The bottom of the ocean then formed a valley about 100miles broad,in which Mont Blanc might have been placed without its summit appearing above the waves.This valley is closed at the east by a perpendicular wall more than 2,000yards high.
We arrived there on the 28th of May,and the Nautilus was then not more than 120miles from Ireland.
Was Captain Nemo going to land on the British Isles?
No.To my great surprise he made for the south,once more coming back towards European seas.In rounding the Emerald Isle,for one instant Icaught sight of Cape Clear,and the light which guides the thousands of vessels leaving Glasgow or Liverpool.
An important question then arose in my mind.Did the Nautilus dare entangle itself in the Manche?Ned Land,who had re-appeared since we had been nearing land,did not cease to question me.
How could Ianswer?Captain Nemo reminded invisible.
After having shown the Canadian a glimpse of American shores,was he going to show me the coast of France?
But the Nautilus was still going southward.On the 30th of May,it passed in sight of Land's End,between the extreme point of England and the Scilly Isles,which were left to starboard.
If we wished to enter the Manche,he must go straight to the east.
He did not do so.
During the whole of the 31st of May,the Nautilus described a series of circles on the water,which greatly interested me.
It seemed to be seeking a spot it had some trouble in finding.
At noon,Captain Nemo himself came to work the ship's log.
He spoke no word to me,but seemed gloomier than ever.What could sadden him thus?Was it his proxim ity to European shores?
Had he some recollections of his abandoned country?
If not,what did he feel?Remorse or regret?
For a long while this thought haunted my mind,and Ihad a kind of presentiment that before long chance would betray the captain's secrets.
The next day,the 1st of June,the Nautilus continued the same process.
It was evidently seeking some particular spot in the ocean.
Captain Nemo took the sun's altitude as he had done the day before.
The sea was beautiful,the sky clear.About eight miles to the east,a large steam vessel could be discerned on the horizon.
No flag fluttered from its mast,and Icould not discover its nationality.Some minutes before the sun passed the meridian,Captain Nemo took his sextant,and watched with great attention.
The perfect rest of the water greatly helped the operation.
The Nautilus was motionless;it neither rolled nor pitched.
Iwas on the platform when the altitude was taken,and the Captain pronounced these words:"It is here."He turned and went below.Had he seen the vessel which was changing its course and seemed to be nearing us?
Icould not tell.Ireturned to the saloon.The panels closed,Iheard the hissing of the water in the reservoirs.
The Nautilus began to sink,following a vertical line,for its screw communicated no motion to it.Some minutes later it stopped at a depth of more than 420fathoms,resting on the ground.
The luminous ceiling was darkened,then the panels were opened,and through the glass Isaw the sea brilliantly illuminated by the rays of our lantern for at least half a mile round us.
Ilooked to the port side,and saw nothing but an immensity of quiet waters.But to starboard,on the bottom appeared a large protuberance,which at once attracted my attention.
One would have thought it a ruin buried under a coating of white shells,much resembling a covering of snow.
Upon examining the mass attentively,Icould recognise the ever-thickening form of a vessel bare of its masts,which must have sunk.It certainly belonged to past times.
This wreck,to be thus encrusted with the lime of the water,must already be able to count many years passed at the bottom of the ocean.
What was this vessel?Why did the Nautilus visit its tomb?
Could it have been aught but a shipwreck which had drawn it under the water?
Iknew not what to think,when near me in a slow voice Iheard Captain Nemo say:
"At one time this ship was called the Marseillais.It carried seventy-four guns,and was launched in 1762.In 1778,the 13th of August,commanded by La Poype-Ver trieux,it fought boldly against the Preston.
In 1779,on the 4th of July,it was at the taking of Grenada,with the squadron of Admiral Estaing.In 1781,on the 5th of September,it took part in the battle of Comte de Grasse,in Chesapeake Bay.
In 1794,the French Republic changed its name.On the 16th of April,in the same year,it joined the squadron of Villaret Joyeuse,at Brest,being entrusted with the escort of a cargo of corn coming from America,under the command of Admiral Van Stebel.On the 11th and 12th Prairal of the second year,this squadron fell in with an English vessel.
Sir,to-day is the 13th Prairal,the first of June,1868.It is now seventy-four years ago,day for day on this very spot,in latitude 47@24',longitude 17@28',that this vessel,after fighting heroically,losing its three masts,with the water in its hold,and the third of its crew disabled,preferred sinking with its 356sailors to surrendering;and,nailing its colours to the poop,disappeared under the waves to the cry of `Long live the Republic!'""The Avenger!"Iexclaimed.
"Yes,sir,the Avenger!Agood name!"muttered Captain Nemo,crossing his arms.