Page:Twenty Thousand Verne Frith 1876.pdf/360

101 fairly leave you to guess the feelings of Ned Land when he fully recognised the situation of things.

I did not worry myself particularly. I felt in a manner relieved from a weight that had oppressed me, and I was able to return to my usual occupations with some degree of calmness.

About 11 p.m. J received a very unexpected visit from Captain Nemo. He inquired very politely whether I felt fatigued by my exertions of the preceding evening. I replied in the negative.

“Then, Monsieur, I will suggest a very interesting excursion.” “ By all means, captain,” I said.

“Hitherto you have only visited the ocean depths by day and with the light of the sun, them on a dark night ?”

“Very much, indeed.”

“T warn you the excursion will be tiring. We shall have to walk for a long distance and scale a mountain.The roads are not very well marked.”

“What you say only redoubles my curiosity.I am quite ready to accompany you.”

“Come along, then,” replied the captain, “let us put on our diving-dresses.”

As we reached the room in which the dresses were kept, I perceived that none of the crew, nor had either of my companions, been selected to follow us on this excursion. Captain Nemo had not proposed my taking either Conseilor Ned.

We were ready in a few minutes. We shouldered a reservoir of air each, but the electric lamps pared; I called the captain’s attention to this.