Page:Twenty Thousand Verne Frith 1876.pdf/372

 dexterity of a cetacean amongst the scattered hillocks. If the labyrinth appeared inextricable the vessel rose like a balloon, and, the obstacle overcome it resumed its course at the lower level. An admirable and charming way of sailing which recalled a balloon voyage with the difference that the Nautilus always obeyed the hand of the steersman.

About 4 the appearance of the soil, hitherto composed of thick mud and petrified wood, began to change. It was more stony now, and sprinkled with conglomerate and basaltic lumps, with lava and sulphurous obsidian. I fancied that a mountainous region would soon succeed the plains, and at a movement of the Nautilus I perceived the southern horizon was barred by a high wall which appeared to block all further progress. The summit of this was evidently above the sea level. It must be a continent or an island, perhaps one of the Canaries, or Cape Verd islands. The observations not having yet been taken, perhaps designedly omitted, I was ignorant of our position. At any rate this wall appeared to me to mark the limit of Atlantis, only a very small portion of which we had traversed after all.

Night put an end to my observations. I was left alone, Conseil had retired to his cabin. The Nautilus slackened speed, sometimes it passed over high ground, sometimes it almost touched bottom, and at times it rose capriciously to the surface of the ocean.

I could have remained much longer at the window but the panels were closed. The Nautilus had now reached the high wall. What would be done now? I regained my room; the Nautilus did not move. I went to sleep with the determination to wake after an hour or two.

But it was eight o’clock next morning when I re-entered the saloon. I perceived by the manometer that the Nautilus