兰答。
“第五目是总鳃鱼、康塞尔说，“鳃是完全的和自由的，但由许多小刷子构成，一对一对地排在鳃环节上。这一目只有一科。类型是：海马鱼、龙马鱼。”
“不好吃！不好吃！”鱼叉手回答。
康塞尔说：“最后第六目是固颚鱼，颚骨是固定在齿颚的颚间骨边上，上颚的拱形骨跟头盖骨缝连接在一起，因而！固定不动，这一目没有真正的腹鳍，共有两科。类型是：魄鱼、银鳗。”
“这些鱼，用锅来煮，锅也丢脸！”加拿大人喊道。
“尼德•兰老朋友，您明白了吗？”博学的康塞尔问。
“一点也不明白，康塞尔老朋友，”鱼叉手回答，“请您说下去，因为您对这很感兴趣。”
“至于软骨鱼类，”康塞尔很冷静地又说，“那就只有三目."
“这更省事了。”尼德•兰说。
“第一目，圆口鱼，鳃合成为一个转动的圈环，鱼鳃开合有许多小孔，这一目只有一科。类型：人目鳗。”这鱼，我们很喜欢吃。”尼德•兰回答。
“第二目，峻鱼，它的鳃类似圆口鱼的鳃，但下鳃活动。这一目是软骨鱼类中最重要的，共有两科。类型：鲨鱼、鳃鱼."
“什么!"尼德•兰喊道，“鲨鱼和鳃鱼是在同一目中，康塞尔老朋友，好哇，为鳃鱼的利益起见，我劝您不要把它们放在一个鱼缸里吧！”
康塞尔回答：“第三目：鳍鱼，鳃跟平常的千样，只由一个有盖的孔开会；这一目有四科。类型：磺鱼。”
“啊！康塞尔好朋友，您把最好吃的放在最后了——至少我的意见是这样。现在您的话完了吗？”
“是的，完了，尼德•兰好朋友，不过您得注意，就是知道了这些，仍是一无所知，因为科又分为属，属又分为亚属，为种，为变种……”“…
“好哇，康塞尔好朋友，”鱼叉手俯身到玻璃上说，“这不是各种各样的鱼都走过来了嘛！”
“真是！鱼呀，”康塞尔喊着，“好像我们是在鱼缸面前呢！”
“不，”我回答，“因为鱼缸是一个笼子，但这些鱼是像空中的鸟一般自由自在。”
“好哇，康塞尔好朋友，您现在说说这些鱼的名目吧，说说这些鱼的名目吧！”尼德•，兰说。
康塞尔回答：“那我可说不上来。这是我主人的事！，
“是一条箭鱼。”我于是说了。
诚然，康塞尔这个人，狂热的分类家，不是一个生物学家，我想他不一定能分别鲤鱼和鳍鱼的不同。总之他跟加拿大人正相反，加拿大人可以毫不迟疑他说出这些鱼的名字来。
尼德•兰回答：“是一条中国箭鱼。”
康塞尔于是低声说：“箭鱼属，硬皮科，固颚目。”
毫无疑问，尼德•兰和康塞尔，他们俩合起来，会成为一位出色的生物学家。
加拿大人并没有弄错。面前是一群箭鱼，压扁的身躯。皱纹的皮肤，背脊上有箭链式的武器，在诺第留斯号周围游来游去，鼓动着它们尾巴两边的四排尖刺。再没有比它们的外表更使人赞赏的了，上边灰色，下面全白，点点的金黄在波浪的漩涡中间闪闪发亮，多么美丽！在箭鱼中间，有鳃鱼，像随凤招展的台布，翻来转去，鳃鱼中我看到了使我很喜欢的那种中国鲤鱼，它上半身黑黄色，肚下淡淡的玫瑰色,眼睛后面带有三根刺；这种鱼是很少有的一种，拉色别德当时甚至于还不敢相信有这种鱼，他只在一本日本的图画书中看见过。
在两小时内，整整一大群的水族部队围绕在诺第留斯号周围。在它们的戏耍，它们的跳跃中间，当它们以美丽、光彩和速度来彼此比赛对抗的时候，我分别认出：青色的海婆婆，带有双层黑线的海诽绸鱼，圆团团的尾，白颜色，背上带紫红斑点的虾虎鱼，身上蓝色，头银白色的日本海中的美丽鳍鱼，不用描写，单单名字就可以看出的辉煌的碧琉璃鱼，或带蓝色或带黄色的鳍的条纹鳃鱼，尾上特别有一条黑带的线条鳃鱼，漂亮的裹在六条带中的线带鳃鱼，真正笛子口一般的笛口鱼，间有长至一米的海鹌鹑，日本的火蛇，多刺的鳗鱼，眼睛细小生动，大嘴中长有利牙的六英尺长蛇等等。
我们的赞美一直是最高度的。我们不断地发出惊叹声。尼德•兰说出鱼的名字，康塞尔加以分类；我就在这些鱼类伪活泼姿态和美丽的外形面前，感到极大的喜悦，我从没有像现在这样的机会，可以任意观看这些动物，活生生的，自由自在的，在它们本来生长的海水中游来游去。
在我昏花的眼面前游过的各种类型的水族，简直就是日本海和中国海的全部标本，我对它们实在不能一一列举出来。这些鱼比空中的鸟还多，可能是受电光的吸引，全部向船边跑过来了。
客厅中突然明亮。船边盖板闭起来。使人神迷的光景隐没不见了。可是我很久还似做梦般地想着，一直到我的眼光注意到那些挂在墙板上的机械为止。罗盘仍是指着东北偏东方，气压表正指五气压，表示船在五十米的深处，电力测程器让我们知道船行是每小时十五海里。
我等着尼摩船长，但他不出来。大钟正指五点。
尼德•兰和康塞尔回到他们的舱房。我也走进我的房间。晚餐早在房中摆好了：其中有最美味的海鳖做的汤，一盘切成薄片的海诽鲤鱼的白肉，鲤鱼肝另做，非常可口，一盘金绸鱼的内片，我觉得味道比鲑鱼肉还好。
我夜间看书，写笔记，思考问题。一会儿瞌睡来了，我就躺在海藻叶制的床上，酣美地人睡，这个时候，诺第留斯号正很快地穿过黑潮暖流，迅速地驶去。
Part 1 Chapter 15
THE NEXT DAY, November 9, I woke up only after a long, twelve-hour slumber. Conseil, a creature of habit, came to ask "how master's night went," and to offer his services. He had left his Canadian friend sleeping like a man who had never done anything else.
I let the gallant lad babble as he pleased, without giving him much in the way of a reply. I was concerned about Captain Nemo's absence during our session the previous afternoon, and I hoped to see him again today.
Soon I had put on my clothes, which were woven from strands of seashell tissue. More than once their composition provoked comments from Conseil. I informed him that they were made from the smooth, silken filaments with which the fan mussel, a type of seashell quite abundant along Mediterranean beaches, attaches itself to rocks. In olden times, fine fabrics, stockings, and gloves were made from such filaments, because they were both very soft and very warm. So the Nautilus's crew could dress themselves at little cost, without needing a thing from cotton growers, sheep, or silkworms on shore.
As soon as I was dressed, I made my way to the main lounge. It was deserted.
I dove into studying the conchological treasures amassed inside the glass cases. I also investigated the huge plant albums that were filled with the rarest marine herbs, which, although they were pressed and dried, still kept their wonderful colors. Among these valuable water plants, I noted various seaweed: some Cladostephus verticillatus, peacock's tails, fig-leafed caulerpa, grain-bearing beauty bushes, delicate rosetangle tinted scarlet, sea colander arranged into fan shapes, mermaid's cups that looked like the caps of squat mushrooms and for years had been classified among the zoophytes; in short, a complete series of algae.
The entire day passed without my being honored by a visit from Captain Nemo. The panels in the lounge didn't open. Perhaps they didn't want us to get tired of these beautiful things.
The Nautilus kept to an east-northeasterly heading, a speed of twelve miles per hour, and a depth between fifty and sixty meters.
Next day, November 10: the same neglect, the same solitude. I didn't see a soul from the crew. Ned and Conseil spent the better part of the day with me. They were astonished at the captain's inexplicable absence. Was this eccentric man ill? Did he want to change his plans concerning us?
But after all, as Conseil noted, we enjoyed complete freedom, we were daintily and abundantly fed. Our host had kept to the terms of his agreement. We couldn't complain, and moreover the very uniqueness of our situation had such generous rewards in store for us, we had no grounds for criticism.
That day I started my diary of these adventures, which has enabled me to narrate them with the most scrupulous accuracy; and one odd detail: I wrote it on paper manufactured from marine eelgrass.
Early in the morning on November 11, fresh air poured through the Nautilus's interior, informing me that we had returned to the surface of the ocean to renew our oxygen supply. I headed for the central companionway and climbed onto the platform.
It was six o'clock. I found the weather overcast, the sea gray but calm. Hardly a billow. I hoped to encounter Captain Nemo there--would he come? I saw only the helmsman imprisoned in his glass-windowed pilothouse. Seated on the ledge furnished by the hull of the skiff, I inhaled the sea's salty aroma with great pleasure.
Little by little, the mists were dispersed under the action of the sun's rays. The radiant orb cleared the eastern horizon. Under its gaze, the sea caught on fire like a trail of gunpowder. Scattered on high, the clouds were colored in bright, wonderfully shaded hues, and numerous "ladyfingers" warned of daylong winds.*
*Author's Note: "Ladyfingers" are small, thin, white clouds with ragged edges.
But what were mere winds to this Nautilus, which no storms could intimidate!
So I was marveling at this delightful sunrise, so life-giving and cheerful, when I heard someone climbing onto the platform.
I was prepared to greet Captain Nemo, but it was his chief officer who appeared--whom I had already met during our first visit with the captain. He advanced over the platform, not seeming to notice my presence. A powerful spyglass to his eye, he scrutinized every point of the horizon with the utmost care. Then, his examination over, he approached the hatch and pronounced a phrase whose exact wording follows below. I remember it because, every morning, it was repeated under the same circumstances. It ran like this:
"Nautron respoc lorni virch."
What it meant I was unable to say.
These words pronounced, the chief officer went below again. I thought the Nautilus was about to resume its underwater navigating. So I went down the hatch and back through the gangways to my stateroom.
Five days passed in this way with no change in our situation. Every morning I climbed onto the platform. The same phrase was pronounced by the same individual. Captain Nemo did not appear.
I was pursuing the policy that we had seen the last of him, when on November 16, while reentering my stateroom with Ned and Conseil, I found a note addressed to me on the table.
I opened it impatiently. It was written in a script that was clear and neat but a bit "Old English" in style, its characters reminding me of German calligraphy.
The note was worded as follows:
Professor Aronnax
Aboard the Nautilus
November 16, 1867
Captain Nemo invites Professor Aronnax on a hunting trip that will take place tomorrow morning in his Crespo Island forests. He hopes nothing will prevent the professor from attending, and he looks forward with pleasure to the professor's companions joining him.
CAPTAIN NEMO,
Commander of the Nautilus.
"A hunting trip!" Ned exclaimed.
"And in his forests on Crespo Island!" Conseil added.
"But does this mean the old boy goes ashore?" Ned Land went on.
"That seems to be the gist of it," I said, rereading the letter.
"Well, we've got to accept!" the Canadian answered. "Once we're on solid ground, we'll figure out a course of action. Besides, it wouldn't pain me to eat a couple slices of fresh venison!"
Without trying to reconcile the contradictions between Captain Nemo's professed horror of continents or islands and his invitation to go hunting in a forest, I was content to reply:
"First let's look into this Crespo Island."
I consulted the world map; and in latitude 32 degrees 40' north and longitude 167 degrees 50' west, I found an islet that had been discovered in 1801 by Captain Crespo, which old Spanish charts called Rocca de la Plata, in other words, "Silver Rock." So we were about 1,800 miles from our starting point, and by a slight change of heading, the Nautilus was bringing us back toward the southeast.
I showed my companions this small, stray rock in the middle of the north Pacific.
"If Captain Nemo does sometimes go ashore," I told them, "at least he only picks desert islands!"
Ned Land shook his head without replying; then he and Conseil left me. After supper was served me by the mute and emotionless steward, I fell asleep; but not without some anxieties.
When I woke up the next day, November 17, I sensed that the Nautilus was completely motionless. I dressed hurriedly and entered the main lounge.
Captain Nemo was there waiting for me. He stood up, bowed, and asked if it suited me to come along.
Since he made no allusion to his absence the past eight days, I also refrained from mentioning it, and I simply answered that my companions and I were ready to go with him.
"Only, sir," I added, "I'll take the liberty of addressing a question to you."
"Address away, Professor Aronnax, and if I'm able to answer, I will."
"Well then, captain, how is it that you've severed all ties with the shore, yet you own forests on Crespo Island?"
"Professor," the captain answered me, "these forests of mine don't bask in the heat and light of the sun. They aren't frequented by lions, tigers, panthers, or other quadrupeds. They're known only to me. They grow only for me. These forests aren't on land, they're actual underwater forests."
"Underwater forests!" I exclaimed.
"Yes, professor."
"And you're offering to take me to them?"
"Precisely."
"On foot?"
"Without getting your feet wet."
"While hunting?"
"While hunting."
"Rifles in hand?"
"Rifles in hand."
I stared at the Nautilus's commander with an air anything but flattering to the man.
"Assuredly," I said to myself, "he's contracted some mental illness. He's had a fit that's lasted eight days and isn't over even yet. What a shame! I liked him better eccentric than insane!"
These thoughts were clearly readable on my face; but Captain Nemo remained content with inviting me to follow him, and I did so like a man resigned to the worst.
We arrived at the dining room, where we found breakfast served.
"Professor Aronnax," the captain told me, "I beg you to share my breakfast without formality. We can chat while we eat. Because, although I promised you a stroll in my forests, I made no pledge to arrange for your encountering a restaurant there. Accordingly, eat your breakfast like a man who'll probably eat dinner only when it's extremely late."
I did justice to this meal. It was made up of various fish and some slices of sea cucumber, that praiseworthy zoophyte, all garnished with such highly appetizing seaweed as the Porphyra laciniata and the Laurencia primafetida. Our beverage consisted of clear water to which, following the captain's example, I added some drops of a fermented liquor extracted by the Kamchatka process from the seaweed known by name as Rhodymenia palmata.
At first Captain Nemo ate without pronouncing a single word. Then he told me:
"Professor, when I proposed that you go hunting in my Crespo forests, you thought I was contradicting myself. When I informed you that it was an issue of underwater forests, you thought I'd gone insane. Professor, you must never make snap judgments about your fellow man."
"But, captain, believe me--"
"Kindly listen to me, and you'll see if you have grounds for accusing me of insanity or self-contradiction."
"I'm all attention."
"Professor, you know as well as I do that a man can live underwater so long as he carries with him his own supply of breathable air. For underwater work projects, the workman wears a waterproof suit with his head imprisoned in a metal capsule, while he receives air from above by means of force pumps and flow regulators."
"That's the standard equipment for a diving suit," I said.
"Correct, but under such conditions the man has no freedom. He's attached to a pump that sends him air through an india-rubber hose; it's an actual chain that fetters him to the shore, and if we were to be bound in this way to the Nautilus, we couldn't go far either."
"Then how do you break free?" I asked.
"We use the Rouquayrol-Denayrouze device, invented by two of your fellow countrymen but refined by me for my own special uses, thereby enabling you to risk these new physiological conditions without suffering any organic disorders. It consists of a tank built from heavy sheet iron in which I store air under a pressure of fifty atmospheres. This tank is fastened to the back by means of straps, like a soldier's knapsack. Its top part forms a box where the air is regulated by a bellows mechanism and can be released only at its proper tension. In the Rouquayrol device that has been in general use, two india-rubber hoses leave this box and feed to a kind of tent that imprisons the operator's nose and mouth; one hose is for the entrance of air to be inhaled, the other for the exit of air to be exhaled, and the tongue closes off the former or the latter depending on the breather's needs. But in my case, since I face considerable pressures at the bottom of the sea, I needed to enclose my head in a copper sphere, like those found on standard diving suits, and the two hoses for inhalation and exhalation now feed to that sphere."
"That's perfect, Captain Nemo, but the air you carry must be quickly depleted; and once it contains no more than 15% oxygen, it becomes unfit for breathing."
"Surely, but as I told you, Professor Aronnax, the Nautilus's pumps enable me to store air under considerable pressure, and given this circumstance, the tank on my diving equipment can supply breathable air for nine or ten hours."
"I've no more objections to raise," I replied. "I'll only ask you, captain: how can you light your way at the bottom of the ocean?"
"With the Ruhmkorff device, Professor Aronnax. If the first is carried on the back, the second is fastened to the belt. It consists of a Bunsen battery that I activate not with potassium dichromate but with sodium. An induction coil gathers the electricity generated and directs it to a specially designed lantern. In this lantern one finds a glass spiral that contains only a residue of carbon dioxide gas. When the device is operating, this gas becomes luminous and gives off a continuous whitish light. Thus provided for, I breathe and I see."
"Captain Nemo, to my every objection you give such crushing answers, I'm afraid to entertain a single doubt. However, though I have no choice but to accept both the Rouquayrol and Ruhmkorff devices, I'd like to register some reservations about the rifle with which you'll equip me."
"But it isn't a rifle that uses gunpowder," the captain replied.
"Then it's an air gun?"
"Surely. How can I make gunpowder on my ship when I have no saltpeter, sulfur, or charcoal?"
"Even so," I replied, "to fire underwater in a medium that's 855 times denser than air, you'd have to overcome considerable resistance."
"That doesn't necessarily follow. There are certain Fulton-style guns perfected by the Englishmen Philippe-Coles and Burley, the Frenchman Furcy, and the Italian Landi; they're equipped with a special system of airtight fastenings and can fire in underwater conditions. But I repeat: having no gunpowder, I've replaced it with air at high pressure, which is abundantly supplied me by the Nautilus's pumps."
"But this air must be swiftly depleted."
"Well, in a pinch can't my Rouquayrol tank supply me with more? All I have to do is draw it from an ad hoc spigot.* Besides, Professor Aronnax, you'll see for yourself that during these underwater hunting trips, we make no great expenditure of either air or bullets."
*Latin: a spigot "just for that purpose." Ed.
"But it seems to me that in this semidarkness, amid this liquid that's so dense in comparison to the atmosphere, a gunshot couldn't carry far and would prove fatal only with difficulty!"
"On the contrary, sir, with this rifle every shot is fatal; and as soon as the animal is hit, no matter how lightly, it falls as if struck by lightning."
"Why?"
"Because this rifle doesn't shoot ordinary bullets but little glass capsules invented by the Austrian chemist Leniebroek, and I have a considerable supply of them. These glass capsules are covered with a strip of steel and weighted with a lead base; they're genuine little Leyden jars charged with high-voltage electricity. They go off at the slightest impact, and the animal, no matter how strong, drops dead. I might add that these capsules are no bigger than number 4 shot, and the chamber of any ordinary rifle could hold ten of them."
"I'll quit debating," I replied, getting up from the table. "And all that's left is for me to shoulder my rifle. So where you go, I'll go."
Captain Nemo led me to the Nautilus's stern, and passing by Ned and Conseil's cabin, I summoned my two companions, who instantly followed us.
Then we arrived at a cell located within easy access of the engine room; in this cell we were to get dressed for our stroll.
第二夭，十一月九日，我足足睡了十二个钟头才醒来。康塞尔来了，他习惯地问我“先生晚上睡得好”，接着就干起活来了。他不去惊动他的朋友，那个加拿大人，让他像瞌睡虫那样在房中睡觉。
我让这个好好先生随心所欲他说话，没有回答他的每一句。我一心想着为什么还看不见尼摩船长，从我们昨天聚谈以后，他一直没有露面，我希望今天能看到他。
我很快穿好了贝足丝织造的衣服。这一身衣料不止一次引起了康塞尔的思索。我告诉他，这身衣料是由发光的、丝一般柔软的纤维制成，这些纤维产在海石上，是地中海沿岸很丰富的一种像“猪腔形”介壳贝类留下的。从前人们拿来做成很好看的衣料，袜子，手套，因为它们又软又暖。诺第留斯号的船员一点不需要陆地上的棉花、羊毛和蚕丝，就可以穿起物美价廉的衣服。
我穿好了衣服就到客厅去，那里还没有人。
我于是钻研那些玻璃柜中堆积着的贝类学上的宝藏，全神贯注地研究。我也潜心搜索那宽大的植物标本库，库里充满着海中最希罕的植物，它们虽然风干了，但仍然保存着令人赞美的颜色。在这些珍贵的水产植物中间，我看到了那些坏生的海苔，孔雀昆布，葡萄叶形的海藻，粒状的水马齿，大红色的柔软海草，扇子形的海苑，吸盘草，这草很像外形下陷的冬菇，很久以来就被归人植虫动物的一类，最后我看到了整个一组的海藻类植物。
整整一天过去了，尼摩船长始终没有来看我。客厅的嵌板没有打开也许人家不愿意我们对于美丽的事物接触得太多吧。诺第留斯号行驶的方向仍是东北偏东，速度为每小时十二海里，距离海面五十至六十米。
第三天，11月10日，还是没有人，同样是冷清清的。我看见一个船员。尼德•兰和康塞尔跟我在一起过了大半天。他们对船长的不可理解的不露面很惊讶，这个奇异的人病了吗？他要改变他怎样安排我们的计划吗?
总而言之，正像康塞尔说的，我们享受到完全的自由，我们吃得很讲究。我们的主人完全遵守他约定的条款。我们不能抱怨，而且，我们意想不到的遭遇使我们受到了很好的待遇，光这一点，我们就没有权利控诉他。
这一天我开始写这次奇遇的日记，这样，我可以详尽而确切地把事情记录下来；我是用海中大叶藻制的纸写日记，这也是一件新奇的事。
11月11日，大清早，诺第留斯号的内部全换了新鲜空气，我知道我们现在又回到洋面上来补充氧气。我向中央楼梯走去，走上平台。
这时是早晨六点。我看见天是阴的，海也发暗，但相当平静。差不多没有波浪。我希望在平台上碰见尼摩船长，他会来吗）我只看见领航人关在他那玻璃笼间里。我坐在小艇外壳的突出部分，很自在地呼吸着海上的新鲜空气。
在太阳光的照射下，浓雾渐渐消散了。一轮红日从东方的天际涌出。海面被阳光照射得像燃着了的火药，发出一片红光。云彩散在高空，染上深浅不同的色泽，无数的“猫舌头”③预告今天整天都要刮风。
可是对于大风暴也不惊怕的诺第留斯号，普通的风又算得了什么呢？
我正在欣赏使人愉快的日出景象，忽然听到有人走上平台来。
我正准备招呼尼摩船长，但上来的人不是他，而是他的副手。他在平台上向前走，好像没有看见我似的。他拿一架倍数很大的望远镜，十分细心地观察四周的天边、观察过后，他走近嵌板，说了一句话，这句话的语音拼法完全跟下面写的一样。我所以把它记下来，是因为每天早晨，在同样的情况下，总是听到这句话。这句话是这样：
“诺土隆一雷斯扑一罗宜一维尔希。”
这话是什么意思，那我可说不上来。
说了这句话之后，船副又下到船舱去了。我想诺第留斯号又要潜入海底航行了。所以我走回嵌板边，穿过狭长的过道，回到我的房中。
这样过了五天，情形一点没有改变。每天早晨，我走上平台，听到同样的人说出同样的话。尼摩船长仍然没有露面。
我不再指望见他了。到了11月16比我跟尼德•兰和康塞尔回到我房中的时候，看见桌上有一封给我的信。
我拿过信来，立刻把信拆开。信上的字体写得清楚…很干净，但带一点古体，使人想起是有些像德文字体。
这信的内容如下：
送交诺第留斯号船上的阿龙纳斯教授
尼摩船长邀请阿龙纳斯教授出去打猎，这次打猎定于明天早晨在克利斯波岛的林中举行。船长希望他没有什么亭，能来参加，同时也很高兴他的同伴能跟他一道来。
诺第留斯号船长尼摩
1867年11月16日“打猎! 尼德•兰喊道。“在克利斯波岛的林中！”康塞尔加上一句。“这个怪人要到陆地上去吗？”尼德•兰又说。“在我看来，信中是说得清清楚楚的。”我再看了下信
“那么，一定要接受邀请，”加拿大人说，“我们该怎么办，到了陆地上就知道了。此外我也很高兴能吃到几块新鲜的野味。”
尼摩船长本来是讨厌大陆和岛屿的，现在反来邀我们去林中打猎，这矛盾我不想去求得解释，只是满意地说。
“我们先看看克利斯波岛是个什么样的地方。”
我于是查平面地图，在北纬32度40分，西经167度50分的地方，找到一个小岛，它是1801年由克利斯波船长发现的，古老的西班牙地图叫它洛加•德拉•蒲拉达，意译过来就是银石。所以我们现在距出发点约为一千八百海里，诺第留斯号行驶的方向有些改变了，它现在又向东南方驶去。
我把这个处在太平洋北部的小岛指给我的同伴看。
我对他们说：“尼摩船长即使偶然想上陆地，他一定也要选择那些荒凉无人的地方。”
尼德•兰摇摇头，不答话，一会，康塞尔和他都走开了。不动声色的管事人给我端来晚餐,我用过晚餐以后，心里盘算着明天的事，很久才入睡。
第二天， 11月：7日，我醒来，觉得诺第留斯号不动了。我赶忙穿上衣服，走进了客厅。
尼摩船长已经在厅里等着我了，他看见我，使站起来向我招呼，问我们跟他一同去打猎有什么不方便没有。
既然他一点不提他八天不露面的原因，我也不便打听，所以只是干脆地回答说，我的同伴和我都很乐意跟他去打猎。
“不过，”我又补上一句，“先生，请允许我向您提一个问题。”
“提吧， 阿龙纳斯先生，只要我能答复，我就一定答复。"“那么，船长，既然您跟陆地割断了任何联系，您怎会有森林在克利斯波岛上呢?"
“教授;"船长回答，“我的森林不需要太阳，不需要它的光，也不需要它的热。狮子，老虎，豹子，等等，不管什么四足兽都不能到我的森林中来。林中的一切东西只为我一个人生长。这不是陆地的森林，而是海底的森林。”
“海底的森林！”我喊道。
“是的，教授。”
“您请我到海底森林中去吗？”
“正是”
“步行去吗？”“步行去，而且不沾一点海水."“一面打猎吗？”
"一面打猎。”
“手拿着猎枪吗？”
“手拿着猎枪。"
我两眼盯着诺第留斯号的船长、一点没有露出讨好他的神气。
我想，他的脑子一定有毛病；敢情是最近还发作了一，次，拖了八天，现在还没有好呢。怪可怜的！但愿他发怪脾气，千万不要发狂才好！
我的脸色清楚地透露了我这种想法，但尼摩船长不说：什么，只请我跟着他走俄就像不顾一切地听天由命的人一样跟着他。我们到了饭厅，早餐早就摆好在那里了。
“阿龙纳斯先生，”船长对我说，“我请您用饭，不要客：气。我们一边吃饭，一边谈话。尽管我答应您可以去林中散步，但我并没有向您保证可以在林中碰到一家饭馆。所以请您尽量吃，就像一个要很迟才能回来吃午饭的人一样地多吃一点。”
我这顿饭吃得很饱。各式各样的菜是由鱼类，海参，美味的植虫动物，另外还有助消化的海藻类植物，像青红片海藻，苦乳味海藻等等做出来的。饮料是用水和酵素酒合成，这酒是按照勘察加岛人的方法，从有名的海藻，即所谓掌形蔷蔽藻酿造出来的。
起初，尼摩船长只是吃，不说一句话，后来才对我说：
“阿龙纳斯先生，我邀请您到我的克利斯波岛的森林中打猎的时候，您以为我是自相矛盾。当我告诉您这是海底森林的时候，您以为我是发疯。教授，您不能这样轻易判断
“不过，船长，请您相信……”
“请您耐心听下去，然后再看看您是不是应当责备我发疯和自相矛盾了。”
“我听您说，船长。"
“教授，您和我都知道，人只要带了充分的可呼吸的空气，他就可以生活在水底下。工人在水底下工作时，穿上～件不透水的衣服，头上套了一个金属的盒子，再利用打气机和节流器，就可以从水上面获得空气。”
“那是一套潜水设备。”我说。
“对，可是，带了这套设备，人是不自由的，那条输送空气的胶皮管子把他和打气机连接起来， 简直就是一条把他拴在陆地上的锁链，如果我们 是这样拴连着诺第留斯号，那我们就不能往远处走了."
“那么，可以自由行动的方法是什么呢?"我问。
“那就是使用您的两个法国同乡——卢格罗尔和德纳露兹创造的器械。为了符合我的要求，我改善了这种器械，靠了这种器械，可以在新的生理条件下在海水中生活，您的器官一点也不感到什么痛苦。它有一个厚钢板制的密封瓶，瓶中满贮五十大气压力压缩的空气。它像士兵的背囊一样，用一条腰带捆在人的背后，瓶的上部像个钢盒，盒中的空气由吹风机操纵，只在一定的压力下才能流出来。现在通用的卢格罗尔器械，都有两条胶皮管子从钢盒通出来，套在口鼻上罩着的喇叭形东西；其中一条是吸气用的，另一分是呼气用的，人的舌头按照呼吸的需要，控制这两条胶皮管的开关。但是，在海底下受到的压力很大，所以我要像潜水员一样，把我的脑袋装在铜制的圆球中，那两条胶皮管——吸气管和呼气管就连结在这个圆球上。”
"好极了， 尼摩船长。不过您所携带的空气很快就会用完的，空气中只含有百分之十五的氧时，就不宜再呼吸了。”
“可不是，但我跟您说过，阿龙纳斯先生，诺第留斯号的打气机使我可以把高压压缩的空气装进去，在这种条件下，这套器械的密封瓶能供应的空气足够我呼吸九到十小时。"
“我再没有什么可以非难的了，”我回答，“但我要问，您在海底下行动是靠什么来照明呢？”
“我用的是兰可夫灯，阿龙纳斯先生。呼吸器放在我背上，探照灯带在我腰间。探照灯装有一组本生电池，但我不用氯化钾，而用海中含量很多的氯化钠来发电。用一个感应线圈把发生的电收集起来，送到特制的灯泡。灯泡中有一根弯曲的玻璃管，管中只有少量的二氧化碳气。使用探照灯的时候，二氧化碳气发出一种连续不断的白光，照亮起来。有了这些设备，我就可以呼吸，可以看见。”
“尼摩船长，您对我提出的所有反对意见，都作了十分有力的答复，现在我再也不能怀疑了。不过，我虽然不得不承认卢格罗尔呼吸器和兰可夫探照灯，但我对那支猎枪，眈是您要我携带的这件武器，还不得不保留我的意见。"
“这不是什么火药枪。”船长回答。
“那么，是气枪吗？”
"可不是。船上没有硝石，没有硫磺，没有木炭，您要我怎么制造火药呢？”
“还有，”我说，“海水比空气重八百五十五倍，在这种环境中开枪要有实效，首先就要克服这种巨大的压力。”
“这不能算作一个理由。现在有一种枪，是按照富尔顿①的设计，由英国人菲力哥尔和布列、法国人傅尔西、意大利人兰帝加以改进的，它装有特殊的开关，可以在海水中射击。但是我要再一次告诉您，我没有火药，只能用压缩空气代替，这种空气是诺第留斯号的打气机可以大量供应的。”
“可是这空气很快就会用完的。”
“不错，但我带有卢格罗尔瓶，不是能按需要随时供应：：空气吗? 只要按需要装上一个开关龙头就够了 此外， 阿龙纳斯先生、您自己就将亲身看到，水底打猎并不费大量的空气和很多的子弹。”
“但是，在这种看不太清楚的地方，在这个比空气重得多的海水中间，我觉得发出的枪弹不能打得很远，并且也很难命中吧？”
“先生，用这种枪，每一发都是可以致命的，并且，动物一被打中，不管伤得怎样轻微，它必然像被雷击一般，立即倒下来。”
“为什么呢?"
“因为这枪发出的子弹并不是普通的子弹，这是奥地利化学家列妮布洛克发明的一种小波璃球，我船上储备了许多,这种小玻璃球装有钢的套子,下面又加了铅底,象真正的来顿瓶一样，里面具有很高的电压。就是最轻微的冲击，也要炸开，被打中的动物，不管怎样强大有力，也得倒下来死去。我要告诉您，它不比四号子弹大，普通猎枪的弹盒可以装上十个。”
“我再不争论了，”我从桌旁站起来说，“我只有拿起我的枪来就是了。您去哪里，我就跟您去哪里。”
船长领我到诺第留斯号的后部，走过尼德•兰和康塞尔的舱房门前，我叫了我的两个同伴，他们立即跟着我们出来。
一会儿，我们到了前面，靠近机器房的一个小房子里，我们要在这个小房子中穿起我们的海底打猎衣服来。
Part 1 Chapter 16
THIS CELL, properly speaking, was the Nautilus's arsenal and wardrobe. Hanging from its walls, a dozen diving outfits were waiting for anybody who wanted to take a stroll.
After seeing these, Ned Land exhibited an obvious distaste for the idea of putting one on.
"But my gallant Ned," I told him, "the forests of Crespo Island are simply underwater forests!"
"Oh great!" put in the disappointed harpooner, watching his dreams of fresh meat fade away. "And you, Professor Aronnax, are you going to stick yourself inside these clothes?"
"It has to be, Mr. Ned."
"Have it your way, sir," the harpooner replied, shrugging his shoulders. "But speaking for myself, I'll never get into those things unless they force me!"
"No one will force you, Mr. Land," Captain Nemo said.
"And is Conseil going to risk it?" Ned asked.
"Where master goes, I go," Conseil replied.
At the captain's summons, two crewmen came to help us put on these heavy, waterproof clothes, made from seamless india rubber and expressly designed to bear considerable pressures. They were like suits of armor that were both yielding and resistant, you might say. These clothes consisted of jacket and pants. The pants ended in bulky footwear adorned with heavy lead soles. The fabric of the jacket was reinforced with copper mail that shielded the chest, protected it from the water's pressure, and allowed the lungs to function freely; the sleeves ended in supple gloves that didn't impede hand movements.
These perfected diving suits, it was easy to see, were a far cry from such misshapen costumes as the cork breastplates, leather jumpers, seagoing tunics, barrel helmets, etc., invented and acclaimed in the 18th century.
Conseil and I were soon dressed in these diving suits, as were Captain Nemo and one of his companions--a herculean type who must have been prodigiously strong. All that remained was to encase one's head in its metal sphere. But before proceeding with this operation, I asked the captain for permission to examine the rifles set aside for us.
One of the Nautilus's men presented me with a streamlined rifle whose butt was boilerplate steel, hollow inside, and of fairly large dimensions. This served as a tank for the compressed air, which a trigger-operated valve could release into the metal chamber. In a groove where the butt was heaviest, a cartridge clip held some twenty electric bullets that, by means of a spring, automatically took their places in the barrel of the rifle. As soon as one shot had been fired, another was ready to go off.
"Captain Nemo," I said, "this is an ideal, easy-to-use weapon. I ask only to put it to the test. But how will we reach the bottom of the sea?"
"Right now, professor, the Nautilus is aground in ten meters of water, and we've only to depart."
"But how will we set out?"
"You'll see."
Captain Nemo inserted his cranium into its spherical headgear. Conseil and I did the same, but not without hearing the Canadian toss us a sarcastic "happy hunting." On top, the suit ended in a collar of threaded copper onto which the metal helmet was screwed. Three holes, protected by heavy glass, allowed us to see in any direction with simply a turn of the head inside the sphere. Placed on our backs, the Rouquayrol device went into operation as soon as it was in position, and for my part, I could breathe with ease.
The Ruhmkorff lamp hanging from my belt, my rifle in hand, I was ready to go forth. But in all honesty, while imprisoned in these heavy clothes and nailed to the deck by my lead soles, it was impossible for me to take a single step.
But this circumstance had been foreseen, because I felt myself propelled into a little room adjoining the wardrobe. Towed in the same way, my companions went with me. I heard a door with watertight seals close after us, and we were surrounded by profound darkness.
After some minutes a sharp hissing reached my ears. I felt a distinct sensation of cold rising from my feet to my chest. Apparently a stopcock inside the boat was letting in water from outside, which overran us and soon filled up the room. Contrived in the Nautilus's side, a second door then opened. We were lit by a subdued light. An instant later our feet were treading the bottom of the sea.
And now, how can I convey the impressions left on me by this stroll under the waters. Words are powerless to describe such wonders! When even the painter's brush can't depict the effects unique to the liquid element, how can the writer's pen hope to reproduce them?
Captain Nemo walked in front, and his companion followed us a few steps to the rear. Conseil and I stayed next to each other, as if daydreaming that through our metal carapaces, a little polite conversation might still be possible! Already I no longer felt the bulkiness of my clothes, footwear, and air tank, nor the weight of the heavy sphere inside which my head was rattling like an almond in its shell. Once immersed in water, all these objects lost a part of their weight equal to the weight of the liquid they displaced, and thanks to this law of physics discovered by Archimedes, I did just fine. I was no longer an inert mass, and I had, comparatively speaking, great freedom of movement.
Lighting up the seafloor even thirty feet beneath the surface of the ocean, the sun astonished me with its power. The solar rays easily crossed this aqueous mass and dispersed its dark colors. I could easily distinguish objects 100 meters away. Farther on, the bottom was tinted with fine shades of ultramarine; then, off in the distance, it turned blue and faded in the midst of a hazy darkness. Truly, this water surrounding me was just a kind of air, denser than the atmosphere on land but almost as transparent. Above me I could see the calm surface of the ocean.
We were walking on sand that was fine-grained and smooth, not wrinkled like beach sand, which preserves the impressions left by the waves. This dazzling carpet was a real mirror, throwing back the sun's rays with startling intensity. The outcome: an immense vista of reflections that penetrated every liquid molecule. Will anyone believe me if I assert that at this thirty-foot depth, I could see as if it was broad daylight?
For a quarter of an hour, I trod this blazing sand, which was strewn with tiny crumbs of seashell. Looming like a long reef, the Nautilus's hull disappeared little by little, but when night fell in the midst of the waters, the ship's beacon would surely facilitate our return on board, since its rays carried with perfect distinctness. This effect is difficult to understand for anyone who has never seen light beams so sharply defined on shore. There the dust that saturates the air gives such rays the appearance of a luminous fog; but above water as well as underwater, shafts of electric light are transmitted with incomparable clarity.
Meanwhile we went ever onward, and these vast plains of sand seemed endless. My hands parted liquid curtains that closed again behind me, and my footprints faded swiftly under the water's pressure.
Soon, scarcely blurred by their distance from us, the forms of some objects took shape before my eyes. I recognized the lower slopes of some magnificent rocks carpeted by the finest zoophyte specimens, and right off, I was struck by an effect unique to this medium.
By then it was ten o'clock in the morning. The sun's rays hit the surface of the waves at a fairly oblique angle, decomposing by refraction as though passing through a prism; and when this light came in contact with flowers, rocks, buds, seashells, and polyps, the edges of these objects were shaded with all seven hues of the solar spectrum. This riot of rainbow tints was a wonder, a feast for the eyes: a genuine kaleidoscope of red, green, yellow, orange, violet, indigo, and blue; in short, the whole palette of a color-happy painter! If only I had been able to share with Conseil the intense sensations rising in my brain, competing with him in exclamations of wonderment! If only I had known, like Captain Nemo and his companion, how to exchange thoughts by means of prearranged signals! So, for lack of anything better, I talked to myself: I declaimed inside this copper box that topped my head, spending more air on empty words than was perhaps advisable.
Conseil, like me, had stopped before this splendid sight. Obviously, in the presence of these zoophyte and mollusk specimens, the fine lad was classifying his head off. Polyps and echinoderms abounded on the seafloor: various isis coral, cornularian coral living in isolation, tufts of virginal genus Oculina formerly known by the name "white coral," prickly fungus coral in the shape of mushrooms, sea anemone holding on by their muscular disks, providing a literal flowerbed adorned by jellyfish from the genus Porpita wearing collars of azure tentacles, and starfish that spangled the sand, including veinlike feather stars from the genus Asterophyton that were like fine lace embroidered by the hands of water nymphs, their festoons swaying to the faint undulations caused by our walking. It filled me with real chagrin to crush underfoot the gleaming mollusk samples that littered the seafloor by the thousands: concentric comb shells, hammer shells, coquina (seashells that actually hop around), top-shell snails, red helmet shells, angel-wing conchs, sea hares, and so many other exhibits from this inexhaustible ocean. But we had to keep walking, and we went forward while overhead there scudded schools of Portuguese men-of-war that let their ultramarine tentacles drift in their wakes, medusas whose milky white or dainty pink parasols were festooned with azure tassels and shaded us from the sun's rays, plus jellyfish of the species Pelagia panopyra that, in the dark, would have strewn our path with phosphorescent glimmers!
All these wonders I glimpsed in the space of a quarter of a mile, barely pausing, following Captain Nemo whose gestures kept beckoning me onward. Soon the nature of the seafloor changed. The plains of sand were followed by a bed of that viscous slime Americans call "ooze," which is composed exclusively of seashells rich in limestone or silica. Then we crossed a prairie of algae, open-sea plants that the waters hadn't yet torn loose, whose vegetation grew in wild profusion. Soft to the foot, these densely textured lawns would have rivaled the most luxuriant carpets woven by the hand of man. But while this greenery was sprawling under our steps, it didn't neglect us overhead. The surface of the water was crisscrossed by a floating arbor of marine plants belonging to that superabundant algae family that numbers more than 2,000 known species. I saw long ribbons of fucus drifting above me, some globular, others tubular: Laurencia, Cladostephus with the slenderest foliage, Rhodymenia palmata resembling the fan shapes of cactus. I observed that green-colored plants kept closer to the surface of the sea, while reds occupied a medium depth, which left blacks and browns in charge of designing gardens and flowerbeds in the ocean's lower strata.
These algae are a genuine prodigy of creation, one of the wonders of world flora. This family produces both the biggest and smallest vegetables in the world. Because, just as 40,000 near-invisible buds have been counted in one five-square-millimeter space, so also have fucus plants been gathered that were over 500 meters long!
We had been gone from the Nautilus for about an hour and a half. It was almost noon. I spotted this fact in the perpendicularity of the sun's rays, which were no longer refracted. The magic of these solar colors disappeared little by little, with emerald and sapphire shades vanishing from our surroundings altogether. We walked with steady steps that rang on the seafloor with astonishing intensity. The tiniest sounds were transmitted with a speed to which the ear is unaccustomed on shore. In fact, water is a better conductor of sound than air, and under the waves noises carry four times as fast.
Just then the seafloor began to slope sharply downward. The light took on a uniform hue. We reached a depth of 100 meters, by which point we were undergoing a pressure of ten atmospheres. But my diving clothes were built along such lines that I never suffered from this pressure. I felt only a certain tightness in the joints of my fingers, and even this discomfort soon disappeared. As for the exhaustion bound to accompany a two-hour stroll in such unfamiliar trappings--it was nil. Helped by the water, my movements were executed with startling ease.
Arriving at this 300-foot depth, I still detected the sun's rays, but just barely. Their intense brilliance had been followed by a reddish twilight, a midpoint between day and night. But we could see well enough to find our way, and it still wasn't necessary to activate the Ruhmkorff device.
Just then Captain Nemo stopped. He waited until I joined him, then he pointed a finger at some dark masses outlined in the shadows a short distance away.
"It's the forest of Crespo Island," I thought; and I was not mistaken.
这个小房子，说得正确些，就是诺第留斯号的军火库和储藏衣服的地方。墙上挂着十二套潜水衣，等待海底散步者穿戴。
尼德•兰看到这些潜水衣，觉得十分讨厌，不愿意穿。
“您可知道，老实的尼德•兰，”我对他说，“那克利斯波岛的森林是海底下的森林呢！”
“好嘛！”鱼叉手失望他说，因为他吃鲜肉的梦想幻灭了。“阿龙纳斯先生，您自己也要套进这种衣服里面去吗？”
“当然，尼德•兰师傅。”“先生，您高兴穿您就穿吧！”鱼叉手耸一耸两肩说，“我来顿瓶一样，里面具有很高的电压。就是最轻微的冲击，也要炸开，被打中的动物，不管怎样强大有力，也得倒下来死去。我要告诉您，它不比四号子弹大，普通猎枪的弹盒可以装上十个。”
“我再不争论了，”我从桌旁站起来说，“我只有拿起我的枪来就是了。您去哪里，我就跟您去哪里。”
船长领我到诺第留斯号的后部，走过尼德•兰和康塞尔的舱房门前，我叫了我的两个同伴，他们立即跟着我们出来。
一会儿，我们到了前面，靠近机器房的一个小房子里，我们要在这个小房子中穿起我们的海底打猎衣服来。两个船员，遵照船长的嘱咐，走上来帮助我们穿这些不透水的、沉甸甸的衣服；衣服是用橡胶制成的，没有缝，可以承担强大的压力，不受损伤。应当说这是一套又柔软又坚固的甲胄。上衣和裤于是连在一起的、裤脚下是很厚的鞋, 鞋底装有很重的铅铁板。上衣全部由铜片编叠起来，像铁甲一般保护着胸部，可以抵抗水的冲压，让肺部自由呼吸; 衣袖跟手套连在一起，很柔软，丝毫不妨碍两手的运动。
那些不完备的有缺点的潜水衣，例如十八世纪发明的被人称赞的树皮胸甲，无袖外罩，人海衣，藏身箱等等，跟我们眼前这套完美的潜水衣比较，实在是太相形见咄了。
尼摩船长、他的一个同伴（一个替力过人，像赫拉克轨斯一般的大力士）、康塞尔和我，一共四个人，全都穿好了潜水衣。现在只要把我们的脑袋钻进金属圆球中，我们就算装备完了。但在戴上金属圆球之前，我要求尼摩船长给我看一看我们要带的猎枪。
诺第留斯号船上的一个船员拿一支很简单的枪给我看。枪托是钢片制的，中空，体积相当大，是储藏压缩空气。的容器，上面有活塞，转动机件，便可以使空气流入枪筒.枪托里面装了一盒子弹， 盒中有二十粒电气弹，利用弹簧子弹可以自动跳人枪膛中。一粒子弹发出之后，另一粒立即填补，可以连续发射。
“尼摩船长，”我说，“这支枪十分好，并且便于使用。我现在真想试试它。不过我们怎样到海底下去呢？”
“教授，此刻诺第留斯号搁浅在海底下十米深处，我们、只待动身出发了。”
“我们怎样出去呢？”
“您不久就知道。”
尼摩船长把自己的脑袋钻进圆球帽子里面去。康塞尔和我照着他的动作，各自戴上圆球帽。我们又听到加拿大人讽刺地对我们说了一声“好好地打猎去吧”。我们潜水衣•的上部是一个有螺丝钉的铜领子，铜帽就钉在领子上。圆球上有三个孔，用很厚的玻璃防护，只要人头在圆球内部转动，就可以看见四面八方的东西。当脑袋钻进圆球中的时候，放在我们背上的卢格罗尔呼吸器，立即起了作用；就我个人来说，我呼吸很顺利，没有困难。
我腰间挂着兰可夫探照灯，手里拿着猎枪，准备出发。但是，说实在的，穿上这身沉甸甸的衣服，被铅做的鞋底钉在甲板上，要迈动一步，也是不可能的。
但这种情形是预先料到的，我觉得，有人把我推进跟藏衣室相连的一个小房子中。我的同伴，同我一样被椎着，跟着我过来。我听到装有阻塞机的门在我们出来后就关上，我们的周围立刻是一片漆黑。
过了几分钟，一声尖锐的呼啸传进我的耳朵。我感到好像有一股冷气，从脚底涌到胸部。显然是有人打开了船内的水门，让外面的海水向我们冲来，不久，这所小房子便充满了水。•在诺第留斯号船侧的另一扇门，这时候打开来了。一道半明半暗的光线照射我们。一会儿，“我们的两脚便踏在海底地上。
现在，我怎能将当时在海底下散步的印象写出来呢？像这类神奇的事是无法用语言来形容的！就是画笔也不能将海水中的特殊景象描绘出来，语言文字就更不可能了。
尼摩船长走在前面，他的同伴在后面距离好几步跟随着我们。康塞尔和我，彼此紧挨着，好像我们可以通过我们的金属外壳交谈似的。我不再感到我的衣服，我的鞋底，我的空气箱的沉重了，也不觉得这厚厚的圆球的分量，我的脑袋在圆球中间摇来晃去，像杏仁在它的核中滚动一般。所有这些物体，在水中失去了一部分重量，即它们排去的水的重量，因此我进一步了解了阿基米德①发现的这条物理学原理。我不再是一块呆立不动的物体，差不多可以说能够运动自如了。
阳光可以照到洋面下三十英尺的地方，这股力量真使我惊奇。太阳光强有力地穿过水层，把水中的颜色驱散，我可以清楚地分辨一百米以内的物体。百米之外，水底现出天蓝一般的渐次晕淡的不同色度，在远处变成浅蓝，没人模糊的黑暗中。真的，在我周围的这水实在不过是一种空气，虽然密度较地上的空气大，但透明的情形是跟地上空气相仿。在我头上，我又看见那平静无波的海面。
我们在很细，很平，没有皱纹，像海滩上只留有潮水痕迹的沙上行走。这种眩人眼目的地毯，像真正的反射镜，把太阳光强烈地反射出去。由此而生出那种强大的光线辐射，透人所有的水层中。如果我肯定说，在水中深三十英尺的地方，我可以像在阳光下一样看得清楚，那人们能相信我吗？
我们踩着明亮的沙层走动，足足有一刻钟，它是贝壳变成的粉未构成的。像长长的暗礁一样出现的诺第留斯号船身，已经渐渐隐没不见了；但它的探照灯，射出十分清楚的亮光， 在水中黑暗的地方，可以指示我们回到船上去。人们1只在陆地上看见过这种一道道的十分辉煌的白光，对于电光在海底下的作用，实在不容易了解。在陆地上，空气中充满尘土，使一道道光线像明亮的云雾一样：但在海上, 跟在海底下一样，电光是十分透亮的，一点也不模糊。
我们不停地走动，广阔的细沙平原好像是漫无边际。我用手拨开水帘，走过后它又自动合上，我的脚迹在水的压力下也立即就消失了。
走了一会儿，看见前面有些东西，虽然形象仅仅在远方微微露出，但轮廓已清楚地在我眼前浮现。我看出这是海底岩石前沿好看的一列，石上满铺着最美丽的形形色色的植虫动物；我首先就被这种特有的景色怔住。
这时是早晨十点。太阳光在相当倾斜的角度下，投射在水波面上，光线由于曲折作用，像通过三梭镜一样被分解，海底的花、石、植物、介壳、珊瑚类动物，一接触被分解的光线，在边缘上显现出太阳分光的七种不同颜色。这种所有浓淡颜色的错综交结，真正是一架红、橙、黄、绿、青、蓝、紫的彩色缤纷的万花筒，总之，它就是十分讲究的水彩画家的一整套颜色！看来实在是神奇，实在是眼福！我怎样才能把我心中所有的新奇感觉告诉康塞尔呢！怎样才能跟他一齐发出赞叹呢！我怎样才能跟尼摩船长和他的同伴一样，利用一种约定的记号来传达我的思想呢！因为没有更好的办法，所以我只好自己对自己说话，在套着自己脑袋的铜盒子里面大声叫喊；虽然我知道，说这些空话消耗的空气恐怕比预定的要多些。
对着这灿烂的美景，康塞尔跟我一样惊奇地欣赏。显然，这个守本分的人，要把眼前这些形形色色的植虫动物和软体动物分类，不停地分类。满地都是腔肠动物和棘皮动物。变化不一的叉形虫，孤独生活的角形虫，纯洁的眼球丛，被人叫作雪白珊瑚的耸起作蘑菇形的菌生虫，肌肉盘贴在地上的白头翁……布置成一片花地；再镶上结了天蓝丝绦领子的红花石疣，散在沙间象星宿一般的海星，满是小虫伪海盘车，这一切真像水中仙女手绣的精美花边。朵朵的、花彩因我们走路时所引起的最轻微的波动而摆动起来。把成千成万散布在地上的软体动物的美丽品种，环纹海扇，海糙鱼，当那贝——真正会跳跃的贝，洼形贝，朱红胄，像天使翅膀一般的袖形贝，叶纹贝，以及其他许许多多的无穷无尽的海洋生物, 践踏在我的脚底下，我心中实在难受，实在愧惜。但是我们不得不走，我们继续前进，在我们头上是成群结队的管状水母，它们伸出它们的天蓝色触须，一连串地飘在水中。还有月形水母，它那带乳白色或淡玫瑰红的伞，套了天蓝色框子，给我们遮住了阳光。在黑暗中，更有发亮的i半球形水母，为我们发出磷光，照亮了我们前进的道路！
约在四分之一海里的空间内，我没有停步，几乎不断地看到这些珍品。尼摩船长向我招手，我跟着他走。不久，脚下的土壤变了性质. 接连细沙平原的是一片胶粘的泥地，单独由硅土或石灰贝壳构成，美国人管它叫“乌兹”。接昔我们跑过一段海藻地，它们是未经海水冲走的海产植物，繁殖力很强。这种纤维紧密的草坪，踩在脚下软绵绵的，刁”以和人工织出的最柔软的地毯媲美。但是，不只我们脚下是绿草如茵，连我们头上也是一片翠绿。水面上轻飘飘地浮着一层海产植物，全部是取之不尽的海藻类，这类植物，我们已经知道的，至少有二千多种。我看见水中浮着很长的海带（有些作球形，有些作管状）、红花藻、叶子很纤细的薛苔、很像仙人掌的蔷薇藻。我注意到较近海面的一层是青绿色的海草，在更深一些的地方是红色的海草，黑色或赭色。的水草就在最深处，形成海底花园和草地。
这些海藻类实在是造化的奇迹，宇宙植物界的一个奇迹。地球上最小和最大的植物都产生在海藻类中。因为五平方毫米的地方，可以有四万条这类肉眼不可见的微生植物，同时人们又采过长一直超过五百米的海带。
我们离开诺第留斯号有一小时半左右了。正是快到中午的时候，我看见太阳光垂直地照下来，再没有曲折作用了。颜色变幻的花样渐渐没有了，翠玉和青玉的各种色度也从我们的头顶上消失了。我们步伐很规律地走着，踩夜地上发出异常响亮的声音。很轻微的声晌也很快地传出去。这是在陆地上时的耳朵所不熟悉的。本来，对于声音，水比空气是更好的传音体，它传播声音比空气快四倍。
这时候，海底地面由于有明显的斜坡，渐渐低下去。光线的色泽是一致的。我们到了百米的深度，受到十大气医的压力。但我的潜水衣是为适应这些情况制成的，所以我没有感到这种压力的难受。我仅仅觉得手指不能灵活使用，但这种困难情况不久也就消失。我穿上自己不习惯的潜水衣，漫游了两小时，本来应该疲倦，可是现在丝毫不感到什么。我由于水力的帮助，行动异常灵便。
到了三百英尺的深度，我还能看见太阳光，不过很微弱。尾接着阳光的强烈光辉，是红色的曙光，白日与黑夜之间的阴暗光线。但我们还看得清楚，可以引路，还不需要使用兰可夫灯。
这时候，尼摩船长停下来。他等着，要我到他面前去，他指点我看那在阴影中不远的地方，渐渐露出来的一堆堆模糊不清的形体。
我想，那就是克利斯波森林了。果然，我并没有弄错。
Part 1 Chapter 17
WE HAD FINALLY arrived on the outskirts of this forest, surely one of the finest in Captain Nemo's immense domains. He regarded it as his own and had laid the same claim to it that, in the first days of the world, the first men had to their forests on land. Besides, who else could dispute his ownership of this underwater property? What other, bolder pioneer would come, ax in hand, to clear away its dark underbrush?
This forest was made up of big treelike plants, and when we entered beneath their huge arches, my eyes were instantly struck by the unique arrangement of their branches--an arrangement that I had never before encountered.
None of the weeds carpeting the seafloor, none of the branches bristling from the shrubbery, crept, or leaned, or stretched on a horizontal plane. They all rose right up toward the surface of the ocean. Every filament or ribbon, no matter how thin, stood ramrod straight. Fucus plants and creepers were growing in stiff perpendicular lines, governed by the density of the element that generated them. After I parted them with my hands, these otherwise motionless plants would shoot right back to their original positions. It was the regime of verticality.
I soon grew accustomed to this bizarre arrangement, likewise to the comparative darkness surrounding us. The seafloor in this forest was strewn with sharp chunks of stone that were hard to avoid. Here the range of underwater flora seemed pretty comprehensive to me, as well as more abundant than it might have been in the arctic or tropical zones, where such exhibits are less common. But for a few minutes I kept accidentally confusing the two kingdoms, mistaking zoophytes for water plants, animals for vegetables. And who hasn't made the same blunder? Flora and fauna are so closely associated in the underwater world!
I observed that all these exhibits from the vegetable kingdom were attached to the seafloor by only the most makeshift methods. They had no roots and didn't care which solid objects secured them, sand, shells, husks, or pebbles; they didn't ask their hosts for sustenance, just a point of purchase. These plants are entirely self-propagating, and the principle of their existence lies in the water that sustains and nourishes them. In place of leaves, most of them sprouted blades of unpredictable shape, which were confined to a narrow gamut of colors consisting only of pink, crimson, green, olive, tan, and brown. There I saw again, but not yet pressed and dried like the Nautilus's specimens, some peacock's tails spread open like fans to stir up a cooling breeze, scarlet rosetangle, sea tangle stretching out their young and edible shoots, twisting strings of kelp from the genus Nereocystis that bloomed to a height of fifteen meters, bouquets of mermaid's cups whose stems grew wider at the top, and a number of other open-sea plants, all without flowers. "It's an odd anomaly in this bizarre element!" as one witty naturalist puts it. "The animal kingdom blossoms, and the vegetable kingdom doesn't!"
These various types of shrubbery were as big as trees in the temperate zones; in the damp shade between them, there were clustered actual bushes of moving flowers, hedges of zoophytes in which there grew stony coral striped with twisting furrows, yellowish sea anemone from the genus Caryophylia with translucent tentacles, plus anemone with grassy tufts from the genus Zoantharia; and to complete the illusion, minnows flitted from branch to branch like a swarm of hummingbirds, while there rose underfoot, like a covey of snipe, yellow fish from the genus Lepisocanthus with bristling jaws and sharp scales, flying gurnards, and pinecone fish.
Near one o'clock, Captain Nemo gave the signal to halt. Speaking for myself, I was glad to oblige, and we stretched out beneath an arbor of winged kelp, whose long thin tendrils stood up like arrows.
This short break was a delight. It lacked only the charm of conversation. But it was impossible to speak, impossible to reply. I simply nudged my big copper headpiece against Conseil's headpiece. I saw a happy gleam in the gallant lad's eyes, and to communicate his pleasure, he jiggled around inside his carapace in the world's silliest way.
After four hours of strolling, I was quite astonished not to feel any intense hunger. What kept my stomach in such a good mood I'm unable to say. But, in exchange, I experienced that irresistible desire for sleep that comes over every diver. Accordingly, my eyes soon closed behind their heavy glass windows and I fell into an uncontrollable doze, which until then I had been able to fight off only through the movements of our walking. Captain Nemo and his muscular companion were already stretched out in this clear crystal, setting us a fine naptime example.
How long I was sunk in this torpor I cannot estimate; but when I awoke, it seemed as if the sun were settling toward the horizon. Captain Nemo was already up, and I had started to stretch my limbs, when an unexpected apparition brought me sharply to my feet.
A few paces away, a monstrous, meter-high sea spider was staring at me with beady eyes, poised to spring at me. Although my diving suit was heavy enough to protect me from this animal's bites, I couldn't keep back a shudder of horror. Just then Conseil woke up, together with the Nautilus's sailor. Captain Nemo alerted his companion to this hideous crustacean, which a swing of the rifle butt quickly brought down, and I watched the monster's horrible legs writhing in dreadful convulsions.
This encounter reminded me that other, more daunting animals must be lurking in these dark reaches, and my diving suit might not be adequate protection against their attacks. Such thoughts hadn't previously crossed my mind, and I was determined to keep on my guard. Meanwhile I had assumed this rest period would be the turning point in our stroll, but I was mistaken; and instead of heading back to the Nautilus, Captain Nemo continued his daring excursion.
The seafloor kept sinking, and its significantly steeper slope took us to greater depths. It must have been nearly three o'clock when we reached a narrow valley gouged between high, vertical walls and located 150 meters down. Thanks to the perfection of our equipment, we had thus gone ninety meters below the limit that nature had, until then, set on man's underwater excursions.
I say 150 meters, although I had no instruments for estimating this distance. But I knew that the sun's rays, even in the clearest seas, could reach no deeper. So at precisely this point the darkness became profound. Not a single object was visible past ten paces. Consequently, I had begun to grope my way when suddenly I saw the glow of an intense white light. Captain Nemo had just activated his electric device. His companion did likewise. Conseil and I followed suit. By turning a switch, I established contact between the induction coil and the glass spiral, and the sea, lit up by our four lanterns, was illuminated for a radius of twenty-five meters.
Captain Nemo continued to plummet into the dark depths of this forest, whose shrubbery grew ever more sparse. I observed that vegetable life was disappearing more quickly than animal life. The open-sea plants had already left behind the increasingly arid seafloor, where a prodigious number of animals were still swarming: zoophytes, articulates, mollusks, and fish.
While we were walking, I thought the lights of our Ruhmkorff devices would automatically attract some inhabitants of these dark strata. But if they did approach us, at least they kept at a distance regrettable from the hunter's standpoint. Several times I saw Captain Nemo stop and take aim with his rifle; then, after sighting down its barrel for a few seconds, he would straighten up and resume his walk.
Finally, at around four o'clock, this marvelous excursion came to an end. A wall of superb rocks stood before us, imposing in its sheer mass: a pile of gigantic stone blocks, an enormous granite cliffside pitted with dark caves but not offering a single gradient we could climb up. This was the underpinning of Crespo Island. This was land.
The captain stopped suddenly. A gesture from him brought us to a halt, and however much I wanted to clear this wall, I had to stop. Here ended the domains of Captain Nemo. He had no desire to pass beyond them. Farther on lay a part of the globe he would no longer tread underfoot.
Our return journey began. Captain Nemo resumed the lead in our little band, always heading forward without hesitation. I noted that we didn't follow the same path in returning to the Nautilus. This new route, very steep and hence very arduous, quickly took us close to the surface of the sea. But this return to the upper strata wasn't so sudden that decompression took place too quickly, which could have led to serious organic disorders and given us those internal injuries so fatal to divers. With great promptness, the light reappeared and grew stronger; and the refraction of the sun, already low on the horizon, again ringed the edges of various objects with the entire color spectrum.
At a depth of ten meters, we walked amid a swarm of small fish from every species, more numerous than birds in the air, more agile too; but no aquatic game worthy of a gunshot had yet been offered to our eyes.
Just then I saw the captain's weapon spring to his shoulder and track a moving object through the bushes. A shot went off, I heard a faint hissing, and an animal dropped a few paces away, literally struck by lightning.
It was a magnificent sea otter from the genus Enhydra, the only exclusively marine quadruped. One and a half meters long, this otter had to be worth a good high price. Its coat, chestnut brown above and silver below, would have made one of those wonderful fur pieces so much in demand in the Russian and Chinese markets; the fineness and luster of its pelt guaranteed that it would go for at least 2,000 francs. I was full of wonderment at this unusual mammal, with its circular head adorned by short ears, its round eyes, its white whiskers like those on a cat, its webbed and clawed feet, its bushy tail. Hunted and trapped by fishermen, this valuable carnivore has become extremely rare, and it takes refuge chiefly in the northernmost parts of the Pacific, where in all likelihood its species will soon be facing extinction.
Captain Nemo's companion picked up the animal, loaded it on his shoulder, and we took to the trail again.
For an hour plains of sand unrolled before our steps. Often the seafloor rose to within two meters of the surface of the water. I could then see our images clearly mirrored on the underside of the waves, but reflected upside down: above us there appeared an identical band that duplicated our every movement and gesture; in short, a perfect likeness of the quartet near which it walked, but with heads down and feet in the air.
Another unusual effect. Heavy clouds passed above us, forming and fading swiftly. But after thinking it over, I realized that these so-called clouds were caused simply by the changing densities of the long ground swells, and I even spotted the foaming "white caps" that their breaking crests were proliferating over the surface of the water. Lastly, I couldn't help seeing the actual shadows of large birds passing over our heads, swiftly skimming the surface of the sea.
On this occasion I witnessed one of the finest gunshots ever to thrill the marrow of a hunter. A large bird with a wide wingspan, quite clearly visible, approached and hovered over us. When it was just a few meters above the waves, Captain Nemo's companion took aim and fired. The animal dropped, electrocuted, and its descent brought it within reach of our adroit hunter, who promptly took possession of it. It was an albatross of the finest species, a wonderful specimen of these open-sea fowl.
This incident did not interrupt our walk. For two hours we were sometimes led over plains of sand, sometimes over prairies of seaweed that were quite arduous to cross. In all honesty, I was dead tired by the time I spotted a hazy glow half a mile away, cutting through the darkness of the waters. It was the Nautilus's beacon. Within twenty minutes we would be on board, and there I could breathe easy again--because my tank's current air supply seemed to be quite low in oxygen. But I was reckoning without an encounter that slightly delayed our arrival.
I was lagging behind some twenty paces when I saw Captain Nemo suddenly come back toward me. With his powerful hands he sent me buckling to the ground, while his companion did the same to Conseil. At first I didn't know what to make of this sudden assault, but I was reassured to observe the captain lying motionless beside me.
I was stretched out on the seafloor directly beneath some bushes of algae, when I raised my head and spied two enormous masses hurtling by, throwing off phosphorescent glimmers.
My blood turned cold in my veins! I saw that we were under threat from a fearsome pair of sharks. They were blue sharks, dreadful man-eaters with enormous tails, dull, glassy stares, and phosphorescent matter oozing from holes around their snouts. They were like monstrous fireflies that could thoroughly pulverize a man in their iron jaws! I don't know if Conseil was busy with their classification, but as for me, I looked at their silver bellies, their fearsome mouths bristling with teeth, from a viewpoint less than scientific-- more as a victim than as a professor of natural history.
Luckily these voracious animals have poor eyesight. They went by without noticing us, grazing us with their brownish fins; and miraculously, we escaped a danger greater than encountering a tiger deep in the jungle.
Half an hour later, guided by its electric trail, we reached the Nautilus. The outside door had been left open, and Captain Nemo closed it after we reentered the first cell. Then he pressed a button. I heard pumps operating within the ship, I felt the water lowering around me, and in a few moments the cell was completely empty. The inside door opened, and we passed into the wardrobe.
There our diving suits were removed, not without difficulty; and utterly exhausted, faint from lack of food and rest, I repaired to my stateroom, full of wonder at this startling excursion on the bottom of the sea.
我们到底走到森林的边缘了，这可能是尼摩船长的广大领土中最美好的一处。他把森林看作是他的，他把森林的所有权归他自己，像世界开辟的时候，最初出现的一批人霸占所有权一样。其实，又有谁能够跟他争这海底财产的所有权呢？哪有比他更大胆的开荒者，手拿着斧子，敢来这里砍伐荆棘，开垦田地呢？
这森林中生长的都是高大的木本植物，当我们走到树，林中间阔大的拱形枝干之下，我的眼光首先就被林中树枝排列的奇特形状所吸引，感到奇怪的是这种形状，我从来没有看见过。
林中地上并没有生长什么草，小树上丛生的枝权没有一根向外蔓延，也不弯曲垂下，也不向横的方面伸展。所有草木都笔直伸向洋面。没有枝条，没有叶带，不管怎么细小，都是笔直的，像铁杆一般。海带和水藻，受到海水强大密度的影响，坚定不移地沿着垂直线生长。而且这些水草叉是静止不动的，当我用手分开它们的时候，一放手，它们立即回复原来的笔直状态。这林子简直就是垂直线的世界。
不久我便看惯了这种古怪的形状，同时也习惯了我们四周的相对的黑暗环境。林中地上随处有尖利的石块，很不容易躲开。海底植物，据我看，在这里是应有尽有了，比产量较少的南北两极地带或热带区域，可能更为丰富。不过，在几分钟内，我不知不觉地把动植物两类混淆起来，把植虫动物当做水产植物，把动物当做植物。本来，谁能不弄错呢？在海底下，动物界和植物界是十分接近的：
我观察到，所有这里的植物界产品，跟土壤只是表面上连接起来。它们没有根，支持它们的不管是固体、是沙、是贝、是甲壳或石子，都没有什么影响，它们所要求的只是一个支点，而不是借以生长购力量。这些植物只是自己发展起来，它们生存的唯一资源就是那维持它们和滋养它们的海水。它们大部分不长叶子，只长出奇形怪状的小片，表面的色彩很有限，只有玫瑰红、洋红、青绿、青黄、灰褐、古铜等颜：色。我在这里又看到的，不是像在诺第留斯号船上风干的标本，而是恬生生的、似乎迎凤招展地作扇子般展开的孔雀彩贝，大红的陶瓷贝，伸长像可食的嫩笋一样的片形贝。细长柔软，一直长到十五米高的古铜藻，茎在顶上长大的一束一柬瓶形水草，以及其他许多的海产植物，通通没有花。一位很风趣的生物学家曾说过：“动物类开花，植物类不开花，大海真是奇异例外的环境，古怪新奇的自然！”
在这些像温带树木一般高大的各种不同的灌木中间，在它们的湿润的荫影下面，遍生着带有生动花朵的真正丛林，植虫动物的篱笆行列，上面像花一般开放出弯曲条纹的脑纹状珊瑚，触须透明的黑黄石竹珊瑚，草地上一堆一堆的石花珊瑚——为了使这个幻觉完整无缺一又有蝇鱼，它们像成群的蜂雀，从这枝飞到那枝，至于两腮耸起、鳞甲尖利的麦虫鱼，飞鱼，单鳍鱼，那简直就像一群鹌鹑，在我们脚下跳来跳去。
到一点钟左右，尼摩船长发出暂时休息的信号。在我来说，我很高兴能休息一下，我们于是在一个海草华盖下面躺下来，这海草的细长枝条像箭一般直插着。
这一刻的休息我觉得很舒服，美中不足的是我们不能彼此交谈。没有法子说话，当然也没有法子回答。我仅仅把我粗大的铜头挨近康塞尔的铜头。我看见了这老实人的眼睛闪出兴奋的亮光，又为表示满意起见，他在铜壳子里面乱摇乱摆，作最滑稽可笑的怪样子。
虽然走了四小时的路，我并不感到有吃东西的需要，心里很为惊异。为什么会这样，我说不出来。但另一方面，像“所有潜水人一样，我感到很想睡觉，没有法子克制。所以我的眼睛也就在很厚的玻璃后面闭起来，我立即掉到无法克制的昏睡中，这昏睡，刚才也只是靠向前的走动才暂时制止了它。尼摩船长和他的壮健同伴，早就躺在清澈的水晶体中，先给我们作出睡眠的榜样了。
我沉迷在这种昏睡中有多少时候，那我不能估计；但当我醒来的时候，看看太阳已经向西边低下去了。尼摩船长已经站起来，我也开始伸展我的四肢，就在这个时候，出现一件意外的东西，我立即站起两脚。
离我们几步远的地方，有一只高一米的梅蜘蛛，斜着眼注视我，就要向我身上扑来。虽然我的潜水衣相当厚重，可以保护我不会被它咬伤，但我也不能不害怕，不能不颤抖。康塞尔和诺第留斯号的水手就在这个时候醒来。尼摩船长把这个怕人的甲壳类动物指给他的同伴看，他的同伴一枪托打死了它，我看见这个怪物的丑陋脚爪作怕人的抽搐，拼命挣扎。
这次碰见这个怪物就使我想到一定还有其他更可怕的动物时常到这黑沉沉的海底下来，我的潜水衣可能无力保护我，无法抵抗它们的袭击。我起先没有想到这事，现在我决心要时刻警惕。此外，我又以为这次休息是我们这次旅行的结束，但我错了，尼摩船长并不让我们回到船上去，仍然继续他的大胆的旅行。
地面总是往下陷，斜度更是明显，把我们拉到最深的海底。这时候，想是快要到三点了，我们到了一座狭小的山谷中，这山谷在峭壁间，在一百五十米深的海底下。由于我们使用的器械极完善，我们可以超越好像大自然拿来限制人的在海底旅行不得超过丸十米的深度。
我说我们是在一百五十米的深度；虽然没有什么器械可以让我测量，但我知道，即最清澈的海水，阳光也不能再往下照了。正是在这时候，周围变得漆黑。在十步外什么也看不见。所以我只能摸索着走，这时我看见一道相当明亮的白光忽然闪出来。原来是尼摩船长使用他的电光机器。他的同伴照他那样做。康塞尔和我也学着他们的榜样。我转动螺丝钉，使电磁铁跟曲玻璃管接通，灯亮了，海中有我们四盏探照灯的照射，周围二十五米内都明亮起来。
尼摩船长继续走人森林中最幽深的地方，沿途树木渐渐稀少。我注意到，在海底，植物界要比动物界消失得早些。海产植物虽然已经放弃了这些变为贫瘠的土地，但数量很多的动物、植虫动物、节肢动物、软体动物和鱼类仍然到处皆是。
我一边走一边想，我们带的兰可夫灯的灯光必然要引起那些沉黑的海底下居民的注意，齐集前来。可是，它们虽然前来，但总是留在猎人力量不可及，距离相当远的地方。好几次，我看见尼摩船长停步，瞄准他的枪，但经过一些时候的观察后，他又把枪放下，再向前行。
后来，大约四点钟左右的时候，新奇惊人的旅行结束了。一道高大的岩石墙和一大堆怪石群矗立在我们面前，那是巨人般的岩石层，花岗石的悬崖，沉黑的岩洞，可是看不见有可以攀爬上去的路径。
这是克利斯波岛的尽头，是陆地了。
尼摩船长突然停住脚步。他向我们打手势，要我们停下来，我虽然很想穿过这道墙，但我不能不止步，这里是尼摩船长的领地的最后界限。他不愿意走过这界限。过这界限便是他的脚步不愿踩踏的地球的陆地部分了。
我们于是开始往回走。尼摩船长又在前面带领他的小。。小队伍，他总是毫不迟疑地向前走。我觉得，我们转回诺第留斯号船上去，好像不是走原来的路。这条新路很陡，因此：很难走，显然它是比较接近海面。不过，回到海水上层的行动不能十分突然，防止压力的减小不要过急，因为压力减Jy过急，可能在我们机体中引起严重的疾病，发生使潜水人有性命危险的身体内伤。所以我们是慢慢地上来。很快光线：又出现了，又扩大了，太阳已经在天际的低处，曲折作用重：新又把七色的光圈套在各种不同的物体上了。
在十米深的地方，我们就走在一大群各种各类的小鱼中间，比空中飞乌的数量还多，也更敏捷，但还没有值得我们枪击的水产猎物在我们眼前出现。
这时候，我看见船长的枪急急顶在肩上，对着丛林间一个正在走动的东西瞄准。枪响了，我听到轻微的啸声，那个动物在离几步远的地方被击中倒下来了。
倒下来的是一只很好看的水獭，一只水兽，它可能是住在海中的唯一的四足兽了。这水獭有一米半长，价值一定非常大。它的皮，表面是栗褐色，底面是银白色，可以制成十分好看的皮筒，在俄国和中国的市场上，是十分罕见的皮料。皮毛的柔软精细和它的光滑色泽决定它的价格至少也是二千法郎。我很赞美这新奇的哺乳类动物，圆突的头，上面有短短的耳朵，圆圆的眼睛，像猫须一般的白色瓮须，掌形带甲的脚，团簇的尾巴。这种珍贵的内食动物，因为渔人的追赶和捕获，现在已经十分稀罕，它们主要是躲藏在太平洋的北极圈里，就是在北极圈里，它们这一族也快要灭绝了。
尼摩船长的同伴跑上前去把水獭捡起来，放在肩头上，我们又向前走。
在一小时内，一片细沙的平原在我们脚下摆开。平原时常升至距海面不及两米的深度。我当时看见我们的影子反映在水中，清楚地现出来，方向正相反：在我们上面，现出同样的一群人，表演我们的动作和姿势，一切都相同，就是脑袋垂在下面，两脚倒悬在空中。
值得记下的还有另一种情况。一阵阵的浓云飞掠过去，这些云很快地形成，也很快地消失；但仔细一想，我明白，这些所谓云只不过是海底厚薄不一的波浪所反映出来的。我又看到浪头向下折落时演成无数泡沫飞溅的滚滚白祷，像羊群一样。我也见过那些在我们头上的巨大鸟类的阴影，它们从海面疾飞掠过。
这个时候，我亲眼看到一次射击，也许从来没有一个猎人曾经发射过这样准确、漂亮的枪。一只大鸟，可以看得很清楚，两翼张得很大的飞翔前来。尼摩船长的同伴看见大鸟在离水波仅仅几米的上面，尼摩就瞄准，射击。大鸟被击落下来，一直掉到这位敏捷的猎人的近旁，他立即把鸟捉住。这是最美丽的一种海鹅，海鸟中最使人赞美的一个鸟类品种。
我们走路并没有因打海鹅这件事中断。在两小时内，我们有时沿着细沙平原走，有时沿着藓苔草地走，相当难走。老实说，我实在不能再走了，这个时候，我看见半里远的地方，有一道模糊光线冲破了海水的沉黑。那是诺第留斯号的探照灯。要不了二十分钟，我们就可以上船了，一到船上，我便可以自由呼吸，因为我觉得我的空气储藏器好像只能供应我一些含氧很少的空气了。不过我这样打算，并没有估计到下面的意外遭遇，使我们耽搁了一些时间才到达船上。
我走在尼摩船长后面约二十步左右，看见尼摩船长突然向我面前转回来。他用他有力的手，把我按倒在地下，他的同伴对康塞尔也同样做。初时我对于这次突然的攻击，作种种的猜想，但我看见船长也躺在我近边，不敢动，心中就安然了。
我于是躺在地上，正好躲在藓苔丛林的后面，当我拾起头来，我看见有巨大无比的躯体发出磷光，气势汹汹地走过来。
我血管中的血都凝结了！我看见逼近我们的是十分厉害的鲛鱼，是一对火鲛，是最可怕的鲨鱼类，尾巴巨大，眼光呆板阴沉,嘴的周围有很多孔，孔中喷出磷质，闪闪发光。真是大得怕人的火鲛，它们的铁牙床，可以把整个人咬成肉酱！我不知道康塞尔是不是正在留心把它们分类，在我说来，我与其说是拿生物学者的身份，不如说是拿将被吞食的人的身份，很不科学的观点来观察它们的银白的肚腹，满是利牙的大嘴。
十分幸运，这对贪食的动物目力很差，看不太清楚。它们并没有看见我们就走过去了，只是它们的黄黑的尾巴略略触到我们，我们能躲过这次危险真像是个奇迹，毫无疑问，这次危险比在深林中碰见猛虎还要大得多。
半小时后，有电光引路，我们到达了诺第留斯号。外部的门仍然开着，尼摩船长一见我们都已经走进了第一个小房中后，就把门关起来。然后他手按一个圆钮；我听到船内部的抽水机活动起来，我觉得我周围的水渐渐低下去，过了一会儿，小房中的水便完全排出去了。内部的门打开来，我、们走进了储衣室。
在储衣室，我们把潜水衣脱下来，脱时当然要费些功夫；我非常疲乏，走回自己房中，一方面对于这次海底的惊：人旅行，眉飞色舞，赞叹不已，另一方面，简直累得不能动,躺在床上昏昏沉沉地睡着了。
Part 1 Chapter 18
BY THE NEXT MORNING, November 18, I was fully recovered from my exhaustion of the day before, and I climbed onto the platform just as the Nautilus's chief officer was pronouncing his daily phrase. It then occurred to me that these words either referred to the state of the sea, or that they meant: "There's nothing in sight."
And in truth, the ocean was deserted. Not a sail on the horizon. The tips of Crespo Island had disappeared during the night. The sea, absorbing every color of the prism except its blue rays, reflected the latter in every direction and sported a wonderful indigo tint. The undulating waves regularly took on the appearance of watered silk with wide stripes.
I was marveling at this magnificent ocean view when Captain Nemo appeared. He didn't seem to notice my presence and began a series of astronomical observations. Then, his operations finished, he went and leaned his elbows on the beacon housing, his eyes straying over the surface of the ocean.
Meanwhile some twenty of the Nautilus's sailors--all energetic, well-built fellows--climbed onto the platform. They had come to pull up the nets left in our wake during the night. These seamen obviously belonged to different nationalities, although indications of European physical traits could be seen in them all. If I'm not mistaken, I recognized some Irishmen, some Frenchmen, a few Slavs, and a native of either Greece or Crete. Even so, these men were frugal of speech and used among themselves only that bizarre dialect whose origin I couldn't even guess. So I had to give up any notions of questioning them.
The nets were hauled on board. They were a breed of trawl resembling those used off the Normandy coast, huge pouches held half open by a floating pole and a chain laced through the lower meshes. Trailing in this way from these iron glove makers, the resulting receptacles scoured the ocean floor and collected every marine exhibit in their path. That day they gathered up some unusual specimens from these fish-filled waterways: anglerfish whose comical movements qualify them for the epithet "clowns," black Commerson anglers equipped with their antennas, undulating triggerfish encircled by little red bands, bloated puffers whose venom is extremely insidious, some olive-hued lampreys, snipefish covered with silver scales, cutlass fish whose electrocuting power equals that of the electric eel and the electric ray, scaly featherbacks with brown crosswise bands, greenish codfish, several varieties of goby, etc.; finally, some fish of larger proportions: a one-meter jack with a prominent head, several fine bonito from the genus Scomber decked out in the colors blue and silver, and three magnificent tuna whose high speeds couldn't save them from our trawl.
I estimate that this cast of the net brought in more than 1,000 pounds of fish. It was a fine catch but not surprising. In essence, these nets stayed in our wake for several hours, incarcerating an entire aquatic world in prisons made of thread. So we were never lacking in provisions of the highest quality, which the Nautilus's speed and the allure of its electric light could continually replenish.
These various exhibits from the sea were immediately lowered down the hatch in the direction of the storage lockers, some to be eaten fresh, others to be preserved.
After its fishing was finished and its air supply renewed, I thought the Nautilus would resume its underwater excursion, and I was getting ready to return to my stateroom, when Captain Nemo turned to me and said without further preamble:
"Look at this ocean, professor! Doesn't it have the actual gift of life? Doesn't it experience both anger and affection? Last evening it went to sleep just as we did, and there it is, waking up after a peaceful night!"
No hellos or good mornings for this gent! You would have thought this eccentric individual was simply continuing a conversation we'd already started!
"See!" he went on. "It's waking up under the sun's caresses! It's going to relive its daily existence! What a fascinating field of study lies in watching the play of its organism. It owns a pulse and arteries, it has spasms, and I side with the scholarly Commander Maury, who discovered that it has a circulation as real as the circulation of blood in animals."
I'm sure that Captain Nemo expected no replies from me, and it seemed pointless to pitch in with "Ah yes," "Exactly," or "How right you are!" Rather, he was simply talking to himself, with long pauses between sentences. He was meditating out loud.
"Yes," he said, "the ocean owns a genuine circulation, and to start it going, the Creator of All Things has only to increase its heat, salt, and microscopic animal life. In essence, heat creates the different densities that lead to currents and countercurrents. Evaporation, which is nil in the High Arctic regions and very active in equatorial zones, brings about a constant interchange of tropical and polar waters. What's more, I've detected those falling and rising currents that make up the ocean's true breathing. I've seen a molecule of salt water heat up at the surface, sink into the depths, reach maximum density at -2 degrees centigrade, then cool off, grow lighter, and rise again. At the poles you'll see the consequences of this phenomenon, and through this law of farseeing nature, you'll understand why water can freeze only at the surface!"
As the captain was finishing his sentence, I said to myself: "The pole! Is this brazen individual claiming he'll take us even to that location?"
Meanwhile the captain fell silent and stared at the element he had studied so thoroughly and unceasingly. Then, going on:
"Salts," he said, "fill the sea in considerable quantities, professor, and if you removed all its dissolved saline content, you'd create a mass measuring 4,500,000 cubic leagues, which if it were spread all over the globe, would form a layer more than ten meters high. And don't think that the presence of these salts is due merely to some whim of nature. No. They make ocean water less open to evaporation and prevent winds from carrying off excessive amounts of steam, which, when condensing, would submerge the temperate zones. Salts play a leading role, the role of stabilizer for the general ecology of the globe!"
Captain Nemo stopped, straightened up, took a few steps along the platform, and returned to me:
"As for those billions of tiny animals," he went on, "those infusoria that live by the millions in one droplet of water, 800,000 of which are needed to weigh one milligram, their role is no less important. They absorb the marine salts, they assimilate the solid elements in the water, and since they create coral and madrepores, they're the true builders of limestone continents! And so, after they've finished depriving our water drop of its mineral nutrients, the droplet gets lighter, rises to the surface, there absorbs more salts left behind through evaporation, gets heavier, sinks again, and brings those tiny animals new elements to absorb. The outcome: a double current, rising and falling, constant movement, constant life! More intense than on land, more abundant, more infinite, such life blooms in every part of this ocean, an element fatal to man, they say, but vital to myriads of animals--and to me!"
When Captain Nemo spoke in this way, he was transfigured, and he filled me with extraordinary excitement.
"There," he added, "out there lies true existence! And I can imagine the founding of nautical towns, clusters of underwater households that, like the Nautilus, would return to the surface of the sea to breathe each morning, free towns if ever there were, independent cities! Then again, who knows whether some tyrant . . ."
Captain Nemo finished his sentence with a vehement gesture. Then, addressing me directly, as if to drive away an ugly thought:
"Professor Aronnax," he asked me, "do you know the depth of the ocean floor?"
"At least, captain, I know what the major soundings tell us."
"Could you quote them to me, so I can double-check them as the need arises?"
"Here," I replied, "are a few of them that stick in my memory. If I'm not mistaken, an average depth of 8,200 meters was found in the north Atlantic, and 2,500 meters in the Mediterranean. The most remarkable soundings were taken in the south Atlantic near the 35th parallel, and they gave 12,000 meters, 14,091 meters, and 15,149 meters. All in all, it's estimated that if the sea bottom were made level, its average depth would be about seven kilometers."
"Well, professor," Captain Nemo replied, "we'll show you better than that, I hope. As for the average depth of this part of the Pacific, I'll inform you that it's a mere 4,000 meters."
This said, Captain Nemo headed to the hatch and disappeared down the ladder. I followed him and went back to the main lounge. The propeller was instantly set in motion, and the log gave our speed as twenty miles per hour.
Over the ensuing days and weeks, Captain Nemo was very frugal with his visits. I saw him only at rare intervals. His chief officer regularly fixed the positions I found reported on the chart, and in such a way that I could exactly plot the Nautilus's course.
Conseil and Land spent the long hours with me. Conseil had told his friend about the wonders of our undersea stroll, and the Canadian was sorry he hadn't gone along. But I hoped an opportunity would arise for a visit to the forests of Oceania.
Almost every day the panels in the lounge were open for some hours, and our eyes never tired of probing the mysteries of the underwater world.
The Nautilus's general heading was southeast, and it stayed at a depth between 100 and 150 meters. However, from lord-knows-what whim, one day it did a diagonal dive by means of its slanting fins, reaching strata located 2,000 meters underwater. The thermometer indicated a temperature of 4.25 degrees centigrade, which at this depth seemed to be a temperature common to all latitudes.
On November 26, at three o'clock in the morning, the Nautilus cleared the Tropic of Cancer at longitude 172 degrees. On the 27th it passed in sight of the Hawaiian Islands, where the famous Captain Cook met his death on February 14, 1779. By then we had fared 4,860 leagues from our starting point. When I arrived on the platform that morning, I saw the Island of Hawaii two miles to leeward, the largest of the seven islands making up this group. I could clearly distinguish the tilled soil on its outskirts, the various mountain chains running parallel with its coastline, and its volcanoes, crowned by Mauna Kea, whose elevation is 5,000 meters above sea level. Among other specimens from these waterways, our nets brought up some peacock-tailed flabellarian coral, polyps flattened into stylish shapes and unique to this part of the ocean.
The Nautilus kept to its southeasterly heading. On December 1 it cut the equator at longitude 142 degrees, and on the 4th of the same month, after a quick crossing marked by no incident, we raised the Marquesas Islands. Three miles off, in latitude 8 degrees 57' south and longitude 139 degrees 32' west, I spotted Martin Point on Nuku Hiva, chief member of this island group that belongs to France. I could make out only its wooded mountains on the horizon, because Captain Nemo hated to hug shore. There our nets brought up some fine fish samples: dolphinfish with azure fins, gold tails, and flesh that's unrivaled in the entire world, wrasse from the genus Hologymnosus that were nearly denuded of scales but exquisite in flavor, knifejaws with bony beaks, yellowish albacore that were as tasty as bonito, all fish worth classifying in the ship's pantry.
After leaving these delightful islands to the protection of the French flag, the Nautilus covered about 2,000 miles from December 4 to the 11th. Its navigating was marked by an encounter with an immense school of squid, unusual mollusks that are near neighbors of the cuttlefish. French fishermen give them the name "cuckoldfish," and they belong to the class Cephalopoda, family Dibranchiata, consisting of themselves together with cuttlefish and argonauts. The naturalists of antiquity made a special study of them, and these animals furnished many ribald figures of speech for soapbox orators in the Greek marketplace, as well as excellent dishes for the tables of rich citizens, if we're to believe Athenaeus, a Greek physician predating Galen.
It was during the night of December 9-10 that the Nautilus encountered this army of distinctly nocturnal mollusks. They numbered in the millions. They were migrating from the temperate zones toward zones still warmer, following the itineraries of herring and sardines. We stared at them through our thick glass windows: they swam backward with tremendous speed, moving by means of their locomotive tubes, chasing fish and mollusks, eating the little ones, eaten by the big ones, and tossing in indescribable confusion the ten feet that nature has rooted in their heads like a hairpiece of pneumatic snakes. Despite its speed, the Nautilus navigated for several hours in the midst of this school of animals, and its nets brought up an incalculable number, among which I recognized all nine species that Professor Orbigny has classified as native to the Pacific Ocean.
During this crossing, the sea continually lavished us with the most marvelous sights. Its variety was infinite. It changed its setting and decor for the mere pleasure of our eyes, and we were called upon not simply to contemplate the works of our Creator in the midst of the liquid element, but also to probe the ocean's most daunting mysteries.
During the day of December 11, I was busy reading in the main lounge. Ned Land and Conseil were observing the luminous waters through the gaping panels. The Nautilus was motionless. Its ballast tanks full, it was sitting at a depth of 1,000 meters in a comparatively unpopulated region of the ocean where only larger fish put in occasional appearances.
Just then I was studying a delightful book by Jean Macé, The Servants of the Stomach, and savoring its ingenious teachings, when Conseil interrupted my reading.
"Would master kindly come here for an instant?" he said to me in an odd voice.
"What is it, Conseil?"
"It's something that master should see."
I stood up, went, leaned on my elbows before the window, and I saw it.
In the broad electric daylight, an enormous black mass, quite motionless, hung suspended in the midst of the waters. I observed it carefully, trying to find out the nature of this gigantic cetacean. Then a sudden thought crossed my mind.
"A ship!" I exclaimed.
"Yes," the Canadian replied, "a disabled craft that's sinking straight down!"
Ned Land was not mistaken. We were in the presence of a ship whose severed shrouds still hung from their clasps. Its hull looked in good condition, and it must have gone under only a few hours before. The stumps of three masts, chopped off two feet above the deck, indicated a flooding ship that had been forced to sacrifice its masting. But it had heeled sideways, filling completely, and it was listing to port even yet. A sorry sight, this carcass lost under the waves, but sorrier still was the sight on its deck, where, lashed with ropes to prevent their being washed overboard, some human corpses still lay! I counted four of them--four men, one still standing at the helm-- then a woman, halfway out of a skylight on the afterdeck, holding a child in her arms. This woman was young. Under the brilliant lighting of the Nautilus's rays, I could make out her features, which the water hadn't yet decomposed. With a supreme effort, she had lifted her child above her head, and the poor little creature's arms were still twined around its mother's neck! The postures of the four seamen seemed ghastly to me, twisted from convulsive movements, as if making a last effort to break loose from the ropes that bound them to their ship. And the helmsman, standing alone, calmer, his face smooth and serious, his grizzled hair plastered to his brow, his hands clutching the wheel, seemed even yet to be guiding his wrecked three-master through the ocean depths!
What a scene! We stood dumbstruck, hearts pounding, before this shipwreck caught in the act, as if it had been photographed in its final moments, so to speak! And already I could see enormous sharks moving in, eyes ablaze, drawn by the lure of human flesh!
Meanwhile, turning, the Nautilus made a circle around the sinking ship, and for an instant I could read the board on its stern:
The Florida
Sunderland, England
第二天，11月18日，昨日的疲劳，完全歇过来了，我走到平合上，诺第留斯号的船副正在这个时候说出他每日必说的那句话。于是我心中想，这句话是跟海面的情形有关系，它的意思或者是:"我们什么都望不见."
这时洋面上空无一物。天边一只船也没有。克利斯波岛的高地在夜间走过不见了。海洋把三棱镜分出的其他颜色都吸收了，只把蓝色向四面八方反射出去，带上一种十分好看的靛蓝色。好像一幅条纹宽阔的天光蓝毛布，在层叠的波涛上很规律地摊开。
我正欣赏海洋的美丽景色，尼摩船长出来了。好像他没有看见我在乎台上，开始做他的一连串天文观察。一会儿，做完观察，他时靠着探照灯笼间，他的眼光注视着洋面。
同时又有二十名左右的诺第留斯号的水手，走到平台上来，他们都是身强力壮的大汉，他们来收昨天晚上撒在船后的鱼网。这些水手虽然看来全都是欧洲人的体型，但显然是属于不同的国籍。我想我不至弄错，我认出其中有爱尔兰人、法国人、好几个斯拉夫人、一个希腊人或克里特岛人。不过，这些人都不爱说话，他们彼此间使用的谱言，使我甚至于无从猜想它的源流。所以我没有法子去问他们，跟他们交谈。
鱼网被拉上船来。网是袋形的，跟诺曼底沿海使用的很相似，这网是阔大的口袋，用一根浮在水上的横木和一条串起下层网眼的链索把网口在水中支开。这些口袋似的网挂在铁框上，拉在船后面，像苕帚在海底扫刷一般，一路上，经过的鱼无一幸免，全被打捞上来。这一天打到了许多新奇类型的鱼，比如：海蛙鱼，这鱼的动作很滑稽可笑，所以被称为丑角鱼。黑色的噪噗鱼带有许多触须。带波纹的弯箭鱼有红色花纹围起来。弯月形馥鱼，这鱼有极端厉害的毒汁。好几条橄揽色的八目鳗。海豹鱼，这鱼身上满是银白的鳞。旋毛鱼，这鱼发电的力量相等于电鳗和电鱼。多鳞的纹翅鱼，这鱼身上有古铜色横斜的带纹。淡青色的鳖鱼。好几种虾虎鱼等。最后是些身材较长大的鱼，一条头部隆起的加郎鱼，好几条一米长的美丽的鲤鱼，身上带天蓝和银白相间的颜色，三条华丽的金枪鱼。不管它们行动得多快，可也没能躲过袋网，脱不了身。
我估计一下，这一回袋网所获得的鱼超过一千斤。是一次很好的成绩，但并不特别出奇。因为网在船后拖拉着有好几个钟头，各种水产动物当然装到这罗网里面来。因此，我们并不至缺乏质量优良的食品，诺第留斯号的快速度，和它的电光的吸引力，可以不断地捕捉到鱼类。
这些种类不同的海产动物立即从放开的嵌板送到下面的食物储藏室，有些要趁新鲜食用，有些要保存起来。
鱼捕完了，空气调换了，我想诺第留斯号又要作海底旅行了；当我正准备回房的时候，尼摩船长向我回转身来，没有什么客套，直截了当地对我说：
“您看这海洋，教授，它不是赋有真实的生命吗？它不是具有愤怒和温情吗？昨天，它跟我们一般安静地睡着，现在，过了平安的一夜，它又动起来了。”
不说早安，不说晚安！谁也要认为这个奇怪的人物现在只不过是把已经开了头的谈话继续说下去.
“请看，”他又说，“它在太阳的抚摩下苏醒了! 它又要过它的日间生活了！观察它有机生活的变化作用, 实在是很有兴趣的学术研究呢。它有脉搏、有血管、有起伏，我觉得科学家莫利是对的，他发现海洋跟动物身上的血液循环一样，有真正的循环作用。”
当然尼摩船长并不等待我的答话， 我觉得跟他说许多“当然” 、“一定”和“您对”，没有什么用处。他说话，与其说是对着我，不如说是对着他自己，他说完每一句后，中间停顿相当长的时间。这实在是一种特殊形式的沉思.
“是的，”他说，“海洋有真正的循环作用，要引起这作用，单由造物者在海中增加热、盐和微生动物就成了。正是，热力造成海水的不同密度，使海中发生许多顺流和逆流。水汽蒸发，在北极区域完全没有，在赤道地带就很为活动，造成热带海水和极圈海水间永远不停的交流。此外，我又注意过那些由上而下和由下而上的水流，．形成真正的海洋呼吸作用。我看见了海水的分子，在水面上受到热力，沉人根深的地方，至零下二度的时候，密度到了最大，然后，温度再降低，它的重量减轻，又浮上来了。您将在极圈地方看到这种现象所产生的结果，您将了解到，冰冻作用之所以只在水面上才发生，就是由于有远见的大自然的这个规律。”
当尼摩船长说完了他这句话的时候，我自己心中说：“极圈吗！这个大胆的人一直要把我们带到极圈中去吗！
不过船长这时不作声，他全神注视他时刻不停地细心研究的海洋。一会儿他又说起话来：
“教授，海水中盐的分量是多到了不得的，如果您把溶解在海中的盐提出来，您可以造成一个四百五十万立方里的体积的盐堆，在地球上全面滩开来；可以铺成十来高的一层表皮。您不要以为海中有这些盐是大自然无意识的任性行为！不是的。盐质使海永不容易蒸发，使海风不能将分量过多的水汽带走，不然的话，水汽重化为水，简直就要把温带地方完全淹没了。这真是巨大得了不得的作用，是调节全地球的力量，使其保持平衡的伟大作用！”
尼摩船长不作声了，站起来，在乎台上走了几步，又向我走回来。他说：
“至于那些原生秒水虫，那些一滴水中便有亿千万的不可计数的微生动物，它们在一毫克的水量中便有八十万个，它们的作用也是一样重要。它们吸收了海中的盐，消化了水中的固体物质，它们是真正石灰质陆地的造成者，因为它们制造了珊瑚和水熄啊！这滴水，当它的矿物质被吸去了的时候，变轻了，又浮到水面上来，在水面吸收了由于蒸发作用而抛弃在那里的盐质，又变重了，沉下去，重新给那些微生动物带来了可吸收的新物质。因此而发生上下循环不已的潮流，永远是不停的运动，永远是不断的生命。生命力，比在陆地上更强大的生命力，在海洋的所有部分更丰富地，更无穷地尽量发展。人们说，海洋是人类致命的地方，但对无数的动物——和对我，它是真正生命的所在！”
当尼摩船长这样说话的时候，他的容貌完全改变了，使哉产生一种特殊的心情。他又说：
‘所以，海洋中才有真正的生活！我打算建设水中的城市，集体的海底住宅，像诺第留斯号一般，每天早晨浮上水面来呼吸。如果成功的话, 那一定是自由自在的城市，独立自主的城市！不过，又有谁知道，不会有些专制魔王……、
尼摩船长做个激烈的手势结束了他这句话。一会儿。他直接来问我，好像要把一些不祥的思想驱逐出去似的，他问：
“阿龙纳斯先生，您知道海洋有多深吗？”
“船长，我至少知道一些主要的探测海深所得的结果。”
“您可以给我举出来，让我必要时加以检查吗？"
“下面是我从记忆中可以说出来的一些数字。 ”我答，"如果我没有记错，北大西洋的平均深度为八千二百米，地中海为二千五百米。在南大西洋，南纬35度的地方，做了成绩优良的探测，结果有的是一万二千米，有的是一万四千零九十一米，有的又是一万五千一百四十九米，总起来说，照一般的估计，如果把海底平均起来，它的平均深度可能是七千米左右."
“好，教授，，尼摩船长答，“我希望，我们可以给您说些更确切的数字。就是我们目前所在的太平洋这一部分的平均深度仅仅为四千米。”
说了这话后，尼摩船长向嵌板走去，从铁梯下去不见了。我跟着他下来，我回到客厅中。推进器立即发动起来，测程器指的是每小时二十海里的速度。
好些日子，好几周过去了，尼摩船长根少过来访问。我也只是在十分少有的机会才看见他。他的副手按时来作航线记录，一一记在图上，所以我可以很正确地了解诺第留斯号所走的路线。
康塞尔和尼德•兰跟我一起、谈了很长的时间。康塞尔把我们在海底散步的时候所见到的新奇事物告诉了他的朋友，加拿大人很后悔他没有跟我们一道去。但我希望以后还会有游历海底森林的机会。客厅的嵌板差不多每天都有好几个钟头要打开来，我们的眼睛尽情地观察海底世界的秘密，总看不厌。
诺第留斯号所走的大方向是东南方，它所在的深度总是保持在一百米和一百五十米之间。但有一天，我不知道因为什么理由，它使用那两块纵斜机板，沿着纵斜线潜下去，一直到二千米的深度.温度表正指摄氏4．25度，好像在这样深度的水里，不管在什么地带，温度都是共同一律的：
11月26日早晨三点， 诺第留斯号在西经172度上越过了北回归线。27 H，它远远可以望见夏威夷群岛， 这是1779年2日14日有名的航海家库克①被杀死的地方。我们自出发以来到现在，已经走了四千八百六十里了。这天早晨，我上平台望见在下凤两里左右的夏威夷岛，它是形成这群岛的七个岛中最大的一个。我清楚地看到它的已经开发地带的边缘，跟海岸线平行的各支山脉和拔海立千米的火山群；高耸在它上面的，是摩那罗亚火山：在这一带海中伪其它品种中间，鱼网还打到了孔雀扇形珊瑚，那是外形美观的扁平水螅类，是这一部分太平洋的特产动物。”
诺第留斯号的方向仍是向着东南方。12月1月，它在西经142度上越过赤道线；4日，经过顺利的迅速行驶后，我们望见了马贵斯群岛。相距三海里远，在南纬8度57分， 西经139度32分，我看见奴加衣瓦岛的马丁尖呻，这是法属马贵斯群岛中的最重要的一个岛。我只看到天边满是丛林密布的山岭，因为尼摩船长不喜欢接近陆地，所以我没看见别的。在这一带海面上，鱼网打得了好些美丽的鱼类。比如哥利芬鱼，天蓝色的鳍，金黄色的尾巴，肉味鲜美无比。赤裸鱼，差不多没有鳞甲，但也很好吃；带骨腮的骨眶鱼，黑黄的塔查鱼，比鲤鱼还好吃；所有这些鱼都值得放到船上餐厅中供人食用。
离开了由法国国旗保护的这些使人神往的美丽海岛后， 从12月4日至11日，诺第留斯号共走了四千里左右。这次航行碰见了一大群抢乌贼，这是很奇异的软体动物，跟墨鱼很相像。法国渔人称它们为水黄蜂，它们属于头足纲。双鳃目，其中包括肛鱼和墨鱼。这类鱼，古代生物学家特别加以研究，它们给古代希腊公众会场的演说家提供了好些譬喻语，根据生于嘉利安①之前的希腊医生阿典尼②所说的话，这类鱼在希腊的有钱公民的食桌上，也是一盘很美味的菜。
就是在12月9日和10 日夜间，诺第留斯号碰见一大群喜欢夜出的软体动物。估计起来，它们的数目不止数千百万。它们遵循着槽白鱼和沙丁鱼所走的路线，从温带地方转移到较暖的水域去。我们通过很厚的透亮玻璃，看见它们向后倒退，极端迅速地游泳，运用它们的运动卿管转动，追赶鱼类和软体动物，吃小鱼，或被大鱼吃掉。它们把天生就的头上十只腿脚在难以形容地胡乱抓爬，好像小孩玩的蛇形吹气管子。诺第留斯号，不管它走得多么快，但在这大群动物中间也走了好几个钟头，鱼网打到了无数的这种抢乌贼，其中我看到了被奥宾尼③分类的九种太平洋品种。
人们看到，在这次航行中，海洋把所有的各种奇妙景象不断地摆出来，它时时更换布景和场面，使我们的眼睛看来十分愉快，我们不单被吸引，要在海水里面观察造物者的作品，并且还要来理解海洋底下最惊人的秘密。
12月11日，我整天都在客厅中看书。尼德•兰和康塞尔通过打开的嵌板，注视那明亮的海水。诺第留斯号停住不动了。它的储水池满装着水。它在水深一千米的地方，这是海洋中很少有生物居留的区域，只有大鱼偶然在这里出现。“我这时正读让•马西②著的一本很有趣味的书——胃的调理者，我正津津有味地读着书中美妙的教导的时候，被康塞尔的说话声打断。
“请先生来一下行吗?"他带着很惊异的声音对我说。
“有什么事，康塞尔？，
“先生请来看吧。”
我站起来，我时靠着玻璃，我看着。
在电光照耀中，我看见一团巨大的黑东西，静止不动，悬在海水中间。我很注意地观察它，想法辨认这条巨大晾鱼类动物的性质。但心中忽然醒悟，喊道：
“一只船！”
“是的，”加拿大人回答，”一只撞在暗礁上沉了的船！”
尼德•兰并没有弄错。我们面前是一只船，上面弄断了的护桅索仍然挂在链上二船壳看来还很好，船沉下来至多不过是几小时以前的事。三根断桅从甲板上两英尺高的地方砍下来，表明这只遇难的船不得不把桅墙牺牲了。但船是侧躺着，内部装得很满，是向左舷倾斜的。这种落在波涛中的残骸的景象，看来实在是凄惨；更为凄惨的，是看见甲板上还有躺着挂在绳索上的尸体！我看见有四具尸体——四个男子，其中一人站在舵边一还有一个妇人手中抱着一个小孩，在船尾眺板格子上站着。这妇人还年轻。有诺第留斯号的电光的照亮，我可以看出她那还没有被海水所腐蚀的面容。她作最后绝望的努力，把小孩举在她头上，这可怜的小生命正把两只小手抱着妈妈的脖子呢！四个水手的姿态我觉得非常伯人，因为他们身躯抽搐得不成样子，他们作最后的努力，摆脱那把他们缠在船上的绳索，然后才死去。唯有那个看航路的舵手，比较镇定，面貌很清楚、很严肃，灰白的头发贴在前额，痉挛的手放在舵轮上，他好像是还在深深的海底驾驶着他那只遇难的三桅船！
多么伯人的场面！我们沉默不能作声，在这真实的沉船事故面前，可以说在这最后一刻掇下来的沉船景象面前，我们的心跳动得厉害！我又看见了一些巨大的鲛鱼，眼睛冒火。被这人肉的饵物所引动，已经向前游来了！
这时，诺第留斯号向前行驶，绕过沉没的船，我因此可以看见写在船尾牌子上的船名：
佛罗利达号，山德兰港。
Part 1 Chapter 19
THIS DREADFUL SIGHT was the first of a whole series of maritime catastrophes that the Nautilus would encounter on its run. When it plied more heavily traveled seas, we often saw wrecked hulls rotting in midwater, and farther down, cannons, shells, anchors, chains, and a thousand other iron objects rusting away.
Meanwhile, continuously swept along by the Nautilus, where we lived in near isolation, we raised the Tuamotu Islands on December 11, that old "dangerous group" associated with the French global navigator Commander Bougainville; it stretches from Ducie Island to Lazareff Island over an area of 500 leagues from the east-southeast to the west-northwest, between latitude 13 degrees 30' and 23 degrees 50' south, and between longitude 125 degrees 30' and 151 degrees 30' west. This island group covers a surface area of 370 square leagues, and it's made up of some sixty subgroups, among which we noted the Gambier group, which is a French protectorate. These islands are coral formations. Thanks to the work of polyps, a slow but steady upheaval will someday connect these islands to each other. Later on, this new island will be fused to its neighboring island groups, and a fifth continent will stretch from New Zealand and New Caledonia as far as the Marquesas Islands.
The day I expounded this theory to Captain Nemo, he answered me coldly:
"The earth doesn't need new continents, but new men!"
Sailors' luck led the Nautilus straight to Reao Island, one of the most unusual in this group, which was discovered in 1822 by Captain Bell aboard the Minerva. So I was able to study the madreporic process that has created the islands in this ocean.
Madrepores, which one must guard against confusing with precious coral, clothe their tissue in a limestone crust, and their variations in structure have led my famous mentor Professor Milne-Edwards to classify them into five divisions. The tiny microscopic animals that secrete this polypary live by the billions in the depths of their cells. Their limestone deposits build up into rocks, reefs, islets, islands. In some places, they form atolls, a circular ring surrounding a lagoon or small inner lake that gaps place in contact with the sea. Elsewhere, they take the shape of barrier reefs, such as those that exist along the coasts of New Caledonia and several of the Tuamotu Islands. In still other localities, such as Réunion Island and the island of Mauritius, they build fringing reefs, high, straight walls next to which the ocean's depth is considerable.
While cruising along only a few cable lengths from the underpinning of Reao Island, I marveled at the gigantic piece of work accomplished by these microscopic laborers. These walls were the express achievements of madrepores known by the names fire coral, finger coral, star coral, and stony coral. These polyps grow exclusively in the agitated strata at the surface of the sea, and so it's in the upper reaches that they begin these substructures, which sink little by little together with the secreted rubble binding them. This, at least, is the theory of Mr. Charles Darwin, who thus explains the formation of atolls--a theory superior, in my view, to the one that says these madreporic edifices sit on the summits of mountains or volcanoes submerged a few feet below sea level.
I could observe these strange walls quite closely: our sounding lines indicated that they dropped perpendicularly for more than 300 meters, and our electric beams made the bright limestone positively sparkle.
In reply to a question Conseil asked me about the growth rate of these colossal barriers, I thoroughly amazed him by saying that scientists put it at an eighth of an inch per biennium.
"Therefore," he said to me, "to build these walls, it took . . . ?"
"192,000 years, my gallant Conseil, which significantly extends the biblical Days of Creation. What's more, the formation of coal-- in other words, the petrification of forests swallowed by floods-- and the cooling of basaltic rocks likewise call for a much longer period of time. I might add that those 'days' in the Bible must represent whole epochs and not literally the lapse of time between two sunrises, because according to the Bible itself, the sun doesn't date from the first day of Creation."
When the Nautilus returned to the surface of the ocean, I could take in Reao Island over its whole flat, wooded expanse. Obviously its madreporic rocks had been made fertile by tornadoes and thunderstorms. One day, carried off by a hurricane from neighboring shores, some seed fell onto these limestone beds, mixing with decomposed particles of fish and marine plants to form vegetable humus. Propelled by the waves, a coconut arrived on this new coast. Its germ took root. Its tree grew tall, catching steam off the water. A brook was born. Little by little, vegetation spread. Tiny animals--worms, insects--rode ashore on tree trunks snatched from islands to windward. Turtles came to lay their eggs. Birds nested in the young trees. In this way animal life developed, and drawn by the greenery and fertile soil, man appeared. And that's how these islands were formed, the immense achievement of microscopic animals.
Near evening Reao Island melted into the distance, and the Nautilus noticeably changed course. After touching the Tropic of Capricorn at longitude 135 degrees, it headed west-northwest, going back up the whole intertropical zone. Although the summer sun lavished its rays on us, we never suffered from the heat, because thirty or forty meters underwater, the temperature didn't go over 10 degrees to 12 degrees centigrade.
By December 15 we had left the alluring Society Islands in the west, likewise elegant Tahiti, queen of the Pacific. In the morning I spotted this island's lofty summits a few miles to leeward. Its waters supplied excellent fish for the tables on board: mackerel, bonito, albacore, and a few varieties of that sea serpent named the moray eel.
The Nautilus had cleared 8,100 miles. We logged 9,720 miles when we passed between the Tonga Islands, where crews from the Argo, Port-au-Prince, and Duke of Portland had perished, and the island group of Samoa, scene of the slaying of Captain de Langle, friend of that long-lost navigator, the Count de La Pérouse. Then we raised the Fiji Islands, where savages slaughtered sailors from the Union, as well as Captain Bureau, commander of the Darling Josephine out of Nantes, France.
Extending over an expanse of 100 leagues north to south, and over 90 leagues east to west, this island group lies between latitude 2 degrees and 6 degrees south, and between longitude 174 degrees and 179 degrees west. It consists of a number of islands, islets, and reefs, among which we noted the islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, and Kadavu.
It was the Dutch navigator Tasman who discovered this group in 1643, the same year the Italian physicist Torricelli invented the barometer and King Louis XIV ascended the French throne. I'll let the reader decide which of these deeds was more beneficial to humanity. Coming later, Captain Cook in 1774, Rear Admiral d'Entrecasteaux in 1793, and finally Captain Dumont d'Urville in 1827, untangled the whole chaotic geography of this island group. The Nautilus drew near Wailea Bay, an unlucky place for England's Captain Dillon, who was the first to shed light on the longstanding mystery surrounding the disappearance of ships under the Count de La Pérouse.
This bay, repeatedly dredged, furnished a huge supply of excellent oysters. As the Roman playwright Seneca recommended, we opened them right at our table, then stuffed ourselves. These mollusks belonged to the species known by name as Ostrea lamellosa, whose members are quite common off Corsica. This Wailea oysterbank must have been extensive, and for certain, if they hadn't been controlled by numerous natural checks, these clusters of shellfish would have ended up jam-packing the bay, since as many as 2,000,000 eggs have been counted in a single individual.
And if Mr. Ned Land did not repent of his gluttony at our oyster fest, it's because oysters are the only dish that never causes indigestion. In fact, it takes no less than sixteen dozen of these headless mollusks to supply the 315 grams that satisfy one man's minimum daily requirement for nitrogen.
On December 25 the Nautilus navigated amid the island group of the New Hebrides, which the Portuguese seafarer Queir&oacute;s discovered in 1606, which Commander Bougainville explored in 1768, and to which Captain Cook gave its current name in 1773. This group is chiefly made up of nine large islands and forms a 120-league strip from the north-northwest to the south-southeast, lying between latitude 2 degrees and 15 degrees south, and between longitude 164 degrees and 168 degrees. At the moment of our noon sights, we passed fairly close to the island of Aurou, which looked to me like a mass of green woods crowned by a peak of great height.
That day it was yuletide, and it struck me that Ned Land badly missed celebrating "Christmas," that genuine family holiday where Protestants are such zealots.
I hadn't seen Captain Nemo for over a week, when, on the morning of the 27th, he entered the main lounge, as usual acting as if he'd been gone for just five minutes. I was busy tracing the Nautilus's course on the world map. The captain approached, placed a finger over a position on the chart, and pronounced just one word:
"Vanikoro."
This name was magic! It was the name of those islets where vessels under the Count de La Pérouse had miscarried. I straightened suddenly.
"The Nautilus is bringing us to Vanikoro?" I asked.
"Yes, professor," the captain replied.
"And I'll be able to visit those famous islands where the Compass and the Astrolabe came to grief?"
"If you like, professor."
"When will we reach Vanikoro?"
"We already have, professor."
Followed by Captain Nemo, I climbed onto the platform, and from there my eyes eagerly scanned the horizon.
In the northeast there emerged two volcanic islands of unequal size, surrounded by a coral reef whose circuit measured forty miles. We were facing the island of Vanikoro proper, to which Captain Dumont d'Urville had given the name "Island of the Search"; we lay right in front of the little harbor of Vana, located in latitude 16 degrees 4' south and longitude 164 degrees 32' east. Its shores seemed covered with greenery from its beaches to its summits inland, crowned by Mt. Kapogo, which is 476 fathoms high.
After clearing the outer belt of rocks via a narrow passageway, the Nautilus lay inside the breakers where the sea had a depth of thirty to forty fathoms. Under the green shade of some tropical evergreens, I spotted a few savages who looked extremely startled at our approach. In this long, blackish object advancing flush with the water, didn't they see some fearsome cetacean that they were obliged to view with distrust?
Just then Captain Nemo asked me what I knew about the shipwreck of the Count de La Pérouse.
"What everybody knows, captain," I answered him.
"And could you kindly tell me what everybody knows?" he asked me in a gently ironic tone.
"Very easily."
I related to him what the final deeds of Captain Dumont d'Urville had brought to light, deeds described here in this heavily condensed summary of the whole matter.
In 1785 the Count de La Pérouse and his subordinate, Captain de Langle, were sent by King Louis XVI of France on a voyage to circumnavigate the globe. They boarded two sloops of war, the Compass and the Astrolabe, which were never seen again.
In 1791, justly concerned about the fate of these two sloops of war, the French government fitted out two large cargo boats, the Search and the Hope, which left Brest on September 28 under orders from Rear Admiral Bruni d'Entrecasteaux. Two months later, testimony from a certain Commander Bowen, aboard the Albemarle, alleged that rubble from shipwrecked vessels had been seen on the coast of New Georgia. But d'Entrecasteaux was unaware of this news--which seemed a bit dubious anyhow--and headed toward the Admiralty Islands, which had been named in a report by one Captain Hunter as the site of the Count de La Pérouse's shipwreck.
They looked in vain. The Hope and the Search passed right by Vanikoro without stopping there; and overall, this voyage was plagued by misfortune, ultimately costing the lives of Rear Admiral d'Entrecasteaux, two of his subordinate officers, and several seamen from his crew.
It was an old hand at the Pacific, the English adventurer Captain Peter Dillon, who was the first to pick up the trail left by castaways from the wrecked vessels. On May 15, 1824, his ship, the St. Patrick, passed by Tikopia Island, one of the New Hebrides. There a native boatman pulled alongside in a dugout canoe and sold Dillon a silver sword hilt bearing the imprint of characters engraved with a cutting tool known as a burin. Furthermore, this native boatman claimed that during a stay in Vanikoro six years earlier, he had seen two Europeans belonging to ships that had run aground on the island's reefs many years before.
Dillon guessed that the ships at issue were those under the Count de La Pérouse, ships whose disappearance had shaken the entire world. He tried to reach Vanikoro, where, according to the native boatman, a good deal of rubble from the shipwreck could still be found, but winds and currents prevented his doing so.
Dillon returned to Calcutta. There he was able to interest the Asiatic Society and the East India Company in his discovery. A ship named after the Search was placed at his disposal, and he departed on January 23, 1827, accompanied by a French deputy.
This new Search, after putting in at several stops over the Pacific, dropped anchor before Vanikoro on July 7, 1827, in the same harbor of Vana where the Nautilus was currently floating.
There Dillon collected many relics of the shipwreck: iron utensils, anchors, eyelets from pulleys, swivel guns, an eighteen-pound shell, the remains of some astronomical instruments, a piece of sternrail, and a bronze bell bearing the inscription "Made by Bazin," the foundry mark at Brest Arsenal around 1785. There could no longer be any doubt.
Finishing his investigations, Dillon stayed at the site of the casualty until the month of October. Then he left Vanikoro, headed toward New Zealand, dropped anchor at Calcutta on April 7, 1828, and returned to France, where he received a very cordial welcome from King Charles X.
But just then the renowned French explorer Captain Dumont d'Urville, unaware of Dillon's activities, had already set sail to search elsewhere for the site of the shipwreck. In essence, a whaling vessel had reported that some medals and a Cross of St. Louis had been found in the hands of savages in the Louisiade Islands and New Caledonia.
So Captain Dumont d'Urville had put to sea in command of a vessel named after the Astrolabe, and just two months after Dillon had left Vanikoro, Dumont d'Urville dropped anchor before Hobart. There he heard about Dillon's findings, and he further learned that a certain James Hobbs, chief officer on the Union out of Calcutta, had put to shore on an island located in latitude 8 degrees 18' south and longitude 156 degrees 30' east, and had noted the natives of those waterways making use of iron bars and red fabrics.
Pretty perplexed, Dumont d'Urville didn't know if he should give credence to these reports, which had been carried in some of the less reliable newspapers; nevertheless, he decided to start on Dillon's trail.
On February 10, 1828, the new Astrolabe hove before Tikopia Island, took on a guide and interpreter in the person of a deserter who had settled there, plied a course toward Vanikoro, raised it on February 12, sailed along its reefs until the 14th, and only on the 20th dropped anchor inside its barrier in the harbor of Vana.
On the 23rd, several officers circled the island and brought back some rubble of little importance. The natives, adopting a system of denial and evasion, refused to guide them to the site of the casualty. This rather shady conduct aroused the suspicion that the natives had mistreated the castaways; and in truth, the natives seemed afraid that Dumont d'Urville had come to avenge the Count de La Pérouse and his unfortunate companions.
But on the 26th, appeased with gifts and seeing that they didn't need to fear any reprisals, the natives led the chief officer, Mr. Jacquinot, to the site of the shipwreck.
At this location, in three or four fathoms of water between the Paeu and Vana reefs, there lay some anchors, cannons, and ingots of iron and lead, all caked with limestone concretions. A launch and whaleboat from the new Astrolabe were steered to this locality, and after going to exhausting lengths, their crews managed to dredge up an anchor weighing 1,800 pounds, a cast-iron eight-pounder cannon, a lead ingot, and two copper swivel guns.
Questioning the natives, Captain Dumont d'Urville also learned that after La Pérouse's two ships had miscarried on the island's reefs, the count had built a smaller craft, only to go off and miscarry a second time. Where? Nobody knew.
The commander of the new Astrolabe then had a monument erected under a tuft of mangrove, in memory of the famous navigator and his companions. It was a simple quadrangular pyramid, set on a coral base, with no ironwork to tempt the natives' avarice.
Then Dumont d'Urville tried to depart; but his crews were run down from the fevers raging on these unsanitary shores, and quite ill himself, he was unable to weigh anchor until March 17.
Meanwhile, fearing that Dumont d'Urville wasn't abreast of Dillon's activities, the French government sent a sloop of war to Vanikoro, the Bayonnaise under Commander Legoarant de Tromelin, who had been stationed on the American west coast. Dropping anchor before Vanikoro a few months after the new Astrolabe's departure, the Bayonnaise didn't find any additional evidence but verified that the savages hadn't disturbed the memorial honoring the Count de La Pérouse.
This is the substance of the account I gave Captain Nemo.
"So," he said to me, "the castaways built a third ship on Vanikoro Island, and to this day, nobody knows where it went and perished?"
"Nobody knows."
Captain Nemo didn't reply but signaled me to follow him to the main lounge. The Nautilus sank a few meters beneath the waves, and the panels opened.
I rushed to the window and saw crusts of coral: fungus coral, siphonula coral, alcyon coral, sea anemone from the genus Caryophylia, plus myriads of charming fish including greenfish, damselfish, sweepers, snappers, and squirrelfish; underneath this coral covering I detected some rubble the old dredges hadn't been able to tear free-- iron stirrups, anchors, cannons, shells, tackle from a capstan, a stempost, all objects hailing from the wrecked ships and now carpeted in moving flowers.
And as I stared at this desolate wreckage, Captain Nemo told me in a solemn voice:
"Commander La Pérouse set out on December 7, 1785, with his ships, the Compass and the Astrolabe. He dropped anchor first at Botany Bay, visited the Tonga Islands and New Caledonia, headed toward the Santa Cruz Islands, and put in at Nomuka, one of the islands in the Ha'apai group. Then his ships arrived at the unknown reefs of Vanikoro. Traveling in the lead, the Compass ran afoul of breakers on the southerly coast. The Astrolabe went to its rescue and also ran aground. The first ship was destroyed almost immediately. The second, stranded to leeward, held up for some days. The natives gave the castaways a fair enough welcome. The latter took up residence on the island and built a smaller craft with rubble from the two large ones. A few seamen stayed voluntarily in Vanikoro. The others, weak and ailing, set sail with the Count de La Pérouse. They headed to the Solomon Islands, and they perished with all hands on the westerly coast of the chief island in that group, between Cape Deception and Cape Satisfaction!"
"And how do you know all this?" I exclaimed.
"Here's what I found at the very site of that final shipwreck!"
Captain Nemo showed me a tin box, stamped with the coat of arms of France and all corroded by salt water. He opened it and I saw a bundle of papers, yellowed but still legible.
They were the actual military orders given by France's Minister of the Navy to Commander La Pérouse, with notes along the margin in the handwriting of King Louis XVI!
"Ah, what a splendid death for a seaman!" Captain Nemo then said. "A coral grave is a tranquil grave, and may Heaven grant that my companions and I rest in no other!"
上面看到的可怕景象，是诺第留斯号在航程中碰到的一连串海中灾祸的开始，自从它到了船只往来比较多的海中，我们时常看见遇难的船只在海水中腐烂了，在更深的地方，海底下面，看到上了锈的大炮、子弹、锚、链以及其他许多铁器。
不过，诺第留斯号总是带着我们前进。我们在船上很孤独地生活。12月11日，我们望见了帕摩图群岛， 这群岛位于南纬13度30分和23度50分之间，西经125度30分和151度30分之间， 从度西岛直至拉查列岛，由东南偏东至西北偏西，在长五百里的海面上罗列起来。群岛的面积共三百七十平方里，由约莫六十个小群岛组成，在这些小群岛中间，我看到了法国占领的作为它的保护地的甘比尔群岛。这些小群岛全是珊瑚岛。由于珊瑚这种腔肠动物所起的作用，造成地面缓慢地，但连续地上升，因此，将来一定有一天会把这些小岛连接起来。以后，连接起来的新岛又跟邻近的群岛衔接，久而久之，从新西兰和新喀里多尼亚岛起，至马贵斯群岛止，便要出现一个新大陆，那就是未来的第五大洲。
那天，我在尼摩船长面前谈我的新大陆构成的理论，他很冷淡地这样回答我：
“地球上所需要的并不是新的大陆，而是新的人！”
在这次航行中，诺第留斯号偶然开到克列蒙端尼岛——群岛中最有兴昧的一个岛•它是1822年，曲米涅娃①号船长贝尔发现的。我因此得以研究太平洋中的小岛所构成的造礁珊瑚体系。造礁珊瑚跟普通珊瑚不能混为一谈，它们的纤维组织蒙上一层石灰质的表皮，表皮构造的各种变化使我著名的老师密尔•爱德华先生把它们分为五部。这些以分泌物累积成珊瑚树的细小微生动物，是数以亿万计地生活在细胞里面。它们分泌的石灰质逐渐累积，组成了岩石、礁石、小岛、岛屿。在某一处，它们形成一个圆形的环，围绕着一个珊瑚洲或一个内湖，边缘有缺口，可与大海相通。在另一处，它们形成一些礁石的悬崖，跟新喀里多尼。亚海岸和帕摩图群岛好些小岛所有的情形相仿。在别的地方，比如在联合岛和毛利斯岛，它们筑起礁石脉，跟壁立的）高墙一样，高墙附近的海是非常之深的。
沿着克列蒙端尼岛的悬崖仅仅走了几百米，我对于这些微生物中的劳动者所完成的巨大工程十分赞赏。这些悬崖大半是称为千孔珊瑚、滨珊瑚、星珊瑚和脑形珊瑚的造礁珊瑚类的杰作。造礁珊瑚类动物在海波激荡的表面一层特别繁衍，因此，它们的造礁工作是从上层开始，渐次及于下层的，上层带着剩余的分泌物，渐渐沉到下面去。达尔文②的学说就是这样，他应用这学说来说明环状珊瑚岛的构成——照我的意思，这学说比那以海面下几米有浮出的山岭或火山的峰顶作为造礁珊瑚的工作基地的学说，较为优越，较为合理。
我可以挨近这些新奇的墙垣观察，因为它们是垂直的，测探器指示的深度超过三百米，我们船上的阵阵电光把这光辉的石灰石照亮了。
康塞尔问我这些巨大的墙垣积累起来要花多少时间，我回答他的这个问题说，根据学者们的意见，积累八分之一寸厚的珊瑚墙需要一个世纪，即一百年左右的时间，他十分惊异。
"那么，”他问我，“造成这些墙垣要多少时间呢?"
”要十九万二千年，老实的康塞尔，这就把《圣经》记载的时间①特别拉长了。此外，煤炭的形成，即被洪水冲积的森林的矿化作用，玄武岩的冷化作用，需要更长久的时间。再说，《圣经》中的时间只是表明一个一个时期，并不指两次旧出之间的时间，因为，照《圣经》的说法，太阳并不是开夭，辟地第一天就存在。”
当诺第留斯号回到海面上来的时候，我可以望见这个低洼的和多树的克列蒙瑞尼岛发展的全部过程。岛上的珊瑚石显然是由于旋风和风暴的冲刷，变成了肥饶的沃上。不知什么时候，一些谷粒果核被暴风带到邻近土地，落在石灰质的地上，地里夹杂了鱼类和海产植物分解出来的渣滓，成为很好的草木肥料。随后又有一些可可果核被波浪冲来，漂到了这边新开辟的海岸。不久种子发芽生根，渐渐长大，成树，成林，贮蓄了水蒸气。水流于是形成了。植物也就渐渐生长繁殖。叉有些微生动物，爬虫，昆虫，附在被大风吹倒的其他海岛的树干上，输送到这边。龟鳖到这里来下蛋，禽鸟在嫩枝上结巢。动物就这样在岛上活跃起来。不久，人类被岛上的青葱和肥饶的土地所吸引，也在岛上出现了。这就是群岛——微生动物的惊人杰作的形成过程。
傍晚时候，克列蒙端尼岛在远处隐没不见了，诺第留斯号的航路显然是改变了方向。 在西经135度上接触到南回归线的时候，船又上溯南北两回归线间的海水，向西北偏西驶去. 虽然夏季的太阳光十分厉害，但我们一点不受炎热的影响，因为在水底三十至四十米的深度，温度总不超过十度到十二度。
12月15日，我们在东边望到了使人留恋的社会群岛和作为太平洋玉后的啊娜多姿的塔希提岛。我早晨在距离几里的下方，望见了这岛上的高耸的山峰。沿岛水产供应我们船上餐桌许多美味的鱼，鳍鱼、鲤鱼、乳白鱼，以及好几种属于鳗鱼类的海蛇。
诺第留斯号已经走了八千一百海里的海程了。当它穿过东加塔布群岛和航海家群岛之间的时候，测程器的记录已经到了九千七百二十海里；汤加塔布群岛是从前阿尔戈号、太子港号和博兰公爵号的船员丧生的地方，航海家群岛是拉•白鲁斯①的朋友、郎格尔船长被杀的所在。不久我又望见了维蒂群岛，岛上的土人曾经屠杀过和合号的水手和指挥可爱的约瑟芬号的南特人布罗船长。
这群岛所占的面积，从北至南为一百里，从东至西为九十里，位于南纬6度至2度，西经174度至179度之间。这群岛是由很多小岛如维蒂岛、万奴岛和甘杜朋等岛组成的。
这群小岛是塔斯曼①在1643年发现的，那一年也就是托利色利②发明风雨表和路易十四③即位的一年。人们可以想一想，这三件事究竟那一件对人类最有益处、”随后，库克在1714年，当土尔加斯朵④在1793年，杜蒙•居维尔⑤在1827年都曾来过，群岛的地理形势是经杜蒙•居维尔勘察后，才弄清楚的。诺第留斯号驶近了魏利阿湾，那位狄勇船长在这里遇到过惊人冒险的事件，狄勇船长就是第一个把拉白鲁斯沉船的秘密弄明白的人。
在海湾中我们打了好几次鱼，我们打到很多好吃的牡蛎我们是按照薛尼克⑤的方法，在饭桌上把牡蛎剥开，尽量无节制地吃。大家知道，这种软体动物是属于贝壳蛇类，在地中海科西嘉岛非常普遍。魏利阿海湾中一定有十分丰富的壮蜗，如果没有各种消灭它们的原因，这些团结成群的动物必然要把这一带海湾都填满，因为光是一个牡蜗就可以产两百万个卵。
尼德•兰师傅在这次大吃牡蛎中，对于他的贪食没有后悔，因为牡蛎是从来不使人饱胀的唯一的食品。是的，供给一个人每日营养所需的三百一十五克氮素，要二百个左右牡蛎呢。
12月25 日， 诺第留斯号在新赫布里底群岛间行驶，这群岛在1606年由居洛斯①发见，1768年，布几威尔②来探险，1773年，库克才把现在新赫布里底的名字给了它。这一群岛屿由丸个主要大岛组成，形成一条从西北偏北至东南偏南的一百二十里的长带， 位于南纬15度至2度，西经164度至168度之间。我们的船沿着奥卢岛岸边走过，在正午时刻观察，这岛好像一堆青绿的树林，有一座很高的山峰耸立在上面。这一天是圣诞节，尼德•兰似乎很后悔不能过节，因为圣诞节是基督教徒所热爱的家庭团聚节。
我有七八天没有看到尼摩船长了，27 H早晨，他进客厅来，脸上的神气总是像跟你分手不过五分钟时间的样子。
我正在看那平面图上的诺第留斯号所走的航路。船长走向前来，手指着地图上的一点，单单说出了这个名字：
“万尼科罗群岛。”
万尼科罗这名字是有迷惑力的；它是拉•白鲁斯的探险船只在那里失踪的群岛的名字。我立即站起来。
“诺第留斯号带我们到万尼科罗群岛吗？”我问。
“是的， 教授。”船长回答。"我可以去访问罗盘号和浑天仪号毁坏沉没的有名的岛屿吗?"
“如果您高兴，教授，我们可以去访问。”
“我们什么时候到万尼科罗群岛呢?"
"我们就到了，教授."
我跟着尼摩船长，走上平台，从平台上，我眼光急急地向天际了望。
在东北方，现出两座大小不等的由火山形成的岛屿，有四十海里长的环形珊瑚礁围绕。我们现在就在万尼科罗岛面前了，杜蒙•屠维尔一定要叫它搜索岛，它是在万奴岛的天然小港前面，位于南纬16度4分和东经164度32分之间。岛上土地从岸边的海滩，一直到内部的高峰，都好像有青纱帐蒙起来，岛上有高九百米左右的加波哥山矗立，俯视全岛。
诺第留斯号从窄狭的水道，穿过外围的一道石带，走在暗礁岩石里面了，这里的海水深度为五十米至六十五米左右。我看见红树荫下有十二三个土人，他们看见我们的船开来，表示极端惊怪。看见这长长的灰黑东西在水面上行走，他们可能认为是他们应当警戒的一条很厉害的鲸科动物呢？
这个时候，尼摩船长向我打听拉•白鲁斯失事遇难的情形，这事我是知道的。
“船长，我所知道的不过是大家都知道的罢了。”我回答他。
“您可以把大家知道的情形告诉我吗？”他带些讥讽的神气说。
“那很容易。”
我把杜蒙•居维尔关于这事的最后著作中所谈到的情形告诉了他，下面就是简单的概述。
拉•白鲁斯和他的副手郎格尔船长于1785年受路易十六①的派遣，作环游地球的航行。他们乘罗盘号和浑天仪号两艘三级舰出发，以后就再没有听见他们的消息了。
1791年，法国政府很关心这两艘战舰的命运，装备了两艘大运输舰，搜索号和希望号， 准备出发，做寻找的工作。，这两艘大运输舰于9月28日离开布勒斯特海港，由当上尔加斯朵指挥。“但两个月后，从指挥阿伯马尔号船的船长，名叫波温的这个人送来的报告知道，失事的两艘战舰的残骸在新佐治岛沿岸看到了。当，土尔加斯朵并不知道这个报告——而且这报告也不很可靠——他向海军部群岛出发，前去找寻，固他根据韩德船长的一个报告，说这群岛是拉•白鲁斯失事遇难的地点。
他的搜寻完全没有结果，完全落空了。希望号和搜索号甚至于经过万尼科罗群岛面前没有停留，总起来说，这次、航行很不幸，因为当土尔加斯朵，他的两名副手和他船员中的好几名水手都丢了性命。．第一个把这次遇难人的无可争辩的可靠遗物找出来的，是一位经常航行在太平洋上的老航海家狄勇船长。1824年5月15日，他的船圣巴土利克号，经过新赫布里底群岛之一的第克贝亚岛附近。在那里，一个印第安人乘着独木舟，靠近他的船边，卖给他－把银质的刀柄，柄上有镂别的文字痕迹。这个印第安人又说，六年前，他在万尼科罗岛住下来的时候，曾看见过两个欧洲人，他们是一只遇难船砌船员，这船多年前撞在岛附近的暗礁上了。
狄勇立即猜想到，这一定是拉白鲁斯船上的遇难人员，周为这些船只的失踪是众所周知的，曾经震动世界。他打算到万尼科罗群岛去，据印第安人说，那里还有遇难船只的、许多遗物，可是大风和海浪阻挡了他，无法前往。
狄勇回到加尔备答。在加尔各答；他想法使亚洲学会和印度公司注意他的发现。他于是得到一只船， 这只船命名为搜索号，由他指挥，1827年1月23月，他由一个法国人陪着，乘船出发，前往搜寻。
搜索号在太平洋好几处停锚找寻， 于1827年7月了日：到万尼科罗群岛前面停泊了，地点就是此刻诺第留斯号所在的这个万奴岛的天然小港中。
在这个地方，狄勇收集了遇难船只的许多遗物：铁制的用具，锚，滑车的铁链环，小炮，一颗十八号炮弹，残破的天文仪器，船后部断片：另外还有一口铜钟，上面有款识，写着“巴赞给我造的”，这是1785年左右，布勒斯特军械局铸造厂的标记。这事是十分明确，不可以怀疑的了。
狄勇为了使自己所获得的材料更完备起见，他在这遇难的地方留下，一直到同年十月。然后他离开了万尼科罗群岛，去新西兰，1828年4月7日到了加尔各答，然后回法掴，到了法国，他受到查理十世①的热情招待。可是, 这个时候,杜蒙.居惟尔不知道狄勇所作的工作结果，已经先出发向别处找寻失事的地点了。因为他从一只捕鲸船的报告知道，有好些徽章和一种圣路易十字勋章在路易西安尼省和新喀里多尼亚岛的土人手里发现。
杜蒙。居维尔于是指挥着浑天仪号，向大洋出发，在狄勇离开了万尼科罗群岛两个月后，他的船停在何巴市面前。在何已市，他知道了狄勇所获得的结果，此夕）他又从加尔各答轮船公司的和合号的船副。———个名叫何伯斯的人那里知道，他在南纬8度18分和东经： 56度30分之间的一个小岛，看到这些地方的土人使用一些铁条和红色毛布。
杜蒙，居维尔心中相当为难，不知道对于这些不太可靠的报刊所登载的记事是否应该相信，最后他决定开到狄勇曾经到过的地方去。
1828年2月10n日，浑天仪号到了提科皮亚岛面前，请了一个落户在岛上的逃兵作向导和翻译， 他向万尼科罗群岛出发，2月12日，望见了万尼科罗群岛，直至14日他都是沿着群岛的礁石脉行驶，到20日，才停泊在礁石圈里面，即万奴岛的天然港内。
23日，好几名船上的人员在岛上走了一圈，得到一些不重要的残余物品。当地土人采取一种不认账和逃避的方法，不愿意带他们到遇难失事的地方去看。这种暖昧不明的行为更让人相信他们是曾经虐待过船中的遇难人员，他们也正是好像伯杜蒙•居维尔要给拉•白鲁斯和他的苦命同伴报仇似的。但在26日，土人由于得到了礼物，并且知道他们不至于受到任何报复，他们这才带领船副雅居诺，到了船只遇难的地方。
在这个地方，五米至六米半的水深处，在巴古和万奴两岛的礁石间，堆积着的锚、炮、铁块和铅块都被石灰质的沉积层粘住了。浑夭仪号的大艇和捕鲸船开到了这个地方，费了很大气力，船上人员才把一个重一千八百斤的锚，一门口径八分的铁铸大炮，一大块铅和两尊铜炮打捞上来。
杜蒙•居维尔详细询问土人，知道拉•白鲁斯在岛附近暗礁上损失了他的两只船后，又造了一只较小的船，他乘新造的船出发，第二次又失踪了…在什么地方失踪呢？没有人知道。这位指挥浑天仪号的船长于是在一株红树华盖下，建造了一座衣冠墓，纪念那位著名的航海家和他的同伴。家是一座简单的四角形金字塔，建筑在珊瑚石的基地上，上面没有竖立什么可以引起土人的贪心的铁架。
杜蒙•居维尔要离开这岛出发了；但他的船员受了海岛不良气候的影响，很多人患了热病，他本人也病得很厉害，一直到8月17日才拔锚动身。
当时法国政府怕杜蒙•屠维尔不知道狄勇的工作结果，派出巴沿尼号小战舰到万尼科罗群岛，战舰由列哥郎•德•土浪美林指挥，当时停在美洲西部海岸。巴沿尼号在浑天仪号离开了几个月后，开到了万尼科罗岛面前，并没有找到什么新的材料，仅仅看见土人对于拉•白鲁斯的墓没有破坏。
上面就是我给尼摩船长说的关于这件事的材料。
“那么,"他对我说，“在万尼科罗群岛失事的遇难人所建造的第三只船，究竟在什么地方遇难沉没了，人们还是不知道吗?"
“人们还是不知道。”
尼摩船长并不答话，他对我做个手势，要我跟他到客厅中去。诺第留斯号潜入海水下几米深，嵌板打开了。
我急急走到玻璃隔板面前观看，只见珊瑚礁石的基地盖满了菌生植物、管状植物、翡翠海草、石竹小草，在它下面，在成千成万物十分可爱的鱼类《鲍鱼、雕纹鱼、卿筒鱼、裂骨鱼、金鱼）中间，我认出了打捞机无法打捞的一些残废物品，如铁马磴、锚、炮、炮弹、绞盘架、船头废料等等，全是遇难船只留下的东西，现在都披上活生生的花朵了。
当我注视这些使人心中难受的遇难船只的残骸时，尼摩船长用很严肃的声音对我说：
“拉•白鲁斯船长于1785年12月7日率领了罗盘号和浑夭仪号两船出发。 他最初停泊在植物湾，访问了友爱群岛，新喀里多尼亚，向圣克鲁斯群岛出发，停在哈巴衣群岛的奈摩加岛面前。然后，到了以前不知道的万尼科罗群岛的礁石上面。走在前头的罗盘号撞在南边海岸的礁石上。浑天仪号前来援救，但也碰上暗礁。第一只船罗盘号立即撞破沉下去，第二只船浑天仪号搁浅在下方，仍然支持了好几天。当地土人对遇难船员相当欢迎，善意招待。遇难船员便住在岛上，利用两艘破损的大船，把材料拼凑起来，建造了一只较小的船。有些水手愿意居住在万尼科罗群岛上， 不想走了。别的船员，体弱有病，跟拉•白鲁斯一同出发.他们向所罗门群岛开去，他们所有的一切，身体和财物，都在这群岛的主岛的西部海岸，失望呷和满意呷之间沉没了。
“您怎么知道呢？”我喊道。；
“这不是我在那最后遇难失事的地方所找到的文件吗！”
尼摩船长给我看一个白铁盒，上面印有法国国徽的标记，全都被盐水所侵蚀了。他打开铁盒，我看见一卷公文，虽然纸色发黄，但字迹还清楚可读。
这公文是法国海军大臣给拉，白鲁斯船长的训令，边缘还有路易十六亲笔的批语呢！
“啊！”尼摩船长于是说，“对于一位海员来说，这真是死得漂亮：这座珊瑚坟墓实在是太幽静了！愿上天让我的同伴和我不要葬在别样的坟墓中！”
Part 1 Chapter 20
DURING THE NIGHT of December 27-28, the Nautilus left the waterways of Vanikoro behind with extraordinary speed. Its heading was southwesterly, and in three days it had cleared the 750 leagues that separated La Pérouse's islands from the southeastern tip of Papua.
On January 1, 1868, bright and early, Conseil joined me on the platform.
"Will master," the gallant lad said to me, "allow me to wish him a happy new year?"
"Good heavens, Conseil, it's just like old times in my office at the Botanical Gardens in Paris! I accept your kind wishes and I thank you for them. Only, I'd like to know what you mean by a 'happy year' under the circumstances in which we're placed. Is it a year that will bring our imprisonment to an end, or a year that will see this strange voyage continue?"
"Ye gods," Conseil replied, "I hardly know what to tell master. We're certainly seeing some unusual things, and for two months we've had no time for boredom. The latest wonder is always the most astonishing, and if this progression keeps up, I can't imagine what its climax will be. In my opinion, we'll never again have such an opportunity."
"Never, Conseil."
"Besides, Mr. Nemo really lives up to his Latin name, since he couldn't be less in the way if he didn't exist."
"True enough, Conseil."
"Therefore, with all due respect to master, I think a 'happy year' would be a year that lets us see everything--"
"Everything, Conseil? No year could be that long. But what does Ned Land think about all this?"
"Ned Land's thoughts are exactly the opposite of mine," Conseil replied. "He has a practical mind and a demanding stomach. He's tired of staring at fish and eating them day in and day out. This shortage of wine, bread, and meat isn't suitable for an upstanding Anglo-Saxon, a man accustomed to beefsteak and unfazed by regular doses of brandy or gin!"
"For my part, Conseil, that doesn't bother me in the least, and I've adjusted very nicely to the diet on board."
"So have I," Conseil replied. "Accordingly, I think as much about staying as Mr. Land about making his escape. Thus, if this new year isn't a happy one for me, it will be for him, and vice versa. No matter what happens, one of us will be pleased. So, in conclusion, I wish master to have whatever his heart desires."
"Thank you, Conseil. Only I must ask you to postpone the question of new year's gifts, and temporarily accept a hearty handshake in their place. That's all I have on me."
"Master has never been more generous," Conseil replied.
And with that, the gallant lad went away.
By January 2 we had fared 11,340 miles, hence 5,250 leagues, from our starting point in the seas of Japan. Before the Nautilus's spur there stretched the dangerous waterways of the Coral Sea, off the northeast coast of Australia. Our boat cruised along a few miles away from that daunting shoal where Captain Cook's ships wellnigh miscarried on June 10, 1770. The craft that Cook was aboard charged into some coral rock, and if his vessel didn't go down, it was thanks to the circumstance that a piece of coral broke off in the collision and plugged the very hole it had made in the hull.
I would have been deeply interested in visiting this long, 360-league reef, against which the ever-surging sea broke with the fearsome intensity of thunderclaps. But just then the Nautilus's slanting fins took us to great depths, and I could see nothing of those high coral walls. I had to rest content with the various specimens of fish brought up by our nets. Among others I noted some long-finned albacore, a species in the genus Scomber, as big as tuna, bluish on the flanks, and streaked with crosswise stripes that disappear when the animal dies. These fish followed us in schools and supplied our table with very dainty flesh. We also caught a large number of yellow-green gilthead, half a decimeter long and tasting like dorado, plus some flying gurnards, authentic underwater swallows that, on dark nights, alternately streak air and water with their phosphorescent glimmers. Among mollusks and zoophytes, I found in our trawl's meshes various species of alcyonarian coral, sea urchins, hammer shells, spurred-star shells, wentletrap snails, horn shells, glass snails. The local flora was represented by fine floating algae: sea tangle, and kelp from the genus Macrocystis, saturated with the mucilage their pores perspire, from which I selected a wonderful Nemastoma geliniaroidea, classifying it with the natural curiosities in the museum.
On January 4, two days after crossing the Coral Sea, we raised the coast of Papua. On this occasion Captain Nemo told me that he intended to reach the Indian Ocean via the Torres Strait. This was the extent of his remarks. Ned saw with pleasure that this course would bring us, once again, closer to European seas.
The Torres Strait is regarded as no less dangerous for its bristling reefs than for the savage inhabitants of its coasts. It separates Queensland from the huge island of Papua, also called New Guinea.
Papua is 400 leagues long by 130 leagues wide, with a surface area of 40,000 geographic leagues. It's located between latitude 0 degrees 19' and 10 degrees 2' south, and between longitude 128 degrees 23' and 146 degrees 15'. At noon, while the chief officer was taking the sun's altitude, I spotted the summits of the Arfak Mountains, rising in terraces and ending in sharp peaks.
Discovered in 1511 by the Portuguese Francisco Serrano, these shores were successively visited by Don Jorge de Meneses in 1526, by Juan de Grijalva in 1527, by the Spanish general Alvaro de Saavedra in 1528, by Inigo Ortiz in 1545, by the Dutchman Schouten in 1616, by Nicolas Sruick in 1753, by Tasman, Dampier, Fumel, Carteret, Edwards, Bougainville, Cook, McClure, and Thomas Forrest, by Rear Admiral d'Entrecasteaux in 1792, by Louis-Isidore Duperrey in 1823, and by Captain Dumont d'Urville in 1827. "It's the heartland of the blacks who occupy all Malaysia," Mr. de Rienzi has said; and I hadn't the foggiest inkling that sailors' luck was about to bring me face to face with these daunting Andaman aborigines.
So the Nautilus hove before the entrance to the world's most dangerous strait, a passageway that even the boldest navigators hesitated to clear: the strait that Luis Vaez de Torres faced on returning from the South Seas in Melanesia, the strait in which sloops of war under Captain Dumont d'Urville ran aground in 1840 and nearly miscarried with all hands. And even the Nautilus, rising superior to every danger in the sea, was about to become intimate with its coral reefs.
The Torres Strait is about thirty-four leagues wide, but it's obstructed by an incalculable number of islands, islets, breakers, and rocks that make it nearly impossible to navigate. Consequently, Captain Nemo took every desired precaution in crossing it. Floating flush with the water, the Nautilus moved ahead at a moderate pace. Like a cetacean's tail, its propeller churned the waves slowly.
Taking advantage of this situation, my two companions and I found seats on the ever-deserted platform. In front of us stood the pilothouse, and unless I'm extremely mistaken, Captain Nemo must have been inside, steering his Nautilus himself.
Under my eyes I had the excellent charts of the Torres Strait that had been surveyed and drawn up by the hydrographic engineer Vincendon Dumoulin and Sublieutenant (now Admiral) Coupvent-Desbois, who were part of Dumont d'Urville's general staff during his final voyage to circumnavigate the globe. These, along with the efforts of Captain King, are the best charts for untangling the snarl of this narrow passageway, and I consulted them with scrupulous care.
Around the Nautilus the sea was boiling furiously. A stream of waves, bearing from southeast to northwest at a speed of two and a half miles per hour, broke over heads of coral emerging here and there.
"That's one rough sea!" Ned Land told me.
"Abominable indeed," I replied, "and hardly suitable for a craft like the Nautilus."
"That damned captain," the Canadian went on, "must really be sure of his course, because if these clumps of coral so much as brush us, they'll rip our hull into a thousand pieces!"
The situation was indeed dangerous, but as if by magic, the Nautilus seemed to glide right down the middle of these rampaging reefs. It didn't follow the exact course of the Zealous and the new Astrolabe, which had proved so ill-fated for Captain Dumont d'Urville. It went more to the north, hugged the Murray Islands, and returned to the southwest near Cumberland Passage. I thought it was about to charge wholeheartedly into this opening, but it went up to the northwest, through a large number of little-known islands and islets, and steered toward Tound Island and the Bad Channel.
I was already wondering if Captain Nemo, rash to the point of sheer insanity, wanted his ship to tackle the narrows where Dumont d'Urville's two sloops of war had gone aground, when he changed direction a second time and cut straight to the west, heading toward Gueboroa Island.
By then it was three o'clock in the afternoon. The current was slacking off, it was almost full tide. The Nautilus drew near this island, which I can see to this day with its remarkable fringe of screw pines. We hugged it from less than two miles out.
A sudden jolt threw me down. The Nautilus had just struck a reef, and it remained motionless, listing slightly to port.
When I stood up, I saw Captain Nemo and his chief officer on the platform. They were examining the ship's circumstances, exchanging a few words in their incomprehensible dialect.
Here is what those circumstances entailed. Two miles to starboard lay Gueboroa Island, its coastline curving north to west like an immense arm. To the south and east, heads of coral were already on display, left uncovered by the ebbing waters. We had run aground at full tide and in one of those seas whose tides are moderate, an inconvenient state of affairs for floating the Nautilus off. However, the ship hadn't suffered in any way, so solidly joined was its hull. But although it could neither sink nor split open, it was in serious danger of being permanently attached to these reefs, and that would have been the finish of Captain Nemo's submersible.
I was mulling this over when the captain approached, cool and calm, forever in control of himself, looking neither alarmed nor annoyed.
"An accident?" I said to him.
"No, an incident," he answered me.
"But an incident," I replied, "that may oblige you to become a resident again of these shores you avoid!"
Captain Nemo gave me an odd look and gestured no. Which told me pretty clearly that nothing would ever force him to set foot on a land mass again. Then he said:
"No, Professor Aronnax, the Nautilus isn't consigned to perdition. It will still carry you through the midst of the ocean's wonders. Our voyage is just beginning, and I've no desire to deprive myself so soon of the pleasure of your company."
"Even so, Captain Nemo," I went on, ignoring his ironic turn of phrase, "the Nautilus has run aground at a moment when the sea is full. Now then, the tides aren't strong in the Pacific, and if you can't unballast the Nautilus, which seems impossible to me, I don't see how it will float off."
"You're right, professor, the Pacific tides aren't strong," Captain Nemo replied. "But in the Torres Strait, one still finds a meter-and-a-half difference in level between high and low seas. Today is January 4, and in five days the moon will be full. Now then, I'll be quite astonished if that good-natured satellite doesn't sufficiently raise these masses of water and do me a favor for which I'll be forever grateful."
This said, Captain Nemo went below again to the Nautilus's interior, followed by his chief officer. As for our craft, it no longer stirred, staying as motionless as if these coral polyps had already walled it in with their indestructible cement.
"Well, sir?" Ned Land said to me, coming up after the captain's departure.
"Well, Ned my friend, we'll serenely wait for the tide on the 9th, because it seems the moon will have the good nature to float us away!"
"As simple as that?"
"As simple as that."
"So our captain isn't going to drop his anchors, put his engines on the chains, and do anything to haul us off?"
"Since the tide will be sufficient," Conseil replied simply.
The Canadian stared at Conseil, then he shrugged his shoulders. The seaman in him was talking now.
"Sir," he answered, "you can trust me when I say this hunk of iron will never navigate again, on the seas or under them. It's only fit to be sold for its weight. So I think it's time we gave Captain Nemo the slip."
"Ned my friend," I replied, "unlike you, I haven't given up on our valiant Nautilus, and in four days we'll know where we stand on these Pacific tides. Besides, an escape attempt might be timely if we were in sight of the coasts of England or Provence, but in the waterways of Papua it's another story. And we'll always have that as a last resort if the Nautilus doesn't right itself, which I'd regard as a real calamity."
"But couldn't we at least get the lay of the land?" Ned went on. "Here's an island. On this island there are trees. Under those trees land animals loaded with cutlets and roast beef, which I'd be happy to sink my teeth into."
"In this instance our friend Ned is right," Conseil said, "and I side with his views. Couldn't master persuade his friend Captain Nemo to send the three of us ashore, if only so our feet don't lose the knack of treading on the solid parts of our planet?"
"I can ask him," I replied, "but he'll refuse."
"Let master take the risk," Conseil said, "and we'll know where we stand on the captain's affability."
Much to my surprise, Captain Nemo gave me the permission I asked for, and he did so with grace and alacrity, not even exacting my promise to return on board. But fleeing across the New Guinea territories would be extremely dangerous, and I wouldn't have advised Ned Land to try it. Better to be prisoners aboard the Nautilus than to fall into the hands of Papuan natives.
The skiff was put at our disposal for the next morning. I hardly needed to ask whether Captain Nemo would be coming along. I likewise assumed that no crewmen would be assigned to us, that Ned Land would be in sole charge of piloting the longboat. Besides, the shore lay no more than two miles off, and it would be child's play for the Canadian to guide that nimble skiff through those rows of reefs so ill-fated for big ships.
The next day, January 5, after its deck paneling was opened, the skiff was wrenched from its socket and launched to sea from the top of the platform. Two men were sufficient for this operation. The oars were inside the longboat and we had only to take our seats.
At eight o'clock, armed with rifles and axes, we pulled clear of the Nautilus. The sea was fairly calm. A mild breeze blew from shore. In place by the oars, Conseil and I rowed vigorously, and Ned steered us into the narrow lanes between the breakers. The skiff handled easily and sped swiftly.
Ned Land couldn't conceal his glee. He was a prisoner escaping from prison and never dreaming he would need to reenter it.
"Meat!" he kept repeating. "Now we'll eat red meat! Actual game! A real mess call, by thunder! I'm not saying fish aren't good for you, but we mustn't overdo 'em, and a slice of fresh venison grilled over live coals will be a nice change from our standard fare."
"You glutton," Conseil replied, "you're making my mouth water!"
"It remains to be seen," I said, "whether these forests do contain game, and if the types of game aren't of such size that they can hunt the hunter."
"Fine, Professor Aronnax!" replied the Canadian, whose teeth seemed to be as honed as the edge of an ax. "But if there's no other quadruped on this island, I'll eat tiger--tiger sirloin."
"Our friend Ned grows disturbing," Conseil replied.
"Whatever it is," Ned Land went on, "any animal having four feet without feathers, or two feet with feathers, will be greeted by my very own one-gun salute."
"Oh good!" I replied. "The reckless Mr. Land is at it again!"
"Don't worry, Professor Aronnax, just keep rowing!" the Canadian replied. "I only need twenty-five minutes to serve you one of my own special creations."
By 8:30 the Nautilus's skiff had just run gently aground on a sandy strand, after successfully clearing the ring of coral that surrounds Gueboroa Island.

12月27日至28日夜间，诺第留斯号超速度急行，离开了万尼科罗群岛海面。它向西北方开行，在三天之内，它就走过了从拉•白鲁斯群岛至巴布亚群岛东南尖角的七百五十里。
1868年1.1日大清早，康塞尔在平台上向我走来，这个老实人对我说：
“先生， 我给您拜年，祝您一年顺利，好吗？”"那还用问吗，康塞尔，就跟我在巴黎，在植物园中我的工作室中那样。我接受你的祝贺，我感谢你。不过我要问你，在我们目前所处的情况下，你说的一年顺利是什么意思。这是将使我们在船上的囚禁结束的一年呢？还是仍然继续这奇异的游历旅行的一年呢？”
“我的天，”康塞尔回答，我不知道怎样对先生说才好。我们的确是看到许多希奇古怪的事物，两个月来，我们一点没有感到厌烦。最近一次离奇的事也是最惊人的事，长此以往，我真不知道将来怎样结局。可是我觉得我们永远找不到这种机会了。”•
“永远找不到了，康塞尔。”
"此外尼摩先生， 正如他的拉丁语的名字所表示的意义一样，好像并无其人似的，一点也不碍事。”
“康塞尔，你的意思是怎么说呢？”
“如果先生让我说，我想顺利的一年，就是可以让我们看见一切的一年……”
，‘康塞尔，你想看见一切吗？那需要的时间太长久了小尼德•兰的想法又怎样呢？”
“尼德。兰的想法恰好跟我相反，”康塞尔回答，“他是很实际的人，同时食量很大。看鱼和吃鱼，并不能使他满意。没有酒、面包和肉，对一个真正的萨克逊①人来说，是不舒服的，因为牛排是他的家常便饭，喝适量的白兰地或真尼酒并不使他害怕！”"康塞尔,在我个人,使我苦恼的并不是吃喝问题.我对于船上的饮食条件很能适应，很快就习惯了。”
“我也一样，”康塞尔回答，“因此，我想留下，尼德. 兰师傅却想逃走，所以，新开始的这一年，如果对我是不顺利的，那么对他将是顺利的了；反过来也是这样。那么我们两人中总有一个满意的人。最后我总结我的诺，我敬祝先生随心顺意。”
“谢谢，康塞尔，不过我要你把新年送礼的问题搁下来，现在暂且好好握一下手作为新年的贺仪。我目前只有这个在身边。”
“先生从没有像现在这样慷慨."康塞尔回答。
说完这话，这老实人走开了。
＝月2日，自我们从日本海出发到现在，我们已经走了一万一千三百四十海里，即五千二百五十里了。现在诺第留斯号的冲角面前望见的，就是澳大利亚洲东北边岸珊瑚海的危险海面。 我们的船在距离几海里远的地方沿暗礁脉驶过去；1770年6月10日，库克率领的船几乎在这里失事沉没，库克自己乘的船碰在一座岩石上，船所以不沉，那是由于一种特殊的情形，就是有一块珊瑚石因船捡上去而崩下来，堵在被冲破的船身上，船因此得以保全。
我很想看一看这条长三百六十里的暗礁脉，暗礁脉上常有波涛汹涌的海水冲击，奔腾澎湃，十分凶猛，好像隆隆的雷声。可是，这个时候，诺第留斯号转动纵斜机板，把我们带到水底很深的地方，我没有法子看到这座珊瑚造成的长城。我只能看我们的鱼网所打到的各种不同的鱼类。我在打到的许多鱼类中间，看到了嘉蒙鱼，这是跟鲸鱼一般大的鳍鱼类，两侧浅蓝色，身上有横斜的带纹，鱼逐渐长大，带纹也就隐役不见了；这类鱼成群结队地陪伴着我们，把特别美味可口的肉供应我们。鱼网又打到许多青花绸鱼，这鱼长半分米，味道像海绊鲤。又打到锥角飞鱼，这鱼是真正的海底飞燕，在黑夜的时候，放出磷光，轮流在空中和水中照耀。我又在鱼网眼上得到了属于软体类和植虫类的各种不同的翡翠虫、海渭、糙鱼、马刺鱼、罗盘鱼、樱子鱼、硝子鱼。鱼网打到的植物花草有飘浮的美丽海藻，刀片藻和大囊藻。这种藻身上有从细孔中分泌出的一种粘液。在这种海藻里面，我又采得一种十分好看的胶质海藻，这海藻在博物馆中归人天然珍宝的一类。，走过珊瑚海两天后，1月4日，我们望见了巴布亚岛海岸。这时候，尼摩船长告诉我，他打算经托列斯海峡到印度洋去。此外，他什么也不说。尼德•兰很高兴，觉得这条路是渐渐使他跟欧洲海面相接近了。
托列斯海峡之所以被认为是很危险的地带，不仅由于有刺猬一般的暗礁，而且由于住在这一带海岸的土人。托列斯海峡把巴布亚岛（又名新几内亚岛），跟新荷兰岛分开了。
已布亚岛长约四百里， 宽约一百三十里，面积约四万平方里。它位于南纬0度19分和10度之分，西经128度23分和146度15分之间。正午，船副来测太阳高度的时候，我望见阿化斯群山的高峰，一层一层地高起，绝顶是峻峭的山峰.
这岛于1511年为葡萄牙人佛朗西斯.薛郎诺所发现， 以后接着来的，1526年有唐•约瑟、 •德•米纳色斯）152宁年有格利那瓦，1528年有西班牙将军阿尔瓦•德•萨维德拉，1545年有尤哥•奥铁兹，1616年有荷兰人舒田，1753．年有尼古拉.苏留克.塔斯曼.胡每尔.嘉铁列、 爱德华、布几威尔、库克、贺列斯特，1792年有当土尔加一斯朵， 1823年有斗比列， 1827年有杜蒙•居维尔①；雷恩兹②说过：“巴布亚是占据全部马来亚的黑人的集中地。”我很相信，这次航行的偶然机会，已经把我拉到可怕的安达孟尼人面前来了。
诺第留斯号于是驶到地球上最危险的海峡口上来了，这海峡，就是很大胆的航海家也差点儿不敢冒险通过，路易•已兹•德•托列斯③从南方海上回到美拉尼西亚群岛时，曾经冒险穿过，1840年，杜蒙•居维尔的几艘船搁浅在那里，几乎全部都要沉没了。诺第留斯号虽然可以超越海中所有的危险，现在也要来试试这珊瑚礁石群的厉害了。
托列斯海峡约有三十四里宽，但有无数的小岛、岛屿、暗礁和岩石堵在里面，给航行带来很多困难，几乎没法前进。因此，尼摩船长为了安全通过这海峡，采取了必要的措施。诺第留斯号浮在水而上前进，它的推进器像鲸鱼类的尾巴一般，慢慢地冲开海浪。
乘这个机会，我的两个伺伴和我都走上总是没有人的平台上来。在我们面前是领航人的笼间，如果我没有搞错，那是尼摩船长本人在里面，他亲自指挥诺第留斯号。
我面前是很详尽的托列斯海峡地图，这图由水力工程师，从前是古往•德波亚号的海军少尉，现在是海军上将的文生唐•杜日兰所编制，他在杜蒙、•居维尔的最后一次环球航行期间，曾是参谋人员之＝。这地图跟金船长制的都是最完善的地图，可以把它当作良好的向导来避免危险，通过这狭窄的水道，我很小心地查看这些地图）
在诺第留斯号周围，海水汹涌湃澎，翻滚沸腾。海浪从东南奔向西北, 以两海里半的速度冲在处处露出尖峰的珊瑚礁上。
“真是凶恶的海！”尼德•兰对我说。
“对，是可憎恨的海，”我回答，“像诺第留斯号这样的船都不好应付呢。”
“那位怪船长，”加拿大人又说，“一定是十分熟悉他走的航路, 因为我看见有一堆对珊瑚礁石,一不小心,触上了可就幢的粉碎."
对，我们所处的情形十分危险，但诺第留斯号好像有了魔法、在这些凶险的暗礁中间安然滑过去。它并不沿着浑天仪号和热心女号所走的航线驶去，那是使杜蒙•居维尔受到过厉害打击的。它从北边一点走，沿着莫利岛，再回到西南方，向甘伯兰海道驶去。我以为它分明是要走这海道了，但忽然它又回向西北方，穿过许多人不知道的小岛和岛屿，驶往通提岛和凶险的水道. 我心中正想，尼摩船长简直粗心到发疯了，要把他的船走人杜蒙•居维尔的船几乎要沉没的险道中去。忽然它又第二次改变方向，正指着西方，向格波罗尔岛开行。
时间是下午三点。波浪汹诵，大海正在高潮。诺第留斯号走近这个岛，就是现在，我眼前还现出这岛上很好看的班达树林的边缘呢。我们沿岛走了两里左右。突然一下的冲击把我震倒了。诺第留斯号碰上了一座暗礁，它停住不动，靠左舷轻微地搁浅下来。当我站起来时，我看见平台上来了尼摩船长和他的船副。他们将船的情形检查一下，彼此用我不懂的语言说了几句话。
我们目前的情形是这样：距右舷两海里远的地方是格波罗尔岛，这岛的海岸从北至西作回环形，好像一只巨大的胳膊。南边和东边，已经看见一些由于退潮露出的珊瑚石尖我们的船是整个地搁浅在海里面，而这里的潮水平常不高，这对于诺第留斯号要重回大海是很不利的。不过船、井没有损坏，因为船身非常坚固。但是，虽然它没有沉没，‘没有损坏，可是它免不了要永远搁浅在暗礁上，尼摩船长的潜水船不是就完蛋了吗？
我正在这样想的时候，尼摩船长很冷静，好像一点也不激动，一点也不失望地走近前来，他总是那样胸有成竹。
“出了什么事故吗?我对他说.
"不,是偶然的事件."他回答我
“是偶然的事件，”我又说，“但它或者要使您重新做您不愿意做的陆上居民呢！”
尼摩船长拿奇异的眼光注视我，做一个否定的手势。这就足够清楚地对我说明，没有什么东西能够再强迫他又回到陆地上去。一会儿他又对我说：
“阿龙纳斯先生，诺第留斯号现在还没有损坏呢。”它仍然可以送您去看海洋的秘密。我们的海底旅行仅仅是一个开端呢，我很荣幸能够陪伴您，我不愿让旅行这样快就结束了。”
“尼摩船长，”我并没有注意他这一句话的讽刺语气，我又说，“但诺第留斯号是在高潮来的时候搁浅了。一般说来，太平洋的潮水上涨时是不高的，如果您不能把诺第留斯号浮起来——在我看来这是不可能的——那我就看不到它有什么法子，能够离开暗礁，重回大海。”
“太平洋的潮水涨得不高，教授，您说得对，”尼摩船长回答我，“但是托列斯海峡，高潮和低潮之间，仍然有一米半的差别。今天是1月4日，过五天月亮就圆了。如果这个讨人喜欢的月球，不掀起足够的水量，不给我出一把力做我只想由它来做的这件好事，我才十分奇怪呢！”
说完了这话，尼摩船长和跟在他后面的船副，又一同回到诺第留斯号船中。至于船，仍然是停着不动，好像那些珊．瑚腔肠类动物已经把它们的牢固的洋灰在船身上堆砌起来了：
“先生，，怎么样呢？”尼德，兰在船长走开后，到我面俞来对我说。。
“尼德好朋友， 是这样，我们要耐心等待9日潮水到来，因为那一天，好像月球会很殷勤乐意地把我们送回大海上去。”
“是这样吗？”
“是这样。”
“这位船长不把锚抛到海中去，不把链索结住机器，准备把船拉出来吗?"
“既然潮水可以做到，当然用不着了。”康塞尔简单地回答
加拿大人看着康塞尔,然后他耸耸两肩,这是一个水手要表示他是内行的意思。
“先生，”他又说，“您一定可以相信我，我告诉您, 这堆铁块再也不能在海面上或海底下航行了。现在除了把它论斤卖掉外，没有别的用处了。所以，我认为跟尼摩船长不辞而别的时候到了。”
“尼德老朋友，”我回答，“我不跟您一样想，对于这只勇敢的诺第留斯号我并不完全绝望，在四天内，我们可能有我们所指望的太平洋潮水到来。此外，如果我们是靠近英国
或法国南部海岸。逃走计划可能是很及时的, 但目前是在巴布亚海面，那就不同了；并且，如果诺第留斯号真没有法子脱身，然后再采取这个最后办法，也并不算迟，我总觉得逃走是很严重的事。”
“难道我们不可以探一探这地方的情形吗？”尼德•兰又说，“这是一个岛，在这岛上有树。树下有地上的动物，动物身上有大块大片的肉，我真想咬它们几口呢。”
“这点，尼德•兰老朋友说得对，”康塞尔说，“我赞同他的意见。先生难道不能问一问阁下的朋友尼摩船长，把我们送到岛上去，就是单单让我们的脚再踩踏一下我们地球上的陆地，让我们不要忘记了在陆地上行走的习惯也好啊?"
“我可以去问问他，”我回答，“恐怕他不会答应。”
“请先生试一试好了，”康塞尔说，“我们对于船长的好意非常感谢，决不至有什么意外行动。”
完全出我意料之外，尼摩船长居然答应了我的请求。他并且很殷勤、很礼貌地答应了我，不要我保证一定回到船上来。本来在新几内亚岛上逃亡是很危险的，我决然不让尼德•兰去尝试。落在巴布亚土人手里，还不如在诺第留斯号船上作俘虏好些。
那只小艇可以供我们明天早晨使用。我不问尼摩船长是不是跟我们一同去。我并且想，船上可能没有人来给我们划艇，驾驶小艇的事要尼德•兰一人单独来担任了。此外，我们离岸至多只有两海里远，在暗礁之间的水路中，大船行驶是十分凶险的，但划一只轻快的小艇，对加拿大人来说，算不得一回事，这和玩耍一样。第二天，1月5日，小艇解开，从它的窝中出来，由平台上放人海中。两个人就可以做这些动作。桨原来就是在艇中的，我们只须上去坐好就
八点，我们带了电气枪和刀斧，从诺第留斯号下来，上了小艇。海面相当平静，有微风从地上吹来。康塞尔和我坐在桨边，我们使劲划，尼德•兰在暗礁间的狭小水路中间指挥着舵。小艇很顺利地走去，并且走得很快。
尼德•兰简直不能抑制他的快乐心情。他是从监牢中逃出来的囚人，他全没想到他还要回到监牢里面去。“吃大肉!”他一再说,“我们要去吃大肉了，吃好吃的大钩了！吃真正的野味了! 没有面包，也成！我不说鱼是不好吃的东西，但也不能整天吃，一块新鲜的野味，红火上烤起来，是可以好好地换换我们的口味呢。”
“真馋嘴：”康塞尔回答，“他说得我嘴里不停地流口水呢!"
“我们必须知道，”我说，“岛上林中是不是有很多野味，这些野味是不是身材高大，勇猛得可以猎取打猎人的呀。”
“对！阿龙纳斯先生，”加拿大人回答，他的牙齿磨得像刀一般尖利了，“如果这岛上除了老虎外没有别的四足兽，那我要吃老虎，吃老虎的腰窝肉。”
“尼德•兰好朋友，真是有点令人害怕呢。”康塞尔回答。
“不管怎样，”尼德•兰又说，“所有没有羽毛的四足兽，或所有有羽毛的两脚鸟，一出来就将受到我第一声枪响的敬礼。”“好嘛!"我回答，“尼德•兰师傅又粗心大意起来了！”“阿龙纳斯先生，不用害怕，”加拿大人回答，“请好好地划,不要二十五分钟的时间我就可以照我的烹调法给您弄盘肉来。”
八点半，诺第留斯号的小艇穿过了围绕格波罗尔岛得珊瑚石带，在沙滩上慢慢停下来了.
Part 1 Chapter 21
STEPPING ASHORE had an exhilarating effect on me. Ned Land tested the soil with his foot, as if he were laying claim to it. Yet it had been only two months since we had become, as Captain Nemo expressed it, "passengers on the Nautilus," in other words, the literal prisoners of its commander.
In a few minutes we were a gunshot away from the coast. The soil was almost entirely madreporic, but certain dry stream beds were strewn with granite rubble, proving that this island was of primordial origin. The entire horizon was hidden behind a curtain of wonderful forests. Enormous trees, sometimes as high as 200 feet, were linked to each other by garlands of tropical creepers, genuine natural hammocks that swayed in a mild breeze. There were mimosas, banyan trees, beefwood, teakwood, hibiscus, screw pines, palm trees, all mingling in wild profusion; and beneath the shade of their green canopies, at the feet of their gigantic trunks, there grew orchids, leguminous plants, and ferns.
Meanwhile, ignoring all these fine specimens of Papuan flora, the Canadian passed up the decorative in favor of the functional. He spotted a coconut palm, beat down some of its fruit, broke them open, and we drank their milk and ate their meat with a pleasure that was a protest against our standard fare on the Nautilus.
"Excellent!" Ned Land said.
"Exquisite!" Conseil replied.
"And I don't think," the Canadian said, "that your Nemo would object to us stashing a cargo of coconuts aboard his vessel?"
"I imagine not," I replied, "but he won't want to sample them."
"Too bad for him!" Conseil said.
"And plenty good for us!" Ned Land shot back. "There'll be more left over!"
"A word of caution, Mr. Land," I told the harpooner, who was about to ravage another coconut palm. "Coconuts are admirable things, but before we stuff the skiff with them, it would be wise to find out whether this island offers other substances just as useful. Some fresh vegetables would be well received in the Nautilus's pantry."
"Master is right," Conseil replied, "and I propose that we set aside three places in our longboat: one for fruit, another for vegetables, and a third for venison, of which I still haven't glimpsed the tiniest specimen."
"Don't give up so easily, Conseil," the Canadian replied.
"So let's continue our excursion," I went on, "but keep a sharp lookout. This island seems uninhabited, but it still might harbor certain individuals who aren't so finicky about the sort of game they eat!"
"Hee hee!" Ned put in, with a meaningful movement of his jaws.
"Ned! Oh horrors!" Conseil exclaimed.
"Ye gods," the Canadian shot back, "I'm starting to appreciate the charms of cannibalism!"
"Ned, Ned! Don't say that!" Conseil answered. "You a cannibal? Why, I'll no longer be safe next to you, I who share your cabin! Does this mean I'll wake up half devoured one fine day?"
"I'm awfully fond of you, Conseil my friend, but not enough to eat you when there's better food around."
"Then I daren't delay," Conseil replied. "The hunt is on! We absolutely must bag some game to placate this man-eater, or one of these mornings master won't find enough pieces of his manservant to serve him."
While exchanging this chitchat, we entered beneath the dark canopies of the forest, and for two hours we explored it in every direction.
We couldn't have been luckier in our search for edible vegetation, and some of the most useful produce in the tropical zones supplied us with a valuable foodstuff missing on board.
I mean the breadfruit tree, which is quite abundant on Gueboroa Island, and there I chiefly noted the seedless variety that in Malaysia is called "rima."
This tree is distinguished from other trees by a straight trunk forty feet high. To the naturalist's eye, its gracefully rounded crown, formed of big multilobed leaves, was enough to denote the artocarpus that has been so successfully transplanted to the Mascarene Islands east of
Madagascar. From its mass of greenery, huge globular fruit stood out, a decimeter wide and furnished on the outside with creases that assumed a hexangular pattern. It's a handy plant that nature gives to regions lacking in wheat; without needing to be cultivated, it bears fruit eight months out of the year.
Ned Land was on familiar terms with this fruit. He had already eaten it on his many voyages and knew how to cook its edible substance. So the very sight of it aroused his appetite, and he couldn't control himself.
"Sir," he told me, "I'll die if I don't sample a little breadfruit pasta!"
"Sample some, Ned my friend, sample all you like. We're here to conduct experiments, let's conduct them."
"It won't take a minute," the Canadian replied.
Equipped with a magnifying glass, he lit a fire of deadwood that was soon crackling merrily. Meanwhile Conseil and I selected the finest artocarpus fruit. Some still weren't ripe enough, and their thick skins covered white, slightly fibrous pulps. But a great many others were yellowish and gelatinous, just begging to be picked.
This fruit contained no pits. Conseil brought a dozen of them to Ned Land, who cut them into thick slices and placed them over a fire of live coals, all the while repeating:
"You'll see, sir, how tasty this bread is!"
"Especially since we've gone without baked goods for so long," Conseil said.
"It's more than just bread," the Canadian added. "It's a dainty pastry. You've never eaten any, sir?"
"No, Ned."
"All right, get ready for something downright delectable! If you don't come back for seconds, I'm no longer the King of Harpooners!"
After a few minutes, the parts of the fruit exposed to the fire were completely toasted. On the inside there appeared some white pasta, a sort of soft bread center whose flavor reminded me of artichoke.
This bread was excellent, I must admit, and I ate it with great pleasure.
"Unfortunately," I said, "this pasta won't stay fresh, so it seems pointless to make a supply for on board."
"By thunder, sir!" Ned Land exclaimed. "There you go, talking like a naturalist, but meantime I'll be acting like a baker! Conseil, harvest some of this fruit to take with us when we go back."
"And how will you prepare it?" I asked the Canadian.
"I'll make a fermented batter from its pulp that'll keep indefinitely without spoiling. When I want some, I'll just cook it in the galley on board--it'll have a slightly tart flavor, but you'll find it excellent."
"So, Mr. Ned, I see that this bread is all we need--"
"Not quite, professor," the Canadian replied. "We need some fruit to go with it, or at least some vegetables."
"Then let's look for fruit and vegetables."
When our breadfruit harvesting was done, we took to the trail to complete this "dry-land dinner."
We didn't search in vain, and near noontime we had an ample supply of bananas. This delicious produce from the Torrid Zones ripens all year round, and Malaysians, who give them the name "pisang," eat them without bothering to cook them. In addition to bananas, we gathered some enormous jackfruit with a very tangy flavor, some tasty mangoes, and some pineapples of unbelievable size. But this foraging took up a good deal of our time, which, even so, we had no cause to regret.
Conseil kept Ned under observation. The harpooner walked in the lead, and during his stroll through this forest, he gathered with sure hands some excellent fruit that should have completed his provisions.
"So," Conseil asked, "you have everything you need, Ned my friend?"
"Humph!" the Canadian put in.
"What! You're complaining?"
"All this vegetation doesn't make a meal," Ned replied. "Just side dishes, dessert. But where's the soup course? Where's the roast?"
"Right," I said. "Ned promised us cutlets, which seems highly questionable to me."
"Sir," the Canadian replied, "our hunting not only isn't over, it hasn't even started. Patience! We're sure to end up bumping into some animal with either feathers or fur, if not in this locality, then in another."
"And if not today, then tomorrow, because we mustn't wander too far off," Conseil added. "That's why I propose that we return to the skiff."
"What! Already!" Ned exclaimed.
"We ought to be back before nightfall," I said.
"But what hour is it, then?" the Canadian asked.
"Two o'clock at least," Conseil replied.
"How time flies on solid ground!" exclaimed Mr. Ned Land with a sigh of regret.
"Off we go!" Conseil replied.
So we returned through the forest, and we completed our harvest by making a clean sweep of some palm cabbages that had to be picked from the crowns of their trees, some small beans that I recognized as the "abrou" of the Malaysians, and some high-quality yams.
We were overloaded when we arrived at the skiff. However, Ned Land still found these provisions inadequate. But fortune smiled on him. Just as we were boarding, he spotted several trees twenty-five to thirty feet high, belonging to the palm species. As valuable as the artocarpus, these trees are justly ranked among the most useful produce in Malaysia.
They were sago palms, vegetation that grows without being cultivated; like mulberry trees, they reproduce by means of shoots and seeds.
Ned Land knew how to handle these trees. Taking his ax and wielding it with great vigor, he soon stretched out on the ground two or three sago palms, whose maturity was revealed by the white dust sprinkled over their palm fronds.
I watched him more as a naturalist than as a man in hunger. He began by removing from each trunk an inch-thick strip of bark that covered a network of long, hopelessly tangled fibers that were puttied with a sort of gummy flour. This flour was the starch-like sago, an edible substance chiefly consumed by the Melanesian peoples.
For the time being, Ned Land was content to chop these trunks into pieces, as if he were making firewood; later he would extract the flour by sifting it through cloth to separate it from its fibrous ligaments, let it dry out in the sun, and leave it to harden inside molds.
Finally, at five o'clock in the afternoon, laden with all our treasures, we left the island beach and half an hour later pulled alongside the Nautilus. Nobody appeared on our arrival. The enormous sheet-iron cylinder seemed deserted. Our provisions loaded on board, I went below to my stateroom. There I found my supper ready. I ate and then fell asleep.
The next day, January 6: nothing new on board. Not a sound inside, not a sign of life. The skiff stayed alongside in the same place we had left it. We decided to return to Gueboroa Island. Ned Land hoped for better luck in his hunting than on the day before, and he wanted to visit a different part of the forest.
By sunrise we were off. Carried by an inbound current, the longboat reached the island in a matter of moments.
We disembarked, and thinking it best to abide by the Canadian's instincts, we followed Ned Land, whose long legs threatened to outpace us.
Ned Land went westward up the coast; then, fording some stream beds, he reached open plains that were bordered by wonderful forests. Some kingfishers lurked along the watercourses, but they didn't let us approach. Their cautious behavior proved to me that these winged creatures knew where they stood on bipeds of our species, and I concluded that if this island wasn't inhabited, at least human beings paid it frequent visits.
After crossing a pretty lush prairie, we arrived on the outskirts of a small wood, enlivened by the singing and soaring of a large number of birds.
"Still, they're merely birds," Conseil said.
"But some are edible," the harpooner replied.
"Wrong, Ned my friend," Conseil answered, "because I see only ordinary parrots here."
"Conseil my friend," Ned replied in all seriousness, "parrots are like pheasant to people with nothing else on their plates."
"And I might add," I said, "that when these birds are properly cooked, they're at least worth a stab of the fork."
Indeed, under the dense foliage of this wood, a whole host of parrots fluttered from branch to branch, needing only the proper upbringing to speak human dialects. At present they were cackling in chorus with parakeets of every color, with solemn cockatoos that seemed to be pondering some philosophical problem, while bright red lories passed by like pieces of bunting borne on the breeze, in the midst of kalao parrots raucously on the wing, Papuan lories painted the subtlest shades of azure, and a whole variety of delightful winged creatures, none terribly edible.
However, one bird unique to these shores, which never passes beyond the boundaries of the Aru and Papuan Islands, was missing from this collection. But I was given a chance to marvel at it soon enough.
After crossing through a moderately dense thicket, we again found some plains obstructed by bushes. There I saw some magnificent birds soaring aloft, the arrangement of their long feathers causing them to head into the wind. Their undulating flight, the grace of their aerial curves, and the play of their colors allured and delighted the eye. I had no trouble identifying them.
"Birds of paradise!" I exclaimed.
"Order Passeriforma, division Clystomora," Conseil replied.
"Partridge family?" Ned Land asked.
"I doubt it, Mr. Land. Nevertheless, I'm counting on your dexterity to catch me one of these delightful representatives of tropical nature!"
"I'll give it a try, professor, though I'm handier with a harpoon than a rifle."
Malaysians, who do a booming business in these birds with the Chinese, have various methods for catching them that we couldn't use. Sometimes they set snares on the tops of the tall trees that the bird of paradise prefers to inhabit. At other times they capture it with a tenacious glue that paralyzes its movements. They will even go so far as to poison the springs where these fowl habitually drink. But in our case, all we could do was fire at them on the wing, which left us little chance of getting one. And in truth, we used up a good part of our ammunition in vain.
Near eleven o'clock in the morning, we cleared the lower slopes of the mountains that form the island's center, and we still hadn't bagged a thing. Hunger spurred us on. The hunters had counted on consuming the proceeds of their hunting, and they had miscalculated. Luckily, and much to his surprise, Conseil pulled off a right-and-left shot and insured our breakfast. He brought down a white pigeon and a ringdove, which were briskly plucked, hung from a spit, and roasted over a blazing fire of deadwood. While these fascinating animals were cooking, Ned prepared some bread from the artocarpus. Then the pigeon and ringdove were devoured to the bones and declared excellent. Nutmeg, on which these birds habitually gorge themselves, sweetens their flesh and makes it delicious eating.
"They taste like chicken stuffed with truffles," Conseil said.
"All right, Ned," I asked the Canadian, "now what do you need?"
"Game with four paws, Professor Aronnax," Ned Land replied. "All these pigeons are only appetizers, snacks. So till I've bagged an animal with cutlets, I won't be happy!"
"Nor I, Ned, until I've caught a bird of paradise."
"Then let's keep hunting," Conseil replied, "but while heading back to the sea. We've arrived at the foothills of these mountains, and I think we'll do better if we return to the forest regions."
It was good advice and we took it. After an hour's walk we reached a genuine sago palm forest. A few harmless snakes fled underfoot. Birds of paradise stole off at our approach, and I was in real despair of catching one when Conseil, walking in the lead, stooped suddenly, gave a triumphant shout, and came back to me, carrying a magnificent bird of paradise.
"Oh bravo, Conseil!" I exclaimed.
"Master is too kind," Conseil replied.
"Not at all, my boy. That was a stroke of genius, catching one of these live birds with your bare hands!"
"If master will examine it closely, he'll see that I deserve no great praise."
"And why not, Conseil?"
"Because this bird is as drunk as a lord."
"Drunk?"
"Yes, master, drunk from the nutmegs it was devouring under that nutmeg tree where I caught it. See, Ned my friend, see the monstrous results of intemperance!"
"Damnation!" the Canadian shot back. "Considering the amount of gin I've had these past two months, you've got nothing to complain about!"
Meanwhile I was examining this unusual bird. Conseil was not mistaken. Tipsy from that potent juice, our bird of paradise had been reduced to helplessness. It was unable to fly. It was barely able to walk. But this didn't alarm me, and I just let it sleep off its nutmeg.
This bird belonged to the finest of the eight species credited to Papua and its neighboring islands. It was a "great emerald," one of the rarest birds of paradise. It measured three decimeters long. Its head was comparatively small, and its eyes, placed near the opening of its beak, were also small. But it offered a wonderful mixture of hues: a yellow beak, brown feet and claws, hazel wings with purple tips, pale yellow head and scruff of the neck, emerald throat, the belly and chest maroon to brown. Two strands, made of a horn substance covered with down, rose over its tail, which was lengthened by long, very light feathers of wonderful fineness, and they completed the costume of this marvelous bird that the islanders have poetically named "the sun bird."
How I wished I could take this superb bird of paradise back to Paris, to make a gift of it to the zoo at the Botanical Gardens, which doesn't own a single live specimen.
"So it must be a rarity or something?" the Canadian asked, in the tone of a hunter who, from the viewpoint of his art, gives the game a pretty low rating.
"A great rarity, my gallant comrade, and above all very hard to capture alive. And even after they're dead, there's still a major market for these birds. So the natives have figured out how to create fake ones, like people create fake pearls or diamonds."
"What!" Conseil exclaimed. "They make counterfeit birds of paradise?"
"Yes, Conseil."
"And is master familiar with how the islanders go about it?"
"Perfectly familiar. During the easterly monsoon season, birds of paradise lose the magnificent feathers around their tails that naturalists call 'below-the-wing' feathers. These feathers are gathered by the fowl forgers and skillfully fitted onto some poor previously mutilated parakeet. Then they paint over the suture, varnish the bird, and ship the fruits of their unique labors to museums and collectors in Europe."
"Good enough!" Ned Land put in. "If it isn't the right bird, it's still the right feathers, and so long as the merchandise isn't meant to be eaten, I see no great harm!"
But if my desires were fulfilled by the capture of this bird of paradise, those of our Canadian huntsman remained unsatisfied. Luckily, near two o'clock Ned Land brought down a magnificent wild pig of the type the natives call "bari-outang." This animal came in the nick of time for us to bag some real quadruped meat, and it was warmly welcomed. Ned Land proved himself quite gloriously with his gunshot. Hit by an electric bullet, the pig dropped dead on the spot.
The Canadian properly skinned and cleaned it, after removing half a dozen cutlets destined to serve as the grilled meat course of our evening meal. Then the hunt was on again, and once more would be marked by the exploits of Ned and Conseil.
In essence, beating the bushes, the two friends flushed a herd of kangaroos that fled by bounding away on their elastic paws. But these animals didn't flee so swiftly that our electric capsules couldn't catch up with them.
"Oh, professor!" shouted Ned Land, whose hunting fever had gone to his brain. "What excellent game, especially in a stew! What a supply for the Nautilus! Two, three, five down! And just think how we'll devour all this meat ourselves, while those numbskulls on board won't get a shred!"
In his uncontrollable glee, I think the Canadian might have slaughtered the whole horde, if he hadn't been so busy talking! But he was content with a dozen of these fascinating marsupials, which make up the first order of aplacental mammals, as Conseil just had to tell us.
These animals were small in stature. They were a species of those "rabbit kangaroos" that usually dwell in the hollows of trees and are tremendously fast; but although of moderate dimensions, they at least furnish a meat that's highly prized.
We were thoroughly satisfied with the results of our hunting. A gleeful Ned proposed that we return the next day to this magic island, which he planned to depopulate of its every edible quadruped. But he was reckoning without events.
By six o'clock in the evening, we were back on the beach. The skiff was aground in its usual place. The Nautilus, looking like a long reef, emerged from the waves two miles offshore.
Without further ado, Ned Land got down to the important business of dinner. He came wonderfully to terms with its entire cooking. Grilling over the coals, those cutlets from the "bari-outang" soon gave off a succulent aroma that perfumed the air.
But I catch myself following in the Canadian's footsteps. Look at me--in ecstasy over freshly grilled pork! Please grant me a pardon as I've already granted one to Mr. Land, and on the same grounds!
In short, dinner was excellent. Two ringdoves rounded out this extraordinary menu. Sago pasta, bread from the artocarpus, mangoes, half a dozen pineapples, and the fermented liquor from certain coconuts heightened our glee. I suspect that my two fine companions weren't quite as clearheaded as one could wish.
"What if we don't return to the Nautilus this evening?" Conseil said.
"What if we never return to it?" Ned Land added.
Just then a stone whizzed toward us, landed at our feet, and cut short the harpooner's proposition.

我一脚踩在地上，感到一种难以形容的深刻印象，尼德•兰拿脚试着踢一踢土地，好像要占有它似的。其实，我们作“诺第留斯号的乘客”——照尼摩船长的说法，实际上是诺第留斯号船长的俘虏——也不过仅仅两个月。
几分钟后，我们和岛岸只有枪弹射程的距离了。土地差不多完全是由造礁珊瑚沉积形成的，但有些干涸了的急流河床，间杂有花岗石的残余，说明这岛的形成是在原始的太古时期。整个天际都由令人赞美的森林帘幕遮掩起来。许多高大的树——其中有些树干高达二百英尺——由葛藤把它们彼此连接起来，看来真像和风摇摆着的天然吊床呢。这是合欢树、无花果树、火鸟树、麻栗树、木芙蓉、班达树、棕树,枝叶茂盛的混杂起来.在这些树的青绿窟窿下.在它们的 的齿形树干脚边，丛生许多兰科、豆科、蕨科植物。
可是，加拿大人并不注意巴布亚土生植物的美丽品种，他抛开了美丽的，去追求实际有用的。他看见一棵椰子树，打下树上好几个椰子，劈开来，我们喝了里面的汁、吃了里面的肉, 心中感到满意，这正说明了我们对于诺第留斯号船上家常饭食的不满。
“好吃得很！”尼德•兰说。
“味道真美！”康塞尔回答。
“我想，”加拿大人说，“我们把这些果品带回船上去，您那个尼摩不至于反对吧？”
“我想他不至于反对，”我回答，“不过他一定不吃。”
“活该他没口福！”康塞尔说。
“我们倒可以多吃了！”尼德•兰回答，“因为那样剩下来的才更多。”
“我告诉您一句话，尼德•兰师傅，”我对这个鱼叉手说，他又要打另一棵椰子树了，“椰子是好吃的东西，但不要马上把小艇都装满了椰子，先考察一下岛上是否还出产别的东西，一些又好吃又有用的东西，这才是聪明的办法。譬如新鲜的蔬菜，诺第留斯号船上的厨房一定很欢迎。”
“先生说得有理，”康塞尔回答，“我提议把我们小艇分成三部分，一部分放水果，一部分放蔬菜，一部分放猎物。可是一直到现在，连野味的影子还没有看见呢."
“康塞尔，对刊•么都不应该失望。”加拿大人回答。
“那么，我们继续走吧，”我说，“不过眼睛要留神，要四处张望。虽然岛上看来没有人居住，但很可能有些生人，他们对于猪物性质的看法可能跟我们不同！肌
“嘻：嘻! 尼德•兰发出怪声，摆动着上下两颚的牙床，作出意义明显的表示。
“尼德•兰，您怎么啦——”康塞尔喊。
“说真的，”加拿大人回答，“我现在开始懂得人肉味的诱惑力了！”
“尼德！尼德！您说的什么？”康塞尔问，“您，吃人肉的动物！那我，跟您住在一个舱房，在您身边，简直性命都不安全了!难道我会一天醒来, 身子被咬去了一半吗？”
“康塞尔好朋友，我很喜欢您：，但不到紧要关头我不吃你."
“这我不敢相信——”康塞尔回答，“快打猎去！我一定要打到一些猎物来满足这吃人肉的人的口腹，不然的话，总有一天早晨，先生只能看见他仆人一块一块的肉来服侍他了。”
当我们彼此说笑话，交换一些意见的时候，我们穿人了森林的阴沉的穹窿下，只有两小时的功夫，我们四面八方都走遍了。
偶然的意外满足了我们的心愿，使我们找到了许多可食的植物，其中一种是热带地区最有用的产品，它成了我们船上所没有的宝贵食物。我说的是面包树，在格波罗尔岛上，这种树非常多，我特别留心那没有核仁的一种，马来亚语管它叫“利马”。
这种树跟别的树不同的地方是它的树干笔直，有四十英尺高。树顶十分美丽，作环形，由耳珠很多的阔大树叶组成，在一个生物学家看来，充分地显示出这是“面包果树”，很运气的是这树在马斯卡林群岛已经移植成功了。在团团的青绿丛中，垂下粗大的球形果子，约一分米大，外表凹凸不平，好像六角形。这是大自然恩赐给不产麦地区的有用植物，不用耕种，一年中有八个月都结面包果供应人们。
尼德•兰很熟悉这些面包果。他从前在多次旅行中已经吃过了，他很知道怎样调制这种可吃的东西。所以看见这些果子，马上就引起他的食欲，他再也忍耐不住了。
“先生，”他跟我说，“如果我不尝一尝这面包树的面条子，真要急死我了！”
“尝尝吧，尼德•兰好朋友，您随意尝吧。我们是到这里来获得经验的，那我们就试试看吧。”
“那费不了很多的时间."加拿大人回答。
他于是拿了火镜，利用阳光，把干树枝点着，火光熊熊燃烧起来了。这个时候，康塞尔和我选了面包树上最好的果子摘下来。有些还没有到足够成熟的程度，厚的表皮上蒙了一层白肉，但很少带纤维。其他的大多数变黄了，有粘性了，只等人去摘了。
这些果子并没有核仁。康塞尔拿了十二三个给尼德。兰，他把它们切成厚片，放在红火上，当他切片的时候，总是说：
“您瞧吧，先生，这面包是多么好吃呢！”
“特别是我们很久都没有吃面包了！”康塞尔说。
加拿大人又说：“甚至于可以说，这并不是平常的面包，而是美味的糕点。先生，您从来没有吃过吗？”
“没有吃过，尼德。”
“那么，您快作准备，来尝尝这别有风味的东西吧。如果您吃了不再要的话，那我就不是天字第一号鱼叉手了。•
几分钟后，果子向着红火的部分已经完全烤焦了。里面露出白粉条，好像又软又嫩的面包屑，吃起来像百叶菜的味儿。
应当承认，这面包很好吃，我很喜欢吃。
“可惜这样一种好面团不能长久保持新鲜，””我说／孜想用不着拿回船上去作贮藏的食品了。”
“真的吗，先生！”尼德•兰喊，“您是拿生物学家的身份来说这话；但我要拿制面包人的身份来作事。康塞尔，您去摘取这些果子，我们回去的时候可以带走。”
“您怎样把这些果子制作起来呢？”我问加拿大人。
“拿这果子的淀粉泥制成发面团，那就可以长久保存，不至于腐败。当我要食用的时候，到船上厨房里一烤使得，虽然有些酸味，但您一定觉得它很好吃。”
“尼德•兰师傅，那么，有了这面包，看来我们是不短什么了吧？……”
“还短些东西，教授，”加拿大人回答，“还短些水果，至少还短些蔬菜！”
“我们找水果和蔬菜去。”
当我们摘完了面包果，我们就去寻找，要把我们的“地上”午餐丰富完备起来。
我们的寻找并没有白费功夫，到中午左右，我们得到大量的香蕉。这种热带地方的美昧产物，长年都有，马来亚人叫它们“比桑”，意思是生吃，不必熟煮。跟香蕉一起，我们又得到味道很辛烈的巨大雅克果，很甜的芒果和大到难以相信的菠萝。这次采水果费了我们一大部分时间，但成绩很好，并没有什么可惋惜的。
康塞尔总是随着尼德•兰。鱼叉手在前走，当他在树林中走过的时候，他手法熟练，总能采到很好吃的果子，把贮藏的食品更加丰富起来。
康塞尔问：“尼德•兰好朋友，我们再也不短什么了吧？”
“嗯！”加拿大人表示不耐烦地说。
“怎么！您还不满足吗？”
“所有这些植物都不能成为正式的整餐，”尼德•兰回答，“那是整餐最后的莱，那是餐后的点心。可是汤在哪儿呢？肉在哪儿呢？”
“对呀，”我说，“尼德答应我的排骨，看来很成问题了。”
“先生，”加拿大人回答，“打猎不但没有结束，而是还没有开始呢。耐心些！我们一定可以碰到一些有羽毛的动物，如果这一处没有，另一处一定有……”
"如果今天碰不着，明天一定可以碰着，”康塞尔补充说，“因为我们不应走得过远。我要提议回小艇中去了."
“什么！就要回去了！”尼德•兰喊。
“我们在黑夜到来之前一定要回去."我说。
"那现在是什么时候呢?"加拿大人问。
“至少是午后两点了。”康塞尔回答。
“在地上过的时间真快呵！”尼德•兰师傅带着惋惜的叹声说。
“走吧。”康塞尔回答。
我们从林中穿回来，我们又得到了新的食品，因为我们临时又采摘了菜棕搁果，这果一定要到树顶上去采，我认出是马来亚人叫做“阿布卢，的小豆，以及上等品质的芋薯。
当我们到了小 艇，我们带回的东西实在太多了。可是尼德，兰觉得他的食物还不够。算他走运，他又得了些东西。在我们上小艇的时候，他看见好几棵树，高二十五英尺至三十英尺，属于棕搁一类。这些树跟面包树一样有用，一样宝贵，正是马来亚地方最有用的产物之一。这是西米树，是不用种植就生长起来的植物，像桑树那样，由于自己的嫩枝和种子，不需人工，自然繁殖滋长。
尼德•兰知道对付这些树的方法。他拿出斧子，挥动起来，不久就把两三棵西米树砍倒在地下，从洒在叶上的白粉屑来看，这几棵树是很成熟了。
我看着他砍树，与其说是拿饿肚人的眼光看，不如说是拿生物学家的眼光看。他把每一根树干剥去一层厚一英寸的表皮，表皮下面是缠绕作一团的结子所组成的长长纤维网，上面就粘着胶质护膜般的细粉。这粉就是西米，就是作为美拉尼西亚居民粮食的主要食物。
尼德•兰此刻只是把树干砍成片，像他砍那要烧的劈柴一般，准备将来提取树干上的粉，让粉通过一块薄布，使它跟纤维丝分开，把它晾在太阳下，让水汽干了，然后把它放在模中，让它凝固起来。
到了下午五点的时候，我们装上我们所得的财富，离开了这岛的海岸，半小时后，我们的小艇又靠在诺第留斯号旁边了。我们到船上的时候，没有一个人出来。这只巨大钢铁板的圆锥筒好像是没有人管，被抛弃了的一般。我们把食物搬上去之后，我就下到我的房间中。我看见晚餐已经摆在房中。我吃了饭，便睡觉。
第二天，1月6日，船上没有什么消息。内部没有一点声响，没有一点生气。小艇仍然停在诺第留斯号旁边，就在我们昨天搁下它的地方。我们决定再到格波罗尔岛上去。尼德。兰希望在打猎方面，今天能比昨天运气好一点，他想到树林的另一部分去看一下。
太阳升起来的时候，我们已经在小艇上了。小艇因有向岛岸冲击的海浪推送，不一会就到了岛上。
我们下了小艇，走上陆地，我想让加拿大人凭直觉来带路或者好一些，因此，我们跟在尼德•兰后面，他的长腿走得很快，时常把我们抛在远远的后面。
尼德•兰沿着海岸向西走了一会儿，涉水渡过一些急流，到了高地平原，边缘上尽是令人赞美的树林。有些翠乌在水流边飞来飞去，但它们不让人接近，见人来就飞走。由于它们的小心警惕，我明白这些飞禽是很知道怎样对付我们这些两足动物的，我于是得到结论，即使这岛上没有居民，至少也是常有生人到岛上来。
穿过了一片相当广大的草原，我们来到一座小树林的边缘，林中有许多禽鸟飞舞歌唱，显得生气洋溢。
“这还不过是一些禽鸟呢。”康塞尔说。
"但里面也有可吃的呢!"鱼叉手回答。
“没有，尼德好朋友，”康塞尔回答，“因为我看见那里仅有一些鹦鹅."
，‘康塞尔好朋友，”尼德•兰严肃地回答，“对没有别的东西吃的人来说，鹦鹉就等于山鸡。”
“再说，，，我说，“这种鸟烹调得好，也很值得动刀叉。”
正是这样，在树林的浓密树叶底下，一大群鹦鹉在树枝间飞来飞去，只要细心地教育它们，便可以说人类的语言了。目前它们只是陪着所有各种颜色的雌鹦鹅，叽叽喳喳说个不休：有神气严肃的五彩鹦鹉，好像在思考些哲学问题；有大红色的赤鹦鹉，在飞时作响声的加罗西鹦鹅电间，好像一块随凤飘荡的红纱；有染上最美的天蓝色的巴布亚樱鹅，以及各种各样的美丽可爱的飞禽，但一般来看，都是属于不可食用的一类。
但是，这地方特产的一种鸟，它从不走过阿卢群岛和巴布亚群岛的边界，现在在这一群禽鸟中我并没有看到。命运暂时把这鸟保留起来，但不久我就能欣赏它了。
穿过了一座不很浓密的丛林，我们又到了一片有许多树丛堆垛着的平原。我看到了好些华丽的鸟飞在空中，它们身上很长的羽毛使它们一定要逆凤才能飞行。它们的波状起伏的飞行，它们在空中的优美曲线，它们鲜艳夺目的色泽，吸引了和迷惑了人们的眼睛。我一点不困难就认出是它们来了。
“无双鸟，无双鸟！”我喊。
“燕雀目，直肠亚目。”康塞尔回答。
““鹤鹄科吗?"尼德•兰问。
“我想不是，尼德•兰师傅。不过我要靠您的好手段，把这种热带出产的最美丽可爱的东西打下一只来！”
“我试试，教授，虽然我用惯了鱼叉，使枪要差一些."
这种乌是马来亚人对中国人的一宗重要贸易；马来亚人用种种不同的方法来捕捉这种鸟，但我们都不能使用。他们或者把罗网安放在无双鸟喜欢居住的高树顶上，或者使用强力的雀胶，使它们粘上不能动。他们甚至于把毒药投到这些鸟经常去喝的泉水中。至于我们现在，只有在它们飞翔时进行射击这一种办法。我们很少有机会可以击中它们。果然我们确实白费了一些弹药。
到十一点左右，我们已经走过了构成这岛中心的第：层山脉，可是仍然毫无所得。腹中作响，饥饿煎熬着我们。打猎人相信自己打猎一定有成果，可是错了，一点猎物也得不到。很幸运，康塞尔开了两枪，完全出于意外地获得了午餐的猎物。他打下一只白鸽和一只山鸠。急忙把它们拔掉羽毛，挂在叉子上，放在燃点起来的干木头的旺火上烤着。当烤炙这些很有意味的动物的时候，尼德•兰就调理着面包果。一会儿，白鸽和山鸠连骨头都被吃得精光，大家都说很好吃。这些鸟惯常吃很多的肉豆寇，因此它们的肉像加了香料一般，成为一盘又青又好吃的莱。
“这味道好像吃香菌长大的母鸡的味儿一般。”康塞尔说。
“尼德，现在我们还短些什么吗？”我问加拿大人。
“还短一只四足的猎物，阿龙纳斯先生。”尼德•兰回答，“所有这些鸽子、山鸠都不过是零食和小吃。因此，只要我还没有打到有排骨肉的动物，我就决不能满意."
“尼德，如果我没有捕捉到一只无双鸟，我也不能满意。”
“那么我们继续打猎吧，"康塞尔回答，“不过要向大海这一边走。我们已经到了山岭的第一层斜坡，我想再回到森林地带要好些。
康塞尔很有见识，我们就照他的意见办了。走了一小时，我们到了一座真正是西米树的森林。有些不伤人的蛇在我们脚下逃走了。无双鸟看见我们走近就飞开。当我十分失望，没有办法捉到它们的时候，走在我前面的康塞尔，忽然弯下身子，发出胜利的呼喊，拿着一只十分好看的无双鸟走近我身边来。
“好！你成功了！康塞尔."我喊。
“先生，不敢当，您过奖了。”康塞尔回答。
“不，好小伙子，你真是做了一件出奇的事哩。弄到一只洁的无双鸟，把它捉在手里，真了不得！”
“如果先生细心地考查它一下，那就可以看到我实在没有什么多大的功劳。”
“康塞尔，为什么呢？”
“因为这鸟像鹌鹑一般醉了。”
“醉了吗？”
“是的，先生，它在豆寇树下吃豆寇吃醉了，我就在树下把它捉到。尼德好朋友，请您看看这贪吃贪喝、过度任性的可怕结果吧！”
“怪话！”加拿大人回答，“我这两个月来只是喝了一些真尼酒，实在用不着责备我！”
我于是检查一下这只奇异的鸟。康塞尔没有搞错。无双乌被豆寇汁迷醉了，使得它瘫软无力。它不能飞，走路也很困难。但我用不着为它担心，让它好好地睡它的酒后觉就是了。
这只无双鸟属于巴布亚和邻近群岛出产的八种无双鸟中最美的一种。这是“大翡翠”无双鸟，最罕有的一种。它有三分米长，头比较小，眼睛也不大，就在嘴近边。它的嘴是黄色，脚爪和指甲是褐色，翼是臻子色，翼端是朱红色，头上和颈后是淡黄色，喉间是翡翠色，腹部和胸部是栗子色，因此，它看来像是十分华丽的各种色彩的综合。而且尾巴上耸起两个角形的绒毛绿球，和很细腻的很轻飘的细长羽毛连接，好像拖垂的长带，于是这一切就把这只奇鸟的整个形象完全美化起来了，所以当地上人很诗意地称它为“太阳的鸟”。
我很希望能把这只好看的无双鸟带回巴黎去，送给植物园，因为园中还没有一只活的无双鸟。
“这鸟真是很罕见吗广加拿大人问，用一种不从美术的观点来估计猎物的口气。
“十分罕见，我老实的同伴，特别是十分难得捉到活的。就是死了，这些鸟仍然是重要的贸易对象。所以上人想法制造假的，像制造珍珠和钻石一样。”
“怎么!”康塞尔喊，“有人做假无双鸟吗？”
“是的，康塞尔。”
“那么，先生知道土人的制造方法吗?"
“知道。当东方的季候凤起来的时候，无双鸟便脱掉了它尾巴周围的美丽羽毛，这些脱下的羽毛，生物学家把它们叫做副翼羽毛。假造鸟类的人把这些羽毛收拾起来，很巧妙地把它们装在预先打死、拔了毛的可怜的鹦鹉身上。然后他们把皮毛接合的地方粘起来，粉饰好鸟身，他们就把这些新奇的制作品送到欧洲各地的博物馆和喜爱鸟类的人。，，
“好广尼德•兰说，“虽然这不是鸟的本体，但总是鸟的羽毛，如果鸟不是拿来食用，我想也没有什么坏处！”
我的欲望虽然因为捕得这只无双鸟得到满足，但加拿：大猎人的欲望还没有得到满足。很运气，在两点左右，尼德•兰打到一只肥大的林中野猪，这是土人叫做“巴利奥唐”的一种猪。这猪正好在我们追求真正四足兽肉的时候到来了，所以它很受欢迎，被留下了。尼德•兰对自己打枪的准确，表示很得意。野猪中了电气弹，倒在地上死了。
加拿大人从猪身上割下六七块腰窝肉准备晚上烤着吃，他又把它的皮毛剥去，开膛，清出内脏。然后又来打猎，这次打猎又显出了尼德•兰和康塞尔的劳绩.果然，这一对朋友在搜索树丛的时候，赶出了一大群袋鼠，它们伸开有弹性的腿来，一蹦一跳地逃走。这些动物虽然跳、走得快，但还没有逃远，电气弹已经追上它们了。
“啊！教授，”尼德•兰喊，他打猎的兴致狂热起来了，“多么好吃的猎物，特别是闷煮起来！在诺第留斯号船上，这是多么难得的食物！两只！三只！五只在地上了！我想到我们要吃所有这些肉的时候，船上的那些蠢东西一点肉渣也尝不到，我真高兴：”
我想这个加拿大人，在过度欢喜中，如果他不是说了那么多的话，可能他把这整群的袋鼠都屠杀了！他只打了一打左右就停止了。“这类袋鼠是乎腹哺乳类的第一目。”康塞尔说。这些袋鼠身材短小，是兔袋鼠的一种，通常居住在树洞中，跑得非常快。它们身材虽然不大，可是肉很好吃，被当做一种珍品。
我们很满意我们打猎的结果。快乐的尼德•兰提议明夭再到这个迷人的岛上来，他要把所有可以吃的四足动物都打尽，一个不留。但他这样打算，井没有想到就要来的意外事件。 ”
下午六点，我们回到了海滩。我们的小艇仍然停在原来的地方。诺第留斯号好像一座很长的礁石：在离岸两海里的海面现出来。
尼德•兰一点也不耽搁，立即准备晚餐这件大事。“巴利奥唐”野猪的腰窝肉烤在红火上，不久即发出一种很香的气味，空中都充满香味了！……
我觉得我也跟加拿大人是同道了。面对着这些新鲜的烤肉，我也大乐起来！请大家原谅我，像我原谅过尼德•兰师傅一样，完全是由于同样的理由!
晚餐实在是好吃。加上两只山鸠，这特肆的莱单更丰富，更完美了。西米面条，面包果，一些芒果，六七个菠萝和一种椰子果酿成的饮料，我们吃得快活极了。我并且认为，，我的忠实同伴们的头脑连那必要的清醒都没有了。
“我们今晚不回诺第留斯号船上好吗？”康塞尔说。
“我们永远不回去好吗？”尼德•兰说。
就在这个时候，一块石头落在我们脚边，立刻把鱼叉手的提议打断。
Part 1 Chapter 22
WITHOUT STANDING UP, we stared in the direction of the forest, my hand stopping halfway to my mouth, Ned Land's completing its assignment.
"Stones don't fall from the sky," Conseil said, "or else they deserve to be called meteorites."
A second well-polished stone removed a tasty ringdove leg from Conseil's hand, giving still greater relevance to his observation.
We all three stood up, rifles to our shoulders, ready to answer any attack.
"Apes maybe?" Ned Land exclaimed.
"Nearly," Conseil replied. "Savages."
"Head for the skiff!" I said, moving toward the sea.
Indeed, it was essential to beat a retreat because some twenty natives, armed with bows and slings, appeared barely a hundred paces off, on the outskirts of a thicket that masked the horizon to our right.
The skiff was aground ten fathoms away from us.
The savages approached without running, but they favored us with a show of the greatest hostility. It was raining stones and arrows.
Ned Land was unwilling to leave his provisions behind, and despite the impending danger, he clutched his pig on one side, his kangaroos on the other, and scampered off with respectable speed.
In two minutes we were on the strand. Loading provisions and weapons into the skiff, pushing it to sea, and positioning its two oars were the work of an instant. We hadn't gone two cable lengths when a hundred savages, howling and gesticulating, entered the water up to their waists. I looked to see if their appearance might draw some of the Nautilus's men onto the platform. But no. Lying well out, that enormous machine still seemed completely deserted.
Twenty minutes later we boarded ship. The hatches were open. After mooring the skiff, we reentered the Nautilus's interior.
I went below to the lounge, from which some chords were wafting. Captain Nemo was there, leaning over the organ, deep in a musical trance.
"Captain!" I said to him.
He didn't hear me.
"Captain!" I went on, touching him with my hand.
He trembled, and turning around:
"Ah, it's you, professor!" he said to me. "Well, did you have a happy hunt? Was your herb gathering a success?"
"Yes, captain," I replied, "but unfortunately we've brought back a horde of bipeds whose proximity worries me."
"What sort of bipeds?"
"Savages."
"Savages!" Captain Nemo replied in an ironic tone. "You set foot on one of the shores of this globe, professor, and you're surprised to find savages there? Where aren't there savages? And besides, are they any worse than men elsewhere, these people you call savages?"
"But captain--"
"Speaking for myself, sir, I've encountered them everywhere."
"Well then," I replied, "if you don't want to welcome them aboard the Nautilus, you'd better take some precautions!"
"Easy, professor, no cause for alarm."
"But there are a large number of these natives."
"What's your count?"
"At least a hundred."
"Professor Aronnax," replied Captain Nemo, whose fingers took their places again on the organ keys, "if every islander in Papua were to gather on that beach, the Nautilus would still have nothing to fear from their attacks!"
The captain's fingers then ran over the instrument's keyboard, and I noticed that he touched only its black keys, which gave his melodies a basically Scottish color. Soon he had forgotten my presence and was lost in a reverie that I no longer tried to dispel.
I climbed onto the platform. Night had already fallen, because in this low latitude the sun sets quickly, without any twilight. I could see Gueboroa Island only dimly. But numerous fires had been kindled on the beach, attesting that the natives had no thoughts of leaving it.
For several hours I was left to myself, sometimes musing on the islanders-- but no longer fearing them because the captain's unflappable confidence had won me over--and sometimes forgetting them to marvel at the splendors of this tropical night. My memories took wing toward France, in the wake of those zodiacal stars due to twinkle over it in a few hours. The moon shone in the midst of the constellations at their zenith. I then remembered that this loyal, good-natured satellite would return to this same place the day after tomorrow, to raise the tide and tear the Nautilus from its coral bed. Near midnight, seeing that all was quiet over the darkened waves as well as under the waterside trees, I repaired to my cabin and fell into a peaceful sleep.
The night passed without mishap. No doubt the Papuans had been frightened off by the mere sight of this monster aground in the bay, because our hatches stayed open, offering easy access to the Nautilus's interior.
At six o'clock in the morning, January 8, I climbed onto the platform. The morning shadows were lifting. The island was soon on view through the dissolving mists, first its beaches, then its summits.
The islanders were still there, in greater numbers than on the day before, perhaps 500 or 600 of them. Taking advantage of the low tide, some of them had moved forward over the heads of coral to within two cable lengths of the Nautilus. I could easily distinguish them. They obviously were true Papuans, men of fine stock, athletic in build, forehead high and broad, nose large but not flat, teeth white. Their woolly, red-tinted hair was in sharp contrast to their bodies, which were black and glistening like those of Nubians. Beneath their pierced, distended earlobes there dangled strings of beads made from bone. Generally these savages were naked. I noted some women among them, dressed from hip to knee in grass skirts held up by belts made of vegetation. Some of the chieftains adorned their necks with crescents and with necklaces made from beads of red and white glass. Armed with bows, arrows, and shields, nearly all of them carried from their shoulders a sort of net, which held those polished stones their slings hurl with such dexterity.
One of these chieftains came fairly close to the Nautilus, examining it with care. He must have been a "mado" of high rank, because he paraded in a mat of banana leaves that had ragged edges and was accented with bright colors.
I could easily have picked off this islander, he stood at such close range; but I thought it best to wait for an actual show of hostility. Between Europeans and savages, it's acceptable for Europeans to shoot back but not to attack first.
During this whole time of low tide, the islanders lurked near the Nautilus, but they weren't boisterous. I often heard them repeat the word "assai," and from their gestures I understood they were inviting me to go ashore, an invitation I felt obliged to decline.
So the skiff didn't leave shipside that day, much to the displeasure of Mr. Land who couldn't complete his provisions. The adroit Canadian spent his time preparing the meat and flour products he had brought from Gueboroa Island. As for the savages, they went back to shore near eleven o'clock in the morning, when the heads of coral began to disappear under the waves of the rising tide. But I saw their numbers swell considerably on the beach. It was likely that they had come from neighboring islands or from the mainland of Papua proper. However, I didn't see one local dugout canoe.
Having nothing better to do, I decided to dredge these beautiful, clear waters, which exhibited a profusion of shells, zoophytes, and open-sea plants. Besides, it was the last day the Nautilus would spend in these waterways, if, tomorrow, it still floated off to the open sea as Captain Nemo had promised.
So I summoned Conseil, who brought me a small, light dragnet similar to those used in oyster fishing.
"What about these savages?" Conseil asked me. "With all due respect to master, they don't strike me as very wicked!"
"They're cannibals even so, my boy."
"A person can be both a cannibal and a decent man," Conseil replied, "just as a person can be both gluttonous and honorable. The one doesn't exclude the other."
"Fine, Conseil! And I agree that there are honorable cannibals who decently devour their prisoners. However, I'm opposed to being devoured, even in all decency, so I'll keep on my guard, especially since the Nautilus's commander seems to be taking no precautions. And now let's get to work!"
For two hours our fishing proceeded energetically but without bringing up any rarities. Our dragnet was filled with Midas abalone, harp shells, obelisk snails, and especially the finest hammer shells I had seen to that day. We also gathered in a few sea cucumbers, some pearl oysters, and a dozen small turtles that we saved for the ship's pantry.
But just when I least expected it, I laid my hands on a wonder, a natural deformity I'd have to call it, something very seldom encountered. Conseil had just made a cast of the dragnet, and his gear had come back up loaded with a variety of fairly ordinary seashells, when suddenly he saw me plunge my arms swiftly into the net, pull out a shelled animal, and give a conchological yell, in other words, the most piercing yell a human throat can produce.
"Eh? What happened to master?" Conseil asked, very startled. "Did master get bitten?"
"No, my boy, but I'd gladly have sacrificed a finger for such a find!"
"What find?"
"This shell," I said, displaying the subject of my triumph.
"But that's simply an olive shell of the 'tent olive' species, genus Oliva, order Pectinibranchia, class Gastropoda, branch Mollusca--"
"Yes, yes, Conseil! But instead of coiling from right to left, this olive shell rolls from left to right!"
"It can't be!" Conseil exclaimed.
"Yes, my boy, it's a left-handed shell!"
"A left-handed shell!" Conseil repeated, his heart pounding.
"Look at its spiral!"
"Oh, master can trust me on this," Conseil said, taking the valuable shell in trembling hands, "but never have I felt such excitement!"
And there was good reason to be excited! In fact, as naturalists have ventured to observe, "dextrality" is a well-known law of nature. In their rotational and orbital movements, stars and their satellites go from right to left. Man uses his right hand more often than his left, and consequently his various instruments and equipment (staircases, locks, watch springs, etc.) are designed to be used in a right-to-left manner. Now then, nature has generally obeyed this law in coiling her shells. They're right-handed with only rare exceptions, and when by chance a shell's spiral is left-handed, collectors will pay its weight in gold for it.
So Conseil and I were deep in the contemplation of our treasure, and I was solemnly promising myself to enrich the Paris Museum with it, when an ill-timed stone, hurled by one of the islanders, whizzed over and shattered the valuable object in Conseil's hands.
I gave a yell of despair! Conseil pounced on his rifle and aimed at a savage swinging a sling just ten meters away from him. I tried to stop him, but his shot went off and shattered a bracelet of amulets dangling from the islander's arm.
"Conseil!" I shouted. "Conseil!"
"Eh? What? Didn't master see that this man-eater initiated the attack?"
"A shell isn't worth a human life!" I told him.
"Oh, the rascal!" Conseil exclaimed. "I'd rather he cracked my shoulder!"
Conseil was in dead earnest, but I didn't subscribe to his views. However, the situation had changed in only a short time and we hadn't noticed. Now some twenty dugout canoes were surrounding the Nautilus. Hollowed from tree trunks, these dugouts were long, narrow, and well designed for speed, keeping their balance by means of two bamboo poles that floated on the surface of the water. They were maneuvered by skillful, half-naked paddlers, and I viewed their advance with definite alarm.
It was obvious these Papuans had already entered into relations with Europeans and knew their ships. But this long, iron cylinder lying in the bay, with no masts or funnels--what were they to make of it? Nothing good, because at first they kept it at a respectful distance. However, seeing that it stayed motionless, they regained confidence little by little and tried to become more familiar with it. Now then, it was precisely this familiarity that we needed to prevent. Since our weapons made no sound when they went off, they would have only a moderate effect on these islanders, who reputedly respect nothing but noisy mechanisms. Without thunderclaps, lightning bolts would be much less frightening, although the danger lies in the flash, not the noise.
Just then the dugout canoes drew nearer to the Nautilus, and a cloud of arrows burst over us.
"Fire and brimstone, it's hailing!" Conseil said. "And poisoned hail perhaps!"
"We've got to alert Captain Nemo," I said, reentering the hatch.
I went below to the lounge. I found no one there. I ventured a knock at the door opening into the captain's stateroom.
The word "Enter!" answered me. I did so and found Captain Nemo busy with calculations in which there was no shortage of X and other algebraic signs.
"Am I disturbing you?" I said out of politeness.
"Correct, Professor Aronnax," the captain answered me. "But I imagine you have pressing reasons for looking me up?"
"Very pressing. Native dugout canoes are surrounding us, and in a few minutes we're sure to be assaulted by several hundred savages."
"Ah!" Captain Nemo put in serenely. "They've come in their dugouts?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, sir, closing the hatches should do the trick."
"Precisely, and that's what I came to tell you--"
"Nothing easier," Captain Nemo said.
And he pressed an electric button, transmitting an order to the crew's quarters.
"There, sir, all under control!" he told me after a few moments. "The skiff is in place and the hatches are closed. I don't imagine you're worried that these gentlemen will stave in walls that shells from your frigate couldn't breach?"
"No, captain, but one danger still remains."
"What's that, sir?"
"Tomorrow at about this time, we'll need to reopen the hatches to renew the Nautilus's air."
"No argument, sir, since our craft breathes in the manner favored by cetaceans."
"But if these Papuans are occupying the platform at that moment, I don't see how you can prevent them from entering."
"Then, sir, you assume they'll board the ship?"
"I'm certain of it."
"Well, sir, let them come aboard. I see no reason to prevent them. Deep down they're just poor devils, these Papuans, and I don't want my visit to Gueboroa Island to cost the life of a single one of these unfortunate people!"
On this note I was about to withdraw; but Captain Nemo detained me and invited me to take a seat next to him. He questioned me with interest on our excursions ashore and on our hunting, but seemed not to understand the Canadian's passionate craving for red meat. Then our conversation skimmed various subjects, and without being more forthcoming, Captain Nemo proved more affable.
Among other things, we came to talk of the Nautilus's circumstances, aground in the same strait where Captain Dumont d'Urville had nearly miscarried. Then, pertinent to this:
"He was one of your great seamen," the captain told me, "one of your shrewdest navigators, that d'Urville! He was the Frenchman's Captain Cook. A man wise but unlucky! Braving the ice banks of the South Pole, the coral of Oceania, the cannibals of the Pacific, only to perish wretchedly in a train wreck! If that energetic man was able to think about his life in its last seconds, imagine what his final thoughts must have been!"
As he spoke, Captain Nemo seemed deeply moved, an emotion I felt was to his credit.
Then, chart in hand, we returned to the deeds of the French navigator: his voyages to circumnavigate the globe, his double attempt at the South Pole, which led to his discovery of the Adélie Coast and the Louis-Philippe Peninsula, finally his hydrographic surveys of the chief islands in Oceania.
"What your d'Urville did on the surface of the sea," Captain Nemo told me, "I've done in the ocean's interior, but more easily, more completely than he. Constantly tossed about by hurricanes, the Zealous and the new Astrolabe couldn't compare with the Nautilus, a quiet work room truly at rest in the midst of the waters!"
"Even so, captain," I said, "there is one major similarity between Dumont d'Urville's sloops of war and the Nautilus."
"What's that, sir?"
"Like them, the Nautilus has run aground!"
"The Nautilus is not aground, sir," Captain Nemo replied icily. "The Nautilus was built to rest on the ocean floor, and I don't need to undertake the arduous labors, the maneuvers d'Urville had to attempt in order to float off his sloops of war. The Zealous and the new Astrolabe wellnigh perished, but my Nautilus is in no danger. Tomorrow, on the day stated and at the hour stated, the tide will peacefully lift it off, and it will resume its navigating through the seas."
"Captain," I said, "I don't doubt--"
"Tomorrow," Captain Nemo added, standing up, "tomorrow at 2:40 in the afternoon, the Nautilus will float off and exit the Torres Strait undamaged."
Pronouncing these words in an extremely sharp tone, Captain Nemo gave me a curt bow. This was my dismissal, and I reentered my stateroom.
There I found Conseil, who wanted to know the upshot of my interview with the captain.
"My boy," I replied, "when I expressed the belief that these Papuan natives were a threat to his Nautilus, the captain answered me with great irony. So I've just one thing to say to you: have faith in him and sleep in peace."
"Master has no need for my services?"
"No, my friend. What's Ned Land up to?"
"Begging master's indulgence," Conseil replied, "but our friend Ned is concocting a kangaroo pie that will be the eighth wonder!"
I was left to myself; I went to bed but slept pretty poorly. I kept hearing noises from the savages, who were stamping on the platform and letting out deafening yells. The night passed in this way, without the crew ever emerging from their usual inertia. They were no more disturbed by the presence of these man-eaters than soldiers in an armored fortress are troubled by ants running over the armor plate.
I got up at six o'clock in the morning. The hatches weren't open. So the air inside hadn't been renewed; but the air tanks were kept full for any eventuality and would function appropriately to shoot a few cubic meters of oxygen into the Nautilus's thin atmosphere.
I worked in my stateroom until noon without seeing Captain Nemo even for an instant. Nobody on board seemed to be making any preparations for departure.
I still waited for a while, then I made my way to the main lounge. Its timepiece marked 2:30. In ten minutes the tide would reach its maximum elevation, and if Captain Nemo hadn't made a rash promise, the Nautilus would immediately break free. If not, many months might pass before it could leave its coral bed.
But some preliminary vibrations could soon be felt over the boat's hull. I heard its plating grind against the limestone roughness of that coral base.
At 2:35 Captain Nemo appeared in the lounge.
"We're about to depart," he said.
"Ah!" I put in.
"I've given orders to open the hatches."
"What about the Papuans?"
"What about them?" Captain Nemo replied, with a light shrug of his shoulders.
"Won't they come inside the Nautilus?"
"How will they manage that?"
"By jumping down the hatches you're about to open."
"Professor Aronnax," Captain Nemo replied serenely, "the Nautilus's hatches aren't to be entered in that fashion even when they're open."
I gaped at the captain.
"You don't understand?" he said to me.
"Not in the least."
"Well, come along and you'll see!"
I headed to the central companionway. There, very puzzled, Ned Land and Conseil watched the crewmen opening the hatches, while a frightful clamor and furious shouts resounded outside.
The hatch lids fell back onto the outer plating. Twenty horrible faces appeared. But when the first islander laid hands on the companionway railing, he was flung backward by some invisible power, lord knows what! He ran off, howling in terror and wildly prancing around.
Ten of his companions followed him. All ten met the same fate.
Conseil was in ecstasy. Carried away by his violent instincts, Ned Land leaped up the companionway. But as soon as his hands seized the railing, he was thrown backward in his turn.
"Damnation!" he exclaimed. "I've been struck by a lightning bolt!"
These words explained everything to me. It wasn't just a railing that led to the platform, it was a metal cable fully charged with the ship's electricity. Anyone who touched it got a fearsome shock-- and such a shock would have been fatal if Captain Nemo had thrown the full current from his equipment into this conducting cable! It could honestly be said that he had stretched between himself and his assailants a network of electricity no one could clear with impunity.
Meanwhile, crazed with terror, the unhinged Papuans beat a retreat. As for us, half laughing, we massaged and comforted poor Ned Land, who was swearing like one possessed.
But just then, lifted off by the tide's final undulations, the Nautilus left its coral bed at exactly that fortieth minute pinpointed by the captain. Its propeller churned the waves with lazy majesty. Gathering speed little by little, the ship navigated on the surface of the ocean, and safe and sound, it left behind the dangerous narrows of the Torres Strait.

我们向树林方面看去，但没有站起来，我的手正拿食物向嘴里送就停住了，尼德•兰的手也正好把东西放到嘴中就不动了。
康塞尔说："一块石头不能从天上掉下来，不然的话，就应该叫它为陨石了。”
第二块石头，加工的圆形石头，又落下来，把康塞尔手中好吃的一块山鸠腿肉打落了，这证明他的看法更有道理，需要我们注意。
我们三人全站起来，把枪扛在肩上，准备立即回答这次•突然的攻击。
“是一些猿猴吗？”尼德•兰喊。
“可以说是，”康塞尔回答，“他们是野蛮人①。”
“回小艇去。”我说，同时向海边走。
果然，我们必须向后退走，因为有二十来个土人，拿着弓箭和投石器，从遮住了右方天际的丛林边缘出来，相距不过一百步左右。
我们的小艇停在离我们二十米远的海上。
这些土人并不快跑，慢慢走来；可是他们做种种表示故意的动作。石块和弓筋像雨点一般打来。尼德•兰不愿意放弃所有的食物，不顾近在眼前的危险，一边拿野猪，一边拿袋鼠，相当快地把食物收拾起来。
两分钟后，我们就到了滩上。把食物和武器放在小艇里，将小艇推人海中，安上两支桨，这是一瞬间的事。我们还没有划到二百米远，一百左右的土人大喊大叫，指手画脚地一直走到水深至腰间的海水中。我小心地看，以为这些土人的出现一定要把诺第留斯号船上的一些人引到平台上来观看。可是没有；这只庞大的机器船睡在海面上，完全看不见人的踪影。
二十分钟后，我们上了船。嵌板是开着的。把小艇放好后，我们又回到了诺第留斯号的里面来了。
我走人客厅，听到有一些乐声发出。尼摩船长在那里，他正弯身向着他的大风琴，沉浸在音乐的极乐情绪中。
“船长！”我对他说。
他好像没有听见。
“船长！”我叉说，同时用手去碰他。
他身上微微发抖，回过身来对我说：
“啊！是您，教授。很好，你们打猎好吗？你们采得很多的植物吗？”
“是的，很不错，船长，”我回答，“不过我们很不幸，带来了一样两腿动物，这些动物就在附近，我觉得很不放心。”
“什么两腿动物哪？，
“是一些野蛮人呢。”
“一些野蛮人！”尼摩船长带着讥讽的语气说，“教授，您脚一踏在这地球的陆地上便碰见野蛮人，您觉得奇怪吗？野蛮人，地上尹。一处没有野蛮人呢？而且您叫他们为野蛮人的，一定比其他的人还坏吗？”
“不过，船长……”
“在我个人来说，先生，我到处都碰见野蛮人。”
“那么，”我回答，“如果您不愿意在诺第留斯号船上接待他们的话，我请您注意，想些办法。”
“您放心吧，教授，这事用不着您担心。”
“可是土人的人数很多呢。”
“您估计他们有多少？”
“至少有一百左右。”
“阿龙纳斯先生，”尼摩船长回答，他的手指又搁在大风琴的键子上了，“就是巴布亚所有的土人都齐集在这海滩上，诺第留斯号一点也不怕他们的攻击！”
船长的指头于是又在风琴键盘上奔驰了，我看他只是按黑键，这使他弹出的和声主要是带苏格兰乐曲的特色。•不久他就忘记了我在他面前，沉浸在一种美梦幻想中，我不敢去惊动他，打搅他。
我又回平台上来。黑夜已经来临，因为在这低纬度的地区，太阳落下得很快，并且没有黄昏的时候。我看那格波罗尔岛很是模糊不清。但有许多火光在海滩上闪耀，证明这些土人不想走开，守在那里。
我一个人这样在平台上留了好几个钟头，有时想着这些土人——但并不特别怕他们，因为船长的坚定不移的信．心影响着我——有时忘记了他们，欣赏这热带地区的夜间的美丽景象。我的思想飞向法国去了，好像跟着黄道十二宫的星宿一齐去似的，这些星是有好几个钟头照着法国的。月亮在顶上星辰中间辉煌照耀，我于是想到，这座忠实殷勤的地球卫星要在后天回到相同的这个地方来，掀起这些海波，使诺第留斯号脱离它的珊瑚石床。到夜半左右，看见沉黑的海波上一切都很平静，同时海岸的树下也一样没有声息，我就回到我的舱房中，安心地睡去。
一夜过去，没有不幸事故发生。巴布亚人可能由于单单看见搁浅在海湾中的大怪物，便不敢前来，因为嵌板仍然开着，他们很容易走进诺第留斯号里面来。
早晨六点一一：月8日——我又走上乎台。早晨的阴影散开了。格波罗尔岛从消失的雾气中露出来，首先露出海滩，然后现出山峰。
土人守在那里，比昨天的人数更多了，大约有五六百人左右。有些土人乘着低潮，来到珊瑚石尖上，离诺第留斯号约四百米远。我可以清楚地看见他们。他们是真正的巴布亚人，身材高大，体格魁伟，前额宽大高起，鼻子粗大，但不扁平，牙齿洁白。他们像羊毛一般的头发作红颜色，披散在漆黑发亮的、像非洲纽比人一般的身躯上。他们的耳垂子，割开了和拉长了，挂着骨质的耳环。这些土人通常是光着身子，不穿衣服。我看见他们中间有些女人，从腰至膝穿一件真正草叶做的粗糙裙子，上面用一根草带子系起来。有些头领脖子上带着一个弯月形的饰物和红白两色的玻璃编成的项链。差不多全体上人都带了弓、箭和盾，肩上背着象网一类的东西，网中装满他们能巧妙地用投石机投出来的溜圆石块。
其中一个头领走到相当接近诺第留斯号的地方，很叙心地考察这只船。他好像是一个高级的“马多”①，因为他披着一条香蕉树叶编的围巾，中边上织成花样，并且染了很鲜明的颜色。
我可以很容易击毙这个土人，因为他站在很近的地方；但我认为等待他表示出真正故意的攻击行动之后，再还手才对。
在整个低潮期间，这些土人在诺第留斯号周围转来转去；但他们并不大声喧闹。我常常听到他们一再说“阿洗”这句话，从他们的手势来看，我懂得他们是要我到岛上去，但我想对他们这个邀请还是谢绝的好。
所以这一天小艇不能离大船了，使得尼德•兰师傅很是失望，他不可能补足他所要的食物了。这个手巧的加拿大人于是利用他的时间，来准备他从格波罗尔岛上带回来舶肉类和面粉。至于那些土人，在早晨十一点左右，当珊瑚石尖顶开始在上涨的潮水下隐没不见时，都回到岸上去了。但我看见他们在海滩上的人数大量增加了。大约他们是从邻近小岛来的，或者就是从巴布亚本岛来的。不过我还没有看到一只上人的独木舟。
我因为目前没有什么可做的，就想到要在这些清澈的海水中去捞捞看，好像水里面有丰富的贝壳类、植虫类和海产植物。并且今天又是诺第留斯号在这一带海面停留的最后一天了，因为照尼摩船长的诺言，在明天潮涨的时候，船就要浮出去了。因此我叫康塞尔，他给我拿了一个轻便的小捞器，就像拿来打牡蛎的捞器一般的网。
"那些野蛮人呢？”康塞尔问我，“不怕先生见怪，我觉得他们并不十分凶恶！”
“可是他们要吃人的，老实人。”
“一个人同时可以是吃人肉的又是老实的，”康塞尔回答“就像一个人同时可以是贪食的又是诚实的一样，彼此中不对立。”
“对！康塞尔，我同意你的说法，他们是吃人肉的诚实人,他们是老老实实地吃俘虏的肉。不过我不想被他们吞食，即使是老老实实的吞食，我也不愿意。我要时时警戒，十分小心，因为诺第留斯号的船长好像一点不注意，不加防范。现在我们动手捞吧。”
在两个钟头内，我们打鱼进行得相当活跃，但没有打到罕见的珍品。打捞器里面装满了驴耳贝、竖琴贝、河贝子，特别又打到了我今天才看见的最好看的糙鱼，我们又打了一些海参，产珍珠的牡蛎和一打左右的小鳖，这些都打来作为船上的食用品。
但是，在绝对的无意中，我却找到一件珍奇品，我应该说，找到一件自然变形的珍品，这种东西最不容易碰见。康塞尔把打捞器放下去又捞起来的时候，器中装满很平常的各种贝类，他忽然看见我的胳膊很快伸进网里面去，取出一个贝壳来，发出贝类学家的喊声，即是说，发出人类喉咙可以发出的最尖锐的喊声。
“哎！先生怎么啦？”康塞尔问，他非常惊怪，“先生被咬了吗？”
“没有，老实人，我实在愿意用我的一个指头来换取我：的发现呢。”
“什么发现呢？，
“就是这个贝壳。”我手指着我的战利品说。
“但这不过是一个普通的斑红橄榄贝,橄榄贝属，节鳃图，腹足纲，软体类门……”
“对，康塞尔，但这个橄榄贝纹跟普通的不一样，不是从右往左卷过来，而是从左往右转过去."
“可能吗？”康塞尔喊道。
“一点不错，老实人，这是一个左卷贝！”
“一个左卷贝！”康塞尔重复说，他心跳动着。
“你看一看这贝壳的螺旋纹便明白了。”
“啊！先生可以相信我，”康塞尔说，用发抖的手拿着这珍贵的贝壳，“我从没有感到像现在这样的一种情绪呢！”
这实在是可以使人情绪激动的！正是，像生物学家所观察到的一样，由右向左是自然的法则。天体的行星和它们的卫星公转和自转的运动，都是从右向左转。人类使用右手的机会比使用左手为多，因此，人类的工具和器械、楼梯、锁钥、钟表的法条等，都配合成由右向左来使用的。大自然对于贝类的卷旋螺纹，通常也是按照这个法则。贝类纹基本是右转的，很少有例外，偶然有贝纹是左转的。，爱好的人便以黄金的重阶来收买了。
康塞尔和我因此都在欣赏我们所得的宝贝，完全陶醉了，我正欣幸我们的博物馆又可以多一件珍品了；忽然一个土人投来一个石子，不幸地把康塞尔手中的珍品打碎了。
我发出了一声绝望的喊声！康塞尔拿起我的枪，对准在十米外挥动投石机的一个土人，就要打。我正要阻止他，但他的枪弹已经放出去了，粉碎了挂在土人胳膊上的护身灵镯。
“康塞尔！“康塞尔！”我喊。
“怎么啦！先生没有看见这个土人开始攻击了吗？•
“一个贝壳不能跟一个人的性命相比！”我对他说）
“啊！混蛋东西！”康塞尔喊，“他就是打碎我的肩骨，我觉得也比打碎这贝壳好一些！”
康塞尔说的是老实话，不过我不赞同他的意见。可是目前的情形已经很不对了，这一点我们还没有觉察到。这时，有二十多只独木舟正围绕着诺第留斯号。这种独木舟是中空的树身做的，很长，很窄。为了便于行驶，配上两条浮在水面的竹制长杆，使舟身可以平衡不倾斜地摆动。独木舟由半光着身体、巧妙使用自由桨板的上人驾驶，我看见他们驶向前来，心中不能不害怕起来。
很显然，这些巴布亚人已经跟欧洲人有过来往，他们见过而且能够识别欧洲人的船只。但我们这只躺在湾中的钢铁圆锥，没有桅槁，没有烟突，他们会怎么想呢？他们一定认为这是没有一点好处的坏东西，因为他们首先站在距离相当远的地方，不敢近前。可是，看见船停住不动，他们渐渐恢复了信心，想法子跟船熟识。正是这种要求熟识的行动，人们应加以阻止。我们的武器没有砰砰的声响，对于这些土人只能有一种很平常的效力，因为他们所害怕的是宏大的炮声，雷电的危险虽然在闪光而不在声响。但如果没有隆隆的轰击，也很少有人害怕。
这时候，独木舟更逼近诺第留斯号了，一阵一阵的箭落在船身上了。
“真怪! 下雹子了!"康塞尔说，“可能是有毒的雹子呢!"
“应当通知尼摩船长。”我说，同时我就从嵌板中进来。
我走到客厅中，客厅里没有人。我冒昧敲一敲朝着船长房间开的那扇门。
一声“请进”回答我；我进去，我见船长正聚精会神地作计算，上面有很多X 未知数和其它的代数符号。
“我打搅您吧？”我有礼貌他说。
“不错，阿龙纳斯先生，”船长回答我，“不过我想您来见我, 一定有紧急重大的事情。”
“对，很紧急，很重大的事，土人的许多独木舟把我们围起来了，几分钟内，我们一定就要受到好几百土人的攻击了."
“啊!"尼摩船长安静地说，“他们是乘他们的独木舟来的吗?"
“是的，先生。
“好吧，先生，把嵌板关上就够了。”
“正是，我就是来告诉您……”
“再没有更容易的了."尼摩船长说。
他手按一个电钮，把命令传达到船员所在的岗位。
“命令执行了，先生，”他过一刻后对我说，“小艇放好了，嵌板关上了。我想，这些钢铁墙壁，就是林肯号战舰的炮弹都不能伤损的，你现在不害怕那些土人先生们会冲进来了吧？”
“不害怕了，船长；但还有一个危险存在。"
“先生，什么危险呢？”。
“就是明天又要打开嵌板来调换诺第留斯号的空气……”
“那不用说，先生，因为我们的船是跟鲸鱼类一般呼吸的。”
“可是，如果这个时候，巴布亚人占据了平台，我真不知。道您怎样可以不让他们进来呢。”
“那么，先生，您以为他们可以走上船来吗？”
“我想是可以。”
“好，先生，让他们上来好了。我看不出有什么理由可 以阻止他们。实际上，这些已布亚人是很可怜悯的，我在访问格波罗尔岛的过程中，就是只牺牲一个这样苦命人的生命，我也不愿意！”
他说完了这话，我要退出了，但尼摩船长把我留下，要、我坐在他身边。他很关心地问我们登陆游荡的经过，我们打猎的情形，他好像完全不了解加拿大人爱吃肉类的那种需要。然后谈话转到各种问题上，尼摩船长虽然并不比从前更容易流露内心情感，但却露出了比较和蔼可亲的样子。在许多他提到的问题中间，我们谈到诺第留斯号目前所处的地位，因为它正搁浅在杜蒙•居维尔几乎要丢了性命的这个海峡中。一会儿，船长对我说起这件事：
他是你们的伟大海员之一，这位居维尔是你们富有智慧的航海家之一！他是你们法国人的库克船长。不幸的学者啊！不怕南极的冰层，不伯大洋洲的珊瑚礁，不怕太平洋的吃人肉的土人，经历了种种危险后，竟在火车失事中多么不值地丢了性命，多么可惜啊! 如果这个精干的人在他生存的最后一刻，可能做些思考的活，您想想他最后的智慧会是什么呢！”①
这样说着，尼摩船长好像情绪很激动的样子，我被他的这种情绪感染了。
然后，手拿着地图，我们再来看这位法国航海家所做的工作，他的环球航行，他到南极的两次探险，使他发见阿米利和路易•非力两个地方，以及他对于大洋洲主要岛屿所做的水道学的记载资料。
“你们的居维尔在海面上所做的，尼摩船长对我说，“我在海洋底下做了，做得比他更方便，更完全，浑天仪号和热心女号不断受大风暴所摆动，不能跟诺第留斯号相比，它是安静的工作室，在海水中间真正安然不动呢！”
“不过，船长，”我说，“杜蒙•居维尔的旧式海船跟诺第留斯号有一点相似的地方。”
“先生，哪一点呢？”
“就是诺第留斯号跟它们一样搁浅了！”
“诺第留斯号并没有搁浅，先生，”尼摩船长冷淡地回答我，“诺第留斯号是歇在侮床上的，居维尔要他的船脱离开礁石，重回海上所必须做的艰苦工程，困难动作，我根本不用做。浑天仪号和热心女号几乎沉没了，但我的诺第留斯号一点也没有危险。明天，在我指定的日子，指定的、时刻，潮水把它平安地浮起来，它又穿洋过海地在水中航行了。”
“船长，”我说" 我并不怀疑……”
“明天，”尼摩船长又说，同时他站起来，“明天，下午两点四十分，诺第留斯号将浮在海上，毫无损伤地离开托列斯海峡."
用干脆的语气说完了这些话后，尼摩船长轻轻地点点头。这是让我走开的表示，我就回我房中来。
我见康塞尔在房中，他想知道我跟船长会谈的结果
“老实人，”我回答,"当我觉得他的诺第留斯号是要受巴布亚上人的严重威胁的时候，船长带着十足嘲讽的神气回答了我。所以我只跟你说一点，就是：相信他，安心睡觉。”
“先生没有事需要我做吗？”
“没有，老实人。尼德•兰干什么去了?"
“请先生原谅我，”康塞尔回答，“尼德好朋友正在做袋：鼠肉饼，这将成为美味的珍品呢！”
我又是独自一人了，我睡下，但睡不着。我听到土人所作的声响，他们发出震耳的叫喊，在乎台上不停地用脚踩踏，一夜便这样过去，船上人员仍是照常不动，全不理睬。这些土人在他们面前，他们一点也没有感到不安，就像守在铁甲堡垒中的兵士全不留心在铁甲上奔跑的蚂蚁一样。
到六点，我起床来。嵌板并没有打开，所以船内部的。空气有调换，但储藏库中总是装满空气的，于是及时使用它, 把好几立方米的氧放人诺第留斯号的缺氧空气中，我在房中工作，直到中午，一刻也没有看见尼摩船长，好像船没有作任何开行的准备。
我又等了些时候，然后到客厅去。大针正指两点半十分钟内，海潮就要达到最高点了。如果尼摩船长没有们狂妄的诺言，那么诺第留斯号立即就要脱离礁石了。不然的话，那在它能离开珊瑚石床之前，恐怕还要这样度过不知多少年月呢。
可是，不久就在船身上感到有些作为前奏的抖颤。我听到珊瑚石上石灰质形成的不乎表面在船边上摩擦，沙沙作响了。
两点三十五分，尼摩船长出现在客厅中。
“我们要开行了。”他说。
“啊！”我喊一声.
“我下了命令，要打开嵌板。"
“那些巴布亚人呢？”
“哪些巴布亚人？”尼摩船长回答，同时轻轻地耸一耸肩。
“他们不是要走进诺第留斯号里面来吗？”
“怎样进来?"
“从您叫人打开的嵌板进来。”
“阿龙纳斯先生，”尼摩船长安静地回答，“人们不能这样随便从嵌板进来，就是它们开着也不能 "
我眼盯着船长。”
“您不明白吗？”他对我说。
“一点不明白。”
“那么，您来吧，您就可以看见了。
我向中央铁梯走去。尼德•兰和康塞尔在那里，他们心中很奇怪，正看着船上的人员把嵌板打开，同时疯狂可怕的大声叫唤在外面震天价响。
嵌板的外面放下来了。怕人的二十副脸孔现出来了。但第一个土人，那个把手放在铁梯扶手上的，马上被一种神秘不可见的力量推到后面去，他发出怕人的叫喊，做出奇怪的跳跃逃跑。，他的十个同伴陆续前来按扶挡,十个也得到相同的命运，受到打击，向后逃走。
康塞尔乐得发狂了。尼德•兰由于他急躁的天性所驱使，跑到楼梯上去。但是，一当他两手抓住扶手的时候，他也被击惯倒。
“有鬼！有鬼!"他喊，“我被雷打了！”
这句话给我说明了一切。那并不是扶手，那是一根铁索，通过了船上的电流，直达到平台。谁触到它，谁都受到一种厉害的震动，如果尼摩船长把他机器中的整个电流都放到这导体中去，另”这种震动就是致命的力量！人们真可以说，在来攻的敌人和他之间，他张挂了一副电网，谁都不徒通过它而不受到惩罚。
巴布亚人害怕得发狂，都向后退走。我们笑着，安慰不幸的尼德。兰，用手摩擦他，他像魔鬼附身一样，大声地咒骂.
但在这个时候，诺第留斯号受海水最后的波浪所掀动，就在船长指定的正好是两点四十分的时候，离开了它的珊瑚石床。它的机轮开始以隆重的缓慢姿态搅打海水。一会儿，速度渐渐增大，向大海面奔驰前去，它安全无恙地把托列斯海峡的危险水道抛在后面了。
Part 1 Chapter 23
*Latin: "troubled dreams." Ed.
THE FOLLOWING DAY, January 10, the Nautilus resumed its travels in midwater but at a remarkable speed that I estimated to be at least thirty-five miles per hour. The propeller was going so fast I could neither follow nor count its revolutions.
I thought about how this marvelous electric force not only gave motion, heat, and light to the Nautilus but even protected it against outside attack, transforming it into a sacred ark no profane hand could touch without being blasted; my wonderment was boundless, and it went from the submersible itself to the engineer who had created it.
We were traveling due west and on January 11 we doubled Cape Wessel, located in longitude 135 degrees and latitude 10 degrees north, the western tip of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Reefs were still numerous but more widely scattered and were fixed on the chart with the greatest accuracy. The Nautilus easily avoided the Money breakers to port and the Victoria reefs to starboard, positioned at longitude 130 degrees on the tenth parallel, which we went along rigorously.
On January 13, arriving in the Timor Sea, Captain Nemo raised the island of that name at longitude 122 degrees. This island, whose surface area measures 1,625 square leagues, is governed by rajahs. These aristocrats deem themselves the sons of crocodiles, in other words, descendants with the most exalted origins to which a human being can lay claim. Accordingly, their scaly ancestors infest the island's rivers and are the subjects of special veneration. They are sheltered, nurtured, flattered, pampered, and offered a ritual diet of nubile maidens; and woe to the foreigner who lifts a finger against these sacred saurians.
But the Nautilus wanted nothing to do with these nasty animals. Timor Island was visible for barely an instant at noon while the chief officer determined his position. I also caught only a glimpse of little Roti Island, part of this same group, whose women have a well-established reputation for beauty in the Malaysian marketplace.
After our position fix, the Nautilus's latitude bearings were modulated to the southwest. Our prow pointed to the Indian Ocean. Where would Captain Nemo's fancies take us? Would he head up to the shores of Asia? Would he pull nearer to the beaches of Europe? Unlikely choices for a man who avoided populated areas! So would he go down south? Would he double the Cape of Good Hope, then Cape Horn, and push on to the Antarctic pole? Finally, would he return to the seas of the Pacific, where his Nautilus could navigate freely and easily? Time would tell.
After cruising along the Cartier, Hibernia, Seringapatam, and Scott reefs, the solid element's last exertions against the liquid element, we were beyond all sight of shore by January 14. The Nautilus slowed down in an odd manner, and very unpredictable in its ways, it sometimes swam in the midst of the waters, sometimes drifted on their surface.
During this phase of our voyage, Captain Nemo conducted interesting experiments on the different temperatures in various strata of the sea. Under ordinary conditions, such readings are obtained using some pretty complicated instruments whose findings are dubious to say the least, whether they're thermometric sounding lines, whose glass often shatters under the water's pressure, or those devices based on the varying resistance of metals to electric currents. The results so obtained can't be adequately double-checked. By contrast, Captain Nemo would seek the sea's temperature by going himself into its depths, and when he placed his thermometer in contact with the various layers of liquid, he found the sought-for degree immediately and with certainty.
And so, by loading up its ballast tanks, or by sinking obliquely with its slanting fins, the Nautilus successively reached depths of 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, 7,000, 9,000, and 10,000 meters, and the ultimate conclusion from these experiments was that, in all latitudes, the sea had a permanent temperature of 4.5 degrees centigrade at a depth of 1,000 meters.
I watched these experiments with the most intense fascination. Captain Nemo brought a real passion to them. I often wondered why he took these observations. Were they for the benefit of his fellow man? It was unlikely, because sooner or later his work would perish with him in some unknown sea! Unless he intended the results of his experiments for me. But that meant this strange voyage of mine would come to an end, and no such end was in sight.
Be that as it may, Captain Nemo also introduced me to the different data he had obtained on the relative densities of the water in our globe's chief seas. From this news I derived some personal enlightenment having nothing to do with science.
It happened the morning of January 15. The captain, with whom I was strolling on the platform, asked me if I knew how salt water differs in density from sea to sea. I said no, adding that there was a lack of rigorous scientific observations on this subject.
"I've taken such observations," he told me, "and I can vouch for their reliability."
"Fine," I replied, "but the Nautilus lives in a separate world, and the secrets of its scientists don't make their way ashore."
"You're right, professor," he told me after a few moments of silence. "This is a separate world. It's as alien to the earth as the planets accompanying our globe around the sun, and we'll never become familiar with the work of scientists on Saturn or Jupiter. But since fate has linked our two lives, I can reveal the results of my observations to you."
"I'm all attention, captain."
"You're aware, professor, that salt water is denser than fresh water, but this density isn't uniform. In essence, if I represent the density of fresh water by 1.000, then I find 1.028 for the waters of the Atlantic, 1.026 for the waters of the Pacific, 1.030 for the waters of the Mediterranean--"
Aha, I thought, so he ventures into the Mediterranean?
"--1.018 for the waters of the Ionian Sea, and 1.029 for the waters of the Adriatic."
Assuredly, the Nautilus didn't avoid the heavily traveled seas of Europe, and from this insight I concluded that the ship would take us back--perhaps very soon--to more civilized shores. I expected Ned Land to greet this news with unfeigned satisfaction.
For several days our work hours were spent in all sorts of experiments, on the degree of salinity in waters of different depths, or on their electric properties, coloration, and transparency, and in every instance Captain Nemo displayed an ingenuity equaled only by his graciousness toward me. Then I saw no more of him for some days and again lived on board in seclusion.
On January 16 the Nautilus seemed to have fallen asleep just a few meters beneath the surface of the water. Its electric equipment had been turned off, and the motionless propeller let it ride with the waves. I assumed that the crew were busy with interior repairs, required by the engine's strenuous mechanical action.
My companions and I then witnessed an unusual sight. The panels in the lounge were open, and since the Nautilus's beacon was off, a hazy darkness reigned in the midst of the waters. Covered with heavy clouds, the stormy sky gave only the faintest light to the ocean's upper strata.
I was observing the state of the sea under these conditions, and even the largest fish were nothing more than ill-defined shadows, when the Nautilus was suddenly transferred into broad daylight. At first I thought the beacon had gone back on and was casting its electric light into the liquid mass. I was mistaken, and after a hasty examination I discovered my error.
The Nautilus had drifted into the midst of some phosphorescent strata, which, in this darkness, came off as positively dazzling. This effect was caused by myriads of tiny, luminous animals whose brightness increased when they glided over the metal hull of our submersible. In the midst of these luminous sheets of water, I then glimpsed flashes of light, like those seen inside a blazing furnace from streams of molten lead or from masses of metal brought to a white heat--flashes so intense that certain areas of the light became shadows by comparison, in a fiery setting from which every shadow should seemingly have been banished. No, this was no longer the calm emission of our usual lighting! This light throbbed with unprecedented vigor and activity! You sensed that it was alive!
In essence, it was a cluster of countless open-sea infusoria, of noctiluca an eighth of an inch wide, actual globules of transparent jelly equipped with a threadlike tentacle, up to 25,000 of which have been counted in thirty cubic centimeters of water. And the power of their light was increased by those glimmers unique to medusas, starfish, common jellyfish, angel-wing clams, and other phosphorescent zoophytes, which were saturated with grease from organic matter decomposed by the sea, and perhaps with mucus secreted by fish.
For several hours the Nautilus drifted in this brilliant tide, and our wonderment grew when we saw huge marine animals cavorting in it, like the fire-dwelling salamanders of myth. In the midst of these flames that didn't burn, I could see swift, elegant porpoises, the tireless pranksters of the seas, and sailfish three meters long, those shrewd heralds of hurricanes, whose fearsome broadswords sometimes banged against the lounge window. Then smaller fish appeared: miscellaneous triggerfish, leather jacks, unicornfish, and a hundred others that left stripes on this luminous atmosphere in their course.
Some magic lay behind this dazzling sight! Perhaps some atmospheric condition had intensified this phenomenon? Perhaps a storm had been unleashed on the surface of the waves? But only a few meters down, the Nautilus felt no tempest's fury, and the ship rocked peacefully in the midst of the calm waters.
And so it went, some new wonder constantly delighting us. Conseil observed and classified his zoophytes, articulates, mollusks, and fish. The days passed quickly, and I no longer kept track of them. Ned, as usual, kept looking for changes of pace from our standard fare. Like actual snails, we were at home in our shell, and I can vouch that it's easy to turn into a full-fledged snail.
So this way of living began to seem simple and natural to us, and we no longer envisioned a different lifestyle on the surface of the planet earth, when something happened to remind us of our strange circumstances.
On January 18 the Nautilus lay in longitude 105 degrees and latitude 15 degrees south. The weather was threatening, the sea rough and billowy. The wind was blowing a strong gust from the east. The barometer, which had been falling for some days, forecast an approaching struggle of the elements.
I had climbed onto the platform just as the chief officer was taking his readings of hour angles. Out of habit I waited for him to pronounce his daily phrase. But that day it was replaced by a different phrase, just as incomprehensible. Almost at once I saw Captain Nemo appear, lift his spyglass, and inspect the horizon.
For some minutes the captain stood motionless, rooted to the spot contained within the field of his lens. Then he lowered his spyglass and exchanged about ten words with his chief officer. The latter seemed to be in the grip of an excitement he tried in vain to control. More in command of himself, Captain Nemo remained cool. Furthermore, he seemed to be raising certain objections that his chief officer kept answering with flat assurances. At least that's what I gathered from their differences in tone and gesture.
As for me, I stared industriously in the direction under observation but without spotting a thing. Sky and water merged into a perfectly clean horizon line.
Meanwhile Captain Nemo strolled from one end of the platform to the other, not glancing at me, perhaps not even seeing me. His step was firm but less regular than usual. Sometimes he would stop, cross his arms over his chest, and observe the sea. What could he be looking for over that immense expanse? By then the Nautilus lay hundreds of miles from the nearest coast!
The chief officer kept lifting his spyglass and stubbornly examining the horizon, walking up and down, stamping his foot, in his nervous agitation a sharp contrast to his superior.
But this mystery would inevitably be cleared up, and soon, because Captain Nemo gave orders to increase speed; at once the engine stepped up its drive power, setting the propeller in swifter rotation.
Just then the chief officer drew the captain's attention anew. The latter interrupted his strolling and aimed his spyglass at the point indicated. He observed it a good while. As for me, deeply puzzled, I went below to the lounge and brought back an excellent long-range telescope I habitually used. Leaning my elbows on the beacon housing, which jutted from the stern of the platform, I got set to scour that whole stretch of sky and sea.
But no sooner had I peered into the eyepiece than the instrument was snatched from my hands.
I spun around. Captain Nemo was standing before me, but I almost didn't recognize him. His facial features were transfigured. Gleaming with dark fire, his eyes had shrunk beneath his frowning brow. His teeth were half bared. His rigid body, clenched fists, and head drawn between his shoulders, all attested to a fierce hate breathing from every pore. He didn't move. My spyglass fell from his hand and rolled at his feet.
Had I accidentally caused these symptoms of anger? Did this incomprehensible individual think I had detected some secret forbidden to guests on the Nautilus?
No! I wasn't the subject of his hate because he wasn't even looking at me; his eyes stayed stubbornly focused on that inscrutable point of the horizon.
Finally Captain Nemo regained his self-control. His facial appearance, so profoundly changed, now resumed its usual calm. He addressed a few words to his chief officer in their strange language, then he turned to me:
"Professor Aronnax," he told me in a tone of some urgency, "I ask that you now honor one of the binding agreements between us."
"Which one, captain?"
"You and your companions must be placed in confinement until I see fit to set you free."
"You're in command," I answered, gaping at him. "But may I address a question to you?"
"You may not, sir."
After that, I stopped objecting and started obeying, since resistance was useless.
I went below to the cabin occupied by Ned Land and Conseil, and I informed them of the captain's decision. I'll let the reader decide how this news was received by the Canadian. In any case, there was no time for explanations. Four crewmen were waiting at the door, and they led us to the cell where we had spent our first night aboard the Nautilus.
Ned Land tried to lodge a complaint, but the only answer he got was a door shut in his face.
"Will master tell me what this means?" Conseil asked me.
I told my companions what had happened. They were as astonished as I was, but no wiser.
Then I sank into deep speculation, and Captain Nemo's strange facial seizure kept haunting me. I was incapable of connecting two ideas in logical order, and I had strayed into the most absurd hypotheses, when I was snapped out of my mental struggles by these words from Ned Land:
"Well, look here! Lunch is served!"
Indeed, the table had been laid. Apparently Captain Nemo had given this order at the same time he commanded the Nautilus to pick up speed.
"Will master allow me to make him a recommendation?" Conseil asked me.
"Yes, my boy," I replied.
"Well, master needs to eat his lunch! It's prudent, because we have no idea what the future holds."
"You're right, Conseil."
"Unfortunately," Ned Land said, "they've only given us the standard menu."
"Ned my friend," Conseil answered, "what would you say if they'd given us no lunch at all?"
This dose of sanity cut the harpooner's complaints clean off.
We sat down at the table. Our meal proceeded pretty much in silence. I ate very little. Conseil, everlastingly prudent, "force-fed" himself; and despite the menu, Ned Land didn't waste a bite. Then, lunch over, each of us propped himself in a corner.
Just then the luminous globe lighting our cell went out, leaving us in profound darkness. Ned Land soon dozed off, and to my astonishment, Conseil also fell into a heavy slumber. I was wondering what could have caused this urgent need for sleep, when I felt a dense torpor saturate my brain. I tried to keep my eyes open, but they closed in spite of me. I was in the grip of anguished hallucinations. Obviously some sleep-inducing substance had been laced into the food we'd just eaten! So imprisonment wasn't enough to conceal Captain Nemo's plans from us-- sleep was needed as well!
Then I heard the hatches close. The sea's undulations, which had been creating a gentle rocking motion, now ceased. Had the Nautilus left the surface of the ocean? Was it reentering the motionless strata deep in the sea?
I tried to fight off this drowsiness. It was impossible. My breathing grew weaker. I felt a mortal chill freeze my dull, nearly paralyzed limbs. Like little domes of lead, my lids fell over my eyes. I couldn't raise them. A morbid sleep, full of hallucinations, seized my whole being. Then the visions disappeared and left me in utter oblivion.
第二天，1月10日,诺第留斯号又在水中航行了，它的速度我可以估计，不会少于每小时三十五海里。它的机轮推动得那么快，我简直不能看出它在运转，也不能加以计算.
我想到这神奇的电，除了给诺第留斯号以动力、热力、光明之外，又能保护它不受外界的攻击，使它变为神圣不可侵犯的船，想来侵犯的人决不能不受到电击的，我对它的赞美实在是没有止境，我的赞美立时又从这船转到制造这船的工程师。
我们一直往西开行，1月11日，我们走过了韦塞尔角, 角在东经135度和南纬10度, 是卡彭塔里亚海湾的东尖端。海中的礁石仍然很多，但较为零散，在地图上记载得很明确。诺第留斯号很容易躲开在它左舷的摩宜礁石，和右舷的维多利亚暗礁，它们同在东经130度和南纬10度，这时船正沿着这纬度行驶。
1月13日，尼摩船长到了帝位海，在东经122度望见了跟海同名的帝文岛①。这岛面积为1，625平方里，由称为，‘拉夜，，的王公们统治。这些王公们自称为鳄鱼的子孙，就是说，他们的祖先是人类可能想到的最古的来源。所以。他们的带鳞甲的祖宗在岛上河流中大量繁殖，是人们特殊尊敬的对象。岛人保护它们，娇养它们，奉承它们，给它们食物，把青年女子作它们的食料，如果有外来客人，敢把手去动这些神圣的晰蝎类，那他就将惹下大祸了。
但诺第留斯号跟这些怪难看的动物并没有什么交道可打。帝位岛也只是在中午，船副记录方位的时候，出现了一下。同样，我也只望到了属于这群岛屿的罗地小岛，这岛上砌女人在马来亚市场③上被公认为有名的美人。
从这里起，诺第留斯号的方向，在纬度线上弯下来；向西南驶去。船头是向着印度洋。尼摩船长打算带我们到什么地方去呢？他又上溯回到亚洲侮岸去吗？他要走近欧洲海岸吗？他是要躲避有人居住的陆地吧，但从航行方向看，这也是不可能的。那么他要往南去吗？他要先过好望角，然后再过合恩角，向南极走去吗？最后，他又要回到太平洋中来，他的诺第留斯号在太平洋中航行方便自由吗？那只有将来才能使我知道。
既经走过了嘉地埃、依比尼亚、西林加巴当、斯各脱暗礁群，这是在海水中浮出的最后礁石了， 1月14 日 我们看不见陆地了。诺第留斯号的速度特别缓慢，好像非常任性，有时在水中走，有时又浮出水面来。
在这次航行当中，尼摩船长对于海中不同水层的各种温度，做了些很有兴味的实验。在一般情况下，这些温度的记录是利用相当复杂的器械来进行，但不论是使用温度表来探测（因玻璃管时常被水的压力压碎），或是使用通过电流的金属制成的仪器来探测，所得的结果总还是不很可靠小因为这样取得的结果无法校正。但尼摩船长就不同了，他自己亲身到海底下去探测各水层的温度，他的温度表跟各水层相接触，马上很准确地将得到的度数告诉他。是这惮的：诺第留斯号或者是把所有的储水池装得特别满，或用纵斜机板斜斜下降，就可以陆续达到三千、四千、五千、七千）九千、一万米的深度）这些实验最后肯定的结果是，不论任何纬度下的海水，在一千米下的深度，温度总是四度半，永远不变。
我兴趣很浓厚地看他做这种实验。尼摩船长对这种实验有一种真正的热情。我心中时常想，他做这些观察有什•么目的呢？是为人类的利益吗？这很不可能；因为，总有一天，他的工作要跟他一齐在没人知道的海中消灭！除非是他打算把他的实验结果交给我。这就是预先要肯定我的奇怪游历将有结束的期限，可是，这期限，我还没有看到。
不管怎样，船长同样又让我知道他所获得的各种数字。这些数字是关于地球上主要海洋海水密度的报告。从他给我的这个通知，我取得了不是关于科学的、而是关于个人的知识
这是 1月15日的早上，船长跟我一起在平台上散步，他问我是否知道各处海水的不同密度。我回答不知道，同、时又说，科学对于这个问题还没有做过精确的观察。
“这些观察我做过了，”他对我说，“而且我可以肯定它们的准确性。”
“很好，”我答，“不过诺第留斯号是另一个世界，这个性界的学者的‘秘密’不能传到陆地上。”
“您说得对，教授，”他静默一刻后对我说，“它是另一个世界，它跟陆地不相干，就像陪着地球环绕太阳的各个行星对于地球上一样，从来也没有人知道土星和木垦中的学者们所做的工作。但是，既然偶然的机会把我们二人拉在一起，我可以把我观察所得的结果告诉您。”
“我静听您的指教，船长。”
“教授，您知道海水比淡水的密度大，但海水的密度并不是各处完全一律。比方，我拿‘一’作为淡水的密度，那太平洋海水的密度是一又千分之二十八，地中海的海水，一又千分之三十……”“啊：”我想，“他也冒险到地中海去吗？”
”爱奥尼亚海水是一又千分之十八，亚德里亚①海水是一又千分之二十九.":
很显然，诺第留斯号并不逃避多人往来的欧洲海面，我因此可以说——或者不久——它要把我们带到比较文明的陆地海中去。我想尼德•兰听到这个特别消息，一定非常满意。在好几天内，我们长时间都在做各种各样的实验，研究不同深度水层的盐分含量，海水的感电作用，海水的染色作用，海水的透明传光作用。在所有这些情况中，尼摩船长处处显示出他的奇特才能，也处处都显示出他对我的好感。以后，在几天内，我看不见他了，我在他船上又像孤独的人一样了.
l月16日， 诺第留斯号好像昏睡在海面下仅仅几米深的地方。船上的电力机械不走，机轮停着不动，让船随着海水游来游去。我心中想，船上船员恐怕正在作内部修理工作，由于机件的机械运动很激烈，修理是必要的。我的同伴和我，在这时亲眼看到一种很新奇的景象。客厅的嵌板敞开，由于诺第留斯号的探照灯没有点着，水中充满模模糊糊的阴暗。骚动的和遮满密云的天空照在海洋上部水层中的，是一种迷糊不足的光线。
我在这种条件下观察海中的情形，最粗大的鱼看来也就像模糊不清的阴影一样，这个时候，诺第留斯号忽然转入完全光明中了。我初时以为是探照灯亮起来，把电力的光辉照在海水中。其实我弄错了，经过很快的观察，我认识到我的看法的错误。
诺第留斯号浮游在一层磷光里面，在海水阴暗中，磷火也变得光辉夺目了。这光由无数的发光微生动物所产生，因为它们在金属板的船身上溜过，闪光就更加增强。这时，我在阵阵光明的水层中间，突然看到了这些闪光，好像熔在大火炉中的铅铁流一样，或跟烧到白热的金属块一样；由于对立作用，在这火红光下有些明亮的部分也变成阴影了。在这环境中间所有阴影好像都不应当存在。不！这不是我们通常的燃烧发光体的辐射光！在这光中有一种不平常的精力和运动！这光，人们感到它是生动的！活泼的！
是的，这是海中点滴微虫和粟粒夜光虫无穷无尽的集体的结合，是有细微触须的真正透明小胶球，在三十立方厘的水中，它们的数目可以有二万五千。又因为有水母、海盘、章鱼、海枣以及其他发光植虫动物（满浸被海水分解了的有机物体的泡沫，或满浸鱼类所分泌的粘液）特别产生的微光，它们的光更加增强。
诺第留斯号在这种光辉的海波中浮游了好几个钟头，我看见粗大的海中动物，像火蛇一样在那里游来游去，我赞美的情绪更高涨了。
我看见在那里，在那不发热的火光中间，有许多美观、迅速快走的海猪，这是跑来跑去、不感到疲乏的海中丑角，有许多长三米的剑鱼，它们是大风暴要来的先知者，它们的巨大剑锋时常碰在大厅的玻璃上。然后又出现了那些比较小的鱼类，各种形样的箭鱼，跳跃的鳍鱼，人头形样的狼鱼，以及成千成百的其他鱼类，它们奔跑的时候，在这失明的大气中，画成带子一样的条条的花纹。
这种光辉夺目的景象真是迷人心神的魔法！是不是空气中的一些变化使这种现象更为加强呢？是不是海波上面发生了风暴呢？不过在水下几米的深度，诺第留斯号并不感到风暴的怒吼，它和平地在安静的海水中摆来摆去。；
我们就是这样行驶着，不断为眼前伪新奇景象所陶醉。康塞尔仍在观察，他把他的植虫类、节肢类、软体类、鱼类等搬出来加以分类。日子过得很快，我简直不能计算了。尼德•兰照他的习惯，总想法子把船上日常的事物变换一下。我们是真正的蜗牛，在我们壳中住惯了，我同时又要肯定，成为一个完全的蜗牛也并不是很难的事。
因此，这种生活在我们觉得是很方便，很自然，我们并不想象在地球面上还有另一种不同的生活，就在这个时候，发生了一件事情，使我们觉得我们所处地位的离奇古怪。
1月18日，诺第留斯号到了东经105度和南纬15度的地方。天气很坏，海上险恶，多风浪。大凤猛烈地从东方吹来。风雨表好几天以来就下降了，预告不久将有暴风和雨——海水和空气的恶斗。
我在船副来测量角度的时候，走到平台上。我等待他照平常的习惯，说每日要说的那句话。可是，那天，这句话被另一句一样不可懂的话所替了。我立即看见尼摩船长出来，眼睛对着望远镜，向天边隙望。
在几分钟内，船长站住不动，不离开他目标内的那个点。一会儿，他把镜子放下，跟船副交换了十多句话。船副好像情绪很激动，没有法子抑制的样子。尼摩船长比较有主意，神气很冷静。他好像提出了些反对的意见，船副带着肯定明确的语气回答他。至少，我是从他们的口气和他们的姿势作这样的了解。至于我，也细心地注视他们所指的方向，什么也看不见。夭和水完全清楚地相交在一条水平线上。。
但是，尼摩船长在平台的两极端间走来走去，没有留心我，可能没有看见我。他的脚步很坚定，但没有平时一样的规律。他有时停住，两手交叉在胸前，观察大海。他要在这个浩瀚的空间中找些什么呢？诺第留斯号这时距最近的边岸也已经有好几百海里了！
船副又拿过望远镜来，固执地搜索着天际，走来走去，不停地跺脚，他神经质的激动跟船长的冷静正成一个对比。
此外，这个神秘必须弄清楚，并且要很快弄清楚，因为船上得到尼摩船长的命令，机器增加推动力，机器转动更快了。
这个时候，船副重新又要船长小心注意。船长停下脚步来，把望远镜向所指的夭边一点了望。他观察了很久。至于我，心里很是纳闷，也想知道一些，我走下客厅，在厅中拿了我常用的望远镜，回到平台，扶在平台前头的突出部分，装设探照灯的笼间上，我就要打算望一望天际和海边的所有情景了。
但我的眼睛还没有挨到镜面上，望远镜就突然被人夺走了。
我转过身来，尼摩船长站在我面前，我简直不认识他了，他的面容完全变了。他的眼睛闪着阴沉的火光，从紧促的睫毛中露出来。他的牙齿半露，有些可怕。他直挺的身子，紧握的拳头，缩在两肩肿间的脑袋，证明他有了正从他全身发出来的强烈的仇恨。他站着不动。我的望远镜从他的手中掉下来，滚到他脚边。
是我无心引起了他的这种愤怒神气吗？是这个神秘不可解的人物认为我看出了诺第留斯号的客人不应当知道的某些秘密吗？
不！这仇恨的对象并不是我，因为他并不看我，因为他的眼睛仍然坚定不移地盯着夭际神秘不可知的那一点。
后来尼摩船长又有了主意，镇定下来。他的脸孔本来是变了样的，现在又跟从前一样地安静下来。他用神秘语言对船副说了几句活，然后转身面向着我。
“阿龙纳斯先生，”他语气相当激动地对我说，“我要您遵守您跟我约定的那一条款。”
“船长，是哪一条款呢？”
“您的同伴和您现在都要关起来，直到我认为可以让你们自由的时候为止。”
“您是主人，”我眼盯着他回答，“我可以向您提一个问题吗？”
“不，先生。”
听了这活，我没有可争论的，只有服从了，因为所有的抗拒都是不可能的。
我走到尼德•兰和康塞尔所住的舱房中，告诉他们船长所作的决定。读者可以想象加拿大人得到这消息时是怎样情形。此外，我们也没有时间对这事作解释。四个船员早就等在门口，他们领我们到我们第一夜在诺第留斯号船上住过的那个房间里。
尼德•兰想质问，但他一进来，门就关上了，当然也得不到回答。
“先生可以给我说明这是什么意思吗？”康塞尔问我。
我把事情的经过告诉了我的同伴。他们跟我一样惊奇，但也一样得不到解释。
同时，我作了无穷无尽的思考，尼摩船长面容上所有的那种奇异疑虑老是在我思想中纠缠着，解脱不开。我简直不能把两个合理的观念结合起来，我迷在最荒谬无理的假设中，这个时候，我被尼德•兰的下面一句话惊醒，从苦心思索中解脱出来了。他说：
‘瞧！午餐端来了！”
可不是，饭桌上都摆好了。显然是尼摩船长下了开饭的命令，同时他加大诺第留斯号的速度。
“先生答应我说句劝告的话吗？”康塞尔问我。
“你可以说，老好人。”我回答。
“就是请先生快用饭！这样比较妥当些，因为我们不切道会发生些什么事呢."
“你说得对，康塞尔。，
“很可惜，”尼德•兰说，“人们只 给我吃船上的菜."
“尼德好朋友，”康塞尔回答，“如果午餐完全没有，你又将怎样呢？”
这话把鱼叉手所有的恶骂都打断了。
我们坐在桌前吃饭，吃饭的时候大家都不大说话。我吃得很少。康塞尔因为一向谨慎，“勉强”吃。尼德。兰虽然不乐意，但嘴一下也没有停。午餐吃完后，我们各自靠着各人的座位。
这个时候，照亮这房间的光明球熄灭了，我们在漆一般的黑暗中。尼德•兰不久就睡着了，使我惊异的是，康塞尔也昏沉沉地人睡了。我心中正想他为什么这样迫切需要睡眠的时候，我感觉到自己的头脑也昏沉沉地麻痹起来了。我的两眼，我想睁着，但不由己地闭上了。一种错觉紊绕着我，使我感到不适。很显然，我们吃的饭里面杂了些安眠药。那真是要使我们不知道尼摩船长的计划，关起我们来不够，又要让我们好好安睡呢！
我听到嵌板关起来了。使入觉得微微转动的大海波动现在也停止了。那诺第留斯号是离开了洋面吗？它是回到了静止不动的水底下吗？
我要抗拒睡眠，两眼睁着。但不可能，我的呼吸逐渐细微了。我觉得一种厉害的冰冷冻住了我的沉重肢体，像瘫痪了的一样。我的眼皮变为真正的铅铁盖，盖住我的眼睛。我再也不能睁开了。一种病态的、满是错觉的昏睡侵占了我整个的身体。、不久，幻影隐没不见，我进入了完全的沉睡中。
Part 2 Chapter 1
We now come to the second part of our journey under the sea. The first ended with the moving scene in the coral cemetery which left such a deep impression on my mind. Thus, in the midst of this great sea, Captain Nemo's life was passing, even to his grave, which he had prepared in one of its deepest abysses. There, not one of the ocean's monsters could trouble the last sleep of the crew of the Nautilus, of those friends riveted to each other in death as in life. "Nor any man, either," had added the Captain. Still the same fierce, implacable defiance towards human society! I could no longer content myself with the theory which satisfied Conseil. That worthy fellow persisted in seeing in the Commander of the Nautilus one of those unknown servants who return mankind contempt for indifference. For him, he was a misunderstood genius who, tired of earth's deceptions, had taken refuge in this inaccessible medium, where he might follow his instincts freely. To my mind, this explains but one side of Captain Nemo's character. Indeed, the mystery of that last night during which we had been chained in prison, the sleep, and the precaution so violently taken by the Captain of snatching from my eyes the glass I had raised to sweep the horizon, the mortal wound of the man, due to an unaccountable shock of the Nautilus, all put me on a new track. No; Captain Nemo was not satisfied with shunning man. His formidable apparatus not only suited his instinct of freedom, but perhaps also the design of some terrible retaliation. At this moment nothing is clear to me; I catch but a glimpse of light amidst all the darkness, and I must confine myself to writing as events shall dictate.
That day, the 24th of January, 1868, at noon, the second officer came to take the altitude of the sun. I mounted the platform, lit a cigar, and watched the operation. It seemed to me that the man did not understand French; for several times I made remarks in a loud voice, which must have drawn from him some involuntary sign of attention, if he had understood them; but he remained undisturbed and dumb.
As he was taking observations with the sextant, one of the sailors of the Nautilus (the strong man who had accompanied us on our first submarine excursion to the Island of Crespo) came to clean the glasses of the lantern. I examined the fittings of the apparatus, the strength of which was increased a hundredfold by lenticular rings, placed similar to those in a lighthouse, and which projected their brilliance in a horizontal plane. The electric lamp was combined in such a way as to give its most powerful light. Indeed, it was produced in vacuo, which insured both its steadiness and its intensity. This vacuum economised the graphite points between which the luminous arc was developed--an important point of economy for Captain Nemo, who could not easily have replaced them; and under these conditions their waste was imperceptible. When the Nautilus was ready to continue its submarine journey, I went down to the saloon. The panel was closed, and the course marked direct west.
We were furrowing the waters of the Indian Ocean, a vast liquid plain, with a surface of 1,200,000,000 of acres, and whose waters are so clear and transparent that any one leaning over them would turn giddy. The Nautilus usually floated between fifty and a hundred fathoms deep. We went on so for some days. To anyone but myself, who had a great love for the sea, the hours would have seemed long and monotonous; but the daily walks on the platform, when I steeped myself in the reviving air of the ocean, the sight of the rich waters through the windows of the saloon, the books in the library, the compiling of my memoirs, took up all my time, and left me not a moment of ennui or weariness. For some days we saw a great number of aquatic birds, sea-mews or gulls. Some were cleverly killed and, prepared in a certain way, made very acceptable water-game. Amongst large-winged birds, carried a long distance from all lands and resting upon the waves from the fatigue of their flight, I saw some magnificent albatrosses, uttering discordant cries like the braying of an ass, and birds belonging to the family of the long-wings. As to the fish, they always provoked our admiration when we surprised the secrets of their aquatic life through the open panels. I saw many kinds which I never before had a chance of observing. {3 paragraphs are missing} From the 21st to the 23rd of January the Nautilus went at the rate of two hundred and fifty leagues in twenty-four hours, being five hundred and forty miles, or twenty-two miles an hour. If we recognised so many different varieties of fish, it was because, attracted by the electric light, they tried to follow us; the greater part, however, were soon distanced by our speed, though some kept their place in the waters of the Nautilus for a time. The morning of the 24th, in 12" 5' S. lat., and 94" 33' long., we observed Keeling Island, a coral formation, planted with magnificent cocos, and which had been visited by Mr. Darwin and Captain Fitzroy. The Nautilus skirted the shores of this deser
t island for a little distance. Its nets brought up numerous specimens of polypi and curious shells of mollusca. {one sentence stripped here} Soon Keeling Island disappeared from the horizon, and our course was directed to the north-west in the direction of the Indian Peninsula. From Keeling Island our course was slower and more variable, often taking us into great depths. Several times they made use of the inclined planes, which certain internal levers placed obliquely to the waterline. In that way we went about two miles, but without ever obtaining the greatest depths of the Indian Sea, which soundings of seven thousand fathoms have never reached. As to the temperature of the lower strata, the thermometer invariably indicated 4" above zero. I only observed that in the upper regions the water was always colder in the high levels than at the surface of the sea.
On the 25th of January the ocean was entirely deserted; the Nautilus passed the day on the surface, beating the waves with its powerful screw and making them rebound to a great height. Who under such circumstances would not have taken it for a gigantic cetacean? Three parts of this day I spent on the platform. I watched the sea. Nothing on the horizon, till about four o'clock a steamer running west on our counter. Her masts were visible for an instant, but she could not see the Nautilus, being too low in the water. I fancied this steamboat belonged to the P.O. Company, which runs from Ceylon to Sydney, touching at King George's Point and Melbourne. At five o'clock in the evening, before that fleeting twilight which binds night to day in tropical zones, Conseil and I were astonished by a curious spectacle.
It was a shoal of argonauts travelling along on the surface of the ocean. We could count several hundreds. They belonged to the tubercle kind which are peculiar to the Indian seas.
These graceful molluscs moved backwards by means of their locomotive tube, through which they propelled the water already drawn in. Of their eight tentacles, six were elongated, and stretched out floating on the water, whilst the other two, rolled up flat, were spread to the wing like a light sail. I saw their spiral-shaped and fluted shells, which Cuvier justly compares to an elegant skiff. A boat indeed! It bears the creature which secretes it without its adhering to it. For nearly an hour the Nautilus floated in the midst of this shoal of molluscs. Then I know not what sudden fright they took. But as if at a signal every sail was furled, the arms folded, the body drawn in, the shells turned over, changing their centre of gravity, and the whole fleet disappeared under the waves. Never did the ships of a squadron manoeuvre with more unity. At that moment night fell suddenly, and the reeds, scarcely raised by the breeze, lay peaceably under the sides of the Nautilus. The next day, 26th of January, we cut the equator at the eighty-second meridian and entered the northern hemisphere. During the day a formidable troop of sharks accompanied us, terrible creatures, which multiply in these seas and make them very dangerous. They were "cestracio philippi" sharks, with brown backs and whitish bellies, armed with eleven rows of teeth-eyed sharks--their throat being marked with a large black spot surrounded with white like an eye. There were also some Isabella sharks, with rounded snouts marked with dark spots. These powerful creatures often hurled themselves at the windows of the saloon with such violence as to make us feel very insecure. At such times Ned Land was no longer master of himself. He wanted to go to the surface and harpoon the monsters, particularly certain smooth-hound sharks, whose mouth is studded with teeth like a mosaic; and large tiger-sharks nearly six yards long, the last named of which seemed to excite him more particularly. But the Nautilus, accelerating her speed, easily left the most rapid of
them behind.
The 27th of January, at the entrance of the vast Bay of Bengal, we met repeatedly a forbidding spectacle, dead bodies floating on the surface of the water. They were the dead of the Indian villages, carried by the Ganges to the level of the sea, and which the vultures, the only undertakers of the country, had not been able to devour. But the sharks did not fail to help them at their funeral work. About seven o'clock in the evening, the Nautilus, half-immersed, was sailing in a sea of milk. At first sight the ocean seemed lactified. Was it the effect of the lunar rays? No; for the moon, scarcely two days old, was still lying hidden under the horizon in the rays of the sun. The whole sky, though lit by the sidereal rays, seemed black by contrast with the whiteness of the waters.
Conseil could not believe his eyes, and questioned me as to the cause of this strange phenomenon. Happily I was able to answer him. "It is called a milk sea," I explained. "A large extent of white wavelets often to be seen on the coasts of Amboyna, and in these parts of the sea." "But, sir," said Conseil, "can you tell me what causes such an effect? for I suppose the water is not really turned into milk." "No, my boy; and the whiteness which surprises you is caused only by the presence of myriads of infusoria, a sort of luminous little worm, gelatinous and without colour, of the thickness of a hair, and whose length is not more than seven-thousandths of an inch. These insects adhere to one another sometimes for several leagues." "Several leagues!" exclaimed Conseil. "Yes, my boy; and you need not try to compute the number of these infusoria. You will not be able, for, if I am not mistaken, ships have floated on these milk seas for more than forty miles." Towards midnight the sea suddenly resumed its usual colour; but behind us, even to the limits of the horizon, the sky reflected the whitened waves, and for a long time seemed impregnated with the vague glimmerings of an aurora borealis.
这次海底旅行的第二部分现在开始了。第一部分在珊瑚墓地动人的场面上结束，在我心中留下很深刻的印象。
看来尼摩船长的生活是完全在那无边大海中间度过的，甚至他的坟墓，他都在最秘密的深渊中预备好了。那里，不会有这样或那样的海怪来扰乱诺第留斯号船员的长眠。这些船员共命运，同生死。在那儿“也不会有一个生人来扰乱！”
尼摩船长又补充了这一句。
他对人类社会总是表示那样的不信任，倔强，坚决，这是一种无可妥协的不信任。
对我来说，我再也不能满足于康塞尔的那些说法了，虽然这个老实人仍坚持他的看法，认为诺第留斯号的船长是被埋没的一位学者，是拿蔑视来回答人世冷淡的一位学者。
他还以为船长是一位不为人们所了解的天才，受不了人世的欺骗，不得已才逃避到这个他的本能可以允许他行动自曲而别人却不能到达的大海里来。但是，照我来看，这些说有一亿五千万公亩的广阔水面，海水十分澄清，低下头来望它的人都会感到头晕目眩。诺第留斯号通常是在水深一百和二百米间的地方行驶。好几天内都是这样。对于不十分爱海的人，定然觉得在船中的时间过得很长和非常单调，但对我来说就不同了，我每天在平台上散步，呼吸海洋的新鲜空气来锻炼身体。并通过客厅的玻璃观察物产丰富的海水景象，阅读图书室的书籍，写我的笔记，这样就消磨了我所有的时间，不让我有一刻的厌烦或无聊。
我们各人的健康情况都使人很满意。船上的饮食起居对我们也完全适合，在我个人来说，尼德•兰由于不满的无情而想法做出口味不同的菜，实在也用不着。还有，在海底经常稳定的温度下，甚至于伤风也不会有的。另外，法国南方称为“海茵香”的那种石蚕属的草树，在船上还储藏有相当数量，它跟那腔肠动物容易溶化的肉和起来，可以作为一种治疗咳嗽的优良药膏。
好几天内，我们看到了大量的水鸟，噗足鸟，大海鸥或海鸥。有些海鸟很巧妙地被打死后，用一种方法烹调起来，使人又尝到很可口的水禽野味。
诺第留斯号的鱼网打到好几种海龟，它们是海甲鱼属，背后隆起，龟甲很是宝贵。这些龟容易潜入水中，闭起鼻腔外孔的活肉塞，就可以在水中停留很久。有些海甲鱼被网打来的时候，它们还在甲壳中睡觉，那是为了要躲避海中动物的捕捉，这些甲鱼肉一般说是不好吃的，但甲鱼蛋却是美味的珍品。
至于鱼类，当我们从打开的嵌板窥见了它们的水中生活的秘密时，总是激起我们的赞美。我仔细地看好几种鱼。
这些鱼以前我一直没有机会观察过。
我主要想说的是红海、印度洋和近赤道美洲那一部分太平洋所特有的牡蛎类。这些鱼类跟甲鱼、执豚、云丹、甲壳类一样，保护它们身体的，不是白垩的，也不是石质的，而是真正骨质的甲壳。这种甲壳有时为立体三角形，有时为立体四方形。
我从助手康塞尔每天写的札记中。又可以举出这一带海中所特有的腹鱼类，比如红背脊，白肚腹的针鱼，这鱼很特别，它有三行纵列的线纹。还有长七英寸，颜色鲜艳的电鱼。其次，作为其他鱼属的标本，可以举出类似黑褐色蛋时卵形鱼，这鱼有白色的带纹，没有尾：鱼虎，这鱼是真正的海豪猪，身上多刺，可以鼓起身子，变成一个满布尖刺的球；各海洋所同有的海马鱼，会飞的长嘴飞马鱼，这鱼的腹鳍很阔大，形状生得像翼一般，虽然不能高飞，但至少也能跳人空中：构形鸽子鱼，这鱼的尾上有许多鱼鳞的圆环；下巴很长的大颚鱼，这是长二十五公分，带漂亮颜色的美味好吃的鱼；灰白的美首鱼，这鱼的头部是高低不乎的；无数会跳的奇形鱼，这鱼身上带黑纹，长长的腹鳍，能以惊人的速度在水面上溜来溜去：美丽的风帆鱼，这鱼可以竖起所有的鳍，就像向着顺流扯起布帆来一样；华美的彩鱼，这鱼受大自然的特别优待，一身具有黄、天蓝、银白和金黄各种颜色；绒翼鱼，这鱼的翼全由丝条组成；老是沾上污泥的刺鳍鱼，这鱼发出蟋嗦的声音；海幼鱼，这鱼的肝被认为有毒；波帝鱼，这鱼在眼睛上戴有一个会动的眼罩，最后，管状的长嘴哨子…鱼，这鱼是真正的海中家雀，带有一支枪，夏斯包式和雷明答式枪的制造者所没有想到的一种枪，射出一滴水就可以把昆虫打死。
拉色别德所分类的第八十九种鱼属，属于骨质鱼类的第二亚纲，特征为有一个鳃盖和一块鳃膜，在这个属里我看到有蝎子鱼，这鱼的头上有尖刺，只有一个脊绪，这些鱼按照所属的不同亚属，细小的鳞或有或没有。第二亚属中有一些两指鱼的品种、这鱼长三至四分米，身上有黄色带纹，头的形状很是古怪。至于第一亚属，也有一些外号称为“海檐赊”的怪鱼品种，这是脑袋很大的鱼，头上有时带很深的皱纹，有时肿起一个一个的瘤，身上各处带利刺和疙瘩，有长短不一和看来很可怕的角’，身上和尾上满是鸡眼，这鱼的利刺刺人很危险，是使人讨厌、害怕的鱼。
从1月21日至23日，诺第留斯号每天二十四小时走二百五十里，即五百四十海里，也就是说每小时走二十二海里。我们所以能在走的时候认识各种各样的鱼，是因为这些鱼受电光的吸引，前来陪伴我们，大部分的鱼追不上船的速度，不久就落在后面，但有些鱼在一定的时间内仍然可以跟上来，在诺第留斯号附近的海水中浮游。
24日晨，在南纬12度5分，东经94度33分，我们望见了企林岛，这是造礁珊瑚浮起的岛，岛上有很多高大好看的椰子树，达尔丈和费兹一罗亚船长曾到过这岛。诺第留斯号在距离不远的水中沿这座荒岛的悬崖行驶。它的打捞机打了许多腔肠类和棘皮类动物，以及软体动物门的好些新奇介壳动物。不久，企林岛在天边看不见了，航行路线是指着西北，向印度半岛的尖端驶去！
那天，尼德•兰对我说：“到了有文化的地方了。这当然比巴布亚强得多，在巴布亚碰见的野蛮人比鹿还多呢！
教授，在这印度半岛的陆地上，有马路，铁路，有英国的、法国的和印度的城市。走五英里路，一定可以碰到一个本国人。嗯！跟尼摩船长不客气，离开他的机会，现在不是到来了吗？”
“不，尼德，不，”我声调很坚决地回答他，“像你们水手说的，让它跑去。诺第留斯号走近人居住的地方，它要回到欧洲去了，让它带我们去吧。一到我们的欧洲海中，我们要谨慎小心地出主意，决定我们要做的事情。并且，我想足摩船长不会让我们踏上马拉巴尔①或科罗曼德尔②海岸，像在新几内亚森林中一样去打猎。”
“那么！先生，我们不要他的准许不成吗？”
我不回答加拿大人。我不愿意争论。实际上，对于命运中所能有的一切机会，我心中都要尽力思考。难道不正是命运把我送到诺第留斯号船上来的吗？
从企林岛起，船行速度一般他说已慢下来。行程也比较任意，时常把我们拉到很深的地方去。船员使用了几次纵斜机板，船内部杠杆可以把机板对浮标线作倾斜的移动。
我们这样就一直到了二三公里深的地方，但对于这一万三千米的探测器都还不能达到底的印度海的深处，从未加以实测。至于低水层的温度，温度表老是不变地指着四度。
不过在上面水层中，我注意到，在深水处的水总比大海面的水寒冷。
1月25日，洋面完全荒凉，什么也没有，这一天诺第留斯号是浮出水面来度过的。强大的推进器搅动水波，把水流喷人高空。在这种情况下，人们怎么会不把它当作一条巨大的鲸鱼类动物呢？这一天四分之三的时间我都在乎台上。我远望大海。天边什么也没有，只在下午四点的时候•，有一艘长形的汽船，跟我们对渡而行，在西方行驶。这船的桅杆有一个时候可以看见，但它不可能看见紧挨着水面的诺第留斯号。我想这艘汽船是属于印度半岛和东方航线轮船公司的，它航行于锡兰岛和悉尼之间，中途停泊在佐治玉呷和墨尔本港。
下午五点的时候，在热带地方白天和黑夜之间的短暂的黄昏来临之前，康塞尔和我看到一个新奇的景象，使我们惊叹。
那是一种迷人的动物，照古代人的说法，碰见它，就预告将有好运气到来。亚里士多德，雅典尼③，普林尼，奥比安②，研究过它的性情嗜好，并且使尽希腊和意大利学者们所有的诗词来对待它。他们称它为“诺第留斯”和“庞比留斯”。但近代科学没有接受这个名称，这种软体动物现在名为“阿哥那提”——肛鱼。这时候在洋面上走动的正是这肛鱼属的一群。在我们看来，有几千几万条。它们是带突瘤的肛鱼属，是印度洋特有的一种。这些美丽的软体动物是向后倒退来行动的，它们使用运动管，把吐出的水从管中排出，就走动起来了。它们有八根触须，其中六根又长又细，浮在水面上，其他两根弯圆作掌形，迎凤张开，像轻帆那样。
我完全可以看见它们的螺旋波纹的介壳，居维埃的比方很恰当，说这壳是一只精美的小艇。是的，这壳真正是一只小船，虽然它是这个动物分泌出来的，但它没有紧紧附着它，而是它把这动物装载在里面。
“肛鱼可以自由离开它的介壳，”我对康塞永说，“但它从不离开它。”
“尼摩船长就是这样，”康塞尔很恰当地回答，“所以称他的船为肛鱼号更恰当些。”
大约有一个钟头左右，诺第留斯号在这群软体动物中例行驶。一会儿，不知道发生了什么可怕的事情，突然把它：们吓住了。它们好像听到信号一样，所有的帆一下子都卷起来了，胳膊都收回去了，身体都缩起来了，翻倒的介壳改变了重心，整个队伍都沉在水波中不见了。这是一瞬间的事，从来没有一只舰队的演习能执行这么整齐划一的动作。
这时候，黑夜突然来临，微风仅能掀起一些海浪在诺第留斯号边缘下缓慢地推过去。
第二天，1月26日，我们在东经82度上穿过了赤道线，船又回到北半球了。
这一天，一大群鲛鱼陪着我们。这些可怕的动物在这一带海中繁殖，使这一带变成很危险的地方。其中有背脊栗子色，肚腹灰白色的烟色鲸，嘴里有十二排长牙；有睛点鲛，这鲛脖子上有一个大黑点。被白圆圈圈起来，很像一只眼睛；有淡黄蚊，嘴脸圆形，带有灰点。这些力大的动物时常冲撞客厅的玻璃，来势猛烈，使人害怕。尼德•兰情不自禁了。他要上水面去调叉这些怪物，尤其有一种鲨鱼鲛类。
嘴中有一列一列的牙，组成花纹一样，又有一种虎皮大蚊，长五米，特别刺激他，使他技痒，忍耐不祝但诺第留斯号增加速度，不久就把这些最炔的鲛鱼都甩在后面了。
1月27日，在广阔的孟加拉湾口，我们好几次碰见了凄惨怕人的景象！有很多尸体浮在水波上面。那是印度城市中的死人，从恒河流下，输送到大海，因为这地方的唯一掩埋者——骛乌——没有能完全吞食他们。但海中鲸鱼很多，可以帮助骛鸟来完成这件丧气事。
晚上七点左右，诺第留斯号在奶海里航行，船身一半在水里，一半露在水面上。一望无际的大洋呈乳白色。这是月光的力量吗？不是的，因为新月还不到两天，早在阳光中水平线下不见了。整个天空，虽然有星光照亮，但跟水上的白色对比，显得很黯淡。
康塞尔以为自己的眼睛昏花了，不敢相信，他问我这种新奇现象的原因。很幸运，我可以答得出来。
“这就是人们所称道的奶海，”我对他说，“是阔大的白色水流，时常在盎波尼岛海岸和这一带海中看到。”
“不过，”康塞尔问，“先生可以让我知道是什么原因产生这种效果吗？因为，我想这海水并没有变成奶呀！”
“不，康塞尔，这种使你惊奇的白色是由于水中有无数亿万的细微滴虫，那是一种发光的微虫，外形是胶质无色的，有一根头发那样厚，长也不超过一毫米的五分之一。这些微生滴虫在好几里长的海面上彼此连接起来、形成一片白色。”
“好几里长！”康塞尔喊道。
“是的，老实人、你不用去计算这些滴虫的数量。你一定算不出来，因为我听说过，某些航海家在这奶海上走了四十多海里远。
在几小时内，诺第留斯号的冲角冲开这白色水流，向前行驶，我看见它没有声响地在这肥皂泡沫的水面上溜过去，就像在海湾中、顺流和逆流相冲时所形成的水沫上面行驶那样。
半夜左右，海面忽然又现出乎常的颜色来，但在我们船后面，直至天边尽处，天空反映着水面的白色，很久都像受北极的模糊曙光澈照一样。
Part 2 Chapter 2
On the 28th of February, when at noon the Nautilus came to the surface of the sea, in 9" 4' N. lat., there was land in sight about eight miles to westward. The first thing I noticed was a range of mountains about two thousand feet high, the shapes of which were most capricious. On taking the bearings, I knew that we were nearing the island of Ceylon, the pearl which hangs from the lobe of the Indian Peninsula. Captain Nemo and his second appeared at this moment. The Captain glanced at the map. Then turning to me, said: "The Island of Ceylon, noted for its pearl-fisheries. Would you like to visit one of them, M. Aronnax?" "Certainly, Captain." "Well, the thing is easy. Though, if we see the fisheries, we shall not see the fishermen. The annual exportation has not yet begun. Never mind, I will give orders to make for the Gulf of Manaar, where we shall arrive in the night." The Captain said something to his second, who immediately went out. Soon the Nautilus returned to her native element, and the manometer showed that she was about thirty feet deep. "Well, sir," said Captain Nemo, "you and your companions shall visit the Bank of Manaar, and if by chance some fisherman should be there, we shall see him at work." "Agreed, Captain!" "By the bye, M. Aronnax you are not afraid of sharks?" "Sharks!" exclaimed I.
This question seemed a very hard one. "Well?" continued Captain Nemo. "I admit, Captain, that I am not yet very familiar with that kind of fish." "We are accustomed to them," replied Captain Nemo, "and in time you will be too. However, we shall be armed, and on the road we may be able to hunt some of the tribe. It is interesting. So, till to-morrow, sir, and early." This said in a careless tone, Captain Nemo left the saloon. Now, if you were invited to hunt the bear in the mountains of Switzerland, what would you say? "Very well! to-morrow we will go and hunt the bear." If you were asked to hunt the lion in the plains of Atlas, or the tiger in the Indian jungles, what would you say? "Ha! ha! it seems we are going to hunt the tiger or the lion!" But when you are invited to hunt the shark in its natural element, you would perhaps reflect before accepting the invitation. As for myself, I passed my hand over my forehead, on which stood large drops of cold perspiration. "Let us reflect," said I, "and take our time. Hunting otters in submarine forests, as we did in the Island of Crespo, will pass; but going up and down at the bottom of the sea, where one is almost certain to meet sharks, is quite another thing! I know well that in certain countries, particularly in the Andaman Islands, the negroes never hesitate to attack them with a dagger in one hand and a running noose in the other; but I also know that few who affront those creatures ever return alive. However, I am not a negro, and if I were I think a little hesitation in this case would not be ill-timed." At this moment Conseil and the Canadian entered, quite composed, and even joyous. They knew not what awaited them. "Faith, sir," said Ned Land, "your Captain Nemo--the devil take him!-has just made us a very pleasant offer." "Ah!" said I, "you know?" "If agreeable to you, sir," interrupted Conseil, "the commander of the Nautilus has invited us to visit the magnificent Ceylon fisheries to-morrow, in your company; he did it kindly, and behaved like a real ge
ntleman." "He said nothing more?" "Nothing more, sir, except that he had already spoken to you of this little walk." "Sir," said Conseil, "would you give us some details of the pearl fishery?" "As to the fishing itself," I asked, "or the incidents, which?" "On the fishing," replied the Canadian; "before entering upon the ground, it is as well to know something about it." "Very well; sit down, my friends, and I will teach you." Ned and Conseil seated themselves on an ottoman, and the first thing the Canadian asked was: "Sir, what is a pearl?" "My worthy Ned," I answered, "to the poet, a pearl is a tear of the sea; to the Orientals, it is a drop of dew solidified; to the ladies, it is a jewel of an oblong shape, of a brilliancy of mother-of-pearl substance, which they wear on their fingers, their necks, or their ears; for the chemist it is a mixture of phosphate and carbonate of lime, with a little gelatine; and lastly, for naturalists, it is simply a morbid secretion of the organ that produces the mother-of-pearl amongst certain bivalves." "Branch of molluscs," said Conseil. "Precisely so, my learned Conseil; and, amongst these testacea the earshell, the tridacnae, the turbots, in a word, all those which secrete mother-of-pearl, that is, the blue, bluish, violet, or white substance which lines the interior of their shells, are capable of producing pearls." "Mussels too?" asked the Canadian. "Yes, mussels of certain waters in Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Saxony, Bohemia, and France." "Good! For the future I shall pay attention," replied the Canadian. "But," I continued, "the particular mollusc which secretes the pearl is the pearl-oyster. The pearl is nothing but a formation deposited in a globular form, either adhering to the oyster-shell or buried in the folds of the creature. On the shell it is fast: in the flesh it is loose; but always has for a kernel a small hard substance, maybe a barren egg, maybe a grain of sand, around which the pearly matter deposits itself year after year successively, and by thin concen
tric layers." {this paragraph is edited} "Are many pearls found in the same oyster?" asked Conseil. "Yes, my boy. Some are a perfect casket. One oyster has been mentioned, though I allow myself to doubt it, as having contained no less than a hundred and fifty sharks." "A hundred and fifty sharks!" exclaimed Ned Land. "Did I say sharks?" said I hurriedly. "I meant to say a hundred and fifty pearls. Sharks would not be sense." "Certainly not," said Conseil; "but will you tell us now by what means they extract these pearls?" "They proceed in various ways. When they adhere to the shell, the fishermen often pull them off with pincers; but the most common way is to lay the oysters on mats of the seaweed which covers the banks. Thus they die in the open air; and at the end of ten days they are in a forward state of decomposition. They are then plunged into large reservoirs of sea-water; then they are opened and washed." "The price of these pearls varies according to their size?" asked Conseil. "Not only according to their size," I answered, "but also according to their shape, their water (that is, their colour), and their lustre: that is, that bright and diapered sparkle which makes them so charming to the eye. The most beautiful are called virgin pearls, or paragons. They are formed alone in the tissue of the mollusc, are white, often opaque, and sometimes have the transparency of an opal; they are generally round or oval. The round are made into bracelets, the oval into pendants, and, being more precious, are sold singly. Those adhering to the shell of the oyster are more irregular in shape, and are sold by weight. Lastly, in a lower order are classed those small pearls known under the name of seed-pearls; they are sold by measure, and are especially used in embroidery for church ornaments." "But," said Conseil, "is this pearl-fishery dangerous?" "No," I answered, quickly; "particularly if certain precautions are taken." "What does one risk in such a calling?" said Ned Land, "the swallowing of some mouthfuls 
of sea-water?" "As you say, Ned. By the bye," said I, trying to take Captain Nemo's careless tone, "are you afraid of sharks, brave Ned?" "I!" replied the Canadian; "a harpooner by profession? It is my trade to make light of them." "But," said I, "it is not a question of fishing for them with an iron-swivel, hoisting them into the vessel, cutting off their tails with a blow of a chopper, ripping them up, and throwing their heart into the sea!" "Then, it is a question of----" "Precisely." "In the water?" "In the water." "Faith, with a good harpoon! You know, sir, these sharks are ill-fashioned beasts. They turn on their bellies to seize you, and in that time----" Ned Land had a way of saying "seize" which made my blood run cold. "Well, and you, Conseil, what do you think of sharks?" "Me!" said Conseil. "I will be frank, sir." "So much the better," thought I. "If you, sir, mean to face the sharks, I do not see why your faithful servant should not face them with you."
1月28日正午，当诺第留斯号浮上水面来的时候，它在北纬9度4分，望见西边八海里远有一块陆地。我首先注意一群山岭，这群山岭约二千英尺高，山形起伏，很不整齐。测定了这陆地的方位后，我回到客厅中，把测好的经纬度跟地图一对时，我发现我们是在锡兰岛面前了，它是挂在印度半岛下端的一颗宝珠。
我到图书室去找一部关于这座岛的著作，它是地球上的岛屿中最富饶的一个岛。我正好找到西尔所写、题名为《锡兰和锡兰人>的一部书。回到客厅中来，我首先记下锡兰的方位，并且知道古时候这岛有各种不同的名称。它的位置是在北纬5度55分和9度49分2red，东经79度42分和82度4分之间，“岛长二百七十五英里，最宽的地方一瓦五十英里，周围丸首英里，面积二万四千四百四十八平方英里，就是说，比爱尔兰岛面积小一些尼摩船长和他的副手这时候进来了。船长在地图上看了一下，然后回过来对我说：”“锡兰岛：是以采珍珠闻名的地方。柯龙纳斯先生，您高兴去看采珠场吗？”
“船长，当然高兴。”
“好，这是容易的事。不过，我们仅能看到采珠场，却看不见采珠人。每年定期的采珠现在还没有开始。但这没关系。我吩咐船驶到马纳尔湾，夜间我们就可以到达。”
船长对船副说了几句话，船副立即出去。不久诺第留斯号潜入水中，压力表指出它是在水深三十英尺的地方。
面前摆着地图，我找马纳尔湾。我在锡兰岛的西北海岸，纬度9度上找到了。这海湾由马纳尔小岛的延长海岸线所形成。要到这湾，必须上溯锡兰岛整个西部海岸。
“教授，”尼摩船长这时说话了，“在孟加拉湾，在印度海，在中国海和日本海，在美洲南部的海，在巴拿马湾，在加利福尼亚湾，都有人采珍珠，但采珠成绩最优良的地方是在锡兰岛。我们来这里，时候是早了一些。每年三月采珠人才齐集在马纳尔湾，为期整整有三十天，他们的三百只船一齐做这种采取海中珠宝的有利事业。每只船有十个划船手和十个采珠人。采珠人分做两组，彼此轮流潜入水中，他们是用两只脚夹着一块很重的石头，再用一根长绳把他系在船上，他们下至十二米深的地方采珠。”
“那么，”我说，“他们总是使用这种原始方法吗？”
“总是使用这种原始方法，”尼摩船长回答我，“虽然这些采珠场是属于地球上最灵巧的人民一英国人——因为 1802年的阿米恩条约①把采珠场转让给他们了。”
。“不过，我觉得，像您使用的那种潜水衣对于采珠可以大有用处。”
“是的，很有用，因为那些可怜的采珠人不能在水底下留得很久，英国人培西华在他写的锡兰岛游记中，说有一个加非列利②人在水下留了五分钟，没有上水面来，这件事我觉得不甚可靠。我知道有些潜水人可以留到五十六秒，最有能耐的可以留到八十六秒，不过这种人是很少的，并且，回到船上来，这些可怜人的鼻孔和耳朵都流出带血的水来。。我认为这些采珠人可以留在水里面忍受的平均时间为三十秒，在这三十秒内，他们得赶快把自己采得的珍珠贝塞在一个小网中。一般的说，这些采珠人不能活得很久，他们的眼力很早就衰退，眼睛上发生溃疡，他们的身上有许多创伤，他们有时甚至于在水底下就中凤了。”
“是的，”我说，“这是一种凄惨的职业，这是为满足少数人的偏好的。不过，船长，请您告诉我，一只船一整天可以采得多少珍珠贝呢？”
“大约四万至五万左右。甚至有人说， 1814年，英国政府实行公营采珠，它的采珠人在二十天的工作中，一共采得七千六百万珍珠贝。”
“至少，”我问，“这些采珠人可以得到足够的工资吧？”
“哪能说足够呢，教授。在巴拿马，他们每星期得一元。
平常采到一个有珍珠的贝，他们才能得一分钱，何况他们采得的贝里面多数是没有珍珠的！”
“这些可怜人，使他们的东家发了财，自己只能在采封一颗有珠子的贝才得到一分钱！真可恨！”
“教授，就这样吧，”尼摩船长对我说，“您跟您的同伴们一同去参观马纳尔的礁石岩脉，如果有早来的采珠人已经在那里，那我们就看看他们采珍珠。”
“船长，就这么办吧。”
“请问一下，阿龙纳斯先生，您怕鲛鱼吗？”
“鲛鱼吗？"我喊。
这个问题，至少对我来说，没有兴味。
“怎样？”尼摩船长立即又问。
“船长，我老实对您说，我没有习惯跟这鱼打交道。”
“我们已经很习惯了，”尼摩船长回答，“过些时候，你们也会习惯的。此外，我们是带着武器的，这样，我们或者可以猎得一条鲛鱼。那是很有兴味的打猎。那么，教授，明天，明天一清早再会吧。"尼摩船长语气从容地说了这话，他就离开了客厅。
“我们要考虑一下，”我自言自语他说，“我们不要忙，到海底森林中打水獭，像我们在克利斯波岛树林中做的那样。
可以去。但是，跑到海底下去，准知道会不会碰到鲛鱼，那就不一样了！”
我于是幻想着鲛鱼了，想到它阔大的；有一排一排尖科牙齿的牙床，一下就可以把人咬为两段，我腰上已经感到有点痛了。其次，尼摩船长提出这次令人为难的邀请时，他那种满不在乎的样子，我简直猜不透！人们不是要以为这就等于要到树下去捉一只不咬人的狐狸那样容易吗？我心中想：“不错！康塞尔一定不愿意参加，这样我就可以有借口不去奉陪船长了。”至于尼德•兰，我老实说，我觉得他去不去就不大靠得祝不管怎么大的危险，对于他的战斗性总有一种诱惑力。
我又拿西尔的书来读，但我只是无心地翻一翻。我在书中的字里行间，看见那大大张开的怕人的牙床。这时候，康塞尔和尼德•兰，神气安静，并且快活地走进来。他们不知道有什么等待着他们。“好哇，”尼德•兰对我说，“先生，您那尼摩船长——一个鬼物！——向我们作了一个很客气。
的提议。”
“啊！"我说，“你们知道……”
“对不起先生，”康塞尔回答，“诺第留斯号船长请我们明天跟先生一齐去参观锡兰岛很好看的采珠常他说的话很漂亮，简直是一位地道的绅士。”
“他对你们没有说别的吗？”
“先生，”加拿大人回答，“除了他已经给您讲过的这次散步外，什么也没有说。”
“是的，”我说，“他没有对你们介绍详细的情形，关于。.."“没有，生物学家。您跟我们一同去，是吗？，“我……当然！兰师傅，我觉得您对这事很有兴趣。”
“对了！这事很新奇，十分新奇。”
“或者很危险呢！”我用暗示的语气又加上一句。
“很危险！”尼德•兰回答，“到珍珠贝礁石上走一走！”
一定是尼摩船长认为没有必要让我的同伴想到鲛鱼，“所以他不对他们说。我眼光有些慌张地注视他们，好像他•们的肢体已经被咬走了一部分似的。我应该事先通知他们吗？当然应该的，不过我不知道怎样跟他们说才好。
“先生，”康塞尔对我说，“先生愿意给我们讲一些关于采珍珠的情形吗？”
“是讲采珍珠这事情本身呢，”我问，“还是讲有关•…•。
的故事呢？”
“讲采珍珠的事情，"加拿大人回答，“到实地去看之前，先知道一点是好的。”
“好吧，朋友们，你们坐下，我从英国人西尔写的书中所知道的一切，都讲给你们听吧。"尼德•兰和康塞尔在长沙发上坐下，加拿大人首先对我说：先生，珍珠是什么呢？"“老实的尼德，”我回答；“对诗人来说，珍珠是大海的眼泪；对东方人来说，它是一滴固体化的露水；对妇女们来说，它是她们带在手指上。脖子上或耳朵上的，长圆形，透明色，螺铀质的饰物；对化学家来说，它是带了些胶质的磷酸盐和碳酸钙的混合物；最后，对生物学家来说，它不过是某种双壳类动物产生螺钢质的器官的病态分泌物。”
“软体门，”康塞尔说，“无头纲，甲壳属。”
“不过，"我又说，一在体内能凝结成珍珠的最好软体动物，就是那珍珠贝，乳白珠贝，宝贵的小纹贝。珍珠不过是成为圆形的螺铀体的凝结物。它或者粘在珠贝的壳上，或者嵌在动物本身的皱折上。在介壳上的是粘着固定的，在肉上的是活动自由的。不过，珍珠总有一个小小的固体物，或一颗石卵，或一粒沙，作为它的核心，螺铀质在好几年中间连续不停地、薄薄一层地环绕着这核心累积起来。”
“人们可以在同一个贝中，找到好几颗珍珠吗？”康塞尔们“可以的、老实人。有些小纹贝，简直就是一个珍珠筐。"“有人甚至这样说，一个珍珠贝里面——这点我很怀疑：含有不下于一百五十个鲛鱼。”
“一百五十个鲛鱼？"尼德•兰喊。
“我是说鲛鱼来着吗？”我急忙喊道，“我是要说一百五十个珍珠。说鲛鱼那就没有意义了。”
“正是，”康塞尔说，“先生现在可以让我们知道用什么方法把珍珠取出来吗？”
“把珍珠取出来有好几种方法，珍珠粘在壳上的时候，采珠人就时常用钳子把它突出来。不过，最平常的办法是把小纹贝摊在海岸边的草席上面。它们这样摆在露夭中就死了，十天后，它们到了相当腐败的程度了；于是把它们浸在宽大的海水池沼里面，然后打开它们，洗刷它们。就在这个时候，进行双重的刮削工作。首先，把商业中称为‘真银白混杂白，和•混杂黑，的螺铀片一类一类分开，分盛在一百二十五公斤到一百五十公斤的箱子里。然后把珍珠贝的腺组织取开，把它煎煮，用筛子筛，把最小的珍珠都取出来。" "珍珠的价格是看它们的大小吗？"康塞尔问。
“不仅看它们的大小，”我回答，“并且看它们的形状，看它们的水质，就是看它们的颜色，看它们的明亮——也就是看那种迷人眼睛的变化不定的亮光。最美丽的珍珠称为童贞珠或模范珠；它们在软体动物的纤维上孤立长成；它们是白色的，时常不透明，但有的是蛋白的透明，最常有的形状是球形或梨形。球形的，做手锡；梨形的，做耳环；因为这是最宝贵的珍珠，它们论粒卖。其他的珍珠粘在贝壳上，形状比较不规律，它们论重量卖。最后，小珍珠是分在低级的一类，称为小粒。它们论堆卖。”
“不过，”康塞尔说，“采珍珠很危险吗？”
“不，”我急急地回答，“要是事前采取一些预防办法”，就更没有什么危险。”
“这种职业有什么冒险的呢？”尼德•兰说，“顶多喝几口海水罢了！”
“尼德•兰，就是跟你说的那样，”我也试用尼摩船长满不在乎的语气来说，“老实的尼德，我问你，你怕鲛鱼吗？”
“我，怕？"加拿大人回答，“职业的鱼叉手！捕捉它们是我的本行哩！"“我不是说拿大钩钩它们，，我说，“把它们拉到船甲板上来，用斧子砍断它们的尾巴，割开它们的肚腹，挖出它们的心肝扔到海里面去！”
“那是说，碰见……？”。
“正是。”
“在水中碰见吗？”
“在水中碰见。”、
“手拿一很好鱼叉，不：先生，您知道，鲛鱼的形态是夭生有缺点的。它们要咬人的话，先得把肚子翻转，倒过身子来，在这个时候……”尼德。兰带某种口气说出这个“咬”字，简直使人脊背上都发凉了。
“康塞尔，你呢，你觉得鲛鱼怎样？”•“我对先生总是但白说实话的。”康塞尔说。
我心中想：“这样就好了。，
“如果先生去攻打鲛鱼，”康塞尔说，“我想性的助手有什么理由不跟他一起去攻打它们！”
Part 2 Chapter 3
The next morning at four o'clock I was awakened by the steward whom Captain Nemo had placed at my service. I rose hurriedly, dressed, and went into the saloon. Captain Nemo was awaiting me. "M. Aronnax," said he, "are you ready to start?" "I am ready." "Then please to follow me." "And my companions, Captain?" "They have been told and are waiting." "Are we not to put on our diver's dresses?" asked I. "Not yet. I have not allowed the Nautilus to come too near this coast, and we are some distance from the Manaar Bank; but the boat is ready, and will take us to the exact point of disembarking, which will save us a long way. It carries our diving apparatus, which we will put on when we begin our submarine journey." Captain Nemo conducted me to the central staircase, which led on the platform. Ned and Conseil were already there, delighted at the idea of the "pleasure party" which was preparing. Five sailors from the Nautilus, with their oars, waited in the boat, which had been made fast against the side.
The night was still dark. Layers of clouds covered the sky, allowing but few stars to be seen. I looked on the side where the land lay, and saw nothing but a dark line enclosing three parts of the horizon, from south-west to north west. The Nautilus, having returned during the night up the western coast of Ceylon, was now west of the bay, or rather gulf, formed by the mainland and the Island of Manaar. There, under the dark waters, stretched the pintadine bank, an inexhaustible field of pearls, the length of which is more than twenty miles.
Captain Nemo, Ned Land, Conseil, and I took our places in the stern of the boat. The master went to the tiller; his four companions leaned on their oars, the painter was cast off, and we sheered off.
The boat went towards the south; the oarsmen did not hurry. I noticed that their strokes, strong in the water, only followed each other every ten seconds, according to the method generally adopted in the navy. Whilst the craft was running by its own velocity, the liquid drops struck the dark depths of the waves crisply like spats of melted lead. A little billow, spreading wide, gave a slight roll to the boat, and some samphire reeds flapped before it.
We were silent. What was Captain Nemo thinking of? Perhaps of the land he was approaching, and which he found too near to him, contrary to the Canadian's opinion, who thought it too far off. As to Conseil, he was merely there from curiosity. About half-past five the first tints on the horizon showed the upper line of coast more distinctly. Flat enough in the east, it rose a little to the south. Five miles still lay between us, and it was indistinct owing to the mist on the water. At six o'clock it became suddenly daylight, with that rapidity peculiar to tropical regions, which know neither dawn nor twilight. The solar rays pierced the curtain of clouds, piled up on the eastern horizon, and the radiant orb rose rapidly. I saw land distinctly, with a few trees scattered here and there. The boat neared Manaar Island, which was rounded to the south. Captain Nemo rose from his seat and watched the sea. At a sign from him the anchor was dropped, but the chain scarcely ran, for it was little more than a yard deep, and this spot was one of the highest points of the bank of pintadines. "Here we are, M. Aronnax," said Captain Nemo. "You see that enclosed bay? Here, in a month will be assembled the numerous fishing boats of the exporters, and these are the waters their divers will ransack so boldly. Happily, this bay is well situated for that kind of fishing. It is sheltered from the strongest winds; the sea is never very rough here, which makes it favourable for the diver's work. We will now put on our dresses, and begin our walk." I did not answer, and, while watching the suspected waves, began with the help of the sailors to put on my heavy sea-dress. Captain Nemo and my companions were also dressing. None of the Nautilus men were to accompany us on this new excursion. Soon we were enveloped to the throat in india-rubber clothing; the air apparatus fixed to our backs by braces. As to the Ruhmkorff apparatus, there was no necessity for it. Before putting my head into the copper cap, I had asked the question of the Ca
ptain. "They would be useless," he replied. "We are going to no great depth, and the solar rays will be enough to light our walk. Besides, it would not be prudent to carry the electric light in these waters; its brilliancy might attract some of the dangerous inhabitants of the coast most inopportunely." As Captain Nemo pronounced these words, I turned to Conseil and Ned Land. But my two friends had already encased their heads in the metal cap, and they could neither hear nor answer.
One last question remained to ask of Captain Nemo. "And our arms?" asked I; "our guns?" "Guns! What for? Do not mountaineers attack the bear with a dagger in their hand, and is not steel surer than lead? Here is a strong blade; put it in your belt, and we start." I looked at my companions; they were armed like us, and, more than that, Ned Land was brandishing an enormous harpoon, which he had placed in the boat before leaving the Nautilus.
Then, following the Captain's example, I allowed myself to be dressed in the heavy copper helmet, and our reservoirs of air were at once in activity. An instant after we were landed, one after the other, in about two yards of water upon an even sand. Captain Nemo made a sign with his hand, and we followed him by a gentle declivity till we disappeared under the waves. {3 paragraphs missing} At about seven o'clock we found ourselves at last surveying the oyster-banks on which the pearl-oysters are reproduced by millions. Captain Nemo pointed with his hand to the enormous heap of oysters; and I could well understand that this mine was inexhaustible, for Nature's creative power is far beyond man's instinct of destruction. Ned Land, faithful to his instinct, hastened to fill a net which he carried by his side with some of the finest specimens. But we could not stop. We must follow the Captain, who seemed to guide him self by paths known only to himself. The ground was sensibly rising, and sometimes, on holding up my arm, it was above the surface of the sea. Then the level of the bank would sink capriciously. Often we rounded high rocks scarped into pyramids. In their dark fractures huge crustacea, perched upon their high claws like some war-machine, watched us with fixed eyes, and under our feet crawled various kinds of annelides. At this moment there opened before us a large grotto dug in a picturesque heap of rocks and carpeted with all the thick warp of the submarine flora. At first it seemed very dark to me. The solar rays seemed to be extinguished by successive gradations, until its vague transparency became nothing more than drowned light. Captain Nemo entered; we followed. My eyes soon accustomed themselves to this relative state of darkness. I could distinguish the arches springing capriciously from natural pillars, standing broad upon their granite base, like the heavy columns of Tuscan architecture. Why had our incomprehensible guide led us to the bottom of this submarine crypt? I was soon to know. Af
ter descending a rather sharp declivity, our feet trod the bottom of a kind of circular pit. There Captain Nemo stopped, and with his hand indicated an object I had not yet perceived. It was an oyster of extraordinary dimensions, a gigantic tridacne, a goblet which could have contained a whole lake of holy-water, a basin the breadth of which was more than two yards and a half, and consequently larger than that ornamenting the saloon of the Nautilus. I approached this extraordinary mollusc. It adhered by its filaments to a table of granite, and there, isolated, it developed itself in the calm waters of the grotto. I estimated the weight of this tridacne at 600 lb. Such an oyster would contain 30 lb. of meat; and one must have the stomach of a Gargantua to demolish some dozens of them. Captain Nemo was evidently acquainted with the existence of this bivalve, and seemed to have a particular motive in verifying the actual state of this tridacne. The shells were a little open; the Captain came near and put his dagger between to prevent them from closing; then with his hand he raised the membrane with its fringed edges, which formed a cloak for the creature. There, between the folded plaits, I saw a loose pearl, whose size equalled that of a coco-nut. Its globular shape, perfect clearness, and admirable lustre made it altogether a jewel of inestimable value. Carried away by my curiosity, I stretched out my hand to seize it, weigh it, and touch it; but the Captain stopped me, made a sign of refusal, and quickly withdrew his dagger, and the two shells closed suddenly. I then understood Captain Nemo's intention. In leaving this pearl hidden in the mantle of the tridacne he was allowing it to grow slowly. Each year the secretions of the mollusc would add new concentric circles. I estimated its value at L500,000 at least.
After ten minutes Captain Nemo stopped suddenly. I thought he had halted previously to returning. No; by a gesture he bade us crouch beside him in a deep fracture of the rock, his hand pointed to one part of the liquid mass, which I watched attentively.
About five yards from me a shadow appeared, and sank to the ground. The disquieting idea of sharks shot through my mind, but I was mistaken; and once again it was not a monster of the ocean that we had anything to do with.
It was a man, a living man, an Indian, a fisherman, a poor devil who, I suppose, had come to glean before the harvest. I could see the bottom of his canoe anchored some feet above his head. He dived and went up successively. A stone held between his feet, cut in the shape of a sugar loaf, whilst a rope fastened him to his boat, helped him to descend more rapidly. This was all his apparatus. Reaching the bottom, about five yards deep, he went on his knees and filled his bag with oysters picked up at random. Then he went up, emptied it, pulled up his stone, and began the operation once more, which lasted thirty seconds.
The diver did not see us. The shadow of the rock hid us from sight. And how should this poor Indian ever dream that men, beings like himself, should be there under the water watching his movements and losing no detail of the fishing? Several times he went up in this way, and dived again. He did not carry away more than ten at each plunge, for he was obliged to pull them from the bank to which they adhered by means of their strong byssus. And how many of those oysters for which he risked his life had no pearl in them! I watched him closely; his manoeuvres were regular; and for the space of half an hour no danger appeared to threaten him. I was beginning to accustom myself to the sight of this interesting fishing, when suddenly, as the Indian was on the ground, I saw him make a gesture of terror, rise, and make a spring to return to the surface of the sea. I understood his dread. A gigantic shadow appeared just above the unfortunate diver. It was a shark of enormous size advancing diagonally, his eyes on fire, and his jaws open. I was mute with horror and unable to move.
The voracious creature shot towards the Indian, who threw himself on one side to avoid the shark's fins; but not its tail, for it struck his chest and stretched him on the ground. This scene lasted but a few seconds: the shark returned, and, turning on his back, prepared himself for cutting the Indian in two, when I saw Captain Nemo rise suddenly, and then, dagger in hand, walk straight to the monster, ready to fight face to face with him. The very moment the shark was going to snap the unhappy fisherman in two, he perceived his new adversary, and, turning over, made straight towards him.
I can still see Captain Nemo's position. Holding himself well together, he waited for the shark with admirable coolness; and, when it rushed at him, threw himself on one side with wonderful quickness, avoiding the shock, and burying his dagger deep into its side. But it was not all over. A terrible combat ensued.
The shark had seemed to roar, if I might say so. The blood rushed in torrents from its wound. The sea was dyed red, and through the opaque liquid I could distinguish nothing more. Nothing more until the moment when, like lightning, I saw the undaunted Captain hanging on to one of the creature's fins, struggling, as it were, hand to hand with the monster, and dealing successive blows at his enemy, yet still unable to give a decisive one.
The shark's struggles agitated the water with such fury that the rocking threatened to upset me.
I wanted to go to the Captain's assistance, but, nailed to the spot with horror, I could not stir.
I saw the haggard eye; I saw the different phases of the fight. The Captain fell to the earth, upset by the enormous mass which leant upon him. The shark's jaws opened wide, like a pair of factory shears, and it would have been all over with the Captain; but, quick as thought, harpoon in hand, Ned Land rushed towards the shark and struck it with its sharp point.
The waves were impregnated with a mass of blood. They rocked under the shark's movements, which beat them with indescribable fury. Ned Land had not missed his aim. It was the monster's death-rattle. Struck to the heart, it struggled in dreadful convulsions, the shock of which overthrew Conseil.
But Ned Land had disentangled the Captain, who, getting up without any wound, went straight to the Indian, quickly cut the cord which held him to his stone, took him in his arms, and, with a sharp blow of his heel, mounted to the surface.
We all three followed in a few seconds, saved by a miracle, and reached the fisherman's boat.
Captain Nemo's first care was to recall the unfortunate man to life again. I did not think he could succeed. I hoped so, for the poor creature's immersion was not long; but the blow from the shark's tail might have been his death-blow. Happily, with the Captain's and Conseil's sharp friction, I saw consciousness return by degrees. He opened his eyes. What was his surprise, his terror even, at seeing four great copper heads leaning over him! And, above all, what must he have thought when Captain Nemo, drawing from the pocket of his dress a bag of pearls, placed it in his hand! This munificent charity from the man of the waters to the poor Cingalese was accepted with a trembling hand. His wondering eyes showed that he knew not to what super-human beings he owed both fortune and life.
At a sign from the Captain we regained the bank, and, following the road already traversed, came in about half an hour to the anchor which held the canoe of the Nautilus to the earth.
Once on board, we each, with the help of the sailors, got rid of the heavy copper helmet.
Captain Nemo's first word was to the Canadian. "Thank you, Master Land," said he. "It was in revenge, Captain," replied Ned Land. "I owed you that." A ghastly smile passed across the Captain's lips, and that was all. "To the Nautilus," said he.
The boat flew over the waves. Some minutes after we met the shark's dead body floating. By the black marking of the extremity of its fins, I recognised the terrible melanopteron of the Indian Seas, of the species of shark so properly called. It was more than twenty-five feet long; its enormous mouth occupied one-third of its body. It was an adult, as was known by its six rows of teeth placed in an isosceles triangle in the upper jaw.
Whilst I was contemplating this inert mass, a dozen of these voracious beasts appeared round the boat; and, without noticing us, threw themselves upon the dead body and fought with one another for the pieces. At half-past eight we were again on board the Nautilus. There I reflected on the incidents which had taken place in our excursion to the Manaar Bank.
Two conclusions I must inevitably draw from it--one bearing upon the unparalleled courage of Captain Nemo, the other upon his devotion to a human being, a representative of that race from which he fled beneath the sea. Whatever he might say, this strange man had not yet succeeded in entirely crushing his heart. When I made this observation to him, he answered in a slightly moved tone: "That Indian, sir, is an inhabitant of an oppressed country; and I am still, and shall be, to my last breath, one of them!"
黑夜来临，我睡了，睡得很不好。鲛鱼在我梦中起了重大的作用，我觉得把“超度”作为“鲨鱼”一词的语源③，说它对也行，说它不对也行。
第二天早晨四点，尼摩船长特别吩咐前来伺候我的管事人把我叫醒6我立即起床，穿了衣服，到客厅去。
尼摩船长在厅中等着我。
“阿龙纳斯先生，”他说，“您准备好了吗？
“准备好了。"
“请跟我来。"
“船长，我的同伴们呢？
“他们已经得到通知，等着我们了。"
我问：“我们不穿潜水衣吗？”
“不用穿了。"我不让诺第留斯号很接近海岸，我们是在马纳尔礁石岩脉的远处海上。不过我准备好了那只小艇，它可以载我们到下水的地点，让我们免走一段相当长的路程。艇中放了我们的潜水服装，到我们要作水底探访的时候，就穿戴起来。”
尼摩船长领我到中央楼梯，梯上通至平台。尼德•兰和康塞尔早在那里了，他们对于准备做的“海底游玩”很为高兴。诺第留斯船上的五个水手拿着桨，在紧靠着大船的小艇中等待我们。
夜色还很黑暗。片片的云彩遮满天空，只露出很稀微的星光。我两眼向陆地方面看，我只见一条摇曳不定的直线，封住了从西南到西北的四分之三的天边。诺第留斯号“鲨鱼”法语为rEqutn，是鲛鱼的俗称，它的语源有人认为是从拉丁语requiem（为死者超度的祈祷）转化过来，因为“鲨鱼、一词和“超度”一词最相近，人们就联想，“鲨鱼”是最凶恶的一种鱼，人被咬了。
就会丧命，只有作“超度”来祈祷他长眠了。这种解释很不可靠，所以作者说，找出这种语源学的说法，“说它对也行，说它不对也行".在夜间上溯了锡兰岛西部海岸，现在到了这海口的西边，或不如说，到了马纳尔岛陆地形成的这个海湾的西边。这里深水底下，罗列着小纹贝礁石岩脉，长度超过二十英里，真是采不尽的珍珠生产常尼摩船长、康塞尔、尼德•兰和我，我们坐在小艇后面、小艇挺长用手把着舵，他的四个同伴抉着桨，解了绳索，我们就离开大船了。
小艇向南驶去，艇中的潜水人并不急子下水。他们的桨使劲地在水中划，我注意到这是海军战舰上常用的方法。
每寸秒划一下。小艇在一定的速度上前进，水珠像熔铅散射出的液体一样，落在漆黑的水波中嘶嘶作响。•一阵不大的波浪从海面冲来，使小艇发生轻微的颠簸，有些浪花飞溅到它的前头。
我们沉默不作声，尼摩船长在想什么呢？可能在想现在靠近的陆地，他觉得自己太靠近陆地了，这正跟加拿大人的意见相反，加拿大人却觉得自己跟陆地相距太远了。至于康塞尔，他坐在那里什么也不理会，只是看着新鲜。
五点半左右，天边刚放出来的曙光把海岸的上层轮廓更清楚地衬托出来。在东边，海岸相当平坦，向南部分又有点突起。我们跟海岸相距还有五英里，它的边岸跟蒙蒙的雾水相混起来。在边岸和我们之间，海上什么也没有，没有一只船，没有一个采珠人。在这采珠人聚会的场所，是沉重的孤寂。本来尼摩船长已经向我说过，我们到这一带海中来早了一个月。
六点，天忽然亮了，日夜很快来临是热带地区特有的情形，这些地区是没有晨暖和黄昏的。太阳光线穿过堆在东方天边的云幕，灿烂的红日很快就升起来了。
我清楚地看见陆地，稀疏的树木散在各处。小艇向马纳尔岛前进，岛南部渐渐扩大。尼摩船长站起来，看一下海回。
他点一点头，锚就抛下去了，但铁链只下沉了一点，因为水底只有一米左右深、这里形成了一处小纹贝礁岩脉突起来的最高峰。小艇受了向大海方面排去的退潮力量，立即转过头来。“阿龙纳斯先生，我们到了，”尼摩船长说，“现在您可以看见这狭窄的海湾。一个月后，就在这个地方，无”数珍珠商的采珠船都齐集起来，船中采珠人要大胆去搜索的，也就是这一带的海水。海湾的地位优良，适合于这类采珠工作。它躲避了最强烈的风，海面也从没有很汹涌的波浪；对于采珠人的工作，这些都是很有利的条件。现在让我们穿起潜水衣，开始下水游览吧。”
我不回答他的话，我眼望着这可疑的海水，小艇中的水手帮着我穿很重的潜水衣。尼摩船长和我的两个同伴也穿起来。这次旅行，诺第留斯号的船员没有一人陪我们同去。
不久，我们的身体都装在橡皮胶衣里面，一直套到脖子处，背带也把空气箱绑在背上了。可是我们没有带兰可夫灯。我的头部还没有套进铜帽中的时候，我向船长提出灯的问题。
“兰可夫灯对我们没有什么用处，”船长回答，“我们不到很深的地方去，太阳光线就足以给我们引路了。并且，在这里的水底下面带着电光灯也是不妥当的。电灯光亮可能意外地惹来这一带海中的危险动物。"尼摩船长说这话的时候，我回过头来看康塞尔和尼德•兰，可是这两个朋友已经把脑袋装进金属的球帽里面去了。他们不能听见，也不能答话。我又向尼摩船长提最后一个问题，我问他：“我们的武器呢？我们的枪支呢？”
“枪支：有什么用？你们山中人不是手拿短刀去打熊吗？钢刀不比铅弹更可靠吗？这里有一把刺刀，把它挂在您腰带上，我们走吧。”
我看看我的同伴。他们跟我一样拿着短刀，此外，尼德•兰用手挥动一把鱼叉，这叉是他离开诺第留斯号之前放在小艇中的。
然后，跟着船长，我也戴起那沉重的铜球，我们的空气储藏器立即活动起来。
一会儿，小艇上的水手们把我们一个一个扶人水中，在一米半的深处，我们的脚踩在平坦的沙上。尼摩船长对我们做个手势，我们跟着他走，沿着逐渐下斜的坡道走，我们就没入到水底下了。
在水底下，缠绕我脑际的鲛鱼的念头没有了，我心中变得十分安静。由于动作方便，我增加了信心，水底下奇异的景象完全吸住了我的想象力。
太阳已经把足够的光度照到水底下来，最微小的物体也可以看见。走了10分钟后，我们到了五米水深处，底面差不多是平坦的。
在我们走的路上，一大群单鳍属的新奇鱼类，像沼泽地中的一群一群山鸡那样，飞一般地哄起；这种鱼没有其它的鳍，只有尾上的那一支。我认得其中的爪哇鳗，真正跟蛇一样，长八分米，肚腹苍白，很容易跟两测没有金线的海鳗相混，分辨不出来。至于躯体压缩作蛋形的硬鳍属中，我看到颜色鲜艳的燕雀鱼，脊鳍像镰刀一样，那是可以食用的鱼，晾干浸在盐水中，称为“卡拉瓦”的美味的好菜；其次为属于长轴属的土兰格巴鱼、全身披着上面有八条纵带的鳞的甲冗。
太阳陆续上升，照得水底更加明亮了乙地下也渐渐起变化。细沙地之后，接着是突起的岩石路，路上铺着一层软体动物和植虫动物形成的地毯。在这两门动物的品种中间，我看到壳很薄的大小不一致的胎盘贝，这是红海和印度洋特有的一种牡蛎；介壳圆形的橙色满月贝；突锥形贝；一些波斯朱红贝，诺第留斯号的美丽色彩就由这种贝供应的；多角岩石贝，长十五厘米，在水底下竖起来，像要抓人的手似的；角形螺贝，全身长着尖刺；张口舌形贝，鸭子贝，这是供应印度斯但市场的可以食用的蝇贝；带甲水母，发出微弱伪亮光；最后还看到使人赞美的扇形圆眼贝，像很美丽的扇子，是这一带海中最易繁殖的树枝形动物之一。
在这些活的植物中间，这些水甲虫的摇篮下面，有无数从伍不整齐的节肢动物跑动，特别多的是齿形蛙类，身上的甲壳作弯曲的三角形；有这一带海中特产的卑格鱼；有那可怕的单性鱼，形状非常难看。我好几次碰见了那种跟单性鱼一样难看的动物，就是达尔文曾经观察过的大蟹，大自然给了它一种本能和力量，可以吃椰子。它爬上海岸，爬到椰子树上把椰子弄下来，椰子掉下来的时候跌破了，它拿它的有力的钳把椰子剥开来吃。在这里明亮的水底下，这种蟹在走动的时候非常灵便。不可比拟。同时又有自由自在的鱼鳖类，就是常到马拉巴海岸的那一类，在动摇的岩石中间慢慢地爬走。、七点左右，我们终于到了小纹贝礁石岩脉上，岩脉上繁殖着不可数计的亿万珍珠贝、这些宝贵的软体动物粘附着岩石，它们被那些棕色的纤维结实地缚在石上，摆脱不开。从这点来看，珍珠贝甚至于不如谈菜，因为大自然还给淡菜有可能移动的能力。
杂色小纹贝，所谓珍珠母的两片介壳差不多相等，壳作圆环形，壳壁很厚，外表很粗，凹凸不平。有些珍珠母的外壳上面带一条一条的淡青色线纹，线纹尽头处有些发亮。
这是属于年轻一类的珍珠母。
别的珍珠母，表面上粗一点，黑一点，有十岁以上的年龄了，宽大可以到十五厘米。
尼摩船长用手指给我看一大堆小纹贝，我了解这个宝藏是采不尽的，因为大自然的创造力远远胜过人类的破坏本能。尼德•兰行使他的这种本能，急急把那些最好的珍珠贝塞到他身边带着的鱼网中。。
但我们不能停步。我们要跟着船长走，他好像沿着只有他才认得的小路走去。水底地面显然上升，我的胳膊有时候举起来，伸出在水面上了。其次，岩脉的水平面也任意地低下来。我们时常绕着切为一根一根的四角锥形的高大岩石走过去。在岩石的阴暗凹凸的地方，有粗大的甲壳动物，长长的爪架起来，好像一门大炮，眼睛不动，盯住我们。
在我们脚下，爬着无数的多须鱼、藤萝鱼、卷鱼类和环鱼类，它们在那里特别伸长它们的触角和卷须。
这时候，我们面前现出一个宽大的石洞，洞在满铺各种海底花草的岩石堆中。起初，我看这洞中很黑暗。照到这里的太阳光好像渐渐微弱，以至熄灭了。剩下的模糊的亮光只不过是浸在水里的光线罢了。
尼摩船长进入洞中。我们跟他进去。我的眼睛不久就习惯了这种并非漆黑的黑暗。我分辨出那些由天然石柱支架起来的、穹窿很宽大的形成轮廓的起拱石，这些石柱的宽大底座安在花岗岩的石基上，像托斯甘式建筑①的笨重石柱那样。我们的神秘带路人为什么拉我们到这海底下的地窖中来呢？我不久就明白了。
我们走下相当陡的斜坡，我们的脚踩踏了一种圆形的井底地面。到这里，尼摩船长停住了，他手指一件东西，但我还不能看清楚。
那是一只身量巨大的珍珠贝，一只庞大无比的车渠，一个盛一池水的圣水盘，一个超过两米宽的大钵，所以这只贝比诺第留斯号客厅中放着的还大。
我走近这出奇少有的软体动物面前。它的纤维带把它钉在花岗岩的石板上，附着这石板，它就在这石洞的平静海水中单独成长起来。我估计这只贝的重量有三百公斤。而这样一只贝可以有十五公斤的净肉，那就必须有一位卡冈都亚②的肚子才能眷食几打这样巨大的贝了。
尼摩船长分明是知道这只双壳动物的存在。他到这个地方来不止一次了，我想他带我们到这里来只是要给我们看一件天然的奇物。我搞错了。尼摩船长有特别目的，是为了解这车渠的情况而来的。
这只软体动物的两壳是半张开的。船长走向前去，把短刀插入两壳间，使它们不能再合拢。然后他用手把两壳边挂着的，作为这动物的外套的膜皮弄开。
在膜皮里面，叶状的皱纹间，我看见一颗可以自由掷动的珍珠，跟椰子一般粗大。它的球圆形状，它的完全透明：它的无比宝光，使它成为价值不可估计的稀有珍宝。我为好奇心所动，伸手去拿这珠，要掂一掂它的分量，摩摩它！
但船长阻止我，作个不要动的手势，他很快抽出他的短刀，让两片介壳立即合拢来。
我于是明白了尼摩船长的企图。把这颗珍珠塞在那只车渠的衣膜里面，无形中这珠就可以渐渐大起来了。每年，那软体动物的分泌物都在环绕珍珠周围的薄膜上累积起来。只有尼摩船长才认得这个天然的先比的果实在其中“成熟”的腔洞；又可以说，只是他自己把这颗珍珠培养起来，有一天他可以拿来摆在他那满自琳琅的陈列室中。甚至于，他可以照中国人和印度人的办法来决定一颗珍珠的生产。那就是把一块玻璃片和金属物塞人这软体动物的内部皱折里面，螺钢质渐渐把它包裹起来变成珍珠。不管怎样，把这珠跟我所认得的珠比较，跟船长所收藏的珠比较。
都是更为珍贵的。我估计这珠的价值至少是一千万法郎。
它是天然的奇珍异宝，不是奢侈的装饰品，因为，我想恐怕没有女人的耳朵能吃得住这颗大珠。
看完了这个胖大的车渠，尼摩船长离开石洞，我们走到小纹贝礁石上。在这些清澈的海水中间，还没有采珠人来工作，把水搅浑，我们真像闹着无事来此散步的人，我们各走各的路，随自己的意思，或停下，或走开。至于我自己，我已经不把那件由于空想所引起的十分可笑的事放在心上了。海底这时显然接近海面，不久，我的头离水面只有一米了。康塞尔走近我身边，把他的铜球帽贴着我的铜球帽，他挤弄眼睛，向我作个友谊的敬礼。不过这水底高原只有几米长，不久我们又回到“我们的”深水中。我想现在我有权利可以这样讲。十分钟后，尼摩船长忽然停住了。我以为他是停一下就要转回去。然而不是。他做个手势，要我们在一个宽大的窝里面，挨近他身边蹲下来。他用手指着水中的一点，我很注意地观察。
离我们五米的地方，出现一个黑影，下沉到底。使我害怕的鲛鱼的念头又涌现在我心中了。可是，这一次我又错了，在我们面前的并不是海洋中的怪物。
那是一个人，一个活人，一个印度人，一个黑人，当然是一个采珠人，一个可怜人，他未到采珠期就前来采珠了。我看见他的艇底。停泊在距他头上只有几英尺的水面上。他潜入水中，随即又浮上来。一块砸成像小面包一般的石头夹在两脚中间，一根绳索缚着石头，系在他的艇子上，使他可以很快地到海底下来。以上就是他所有的采珠工具。到了海底，约五米深左右，他立即跪下，把顺手拿到的小纹珠：贝塞人他的口袋中。然后，他上去，倒净口袋，拉出石头，又开始下水采珠，一上一下，只不过是三十秒钟。
这个采珠人看不见我们。岩石的阴影挡住了他的视线。并且，这个可怜的印度人哪能想到，在水底下有人，有像他那样的人，偷看他的动作，细细观察他采珠的情形呢？
好几次，他就这样的上去又下来。。每一次下水，他只采得十来个螺贝，因为螺贝被坚强的纤维带粘在岩石上，他要使劲把它们拉下来。而且这些螺贝中也还有多少是不含有他不顾性命危险来采取的珍珠呢！
我聚精会神地观察他。他的工作很规律地进行，在半小时内，没有什么危险威胁他。所以我就对这种很有兴趣的采珠景象习惯了，忽然间，在这个印度人跪在水底下的时候，我看见他做一个骇怕的手势，立即站起，使劲往上一跳。
要浮上海面去。
我明白了他的骇怕。一个巨大的黑影在这不幸的采珠人头上出现了。那是一条身躯巨大的鲨鱼，发亮的眼睛，张开的嘴巴，迎面斜刺地向前冲来了！我伯得发楞，甚至想动一动也不可能。
这个饥饿的动物，用力拨一下鳍，向印度人身上扑来，他躲在一边，避开鲨鱼的嘴，但没有躲开鲨鱼尾巴的打击，因为鱼尾打在他胸上，他翻倒在水底下。
这个场面不过是几秒钟的事。鲨鱼回来，翻转脊背，就要把印度人切成两半了，这时候，我觉得蹲在我近边的尼摩船长突然站起来。然后，他手拿短刀，直向鲨鱼冲去，准备跟鲨鱼肉搏。
鲨鱼正要咬这个不幸的采珠人的时候，看见了它的新来敌人，它立即又翻过肚腹，很快地向腊长冲来。
我现在还看见尼摩船长当时的姿态。他弯下身子，带着一种特别的冷静，等待那巨大的鲨鱼，当鲨鱼向他冲来的时候，船长非常矫捷地跳在一边，躲开冲击，同时拿短刀刺人鱼腹中。不过，事情并没有完，结果尚未分晓。怕人的战斗开始进行了。
鲨鱼这时可以说是吼起来了。鲜血像水流一般的从它的伤口喷出。海染红了，在这浑浊的水中，我什么也看不见什么也看不见，一直到水中露出明亮的地方的时候，我才看见勇敢大胆的船长，抓住鲨鱼的一只鳍，跟这个怪物肉搏，短刀乱刺鲨鱼的肚腹，但没有能刺到致命的地方，就是说，没有能刺中鱼的心脏。鲨鱼死命挣扎，疯狂地搅动海水，搅起的漩涡都要把我打翻了。
我很想跑去接应船长。但被恐怖慑住，不能挪动。
我两眼发直地注视着。我看见战斗的形势改变了。。船长被压在他身上的巨大躯体所翻倒，摔在水底地下。一会儿，只见鲨鱼的牙齿大得伯人，像工厂中的大钳一般，尼摩船长的性命眼看就要不保了，忽然，尼德。兰手拿鱼叉，转念之间，迅速向鲨鱼冲去，他投出可怕的利叉，打中了鲨鱼。
海水中散出一大团鲜血。海水受那疯狂得不可形容的鲨鱼的激打挣扎，汹涌地激荡起来。尼德，兰达到了他的目的。
这是鲨鱼的最后喘息了。被叉刺中了心脏，这东西在怕人的抽搐中作最后的挣扎，反冲上来，掀倒了康塞尔。
可是，尼德•兰立即把尼摩船长拉起来。船长没有受伤，站起来，走到那个印度人身边，急急把他和石头绪起来的绳索割断，抱起他，两脚使劲一蹬，浮出海面来。
我们三人跟他上来。意外得救的人，转瞬间，都到了采珠人的小艇上。
尼摩船长首先关心的事是要救活这个不幸的采珠人。
我不知道他是否可以成功。我希望他可以成功，因为这个可怜人浸在水中时间并不很久。但鲨鱼尾巴的打击可能是致命的重伤。’很运气，由于康塞尔和船长的有力按摩，我看见那不幸的人渐渐恢复了知觉。他睁开眼睛，看见四个大铜脑袋弯身向着他，他应该怎么惊奇，甚至于应该怎么骇怕呢！
特别是，当尼摩船长从衣服口袋中取出一个珍珠囊，放在他手中时，他心中会怎样想呢。这位水中人给锡兰岛的穷苦印度人的贵重施舍物，由一只发抖的手接过去了。在他惊奇的眼睛里表示出了救他的性命和给他财产的，一定是不可思议的超人的神灵。
船长点一点头，我们又下到小纹贝的礁石岩脉间，沿着原来跑过的路走去，走了半个钟头后，我们就碰上了挽在水底地面的诺第留斯小艇的铁锚。一上了小艇，各人有艇上水手的帮助，解开了沉重的铜脑盖。尼摩船长的第一句话是对加拿大人说的，他说：“兰师傅，谢谢您。”
“船长，那是我对您的报答，”尼德：兰回答，“我应该报答您。”
一个轻淡的微笑在船长的嘴唇间露出来，此外并没有——句别的话了。
“回诺第留斯号船上去。”他说。
小艇在水波上飞走。几分钟后，我们碰到浮在海上的那条鲨鱼的尸体。看到那鳍梢现出的黑颜色，我认出这条鲨鱼就是印度海中厉害怕人的黑鲨鱼，真正所谓鲨鱼的一种。它身长二十五英尺，它的大嘴占它全长的三分之一。
这是一条成年的鲨鱼，从它嘴里，在上颚上，有摆成等边三角形的六排牙齿，就可以看出来。
当我注视这个尸体时，十多条饥饿贪食的鲛鱼忽然在小艇周围出现，但这些东西并不理睬我们，全扑到死鲨鱼身上去，一块一块抢着吃。
八点半，我们回到了诺第留斯号船上。
在船上，我把我们在马纳尔一带礁石岩脉间旅行所遭遇到的事故细细回想一下。其中有值得注意的两点一定要握出来。一点是关于尼摩船长的无比勇敢，另一点是关于他对人类、对于逃到海底下去的这一种族的一个代表的牺牲精神。不管他怎么说，这个古怪的人还没有能完全斩断他爱人的心情。
当我把这一点向他提出来的时候，他口气稍微有些激动地回答我：“教授，这个印度人是一个被压迫国家的人民，我的心还在这个国家，并且，直到我最后一口气，我的心也是在这个国家！”
Part 2 Chapter 4
In the course of the day of the 29th of January, the island of Ceylon disappeared under the horizon, and the Nautilus, at a speed of twenty miles an hour, slid into the labyrinth of canals which separate the Maldives from the Laccadives. It coasted even the Island of Kiltan, a land originally coraline, discovered by Vasco da Gama in 1499, and one of the nineteen principal islands of the Laccadive Archipelago, situated between 10" and 14" 30' N. lat., and 69" 50' 72" E. long. We had made 16,220 miles, or 7,500 (French) leagues from our starting-point in the Japanese Seas.
The next day (30th January), when the Nautilus went to the surface of the ocean there was no land in sight. Its course was N.N.E., in the direction of the Sea of Oman, between Arabia and the Indian Peninsula, which serves as an outlet to the Persian Gulf. It was evidently a block without any possible egress. Where was Captain Nemo taking us to? I could not say. This, however, did not satisfy the Canadian, who that day came to me asking where we were going. "We are going where our Captain's fancy takes us, Master Ned." "His fancy cannot take us far, then," said the Canadian. "The Persian Gulf has no outlet: and, if we do go in, it will not be long before we are out again." "Very well, then, we will come out again, Master Land; and if, after the Persian Gulf, the Nautilus would like to visit the Red Sea, the Straits of Bab-el-mandeb are there to give us entrance." "I need not tell you, sir," said Ned Land, "that the Red Sea is as much closed as the Gulf, as the Isthmus of Suez is not yet cut; and, if it was, a boat as mysterious as ours would not risk itself in a canal cut with sluices. And again, the Red Sea is not the road to take us back to Europe." "But I never said we were going back to Europe." "What do you suppose, then?" "I suppose that, after visiting the curious coasts of Arabia and Egypt, the Nautilus will go down the Indian Ocean again, perhaps cross the Channel of Mozambique, perhaps off the Mascarenhas, so as to gain the Cape of Good Hope." "And once at the Cape of Good Hope?" asked the Canadian, with peculiar emphasis. "Well, we shall penetrate into that Atlantic which we do not yet know. Ah! friend Ned, you are getting tired of this journey under the sea; you are surfeited with the incessantly varying spectacle of submarine wonders. For my part, I shall be sorry to see the end of a voyage which it is given to so few men to make." For four days, till the 3rd of February, the Nautilus scoured the Sea of Oman, at various speeds and at various depths. It seemed to go at random, as if hesitating as t
o which road it should follow, but we never passed the Tropic of Cancer. In quitting this sea we sighted Muscat for an instant, one of the most important towns of the country of Oman. I admired its strange aspect, surrounded by black rocks upon which its white houses and forts stood in relief. I saw the rounded domes of its mosques, the elegant points of its minarets, its fresh and verdant terraces. But it was only a vision! The Nautilus soon sank under the waves of that part of the sea.
We passed along the Arabian coast of Mahrah and Hadramaut, for a distance of six miles, its undulating line of mountains being occasionally relieved by some ancient ruin. The 5th of February we at last entered the Gulf of Aden, a perfect funnel introduced into the neck of Bab-el-mandeb, through which the Indian waters entered the Red Sea. The 6th of February, the Nautilus floated in sight of Aden, perched upon a promontory which a narrow isthmus joins to the mainland, a kind of inaccessible Gibraltar, the fortifications of which were rebuilt by the English after taking possession in 1839. I caught a glimpse of the octagon minarets of this town, which was at one time the richest commercial magazine on the coast. I certainly thought that Captain Nemo, arrived at this point, would back out again; but I was mistaken, for he did no such thing, much to my surprise.
The next day, the 7th of February, we entered the Straits of Bab-el-mandeb, the name of which, in the Arab tongue, means The Gate of Tears.
To twenty miles in breadth, it is only thirty-two in length. And for the Nautilus, starting at full speed, the crossing was scarcely the work of an hour. But I saw nothing, not even the Island of Perim, with which the British Government has fortified the position of Aden. There were too many English or French steamers of the line of Suez to Bombay, Calcutta to Melbourne, and from Bourbon to the Mauritius, furrowing this narrow passage, for the Nautilus to venture to show itself. So it remained prudently below. At last about noon, we were in the waters of the Red Sea.
I would not even seek to understand the caprice which had decided Captain Nemo upon entering the gulf. But I quite approved of the Nautilus entering it. Its speed was lessened: sometimes it kept on the surface, sometimes it dived to avoid a vessel, and thus I was able to observe the upper and lower parts of this curious sea.
The 8th of February, from the first dawn of day, Mocha came in sight, now a ruined town, whose walls would fall at a gunshot, yet which shelters here and there some verdant date-trees; once an important city, containing six public markets, and twenty-six mosques, and whose walls, defended by fourteen forts, formed a girdle of two miles in circumference. The Nautilus then approached the African shore, where the depth of the sea was greater. There, between two waters clear as crystal, through the open panels we were allowed to contemplate the beautiful bushes of brilliant coral and large blocks of rock clothed with a splendid fur of green variety of sites and landscapes along these sandbanks and algae and fuci. What an indescribable spectacle, and what variety of sites and landscapes along these sandbanks and volcanic islands which bound the Libyan coast! But where these shrubs appeared in all their beauty was on the eastern coast, which the Nautilus soon gained. It was on the coast of Tehama, for there not only did this display of zoophytes flourish beneath the level of the sea, but they also formed picturesque interlacings which unfolded themselves about sixty feet above the surface, more capricious but less highly coloured than those whose freshness was kept up by the vital power of the waters. What charming hours I passed thus at the window of the saloon! What new specimens of submarine flora and fauna did I admire under the brightness of our electric lantern! The 9th of February the Nautilus floated in the broadest part of the Red Sea, which is comprised between Souakin, on the west coast, and Komfidah, on the east coast, with a diameter of ninety miles. That day at noon, after the bearings were taken, Captain Nemo mounted the platform, where I happened to be, and I was determined not to let him go down again without at least pressing him regarding his ulterior projects. As soon as he saw me he approached and graciously offered me a cigar. "Well, sir, does this Red Sea please you? Have you sufficiently obs
erved the wonders it covers, its fishes, its zoophytes, its parterres of sponges, and its forests of coral? Did you catch a glimpse of the towns on its borders?" "Yes, Captain Nemo," I replied; "and the Nautilus is wonderfully fitted for such a study. Ah! it is an intelligent boat!" "Yes, sir, intelligent and invulnerable. It fears neither the terrible tempests of the Red Sea, nor its currents, nor its sandbanks." "Certainly," said I, "this sea is quoted as one of the worst, and in the time of the ancients, if I am not mistaken, its reputation was detestable." "Detestable, M. Aronnax. The Greek and Latin historians do not speak favourably of it, and Strabo says it is very dangerous during the Etesian winds and in the rainy season. The Arabian Edrisi portrays it under the name of the Gulf of Colzoum, and relates that vessels perished there in great numbers on the sandbanks and that no one would risk sailing in the night. It is, he pretends, a sea subject to fearful hurricanes, strewn with inhospitable islands, and `which offers nothing good either on its surface or in its depths.'" "One may see," I replied, "that these historians never sailed on board the Nautilus." "Just so," replied the Captain, smiling; "and in that respect moderns are not more advanced than the ancients. It required many ages to find out the mechanical power of steam. Who knows if, in another hundred years, we may not see a second Nautilus? Progress is slow, M. Aronnax." "It is true," I answered; "your boat is at least a century before its time, perhaps an era. What a misfortune that the secret of such an invention should die with its inventor!" Captain Nemo did not reply. After some minutes' silence he continued: "You were speaking of the opinions of ancient historians upon the dangerous navigation of the Red Sea." "It is true," said I; "but were not their fears exaggerated?" "Yes and no, M. Aronnax," replied Captain Nemo, who seemed to know the Red Sea by heart. "That which is no longer dangerous for a modern vessel, well rigged, st
rongly built, and master of its own course, thanks to obedient steam, offered all sorts of perils to the ships of the ancients. Picture to yourself those first navigators venturing in ships made of planks sewn with the cords of the palmtree, saturated with the grease of the seadog, and covered with powdered resin! They had not even instruments wherewith to take their bearings, and they went by guess amongst currents of which they scarcely knew anything. Under such conditions shipwrecks were, and must have been, numerous. But in our time, steamers running between Suez and the South Seas have nothing more to fear from the fury of this gulf, in spite of contrary trade-winds. The captain and passengers do not prepare for their departure by offering propitiatory sacrifices; and, on their return, they no longer go ornamented with wreaths and gilt fillets to thank the gods in the neighbouring temple." "I agree with you," said I; "and steam seems to have killed all gratitude in the hearts of sailors. But, Captain, since you seem to have especially studied this sea, can you tell me the origin of its name?" "There exist several explanations on the subject, M. Aronnax. Would you like to know the opinion of a chronicler of the fourteenth century?" "Willingly." "This fanciful writer pretends that its name was given to it after the passage of the Israelites, when Pharaoh perished in the waves which closed at the voice of Moses." "A poet's explanation, Captain Nemo," I replied; "but I cannot content myself with that. I ask you for your personal opinion." "Here it is, M. Aronnax. According to my idea, we must see in this appellation of the Red Sea a translation of the Hebrew word `Edom'; and if the ancients gave it that name, it was on account of the particular colour of its waters." "But up to this time I have seen nothing but transparent waves and without any particular colour." "Very likely; but as we advance to the bottom of the gulf, you will see this singular appearance. I remember seeing the Bay of Tor entirely red, l
ike a sea of blood." "And you attribute this colour to the presence of a microscopic seaweed?" "Yes." "So, Captain Nemo, it is not the first time you have overrun the Red Sea on board the Nautilus?" "No, sir." "As you spoke a while ago of the passage of the Israelites and of the catastrophe to the Egyptians, I will ask whether you have met with the traces under the water of this great historical fact?" "No, sir; and for a good reason." "What is it?" "It is that the spot where Moses and his people passed is now so blocked up with sand that the camels can barely bathe their legs there. You can well understand that there would not be water enough for my Nautilus." "And the spot?" I asked. "The spot is situated a little above the Isthmus of Suez, in the arm which formerly made a deep estuary, when the Red Sea extended to the Salt Lakes. Now, whether this passage were miraculous or not, the Israelites, nevertheless, crossed there to reach the Promised Land, and Pharaoh's army perished precisely on that spot; and I think that excavations made in the middle of the sand would bring to light a large number of arms and instruments of Egyptian origin." "That is evident," I replied; "and for the sake of archaeologists let us hope that these excavations will be made sooner or later, when new towns are established on the isthmus, after the construction of the Suez Canal; a canal, however, very useless to a vessel like the Nautilus." "Very likely; but useful to the whole world," said Captain Nemo. "The ancients well understood the utility of a communication between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean for their commercial affairs: but they did not think of digging a canal direct, and took the Nile as an intermediate. Very probably the canal which united the Nile to the Red Sea was begun by Sesostris, if we may believe tradition. One thing is certain, that in the year 615 before Jesus Christ, Necos undertook the works of an alimentary canal to the waters of the Nile across the plain of Egypt, looking towards Arabia. It took four
days to go up this canal, and it was so wide that two triremes could go abreast. It was carried on by Darius, the son of Hystaspes, and probably finished by Ptolemy II. Strabo saw it navigated: but its decline from the point of departure, near Bubastes, to the Red Sea was so slight that it was only navigable for a few months in the year. This canal answered all commercial purposes to the age of Antonius, when it was abandoned and blocked up with sand. Restored by order of the Caliph Omar, it was definitely destroyed in 761 or 762 by Caliph Al-Mansor, who wished to prevent the arrival of provisions to Mohammed-ben-Abdallah, who had revolted against him. During the expedition into Egypt, your General Bonaparte discovered traces of the works in the Desert of Suez; and, surprised by the tide, he nearly perished before regaining Hadjaroth, at the very place where Moses had encamped three thousand years before him." "Well, Captain, what the ancients dared not undertake, this junction between the two seas, which will shorten the road from Cadiz to India, M. Lesseps has succeeded in doing; and before long he will have changed Africa into an immense island." "Yes, M. Aronnax; you have the right to be proud of your countryman. Such a man brings more honour to a nation than great captains. He began, like so many others, with disgust and rebuffs; but he has triumphed, for he has the genius of will. And it is sad to think that a work like that, which ought to have been an international work and which would have sufficed to make a reign illustrious, should have succeeded by the energy of one man. All honour to M. Lesseps!" "Yes! honour to the great citizen," I replied, surprised by the manner in which Captain Nemo had just spoken. "Unfortunately," he continued, "I cannot take you through the Suez Canal; but you will be able to see the long jetty of Port Said after to-morrow, when we shall be in the Mediterranean." "The Mediterranean!" I exclaimed. "Yes, sir; does that astonish you?" "What astonishes me is to think that we 
shall be there the day after to-morrow." "Indeed?" "Yes, Captain, although by this time I ought to have accustomed myself to be surprised at nothing since I have been on board your boat." "But the cause of this surprise?" "Well! it is the fearful speed you will have to put on the Nautilus, if the day after to-morrow she is to be in the Mediterranean, having made the round of Africa, and doubled the Cape of Good Hope!" "Who told you that she would make the round of Africa and double the Cape of Good Hope, sir?" "Well, unless the Nautilus sails on dry land, and passes above the isthmus----" "Or beneath it, M. Aronnax." "Beneath it?" "Certainly," replied Captain Nemo quietly. "A long time ago Nature made under this tongue of land what man has this day made on its surface." "What! such a passage exists?" "Yes; a subterranean passage, which I have named the Arabian Tunnel. It takes us beneath Suez and opens into the Gulf of Pelusium." "But this isthmus is composed of nothing but quick sands?" "To a certain depth. But at fifty-five yards only there is a solid layer of rock." "Did you discover this passage by chance?" I asked more and more surprised. "Chance and reasoning, sir; and by reasoning even more than by chance. Not only does this passage exist, but I have profited by it several times. Without that I should not have ventured this day into the impassable Red Sea. I noticed that in the Red Sea and in the Mediterranean there existed a certain number of fishes of a kind perfectly identical. Certain of the fact, I asked myself was it possible that there was no communication between the two seas? If there was, the subterranean current must necessarily run from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, from the sole cause of difference of level. I caught a large number of fishes in the neighbourhood of Suez. I passed a copper ring through their tails, and threw them back into the sea. Some months later, on the coast of Syria, I caught some of my fish ornamented with the ring. Thus the communication between the two was pro
ved. I then sought for it with my Nautilus; I discovered it, ventured into it, and before long, sir, you too will have passed through my Arabian tunnel!"
1月29日，锡兰岛远在天边看不见了，诺第留斯号的速度是每小时二十海里，驶人把马尔代夫群岛和拉克代夫群岛分开的弯弯曲曲的水道中。它又沿吉檀岛行驶，这岛原是珊瑚岛，1499年被法斯科•德•嘉马①发现，为拉克代夫群岛的十九座主要岛屿之一，位于北纬10度和14度 30分之间，东经69度和50度72分之间。
我们从日本海出发以来，到现在，我们已经走了一万六千二百二十海里，即七千五百里了。
第二天，1月30日，当诺第留斯号浮出洋面来的时候，看不见陆地了。船对着西北偏北方向，向阿曼海驶去，这海位于阿拉伯和印度岛之间，是波斯湾的出口。
很明白，波斯湾是不可能有出路的，是不能通行的海湾。那么尼摩船长带我们到哪里去呢？我说不上。这点）加拿大人很不满意，因为他那一天问我，我们要到哪里去。
“尼德•兰师傅，随船长的意思，他愿意带我们到哪里，我们就到哪里。”
“随船长的意思，”加拿大人回答，“那他可不能带我们走得很远哩。波斯湾是没有出路的，我们进去，我们不久就要从原路回来。”
"好吧！兰师傅，我们回来就是了，走过波斯湾，诺第留斯号要走红海，巴布厄尔曼特海峡总在那里，可以给它一条通路驶过去。”
“先生，”尼德•兰回答，“我用不着告诉您，红海跟波斯湾一样是没有通路的，因为苏伊土地峡还没有凿通，即使凿通，我们这只怪船，恐怕也不方便在这些有堤堰和闸口的水道间冒险吧。所以，红海并不是带我们回到欧洲的路。”
“所以，我只是说，我们可能要回欧洲去。”
“那您是怎么设想的呢？"
“我设想，走过阿拉伯和埃及一带的新奇海水后，诺第留斯号重回到印度洋：或者经莫三鼻给海峡，或者走马斯加’林群岛海面，驶到好望角。”
"到了好望角怎样呢？”加拿大人特别坚持地问。
"那么我们就要走入我们还不认得的大西洋了。朋友！
您对这种海底旅行感到疲倦了吗？您看见海底新奇的、时常变换的景象，难道无动于衷吗？对我来说，这种旅行将来差不多是没有人能做的了，要是这这样完结了，我真觉得十分遗憾。"“不过，”加拿大人回答，“阿龙纳斯先生，您知道我们被禁在这只诺第留斯号船上快要到三个月了吗？”
“不，尼德，我不知道，我不想知道，我不计日，我也不计“结论呢？”
“结论将有一夭到来。并且我们一点不能作主，我们现在讨论，完全无用。老实的尼德，如果您来跟我说：‘逃走的机会有了。’那我就来和您讨论。可是情形并不是这样，并且但白地对您说，我想尼摩船长可能永远不会冒险到欧洲海中去。”
在四天内，直至2月3日，诺第留斯号在不同速度和不同深度下走过了阿曼海。船好像是随意地行驶，因为它沿着走的航线很不一定，不过它从不越过北回归线。
离开阿曼海的时候，我们有一个短时间去认识马斯喀特城，它是阿曼地方最重要的城市。我很赞美它的奇异外表。但这仅仅是一瞬间的感觉，诺第留斯号不久就潜人这海面的深水中。、，随后，它在距岸六海里的海面，沿马拉和哈达拉毛一带的阿拉伯海岸行驶，这一带海岸线上有起伏不平的山岭，间有一些古代遗迹。2月5月，我们进人亚丁湾，这湾是巴布厄尔曼特长颈形海峡的真正漏斗，把印度洋的水倒流入红海中。
2月6日，诺第留斯号浮出水面，远远看见亚丁港，港筑在海呷上，一条很窄的地峡把它跟大陆连接起来。
我认为尼摩船长到了这个地方，一定要退回来，可是我错了，我很惊异，他并不这样做。
第二天，2月7日，我们走进巴布厄尔曼特海峡，这个’名字照阿拉伯语是“泪门”的意思。海峡二十海里宽，只有五十二公里长，对诺底留斯号来说。开足马力走过去，不过是1小时的事，但是我看不见什么，就是丕林岛也没有看到这岛是英国政府拿来使亚丁港的防卫更加巩固的。过多的英国船和法国船，从苏伊士到孟买、到加尔各答、到墨尔本到波旁、到毛利斯，都经过这狭窄的海峡，使诺第留斯号不慈浮出来。所以它很小心地只在水底下行驶。
到了中午，我们就走在红海里面了。
红海是《圣经》传说中的名湖，下雨也不凉爽，又没有一条大河流入，过度的蒸发使水量不断消失，平均每年有一米半厚的水面损失呢！真是奇怪的海湾，四面封闭，要是照一般湖沼的情况来说，应当早就完全干涸了。
我甚至于不想了解尼摩船长的意思，他为什么决定把我们带到这海湾中来。我完全赞同诺第留斯号进入红海。
它以中常速度行驶，有时浮出水面，有时潜入水底，躲避往来的船只，这样，我可以从水里面和水面上来观察这浪新奇的海。
2月8日，这一天的早晨，摩卡港出现在我们面前。
随后，诺第留斯号走近非洲海岸，这一带的海就深得多了。这里，在水晶一般清澈的海水中间，从打开的嵌板，我可以细细看那色彩鲜明的珊瑚的奇妙丛林，那披上海带和黑角莱的华美青绿毛皮的一片片宽大岩石。与利比亚海岸相接的这些火山的暗礁和小岛，铺排成地毯一般，景色变化无穷，真是无法形容，无法描写！但是，海底这些丛生的枝状动物表现得最美丽的地方；还是在诺第留斯号就要驶到的东部的海岸附近。那是在铁哈马海岸一带，因为在这一带海岸，不单海面下有一层一层的花一般的植虫动物，而且这些植虫动物在二十米水深左右满是组成五色斑烂的图象花纹，但水底下的比接近水面的一层变化更多，颜色较为黯淡，因为近水面的一层受海水的湿润，保持着鲜艳的颜色。
我这样在客厅的玻璃窗户边，不知道度过了多少惬意进人的时间！我在我们的电光探照灯下，不知道欣赏了多少海底下的新品种动植物！有伞形菌；有石板色的多须峭；特别是晶形峭；有管珊瑚，像笛子一般，等着潘神①来吹，有这一带海中特产的贝壳，附生在造礁珊瑚的空洞中，下部有，很短的螺丝纹环绕，最后有成千成万的那种水媳类，那些就是我还没有看到过的普通海绵。
海绵纲是水熄类的第一纲，这一纲就是由这种非常有用处的新奇产物组成的。海绵并不是植物，像现在还有些…生物学家承认的那样。它是动物，不过是最低一目的动物，是比珊瑚更低的水熄丛。它的动物性是无可怀疑的，我们不能接受古代人的意见，认为它是动植物间的中介物。不过我要说，关于海绵的机体组织，生物学家还没有共同一致的意见。有些生物学家说海绵是水熄丛：另外一些，像爱德华先生，却认为它是独立的、单一的个体。
海绵纲大约共有三百种，大多数的海中都有，并且也生在某部分淡水流里面，被称为“河水海绵”。不过海绵特别“繁殖的地方是地中海、希腊半岛、叙利亚海岸和红海一带。
在这一带海中，那些柔软细嫩的海绵繁殖得很快，每块价值达一百五十法郎，比如叙利亚的金色海绵，巴巴利亚的坚韧“海绵等。既然我们被苏伊土地峡分开，走不过去，我不可能•在近东各港湾里来研究这些植虫动物，我只得在红海中来观察它们了。所以，当诺第留斯号在平均八至九米的水层，慢慢溜过这些东部海岸的美丽岩石的时候，我叫康塞尔到我身边来。
在这一带海水里面，生长着各种形状的海绵，脚形海绵、卅状海绵、球形海绵、指形海绵。看见这些形状的海绵，诗人意味比学者意味重的渔人们给它们取的名字很美妙，例如花篮、花枣、羚羊角、狮子蹄、孔雀尾、海王手套等等…••，都是非常恰当的。从它们附有半液体胶质的纤维组织中，不断流出线一样的水，这线水把生命带进了每一个细胞中，成后就被收缩的运动排除出来。这种半液体胶质在水熄死后便不再分泌，它同时腐烂了，发出阿摩尼亚气体来。这时候就只剩下那日用海绵所有的角质纤维或胶质纤维了。刀用海绵是茶褐色，根据它的弹力、渗透力或抵抗浸渍力的程度大小，可以安排它作各种不同的用途。
这些水螅丛附在岩石上，软体动物的介壳上，并且附在蛇婆茎上8它们把最轻微的凹凸都铺平了，有的是摆开来）有的是竖起或垂下，像珊瑚形成的瘤一样。我告诉了康塞尔，海绵可用两种方法来采取，或用打捞机，或用手。后一种方法要使用潜水的采绵人，这种方法比较好，因为不损伤水螅丛的纤维，可以给它保留了很高的使用价值。
在海绵类旁边繁殖着的其他植虫动物，主要是形状很美观的一种水母。软体类有各种各样的枪乌贼，据奥比尼①说，这些枪乌贼是红海的特产。爬虫类有属于龟鳖属的条纹甲鱼，这种甲鱼可以供应我们餐桌上一盘又卫生又好吃砌食品。”
至于鱼类；这里有很多，并且很值得注意。下面是诺络留斯号的鱼网时常拉到船上来的鱼：鳃鱼类，里面有椭圆形、砖石色，身上有不等的蓝黑斑点的稣鱼，从它们身上带有双重的齿形刺就可以认出来。背色银白的白鳍鱼，尾带小点的赤醇鱼，以及锦带谭鱼，像长两米的宽大套子，在水中间滚来滚去。没齿稣，完全没有牙齿，是跟鲛鱼相近的软骨鱼。驼峰牡蛎，峰顶是弯的尖刺，身长一英尺半。蛇鱼类，像尾色银白、背上淡蓝、褐色胸部带灰色边线的海鳗一样。有光鱼，属鳍科的一种，身上有窄条的金色纹，带法国国旗的红蓝白三色。长四分米的楔形硬鳍鱼；美丽的加郎鱼，身上有漆黑的六条横带，蓝色和黄色的鳍）金色和银色的鳞。还有团足鱼，黄头耳形豚鱼，硬鳍斯加鱼，海婆鱼，箭鱼，虾虎鱼以及我们已经走过的海洋都有的其他千百种鱼类。
2月9日，诺第留斯号浮出在红海最宽阔的一部分海面上，海面的西岸是苏阿京，东岸是光享达，直径是一百丸十海里。
这一天中午，在地图上记录了船行的方位后，尼摩船长走上平台来，正好我也在那里。我心中打算，对于他此后的航行计划如果得不到一些了解，我就不让他回船里面去。
他一看见我就走向前来，很礼貌地送我一支雪前烟，对我说："“喂！教授，您喜欢这红海吗？您曾充分观察它所蕴藏伪奇异东西吗？它的鱼类和它的植虫类，它的海绵花坛和它的珊瑚森林吗？您曾望见散在海边的城市吗？”
"是的，尼摩船长，”我回答，“诺第留斯号是奇妙的最便于做这种研究的。啊！农真是一只聪明的有智慧的船！”
“不错，先生，又聪明，叉大胆，叉是不会受损伤的！它、不伯红海的厉害风暴，汹涌波涛，危险暗礁。”
“是的，，我说，“红海常被称为最厉害多风浪的海，如果、我没有记错，在上古时代，它的声名听来就使人讨厌。｛“阿龙纳斯先生，是的，使人讨厌。希腊和拉丁的历史家没有说它好，史杜拉宾说，红海在刮北风和雨季的时期特别难航，特别厉害。阿捡伯人艾德利西是用哥尔藏海湾的名字来写红海的，他说有很多的船只在它的浮洲上就沉役了、没有人敢在夜间冒险航行。他认为，这海受厉害台风伪控制，处处有损害船只的小岛，不管在海底下和海面上，‘一点都没有好处。’”“很明白，•我马上说，“那就是因为这些历史家并没有在诺第留斯号船上航行过。”
“是的，船长带着微笑回答，“关于这一点，近代人并没有比古代入进步。发明蒸汽力是要好几千百年的时间呢！
谁知道在一百年后，是否将有第二只诺第留斯号出现呢！
啊龙纳斯先生，进步是很慢的呢。”
"真的，•我回答，“您的船比它的时代进步了一世纪，或者好几世纪。这样一个秘密要跟它的发明人一同消逝，是多么不幸：，尼摩船长并不回答我的话。
静默了几分钟后，我问：“船长，您好像是特别研究过这海，您可以让我知道红海这名字的来源吗？”
“阿龙纳斯先生，关于这问题有很多的解释。您愿意知道一个十四世纪的史学家的意见吗？”
“当然愿意知道。”
“这位空想家认为‘红海’这个名字是在以色列人走过这海之后才有的，当时法老军队追赶他们到海上，海听到摩西的声音就涌上来，把法老军队淹没了①：为表示这种神奇，变成为鲜红的海，自后除了”红海’的称呼再不能叫它别的名字了。”
“尼摩船长，”我回答，“这是诗人的解释，我不能满足。
所以我要问问您个人的意见。”
“阿龙纳斯先生，照我的意思，我们要把红海名字看作为希伯来语‘爱德龙’一词的转译，古代的人所以称它这个名字，是由于这海的水有一种特殊颜色。”
“可是，直到目前，我看见的都是清澈的水波，没有什么特殊颜色。”
“当然，’不过您走进这海湾的内部时，您就会看到这奇异现象。我回想起从前看过的多尔湾，完全红色，好像血湖一样。”
“这颜色，您认为是由于海中有某种微生海藻的存在吗？"“是的。那是称为‘三棱藻’的细小植物所产生的朱红色的粘性物质，四万个这种植物，才占面积一平方厘米。说不定我们到多尔湾的时候，您就可以看到这些植物。”
“尼摩船长，这样说来，您乘诺第留斯号经过红海，难道这回不是第一次吗？”
“不是第一次，先生。”
“那么，您上面说过以色列人走过这海和埃及军队淹没水中的事，我要问问您，您在海底下曾经看到这件历史大事的一些痕迹吗？”
“没看见，教授，因为有一个显明的理由。”
"什么理由呢？”
“就是赐西带领他的人民走过的地方，现在完全是沙土了，差不多骆驼的腿也泡不湿了。您很明白，我的诺第留斯号没有足够的水，是不可能驶过那里。”
“这地方在哪儿？……”我问。
"这地方在苏伊士上面一点，在从前是很深的河口的海汉里面，因为当时红海的水面还一直伸到这些咸水湖中。
现在这条水道是不是能发生奇迹，暂且不管，但从前以色列人就是通过这里走到巴勒斯但去的，法老的军队也就是在这里被水淹没的。所以我想，在这些沙土中间来做发掘工作，一定可以发现埃及制造的大量武器和用具。”
“那很显然，”我回答，”同时希望考古学家有一天要把这种发掘工作赶快进行，因为苏伊士运flpffi穿后，许多新的城市就要在这地峡上建设起来了。对于诺第留斯号这样的一只船来说，这条运河实在没有什么用处！”
“不错，不过对全世界很有用。”船长回答，“古时的人很明白，在红海与地中海之间建立交通，对于他们的商业有很大的好处，可是他们没有想到发掘一条直通的运河，他们是利用尼罗河来作居间。按照传说，这条连接尼罗河和红海的运河，很可能在薛索斯土利斯王朝①就开始有了。其中确定的事实是，纪元前615年，尼哥斯②进行了一条运河的工程，引尼罗河水，穿过与阿拉伯相望的埃及平原。这条运河上溯航行需要四天的时间，河宽是两艘有三排桨的船可以并行无阻。运河工程由伊他斯比的儿子大流士③继续进行，大约在蒲图连美二世时代完工，史杜拉宾看见了这河作航行使用。不过在运河近布巴斯提地方的起点和红海之间的何床坡度大小，一年中只有几个月可以行船。直到安敦难②时代，这运河一直是商业贸易的途径：后来，由于‘哈利发’峨默尔⑤命令把运河放弃，就淤塞了，随后又修复起来； 761年或762年，‘哈利发’阿利•蒙索尔要阻止粮食运到反抗他的穆罕默德•宾•阿比多拉那里，这运河便完全被：填平了。”
“船长，那么，古代人不敢开凿的、把两个海连结起来并使加的斯到印度的航程缩短九千公里的这条运河，现在由德，勒赛普干起来了，不久，就要把非洲变为一个巨大的海岛了。”
“很可惜，”他又说，“我不能带您穿过苏伊士运河，但后夫，我们在地中海的时候，您可以望见塞得港的长堤。"“在地中海！”我喊道。
“是的，教授，这事您觉得奇怪吗？”
"我觉得奇怪的是，后天我们就到地中海了。”
"为什么要奇怪呢？”
“因为诺第留斯号经好望角，绕非洲一周，后天要在地中海，您必定要它以惊人的速度航行！”
“教授谁告诉您，它要绕非洲一周呢？谁告诉您，它要经过好望角呢？"“除非是它在陆地上行驶，和从地峡上面过去，那……” "或从底下穿过去，阿龙纳斯先生。”
“从底下穿过去吗？”
"当然，”尼摩船长用很安静的语气回答，"很久以来，人们在这舌形地面上所做的，大自然早就在它底下做了。”
怎么！原来底下有条通路！”
"是的、底下有一条地道，我称它为阿拉伯海底地道。
地道在苏伊士下面，通到北路斯海湾。”
“那么，这地峡只是由松动的沙土形成的吗？”
“由沙上形成的部分达到某种深度。但是到了五十米以下，就有一层很坚固的不可动的岩石。”
“您发现这地道是由于偶然的机会吗？”我愈来愈惊奇地问。
“由于偶然的机会，同时也由于推理，教授，甚至推理的：戍分多于偶然的成分。”
“船长，我心里虽然在听您讲，但我的耳朵却抗拒它听到的话。”
“先生啊！怯卸洌翘患雹郏庵秩耸裁词贝加械摹Ｕ馓鹾５椎氐啦唤鍪谴嬖冢⑶椅乙怖霉眉复巍Ｈ绻皇钦庋医裉煲膊坏秸馕蘼房赏ǖ暮旌Ｖ欣此姹忝跋樟恕！泵拔饰誓跹⑾终馓鹾５椎氐溃恢劣诿懊谅穑俊彼尽跋壬贝せ卮鹞遥霸诒舜瞬荒芊挚娜嗣侵屑洌豢梢杂腥魏蚊孛艿拇嬖凇！?
我不理他这句别有所指的话，我等待尼摩船长关于这事的讲述。他说：“教授，使我发现这条只有我一人认识的海底地道的，是一个生物学家的简单推理。我曾经注意到，在红海中和在地中海中有某一些完全相同的鱼类，比如蛇鱼，车鱼，绞车鱼，簇鱼，愚鱼，飞鱼。我确定了这事实，我就问，在这两、个海中间是不是有交通路线的存在。如果有交通路线存在，地下水流仅仅由于两海的水平面不同，必然要从红海流到地中海。因此我在苏伊士附近打了很多鱼，我把铜圈套在鱼尾上，然后把鱼放人海中。几个月后，在叙利亚海岸，我找到了一些我从前放走的尾上有铜圈的鱼。因此两海之间有路可通的想法就得到了证明小我利用诺第留斯号去找寻这条通路，要于把它发现了，我也冒险走过去了。教授。
不久：您也要通过我的阿拉伯海底地道！”
Part 2 Chapter 5
That same evening, in 21" 30' N. lat., the Nautilus floated on the surface of the sea, approaching the Arabian coast. I saw Djeddah, the most important counting-house of Egypt, Syria, Turkey, and India. I distinguished clearly enough its buildings, the vessels anchored at the quays, and those whose draught of water obliged them to anchor in the roads. The sun, rather low on the horizon, struck full on the houses of the town, bringing out their whiteness. Outside, some wooden cabins, and some made of reeds, showed the quarter inhabited by the Bedouins. Soon Djeddah was shut out from view by the shadows of night, and the Nautilus found herself under water slightly phosphorescent. The next day, the 10th of February, we sighted several ships running to windward. The Nautilus returned to its submarine navigation; but at noon, when her bearings were taken, the sea being deserted, she rose again to her waterline.
Accompanied by Ned and Conseil, I seated myself on the platform. The coast on the eastern side looked like a mass faintly printed upon a damp fog.
We were leaning on the sides of the pinnace, talking of one thing and another, when Ned Land, stretching out his hand towards a spot on the sea, said: "Do you see anything there, sir?" "No, Ned," I replied; "but I have not your eyes, you know." "Look well," said Ned, "there, on the starboard beam, about the height of the lantern! Do you not see a mass which seems to move?" "Certainly," said I, after close attention; "I see something like a long black body on the top of the water." And certainly before long the black object was not more than a mile from us. It looked like a great sandbank deposited in the open sea. It was a gigantic dugong!
Ned Land looked eagerly. His eyes shone with covetousness at the sight of the animal. His hand seemed ready to harpoon it. One would have thought he was awaiting the moment to throw himself into the sea and attack it in its element.
At this instant Captain Nemo appeared on the platform. He saw the dugong, understood the Canadian's attitude, and, addressing him, said: "If you held a harpoon just now, Master Land, would it not burn your hand?" "Just so, sir." "And you would not be sorry to go back, for one day, to your trade of a fisherman and to add this cetacean to the list of those you have already killed?" "I should not, sir." "Well, you can try." "Thank you, sir," said Ned Land, his eyes flaming. "Only," continued the Captain, "I advise you for your own sake not to miss the creature." "Is the dugong dangerous to attack?" I asked, in spite of the Canadian's shrug of the shoulders. "Yes," replied the Captain; "sometimes the animal turns upon its assailants and overturns their boat. But for Master Land this danger is not to be feared. His eye is prompt, his arm sure." At this moment seven men of the crew, mute and immovable as ever, mounted the platform. One carried a harpoon and a line similar to those employed in catching whales. The pinnace was lifted from the bridge, pulled from its socket, and let down into the sea. Six oarsmen took their seats, and the coxswain went to the tiller. Ned, Conseil, and I went to the back of the boat. "You are not coming, Captain?" I asked. "No, sir; but I wish you good sport." The boat put off, and, lifted by the six rowers, drew rapidly towards the dugong, which floated about two miles from the Nautilus. Arrived some cables-length from the cetacean, the speed slackened, and the oars dipped noiselessly into the quiet waters. Ned Land, harpoon in hand, stood in the fore part of the boat. The harpoon used for striking the whale is generally attached to a very long cord which runs out rapidly as the wounded creature draws it after him. But here the cord was not more than ten fathoms long, and the extremity was attached to a small barrel which, by floating, was to show the course the dugong took under the water. I stood and carefully watched the Canadian's adversary. This dugong, which also bears the name
of the halicore, closely resembles the manatee; its oblong body terminated in a lengthened tail, and its lateral fins in perfect fingers. Its difference from the manatee consisted in its upper jaw, which was armed with two long and pointed teeth which formed on each side diverging tusks.
This dugong which Ned Land was preparing to attack was of colossal dimensions; it was more than seven yards long. It did not move, and seemed to be sleeping on the waves, which circumstance made it easier to capture. The boat approached within six yards of the animal. The oars rested on the rowlocks. I half rose. Ned Land, his body thrown a little back, brandished the harpoon in his experienced hand.
Suddenly a hissing noise was heard, and the dugong disappeared. The harpoon, although thrown with great force; had apparently only struck the water. "Curse it!" exclaimed the Canadian furiously; "I have missed it!" "No," said I; "the creature is wounded--look at the blood; but your weapon has not stuck in his body." "My harpoon! my harpoon!" cried Ned Land.
The sailors rowed on, and the coxswain made for the floating barrel. The harpoon regained, we followed in pursuit of the animal. The latter came now and then to the surface to breathe. Its wound had not weakened it, for it shot onwards with great rapidity. The boat, rowed by strong arms, flew on its track. Several times it approached within some few yards, and the Canadian was ready to strike, but the dugong made off with a sudden plunge, and it was impossible to reach it.
Imagine the passion which excited impatient Ned Land! He hurled at the unfortunate creature the most energetic expletives in the English tongue. For my part, I was only vexed to see the dugong escape all our attacks. We pursued it without relaxation for an hour, and I began to think it would prove difficult to capture, when the animal, possessed with the perverse idea of vengeance of which he had cause to repent, turned upon the pinnace and assailed us in its turn. This manoeuvre did not escape the Canadian. "Look out!" he cried.
The coxswain said some words in his outlandish tongue, doubtless warning the men to keep on their guard. The dugong came within twenty feet of the boat, stopped, sniffed the air briskly with its large nostrils (not pierced at the extremity, but in the upper part of its muzzle). Then, taking a spring, he threw himself upon us.
The pinnace could not avoid the shock, and half upset, shipped at least two tons of water, which had to be emptied; but, thanks to the coxswain, we caught it sideways, not full front, so we were not quite overturned. While Ned Land, clinging to the bows, belaboured the gigantic animal with blows from his harpoon, the creature's teeth were buried in the gunwale, and it lifted the whole thing out of the water, as a lion does a roebuck. We were upset over one another, and I know not how the adventure would have ended, if the Canadian, still enraged with the beast, had not struck it to the heart.
I heard its teeth grind on the iron plate, and the dugong disappeared, carrying the harpoon with him. But the barrel soon returned to the surface, and shortly after the body of the animal, durned on its back. The boat came up with it, took it in tow, and made straight for the Nautilus. It required tackle of enormous strength to hoist the dugong on to the platform. It weighed 10,000 lb.
The next day, 11th February, the larder of the Nautilus was enriched by some more delicate game. A flight of sea-swallows rested on the Nautilus. It was a species of the Sterna nilotica, peculiar to Egypt; its beak is black, head grey and pointed, the eye surrounded by white spots, the back, wings, and tail of a greyish colour, the belly and throat white, and claws red. They also took some dozen of Nile ducks, a wild bird of high flavour, its throat and upper part of the head white with black spots. About five o'clock in the evening we sighted to the north the Cape of Ras-Mohammed. This cape forms the extremity of Arabia Petraea, comprised between the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Acabah. The Nautilus penetrated into the Straits of Jubal, which leads to the Gulf of Suez. I distinctly saw a high mountain, towering between the two gulfs of Ras-Mohammed. It was Mount Horeb, that Sinai at the top of which Moses saw God face to face. At six o'clock the Nautilus, sometimes floating, sometimes immersed, passed some distance from Tor, situated at the end of the bay, the waters of which seemed tinted with red, an observation already made by Captain Nemo. Then night fell in the midst of a heavy silence, sometimes broken by the cries of the pelican and other night-birds, and the noise of the waves breaking upon the shore, chafing against the rocks, or the panting of some far-off steamer beating the waters of the Gulf with its noisy paddles. From eight to nine o'clock the Nautilus remained some fathoms under the water. According to my calculation we must have been very near Suez. Through the panel of the saloon I saw the bottom of the rocks brilliantly lit up by our electric lamp. We seemed to be leaving the Straits behind us more and more. At a quarter-past nine, the vessel having returned to the surface, I mounted the platform. Most impatient to pass through Captain Nemo's tunnel, I could not stay in one place, so came to breathe the fresh night air.
Soon in the shadow I saw a pale light, half discoloured by the fog, shining about a mile from us. "A floating lighthouse!" said someone near me. I turned, and saw the Captain. "It is the floating light of Suez," he continued. "It will not be long before we gain the entrance of the tunnel." "The entrance cannot be easy?" "No, sir; for that reason I am accustomed to go into the steersman's cage and myself direct our course. And now, if you will go down, M. Aronnax, the Nautilus is going under the waves, and will not return to the surface until we have passed through the Arabian Tunnel." Captain Nemo led me towards the central staircase; half way down he opened a door, traversed the upper deck, and landed in the pilot's cage, which it may be remembered rose at the extremity of the platform. It was a cabin measuring six feet square, very much like that occupied by the pilot on the steamboats of the Mississippi or Hudson. In the midst worked a wheel, placed vertically, and caught to the tiller-rope, which ran to the back of the Nautilus. Four light-ports with lenticular glasses, let in a groove in the partition of the cabin, allowed the man at the wheel to see in all directions.
This cabin was dark; but soon my eyes accustomed themselves to the obscurity, and I perceived the pilot, a strong man, with his hands resting on the spokes of the wheel. Outside, the sea appeared vividly lit up by the lantern, which shed its rays from the back of the cabin to the other extremity of the platform. "Now," said Captain Nemo, "let us try to make our passage." Electric wires connected the pilot's cage with the machinery room, and from there the Captain could communicate simultaneously to his Nautilus the direction and the speed. He pressed a metal knob, and at once the speed of the screw diminished. I looked in silence at the high straight wall we were running by at this moment, the immovable base of a massive sandy coast. We followed it thus for an hour only some few yards off. Captain Nemo did not take his eye from the knob, suspended by its two concentric circles in the cabin. At a simple gesture, the pilot modified the course of the Nautilus every instant. I had placed myself at the port-scuttle, and saw some magnificent substructures of coral, zoophytes, seaweed, and fucus, agitating their enormous claws, which stretched out from the fissures of the rock. At a quarter-past ten, the Captain himself took the helm. A large gallery, black and deep, opened before us. The Nautilus went boldly into it. A strange roaring was heard round its sides. It was the waters of the Red Sea, which the incline of the tunnel precipitated violently towards the Mediterranean. The Nautilus went with the torrent, rapid as an arrow, in spite of the efforts of the machinery, which, in order to offer more effective resistance, beat the waves with reversed screw. On the walls of the narrow passage I could see nothing but brilliant rays, straight lines, furrows of fire, traced by the great speed, under the brilliant electric light. My heart beat fast.
At thirty-five minutes past ten, Captain Nemo quitted the helm, and, turning to me, said: "The Mediterranean!" In less than twenty minutes, the Nautilus, carried along by the torrent, had passed through the Isthmus of Suez.
就在当天，我把这次谈话的一部分告诉了康塞尔和尼德•兰，这使他们立即发生兴趣。当我让他们知道，两天时我们就要进入地中海的时候，康塞尔高兴得拍手，尼德•兰耸一耸肩，喊道：“1条海底地道！一条两海之间的通路！谁曾听说过呢？”
“尼德好朋友，”康塞尔回答，“您曾听说过诺第留斯号吗？没有，可是它是存在的。所以，就是轻轻的耸肩也用不着，不要以为您从没有听说过，您就来反对说没有了。"尼德•兰摇摇头，立即答道：“我们瞧着吧！我巴不得相信有这条地道，相信这位船长，并且愿苍天让他把我们带到地中海。"当天晚上，在纬度21度30分，诺第留斯号浮在水面上，挨近阿拉伯海岸。我望见奇达，这是埃及、叙利亚、土耳淇和印度之间的重要市常不久，奇达在晚间的阴影中看不见了，诺第留斯号潜入微带磷光的海水中。
第二天，2月10日，出现好几只船，向着我们开来。诺第留斯号又潜入水中航行，中午，在地图上记录船的方位时候，海面上什么也没有，它于是又浮上来，一直露出浮标线。
我坐在平台上，有尼德•兰和康塞尔陪着。东岸好像有一大块东西，在湿雾中隐约显现。我们靠在小艇侧面，大家随便地说东道西，正谈的时候，尼德•兰伸手指着海上的一点，对我说：“教授，您看见那边的东西吗？"“没有，尼德，”我回答，“我的眼睛不好，您是知道的。”
“好好地看一下，”尼德•兰又说，“那右舷前头，差不多在探照灯的同一直线上！您看不见那块好像动的东西吗？”
“是的，”我仔细地看一下说，“我望见水面上有一个灰黑色的长东西。”
“是另一只诺第留斯号吗？”康塞尔说。
“不是，”加拿大人说，“或者我弄错了，或者那是一只海牛动物。”
“红海中有鲸鱼吗？”康塞尔问。
"有的，老实人，”我回答，“人们有时碰得见呢。”
“那不是鲸鱼，“尼德•兰回答，同时目不转晴地盯住那东西，“鲸鱼和我，我们是老相识，它们的形状我决不至弄错。"”我们等着吧，”康塞尔说，“诺第留斯号向那边驶去了，一会我们就可以知道那是刊•么东西。”
正是，这灰黑的物体不久离我们只有一海里远了。它很像搁浅在海中间的大礁。是什么呢？我还不能说出来。
“啊！它走动了！它潜入水中了，”尼德•兰喊道，“真奇怪！可能是什么动物呢？它没有跟鲸鱼或大头鲸一样的分开来的尾巴，它的鳍好像是切断的手足那样。"“那么是……”我说。
“好吗，”加拿大人立即又说，“它朝天翻过来了，它把奶头挺起在空中了！”
“那是人鱼！”康塞尔喊道，“是真正的人鱼，请先生原谅我这样说。”
人鱼这个名字使我摸到了们路，我明白了这个动物是。
属于这一目的海中动物，就是神话中当它是鱼美人的人鱼水怪、“不，我对康塞尔说，“这不是人鱼，是一只奇怪的动物，在红海中并不见得有多少。这是海马。”
“人鱼目，鱼形类，单官哺乳亚纲，哺乳纲，脊椎动物门。”康塞尔回答。
康奏尔这样说过后，那就没有什么可以说的了。可是尼德•兰老是注视着。他的眼睛看见这东西，闪出要把它捉到手的贪婪光芒。他的手像是要去叉它。看他的样子，真是让人要说，他是等待时机，跃人海中，到水里面去攻打它。
“呵！先生，”他情绪激动，声音发抖地说，“我从没有打到过这种东西。”
鱼叉手的全部心意都表现在这一句话里面。
这时候，尼摩船长在平台上出现。他望见了海马。他朋白了加拿大人的姿态，立即对鱼叉手说：“兰师傅，您要是手拿鱼又，一定会手痒得难过，要试一下吗？”
“您说得正对，先生。”
“将来您再操叉鱼这一行的时候，把这只鲸科动物加在您曾经打过的鲸鱼账上，您不会不高兴吧？”
“这样我决不会不高兴。，，
“那么您可以试一试。”
“谢谢您，先生。”尼德•兰回答，眼睛亮起来了。
“不过，”船长立即又说，“我请您不要放走这东西，这列。
您有利呢。”
“打这海马有危险吗。"我问，我并不理会加拿大人做着耸肩的姿态。
“是，有时候有危险，”船长回答，“这东西向攻打它的人转过身来，把他的小艇撞翻。但对兰师傅来说，这种危险用不着害怕。他的眼光很敏捷，他的胳膊很准确。我所以劝他留心，不要放走这海马，是因为人们把这东西看作一种美味好吃的猎物，我也知道，兰师傅决不至讨厌一大块一大块好吃的肥肉。”
“啊！”加拿大人喊道，“这东西原来还是好吃的珍品吗？”
“是的，兰师傅。它的肉是真正好吃的肉，极端被重视，在马来群岛，人们都把它保留起来作为全公餐桌上的食品。
所以人们对这种好东西要拼命猎取，对它的同类海牛也是”一样，因此就弄得这类动物日渐稀少了。’“那么，船长，”康塞尔很正经地说，“如果这条海马竟是它种族中的最后一条，为科学的利益起见，放过它，不是比、较好些吗？”
“或者好些，”加拿大人回答，“不过为膳食的利益起见，那还是打它好些。"“兰师傅，您打吧。"尼摩船长回答道。
这个时候，船上的七个船员，老是不作声和无知觉似的，到平台上来。一个人拿一支鱼叉和一根跟钓鲸鱼用的相同的钩竿。小艇松开来，从它的窝中拉出，放到海中去。
六个桨手坐在横木板上，小艇艇长手把着舵。尼德，兰、康塞尔和我，我们三人坐在后面。
“船长，您不来吗？"我问。
“不，先生，我祝你们打海马胜利。"
小艇离开大船，六支桨把它划走，很快向海马驶去，那时海马正在距诺第留斯号二海里的海而上游来游去。
到了距离这鲸科动物还有几盲米远的时候，小艇就慢慢地走，奖没有声息地放到平静的水中去。尼德。兰手拎鱼叉，站在小艇前端。用来打鲸鱼的鱼叉，通常是结在一条很长的绳索一端，受伤的动物把叉带走的时候，绳索就很快地放出去。但现在这根索只有二十米左右长，它的另一端结在一个小木桶上面，小木桶浮着，指示海马在水里面走的道路。
我站起来，很清楚地看见加拿大人的对手。这海马又名为儒良，很像海牛。它的长方身体后边是拉得很长的尾巴，它两侧的绪尖端就是指爪。它跟海牛不同的地方是它的上颚有两枚很长很长的牙齿，作为分在两旁的防御武器。
、、尼德，兰准备攻打的这条海马身躯巨大，身长至少超过七米。它在水面上躺着不动，好像睡着了，这种情况就比较容易猎龋小艇小心地挨近海马，只有五六米远了。所有的桨都、挂在铁圈子上不动。我身子站起一半。尼德•兰全身有些往后仰，老练的手挥动鱼叉，把叉找出。忽然听到一声呼啸，海马沉下不见了。龟叉用力过猛，可能是打在水中了。
“鬼怪东西！”愤怒的加拿大人喊道，“我没有打中它！”
“打中了，”我说，“那东西受伤了，瞧，那不是它的血？：不过你的叉并没有钉在它的身上。”
“我的鱼叉！我的鱼叉！”尼德•兰喊。
水手们又划起来，小艇艇长让小艇向浮桶划去。鱼叉收回来，小艇就追赶那海马。
海马时时浮出海面上来呼吸。它受到的伤没有使它的…气力削弱，因为它跑得非常快。小艇由健壮的胳膊划着，迅速追上去。好几次只相距儿米了，加拿大人就要投叉了，但海马立即沉下，躲开了，简直不可能打中它。
“人们可以想象到，这个时候，性急的尼德•兰被激怒到了什么程度。他对这条不幸的海马发出英语中最有力量的咒骂。在我个人，我只是因为海马把我们所有的计谋部弄失败，心中有些不高兴罢了。
我们在一个钟头内，不停地追赶它，我正在想，捕捉它：恐怕是很不容易了，但这个东西忽然起了不良的报复念头。
这是它要后悔的呢！它回过身来，攻击小艇。海马的这种行径逃不过加拿大人的眼光。
“小心！”他说。
小艇艇长说了几句他的奇怪语言，当然是他通知水手们，大家要小心警戒。海马到了离小艇二十英尺的水面上停住，它那不在嘴尖端，而在嘴上部敞开的大鼻孔，突然吸着空气。然后，鼓起气力，向我们扑来。
小艇不可能躲开它的冲撞，艇身翻倒了一半，海水跑进艇中有一两吨之多。这水必须排出去。由于艇长的机灵，艇身只是斜面的而不是正面的受到海马攻击，所以没被憧翻沉没。尼德。兰紧靠在小艇前头，把鱼叉向巨大的动物刺去，这东西牙齿咬住小艇的边缘，把小艇顶出水面，像狮子咬小鹿那样。我们都被撞翻，彼此身子压着，如果不是那狠命地跟海马战斗的加拿大人把叉打中了动物的心脏，我真不知道这次的冒险打猎将怎样结束呢。
我听到牙齿在小艇铁板上的喳喳声响，海马沉没不见了，把叉带走了。但不久小木桶浮上水面来，一会儿，海马的躯体现出，脊背翻过来了。小艇划向前去，把它拖在后面，向诺第留斯号划去。
把这条海马拉到大船的乎台上，必须使用力量很大的起重滑车。它重五千公斤。人们就在加拿大人面前把它宰割了，他一定要看人宰割时的所有动作。当天，管事人在午餐时，就把船上厨师做得很好的这种肉拿出几片来给我吃。我觉得这肉味道很好，甚至于赛过小牛肉，虽然不一定：胜过大牛肉。
第二天，2月11日，诺第留斯号的食物储藏室又增加了一种美味的猎物。一群海燕落到诺第留斯号上面，被我们捕获了。那是埃及特产的尼罗河海燕，嘴是黑的，头灰黑，有斑点，眼睛周围有白点的圈，脊背、两翼和尾巴是灰黑色，肚腹和胸颈白色，脚爪红色。我们另外还捉到十来个尼罗河的鸭子，这是很美味的野乌，脖子和头上是白色，并且带有黑班点。
诺第留斯号的速度那时很缓慢。可以说，它是慢步溜达着前进。我注意到，红海的水愈接近苏伊士，愈少威味了。下午五点左右，我们测定北方是拉斯一穆罕默德角，这角是石区阿拉伯的极端，在苏伊士湾和亚喀巴湾中间。
诺第留斯号进入尤巴尔海峡，这海峡通到苏伊士湾。
我清楚地望见一座高山，山在两湾之间俯瞰拉斯一穆罕默德角。那是何烈山、西奈山，山顶上就是摩西当年曾与上帝面面相对的地方，人们心中想象这山头是不断有闪电笼罩着①。
六点，诺第留斯号有时浮上来，有时沉下去，从多尔湾的海面上经过。多尔位于海湾里面，湾中海水呈红色，这点尼摩船长在前面已经加以说明了。一会儿，黑夜来临，在沉重的静默中间，有时有塘鸡和一种夜鸟的叫声，怒潮打在岩石上的声响，或一只汽船的响亮水门搅打湾中海水所发生的远远的声音，把寂寞冲破了。
八点到九点，诺第留斯号在水深儿米的地方行驶。
照我的计算，我们应当很接近苏伊士了。从客厅里的嵌板看。我望见了受我的电光清楚照出的水底岩石。我觉得海峡是愈来愈窄了。
九点一刻，船又浮出水面，我到平台上来。心中急急想穿过尼摩船长的海底地道，我不能安静等待，我要上来呼吸夜间的新鲜空气。不久，在黑暗中，我望见一些黯淡火光，被蒙雾弄得模糊了，火在距我们一海里远的地方亮着。
‘一座浮在水上的灯塔。”有人在我身旁说。
我回过头来，我看见是船长。
那是苏伊士的浮在水上的灯火，”他又说，“我们不久就要走人地道口了。”
“进口不容易吗？”
"不容易，先生。因此，我照例是亲自到领航人的笼间中，守在那里，指挥航行。阿龙纳斯先生，您请下来，诺第留斯号现在要潜入水中了，到通过了阿拉伯海底地道后，它才浮上来。
我跟着尼摩船长下来。嵌板关闭了，储水池装满了水，船潜入水底十来米深左右。当我要回房中去的时候，船长留住我，他对我说：“教授，您高兴同我一起到领航人笼间里去吗？”
‘我不敢请求您，我正是求之不得呢！”我回答说。
，那么，请来吧。您这样就可以看见，这次同时是地下又是海底航行的一切情况。”
尼摩船长领我到中央楼梯，在楼梯栏杆的中腰，他打开一扇门，沿上层的长廊走去，到了领航人的笼间里，上面说过，这笼间在平台的前方尖端。
那是一门每面有六英尺宽的小舱房，跟密西西比…和哈得逊河汽船上领航人所占的笼问差不多一样。舱房中间，有一架垂直放着的机轮转动，轮齿接在舵缆上，缆直通到比第留斯号的后面。叼个装上两面凸镜片的船窗，缺在舱间的复壁上，使守舵人四面八方都可以看见。这笼间是黑暗的，但我的眼睛不久就习惯了这种黑暗，我看见里面的领肮人。他很精壮，两手扶住机轮的车辆。在外面，平台上另一端的探照灯在笼间后面照耀，光映海面，分外明亮。
“现在，”尼摩船长说，“我们来找地道吧。”
有好些电线把领肮人的笼间跟机器房接连，从笼间里面，船长同时可以对诺第留斯号发出航行方向和速度快慢的指示。他按一下金属钮，机轮的速度就立即减低。
我默默地注视我们此刻走过的十分陡峭险峻的高墙，这是沿海高厚沙地的坚牢基矗我们在一个钟头内沿着这座高墙走，相距只不过几米，尼摩船长两眼不离那个挂在笼间，有两个大小同心圆的罗盘，看他做一个手势，领航人就每时每刻改变诺第留斯号行驶的方向。
我在左舷的船窗边，望见了珊瑚累积成的十分美丽的基层建筑，无数植虫、海藻、介壳动物，舞动它们的巨大爪牙，在岩石凹凸不平的外面，长长地伸张出来。
十点一刻，尼摩船长亲自把舵。一条宽阔的长廊，又黑又深，在我们面前出现。诺第留斯号直冲进去。在它两旁发出一种我没有听惯的沙沙声响。这是红海的水，由于地道的斜坡，冲到地中海上。诺第留斯号跟着这道急流下去，像箭一般快，虽然它的机器想要尽力慢一些，把推进器逆流转动，也没有起作用。
地道两边狭窄的高墙上，我只看见飞奔的速度在电光下所画出的辉煌线纹、笔直线条、火色痕迹。我的心跳动不止，我用手压住心头。
十点三十五分，尼摩船长放下舵上的机轮，向我回过头来，对我说：“到地中海了。”
不到二十分钟，诺第留斯号顺着水流，就通过了苏伊土地峡了。
Part 2 Chapter 6
The next day, the 12th of February, at the dawn of day, the Nautilus rose to the surface. I hastened on to the platform. Three miles to the south the dim outline of Pelusium was to be seen. A torrent had carried us from one sea to another. About seven o'clock Ned and Conseil joined me. "Well, Sir Naturalist," said the Canadian, in a slightly jovial tone, "and the Mediterranean?" "We are floating on its surface, friend Ned." "What!" said Conseil, "this very night." "Yes, this very night; in a few minutes we have passed this impassable isthmus." "I do not believe it," replied the Canadian. "Then you are wrong, Master Land," I continued; "this low coast which rounds off to the south is the Egyptian coast. And you who have such good eyes, Ned, you can see the jetty of Port Said stretching into the sea." The Canadian looked attentively. "Certainly you are right, sir, and your Captain is a first-rate man. We are in the Mediterranean. Good! Now, if you please, let us talk of our own little affair, but so that no one hears us." I saw what the Canadian wanted, and, in any case, I thought it better to let him talk, as he wished it; so we all three went and sat down near the lantern, where we were less exposed to the spray of the blades. "Now, Ned, we listen; what have you to tell us?" "What I have to tell you is very simple. We are in Europe; and before Captain Nemo's caprices drag us once more to the bottom of the Polar Seas, or lead us into Oceania, I ask to leave the Nautilus." I wished in no way to shackle the liberty of my companions, but I certainly felt no desire to leave Captain Nemo. Thanks to him, and thanks to his apparatus, I was each day nearer the completion of my submarine studies; and I was rewriting my book of submarine depths in its very element. Should I ever again have such an opportunity of observing the wonders of the ocean? No, certainly not! And I could not bring myself to the idea of abandoning the Nautilus before the cycle of investigation was accomplished. "Friend Ned, answer me frankly, 
are you tired of being on board? Are you sorry that destiny has thrown us into Captain Nemo's hands?" The Canadian remained some moments without answering. Then, crossing his arms, he said: "Frankly, I do not regret this journey under the seas. I shall be glad to have made it; but, now that it is made, let us have done with it. That is my idea." "It will come to an end, Ned." "Where and when?" "Where I do not know--when I cannot say; or, rather, I suppose it will end when these seas have nothing more to teach us." "Then what do you hope for?" demanded the Canadian. "That circumstances may occur as well six months hence as now by which we may and ought to profit." "Oh!" said Ned Land, "and where shall we be in six months, if you please, Sir Naturalist?" "Perhaps in China; you know the Nautilus is a rapid traveller. It goes through water as swallows through the air, or as an express on the land. It does not fear frequented seas; who can say that it may not beat the coasts of France, England, or America, on which flight may be attempted as advantageously as here." "M. Aronnax," replied the Canadian, "your arguments are rotten at the foundation. You speak in the future, `We shall be there! we shall be here!' I speak in the present, `We are here, and we must profit by it.'" Ned Land's logic pressed me hard, and I felt myself beaten on that ground. I knew not what argument would now tell in my favour. "Sir," continued Ned, "let us suppose an impossibility: if Captain Nemo should this day offer you your liberty; would you accept it?" "I do not know," I answered. "And if," he added, "the offer made you this day was never to be renewed, would you accept it?" "Friend Ned, this is my answer. Your reasoning is against me. We must not rely on Captain Nemo's good-will. Common prudence forbids him to set us at liberty. On the other side, prudence bids us profit by the first opportunity to leave the Nautilus." "Well, M. Aronnax, that is wisely said." "Only one observation--just one. The occasion must be serious, and our f
irst attempt must succeed; if it fails, we shall never find another, and Captain Nemo will never forgive us." "All that is true," replied the Canadian. "But your observation applies equally to all attempts at flight, whether in two years' time, or in two days'. But the question is still this: If a favourable opportunity presents itself, it must be seized." "Agreed! And now, Ned, will you tell me what you mean by a favourable opportunity?" "It will be that which, on a dark night, will bring the Nautilus a short distance from some European coast." "And you will try and save yourself by swimming?" "Yes, if we were near enough to the bank, and if the vessel was floating at the time. Not if the bank was far away, and the boat was under the water." "And in that case?" "In that case, I should seek to make myself master of the pinnace. I know how it is worked. We must get inside, and the bolts once drawn, we shall come to the surface of the water, without even the pilot, who is in the bows, perceiving our flight." "Well, Ned, watch for the opportunity; but do not forget that a hitch will ruin us." "I will not forget, sir." "And now, Ned, would you like to know what I think of your project?" "Certainly, M. Aronnax." "Well, I think--I do not say I hope--I think that this favourable opportunity will never present itself." "Why not?" "Because Captain Nemo cannot hide from himself that we have not given up all hope of regaining our liberty, and he will be on his guard, above all, in the seas and in the sight of European coasts." "We shall see," replied Ned Land, shaking his head determinedly. "And now, Ned Land," I added, "let us stop here. Not another word on the subject. The day that you are ready, come and let us know, and we will follow you. I rely entirely upon you." Thus ended a conversation which, at no very distant time, led to such grave results. I must say here that facts seemed to confirm my foresight, to the Canadian's great despair. Did Captain Nemo distrust us in these frequented seas? or did he only wish
to hide himself from the numerous vessels, of all nations, which ploughed the Mediterranean? I could not tell; but we were oftener between waters and far from the coast. Or, if the Nautilus did emerge, nothing was to be seen but the pilot's cage; and sometimes it went to great depths, for, between the Grecian Archipelago and Asia Minor we could not touch the bottom by more than a thousand fathoms.
Thus I only knew we were near the Island of Carpathos, one of the Sporades, by Captain Nemo reciting these lines from Virgil: "Est Carpathio Neptuni gurgite vates, Caeruleus Proteus," as he pointed to a spot on the planisphere.
It was indeed the ancient abode of Proteus, the old shepherd of Neptune's flocks, now the Island of Scarpanto, situated between Rhodes and Crete. I saw nothing but the granite base through the glass panels of the saloon. The next day, the 14th of February, I resolved to employ some hours in studying the fishes of the Archipelago; but for some reason or other the panels remained hermetically sealed. Upon taking the course of the Nautilus, I found that we were going towards Candia, the ancient Isle of Crete. At the time I embarked on the Abraham Lincoln, the whole of this island had risen in insurrection against the despotism of the Turks. But how the insurgents had fared since that time I was absolutely ignorant, and it was not Captain Nemo, deprived of all land communications, who could tell me.
I made no allusion to this event when that night I found myself alone with him in the saloon. Besides, he seemed to be taciturn and preoccupied. Then, contrary to his custom, he ordered both panels to be opened, and, going from one to the other, observed the mass of waters attentively. To what end I could not guess; so, on my side, I employed my time in studying the fish passing before my eyes.
In the midst of the waters a man appeared, a diver, carrying at his belt a leathern purse. It was not a body abandoned to the waves; it was a living man, swimming with a strong hand, disappearing occasionally to take breath at the surface.
I turned towards Captain Nemo, and in an agitated voice exclaimed: "A man shipwrecked! He must be saved at any price!" The Captain did not answer me, but came and leaned against the panel. The man had approached, and, with his face flattened against the glass, was looking at us.
To my great amazement, Captain Nemo signed to him. The diver answered with his hand, mounted immediately to the surface of the water, and did not appear again. "Do not be uncomfortable," said Captain Nemo. "It is Nicholas of Cape Matapan, surnamed Pesca. He is well known in all the Cyclades. A bold diver! water is his element, and he lives more in it than on land, going continually from one island to another, even as far as Crete." "You know him, Captain?" "Why not, M. Aronnax?" Saying which, Captain Nemo went towards a piece of furniture standing near the left panel of the saloon. Near this piece of furniture, I saw a chest bound with iron, on the cover of which was a copper plate, bearing the cypher of the Nautilus with its device. At that moment, the Captain, without noticing my presence, opened the piece of furniture, a sort of strong box, which held a great many ingots.
They were ingots of gold. From whence came this precious metal, which represented an enormous sum? Where did the Captain gather this gold from? and what was he going to do with it? I did not say one word. I looked. Captain Nemo took the ingots one by one, and arranged them methodically in the chest, which he filled entirely. I estimated the contents at more than 4,000 lb. weight of gold, that is to say, nearly L200,000.
The chest was securely fastened, and the Captain wrote an address on the lid, in characters which must have belonged to Modern Greece. This done, Captain Nemo pressed a knob, the wire of which communicated with the quarters of the crew. Four men appeared, and, not without some trouble, pushed the chest out of the saloon. Then I heard them hoisting it up the iron staircase by means of pulleys.
At that moment, Captain Nemo turned to me. "And you were saying, sir?" said he. "I was saying nothing, Captain." "Then, sir, if you will allow me, I will wish you good night." Whereupon he turned and left the saloon.
I returned to my room much troubled, as one may believe. I vainly tried to sleep--I sought the connecting link between the apparition of the diver and the chest filled with gold. Soon, I felt by certain movements of pitching and tossing that the Nautilus was leaving the depths and returning to the surface.
Then I heard steps upon the platform; and I knew they were unfastening the pinnace and launching it upon the waves. For one instant it struck the side of the Nautilus, then all noise ceased.
Two hours after, the same noise, the same going and coming was renewed; the boat was hoisted on board, replaced in its socket, and the Nautilus again plunged under the waves.
So these millions had been transported to their address. To what point of the continent? Who was Captain Nemo's correspondent? The next day I related to Conseil and the Canadian the events of the night, which had excited my curiosity to the highest degree. My companions were not less surprised than myself. "But where does he take his millions to?" asked Ned Land. To that there was no possible answer. I returned to the saloon after having breakfast and set to work. Till five o'clock in the evening I employed myself in arranging my notes. At that moment--(ought I to attribute it to some peculiar idiosyncrasy)-I felt so great a heat that I was obliged to take off my coat. It was strange, for we were under low latitudes; and even then the Nautilus, submerged as it was, ought to experience no change of temperature. I looked at the manometer; it showed a depth of sixty feet, to which atmospheric heat could never attain.
I continued my work, but the temperature rose to such a pitch as to be intolerable. "Could there be fire on board?" I asked myself. I was leaving the saloon, when Captain Nemo entered; he approached the thermometer, consulted it, and, turning to me, said: "Forty-two degrees." "I have noticed it, Captain," I replied; "and if it gets much hotter we cannot bear it." "Oh, sir, it will not get better if we do not wish it." "You can reduce it as you please, then?" "No; but I can go farther from the stove which produces it." "It is outward, then!" "Certainly; we are floating in a current of boiling water." "Is it possible!" I exclaimed. "Look." The panels opened, and I saw the sea entirely white all round. A sulphurous smoke was curling amid the waves, which boiled like water in a copper. I placed my hand on one of the panes of glass, but the heat was so great that I quickly took it off again. "Where are we?" I asked. "Near the Island of Santorin, sir," replied the Captain. "I wished to give you a sight of the curious spectacle of a submarine eruption." "I thought," said I, "that the formation of these new islands was ended." "Nothing is ever ended in the volcanic parts of the sea," replied Captain Nemo; "and the globe is always being worked by subterranean fires. Already, in the nineteenth year of our era, according to Cassiodorus and Pliny, a new island, Theia (the divine), appeared in the very place where these islets have recently been formed. Then they sank under the waves, to rise again in the year 69, when they again subsided. Since that time to our days the Plutonian work has been suspended. But on the 3rd of February, 1866, a new island, which they named George Island, emerged from the midst of the sulphurous vapour near Nea Kamenni, and settled again the 6th of the same month. Seven days after, the 13th of February, the Island of Aphroessa appeared, leaving between Nea Kamenni and itself a canal ten yards broad. I was in these seas when the phenomenon occurred, and I was able therefore to observe all th
e different phases. The Island of Aphroessa, of round form, measured 300 feet in diameter, and 30 feet in height. It was composed of black and vitreous lava, mixed with fragments of felspar. And lastly, on the 10th of March, a smaller island, called Reka, showed itself near Nea Kamenni, and since then these three have joined together, forming but one and the same island." "And the canal in which we are at this moment?" I asked. "Here it is," replied Captain Nemo, showing me a map of the Archipelago. "You see, I have marked the new islands." I returned to the glass. The Nautilus was no longer moving, the heat was becoming unbearable. The sea, which till now had been white, was red, owing to the presence of salts of iron. In spite of the ship's being hermetically sealed, an insupportable smell of sulphur filled the saloon, and the brilliancy of the electricity was entirely extinguished by bright scarlet flames. I was in a bath, I was choking, I was broiled. "We can remain no longer in this boiling water," said I to the Captain. "It would not be prudent," replied the impassive Captain Nemo. An order was given; the Nautilus tacked about and left the furnace it could not brave with impunity. A quarter of an hour after we were breathing fresh air on the surface. The thought then struck me that, if Ned Land had chosen this part of the sea for our flight, we should never have come alive out of this sea of fire.
The next day, the 16th of February, we left the basin which, between Rhodes and Alexandria, is reckoned about 1,500 fathoms in depth, and the Nautilus, passing some distance from Cerigo, quitted the Grecian Archipelago after having doubled Cape Matapan.
第二天，2月12日，天一亮的时候，诺第留斯号就浮出水面。我立即跑到平台上去。南边三海里的地方，隐约瑰出北路斯城的侧影。一道急流把我们从这一个海带到另一个海来了。不过，这地道顺流而下很容易，逆流而上恐怕就不可能。
七点左右，尼德•兰和康塞尔也上来了。这两个分不开的同伴只知安安静静地睡了一觉，全没有留心到诺第留斯号所完成的大胆事业。
“那么，生物学专家，”加拿大人以略带嘲笑的语气问，“您那地中海呢？"，“我们现在就在它的水面上了，尼德朋友。"“嗯！”康塞尔哼了一声，“就是昨夜吗？……”“对，就是昨夜，几分钟内，我们便走过了这不能走过的地峡。”
“我不能相信这事。”加拿大人回答。
“您错了，兰师傅，”我立即说，“那向南方弯下去的低低的海岸，就是埃及海岸了。”
“先生，您向别人说去吧。”固执的加拿大人回答。
“既然先生肯定了，”康塞尔对他说，“那就要相信先生哩。”
“尼德，尼摩船长还很客气地让我看了他的地道，当他亲自指挥诺第留斯号通过这条狭窄地道的时候，我在他面前，在领航人的笼间里。”
“尼德，您明白了吗？”康塞尔说。
“您的眼力是很好的，”我又说，“尼德，您可以望见那伸出在海中的塞得港长堤。”
加拿大人很用心地看了一下。他说：
“果然，教授，您说得对。您的那位船长是一位杰出人物。我们现在是在地中海了。很好。我们来商谈一下我们的小事情吧，但不要使人们听到我们的谈话。"我很知道加拿大人要商谈的是什么事情，不管怎样，我想谈一谈是好些，因为他要谈。我们三人于是坐到探照灯附近，在那边我们可以受到一些浪花打来的泡沫。
“尼德，”我说，“我们现在静听您的话了。您有什么好消息告诉我们吗？”
“我要告诉你们的是很简单的几句。”加拿大人回答，“我们现在在欧洲了，在尼摩船长的任性行为还没有带我们到两极的海底中，或把我们带回大洋洲一带之前，我要求离开诺第留斯号。”
我承认，跟加拿大人饲•论这事，总是让我心中很为难。
我一点也不想妨碍我的同伴们得到自由，同时我自己又完全没有离开尼摩船长的愿望。由于他，由于他的船，我日复一日地完成了我的海底研究，也就是在海底把我这部关于海底宝藏的书重写出来。我还能再得到这样一个机会来观察这些海洋的秘密吗？当然不可能！所以我就不可能想象在我们的周期考察完成之前就离开诺第留斯号。
“尼德朋友，”我说，“请您直率地回答我。您在这船上觉得厌烦无聊吗？您很悔恨命运把您送到尼摩船长手中来吗？”
加拿大人停了一刻，没有回答。然后，交叉着两子说。
“坦白说，我并不悔恨这次海底旅行。我很高兴做了这件事，但是必须做完，才能算数。这就是我的意思。，，“尼德，这事一定要做完的。"“在什么地方和什么时候做完呢？”
“什么地方？我一点不知道。什么时候？我不能说，或不如说，我假定旅行是要结束的，就在那一天，海洋中再没有什么可以给我们学习的时候。在这个世界上，有始必定有终。"“我跟先生的想法一样，”康塞尔回答，“很可能：士遍了地球上的所有海洋后，尼摩船长让我们三人全体自由飞走。
"飞走！”加拿大人喊道，“您是说自由飞走吗？"“兰师傅，我们不用夸张，”我立即回答道，“我们一点也不用怕尼摩船长，但我也不同意康塞尔的说法。我们获得诺第留斯号的秘密，我想，它的主人就是恢复我们的自由，也不能任我们把这些秘密随便在陆地上各处宣传。”
“那么，您希望什么呢？”加拿大人问。
“希望有一些我们可能利用，并且应该利用，譬如在六个月后，像现在一样的环境。”
“唉晴！”加拿大人说，“生物学专家，请问您，六个月后，我们将在什么地方呢？”
“或者在这里，或者在中国。您知道，诺第留斯号是跑得飞快的东西。“色跑过海洋，像燕子飞过空中，或快车跑过大陆那样。”白并不怕常有船只来往的海洋。谁敢告诉我们说，它不走近法国、英国或美洲海岸，在那里跟在这里一样，不可能有一个很好逃走的机会吗？”
“阿龙纳斯先生，”加拿大人回答说，“您的论证根本就错了。您总是爱说将来，如我们将在那里或我们将在这里！
而我所说的却是现在：我们现在在这里，我们就要利用这个机会。”
我被尼德•兰的推理紧紧逼住了，我觉得我在这个场合上输了。我实在找不出对我更有利的论证来。
“先生，”尼德•兰又说，“我们作一个不可能的假定，假定尼摩船长今天就给您自由，您接受吗？”
“我不知道。”我回答说。
“如果，”他又补充说，“他今天给您自由，以后就不再给了，您接受吗？”
我不回答。
“康塞尔朋友怎样想呢？”尼德。兰问。
“康塞尔朋友，”这个老实人安静地回答，“康塞尔朋友没有什么可说的，他在这个问题上，是绝对无所谓的。跟他的主人一样，跟他的同伴尼德一样，他是独身的。没有女人，没有父母，没有子女在故乡等着他。他给先生做事，他同先生一样想，他同先生一样说，他很遗憾，人们不能把他算作一票，凑成大多数。现在单单有两个人出席，一边是先生，一边是尼德•兰。这话说过后，康塞尔朋友静听着，他准备记分。”
我看见康塞尔完全取消了他自己，不能不发出微笑。
实际上，加拿大人，看到他不来反对自己，也应该很高兴。
“那么，”尼德•兰说，“先生，既然康塞尔不存在，我们俩来讨论这问题吧。我说过了，您听到我的诺了。您有话回答吗？”
很明显，要结束一下，作出结论来，躲躲闪闪是我所不愿意的。我说：“尼德朋友，我的答复是这样。您反对我，您对。我的论证在您的面前站不祝我们不能指望尼摩船长甘心情愿，恢复我们的自由。一般人最常有的谨慎也使他不会让我们自由的。反过来，小心谨慎也要我们来利用第一次机会，脱离诺第留斯号。"“对，阿龙纳斯先生，您这些话说得好。"“不过，”我说，“我要提出一点，单单一点。机会一定要很有把握。第一次逃走计划一定要成功。因为，如果失败了，我们就找不到再来一次的机会了，同时尼摩船长也不原谅我们了。”
“您这些话很正确，"加拿大人回答说，“但您提出的这一点可以应用到所有逃走的计划上面，两年后做的或两天内做的都适用。所以，问题还是这个：好机会来了，就要把握祝” "我同意。尼德，现在请您告诉我，您所谓好机会是指什么说呢？"：‘我所谓好机会，就是指一个黑夜里，诺第留斯号很挨近欧洲的某一处海岸的时候。”
“你打算泅水逃走吗？”
：‘对。如果我们离海岸相当近，船又浮在水面，我们就逃走。如果我们离岸很远，船又在水底航行，我们就留下。”
“留下又怎样呢？”
“留下，我就想法夺取那只小艇。我知道这小艇是怎样操纵的。我们走进艇里面去，把螺钉松开，我们就浮上水面来，就是在船头的领航人也看不见我们逃走。”
“好，尼德。您小心侦察这个好机会吧，但您不要忘记，如果失败，我们就完了。”
“我不至忘记，先生。”
“现在，尼德，您愿意知道我对于您的计划的想法吗？”
“很愿意，阿龙纳斯先生。”
“那么，我想——我不说我希望——这个好机会不会到来“为什么不会到来？"“因为尼摩船长不可能不看到，我们并没有抛弃恢复我们自由的希望，他一定小心警戒，特别在这一带接近欧洲海岸的海洋中。”
“我同意先生的看法。”康塞尔说。
“我们瞧着办吧。"尼德•兰回答，神气很坚决地摇摇头。
"现在，”我又说，“尼德，就谈到这里吧。以后不要再提这事了。到那一夭，您准备好了，您就通知我们，我们跟着您走。我完全听从您。”
这次谈话谈到这里就结束了，后来发生很严重的后果。
我现在要说，事实好像是证实了我的预见，弄得加拿大人很是失望。是尼摩船长在这一带很多船只往来的海上不信任我们呢？还是他仅仅想躲开所有国家在这地中海行驶的无数船只呢？我不知道。不过，船经常是在水底走，或距海岸很远的海面行驶；或者诺第留斯号浮出来，只让领航人的笼间在水面，或者就潜到很深的水底下去。因为在希腊群岛和小亚细亚之间，我们找不到深两千米的海底。所以，我只能从维吉尔①的诗句中认识斯波拉群岛之一，嘉巴托斯岛，这诗句是尼摩船长的手指放在平面地图上的一个点时给我念出来的：在嘉巴托斯上面住着海王涅豆尼的能预言的海神哥留列斯•蒲罗台②……“那么，您也可以随意把它减低吗？”
“不能，不过我们可以离开这产生热力的地方。”
“那么，这热是外来的。”
“不错。我们现在在滚沸的水流中行驶了。”
"可能吗？"我喊道。
"请看。"
嵌板打开，我看见诺第留斯号周围的海完全是白的。
一阵硫磺质的水蒸气在水流中间升起，水流像火锅中的水一般沸腾。我把手放在一块玻璃上，但热得厉害，我赶快把手缩回来。
“我们现在在什么地方？”我问。
“教授，”船长回答我说，“我们现在在桑多休岛附近，就是在把尼亚一加孟宜小岛和巴列亚一加孟宜小岛分开的那条水道中。我是想给您看一看海底喷火的新奇景象。”
“我原以为，”我说，“这些新岛屿的形成早就停止了。”
“在火山区域的海中没有什么是停止的，”尼摩船长回答，“地球也老是受地下火力的煎熬。根据嘉西奥多尔①和蒲林尼的话，公元19年，已经有一个新岛，名字叫铁那女神，在新近形成的那些小岛地位上出现。不久这岛沉下去，到公元69年又浮出来，以后又沉下去一次。白那个时期后直到现在，海中的浮沉工作停止了。但是，1866年2月3日，一个新的小岛，名为佐治岛，在硫磺质的水蒸气中间，近尼亚一加孟宜小岛的地方浮出来了，同月6日，它同尼亚一。
加孟宜合并起来，七天后，2月13日，阿夫罗沙小岛出现，在它和尼亚一孟加宜中间让开一“条宽十米的水道。这件抒事发生的时候，我正在这一带海中，我可以观察岛屿形成的所有阶段。阿夫罗沙小岛是圆圈形，直径三百英尺，高三十英尺，它的成分为黑色的和坡璃质的火山石，同时大杂了长石碎片。最后，8月10日，又有一个更小的小岛，名为列卡岛，在近尼亚～加孟宜小岛地方出现，自后，这三个小岛合并在一起，形成为一个大岛。"“目前我们所在的水道在哪里呢？"我问。
“这不是吗，”尼摩船长情着一张希腊群岛的地图回答我，“您看到，我把新出现的小岛都加上去了。"“这水道有一天要填平吗？”
“那很可能，阿龙纳斯先生，因为，自18 66年以来，有八个火山石的小岛在巴列亚～加孟宜小岛的圣尼古拉港对面浮出来了。显然，在很近的期间，尼亚和巴列亚两小岛就要连接起来。”
我回到玻璃近边。诺第留斯号停住不走了。热气愈来愈令人不能忍受。海水本来是白的，由于有铁盐，发生染色作用，现在转变为红色。虽然客厅关得很严密，但有一种令人屹不消的硫磺气味送进来，同时我又望见了赤红色的火焰，辉煌灿烂，把电灯的光辉都掩盖下去了。
我全身湿透，喘不过气未，就要被煮熟了。事实1＝，我真觉得人家在煮我！
“我们再不能留在这沸腾的水流中了。"我对船长说。
"是的，再留在这儿就大不谨慎了。心平气和的尼摩回答说。
命令发出，诺第留斯号船身转过来，离开这座熔炉，冒昧地留下难免要碰到危险呢！一刻钟后，我们又在海面上呼吸了。
于是我心中想，如果尼德•兰选择这－带的海来实行我们的逃走计划，我们恐怕不能活着走出这火海吧。
第二天，2月16日，我们离开了这海，它在罗得岛和亚历山大港之间，深度有三千米，诺第留斯号行驶在雪利哥海面，绕过马达邦角后，就扔下希腊群岛不见了。
Part 2 Chapter 7
The Mediterranean, the blue sea par excellence, "the great sea" of the Hebrews, "the sea" of the Greeks, the "mare nostrum" of the Romans, bordered by orange-trees, aloes, cacti, and sea-pines; embalmed with the perfume of the myrtle, surrounded by rude mountains, saturated with pure and transparent air, but incessantly worked by underground fires; a perfect battlefield in which Neptune and Pluto still dispute the empire of the world! It is upon these banks, and on these waters, says Michelet, that man is renewed in one of the most powerful climates of the globe. But, beautiful as it was, I could only take a rapid glance at the basin whose superficial area is two million of square yards. Even Captain Nemo's knowledge was lost to me, for this puzzling person did not appear once during our passage at full speed. I estimated the course which the Nautilus took under the waves of the sea at about six hundred leagues, and it was accomplished in forty-eight hours. Starting on the morning of the 16th of February from the shores of Greece, we had crossed the Straits of Gibraltar by sunrise on the 18th.
It was plain to me that this Mediterranean, enclosed in the midst of those countries which he wished to avoid, was distasteful to Captain Nemo. Those waves and those breezes brought back too many remembrances, if not too many regrets. Here he had no longer that independence and that liberty of gait which he had when in the open seas, and his Nautilus felt itself cramped between the close shores of Africa and Europe. Our speed was now twenty-five miles an hour. It may be well understood that Ned Land, to his great disgust, was obliged to renounce his intended flight. He could not launch the pinnace, going at the rate of twelve or thirteen yards every second. To quit the Nautilus under such conditions would be as bad as jumping from a train going at full speed--an imprudent thing, to say the least of it. Besides, our vessel only mounted to the surface of the waves at night to renew its stock of air; it was steered entirely by the compass and the log. I saw no more of the interior of this Mediterranean than a traveller by express train perceives of the landscape which flies before his eyes; that is to say, the distant horizon, and not the nearer objects which pass like a flash of lightning.
We were then passing between Sicily and the coast of Tunis. In the narrow space between Cape Bon and the Straits of Messina the bottom of the sea rose almost suddenly. There was a perfect bank, on which there was not more than nine fathoms of water, whilst on either side the depth was ninety fathoms.
The Nautilus had to manoeuvre very carefully so as not to strike against this submarine barrier.
I showed Conseil, on the map of the Mediterranean, the spot occupied by this reef. "But if you please, sir," observed Conseil, "it is like a real isthmus joining Europe to Africa." "Yes, my boy, it forms a perfect bar to the Straits of Lybia, and the soundings of Smith have proved that in former times the continents between Cape Boco and Cape Furina were joined." "I can well believe it," said Conseil. "I will add," I continued, "that a similar barrier exists between Gibraltar and Ceuta, which in geological times formed the entire Mediterranean." "What if some volcanic burst should one day raise these two barriers above the waves?" "It is not probable, Conseil." "Well, but allow me to finish, please, sir; if this phenomenon should take place, it will be troublesome for M. Lesseps, who has taken so much pains to pierce the isthmus." "I agree with you; but I repeat, Conseil, this phenomenon will never happen. The violence of subterranean force is ever diminishing. Volcanoes, so plentiful in the first days of the world, are being extinguished by degrees; the internal heat is weakened, the temperature of the lower strata of the globe is lowered by a perceptible quantity every century to the detriment of our globe, for its heat is its life." "But the sun?" "The sun is not sufficient, Conseil. Can it give heat to a dead body?" "Not that I know of." "Well, my friend, this earth will one day be that cold corpse; it will become uninhabitable and uninhabited like the moon, which has long since lost all its vital heat." "In how many centuries?" "In some hundreds of thousands of years, my boy." "Then," said Conseil, "we shall have time to finish our journey-that is, if Ned Land does not interfere with it." And Conseil, reassured, returned to the study of the bank, which the Nautilus was skirting at a moderate speed. During the night of the 16th and 17th February we had entered the second Mediterranean basin, the greatest depth of which was 1,450 fathoms. The Nautilus, by the action of its crew, slid down the inclined planes
and buried itself in the lowest depths of the sea. On the 18th of February, about three o'clock in the morning, we were at the entrance of the Straits of Gibraltar. There once existed two currents: an upper one, long since recognised, which conveys the waters of the ocean into the basin of the Mediterranean; and a lower counter-current, which reasoning has now shown to exist. Indeed, the volume of water in the Mediterranean, incessantly added to by the waves of the Atlantic and by rivers falling into it, would each year raise the level of this sea, for its evaporation is not sufficient to restore the equilibrium. As it is not so, we must necessarily admit the existence of an under-current, which empties into the basin of the Atlantic through the Straits of Gibraltar the surplus waters of the Mediterranean. A fact indeed; and it was this counter-current by which the Nautilus profited. It advanced rapidly by the narrow pass. For one instant I caught a glimpse of the beautiful ruins of the temple of Hercules, buried in the ground, according to Pliny, and with the low island which supports it; and a few minutes later we were floating on the Atlantic.
地中海，是最碧蓝的海，希伯来人的“大海”，希腊人酌“海”，罗马人的“我们的海”，周围广植橘树、芦卉、仙人掌、海松树，喷出番石榴花的芳香，四周峻峭的群山坏抱，空气纯洁清新，可是被地下烈火不停地熬煎，这海正是海王涅豆尼和阎王蒲留敦①争夺世界霸权一直到现在还没停止的战常米歇列说，就是在地中海，在它的岸上，在它的水中，是人类在地球上锻炼自己的最强大有力的一个场所。。
虽然这侮很美，但我只能很约略地瞳望一下。地中海面积共二百万平方公里。就是尼摩船长本人关于这海的知帜，我也得不到，因为这个神秘人物在这次快速度的航海中，一次也没有出来。我估计诺第留斯号在这海底下所走过的路程约有六百里，而这次旅行，他用四十八小时的时间就完成了。2月16日早晨从希腊一带海面出发，18日太阳从东方升起的时候，我们就通过直布罗陀海峡了。
对我来说，事情很明显，这地中海正处在尼摩船长要逃避的人所居住的陆地中间，他不喜欢这海。这海水和这海风给他带来了纵然不是过多的悔恨，也一定是过多的回忆。
在这海里，海洋赋予他的那种自由自在的神情姿态，那种独来独往的行动，他现在没有了；他的诺第留斯号在这些非洲和欧洲相接近的海岸中间，也感到气闷。
因此，我们的速度是每小时二十五海里，即每里为四千米的十二里①。那不用说，尼德•兰很难过，只有放弃他的逃走计划。这样每秒十二至十三米的速度，他不可能使用那只小艇。在这种条件下离开诺第留斯号，那等于从飞奔的火车上往下跳，简直是粗心大意的行为。并且，我们的船夜间才浮上水面来，调换新鲜空气，它单单根据罗盘的度数和测程器的指示来行驶。
所以，我从地中海内部往外看，就像快车上的旅客所看到的他眼前疾驰的风景一样，这是说，只看到远远的天际，但是像闪电一般飞过的眼前景致却反而看不见。不过，康塞尔和我，我们仍然可能看见一些地中海的鱼类，它们的鳍的力量可以让它们在诺第留斯号的附近水流中停留一些时帜，我也得不到，因为这个神秘人物在这次快速度的航海牛，一次也没有出来。我估计诺第留斯号在这海底下所走过的路程约有六百里，而这次旅行，他用四十八小时的时间就完成了。2月16日早晨从希腊一带海面出发，18日太阳从东方升起的时候，我们就通过直布罗陀海峡了。
对我来说，事情很明显，这地中海正处在尼摩船长要逃避的人所居住的陆地中间，他不喜欢这海。这海水和这海风给他带来了纵然不是过多的悔恨，也一定是过多的回忆。
；在这海里，海洋赋予他的那种自由自在的神情姿态，那种独来独往的行动，他现在没有了；他的诺第留斯号在这些非洲和欧洲相接近的海岸中间，也感到气闷。
因此，我们的速度是每小时二十五海里，即每里为四千米的十二里①。那不用说，尼德•兰很难过，只有放弃他的逃走计划。这样每秒十二至十三米的速度，他不可能使用“那只小艇。在这种条件下离开诺第留斯号，那等于从飞奔的火车上往下跳，简直是粗心大意的行为。并且，我们的船夜间才浮上水面来，调换新鲜空气，它单单根据罗盘的度数和测程器的指示来行驶。
所以，我从地中海内部往外看，就像快车上的旅客所看到的他眼前疾驰的风景一样，这是说，只看到远远的天际，但是像闪电一般飞过的眼前景致却反而看不见。不过，康塞尔和我，我们仍然可能看见一些地中海的鱼类，它们的鳍力量可以让它们在诺第留斯号的附近水流中停留一些时候。我们在客厅的玻璃边等待机会，我们的笔记对我校正地中海鱼类学有很大帮助。
在被阵阵电光照碍通亮的水流中间，有一些长一米的八目鳗婉蜒地游来游去，这种鱼差不多在所有气候不同的地方都有。稣鱼类的尖嘴鱼，宽五英尺，肚腹白色，脊背友色带斑点，像宽大的围巾被水流漂着滚来滚去。其他的鲫鱼类走过得很快，我想法认识它们是否应得希腊人给它们的“鹰”的称号，或者近代渔人很离奇地给它们的“老鼠”、“蟾涂”和“编幅”的名字。好些鸯形鲛有十二英尺长，这是潜水人特别害怕的东西，这些鲛彼此在水里比赛速度。梅狐狸，长八英尺，嗅觉极端敏锐，像淡蓝色的阴影一样在水中出现。扁鱼是绸鱼属，有些长至十三分米，全身银白和天蓝，缠上条纹，特别显出它们的鳍的深黑色调；这是古时专用来祭美神维纳斯的鱼，它们的眼睛嵌在金色眉睫里。美丽的鳍鱼，长丸至十米，是走动很快的动物，有力的尾巴仲撞客厅的玻璃，显出它们有小栗色斑点的淡蓝脊背，它们跟鲛鱼相像，但没有鲛鱼的气力大。这鱼在所有的海洋中都可碰见，春季，它们喜欢上溯到大河里。但在地中海的这些不同鱼类中，当诺第留斯号上浮接近水面时我可以最有益处地观察到的，是属于骨质鱼组的第六十三属。那是脊背蓝黑，肚腹带银甲，背上线条发出金黄微光的鳍鲸鱼。这类鱼是以跟着船只一齐走出名的，在热带的炎热天空下，它们找到了船的凉快阴影来躲藏：果然事情是这样，它们陪着诺第留斯号，像从前陪着拉•比路斯的船只一样。在长久的时间内，它们同我们的船比赛竞走。我不停地欣赏这些鱼，它们生来就是为便于赛跑的，它们的头很小，身子很光滑，作纺锤形，有些身长超过三米，它们的胸鳍特别有力，尾巴作叉形。它们行动时作三角形，像可以和它们比快的某种鸟类一样，因此，古时人就说它们是熟习几何学和战略砌。
我单单为记忆起见，举出康塞尔或我只能望见一下的那些地中海的鱼类。那是拳状电鳗，淡白色，游走时像不可捉摸的气体一样。有海鳝鱼，像长三至四米的蛇一样，带青、蓝和黄的美丽颜色。有海鳍鱼，长三英尺，肝是美味好吃的。有带条鱼，浮来浮去，像细长的海藻。有纺拂，诗人称为琴鱼，水手称为笛鱼，嘴上装有三角形和多齿形的两块薄片，形状像老荷马的乐器。有燕子笛鱼，走得很快，像燕子一样，所以得了这个名称。有金著稠，头红色，脊鳍上满是丝线条。有芦葵鱼，身上带有黑色、灰色、栗色、蓝色、黄色、青色的斑点，它能发出钟铃的叮当银质声响。有华美的蝶鱼，这鱼是海中的山鸡，全身作菱形，淡黄色的鳍，带粟子色的小斑点，左边上部，通常带有栗色和黄色花纹。最后有美丽的海诽鳃，那真正是海里面的无双鸟。
至于海中哺乳类，我觉得走过亚德里亚海口时看到了两三条大头鲸，它们具有真甲鲸属的脊鳍；几条圆球头属的海猪，它们是地中海的特产，头的前部有一条条的光辉花纹。又有十来条海豹，白肚腹，黑皮毛，大家知道它们的名字是“和尚”，它们的样子完全跟多明尼克①派的修土一样，身长三米。
在康塞尔方面，他觉得望见了一只六英尺宽的大龟，背有三条纵长的伸出去的突起棱骨。
至于植虫动物，我曾在短时间内，欣赏一种美丽的橙黄色唇形水熄，这些东西钩在船左舷嵌板的玻璃上，那是一条很长、很细的丝带，长出无穷无尽的枝叶，末梢是最精美的花边，就是阿拉克妮的敌手也织不出来。可惜我不能打到这个美丽的品种，幸而诺第留斯号在16日晚上速度特别缓慢了，要不然地中海的其他植虫动物一定不可能出现在我眼前。下面是当时的情况。
我们正从西西里岛和突尼斯海岸中间走过。在崩角和墨西拿海峡间的狭窄海中，海底突然上升；在这一带简直就形成了一条山脊，水深只有十六米，至于两边海底每边有一、百七十米深。所以诺第留斯号要很小心地行驶，怕撞上这道海底栅栏。
我在地中海地图上，指给康塞尔看那条很长的暗礁所。
占据的部位。
“不过，请先生原谅，”康塞尔说，“那就真正是连结欧洲。
和非洲的一条地峡了。”
“对，老实人，”我回答，“它完全堵住了利比亚海峡，史。
密斯的测量也证明了这两个大陆从前是在崩角和夫利那角、间连结起来的。”
“我很相信是这样。康塞尔说。
“要知道，”我立即又说，“类似的一道栅栏也存在于直布罗陀和叙达之间，在地质学的纪元时期把地中海完全封锁起来。”
康塞尔用心研究诺第留斯号缓慢地、挨近地面走过的那浅水海底。
这浅水海底，在多石的和火成岩的地下，有整部的活花草盛开着；有海绵：有海参；有透明的海胆；有带淡红色的蔓，发出轻微的磷光：有海袋，俗名海黄瓜，浸在七色阳光的及射光线中；有巡行游走的车盘，宽一米，它们的大红颜色．把海水都染红了；有最美的咸丛海水仙；有茎很长的石纹花；有许多种类不同，可以食用的海栗；有青色的海苑葵，茎于是淡灰色，花盘是栗子色，藏在触须形成的橄揽色毛发里面，很不容易看清楚。
康塞尔特别注意观察软体动物和节肢动物，虽然关于这一部分的术语有些枯燥，但我不愿对不起这个老实人，把他个人的观察遗漏了。
在软体动物门中，他举出许多的柿形海扇，彼此堆起来伪驴蹄形双壳贝，三角形的端那螺，鳍黄色和壳透明的三齿稍子贝，橙黄色的腹脚贝，带淡青色小斑点的卵形贝，名为海兔的腹足贝，古锨形贝，多肉的无触角贝，地中海特产的伞贝，壳中产生一种很宝贵的螺铀的海耳贝，火焰形海扇无头贝（据说，法国南部人爱吃这种贝甚于牡蛎），马赛人很宝贵的毛砚，又白又肥的双层草贝。又有一些介蛤，北美沿海出产很丰富，在纽约零售的数量非常之多。还有颜色变化很多的潜在自身壳洞中的盖形梳贝；我很爱吃的带胡椒味豹石子贝；顶上有凸起的壳，侧面有突出的带线条痕迹的薄鳃类蛤，大红瘤丛生的辛提贝；尖端弯曲和有些像小艇形的肉食贝：头上戴冠的铁贝；螺丝形介壳的人形柱贝；灰色海神贝；带有白点，蒙上丝绦的头巾，类似小蛐蜒的琴贝；爬在背上的洼涡贝；耳朵贝；其中有带椭圆形壳的琉璃草耳朵贝；茶褐色的丝挂贝；海螺，海蛤，菊贝，岩贝，薄片贝，宝石贝，花瓶贝等等。
至于节肢动物，康塞尔在他的笔记上，很正确地把它们分为六纲，其中有三纲是属于海产动物。这王纲是甲壳纲，蔓足纲和坏虫纲。
甲壳纲分为丸目，其中第一目包括十脚节肢动物，这些动物通常是头部和胸部连接起来，口腔器官由好几对节时组成，又有四对、五对或六对胸部的脚或走动的脚。康塞尔遵照我们的老师密尔•爱德华的方法，把十脚节肢动物分为三部：短尾部，长尾部和无尾部。这些名字稍微有点通俗，但很明白，很正确。在短尾部中，康塞尔举出“阿马地’蟹，前头有两支分开的长刺：蝎子蟹——我不知道因为什么～一希腊人拿这蟹来象征智慧。棍形海蜘蛛，刺形海蚁蛛，这些东西可能是迷路到达浅海底中来了，因为它们通常是在水很深的地方。十足蟹，矢形蟹，菱形蟹，粒形蟹——康塞尔指出，这蟹很容易消化；无齿的伞花蟹，螃蟹，西蟹，毛绒蟹等。在长尾部中，分为五科：装甲科，掘脚科，无定位科，虾科，足目科；康塞尔举出普通的龙虾（母龙虾肉是很受人重视的），熊虾，或海蝉，河虾，以及各种食用的虾但他没有说到无定位科的区别，其中有对虾这一属，因为地虾是地中海中唯一的对虾属。
诺第留斯号已经通过了利比亚海峡的浅水海底，到了深海水中，速度又照常了一自后，便看不见软体动。物、节胶动物、植虫动物了。只有一些大鱼，像黑影一般走过。
在2月16日至17日的夜间，我们进入了地中海的第二道水域，最深的地方有三千米。诺第留斯号受机轮的推动，随侧面的纵斜机板溜下，一直潜到最下的水层。
在最深的水层，虽然没有自然的新奇东西，但阵阵的海水也给我看到了各种动人和可怕的场面。正是在这时候，我们走过了地中海发生遇难沉船事件最多的地方。从阿尔及利亚沿海至普罗文沙海岸，不知道有多少船只遇难了1有多少船只沉没了！
因此，在这次从海底深水处走过的快速行驶中，我看见很多沉没的船躺在海底，有的已经被珊瑚胶粘住了，有的仅仅蒙上一层铁锈，锚、大炮、子弹、各种铁架、机轮叶、机器零件、破碎的圆筒、损坏的锅炉，以及那些浮在水中的船壳，有的直立，有的翻倒。
这些遇难的船只、有的因为相撞、有的由于碰上了花岗石的暗礁才沉没的。我看见有些船笔直地沉下去，桅墙直立，船具被水浸坏了。它们好像停泊在阔大的外港中，正等待准时开行。当诺第留斯号从它们中间走过，它的电光波照耀它们的时候，好像这些船招展它们的旗，向它致敬，把它们的编号向它报告！不，在这灾祸的场所上，只有寂静和死亡！
我看到地中海底下，当诺第留斯号愈来愈走近直布罗陀海峡的时候，这些遇难沉没船只的残骸也就堆积得愈来愈多了。欧洲和非洲海岸在这里狭窄起来，在这狭窄的空间隙中，相碰相憧是常有的事，我看见下面有许多铁制的船身，汽船的离奇古怪的残骸，有的倒下，有的竖立，好像十分庞大的动物。其中一只船，侧面破裂了，烟囱弯了，它的机轮只剩下骨架，它的舵已经离开尾柱，但铁链仍然把舵系注，它的后面铁盘已经受海盐的侵蚀，现出十分难看的形状！有多少人在这船遇难中丧了生！有多少牺牲者被拖到水底下去了！是不是有水手保全了性命，给人们讲述这次可怕的灾祸呢？或者水波仍然保持着这次遇难事件的秘密呢？
然而，诺第留斯号，无情地和迅速地开足机轮从这些残骸中间跑过去。2月18日，早晨三点左右，它出现在直布罗陀海峡的口上。
海峡中有两道水流：一道是上层水流，很久以来就有人知道是它把大西洋的水引人地中海的，又有一道相反的下层水流，现在由于推理证明了它的存在。是的，地中海水的总量，由大西洋潮水和流入其中的大河水，不停地增加，这海水的水平应该每年上涨，因为水汽的蒸发作用不能保持水量的平衡。不过，事实上并不是这样，因此，人们就自然而然地承认有一道下层水流的存在，把地中海过剩的水从直布罗陀海峡输送到大西洋去。
对的，这事实是正确的。就是这道相反的下层水流，诺第留斯号现在要来利用。它迅速地进人这条狭窄的水道。
在这一瞬间，我可以望见一下那座根据蒲林尼和阿维纽斯①的话而沉在海底下的壮丽惊人的赫克留斯庙的废墟。，以及在下面支承这庙的小岛，几分钟后，我们就浮在大西洋水波上面了。
Part 2 Chapter 8
The Nautilus was steadily pursuing its southerly course, following the fiftieth meridian with considerable speed. Did he wish to reach the pole? I did not think so, for every attempt to reach that point had hitherto failed. Again, the season was far advanced, for in the Antarctic regions the 13th of March corresponds with the 13th of September of northern regions, which begin at the equinoctial season. On the 14th of March I saw floating ice in latitude 55", merely pale bits of debris from twenty to twenty-five feet long, forming banks over which the sea curled. The Nautilus remained on the surface of the ocean. Ned Land, who had fished in the Arctic Seas, was familiar with its icebergs; but Conseil and I admired them for the first time. In the atmosphere towards the southern horizon stretched a white dazzling band. English whalers have given it the name of "ice blink." However thick the clouds may be, it is always visible, and announces the presence of an ice pack or bank. Accordingly, larger blocks soon appeared, whose brilliancy changed with the caprices of the fog. Some of these masses showed green veins, as if long undulating lines had been traced with sulphate of copper; others resembled enormous amethysts with the light shining through them. Some reflected the light of day upon a thousand crystal facets. Others shaded with vivid calcareous reflections resembled a perfect town of marble. The more we neared the south the more these floating islands increased both in number and importance. At 60" lat. every pass had disappeared. But, seeking carefully, Captain Nemo soon found a narrow opening, through which he boldly slipped, knowing, however, that it would close behind him. Thus, guided by this clever hand, the Nautilus passed through all the ice with a precision which quite charmed Conseil; icebergs or mountains, ice-fields or smooth plains, seeming to have no limits, drift-ice or floating ice-packs, plains broken up, called palchs when they are circular, and streams when they are made up of long s
trips. The temperature was very low; the thermometer exposed to the air marked 2" or 3" below zero, but we were warmly clad with fur, at the expense of the sea-bear and seal. The interior of the Nautilus, warmed regularly by its electric apparatus, defied the most intense cold. Besides, it would only have been necessary to go some yards beneath the waves to find a more bearable temperature. Two months earlier we should have had perpetual daylight in these latitudes; but already we had had three or four hours of night, and by and by there would be six months of darkness in these circumpolar regions. On the 15th of March we were in the latitude of New Shetland and South Orkney. The Captain told me that formerly numerous tribes of seals inhabited them; but that English and American whalers, in their rage for destruction, massacred both old and young; thus, where there was once life and animation, they had left silence and death.
About eight o'clock on the morning of the 16th of March the Nautilus, following the fifty-fifth meridian, cut the Antarctic polar circle. Ice surrounded us on all sides, and closed the horizon. But Captain Nemo went from one opening to another, still going higher. I cannot express my astonishment at the beauties of these new regions. The ice took most surprising forms. Here the grouping formed an oriental town, with innumerable mosques and minarets; there a fallen city thrown to the earth, as it were, by some convulsion of nature. The whole aspect was constantly changed by the oblique rays of the sun, or lost in the greyish fog amidst hurricanes of snow. Detonations and falls were heard on all sides, great overthrows of icebergs, which altered the whole landscape like a diorama. Often seeing no exit, I thought we were definitely prisoners; but, instinct guiding him at the slightest indication, Captain Nemo would discover a new pass. He was never mistaken when he saw the thin threads of bluish water trickling along the ice-fields; and I had no doubt that he had already ventured into the midst of these Antarctic seas before. On the 16th of March, however, the ice-fields absolutely blocked our road. It was not the iceberg itself, as yet, but vast fields cemented by the cold. But this obstacle could not stop Captain Nemo: he hurled himself against it with frightful violence. The Nautilus entered the brittle mass like a wedge, and split it with frightful crackings. It was the battering ram of the ancients hurled by infinite strength. The ice, thrown high in the air, fell like hail around us. By its own power of impulsion our apparatus made a canal for itself; some times carried away by its own impetus, it lodged on the ice-field, crushing it with its weight, and sometimes buried beneath it, dividing it by a simple pitching movement, producing large rents in it. Violent gales assailed us at this time, accompanied by thick fogs, through which, from one end of the platform to the other, we could see nothing. The win
d blew sharply from all parts of the compass, and the snow lay in such hard heaps that we had to break it with blows of a pickaxe. The temperature was always at 5" below zero; every outward part of the Nautilus was covered with ice. A rigged vessel would have been entangled in the blocked up gorges. A vessel without sails, with electricity for its motive power, and wanting no coal, could alone brave such high latitudes. At length, on the 18th of March, after many useless assaults, the Nautilus was positively blocked. It was no longer either streams, packs, or ice-fields, but an interminable and immovable barrier, formed by mountains soldered together. "An iceberg!" said the Canadian to me.
I knew that to Ned Land, as well as to all other navigators who had preceded us, this was an inevitable obstacle. The sun appearing for an instant at noon, Captain Nemo dook an observation as near as possible, which gave our situation at 51" 30' long. and 67" 39' of S. lat. We had advanced one degree more in this Antarctic region. Of the liquid surface of the sea there was no longer a glimpse. Under the spur of the Nautilus lay stretched a vast plain, entangled with confused blocks. Here and there sharp points and slender needles rising to a height of 200 feet; further on a steep shore, hewn as it were with an axe and clothed with greyish tints; huge mirrors, reflecting a few rays of sunshine, half drowned in the fog. And over this desolate face of nature a stern silence reigned, scarcely broken by the flapping of the wings of petrels and puffins. Everything was frozen--even the noise. The Nautilus was then obliged to stop in its adventurous course amid these fields of ice. In spite of our efforts, in spite of the powerful means employed to break up the ice, the Nautilus remained immovable. Generally, when we can proceed no further, we have return still open to us; but here return was as impossible as advance, for every pass had closed behind us; and for the few moments when we were stationary, we were likely to be entirely blocked, which did indeed happen about two o'clock in the afternoon, the fresh ice forming around its sides with astonishing rapidity. I was obliged to admit that Captain Nemo was more than imprudent. I was on the platform at that moment. The Captain had been observing our situation for some time past, when he said to me: "Well, sir, what do you think of this?" "I think that we are caught, Captain." "So, M. Aronnax, you really think that the Nautilus cannot disengage itself?" "With difficulty, Captain; for the season is already too far advanced for you to reckon on the breaking of the ice." "Ah! sir," said Captain Nemo, in an ironical tone, "you will always be the same. You see nothing 
but difficulties and obstacles. I affirm that not only can the Nautilus disengage itself, but also that it can go further still." "Further to the South?" I asked, looking at the Captain. "Yes, sir; it shall go to the pole." "To the pole!" I exclaimed, unable to repress a gesture of incredulity. "Yes," replied the Captain, coldly, "to the Antarctic pole-to that unknown point from whence springs every meridian of the globe. You know whether I can do as I please with the Nautilus!" Yes, I knew that. I knew that this man was bold, even to rashness. But to conquer those obstacles which bristled round the South Pole, rendering it more inaccessible than the North, which had not yet been reached by the boldest navigators--was it not a mad enterprise, one which only a maniac would have conceived? It then came into my head to ask Captain Nemo if he had ever discovered that pole which had never yet been trodden by a human creature? "No, sir," he replied; "but we will discover it together. Where others have failed, I will not fail. I have never yet led my Nautilus so far into southern seas; but, I repeat, it shall go further yet." "I can well believe you, Captain," said I, in a slightly ironical tone. "I believe you! Let us go ahead! There are no obstacles for us! Let us smash this iceberg! Let us blow it up; and, if it resists, let us give the Nautilus wings to fly over it!" "Over it, sir!" said Captain Nemo, quietly; "no, not over it, but under it!" "Under it!" I exclaimed, a sudden idea of the Captain's projects flashing upon my mind. I understood; the wonderful qualities of the Nautilus were going to serve us in this superhuman enterprise. "I see we are beginning to understand one another, sir," said the Captain, half smiling. "You begin to see the possibility--I should say the success-of this attempt. That which is impossible for an ordinary vessel is easy to the Nautilus. If a continent lies before the pole, it must stop before the continent; but if, on the contrary, the pole is washed by open sea, it will
go even to the pole." "Certainly," said I, carried away by the Captain's reasoning; "if the surface of the sea is solidified by the ice, the lower depths are free by the Providential law which has placed the maximum of density of the waters of the ocean one degree higher than freezing-point; and, if I am not mistaken, the portion of this iceberg which is above the water is as one to four to that which is below." "Very nearly, sir; for one foot of iceberg above the sea there are three below it. If these ice mountains are not more than 300 feet above the surface, they are not more than 900 beneath. And what are 900 feet to the Nautilus?" "Nothing, sir." "It could even seek at greater depths that uniform temperature of sea-water, and there brave with impunity the thirty or forty degrees of surface cold." "Just so, sir--just so," I replied, getting animated. "The only difficulty," continued Captain Nemo, "is that of remaining several days without renewing our provision of air." "Is that all? The Nautilus has vast reservoirs; we can fill them, and they will supply us with all the oxygen we want." "Well thought of, M. Aronnax," replied the Captain, smiling. "But, not wishing you to accuse me of rashness, I will first give you all my objections." "Have you any more to make?" "Only one. It is possible, if the sea exists at the South Pole, that it may be covered; and, consequently, we shall be unable to come to the surface." "Good, sir! but do you forget that the Nautilus is armed with a powerful spur, and could we not send it diagonally against these fields of ice, which would open at the shocks." "Ah! sir, you are full of ideas to-day." "Besides, Captain," I added, enthusiastically, "why should we not find the sea open at the South Pole as well as at the North? The frozen poles of the earth do not coincide, either in the southern or in the northern regions; and, until it is proved to the contrary, we may suppose either a continent or an ocean free from ice at these two points of the globe." "I think so too, M. Aronn
ax," replied Captain Nemo. "I only wish you to observe that, after having made so many objections to my project, you are now crushing me with arguments in its favour!" The preparations for this audacious attempt now began. The powerful pumps of the Nautilus were working air into the reservoirs and storing it at high pressure. About four o'clock, Captain Nemo announced the closing of the panels on the platform. I threw one last look at the massive iceberg which we were going to cross. The weather was clear, the atmosphere pure enough, the cold very great, being 12" below zero; but, the wind having gone down, this temperature was not so unbearable. About ten men mounted the sides of the Nautilus, armed with pickaxes to break the ice around the vessel, which was soon free. The operation was quickly performed, for the fresh ice was still very thin. We all went below. The usual reservoirs were filled with the newly-liberated water, and the Nautilus soon descended. I had taken my place with Conseil in the saloon; through the open window we could see the lower beds of the Southern Ocean. The thermometer went up, the needle of the compass deviated on the dial. At about 900 feet, as Captain Nemo had foreseen, we were floating beneath the undulating bottom of the iceberg. But the Nautilus went lower still--it went to the depth of four hundred fathoms. The temperature of the water at the surface showed twelve degrees, it was now only ten; we had gained two. I need not say the temperature of the Nautilus was raised by its heating apparatus to a much higher degree; every manoeuvre was accomplished with wonderful precision. "We shall pass it, if you please, sir," said Conseil. "I believe we shall," I said, in a tone of firm conviction. In this open sea, the Nautilus had taken its course direct to the pole, without leaving the fifty-second meridian. From 67" 30' to 90", twenty-two degrees and a half of latitude remained to travel; that is, about five hundred leagues. The Nautilus kept up a mean speed of twenty-six miles a
n hour-the speed of an express train. If that was kept up, in forty hours we should reach the pole.
For a part of the night the novelty of the situation kept us at the window. The sea was lit with the electric lantern; but it was deserted; fishes did not sojourn in these imprisoned waters; they only found there a passage to take them from the Antarctic Ocean to the open polar sea. Our pace was rapid; we could feel it by the quivering of the long steel body. About two in the morning I took some hours' repose, and Conseil did the same. In crossing the waist I did not meet Captain Nemo: I supposed him to be in the pilot's cage. The next morning, the 19th of March, I took my post once more in the saloon. The electric log told me that the speed of the Nautilus had been slackened. It was then going towards the surface; but prudently emptying its reservoirs very slowly. My heart beat fast. Were we going to emerge and regain the open polar atmosphere? No! A shock told me that the Nautilus had struck the bottom of the iceberg, still very thick, judging from the deadened sound. We had in deed "struck," to use a sea expression, but in an inverse sense, and at a thousand feet deep. This would give three thousand feet of ice above us; one thousand being above the water-mark. The iceberg was then higher than at its borders--not a very reassuring fact. Several times that day the Nautilus tried again, and every time it struck the wall which lay like a ceiling above it. Sometimes it met with but 900 yards, only 200 of which rose above the surface. It was twice the height it was when the Nautilus had gone under the waves. I carefully noted the different depths, and thus obtained a submarine profile of the chain as it was developed under the water. That night no change had taken place in our situation. Still ice between four and five hundred yards in depth! It was evidently diminishing, but, still, what a thickness between us and the surface of the ocean! It was then eight. According to the daily custom on board the Nautilus, its air should have been renewed four hours ago; but I did not suffer much, although Captain
Nemo had not yet made any demand upon his reserve of oxygen. My sleep was painful that night; hope and fear besieged me by turns: I rose several times. The groping of the Nautilus continued. About three in the morning, I noticed that the lower surface of the iceberg was only about fifty feet deep. One hundred and fifty feet now separated us from the surface of the waters. The iceberg was by degrees becoming an ice-field, the mountain a plain. My eyes never left the manometer. We were still rising diagonally to the surface, which sparkled under the electric rays. The iceberg was stretching both above and beneath into lengthening slopes; mile after mile it was getting thinner. At length, at six in the morning of that memorable day, the 19th of March, the door of the saloon opened, and Captain Nemo appeared. "The sea is open!!" was all he said.
大西洋：广阔的水面，面积共有二千五百万平方海里。
长九千海里，宽平均二千七百海里，是很重要的大海，在古代除了迎太基人②，可以说几乎没有人知道这个海。迎大基人是古代的荷兰人，他们因为贸易的关系，曾沿着欧洲和非洲的西部海岸往来航行！洋洋大观的水面，有各国的船只往来其间，船荫蔽在世界上所有的旗帜下面，西头终点为两个尖角，就是航海家所害怕的合恩角和暴风角！诺第留斯号推动它前头的冲角，冲破大西洋的海浪，向前驶去。在三个半月的期间，它走了近一万里了，超过绕地球一周的大圈了。现在我们上哪里去呢？将来有什么可以给我。们看的呢？诺第留斯号从直布罗陀海峡出来，驶到大西洋面上。
它又浮上水面来，我们每天在平台上的散步现在又恢复了。
我立即上平台去，尼德•兰和康塞尔陪着我。在距离十二海里的地方，隐约现出圣文孙特角，那就是西班牙半岛的最西南的尖角。当时起了相当厉害的南风。海面波涛汹桶，海水滚滚打来，使诺第留斯号发生激烈的颠簸。在平台上简直不可能呆下去，因为时刻都有大浪打来。所以我们呼吸了几下新鲜空气后，就回到船中。我回到我的房中，康塞尔也回到他的舱房。但是加拿大人像心中有事的样子，跟着我来。我们过地中海时的飞快速度，不容许他实行他的计划，他很显然地表示了他的失望。
当我的房门关上了，他坐下，不作声，望着我。
“尼德朋友，”我对他说，“我了解您，您没有什么可以责备自己的地方。当诺第留斯号行驶时，在那样的条件下，想要离开它，简直就是发疯！”
尼德•兰不回答。他紧闭的嘴唇，他紧蹙的眉毛，表示他心中有一个坚定的思想死死纠缠着他。
“瞧着吧，”我又说，“事情并不是完全没有希望。我们现在沿葡萄牙海岸上溯了。不远就是法国、英国，我们可以很容易找到一个逃走的地方。啊！如果诺第留斯号从直布罗陀海峡出来，往南方驶去，如果它把我们带到没有陆地的那些区域去，那我心中跟您一样，感到烦恼。但是，我们现在知道尼摩船长并不躲避有文化的海面，我想在几天内，您可以比较安全地来执行您的计划。”
尼德•兰的眼睛更盯得我厉害，最后，张开嘴巴，他说：“实行我的计划就在今夜。”
我突然站起来。我但白地承认，我一点也没有料到他会告诉我这个消息。我要回答加拿大人，但又找不出什么话来说。
“我们曾经约定等待一个好机会，”尼德•兰接着说，这个好机会现在在我手中了。今天夜间，我们距离西班牙海岸只有几海里，夜间很阴暗，海面上吹着风。您既有言在先，阿龙纳斯先生，我完全相信您。
因为我老不作声，加拿大人就站起，走近前来，对我说：“今晚九点。我通知了康塞尔。那时候，尼摩船长关在他房中了，可能睡下来了。机械师、船上人员都不可能看见我们。康塞尔和我，我们走到中央楼梯去。阿龙纳斯先生，您就留在离我们两步远的图书室中，等待我的信号。桨、桅和帆都在小艇中。并且我还弄到了一些食物。我又得了一把英国螺丝搬头，可以把小艇钉在诺第留斯号船身上的螺丝钉取下来。所以一切都准备好了。今天夜里见。”
“海上风浪很大呢。”我说。
“我知道风浪大，”加拿大人回答，“但必须冒险了。自由是值得付出代价的。而且，小艇很结实，有些风浪，走几海里：算不了什么。推知道明天我们也许就跑到百里外的海面上了呢？愿我们一切顺利，十点至十一点间我们可能在陆地的某处登陆了，或者是送了性命，所以，只有依靠上帝的恩典，今天夜里见！”
说完这话，加拿大人就退出去，让我～人不知所措地呆在房中；我也想过，机会来了，我可以有时间来考虑，来讨论。但我那性情固执的同伴不让我这样做。到底，我还能对他说什么话呢？尼德•兰十分对。他现在要利用的，的确是一个好机会。我可以食言反悔吗？我能为了完全个人的利益，损害我的同伴们的将来吗？我负得了这种责任吗？
明天，尼摩船长不是很可以把我们带到离开所有陆地的大海中去吗？
这时候，发出相当响的啸声，我晓得船上储水池盛满水了，诺第留斯号潜入大茵洋水底下去了。
我留在我的房中。我要躲开船长，使他的眼睛看不到我心中激动的情绪。我就这样度过这很愁闷的一天，一方面想走，恢复我的自由，另一方面又惋惜，丢开这只神奇的“诺第留斯号，使我的海底研究不能完成！这样离开这海洋，像我喜欢说的，这样离开“我的大西洋”，并没有观察它的最深水层，并没有从它取得印度洋和太平洋曾给我揭露的秘密！我的小说刚翻完第一章就从手中掉下去了，我的梦正在最美好的时候就被打断了！多少苦闷的时间就这样过去，有时看见自己跟同伴们安全逃在陆地上，有时又不顾自己的理性，希望有意夕）的机会，阻止尼德•兰的计划不；：实现！我两次到客厅中去。我要看罗盘。我要看诺第留斯号的方向是不是接近或离开海岸。不，诺第留斯号总是在葡萄牙沿岸海水中行驶。它沿着大西洋海岸向北开行。所以，这时候必须打定主意，准备逃走。我的行李并不重，只有我的笔记，没有什么别的了。至于尼摩船长，我心中问，他对于我们的逃走将怎样想，使他心中有怎样的苦恼，或者使他有多少的损害，以及当逃走或被发觉或不成功的两种情况下，他将怎么办！当然我没有什么可以埋怨他，与此相反，待客的态度，从没有像他那么但白真诚。我离开他，我不能说是忘恩负义。没有什么誓言把我们跟他束缚在一起。他相信把我们永远拉在他身边的，只是客观环境的力量，而不是我们的约言。但他的这种公然承认，永远把我们留在船上作囚人的想法，正能说明所有我们的逃走企图都是合理的。
我自从在桑多林岛附近跟船长会见以来，就没有再看见他。在我们出走之前，是不是有机会使我再见他一面呢？
我同时又想见他，又怕见他，我注意听，我是不是可以听到他在隔壁的房中走动呢。没有什么声响传到我的耳边来。
那房中想是没有人了。我于是心中又问，这个古怪的人是不是在船上。自从那一夜，小艇离开了诺第留斯号执行一个神秘的使命，我对于这个人的思想，略为改变了一些。我想，不管他怎么说，尼摩船长跟陆地一定还保留某一种关系。难道他从不离开诺第留斯号吗？有时候，整整几个星期过去了，我都碰不见他。在这个期间他做什么事呢？我以为他是愤世嫉俗，心存厌世，不愿见人，是不是他到远处去，完成某种我一直不知道内容性质的秘密行动呢？
所有这些思想，以及其它无数的想法，同时涌到我心中来。在我们所处的奇特情况中，胡乱猜测是无穷无尽的。
我感到一种不可忍受的不安。这一天的等待好象是无止境的由于心中烦躁，时间实在是过得太慢了。我的晚饭像往常一样，还是在我的房中吃的。我心中有事，吃得很马虎。
我七点离开餐桌。我心中计算，距我要跟尼德。兰约定相会的时候，还有一百二十分钟。我心中的激动更增加了。
我的脉搏激烈跳动，我自己不能静下来。我走来走去，希望运动可以把我心中的烦乱镇静一下。我想到我们要在这次大胆逃走中不幸死亡，我并不怎么难过，但是，想到我们的计划在离开诺第留斯号之前就被发觉，想到我们被带到激怒的尼摩船长面前，或者，更为糟糕，他因为我的抛弃他而很痛苦，我的心就怦怦地跳起来了。
我要最后看一次客厅。我从长廊走过去，我到了我不知度过了多少快意和有益的时间的那间陈列室。我两眼叮者所有这些财富，所有这些宝藏，就像一个人要永远流亡，走后不再回来的前夜中一样。这些自然界的神奇品，这些艺术上的杰作，这许多日子来，我的生命力全部集中在它门那里，现在我要永远抛开它们了。我又要通过客厅的玻璃，把我的眼光潜入大西洋的水底下，可是嵌板紧闭着，一块铁板把我隔开了我还不认识的这个大洋。
在客厅中这样走来走去，我走近门边，这门在屋角墙上，是通船长的舱房的。我很惊异，这门半开着。我自然而外地退回来。如果尼摩船长在里面，他可能看见我。同时我听不见声响，我走近前去，但房中没有人。我推开门，走进几步，房中还是那朴实严肃的情景，隐士僧家的风味。这时候，房中墙上挂着的几幅我第一次进来没有留心到的铜版画引起我眼光的注意，那是肖像画，历史上伟大人物的：｛j像画，他门一生是永远忠诚于献身人类这个伟大思想的：他是：哥修斯哥①，听到“波兰完了”的喊声就跌倒的英雄；波查里斯②，近代希腊的列盎尼达斯③；俄康乃尔④，爱尔兰独立的保卫者：华盛顿，北美合众国的创始人；马宁⑤，意大利的爱国志士；林肯，被拥护奴隶制的人所刺杀的美国总统；最后，那位主张黑人解放的殉道者约翰•布朗①，吊在绞架上，就像维克多•雨果用铅笔画出来的那个很可怕的样子。在这些英雄人物的心灵和尼摩船长的心灵中间有什么联系呢？究竟从这一群肖像画中，我可能找出他生平的秘密来吗？他是被压迫人民的保护者，奴隶种族的解放者吗？他是现世纪最近政治的或社会动荡中的一位人物吗？他是这次可悲的和永远是光荣的、美洲可怕内战中的一位英雄吗卜…忽然大钟响八下了。大钟的锤子第一下敲在铃上，把我从梦中吵醒，我全身抖起来，好像有一只无形的眼贿穿透我思想的最秘密的地方，我急急走出这个房间。到客厅中，我的眼睛就盯在罗盘上面。我们的方向总是往北。测程器指的是平常的速度，压力表指出船在六十米左右深的水层。所以周围的环境对加拿大人的计划都有利。
我回到我的房中。我多穿了一些衣服，使身上暖和，海靴、水獭帽、海豹皮里子的贝足丝织的外衣都穿戴上了。我准备好了，我等着。只有推进器的震动打断了船上的沉寂。
我用心听，我竖起耳朵来。是不是有些喊叫声，向我说明尼德•兰的逃走计划突然被发觉了吗？我感觉十分惶恐不安。
差几分就要到九点钟了。我把耳朵贴着船长的房门。
听不出声音来。我走出我的房间，我回到厅中，厅中半黑不明，没有人。
我打开跟图书室相通的门，室内光线同样黯淡，同样是冷清清的。我到挨近门的地方站着，这门对着中央楼梯的笼间。我等待尼德•兰的信号。
这时候，推进机的震动显然减低了，一会儿就完全没有响声了。诺第留斯号的行动为什么有变化呢？船这次停住对于尼德•兰的计划是顺当或是不利，那我可不能说。这时的沉寂只有被我的心脏的跳动打断了。忽然，我感到一下轻微的冲撞。我明白，诺第留斯号是停在大洋底下的地上了。我心中更加不安起来。加拿大人的信号不给我发出来。我很想出去找他，要他改期执行他的计划。我感觉到，我们的航行不是在平常的情况中进行的……这时候，客厅的门开了，尼摩船长进来。他看见了我，没有什么寒暄客套话，池用亲热的语气说：“啊！教授，我正找您哩。您知道西班牙的历史吗？”
就算是一个很熟悉自己本国的历史的人，但在我所处的情况中，心中恍饱，头脑昏乱，他也不可能说出一句话来。
“那么，”尼摩船长立即又说，“您听到了我提出的问题吗？您知道西班牙的历史吗？”
“知道得很少。”我回答。
“许多学者都是这样，他们不知道，”船长说，“那么，您请坐，”他又说，“我要告诉您这个国家历史的一段新奇事件。”
船长躺在一张安乐椅上，我机械地坐在他近边淡淡的阴影中。
“教授，”他列•我说，“请您听我说。这历史在某一方面可以使您很感兴趣，因为它回答了您不能解决的一个问题。”
“船长，我听您说。”我说。我不知道我的对话人要说什么，我心中想，这件事是不是跟我们的逃走计划有关系。
“教授，”尼摩船长又说，“请您注意，我们现在要回溯到 1702年了。您知道，在这个时期，您的法国国王路易十四以为专制君主做一下手势，比利牛斯山就得缩人地下去，他一定要西班牙人接受他的孙子一～安儒公爵做他们的国王。这国王在菲力五世的称号下，统治了西班牙。可是统治得不高明。他对外有了问题，跟强大的敌人发生争执①。
就在一年前，荷兰、奥地利和英国王室在海牙订了同盟协定，目的要把菲力五世的王冠摘下来，戴在奥地利某亲王的头上，它们过早地又把查理三世的称号给了这位亲王。
“西班牙当然要抵抗这个同盟，可是它很缺乏士兵和海员，不过金钱是有的。但是有一个条件，那就是要装过美洲金银的船只能够进入它的海港中来。就是在1702年终。
西班牙政府正在等着一队载有大量全钱的运输船，由法国派二十三艘战舰护送，指挥宫是夏都•雷诺海军大将①，冈为，这时候有敌人们联合的海军在大西洋上巡逻。
“这队运输船本来要开到加的斯港，但法国海军司令接到英国舰队在这一带海域巡逻的情报，就决定把这队船开万吨呢。”
“不错，不过提炼这些银，所花的费用比所得的利益还大。在这湾中就不同了，我只需捡拾人们所丢掉的就行了。
还不仅在这维哥湾中，在其他千百处的失事地点也一样，这都由我的海底地图标记下来了。您现在明白了我是有无穷亿万的财富吗？”
“我明白了，船长。但请您让我说一句，就是您来捞打维哥湾金银的事，您不过比跟您竞争的一个会社的工作先走一步罢了。”
“什么会社呢？”
“是一个获得西班牙政府的特许，来打捞这些沉没的运输船只的会社。会社的股东们因为有巨大利润可图，大家都受到诱惑，兴致很高，因为人们估计这些沉没的财宝有五万万的巨大价值呢。”
“五万万！”尼摩船长回答，“从前是在湾里，现在却不在了。”
“正是，”我说，“所以对这些股东发出一个通知，可能是一阵好事。恐怕通知要很受欢迎呢。通常，赌博的人所最悔恨的，主要是他们的疯狂希望的毁灭，金钱的损失还在其次呢。不过，我并不惋惜这些股东们，我想到的是千千万万的苦难人，把这许多的财富好好地分配给他们将有多少的好处，可是现在这些财富对他们是没有用处了！”
我本来不想表示这个惋惜的意思，我感觉到这要伤了尼摩船长的感情。
“没有用处！”他激动地回答，“那么，先生，您认为由我收集起来，这些财富是丢了吗？照您来看，我车辛苦苦打扮这些财物是为我自己吗？谁告诉您我不是好仔地正当使用它们呢？您以为我不知道世上有无数受苦的人，有被压迫的种族吗？有无数要救济的穷人，要报仇的牺牲者吗，您不明白吗。…”尼摩船长说到最后几句就停住了，是不是心中后悔说了过多的话呢？我精对了。不论是什么动机，要他到海底下来寻求独立自主，他首先还是一个人！我于是明白了，当诺第留斯号航行在起义反抗的克里特岛海中的时候，尼摩船长送出去的数百万金子是给谁的！
Part 2 Chapter 9
The next morning, the 19th of February, I saw the Canadian enter my room. I expected this visit. He looked very disappointed. "Well, sir?" said he. "Well, Ned, fortune was against us yesterday." "Yes; that Captain must needs stop exactly at the hour we intended leaving his vessel." "Yes, Ned, he had business at his bankers." "His bankers!" "Or rather his banking-house; by that I mean the ocean, where his riches are safer than in the chests of the State." I then related to the Canadian the incidents of the preceding night, hoping to bring him back to the idea of not abandoning the Captain; but my recital had no other result than an energetically expressed regret from Ned that he had not been able to take a walk on the battlefield of Vigo on his own account. "However," said he, "all is not ended. It is only a blow of the harpoon lost. Another time we must succeed; and to-night, if necessary----" "In what direction is the Nautilus going?" I asked. "I do not know," replied Ned. "Well, at noon we shall see the point." The Canadian returned to Conseil. As soon as I was dressed, I went into the saloon. The compass was not reassuring. The course of the Nautilus was S.S.W. We were turning our backs on Europe.
I waited with some impatience till the ship's place was pricked on the chart. At about half-past eleven the reservoirs were emptied, and our vessel rose to the surface of the ocean. I rushed towards the platform. Ned Land had preceded me. No more land in sight. Nothing but an immense sea. Some sails on the horizon, doubtless those going to San Roque in search of favourable winds for doubling the Cape of Good Hope. The weather was cloudy. A gale of wind was preparing. Ned raved, and tried to pierce the cloudy horizon. He still hoped that behind all that fog stretched the land he so longed for.
At noon the sun showed itself for an instant. The second profited by this brightness to take its height. Then, the sea becoming more billowy, we descended, and the panel closed.
An hour after, upon consulting the chart, I saw the position of the Nautilus was marked at 16" 17' long., and 33" 22' lat., at 150 leagues from the nearest coast. There was no means of flight, and I leave you to imagine the rage of the Canadian when I informed him of our situation.
For myself, I was not particularly sorry. I felt lightened of the load which had oppressed me, and was able to return with some degree of calmness to my accustomed work. That night, about eleven o'clock, I received a most unexpected visit from Captain Nemo. He asked me very graciously if I felt fatigued from my watch of the preceding night. I answered in the negative. "Then, M. Aronnax, I propose a curious excursion." "Propose, Captain?" "You have hitherto only visited the submarine depths by daylight, under the brightness of the sun. Would it suit you to see them in the darkness of the night?" "Most willingly." "I warn you, the way will be tiring. We shall have far to walk, and must climb a mountain. The roads are not well kept." "What you say, Captain, only heightens my curiosity; I am ready to follow you." "Come then, sir, we will put on our diving-dresses." Arrived at the robing-room, I saw that neither of my companions nor any of the ship's crew were to follow us on this excursion. Captain Nemo had not even proposed my taking with me either Ned or Conseil.
In a few moments we had put on our diving-dresses; they placed on our backs the reservoirs, abundantly filled with air, but no electric lamps were prepared. I called the Captain's attention to the fact. "They will be useless," he replied.
I thought I had not heard aright, but I could not repeat my observation, for the Captain's head had already disappeared in its metal case. I finished harnessing myself. I felt them put an iron-pointed stick into my hand, and some minutes later, after going through the usual form, we set foot on the bottom of the Atlantic at a depth of 150 fathoms. Midnight was near. The waters were profoundly dark, but Captain Nemo pointed out in the distance a reddish spot, a sort of large light shining brilliantly about two miles from the Nautilus. What this fire might be, what could feed it, why and how it lit up the liquid mass, I could not say. In any case, it did light our way, vaguely, it is true, but I soon accustomed myself to the peculiar darkness, and I understood, under such circumstances, the uselessness of the Ruhmkorff apparatus.
As we advanced, I heard a kind of pattering above my head. The noise redoubling, sometimes producing a continual shower, I soon understood the cause. It was rain falling violently, and crisping the surface of the waves. Instinctively the thought flashed across my mind that I should be wet through! By the water! in the midst of the water! I could not help laughing at the odd idea. But, indeed, in the thick diving-dress, the liquid element is no longer felt, and one only seems to be in an atmosphere somewhat denser than the terrestrial atmosphere. Nothing more.
After half an hour's walk the soil became stony. Medusae, microscopic crustacea, and pennatules lit it slightly with their phosphorescent gleam. I caught a glimpse of pieces of stone covered with millions of zoophytes and masses of sea weed. My feet often slipped upon this sticky carpet of sea weed, and without my iron-tipped stick I should have fallen more than once. In turning round, I could still see the whitish lantern of the Nautilus beginning to pale in the distance.
But the rosy light which guided us increased and lit up the horizon. The presence of this fire under water puzzled me in the highest degree. Was I going towards a natural phenomenon as yet unknown to the savants of the earth? Or even (for this thought crossed my brain) had the hand of man aught to do with this conflagration? Had he fanned this flame? Was I to meet in these depths companions and friends of Captain Nemo whom he was going to visit, and who, like him, led this strange existence? Should I find down there a whole colony of exiles who, weary of the miseries of this earth, had sought and found independence in the deep ocean? All these foolish and unreasonable ideas pursued me. And in this condition of mind, over-excited by the succession of wonders continually passing before my eyes, I should not have been surprised to meet at the bottom of the sea one of those submarine towns of which Captain Nemo dreamed. Our road grew lighter and lighter. The white glimmer came in rays from the summit of a mountain about 800 feet high. But what I saw was simply a reflection, developed by the clearness of the waters. The source of this inexplicable light was a fire on the opposite side of the mountain.
In the midst of this stony maze furrowing the bottom of the Atlantic, Captain Nemo advanced without hesitation. He knew this dreary road. Doubtless he had often travelled over it, and could not lose himself. I followed him with unshaken confidence. He seemed to me like a genie of the sea; and, as he walked before me, I could not help admiring his stature, which was outlined in black on the luminous horizon. It was one in the morning when we arrived at the first slopes of the mountain; but to gain access to them we must venture through the difficult paths of a vast copse.
Yes; a copse of dead trees, without leaves, without sap, trees petrified by the action of the water and here and there overtopped by gigantic pines. It was like a coal-pit still standing, holding by the roots to the broken soil, and whose branches, like fine black paper cuttings, showed distinctly on the watery ceiling. Picture to yourself a forest in the Hartz hanging on to the sides of the mountain, but a forest swallowed up. The paths were encumbered with seaweed and fucus, between which grovelled a whole world of crustacea. I went along, climbing the rocks, striding over extended trunks, breaking the sea bind-weed which hung from one tree to the other; and frightening the fishes, which flew from branch to branch. Pressing onward, I felt no fatigue. I followed my guide, who was never tired. What a spectacle! How can I express it? how paint the aspect of those woods and rocks in this medium--their under parts dark and wild, the upper coloured with red tints, by that light which the reflecting powers of the waters doubled? We climbed rocks which fell directly after with gigantic bounds and the low growling of an avalanche. To right and left ran long, dark galleries, where sight was lost. Here opened vast glades which the hand of man seemed to have worked; and I sometimes asked myself if some inhabitant of these submarine regions would not suddenly appear to me.
But Captain Nemo was still mounting. I could not stay behind. I followed boldly. My stick gave me good help. A false step would have been dangerous on the narrow passes sloping down to the sides of the gulfs; but I walked with firm step, without feeling any giddiness. Now I jumped a crevice, the depth of which would have made me hesitate had it been among the glaciers on the land; now I ventured on the unsteady trunk of a tree thrown across from one abyss to the other, without looking under my feet, having only eyes to admire the wild sites of this region. There, monumental rocks, leaning on their regularly-cut bases, seemed to defy all laws of equilibrium. From between their stony knees trees sprang, like a jet under heavy pressure, and upheld others which upheld them. Natural towers, large scarps, cut perpendicularly, like a "curtain," inclined at an angle which the laws of gravitation could never have tolerated in terrestrial regions.
Two hours after quitting the Nautilus we had crossed the line of trees, and a hundred feet above our heads rose the top of the mountain, which cast a shadow on the brilliant irradiation of the opposite slope. Some petrified shrubs ran fantastically here and there. Fishes got up under our feet like birds in the long grass. The massive rocks were rent with impenetrable fractures, deep grottos, and unfathomable holes, at the bottom of which formidable creatures might be heard moving. My blood curdled when I saw enormous antennae blocking my road, or some frightful claw closing with a noise in the shadow of some cavity. Millions of luminous spots shone brightly in the midst of the darkness. They were the eyes of giant crustacea crouched in their holes; giant lobsters setting themselves up like halberdiers, and moving their claws with the clicking sound of pincers; titanic crabs, pointed like a gun on its carriage; and frightful-looking poulps, interweaving their tentacles like a living nest of serpents. We had now arrived on the first platform, where other surprises awaited me. Before us lay some picturesque ruins, which betrayed the hand of man and not that of the Creator. There were vast heaps of stone, amongst which might be traced the vague and shadowy forms of castles and temples, clothed with a world of blossoming zoophytes, and over which, instead of ivy, sea-weed and fucus threw a thick vegetable mantle. But what was this portion of the globe which had been swallowed by cataclysms? Who had placed those rocks and stones like cromlechs of prehistoric times? Where was I? Whither had Captain Nemo's fancy hurried me? I would fain have asked him; not being able to, I stopped him-I seized his arm. But, shaking his head, and pointing to the highest point of the mountain, he seemed to say: "Come, come along; come higher!" I followed, and in a few minutes I had climbed to the top, which for a circle of ten yards commanded the whole mass of rock. I looked down the side we had just climbed. The mountain did not ri
se more than seven or eight hundred feet above the level of the plain; but on the opposite side it commanded from twice that height the depths of this part of the Atlantic. My eyes ranged far over a large space lit by a violent fulguration. In fact, the mountain was a volcano.
At fifty feet above the peak, in the midst of a rain of stones and scoriae, a large crater was vomiting forth torrents of lava which fell in a cascade of fire into the bosom of the liquid mass. Thus situated, this volcano lit the lower plain like an immense torch, even to the extreme limits of the horizon. I said that the submarine crater threw up lava, but no flames. Flames require the oxygen of the air to feed upon and cannot be developed under water; but streams of lava, having in themselves the principles of their incandescence, can attain a white heat, fight vigorously against the liquid element, and turn it to vapour by contact.
Rapid currents bearing all these gases in diffusion and torrents of lava slid to the bottom of the mountain like an eruption of Vesuvius on another Terra del Greco.
There indeed under my eyes, ruined, destroyed, lay a town-its roofs open to the sky, its temples fallen, its arches dislocated, its columns lying on the ground, from which one would still recognise the massive character of Tuscan architecture. Further on, some remains of a gigantic aqueduct; here the high base of an Acropolis, with the floating outline of a Parthenon; there traces of a quay, as if an ancient port had formerly abutted on the borders of the ocean, and disappeared with its merchant vessels and its war-galleys. Farther on again, long lines of sunken walls and broad, deserted streets-a perfect Pompeii escaped beneath the waters. Such was the sight that Captain Nemo brought before my eyes! Where was I? Where was I? I must know at any cost. I tried to speak, but Captain Nemo stopped me by a gesture, and, picking up a piece of chalk-stone, advanced to a rock of black basalt, and traced the one word: ATLANTIS What a light shot through my mind! Atlantis! the Atlantis of Plato, that continent denied by Origen and Humbolt, who placed its disappearance amongst the legendary tales. I had it there now before my eyes, bearing upon it the unexceptionable testimony of its catastrophe. The region thus engulfed was beyond Europe, Asia, and Lybia, beyond the columns of Hercules, where those powerful people, the Atlantides, lived, against whom the first wars of ancient Greeks were waged.
Thus, led by the strangest destiny, I was treading under foot the mountains of this continent, touching with my hand those ruins a thousand generations old and contemporary with the geological epochs. I was walking on the very spot where the contemporaries of the first man had walked.
Whilst I was trying to fix in my mind every detail of this grand landscape, Captain Nemo remained motionless, as if petrified in mute ecstasy, leaning on a mossy stone. Was he dreaming of those generations long since disappeared? Was he asking them the secret of human destiny? Was it here this strange man came to steep himself in historical recollections, and live again this ancient life--he who wanted no modern one? What would I not have given to know his thoughts, to share them, to understand them! We remained for an hour at this place, contemplating the vast plains under the brightness of the lava, which was some times wonderfully intense. Rapid tremblings ran along the mountain caused by internal bubblings, deep noise, distinctly transmitted through the liquid medium were echoed with majestic grandeur. At this moment the moon appeared through the mass of waters and threw her pale rays on the buried continent. It was but a gleam, but what an indescribable effect! The Captain rose, cast one last look on the immense plain, and then bade me follow him.
We descended the mountain rapidly, and, the mineral forest once passed, I saw the lantern of the Nautilus shining like a star. The Captain walked straight to it, and we got on board as the first rays of light whitened the surface of the ocean.
第二天2月19日早晨，我看见加拿大人走进我房中。
我正等他来，他神色沮丧。
“先生，怎样？"他对我说。
“尼德，怎样，昨天机会对我们不利。"“对！那个鬼怪船长正在我们要逃出他的船的时候，就把船停下来了。"“尼德，是的，他跟他的银行经理有享呢。”
“他的银行经理！"
“或者不如说是跟他的银行有享。我所说银行的意思就是海洋，就是他的财富存放的地方，那比国家的金库更为安全可靠的海洋。”
我于是把昨晚的意外事件告诉加拿大人，暗中希望这样可以使他不要抛弃船长，可是，我的讲述所得的结果，只是尼德很强烈表示出来的悔恨，他惋惜自己没有能亲自到维哥湾的战场上去走一下。他说：“‘好，事情并没有完！这一次只是鱼叉落了空罢了！另一次我们一定成功，如果可能，就是今晚……，，“诺第留斯号是向哪个方向航行？”我问。
“我不知道。”尼德回答。
“那么，到中午，我们来观测船的方位吧。"加拿大人回到康塞尔那边去。我一穿好了衣服，就走入客厅中。罗盘指示不很明确。诺第留斯号的航路是西南偏南。我们是背着欧洲行驶。
我等待着把船的方位记在地图上，心中有些着急。十一点左右，储水池空了，船浮上洋面。我跑到平台上，尼德已经先在那里了。
陆地再也望不见，只见一片汪洋大海。天际有几只帆船，一定是到桑罗克角寻找顺风，绕过好望角去的船。天色明沉，恐怕要刮风了。
尼德气得了不得，极力向多雾的天际看望，他还是希望在这浓雾后面，有他所渴望的陆地。
正午，太阳出现了一会儿。船副乘天气暂时清朗的时候，测量了太阳的高度。一会儿，海面更汹涌起来，我们回到船中，嵌板又闭上了。一小时后，我看一下地图，看见图上记出诺第留斯号的方位，是西经16度17分，南纬33度 22分，离最近的海岸还有一百五十里。现在是没办法逃走“电光灯对我们没有用处。”
我觉得他没有听懂，但又不能重复我的问题，因为船长的脑袋已经套在金属球中了。我也套好了我的头，觉得他给了我一根铱铁的手杖。几分钟后，我们做了照例的动作，就踩在大西洋的海底下，在三百米深处。
时间近半夜了。海水深黑，尼摩船长给我指出远处的一团淡红色，像是一阵广泛的微光，在距诺第留斯号二海里左右的地方亮着。这火光是什么，什么物质使它发亮，它为什么和怎样在海水中照耀，那我可不能说。总之，‘包照着，使我们刁”以看见，虽然光线很模糊，但我不久就习惯了这种特殊的阴暗，我明白了，在这种情形下，兰可夫灯是没有什尼摩船长和我，彼此相挨很近，向那上面说的火光一直走上。平铺的地面使人不知不觉地渐渐上升。我们有手杖帮助，大踏步前进。不过，总起来说，我们还是走得慢，因为我的脚时常陷入一种带着海藻和杂有石子的泥泞里面。
正在前进的时候，我在我的头顶上听到一种喊喳的声音。这种声音有时来得更厉害，成为一种连续不停的声响。
我不久就明白了这声音的原因。原来是雨下得很凶，扫“在水波而上发出的声响。我本能地想，身上要淋湿了！在水中间被水淋湿了！我想到这个古怪的思想，不禁好笑起来。
老实说，穿了那很厚的潜水衣，我实在感觉不到水，我只觉得自己是在比地上气围更稠密一些的海水气围中罢了。
走了半小时后，地面上有很多石头。水母、细小甲壳类、磷光植虫类，发出轻微的光线，轻微地照亮了地面。我看到亿万植虫类和海藻群所追怎起来的一堆一堆的石头。
我的脚时常滑在这些粘性的海藻地毯上，如果没有镶铁手杖帮助，我摔下来恐怕不止一次了。我回过头来，总是看见诺第留斯号的淡白灯光，渐远渐模糊了。
上面说的那些石头堆是按照某种规律性在海洋底下安爿：起来的，为什么这样，我可不能解释。我看见一些巨大的沟，没入远方暗彩中，长度使人们不可能估量。还有其它奇特的地方，我简直不能承认它们的存在。我觉得我的沉重的铅铁靴底踏上了骸骨堆成的床垫，发出干脆的声响，那么我现在跑过的这个广大平原是什么呢？我很想问门科长，但他的符号语言，就是说，他的船员们跟他到海底旅行时，拿来做交谈用的符号语言，对我来说，还是一点不懂。
指引我们的淡红光芒陆续加强，并且把天际照得返红了。发光的焦点是在水底下，使我心中奇怪到极点。这是一种电力发散的现象吗？我是面对着一种地上的学者还不知道的自然现象吗？甚至于——我脑子中忽然有这个思想一～在这火团中是有人手参与其间吗？是人手燃烧起来的吗，在这些深水层下面，是不是我要碰到尼摩船长的同伴，朋友，他们像他一样过这种奇异的生活，他现在来访问他们吗？我要在那里遇见流放的侨民，他们对于地上的穷苦感到厌倦，来这海洋底下的最深处找寻，并且找到这种独立自主的生活吗？这些疯狂的、奇特的思想紊绕在我的脑陈，在这种心情中，我不断地承受眼前一系列神奇景象所给予的刺激：那么，我在这大海下面，若是真碰见了尼摩船长新梦想的一座海底城市，又有什么可以惊奇的呢！
我们的道路愈来愈照得亮了。发白的光芒是从一座高约八百英尺的山顶照下来。我现在望见的，不过是从水层形成的晶体所发展出来的单纯反光。那发光焦点，不可理解的光明的泉源，还在山的那一面。
在这大西洋下面罗列起来的石头迷楼中间，尼摩船长一点不迟疑，大步前进。他很熟悉这阴暗的道路。他一定时常来，不可能迷路。我跟着他走，信心很坚定。我觉得他是一位海中的神灵，当他走在我面前的时候，我赞美他的魁梧身材，在天际水平的晶莹背景上作黝黑色显现出来。
时间是清早六点。我们现在到了这山的俞列石栏了，但要走近石栏，必须从广阔的乱石丛林间，很难走的小径中冒险穿行。
对！真是一片死树丛，没有树叶，没有树浆，是受海水作用旷石化了的树。这儿那儿都有巨大的检树耸立其间。
好像一个还没有倒下来的煤矿坑，深深的根把它支起在倒塌的地上，枝叶就跟用黑纸做的剪影一样，清楚地描在海水天花板上。人们想象一座哈尔兹的森林①，可是沉在水下的森林，挂在一座山坡上、情形就有点仿佛了。小路上堵满了海藻和黑角菜，一群甲壳类动物在中间蠕蠕爬动。我慢慢攀上大石头，跨过躺下来的树干，碰断在两树之间摇摆的海番藤，惊吓了在树枝间迅速地游过的鱼，我走向前去。兴致勃勃的，不感觉疲倦。我紧紧跟着我的不疲倦的带路人。
多么美丽的景象！怎样才能把它们说出来呢？怎样描绘海水中间的树木和岩石的形象，怎样描绘它们下面的沉黑杂乱，它们上面的那被海水的反映所增强的红色光辉呢？
我们攀越一片一片的岩石，它们随即一大扇地倒下去，发出了雪山崩倒的隆隆声。左右两旁都有阔大的隙地，好像是人类的手弄过的，我心中在想，我面前会不会忽然出现海底地区的居民呢。
但尼摩船长老是往上走，我不愿落在后面，大胆跟着他。我的手杖给我很大的帮助。在这些深渊旁边凿出来的狭窄小道上，一失足，就会发生危险。我脚步很稳地走，并没有感到头昏心乱。有时我跳过一个裂口，口深不可测，在陆地上的冰海中间，可能使我倒退。有时我在深窟上倒下的动摇的大树干上冒险走过，不看自己脚下，两眼只是欣赏这地区的粗野景色。那里，有一些巨大的岩石，下部切削不平，倾斜地支起来，好像不理会那平衡的定律似的。有些树在这些岩石的膝头中间，像受了很大的压力迸出来的一样，它们彼此支持，相互支撑着。又有一种天然形成的楼阁：削成尖峰的大扇墙垣，像碉堡突出的墙一样，作很大角度的倾斜，如果在陆地面上，恐怕不是地心引力的法则所许可的。
就是我自己，我也感觉不到由于海水的强大密度所发生的那种不同压力，虽然我的沉重衣服，我的铜质头盖，我的铅铁靴底那样累赘，当我走上崎岖不平的斜坡上时，我简直可以说是很轻便地越过，像羚羊和山羊一般快！
我们离开诺第留斯号两小时后，穿过了一条长长的林带，在我们头顶的一百英尺上面，耸立着那座山峰，山峰的投影映在对面的光辉回射的山坡上。一些化石小树摆成皱里去呢？
我想问问他。既然不能问他，我就挡住他，要他停下来。我拉住他的胳膊。但他摇摇头，手指着那山的最后一个”山峰，好像对我这样说：“走！再走！再走！”
我跟着他，最后一次鼓起勇气跑去，几分钟后，我就攀登了那座尖峰，峰高出所有这些大堆岩石约十米左右。
我向我们刚越过的这边看，山高出平原不过七百至八百英尺左右，但从相对的另一边看，它高出大西洋这一部分的海底为上面说的两倍，即一千五六百英尺左右。我的眼睛看得很远，一眼就看见了烘烘的电光所照明的广大空间。是的，这山是一座火山。山峰五十英尺下面，在雨点一般的石头和渣滓中间，一个阔大的喷火口吐出硫磺火石的急流，四散为火的瀑布，没人团团的海水里面。这火山在这样的位置上，像一把巨大的火烛，照着海底下面的平原，一直到远方水平线的尽头。
上面说过，这海底喷火口喷出硫磺火石，但这并不是烈焰。必须有空气中的氧气才有火焰。在水底下火焰是无从燃起的。但火石奔流的本身就有白热化的能力，发出白色的火，跟海水作斗争，两相接触便化成汽了。迅速的海流把所有这些混和的气体都卷下去，火石的急流一直就滚到山脚底下，像维苏威火山①喷出的东西倒在另一个多列•德尔•格里哥海港②中那样。
正是，那边的、我眼底下的、荒废了、沉没了、倒下了的一切，现出是一座破坏了的城市，坍塌的屋顶，倒下的庙字，破损零落的拱门，倒在地下的石柱，人们还能感觉到这些都是多斯加式建筑物的坚固结实的结构。远一点，是宏大水道工程的一些残废基址。这边是堆成一座圆丘的街市高地，带有巴尔台农庙①式的模糊形状。那边是堤岸的遗迹，就像一座古老的海港，在海洋边上，庇护过那些商船和战舰一样。更远一些，有一道一道倒塌下来的墙垣，宽阔无人的大路，整个沉没水底下的庞贝城②，现在尼摩船长把它复活过来，呈现在我眼前了！
我在哪里？我在哪里？我不管一切，一定要知道，我要说话，我要把套起我的脑袋的铜球拉下来。
这时尼摩船长走到我面前，做个手势，要我停祝然后他拿起一小块铅石，向一块黑色的玄武岩石走去，仅仅写下这个名词：大西洋洲我心中豁然开朗了！大西洋城，铁奥庞比③的古代梅罗勃提城，柏拉图＠的大西洋洲，被奥利烟尼⑤、薄非尔③、杨布利克①、唐维尔②、马尔台一伯兰③、韩波尔所否认，他们把这地方的沉没不见，说是完全由于神话传说的故事所造成，但被波昔端尼斯④、蒲林尼、安米恩一麦雪林⑤、铁豆利安⑤、恩格尔①、许列尔③、杜尼福②、贝丰⑤、达维查克②所承认，这个洲，这块陆地，出现在我的眼底了，并且又有它沉没时所受到的灾祸的无可争辩的实物证据！那么，这就是那块沉没的陆地，在欧洲、亚洲、利比亚之外，在海久尔山柱的外面，上面居住着那强大的大西洋种族，最初对他们进行过多次战争的就是古代希腊。
把这些英雄传说时期的事迹记载在个人的著作中的历史家，就是柏拉图本人。他的狄美和克利提亚斯谈话录，可以说，就是由于诗人和立法家梭伦＠的灵感所启发而写出的著作。
一天，梭伦跟萨依斯城③的一些聪明智慧的老人们谈话；根据城中神庙里圣墙上所刻的编年录，这城已经证明有八百年历史了。其中一个老人讲了另一个城的历史，这个城更古老一千年。这个最早的雅典城已经有了九百世纪的年岁，曾经被大西洋人侵入，并且部分被破坏。他说，这些大西洋人据有一个广大的洲，这洲比亚洲和非洲连合起来还大，包括的面积是从纬度12度起，向北至40度止。他们的统治力量一直达到埃及。他们还要把威力伸展到希腊，但是由于希腊人的不屈不挠的顽强抵抗，他们不得不退出。
好几个世纪又过去了。一次天翻地覆的大灾祸发生了，就是发生了洪水，地震。仅仅一天一夜的工夫就把这个大西洋洲完全沉没，只有马德尔、阿梭尔群岛、加纳里群岛、青角群岛，就是这洲上的最高山峰现在还浮出海面①。
以上就是尼摩船长写的那个名词在我心中引起来的历史的回忆。所以，由于最离奇的命运的引导，我脚踩在这个大陆的一座山峰上了！我的手摸到了十万年前古老的和跟地质时期同时的那些遗址了！我走的地方就是最初原始人类曾经走过的地方！我的沉重靴底踩了那些洪荒时期的动物骨骼，而那些树木，现在已化戌矿石，而从前还曾把树荫遮覆过它们呢！
啊！为什么我没有时间！我简直想走下这山的陡峭斜坡去，走遍这必然把非洲和美洲连接起来的广阔大陆，访问那些洪水前期的伟大城市。或者，那边，在我的眼光下，现出那勇武好战的马基摩斯城，那信仰虔诚的欧色比斯城，区人族居民曾经在那里生活过数千百年，他们一定有力量来堆筑一直到现在还可以抵抗水力侵蚀的石头建筑物。或者有一天，有一种火山喷发现象要把这些沉没的废墟重新浮出水面上来！有人指出，在大西洋的这一部分有多数的海底火山，很多船只经过这些受火山熬煎的海底时，感到种种特殊的震动。又有些船听到抑制住没有迸发出来的声音，表示出水火两种元素的深刻激烈的斗争；另有一些船又捡了一些抛出在海面上的火山灰屑。这整个地带，一直至赤道，还是受地心大火的力量，不停地转变，又有谁知道，在一个遥远的时期，由于火山喷出的一切，由于火石的层层累积，陆续增长起来，那喷火山的山峰不出现在大西洋面上！
当我作这些暇想的时候，我正在设法把所有这些伟大景色的细节都装在我记忆中的时候，尼摩船长手扶在辞苔剥落的石碑上，站着不动，呆立出神。他是想着那些过去不见了的人类吗？他是向他们打听人类命运的秘密吗？这个古怪的人是到这个地方来受历史回忆的锻炼吗？他是不愿意过近代人的生活，他到这里来复活古代的生活吗？我什么都可以作，只要我能认识他的思想，和他共有这种思想，明白了解它们！
我们停在那个地方整整有一个钟头，静观那火石光辉下的广阔平原，火石热力有时达到惊人的强度。地心内部的汕腾使山的表面发生迅速的颤动。隆隆的声响受海水清亮的播送，演成壮阔的回响。这时候，月亮通过阵阵海水，出现了一会儿，向这块沉没的大陆投下一些淡白的光芒。
这仅仅是一些微弱光芒，但生出一种难以形容的景象。船长站起来，最后看一下这广阔的平原，然后向我做手势，要我跟池走。
我们很快就走下山岭。过了化石的森林后，我就望见了诺第留斯号的探照灯，像一颗星照在那里。船长一直向船走去，我们抵达船上，正是最早的曙尤照在海洋面上发白的时候。
Part 2 Chapter 10
The next day, the 20th of February, I awoke very late: the fatigues of the previous night had prolonged my sleep until eleven o'clock. I dressed quickly, and hastened to find the course the Nautilus was taking. The instruments showed it to be still toward the south, with a speed of twenty miles an hour and a depth of fifty fathoms. The species of fishes here did not differ much from those already noticed. There were rays of giant size, five yards long, and endowed with great muscular strength, which enabled them to shoot above the waves; sharks of many kinds; amongst others, one fifteen feet long, with triangular sharp teeth, and whose transparency rendered it almost invisible in the water.
Amongst bony fish Conseil noticed some about three yards long, armed at the upper jaw with a piercing sword; other bright-coloured creatures, known in the time of Aristotle by the name of the sea-dragon, which are dangerous to capture on account of the spikes on their back. About four o'clock, the soil, generally composed of a thick mud mixed with petrified wood, changed by degrees, and it became more stony, and seemed strewn with conglomerate and pieces of basalt, with a sprinkling of lava. I thought that a mountainous region was succeeding the long plains; and accordingly, after a few evolutions of the Nautilus, I saw the southerly horizon blocked by a high wall which seemed to close all exit. Its summit evidently passed the level of the ocean. It must be a continent, or at least an island--one of the Canaries, or of the Cape Verde Islands. The bearings not being yet taken, perhaps designedly, I was ignorant of our exact position. In any case, such a wall seemed to me to mark the limits of that Atlantis, of which we had in reality passed over only the smallest part.
Much longer should I have remained at the window admiring the beauties of sea and sky, but the panels closed. At this moment the Nautilus arrived at the side of this high, perpendicular wall. What it would do, I could not guess. I returned to my room; it no longer moved. I laid myself down with the full intention of waking after a few hours' sleep; but it was eight o'clock the next day when I entered the saloon. I looked at the manometer. It told me that the Nautilus was floating on the surface of the ocean. Besides, I heard steps on the platform. I went to the panel. It was open; but, instead of broad daylight, as I expected, I was surrounded by profound darkness. Where were we? Was I mistaken? Was it still night? No; not a star was shining and night has not that utter darkness.
I knew not what to think, when a voice near me said: "Is that you, Professor?" "Ah! Captain," I answered, "where are we?" "Underground, sir." "Underground!" I exclaimed. "And the Nautilus floating still?" "It always floats." "But I do not understand." "Wait a few minutes, our lantern will be lit, and, if you like light places, you will be satisfied." I stood on the platform and waited. The darkness was so complete that I could not even see Captain Nemo; but, looking to the zenith, exactly above my head, I seemed to catch an undecided gleam, a kind of twilight filling a circular hole. At this instant the lantern was lit, and its vividness dispelled the faint light. I closed my dazzled eyes for an instant, and then looked again. The Nautilus was stationary, floating near a mountain which formed a sort of quay. The lake, then, supporting it was a lake imprisoned by a circle of walls, measuring two miles in diameter and six in circumference. Its level (the manometer showed) could only be the same as the outside level, for there must necessarily be a communication between the lake and the sea. The high partitions, leaning forward on their base, grew into a vaulted roof bearing the shape of an immense funnel turned upside down, the height being about five or six hundred yards. At the summit was a circular orifice, by which I had caught the slight gleam of light, evidently daylight. "Where are we?" I asked. "In the very heart of an extinct volcano, the interior of which has been invaded by the sea, after some great convulsion of the earth. Whilst you were sleeping, Professor, the Nautilus penetrated to this lagoon by a natural canal, which opens about ten yards beneath the surface of the ocean. This is its harbour of refuge, a sure, commodious, and mysterious one, sheltered from all gales. Show me, if you can, on the coasts of any of your continents or islands, a road which can give such perfect refuge from all storms." "Certainly," I replied, "you are in safety here, Captain Nemo. Who could reach you in the he
art of a volcano? But did I not see an opening at its summit?" "Yes; its crater, formerly filled with lava, vapour, and flames, and which now gives entrance to the life-giving air we breathe." "But what is this volcanic mountain?" "It belongs to one of the numerous islands with which this sea is strewn--to vessels a simple sandbank--to us an immense cavern. Chance led me to discover it, and chance served me well." "But of what use is this refuge, Captain? The Nautilus wants no port." "No, sir; but it wants electricity to make it move, and the wherewithal to make the electricity--sodium to feed the elements, coal from which to get the sodium, and a coal-mine to supply the coal. And exactly on this spot the sea covers entire forests embedded during the geological periods, now mineralised and transformed into coal; for me they are an inexhaustible mine." "Your men follow the trade of miners here, then, Captain?" "Exactly so. These mines extend under the waves like the mines of Newcastle. Here, in their diving-dresses, pick axe and shovel in hand, my men extract the coal, which I do not even ask from the mines of the earth. When I burn this combustible for the manufacture of sodium, the smoke, escaping from the crater of the mountain, gives it the appearance of a still-active volcano." "And we shall see your companions at work?" "No; not this time at least; for I am in a hurry to continue our submarine tour of the earth. So I shall content myself with drawing from the reserve of sodium I already possess. The time for loading is one day only, and we continue our voyage. So, if you wish to go over the cavern and make the round of the lagoon, you must take advantage of to-day, M. Aronnax." I thanked the Captain and went to look for my companions, who had not yet left their cabin. I invited them to follow me without saying where we were. They mounted the platform. Conseil, who was astonished at nothing, seemed to look upon it as quite natural that he should wake under a mountain, after having fallen asleep under th
e waves. But Ned Land thought of nothing but finding whether the cavern had any exit. After breakfast, about ten o'clock, we went down on to the mountain. "Here we are, once more on land," said Conseil. "I do not call this land," said the Canadian. "And besides, we are not on it, but beneath it." Between the walls of the mountains and the waters of the lake lay a sandy shore which, at its greatest breadth, measured five hundred feet. On this soil one might easily make the tour of the lake. But the base of the high partitions was stony ground, with volcanic locks and enormous pumice-stones lying in picturesque heaps. All these detached masses, covered with enamel, polished by the action of the subterraneous fires, shone resplendent by the light of our electric lantern. The mica dust from the shore, rising under our feet, flew like a cloud of sparks. The bottom now rose sensibly, and we soon arrived at long circuitous slopes, or inclined planes, which took us higher by degrees; but we were obliged to walk carefully among these conglomerates, bound by no cement, the feet slipping on the glassy crystal, felspar, and quartz. The volcanic nature of this enormous excavation was confirmed on all sides, and I pointed it out to my companions. "Picture to yourselves," said I, "what this crater must have been when filled with boiling lava, and when the level of the incandescent liquid rose to the orifice of the mountain, as though melted on the top of a hot plate." "I can picture it perfectly," said Conseil. "But, sir, will you tell me why the Great Architect has suspended operations, and how it is that the furnace is replaced by the quiet waters of the lake?" "Most probably, Conseil, because some convulsion beneath the ocean produced that very opening which has served as a passage for the Nautilus. Then the waters of the Atlantic rushed into the interior of the mountain. There must have been a terrible struggle between the two elements, a struggle which ended in the victory of Neptune. But many ages have run out sinc
e then, and the submerged volcano is now a peaceable grotto." "Very well," replied Ned Land; "I accept the explanation, sir; but, in our own interests, I regret that the opening of which you speak was not made above the level of the sea." "But, friend Ned," said Conseil, "if the passage had not been under the sea, the Nautilus could not have gone through it." We continued ascending. The steps became more and more perpendicular and narrow. Deep excavations, which we were obliged to cross, cut them here and there; sloping masses had to be turned. We slid upon our knees and crawled along. But Conseil's dexterity and the Canadian's strength surmounted all obstacles. At a height of about 31 feet the nature of the ground changed without becoming more practicable. To the conglomerate and trachyte succeeded black basalt, the first dispread in layers full of bubbles, the latter forming regular prisms, placed like a colonnade supporting the spring of the immense vault, an admirable specimen of natural architecture. Between the blocks of basalt wound long streams of lava, long since grown cold, encrusted with bituminous rays; and in some places there were spread large carpets of sulphur. A more powerful light shone through the upper crater, shedding a vague glimmer over these volcanic depressions for ever buried in the bosom of this extinguished mountain. But our upward march was soon stopped at a height of about two hundred and fifty feet by impassable obstacles. There was a complete vaulted arch overhanging us, and our ascent was changed to a circular walk. At the last change vegetable life began to struggle with the mineral. Some shrubs, and even some trees, grew from the fractures of the walls. I recognised some euphorbias, with the caustic sugar coming from them; heliotropes, quite incapable of justifying their name, sadly drooped their clusters of flowers, both their colour and perfume half gone. Here and there some chrysanthemums grew timidly at the foot of an aloe with long, sickly-looking leaves. But betwee
n the streams of lava, I saw some little violets still slightly perfumed, and I admit that I smelt them with delight. Perfume is the soul of the flower, and sea-flowers have no soul. We had arrived at the foot of some sturdy dragon-trees, which had pushed aside the rocks with their strong roots, when Ned Land exclaimed: "Ah! sir, a hive! a hive!" "A hive!" I replied, with a gesture of incredulity. "Yes, a hive," repeated the Canadian, "and bees humming round it." I approached, and was bound to believe my own eyes. There at a hole bored in one of the dragon-trees were some thousands of these ingenious insects, so common in all the Canaries, and whose produce is so much esteemed. Naturally enough, the Canadian wished to gather the honey, and I could not well oppose his wish. A quantity of dry leaves, mixed with sulphur, he lit with a spark from his flint, and he began to smoke out the bees. The humming ceased by degrees, and the hive eventually yielded several pounds of the sweetest honey, with which Ned Land filled his haversack. "When I have mixed this honey with the paste of the bread-fruit," said he, "I shall be able to offer you a succulent cake." {`bread-fruit' has been substituted for `artocarpus' in this ed.} "'Pon my word," said Conseil, "it will be gingerbread." "Never mind the gingerbread," said I; "let us continue our interesting walk." At every turn of the path we were following, the lake appeared in all its length and breadth. The lantern lit up the whole of its peaceable surface, which knew neither ripple nor wave. The Nautilus remained perfectly immovable. On the platform, and on the mountain, the ship's crew were working like black shadows clearly carved against the luminous atmosphere. We were now going round the highest crest of the first layers of rock which upheld the roof. I then saw that bees were not the only representatives of the animal kingdom in the interior of this volcano. Birds of prey hovered here and there in the shadows, or fled from their nests on the top of the rocks. Ther
e were sparrow hawks, with white breasts, and kestrels, and down the slopes scampered, with their long legs, several fine fat bustards. I leave anyone to imagine the covetousness of the Canadian at the sight of this savoury game, and whether he did not regret having no gun. But he did his best to replace the lead by stones, and, after several fruitless attempts, he succeeded in wounding a magnificent bird. To say that he risked his life twenty times before reaching it is but the truth; but he managed so well that the creature joined the honey-cakes in his bag. We were now obliged to descend toward the shore, the crest becoming impracticable. Above us the crater seemed to gape like the mouth of a well. From this place the sky could be clearly seen, and clouds, dissipated by the west wind, leaving behind them, even on the summit of the mountain, their misty remnants--certain proof that they were only moderately high, for the volcano did not rise more than eight hundred feet above the level of the ocean. Half an hour after the Canadian's last exploit we had regained the inner shore. Here the flora was represented by large carpets of marine crystal, a little umbelliferous plant very good to pickle, which also bears the name of pierce-stone and sea-fennel. Conseil gathered some bundles of it. As to the fauna, it might be counted by thousands of crustacea of all sorts, lobsters, crabs, spider-crabs, chameleon shrimps, and a large number of shells, rockfish, and limpets. Three-quarters of an hour later we had finished our circuitous walk and were on board. The crew had just finished loading the sodium, and the Nautilus could have left that instant. But Captain Nemo gave no order. Did he wish to wait until night, and leave the submarine passage secretly? Perhaps so. Whatever it might be, the next day, the Nautilus, having left its port, steered clear of all land at a few yards beneath the waves of the Atlantic.
第二天，2月20日，我醒得很迟。夜间的疲劳使我一直睡到十一点。我赶快穿起衣服，急于要知道诺第留斯号航行的方向。厅中的仪器给我指出，它仍是往南开行，速度每小时二十海里，水深一百米。
康塞尔进来，我告诉他我们昨天夜间的旅行，同时嵌板敞开，他还可以望见那沉没了的大陆的一部分。
现在，诺第留斯号在仅距大西洋洲平原地面十米的水层行驶。它像一只在陆地草原上被风推送的气球一般飞跑；如果我们说，我们在这厅中，就像在特别快车的车厢里面更恰当一些。在我们眼前闪过的前列景象，是那离奇古怪的割切成的大石块，从植物界到动物界的树林，那屹立不动的形影在海水中挤眉弄眼的怪样子。其次又是那藏在轴形草和白头翁地毯下面的大堆石头，上面竖起无数长长在立的蛇婆，其次是轮廓弯折得奇怪的大块火石，证明地心大火力量的惊人猛烈。
当这些奇异景象受我们的电光照耀的时候，我给康塞尔讲述那些大西洋人的历史，他们在纯粹空想的观点上，曾经引起巴夷①写出很多迷人的篇章。我给他说这些英雄人民的勇敢战争。我认真地来讨论大西洋洲的问题，可是康塞尔却心不在焉，不留意听；他对于这一方面的冷淡，不久我就得到解释了。
”这是因为有无数的鱼类吸引他的眼光，当鱼类走过的财候，康塞尔就潜入分类法的深渊中，脱离现实世界了。在这种情形下，我只有跟着他一样做，跟他一块作鱼类学的研究。
其实，大西洋的这些鱼类跟我们以前观察过的，并没有根显著的差别。其中有身躯长大的鳃鱼，长五米，体力强•大，可以跃出水面。有各种的鲛鱼：其中有长十五英尺的海色鲛，有尖利三角形的牙齿，它颜色的透明使它在海水中几乎看不出来。
在多骨鱼类中，康塞尔记出有淡墨色的帆船鱼，长三米，上颚有一把尖利的刺刀。有颜色生动的海鳝，亚里士多德时代，名字叫海龙，脊背上有利刺，捕捉它们的时候很危险。其次有哥利芬鱼：脊背褐色，带蓝色小条纹，圈在边缘金黄的框子里面。有美丽的扁鱼：月形金口鱼，像发出天蓝色光线的盘，阳光照在上面，像银白色的斑点一般。最后有旗形一角鱼，长八米，成群结队地走过，它们带淡黄色的峭，鳍长六英尺，作镰刀和长剑形，这是很勇敢大胆的鱼，爱吃当这些奇异景象受我们的电光照耀的时候，我给康塞尔讲述那些大西洋人的历史，他们在纯粹空想的观点上，曾经引起巴夷①写出很多迷人的篇章。我给他说这些英雄人民的勇敢战争。我认真地来讨论大西洋洲的问题，可是康塞尔却心不在焉，不留意听，他对于这一方面的冷淡，不久我就得到解释了。
“这是因为有无数的鱼类吸引他的眼光，当鱼类走过的时候，康塞尔就潜入分类法的深渊中，脱离现实世界了。在这种情形下，我只有跟着他一样做，跟他一块作鱼类学的研究。
其实，大西洋的这些鱼类跟我们以前观察过的，并没有根显著的差别。其中有身躯长大的鳃鱼，长五米，体力强大，可以跃出水面。有各种的鲛鱼：其中有长十五英尺的海色鲛，有尖利三角形的牙齿，它颜色的透明使它在海水中几乎看不出来。
在多骨鱼类中，康塞尔记出有淡墨色的帆船鱼，长三米，上颚有一把尖利的刺刀。有颜色生动的海鳝，亚里士多德时代，名字叫海龙，脊背上有利刺，捕捉它们的时候很危险。其次有哥利芬鱼，脊背褐色，带蓝色小条纹，圈在边缘金黄的框子里面。有美丽的扁鱼！月形金口鱼，像发出天蓝色光线的盘，阳光照在上面，像银白色的斑点一般。最后有旗形一角鱼，长八米，成群结队地走过，它们带淡黄色的鳍，鳍长六英尺，作镰刀和长剑形，这是很勇敢大胆的鱼，爱吃革叶，不爱吃小鱼，雄一角鱼看见雌一角鱼的些微动作，立即服从，就像素有训练的很驯服的丈夫那样。
但是，就在观察这些海洋动物的不同品种的时候，我也不停地看那大西洋洲的辽阔平原。有时，由于平原地面的崎岖不平，使得诺第留斯号的速度要缓慢些；它于是像鲸鱼类一样巧妙，溜进许多丘陵形成的狭窄曲折的水道里面去。
如果这个五花八门的地带无从走出，它就跟轻气球一般浮上来，越过了障碍后，它再到深几米的海底下迅速行驶。真是使人钦佩和使人神迷的航行，让人联想起空中飞行的轻气球的情形，但有这样一种分别，就是诺第留斯号完全服从它的领航人的两手。
下午四点左右，地面上夹带有化石枝叶的厚泥土渐渐改变了；石头愈来愈多，有好些变质岩，玄武石凝灰岩，同时又有硫磺火石和黑暇石散在中间。我想山岳地带不久就要接上辽阔的平原。真的，在诺第留斯号更往前驶的时候，我望见南方的天际水平线，被一带高墙挡起来，好像完全没有出路似的。很显然，墙顶是超出大洋水面了。那可能是大陆，至少也是一个岛，或加纳里群岛之一，或青角群岛之一）船方位的标记还没有做——可能是有意这样——我不知道我们所在的方位。总之，这座高墙我看来是标记出大西洋洲的尽头，我们没有走过的恐怕也只有很小的一部分了。
黑夜没有中断我的观察，我独自一人留下，康塞尔回他的房中去了。诺第留斯号行驶缓慢，在地面认不清的一堆一堆东西上面往来盘旋，有时它接触到这些乱堆，好像它想停留在上面似的；有时又很任意地浮出海水面上来。我这：时通过海水透明晶体，望见一些光辉的星宿，那正是跟参垦鱼贯排列起来的六七颗黄道星宿。
我停留在玻璃窗面前，欣赏海和天的美景，我停留了很久，一直到嵌板闭起来。这时候，诺第留斯号到了那座高墙壁立垂直的地方了。它怎样行驶，我无法猜测。我回房间中来，诺第留斯号不动了。我睡觉的时候，打定主意，只唾几小时就要醒来。但第二天我到厅中来看，已经八点了。
我看一下压力表，晓得诺第留斯号是在洋面上行走。同时我也听到平台上有脚步声。
可是船没有一点摇摆，并不表示出海上波浪起伏的情况。我一直上到嵌板边，板是敞开的，但我一看，并不是我所想的大白天，四周都是一片漆黑。我们是在哪里？我是搞错了吗？现在还是黑夜吗？不！没有一颗星光照耀着。
并且就是黑夜也没有这样的漆黑。
我简直没有法子想象，这时候，有人声对我说：“教授，是您吗？”
“啊！尼摩船长，”我回答，“我们现在在哪里呢？”
“教授，在地下呢。”
“在地下！”我喊道，“但诺第留斯号还是浮着走呢？”
“它老是浮着走的。"
“那，我可真不懂了？”
“您等待一下。我们的探照灯就要亮起来。如果您喜欢把情况弄明白，那您一定可以得到满足。"我走到平台上，我在那里等着。黑暗是完全绝对的，就是尼摩船长的影子我也看不见。同时我注视空中的顶点，正在我的头上面，我觉得是看到一种隐约浮游的微光，一称在圆涧中所有的曙光。这时候，探照灯忽然亮了，它那辉煌的光把那模糊的光驱散了。
我受电光的突然照耀，觉得晃眼，略为闲了一下眼睛。
我再睁开来注视。诺第留斯号静止不动。它靠近作为码头的岸边浮着。这时浮起它来的海面是有高墙围起来的圆形的湖，长二海里，周围六海里。压力表指出，它的水平面等于外海的水平面，这湖必然跟大海相通。周围的高墙，下部倾斜，上面是穹窿的圆顶，形状很像倒过来的漏斗，高度为为五百至六百米。顶上有一个圆孔，我刚才就从这孔看到一些稀微的光线，这光的来源显然是那白日的光。
在更仔细地考察这巨大岩洞的内部情形之前，在自己没有想想这洞是天然的或人为的作品之前，我就向尼摩船长面前走去。我说。
“我们是在哪里呢？”
“我们是在一座熄灭了的火山中心，”船长回答我，”这：座火山由于地面震动，海水侵入内部，火熄灭了。教授，当您睡眠的时候，诺第留斯号在海面十米下，从一条天然开凿的水道驶进这小咸水湖里面／这里是湖中停船的港口，是安全、方便、秘密、罗盘上所有方位的风都可以躲开的港口！
请在你们大陆的海岸或你们的海岛，给我找到一个跟这港湾一样的港口来罢，要安全的，不怕飓风袭击的。”
“是的，”我回答，“尼摩船长，您在这港内很安全。谁可能到这火山中心来呢？不过，在那顶上：我不是望见有一个孔吗？"“是的，那是喷火口，这火口从前充满火石、烟气和火：焰，现在是使人生动活泼、我们呼吸的空气的通路了。”
“不过这座发火的山是什么呢／我问。
“它是这海洋中许多小岛的一个。对船只来说，它仅是一个简单的暗礁，对我们，那就是巨大的岩洞了。我无意中发现了它，在里面，它无意中给我许多好处。”
“但人们不可能从那以前是火山喷口的孔下来吗？”
“不可能，跟我不能从这里上去一样。直到一百英尺左右，这山内部下层是可以走的，但再上一点，石壁就很陡峭，山腰间的石层不可能越过。”
“船长，我看见大自然随时随地都被您所利用，给您方便。您在这湖中很安全，除了您，没有谁能到这湖水中来。
可是这港口有什么用呢？诺第留斯号并不需要停泊的地方。
“是的，它不需要停泊的地方，教授。但它需要电力发动，需要原料发电，需要钠产生电原料，需要煤制造钠，需要煤坑采掘煤炭。而正是在这里，海水淹没了无数森林，这些森林在地质时期就埋人沙上了。现在僵化成石了，变为煤炭了，对我来说，它们是采不尽的矿藏。"“船长，那么，您的人员到这里来都做矿工的职业了。”
“正是这样。这些矿藏摆在海水下面，像纽卡斯尔①的媒坑一样。就在这地方，穿上潜水衣，手拿锄和铲，我的人员去采煤，我因此用不着向地上的旷藏要煤。当我烧这种燃料来制造钠的时候，从这山的旧火口出去的烟，表面看来它还是一座仍在喷火的火山。”
“我们可以看到您的同伴们做挖煤的工作吗？”
“不，至少这一次看不到，因为我很急，要继续我们的海底周游。所以，我只把我所储藏的钠拿来使用罢了。装载钠的时间，仅仅是一天，我们又要继续开行赶路了。如果您想在这岩洞中走走，周游这咸水湖，阿龙纳斯先生，那您就利用这一天的时间吧。”
我谢了船长，我去找我的两个同伴，他们还没有出他们的房门呢。我请他们跟着我来，没有告诉他们现在在什么地方。他们走到平台上。康塞尔是对什么都不觉得奇怪的，两眼看着，觉得在水波下面睡过后，醒来在山底下，是很自然的事。尼德•兰没有别的思想，只是找寻这洞是不是有出路。
吃了早饭，十点左右，我们下船来，到岸上去。
"我们又在陆地上了。”康塞尔说。
“我不叫这个是陆地，”加拿大人回答，“并且我们不是在上，而是在下。”
在山崖脚下和湖水之间，有一片是沙的堤岸，最宽的地方有五百英尺。沿着这沙滩，我们可以很容易地环湖走一周。但悬崖的下边，地势崎岖不平，上面累积得很好看，堆着许多火山喷出的大块石头和巨大的火山浮石。所有这些大堆石头分解了，受地下火的力量上面浮起一层光滑的珐琅质，一经探照灯的照射，发出辉煌的光彩。堤岸上云母石的微粒，在我们步行时掀扬起来，像一阵火花的浓云一般飞地面渐渐远离湖水，显然渐渐往上升起，我们不久便抵达很长、很弯曲的石栏，那是真正的斜坡，可以缓缓地上去，不过在这些累积形成的岩石中间，并没有洋灰把它们接合起来，走路要很小心，并且在这些长石和石英晶体所造成的玻璃质的粗面岩石上，脚步也很容易滑下去。这所巨大洞穴是由火山所形成的，已在很多处得到证实。我对我的同伴们指出，要他们注意。
“你们想想，”我问他们，“当这个漏斗里面充满沸腾的火石，并且这种白热流质的水平面一直高到山的出口，像熔铁在熔炉里一样，那时候漏斗的情形是怎样呢？"“我心中完全可以想象这种情形，”康塞尔回答，“但先生是否可以告诉我，那位伟大的熔铸人为什么停止他的工作，那熔炉里面怎样又换了静静的湖水？”
“康塞尔，很可能的理由大概是因为海洋底下发生地形的变化，造成了现在作为诺第留斯号的航道的出口。大西洋的海水于是流入火山内部来了。当时水火两元素展开了猛烈的斗争，斗争的结果是涅豆尼海王胜利。但此后又不知道过了多少世纪，被水沉没的火山，就转变为安静乎和的岩洞。”
“很好，”尼德•兰回答，“我接受上面的解释，不过，为我们的利益起见，我很惋惜教授说的那个口为什么不开在海平面上。”
“不过，尼德朋友，”康塞尔回答，“如果这口不是在地下，那诺第留斯号就不能穿进来了！”
“兰师傅，我又得说，如果海水不从山底下冲进去，火山也还是火山。所以您的惋惜是多余的。"我们继续往上走。石径愈来愈难走，愈来愈狭窄。有根深的空洞时时把路径切断，我们必须跳过去。许多兀起悬挂的大石要人绕路过去。我们跪下往前溜，我们附身爬着走。因为有康塞尔的便捷和加拿大人的帮助，——切阻碍都克服了。到了三十米左右高度，地面性质起了变化：不过还可以走。累积岩和粗面岩后面，接着是玄武岩。后一种结为许多气泡，一片片地摊开在那里。前一种形成规律的梭形，像一列石柱排起来，把这巨大穹窿的起拱石支起，真是天然建筑物的壮丽模型。其次在玄武石岩中间，有冷了的火石的长流迁回环绕，嵌上许多沥青的线纹，同时又一处处铺着硫磺形成的宽阔地毯。一道较强大的光线从上层洞口射入，它那隐约模糊的光辉向着所有这些永远埋在媳灭的火山里面的、从前被火力排出来的物质照下来。
不过，到了二百英尺高左右，我们不能再上去了，那边有无法通过的障碍物。内部穹窿又成兀起斜出，往上走就转变为绕圈的行路。在山腰的这一层上面，植物开始跟矿物斗争。有些小树，并且有些大树从山崖的凹凸处长出来。
我认得那大戟草，它们流出腐蚀性的浆汁。又有向日草，这名字很不合理，因为太阳光从来照不到它们，那褪了色的和不大香的花串向下垂着，样子很凄凉。处处有些菊花在悲戚和病态的长叶芦荟脚下，软弱无力地长着。但在火石形成的滑道中间，我看见有细小的紫罗兰，还带些微的香气，我承认我很高兴嗅这香味。香是花的灵魂，海中的花，像那楼美丽的水草，是没有灵魂的！
，我们到了一丛健壮的龙血树下面，这时候，尼德•兰喊起来：、“啊！先生，一个蜂巢！"，“～个蜂巢！"我回答，做个完全不相信的手势。
“不错！一个蜂巢，”加拿大人重复说，“并且有好些蜂在周围飞鸣呢。”
“我向前走去，我要说，这完全是真实的。在那里，在龙血树洞中挖成的一个孔穴上，有无数的勤劳智慧的蜂，它们在加纳里群岛上很常见，所产的蜂蜜特别被视为珍品，受人重视。很自然，加拿大人要采取蜂蜜，留作食用，我如果反对，那就显得我不近人情。一些干草杂上一些硫磺，在他的打火机上燃起来，他就拿火烟来熏蜂。周围的蜂的飞鸣渐渐没有了。那挖出来的蜂巢一共供应了我们好几斤香甜的蜜。尼德•兰把蜜装在他背上的口袋中。他对我们说：“我把蜂蜜跟面包树的粉和起来，我就可以请你们吃美味的糕。”
“好嘛！”康塞尔说，“那是又香又甜的面包呢！"“暂时搁起你们的又香又甜的面包吧，”我说。"我们赶快做我们的有趣味的旅行。”
在我们沿着走的小径某处转弯的所在，这湖的整个面貌都现出来了。探照灯照在湖面上，十分平静，一点皱痕、一点波纹都没有。诺第留斯号停在那里，绝对静止。在平台上和在堤岸上，船上人员正忙着工作，那就是他们在这光明的大气中间清楚地投射出来的黑影。
这个时候，我们绕过这些前列岩石的最高尖峰，它们把穹窿圆顶支起。我那时看到一些东西，在这火山内部，动物的代表又不单是蜂了。那是一些蛰鸟在黑影中盘旋，飞来飞去，或者从它们筑在石尖上的巢中飞出来。那是一类肚腹白色的鹞，及鸣声刺耳的鹰。在斜坡上，又有高矫疾走的，美丽又肥胖的钨。谁都可以想到，加拿大人看见这美味的猎物是怎样的发馋，他很悔恨他没有带枪。他想法拿石头来替代铅弹，投了好几次都没有成功，后来他居然打伤了一只这种美丽的乌。说他不惜冒二十次险，一定要把这鸟弄到手，那是完全确实的事；凭着他的灵巧，他终于把这只鸨塞人口袋中，跟一块块的蜡蜜放在一起了。我们这时要下堤岸来，因为这山脊没法过去。在我们上面，那张开的火山口像阔大的井口一般现出来。从这地方望，天空可以相当清楚的看出，我又看见一堆乱云，被西风吹送，一直把云雾的细丝碎片带到这山峰上。这是很确实的证据，就是这些云停在不很高的空中，因为火山高出海洋的水平面仅仅不过八百英尺。
加拿大人打到了鸟半小时后，我们回到内层堤岸来了。
在这岸上的花草，有那种海鸡冠草形成的大块地毯，这草是泡来很好吃的伞形花小草，又名为钻石草、穿石草和海苗香。康塞尔采了好几柬。至于动物，那就是各种各样的甲壳类、龙虾、大盘蟹、长手蟹、苗虾、长脚虾、加拉蟹，以及数不清的大量蚌蛤、磁贝、岩贝、编笠贝。
在这个地方，现出一所高大的岩洞。我跟我的同伴们很高兴地在洞中细沙上躺下来。火力把珐琅质的和发光泽为洞壁摩亮了，洞壁上满是云母石的粉屑。尼德•兰用手怕打高墙，探侧墙有多厚。我不禁要笑起来。谈话于是集中在他那永久不能忘怀的逃走计划上面，我想我不至于太冒进，可以给他这个；希望，就是尼摩船长往南来，仅仅是为补充钠的储藏量。所以，我希望他现在又要回到欧洲和美洲海岸去，这或者可以让加拿大人把他没有完成的逃走计划，更有可能成功的执行起来。我们躺在这可爱的洞中有一个钟头了。谈话开始时很生动，以后兴致渐渐减退。昏睡的感觉侵袭到我们身上来了。我觉得我没有要抗拒睡眠的理由，我就让我深深地睡了。
忽然，我被康塞尔的声音所惊醒。这个老实人喊：“警报！警报：”“有什么事呀？”我问，同时我支起前半身来。
“水漫上来了！”
我立即站起来。海水像急流一般向我们藏身的地方冲来。毫无疑问，我们既然不是软体动物，我们就一定得逃避。
几分钟后，我们就安全地到了这岩洞的顶上。
“这是怎么一回事？"康塞尔问，“又有新的奇怪现象吗？
“朋友们，”我回答，“没有什么！那是潮水，像司备脱①小说中所说的人物的遭遇一样，突然来袭我们的，不过是那潮水！大西洋在外面涨起，由于自然的平衡法则，湖中的水平面同样要上升，我们洗了半个澡出来了。我们得回诺第留斯号换衣服去。”
三刻钟后，我们就完结了我们的环湖旅行，我们又回到船上。船上人员这时候已经把钠装载完毕，诺第留斯号可能立即就要开行。可是，尼摩船长并不下命令。他要等到夜间。是要秘密地从地下水道出去吗？或者是这样：、不管怎样，第二天，诺第留斯号已经离开它的港口，又在没有陆地的海面，大西洋水底下几米深的水层航行了。
Part 2 Chapter 11
That day the Nautilus crossed a singular part of the Atlantic Ocean. No one can be ignorant of the existence of a current of warm water known by the name of the Gulf Stream. After leaving the Gulf of Florida, we went in the direction of Spitzbergen. But before entering the Gulf of Mexico, about 45" of N. lat., this current divides into two arms, the principal one going towards the coast of Ireland and Norway, whilst the second bends to the south about the height of the Azores; then, touching the African shore, and describing a lengthened oval, returns to the Antilles. This second arm--it is rather a collar than an arm--surrounds with its circles of warm water that portion of the cold, quiet, immovable ocean called the Sargasso Sea, a perfect lake in the open Atlantic: it takes no less than three years for the great current to pass round it. Such was the region the Nautilus was now visiting, a perfect meadow, a close carpet of seaweed, fucus, and tropical berries, so thick and so compact that the stem of a vessel could hardly tear its way through it. And Captain Nemo, not wishing to entangle his screw in this herbaceous mass, kept some yards beneath the surface of the waves. The name Sargasso comes from the Spanish word "sargazzo" which signifies kelp. This kelp, or berry-plant, is the principal formation of this immense bank. And this is the reason why these plants unite in the peaceful basin of the Atlantic. The only explanation which can be given, he says, seems to me to result from the experience known to all the world. Place in a vase some fragments of cork or other floating body, and give to the water in the vase a circular movement, the scattered fragments will unite in a group in the centre of the liquid surface, that is to say, in the part least agitated. In the phenomenon we are considering, the Atlantic is the vase, the Gulf Stream the circular current, and the Sargasso Sea the central point at which the floating bodies unite.
I share Maury's opinion, and I was able to study the phenomenon in the very midst, where vessels rarely penetrate. Above us floated products of all kinds, heaped up among these brownish plants; trunks of trees torn from the Andes or the Rocky Mountains, and floated by the Amazon or the Mississippi; numerous wrecks, remains of keels, or ships' bottoms, side-planks stove in, and so weighted with shells and barnacles that they could not again rise to the surface. And time will one day justify Maury's other opinion, that these substances thus accumulated for ages will become petrified by the action of the water and will then form inexhaustible coal-mines-a precious reserve prepared by far-seeing Nature for the moment when men shall have exhausted the mines of continents. In the midst of this inextricable mass of plants and sea weed, I noticed some charming pink halcyons and actiniae, with their long tentacles trailing after them, and medusae, green, red, and blue. All the day of the 22nd of February we passed in the Sargasso Sea, where such fish as are partial to marine plants find abundant nourishment. The next, the ocean had returned to its accustomed aspect. From this time for nineteen days, from the 23rd of February to the 12th of March, the Nautilus kept in the middle of the Atlantic, carrying us at a constant speed of a hundred leagues in twenty-four hours. Captain Nemo evidently intended accomplishing his submarine programme, and I imagined that he intended, after doubling Cape Horn, to return to the Australian seas of the Pacific. Ned Land had cause for fear. In these large seas, void of islands, we could not attempt to leave the boat. Nor had we any means of opposing Captain Nemo's will. Our only course was to submit; but what we could neither gain by force nor cunning, I liked to think might be obtained by persuasion. This voyage ended, would he not consent to restore our liberty, under an oath never to reveal his existence?--an oath of honour which we should have religiously kept. But we must consider 
that delicate question with the Captain. But was I free to claim this liberty? Had he not himself said from the beginning, in the firmest manner, that the secret of his life exacted from him our lasting imprisonment on board the Nautilus? And would not my four months' silence appear to him a tacit acceptance of our situation? And would not a return to the subject result in raising suspicions which might be hurtful to our projects, if at some future time a favourable opportunity offered to return to them?
During the nineteen days mentioned above, no incident of any kind happened to signalise our voyage. I saw little of the Captain; he was at work. In the library I often found his books left open, especially those on natural history. My work on submarine depths, conned over by him, was covered with marginal notes, often contradicting my theories and systems; but the Captain contented himself with thus purging my work; it was very rare for him to discuss it with me. Sometimes I heard the melancholy tones of his organ; but only at night, in the midst of the deepest obscurity, when the Nautilus slept upon the deserted ocean. During this part of our voyage we sailed whole days on the surface of the waves. The sea seemed abandoned. A few sailing-vessels, on the road to India, were making for the Cape of Good Hope. One day we were followed by the boats of a whaler, who, no doubt, took us for some enormous whale of great price; but Captain Nemo did not wish the worthy fellows to lose their time and trouble, so ended the chase by plunging under the water. Our navigation continued until the 13th of March; that day the Nautilus was employed in taking soundings, which greatly interested me. We had then made about 13,000 leagues since our departure from the high seas of the Pacific. The bearings gave us 45" 37' S. lat., and 37" 53' W. long. It was the same water in which Captain Denham of the Herald sounded 7,000 fathoms without finding the bottom. There, too, Lieutenant Parker, of the American frigate Congress, could not touch the bottom with 15,140 fathoms. Captain Nemo intended seeking the bottom of the ocean by a diagonal sufficiently lengthened by means of lateral planes placed at an angle of 45" with the water-line of the Nautilus. Then the screw set to work at its maximum speed, its four blades beating the waves with in describable force. Under this powerful pressure, the hull of the Nautilus quivered like a sonorous chord and sank regularly under the water. At 7,000 fathoms I saw some blackish tops rising from the
midst of the waters; but these summits might belong to high mountains like the Himalayas or Mont Blanc, even higher; and the depth of the abyss remained incalculable. The Nautilus descended still lower, in spite of the great pressure. I felt the steel plates tremble at the fastenings of the bolts; its bars bent, its partitions groaned; the windows of the saloon seemed to curve under the pressure of the waters. And this firm structure would doubtless have yielded, if, as its Captain had said, it had not been capable of resistance like a solid block. We had attained a depth of 16,000 yards (four leagues), and the sides of the Nautilus then bore a pressure of 1,600 atmospheres, that is to say, 3,200 lb. to each square two-fifths of an inch of its surface. "What a situation to be in!" I exclaimed. "To overrun these deep regions where man has never trod! Look, Captain, look at these magnificent rocks, these uninhabited grottoes, these lowest receptacles of the globe, where life is no longer possible! What unknown sights are here! Why should we be unable to preserve a remembrance of them?" "Would you like to carry away more than the remembrance?" said Captain Nemo. "What do you mean by those words?" "I mean to say that nothing is easier than to make a photographic view of this submarine region." I had not time to express my surprise at this new proposition, when, at Captain Nemo's call, an objective was brought into the saloon. Through the widely-opened panel, the liquid mass was bright with electricity, which was distributed with such uniformity that not a shadow, not a gradation, was to be seen in our manufactured light. The Nautilus remained motionless, the force of its screw subdued by the inclination of its planes: the instrument was propped on the bottom of the oceanic site, and in a few seconds we had obtained a perfect negative.
But, the operation being over, Captain Nemo said, "Let us go up; we must not abuse our position, nor expose the Nautilus too long to such great pressure." "Go up again!" I exclaimed. "Hold well on." I had not time to understand why the Captain cautioned me thus, when I was thrown forward on to the carpet. At a signal from the Captain, its screw was shipped, and its blades raised vertically; the Nautilus shot into the air like a balloon, rising with stunning rapidity, and cutting the mass of waters with a sonorous agitation. Nothing was visible; and in four minutes it had shot through the four leagues which separated it from the ocean, and, after emerging like a flying-fish, fell, making the waves rebound to an enormous height.
诺第留斯号行驶的方向没有改变。所以，再回到欧洲海岸去的所有希望暂时都要抛弃了。尼摩船长仍是把船头指向南方。他带我们到哪里去？我不敢设想。
这一天，诺第留斯号走过了大西洋很新奇的一部分海面。大家知道大西洋中有那名为“漩流”的大暖流存在。暖流从佛罗里达湾出未，向斯勃齐堡湾流去。但在流入墨西哥湾之前，在北纬44度左右，暖流分为两支：主流奔向爱尔兰和挪威海岸，支流弯折向南，与阿棱尔群岛在同一纬度，然后抵达非洲海岸，画一个长长的椭圆形，回到安的列斯群岛。
可是，这条第二支流一一与其说是手臂般的支流，不如说是项圈一般的环流一形成许多暖流圈，把这部分冰冷、平静和不动的大西洋围绕起来，名为萨尔加斯海。这是大西洋中的真正湖沼，大暖流的水要绕这湖一周，非三年的时间不成。
萨尔加斯海，严格说起来，那海水遮覆了整个广大的大西洋洲。某些作家甚至承认，那些散布在这海面的无数草叶，是从这古代大陆的草地分出来的。情况可能是这样，就是这些草叶植物，昆布、海带和黑角菜之类，是来自欧洲和美洲海岸，被大西洋暖流一直带到这边海中来的。
此刻诺第留斯号走的地方就是上面说的这个海，是真正的一片草场，是昆布、海带、黑角菜、热带海葡萄形成的很厚、很密、很紧凑的地毯，船头要费很大力量才能把它冲开。
所以，尼摩船长不愿把他的机轮纠缠在这草叶堆里面，他让船在水面下几米深的水层中行驶。
萨尔加斯这个名字出自西班牙语，意思是海藻。这海藻是浮水藻，或承湾藻，主要构成这广大的草叶海面。根据《地球自然地理》的作者、科学家莫利的意见，这些海产植物为什么在大西洋这一带平静海水中齐集团结起来，理由是这样。
他说：“我们可以拿出来的说明，我以为就是从人人都知道的一种经验所得到的结果。把软木塞碎片或其他浮体的碎片放进一盆水中，使盆中的水作圆形的运动，我们就看见那些分散的碎片成群地聚在水面的中心，即最不受激动的部分。在现在我们留意的这个现象中，那盆是大西洋，暖流是圆形的水流，萨尔加斯海是浮体齐来团聚的中心。”我赞同莫利的意见，我又可以在这普通船只很难达到的特殊环境中，研究这种现象。在我们头上，浮着从各处漂来的物在这些紫黑色的草叶中间堆积着的，有从安第斯基山脉拔下来、由亚马逊河或密西西比河浮来的大树干，门。无数遇难船的残骸，龙骨或舱底的剩余，破损的船板，上面堆满蛤阶和荷茗儿贝，十分沉重，不可能再浮上洋面来。
3月22日整天，船都在萨尔加斯海中行驶，喜欢吃海产植物和介壳类的鱼类，在这里可以找到丰富的食粮。第二天，大西洋又恢复经常看见的面貌了。
自此以后，从2月23日至3月12日十丸天中，诺第留斯号在大西洋中间，带着我们走的经常速度为每二十四小时，一百里。尼摩船长很显然要完成他海底周游的计划；我并不怀疑他绕过了合恩角后，打算再回到太平洋的南极海来所以尼德•兰的惧怕是有理由的。在这些海面上，没有岛屿，逃走的企图是不用再想了。要反对尼摩船长的意志，更没有什么方法；唯一的办法就是服从。因为一件不可能从强力或计谋得到的事情，我喜欢想，或者是可以用说服的方法得到的。这次旅行结束后，尼摩船长有我们发誓不泄露他的生活秘密的保证，难道还不让我们自由吗？这是拿名誉来担保的誓言，我们必然遵守。不过这个微妙问题需要跟船长商谈。那我去要求恢复自由，是不是合适，受欢匹呢？他本人在当初不是已正式说过，他的生活的秘密，是需要我们永远禁闭在诺第留斯号船上来得到保证吗？四个月来，我对于这事的沉默，在他看来，不就是我对于自己所处地位的默认吗？又来讨论这个问题，结果恐怕是引起他为疑虑，以致将来有好机会到来，我们要实行逃走计划的时候，岂不更加困难了吗？所有这些理由，在我心中翻来覆去，就是细加较量，慎重考虑，也不能决定，我提出来和康塞尔谈，他跟我一样，很是为难。总之，虽然我不很容易失望：但我明白我重见世人的机会是一天一天减少了，特别是在尼摩船长大胆向大西洋南方奔驰的时候！
在我上面说的这十丸天期间内，我们旅行中没有发生什么特别意外事件。我很少看见船长。他工作忙。在图书室里面，我时常看见有些书，特别是生物科学的书，他翻开摆在那里。我的关于海底秘密的著作，他翻阅了，在书边上写满批注，有时驳斥我的理论和我的系统。但船长仅只是这样清除我书中的不正确部分，他很少跟我讨论某些问题。
有时，我听到大风琴发出抑郁沉闷的声调，他弹奏时，富有表情，不过他单在夜间弹奏，在最秘密的黑暗中间，当诺第留斯号沉睡在荒漠的海洋中间的时候。
在这部分的旅行中，我们整天在水面上航行。海好像是被人造弃了的一样。只有几艘帆船，运货物到印度，向好望角驶去。一天，我们被一只捕鲸船的小艇追逐，他们一定认为我们的船是价值很大的巨大鲸鱼。但尼摩船长不愿使那些勇敢的打鱼人白费时间和气力，他叫船潜入水中，结束了他们的追逐。这个意外事件使尼德•兰发生浓厚兴趣。
我想，加拿大人对我们这条钢板鲸鱼没有被打鱼人的鱼叉叉死，心中一定觉得很可惜，我想我大概没有想错。
康塞尔和我在这个期间所观察到的鱼类，跟我门在别的纬度下研究过的，并没有多大差别。主要是那种可怕的软骨鱼属中的一些鱼，它们分为三个亚属，一共不下三十二带条纹的鲛鱼，五米长，扁扁的头比身躯还大，尾鳍作圆形，背上有七条平行斜下的黑色大带：其次是珠子鲛鱼，灰色，鳃间穿有七个孔，单有一个脊鳍，长在身上中间部份。
又有大海狗走过，从前人们曾把它当做贪食凶恶的海鱼。
一队一队漂亮的疯魔海猪，整整有好几天陪着我们。
它们五六条一群，像狼在乡间那样。它们的身子长三米，上面黑色，下面红白色，带有很罕见的小斑点。
这次鱼类观察终于结束，康塞尔把一大群飞鱼加以分类。看海猪猎取这些飞鱼，十分准确，再没有更新奇的了。
不管它飞走的路程远近，不管它飞出的曲线多高，就在诺第留斯号上面也扦，不幸的飞鱼老是碰到海豚的张开的嘴，把它迎接过去。这些飞鱼或是海贼飞鱼，或是鸯形鲂鲋，它们的发光的嘴当黑夜间在空中画了一条条的火线后，像流星一样潜入沉黑的水中。
一直到3月6日，我们的船都在这种情形下继续行驶。13日那一天，用诺第留斯号来作探测海底的试验，这使我十分感兴趣。
我们从太平洋的远洋中出发以来，差不多已经走了一百三千里。测定的方位是我们在南纬45度37分，西经37度53分。就是在这一带海水中，海拉尔号的邓亨船长曾投下一万四千米长的探测器，但没有达到海底。也是在这里。
英国二等战舰会议号，海军大尉已尔克投下一万五千米长的探测器，也没有达到海底。
尼摩船长决定送他的船到最深的海底，来检查一下以前多次所得的探测成绩。我准备把这次试验所得的结果完全记录下来。客厅的嵌板都打开了，船开始潜水下降的动作，一直要抵达最深的水层。
人们很可以想到，现在不是用装满储水池的方法来潜水下降了。或者这种方法不可能充分增大诺第留斯号的比重，使它一直潜到海底。而且浮上来的时候，要排除多装的水量，抽水机可能没有足够的强力来抵抗外部的压力。
尼摩船长决定这样探测海底，即使用船侧的纵斜机板，使它与诺第留斯号的浮标线成四十五度角，然后沿着一条充分引伸的对角线潜下去。这样安排好后，”推进器开到最大的速度，它的四重机叶猛烈搅打海水，这情景简直难以形容。
在这强大力量的推送下，诺第留斯号的船壳像一根咚咚震响的绳索一样，全部抖动，很规律地潜入水中。船长和我在客厅中守候，我们眼盯着那移动得很快的压力表的指针。不久就超过了那大部分鱼类可以生活居住的水层。有些鱼类只能生活在海水或河水的上层，其他数量较少的鱼类又时常住在相当深的水中。在后一种鱼类中，我看到六孔海豚，有六个呼吸口，望远镜鱼，有望远镜一般的巨大眼睛，带甲刀板鱼，这鱼有灰色的前胸鳍和黑色的后胸鳍，有淡红色的骨片胸甲保护，最后，榴弹鱼，生活在一千二百米的深处，顶着一百二十度的大气压力。
我问尼摩船长，他是不是曾在更深的水层观察过鱼类。
他回答我：
“鱼类吗？很少很少。但在目前这一阶段人们对于科学又推测到些什么？人们知道了什么？”
“船长，人们所知道的情形是这样。人们知道，深入到海洋下的最底层，植物比动物更不容易生长，更快地绝迹。
人们知道，在还可以碰到一些生物的水层，任何一种海产植物也没有了。人们知道，有生活在二千米水深的肩挂贝，牡蛎类，两极探险英雄麦克•格林托克。曾在北极海中二千五百米深处，采得一个星贝。人们知道，英国皇家海军猛犬号的船员从二千六百二十英尺，即一海里多的深处，采得一个海星。尼摩船长，您或者会对我说，人们实是一无所知吧？"“教授，”船长回答，“不，我不能这样不客气，不过，我要问您，您怎样解释这些生物可以在这样深的水层生活呢？”
”我用两个理由来解释，”我回答，“第一，因为那些上下垂直往来的水流，由海水的不同咸度和不同密度决定，发生一种运动，足以维持海百合和海星一类的原始基本生活。"“对。”船长说。
“其次，因为氧是生命的基础，人们知道，氧溶解在海水中，并不因水深而减少，反因水深而增加，而底下水层的压力又把它压缩了。”
“啊！人们知道这事吗？”尼摩船长回答，语气有点惊异。"那么，教授，人们当然知道，因为这是事实。我还要说，鱼类的缥子，当鱼是在水面上捕得的，里面藏有的氮多于氧，但从水深处捉到它们时就相反，氧多于氮。这也是证明您所说的这一点是对的。现在我们继续做我们的观察我的眼光盯在压力表上面。表指六千米的深处。我们下沉开始以来有一小时了。诺第留斯号跟它的纵斜机板溜下去，老是往下沉。汪洋无物的海水显得十分透明；这种透亮性简直无法形容。再过一小时后，我们到一万三千米，即三里又四分之一深了，但人们还没有感到就要抵达海底。
但是，到了一万四千米的时候，我看见带黑色的尖顶从海水中间露出来。不过这些尖顶可能是属于跟喜马拉雅山或白山①一样高或更高的山的峰顶，下面的深渊还是深不可测。
诺第留斯号虽然受到强大压力，但仍然继续下降。我感觉它的钢板在螺旬•衔接的地方都颤动了，“白的方格铁板有些弯起来了，它的中间隔板发出悲鸣了，客厅的玻璃窗受海水的压力好像要凹陷了。如果这架坚固的机器，不像它的船长所说过的，坚硬得像一大块实铁：那它一定早就要垮了。
在掠过那些敞在水底下的岩石斜坡的时候，我仍然看到～些介铪类、蛇虫类、活的刺虫类，以及某种海星。
但不入，动物生活的这些最后代表也不见了，在三里下了面，诺第留斯号就超过了海底生物可以生存的界限了，像气球上升到不可以呼吸的空气外层那样。我们到了一万六千米，四里的深度，诺第留斯号身上这时是顶着一千六百大气压的压力，即它身上每平方厘米顶着一千六百公斤的重量。
“多么新奇的地方！”我喊道，“走进这人类从没有到过的最深处来！船长，请看那些宏伟的岩石，那些没有居民的岩洞，那些地球的最深收容所，不可能有生命存在的地方！
这是从没有人知道的壮丽凤景，为什么我们只能把它们保存在记忆中呢？”
“教授，”尼摩船长问我，“您想得出比仅仅放在记忆中更高明的办法吗？”
“您这话的意思是什么呢？”
“我的意思是说，在这海底深处，拍照是再没有更容易的了！”
我简直来不及向他表示这新提议使我发生的惊奇，由于尼摩船长的吩咐，立即有一架照相机拿到厅中来。从敞开的嵌板望去，海水周围受电光照耀，显得非常清楚。我们的人工光线没有任何阴暗、任何晕淡不匀的地方。对于这种性质的照相，就是太阳光恐怕也没有这种光线便利；诺第留斯号在它的推进机的力量下，受它纵斜机板斜度的管制，停住不动。照相机于是对准海洋底下的风景拍摄，没有几秒钟，我们就得到了极端清楚的底版。
我现在拿出来的是正面的阳版底片。人们在照片上看到那些从来没有受过天上照来的光线的原始基本岩石，那些形成地球的坚强基础的底层花岗石，那些在大石堆中空出来的深幽岩洞，那些清楚得无可比拟的侧影，它们的轮廓作黑色的线条，像某些佛兰蒙画家①的画笔所绘出来的一样。在更远一点的地方，是横在边际的山脉，有一道波纹弯曲的美丽线条，作为这幅风景的底层远景。我不可能描写这一群平滑、黝黑、光泽、没有薛苔、没有斑点的岩石，它削成离奇古怪的形状，并且牢固地矗立在细沙形成的地毯上，沙受曳光的照耀，闪闪发亮。
可是，尼摩船长照完了相，对我说：
“教授，我们上去吧。不要过久地停留在这个地方，也不要让诺第留斯号过久地顶住这样的压力。”
“我们上去。”我回答。
“您好好地站稳。”
我还没有时间来理解尼摩船长为什么要这样劝告我，我就被摔在地毯上了。
船上的推进器，由于船长发的信号，跟发动机连结起来，它的纵斜机板垂直地竖立起来，诺第留斯号就像气球飞在空中一样，闪电般的迅速上升。它分开海水，发出响亮的颤声。所有详细情景都不可能看见。四分钟的时间，它就越过了分开它和洋面的四里的距离，同时又跟飞鱼一样，跳出水面，它把海水拍打得飞溅到惊人的高度，随后又落到水面上来。
Part 2 Chapter 12
During the nights of the 13th and 14th of March, the Nautilus returned to its southerly course. I fancied that, when on a level with Cape Horn, he would turn the helm westward, in order to beat the Pacific seas, and so complete the tour of the world. He did nothing of the kind, but continued on his way to the southern regions. Where was he going to? To the pole? It was madness! I began to think that the Captain's temerity justified Ned Land's fears. For some time past the Canadian had not spoken to me of his projects of flight; he was less communicative, almost silent. I could see that this lengthened imprisonment was weighing upon him, and I felt that rage was burning within him. When he met the Captain, his eyes lit up with suppressed anger; and I feared that his natural violence would lead him into some extreme. That day, the 14th of March, Conseil and he came to me in my room. I inquired the cause of their visit. "A simple question to ask you, sir," replied the Canadian. "Speak, Ned." "How many men are there on board the Nautilus, do you think?" "I cannot tell, my friend." "I should say that its working does not require a large crew." "Certainly, under existing conditions, ten men, at the most, ought to be enough." "Well, why should there be any more?" "Why?" I replied, looking fixedly at Ned Land, whose meaning was easy to guess. "Because," I added, "if my surmises are correct, and if I have well understood the Captain's existence, the Nautilus is not only a vessel: it is also a place of refuge for those who, like its commander, have broken every tie upon earth." "Perhaps so," said Conseil; "but, in any case, the Nautilus can only contain a certain number of men. Could not you, sir, estimate their maximum?" "How, Conseil?" "By calculation; given the size of the vessel, which you know, sir, and consequently the quantity of air it contains, knowing also how much each man expends at a breath, and comparing these results with the fact that the Nautilus is obliged to go to the surface every twenty-four
hours." Conseil had not finished the sentence before I saw what he was driving at. "I understand," said I; "but that calculation, though simple enough, can give but a very uncertain result." "Never mind," said Ned Land urgently. "Here it is, then," said I. "In one hour each man consumes the oxygen contained in twenty gallons of air; and in twenty-four, that contained in 480 gallons. We must, therefore find how many times 480 gallons of air the Nautilus contains." "Just so," said Conseil. "Or," I continued, "the size of the Nautilus being 1,500 tons; and one ton holding 200 gallons, it contains 300,000 gallons of air, which, divided by 480, gives a quotient of 625. Which means to say, strictly speaking, that the air contained in the Nautilus would suffice for 625 men for twenty-four hours." "Six hundred and twenty-five!" repeated Ned. "But remember that all of us, passengers, sailors, and officers included, would not form a tenth part of that number." "Still too many for three men," murmured Conseil. The Canadian shook his head, passed his hand across his forehead, and left the room without answering. "Will you allow me to make one observation, sir?" said Conseil. "Poor Ned is longing for everything that he can not have. His past life is always present to him; everything that we are forbidden he regrets. His head is full of old recollections. And we must understand him. What has he to do here? Nothing; he is not learned like you, sir; and has not the same taste for the beauties of the sea that we have. He would risk everything to be able to go once more into a tavern in his own country." Certainly the monotony on board must seem intolerable to the Canadian, accustomed as he was to a life of liberty and activity. Events were rare which could rouse him to any show of spirit; but that day an event did happen which recalled the bright days of the harpooner. About eleven in the morning, being on the surface of the ocean, the Nautilus fell in with a troop of whales--an encounter which did not astonish me, knowing t
hat these creatures, hunted to death, had taken refuge in high latitudes.
We were seated on the platform, with a quiet sea. The month of October in those latitudes gave us some lovely autumnal days. It was the Canadian-he could not be mistaken--who signalled a whale on the eastern horizon. Looking attentively, one might see its black back rise and fall with the waves five miles from the Nautilus. "Ah!" exclaimed Ned Land, "if I was on board a whaler, now such a meeting would give me pleasure. It is one of large size. See with what strength its blow-holes throw up columns of air an steam! Confound it, why am I bound to these steel plates?" "What, Ned," said I, "you have not forgotten your old ideas of fishing?" "Can a whale-fisher ever forget his old trade, sir? Can he ever tire of the emotions caused by such a chase?" "You have never fished in these seas, Ned?" "Never, sir; in the northern only, and as much in Behring as in Davis Straits." "Then the southern whale is still unknown to you. It is the Greenland whale you have hunted up to this time, and that would not risk passing through the warm waters of the equator. Whales are localised, according to their kinds, in certain seas which they never leave. And if one of these creatures went from Behring to Davis Straits, it must be simply because there is a passage from one sea to the other, either on the American or the Asiatic side." "In that case, as I have never fished in these seas, I do not know the kind of whale frequenting them!" "I have told you, Ned." "A greater reason for making their acquaintance," said Conseil. "Look! look!" exclaimed the Canadian, "they approach: they aggravate me; they know that I cannot get at them!" Ned stamped his feet. His hand trembled, as he grasped an imaginary harpoon. "Are these cetaceans as large as those of the northern seas?" asked he. "Very nearly, Ned." "Because I have seen large whales, sir, whales measuring a hundred feet. I have even been told that those of Hullamoch and Umgallick, of the Aleutian Islands, are sometimes a hundred and fifty feet long." "That seems to me exaggeration. 
These creatures are generally much smaller than the Greenland whale." {this paragraph has been edited} "Ah!" exclaimed the Canadian, whose eyes had never left the ocean, "they are coming nearer; they are in the same water as the Nautilus." Then, returning to the conversation, he said: "You spoke of the cachalot as a small creature. I have heard of gigantic ones. They are intelligent cetacea. It is said of some that they cover themselves with seaweed and fucus, and then are taken for islands. People encamp upon them, and settle there; lights a fire----" "And build houses," said Conseil. "Yes, joker," said Ned Land. "And one fine day the creature plunges, carrying with it all the inhabitants to the bottom of the sea." "Something like the travels of Sinbad the Sailor," I replied, laughing. "Ah!" suddenly exclaimed Ned Land, "it is not one whale; there are ten--there are twenty--it is a whole troop! And I not able to do anything! hands and feet tied!" "But, friend Ned," said Conseil, "why do you not ask Captain Nemo's permission to chase them?" Conseil had not finished his sentence when Ned Land had lowered himself through the panel to seek the Captain. A few minutes afterwards the two appeared together on the platform. Captain Nemo watched the troop of cetacea playing on the waters about a mile from the Nautilus. "They are southern whales," said he; "there goes the fortune of a whole fleet of whalers." "Well, sir," asked the Canadian, "can I not chase them, if only to remind me of my old trade of harpooner?" "And to what purpose?" replied Captain Nemo; "only to destroy! We have nothing to do with the whale-oil on board." "But, sir," continued the Canadian, "in the Red Sea you allowed us to follow the dugong." "Then it was to procure fresh meat for my crew. Here it would be killing for killing's sake. I know that is a privilege reserved for man, but I do not approve of such murderous pastime. In destroying the southern whale (like the Greenland whale, an inoffensive creature), your traders do a culpable action
, Master Land. They have already depopulated the whole of Baffin's Bay, and are annihilating a class of useful animals. Leave the unfortunate cetacea alone. They have plenty of natural enemies--cachalots, swordfish, and sawfish-without you troubling them." The Captain was right. The barbarous and inconsiderate greed of these fishermen will one day cause the disappearance of the last whale in the ocean. Ned Land whistled "Yankee-doodle" between his teeth, thrust his hands into his pockets, and turned his back upon us. But Captain Nemo watched the troop of cetacea, and, addressing me, said: "I was right in saying that whales had natural enemies enough, without counting man. These will have plenty to do before long. Do you see, M. Aronnax, about eight miles to leeward, those blackish moving points?" "Yes, Captain," I replied. "Those are cachalots--terrible animals, which I have met in troops of two or three hundred. As to those, they are cruel, mischievous creatures; they would be right in exterminating them." The Canadian turned quickly at the last words. "Well, Captain," said he, "it is still time, in the interest of the whales." "It is useless to expose one's self, Professor. The Nautilus will disperse them. It is armed with a steel spur as good as Master Land's harpoon, I imagine." The Canadian did not put himself out enough to shrug his shoulders. Attack cetacea with blows of a spur! Who had ever heard of such a thing? "Wait, M. Aronnax," said Captain Nemo. "We will show you something you have never yet seen. We have no pity for these ferocious creatures. They are nothing but mouth and teeth." Mouth and teeth! No one could better describe the macrocephalous cachalot, which is sometimes more than seventy-five feet long. Its enormous head occupies one-third of its entire body. Better armed than the whale, whose upper jaw is furnished only with whalebone, it is supplied with twenty-five large tusks, about eight inches long, cylindrical and conical at the top, each weighing two pounds. It is in the up
per part of this enormous head, in great cavities divided by cartilages, that is to be found from six to eight hundred pounds of that precious oil called spermaceti. The cachalot is a disagreeable creature, more tadpole than fish, according to Fredol's description. It is badly formed, the whole of its left side being (if we may say it), a "failure," and being only able to see with its right eye. But the formidable troop was nearing us. They had seen the whales and were preparing to attack them. One could judge beforehand that the cachalots would be victorious, not only because they were better built for attack than their inoffensive adversaries, but also because they could remain longer under water without coming to the surface. There was only just time to go to the help of the whales. The Nautilus went under water. Conseil, Ned Land, and I took our places before the window in the saloon, and Captain Nemo joined the pilot in his cage to work his apparatus as an engine of destruction. Soon I felt the beatings of the screw quicken, and our speed increased. The battle between the cachalots and the whales had already begun when the Nautilus arrived. They did not at first show any fear at the sight of this new monster joining in the conflict. But they soon had to guard against its blows. What a battle! The Nautilus was nothing but a formidable harpoon, brandished by the hand of its Captain. It hurled itself against the fleshy mass, passing through from one part to the other, leaving behind it two quivering halves of the animal. It could not feel the formidable blows from their tails upon its sides, nor the shock which it produced itself, much more. One cachalot killed, it ran at the next, tacked on the spot that it might not miss its prey, going forwards and backwards, answering to its helm, plunging when the cetacean dived into the deep waters, coming up with it when it returned to the surface, striking it front or sideways, cutting or tearing in all directions and at any pace, piercing it with its terrible sp
ur. What carnage! What a noise on the surface of the waves! What sharp hissing, and what snorting peculiar to these enraged animals! In the midst of these waters, generally so peaceful, their tails made perfect billows. For one hour this wholesale massacre continued, from which the cachalots could not escape. Several times ten or twelve united tried to crush the Nautilus by their weight. From the window we could see their enormous mouths, studded with tusks, and their formidable eyes. Ned Land could not contain himself; he threatened and swore at them. We could feel them clinging to our vessel like dogs worrying a wild boar in a copse. But the Nautilus, working its screw, carried them here and there, or to the upper levels of the ocean, without caring for their enormous weight, nor the powerful strain on the vessel. At length the mass of cachalots broke up, the waves became quiet, and I felt that we were rising to the surface. The panel opened, and we hurried on to the platform. The sea was covered with mutilated bodies. A formidable explosion could not have divided and torn this fleshy mass with more violence. We were floating amid gigantic bodies, bluish on the back and white underneath, covered with enormous protuberances. Some terrified cachalots were flying towards the horizon. The waves were dyed red for several miles, and the Nautilus floated in a sea of blood: Captain Nemo joined us. "Well, Master Land?" said he. "Well, sir," replied the Canadian, whose enthusiasm had somewhat calmed; "it is a terrible spectacle, certainly. But I am not a butcher. I am a hunter, and I call this a butchery." "It is a massacre of mischievous creatures," replied the Captain; "and the Nautilus is not a butcher's knife." "I like my harpoon better," said the Canadian. "Every one to his own," answered the Captain, looking fixedly at Ned Land.
I feared he would commit some act of violence, which would end in sad consequences. But his anger was turned by the sight of a whale which the Nautilus had just come up with. The creature had not quite escaped from the cachalot's teeth. I recognised the southern whale by its flat head, which is entirely black. Anatomically, it is distinguished from the white whale and the North Cape whale by the seven cervical vertebrae, and it has two more ribs than its congeners. The unfortunate cetacean was lying on its side, riddled with holes from the bites, and quite dead. From its mutilated fin still hung a young whale which it could not save from the massacre. Its open mouth let the water flow in and out, murmuring like the waves breaking on the shore. Captain Nemo steered close to the corpse of the creature. Two of his men mounted its side, and I saw, not without surprise, that they were drawing from its breasts all the milk which they contained, that is to say, about two or three tons. The Captain offered me a cup of the milk, which was still warm. I could not help showing my repugnance to the drink; but he assured me that it was excellent, and not to be distinguished from cow's milk. I tasted it, and was of his opinion. It was a useful reserve to us, for in the shape of salt butter or cheese it would form an agreeable variety from our ordinary food. From that day I noticed with uneasiness that Ned Land's ill-will towards Captain Nemo increased, and I resolved to watch the Canadian's gestures closely.
在8月13日至14日夜间，诺第留斯号航行的方向还是往南。我想在合恩角的纬度上，它要把船头移转向西，这样就可以再到太平洋，完成它的世界周游。实际它并不这样做，仍然继续向南极地区驶去。那么，它要到哪里去呢？
到南极去吗？那真是疯了。我开始想，船长的大胆狂妄很足以证明尼德•兰的顾虑同恐惧是合理的。
几天以来，加拿大人不跟我谈他的逃走计划。他变成不爱说话，差不多完全沉默了。我看出这种无限期延长的囚禁使得他很难受。我感到他心中所累积的愤怒是怎样强烈。当他碰见船长的时候，他的眼睛燃起阴沉可怕的火光，我时常害怕他那暴烈天性可能使他走极端。8月14日这一天，康塞尔和他到我房中来找我，我问他们来看我的理由。
“先生，”加拿大人口答我，“我只有一个问题向您提出来。”
“您说吧，尼德。”
“您想，诺第留斯号船上一共有多少人？”
“我说不上来，我的朋友。”
“我觉得，"尼德•兰立即说，“这船的驾驶并不需要很多的人员。”
“是的，“我回答，”在目前的情况中，大约至多有十个人就足以驾驶了。"“那么，”加拿大人说，"为什么可能有这么多的人呢？”
“为什么？"我立即说。
我眼光盯着尼德、兰，他的意图很容易了解。
“因为，”我说，“据我所有的推想，据我所了解的船长的生活，诺第留斯号不仅仅是一只船。跟它的船长一样，它对于与陆地断绝了所有关系的人们来说，又是一个躲藏处。"“可能是这样，”康塞尔说，“不过诺第留斯号只能收容一定数目的人，先生可以估计一下它的最大数目吗？”
“康塞尔，你这话怎么说？"
。“就是用算法来估计。根据先生所知道的这船的容积。
可以知道它含有多少空气，另一方面又知道每个人的呼吸作用所消费的空气，将这些结果跟诺第留斯号每二十四小时必须浮上水面来调换空气相比较。.."康塞尔没有把话说完，但我很明白他指的是什么。
“我了解你的意思，”我说，“并且这种计算也很容易做到，然而那只是一个很不确实的数字。"“那没关系。”尼德，兰坚持着又说。
“下面就是对于这问题的算法，”我回答，“每个人每小时消费一百升•空气中含有的氧，二十四小时就消费二千四百升含有的氧。这样就可以求出诺第留斯号含有多少倍的二千四百升空气来。”
“正是。”康塞尔说。
“可是，”我又说，“诺第留斯号的容积是一千五百吨，一吨的容积是一千升，诺第留斯号含有一百五十万升的空气，拿二千四百来除…"｛“我用铅笔很快地计算：“所得的商数是六百二十五。这就是说，诺第留斯号所有的空气可以供应六百二十五人在二十四小时内呼吸之用。”
“六百二十五人！尼德•兰一再说。
“您要相信，”我又说，“乘客：、水手和职员都算上，我们还不及这数字的十分之一。
“这对于三个人来说，还是过多了！”康塞尔低声说。
“可怜的尼德，所以我只能劝您忍耐了。”
“比忍耐还要进一步，”康塞尔回答，“只能听天由命了”“总起来说，”我又说、“尼摩船长也不可能老是往南走！
他总有要停止的时候，就是到了冰山面前也罢！他总要回到有人居注有文化的海中来！那时候，就可能有机会执行尼德•兰的计划了。”
加拿大人摇摇头、手摩一下前额，不回答，走了。
“请先生允许我说出我对他的看法，”康塞尔于是说，“这可怜的尼德老是想他不可能有的一切。过去生活的一切都回到他心中来。我们所不能有的一切在他觉得都很可惋惜，心中发生悔恨。他从前的回忆苦苦纠缠着他，他很伤心，很难过。我们必须了解他的情况。他在这船上有什么可做的呢？没有。他不像先生那样，是一位学者，他跟我们不同，对于海中的美丽事物没有同样的趣味。他要冒险不顾一切，只求走入他本国的一个酒店中去！”
很显然，船上生活的单调，对于习惯自由和积极生活的：加拿大人来说，是不可忍受的。海上事件可能使他高兴的是很少的。可是，这一无，一件偶然的意外使他恢复了他从前当鱼叉手时的最好日子。
早上十一点左右，诺第留斯号在大洋面上，航行在成群的鲸鱼中间一这个遭遇并不使我惊异，因为我知道这些动物受人过度的追击，都躲到两极边缘、高纬度的海水中来一鲸鱼类在海上事业方面所起的作用，对于地理上发现的影响是很重大的。鲸鱼类，首先吸引着已斯克人）、其次亚斯豆里”①人、又其次英国人和荷兰人，追随在它后面，使他们不怕大洋的危险，带领他们从地球这一极端到那一极端。
我们坐在平台上，海上风平浪静。是的，这些纬度地区正给我们带来美丽的秋天。是那个加拿大人——他不能搞错——指出东方天边有一条鲸鱼、注意地看一下，我们看见它的灰黑色的脊背在距离诺第留斯号五海里的海面上，不停地浮起来、沉下去。
“啊！，尼德•兰喊道："如果我是在一般捕鲸船上，现在慨是使我痛快的一次遭遇T！那是一条身躯巨大的鲸鱼！
请看它的鼻孔有多大的气力，喷出了混有气体的水柱！真可恨！我为什么被绑在这块钢板上呢！”
“怎么。"我回答，“尼德，您还没有打消您哪打鲸鱼的老念头吗？”
“先生，打鲸鱼的人能够忘记他从前的手艺吗？他能够厌倦这种捕捉所引起的激动吗？”
“尼德，您从没有在这一带海中打过鲸鱼吗？”
"从没有，先生。、我只在北极海中打鲸鱼，就在白令海峡和台维斯海峡一带。”
“那么，南极的鲸鱼对您来说还是陌生的。您以前捕捉”的都是平常的白鲸，它并木敢冒险通过赤道的温热海水。”
“啊！教授，您给我说什么呀？”加拿大人用相当怀疑的口气回答。
“我说的是事实哩。”
“好嘛！⑹率担≌谡舛祷暗奈遥侥臧胍郧埃诒蔽?5度，格陵兰岛附近捕获了一条鲸鱼，它身上还带着一般白令海峡的捕鲸船所刺中的鱼叉。现在我要问您，鲸鱼在美洲西边被刺中了，如果它没有绕合恩角或好望角；通过赤道，它哪能死在美洲东边呢？”
“我跟尼德朋友的想法一样，”康塞尔说，“我等着听先生的答复哩。”
“朋友们，先生的答复是这样，鲸鱼类是有地方性的，按’照种类的不同；它们定居在某处海中，并不离开。如果有一条鲸鱼从白令海峡走到台维斯侮峡，那很简单，因为这两个海洋间一定有一条相通的水路，或在美洲海岸边，或在亚洲海岸边。"“要我们相信您的话吗？”加拿大人闭着一只眼睛问：“我们要相信先生的话。”康塞尔回答。
“那么，”加拿大人立即又说"既然我没有在这一带海中打过鲸鱼，我就不认得往来这～带海中的鲸鱼类吗？”
“我刚才对您说过了，尼德
“那要认识它们就更有理由了。"康塞尔回答。
“看！看！"加拿大人喊，声音很激动，"它走过来了！它向我们冲来了！它侮辱我、玩弄我！它知道我现在不可能惩治它！”
尼德把脚乱跺，他的手挥动着一支空想的鱼叉，在那里颤抖。
“这里鲸鱼类动物是跟北极海中的一样大吗？”他问。
“差不多一样，尼德。”
“我看过的大鲸鱼，先生，是长到一百英尺的大鲸鱼！
我甚至要说，阿留申群岛的胡拉摩克岛和翁加里克岛的鲸鱼身长超过一百五十英尺 "“我觉得这有些过度夸张，”我回答，“这些东西不过是鲸科，有脊鳍的动物，大头鲸也：样。它们通常比普通白鲸小一些”“啊！”加拿大人喊道，他的眼睛不离开海洋，”它近前来了，它到诺第留斯号的水圈中来了！"鲸鱼老是向前来。尼德，兰眼睛死盯住它。他喊道：“啊！并不是＝条鲸鱼，是十条，二十条，整一群呢！一点没办法，不能动！在这里脚和手都像绑起来了一样！”
“不过，尼德朋友，”康塞尔说，“您为什么不要求尼摩船长准许您去追打呢？…"康塞尔的话还没有说完，尼德•兰已经从打开的嵌板溜进去，跑去找船长。一会儿，两人都出现在平台上。
“尼摩船长看一下这群鲸鱼类动物，它们在距诺第留斯号一海里的海面上游来游去。他说：“那是南极的鲸鱼。它们可以使一整队捕鲸船都发财妮。”
"那么，先生，”加拿大人间，“单单为了不把我从前当鱼叉手的职业忘记，我是不是可以追打它们呢？"“仅仅为消灭它们而追打，有什么好处！"尼摩船长回答，“我们船上要这么多鲸鱼油没有什么用。"“可是，先生，”加拿大人又说，“在红海中：您却准许我们追打海马！”
“那时是要给我们的船员们获得新鲜的肉，所以才那样做。现在是为杀害而杀害罢了，我知道这是人类的特权，萌便伤害生命，不过我不允许做这类残害生命的消遣。毁灭这些善良无害的南极鲸鱼，像普通白鲸一般，兰师傅，您为同行一般人是做了一件可责备的行为。他们就是这样把整个巴芬湾都弄得没有一条鲸鱼了，他们就是这样消灭了整个有用的一纲动物了。不要跟这些不幸的鲸鱼类动物为准吧。就是你们不参加进去，它们已经有不少的天然敌人。
北方，大头鲸、狗沙鱼和锯鲛之类。"
当船长谈这些大道理的时候，大家很容易想到加拿大的脸孔是什么样。拿这类的话来对打鱼人说，简直是自己尼德•兰看一下尼摩船长，很显然是不了解船长跟他说的话。可是，尼摩船长的话是对的。打鱼人的野蛮和过的屠杀总有一天要把大洋中的最后一条鲸鱼都消灭净尽尼德•兰嘴里哼着美国进行曲，两手塞进口袋里，转过脸，不睬我们。可是尼摩船长看着那一群鲸鱼类动物，对我说：“我说的是对的，就是除开人类不算，鲸鱼有不少的天然敌人。这一群鲸鱼不久就要跟强大的敌人球着了。阿龙纳斯先生，您看见在下边六海里海面上那些正在行动的灰黑点吗？”
“那是大头鲸，很可怕的动物，有时我碰到两三百成群的队伍！这种动物是残酷有害的东西，消灭它们是对的。"加拿大人听到最后一句话，急忙回过身子来。、那么，船长，"我说，现在还是时候，并且又是为鲸氢的利益起见……”“用不着去冒险，教授。诺第留斯号就足以驱散那些大头鲸了。它装有钢制的冲兔，我想，它的厉害相当于兰师傅，的鱼叉。”
。加拿大人一点不客气地耸一耸两肩。用船冲角攻打鲸鱼类动物！有谁听说过 ?“请等待一下，阿龙纳斯先生，”尼摩船长说，"我们要给您看一次您还没有看见过的追打。对于这些凶恶鲸科动物，一点也用不着怜悯。它们就是嘴和牙齿。"嘴和牙齿！人们再不能更好地来描写脑袋巨大的大头鲸了，这种东西的身躯有时超过二十五米，这种动物的巨大脑袋约占身长三分之一。它们的武装比长须鲸的强大，长须鲸的上颚只有一串鲸须，大头鲸就有二十五枚粗牙，牙长二十厘米，牙尖为圆筒形和圆锥形，每枚牙重二斤：就是在那巨大脑袋的上部和有软骨片分开的大空洞里面，藏有三四百公斤的名为“鲸鱼白”的宝贵油。
“可是，这一群怪东西老是往前来。它们看见了长须鲸，椎备攻打。我们预先就可以看出大头鲸要取得胜利，不单烟为它们比它们的驯良敌手较结实、便于攻击，而且又因为它们可以在水底下留得较久，不浮上水面来呼吸。
现在正好是去援救这些长须鲸的时候了。诺第留斯号行驶在水里面。康塞尔、尼德•兰和我，我们坐在客厅的玻璃窗户面前。尼摩船长到领航人那边去，操纵他的潜水船象一件毁灭性的机器一样。不久，我觉得推进器骤然加速转动，速度立即加快了。
当诺第留斯号驶到的时候，大头鲸和长须鲸已经开始战斗了。诺第留斯号的动作是要把这群大头怪物拦祝最初，这些怪物看见这只新奇东西参加战斗，并不激动，跟平常一样。但不久它们就不得不防备它的攻击了。
好一场恶斗！就是尼德•兰，不久也兴高采烈起来，终于大拍其掌。诺第留斯号变成为一支厉害的鱼叉，由船长的手来挥动。投向那些肉团，一直穿过去：穿过之后，留下那怪物的两半片蠕动的身躯。大头鲸厉害的尾巴扑打船的侧边，它一点也不觉得。大头鲸冲憧它，它也没有感觉。打死了一条大鲸，它又跑去打另一条，它立即转过来，不肯放走它的猎物；它向前、向后，完全听掌舵人的指挥；大头鲸沉入深的水层，它就潜下去追，大头鲸浮到水面来，它也跟着上来，或正面打，或侧面刺，或切割，或撕裂，四面八方，纵横上下，就用它那可怕的冲角乱刺乱戳。
好一场屠杀：水面上是何等的热闹！这些吓怕的动收发出的是多么尖锐的叫啸，还有它们特有的那种鼾声！近常是很为安静的水层中间，现在被它们的尾巴搅成真正汹涌的波浪了。
这种史诗大的屠杀一直延长了一小时，那些大头怪物是不可能躲开的。好几次，有十条或十二条一齐连合起来，想拿它们的工量来压扁诺第留斯号。在玻璃上，我们看到它们的排列着牙齿的大嘴，它们的可怕的眼睛。尼德•兰简直压制不住自己了，威吓它们，咒骂它们。我们觉得它们抓住了我们的船，就像在短树丛下狗咬住小猪的耳朵一般。
死也不放，、诺第留斯号催动它的推进器，战胜它们，拖拉它们，或把它们带到海水上层来，不顾它们的巨大重量，不管它们的强大压力。
最后，这一人群大头鲸四散了：海水又变为平静了。我觉得我们又浮上洋面来。嵌板打开，我们立即跑上平台去。
海上满浮着稀烂的尸体。就是一，次猛烈的爆炸恐怕也不可能更厉害地把这些巨大肉团分开、撕破、碎裂。我们是浮在许多庞然大物的躯泳中间，这些躯体是灰蓝色的脊背，灰白色的肚腹，全身都长着巨大的疙瘩。有些吓怕了的大头鲸逃到天边去了。海水在好几海里的面积上都染成红色，诺第留斯号是浮在血海的中间。尼摩船长也来到我们所在的平台上。他说：“兰师傅，怎样？"“先生，”加拿大人回答，他的热情这时安静下来了，“不错，那是厉害得怕人的景象。不过我不是屠夫，我是打鱼人，这景象不过是一次大屠杀罢了。"“这是一次对有害动物的屠杀，”船长回答，“诺第留斯号并不是一把屠刀。”
“我还是喜欢我的鱼叉。”加拿大人立即说。
“各人有各人的武器。"船长回答，同时眼盯着尼德•兰。
我很害怕尼德•兰不能克制，要发脾气，做出激烈的行动，可能产生不良的可悲的后果，但他看到了诺第留斯号这时正要靠近一条长须鲸，他的愤怒移转过去了。
这条长须鲸没有能逃避大头鲸的牙齿。我认得它是扁头的，完全是黑色的南极鲸鱼。就解剖学上来看：它跟普通白鲸和北嘉皮岛的鲸鱼不同的地方，在于它颈部的七根脊骨是接合起来，它比它的北方同类多两根肋骨。这条不幸的鲸鱼侧面躺下，肚上满是咬破的伤口，已经重伤致死了。
在它受伤的鳍尖上，挂着一条它不能救护的小炖。“J卜l”的嘴流出水来，水像回潮一般，通过它的须，潺潺作响。
尼摩船长把诺第留斯号开到这条鲸鱼的尸体旁边，船上的两个人员走到鲸鱼身上，他们把鲸鱼奶头中藏的奶部取出来，分量一共有二三吨左右，我看见，吃了一惊。
船长把一怀还带热气的鲸奶送给我。我不能不对他大示我不喜欢喝这种饮料他向我保证这奶的味道很好，跟牛奶一点也没有什么不同。
尝了这奶，我的意见跟他的一样。所以这奶对我们来说是很有用的、可以保藏的食品，因为这奶可以制成咸黄油或奶酪，在我们日常食品中是很好吃的一种
.自这一天起，我心中很不安地看出尼德。兰对于尼摩、船长的态度愈来愈坏了，我决心要密切的注视加拿大人的行动。
Part 2 Chapter 13
The Nautilus was steadily pursuing its southerly course, following the fiftieth meridian with considerable speed. Did he wish to reach the pole? I did not think so, for every attempt to reach that point had hitherto failed. Again, the season was far advanced, for in the Antarctic regions the 13th of March corresponds with the 13th of September of northern regions, which begin at the equinoctial season. On the 14th of March I saw floating ice in latitude 55", merely pale bits of debris from twenty to twenty-five feet long, forming banks over which the sea curled. The Nautilus remained on the surface of the ocean. Ned Land, who had fished in the Arctic Seas, was familiar with its icebergs; but Conseil and I admired them for the first time. In the atmosphere towards the southern horizon stretched a white dazzling band. English whalers have given it the name of "ice blink." However thick the clouds may be, it is always visible, and announces the presence of an ice pack or bank. Accordingly, larger blocks soon appeared, whose brilliancy changed with the caprices of the fog. Some of these masses showed green veins, as if long undulating lines had been traced with sulphate of copper; others resembled enormous amethysts with the light shining through them. Some reflected the light of day upon a thousand crystal facets. Others shaded with vivid calcareous reflections resembled a perfect town of marble. The more we neared the south the more these floating islands increased both in number and importance. At 60" lat. every pass had disappeared. But, seeking carefully, Captain Nemo soon found a narrow opening, through which he boldly slipped, knowing, however, that it would close behind him. Thus, guided by this clever hand, the Nautilus passed through all the ice with a precision which quite charmed Conseil; icebergs or mountains, ice-fields or smooth plains, seeming to have no limits, drift-ice or floating ice-packs, plains broken up, called palchs when they are circular, and streams when they are made up of long s
trips. The temperature was very low; the thermometer exposed to the air marked 2" or 3" below zero, but we were warmly clad with fur, at the expense of the sea-bear and seal. The interior of the Nautilus, warmed regularly by its electric apparatus, defied the most intense cold. Besides, it would only have been necessary to go some yards beneath the waves to find a more bearable temperature. Two months earlier we should have had perpetual daylight in these latitudes; but already we had had three or four hours of night, and by and by there would be six months of darkness in these circumpolar regions. On the 15th of March we were in the latitude of New Shetland and South Orkney. The Captain told me that formerly numerous tribes of seals inhabited them; but that English and American whalers, in their rage for destruction, massacred both old and young; thus, where there was once life and animation, they had left silence and death.
About eight o'clock on the morning of the 16th of March the Nautilus, following the fifty-fifth meridian, cut the Antarctic polar circle. Ice surrounded us on all sides, and closed the horizon. But Captain Nemo went from one opening to another, still going higher. I cannot express my astonishment at the beauties of these new regions. The ice took most surprising forms. Here the grouping formed an oriental town, with innumerable mosques and minarets; there a fallen city thrown to the earth, as it were, by some convulsion of nature. The whole aspect was constantly changed by the oblique rays of the sun, or lost in the greyish fog amidst hurricanes of snow. Detonations and falls were heard on all sides, great overthrows of icebergs, which altered the whole landscape like a diorama. Often seeing no exit, I thought we were definitely prisoners; but, instinct guiding him at the slightest indication, Captain Nemo would discover a new pass. He was never mistaken when he saw the thin threads of bluish water trickling along the ice-fields; and I had no doubt that he had already ventured into the midst of these Antarctic seas before. On the 16th of March, however, the ice-fields absolutely blocked our road. It was not the iceberg itself, as yet, but vast fields cemented by the cold. But this obstacle could not stop Captain Nemo: he hurled himself against it with frightful violence. The Nautilus entered the brittle mass like a wedge, and split it with frightful crackings. It was the battering ram of the ancients hurled by infinite strength. The ice, thrown high in the air, fell like hail around us. By its own power of impulsion our apparatus made a canal for itself; some times carried away by its own impetus, it lodged on the ice-field, crushing it with its weight, and sometimes buried beneath it, dividing it by a simple pitching movement, producing large rents in it. Violent gales assailed us at this time, accompanied by thick fogs, through which, from one end of the platform to the other, we could see nothing. The win
d blew sharply from all parts of the compass, and the snow lay in such hard heaps that we had to break it with blows of a pickaxe. The temperature was always at 5" below zero; every outward part of the Nautilus was covered with ice. A rigged vessel would have been entangled in the blocked up gorges. A vessel without sails, with electricity for its motive power, and wanting no coal, could alone brave such high latitudes. At length, on the 18th of March, after many useless assaults, the Nautilus was positively blocked. It was no longer either streams, packs, or ice-fields, but an interminable and immovable barrier, formed by mountains soldered together. "An iceberg!" said the Canadian to me.
I knew that to Ned Land, as well as to all other navigators who had preceded us, this was an inevitable obstacle. The sun appearing for an instant at noon, Captain Nemo dook an observation as near as possible, which gave our situation at 51" 30' long. and 67" 39' of S. lat. We had advanced one degree more in this Antarctic region. Of the liquid surface of the sea there was no longer a glimpse. Under the spur of the Nautilus lay stretched a vast plain, entangled with confused blocks. Here and there sharp points and slender needles rising to a height of 200 feet; further on a steep shore, hewn as it were with an axe and clothed with greyish tints; huge mirrors, reflecting a few rays of sunshine, half drowned in the fog. And over this desolate face of nature a stern silence reigned, scarcely broken by the flapping of the wings of petrels and puffins. Everything was frozen--even the noise. The Nautilus was then obliged to stop in its adventurous course amid these fields of ice. In spite of our efforts, in spite of the powerful means employed to break up the ice, the Nautilus remained immovable. Generally, when we can proceed no further, we have return still open to us; but here return was as impossible as advance, for every pass had closed behind us; and for the few moments when we were stationary, we were likely to be entirely blocked, which did indeed happen about two o'clock in the afternoon, the fresh ice forming around its sides with astonishing rapidity. I was obliged to admit that Captain Nemo was more than imprudent. I was on the platform at that moment. The Captain had been observing our situation for some time past, when he said to me: "Well, sir, what do you think of this?" "I think that we are caught, Captain." "So, M. Aronnax, you really think that the Nautilus cannot disengage itself?" "With difficulty, Captain; for the season is already too far advanced for you to reckon on the breaking of the ice." "Ah! sir," said Captain Nemo, in an ironical tone, "you will always be the same. You see nothing 
but difficulties and obstacles. I affirm that not only can the Nautilus disengage itself, but also that it can go further still." "Further to the South?" I asked, looking at the Captain. "Yes, sir; it shall go to the pole." "To the pole!" I exclaimed, unable to repress a gesture of incredulity. "Yes," replied the Captain, coldly, "to the Antarctic pole-to that unknown point from whence springs every meridian of the globe. You know whether I can do as I please with the Nautilus!" Yes, I knew that. I knew that this man was bold, even to rashness. But to conquer those obstacles which bristled round the South Pole, rendering it more inaccessible than the North, which had not yet been reached by the boldest navigators--was it not a mad enterprise, one which only a maniac would have conceived? It then came into my head to ask Captain Nemo if he had ever discovered that pole which had never yet been trodden by a human creature? "No, sir," he replied; "but we will discover it together. Where others have failed, I will not fail. I have never yet led my Nautilus so far into southern seas; but, I repeat, it shall go further yet." "I can well believe you, Captain," said I, in a slightly ironical tone. "I believe you! Let us go ahead! There are no obstacles for us! Let us smash this iceberg! Let us blow it up; and, if it resists, let us give the Nautilus wings to fly over it!" "Over it, sir!" said Captain Nemo, quietly; "no, not over it, but under it!" "Under it!" I exclaimed, a sudden idea of the Captain's projects flashing upon my mind. I understood; the wonderful qualities of the Nautilus were going to serve us in this superhuman enterprise. "I see we are beginning to understand one another, sir," said the Captain, half smiling. "You begin to see the possibility--I should say the success-of this attempt. That which is impossible for an ordinary vessel is easy to the Nautilus. If a continent lies before the pole, it must stop before the continent; but if, on the contrary, the pole is washed by open sea, it will
go even to the pole." "Certainly," said I, carried away by the Captain's reasoning; "if the surface of the sea is solidified by the ice, the lower depths are free by the Providential law which has placed the maximum of density of the waters of the ocean one degree higher than freezing-point; and, if I am not mistaken, the portion of this iceberg which is above the water is as one to four to that which is below." "Very nearly, sir; for one foot of iceberg above the sea there are three below it. If these ice mountains are not more than 300 feet above the surface, they are not more than 900 beneath. And what are 900 feet to the Nautilus?" "Nothing, sir." "It could even seek at greater depths that uniform temperature of sea-water, and there brave with impunity the thirty or forty degrees of surface cold." "Just so, sir--just so," I replied, getting animated. "The only difficulty," continued Captain Nemo, "is that of remaining several days without renewing our provision of air." "Is that all? The Nautilus has vast reservoirs; we can fill them, and they will supply us with all the oxygen we want." "Well thought of, M. Aronnax," replied the Captain, smiling. "But, not wishing you to accuse me of rashness, I will first give you all my objections." "Have you any more to make?" "Only one. It is possible, if the sea exists at the South Pole, that it may be covered; and, consequently, we shall be unable to come to the surface." "Good, sir! but do you forget that the Nautilus is armed with a powerful spur, and could we not send it diagonally against these fields of ice, which would open at the shocks." "Ah! sir, you are full of ideas to-day." "Besides, Captain," I added, enthusiastically, "why should we not find the sea open at the South Pole as well as at the North? The frozen poles of the earth do not coincide, either in the southern or in the northern regions; and, until it is proved to the contrary, we may suppose either a continent or an ocean free from ice at these two points of the globe." "I think so too, M. Aronn
ax," replied Captain Nemo. "I only wish you to observe that, after having made so many objections to my project, you are now crushing me with arguments in its favour!" The preparations for this audacious attempt now began. The powerful pumps of the Nautilus were working air into the reservoirs and storing it at high pressure. About four o'clock, Captain Nemo announced the closing of the panels on the platform. I threw one last look at the massive iceberg which we were going to cross. The weather was clear, the atmosphere pure enough, the cold very great, being 12" below zero; but, the wind having gone down, this temperature was not so unbearable. About ten men mounted the sides of the Nautilus, armed with pickaxes to break the ice around the vessel, which was soon free. The operation was quickly performed, for the fresh ice was still very thin. We all went below. The usual reservoirs were filled with the newly-liberated water, and the Nautilus soon descended. I had taken my place with Conseil in the saloon; through the open window we could see the lower beds of the Southern Ocean. The thermometer went up, the needle of the compass deviated on the dial. At about 900 feet, as Captain Nemo had foreseen, we were floating beneath the undulating bottom of the iceberg. But the Nautilus went lower still--it went to the depth of four hundred fathoms. The temperature of the water at the surface showed twelve degrees, it was now only ten; we had gained two. I need not say the temperature of the Nautilus was raised by its heating apparatus to a much higher degree; every manoeuvre was accomplished with wonderful precision. "We shall pass it, if you please, sir," said Conseil. "I believe we shall," I said, in a tone of firm conviction. In this open sea, the Nautilus had taken its course direct to the pole, without leaving the fifty-second meridian. From 67" 30' to 90", twenty-two degrees and a half of latitude remained to travel; that is, about five hundred leagues. The Nautilus kept up a mean speed of twenty-six miles a
n hour-the speed of an express train. If that was kept up, in forty hours we should reach the pole.
For a part of the night the novelty of the situation kept us at the window. The sea was lit with the electric lantern; but it was deserted; fishes did not sojourn in these imprisoned waters; they only found there a passage to take them from the Antarctic Ocean to the open polar sea. Our pace was rapid; we could feel it by the quivering of the long steel body. About two in the morning I took some hours' repose, and Conseil did the same. In crossing the waist I did not meet Captain Nemo: I supposed him to be in the pilot's cage. The next morning, the 19th of March, I took my post once more in the saloon. The electric log told me that the speed of the Nautilus had been slackened. It was then going towards the surface; but prudently emptying its reservoirs very slowly. My heart beat fast. Were we going to emerge and regain the open polar atmosphere? No! A shock told me that the Nautilus had struck the bottom of the iceberg, still very thick, judging from the deadened sound. We had in deed "struck," to use a sea expression, but in an inverse sense, and at a thousand feet deep. This would give three thousand feet of ice above us; one thousand being above the water-mark. The iceberg was then higher than at its borders--not a very reassuring fact. Several times that day the Nautilus tried again, and every time it struck the wall which lay like a ceiling above it. Sometimes it met with but 900 yards, only 200 of which rose above the surface. It was twice the height it was when the Nautilus had gone under the waves. I carefully noted the different depths, and thus obtained a submarine profile of the chain as it was developed under the water. That night no change had taken place in our situation. Still ice between four and five hundred yards in depth! It was evidently diminishing, but, still, what a thickness between us and the surface of the ocean! It was then eight. According to the daily custom on board the Nautilus, its air should have been renewed four hours ago; but I did not suffer much, although Captain
Nemo had not yet made any demand upon his reserve of oxygen. My sleep was painful that night; hope and fear besieged me by turns: I rose several times. The groping of the Nautilus continued. About three in the morning, I noticed that the lower surface of the iceberg was only about fifty feet deep. One hundred and fifty feet now separated us from the surface of the waters. The iceberg was by degrees becoming an ice-field, the mountain a plain. My eyes never left the manometer. We were still rising diagonally to the surface, which sparkled under the electric rays. The iceberg was stretching both above and beneath into lengthening slopes; mile after mile it was getting thinner. At length, at six in the morning of that memorable day, the 19th of March, the door of the saloon opened, and Captain Nemo appeared. "The sea is open!!" was all he said.
诺第留斯号又朝着它固定不移的方向，；往南驶去。它速度特别快，沿着西经50度行驶。它是要到南极圈去？我想不是，因为直到现在，所有打算达到地球这个顶点的企图都失败了。并且，季节也相当晚了，因为南冰洋地区的3月 13日相当于北冰洋地区的9月13日，是开放春秋分的时期了。
3月14日，我在南纬55度望见了漂流的冰块。那仅仅是一些二十至二十五英尺的灰白碎片，形成许多暗礁，海波汹涌冲上去。诺第留斯号行驶在南冰洋面上。，尼德，兰昏经在北冰洋海中打过鱼，对于这种冰山的：景象是熟悉的。
康塞尔和我都是第一次欣赏它。在大气中，南面的天边，展开令人眼花目眩的一片雪白大带。英国打鲸人称它为“眩目冰带。不论云彩怎么浓厚，都不能使它沉黑。它预告前面有成群的冰堆或冰层了。
果然，不久就有更大的冰块出现，雪白的光辉随着云雾的任意变换而不同。有些冰块现出绿色脉管，就象那硫酸铜在上面画的波纹线条一样。别的冰块类似巨大紫色水晶，又让米线穿逐里面去。后者映着阳光，在它们晶体的无数切面上反映出闪闪光芒。前者带有石灰石强烈辐射的无限色度，可能足够建筑整整一座大理石的城市。
我们愈往南，这些漂流的冰岛就愈来愈多，而且愈来愈大，南极的鸟类千百成群地在岛上营巢，这是海燕、棋鸟和海鸭，它们吱吱喳喳的叫声震得我们耳聋。有些鸟把诺第留斯号当作鲸鱼的尸体，飞到上面来，拿嘴啄那钢板，发出响声。
当船在冰块中间航行的时候，尼摩船长时常在乎台上。
他很留心观察这一带人迹不到的海面。
我看见他的镇定眼光有时候激动起来。他心中是不是说，在这些人迹不能到达的南极海中，他是在自己家中了。
他是这些不可超越的空间的主人吗？或者是。但他不说。
他留在那里不动，只是当他意识到自己是船的驾驶人的时候，他心神才回复过来。他于是巧妙无比地指挥着他的诺第留斯号，很灵便地躲开了那些大冰块的冲击，有些冰块是长到几海里，高七十至八十米不等。前面天边有时看来是完全封闭不能通行。在南纬60度海面上，什么通路都没有。但尼摩船长小心找寻，不久就发现一条窄口，他驾驶着船，大胆从窄口进去，同时他又很知道，这窄口在他过后便要封闭的。诺第留斯号由这只妙手指挥，就这样走过了所有这些大冰块：按照冰块的式样大小，康塞尔可以很高兴地正确把它们分类，那就是：像山的冰山，冰田或无边际的平坦田场，浮冰或漂流的冰，层冰或碎裂的冰田，圆形环弯的称为冰圈，拉长一块一块的称为冰流。温度相当的低，温度表放在外面，指着零下二度至三度。但我们穿着皮的衣服。
很暖和。这些皮是海豹和海熊供应我们的。诺第留斯号内部经常有电气机发热，不怕严寒；并且，要得到使人可以受得住的温度，到达不太寒不太热的所在，那它只需潜下水底几米深就成了。
早两个月，在这纬度内，可能永远是白天，但现在已经有三至四小时的黑夜了，再迟一些，黑：夜就要：长到六个月。
把它的阴影遮盖这些环极圈地方。
3月15日，南设德兰群岛和南奥克内群岛的纬度走过了。
8月16日早晨八点，诺第留斯号沿着西经55度行驶。
切过南极圈驶去。这里处处都是冰块围绕着我们，四边封起，无路可通。可是，尼摩船长总能找到一条又一条通路，老是往上驶。、“他究竟要到哪里去呢？”我问。
•到前面去，”康塞尔回答，“总之，到了他不能再往前走的时候，他也就只好停止了。”
“我可不敢肯定这样说！”我回答
但白说，我承认这种冒险的游历使我觉得痛快。这些新鲜地方的奇美让我迷醉惊异到怎样的程度、那我无法可以表示。冰群的姿态变得更雄伟壮丽了。这边，是一大群冰块形成一座东方城市，中有无数的清真寺院和尖塔。那里，是一座倒塌的城，因为地震动了，被推倒在地下。阳光斜照；它们现出变换不停的形色，这些形色又迷失在雪花飞舞的大风暴中的灰色云雾里面。其次、处处都是爆炸、崩裂，冰山大翻筋斗，把这里的整个布景都改变了，像一幅透光风景油画一样。
当这些冰群的平衡破坏了的时候，诺第留斯号便潜入水中；声音传到下面，强烈惊人，冰群下沉，造成深而阔的可怕的水涡；力量直到冰洋很深的水层。诺第留斯号于是乱滚乱摇，把持不住，像被疯狂的水流所卷走的一样。有时看不见通路了，我想我们是定作了俘虏了；可是本能领导着他，根据一些轻微的迹象，足摩船长就可以发现新的通路。
他注视那在冰田上显出来的一条一条淡蓝色细水纹，他决不至搞错。所以，我心中并不怀疑他是已经驾驶诺第留斯号，在这南极海水中探过险的、但是，在8月15日那天，层层的冰群完全把我们的路挡住了。这还不是真正的冰山，只是寒冷冻结起来的阔大冰地。这种障碍物不能阻止尼摩船长，诺第留斯号用猛烈怕人的力量向冰地冲去。像楔子一般穿进这粉未的块团中，响得伯人的破裂声把冰块划开了。那是古代的攻城机，被无穷大的力量推动一样。冰的碎片投射到高空，像雹子那样在我们周围落下。单单由于它本身所有的推动力，我们的船就挖出一条水路。有时，由于它力量的凶猛，它爬到冰田上来，它的重量压碎了冰地，或偶然套在冰地下，它就用简单的摇摆动作，把冰分开，造成阔大的裂口。
在这些日子里，猛烈的冰屑时常来袭击我们。由于有浓厚的云雾，乎台的这一端到那一端都不可能看清楚。暴风从罗盘针指的各个方向突然刮起。白雪堆成十分坚硬的冰层，简直要用尖利铁锨来弄开它。仅仅在零下五度的温变，诺第留斯号外部全被冰层封住了。一只平常的船可能是没有法子行驶，囚为所有的绞辅绳索都冰在滑车沟中了。
只有这艘没有帆而装有可以不用煤的电动机的船才能冒险跑到这样高的纬度中来。
在这种情形下，风雨表大体上是很低的，有时且降低到匕十三度五分。罗盘的指示也没有准确的保证。它那乱摇乱晃的针，当船上近不能跟地球的南方相混同的南磁极圈的时候，指出矛盾相反的方向。本来，根据汗斯敦①的说法，这磁极圈差不多是位于南纬70度、东经130度•，根据杜北未②的观察，是在东经135度、南纬70度30分。所以，这样就必要对于挪到船上各部分的罗盘做很多的观察，拿一个平均数作标准。不过拿这标准来估量走过水路的方位，在这些标志点不断变化的弯拆的水路中间，总是很难今人满意的方法，后来在3月18日，经过几十次无结果的冲击，诺第留斯号看来是完全没办法了。在周围的不是冰流、冰圈、冰田，而是接合在一起、无穷无劲屹立不动的一片冰山。
“冰山！”加拿大人对我说。
我明白，对尼德•兰和对所有我们以前的航海家来说，冰山是不可超越的障碍。太阳在中午左右，有一会儿现出来，尼摩船长做了一次相当正确的观察，指明船是在西经 51度30分，南纬67度39分。这已经是：南冰洋地区相当深入的一点了。
大海呀，流动的水面呀，这时在我们眼前看来完全不像了。对着诺第留斯号的冲角，展开一片崎岖不平的广大平原，夹杂了混乱不清的大冰群，再加上那种乱七八糟、凌舌：无序的景象，就像在解冻前不久的时候，河面所显出来的一样，不过面积是十分巨大罢了。到处都有峭削的尖峰，像直升到二百英尺高的细针，远一点，削戍尖峰的一连串悬崖，带着灰白的色泽，像一面一面的大镜，反映出一些半浸在云雾中的阳光。其次，在这凄绝荒凉的自然界中，是那野得可怕的寂静，就是那海燕和海鸭的振翅声也没有能把它打破。
一切都是冰冻了，连声音也冰冻了。所以，诺第留斯号就在冰场中间停止了它的冒险行动。
“先生，”那一天尼德•兰对我说，“如果您的船长能再走远一点！”
“那么？"
“那么，他便是杰出的人。”
“尼德，为什么呢？”
“因为没有人能走过冰山。您的船长有力量，可是，好啊！他不能比大自然更有力量。大自然划下界限的地方。
不管愿意不愿意，他总得停住。"
“对的，尼德，不过我很想知道冰山后面是什么呢！面前一道围墙，最使我难受！”
“先生说得对，”康塞尔说，“围墙发明出来，只是为激怒学者们的。无论什么地方都不应该有围墙。"“对！”加拿大人说，“在这座冰山后面，人们早已知道有些什么东西了。"““是什么呢？”我问。
“是冰，永远悬冰！
“尼德，这点您说得很肯定，”我回答，“但是，我可不敢肯定。所以我要去看看 ."那么，教授，加拿大人回答，"您要放弃这个思想。您到了冰山，那已经够了，您不能再前进，您的尼摩般长和他的诺第留斯号也不能再前进，不管他愿意不愿意，我们是要回过来往北走了，就是说，回到老实人居住的国土。
我必须承认尼德，兰说的话对，当船还不是造来在冰场中行驶的时候，当然在冰山面前就得停住了。的确，不管它怎样努力，不管它用来冲破冰块的力量有多强大，诺第留斯号终归弄得纹丝不动。平常，要是不能前进，那就可以退回去。但现在，后退跟前进～样不可能，因为水路在我们走过后就封闭了，只要我们的船略为停一下不动，它就立刻被抓挡住，寸步都不能移动。下午两点左右发生这样的一种情形，新的冰层惊人迅速地在船两边冻给起来。我现在要承认，尼摩船长是太粗率、太不谨慎了。我正在乎台上，船长已经在那里观察形势有一些时候了，他对我说：“那么，教授，您想怎样？”
“我想；船长，我们是被困住了。"
“被困住了！您这话怎么说？”
“我是说，我们不能前进，不能后退，不能向任何一方行动。我想，．这就是叫做‘被困住了’，至少对于居住在陆地上的人来说是这样。”
“阿龙纳斯先生，您就是这样想，诺第留斯号不可能脱身吗？”
“很不容易，船长，因为季候已经相当晚，解冻，我们是。
不能指望的了 .
“啊！教授，”尼摩船长带讥讽的语气回答，您老是这一套！您只看见困难和障碍！我现在向您肯定说，不仅诺第留斯号可以脱身，而且它还要前进。
“再向南方前进吗？"我眼钉着船长问 .“对，先生，它要到南极去 ."“到南极去！”我喊道，同时禁不住表示我的不信和怀疑。
“是的！”船长冷冷地回答"到南极去、到地球上所有的子午线相交的、以前没有人到过的那一点去您知道我可以使诺第留斯号做我想要做的事。
那时我忽然想问一问尼摩船长，我问他是不是已经发现过了那从没有人类足迹踩过的南极。
没有，先生，”他回答我，“我们现在一齐发现去。别人失败的地方、我决不至失败。我从没有把诺第留斯号开到这么远的南极海上来，但我再跟您说，它还要往前进。"“我愿意相信您，船长，”我带着讥讽语气又说，"我相信您！我们前进！对我们来说是没有什么障碍的！冲开这座冰山！我们把它炸破，如果它反抗，我们就给诺第留斯号安上翅膀，从上面飞过去！”
c教授，从上面过去吗？”尼摩船长安静地回答；“不是从上面过去，是从下面过去。”
"从下面过去！”我喊道。
船长的计划突然给了我启示，使我心中雪亮，我明白了。诺第留斯号的神奇本质又在这一次的超人事业中为他服务，成全他了。
"我看到、我们彼此开始了解了，教授，”船长微笑地对我说，“您现在已经看到这个企图的可能——我个人，我要说这个企图的成功。在一只平常的船是办不到的，在诺第留斯号就容易办到9如果在南极浮出一个大陆，它是要在它面前停住的。但是相反，如果南极是自由的海，它就要到南极点上去！
“是的，”我说，受船长论证力量的提示，“如果海面被冰冻结凝固了，它的下层是自由通行的，因为下面有天从人愿的自然理由，那就是海水的极大密度是比冰冻时高出一度。
如果我没有错的话，那就是冰山的沉人部分对它的浮出部分之比是四比一？！" "差不多是这样，教授。冰山在海面上有一英尺，在下面就有三英尺。并且，因为这些冰山不超过一百米高，它们当然不至于深入到三百米。三百米对诺第留斯号来说算什么呢？" "不算什么，先生。"“它并且可以潜入更深的水层厂到那海水中温度一律不变的所在，在那里，我们可以安全支持海面的零下三十度或四十度的寒冷。”
“对，先生，很对。”我很激动地回答。
“唯一的用难是潜入水底好几天，”尼摩船长立即又说。
“不能调换我们船上储藏的空气。”
“就是这个吗？，我回答，“诺第留斯号有广大的储藏库，我们把储藏库全装满，我们有我们需要的氧气。”
“想得不错，阿龙纳斯先生。"船长微笑着回答“我不愿意您责备我过于大胆，我现在先提出我所有的反对意见来。
请您考虑一下。”
“您还有反对意见吗？"
“只有一个。很可能，如果南极是海，这海或者完全冰冻了，那么，我们就不可能浮出水面上来了。”
“对，先生，不过您忘记了诺第留斯号装有厉害的冲角，我们不是可以沿对角线的方向向冰田直冲上去、冰田遭到冲击就要迸裂了吗？”
“暖！教授，您今天真有不少的主意呢！”
“并且，船长，”我愈来愈兴奋地接着说，“在南极；人们为什么不能跟在北极一样，碰见自由通行的海呢？冰冷的两极和陆地的两极，无论在南半球和北半球内，都不能混同起来，在还没有反面的证据之前，我们可以假定在这两个地、的极端或者有陆地，或者有跟冰层分开的海洋。"“我也这样想，阿龙纳斯先生，”尼摩船长回答，"不过：我单单要您注意这点，就是您提出了许多反对我计划的意见后，您现在又把许多赞成的理由来顶住我了尼摩船长说的是真的。我甚至要大胆他说服他了！是我把他拉到南极去了！我走在他前面了，我比他走得更远了……完全不是：可怜的傻瓜。尼摩船长对这个问题的反对和赞成的意见比你更知道得多呢，”他不过让你在这些不可能的梦想中高兴发疯，看来好玩罢了。
可是，他一点时间也不白丢。他发出信号，船副上来了。两人用那不可懂的语言，迅速地谈了一下，或者船副预先就得到了通知，或者他看到这计划可以实行，他一点也不使人看出有惊异的表示。即使如此，他的冷谈也比不上康塞尔。当我告诉这个老实人，我们一直要走到南极的企图的时候，他所表示出的那种神情真可以说是冷淡极了。他听了我的话，就只拿一句“随您先生的便”来回答我，我也只好满足了。至于尼德•兰，如果问谁的两肩耸得最高，那就是加拿大人的两肩了。他对我说： "您瞧，先生，您和您的尼摩船长真使我觉得十分可怜！”
“尼德师傅，我们是要到南极呢。”
“可以去的，但你们不能回来了！"
他回他的舱房去。“为的是不要弄出人命。"他离开我的时候这样说。
但是，这个大胆企图的准备工作开始执行了。诺第留斯号的强大抽气机把空气吸人储藏库，用高压力装到库里面去。四点左右，尼摩船长告诉我，平台上的嵌板要关起来了。我两眼最后看一下我们就要穿过去的深厚冰山白天色晴朗，大气鲜洁，很冷，温度零下十二度，但风停下来了，这种温度并不使人觉得很难受。
十来个船员走到诺第留斯号两旁，他们拿着尖镐，凿开船身周围的冰，船身不久就松开。这种工作很迅速地做好，因为新结的冰还是相当的保我们全体回到船中。通常使用的储水池装满了浮标线周围的自由海水。储第留斯号不久就潜下去。
我跟康塞尔到客厅坐下。通过打开的玻璃，我们可以看到南冰洋中的下层。温度表上升。压力表的针在表盘上移动。
到了三百米左右，像尼摩船长所说过的一样，我们就浮在冰山下层的波纹水面上了。但诺第留斯号再往下沉，它直到深八百米的水层。水的温度，刚才在上面是十二度，现在不超过十一度，那就是说我们已经争取了两度。不用说，诺第留斯号的温度因为有它的热气机管，保持着很高的温度。船的这些动作都特别准确地完成。
"请先生原谅我说一句，”康塞尔对我说，“我们一定可以过去。”
“我也是这样想！”我带着深信不疑的语气回答。
在这自由通行的海底下，诺第留斯号不离开西经 52度，沿着向南极的路线一直驶去。从67度30分到90度，还要走过22度半的纬度，就是说，还要走五百多里。诺第留斯号这时的速度是每小时二十六海里的中常速度，即特别快车的速度。如果它保持这个速度行驶，那么四十小时就足够它驶到南极了。
’夜间一部分时间，由于所在环境的新奇，使康塞尔和我留在客厅的玻璃边，大海受探照灯电光的照耀，晶莹雪亮，但水中荒凉，看不见什么踪影。鱼类不居留在这种监牢般的海水中；它们要从南冰洋到南极那个自由通行的海，这里只有一条通路。我们的船行驶很迅速；我们从长形钢铁船壳的振动可以感觉出来。
早晨两点左右，我要回房中休息几小时。康塞尔也和我一样，要回房休息，穿行过道的时候，我没有碰见尼摩船长，我想他一定在那领航人的笼间中了。
第二天，3月19日，早晨五点的时候，我又在客厅中。
电力侧程器给我指出，诺第留斯号的速度慢了一些，这时，它是很小心的，慢慢排出储水池中的水，往水而上升。
我的心在跳动。我们是要浮起来，找到南极的自由空气吗？不。一次冲击，从发出了不爽朗的声音来判断，使我知道诺第留斯号碰上了冰山的下层冰面，这冰面还是很厚，的确，用航海的语言来说，我们是“撞上了”，不过现在是方向倒转过来，在三千英尺的深处“撞上了”。这就是，在我们头上有四千英尺的冰层，有～千英尺是浮出在水面。这时冰层所有的高度，是超过我们在它边岸所记录的高度。情形有些使人不安呢。在这一天内，诺第留斯号做了好几次试验，它总是碰着盖在它上面的天花板一样的冰墙。有时候，它在九百米的地方碰到了，那就是冰山有一千二百米厚，有三百米是浮在冰洋的而上。跟诺第留斯号潜入水底的时候相比，冰山的高度现在是增加了一倍。我小心地记下这些不同的深度，这样，我就获得了罗列在海水下面的这条冰山脉的海底面影。
晚上，我们所处的情况没有发现什么变化。在四百和五百米深度的中间老是有冰。冰显然是减少了，但在我们和洋面之间，冰层还厚得很呢！时间是晚八点。按照每天的习惯，诺第留斯号内部空气早在四小时以前就应该调涣了。不过，虽然尼摩船长没有要储藏库放出一些补充的氧气来，但我并不觉得怎样难过。这一夜我的睡眠很不好。
希望和恐惧轮流地在我心中转来转去。我起来好几次。诺第留斯号探索性的上升仍然继续进行。早晨三点左右，我看见冰山的下层冰面只在五十米的深度才碰到了、这时把我们和水面隔开的只是一百五千英尺的冰层。冰山渐渐变成冰田了。山又成平原了 .我的两眼不离开压力表；总是盯着一我们沿对角线，向着电光下闪闪发亮的光辉冰面，老是上升。冰山像腕蜒伸长的栏杆，上下两方减低了；它一海里一海里地变薄了。最后可纪念的8月19日那天，早晨六点，客厅门打开。尼摩船长进来，他对我说： "到自由通行的海了！
Part 2 Chapter 14
I rushed on to the platform. Yes! the open sea, with but a few scattered pieces of ice and moving icebergs--a long stretch of sea; a world of birds in the air, and myriads of fishes under those waters, which varied from intense blue to olive green, according to the bottom. The thermometer marked 3" C. above zero. It was comparatively spring, shut up as we were behind this iceberg, whose lengthened mass was dimly seen on our northern horizon. "Are we at the pole?" I asked the Captain, with a beating heart. "I do not know," he replied. "At noon I will take our bearings." "But will the sun show himself through this fog?" said I, looking at the leaden sky. "However little it shows, it will be enough," replied the Captain. About ten miles south a solitary island rose to a height of one hundred and four yards. We made for it, but carefully, for the sea might be strewn with banks. One hour afterwards we had reached it, two hours later we had made the round of it. It measured four or five miles in circumference. A narrow canal separated it from a considerable stretch of land, perhaps a continent, for we could not see its limits. The existence of this land seemed to give some colour to Maury's theory. The ingenious American has remarked that, between the South Pole and the sixtieth parallel, the sea is covered with floating ice of enormous size, which is never met with in the North Atlantic. From this fact he has drawn the conclusion that the Antarctic Circle encloses considerable continents, as icebergs cannot form in open sea, but only on the coasts. According to these calculations, the mass of ice surrounding the southern pole forms a vast cap, the circumference of which must be, at least, 2,500 miles. But the Nautilus, for fear of running aground, had stopped about three cable-lengths from a strand over which reared a superb heap of rocks. The boat was launched; the Captain, two of his men, bearing instruments, Conseil, and myself were in it. It was ten in the morning. I had not seen Ned Land. Doubtless the 
Canadian did not wish to admit the presence of the South Pole. A few strokes of the oar brought us to the sand, where we ran ashore. Conseil was going to jump on to the land, when I held him back. "Sir," said I to Captain Nemo, "to you belongs the honour of first setting foot on this land." "Yes, sir," said the Captain, "and if I do not hesitate to tread this South Pole, it is because, up to this time, no human being has left a trace there." Saying this, he jumped lightly on to the sand. His heart beat with emotion. He climbed a rock, sloping to a little promontory, and there, with his arms crossed, mute and motionless, and with an eager look, he seemed to take possession of these southern regions. After five minutes passed in this ecstasy, he turned to us. "When you like, sir." I landed, followed by Conseil, leaving the two men in the boat. For a long way the soil was composed of a reddish sandy stone, something like crushed brick, scoriae, streams of lava, and pumice-stones. One could not mistake its volcanic origin. In some parts, slight curls of smoke emitted a sulphurous smell, proving that the internal fires had lost nothing of their expansive powers, though, having climbed a high acclivity, I could see no volcano for a radius of several miles. We know that in those Antarctic countries, James Ross found two craters, the Erebus and Terror, in full activity, on the 167th meridian, latitude 77" 32'. The vegetation of this desolate continent seemed to me much restricted. Some lichens lay upon the black rocks; some microscopic plants, rudimentary diatomas, a kind of cells placed between two quartz shells; long purple and scarlet weed, supported on little swimming bladders, which the breaking of the waves brought to the shore. These constituted the meagre flora of this region. The shore was strewn with molluscs, little mussels, and limpets. I also saw myriads of northern clios, one-and-a-quarter inches long, of which a whale would swallow a whole world at a mouthful; and some perfect sea-butterflies, animatin
g the waters on the skirts of the shore.
There appeared on the high bottoms some coral shrubs, of the kind which, according to James Ross, live in the Antarctic seas to the depth of more than 1,000 yards. Then there were little kingfishers and starfish studding the soil. But where life abounded most was in the air. There thousands of birds fluttered and flew of all kinds, deafening us with their cries; others crowded the rock, looking at us as we passed by without fear, and pressing familiarly close by our feet. There were penguins, so agile in the water, heavy and awkward as they are on the ground; they were uttering harsh cries, a large assembly, sober in gesture, but extravagant in clamour. Albatrosses passed in the air, the expanse of their wings being at least four yards and a half, and justly called the vultures of the ocean; some gigantic petrels, and some damiers, a kind of small duck, the underpart of whose body is black and white; then there were a whole series of petrels, some whitish, with brown-bordered wings, others blue, peculiar to the Antarctic seas, and so oily, as I told Conseil, that the inhabitants of the Ferroe Islands had nothing to do before lighting them but to put a wick in. "A little more," said Conseil, "and they would be perfect lamps! After that, we cannot expect Nature to have previously furnished them with wicks!" About half a mile farther on the soil was riddled with ruffs' nests, a sort of laying-ground, out of which many birds were issuing. Captain Nemo had some hundreds hunted. They uttered a cry like the braying of an ass, were about the size of a goose, slate-colour on the body, white beneath, with a yellow line round their throats; they allowed themselves to be killed with a stone, never trying to escape. But the fog did not lift, and at eleven the sun had not yet shown itself. Its absence made me uneasy. Without it no observations were possible. How, then, could we decide whether we had reached the pole? When I rejoined Captain Nemo, I found him leaning on a piece of rock, silently watching the sky. He seemed
impatient and vexed. But what was to be done? This rash and powerful man could not command the sun as he did the sea. Noon arrived without the orb of day showing itself for an instant. We could not even tell its position behind the curtain of fog; and soon the fog turned to snow. "Till to-morrow," said the Captain, quietly, and we returned to the Nautilus amid these atmospheric disturbances. The tempest of snow continued till the next day. It was impossible to remain on the platform. From the saloon, where I was taking notes of incidents happening during this excursion to the polar continent, I could hear the cries of petrels and albatrosses sporting in the midst of this violent storm. The Nautilus did not remain motionless, but skirted the coast, advancing ten miles more to the south in the half-light left by the sun as it skirted the edge of the horizon. The next day, the 20th of March, the snow had ceased. The cold was a little greater, the thermometer showing 2" below zero. The fog was rising, and I hoped that that day our observations might be taken. Captain Nemo not having yet appeared, the boat took Conseil and myself to land. The soil was still of the same volcanic nature; everywhere were traces of lava, scoriae, and basalt; but the crater which had vomited them I could not see. Here, as lower down, this continent was alive with myriads of birds. But their rule was now divided with large troops of sea-mammals, looking at us with their soft eyes. There were several kinds of seals, some stretched on the earth, some on flakes of ice, many going in and out of the sea. They did not flee at our approach, never having had anything to do with man; and I reckoned that there were provisions there for hundreds of vessels. "Sir," said Conseil, "will you tell me the names of these creatures?" "They are seals and morses." It was now eight in the morning. Four hours remained to us before the sun could be observed with advantage. I directed our steps towards a vast bay cut in the steep granite shore. There, I c
an aver that earth and ice were lost to sight by the numbers of sea-mammals covering them, and I involuntarily sought for old Proteus, the mythological shepherd who watched these immense flocks of Neptune. There were more seals than anything else, forming distinct groups, male and female, the father watching over his family, the mother suckling her little ones, some already strong enough to go a few steps. When they wished to change their place, they took little jumps, made by the contraction of their bodies, and helped awkwardly enough by their imperfect fin, which, as with the lamantin, their cousins, forms a perfect forearm. I should say that, in the water, which is their element--the spine of these creatures is flexible; with smooth and close skin and webbed feet--they swim admirably. In resting on the earth they take the most graceful attitudes. Thus the ancients, observing their soft and expressive looks, which cannot be surpassed by the most beautiful look a woman can give, their clear voluptuous eyes, their charming positions, and the poetry of their manners, metamorphosed them, the male into a triton and the female into a mermaid. I made Conseil notice the considerable development of the lobes of the brain in these interesting cetaceans. No mammal, except man, has such a quantity of brain matter; they are also capable of receiving a certain amount of education, are easily domesticated, and I think, with other naturalists, that if properly taught they would be of great service as fishing-dogs. The greater part of them slept on the rocks or on the sand. Amongst these seals, properly so called, which have no external ears (in which they differ from the otter, whose ears are prominent), I noticed several varieties of seals about three yards long, with a white coat, bulldog heads, armed with teeth in both jaws, four incisors at the top and four at the bottom, and two large canine teeth in the shape of a fleur-de-lis. Amongst them glided sea-elephants, a kind of seal, with short, flexible trunks. The giants 
of this species measured twenty feet round and ten yards and a half in length; but they did not move as we approached. "These creatures are not dangerous?" asked Conseil. "No; not unless you attack them. When they have to defend their young their rage is terrible, and it is not uncommon for them to break the fishing-boats to pieces." "They are quite right," said Conseil. "I do not say they are not." Two miles farther on we were stopped by the promontory which shelters the bay from the southerly winds. Beyond it we heard loud bellowings such as a troop of ruminants would produce. "Good!" said Conseil; "a concert of bulls!" "No; a concert of morses." "They are fighting!" "They are either fighting or playing." We now began to climb the blackish rocks, amid unforeseen stumbles, and over stones which the ice made slippery. More than once I rolled over at the expense of my loins. Conseil, more prudent or more steady, did not stumble, and helped me up, saying: "If, sir, you would have the kindness to take wider steps, you would preserve your equilibrium better." Arrived at the upper ridge of the promontory, I saw a vast white plain covered with morses. They were playing amongst themselves, and what we heard were bellowings of pleasure, not of anger. As I passed these curious animals I could examine them leisurely, for they did not move. Their skins were thick and rugged, of a yellowish tint, approaching to red; their hair was short and scant. Some of them were four yards and a quarter long. Quieter and less timid than their cousins of the north, they did not, like them, place sentinels round the outskirts of their encampment. After examining this city of morses, I began to think of returning. It was eleven o'clock, and, if Captain Nemo found the conditions favourable for observations, I wished to be present at the operation. We followed a narrow pathway running along the summit of the steep shore. At half-past eleven we had reached the place where we landed. The boat had run aground, bringing the Captain. I saw 
him standing on a block of basalt, his instruments near him, his eyes fixed on the northern horizon, near which the sun was then describing a lengthened curve. I took my place beside him, and waited without speaking. Noon arrived, and, as before, the sun did not appear. It was a fatality. Observations were still wanting. If not accomplished to-morrow, we must give up all idea of taking any. We were indeed exactly at the 20th of March. To-morrow, the 21st, would be the equinox; the sun would disappear behind the horizon for six months, and with its disappearance the long polar night would begin. Since the September equinox it had emerged from the northern horizon, rising by lengthened spirals up to the 21st of December. At this period, the summer solstice of the northern regions, it had begun to descend; and to-morrow was to shed its last rays upon them. I communicated my fears and observations to Captain Nemo. "You are right, M. Aronnax," said he; "if to-morrow I cannot take the altitude of the sun, I shall not be able to do it for six months. But precisely because chance has led me into these seas on the 21st of March, my bearings will be easy to take, if at twelve we can see the sun." "Why, Captain?" "Because then the orb of day described such lengthened curves that it is difficult to measure exactly its height above the horizon, and grave errors may be made with instruments." "What will you do then?" "I shall only use my chronometer," replied Captain Nemo. "If to-morrow, the 21st of March, the disc of the sun, allowing for refraction, is exactly cut by the northern horizon, it will show that I am at the South Pole." "Just so," said I. "But this statement is not mathematically correct, because the equinox does not necessarily begin at noon." "Very likely, sir; but the error will not be a hundred yards and we do not want more. Till to-morrow, then!" Captain Nemo returned on board. Conseil and I remained to survey the shore, observing and studying until five o'clock. Then I went to bed, not, however, wit
hout invoking, like the Indian, the favour of the radiant orb. The next day, the 21st of March, at five in the morning, I mounted the platform. I found Captain Nemo there. "The weather is lightening a little," said he. "I have some hope. After breakfast we will go on shore and choose a post for observation." That point settled, I sought Ned Land. I wanted to take him with me. But the obstinate Canadian refused, and I saw that his taciturnity and his bad humour grew day by day. After all, I was not sorry for his obstinacy under the circumstances. Indeed, there were too many seals on shore, and we ought not to lay such temptation in this unreflecting fisherman's way. Breakfast over, we went on shore. The Nautilus had gone some miles further up in the night. It was a whole league from the coast, above which reared a sharp peak about five hundred yards high. The boat took with me Captain Nemo, two men of the crew, and the instruments, which consisted of a chronometer, a telescope, and a barometer. While crossing, I saw numerous whales belonging to the three kinds peculiar to the southern seas; the whale, or the English "right whale," which has no dorsal fin; the "humpback," with reeved chest and large, whitish fins, which, in spite of its name, do not form wings; and the fin-back, of a yellowish brown, the liveliest of all the cetacea. This powerful creature is heard a long way off when he throws to a great height columns of air and vapour, which look like whirlwinds of smoke. These different mammals were disporting themselves in troops in the quiet waters; and I could see that this basin of the Antarctic Pole serves as a place of refuge to the cetacea too closely tracked by the hunters. I also noticed large medusae floating between the reeds. At nine we landed; the sky was brightening, the clouds were flying to the south, and the fog seemed to be leaving the cold surface of the waters. Captain Nemo went towards the peak, which he doubtless meant to be his observatory. It was a painful ascent over the sharp l
ava and the pumice-stones, in an atmosphere often impregnated with a sulphurous smell from the smoking cracks. For a man unaccustomed to walk on land, the Captain climbed the steep slopes with an agility I never saw equalled and which a hunter would have envied. We were two hours getting to the summit of this peak, which was half porphyry and half basalt. From thence we looked upon a vast sea which, towards the north, distinctly traced its boundary line upon the sky. At our feet lay fields of dazzling whiteness. Over our heads a pale azure, free from fog. To the north the disc of the sun seemed like a ball of fire, already horned by the cutting of the horizon. From the bosom of the water rose sheaves of liquid jets by hundreds. In the distance lay the Nautilus like a cetacean asleep on the water. Behind us, to the south and east, an immense country and a chaotic heap of rocks and ice, the limits of which were not visible. On arriving at the summit Captain Nemo carefully took the mean height of the barometer, for he would have to consider that in taking his observations. At a quarter to twelve the sun, then seen only by refraction, looked like a golden disc shedding its last rays upon this deserted continent and seas which never man had yet ploughed. Captain Nemo, furnished with a lenticular glass which, by means of a mirror, corrected the refraction, watched the orb sinking below the horizon by degrees, following a lengthened diagonal. I held the chronometer. My heart beat fast. If the disappearance of the half-disc of the sun coincided with twelve o'clock on the chronometer, we were at the pole itself. "Twelve!" I exclaimed. "The South Pole!" replied Captain Nemo, in a grave voice, handing me the glass, which showed the orb cut in exactly equal parts by the horizon.
I looked at the last rays crowning the peak, and the shadows mounting by degrees up its slopes. At that moment Captain Nemo, resting with his hand on my shoulder, said: "I, Captain Nemo, on this 21st day of March, 1868, have reached the South Pole on the ninetieth degree; and I take possession of this part of the globe, equal to one-sixth of the known continents." "In whose name, Captain?" "In my own, sir!" Saying which, Captain Nemo unfurled a black banner, bearing an "N" in gold quartered on its bunting. Then, turning towards the orb of day, whose last rays lapped the horizon of the sea, he exclaimed: "Adieu, sun! Disappear, thou radiant orb! rest beneath this open sea, and let a night of six months spread its shadows over my new domains!"
我飞跑到平台上去。
是的！自由通行的海。近边只有一些散乱的冰块和浮为的冰层，远方一片大海，空中是群鸟世界；水底下有千亿万的鱼类，水的颜色随深浅的不同，现出从深浓的靛蓝至橄览的青绿。温度表指着摄氏三度。对被关在这冰山后的天气来说，这好像是相对的春天，远远的冰群在北方天际露出面影 .“我们是在南极吗？"我问船长，同时心跳动不止。
“我不知道。"他回答我。"中午我没来测量方位。" "可是，太阳能穿过这些云雾吗？我眼看着灰色的天空说。
“只要露出一点就够了。，船长回答。
距诺第留斯号南方二海里，有一座孤立的小岛浮出，高两百米。我们向小岛走去，但很小心，因为这海中可能各处都有暗礁。
一小时质，我们到达小岛。又过两小时，我们就绕了小岛一•周。它周围四海里至五海里长。一条狭窄水道把它跟一片广大陆地分开，或者这是一个大洲，我们还不能望见它的界限。这片陆地的存在好像证明莫利的假设是对的。
的确，这位高明的美国学者指出，在南极和纬度60度中间，海上是浮动的冰群，这些冰群非常巨大，在大西洋北部从不能碰到。根据这个事实，他得出这个结论，南极圈中藏有大片的陆地，因为冰山不能在大海中间形成，只在近陆地的边岸才能存在。按照他购计算，遮覆南极的冰群形成一个球形的圆盖，这盖的宽大可能是四千公里。
可是，诺第留斯号怕搁浅，停在相距六米左右的滩前，有一片雄壮的岩石层高耸在滩上。小艇放到海中去。船长、他的两个船员带着各种器械，康塞尔和我，我们一齐上小艇去。时间是早晨十点、我没有看见尼德•兰。加拿大人一定不愿意承认南极是在他面前。桨划了几下，小艇就到了沙滩上，搁浅下来。康塞尔正要下地的时候，我把他拉住了。
“先生，”我对尼摩船长说，“第一次脚踩这陆地的光荣应该属于您。"“对，先生，，船长回答，“我所以一点不犹豫地脚踩这极圈的土地，是因为直到现在，还没有一个人留下他的脚迹在这陆地上。”卜说过这话，他轻快地跳在沙滩上。紧张激动的情绪使他的心跳得厉害。他攀上一块岩石、倾斜的岩石尽处是一个小呷，在呷上，他交叉着两只手，热情的眼光，不动，静戳。
他好像取得这些南极地方的所有权了。在这种极乐情绪中过了五分钟后，他向我们转过身千来；‘对我喊：“先生，您高兴就清上来。”
我跳下小艇，后面跟着康塞尔，那两个人留在艇中。
土质在很长的空间上现出锗红色的凝灰岩，就像一层层的砖石构成的一样。火山的烧石，喷出的火石，浮石的石屑遍布地上。人们不可能不认识这陆地的构成是火山的来源。在某些地方还有轻微的喷烟，发出硫磺气味，证明内部的火仍然保持着它伸张发展的力量。可是，我攀上一座高耸的悬崖，半径几海里的圆周内望不见火山。大家知道，在南极地带内，，詹姆斯•罗斯①在东经160度，纬度77度32分上，找到了还在活动的爱列贝斯和铁罗尔火山喷口。：这个荒凉大陆的植物看来是极端有限。一些单条黑色的苔藓品种丛生，铺在黑色岩石上。某种微生草木，原始硅藻，在两片介壳中间聚起来的石英质的细胞植物，真红和猩红的黑角菜，紧贴在退潮送到岸上来的鱼类上面，以上就是组成这个地方的整个植物界。
沿岸有一些软体动物，小砚、蛇类，心脏形的光滑贝，特别有那些长方形、膜质、头由两个圆突的耳叶形成的触须贝。我又看到有无数北方的触须贝，长三厘米；鲸鱼每一口就吞食它们一大群。这些美丽的翼步类动物，‘真正是海中的蝴蝶）使这海岸边缘的流动海水生动活泼起来、：植虫类里面出现在海底深处的，有些珊瑚树，根据詹姆斯、，罗斯盼观察，这些珊瑚树在南极海中，一直到一千米深处都可以生活。、其次，有属于海胞类的小翡翠珊瑚一以及这一带地区待有的许多海燕一和散布在地上的许多海星。
但生活丰富洋溢的地方是在空中小在空中，有无数种类不同的乌类飞翔上下，鸣声嘈杂，震聋了我们的耳朵6另有其他的鸟类拥挤在岩石上，它们一点不怕，看着我们走过）并且很亲热地聚在我们脚边。那是在水中也一样轻快和便捷的企鹅，有时人们把它们和迅速的辊鸟混同；但锟鸟在地上是不灵便和很笨的，、它们发出古怪的叫声、成群无数；，齐集一起，它们动作姿势很少，但叫喊却十分厉害！
在鸟类中间，我看见有涉水鸟科的南极水鸟。它们跟鸽子一般大校白色，有锥形的短嘴，、眼睛圈在红圈中、康塞尔捉这种鸟作食物，因为这类飞禽烹调得适当，是味道很美的食物。空中又有煤黑色的信天翁飞过，翼幅四米宽，它们也叫海鸳，’名称是很适当的，有巨大的海燕类，、其中有弓形海燕，翼作拱形，最喜欢吃海豹。有海棋鸟，是一种小鸭；身上带白色和黑色。最后，、有一组海燕类：，有的是灰白色，两翼边缘是栗子色，有的是蓝色，是南冰洋的特产。
我对康塞尔说：“灰白色的一种油脂很多。在费罗哀群岛①，人们在它们的腹部放上灯芯，就可以点燃起来。”
“差一点儿，”康塞尔回答，“它们就完全是一盏灯了这样看来，我们只有再要求大自然预先在它们身上准备一个灯芯好了！”
走过半海里后，地上现出许多短翼潜水鸟的鸟巢，这些巢是一种筑好来产卵的洞窟，从洞窟中飞出很多的潜水鸟。
尼摩船长在后来，打了好几百只这种鸟，因为它们的黑色的肉很可以吃。它们发出像驴叫的声音。这些鸟像我；一般的身材，身上是石板色，下面白色，颈上带柠檬色的花缘，就那“样让人拿石子打死，并不想法逃走。
可是，云雾并不散开，到十一点，太阳还不出来。太阳不出，使我心中焦急，没有太阳，不可能做各种观察。那么，怎样决定我们是到了南极呢？
当我回到尼摩船长那边的时候，我看他胳膊肘靠在一块岩石上，默不作声，眼盯着天空。看来他有些不耐烦，心中在生气。但有什么办法？这个胆大又强有力的人不能照他命令海洋那样指挥太阳。
中午到了，日光仍是一瞬也没有现出。人们甚至不可能认出它在这雾幕后面所在的位置。不久，雾又溶为雪花了。
“明天再来。”船长干脆对我说，同时我们看一下在那大气淋流中间的诺第留斯号。
当我们不在船上的时候，鱼网放下海中去了，我很感兴趣地观察人们刚拉上船来的鱼类。南极海水是大多数候鱼的藏身处，它们躲避纬度较低水层的风暴，转移到这边来。
可是它们往往又掉到海豚和海豹的嘴里去了。我看见有些南极的刺鳍鱼，长十厘米，是一种灰白色的软骨鱼，身上有斜横的淡白条带，并且生有尖刺，其次，见有南冰洋的软骨奇鱼，长三英尺，身子拉得很长，银白色和光滑的表皮，圆突的头，脊背上有三支鳍，嘴脸最前端是一支向嘴边弯过去的喇叭管。我尝过这种鱼的肉，我觉得平淡无味，但康塞尔的意见不同，他很喜欢吃。
暴风雪一直延长到第二天，站在平台上，简直不可能。
我在客厅中写我这次到南极大陆来旅行的事件，从厅中听到在大风雪中间飞翔上下的海燕和信天翁的号叫。诺第留斯号并不是停止不动，它沿着海岸驶去，在太阳掠过天际的时候所留下的曙光中间，再向南前进十海里左右。
第二天，3月20日，风雪停了。天气比较寒冷一些，温度表是零下二度。浓雾散开，我希望今天我们的方位观察可以做出来。
尼摩船长还没有出来，小艇先载了康塞尔和我，把我们送到陆地上去。地上的土质跟前面一样，是火山形成的。
到处都是火山喷发物，火山岩，玄武岩的遗迹，但我没有看见喷出这些岩石来的火口。这里跟前面一样，有无数的鸟类给南极大陆这一部分添了生动活泼的气象。但同时跟亡们一齐领有这块土地的，还有一大群海中哺乳类动物，这些动物拿它们的温和眼光盯着我们。那是各种不同的海豹。
有的躺在地上，有的睡在倾斜的冰块上，有些又从海中上来，或回到海中去。它们看见我们近前，并不逃走，因为它们从没有跟人打过交道，我看这里的海豹很多，可以装载好几百艘船。
时间是早晨八点。太阳可以供我们观察利用的时间只剩下四小时了。我向一处宽大的港湾一步步走去，湾作斩月形，在花岗石的悬崖中间。
在那里，我简直可以说，我们周围，陆地上和冰层上，一望无际都是被海中哺乳动物挤满了，我眼光不期然而然地找那老头蒲罗德，他是神话中给海神涅豆尼看守家畜群的老收人。海豹特别多。它们形成个别分开的队伍，雄的和雌的一起，父海豹关心它的家族，母海豹给它的小海豹喂奶，有些已经壮大的年轻海豹随意走开；在远一些的地方。
当这些哺乳动物要走动的时候，它们由于躯体的伸缩，一跳一跳地走，同时它们相当笨，拿它们的不发达的鳍来帮助走动，但这鳍在它们的同类海牛身上，就成为真正的前臂了。
我得说，它们在海水里面生活环境优越，这些脊骨活动，骨盘狭窄，毛又短又密，掌形脚的动物，是游泳的好手。当它门休息和在地上的时候，它们的姿态十分美观，使人喜欢。
我给康塞尔指出，这种聪明的鲸科动物，大脑叶特别发达。除了人类：任何哺乳类都没有这样丰富的脑髓神经。
因此，海豹可能接受某种程度的教育；它们容易驯养，成为家畜。我跟某些生物学家的意见相同，适当地把海豹训练起来，它们可以当作打鱼的猎狗，给人类服务，做许多有益的事。
大部分海豹睡在岩石，或者睡在沙地上。在这些真正的海豹中间，它们是没有外耳的——这一点它们跟有突出的外耳的海獭不同——我看见有好些海獭的变种，长三英尺，毛白色，猎狗一般的头，上下颚共有十枚牙齿，各有四枚门牙，两枚百合花形的大虎牙。在它们中间，又有海象踏来蹋去，这是带有活动的短鼻筒的海豹，是这种动物中最巨大的类型，周身二十英尺，长十英尺。它们看我们走近前去，动也不动。
“它们不是危险伤人的动物吗？”康塞尔问我。
“不，”我回答，“除非是人家要攻击它们。当一条海豹保卫它的子女的时候，它是愤怒得怕人，它把渔人的小船弄成碎片，并不是希罕的事。”
“那是它的正当权利。"康塞尔立即说。
“我没有说不是呀。”
再走两海里远，我们就被保护港湾不受南风吹打的尖峡挡住了。尖峡靠海矗立，回潮打来，泡沫飞溅，呷外有隆隆的吼叫声发出，就像一群牛羊反刍类可能发出的声响那么利害。
“怎么，”康塞尔说，“是水牛的音乐会吗？"“不，”我说，“是海马的音乐会。”
“它们打架吗？”
“它们或者是打架，或者是玩耍。”
“请先生原谅，我们应当去看一下。”
“我们应当去看一下，康塞尔。”
我们于是在意想不到的乱石间，被冰块弄得很滑溜的碎石上走过那些灰黑的岩石地。不止一次，我滑倒了，弄得腰部酸痛。康塞尔，或者是因为他比较小心，或者是因为他比较结实，没有摔过：他把我扶起来，说：“如果先生愿意把两腿挪开一些，先生就更能保持身体的平衡了。”
到了尖呷的高脊背上，我望见一片白色的广大平原，上面全是海马。这些海马正在成群玩耍，刚才听到的是它们的快乐的声音，不是它们愤怒的壕叫。
海马从躯体的外形上看，从四肢的安排上看，跟海豹很相象。可是它们的下鄂没有虎牙和门牙，至于上鄂的虎牙，那是两枚长八十厘米，下槽周圆三十三厘米的角牙，这些牙由致密无疵的牙质上成，比象牙更硬，又比较不易变黄。
是人们争求的珍品。因此这些海马受到意外过度的猎龋不久就要被消减到最后阶段了，因为打海马的猎人盲目屠杀，不管是有孕的母海马还是幼年海马，每年屠杀的数目超过四千条。
从这些新奇的动物旁边走过，我可以从容地考察它们，因为它们留在那里不动。它们的表皮很厚，多皱纹，色调是类似褚红的茶褐色，皮毛很短，并且很少。有些海马长至四米。它们比北冰洋的海马安静，胆大，它们并不委派特别选出来的哨兵来看守它们露营的周围。
考察了这所海马齐集的城市后，我就想回去了。时间是十一点了。如果尼摩船长觉得条件顺利，可以观察，那我要到他面前，看着他做。可是，我不敢希望这一天太阳会钻出来。重重积压在天边的浓云使它躲开了我们的眼睛。好像这十分珍重的太阳，不愿意在这地球上人迹不能到的地点，现出来给人们看。
可是，我想应当回诺第留斯号去了。我们沿着悬崖顶一条狭窄斜坡下去。十一点半，我们到了上陆的地点。搁浅在那里的小艇正把船长送上地来。我看见他站在一块玄武石岩上，他的器械放在他近边。他眼光盯着北方天际。，太阳在那边画出长长的曲线。
我站在他旁边，我等候着，不说话。正午到了，跟昨天一样，太阳不出来。这真是没办法的事。观察又不能做。
如果明天观察不能完成，那测定我们所在方位的事情，恐怕只好完全放弃了。
今天恰好是3月20日。明天21日是春分，析光作用映出的阳光不算，太阳以后就要没人水平线下，有六个月不能出来，太阳不见，极圈的长夜时期就开始了，从九月中的秋分日起，它在北方天际出现，沿着长长的螺旋线上升，直到12月21日。这个时候是北冰洋地区的夏至日，它又开始下降，明天就是它射出光线的最后一天了。
我把自己的意见和顾虑告诉尼摩船长，他对我说。
“您说得对，阿龙纳斯先生，如果明天我不能测量太阳的高度，我就不用能在六个月之内再做测量了。不过也正因为我这次航行的机会，3月21日把我带到这南极海中来如果太阳给我们现出来，我的方位是很容易测定的。"“船长，为什么呢？”
“因为，太阳沿着那么拉长的螺旋线走，想在水平线上确切测量它的高度，很是困难，仪器也容易犯严重的错误。”
“那么，您怎样来进行呢？”
“我只是使用我的航海时计，”尼摩船长回答我，“如果明天3月21日，折光作用估计在内，太阳圈轮正好切在北方的水平线上，那我就是在南极点上了。”
“是的，”我说，“不过这个测定从数学上看，并不是完全精确的，因为春分时间不一定是在正午。”
“当然，先生，但差数也不能过一百米，并且我们也不要更进一步的准确，那么，明天再来吧。”
尼摩船长转回船上去了。康塞尔和我，我们留到五点，在海滩上跑来跑去，作观察，作研究。我没有得到什么新奇的东西，就是拾得一个海枭的蛋，蛋特别大，一个珍奇收藏家可能出一千多法郎来收买。它的浅黄颜色，像用象形文字描绘在上面的线条和花纹，使它成为一件希有的珍玩。
我把它交给康塞尔，这个小心的孩子脚步很稳，把它拿在手中，像珍贵的中国瓷器一样，完整地带到诺第留斯号。
到了船上，我把蛋放在陈列室的一个玻璃橱中。我晚餐吃得很好，吃了一块海豹肝，味道很美，很像猪肝。然后我回房睡觉，睡的时候，像印度人那样，祈求太阳的恩惠，要它明天出来。
第二天，3月21日早晨五点，我走上平台，我看见尼摩船长已经在台上，他对我说：“天气清朗一些，太阳出来很有希望。早餐后，我们到地上去，选择一个地点，做我们的观察。”
这点确定后，我去找尼德•兰。我想拉他跟我一迈去。
固执的加拿大人拒绝了，我很看得出来，他的沉默跟他的坏脾气一样，一天一天增加了。本来，他在这种情况下表示固执不愿意去，我也并不惋惜。真的，地上海豹大多了，我们下应该拿它们来诱惑这个粗心不思考的打鱼人。
早餐完了，我就到地上去。诺第留斯号在夜间又向上前进了好几海里。船正在大海中，距岸整整有一里，岸上有高四百至五百米的尖峰矗立。小艇载了我和尼摩船长，两个船员，以及仪器，即航海时计、望远镜和晴雨表。
当我们的船走过的时候，我看见许多鲸鱼，它们是属于南极特有的三种鲸：平直鲸，没有脊鳍：驼背鲸，吐腹多皱折，宽大灰白色的绪，尽管它有这样的名字，隆起的背并不形成为翼；鳍背鲸，黄褐色，最活泼的鲸科动物。这些强大动物发出的声音远远就使人听到了，它们正把混有气体的水柱射人高空，好像喷出阵阵的浓烟。这些不同的哺乳类动物在安静的海水中往来玩耍，我看到，南极海水现在是成为过度受猎人追逐的鲸科动物的避难所了。
九点，我们靠岸了。天空洁朗起来，浓云向南飞走，雾也放弃了冰冷的水面。尼摩船长走向一座尖峰，他一定想在这座峰上做他的观察。我们是在充满喷火口所发出的流磺气体的大气中，沿着尖利的火石和浮石的石层，作艰苦的攀登。船长是一个已经不惯踩踏陆地的人，走上这些最陡峭的斜坡，轻便灵活，不单我不能比，就是追赶羚羊的猎人心中也要欣羡。
我们费了两个钟头，才到达这座云斑岩、玄武岩掺杂的尖峰上面。从上面看，我们的眼光望见一片广阔的海，海在北面天空中清楚现出它的最后界线来。我们脚下，是眩眼的光辉的白冰常我们头上，是从云雾中现出来的淡白的蔚蓝色。在北方，太阳的轮盘像一只火球一样，已经被水平线的锋刃削开一角了。海水中间，有美丽好看的喷水花束成千成百地放出来。远远的所在，是那诺第留斯号，像酣睡着的鲸科动物一样。在我们后面，东方和南方，有一片广阔的陆地，是望不见边际的岩石和冰群的凌乱层台。
尼摩船长走到峰顶上，拿晴雨表小心测量尖峰的高度，因为在他的观察中，峰高也要估计在内。
正午差一刻，单从折光作用看，太阳像金盘一样现出，它对这从没有人迹来过的海面，把它的最后光芒散在荒凉无人的大陆上。
尼摩船长戴上网形线望远镜，这镜利用一个镜面，可以改正折光作用，他观察那沿着一条拖拉得很长的对角线，渐渐沉入水平线下的太阳。我手拿着航海时计。我的心跳得厉害。如果太阳轮盘的一半隐没的时候，正好是航海时计指着正午，那我们就是在南极点上了。
“正午！”我喊。
"南极！，，尼摩船长用很严肃的声音回答，同时把望远镜给我，镜中显出的太阳正好在水平线上切成完全相等的两半。
我注视那照在尖峰顶上的最后阳光和那从尖峰层峦渐次上来的黑影。
这时候，尼摩船长手扶住我的肩头，对我说：“先生， 1600年，荷兰人叶里克被海浪和风暴所吹送，到了南纬64度，发现南设得兰群岛。1773年1月17日，著名的库克沿着东经38度，到达南纬67度30分； 1774年二月30日，他在西经109度上，到了南纬71度15分。
1819年，俄国人伯林哥生到了南纬69度上； 1821年，他在西经111度上，到了南纬66度。1820年，英国人布兰斯非尔在南纬65度上停下来。同年，美国人莫列尔，他的记述不可靠，从西经42度上溯，在纬度70度14分上发现自由流动的海。1825年，英国人包威尔到达南纬62度，不能超过。同年，一个不过是打海豹的渔人，英国人威德尔，在西经35度上，一直上到南纬72度14分，在西经36度上，一直上到南纬74度15分。1829年，英国人福斯脱指挥香特克利号，占领了南纬63度26分，西经63度26分的南冰洋大陆。1831年2月1日，英国人比斯哥在南纬68度50分发现恩德比地方； 1832年2月5日，他在南纬67度发现阿地拉衣地方；2月21日，在南纬64度45分发现格拉罕地方。1833年，法国人杜蒙•居维尔在南纬62度57分的冰山前面停住，交代了路易•菲力浦地方的位置：两年后，1月21日，到南方的另一尖点，南纬66度30分，他称为阿德利地方；八天后，到南纬64度40分，他名为克拉利海岸。
1838年，英国人威尔克斯在东经100度上前进到南纬69度。1839年，英国人巴连尼在南极圈的边界上发现了沙布利邓地方。最后，1842年，英国人詹姆斯•罗斯走上爱列贝斯山和铁罗尔山， 1月12日，在南纬76度56分，东经 171度7分发现维多利亚地方；同月23 R，他测定南纬74度的方位，这是当时可以达到的最高点了，27日他到达南纬76度8分，28日，到南纬77度32分，2月2日，到南纬 78度4分， 1842年，他回到他不能越过的南纬71度上来。
那么，现在，我，尼摩船长， 1866年3月21日，我在南纬90度上到达了南极点，我占领了面积等于人所知道的大陆六分之一的这一部分地球上的土地。”
“船长，您用谁的名字呢？”
“先生，我用我的名字！”
说这话的时候，尼摩船长展开一面黑旗，旗中间有一个金黄的N字。然后，回过身来，他面对着最后光芒正射在大海水平线上的太阳，喊道。
“再见，太阳！沉下去吧，光辉的金球！你安息在这个自由的海底下吧，让六个月的长夜把它的阴影遮覆在我的新领土上吧！”
Part 2 Chapter 15
The next day, the 22nd of March, at six in the morning, preparations for departure were begun. The last gleams of twilight were melting into night. The cold was great, the constellations shone with wonderful intensity. In the zenith glittered that wondrous Southern Cross-the polar bear of Antarctic regions. The thermometer showed 120 below zero, and when the wind freshened it was most biting. Flakes of ice increased on the open water. The sea seemed everywhere alike. Numerous blackish patches spread on the surface, showing the formation of fresh ice. Evidently the southern basin, frozen during the six winter months, was absolutely inaccessible. What became of the whales in that time? Doubtless they went beneath the icebergs, seeking more practicable seas. As to the seals and morses, accustomed to live in a hard climate, they remained on these icy shores. These creatures have the instinct to break holes in the ice-field and to keep them open. To these holes they come for breath; when the birds, driven away by the cold, have emigrated to the north, these sea mammals remain sole masters of the polar continent. But the reservoirs were filling with water, and the Nautilus was slowly descending. At 1,000 feet deep it stopped; its screw beat the waves, and it advanced straight towards the north at a speed of fifteen miles an hour. Towards night it was already floating under the immense body of the iceberg. At three in the morning I was awakened by a violent shock. I sat up in my bed and listened in the darkness, when I was thrown into the middle of the room. The Nautilus, after having struck, had rebounded violently. I groped along the partition, and by the staircase to the saloon, which was lit by the luminous ceiling. The furniture was upset. Fortunately the windows were firmly set, and had held fast. The pictures on the starboard side, from being no longer vertical, were clinging to the paper, whilst those of the port side were hanging at least a foot from the wall. The Nautilus was lying on its starboar
d side perfectly motionless. I heard footsteps, and a confusion of voices; but Captain Nemo did not appear. As I was leaving the saloon, Ned Land and Conseil entered. "What is the matter?" said I, at once. "I came to ask you, sir," replied Conseil. "Confound it!" exclaimed the Canadian, "I know well enough! The Nautilus has struck; and, judging by the way she lies, I do not think she will right herself as she did the first time in Torres Straits." "But," I asked, "has she at least come to the surface of the sea?" "We do not know," said Conseil. "It is easy to decide," I answered. I consulted the manometer. To my great surprise, it showed a depth of more than 180 fathoms. "What does that mean?" I exclaimed. "We must ask Captain Nemo," said Conseil. "But where shall we find him?" said Ned Land. "Follow me," said I, to my companions.
We left the saloon. There was no one in the library. At the centre staircase, by the berths of the ship's crew, there was no one. I thought that Captain Nemo must be in the pilot's cage. It was best to wait. We all returned to the saloon. For twenty minutes we remained thus, trying to hear the slightest noise which might be made on board the Nautilus, when Captain Nemo entered. He seemed not to see us; his face, generally so impassive, showed signs of uneasiness. He watched the compass silently, then the manometer; and, going to the planisphere, placed his finger on a spot representing the southern seas. I would not interrupt him; but, some minutes later, when he turned towards me, I said, using one of his own expressions in the Torres Straits: "An incident, Captain?" "No, sir; an accident this time." "Serious?" "Perhaps." "Is the danger immediate?" "No." "The Nautilus has stranded?" "Yes." "And this has happened--how?" "From a caprice of nature, not from the ignorance of man. Not a mistake has been made in the working. But we cannot prevent equilibrium from producing its effects. We may brave human laws, but we cannot resist natural ones." Captain Nemo had chosen a strange moment for uttering this philosophical reflection. On the whole, his answer helped me little. "May I ask, sir, the cause of this accident?" "An enormous block of ice, a whole mountain, has turned over," he replied. "When icebergs are undermined at their base by warmer water or reiterated shocks their centre of gravity rises, and the whole thing turns over. This is what has happened; one of these blocks, as it fell, struck the Nautilus, then, gliding under its hull, raised it with irresistible force, bringing it into beds which are not so thick, where it is lying on its side." "But can we not get the Nautilus off by emptying its reservoirs, that it might regain its equilibrium?" "That, sir, is being done at this moment. You can hear the pump working. Look at the needle of the manometer; it shows that the Nautilus is rising, but the blo
ck of ice is floating with it; and, until some obstacle stops its ascending motion, our position cannot be altered." Indeed, the Nautilus still held the same position to starboard; doubtless it would right itself when the block stopped. But at this moment who knows if we may not be frightfully crushed between the two glassy surfaces? I reflected on all the consequences of our position. Captain Nemo never took his eyes off the manometer. Since the fall of the iceberg, the Nautilus had risen about a hundred and fifty feet, but it still made the same angle with the perpendicular. Suddenly a slight movement was felt in the hold. Evidently it was righting a little. Things hanging in the saloon were sensibly returning to their normal position. The partitions were nearing the upright. No one spoke. With beating hearts we watched and felt the straightening. The boards became horizontal under our feet. Ten minutes passed. "At last we have righted!" I exclaimed. "Yes," said Captain Nemo, going to the door of the saloon. "But are we floating?" I asked. "Certainly," he replied; "since the reservoirs are not empty; and, when empty, the Nautilus must rise to the surface of the sea." We were in open sea; but at a distance of about ten yards, on either side of the Nautilus, rose a dazzling wall of ice. Above and beneath the same wall. Above, because the lower surface of the iceberg stretched over us like an immense ceiling. Beneath, because the overturned block, having slid by degrees, had found a resting-place on the lateral walls, which kept it in that position. The Nautilus was really imprisoned in a perfect tunnel of ice more than twenty yards in breadth, filled with quiet water. It was easy to get out of it by going either forward or backward, and then make a free passage under the iceberg, some hundreds of yards deeper. The luminous ceiling had been extinguished, but the saloon was still resplendent with intense light. It was the powerful reflection from the glass partition sent violently back to the sheets of the
lantern. I cannot describe the effect of the voltaic rays upon the great blocks so capriciously cut; upon every angle, every ridge, every facet was thrown a different light, according to the nature of the veins running through the ice; a dazzling mine of gems, particularly of sapphires, their blue rays crossing with the green of the emerald. Here and there were opal shades of wonderful softness, running through bright spots like diamonds of fire, the brilliancy of which the eye could not bear. The power of the lantern seemed increased a hundredfold, like a lamp through the lenticular plates of a first-class lighthouse. "How beautiful! how beautiful!" cried Conseil. "Yes," I said, "it is a wonderful sight. Is it not, Ned?" "Yes, confound it! Yes," answered Ned Land, "it is superb! I am mad at being obliged to admit it. No one has ever seen anything like it; but the sight may cost us dear. And, if I must say all, I think we are seeing here things which God never intended man to see." Ned was right, it was too beautiful. Suddenly a cry from Conseil made me turn. "What is it?" I asked. "Shut your eyes, sir! Do not look, sir!" Saying which, Conseil clapped his hands over his eyes. "But what is the matter, my boy?" "I am dazzled, blinded." My eyes turned involuntarily towards the glass, but I could not stand the fire which seemed to devour them. I understood what had happened. The Nautilus had put on full speed. All the quiet lustre of the ice-walls was at once changed into flashes of lightning. The fire from these myriads of diamonds was blinding. It required some time to calm our troubled looks. At last the hands were taken down. "Faith, I should never have believed it," said Conseil. It was then five in the morning; and at that moment a shock was felt at the bows of the Nautilus. I knew that its spur had struck a block of ice. It must have been a false manoeuvre, for this submarine tunnel, obstructed by blocks, was not very easy navigation. I thought that Captain Nemo, by changing his course, would 
either turn these obstacles or else follow the windings of the tunnel. In any case, the road before us could not be entirely blocked. But, contrary to my expectations, the Nautilus took a decided retrograde motion. "We are going backwards?" said Conseil. "Yes," I replied. "This end of the tunnel can have no egress." "And then?" "Then," said I, "the working is easy. We must go back again, and go out at the southern opening. That is all." In speaking thus, I wished to appear more confident than I really was. But the retrograde motion of the Nautilus was increasing; and, reversing the screw, it carried us at great speed. "It will be a hindrance," said Ned. "What does it matter, some hours more or less, provided we get out at last?" "Yes," repeated Ned Land, "provided we do get out at last!" For a short time I walked from the saloon to the library. My companions were silent. I soon threw myself on an ottoman, and took a book, which my eyes overran mechanically. A quarter of an hour after, Conseil, approaching me, said, "Is what you are reading very interesting, sir?" "Very interesting!" I replied. "I should think so, sir. It is your own book you are reading." "My book?" And indeed I was holding in my hand the work on the Great Submarine Depths. I did not even dream of it. I closed the book and returned to my walk. Ned and Conseil rose to go. "Stay here, my friends," said I, detaining them. "Let us remain together until we are out of this block." "As you please, sir," Conseil replied.
Some hours passed. I often looked at the instruments hanging from the partition. The manometer showed that the Nautilus kept at a constant depth of more than three hundred yards; the compass still pointed to south; the log indicated a speed of twenty miles an hour, which, in such a cramped space, was very great. But Captain Nemo knew that he could not hasten too much, and that minutes were worth ages to us. At twenty-five minutes past eight a second shock took place, this time from behind. I turned pale. My companions were close by my side. I seized Conseil's hand. Our looks expressed our feelings better than words. At this moment the Captain entered the saloon. I went up to him. "Our course is barred southward?" I asked. "Yes, sir. The iceberg has shifted and closed every outlet." "We are blocked up then?" "Yes."
第二夭，3月22日早晨六点，诺第留斯号准备开走。
清晨的最后曙光没人黑暗中去了。天气很冷。各星座在天空中照耀，特别明亮，天空的顶点有那辉煌的南宿，那是南冰洋地区的极星。
温度表降到零下十二度，寒风吹来，刺人肌骨。冰群在：流动的水上愈来愈多了。海面渐渐冻结。无数灰黑的冰块摆在水面上，这表示新的冰层形成了。很显然，南极的海面在冬季六个月全是结冰的，绝对无法通过。这个时期鲸鱼类怎样呢？当然它们从冰山下面出去，找寻比较适宜居住的海水。至于海豹和海马，习惯了严寒的天气，是仍然留在这冰天雪地中的。这些动物天赋有本能在这冰场中挖掘洞穴，老是让洞门敞开，它们可以到洞口来呼吸。鸟类被寒冷所迫，迁移到北方去。这时只有这些哺乳类动物是这南极大陆的唯一主人。
这时，储水池装满了，诺第留斯号慢慢下降。到一千英尺深的时候，它停下来。它的推进器搅动海水，以每小时十五海里的速度直向北方行驶。晚上，它已经驶到冰山下边巨大的冰冻甲壳下面了。
为了谨慎起见，客厅的嵌板完全关闭起来。这是因为诺第留斯号船壳可能碰到一些沉在水中的冰块。因此，我这一天的时间完全在整理我的笔记。我心中总是想着在南极点的情形。我到达了这个人迹不到的地点，不觉得疲倦，没有任何危险，就像火车厢在铁轨上溜过去一样，现在是归途了。还有什么相类似的新鲜惊奇的事等待着我吗？我想还有，海底神奇真是层出不穷呢！可是，自从偶然的讥会把我们送到这只船上的五个半月来，我们已经走了一万四千里，在这比地球赤道线还长的旅途上，有多少或新奇或可怕的偶然事件使得我们的旅行惊心动魄，兴味无穷呀。克列斯波林中打猎，托列斯海峡搁浅，珊瑚墓地，锡兰采珠，阿拉伯海底地道，桑多林火海，维哥湾亿万金银，大西洋洲，南极！夜间，所有这些忆念，梦一般连续过去，使我的脑子一刻也不能安歇。
早晨三点，我被一下猛烈的冲击惊醒。我立即起来坐在床上，黑暗里细心听，这时候，我突然被抛到房子中间去。
很显然，诺第留斯号是在碰上什么后，发生了很厉害的倾斜了。我靠着墙板，沿着墙到走廊，从走廊慢慢到客厅，厅里面有天花板上的灯光照得通明。桌倚家具都翻倒了。很运气，那些玻璃柜下部钉得结实，没有倒下来。船左舷挂的图画，由于垂直线转移，都贴在绣花挂毡上，挂在右舷上，下西的框缘离开一英尺远，诺第留斯号是靠右舷倒下来，并且完全不动了。在船内部，我听到脚步的声响和嘈杂的人声。
但尼摩船长没有出来。我正要离开客厅的时候，尼德•兰和康塞尔进来了。
“发生什么事了？"我立即问他们。
“我正来问先生呢。”康塞尔回答。
“怪呀！”加拿大人喊，“我很知道这事！诺第留斯号碰上什么了，从它躺下的情况来判断，我想这一次不象上一次在托列斯海峡中，它不能脱身了。”
“不过，”我问，“它至少是回到水面上来了吧？”
“我不知道。”康塞尔回答。
“这事很容易确定。”我说。
我看压力表，我非常惊异，表指着三百六十米深的水层“这是怎么说呢？”我喊。
“需要问一下尼摩船长。”康塞尔说。
“到哪里去找他呢？”尼德•兰问。
“你们跟我来。”我对我的两个同伴说。
我们离开客厅。图书室中，没有人。中央楼梯边，船员工作室，没有人。我想或者尼摩船长是在领航人的笼间中，最好还是等待着。我们三人又回客厅来。我这里不讲加拿大人如何咒骂。这是他动火的好机会，我让他的坏脾气尽情发泄，不回答他一句。
我们这样过了二十分钟，同时竭力想法听到诺第留斯号里面发生的一些最轻微的声音，这时候，尼摩船长进来。
他好像没有看见我们。他的面容经常是很镇定没有表情的。现在露出一些不安的情绪。他静静地看看罗盘、压力表，手指放在平面图上的一点，就是地图上表出南冰洋的这一部分。
我不想打断他的思路。直到过了一刻，当他向我转过身子来的时候，我才拿他在托列斯海峡对我说的一句话，反过来问他：“船长，是偶然事件吗？"“不，”他答，“先生，这一次是意外事件。”
“很严重吗？"
“可能很严重。”
“立即有危险吗？”
“没有。”
“诺第留斯号触礁了吗？”
“是的。”
“这次触礁是怎么搞的呢？……”
“是由于大自然的任性胡来，而不是由于人们的笨拙无能。在我们的指挥驾驶中，并没有犯一点错误。可是，我们不能阻止平衡力不发生这种效果。人们可以冒犯人为的法则，但不能抵抗自然的法则。”
尼摩船长选择这时候来作这种哲学思考，真是太离奇了。总之，他的答复对我没有什么帮助。
“先生，”我问，“我可以知道这件事故发生的原因吗？"“一群巨大的冰，整整一座冰山，翻倒下来了，”他回答我，“当冰山下面或受温热的水流，或受来回的冲击耗损的时候，它们的重心就往上移。那时它们就大大的翻转，它门翻筋斗了。现在的情形就是这样。其中有一大冰群，翻倒的时候，碰上了在水底行驶的诺第留斯号。然后在船身下溜过，又拿不可抗拒的力量把船顶起来，这冰群把船带到浅一些的水层，靠在船身上不动了。”
“我们把储水池的水排出去，使船重新得到平衡，诺第留斯号不就能脱身吗？”
“目前就是做这种工作，先生。您可以听到抽水机正在那里动作。请看压力表上的针，它指出诺第留斯号正在上升，但冰群跟它一齐向上，一直要到它的向上运动被一件障碍物挡住，我们的地位才可能改变。”
果然，诺第留斯号老是右舷同样倾斜倒在那里。当然p冰群自己停下的时候，船就可以站起来。但在这个时候，谁知道我们会不会碰上冰山的上部，被挤在两个冰面中间呢？
我思考我们所处的地位可能发生的一切后果。船长不停注视压力表。诺第留斯号自冰群倒下来，只上升了一百五十英尺左右，但它跟垂直线所成的角度总是一样。忽然船壳上感到一种轻微运动。很显然，诺第留斯号是站起一点来了。悬挂在客厅中的东西分明恢复了它们原来的地位。墙板接近垂直。我们中间没有谁说话。心跳动着，我们看着，我们感到船竖起来。地板在我们脚下又变为横平面了。十分钟过了。“究竟我们直起来了！”我喊。
“对。”尼摩船长说，同时他向客厅门走去。：“不过我们能往上浮吗？”我问他。
“当然能往上浮，”他回答，“因为储水池还没有排水，排水后，诺第留斯号自然浮上海面来。”
船长走了，我不久看见，人们得到他的命令，诺第留斯号的上升停止了。是的，它可能碰上冰山的下部，让它留在水中是好些。
“我们侥幸出险了！”康塞尔于是说。
“是的，我们可能在这些冰块间被压扁，至少被困往。
那时，因为不能调换空气，……是的，我们侥幸出险了！"“让它完蛋好了！”加拿大人低声咕噜着。
我不想跟加拿大人作无益的争辩，我并不回答。并且，嵌板在这时候打开，外面的光线通过嵌板的玻璃时进来。
我们完全在水中，像我说过的一般；不过，在诺第留斯号的两边，相距十米左右，各竖起一道雪白眩目的冰墙。船上下两方，也有同样的冰墙。船上面，因为冰山的下层冰面遮起来，像宽阔的天花板。船下面，因为翻倒下去的冰块慢恨溜下去，在两侧的冰墙上找到一个支点，维持它目前的这种地位。诺第留斯号是被困在真正的冰的地洞中了，这地涧有二十米左右宽，里面是平静的水。所以，它出来并不困难，或向前进，或向后退，然后再往下数百米左右，在冰山下面找到一条通路就可以了。
光亮的天花板熄灭了，可是，客厅中有辉煌的光线照明。那是四面冰墙的强烈反射，把探照灯的光波猛烈反射进客厅中来。电光在这些任意割切的冰群上所发生的力量，我简直不能描写，冰上的每一角度，每一条棱，每一个面，按着分布在冰上的线脉的性质，发出种种不同的光线。
这是珠宝玉石的眩人眼目的矿藏，特别是青王的矿藏，蓝宝石的蓝光和玻璃翠的碧光交织起来。处处有无限柔和的蛋白色调，散布在晶莹的尖点中间，就像有许多双目不能逼视的辉煌钻石一样。探照灯的光力增大了百倍，像灯光通过了一级灯塔的凸形镜片那样。
“真美！真美！”康塞尔喊起来。
“是！真美！”我说，“十分好看的景象。尼德，是不是“暖！是的！真美！”尼德•兰回答说，“真华美！真壮丽！我很恨自己，我不能不这样说了。人们从没有看过这样的景象。不过这景象可能要我们付出很大的代价。如果我要尽情说出来，那我想，我们眼前看见的事物是上帝不许人的眼睛看见的！”
尼德。兰说得对。真是太美了。忽然，康塞尔的喊声使我回过身子来。我问：“什么事？”
“先生闭眼睛吧！先生不要看吧！”
康塞尔说这活的时候，急急把手遮住眼皮。
“老实人，你怎么啦？”
“我眼花了，我看不见了！”
我的眼光不期然而然地向玻璃边看去，但我吃不住那侵蚀玻璃的火光。
我明白事情经过的原因了。诺第留斯号正在快速度地开行；所有冰墙上的静穆的光辉于是变为雷电闪闪的光芒。
这无数亿万钻石的晶光混和起来了。诺第留斯号受它的帆轮推动，是在电光熔炉中行驶了。
那时客厅的嵌板又闭起来。当我们的眼睛受到阳光过度猛烈的照射，眼膜上就浮游着强力集中的光线，我们现在的情形正是这样，我们把两手按在眼睛上。要过些时候才能把我们眼中的纷乱安静下来。后来，我们的手放下来了。
“天哪，我从没有想到呢！”康塞尔说。
“我也还不能想到呢！”加拿大人回答。
“当我们回到地上的时候，”康塞尔又说，"看惯了这许多自然界的神奇，对于陆地上那些贫乏可怜的人手造的简陋小东西，我们将怎么想呢！不！人居住的世界对于我们来说，真是不配了，不值得我们注意了！”
这样的语句从一个冷淡的佛兰蒙人口中说出来，表示我们是兴奋到了如何沸腾的程度。可是加拿大人乘机浇下一盆冷水。
“人居住的世界！”他摇摇头说，“你放心吧，康塞尔朋友。我们不能回去的了！”
那时是早晨五点。这时候，诺第留斯号的前端发生一次冲撞。我明白那是它的冲角碰上了一大群冰。这可能是由于一时驾驶不准，因为这条海底地道受冰群的堵塞，并不容易航行。因此我想，尼摩船长是在改变路线，或绕过这些障碍物，或沿着地道的弯折处驶去。总之，船的前进是不能完全被阻止的。但是，完全出我意料之外，诺第留斯号显然是向后倒退而行了。
“我们倒回去吗？”康塞尔说。
“是的，”我回答，“恐怕这一边，地道是没有出口了。”
“那么？……”
“那么，”我说，“船行很简单。我们倒退回去，我们从南口出去就完了。”
我这样说是想表示我心里很安定，但实际上并不如此。
这时诺第留斯号倒退着开行，速度愈来愈快，机轮倒着转，带着我们如飞而去。
“要耽搁时间了。”尼德•兰说。
“早几个钟头，或晚几个钟头没关系，只要能出来就我从客厅到图书室来回地走了一些时候。我的同伴们坐着，一言不发。不久我躺在长沙发上，拿着一本书，两眼机械地看下去。一刻钟后，康塞尔走近前来，对我说：“先生看的书很有趣吗？”
“很有趣。"我回答。
“我想是很有趣。先生看的书是先生写的书哩！”
“我写的书吗？”
正是，我手中拿着的是那本《海底的神秘》。我真是没有想到呢。我把书合起来，我又来回地走起来了。尼德•兰和康塞尔两人站起来，要走开。
“朋友们，请留下，”我拉住他们说，“我们留在直到我们退出这条走不通的道路。"几小时过去了，我时常看那挂在客厅墙壁上的机械压力表指出，诺第留斯号保持在三百米深的一定水层中，罗盘总是指向南，测程器的记录是速度每小时二十海里，在紧窄的水道中来说，这是过快的速度。尼摩船长知道船行不能过快，但这时候，几分钟简直等于几世纪呢。
八点二十五分，第二次冲捡发生了。这一次是在船后部。我面色发白了。我的同伴们走到我身边来。我拉着康塞尔的手。我们面面相觑，拿眼光来代替说话，这比用语言来表示我们的思想，好像更为直接些，这个时候，尼摩船长走进厅中来，我迎向前去。我问他：“南边的路也堵住了吗？”
“是的，先生。冰山翻倒的时候把所有的出口都堵住了。”
“我们是被封锁了吗？”
“是的。"
Part 2 Chapter 16
Thus around the Nautilus, above and below, was an impenetrable wall of ice. We were prisoners to the iceberg. I watched the Captain. His countenance had resumed its habitual imperturbability. "Gentlemen," he said calmly, "there are two ways of dying in the circumstances in which we are placed." (This puzzling person had the air of a mathematical professor lecturing to his pupils.) "The first is to be crushed; the second is to die of suffocation. I do not speak of the possibility of dying of hunger, for the supply of provisions in the Nautilus will certainly last longer than we shall. Let us, then, calculate our chances." "As to suffocation, Captain," I replied, "that is not to be feared, because our reservoirs are full." "Just so; but they will only yield two days' supply of air. Now, for thirty-six hours we have been hidden under the water, and already the heavy atmosphere of the Nautilus requires renewal. In forty-eight hours our reserve will be exhausted." "Well, Captain, can we be delivered before forty-eight hours?" "We will attempt it, at least, by piercing the wall that surrounds us." "On which side?" "Sound will tell us. I am going to run the Nautilus aground on the lower bank, and my men will attack the iceberg on the side that is least thick." Captain Nemo went out. Soon I discovered by a hissing noise that the water was entering the reservoirs. The Nautilus sank slowly, and rested on the ice at a depth of 350 yards, the depth at which the lower bank was immersed. "My friends," I said, "our situation is serious, but I rely on your courage and energy." "Sir," replied the Canadian, "I am ready to do anything for the general safety." "Good! Ned," and I held out my hand to the Canadian. "I will add," he continued, "that, being as handy with the pickaxe as with the harpoon, if I can be useful to the Captain, he can command my services." "He will not refuse your help. Come, Ned!" I led him to the room where the crew of the Nautilus were putting on their cork-jackets. I told the Captain of Ned's propo
sal, which he accepted. The Canadian put on his sea-costume, and was ready as soon as his companions. When Ned was dressed, I re-entered the drawing-room, where the panes of glass were open, and, posted near Conseil, I examined the ambient beds that supported the Nautilus. Some instants after, we saw a dozen of the crew set foot on the bank of ice, and among them Ned Land, easily known by his stature. Captain Nemo was with them. Before proceeding to dig the walls, he took the soundings, to be sure of working in the right direction. Long sounding lines were sunk in the side walls, but after fifteen yards they were again stopped by the thick wall. It was useless to attack it on the ceiling-like surface, since the iceberg itself measured more than 400 yards in height. Captain Nemo then sounded the lower surface. There ten yards of wall separated us from the water, so great was the thickness of the ice-field. It was necessary, therefore, to cut from it a piece equal in extent to the waterline of the Nautilus. There were about 6,000 cubic yards to detach, so as to dig a hole by which we could descend to the ice-field. The work had begun immediately and carried on with indefatigable energy. Instead of digging round the Nautilus which would have involved greater difficulty, Captain Nemo had an immense trench made at eight yards from the port-quarter. Then the men set to work simultaneously with their screws on several points of its circumference. Presently the pickaxe attacked this compact matter vigorously, and large blocks were detached from the mass. By a curious effect of specific gravity, these blocks, lighter than water, fled, so to speak, to the vault of the tunnel, that increased in thickness at the top in proportion as it diminished at the base. But that mattered little, so long as the lower part grew thinner. After two hours' hard work, Ned Land came in exhausted. He and his comrades were replaced by new workers, whom Conseil and I joined. The second lieutenant of the Nautilus superintended us. The water 
seemed singularly cold, but I soon got warm handling the pickaxe. My movements were free enough, although they were made under a pressure of thirty atmospheres. When I re-entered, after working two hours, to take some food and rest, I found a perceptible difference between the pure fluid with which the Rouquayrol engine supplied me and the atmosphere of the Nautilus, already charged with carbonic acid. The air had not been renewed for forty-eight hours, and its vivifying qualities were considerably enfeebled. However, after a lapse of twelve hours, we had only raised a block of ice one yard thick, on the marked surface, which was about 600 cubic yards! Reckoning that it took twelve hours to accomplish this much it would take five nights and four days to bring this enterprise to a satisfactory conclusion. Five nights and four days! And we have only air enough for two days in the reservoirs! "Without taking into account," said Ned, "that, even if we get out of this infernal prison, we shall also be imprisoned under the iceberg, shut out from all possible communication with the atmosphere." True enough! Who could then foresee the minimum of time necessary for our deliverance? We might be suffocated before the Nautilus could regain the surface of the waves? Was it destined to perish in this ice-tomb, with all those it enclosed? The situation was terrible. But everyone had looked the danger in the face, and each was determined to do his duty to the last.
As I expected, during the night a new block a yard square was carried away, and still further sank the immense hollow. But in the morning when, dressed in my cork-jacket, I traversed the slushy mass at a temperature of six or seven degrees below zero, I remarked that the side walls were gradually closing in. The beds of water farthest from the trench, that were not warmed by the men's work, showed a tendency to solidification. In presence of this new and imminent danger, what would become of our chances of safety, and how hinder the solidification of this liquid medium, that would burst the partitions of the Nautilus like glass? I did not tell my companions of this new danger. What was the good of damping the energy they displayed in the painful work of escape? But when I went on board again, I told Captain Nemo of this grave complication. "I know it," he said, in that calm tone which could counteract the most terrible apprehensions. "It is one danger more; but I see no way of escaping it; the only chance of safety is to go quicker than solidification. We must be beforehand with it, that is all." On this day for several hours I used my pickaxe vigorously. The work kept me up. Besides, to work was to quit the Nautilus, and breathe directly the pure air drawn from the reservoirs, and supplied by our apparatus, and to quit the impoverished and vitiated atmosphere. Towards evening the trench was dug one yard deeper. When I returned on board, I was nearly suffocated by the carbonic acid with which the air was filled--ah! if we had only the chemical means to drive away this deleterious gas. We had plenty of oxygen; all this water contained a considerable quantity, and by dissolving it with our powerful piles, it would restore the vivifying fluid. I had thought well over it; but of what good was that, since the carbonic acid produced by our respiration had invaded every part of the vessel? To absorb it, it was necessary to fill some jars with caustic potash, and to shake them incessantly. Now this substance was
wanting on board, and nothing could replace it. On that evening, Captain Nemo ought to open the taps of his reservoirs, and let some pure air into the interior of the Nautilus; without this precaution we could not get rid of the sense of suffocation. The next day, March 26th, I resumed my miner's work in beginning the fifth yard. The side walls and the lower surface of the iceberg thickened visibly. It was evident that they would meet before the Nautilus was able to disengage itself. Despair seized me for an instant; my pickaxe nearly fell from my hands. What was the good of digging if I must be suffocated, crushed by the water that was turning into stone?--a punishment that the ferocity of the savages even would not have invented! Just then Captain Nemo passed near me. I touched his hand and showed him the walls of our prison. The wall to port had advanced to at least four yards from the hull of the Nautilus. The Captain understood me, and signed me to follow him. We went on board. I took off my cork-jacket and accompanied him into the drawing-room. "M. Aronnax, we must attempt some desperate means, or we shall be sealed up in this solidified water as in cement." "Yes; but what is to be done?" "Ah! if my Nautilus were strong enough to bear this pressure without being crushed!" "Well?" I asked, not catching the Captain's idea. "Do you not understand," he replied, "that this congelation of water will help us? Do you not see that by its solidification, it would burst through this field of ice that imprisons us, as, when it freezes, it bursts the hardest stones? Do you not perceive that it would be an agent of safety instead of destruction?" "Yes, Captain, perhaps. But, whatever resistance to crushing the Nautilus possesses, it could not support this terrible pressure, and would be flattened like an iron plate." "I know it, sir. Therefore we must not reckon on the aid of nature, but on our own exertions. We must stop this solidification. Not only will the side walls be pressed together; but there is not
ten feet of water before or behind the Nautilus. The congelation gains on us on all sides." "How long will the air in the reservoirs last for us to breathe on board?" The Captain looked in my face. "After to-morrow they will be empty!" A cold sweat came over me. However, ought I to have been astonished at the answer? On March 22, the Nautilus was in the open polar seas. We were at 26". For five days we had lived on the reserve on board. And what was left of the respirable air must be kept for the workers. Even now, as I write, my recollection is still so vivid that an involuntary terror seizes me and my lungs seem to be without air. Meanwhile, Captain Nemo reflected silently, and evidently an idea had struck him; but he seemed to reject it. At last, these words escaped his lips: "Boiling water!" he muttered. "Boiling water?" I cried. "Yes, sir. We are enclosed in a space that is relatively confined. Would not jets of boiling water, constantly injected by the pumps, raise the temperature in this part and stay the congelation?" "Let us try it," I said resolutely. "Let us try it, Professor." The thermometer then stood at 7" outside. Captain Nemo took me to the galleys, where the vast distillatory machines stood that furnished the drinkable water by evaporation. They filled these with water, and all the electric heat from the piles was thrown through the worms bathed in the liquid. In a few minutes this water reached 100". It was directed towards the pumps, while fresh water replaced it in proportion. The heat developed by the troughs was such that cold water, drawn up from the sea after only having gone through the machines, came boiling into the body of the pump. The injection was begun, and three hours after the thermometer marked 6" below zero outside. One degree was gained. Two hours later the thermometer only marked 4". "We shall succeed," I said to the Captain, after having anxiously watched the result of the operation. "I think," he answered, "that we shall not be crushed. We have no more suffocatio
n to fear." During the night the temperature of the water rose to 1" below zero. The injections could not carry it to a higher point. But, as the congelation of the sea-water produces at least 2", I was at least reassured against the dangers of solidification.
The next day, March 27th, six yards of ice had been cleared, twelve feet only remaining to be cleared away. There was yet forty-eight hours' work. The air could not be renewed in the interior of the Nautilus. And this day would make it worse. An intolerable weight oppressed me. Towards three o'clock in the evening this feeling rose to a violent degree. Yawns dislocated my jaws. My lungs panted as they inhaled this burning fluid, which became rarefied more and more. A moral torpor took hold of me. I was powerless, almost unconscious. My brave Conseil, though exhibiting the same symptoms and suffering in the same manner, never left me. He took my hand and encouraged me, and I heard him murmur, "Oh! if I could only not breathe, so as to leave more air for my master!" Tears came into my eyes on hearing him speak thus. If our situation to all was intolerable in the interior, with what haste and gladness would we put on our cork-jackets to work in our turn! Pickaxes sounded on the frozen ice-beds. Our arms ached, the skin was torn off our hands. But what were these fatigues, what did the wounds matter? Vital air came to the lungs! We breathed! we breathed!
All this time no one prolonged his voluntary task beyond the prescribed time. His task accomplished, each one handed in turn to his panting companions the apparatus that supplied him with life. Captain Nemo set the example, and submitted first to this severe discipline. When the time came, he gave up his apparatus to another and returned to the vitiated air on board, calm, unflinching, unmurmuring.
On that day the ordinary work was accomplished with unusual vigour. Only two yards remained to be raised from the surface. Two yards only separated us from the open sea. But the reservoirs were nearly emptied of air. The little that remained ought to be kept for the workers; not a particle for the Nautilus. When I went back on board, I was half suffocated. What a night! I know not how to describe it. The next day my breathing was oppressed. Dizziness accompanied the pain in my head and made me like a drunken man. My companions showed the same symptoms. Some of the crew had rattling in the throat. On that day, the sixth of our imprisonment, Captain Nemo, finding the pickaxes work too slowly, resolved to crush the ice-bed that still separated us from the liquid sheet. This man's coolness and energy never forsook him. He subdued his physical pains by moral force.
By his orders the vessel was lightened, that is to say, raised from the ice-bed by a change of specific gravity. When it floated they towed it so as to bring it above the immense trench made on the level of the water-line. Then, filling his reservoirs of water, he descended and shut himself up in the hole.
Just then all the crew came on board, and the double door of communication was shut. The Nautilus then rested on the bed of ice, which was not one yard thick, and which the sounding leads had perforated in a thousand places. The taps of the reservoirs were then opened, and a hundred cubic yards of water was let in, increasing the weight of the Nautilus to 1,800 tons. We waited, we listened, forgetting our sufferings in hope. Our safety depended on this last chance. Notwithstanding the buzzing in my head, I soon heard the humming sound under the hull of the Nautilus. The ice cracked with a singular noise, like tearing paper, and the Nautilus sank. "We are off!" murmured Conseil in my ear.
I could not answer him. I seized his hand, and pressed it convulsively. All at once, carried away by its frightful overcharge, the Nautilus sank like a bullet under the waters, that is to say, it fell as if it was in a vacuum. Then all the electric force was put on the pumps, that soon began to let the water out of the reservoirs. After some minutes, our fall was stopped. Soon, too, the manometer indicated an ascending movement. The screw, going at full speed, made the iron hull tremble to its very bolts and drew us towards the north. But if this floating under the iceberg is to last another day before we reach the open sea, I shall be dead first. Half stretched upon a divan in the library, I was suffocating. My face was purple, my lips blue, my faculties suspended. I neither saw nor heard. All notion of time had gone from my mind. My muscles could not contract. I do not know how many hours passed thus, but I was conscious of the agony that was coming over me. I felt as if I was going to die. Suddenly I came to. Some breaths of air penetrated my lungs. Had we risen to the surface of the waves? Were we free of the iceberg? No! Ned and Conseil, my two brave friends, were sacrificing themselves to save me. Some particles of air still remained at the bottom of one apparatus. Instead of using it, they had kept it for me, and, while they were being suffocated, they gave me life, drop by drop. I wanted to push back the thing; they held my hands, and for some moments I breathed freely. I looked at the clock; it was eleven in the morning. It ought to be the 28th of March. The Nautilus went at a frightful pace, forty miles an hour. It literally tore through the water. Where was Captain Nemo? Had he succumbed? Were his companions dead with him? At the moment the manometer indicated that we were not more than twenty feet from the surface. A mere plate of ice separated us from the atmosphere. Could we not break it? Perhaps. In any case the Nautilus was going to attempt it. I felt that it was in an oblique 
position, lowering the stern, and raising the bows. The introduction of water had been the means of disturbing its equilibrium. Then, impelled by its powerful screw, it attacked the ice-field from beneath like a formidable battering-ram. It broke it by backing and then rushing forward against the field, which gradually gave way; and at last, dashing suddenly against it, shot forwards on the ice-field, that crushed beneath its weight. The panel was opened--one might say torn off--and the pure air came in in abundance to all parts of the Nautilus.
这样，诺第留斯号的四周，上面下面，都是不可通过的冰墙。我们是冰山的俘虏了。加拿大人把他的粗大拳头拍打着桌子。康塞尔沉默不言。我眼盯着船长。他的面容又恢复了平常的冷淡、严肃，他两手交叉着，他心中思考。诺第留斯号不动了。船长于是发言了，他声音镇定地说：“先生们，在我们目前所处的情况下，有两种死的方式。"这个神秘人物好像一位数学教员，给他的学生作算术问题的解答。他又说：“第一种死的方式是被压死。第二种是被闷死。我不说有饿死的可能，因为诺第留斯号储藏的粮食一定比我们还能耐久一些。因此我们来考虑一下压死或闷死的可能性“船长，”我回答说。"至于闷死那是不用怕的，因为我的储藏库有满满的空气。"“对，”船长说，“可是这些空气只能使用两天，现在我潜入水中已经有三十六小时了，诺第留斯号的重浊空气经需要调换。到四十八小时，我们储藏的空气就用完“那么，船长，我们想法在四十八小时前脱身就是了。"“至少，我们要想法试一下，把围住我们的冰墙凿开。"“从哪一面凿呢？"我问。
“那探测器可以使我知道。我把诺第留斯号搁浅在下部冰层，我的船员穿上潜水衣，从冰墙最薄的地方凿开冰山。”
“可以把客厅的嵌板打开来吗？"
“没有什么不可以。船已经不行驶了。”
尼摩船长走了。不久发出哨声，我知道海水吸入储水池中。诺第留斯号慢慢下沉，停在三百五十米深的冰底下，这是冰山下部冰层潜入水底的深度。
“朋友们，”我说，“情形很是严重，但我相信你们能拿出你们的勇气和力量来。”
“先生，”加拿大人回答我，“现在不是拿责骂来惹您讨厌的时候。我准备为大家共同的安全牺牲一切。”
“好，尼德。”我伸手给加拿大人说。
“我又要说，”他补充说，“我使铁锨和使鱼叉一样灵活，如果我可能对船长有用，请他随便吩咐我吧。”
“他一定不拒绝您的帮助。请跟我来，尼德。”
我带加拿大人到诺第留斯号的船员穿潜水衣的房子中。我把尼德•兰的提议告诉船长，船长接受了。加拿大人穿上他的海中衣服，不久就跟他的工作同伴们一样准备好了。每人背上一个卢格罗尔的空气箱，由储藏库供应了大量的纯空气。对诺第留斯号的空气储藏库来说，这是大量的，然而是必要的支出。至于兰可夫灯，在这满是电光的明亮海水中间是没有用的。
当尼德装备好了，我回到客厅，厅中的嵌板都开了，我站在康塞尔旁边，细看那顶住诺第留斯号的周围冰层。
几分钟后，我们看见十多个船员下到冰地上，其中有尼德•兰，由于他的身材高大，很容易认出。尼摩船长跟他门在一起。
在进行穿凿冰墙之前，他让人先做种种探测，保证工作是向顺利方面进行。很长的探测绳放人上下两面的冰墙。
上面到了十五米，仍然被厚冰墙挡住，所以从上层冰板来厂凿是不成的，因为那就是四百米高的冰山本身。尼摩船长于是使人探测下部冰层的厚度。下部有十米厚的冰板把我们跟海水隔开。就是这片冰场有十米厚。自后就是要把冰场凿开一片，大小等于诺第留斯号从浮标线上来计算的面积。要凿开这么一个大孔，我们可以从这孔下到这冰地的下面去，那大约需挖掘六千五百立方米的冰。
工作立即开始，以十分坚持的顽强力气来进行。不是在诺第留斯号周围挖掘，这样可能带来更大的困难，尼摩船长是另外在距船左舷八米远的地方画了一个巨大的圆圈他的人员就在这圆圈的周围数处同时挖掘，不久，铁锨很有劲的打进了坚硬的冰，一块一块的冰从冰场凿开来。由于体重的新奇作用，这些冰块没有水重，它们于是飞跑到冰们顶上去了，这样一来，下面是减薄，上面就增厚了。但没关系，下层的冰总是削薄了。
经过两小时的努力工作，尼德•兰疲倦不堪地回来。
他的同伴们和他，由别的人员替代，康塞尔和我，我们这次也加入。诺第留斯号的船副来指导我们。我觉得海水特别冷，但我挥动铁锨，不久就暖和了。我的动作虽然在三十度气压下面进行，但是很轻松自在。
当我工作了两小时，回来吃点东西，休息一会儿的时候，我觉得卢格罗尔气箱供应我的纯洁空气，跟已经很多碳酸气的诺第留斯号船中的大气，很为不同。空气自四十八小时来没有调换，它的刺激兴奋力量已经很薄弱。可是，过了十二小时，我们在画出的冰面上，只挖去了厚一米的冰，就是约六百立方米的冰。假定每十二小时可以做同样工作，把这个工作好好的完成，还要五夜和四天的工夫。
“五夜和四天的工夫！”我对我的同伴们说，“但在储藏库中我们只有够用两天的空””“并且，”尼德。兰回答，“又没有算上我们脱离了这座魔鬼监牢后，我们可能还要被禁在冰山下，仍不能立即跟上面的大气相交通！”
这是正确的想法。那时谁能预料我们得救所需要的最小限度的时间是多少呢？在诺第留斯号可能回到水面之前，缺乏氧气不是就把我们窒息死了吗？难道这船是连同它载上的所有的人都注定死在这冰的坟墓中吗？看来情形十分可怕。但人人都正视它，人人都决心尽各人的责任，坚持到底。
照我的预见，在夜间，又有一片一米厚的冰从这巨大的圆圈中挖去。但是，到了早晨，当我穿上了潜水衣，在零下六、七度温度下，走过海水时，我看到旁边的冰墙渐渐地连接起来了。在水坑中远一点的水，因为人的劳力和工具的作用不能使它温热，现出要冻结的情势。面前发生了这个新的危险，我们得救的机会将是怎样呢？这种海水中间的冻结作用，可能把诺第留斯号的船壳像玻璃一样压碎，怎样加以防止呢？
我并不让我的两个同伴知道这个危险，以免他们做这种辛苦救护工作的勇气受到打击。不过，当我回到船上的时候，我向尼摩船长提出，要他注意这种严重的复杂情形。
“我知道这事，”他对我说，他总是这样，最可怕的意外也不能更改他的镇定，“这是多加了一个危险，我看不见有什么方法可以躲过。我们得救的唯一机会，就是我们的工作比冻结作用进行得更快。问题在于谁先抢在前面。”
抢在前面！我早就应该习惯于这种说法了！
这一天，在好几个钟头内，我坚持顽强地挥动铁锨。这工作支持和鼓励我。并且，工作就等于离开诺第留斯号，也就是直接呼吸那现在是从储藏库取来的、由空气箱供应的纯洁空气，就是离开那贫乏和恶浊的船上空气。
到了晚上，坑又挖去了一米。当我回到船上时，我吸了空气中饱和的碳酸气，差不多窒息了。啊！我们为什么没有方法来消除这种有害的气体呢！我们并不缺乏氧。这海水中含有大量的氧，我们的强力电池可以把它分解出来，它可能给我们把那兴奋刺激人的气体回复了原来状态。我想过这事，但有利：么用处，因为，由我们呼吸产生的碳酸气已经侵入船上各部分了。吸收碳酸气，要把氯化钾放在排气管中，不停地摇动玻璃管。可是船上缺乏氯化钾，没有别的物质可以替代。
这一晚上，尼摩船长必须打开储藏库的龙头，放出数阵纯洁空气到诺第留斯号内部。没有这种措施，也许我们早上就不能醒来。
第二夭，8月26日，我又做矿工的工作，要把第五米的冰挖出来。冰山的两侧和底层显然加厚了。很显然，这些冰块在诺第留斯号可能脱身之前，都要凝结起来。我一时感到绝望。我的铁锨差不多要从我手中掉下来了。挖有什么用处，既然我要被窒息死，被这变为石头的水所压扁，就是野蛮人的残酷也没有发明出这样的一种酷刑。好像我是夹在一个怪物的牙床里面，无法抵抗，逐渐收紧在利齿中了。
这时候，尼摩船长指挥工作，他自己也工作，从我身边走过。我手挨他，把我们冰监牢的墙壁指给他看。船右舷的冰墙挨近诺第留斯号的船身不及四米了。
船长明白我的意思，做个手势，要我跟着他走。我们回到船上。我的潜水衣脱下后，我随他到客厅中。
“阿龙纳斯先生，”他对我说，“我们要使用些特殊奇妙的方法，不然的话，我们就要被封在这凝固的冰中，像被封在洋灰中那样。”
“对！”我说，“但怎么办呢？”
“啊！”他喊道，“我的诺第留斯号是不是有足够力量，可以支持这种压力，不至被压扁呢？”
“那么将怎样呢？”我问。我不明白船长的意思。
“您不明白这水的冻结作用可以帮助我们！您没有看见因为水的凝固，它可以炸开那困住我们的冰场，就像它在冰冻的时候，它可以炸开最坚硬的石头那样！您没有觉得它并不是毁灭人的力量，而是拯救人的力量！”
“对，船长，或者是这样。但是，不管诺第留斯号有怎样的抵抗力，它不可能支持那种大得怕人的压力，”它要被压扁，像一片钢叶了。”
“先生，我知道这点。那么，我们不能指望大自然的帮助，要完全依靠我们自己了。那就得反抗这种凝固作用，就得消除它。不单是两侧的冰壁愈来愈紧了，而且诺第留斯号的前头或后面也没有剩下十英尺水了。凝固作用是从各方面向我们进攻了。”
储藏库中的空气，可以我们在船上呼吸多少时候？"我问船长跟我面面相觑地说“后天，储藏库就空了！”
我出了一身冷汗。不过，对他的回答我还用得着诧异吗？3月22日，诺第留斯号潜入南极流畅的水底下。今天是260，五天以来，我们生活的空气就完全依靠船上的储藏了！而这留下可以呼吸的空气又要保留给工作人员。就是我现在写这些事件的时候，我的印象还是十分深刻，我全身发生一种自然而然的恐怖，好像我的肺叶中是没有空气了！
可是，尼摩船长在那里思考，一言不发，站着不动。显然是他心中有了一个主意。但他好像又不接受。他自己给了否定的答复。后来，他嘴里说出这话来，他低声说：“开水？”我问。
“是的，先生。我们是被关在一个相当窄的空间里面。
开水喷射，不断从诺第留斯号的抽水机放出来，不是可以提高这空间的温度，延缓水的冻结吗？”
“这要试一试。”我坚定他说。
“我们要试一试，教授。”
那时在外面的温度表指着零下七度。尼摩船长领我到厨房中，那里有许多复杂的蒸馏器，由蒸发作用供应我们可以喝的开水。机器装满了水，电池所有的电热都投到浸在水中的螺旋管中去。几分钟后，这水就达到沸点。把开水送入抽气机中，同时就有冷水进来，补充流出去的开水。电池发出的热力达到很高的程度，从海中吸进的凉水，单单经过机器，一到抽气机中就滚开了。
开水的放射开始，三小时后，在外面的温度表指着零下六度；温度提高一度。两小时后，温度表只指在零下四度了。
我看了这种工作的进展，同时从许多地方加以检查，我对船长说：“我们一定可以成功。"“我想可以成功，”船长回答我说，“我们不至被压扁了。
我们所怕的只有被窒息了。”
在夜间，水的温度又提高了一度。开水的放射力量不能使温度再提高了。可是海水的冰冻作用要再下两度才能发生，因此我们得到保证，不至有凝固的危险了。
第二天，3月27日，六米厚的冰从这冰窝中挖去了。还剩下四米厚的冰需要挖去。还要四十八小时的工作。在诺第留斯号内部，空气不可能调换。因此这一天的情形是更坏了。
一种不可忍受的重浊空气使我难过。下午三点左右，这种痛苦感觉到了猛烈的程度。呵欠喘气把我的上下鄂都弄歪了。我的肺叶迫切寻求有活力的氧，“白是呼吸所必不可少的东西，现在愈来愈稀薄了。我的精神完全在昏沉沉的状态中。我没有气力地躺下来，差不多失去了知觉。我的忠实的康塞尔有了同样的病征，受着同样的苦府，他在我身边，再不离开我。他拉着我的手，他鼓励我，我还听到他低声说：“啊！如果我可以不呼吸，让先生可以多有些空气！”
我听到他说这话，不觉眼中满是泪水。
对我们全体来说，我们在船上都觉得难受，所以轮到自己挖冰的时候，人人都很迅速地、很高兴地穿上潜水衣，立即出去工作！铁锨在冰层上通通作响。胳膊累了，手弄破了，但这些疲倦算什么，这些伤口有什么要紧！总算有新鲜空气到肺中了！人们总可以呼吸了！人们总可以呼吸了！
可是，没有谁超出指定的时间，延长自己在水下的工作。备人工作完了，各人就将有氧气放出来的气箱交给自己的同伴。尼摩船长自己先做个榜样，他第一个遵守这种严格的纪律。时间到了，他把他的气箱给另一个人，回到船上有害的大气中，他老是那么镇定，一点不示弱，不发一句怨言。
这一天，一定的工作经常是更有力地完成了。在整个面积上，只剩下两米的冰要挖去。把我们跟自由海水分开的，只有两米的冰了。可是储藏库差不多空了。剩下的一些空气只能保留给工作人员使用。一点也不能绘诺第留斯号！
当我回到船上的时候，我是半窒息了。多么难过的夜！
我简直不能加以描写。这样的一类痛苦是木可能写出来的。第二天，我的呼吸阻塞不通。头脑疼痛又加上昏沉发晕，使我成为一个醉人。我的同伴们也感到同样的难受。
有些船员已经呼吸急促，正在发喘了。
这一天，我们的监牢剩下第六层的最后一米冰，尼摩船长觉得铁锨挖得大慢，决定用高压力来冲开那个把我们和底下水面分开的冰层。这个人仍然保持他原有的冷静和精力。他拿他的精神力量抑制他的肉体痛苦。他思想，他计划，他执行。
按照他的指示，船减轻了分量，就是说，由于重力的变化，它从冰冻的一层浮起来。当它浮起来的时候，人们就想法把它拖到照它的浮标线所画出的宽大的坑上。然后，让它的储水池装满了水，它降下，装在坑里。
这时候，所有的船员都回到船上来，跟外间交通的两重门都紧闭起。诺第留斯号这时是躺在冰层上，这冰层只有一米厚，并且有千百处被探测器钻通。
储水池的龙头于是完全打开来，一百立方米的水都流进去，把诺第留斯号的重量增加了十万公厅。
我们等着，我们听着，忘记了我们的痛苦，仍然抱着希望。我们好像赌博，得救与否，完全看这最后一着了。不管我脑子中嗡嗡作响，昏舌、不清，但不久我听到诺第留斯号船身下颤抖了。下陷的作用发生了。冰层破裂，发出新奇的声响，像撕纸的声音一样，诺第留斯号渐渐沉下去。
"我们穿过去了！”康塞尔在我耳边低声说。
我不能回答他。我抓着他的手。我完全不由自主地抽搐，紧紧握住他的手。
突然间，诺第留斯号被它的过分重量所带走，像一颗炮弹沉入水中，就是说，它掉下去，像它在真空中尽可能快地掉下去那样！
于是把所有的电力都送到抽水机上，抽水机立即把储水池中的水排出。几分钟后，我们的下降停止。并且不久，压力表就指出船是在上升。推进器全速开行，船身钢板发生震动，一直在螺丝钉上都感到，它带我们向北方驶去。但是，现在从冰山下到自由海的航行，要延长多少时候呢，还要一天吗？如果是这样的话，那我仍不免要死在前头了！
我半身躺在图书室的长沙发椅上，我不能出气了。我的脸孔发紫，我的双唇变蓝，我身体器官失灵。我看不见，我听不到。时间的概念在我心中消减了。我的肌肉不能伸缩了。这样度过的时间，我不可能估量。但我意识到我临死的痛苦开始了。我明白我是快要死了……忽然我苏醒过来。几口空气吹入我的肺中。我们是回升到了水面吗？我们是越过冰山了吗？
不是！那是尼德•兰和康塞尔，我的两个忠实朋友，他们牺牲自己来救我。还有些空气留在一个气箱里面；他们不呼吸它，他们给我保存起来，当他们窒总的时候，他们把一点一滴的生命送给我！我要把气箱推开；他们扯住我的手，于是我很快意地呼吸了一会儿空气。
我的眼光向大钟看去，正是早上十一点。这天应当是 8月28日。诺第留斯号以每小时四十海里的惊人速度行驶。它简直是在水中作痛苦的挣扎了。
尼摩船长在哪里？他丧失了生命吗？他的同伴们跟他同时牺牲了吗？这时候，压力表指出，我们距水面只有二十英尺。单单有一座冰场把我们跟大气分开。我们不可以冲开它吗？总之，诺第留斯号去做这种工作了。是的，我感到它采取倾斜的方位，把后部下降，将前面的冲角挺起来。水装进去，就足以使它不平衡。然后，由于它的强力推进器的推动，它从冰场下面，像一架强大的攻城机冲上去。“它先把冰场渐渐撞开，然后退下来，再用全速力向裂开的冰场冲去，最后，它被极大的冲击力带走，它跳上了受它的体重所憧碎的冰面。
嵌板是打开了，可以说是拔开了，纯洁空气像潮水一般涌人诺第留斯号船上所有各部分来了。
Part 2 Chapter 17
How I got on to the platform, I have no idea; perhaps the Canadian had carried me there. But I breathed, I inhaled the vivifying sea-air. My two companions were getting drunk with the fresh particles. The other unhappy men had been so long without food, that they could not with impunity indulge in the simplest aliments that were given them. We, on the contrary, had no end to restrain ourselves; we could draw this air freely into our lungs, and it was the breeze, the breeze alone, that filled us with this keen enjoyment. "Ah!" said Conseil, "how delightful this oxygen is! Master need not fear to breathe it. There is enough for everybody." Ned Land did not speak, but he opened his jaws wide enough to frighten a shark. Our strength soon returned, and, when I looked round me, I saw we were alone on the platform. The foreign seamen in the Nautilus were contented with the air that circulated in the interior; none of them had come to drink in the open air.
The first words I spoke were words of gratitude and thankfulness to my two companions. Ned and Conseil had prolonged my life during the last hours of this long agony. All my gratitude could not repay such devotion. "My friends," said I, "we are bound one to the other for ever, and I am under infinite obligations to you." "Which I shall take advantage of," exclaimed the Canadian. "What do you mean?" said Conseil. "I mean that I shall take you with me when I leave this infernal Nautilus." "Well," said Conseil, "after all this, are we going right?" "Yes," I replied, "for we are going the way of the sun, and here the sun is in the north." "No doubt," said Ned Land; "but it remains to be seen whether he will bring the ship into the Pacific or the Atlantic Ocean, that is, into frequented or deserted seas." I could not answer that question, and I feared that Captain Nemo would rather take us to the vast ocean that touches the coasts of Asia and America at the same time. He would thus complete the tour round the submarine world, and return to those waters in which the Nautilus could sail freely. We ought, before long, to settle this important point. The Nautilus went at a rapid pace. The polar circle was soon passed, and the course shaped for Cape Horn. We were off the American point, March 31st, at seven o'clock in the evening. Then all our past sufferings were forgotten. The remembrance of that imprisonment in the ice was effaced from our minds. We only thought of the future. Captain Nemo did not appear again either in the drawing-room or on the platform. The point shown each day on the planisphere, and, marked by the lieutenant, showed me the exact direction of the Nautilus. Now, on that evening, it was evident, to, my great satisfaction, that we were going back to the North by the Atlantic. The next day, April 1st, when the Nautilus ascended to the surface some minutes before noon, we sighted land to the west. It was Terra del Fuego, which the first navigators named thus from seeing the quantity of smoke that 
rose from the natives' huts. The coast seemed low to me, but in the distance rose high mountains. I even thought I had a glimpse of Mount Sarmiento, that rises 2,070 yards above the level of the sea, with a very pointed summit, which, according as it is misty or clear, is a sign of fine or of wet weather. At this moment the peak was clearly defined against the sky. The Nautilus, diving again under the water, approached the coast, which was only some few miles off. From the glass windows in the drawing-room, I saw long seaweeds and gigantic fuci and varech, of which the open polar sea contains so many specimens, with their sharp polished filaments; they measured about 300 yards in length-real cables, thicker than one's thumb; and, having great tenacity, they are often used as ropes for vessels. Another weed known as velp, with leaves four feet long, buried in the coral concretions, hung at the bottom. It served as nest and food for myriads of crustacea and molluscs, crabs, and cuttlefish. There seals and otters had splendid repasts, eating the flesh of fish with sea-vegetables, according to the English fashion. Over this fertile and luxuriant ground the Nautilus passed with great rapidity. Towards evening it approached the Falkland group, the rough summits of which I recognised the following day. The depth of the sea was moderate. On the shores our nets brought in beautiful specimens of sea weed, and particularly a certain fucus, the roots of which were filled with the best mussels in the world. Geese and ducks fell by dozens on the platform, and soon took their places in the pantry on board.
When the last heights of the Falklands had disappeared from the horizon, the Nautilus sank to between twenty and twenty-five yards, and followed the American coast. Captain Nemo did not show himself. Until the 3rd of April we did not quit the shores of Patagonia, sometimes under the ocean, sometimes at the surface. The Nautilus passed beyond the large estuary formed by the Uraguay. Its direction was northwards, and followed the long windings of the coast of South America. We had then made 1,600 miles since our embarkation in the seas of Japan. About eleven o'clock in the morning the Tropic of Capricorn was crossed on the thirty-seventh meridian, and we passed Cape Frio standing out to sea. Captain Nemo, to Ned Land's great displeasure, did not like the neighbourhood of the inhabited coasts of Brazil, for we went at a giddy speed. Not a fish, not a bird of the swiftest kind could follow us, and the natural curiosities of these seas escaped all observation. This speed was kept up for several days, and in the evening of the 9th of April we sighted the most westerly point of South America that forms Cape San Roque. But then the Nautilus swerved again, and sought the lowest depth of a submarine valley which is between this Cape and Sierra Leone on the African coast. This valley bifurcates to the parallel of the Antilles, and terminates at the mouth by the enormous depression of 9,000 yards. In this place, the geological basin of the ocean forms, as far as the Lesser Antilles, a cliff to three and a half miles perpendicular in height, and, at the parallel of the Cape Verde Islands, an other wall not less considerable, that encloses thus all the sunk continent of the Atlantic. The bottom of this immense valley is dotted with some mountains, that give to these submarine places a picturesque aspect. I speak, moreover, from the manuscript charts that were in the library of the Nautilus--charts evidently due to Captain Nemo's hand, and made after his personal observations. For two days the desert and deep waters were
visited by means of the inclined planes. The Nautilus was furnished with long diagonal broadsides which carried it to all elevations. But on the 11th of April it rose suddenly, and land appeared at the mouth of the Amazon River, a vast estuary, the embouchure of which is so considerable that it freshens the sea-water for the distance of several leagues. {8 paragraphs are deleted from this edition}
我怎样到平台上来，我不能说。或者是加拿大人把我抱上来的。但我呼吸、我细细尝到那大海的兴奋刺激的空气了。我的两个同伴在我旁边也尽情狂吸这新鲜的空气。
不幸受苦的人们长久没有吃东西，是不能马上尽情乱吃人们第一次给他们的食物的；我们却正相反，我们用不着节制，我们可以尽各人的肺量吸取这海上的空气。而给我们送来这种快意迷醉的，正是那海风，正是那海风！
“啊！”康塞尔说，“氧，真好！先生不用怕呼吸了！现在并不缺少，人人都可以有了。”至于尼德•兰，他不说话，但他张开大嘴，简直要让鲨鱼看见都害怕。多么大力的呼吸！
加拿大人好像正在燃烧的火炉，在那里“抽气”呢。
我们的气力很快就恢复过来，我看一下我们周围，在平台上的只有我们三人：没有一个船上的人员。尼摩船长也不见。诺第留斯号的奇怪的水手们仅仅呼吸那流通到船内的空气就满足了。没有一人出来享受那外面的新鲜空气。
我说的第一句话是对我的两个同伴表示感激和多谢的话。尼德•兰和康塞尔在长期痛苦的最后数小时中延续了我的生命，把我所有的感谢拿出来偿付这种牺牲精神并不算过多。
“好！教授，”尼德•兰回答我，“这事值得说出来吗！
我们对这事有什么值得称赞的地方吗？一点都没有。这只是一个算术问题。您的生命比我们的有价值。所以必须保存。”
“不，尼德，”我回答，“我的生命不是更有价值。谁也不能比善良仁爱的人们更优秀，而您正是这种人！”
“算了！算了！”加拿大人很有些为难地一再说。
“你呢，我的忠实的康塞尔，你一定也受了大苦了。”
“老实对先生说，并不怎么难过。我就是短了儿口空气，但我想我可以过得去。并且，我眼见先生晕过去，我就一点不想呼吸了，像人说的，这是断了我的呼……”废塞尔觉得他太罗嗦了，心中不好意思，没有说完就停住了。
“我的朋友们，”我情绪很激动地回答，“我们彼此是永远团结在一起，同时你们有权利处置我……”“我要使用这权利。”加拿大人立即回答。
“怎么？”康塞尔说。
“是的，”尼德•兰又说，“使用这权利来拉您跟我一同走，当我要离开这地狱的诺第留斯号的时候。”
“谈正经事吧，”康塞尔说，“我们现在是向着好的方向走吗？”
“是的，”我回答说，“因为我们是向着有太阳的方向走，现在有太阳的就是北方。”
“不错，”尼德•兰又说，“不过还要知道，我们是向太平洋或向大西洋？是向往来人多的或荒凉无人的海航行呢？”
这点我不能答复，我怕尼摩船长要把我们带到同时浸润亚洲和美洲海岸的广阔的太平洋中去。他这样就完成了他的海底坏球旅行了，他又回到诺第留斯号可以获得最完全的自由的海中了。但是，如果我们回到太平洋中来，离开所有人居住的地方，那尼德•兰的计划将怎样呢？
我们对于这一点不久就明确了。诺第留斯号走得很快。不久就走过了南极圈，船头指着合恩角。我们是在3月31日晚上七点横过南美洲这个尖呷的。
那时我们忘记了所有过去的痛苦。那次被困在冰群中的记忆都不留在我们心中了。我们只是想到将来。尼摩船长并不露面，在客厅中，在平台上都看不见他。他的副手每天往地图上记录方位，让我知道诺第留斯号走的确实方向。
就在这天晚上，我很满意，方向很明确，我们是从大西洋的水路到北方去。我把我观察所得的结果告诉了加拿大人和康塞尔。
“好消息呀！”加拿大人说，“不过诺第留斯号到哪里去呢广“那我可不能说，尼德。"“它的船长是不是到过了南极，又要到北极去冒险，从西北方的著名水道回来呢？”
“也不能不相信他会这样做。”康塞尔回答说。
“那么，”加拿大人说“我们就不能客气，恕不奉培了”“总之，”康塞尔补充“：，“这个尼摩船长是一个杰出人物，我们认识了他，绝不至后悔。
“特别是在离开了他的时候！”尼德，兰立即回答说。
第二天，4月1日，诺第留斯号浮上水面来。中午前几分钟，我们在西面望见了海岸。那是火地岛，初期的航海家用为望见岛上土人的茅屋升起了无数的烟火，就给了它这个名称。火地岛形成广大的群岛集体，在南纬53度至56度之间，西经67度50分至77度15分之间，占据长三十里，宽八十里的面积。看来海岸很低下，但远方矗立着群山的高峰。我好像是望见了萨眠图山，这山高出海面两千零七十米，是金字塔形的片岩形成的山，峰顶很尖。尼德。兰告诉我说，根据这山是被云雾所遮，或是山形面目显露，就可以预见天气的好坏。这时候，山峰看来是在天空中清楚显露出来。那是好天气的预告，事实也正是这样。
诺第留斯号回到水底下，接近海岸，沿岸走了几海里…从容厅中的玻璃窗，我看见很长的海藤，以及巨大的黑角莱，就是那种带球海藻，只有南极的自由海中还有一些品种，它们有粘性和光滑的纤维带，长度达三百米，简直是真正的铁索，比大拇指还粗，很坚韧，时常可以当作船缆来使用。另外一种海草，名为维培菜，叶长四英尺，胶在珊瑚的分泌物中，像地毯一样铺在海底下面。它可以作为无数甲壳动物和软体动物、螃蟹、乌贼等的窝巢和食物。
在这物产丰富的海底上，诺第留斯号极端迅速地驶过。
到了晚上，它走近马露因群岛，第二天我就可以看见那群岛上的峭削山峰。
在这一带海中，我们的鱼网打到很美丽的昆布和各种品种的海带，特别打到了一种黑角菜，根上带有最美味的淡菜。平台上又打到了十来只海鹅和海鸭，不久它们便放到厨房中去。在鱼类方面，我特别看到虾虎鱼属的骨鱼，尤其多滚鱼，长二分米，身上处处有灰白和黄色的斑点。
我也欣赏了无数的水母，是最美丽的水母属，马露因海中特有的茧形水母。有时，它们显出半球形，像很光滑的一把伞，上面有红褐色的条纹，下面垂着十二朵挺有规则的花彩。有时又是一个翻过来的花篮，很美观地从篮中散出红色大片的叶和红色的细枝。它们游行的时候，摇动它们的四只叶状胳膊，让自己的丰富触须漂摇四散，随便挂祝我很想保留起这种精美植虫动物的一些品种，但它们不过是烟云、光影、空架，一离开原来的海水，就消敝得无影无踪当马露因群岛的最后高地在水平线上隐没不见的时候，诺第留斯号潜到二十至二十五米深的水层，沿着美洲海岸行驶。尼摩船长一直没有露面。
一直到4月3日，我们都没有离开巴塔戈尼亚海岸，船有时在海底下，有时在洋面上。诺第留斯号驶过拉普拉塔河。4月2日，它横过了乌拉圭，但是在距五十海里的海面上。它的方向总是往北，它沿着南美洲弯曲延长的海岸行驶。我们自从日本海上出发以来，到现在已经走了一万六千里了。早晨十一点左右，南回归线在西经37度上切过。
我们走过了佛利奥呷海面。尼摩船长不喜欢让他的船离有人居住的已西海岸太近，用了惊人的速度驶过，使得尼德•兰大为不快。
这种迅速的行驶维持了好几天，4月9日晚上，我门望见了南美洲最偏东、形成圣罗喀角的尖呷。但诺第留斯号到达里又躲开，它潜入最深的海底，去找寻那在这尖呻和非洲（海岸塞拉•勒窝内之间的海底山谷。这座海底山谷是在安的列斯群岛相同的纬度上分出来，到方九千米的巨大下洼方结束。在这里，大西洋地质上的切面，一直到小安的列斯群岛，有一道长六公里的悬崖，很峭削，在跟青角群岛相同的纬度上，另有一道差不多一样长的石墙，这样就把整个沉下去的大西洋州围起来。这座广大山谷的底层有些山脉，崎岖不平，使这海底下面的景象美丽女口画。我讲这海底的情形，特别是按照诺第留斯号图书室所藏的手稿地图来讲的这地图显然是尼摩船长亲手制的，并且都是根据他个人的观察绘出来的。
两天内，在这一带荒凉无物的深水中，船都利用纵斜机板下去看过。诺第留斯号具有很长纵对角线的斜航作用，使它可以驶至所有的深水层。但在4月11日，它忽然上升，陆地就在亚马逊河的出口现出来，这是宽大的河口，输出水量很丰富，把好几里内的海水都冲得没有咸味了。
越过了赤道线：西方二十海里是几沿尼群岛，那是法国的领地，我们在那”里可以找到容易藏身的地方。但是海风吹得厉害，汹涌的波浪不容许一只小艇去冒险。这点尼德•兰一定了解到，因为他并不跟我说什么。在我个人，我也不提他的逃走计划，固为我不愿使他做那些一定要流产的试验。
我很容易拿有兴味的研究来补偿这次的迟误。在4月 11日至12日的两天内，诺第留斯号没有离开海面，船上鱼网打倒的植虫类、鱼类和爬虫类非常丰富，成绩惊人。
有些植虫类是由鱼网的链索拖拽上来。大部分是那美丽的属于海苑葵科的须形海藻，在许多品种中，有那种被带须形藻，原来是大西洋这一部分海中的特产，那是小小的圆筒躯干，带优美的直线纹和红色斑点，头上展开新奇的触须花朵。
这一带海中的鱼类，我还没有机会加以研究，我举出下面不同的儿种。在软骨鱼类中，有化石花斑鱼，这是一种鳗色，长十五英寸，淡青色的头，紫红色的鳍，蓝灰色的脊背，壮腹是鲜明的银白红褐色斑点，眼膜周围由金黄色圈起来，它们是一种很斩奇的鱼，亚马逊河水把它们…直带到海中来，而它们普通是生活在淡水中的。有多瘤虾鱼，这鱼嘴脸作尖形，尾巴很长，很细，是一根齿形的尖刺。有长一米的小鲛，鲛皮是灰黑带淡臼的颜色，牙齿排成数行，弯曲向后，普通称为拖鞋鱼。有蝙蝠鞍鱼，这是一种作等腰三角形的红色鱼，半米民，胸鳍在突出的肉上，看来有些像蝙蝠的形状，但在鼻孔边有角质的触角，因此又别名为一角鱼。最后有好儿种箭鱼，带甲鱼，这鱼两侧多刺，闪出鲜明的金黄色，以及酸刺鱼，鱼身上的鲜明紫色显出柔和的色泽，像鸽于咽喉部分的颜色那样。
我拿我观察的一组多骨鱼类，来结束这个有些枯燥的、但很精确的图表：其中有巴桑鱼，这是无翼鳍属，嘴脸完全是钝角形和雪白的颜色，身上是美丽的黑色，长有一条很长很细的肉质纽带，有多利刺的齿状鱼；有三分米长的沙丁鱼，它发出闪闪的银色白光；有卵形鳍鱼，它长有两支肛门鳍。黑色牙刺鱼，颜色全黑，人们点燃草火把来钓它们；这是两米长的鱼，肉很肥，很白，很坚实，新鲜的时候，昧道跟鳗鱼肉差不多，晒下了，就带熏鲜鱼肉的味道。有半红色的拉布鱼，这鱼只在脊鳍和肛门姥下面才长有鳞。有茧鱼，这鱼身上有金色和银色的光辉，又杂上红玉和黄玉的色泽。有金尾绸鱼，肉非常嫩，它们身上的磷光时时在海水中间显露出来，有普比酬鱼，鱼的舌头细小，身上为橙黄色。又有魔鳍金黄的石龙子，黑色硬鳍鱼，苏里南群岛的突眼鱼等等。
这个“等等”并不能拦阻我再谈一种鱼，这种鱼康塞尔很人郴还记得，那是有道理的。
我们的一张网打到一种很板平的扁鱼，把这鱼的尾巴截去，就可以成为一个完全的圆盘，它重有二十公斤左右。
鱼身下面是白的，上面是淡红的，带有深蓝色的圆点，并且圆点周围有黑圈，表皮很光滑•，后面是一支中间开裂的蛤。
它摆在平台上，极力挣扎，全身抽搐，想翻过身子来，它费了这么大的力量，最后一次蹦跳，居然就要蹦到海中去了。可是康塞尔看着这条鱼，立即扑上去，我要拦住他的时候，他两手已经把鱼抓住了。
他立即被打倒，两腿蹬在空中，半身麻痹，大声喊：“啊：我的主人，我的主人！您快来救救我。”
这可怜的老实人对我说话不用“第三人称”，这是第一次。
加拿大人和我跑去把他扶起来，我们两手急急地摩擦池，当他回复过未的时候，这个永远喜欢分类的人用半吞半；小的声音低低他说：“软骨纲，软鳍目，鳃固定的，鲛亚目，稣鱼科，电鱼属！”
Part 2 Chapter 18
For several days the Nautilus kept off from the American coast. Evidently it did not wish to risk the tides of the Gulf of Mexico or of the sea of the Antilles. April 16th, we sighted Martinique and Guadaloupe from a distance of about thirty miles. I saw their tall peaks for an instant. The Canadian, who counted on carrying out his projects in the Gulf, by either landing or hailing one of the numerous boats that coast from one island to another, was quite disheartened. Flight would have been quite practicable, if Ned Land had been able to take possession of the boat without the Captain's knowledge. But in the open sea it could not be thought of. The Canadian, Conseil, and I had a long conversation on this subject. For six months we had been prisoners on board the Nautilus. We had travelled 17,000 leagues; and, as Ned Land said, there was no reason why it should come to an end. We could hope nothing from the Captain of the Nautilus, but only from ourselves. Besides, for some time past he had become graver, more retired, less sociable. He seemed to shun me. I met him rarely. Formerly he was pleased to explain the submarine marvels to me; now he left me to my studies, and came no more to the saloon. What change had come over him? For what cause? For my part, I did not wish to bury with me my curious and novel studies. I had now the power to write the true book of the sea; and this book, sooner or later, I wished to see daylight. The land nearest us was the archipelago of the Bahamas. There rose high submarine cliffs covered with large weeds. It was about eleven o'clock when Ned Land drew my attention to a formidable pricking, like the sting of an ant, which was produced by means of large seaweeds. "Well," I said, "these are proper caverns for poulps, and I should not be astonished to see some of these monsters." "What!" said Conseil; "cuttlefish, real cuttlefish of the cephalopod class?" "No," I said, "poulps of huge dimensions." "I will never believe that such animals exist," said Ned. "Well," said Conse
il, with the most serious air in the world, "I remember perfectly to have seen a large vessel drawn under the waves by an octopus's arm." "You saw that?" said the Canadian. "Yes, Ned." "With your own eyes?" "With my own eyes." "Where, pray, might that be?" "At St. Malo," answered Conseil. "In the port?" said Ned, ironically. "No; in a church," replied Conseil. "In a church!" cried the Canadian. "Yes; friend Ned. In a picture representing the poulp in question." "Good!" said Ned Land, bursting out laughing. "He is quite right," I said. "I have heard of this picture; but the subject represented is taken from a legend, and you know what to think of legends in the matter of natural history. Besides, when it is a question of monsters, the imagination is apt to run wild. Not only is it supposed that these poulps can draw down vessels, but a certain Olaus Magnus speaks of an octopus a mile long that is more like an island than an animal. It is also said that the Bishop of Nidros was building an altar on an immense rock. Mass finished, the rock began to walk, and returned to the sea. The rock was a poulp. Another Bishop, Pontoppidan, speaks also of a poulp on which a regiment of cavalry could manoeuvre. Lastly, the ancient naturalists speak of monsters whose mouths were like gulfs, and which were too large to pass through the Straits of Gibraltar." "But how much is true of these stories?" asked Conseil. "Nothing, my friends; at least of that which passes the limit of truth to get to fable or legend. Nevertheless, there must be some ground for the imagination of the story-tellers. One cannot deny that poulps and cuttlefish exist of a large species, inferior, however, to the cetaceans. Aristotle has stated the dimensions of a cuttlefish as five cubits, or nine feet two inches. Our fishermen frequently see some that are more than four feet long. Some skeletons of poulps are preserved in the museums of Trieste and Montpelier, that measure two yards in length. Besides, according to the calculations of some naturalist
s, one of these animals only six feet long would have tentacles twenty-seven feet long. That would suffice to make a formidable monster." "Do they fish for them in these days?" asked Ned. "If they do not fish for them, sailors see them at least. One of my friends, Captain Paul Bos of Havre, has often affirmed that he met one of these monsters of colossal dimensions in the Indian seas. But the most astonishing fact, and which does not permit of the denial of the existence of these gigantic animals, happened some years ago, in 1861." "What is the fact?" asked Ned Land. "This is it. In 1861, to the north-east of Teneriffe, very nearly in the same latitude we are in now, the crew of the despatch-boat Alector perceived a monstrous cuttlefish swimming in the waters. Captain Bouguer went near to the animal, and attacked it with harpoon and guns, without much success, for balls and harpoons glided over the soft flesh. After several fruitless attempts the crew tried to pass a slip-knot round the body of the mollusc. The noose slipped as far as the tail fins and there stopped. They tried then to haul it on board, but its weight was so considerable that the tightness of the cord separated the tail from the body, and, deprived of this ornament, he disappeared under the water." "Indeed! is that a fact?" "An indisputable fact, my good Ned. They proposed to name this poulp `Bouguer's cuttlefish.'" "What length was it?" asked the Canadian. "Did it not measure about six yards?" said Conseil, who, posted at the window, was examining again the irregular windings of the cliff. "Precisely," I replied. "Its head," rejoined Conseil, "was it not crowned with eight tentacles, that beat the water like a nest of serpents?" "Precisely." "Had not its eyes, placed at the back of its head, considerable development?" "Yes, Conseil." "And was not its mouth like a parrot's beak?" "Exactly, Conseil." "Very well! no offence to master," he replied, quietly; "if this is not Bouguer's cuttlefish, it is, at least, one of its brothers." I looked at 
Conseil. Ned Land hurried to the window. "What a horrible beast!" he cried.
I looked in my turn, and could not repress a gesture of disgust. Before my eyes was a horrible monster worthy to figure in the legends of the marvellous. It was an immense cuttlefish, being eight yards long. It swam crossways in the direction of the Nautilus with great speed, watching us with its enormous staring green eyes. Its eight arms, or rather feet, fixed to its head, that have given the name of cephalopod to these animals, were twice as long as its body, and were twisted like the furies' hair. One could see the 250 air holes on the inner side of the tentacles. The monster's mouth, a horned beak like a parrot's, opened and shut vertically. Its tongue, a horned substance, furnished with several rows of pointed teeth, came out quivering from this veritable pair of shears. What a freak of nature, a bird's beak on a mollusc! Its spindle-like body formed a fleshy mass that might weigh 4,000 to 5,000 lb.; the, varying colour changing with great rapidity, according to the irritation of the animal, passed successively from livid grey to reddish brown. What irritated this mollusc? No doubt the presence of the Nautilus, more formidable than itself, and on which its suckers or its jaws had no hold. Yet, what monsters these poulps are! what vitality the Creator has given them! what vigour in their movements! and they possess three hearts! Chance had brought us in presence of this cuttlefish, and I did not wish to lose the opportunity of carefully studying this specimen of cephalopods. I overcame the horror that inspired me, and, taking a pencil, began to draw it. "Perhaps this is the same which the Alector saw," said Conseil. "No," replied the Canadian; "for this is whole, and the other had lost its tail." "That is no reason," I replied. "The arms and tails of these animals are re-formed by renewal; and in seven years the tail of Bouguer's cuttlefish has no doubt had time to grow." By this time other poulps appeared at the port light. I counted seven. They formed a procession after the Nautilus, and I heard t
heir beaks gnashing against the iron hull. I continued my work. These monsters kept in the water with such precision that they seemed immovable. Suddenly the Nautilus stopped. A shock made it tremble in every plate. "Have we struck anything?" I asked. "In any case," replied the Canadian, "we shall be free, for we are floating." The Nautilus was floating, no doubt, but it did not move. A minute passed. Captain Nemo, followed by his lieutenant, entered the drawing-room. I had not seen him for some time. He seemed dull. Without noticing or speaking to us, he went to the panel, looked at the poulps, and said something to his lieutenant. The latter went out. Soon the panels were shut. The ceiling was lighted. I went towards the Captain. "A curious collection of poulps?" I said. "Yes, indeed, Mr. Naturalist," he replied; "and we are going to fight them, man to beast." I looked at him. I thought I had not heard aright. "Man to beast?" I repeated. "Yes, sir. The screw is stopped. I think that the horny jaws of one of the cuttlefish is entangled in the blades. That is what prevents our moving." "What are you going to do?" "Rise to the surface, and slaughter this vermin." "A difficult enterprise." "Yes, indeed. The electric bullets are powerless against the soft flesh, where they do not find resistance enough to go off. But we shall attack them with the hatchet." "And the harpoon, sir," said the Canadian, "if you do not refuse my help." "I will accept it, Master Land." "We will follow you," I said, and, following Captain Nemo, we went towards the central staircase.
There, about ten men with boarding-hatchets were ready for the attack. Conseil and I took two hatchets; Ned Land seized a harpoon. The Nautilus had then risen to the surface. One of the sailors, posted on the top ladderstep, unscrewed the bolts of the panels. But hardly were the screws loosed, when the panel rose with great violence, evidently drawn by the suckers of a poulp's arm. Immediately one of these arms slid like a serpent down the opening and twenty others were above. With one blow of the axe, Captain Nemo cut this formidable tentacle, that slid wriggling down the ladder. Just as we were pressing one on the other to reach the platform, two other arms, lashing the air, came down on the seaman placed before Captain Nemo, and lifted him up with irresistible power. Captain Nemo uttered a cry, and rushed out. We hurried after him. What a scene! The unhappy man, seized by the tentacle and fixed to the suckers, was balanced in the air at the caprice of this enormous trunk. He rattled in his throat, he was stifled, he cried, "Help! help!" These words, spoken in French, startled me! I had a fellow-countryman on board, perhaps several! That heart-rending cry! I shall hear it all my life. The unfortunate man was lost. Who could rescue him from that powerful pressure? However, Captain Nemo had rushed to the poulp, and with one blow of the axe had cut through one arm. His lieutenant struggled furiously against other monsters that crept on the flanks of the Nautilus. The crew fought with their axes. The Canadian, Conseil, and I buried our weapons in the fleshy masses; a strong smell of musk penetrated the atmosphere. It was horrible!
For one instant, I thought the unhappy man, entangled with the poulp, would be torn from its powerful suction. Seven of the eight arms had been cut off. One only wriggled in the air, brandishing the victim like a feather. But just as Captain Nemo and his lieutenant threw themselves on it, the animal ejected a stream of black liquid. We were blinded with it. When the cloud dispersed, the cuttlefish had disappeared, and my unfortunate countryman with it. Ten or twelve poulps now invaded the platform and sides of the Nautilus. We rolled pell-mell into the midst of this nest of serpents, that wriggled on the platform in the waves of blood and ink. It seemed as though these slimy tentacles sprang up like the hydra's heads. Ned Land's harpoon, at each stroke, was plunged into the staring eyes of the cuttle fish. But my bold companion was suddenly overturned by the tentacles of a monster he had not been able to avoid.
Ah! how my heart beat with emotion and horror! The formidable beak of a cuttlefish was open over Ned Land. The unhappy man would be cut in two. I rushed to his succour. But Captain Nemo was before me; his axe disappeared between the two enormous jaws, and, miraculously saved, the Canadian, rising, plunged his harpoon deep into the triple heart of the poulp. "I owed myself this revenge!" said the Captain to the Canadian. Ned bowed without replying. The combat had lasted a quarter of an hour. The monsters, vanquished and mutilated, left us at last, and disappeared under the waves. Captain Nemo, covered with blood, nearly exhausted, gazed upon the sea that had swallowed up one of his companions, and great tears gathered in his eyes.
在这几天内，诺第留斯号经常躲开美洲iM岸。很显然，它不想到墨西哥湾水中，或安的列斯群岛海中来。那一带海水并不浅，不是不能容受它的船身龙骨，那一带海的平均深度是一万八千米；很可能是由于那一带有许多岛屿，许多汽船往来，对于尼摩船长说来是不适合的。
4月16日，在三十海里左右的距离，我们看见了马丁尼克岛和加德路披岛。我有一个时候望见岛上群山的高峰。
加拿大人打算在墨西哥湾实行他的计划，或逃到某些陆地上，或靠近往来岛屿间沿岸的一只船，他看见船躲开这海湾，很失望。在湾内，如果尼德•兰能乘尼摩船长不知不党的时候，把小艇夺到手，那逃走很可能成功。但如今是在大西洋上，那就不用想了。
加拿大人、康塞尔和我，我们对于这事谈了相当久。我们落到诺第留斯号船上作俘虏，到现在已经有六个月了。
我们走了一万七千里，像尼德•兰说的，那是没有什么理由可以完结的。所以他向我作一个提议，这提议我简直没有预料到。那就是向尼摩船长明白干脆地提出下面的问题来：船长是打算把我们无限期留在他船上吗？
类似这一种会谈使我十分为难和厌烦。照我来看，这利，会谈不会有结果。在诺第留斯号潜水船方面，我们不能有一点指望，看来一切都要依靠我们自己。并已，最近以来，这个人变得更沉郁，更不露面，更不爱交往了。好像他有意躲开我。我很少有机会碰到他。以前，他很喜欢给我解释海底的神奇，现在他听任我看书做研究，他简直不到客来他心中有过哪一种变化呢？由于哪种原因呢？我并没有•什么对不起他，或是可以责备自己的地方。也许是我们在船上使他为难吗？可是，我不敢希望他有一天会恢复我们的自由。
所以，我请尼德在行动之前让我思考一下，如果这次会谈得不到什么结果，可能就增加他的猜疑，使我们的处境更困难，对于加拿大人的计划有损害。我又补充说，我不可能拿我们的身体健康作理由请求离开诺第留斯号。事实上，除了在南极的冰山下我们受了痛苦之外，尼德•兰、康塞尔、我，我们的身体一直都很好。那种卫生的饮食，那种健康的空气，那种规律的生活，那种温度的稳定，决不至于人生疾病，而在一个对于陆地没有任何留恋的人来说，在一个足摩船长来说，那他是在他自己家里，他想到哪里就到哪里：他可以朝他的目的地走去，这在别人看来是神秘的道路，但他自己看来就不是神秘的道路了。这样一种生活，我是可以理解的，但是我们，我们并没有跟人类断绝。在我个人，我不想把我的十分奇异和十分新鲜的研究跟我一齐埋葬。我现在有权利来写这本关于海洋的真正的书，而这本我想，早晚总有一天可以公之于世。
就在这里，在安的列斯群岛水域中，海水下面十米，从敞开的嵌板看，又有多少有趣的海洋产物，我应当写在我的日记本上！在许多植虫动物中间，有那些名海扁筒的船形腔肠类，那是一种粗大的长方形膀眈，带螺铀质的闪光，把它们的膜迎风张开，让它们的蓝触须浮在水中，像丝线一样，眼看来是美丽迷人的水母，但手触上是分泌腐蚀性液汁的麻草。在鱼类一门中，有那些蛇稣鱼，那是长十英尺，重六百磅的巨大软骨鱼，胸鳍是三角形，脊背中间有些突起，眼睛长在头部最前端，它们像船只的残骸，浮来浮去，有时跟不透亮的窗板一样，遮盖住我们的玻璃窗。有那些美洲箭鱼，大自然对于它们只涂上黑白两种颜色。有那些匣形虾虎鱼，这鱼很长，多肉，带黄色的鳍和突出的颗骨。有那些长十六分米的婧鱼，这鱼齿很短很尖，满是细鳞，它是属于臼脂结的一种。其次，有云层一般出现的海诽鲤龟，它们从头到尾胸腹间有一条一条的金黄色带，在水中摇动它们的光彩辉煌的鳍。最后，有那些金黄的苹果鳍鱼，它们装上碧工色的条带，穿着丝绒的外衣，像维郎尼斯所画的王公一样，在我们眼前走过。有那些带刺绸鱼，它们胸鳍拨得很快，一下子就不见了。有那些磷光鲸鱼，身长十五英寸，被包围在闪闪磷光中。有那些鳅鱼，拿它们粗大多肉的尾巴打搅海水。有那些红色鲍鱼，它们好像拿着它们的尖利胸鳍，摇来摇去割海水。有那些银白的月光鱼，它们叫这个名字很恰当，因为它们在水际升起来，就像发出许多淡白光线的月亮。
4月20日，我们航行在平均一千五百米深的水层。那时跟船最接近的陆地是留力口夷群岛，群岛散开，像铺在海面上的一堆石板。在这一带有高出的海底悬崖，那是像宽大基础那样铺下的平板大石形成的一道一道直立高墙，在墙中间露出许多黑洞，我们船上的电光不可能直照到底。
这些岩石上面铺着层层的阔大海产草叶，宽大的昆布类，巨大的黑角菜，简直就是海产植物形成的墙壁，正好与地唐巨人①的世界相配。
从我们上面说的巨大植物，康塞尔、尼德•兰和我，自然而然地就要谈到这一带海中的巨大动物。显然其中有些是作为其它一些动物的食物的。不过，从几乎不动的诺第留斯号的玻璃窗中看，我在那很长的草叶条上，见到腕足门的主要节肢类动物，长爪的海蜘蛛、紫色海蟹、安的列斯群岛海中特有的翼步螺。
大约是十一点左右，尼德•兰让我注意那巨大昆布间发生的厉害怕人的骚动。
“那么，”我说，“这里真正是章鱼的窟洞，在这儿要看见一些这种怪物毫不为奇。"“怎么！”康塞尔说，“是那头足纲的枪乌贼，单纯的枪乌贼吗？”
“不，”我说，“是那身躯巨大的章鱼。尼德朋友一定搞错了，因为我并不看见什么。”
“我很惋惜，”康塞尔回答，“我很想同这种大章鱼面对面地看一看，这种东西我听人说过很多，它可以把船只拖到海底下去呢。这类东西叫做克拉……。"“克拉克（吹嘘）①一下就够了。”加拿大人用讽刺的语气说。
“克拉肯。”康塞尔抢着说，他说完他的话，并没有理会到他的同伴的嘲笑。
“谁都不能让我相信，”尼德•兰说，“世界上有这么一种动物存在。”
“为什么不能？”康塞尔回答，“我们相信过先生的海麒麟了。"“康塞尔，我们错了。"“当然错了！不过一定还有别的人相信它。”
“那可能，康塞尔，但是我自己，我一定要亲自动手宰割过了，才相信有这些怪物存在。”
“这样，”康塞尔问我，“先生也不相信有巨大的章鱼“暧！有谁相信过呢？”加拿大人喊道。
“尼德朋友，有许多人相信呢。”
“不是打鱼人。恐怕是学者们吧！”
“对不起，尼德。打鱼人和学者们都相信！”
“但是，现在跟您说话的我这个人，”康塞尔神气十分严肃地说，“我记得很清楚，我曾看过一只大船被一条头足类动物的胳膊拉到海底下去。”
“你看见过这个吗？”加拿大人问。
“不错，尼德。”
你亲眼看见过吗？”
“我亲眼看见过。”
“请问在什么地方。”
“在圣马罗港。”康塞尔沉着坚定地回答。
“在港中吗？”尼德•兰用讥笑的语气说。
“不，在一所教堂里。”康塞尔回答。
“在一所教堂里！”加拿大人喊道。
“对，尼德朋友。那是一幅绘着这条章鱼的图画！”
“好嘛！”尼德•兰大笑说，“原来康塞尔先生逗着我玩呢！”
“事实上，他是对的，”我说，“我听人说过这幅画。不过画的主题是根据一个传说，您知道，谈到生物科学，我们要怎样来看这些传说！并且，一谈到怪物时，人们的想象总是要错舌、起来的。不仅有人说这些章鱼可以拉走船只，并且有一个人，叫做奥拉又斯•麦纽斯①的，说有一条头足类动物，长一海里，与其说像一个动物，不如说是像一个岛屿。
又有人说，宜都罗斯的主教有一天在一堆岩石上搭起一座神坛，做弥撒。他做完了弥撒，这堆岩石行动起来，回海中人了。这堆岩石原来是一条章鱼呢。"“说完了吗？”加拿大人问。
“没有，”我回答，“另一个主教，彭士皮丹。德。伯尔们也说过一条章鱼，在这章鱼身上可以操演一队骑兵呢！”
“从前的主教们可真能说！”尼德•兰说。
“最后，古时代的生物学者引举过一些怪物，嘴好像一个海湾，身躯十分巨大，连直布罗陀海峡都走不过去。”
“真妙！”加拿大人说。
“在这些故事里面，是有些真的东西吗？”康塞尔问。
“一点没有，我的朋友们，至少从超出似真性的界限而走人寓言或传说的范围一点上看，一点没有。不过，讲故事人的想象，虽不一定要有一个真实的原因，但至少总要有一个假借的理由。人们不可能否认有巨大类型的章鱼和枪鸟贼存在，不过它们赶不上鲸科动物。亚里士多德曾经确实说过有一条长三米十厘米的枪乌贼。现在的打渔人时常看见有枪乌贼，身长超过一米八十厘米。杜利斯提和蒙伯利野①的博物馆收藏有一些章鱼的骨胳，长达二米。此外，根据生物学家的计算，一条这种动物，长仅仅六英尺，但它的触须长达二十七英尺，这就足够使它们成为怕人的怪东西。
“现在有人打到吗？"加拿大人问。
“就是没有人打到，但水手们至少是看见过的。我的一个朋友，哈夫尔港的保尔•包斯船长，他时常对我肯定他说，他在印度洋中曾经碰见过一条这种身躯巨大的怪物。
但最出奇的，并且不能否认这些巨大动物存在的，就是数年前，1861年发生的那件事实。"“那件事实是怎样的？”尼德•兰问。
“那件事实是这样。1861年，在铁匿利夫岛的东北，差不多跟我们现在相同的纬度上，通讯舰亚列敦号的船员看见一条巨大的枪乌贼在水中浮游。布格船长挨近这东西，他用叉和枪打它，没有什么结呆，因为枪弹和叉刺穿了它的棉花一般的肉，就好像插进完全稀烂的粘液那样。经过几次的失败，打不到它，船上人员最后把绳纽结扣在这条软体动物身上。这绳纽结直滑溜到它的尾鳍边停下；船上人员想把这怪东西拉上船来，但它的身体十分重，弄得它因为受绳索的拖拉，跟尾巴分开，它没有了尾巴，潜入水中不见了。”
“总算有了一件事实。”尼德•兰说。
“是一件确切无疑的事实，老实的尼德。因此有人建议，称这章鱼为‘布格的枪乌贼’。”
“它身长多少？”加拿大人问。
“它不是长六米左右吗？"康塞尔说，他站在玻璃边，重新看那崎岖不平的悬崖。
“正是六米长。”我回答说。
“它的眼睛长在额门顶，不是生得很大吗？"“是的，康塞尔。”
"它的嘴不是跟鹦鹅的一样，大到了不得吗？”
“不错，康塞尔。"
“那么！请先生原谅。"康塞尔安静地回答，“如果这边的不是布格的枪乌贼，至少也是它的兄弟了。"我眼看着康塞尔，尼德。兰跑到玻璃窗边去。
“真是怕人的东西。"他喊道。
我也跑前去看，我简直吓得倒退，不禁发出厌恶的表情。在我眼前走动的是那使人骇怕的怪物，真可以放在古代悲剧的传说怪物里面呢。
这是一条身躯巨大的章鱼，长八米。它极端快捷地倒退着走，方向跟诺第留斯号走的相同。它那海色的呆呆的 K大眼睛盯视着。它的八只胳膊，不如说八只脚，长在它脑袋上，因此这种动物得了头足类的名称，发展得很长，有它身躯的双倍那样长，伸缩摆动，像疯妇人的头发那样乱飘。
我们清楚地看见那排列在它触须里面、作半球形圆盖的二百五十个吸盘。这些吸盘有时贴在客厅的玻璃上，中间成真空。这怪东西的嘴——一骨质的嘴，生成像鹦鹉的一样——垂直地或开或合。它的骨质的舌头本身有几排尖利的牙，颤抖着露出那一副真正的大铁钳。大自然是怎样离奇古怪呵！在软体上有一个鸟嘴！它的身躯作纺锤形，中腰膨胀，形成一大肉块，重量不下二万至二万五千公斤，它身上的不定的颜色随着这怪东西的激动，极端迅速地改变着，从灰白色陆续变为红褐色。
这个软体动物为什么激动呢？一定是因为诺第留斯号在面前，船比它更巨大可怕，并且它的吸盘脚或它的下颚又没法捉住它。可是，这些章鱼是多么怕人的怪物！造物者分给它们的是多么出奇的活力！它们的运动有多大的劲，因为它们有三个心脏！
偶然的机会把我摆在这枪乌贼面前，我不愿丢了这个机会，对这头足类的品种，不小心加以研究。我克服自己对它的外形所有的厌恶心情，我拿了一支铅笔，开始给它作写生画。
“或者这跟亚列敦号看见的是同一条东西吧。"康塞尔说道“不是，”加拿大人回答，“因为这一条是完整的，而那一条是丢了尾巴的。"“这不成理由，”我回答，“因为这类动物的胳膊和尾巴是可以由逐渐的累积重新生出来的，七年以来，布格的枪乌贼是可能有时间又长出尾巴来了。”
“此外，”尼德立即回答，“如果这条不是它，那许多条中间或者有一条是它！”
果然，好些其他的章鱼又在船右舷的玻璃边出现了。我算了一下共有七条。‘它门护卫着诺第留斯号前行，我听到它门的嘴在钢板上摩擦的格格声音。我们是它们希望中的食物。我继续我的工作，这些怪东西在我们两旁海水中十分准确地保持一定的速度。就像它们是站着不动的一样，我简直可以在玻璃上用纸把它们缩小摹下来。这时，诺第留斯号行驶的速度很慢。
忽然诺第留斯号停注了。一次冲击使它全身都发生震“我们是捡上什么了吗广我问。
“总之，”加拿大人回答，“我们已经摆脱开了，因为我们浮起来了。”
诺第留斯号浮起来了，但它停着不走。它的推进器的轮叶没有搅动海水。一分钟过了。尼摩船长走进客厅来，后面跟着他的副手。
我好些时候没有看见他了。看来他的神色忧郁。没有跟我们说话，或著没有看见我们，他走到嵌板边，看一下那些章鱼，对他的副手说了几句话。他的副手出去。不久嵌板闭起来；天花板明亮了。
我走到船长面前，我对他说：
“真是新奇的章鱼品种。”我说话时语气很从容，像一个喜爱鱼类的人在养鱼缸面前说话一样。
“是的，生物学家，”他回答我，“我们现在要跟它们肉搏我眼盯着船长。我想我并没有听明白他的话。
“肉搏吗？"我重复一下说。
“对，先生。推进器停住了。我想有一条枪乌贼的下颚骨撞进轮叶中去了。因此就阻碍了船，不能行动。”
“您将要怎么办？"
“浮上水面，把这条害虫宰了。”
“是件困难的事呀。”
“是的。电气弹对于这团软肉没有办法，软内没有足够的抵抗力，不能让弹爆发。我们还是用斧子来砍。"“也可以用又来叉，先生，”加拿大人说，“如果您不拒绝我加入，我一定来帮忙。”
“我接受您的帮助，兰师傅。”
“我们陪您一同去。”我说。我们跟着尼摩船长，向中央楼梯走去。楼梯边有十来个人，拿着冲锋用的斧子，准备出击。康塞尔和我，我们拿了两把斧子。尼德•兰手执一杆鱼叉。
那时诺第留斯号已经浮上水面来了。一个水手站在楼涕的最高的一级上，把嵌板上的螺钉松下来。可是母螺旋刚放开，嵌板就十分猛烈地掀起，显然是被章鱼一只胳膊的吸盘所拉了。立即有一只长胳膊，像一条蛇，从开口溜进来，其它二十只在上面摇来摇去。只一斧子，尼摩船长就把这根巨大的触须截断，它绞卷着从楼梯上溜下去。
在我们彼此拥挤着走到平台上时，另外两只胳膊，像双鞭一样在空中挥动，落在尼摩船长面前站着的那个水手身上，以不可抗拒的力量把他卷走了。尼摩船长大喊一声，跳刽外面去。我们也跟着一齐跳出来。
多么惊心动魄的场面！这个不幸的人，被触须缠住，粘在吸盘上，让这条庞大卷筒随意在空中摇来摆去。他气喘，他窒息，他叫喊：“来，救我！来，救我！"他这话是用法话说的，引起我的十分深刻的惊怪！那么我是有一个同胞在船上！或者有好几个！这个使人心碎的呼救声，我一生都听到。
这个不幸的人眼看是完了。谁能从这强大的卷抱中把他夺过来呢？可是尼摩船长跳在章鱼身上，又一斧子，他把另一只胳膊又砍下来了。他的副手奋勇狂怒地跟那些爬在诺第留斯号两边的其他章鱼战斗。船员们各人挥动斧头，乱砍乱杀。加拿大人、康塞尔和我，我们也把我们的武器穿进这大团肉块中去。一种强烈的康香昧敌人空中。真正是怕人。在一瞬间，我以为那个不幸被章鱼缠住的人可能从它那强大的吸盘上救下来。八只胳膊有七只都被砍下了。剩下的一只把那个人像一支笔般挥动，在空中转来转去。但当尼摩船长和他的副手扑到它身上去的时候，这个东西喷出一道黑色的液体，这是从它肚子中的一个口袋分泌出来的黑水。我们的眼睛都被弄得昏花看不见了。当这团浓黑雾气消散的时候，枪乌贼不见了，跟它一起，我的不幸的同胞也不见了！
那时我们是何等愤怒地来跟这些章鱼拼命呀！我们一点不能自主了。有十条或十二条章鱼侵到平台上和诺第留斯号两边来。我们在平台上，在血泊和墨水中跳动者的一条一条的肉段中间滚来滚去，这些粘性的触须就像多头蛇的头一样，一会又生出来了。尼德•兰的叉每一下都刺人枪鸟贼的海色眼睛中，把眼珠挖出来。可是，我的勇敢同伴不可能躲开，突然被一条怪物的触须卷住掀倒在地。枪乌贼的厉害可怕的嘴对着尼德•兰张开来。这个不幸的人要被咬为两段了。我急急跑去救他，但尼摩船长走在我的前面，先我动了手。他的斧子砍人两排巨大齿牙里面了，加拿大人出人意料地得救了，站起来，把整条叉刺人章鱼的三个心脏中。
“我应该有这次机会报答您啊！”尼摩船长对加拿大人说。
尼德点点头，没有回答他的话。
这次战斗延长至一刻钟之久。怪物打败了，受伤了，死了，最后给我们让出地方来，溜人水中不见了。
尼摩船长全身血红，站在探照灯附近，一动也不动，眼盯着吞噬了他的一个同伴的大海，大滴的泪珠从他的眼里淌了出来
Part 2 Chapter 19
This terrible scene of the 20th of April none of us can ever forget. I have written it under the influence of violent emotion. Since then I have revised the recital; I have read it to Conseil and to the Canadian. They found it exact as to facts, but insufficient as to effect. To paint such pictures, one must have the pen of the most illustrious of our poets, the author of The Toilers of the Deep. I have said that Captain Nemo wept while watching the waves; his grief was great. It was the second companion he had lost since our arrival on board, and what a death! That friend, crushed, stifled, bruised by the dreadful arms of a poulp, pounded by his iron jaws, would not rest with his comrades in the peaceful coral cemetery! In the midst of the struggle, it was the despairing cry uttered by the unfortunate man that had torn my heart. The poor Frenchman, forgetting his conventional language, had taken to his own mother tongue, to utter a last appeal! Amongst the crew of the Nautilus, associated with the body and soul of the Captain, recoiling like him from all contact with men, I had a fellow-countryman. Did he alone represent France in this mysterious association, evidently composed of individuals of divers nationalities? It was one of these insoluble problems that rose up unceasingly before my mind!
Captain Nemo entered his room, and I saw him no more for some time. But that he was sad and irresolute I could see by the vessel, of which he was the soul, and which received all his impressions. The Nautilus did not keep on in its settled course; it floated about like a corpse at the will of the waves. It went at random. He could not tear himself away from the scene of the last struggle, from this sea that had devoured one of his men. Ten days passed thus. It was not till the 1st of May that the Nautilus resumed its northerly course, after having sighted the Bahamas at the mouth of the Bahama Canal. We were then following the current from the largest river to the sea, that has its banks, its fish, and its proper temperatures. I mean the Gulf Stream. It is really a river, that flows freely to the middle of the Atlantic, and whose waters do not mix with the ocean waters. It is a salt river, salter than the surrounding sea. Its mean depth is 1,500 fathoms, its mean breadth ten miles. In certain places the current flows with the speed of two miles and a half an hour. The body of its waters is more considerable than that of all the rivers in the globe. It was on this ocean river that the Nautilus then sailed. I must add that, during the night, the phosphorescent waters of the Gulf Stream rivalled the electric power of our watch-light, especially in the stormy weather that threatened us so frequently. May 8th, we were still crossing Cape Hatteras, at the height of the North Caroline. The width of the Gulf Stream there is seventy-five miles, and its depth 210 yards. The Nautilus still went at random; all supervision seemed abandoned. I thought that, under these circumstances, escape would be possible. Indeed, the inhabited shores offered anywhere an easy refuge. The sea was incessantly ploughed by the steamers that ply between New York or Boston and the Gulf of Mexico, and overrun day and night by the little schooners coasting about the several parts of the American coast. We could hope to be picked up. It w
as a favourable opportunity, notwithstanding the thirty miles that separated the Nautilus from the coasts of the Union. One unfortunate circumstance thwarted the Canadian's plans. The weather was very bad. We were nearing those shores where tempests are so frequent, that country of waterspouts and cyclones actually engendered by the current of the Gulf Stream. To tempt the sea in a frail boat was certain destruction. Ned Land owned this himself. He fretted, seized with nostalgia that flight only could cure. "Master," he said that day to me, "this must come to an end. I must make a clean breast of it. This Nemo is leaving land and going up to the north. But I declare to you that I have had enough of the South Pole, and I will not follow him to the North." "What is to be done, Ned, since flight is impracticable just now?" "We must speak to the Captain," said he; "you said nothing when we were in your native seas. I will speak, now we are in mine. When I think that before long the Nautilus will be by Nova Scotia, and that there near New foundland is a large bay, and into that bay the St. Lawrence empties itself, and that the St. Lawrence is my river, the river by Quebec, my native town--when I think of this, I feel furious, it makes my hair stand on end. Sir, I would rather throw myself into the sea! I will not stay here! I am stifled!" The Canadian was evidently losing all patience. His vigorous nature could not stand this prolonged imprisonment. His face altered daily; his temper became more surly. I knew what he must suffer, for I was seized with home-sickness myself. Nearly seven months had passed without our having had any news from land; Captain Nemo's isolation, his altered spirits, especially since the fight with the poulps, his taciturnity, all made me view things in a different light. "Well, sir?" said Ned, seeing I did not reply. "Well, Ned, do you wish me to ask Captain Nemo his intentions concerning us?" "Yes, sir." "Although he has already made them known?" "Yes; I wish it settled finally. Sp
eak for me, in my name only, if you like." "But I so seldom meet him. He avoids me." "That is all the more reason for you to go to see him." I went to my room. From thence I meant to go to Captain Nemo's. It would not do to let this opportunity of meeting him slip. I knocked at the door. No answer. I knocked again, then turned the handle. The door opened, I went in. The Captain was there. Bending over his work-table, he had not heard me. Resolved not to go without having spoken, I approached him. He raised his head quickly, frowned, and said roughly, "You here! What do you want?" "To speak to you, Captain." "But I am busy, sir; I am working. I leave you at liberty to shut yourself up; cannot I be allowed the same?" This reception was not encouraging; but I was determined to hear and answer everything. "Sir," I said coldly, "I have to speak to you on a matter that admits of no delay." "What is that, sir?" he replied, ironically. "Have you discovered something that has escaped me, or has the sea delivered up any new secrets?" We were at cross-purposes. But, before I could reply, he showed me an open manuscript on his table, and said, in a more serious tone, "Here, M. Aronnax, is a manuscript written in several languages. It contains the sum of my studies of the sea; and, if it please God, it shall not perish with me. This manuscript, signed with my name, complete with the history of my life, will be shut up in a little floating case. The last survivor of all of us on board the Nautilus will throw this case into the sea, and it will go whither it is borne by the waves." This man's name! his history written by himself! His mystery would then be revealed some day. "Captain," I said, "I can but approve of the idea that makes you act thus. The result of your studies must not be lost. But the means you employ seem to me to be primitive. Who knows where the winds will carry this case, and in whose hands it will fall? Could you not use some other means? Could not you, or one of yours----" "Never, sir!" he said
, hastily interrupting me. "But I and my companions are ready to keep this manuscript in store; and, if you will put us at liberty----" "At liberty?" said the Captain, rising. "Yes, sir; that is the subject on which I wish to question you. For seven months we have been here on board, and I ask you to-day, in the name of my companions and in my own, if your intention is to keep us here always?" "M. Aronnax, I will answer you to-day as I did seven months ago: Whoever enters the Nautilus, must never quit it." "You impose actual slavery upon us!" "Give it what name you please." "But everywhere the slave has the right to regain his liberty." "Who denies you this right? Have I ever tried to chain you with an oath?" He looked at me with his arms crossed. "Sir," I said, "to return a second time to this subject will be neither to your nor to my taste; but, as we have entered upon it, let us go through with it. I repeat, it is not only myself whom it concerns. Study is to me a relief, a diversion, a passion that could make me forget everything. Like you, I am willing to live obscure, in the frail hope of bequeathing one day, to future time, the result of my labours. But it is otherwise with Ned Land. Every man, worthy of the name, deserves some consideration. Have you thought that love of liberty, hatred of slavery, can give rise to schemes of revenge in a nature like the Canadian's; that he could think, attempt, and try----" I was silenced; Captain Nemo rose. "Whatever Ned Land thinks of, attempts, or tries, what does it matter to me? I did not seek him! It is not for my pleasure that I keep him on board! As for you, M. Aronnax, you are one of those who can understand everything, even silence. I have nothing more to say to you. Let this first time you have come to treat of this subject be the last, for a second time I will not listen to you." I retired. Our situation was critical. I related my conversation to my two companions. "We know now," said Ned, "that we can expect nothing from this man. The Nautilus is ne
aring Long Island. We will escape, whatever the weather may be." But the sky became more and more threatening. Symptoms of a hurricane became manifest. The atmosphere was becoming white and misty. On the horizon fine streaks of cirrhous clouds were succeeded by masses of cumuli. Other low clouds passed swiftly by. The swollen sea rose in huge billows. The birds disappeared with the exception of the petrels, those friends of the storm. The barometer fell sensibly, and indicated an extreme extension of the vapours. The mixture of the storm glass was decomposed under the influence of the electricity that pervaded the atmosphere. The tempest burst on the 18th of May, just as the Nautilus was floating off Long Island, some miles from the port of New York. I can describe this strife of the elements! for, instead of fleeing to the depths of the sea, Captain Nemo, by an unaccountable caprice, would brave it at the surface. The wind blew from the south-west at first. Captain Nemo, during the squalls, had taken his place on the platform. He had made himself fast, to prevent being washed overboard by the monstrous waves. I had hoisted myself up, and made myself fast also, dividing my admiration between the tempest and this extraordinary man who was coping with it. The raging sea was swept by huge cloud-drifts, which were actually saturated with the waves. The Nautilus, sometimes lying on its side, sometimes standing up like a mast, rolled and pitched terribly. About five o'clock a torrent of rain fell, that lulled neither sea nor wind. The hurri cane blew nearly forty leagues an hour. It is under these conditions that it overturns houses, breaks iron gates, displaces twenty-four pounders. However, the Nautilus, in the midst of the tempest, confirmed the words of a clever engineer, "There is no well-constructed hull that cannot defy the sea." This was not a resisting rock; it was a steel spindle, obedient and movable, without rigging or masts, that braved its fury with impunity. However, I watched these raging w
aves attentively. They measured fifteen feet in height, and 150 to 175 yards long, and their speed of propagation was thirty feet per second. Their bulk and power increased with the depth of the water. Such waves as these, at the Hebrides, have displaced a mass weighing 8,400 lb. They are they which, in the tempest of December 23rd, 1864, after destroying the town of Yeddo, in Japan, broke the same day on the shores of America. The intensity of the tempest increased with the night. The barometer, as in 1860 at Reunion during a cyclone, fell seven-tenths at the close of day. I saw a large vessel pass the horizon struggling painfully. She was trying to lie to under half steam, to keep up above the waves. It was probably one of the steamers of the line from New York to Liverpool, or Havre. It soon disappeared in the gloom. At ten o'clock in the evening the sky was on fire. The atmosphere was streaked with vivid lightning. I could not bear the brightness of it; while the captain, looking at it, seemed to envy the spirit of the tempest. A terrible noise filled the air, a complex noise, made up of the howls of the crushed waves, the roaring of the wind, and the claps of thunder. The wind veered suddenly to all points of the horizon; and the cyclone, rising in the east, returned after passing by the north, west, and south, in the inverse course pursued by the circular storm of the southern hemisphere. Ah, that Gulf Stream! It deserves its name of the King of Tempests. It is that which causes those formidable cyclones, by the difference of temperature between its air and its currents. A shower of fire had succeeded the rain. The drops of water were changed to sharp spikes. One would have thought that Captain Nemo was courting a death worthy of himself, a death by lightning. As the Nautilus, pitching dreadfully, raised its steel spur in the air, it seemed to act as a conductor, and I saw long sparks burst from it. Crushed and without strength I crawled to the panel, opened it, and descended to the saloon. The sto
rm was then at its height. It was impossible to stand upright in the interior of the Nautilus. Captain Nemo came down about twelve. I heard the reservoirs filling by degrees, and the Nautilus sank slowly beneath the waves. Through the open windows in the saloon I saw large fish terrified, passing like phantoms in the water. Some were struck before my eyes. The Nautilus was still descending. I thought that at about eight fathoms deep we should find a calm. But no! the upper beds were too violently agitated for that. We had to seek repose at more than twenty-five fathoms in the bowels of the deep. But there, what quiet, what silence, what peace! Who could have told that such a hurricane had been let loose on the surface of that ocean?
4月20日的惊人场面在我们中间永远没有一人能忘记，我是在强烈的情绪下把它写下来的。以后我又把这个叙述重读一遍，我把它念给康塞尔和尼德•兰听。他们觉得我所写的很正确，跟实际情形一样，但产生的效果还不够强烈。想描绘这类图画，必须我们诗人中最有名的一位。
《海上劳工》的作者的妙笔①，才能表达出来。
我上面说过，尼摩船长眼盯着水波流消。他的痛苦是大得了不得的。自我们到船上来，这是他损失的第二个同伴。“这个同伴死得多么可怕！这个朋友被一条章鱼的粗大胳膊压扁，室息，扭断，被它的铁牙床研碎，不能跟他的同伴们一样地在珊瑚墓地的安静水底长眠！
对我个人来说，在这次战斗中，那个不幸的人发出的最后绝望的呼喊把我的心肠撕碎了。这个可怜的法国人，忘记他在船上约定的语言，又说出祖国和母亲的话来，发出最后一次的呼救！诺第留斯号所有的船员，他们全是身心跟尼摩船长还结在一起的，他们是跟他一样躲避人类的；那么，其中有一个是我的同胞！在这个神秘的团体中一这个团体显然由不同国籍的人组成一～代表法国的只是他一个人吗？这又是不断横在我心头的不可解的一个问题！
尼摩船长回他的房中去了，我有好些时候看不见他。
如果我从诺第留斯号来判断——因为他是船的灵魂，船完全受他的感应，他应该是愁闷、失望和踌躇，诺第留斯号并不保持一定的方向。它走来走去，像一具死尸，随波上下。
它的推进器已经松开，自由了，它几乎用不着这个推进器了。它没有固定方向地漂流着。它又不忍离开它最后一次斗争•的场所，那个吞噬了他的一个亲人的海面！
这样过了十天。一直到了5月：日，诺第留斯号在巴哈麻水道口望见留加衣群岛后，又驶向往北方去的水道。
我们于是沿着海中最大河流的潮水行驶，这河有它自己的边岸，自己的鱼类和自己的温度。我称这河为大西洋暖流。
是的，这是一条河流，它在大西洋中自由流动，它的水跟大西洋的水互不相混。它是一条成水河，比周围的海水更成。它的平均深度是三千英尺，平均宽度是六十海里。
在某几处，它的水流速度是每小时四公里。它的水的不变积量比地球上任何的河水积量都大。
大西洋暖流的真正水源，它的出发点，由莫利船长指出来的，可以说，是在嘉斯贡尼海湾①。它的水在这湾中，温度和颜色还不很强，但已经开始形成了。它向南流，沿赤道非洲走，水流受热带地区阳光的蒸晒，日益变得温热起来，横过大西洋，到达巴西海岸的三罗格罗，然后分成两个支流，一个支流流入安的列斯群岛海中，尽量吸取温热水分。这时候，大西洋暖流担任恢复海上温度的平衡，以及把热带海水跟北极海水混和起来，开始它的保持均衡的作用。在墨西哥湾中，它被晒至白热程度，沿北美海岸奔向北方，一直前进到纽芬兰岛。然后受台维斯海峡寒流的推送，转折向西，又流入大西洋中，在地球这一处的一个大圈上沿斜航曲线流去。到北纬43度，暖流又分为两支，其中一支受东北季候风的帮助，回到嘉斯贡尼湾和阿梭尔群岛，另一支使爱尔兰和挪威海岸获得温暖后，直流至斯勃齐堡，在斯勃齐堡一带，它的温度降至四度，形成北极自由流动的海。
这时诺第留斯号航行的就是大西洋的这条河流。从巴哈麻水道口出来，在十四里宽，三百五十米深的地方，暖流行动的速度是每小时八公里。这种速度越向北去越慢；这种规律性是有其存在必要的，因为有人已经指出，如果暖流的速度和方向改变了，欧洲的气候就将变幻莫测。
到中午左右，我跟康塞尔在平台上。我告诉他关于大西洋暖流的一些特殊性。当我把话说完时，我要他把手放到水流里面去。
康塞尔照我的话做，把手放下去，他很惊异，他没有丝毫冷热的感觉。
“这因为，”我对他说，“大西洋暖流从墨西哥湾出来，它的水温跟人的体温没有什么差别。暖流是巨大的暖气炉，使欧洲沿海气候温和，永远有青草绿叶。并且，如果我们要相信莫利说的活，把暖流的热力全部利用起来，供应的热量：可以使一条亚马逊河或密苏里河一般大的铁的河流，永远保持熔点温度。"在这时候，暖流的速度是每秒两米二十五厘米。它的水流跟周围的水流很不同，它的受压挤的水在洋面上特别浮出，使它的暖水和海中冷水之间造成不同的水平。另外，暖流的水很沉黑，富于盐质，它的纯蓝靛色在周围的绿波上截然分开。当诺第留斯号跟嘉、罗林群岛在同一纬度上，船冲角进入了暖流，它的推进器还在海水中搅动的计，候，这两种水流的分界线就有很明显的划分了。一个整个的生物世界被带进这水流里。在地中海很常见的肛鱼，成群地在暖流中游行。
在夜间，大西洋暖流的磷光海水跟我们探照灯的电光相竞赛，特别在天气变化、有暴风雨威胁我们的时候。
5月8日，跟北加罗林群岛在同一纬度上，我们还是与哈提拉斯角侧面遥遥相对。这时，大西洋暖流的宽度是七千五海里，它的深度是二百一十米。诺第留斯号继续随意冒险行驶。在船上好像没有什么管理和监督了。我要承认，在这种情况下，逃走的计划很可能实现，是的，有人居住的海岸到处都给人们以方便的藏身处。海上有许多汽船不断往来行驶，它们是从纽约或从波士顿到墨西哥湾的定期船只，又有那些小的二桅帆船在美洲沿海各地担任沿岸航行的工作。我们对很有希望能得到这些船只的接待。所以，现在是一个很好的机会。就是诺第留斯号离美洲联邦海岸有三十海里，也没有什么关系。
但突然的险恶情势完全打破了加拿大人的计划。天气很坏。我们走近了这带常有暴风的海，就是台风和旋风产生的地方，产生的原因，正是由于大西洋暖流。在一只脆弱的小艇上，冒险与时常狂吼的波涛搏斗，那一定是白送性命。尼德•兰本人也同意这种看法。所以，对于他的发狂的思乡病，虽然只有逃走才能治疗，但现在，他也只能咬紧牙关，再忍耐一些时候了。
“事情必须结束了，”那一天他对我说，“我想对于这事必须有明确的决定。您的尼摩离开陆地，往上溯，向北开行了。但我公开对您说，南极我已经受够了，我决不跟他到北极去。”
“怎么办，尼德？这时候，逃走是不可能呢！”
“我还是我从前的那个主意。必须跟船长谈一下。当我们在您的祖国沿海中的时候，您并没有跟他说。现在到我的祖国沿海中了，我要跟他说了。当我想到，没有几天，诺第留斯号就要跟新苏格兰在同一纬度上，在那边，近纽芬兰岛，现出阔大的海湾，圣劳伦斯河流入这湾中，圣劳伦斯河是我的河，是我生长的城市魁北克所在的河，当我想到这事时，我的愤怒完全露在我脸上了，我的头发竖起来了。您瞧，先生，我情愿跳到海中去！我不愿留在这里！我闷死了！”
加拿大人显然是忍无可忍了。他的坚强天性不可能跟这无期延长的监牢生活相适应。他的容貌一天一天改变。
他的性格愈来愈忧郁。我感觉到他所忍受的苦恼，因为我也一样，心中有了思乡玻差不多七个月过去了，一点陆地上的消息也得不到。还有，尼摩船长的孤独，他脾气的改变——特别自从那一次跟章鱼战斗后，他的沉默，都使我在不同的角度下来看这些问题。我感到臼己心中没有那开始时期的热情了。在这专给鲸科动物和其他海中生物生活的环境中，只有像康塞尔这样的一个佛兰蒙人才能安心接受。
真是，如果这个老实人没有肺而有腮，我想他很可以做一条了不得的好鱼！
“先生，怎么样？”尼德•兰看见我不回答，立即又说。
“尼德，那么，您要我去问尼摩船长，他对于我们是怀着怎样的意图吗？”
“是的，先生。”
“虽然他已经说过了，也还要问一下吗？”
“是的。我希望最后一次把这件事搞明白，请你特别为我同他说吧，单单以我的名义同他说吧。”
，‘可是我很难碰见他。而且他也在躲我呢“那就更多一个理由，必须去看他了。”
“尼德，我不久一定问他，”
“什么时候？”加拿大人坚持地问。
“当我碰见他的时候。…
“阿龙纳斯先生，您让我找他去好吗？”
“不，我找他去。明天……”
“今天。"尼德•兰说。
“好。今天，我就去看他。"我回答加拿大人说。要是他自己去的话，一定会把整个事情搞糟了。
我独自留在那里。我决定去问船长了，我打定主意立即把事情办完，我喜欢办完的事，不喜欢待办的事。
我回到我房中。从我房中，我听到尼摩船长的房中有脚步声，那就不应该放过这个碰见他的机会了。我敲敲他的门，我得不到回答。我又敲一下，然后我用手转动门扣。
环境中，只有像康塞尔这样的一个佛兰蒙人才能安心接受。
真是，如果这个老实人没有肺而有腮，我想他很可以做一条了不得的好鱼！
“先生，怎么样？”尼德•兰看见我不回答，立即又说。
“尼德，那么，您要我去问尼摩船长，他对于我们是怀着怎样的意图吗？”
“是的，先生。”
“虽然他已经说过了，也还要问一下吗？”
“是的。我希望最后一次把这件事搞明白，请你特别为我同他说吧，单单以我的名义同他说吧。”
，‘可是我很难碰见他。而且他也在躲我呢“那就更多一个理由，必须去看他了。”
“尼德，我不久一定问他，”
“什么时候？”加拿大人坚持地问。
“当我碰见他的时候。…
“阿龙纳斯先生，您让我找他去好吗？”
“不，我找他去。明天……”
“今天。"尼德•兰说。
“好。今天，我就去看他。"我回答加拿大人说。要是他自己去的话，一定会把整个事情搞糟了。
我独自留在那里。我决定去问船长了，我打定主意立即把事情办完，我喜欢办完的事，不喜欢待办的事。
我回到我房中。从我房中，我听到尼摩船长的房中有脚步声，那就不应该放过这个碰见他的机会了。我敲敲他的门，我得不到回答。我又敲一下，然后我用手转动门扣。
决不能让它损失，但您用来执行您的计划的，是很原始粗糙的方法。谁知道大凤把这盒子吹到哪里去？它将落到什么人的手中？您不能找出更好的办法吗？您，或你们中的一位，不可以……？”
“永不能，先生。”尼摩船长打断我的话，急促地说。
“就是我，我的同伴们，我们愿意保存这特别藏起来的手稿，如果您能恢复我们的自由……”“自由！”尼摩船长站起来说。
“是的，先生，就是这个问题，我现在要来问问您。我们在您船上有七个月了，我今天用我的同伴和我的名义来问您，您的意图是不是要把我们永远留在这船上。”
“阿龙纳斯先生，”尼摩船长说，“我今天要回答您的话，就是七个月前我回答过您的：谁进了诺第留斯号就不能离开它。”
“您要我们接受的简直是奴隶制了！”
“随便您喜欢给它川•么名称吧。”
“可是，奴隶随时随地保留有要恢复他的自由的权利：不管哪种机会来到，他都会认为是好的，都要加以利用！
“这个权利，”尼摩船长回答，“谁否认您有？我曾想过要您们发誓把您们束缚住吗？"船长两手交叉在胸前，眼盯着我。
“先生，”我对他说，“第二次再来谈这个问题，不是您所高兴，也不是我所愿意的。不过我们既然说到了，我们就尽情地谈一下。我再重复一遍，这不是单单关于我个人的问题。对我来说，研究是一种帮助，一种有力的转移，一种吸引，一种热情，可以使我忘记一切。跟您一样，我生活不求人知，我只有一种微小的希望，想把自己工作的结果，有一天利用一个靠不住的盒子，随风浪的漂流，遗赠给将来的人。总之，我在我了解您这个人的某些方面上。我可以佩服您，跟着您，没有什么苦恼和不快。但您的生活有其他的方面，使我觉得它是很复杂和很神秘，就是这一部分，一直到现在，我的同伴和我，丝毫不了解。我们的心时常为您而跳动，为您的某些痛苦而感动，或为您的天才或勇敢行为而鼓舞：但是，我们同时又看到，不论是从朋友或从敌人方面发出来的美和善，哪怕是出于人类同情心的最细微的表示，我们也必须把它压抑在心中，不能露出来，那么，就是这种感觉，我们对于所有牵涉到您的全是陌生的这种感觉，也就使得我们的处境有些不能忍受下去；甚至对我来说也是这样。
特别对尼德•兰来说，更是这样。对自由的热爱，对奴役的憎恨：在天性跟加拿大人一般的人心中可以生出的报复计划，他可能思想的，可能企图的，可能要做的……您心中曾想过一下吗？"我停声不说了。尼摩船长站起来说：“尼德•兰思索的，企图的，要做的是什么，随他的意思去，那跟我有什么关系？并不是我把他找来的呀！并不是我高兴把他留在船上啊！至于您，阿龙纳斯先生，您是能了解一切的人，就是不说出来您也能了解的人，我没有什么话可以回答您的了。希望您来谈这个问题的第一次也就是最后一次了，因为第二次我就是听都不听您了。”
我退出来。
自这一天起，我们的情形很是紧张。我把谈话报告给我的两个同伴听了。
“我们现在知道，”尼德•兰说，“对于这个人我们不能有什么期待了。诺第留斯号现在接近长岛，不管天气怎样，我们逃吧。"但是天气愈来愈坏，有迹象预告大风暴就要到来。空中大气变成灰白的牛奶色。在天际，接着一阵一阵疏散的淡云来的，是那朵朵的浓密乌云了。别的低垂的层云很快地在空中飞过。海水高涨，鼓起阔大的波涛。除了喜欢跟风暴做朋友的那一种：海燕外，所有的鸟都不见了。风雨表显著下降，表示空中的温度很高，水蒸气很多。暴风镜受了大气中饱和的电力，内部物质分解了。风雨的猛烈斗争很快就要展开了。
大风暴在5月8日那一天爆发，正当诺第留斯号跟长岛在同一纬度上，距纽约水道只有几海里远的时候。我可以描写这次风雨的激烈斗争，因为，不知由于哪种古怪的情绪，尼摩船长不让船潜入海底，而要它在水而上乘风破浪。
凤从西南方吹来，首先是一阵一阵的凉凤，就是说，每秒的速度为十五米，到下午二点左右，速度就达到每秒二十五米。这是暴风的速度了。
尼摩船长站在平台上，在猛烈的暴风下屹立不动。他腰间用绳子捆住，可以抵抗阵阵冲来的大浪。我也站在平台上，也用绳子把自己捆起来，欣赏这风暴，同时又赞美这不怕风暴的无与伦比的人。波涛汹涌的海面被浸在水中的片片巨大浓云扫过。我再也看不见大漩涡中形成的中间小浪。只有煤黑色的长波大浪，浪尖并不汹涌，因为它们紧凑环境中，只有像康塞尔这样的一个佛兰蒙人才能安心接受。
真是，如果这个老实人没有肺而有腮，我想他很可以做一条了不得的好鱼！
“先生，怎么样？”尼德•兰看见我不回答，立即又说。
“尼德，那么，您要我去问尼摩船长，他对于我们是怀着怎样的意图吗？”
“是的，先生。”
“虽然他已经说过了，也还要问一下吗？”
“是的。我希望最后一次把这件事搞明白，请你特别为我同他说吧，单单以我的名义同他说吧。”
，‘可是我很难碰见他。而且他也在躲我呢“那就更多一个理由，必须去看他了。”
“尼德，我不久一定问他，”
“什么时候？”加拿大人坚持地问。
“当我碰见他的时候。…
“阿龙纳斯先生，您让我找他去好吗？”
“不，我找他去。明天……”
“今天。"尼德•兰说。
“好。今天，我就去看他。"我回答加拿大人说。要是他自己去的话，一定会把整个事情搞糟了。
我独自留在那里。我决定去问船长了，我打定主意立即把事情办完，我喜欢办完的事，不喜欢待办的事。
我回到我房中。从我房中，我听到尼摩船长的房中有脚步声，那就不应该放过这个碰见他的机会了。我敲敲他的门，我得不到回答。我又敲一下，然后我用手转动门扣。
划为条纹。
我受不了闪电的光辉，但尼摩船长正视着它，好像要把风暴的灵魂吸取过来。隆隆可怕的响声布满空中，这是很复杂的声响，由互相击打的波浪怒吼声，大风的呼啸声，雷电的爆裂声所组成。凤从夭际各处吹来，台风臼东方出发，经过北方、西方和南方，又回到东方，跟北半球的回旋风暴的方向正相反。
啊：这大西洋暖流！它被称为风暴王，真有道理！由于在它水流上面，备层空气的温度不同，使它造成厉害强大的台风。
接着大雨，就是一阵烈火。雨点变为轰掣闪电的羽饰了。真使人要说，尼摩船长想求得一种配得上他身份的死。
是要让雷来轰自己呢。受到了一次可怕的颠簸震动，诺第留斯号把它前头的冲角竖起在空中，像避雷针那样，我看见从冲角上发出很长的火花。疲乏了，力尽了，我爬在台上滚到嵌板边去。我把嵌板弄开，下到客厅中，这时候，狂风暴雨，雷电交加，猛烈达到了最高点。想在诺第留斯号内部站立起来，简直不可能。
尼摩船长到半夜左右才回船中，我听到储水池渐渐装满水，诺第留斯号轻轻地沉到海水下面去。
通过客厅中打开的玻璃窗，我看见好些惊慌的大鱼，像幽灵一样，在火光照耀的水中走过。有一些鱼就在我眼前叭雷轰死了。诺第留斯号老是下降。我想它在十五米深的地方又可以得到安静。出乎意料之外，上部水层受到了过度激烈的搅动。一直要到五十个米深，在海的深处，它才找到安宁水底是多么安定，多么寂静，多么和平的环境！谁能说这时在大洋面上没有可怕的狂风暴雨呢？
Part 2 Chapter 20
In consequence of the storm, we had been thrown eastward once more. All hope of escape on the shores of New York or St. Lawrence had faded away; and poor Ned, in despair, had isolated himself like Captain Nemo. Conseil and I, however, never left each other. I said that the Nautilus had gone aside to the east. I should have said (to be more exact) the north-east. For some days, it wandered first on the surface, and then beneath it, amid those fogs so dreaded by sailors. What accidents are due to these thick fogs! What shocks upon these reefs when the wind drowns the breaking of the waves! What collisions between vessels, in spite of their warning lights, whistles, and alarm bells! And the bottoms of these seas look like a field of battle, where still lie all the conquered of the ocean; some old and already encrusted, others fresh and reflecting from their iron bands and copper plates the brilliancy of our lantern. On the 15th of May we were at the extreme south of the Bank of Newfoundland. This bank consists of alluvia, or large heaps of organic matter, brought either from the Equator by the Gulf Stream, or from the North Pole by the counter-current of cold water which skirts the American coast. There also are heaped up those erratic blocks which are carried along by the broken ice; and close by, a vast charnel-house of molluscs, which perish here by millions. The depth of the sea is not great at Newfoundland--not more than some hundreds of fathoms; but towards the south is a depression of 1,500 fathoms. There the Gulf Stream widens. It loses some of its speed and some of its temperature, but it becomes a sea.
It was on the 17th of May, about 500 miles from Heart's Content, at a depth of more than 1,400 fathoms, that I saw the electric cable lying on the bottom. Conseil, to whom I had not mentioned it, thought at first that it was a gigantic sea-serpent. But I undeceived the worthy fellow, and by way of consolation related several particulars in the laying of this cable. The first one was laid in the years 1857 and 1858; but, after transmitting about 400 telegrams, would not act any longer. In 1863 the engineers constructed an other one, measuring 2,000 miles in length, and weighing 4,500 tons, which was embarked on the Great Eastern. This attempt also failed.
On the 25th of May the Nautilus, being at a depth of more than 1,918 fathoms, was on the precise spot where the rupture occurred which ruined the enterprise. It was within 638 miles of the coast of Ireland; and at half-past two in the afternoon they discovered that communication with Europe had ceased. The electricians on board resolved to cut the cable before fishing it up, and at eleven o'clock at night they had recovered the damaged part. They made another point and spliced it, and it was once more submerged. But some days after it broke again, and in the depths of the ocean could not be recaptured. The Americans, however, were not discouraged. Cyrus Field, the bold promoter of the enterprise, as he had sunk all his own fortune, set a new subscription on foot, which was at once answered, and another cable was constructed on better principles. The bundles of conducting wires were each enveloped in gutta-percha, and protected by a wadding of hemp, contained in a metallic covering. The Great Eastern sailed on the 13th of July, 1866. The operation worked well. But one incident occurred. Several times in unrolling the cable they observed that nails had recently been forced into it, evidently with the motive of destroying it. Captain Anderson, the officers, and engineers consulted together, and had it posted up that, if the offender was surprised on board, he would be thrown without further trial into the sea. From that time the criminal attempt was never repeated. On the 23rd of July the Great Eastern was not more than 500 miles from Newfoundland, when they telegraphed from Ireland the news of the armistice concluded between Prussia and Austria after Sadowa. On the 27th, in the midst of heavy fogs, they reached the port of Heart's Content. The enterprise was successfully terminated; and for its first despatch, young America addressed old Europe in these words of wisdom, so rarely understood: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men." I did not expect to find the electric cable
in its primitive state, such as it was on leaving the manufactory. The long serpent, covered with the remains of shells, bristling with foraminiferae, was encrusted with a strong coating which served as a protection against all boring molluscs. It lay quietly sheltered from the motions of the sea, and under a favourable pressure for the transmission of the electric spark which passes from Europe to America in .32 of a second. Doubtless this cable will last for a great length of time, for they find that the gutta-percha covering is improved by the sea-water. Besides, on this level, so well chosen, the cable is never so deeply submerged as to cause it to break. The Nautilus followed it to the lowest depth, which was more than 2,212 fathoms, and there it lay without any anchorage; and then we reached the spot where the accident had taken place in 1863. The bottom of the ocean then formed a valley about 100 miles broad, in which Mont Blanc might have been placed without its summit appearing above the waves. This valley is closed at the east by a perpendicular wall more than 2,000 yards high. We arrived there on the 28th of May, and the Nautilus was then not more than 120 miles from Ireland.
Was Captain Nemo going to land on the British Isles? No. To my great surprise he made for the south, once more coming back towards European seas. In rounding the Emerald Isle, for one instant I caught sight of Cape Clear, and the light which guides the thousands of vessels leaving Glasgow or Liverpool. An important question then arose in my mind. Did the Nautilus dare entangle itself in the Manche? Ned Land, who had re-appeared since we had been nearing land, did not cease to question me. How could I answer? Captain Nemo reminded invisible. After having shown the Canadian a glimpse of American shores, was he going to show me the coast of France? But the Nautilus was still going southward. On the 30th of May, it passed in sight of Land's End, between the extreme point of England and the Scilly Isles, which were left to starboard. If we wished to enter the Manche, he must go straight to the east. He did not do so.
During the whole of the 31st of May, the Nautilus described a series of circles on the water, which greatly interested me. It seemed to be seeking a spot it had some trouble in finding. At noon, Captain Nemo himself came to work the ship's log. He spoke no word to me, but seemed gloomier than ever. What could sadden him thus? Was it his proxim ity to European shores? Had he some recollections of his abandoned country? If not, what did he feel? Remorse or regret? For a long while this thought haunted my mind, and I had a kind of presentiment that before long chance would betray the captain's secrets.
The next day, the 1st of June, the Nautilus continued the same process. It was evidently seeking some particular spot in the ocean. Captain Nemo took the sun's altitude as he had done the day before. The sea was beautiful, the sky clear. About eight miles to the east, a large steam vessel could be discerned on the horizon. No flag fluttered from its mast, and I could not discover its nationality. Some minutes before the sun passed the meridian, Captain Nemo took his sextant, and watched with great attention. The perfect rest of the water greatly helped the operation. The Nautilus was motionless; it neither rolled nor pitched. I was on the platform when the altitude was taken, and the Captain pronounced these words: "It is here." He turned and went below. Had he seen the vessel which was changing its course and seemed to be nearing us? I could not tell. I returned to the saloon. The panels closed, I heard the hissing of the water in the reservoirs. The Nautilus began to sink, following a vertical line, for its screw communicated no motion to it. Some minutes later it stopped at a depth of more than 420 fathoms, resting on the ground. The luminous ceiling was darkened, then the panels were opened, and through the glass I saw the sea brilliantly illuminated by the rays of our lantern for at least half a mile round us. I looked to the port side, and saw nothing but an immensity of quiet waters. But to starboard, on the bottom appeared a large protuberance, which at once attracted my attention. One would have thought it a ruin buried under a coating of white shells, much resembling a covering of snow. Upon examining the mass attentively, I could recognise the ever-thickening form of a vessel bare of its masts, which must have sunk. It certainly belonged to past times. This wreck, to be thus encrusted with the lime of the water, must already be able to count many years passed at the bottom of the ocean.
What was this vessel? Why did the Nautilus visit its tomb? Could it have been aught but a shipwreck which had drawn it under the water? I knew not what to think, when near me in a slow voice I heard Captain Nemo say: "At one time this ship was called the Marseillais. It carried seventy-four guns, and was launched in 1762. In 1778, the 13th of August, commanded by La Poype-Ver trieux, it fought boldly against the Preston. In 1779, on the 4th of July, it was at the taking of Grenada, with the squadron of Admiral Estaing. In 1781, on the 5th of September, it took part in the battle of Comte de Grasse, in Chesapeake Bay. In 1794, the French Republic changed its name. On the 16th of April, in the same year, it joined the squadron of Villaret Joyeuse, at Brest, being entrusted with the escort of a cargo of corn coming from America, under the command of Admiral Van Stebel. On the 11th and 12th Prairal of the second year, this squadron fell in with an English vessel. Sir, to-day is the 13th Prairal, the first of June, 1868. It is now seventy-four years ago, day for day on this very spot, in latitude 47" 24', longitude 17" 28', that this vessel, after fighting heroically, losing its three masts, with the water in its hold, and the third of its crew disabled, preferred sinking with its 356 sailors to surrendering; and, nailing its colours to the poop, disappeared under the waves to the cry of `Long live the Republic!'" "The Avenger!" I exclaimed. "Yes, sir, the Avenger! A good name!" muttered Captain Nemo, crossing his arms.
西经17度28分在这次大风暴之后，我们的船被抛到东方去了。在纽约或圣劳伦斯河口附近陆地逃走的一切希望都消灭了。可怜的尼德十分失望，他像尼摩船长一样孤独，不理人。康塞尔和我，我们再不离开，时常在一起。
我上面说过，诺第留斯号躲到东方去。更正确一点，我应当说是躲到东北方去。几天来，它有时在水面上漂流，有时在水底下行驶，在航海家十分惧怕的浓雾中间沉浮不定。
这些浓雾的发生主要由于冰雪融解，使大气极端潮湿。有多少船只在这一带海中找寻岸上模糊不清的灯火的时候就沉没了！有多少灾祸由于这些阴暗的雾气造成！在那些暗礁上，回潮的声音被风声所淹没，因而多少船只未能避免触礁的厄运，在船只之间，尽管它们有表示方位的灯光，尽管它们鸣笛相告，敲钟报警，仍然发生了多少次相撞。
所以，这一带海底的情形真像是一所战场，战败者静默地躺在那里。有一些已经朽烂了，另一些还崭新，它们的铁制部分和铜质船底反映出我们探照灯的光辉。这些船只中间，有多少在统计表中特别指出的危险地点——种族角、圣•保罗岛、美岛峡、圣•劳伦斯河口，连同它们的船员，它们的乘客，一齐沉没了！
5月15日，我们是在纽芬兰岛暗礁脉的极南端。暗礁脉是海水冲积的结果，是一大堆有机体的渣滓残骸，它们被大西洋暖流从赤道一路输送过来；或被寒流夹带，从北极沿美洲海岸流下来。这里还累积起由那冰雪的崩裂冲刷下来的漂流石岩。这里形成了戍亿成万死亡的鱼类，软体类或植虫类的骸骨堆积常纽芬兰岛暗礁脉间，海水并不很深，大约至多不过几百米。但向南一点，海底就突然下陷，形成一个深三千米的涧穴。在这里，暖流就扩大了，它的水流完全散开了。它的速度减低，它的温度下降，它变为海了。
被诺第留斯号驶过所惊吓的鱼类中间，我举出硬鳍海兔；身长一米，脊背灰黑，肚腹橙黄，它对于夫妻爱情很是忠实——它虽然给自己的同类作了榜样，但并不被同类所模仿，有一条身材长大的油尼纳克鱼，是一种翡翠色的酥鱼，味道很美。有眼睛圆大的卡拉克鱼，头有点像狗的脑袋。
有奇形鲫鱼，像蛇一样，是卵生的鱼。有弹形虾虎鱼，或河沙鱼，长两分米，黑色。有长尾鱼，尾很长，发出银色的光辉，是速度很快的鱼，一直可以跑到极北的海中去。船上鱼网也打到一条大胆、勇敢、强悍、多肉的鱼，这鱼头上有刺，鳍上有针，是长二至三米的海中蝎子，它是奇形鲫鱼、鳕鱼和鲑鱼的死敌；它是北方海中的刺鳝鱼，身上多瘤，栗子色，鲸红色。诺第留斯号的打鱼人费了些工夫才把这鱼捉到手：这鱼由于鳃盖结构特殊，接触干燥的空气后呼吸器官们得保全，因此它离开海水，还可以活一些时候。
我现在举出一些丛鱼，这是在北极海中长久陪伴着船只的小鱼。银白尖嘴鱼，是大西洋北部特产的鱼，还有“位斯加斯”笠子鱼。我看见了鹰鱼类，这是鳌鱼的一种，它们特别喜欢居住在这一带水中：在这纽芬兰岛暗礁脉上，简直是看不完；打不荆人们可以说，这些鳌鱼是山中的鱼，因为纽芬兰岛不过是一座海底大山。当诺第留斯号从它们拥挤的队伍中间打开一条道路的时候，康塞尔不能不说出这话来：“呀！鳖鱼哩！”他说，“我以为鳖鱼是跟蝶鱼和靴底鱼一般板平的呢？"“你大天真了！”我喊道，“鳖鱼只在杂货铺中是乎板的，那是人家把它们割开了摆出来的。但在水里面，它们跟鳏鱼类一样，是纺锤形的鱼，完全便于水中穿行。”
“我相信是这样，先生，”康塞尔回答，“这么多！乌云一般！蚂蚁窝一般！”
“唆！我的朋友，如果没有它们的敌人笠子鱼和人类，它们可能更多呢！你知道在单单一条母鳖鱼身上有多少卵吗？"“我们尽量地说吧，”康塞尔回答，“五十万。”
“一千一百万，我的朋友。”
“一千一百万，除非我亲自计算过，否则我决不能相信。”
“康塞尔，你算去吧。你可能更快地相信我的诺了。本来，法国人，英国人，美国人，丹麦人，挪威人，打鳖鱼都是上千上万打的。消费鳖鱼的数量是巨大无比的，如果不是这种鱼有这样惊人的繁殖力，海中早就没有它们了。比如单单在英国和美国，有五千只船由七万五千水手驾驶，专供打鳖鱼之用。平均每一只船可以打到四万条，一共就是二十万条。在挪威沿海的情形也一样。”
“好，”康塞尔回答，“那我相信先生的活。我不去算它们了。”
“算什么呢？”
“就是那一千一百万只卵。但我要特别提一句——”“特别提什么？"“就是，如果所有的卵都能成长，那么四条母鳌鱼即可以供应英国、美国和挪威了。"当我们掠过纽芬兰岛暗礁脉时，我看得很清楚每只船放下来的十来根长钓丝，上面装有二百个钩饵，每根钓丝的一端用小锚钩住，由固定在浮标上的线把它拉在水面上。
诺第留斯号在这水底线网中间很巧妙地驶过去。
“占在许多船只往来的这一带海中停得不久，它直往北纬42度上驶。那是跟纽芬兰的圣•约翰港和内心港在同一纬度，内心港是横过大西洋海底电线的终点。
诺第留斯号并不继续往北，它向东驶，好像它要沿着海底电线，作为电线柱的暗礁高地驶去；这些高地经过多次的探测，高低起伏都有很确切的记录。
那是5月17日，距内心港约五百海里，在二千八百米深的地方，我看见放在侮底下的电线。康塞尔，我没有预先告诉池，看见电线，起初认为是一条巨大的海蛇，打算按照他平常的方法，把它分类。但我很快使这老实人明白过来，同时为安慰他的苦恼起见，我给他谈了这条海底电线装设的特殊过程。
第一条海底电线是在1857年和1858年间装设的，但传达了四百次左右的电报后，就不能用了。1863年工程师们制造一条新线，长三千四百公里，贡四千五百吨，由大东方号装运。但这次的装设又失败了。
可是5月25日，诺第留斯号下降到三千八百三十二米深的地方，就是在装设失败、电线中断的地点。这地点距爱尔兰海岸六百三十八海里。当时人们查出下午两点跟欧洲的电报交通就中断了。船上的电气工人决定把线拉上来之前，先把它割断，晚上十一点，他们把损坏部分的电线拉上来。他们重新做了一个连络和接线，又把线放到海底去。
可是过了几天，线又断了，并且不可能把它从海底收回。
美国人并不因此就失望。倡办海底电线的人，大胆的西留斯•费尔提，把自己的全部财产投到里面去，同时，又发出募股新办法。新股款立即募足。另一条海底线在最优良的条件下装备起来。伶电的钢丝包在胶皮里面，完全绝缘，先由纤维做的带子缠裹，周密保护，外面再用金属套管包起来。大东方号于1866年7月13日开出，到海上装设电线。
装设进行相当顺利；可是发生了意外事件。有好几次，把线放开来装的时候，电气工人检查出线上有新钉进去的人钉目的在损毁里面的铜丝，使它不能传电。安德生船长，他的宫佐，他的工程师，一道开会，考虑这事，他们贴出布告说，如果罪人当时在船上被拿获，他将不经审判，立即投入海中。自后，这种犯罪行为就不再发生。
7月23日，大东方号把海底线装到了只距纽芬兰岛八 i公里的时候，人们从爱尔兰打电报给它，说普鲁土和奥地利在萨多瓦战事后已经成立了停战协定。17日，它在浓雾中安装到内心港。海底电线的工作顺利地完成了。第一封海底电报是青年的美洲向老年的欧洲发出的刁：为时人所了解的下面几句言词：“光荣是属于天上的上帝，和平是属于地上的善良的人们。"我不能想象看见的海底电线仍是它原来的样子，这条长蛇由介壳的残体掩蔽起来，到处丛生着有孔虫，外面封上了一层石质的粘胶，保护它不受有钻穿力的软体动物的侵害。它安静地躺在海底，不受海水波动的影响，只是感到从美州到欧州要百分之三十二秒钟顺利传达电报的轻微电压。这条海底电线可以经久耐用，因为人们指出，树胶外套留在海水中，变得更加优良，更加坚固了。
并且，在这选择得十分合适的暗礁高地上，海底线并没有沉到它能被冲断的深水层中去。诺第留斯号沿电线到了最深的水底，达到四千四百三十一米的深处，电线安置在那里，一点不显出拖拉的痕迹。然后我们走近1863年意外事件发生的地点。
这里的海底形成一个阔一百二十公里的广大山谷，在山谷上面，就是把勃朗峰放下去，山峰也还露不出水面来。
山谷在东边有一道高二千米的峭壁把它挡祝我们于26日到了这山谷，诺第留斯号距爱尔兰只有一百五十公里了；尼摩船长是要上溯到不列颠群岛靠陆吗？不是。十分出我意外，他又向南下驶，回到欧洲海中来。在绕过翡翠岛的时的吗？
我心中正在思索的时候，在我旁边，我听到尼摩船长缓慢的声音在那里说：“从前这只船叫做马赛人号。它装有七十四门大炮，于 1762年下水。1778年8月13日，由拉•波亚披•威土利欧指挥，对普列斯敦号①勇敢作战。1779年7月4日，它跟德斯丹②海军大将的舰队一齐攻下格这那德③。1781年9月5日，它参加格拉斯④伯爵在捷萨别克湾⑤的海战。
179：年，法兰西共和国更换了它的名称。同年4月16日，它加入威拉列•若亚尤斯③指挥的舰队，护送美国派出的山万•斯他比尔海军大将率领的一队小麦输送船。共和纪元之年冈月①11和12两日，这舰队跟英国舰队在海上遭遇。先生，今天是圆月13日，1868年6月 1日。一天一天算，现在是整整七十四年，在相同的这个地点，北纬47度 2分，西经17度28分，这只战舰，经过英勇的战斗后，三支桅被打断，船舱中涌进海水，它的三分之一船员失去战斗力，情愿带它的三百五十六名水手沉到海底去，不愿意投降敌人，把旗帜钉在船尾，在‘法兰西共和国万岁！幕逗羯校撩缓Ｖ小！?
“复仇号！”我喊道。
“是的！先生。复仇号！多美的名号！”尼摩船长交叉着两手，低声说。
Part 2 Chapter 21
The way of describing this unlooked-for scene, the history of the patriot ship, told at first so coldly, and the emotion with which this strange man pronounced the last words, the name of the Avenger, the significance of which could not escape me, all impressed itself deeply on my mind. My eyes did not leave the Captain, who, with his hand stretched out to sea, was watching with a glowing eye the glorious wreck. Perhaps I was never to know who he was, from whence he came, or where he was going to, but I saw the man move, and apart from the savant. It was no common misanthropy which had shut Captain Nemo and his companions within the Nautilus, but a hatred, either monstrous or sublime, which time could never weaken. Did this hatred still seek for vengeance? The future would soon teach me that. But the Nautilus was rising slowly to the surface of the sea, and the form of the Avenger disappeared by degrees from my sight. Soon a slight rolling told me that we were in the open air. At that moment a dull boom was heard. I looked at the Captain. He did not move. "Captain?" said I.
He did not answer. I left him and mounted the platform. Conseil and the Canadian were already there. "Where did that sound come from?" I asked. "It was a gunshot," replied Ned Land.
I looked in the direction of the vessel I had already seen. It was nearing the Nautilus, and we could see that it was putting on steam. It was within six miles of us. "What is that ship, Ned?" "By its rigging, and the height of its lower masts," said the Canadian, "I bet she is a ship-of-war. May it reach us; and, if necessary, sink this cursed Nautilus." "Friend Ned," replied Conseil, "what harm can it do to the Nautilus? Can it attack it beneath the waves? Can its cannonade us at the bottom of the sea?" "Tell me, Ned," said I, "can you recognise what country she belongs to?" The Canadian knitted his eyebrows, dropped his eyelids, and screwed up the corners of his eyes, and for a few moments fixed a piercing look upon the vessel. "No, sir," he replied; "I cannot tell what nation she belongs to, for she shows no colours. But I can declare she is a man-of-war, for a long pennant flutters from her main mast." For a quarter of an hour we watched the ship which was steaming towards us. I could not, however, believe that she could see the Nautilus from that distance; and still less that she could know what this submarine engine was. Soon the Canadian informed me that she was a large, armoured, two-decker ram. A thick black smoke was pouring from her two funnels. Her closely-furled sails were stopped to her yards. She hoisted no flag at her mizzen-peak. The distance prevented us from distinguishing the colours of her pennant, which floated like a thin ribbon. She advanced rapidly. If Captain Nemo allowed her to approach, there was a chance of salvation for us. "Sir," said Ned Land, "if that vessel passes within a mile of us I shall throw myself into the sea, and I should advise you to do the same." I did not reply to the Canadian's suggestion, but continued watching the ship. Whether English, French, American, or Russian, she would be sure to take us in if we could only reach her. Presently a white smoke burst from the fore part of the vessel; some seconds after, the water, agitated by the fall of a heavy body, s
plashed the stern of the Nautilus, and shortly afterwards a loud explosion struck my ear. "What! they are firing at us!" I exclaimed. "So please you, sir," said Ned, "they have recognised the unicorn, and they are firing at us." "But," I exclaimed, "surely they can see that there are men in the case?" "It is, perhaps, because of that," replied Ned Land, looking at me. A whole flood of light burst upon my mind. Doubtless they knew now how to believe the stories of the pretended monster. No doubt, on board the Abraham Lincoln, when the Canadian struck it with the harpoon, Commander Farragut had recognised in the supposed narwhal a submarine vessel, more dangerous than a supernatural cetacean. Yes, it must have been so; and on every sea they were now seeking this engine of destruction. Terrible indeed! if, as we supposed, Captain Nemo employed the Nautilus in works of vengeance. On the night when we were imprisoned in that cell, in the midst of the Indian Ocean, had he not attacked some vessel? The man buried in the coral cemetery, had he not been a victim to the shock caused by the Nautilus? Yes, I repeat it, it must be so. One part of the mysterious existence of Captain Nemo had been unveiled; and, if his identity had not been recognised, at least, the nations united against him were no longer hunting a chimerical creature, but a man who had vowed a deadly hatred against them. All the formidable past rose before me. Instead of meeting friends on board the approaching ship, we could only expect pitiless enemies. But the shot rattled about us. Some of them struck the sea and ricochetted, losing themselves in the distance. But none touched the Nautilus. The vessel was not more than three miles from us. In spite of the serious cannonade, Captain Nemo did not appear on the platform; but, if one of the conical projectiles had struck the shell of the Nautilus, it would have been fatal. The Canadian then said, "Sir, we must do all we can to get out of this dilemma. Let us signal them. They will then, perhaps, 
understand that we are honest folks." Ned Land took his handkerchief to wave in the air; but he had scarcely displayed it, when he was struck down by an iron hand, and fell, in spite of his great strength, upon the deck. "Fool!" exclaimed the Captain, "do you wish to be pierced by the spur of the Nautilus before it is hurled at this vessel?" Captain Nemo was terrible to hear; he was still more terrible to see. His face was deadly pale, with a spasm at his heart. For an instant it must have ceased to beat. His pupils were fearfully contracted. He did not speak, he roared, as, with his body thrown forward, he wrung the Canadian's shoulders. Then, leaving him, and turning to the ship of war, whose shot was still raining around him, he exclaimed, with a powerful voice, "Ah, ship of an accursed nation, you know who I am! I do not want your colours to know you by! Look! and I will show you mine!" And on the fore part of the platform Captain Nemo unfurled a black flag, similar to the one he had placed at the South Pole. At that moment a shot struck the shell of the Nautilus obliquely, without piercing it; and, rebounding near the Captain, was lost in the sea. He shrugged his shoulders; and, addressing me, said shortly, "Go down, you and your companions, go down!" "Sir," I cried, "are you going to attack this vessel?" "Sir, I am going to sink it." "You will not do that?" "I shall do it," he replied coldly. "And I advise you not to judge me, sir. Fate has shown you what you ought not to have seen. The attack has begun; go down." "What is this vessel?" "You do not know? Very well! so much the better! Its nationality to you, at least, will be a secret. Go down!" We could but obey. About fifteen of the sailors surrounded the Captain, looking with implacable hatred at the vessel nearing them. One could feel that the same desire of vengeance animated every soul. I went down at the moment another projectile struck the Nautilus, and I heard the Captain exclaim: "Strike, mad vessel! Shower your useless shot! And then, 
you will not escape the spur of the Nautilus. But it is not here that you shall perish! I would not have your ruins mingle with those of the Avenger!" I reached my room. The Captain and his second had remained on the platform. The screw was set in motion, and the Nautilus, moving with speed, was soon beyond the reach of the ship's guns. But the pursuit continued, and Captain Nemo contented himself with keeping his distance. About four in the afternoon, being no longer able to contain my impatience, I went to the central staircase. The panel was open, and I ventured on to the platform. The Captain was still walking up and down with an agitated step. He was looking at the ship, which was five or six miles to leeward. He was going round it like a wild beast, and, drawing it eastward, he allowed them to pursue. But he did not attack. Perhaps he still hesitated? I wished to mediate once more. But I had scarcely spoken, when Captain Nemo imposed silence, saying: "I am the law, and I am the judge! I am the oppressed, and there is the oppressor! Through him I have lost all that I loved, cherished, and venerated--country, wife, children, father, and mother. I saw all perish! All that I hate is there! Say no more!" I cast a last look at the man-of-war, which was putting on steam, and rejoined Ned and Conseil. "We will fly!" I exclaimed. "Good!" said Ned. "What is this vessel?" "I do not know; but, whatever it is, it will be sunk before night. In any case, it is better to perish with it, than be made accomplices in a retaliation the justice of which we cannot judge." "That is my opinion too," said Ned Land, coolly. "Let us wait for night." Night arrived. Deep silence reigned on board. The compass showed that the Nautilus had not altered its course. It was on the surface, rolling slightly. My companions and I resolved to fly when the vessel should be near enough either to hear us or to see us; for the moon, which would be full in two or three days, shone brightly. Once on board the ship, if we could not preven
t the blow which threatened it, we could, at least we would, do all that circumstances would allow. Several times I thought the Nautilus was preparing for attack; but Captain Nemo contented himself with allowing his adversary to approach, and then fled once more before it. Part of the night passed without any incident. We watched the opportunity for action. We spoke little, for we were too much moved. Ned Land would have thrown himself into the sea, but I forced him to wait. According to my idea, the Nautilus would attack the ship at her waterline, and then it would not only be possible, but easy to fly. At three in the morning, full of uneasiness, I mounted the platform. Captain Nemo had not left it. He was standing at the fore part near his flag, which a slight breeze displayed above his head. He did not take his eyes from the vessel. The intensity of his look seemed to attract, and fascinate, and draw it onward more surely than if he had been towing it. The moon was then passing the meridian. Jupiter was rising in the east. Amid this peaceful scene of nature, sky and ocean rivalled each other in tranquillity, the sea offering to the orbs of night the finest mirror they could ever have in which to reflect their image. As I thought of the deep calm of these elements, compared with all those passions brooding imperceptibly within the Nautilus, I shuddered. The vessel was within two miles of us. It was ever nearing that phosphorescent light which showed the presence of the Nautilus. I could see its green and red lights, and its white lantern hanging from the large foremast. An indistinct vibration quivered through its rigging, showing that the furnaces were heated to the uttermost. Sheaves of sparks and red ashes flew from the funnels, shining in the atmosphere like stars.
I remained thus until six in the morning, without Captain Nemo noticing me. The ship stood about a mile and a half from us, and with the first dawn of day the firing began afresh. The moment could not be far off when, the Nautilus attacking its adversary, my companions and myself should for ever leave this man. I was preparing to go down to remind them, when the second mounted the platform, accompanied by several sailors. Captain Nemo either did not or would not see them. Some steps were taken which might be called the signal for action. They were very simple. The iron balustrade around the platform was lowered, and the lantern and pilot cages were pushed within the shell until they were flush with the deck. The long surface of the steel cigar no longer offered a single point to check its manoeuvres. I returned to the saloon. The Nautilus still floated; some streaks of light were filtering through the liquid beds. With the undulations of the waves the windows were brightened by the red streaks of the rising sun, and this dreadful day of the 2nd of June had dawned.
At five o'clock, the log showed that the speed of the Nautilus was slackening, and I knew that it was allowing them to draw nearer. Besides, the reports were heard more distinctly, and the projectiles, labouring through the ambient water, were extinguished with a strange hissing noise. "My friends," said I, "the moment is come. One grasp of the hand, and may God protect us!" Ned Land was resolute, Conseil calm, myself so nervous that I knew not how to contain myself. We all passed into the library; but the moment I pushed the door opening on to the central staircase, I heard the upper panel close sharply. The Canadian rushed on to the stairs, but I stopped him. A well-known hissing noise told me that the water was running into the reservoirs, and in a few minutes the Nautilus was some yards beneath the surface of the waves. I understood the manoeuvre. It was too late to act. The Nautilus did not wish to strike at the impenetrable cuirass, but below the water-line, where the metallic covering no longer protected it.
We were again imprisoned, unwilling witnesses of the dreadful drama that was preparing. We had scarcely time to reflect; taking refuge in my room, we looked at each other without speaking. A deep stupor had taken hold of my mind: thought seemed to stand still. I was in that painful state of expectation preceding a dreadful report. I waited, I listened, every sense was merged in that of hearing! The speed of the Nautilus was accelerated. It was preparing to rush. The whole ship trembled. Suddenly I screamed. I felt the shock, but comparatively light. I felt the penetrating power of the steel spur. I heard rattlings and scrapings. But the Nautilus, carried along by its propelling power, passed through the mass of the vessel like a needle through sailcloth!
I could stand it no longer. Mad, out of my mind, I rushed from my room into the saloon. Captain Nemo was there, mute, gloomy, implacable; he was looking through the port panel. A large mass cast a shadow on the water; and, that it might lose nothing of her agony, the Nautilus was going down into the abyss with her. Ten yards from me I saw the open shell, through which the water was rushing with the noise of thunder, then the double line of guns and the netting. The bridge was covered with black, agitated shadows.
The water was rising. The poor creatures were crowding the ratlines, clinging to the masts, struggling under the water. It was a human ant-heap overtaken by the sea. Paralysed, stiffened with anguish, my hair standing on end, with eyes wide open, panting, without breath, and without voice, I too was watching! An irresistible attraction glued me to the glass! Suddenly an explosion took place. The compressed air blew up her decks, as if the magazines had caught fire. Then the unfortunate vessel sank more rapidly. Her topmast, laden with victims, now appeared; then her spars, bending under the weight of men; and, last of all, the top of her mainmast. Then the dark mass disappeared, and with it the dead crew, drawn down by the strong eddy.
I turned to Captain Nemo. That terrible avenger, a perfect archangel of hatred, was still looking. When all was over, he turned to his room, opened the door, and entered. I followed him with my eyes. On the end wall beneath his heroes, I saw the portrait of a woman, still young, and two little children. Captain Nemo looked at them for some moments, stretched his arms towards them, and, kneeling down, burst into deep sobs.
这种说话方式，这个意外场面，这艘爱国战舰的历史事件，开头是淡淡他讲述，但是当这个古怪人物说出他最后几句话的时候，却已满怀激动的情绪。这个“复仇号”的名字，这个名字的意义，特别引起我的注意；这一切结合起来，深深打动我的心神。我的眼光不离开船长，注视着他。他，两手向海伸出，火热的眼睛看那光荣战舰的残海或者我永远不知道他是谁，从哪里来，到哪里去，但我愈来愈清楚地把这个人从仅是有学问的学者当中区分出来了。把尼摩船长和他的同伴们关闭在诺第留斯号船壳中的，并不是一种普通的愤世情绪，而是一种时间所不能削弱的，非常奇特的，非常崇高的仇恨。这种仇恨还是要找报复吗？将来不久就要让我知道。
可是，诺第留斯号慢慢地回到海而上来，我看着复仇号的模糊形象渐渐消失。不久，有些轻微的摇摆给我指出，我们是浮在自由空气中的水面上了。
这时候，有一种轻微的爆炸声发出。我眼看着船长，船长直立不动。
“船长？”我说。
他不回答。
我离开他，到平台上去。康塞尔和加拿大人比我先在乎台上了。
“哪里的爆炸声？"我问。
“是一下炮响。"尼德•兰回答。
我眼光向我早先见到的那只汽船的方位望去。它向诺第留斯号驶来，人们看到它加大气压，迅速追赶。它距我们只有六海里。
“尼德，那是什么船？”
“看它的帆索船具，看它的桅杆高度，”加拿大人回答，“我敢打赌那是一艘战舰。它希望追上我们，必要的话，把诺第留斯号这怪物击沉！"“尼德朋友，”康塞尔说，“它可能对诺第留斯号加以伤害吗？它可能做水下攻击吗？“它可能炮轰海底吗？”
“尼德，您告诉我，”我说，“您能认出这船的国籍吗？"“不，”他回答，“先生，我不能认出它是属于哪一国籍。
它没有挂旗。但我可以肯定，它是一艘战舰。”
在一刻钟的时间内，我们继续观察这只向我们驶来的大船。但是，我不能相信它从这个距离就能认出诺第留斯号，更不能相信它会知道这个潜水艇是什么。不久加拿大人通知我，那是一艘大战舰，有冲角，有两层铁甲板。浓厚的黑烟从它的两座烟囱喷出来。它的帆彼此挤得很紧，跟帆架错杂在一起。帆架上没有悬挂任何旗帜。距离还远，不能辨认它的信号旗的颜色，这信号旗像一条薄带在空中飘扬。它迅速前来。如果尼摩船长让它近前，那么一个得救的机会就在我们面前了。
“先生，”尼德•兰说，“这船距我们一海里的时候，我就跳到海中去，我同时建议您跟我一样做。”
我不回答加拿大人的提议，我继续注视那船，眼看它愈来愈大了。不管它是英国船、法国船、美国船、俄国船，如果我们能到船上，它一定很欢迎我们。
“请先生好好回忆一下”康塞尔于是说，“上一次我们游水的经验。先生完全可以相信我，如果先生觉得跟着尼德朋友走是合适的话，我会把先生驮到那船边去的。"我正要回答的时候，一道白烟从战舰的前部发出，几秒钟后，有一件重东西落下，把水搅乱，水花飞溅到诺第留斯号的后部。不一会儿，爆炸声传到我耳中来。
“怎么？他们向我们开炮！”我喊。
“勇敢的好人！”加拿大人低声说。
“他们并不把我们当作攀附在海上漂流破船的遇难人！"“请先生原谅……好，”康塞尔把再打来的一个炮弹溅在他身上的水扑下去的时候说，“请先生原谅，他们认出这条独角鲸，他们炮打独角鲸哩。”
“可是他们要看清楚，”我喊，“他们面对着的是人呢。”
“或者正是为这个呢！”尼德•兰眼盯着我回答。
我心中得到了全面的启示。肯定的，人们现在已经知道。应该怎样看待这个所谓怪物的存在。无疑的，当它跟林肯号接触，加拿大人用鱼叉打它的时候，法拉古司令认出这条独角鲸实际是一只潜水船，比神怪的鲸科动物更危险的东西。对，事情应该是这样，无疑的，在所有的海面上，人们现在正追逐这可怕的毁灭性机器：是的，我可以这样假定，如果尼摩船长拿诺第留斯号来进行报复，那当然很可怕！那一夜，我们被禁在我们的小房中，在印度洋上，它不是攻击了某些船只吗？那个葬在珊瑚墓地的人，他不是因为诺第留斯号所引起的冲击的牺牲者吗？是的，我一再说。看来事情确实是这样。尼摩船长的神秘生活的一部分被揭露出来了。他的身份虽然没有证明，但至少，联合起来反对它的国家，现在是追打一个不是空想的怪物，而是对各国有深仇宿恨的人：整个怕人可怪的这段往事都在我眼前现出来。在这只追赶前来的船上，我们碰不见朋友，我们只见到无情的敌人。可是，更多的炮弹在我们周围落下。有些碰在水面上，只碰一下就跳起来，落在距离很远的海面不见了。没有一颗打中诺第留斯号。
那艘铁甲舰距我们只有三海里了。不管它的猛烈炮击，尼摩船长并不到平台上来。可是，如果一颗这种锥形炮弹正规地打在诺第留斯号船壳上，可能是它的致命伤。
加拿大人于是对我说。
“先生，我们应当尽力想法，解除我们月前的危俭。我：们发出信号吧！天塌下也不管了！人们或者明白我们是正直善良的人！”
尼德•兰拿出他的手中，在空中招遥但他刚把手中打开来，虽然他有非常大的气力，但他马上就被一只铁一般的手掀倒在平台板上。
“浑东西！”船长喊，“你要我在诺第留斯号冲击那只战船之前，先把你钉在它的冲角上吗？"尼摩船长，听他的说话已经很可怕，看他的脸孔更是可怕。他的脸孔由于心脏的痉挛而变得苍白，看来他的心脏跳动是暂时停止了一下的。他的瞳人可怕地抽缩着。他的声音不是说话，而是吼起来了。他身向前弯，手下扭住加拿大人的肩头。然后把加拿大人放下，回头对着那把炮弹向我们周围雨点般打来的战船，用他强大的声音喊：“啊！你知道我是谁，你这被诅咒的国家的船！我不需要你的旗就认得你！你看！我给你看我的旗！”
尼摩船长在平台前头展开一面旗，这旗跟他在南极插下的相同。这时候，一颗炮弹纵斜地打到诺第留斯号船身上，但没有能损伤它，炮弹跳到船长附近，又落入海中了。
尼摩船长耸耸两肩。他向着我，用干脆的语气对我说：“下去，下去，您和您的同伴们都下去。”
“先生，”我喊，“您要攻打那船吗？”
“先生，我要把它打沉。”
“您不要做这事！"
“我要做，”尼摩船长冷冷地回答，“您休想给我下判断，先生。命运注定给您看见了您不应该看见的事情。对方的攻击开始了，我的反击是很可怕的。您进去。”
“这艘船是哪一国的？”
“您不知道吗？那么！最好！至少，它的国籍对您来说是一个秘密。您下去。”
加拿大人、康塞尔和我，我们只能服从。十五六个诺第留斯号船上的水手围绕着船长，带着十分坚决的仇恨情绪注视那艘向他们追来的战舰。我下去的时候，又有一颗炮弹落在诺第留斯号身上，我听到船长喊：“打吧，疯狂的战舰！尽情放出你无用的炮弹来！你决躲不过诺第留斯号的冲角。但你不应该在这个地点灭亡！
我不愿你的残骸跟复仇号的光荣残骸相混！”
我回到房中。船长和他的副手留在平台上。推进器转动起来，诺第留斯号迅速避开，到战舰炮弹射程不能及的地方。但它仍然继续追来，尼摩船长仅仅使它保持一定距离。
下午四点左右，使我非常苦恼的那种焦急不安的情绪，再也抑制不住我自己了，我又到中央楼梯那边去，嵌板开着。
我冒险到平台上。船长脚步激动地还在那里踱来踱去。他注视在他后面五六海里的战舰。他像野兽一般，在战舰周围转来转去，把它引到东方，让它追来。不过他并不回击。
他或者还是迟疑不决吗？我想作一次最后的努力。但我刚要开口，他就不许我说话，要我禁声。他对我说：“我是权利！我是正义！我是被压迫的，瞧，那就是压迫者！由于他，所有一切我热爱过的，亲热过的，尊敬过的，祖园、爱人、子女、我的父亲、我的母亲，他们全死亡了！所有我仇恨的一切，就在那里！您不许说话！”
我眼光最后向那艘战舰看一下，它正加紧追来。随后我找到尼德和康塞尔，我喊道：“我们逃走！”
“好。”已德说，“战舰是哪一国的？”
“我不知道。不管它是哪一国的，黑夜来临前它一定要被击沉。总之，与其充当还不知道是否正义的报复行为的同谋人，倒不如跟它一起死亡。"“这正是我的意见，”尼德•兰冷淡地回答，“我们等到黑夜再说。"黑夜来了。船上只是一片深沉的静默。罗盘指出诺第留斯号没有改变它的方向。我听到它的推进器转动，规律迅速地搅打海水。它浮在水波上，水波的轻微摆动时而使它转向这一边，时而使它转向那一边。
我的同伴和我，我们决心在战舰相当近前的时候就逃出去，或者我们可以被听到，或者我们可以被看见，因为月亮过三天就圆了，照得很亮。一经到了战舰上面，就是我们不能阻止危害它的袭击，至少我们是做了环境许可我们做的一切。有几次，我以为诺第留斯号就要下手攻击了。但它仅仅让它的敌手近前来，并且过一会后，它又作逃避的姿态。
黑夜的一部分时间平安地度过。我们等待时机，准备行动。我们差不多不说话，因为情绪十分激动。尼德•兰真想跳到海中去。我强迫他等待。照我的看法，诺第留斯号要在水面上攻击这艘带双层甲板的战舰，这样就不仅可能，并已容易逃走。
早晨三点，我心中很不安，到平台上去。尼摩船长并没有走开。他站在船前头，挨近他的旗，旗受微风吹动，在他头上招展。他两眼不离开那艘战舰。他目光炯炯，有如电照，好像是吸引它，诱惑它，像驳船一样更确实可靠地把它位过来！那时月亮经过子午线。木星升起在东方。在这和平的大自然中间，天空和海洋彼此竞赛安静，大海给黑夜的月轮当作一面最美丽的明镜，恐怕这面明镜从没有这样美地把月亮的影子照出来呢。当我想到海天一色的深沉安静，跟所有酝酿在极其渺小的诺第留斯号里面的愤怒相比，较，我感到我整个生命都颤抖了。战舰在距我们两海里的地方。它驶前来，老是向着那表示诺第留斯号所在的磷光追来。我看见战舰绿色和红色的表示方位的灯光，以及挂在前面大桅椅上的白色船灯。模糊的反射光线显出它上面的船具，同时指出它的火力过度猛烈。一阵一阵的火花，一 团一团燃着的煤渣，从它的烟囱中喷出来，像星光一样，散人空中。
我这样一直在那里呆到早晨，尼摩船长好像一直就没有看见我。战舰跟我们还有一海里半的距离，到第一次曙光出现的时候，它的炮声又隆隆响起来。诺第留斯号攻击它的敌人，我的同伴和我，我们要永远离开我不敢加以判断的这个人的时刻，看来不久就到了。
我正要下去通知他们的时候，船上副手走到平台上，有：好几个水手跟着他。尼摩船长没有看见他们，或不愿看见他们。当时就采取了可以称为诺第留斯号的“战斗准备”的某些措施；这些措施很简单。先把在平台周围作为栏杆的线网放下来：同样，探照灯和领航人的笼间也藏到船身里面，仅仅挨着船身露出在水面。这条长形钢板雪前烟的外部，连一个可能阻碍它行动的突出部分，现在也没有了。
我回到客厅中。诺第留斯号老是浮出水面。清晨的曙光有些渗入到水中。由于海浪的波动，玻璃窗受到初升太阳的红光，呈现生动活泼的气象。这可怕的6月2日开始了。五点，我看测程器，知道诺第留斯号的速度减慢了。我明白它是故意让敌人接近。并且炮声也一阵一阵响得更猛烈。炮弹滚人周围水中，发出奇异的呼啸声，对准海中射击“朋友们，”我说，“时候到了。大家握一握手，愿上帝保护我们！"尼德•兰很坚定，康塞尔很镇静，我神经紧张，差不多抑制不住自己。我们走人图书室。当我推开那扇对着中央楼梯笼间的门的时候，我听到上层嵌板忽然关闭了。加拿大人奋身跳到梯阶上去，但我把他拉祝很熟悉的一声呼啸，使我知道水被吸人船上的储水池中来。是的，不一会，诺第留斯号就潜入水面下几米的深处。
我明白了它的行动目标；我们现在要行动已经迟了。
诺第留斯号不想从坚固的铁甲上来攻打这艘有双层甲板的战舰；它是要在那战舰的浮标线下面，它的钢壳不能保护它的边缘地方来进行袭击。我们又被关起来，要被迫做正在准备中的凶恶惨剧的见证人。并且，我们差不多也没有时间来思考。我们躲到我的房间里面，大家面面相觑，一句话不说。我心中十分恍忽：思想也停滞了。我这时的处境就像等待某一种可怕的爆炸那样，十分难受。我等待着，注意听，我只有靠听觉来生活了！
可是，诺第留斯号的速度显然增大了。它现在采取的是前进的速度：它的整个船壳都颤抖了。突然我大喊一声。冲撞发生了，但相对较轻。我感到那钢铁冲角的穿透力量。我听到拉开来和送进去的声音。但诺第留斯号在推进器的强力推动下，从这艘战舰身上横冲过去，就像帆船上的尖杆穿过布帆那样！我简直忍不住了。我像疯子一样，神经完全错乱，我跑出我的房间，急急走进客厅中。尼摩船长在客厅中。沉默、忧郁、冷面无情，他通过左舷的嵌板，两眼注视看。一个庞大的物体沉到水底下来，诺第留斯号跟它一起下降到深渊中要亲眼看一看它临死时的惨痛。距我十米远，我看见这只船壳裂开，海水像雷鸣一般涌进去，然后水淹了两列大炮和吊床舱房。甲板上满是往来乱动的黑影。海水涌上来。那些受难的不幸的人都跳到桅墙网上，抓住桅墙，在水中挣扎，扭弯肢体。这简直就是突然被整个大海侵进来的人类蚂蚁窝！
我麻痹了，像被临死的痛苦僵化了，头发竖起来了，两眼睁得很大，呼吸急促喘不过来，没有气息，没有声音，我也两眼盯着看！一种不可抗拒的吸引力使我紧紧贴在玻璃上面！
那艘巨大战舰慢慢地下沉。诺第留斯号追随着它，窥伺着它的所有动作。忽然战舰上发生了爆炸。被压缩的空气把战舰的甲板轰跑了，就像船舱中着了火一样。海水涌入的力量十分强大，影响到诺第留斯号，它也倾斜了。这么一来，那艘不幸受害的战船就迅速地下沉。它的桅槁架满挤着遇难人，首先现出来，其次是它的横木架，上面有一串一串的人把它压得弯曲了，最后是那大桅顶。然后，那沉黑的巨体沉没水中，跟它一起，这一群死尸组成的船员都被强大无比的漩涡拉下……我转过头来看尼摩船长。这个可怕的裁判执行人，是真正的仇恨天神，眼睛老是盯着看。当一切都完了，尼摩船长向他的房门走去，把门打开，走进房中。
我眼看着他。在他房间里面的嵌板上，他的那些英雄人物的肖像下面，我看到一个年纪还轻的妇人和两个小孩的肖像。尼摩船长两眼看这肖像一下，向像中人伸出两只胳膊，同时跪着，抽咽起来。
Part 2 Chapter 22
The panels had closed on this dreadful vision, but light had not returned to the saloon: all was silence and darkness within the Nautilus. At wonderful speed, a hundred feet beneath the water, it was leaving this desolate spot. Whither was it going? To the north or south? Where was the man flying to after such dreadful retaliation? I had returned to my room, where Ned and Conseil had remained silent enough. I felt an insurmountable horror for Captain Nemo. Whatever he had suffered at the hands of these men, he had no right to punish thus. He had made me, if not an accomplice, at least a witness of his vengeance. At eleven the electric light reappeared. I passed into the saloon. It was deserted. I consulted the different instruments. The Nautilus was flying northward at the rate of twenty-five miles an hour, now on the surface, and now thirty feet below it. On taking the bearings by the chart, I saw that we were passing the mouth of the Manche, and that our course was hurrying us towards the northern seas at a frightful speed. That night we had crossed two hundred leagues of the Atlantic. The shadows fell, and the sea was covered with darkness until the rising of the moon. I went to my room, but could not sleep. I was troubled with dreadful nightmare. The horrible scene of destruction was continually before my eyes. From that day, who could tell into what part of the North Atlantic basin the Nautilus would take us? Still with unaccountable speed. Still in the midst of these northern fogs. Would it touch at Spitzbergen, or on the shores of Nova Zembla? Should we explore those unknown seas, the White Sea, the Sea of Kara, the Gulf of Obi, the Archipelago of Liarrov, and the unknown coast of Asia? I could not say. I could no longer judge of the time that was passing. The clocks had been stopped on board. It seemed, as in polar countries, that night and day no longer followed their regular course. I felt myself being drawn into that strange region where the foundered imagination of Edgar Poe roamed
at will. Like the fabulous Gordon Pym, at every moment I expected to see "that veiled human figure, of larger proportions than those of any inhabitant of the earth, thrown across the cataract which defends the approach to the pole." I estimated (though, perhaps, I may be mistaken)--I estimated this adventurous course of the Nautilus to have lasted fifteen or twenty days. And I know not how much longer it might have lasted, had it not been for the catastrophe which ended this voyage. Of Captain Nemo I saw nothing whatever now, nor of his second. Not a man of the crew was visible for an instant. The Nautilus was almost incessantly under water. When we came to the surface to renew the air, the panels opened and shut mechanically. There were no more marks on the planisphere. I knew not where we were. And the Canadian, too, his strength and patience at an end, appeared no more. Conseil could not draw a word from him; and, fearing that, in a dreadful fit of madness, he might kill himself, watched him with constant devotion. One morning (what date it was I could not say) I had fallen into a heavy sleep towards the early hours, a sleep both painful and unhealthy, when I suddenly awoke. Ned Land was leaning over me, saying, in a low voice, "We are going to fly." I sat up. "When shall we go?" I asked. "To-night. All inspection on board the Nautilus seems to have ceased. All appear to be stupefied. You will be ready, sir?" "Yes; where are we?" "In sight of land. I took the reckoning this morning in the fog-twenty miles to the east." "What country is it?" "I do not know; but, whatever it is, we will take refuge there." "Yes, Ned, yes. We will fly to-night, even if the sea should swallow us up." "The sea is bad, the wind violent, but twenty miles in that light boat of the Nautilus does not frighten me. Unknown to the crew, I have been able to procure food and some bottles of water." "I will follow you." "But," continued the Canadian, "if I am surprised, I will defend myself; I will force them to kill me." "We wil
l die together, friend Ned." I had made up my mind to all. The Canadian left me. I reached the platform, on which I could with difficulty support myself against the shock of the waves. The sky was threatening; but, as land was in those thick brown shadows, we must fly. I returned to the saloon, fearing and yet hoping to see Captain Nemo, wishing and yet not wishing to see him. What could I have said to him? Could I hide the involuntary horror with which he inspired me? No. It was better that I should not meet him face to face; better to forget him. And yet---- How long seemed that day, the last that I should pass in the Nautilus. I remained alone. Ned Land and Conseil avoided speaking, for fear of betraying themselves. At six I dined, but I was not hungry; I forced myself to eat in spite of my disgust, that I might not weaken myself. At half-past six Ned Land came to my room, saying, "We shall not see each other again before our departure. At ten the moon will not be risen. We will profit by the darkness. Come to the boat; Conseil and I will wait for you." The Canadian went out without giving me time to answer. Wishing to verify the course of the Nautilus, I went to the saloon. We were running N.N.E. at frightful speed, and more than fifty yards deep. I cast a last look on these wonders of nature, on the riches of art heaped up in this museum, upon the unrivalled collection destined to perish at the bottom of the sea, with him who had formed it. I wished to fix an indelible impression of it in my mind. I remained an hour thus, bathed in the light of that luminous ceiling, and passing in review those treasures shining under their glasses. Then I returned to my room.
I dressed myself in strong sea clothing. I collected my notes, placing them carefully about me. My heart beat loudly. I could not check its pulsations. Certainly my trouble and agitation would have betrayed me to Captain Nemo's eyes. What was he doing at this moment? I listened at the door of his room. I heard steps. Captain Nemo was there. He had not gone to rest. At every moment I expected to see him appear, and ask me why I wished to fly. I was constantly on the alert. My imagination magnified everything. The impression became at last so poignant that I asked myself if it would not be better to go to the Captain's room, see him face to face, and brave him with look and gesture.
It was the inspiration of a madman; fortunately I resisted the desire, and stretched myself on my bed to quiet my bodily agitation. My nerves were somewhat calmer, but in my excited brain I saw over again all my existence on board the Nautilus; every incident, either happy or unfortunate, which had happened since my disappearance from the Abraham Lincoln--the submarine hunt, the Torres Straits, the savages of Papua, the running ashore, the coral cemetery, the passage of Suez, the Island of Santorin, the Cretan diver, Vigo Bay, Atlantis, the iceberg, the South Pole, the imprisonment in the ice, the fight among the poulps, the storm in the Gulf Stream, the Avenger, and the horrible scene of the vessel sunk with all her crew. All these events passed before my eyes like scenes in a drama. Then Captain Nemo seemed to grow enormously, his features to assume superhuman proportions. He was no longer my equal, but a man of the waters, the genie of the sea.
It was then half-past nine. I held my head between my hands to keep it from bursting. I closed my eyes; I would not think any longer. There was another half-hour to wait, another half-hour of a nightmare, which might drive me mad.
At that moment I heard the distant strains of the organ, a sad harmony to an undefinable chant, the wail of a soul longing to break these earthly bonds. I listened with every sense, scarcely breathing; plunged, like Captain Nemo, in that musical ecstasy, which was drawing him in spirit to the end of life. Then a sudden thought terrified me. Captain Nemo had left his room. He was in the saloon, which I must cross to fly. There I should meet him for the last time. He would see me, perhaps speak to me. A gesture of his might destroy me, a single word chain me on board. But ten was about to strike. The moment had come for me to leave my room, and join my companions.
I must not hesitate, even if Captain Nemo himself should rise before me. I opened my door carefully; and even then, as it turned on its hinges, it seemed to me to make a dreadful noise. Perhaps it only existed in my own imagination.
I crept along the dark stairs of the Nautilus, stopping at each step to check the beating of my heart. I reached the door of the saloon, and opened it gently. It was plunged in profound darkness. The strains of the organ sounded faintly. Captain Nemo was there. He did not see me. In the full light I do not think he would have noticed me, so entirely was he absorbed in the ecstasy. I crept along the carpet, avoiding the slightest sound which might betray my presence. I was at least five minutes reaching the door, at the opposite side, opening into the library. I was going to open it, when a sigh from Captain Nemo nailed me to the spot. I knew that he was rising. I could even see him, for the light from the library came through to the saloon. He came towards me silently, with his arms crossed, gliding like a spectre rather than walking. His breast was swelling with sobs; and I heard him murmur these words (the last which ever struck my ear): "Almighty God! enough! enough!" Was it a confession of remorse which thus escaped from this man's conscience? In desperation, I rushed through the library, mounted the central staircase, and, following the upper flight, reached the boat. I crept through the opening, which had already admitted my two companions. "Let us go! let us go!" I exclaimed. "Directly!" replied the Canadian.
The orifice in the plates of the Nautilus was first closed, and fastened down by means of a false key, with which Ned Land had provided himself; the opening in the boat was also closed. The Canadian began to loosen the bolts which still held us to the submarine boat.
Suddenly a noise was heard. Voices were answering each other loudly. What was the matter? Had they discovered our flight? I felt Ned Land slipping a dagger into my hand. "Yes," I murmured, "we know how to die!" The Canadian had stopped in his work. But one word many times repeated, a dreadful word, revealed the cause of the agitation spreading on board the Nautilus. It was not we the crew were looking after! "The maelstrom! the maelstrom!" Could a more dreadful word in a more dreadful situation have sounded in our ears! We were then upon the dangerous coast of Norway. Was the Nautilus being drawn into this gulf at the moment our boat was going to leave its sides? We knew that at the tide the pent-up waters between the islands of Ferroe and Loffoden rush with irresistible violence, forming a whirlpool from which no vessel ever escapes. From every point of the horizon enormous waves were meeting, forming a gulf justly called the "Navel of the Ocean," whose power of attraction extends to a distance of twelve miles. There, not only vessels, but whales are sacrificed, as well as white bears from the northern regions.
It is thither that the Nautilus, voluntarily or involuntarily, had been run by the Captain.
It was describing a spiral, the circumference of which was lessening by degrees, and the boat, which was still fastened to its side, was carried along with giddy speed. I felt that sickly giddiness which arises from long-continued whirling round. We were in dread. Our horror was at its height, circulation had stopped, all nervous influence was annihilated, and we were covered with cold sweat, like a sweat of agony! And what noise around our frail bark! What roarings repeated by the echo miles away! What an uproar was that of the waters broken on the sharp rocks at the bottom, where the hardest bodies are crushed, and trees worn away, "with all the fur rubbed off," according to the Norwegian phrase!
What a situation to be in! We rocked frightfully. The Nautilus defended itself like a human being. Its steel muscles cracked. Sometimes it seemed to stand upright, and we with it! "We must hold on," said Ned, "and look after the bolts. We may still be saved if we stick to the Nautilus." He had not finished the words, when we heard a crashing noise, the bolts gave way, and the boat, torn from its groove, was hurled like a stone from a sling into the midst of the whirlpool. My head struck on a piece of iron, and with the violent shock I lost all consciousness.
船中嵌板就在这个怕人的景象下闭起来了，可是客厅中的灯光并没有亮，桔第留斯号内部完全是黑暗和沉默。
它在深百英尺下的水底，特别迅速地离开这个凄惨场所。
它到哪里去呢？向北呢？向南呢？这个人做了这件可怕的报复后，逃到哪里去呢？我回到我的房中，尼德和康塞尔两人默不作声地在舱房里面。我对于尼摩船长发生一种极端厌恶的心情。虽然他从别人方面可能受过很大的痛苦，但他没有权利来作这样残酷的报复。虽然他没有使我做他的同谋，可是他让我做了他复仇的见证人！这已经太过分十一点，电光又亮了。我到客厅里面，厅里没有人。我看一下厅里的各种器械。诺第留斯号以每小时二十五海里的快速度向北方驶去，有时在海面上，有时在三十英尺深水下。从地图上的记录来看，我看出我们在英吉利海峡口上走过，航行方向是以无比的快速度把我们带到北极海中去。
晚上，我们已经走过大西洋海面二百里。阴影遮来，黑暗侵到海上，直至月亮东升。
我回到房中。我睡不着，受恶梦的侵扰。残酷毁灭的可怕场面在我脑子里面陆续重演。
自这一天起，谁能说诺第留斯号在这北大西洋海水中要带我们到哪里去呢？老是那飞快的速度！老是在极北蒙雾中间！它要走近斯勃齐堡的尖角；走近纽藏伯尔的悬崖吗？它要驶过那些神秘的海。白海，喀拉海，鄂毕湾，李亚洛夫群岛，以及亚洲沿海没有人到过的边岸吗？这样度过的时间，我简直不可能估计。时间在船上的大钟上是停止了。
好像黑夜和白天跟在两极地方那样，不按照它们经常的规律来进行。我感到自己被带迸埃德加•波的过度想象可以随意活动的那个奇异领域中了。每时每刻，我都像怪异的戈登。宾①那样，等着看见“那个蒙面人，他的身材比居住在任何陆地上的人都高大得多，斜身投入那保护北极周围的大瀑布中去！”
我估量——但我或者搞错了～一我估量诺第留斯号这次冒险的奔跑延长到十五天或二十天之久，如果没有结束这次海底旅行的大灾祸发生，我不知道要拉长到什么时候。
尼摩船长，没法提了。他的副手，也一样。船上的人员一个也看不见。诺第留斯号不停地在水底行驶。当它浮上水而来调换空气的时候，嵌板总是机械地动作着：打开了又关闭。在地图上也不再记方位了。我根本不知道我门是在什我又要说，加拿大人忍无可忍，忍到最后关头了，他也不出来，康塞尔想使他说句话也不可能，同时害怕他神经忽然错乱，在怕人的思乡病状下，他可能要寻短见。因此，康塞尔时时刻刻忠实小心地看守住他。人们了解到，在这种情况下，我们的处境不可能再维持下去。一天早上——卿j一天我可说不上来——清早我迷糊地昏睡着，那是苦恼和病态的昏睡。当我醒来，我看见尼德•兰俯身向着我，我听到他低声对我说：我们逃！"我站起来问：“我们什么时候逃？”
“就在夜间。诺第留斯号像是任何管理和监督也没有了。船上好像完全陷于麻木昏沉的状态。先生，您能准备好吗？"“能，我们现在在什么地方？”
“在可以望见陆地的地方。我今天早上在浓雾中间，东”方二十海里，看见那些陆地。”
“那是些什么陆地呢？”
"那可不知道，不管是什么陆地，我们逃到那边去就是。”
。“对！尼德。对，我们今晚逃，就是大海吞没了我们也不管！”
"海很汹涌，风很猛烈，但在诺第留斯号的那只轻便小艇中只要划二十海里，那不能使我骇怕。我没有被船上人员发觉，暗中又弄到一些粮食和好几瓶饮水。"“我一定跟您逃。”
‘此外"拿大人又说，“如果我被发觉，我一定反抗，我要人把我杀死。”
“我们死在一起，尼德朋友。”
我不顾一切，决心逃走。加拿大人出去了。我到了平台上面，我简直站不住，不可能受那一阵一阵波浪的袭击。
天空阴暗，快有风暴，但是，既然有陆地在浓雾中，那就是逃走。现在我们一天、一时、一刻都不能白丢。
我回到客厅中，既怕碰见又想碰见尼摩船长，既要又不要看见他。我可以跟他说什么活呢？我可能隐藏住他使我心中发生的那种自然而然的厌恶吗！不能！那么看不见他，不跟他面面相对是好些！忘记了他是好些！本来也只能这样！
我在诺第留斯号船上过的最后这一天是多么长！我一个人单独在那里。尼德•兰和康塞尔躲开我，不跟我说话，怕泄露我们的计划。六点，进晚餐，但我并不饿。我虽不想吃，但我勉强吃些，不愿意把自己弄得没有气力。六点半，尼德，兰走进我房中来，他对我说：“我们只到出发的时候才能再见了。十点，月亮还没有上来。我们乘黑暗中逃走。您到小艇那边来。康塞尔和我，我们在那边等候您。”
加拿大人说完了就走，连回答他的时间也不给我。
我要确定一下诺第留斯号所走的方向。我到客厅中去。我们是在深五十米的地方，船以惊人的速度向东北偏北方驶去。
我最后看一下堆在这陈列室中自然的奇珍异宝，艺术的宝库，最后看一下有一天要跟亲手收集它们的人一齐消灭在海底的，那无比的珍贵收藏。我想在我心中把我的十分深刻的印象最后一次固定下来。我就这样过了一小时，在光辉的天花板发出的电光照耀下，把玻璃柜中那些辉煌灿烂的珍宝重看了一遍。然后我回房中来。
到了房中，我穿了海中穿的结实衣服。我弄齐了我的笔记，把笔记紧密珍重地带在身上。我的心跳得很厉害。
我不能抑制我的脉搏。当然，我的心绪，我的激动，可以被尼摩船长的眼睛看出来。
他这时候干什么呢？我到他房门口细听一下。我听到有脚步声。尼摩船长在里面。他并没有睡下。听到他的每一动作，我觉得他就要走出来，质问我为什么要逃走！我感到有连续不断的警报声。我的想象又把这些警报声扩大起来。这种感觉十分难受，使得我心中想，到船长房中去，跟他当面，用手势和眼光向他挑战，或者倒好些！
这简直是疯狂的想法。很运气，我抑制住自己，我躺在床上，让我身体的激动平息下来。我的神经安静了一些，但我的脑子受了过度的刺激，在迅速的记忆中，我重又看见我在诺第留斯号船上度过的整个生活，自我脱离了林肯号以来所碰到的：或快乐或痛苦的所有意外事件：海底打猎，多列斯海峡，巴布亚岛的土人，坐礁搁浅，珊瑚墓地，苏伊士海底地道，桑多林岛，克里特的潜水人：维哥湾，大西洋洲，冰山。南极，被困在冰层中，跟章鱼战斗，大西洋暖流的风暴。
复仇号，以及那把船跟船员一起撞沉的可怕场面！姓庑┦录加肯衷谖已矍埃孟衲切┍澈蟮牟季埃谖杼ǖ撞悖荒灰荒坏亟铱馐焙颍崮&Upsilon;ぴ谡饫肫婀殴值幕肪持屑湎缘靡斐＞薮蟆Ｋ男蜗蠹衅鹄矗殖龀说牡湫汀Ｋ⒉皇俏业耐嗳耍撬腥耍呛Ｖ猩瘛?
时间是丸点半。我双手紧紧按住我的脑袋，防止它不要炸裂。我闭起我的眼睛。我不愿意思想。还要等半个钟头：半个钟头的恶梦可能使我变成疯子！这时候，我听到大风琴的隐约声音，那是一种不可形容的忧愁乐声，是一个要斩断自己对人世关系的人的真正哀歌。我五官并用，全神注意地细听，差不多呼吸都停止了，像尼摩船长～样，精神充全沉浸在把他带到人世之外的音乐迷醉中。
一会儿，一个突然的思想使我十分害怕起来；尼摩船长已离开了他的房间，他正在我逃走时一定要经过的客厅里面。我要在厅中最后一次碰见他。他要看见我，他或者要跟我说话！他的一下手势可能使我惊呆不能动弹，他只要说一句话就可能把我锁在他的船上！然而十点就要响了。
离开我的房间，跟我的同伴们相会的时候到了。
没有丝毫可以犹疑的了，就是尼摩船长站在我面前也不能倒退了。我小心把房门打开，可是我觉得在拧动门钮的时候，门发出怕人的声音。或者这声音只可能是存在我的想象中！
我沿着诺第留斯号的黑暗过道，一步一步摸索着前进，走一步停一下，抑制住心上的跳动。
我走到客厅屋角上的门。我轻轻地打开它。厅里面完全黑暗。大风琴的声音微弱响着。尼摩船长在那里。他没有看见我。我想，就是在明亮的灯光下，他恐怕也看不见我，因为他神游天外，他完全被吸引在梦幻的乐声里。我在地毯上慢慢挪动，十分小心不和任何东西相碰，以免发出声响。我费了五分钟才走到客厅那边通到图书室的门。
我正要开门的时候，尼摩船长的一声叹息把我钉在那里不能动。我懂得他是站起来了。我甚至于看到他的身影，因为有些亮着的图书室中的灯光一直射到客厅中来。
他向我这边走来，两手交叉着，一声不响，说是走过来，不如说是溜过来，像幽灵那样。他的被压住的胸部由于他抽咽的哭泣而鼓胀起来。我听到他声音很低地说出下面这几句话——这个传到我耳中来的最后几句话：“全能的上帝！够了！够了！"这就是从这个人良心里面发出来的悔恨的自白吗？……我简直心神昏乱了，跑出图书室中。我上了中央楼梯，沿着上层的过道前行，我到了小艇边。我从开着的孔走人艇中，我的两个同伴已经在这里边。
“我们走！我们走！”我喊道。
“马上走！”加拿大人回答。
在诺第留斯号船身钢板上开的孔本来是关闭的，尼德•兰有一把钳子，把螺钉紧紧地上好。小艇上的孔也是关起来的，加拿大人开始弄松那仍然把我们扣在这只潜水船上的螺钉。突然船内发出声响。好些人声急急地互相答应。发生了什么事？是人们发觉了我们逃走吗？我觉得尼德•兰拿一把短刀放在我手中。
“对！"我低声说，“我们并不怕死！”
加拿大人停止了他的松钉工作。我们听到一句话，重复说了许多次，一句很可怕的话，给我说明诺第留斯号船上处处发生骚扰激动的原因。船上人员发觉到的对象并不是我们！
“北冰洋大风暴！北冰洋大风暴！”他们大声喊。
北冰洋大风暴！可能有一个更可怕的名字在更可怕的情形中传到我们耳朵中来吗？那么我们是走在挪威沿岸一带的危险海中了。诺第留斯号在我们的小艇要离开它的时候，就要被卷人这深渊中吗？
人们知道，当潮涨的时候，夹在费罗哀群岛和罗夫丹群岛中间的海水，奔腾澎湃，汹涌无比。它们形成翻滚沸腾的漩涡，从没有船只驶进去能够脱险出来。滔天大浪从四面八方冲到那里，形成了很恰当地被称为“海洋肚脐眼”的无底的深渊，它的吸引力一直伸张到十五公里远。在深渊周围，不但船只，而且鲸鱼，而且北极地带的白熊，都不能例外，一齐被吸进去。
就是在这无底深渊附近，诺第留斯号——或无意或有意一被它的船长驶进来了，它迅速地被卷入，路线作螺旋形，愈前进，螺旋形的半径也愈缩校小艇还附在它身上，也跟它一样，被惊人无比的速度带走。我感到它飞奔前去。我这时体会到的，是接着过于延长的涡卷动作而来的那种颠簸的盘旋回绕。我们是在极端的骇怕中，是在最高度的恐怖中，血液循环停止了，神经作用停顿了，全身流满像临死时候所出的冷汗！在我们的脆弱小艇周围的是多么叫怕的声音！几海里内连续回响不绝的是多么厉害的吼叫！那些海水溅在海底下面的尖利岩石上所发出的是多么怕人的喧闹！在这些岩石上，就是最坚固的物体也粉碎了，照挪威成语说的，就是大树干也毁损为“茸茸毛皮”了！
多么危险怕人的处境！我们极端骇怕地一任海波摆动。诺第留斯号像一个人一样自卫着。它的钢铁肌肉嘎嘎作响。它有时候挺起，我们也跟它一齐竖起！
“要全力支持，”尼德说，“并且把螺丝钉再上紧起来。
紧紧靠着诺第留斯号，我们或者还可以保全……！”
他没有说完他的话，嘎嘎的声音就发出来了。螺丝钉落下，小艇脱离它的巢窝，像投石机发出的一块石头，飞掷入大漩涡中。
我的脑袋碰在一根铁条上，受了这次猛烈的冲撞，我立即失去了知觉。
Part 2 Chapter 23
Thus ends the voyage under the seas. What passed during that night-how the boat escaped from the eddies of the maelstrom-how Ned Land, Conseil, and myself ever came out of the gulf, I cannot tell.
But when I returned to consciousness, I was lying in a fisherman's hut, on the Loffoden Isles. My two companions, safe and sound, were near me holding my hands. We embraced each other heartily. At that moment we could not think of returning to France. The means of communication between the north of Norway and the south are rare. And I am therefore obliged to wait for the steamboat running monthly from Cape North.
And, among the worthy people who have so kindly received us, I revise my record of these adventures once more. Not a fact has been omitted, not a detail exaggerated. It is a faithful narrative of this incredible expedition in an element inaccessible to man, but to which Progress will one day open a road.
Shall I be believed? I do not know. And it matters little, after all. What I now affirm is, that I have a right to speak of these seas, under which, in less than ten months, I have crossed 20,000 leagues in that submarine tour of the world, which has revealed so many wonders. But what has become of the Nautilus? Did it resist the pressure of the maelstrom? Does Captain Nemo still live? And does he still follow under the ocean those frightful retaliations? Or, did he stop after the last hecatomb? Will the waves one day carry to him this manuscript containing the history of his life? Shall I ever know the name of this man? Will the missing vessel tell us by its nationality that of Captain Nemo? I hope so. And I also hope that his powerful vessel has conquered the sea at its most terrible gulf, and that the Nautilus has survived where so many other vessels have been lost! If it be so--if Captain Nemo still inhabits the ocean, his adopted country, may hatred be appeased in that savage heart! May the contemplation of so many wonders extinguish for ever the spirit of vengeance! May the judge disappear, and the philosopher continue the peaceful exploration of the sea! If his destiny be strange, it is also sublime. Have I not understood it myself? Have I not lived ten months of this unnatural life? And to the question asked by Ecclesiastes three thousand years ago, "That which is far off and exceeding deep, who can find it out?" two men alone of all now living have the right to give an answer---CAPTAIN NEMO AND MYSELF.
下面就是我们这次海底旅行的结论。那天夜间的经过，小艇怎样逃出北冰洋大风暴的可怕漩涡，尼德•兰、康塞尔和我，我们怎样脱离这个无底深渊，我可不能说。但当我醒过来的时候，我躺在罗夫丹群岛上一个渔人的木头房子里面。我的两个同伴，安全无事，在我身边，双手紧紧按着我。我们热情地互相拥抱。
这时候，我们不能打算立即回法国去。挪威北部和南部的交通工具是很稀少的。所以我没有办法，只能等待半个月开行一次，往来北角的汽船经过这边才能走。
因此，就是在这些收留我们的善良老实的人们中间，我把这次新奇惊险的纪事重新翻阅一下。这些纪事是完全正确的。没有漏记一件事实，也没有夸张一处细节。它是那不可设想为真的、在人迹不能到的海底下作的这次新奇探险的忠实记录，当然，有一天学术进步，这海底是要变为可以自由通行的。
人们相信我的记录吗？那我可不知道。信不信，到底也没有什么关系。我现在可以肯定的是，我有权利和理由来讲这些海洋，在不到十个月的时间中，我在这些海洋底下走过了两万里，来讲这次穿过太平洋，印度洋、红海、地中海、大西洋、南北两极海洋，给我现出无限神奇的海底环球旅行！
可是，诺第留斯号怎样了？它抵住了北冰洋大风暴的压力吗？尼摩船长还活着吗？他在海洋底下继续执行他的可怕报复吗？或者他在上一次的大屠杀后，就停止了报复吗？海波有一天能把写有他整个生活历史的手稿带到人间来吗？到底我可能知道这个人的真名字吗？那只隐没不见的潜水船可以表明它的国籍，同时把尼摩船长的国籍也告诉我们吗？
我希望能这样。我同时又希望，他的强有力的潜水船战胜了那海洋中最可怕的深渊，诺第留斯号在无数的船只都沉没了的海上独能存在！如果事实是这样，如果尼摩船长老是居住在他所选择的祖国海洋中，但愿所有的仇恨都在这颗倔强的心中平息！但愿海底无限神奇的潜心静观熄灭他心中的复仇情绪！但愿他这个裁判执行人潜没无踪！
但愿他这个高明的学者继续作和平的探海工作！固然他的命运是离奇古怪，但他也是崇高伟大的。＝我自己不是了解他吗？我不是也亲自过了十个月的这种超自然的生活吗？
所以，对于六千年前《传道书》①中提出的这个问题：“谁能有一天测透这深渊的最深处呢？”现在，世上所有的人们中间，有两个人有权利来回答这问题了。这两个人就是尼麾船长和我。
Part 1 Chapter 24
THE NEXT DAY I woke up with my head unusually clear. Much to my surprise, I was in my stateroom. No doubt my companions had been put back in their cabin without noticing it any more than I had. Like me, they would have no idea what took place during the night, and to unravel this mystery I could count only on some future happenstance.
I then considered leaving my stateroom. Was I free or still a prisoner? Perfectly free. I opened my door, headed down the gangways, and climbed the central companionway. Hatches that had been closed the day before were now open. I arrived on the platform.
Ned Land and Conseil were there waiting for me. I questioned them. They knew nothing. Lost in a heavy sleep of which they had no memory, they were quite startled to be back in their cabin.
As for the Nautilus, it seemed as tranquil and mysterious as ever. It was cruising on the surface of the waves at a moderate speed. Nothing seemed to have changed on board.
Ned Land observed the sea with his penetrating eyes. It was deserted. The Canadian sighted nothing new on the horizon, neither sail nor shore. A breeze was blowing noisily from the west, and disheveled by the wind, long billows made the submersible roll very noticeably.
After renewing its air, the Nautilus stayed at an average depth of fifteen meters, enabling it to return quickly to the surface of the waves. And, contrary to custom, it executed such a maneuver several times during that day of January 19. The chief officer would then climb onto the platform, and his usual phrase would ring through the ship's interior.
As for Captain Nemo, he didn't appear. Of the other men on board, I saw only my emotionless steward, who served me with his usual mute efficiency.
Near two o'clock I was busy organizing my notes in the lounge, when the captain opened the door and appeared. I bowed to him. He gave me an almost imperceptible bow in return, without saying a word to me. I resumed my work, hoping he might give me some explanation of the previous afternoon's events. He did nothing of the sort. I stared at him. His face looked exhausted; his reddened eyes hadn't been refreshed by sleep; his facial features expressed profound sadness, real chagrin. He walked up and down, sat and stood, picked up a book at random, discarded it immediately, consulted his instruments without taking his customary notes, and seemed unable to rest easy for an instant.
Finally he came over to me and said:
"Are you a physician, Professor Aronnax?"
This inquiry was so unexpected that I stared at him a good while without replying.
"Are you a physician?" he repeated. "Several of your scientific colleagues took their degrees in medicine, such as Gratiolet, Moquin-Tandon, and others."
"That's right," I said, "I am a doctor, I used to be on call at the hospitals. I was in practice for several years before joining the museum."
"Excellent, sir."
My reply obviously pleased Captain Nemo. But not knowing what he was driving at, I waited for further questions, ready to reply as circumstances dictated.
"Professor Aronnax," the captain said to me, "would you consent to give your medical attentions to one of my men?"
"Someone is sick?"
"Yes."
"I'm ready to go with you."
"Come."
I admit that my heart was pounding. Lord knows why, but I saw a definite connection between this sick crewman and yesterday's happenings, and the mystery of those events concerned me at least as much as the man's sickness.
Captain Nemo led me to the Nautilus's stern and invited me into a cabin located next to the sailors' quarters.
On a bed there lay a man some forty years old, with strongly molded features, the very image of an Anglo-Saxon.
I bent over him. Not only was he sick, he was wounded. Swathed in blood-soaked linen, his head was resting on a folded pillow. I undid the linen bandages, while the wounded man gazed with great staring eyes and let me proceed without making a single complaint.
It was a horrible wound. The cranium had been smashed open by some blunt instrument, leaving the naked brains exposed, and the cerebral matter had suffered deep abrasions. Blood clots had formed in this dissolving mass, taking on the color of wine dregs. Both contusion and concussion of the brain had occurred. The sick man's breathing was labored, and muscle spasms quivered in his face. Cerebral inflammation was complete and had brought on a paralysis of movement and sensation.
I took the wounded man's pulse. It was intermittent. The body's extremities were already growing cold, and I saw that death was approaching without any possibility of my holding it in check. After dressing the poor man's wound, I redid the linen bandages around his head, and I turned to Captain Nemo.
"How did he get this wound?" I asked him.
"That's not important," the captain replied evasively. "The Nautilus suffered a collision that cracked one of the engine levers, and it struck this man. My chief officer was standing beside him. This man leaped forward to intercept the blow. A brother lays down his life for his brother, a friend for his friend, what could be simpler? That's the law for everyone on board the Nautilus. But what's your diagnosis of his condition?"
I hesitated to speak my mind.
"You may talk freely," the captain told me. "This man doesn't understand French."
I took a last look at the wounded man, then I replied:
"This man will be dead in two hours."
"Nothing can save him?"
"Nothing."
Captain Nemo clenched his fists, and tears slid from his eyes, which I had thought incapable of weeping.
For a few moments more I observed the dying man, whose life was ebbing little by little. He grew still more pale under the electric light that bathed his deathbed. I looked at his intelligent head, furrowed with premature wrinkles that misfortune, perhaps misery, had etched long before. I was hoping to detect the secret of his life in the last words that might escape from his lips!
"You may go, Professor Aronnax," Captain Nemo told me.
I left the captain in the dying man's cabin and I repaired to my stateroom, very moved by this scene. All day long I was aquiver with gruesome forebodings. That night I slept poorly, and between my fitful dreams, I thought I heard a distant moaning, like a funeral dirge. Was it a prayer for the dead, murmured in that language I couldn't understand?
The next morning I climbed on deck. Captain Nemo was already there. As soon as he saw me, he came over.
"Professor," he said to me, "would it be convenient for you to make an underwater excursion today?"
"With my companions?" I asked.
"If they're agreeable."
"We're yours to command, captain."
"Then kindly put on your diving suits."
As for the dead or dying man, he hadn't come into the picture. I rejoined Ned Land and Conseil. I informed them of Captain Nemo's proposition. Conseil was eager to accept, and this time the Canadian proved perfectly amenable to going with us.
It was eight o'clock in the morning. By 8:30 we were suited up for this new stroll and equipped with our two devices for lighting and breathing. The double door opened, and accompanied by Captain Nemo with a dozen crewmen following, we set foot on the firm seafloor where the Nautilus was resting, ten meters down.
A gentle slope gravitated to an uneven bottom whose depth was about fifteen fathoms. This bottom was completely different from the one I had visited during my first excursion under the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Here I saw no fine-grained sand, no underwater prairies, not one open-sea forest. I immediately recognized the wondrous region in which Captain Nemo did the honors that day. It was the coral realm.
In the zoophyte branch, class Alcyonaria, one finds the order Gorgonaria, which contains three groups: sea fans, isidian polyps, and coral polyps. It's in this last that precious coral belongs, an unusual substance that, at different times, has been classified in the mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdoms. Medicine to the ancients, jewelry to the moderns, it wasn't decisively placed in the animal kingdom until 1694, by Peysonnel of Marseilles.
A coral is a unit of tiny animals assembled over a polypary that's brittle and stony in nature. These polyps have a unique generating mechanism that reproduces them via the budding process, and they have an individual existence while also participating in a communal life. Hence they embody a sort of natural socialism. I was familiar with the latest research on this bizarre zoophyte-- which turns to stone while taking on a tree form, as some naturalists have very aptly observed--and nothing could have been more fascinating to me than to visit one of these petrified forests that nature has planted on the bottom of the sea.
We turned on our Ruhmkorff devices and went along a coral shoal in the process of forming, which, given time, will someday close off this whole part of the Indian Ocean. Our path was bordered by hopelessly tangled bushes, formed from snarls of shrubs all covered with little star-shaped, white-streaked flowers. Only, contrary to plants on shore, these tree forms become attached to rocks on the seafloor by heading from top to bottom.
Our lights produced a thousand delightful effects while playing over these brightly colored boughs. I fancied I saw these cylindrical, membrane-filled tubes trembling beneath the water's undulations. I was tempted to gather their fresh petals, which were adorned with delicate tentacles, some newly in bloom, others barely opened, while nimble fish with fluttering fins brushed past them like flocks of birds. But if my hands came near the moving flowers of these sensitive, lively creatures, an alarm would instantly sound throughout the colony. The white petals retracted into their red sheaths, the flowers vanished before my eyes, and the bush changed into a chunk of stony nipples.
Sheer chance had placed me in the presence of the most valuable specimens of this zoophyte. This coral was the equal of those fished up from the Mediterranean off the Barbary Coast or the shores of France and Italy. With its bright colors, it lived up to those poetic names of blood flower and blood foam that the industry confers on its finest exhibits. Coral sells for as much as 500 francs per kilogram, and in this locality the liquid strata hid enough to make the fortunes of a whole host of coral fishermen. This valuable substance often merges with other polyparies, forming compact, hopelessly tangled units known as "macciota," and I noted some wonderful pink samples of this coral.
But as the bushes shrank, the tree forms magnified. Actual petrified thickets and long alcoves from some fantastic school of architecture kept opening up before our steps. Captain Nemo entered beneath a dark gallery whose gentle slope took us to a depth of 100 meters. The light from our glass coils produced magical effects at times, lingering on the wrinkled roughness of some natural arch, or some overhang suspended like a chandelier, which our lamps flecked with fiery sparks. Amid these shrubs of precious coral, I observed other polyps no less unusual: melita coral, rainbow coral with jointed outgrowths, then a few tufts of genus Corallina, some green and others red, actually a type of seaweed encrusted with limestone salts, which, after long disputes, naturalists have finally placed in the vegetable kingdom. But as one intellectual has remarked, "Here, perhaps, is the actual point where life rises humbly out of slumbering stone, but without breaking away from its crude starting point."
Finally, after two hours of walking, we reached a depth of about 300 meters, in other words, the lowermost limit at which coral can begin to form. But here it was no longer some isolated bush or a modest grove of low timber. It was an immense forest, huge mineral vegetation, enormous petrified trees linked by garlands of elegant hydras from the genus Plumularia, those tropical creepers of the sea, all decked out in shades and gleams. We passed freely under their lofty boughs, lost up in the shadows of the waves, while at our feet organ-pipe coral, stony coral, star coral, fungus coral, and sea anemone from the genus Caryophylia formed a carpet of flowers all strewn with dazzling gems.
What an indescribable sight! Oh, if only we could share our feelings! Why were we imprisoned behind these masks of metal and glass! Why were we forbidden to talk with each other! At least let us lead the lives of the fish that populate this liquid element, or better yet, the lives of amphibians, which can spend long hours either at sea or on shore, traveling through their double domain as their whims dictate!
Meanwhile Captain Nemo had called a halt. My companions and I stopped walking, and turning around, I saw the crewmen form a semicircle around their leader. Looking with greater care, I observed that four of them were carrying on their shoulders an object that was oblong in shape.
At this locality we stood in the center of a huge clearing surrounded by the tall tree forms of this underwater forest. Our lamps cast a sort of brilliant twilight over the area, making inordinately long shadows on the seafloor. Past the boundaries of the clearing, the darkness deepened again, relieved only by little sparkles given off by the sharp crests of coral.
Ned Land and Conseil stood next to me. We stared, and it dawned on me that I was about to witness a strange scene. Observing the seafloor, I saw that it swelled at certain points from low bulges that were encrusted with limestone deposits and arranged with a symmetry that betrayed the hand of man.
In the middle of the clearing, on a pedestal of roughly piled rocks, there stood a cross of coral, extending long arms you would have thought were made of petrified blood.
At a signal from Captain Nemo, one of his men stepped forward and, a few feet from this cross, detached a mattock from his belt and began to dig a hole.
I finally understood! This clearing was a cemetery, this hole a grave, that oblong object the body of the man who must have died during the night! Captain Nemo and his men had come to bury their companion in this communal resting place on the inaccessible ocean floor!
No! My mind was reeling as never before! Never had ideas of such impact raced through my brain! I didn't want to see what my eyes saw!
Meanwhile the grave digging went slowly. Fish fled here and there as their retreat was disturbed. I heard the pick ringing on the limestone soil, its iron tip sometimes giving off sparks when it hit a stray piece of flint on the sea bottom. The hole grew longer, wider, and soon was deep enough to receive the body.
Then the pallbearers approached. Wrapped in white fabric made from filaments of the fan mussel, the body was lowered into its watery grave. Captain Nemo, arms crossed over his chest, knelt in a posture of prayer, as did all the friends of him who had loved them. . . . My two companions and I bowed reverently.
The grave was then covered over with the rubble dug from the seafloor, and it formed a low mound.
When this was done, Captain Nemo and his men stood up; then they all approached the grave, sank again on bended knee, and extended their hands in a sign of final farewell. . . .
Then the funeral party went back up the path to the Nautilus, returning beneath the arches of the forest, through the thickets, along the coral bushes, going steadily higher.
Finally the ship's rays appeared. Their luminous trail guided us to the Nautilus. By one o'clock we had returned.
After changing clothes, I climbed onto the platform, and in the grip of dreadfully obsessive thoughts, I sat next to the beacon.
Captain Nemo rejoined me. I stood up and said to him:
"So, as I predicted, that man died during the night?"
"Yes, Professor Aronnax," Captain Nemo replied.
"And now he rests beside his companions in that coral cemetery?"
"Yes, forgotten by the world but not by us! We dig the graves, then entrust the polyps with sealing away our dead for eternity!"
And with a sudden gesture, the captain hid his face in his clenched fists, vainly trying to hold back a sob. Then he added:
"There lies our peaceful cemetery, hundreds of feet beneath the surface of the waves!"
"At least, captain, your dead can sleep serenely there, out of the reach of sharks!"
"Yes, sir," Captain Nemo replied solemnly, "of sharks and men!"
END OF THE FIRST PART

第二天，我醒来，头脑特别清爽。令我十分吃惊的是，我竟在我的房中。我的同伴一定也回到他们舱房中去了，可能他们跟我一样，一点没有觉得。夜间所有的经过他们也一点不知道，像我完全不知道一样，要想揭开这个神秘，我只有依靠将来的偶然机会了。
我心里盘算着走出这个房间。心想我已经恢复了自由？或者仍旧是囚人？其实，我又完全自由了。我打开门，走人过道，上了中央铁梯。嵌板昨天是关闭的，现在开了。我到了平台上。
尼德•兰和康塞尔在那里等着我。我问他们，他们什么都不知道。昏沉沉的睡眠没有给他们留下任何记忆，他们只是心中惊怪，看见自己不知道在什么时候又回到自己的舱房中了。＝至于诺第留斯号，我们看来还是跟往常一样，很安静，很神秘。它行动很缓慢，浮在海波上面。船上好像一点也没有什么变化。
尼德•兰睁开他锐利的眼睛，观察大海。海上什么都没有。加拿大人见天边什么也没有，没有船只，没有陆地。西风呼呼地吹来，凤掀起壮阔的波浪打到船上，船显著地摆动起来。
诺第留斯号换过新鲜空气后，行驶在深度平均为十五米的水底下面，这样它可以很快地回到水面上来： 这种方式跟往常不同，在1月19日这一天做了好几次。船副这时又到了平台上，他习惯说的那句话又在船里面听到了。
至于尼摩船长，他并没有出来。船上人员，我只看见那冷冰冰的管事人，他跟平常一样，准时地，默不作声地给我开饭。
两点左右，我在客厅中，正在整理我的笔记，尼摩船长打开门进来了。我向他行个礼。他回答我一个礼，这是一种差不多看不出来的礼，一句话也没有说。我继续做我的工作，心中希望他对于昨夜的特殊事件可能给我解释一下。但他一声不响。我注视他看来他的面容好像很疲乏的样子：他的眼睛发红，睡眠没有让它们恢复过来：他的脸色表示深深的忧愁，真实的苦痛。他走来走去，坐下去，站起来，随意拿起一本书，立即又放下，看看他的各种器械，但不作经常要作的记录，好像一刻都不能安静下来的样子。后来他向我这边走来了，他问我：
“阿龙纳斯先生，您是医生吗？”
我真没想到他忽然提出这一问题，我看他一下，没有立刻答复他。
“您是医生吗？”他又说，“您的好些同事，像格拉地奥列①，摩甘一唐东②，以及其他的人都曾经学过医。”
“不错，”我说，“我是大夫和住院医生。我到博物馆当教授之前，曾经行医好凡年。”
“很好，先生."
我的答复显然使尼摩船长满意。但是，我不知道他为什么说到这事，我等他提出新问题来，自己可以随机应变地答复。
“阿龙纳斯先生，”船长对我说，“您愿意来治疗我的一个船员吗？”
“您这儿有病人吗？”
“是的."
“我就跟您看去。”
“请跟我来吧。”
我得承认，我这时心很跳动。我不知道为什么，在这个船员的疾病和昨晚的事件之间我觉得有某一种关联，这个秘密至少跟那个病人一样，盘踞在我心中。
尼摩船长带我到诺第留斯号的后部，让我走进挨着水手住所的一间舱房。
房中床上，躺着一个四十岁左右的人,外貌坚强有力,是真正盎格鲁一萨克逊③人的典型。
我弯下身去看他。他不仅是有病，而且受了伤。他的头部包裹着血淋淋的纱布，躺在两个枕头上。我把包布解开，病人睁大眼睛看我，让我解开，一声也不说痛。
伤处看来很是怕人。头盖骨被冲击的器械打碎，脑子露出来，脑上受到了很厉害的摩擦。在有伤的脑子上面凝结着一块一块的血痕，颜色像酒槽。脑子同时被打伤又受震动。伤员的呼吸很缓慢。肌肉痉挛着，使他的脸孔抖动。大脑完全发炎了，因此思想和动作都麻木不灵了。
病人的脉搏，我按了按，已经时有时无。身体各处，手•指脚趾的尖端已经冰冷，我看出死已临头，没法救治了。我包扎好这个不幸的病人，又把他头上的纱布弄好，转过身来对着尼摩船长；我问他：
“哪来的这伤痕呢？”
“那没关系！”船长掩饰地回答，“诺第留斯号受到一次仲撞，弄断了机器上的一条杠杆，打中了这个人。般副正在他旁边。他奋身前去，顶受了这打击……兄弟为自己的兄弟牺牲，朋友为自己的朋友牺牲，再没有更简单的享！这是诺第留斯号船上全体船员共同遵守的规律！您对于他的病精的意见究竟怎样？”
我迟疑不敢说。
“您可以说，”船长对我说，“这人不懂得法语。，
我最后看一下伤员，然后回答：
“这人在两小时内就要死了."
“没有什么办法可以救他吗？”
“没有。，尼摩船长的手抖起来，几滴眼泪从他的眼中流出来了，从前我以为他的眼睛是不会哭的。霎时间，我再看一下这垂死的人，他的生命一点一点消失了。他苍白的面色，由于有明亮的电光照在他临死的床上，更显得惨白。我看他的聪明头额有很多过早的皱纹，那是生活中的不幸或多年的贫苦给他造成的。我要从他嘴里偶然吐出的一些话，明白他生平的秘密！“您可以退出了，阿龙纳斯先生。”尼摩船长这时对我说。
我出来，让船长一人留在危急病人的房里，我回到我的房中，为了刚才的场面情绪很激动。那一整天，我心中有种种不祥的预感，十分不安。夜间睡得不好，睡梦中时常惊醒，觉得听到了远远传来的悲叹和好像唱丧歌的声音。这是对死者的祷词，用那种我不能懂得语言说出来的祷词吗？第二天早晨，我又到了平台上，尼摩船长已经在那里了。他一看见我，就走到我面前来。
“教授，”他对我说，“您愿意今天去作一次海底散步吗？”
“我的同伴可以一同去吗？”我问。
"如果他们愿意，他们可以一同去。”
“我们一定跟您去，船长。”
“请你们就去穿潜水衣。”
关于那个危急病人或死人的消息，他再也不提。我到尼德。兰和康塞尔那儿，把尼摩船长的提议告诉他们。康塞尔立刻就答应去，这一次加拿大人也表示很乐意跟我们一道去.
时间是早上八点。到八点半，我们穿好了这次散步穿的潜水衣，并带上探照灯和呼吸器。那座双重的门打开了，尼摩船长和跟在他后面的十来个船员一齐出来，我们到了水下十米的地方，我们的脚便踩在诺第留斯号停下来的海底地上）
一段轻微的斜坡路通到崎岖不平的地面，深度大约为二十五米左右。这地面跟我第一次在太平洋水底下散步时看见过的完全不一样。这里没有细沙，没有海底草地，没有海底树林，我立即认识这一天尼摩船长请我们来的这个神奇地方；这个地方是珊瑚王国。”
在植虫动物门、翡翠纲中，有矾花这一目，这一目包含矾花、木贼和珊瑚三科。珊瑚属于珊瑚科，是一种奇怪的东西，曾经先后被分人矿物、植物和动物类。在古代它是治病的药方，在近代是装饰的珍宝，一直封1694年：，马赛人皮桑尼尔才明确地把它们作为动物分类。
珊瑚是一群聚集在易碎的和石质伪珊瑚树上的微生物的总体. 这些珊瑚虫有一种独特的繁殖力，像枝芽滋生一样，它们有自己本身的生命，同时又有共同的生命，所以这种情形好像是一种自然的社会主义；我知道最近关于这种奇怪的植虫动物的研究结果，照生物学家的很正确的观察，珊瑚虫在分支繁殖中就起矿化作用，对我来说，去参观大自然种植在海底下的一处石质森林，实在是最有兴趣不过的了。
兰可夫探照器使用起来，我们沿着正在形戌的珊瑚层走去，这些珊瑚脉经过相当的时间，有一夭将要把印度洋的这一部分海面封闭起来。路旁尽是错杂的小珊瑚树所形成的混乱的珊瑚树丛，枝权上遮满白光闪闪的星状小花。不过，跟陆地上的植物正相反，固定在海底岩石上的珊瑚树的枝权，全是从上到下发展的。
灯光在色彩很鲜艳的枝叶中间照来照去，发生无穷的美丽迷人的景象。我好像是看见薄膜一般的和圆筒形样的细管在海波下颤动。我要去采它们的带有纤维触须的新鲜花瓣（有的刚开，有的刚露头）的时候，有些身子轻快、鳍迅速摆动的鱼走来，像鸟飞过一样触动了它们。但是，一当我的手挨近这些活花朵，这些有生命的含羞草的时候，花丛中立即发出警报来了。于是雪白的花瓣缩人它们的朱红匣中去了，花朵在我眼前消失了，珊瑚丛随即转变为一大团的石圆丘。
偶然的机会把这种植虫动物的一些最宝贵的品种摆在我面前。这种珊瑚跟在地中海、在法国、意大利和巴巴利①海岸打到的，一样有价值。商业上对于其中最美的几种给了“血花”和“血沫”这样诗意的名字，它们的鲜艳颜色证明这是有道理的。这种珊瑚一直卖到五百法郎一公斤；在这一带的海水里面实在是蕴藏有无数打捞珊瑚人的财富呢。 这种宝贵的物质时常杂有其他种类的珊瑚树， 因此构成名为“马西奥达”的密集和混杂的整块珊瑚，在这些整块珊瑚上面，我看到很美丽的玫瑰珊瑚品种。～不久，珊瑚树丛就紧密连攀起来，树枝分布增长起来，。好像是真正的石质丛林和奇矮建筑的长槽在我们脚步面前摆开了。
尼摩船长走人一条长廊般的黑暗过道，从这条倾斜的、过道，我们到了一百米深的地方。我们的蛇形玻璃管中的光学，照在这些天然的凹凸不平的拱形建筑物上面，照在像水晶烛台一般安排着的、火星点缀起来的下垂花板上，时时。发生魔术般迷人的力量，在珊瑚的丛枝中间，我又看到一样新奇古怪的珊瑚树，海虱形珊瑚，节肢蝶形珊瑚，又有些团聚成堆的珊瑚，有的是青，有的是红，真的像是铺在石灰地上的海藻，这些珊瑚堆，生物学家经过长久的讨论后，才明确地把它们列入植物中。但根据一位思想家所指出，“它：们或者就是生命刚从无知觉的沉睡中挣扎起来，又还没有完全脱离矿物的物性.
走了两个钟头，我们到了t9百米深的地方，那地方就是珊瑚在上面开始形成的最后边界。但在这里的，不是孤立隔开的珊瑚丛，不是低树林的丛木，而是，广大的森林，巨大的矿物草木，粗大的石树，由那些海葛藤，漂亮好看的羽毛草花圈坏结合起来，受到各样色彩和反光的点缀，非常好看。它们的高大树枝深入海水阴暗中不见了，我们就在下面自由自在地走过，我们脚下有管状珊瑚，脑形贝，星状贝，菌状贝，石竹形珊瑚，形成一条花卉织成的地毯，现出光辉夺目的各种颜色。
实在是难以形容，难以描绘的景象！啊！为什么我们不能交换彼此所感到的印象！为什么我们关禁在这金属玻、璃的圆盔中！为什么我们被阻止，彼此不能说话！至少，希望我们生活能跟繁殖在海水中的鱼类一样，或更进一步，能跟那些两栖动物一样，它们可以在长期间内，随它们的意思，往来地上，游泳水中！一
可是尼摩船长站住了。我的同伴和我也停止前进，我回过头来，看见船员们作半圆形围绕着他们伪首领。我更细心地看，看到其中有四人肩上抬着一件长方形的东西。
我们站的是一块宽大空地的中心地方，围绕四周的是海底森林的高大突出的枝权。我们的照明灯在这广阔的空间中射出模糊的光线，把地上阴影拉得特别长。空地的尽处，更是漆黑，只有珊瑚的尖刺留住了一些稀疏的亮光。
尼德•兰和康塞尔站在我身边。我们留心看着，我心里想，我是要参加一个很离奇的场面了。我观察地面，看到好几处，由于石灰质的堆积，由于人手的规律性的安排，有微微隆起的瘤子，地面显得鼓起来的样子。
在空地中间，随便堆起来的石头基础上，竖起一副珊瑚的十字架，这十字架两边横出的两条长胳膊，简直使人要认为是石质的血制成的呢。
尼摩船长做个手势，一个船员走上前来，他在距十字架几英尺远的地方，从腰间取下铁锨，开始挖坑。
我完全明白了！这空地是墓地，这坑是坟穴，这长形的东西是昨夜死去的人的尸体！尼摩船长和他的船员们来到这隔绝人世的海洋底下，这所公共的墓地，埋葬他们的同伴。
不！我的心从来没有过这样的激动，这样的紧张！从来没有过更动人的思想像现在这样侵到我的脑中来！我简直不想看我的眼睛所看见的东西了！
不过坟穴挖得很慢。鱼类被惊动，到处乱跑。我听到石灰质的地上铁锨叮叮作响，铁锨有时碰到丢在水底下的火石，发出星星的火光。坟穴渐渐加长，渐渐加大，不久便相当深，可以容受尸体了。
这时抬尸体的便走近前来，尸体用白色的麻布裹着，放到湿润的坑中去。尼摩船长两手交叉在胸前，死者曾经爱过的所有的朋友们，都跪下来，作祈祷的姿态。我的两个同伴和我也很虔诚地鞠躬敬礼。
坟穴于是被那地上挖出的土石掩盖起来，地面形成微微的隆起。
当坟穴填好了，尼摩船长和他的船员都站起来，然后走到坟前，大家屈膝，伸手，作最后告别的姿势。燃后这队送葬的队伍沿着原路，在森林的拱形建筑物下，一堆一堆的丛林中间，走过了很长的珊瑚丛，总是往上走，向着诺第留斯号回来。最后，船上的灯光露出了，有一道长长的光线，把我俯一直引到诺第留斯号。我们回到船上的时候，正是一点钟。我换了衣服，走上平台，心中正受着可怕思想的缠绕。就走到探照灯旁边坐下。尼摩船长走到我面前；我站起来，对他说：“就是跟我预料的一般， 那人在夜间死了吗？ ，“是的，阿龙纳斯先生。”尼摩船长答。“他现在长眠在他的同伴身边，在那珊瑚墓地中吗？"
船长突然用他痉挛的手、 粑脸孔遮住，他没法抑制他发出的更吟, 随后他说:“、“那里、、海波下面几百英尺深的地方，就是我们的安静得墓地!"
“至少，船长，您的死去的同伴们可以在那里很安静地长眠，不受鲨鱼的欺负！”
“是的，先生，”尼摩船长很严肃地回答，“不受鲨鱼和人物欺负。”