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 to me alone. They exist but for me. They are not terrestrial, but submarine forests.”

“Submarine!” I exclaimed.

“Yes?”

“And you ask me to go thither?”

“Precisely.

“On foot?”

“Yes, and dry-shod!”

“And shoot?”

“And shoot.”

“With gun in hand!”

“Gun in hand.”

I looked at the captain of the Nautilus with an air by no means flattering.

“He is evidently mad,” I thought. “He has had an attack during the last eight days, which has not yet passed away. What a pity! I would rather see him eccentric than lunatic.”

These ideas were clearly expressed by my countenance, but Captain Nemo merely invited me to follow him, and I did so. I was prepared for the worst.

We reached the dining-room, where breakfast was served,

“M. Aronnax,” said the captain, “I beg you will partake of my breakfast, without any ceremony. We can talk while we are eating. But though I have promised you a ‘turn’ in the forest, I cannot promise you a restaurant there. So you had better breakfast like a man who will not dine till late.”

I did honour to the meal, which was excellent. Captain Nemo at first ate without speaking, at length he said: