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 how the adventure would have terminated, had not the Canadian sent a lucky blow direct to the creature’s heart.

I heard its teeth grinding upon the gunwale, and the animal disappeared, taking the harpoon with him. But the barrel soon came to the surface again, and a few minutes afterwards, the body of the dugong appeared floating on its back. We pulled towards it, took it in tow, and returned to the Nautilus.

It was necessary to employ some very strong tackle to hoist the dugong on board. It weighed more than four tons. It was cut up under the superintendence of the Canadian, and the same afternoon the steward served me with slices of the excellent flesh. I found it very good, superior to veal, if not to beef.

Next day our larder was again enriched by some choice game. A flock of sea-swallows alighted on the Nautilus. They were a species of Sterna milotica peculiar to Egypt; the beak is white, the head grey and pointed; the eyes are surrounded by white spots; the back, wings, and tail are greyish, the belly and throat white; the feet are red. We also captured some dozen Nile ducks, wild birds of a high flavour.

The speed was then lowered. We strolled along, so to speak. I noticed that the water of the Red Sea became less and less salt as we approached Suez.

About 5 we sighted the Cape of Ras Mohammed. This cape forms the extremity of Arabia Petræa, which is included between the gulfs of Suez and Acabah. The Nautilus entered the Jubal Straits, which lead to the Gulf of Suez. I could distinctly see a high mountain rising up between the two gulfs. It was Mount Horeb, at the summit of which Moses met God face to face in the midst of the fiery bush.