Page:Twenty Thousand Verne Frith 1876.pdf/251

 I left him in the cabin of the dying man, and regained my own room very much impressed by the scene I had witnessed.

All day I was haunted by sinister presentiments. At night I slept little, and amid my frequently interrupted dreams I fancied I heard distant sighings and the sound of a funeral hymn. Was it the prayer for the dead, uttered in that language which I did not understand.

Next morning I went on deck. Captain Nemo was there before me. So soon as he saw me he approached and said:

“Would it be convenient for you to make a submarine excursion to-day?”

“With my friends?” I asked.

“They can go if they like.”

“We are at your orders, captain.”

“Will you, then, put on your divers’ dresses, please?”

There was no question of the dying or the dead. I told Conseil and Ned Land what Captain Nemo had suggested.

Conseil was anxious to go, and the Canadian appeared very willing to accompany him.

It was eight o’clock, At half-past eight we were equipped for our expedition, and furnished with the lighting and breathing apparatus. The double door was opened, and, accompanied by the captain and followed by a dozen of the crew, we trod, at a depth of ten yards, upon the ground where the Nautilus was firmly reposing.

A gentle slope led us to a bottom much furrowed,