Page:Twenty Thousand Verne Frith 1876.pdf/233

 the tide would have attained its maximum height, and if Captain Nemo had not made a rash promise, the Nautilus would be soon at liberty again. If not, then several months must elapse before we could quit this coral bed.

However, some little vibrations began to be felt in the hull, and I could hear the coral grinding beneath the weight of the ship.

At 2.35, Captain Nemo appeared.

“Well!” said I.

“I have given orders to have the panels opened.”

“And the Papuans?”

“The Papuans!” he exclaimed, shrugging his shoulders.

“Will they not penetrate into the interior of the Nautilus?”

“How?”

“Through the panels you have just opened!”

“M. Aronnax,” replied Captain Nemo, calmly, “they will not enter, even though the panels be open.”

I looked at the captain.

“You do not understand?” he said.

“Not at all.”

“Well, then, come and see for yourself.”

I accompanied him to the centre staircase. There I found Ned Land and Conseil very much puzzled to see the crew open the panels, while cries and shouts of rage resounded outside.

The mantelets were beaten down, and twenty horrible figures appeared. But the first of the natives who placed his hand upon the balustrade of the staircase was hurled backwards by some invisible force; and he fled,