Page:Twenty Thousand Verne Frith 1876.pdf/194

 with the French arms, but much corroded by the salt water. I opened it, and within I found a bundle of yellow, but still readable, papers.

They were the actual instructions issued by the Minister of Marine to La Pérouse, and were annotated in the margin by Louis XVI. himself.

“Ah! it was a fine death for a sailor,” said Captain Nemo. “The coral is a peaceful resting-place, and constitutes the only heaven for me and my companions.”