Page:Twenty Thousand Verne Frith 1876.pdf/239

 fresh water by 1, I find $1 28⁄1000$ as the density of the Atlantic, $1 26⁄1000$ that of the Pacific, $1 30⁄1000$ that of the Mediterranean”

“Ah!” thought I, “he has sailed in the Mediterranean.”

“In the Ionian Sea $1 18⁄1000$, and $1 29⁄1000$ in the Adriatic.”

The Nautilus certainly did not avoid the crowded seas of Europe, and I judged from this that it would carry us, perhaps before very long, towards the more civilised lands. I fancied that Ned Land would appreciate this very highly.

For a long time the days passed in experiments of all kinds, to ascertain the saltness of the sea-water at different temperatures—its electrisation, its colouration, its transparency; and under all circumstances Captain Nemo displayed an ingenuity which was only equalled by his great politeness to me. Then for many days I did not see him, and I remained almost isolated on board.

On the 16th January the Nautilus appeared to sleep at a few metres only beneath the surface. The electric apparatus was not at work, and the screw being immovable, she drifted at the will of the currents. I supposed that the machinery was being repaired, such a course being necessary after the late violent working.

My companions and I were witnesses of a curious spectacle that day. The side panels of the saloon were open, and as the lamp of the Nautilus was not alight, a vague obscurity reigned in the water. The stormy and clouded sky could give but little light even to the first beds of the waters.