Page:Twenty Thousand Verne Frith 1876.pdf/508

 THE

LAST

WORDS

OF

CAPTAIN

NEMO.

249

near land we were obliged to make our escape. We must not lose a day, not an hour. I returned to the saloon, both hoping and fearing to meet Captain Nemo—wishing, and yet not wishing to see him. What had I to say tohim? Could I hide the horror with which he inspired me? No! Better not to find

myself face to face with him; better to forget him entirely; and, nevertheless

What a long day this was—the last that I was to pass on board the Mautilus. Iremained by myself. Ned and

Conseil did not speak to me, for fear of betraying themselves I dined at six o’clock, but I had no appetite. I forced myself to eat, so as to keep up my strength. At half-past six Ned Land entered my room, and said : “ We shall not meet again before we leave. At ten o’clock the moon will not be up; we will take advantage of the darkness. Come to the boat, and Conseil and I will await you there.”

The Canadian went out, without giving me reply. I wanted to verify the course of the Mautilus.

time

to

I went

into the saloon. We were running N.N.E. with tremendous speed, at a depth of rather more than fifty yards. I took a last look at all the marvels of the art-riches heaped up in this museum, on collection destined to perish some day at the sea which had yielded it up. I wished to fix

nature around, this unrivalled bottom of the the impression

upon my mind. I remained thus for an hour, beneath the light of the luminous ceiling, and, passing in review those beautiful specimens in the glass cases, then returned to my room. I then donned some stout sea-clothing, and collected