Page:Twenty Thousand Verne Frith 1876.pdf/231

 of his existence, you can imagine what his thoughts may have been.”

Captain Nemo appeared to be moved, and I gave him credit for the feeling.

Then, maps in hand, we traced the discoveries of this bold navigator, his voyages round the world, his two attempts to reach the South Pole, which resulted in the discovery of “Adélie” and “Louis Philippe,” and finally his hydrographical survey of the principal oceanic islands.

“What your D’Urville did at the surface, I have done beneath,” said Captain Nemo, “and more easily and completely than he. The Astrolabe and Zélée, continually knocked about by the winds and waves, were not as good as the Nautilus, where there is a quiet ‘study,’ and really motionless in the water.”

“Nevertheless, there is one point of resemblance between the ships of Dumont d’Urville and the Nautilus.”

“What is that?”

“That the Nautilus has stranded, just as they did.”

“The Nautilus has not stranded,” replied Captain Nemo, coldly. “The Nautilus is merely reposing on the bed of the ocean, and the persistent labour and work which D’Urville had to refloat his vessels will not be necessary with us. The Astrolabe and the Zélée ran a great risk of being lost, but we are in no danger. To-morrow, the day named, and at the time I mentioned, the tide will raise us quietly, and we shall resume our voyage.”

“Captain,” I said, “I have no doubt about it.”

“To-morrow,” added he, rising, “to-morrow, at