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 amongst ten or a dozen which had now gained the platform and sides of the Nautilus, which were soon covered with waves of inky blood. The viscous tentacles seemed to spring up like hydra heads. Ned Land, at each thrust of his harpoon, blinded the great staring eyes. But my companion was suddenly overturned by the tentacles of a monster that he had not been able to avoid. My heart beat wildly. The beak of the octopus was extended over Ned Land. He would be cut in half. I rushed to his assistance. But Captain Nemo anticipated me. He flung his hatchet between the enormous mandibles, and the Canadian, miraculously rescued, plunged his harpoon into the triple heart of the octopus.

“I owe myself that revenge,” said the captain to Ned Land.

Ned bowed, but made no reply.

The fight had lasted a quarter of an hour. The monsters, conquered, mutilated, beaten to death, left us at last, and disappeared.

Captain Nemo, red with blood, stood motionless rear the lantern, gazed into the sea which had swallowed up one of his companions, and great tears stood in his eyes.