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 powerful, and the electric force is double that of the zinc battery.”

“I quite understand the value of the sodium in the condition in which you find it. The sea contains it. So far so good. But still it is necessary to extract it. How do you do that? Your batteries could evidently be of use to extract it, but if I do not mistake, the expenditure of sodium, necessitated by the electric apparatus, exceeds the quantity extracted. So you would consume more of it than you could produce.”

“But I do not extract it by the assistance of the battery. I simply employ the heat of pit-coal.”

“Pit-coal?” I said, meaningly.

“Well, let us say sea-coal, if you prefer it,” replied Captain Nemo.

“And can you dig out mines of sea-coal?”

“M. Aronnax, you shall see me work it. I only ask a little patience, since you have time to be patient. Only recollect this—I owe everything to the ocean. It produces electricity, and electricity gives the Nautilus heat, light, speed, and, in a word, life!”

“But not the air you breathe!”

“Oh! I can make the air necessary for my use, but it is unnecessary, since I go up to the surface whenever I please. However, if electricity do not furnish me with air to breathe, it at least sets in motion some powerful pumps, which enable me to store in reservoirs for the purpose, sufficient to enable me to remain, at need, as long as I choose at the bottom of the sea.”

“Captain Nemo,” said I, “I can only admire you. You have discovered, what men will some day find out, the true dynamic power of electricity.”