Page:Twenty Thousand Verne Frith 1876.pdf/437

 of ice. This must have been caused by a false movement; for the submarine tunnel, encumbered as it was with ice-blocks, did not offer very good navigation. I thought, therefore, that Captain Nemo, by changing his course, would turn these obstacles, or follow the windings of the tunnel. In any case, our advance could not be entirely stopped. But, contrary to my expectations, the Nautilus went astern again.

“We are going back,” cried Conseil.

“Yes,” I replied; “I suppose that there is no outlet this way.”

“And then?”

“Then,” I said, “the plan is very simple: we must retrace our steps, and get out by the south end, that is all.”

I spoke thus, so as to appear more confident than I really felt. Meantime the Nautilus retired at a greater pace, and soon at a very high speed.

“This will be a drawback, indeed,” said Ned.

“What can a few hours matter, more or less,” I said, “provided we get out at last.”

“Yes,” said Ned, “provided we do get out at last.”

For a short time I walked from the saloon to the library. My companions sat down in silence. I soon threw myself upon a couch, and took up a book, which I began to read mechanically.

After the lapse of a quarter of an hour Conseil approached and said:

‘Ts that book interesting to Monsieur?”

“Very interesting indeed,” I replied.

“I can quite believe it,” he said. “It is Monsieur’s own work that he is reading!”

“My book!” I exclaimed.

But so it was. I was reading the “Great Submarine