Page:Twenty Thousand Verne Frith 1876.pdf/131

 division of the waters into five great oceans: the Arctic and Antarctic, the Indian, the Atlantic, and the Pacific.

“The Pacific Ocean extends from north to south, between the polar circles, and from west to east, between Asia and America, to a distance of 145° of longitude. It is the most tranquil of seas; its currents are wide and slow; its tides not excessive; its rains abundant. Such was the ocean which fate had destined me to traverse under such strange conditions.

“Professor Aronnax,” said Captain Nemo to me, “let us endeavour to ascertain our true position, and fix the point of departure for this voyage. It wants a quarter to twelve noon. I am about to go up to the surface.”

The captain pressed an electric bell three times. The pumps began to expel the water from the reservoirs; the needle of the manometer marked the ascent of the Nautilus by the different pressures. She stopped.

“We are at the surface,” said the captain.

I advanced to the central staircase, which led to the platform, and by the open panel I reached the upper surface of the Nautilus.

The platform was not far above the water. The Nautilus was of the fusiform shape, which had been compared to a long cigar. I noticed that the iron plates, lightly imbricated, resembled the scales which clothe certain reptiles. I could then understand why this boat had always been taken for a marine animal, in defiance of the best glasses.

Towards the middle of the platform lay the launch, half buried in the hull of the ship. Fore and aft were