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enemies. But the shot rattled about us. Some of them struck the sea and
ricochetted, losing themselves in the distance. But none touched the Nautilus.
The vessel was not more than three miles from us. In spite of the serious
cannonade, Captain Nemo did not appear on the platform; but, if one of the
conical projectiles had struck the shell of the Nautilus, it would have been
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fatal. The Canadian then said, "Sir, we must do all we can to get out of this
dilemma. Let us signal them. They will then, perhaps, understand that we are
honest folks."
Ned Land took his handkerchief to wave in the air; but he had scarcely
displayed it, when he was struck down by an iron hand, and fell, in spite of
his great strength, upon the deck.
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"Fool!" exclaimed the Captain, "do you wish to be pierced by the spur of the
Nautilus before it is hurled at this vessel?"
Captain Nemo was terrible to hear; he was still more terrible to see. His face
was deadly pale, with a spasm at his heart. For an instant it must have ceased
to beat. His pupils were fearfully contracted. He did not speak, he roared,
as, with his body thrown forward, he wrung the Canadian's shoulders. Then,
leaving him, and turning to the ship of war, whose shot was still raining
around him, he exclaimed, with a powerful voice, "Ah, ship of an accursed
nation, you know who I am! I do not want your colours to know you by! Look!
and I will show you mine!"
And on the fore part of the platform Captain Nemo unfurled a black flag,
similar to the one he had placed at the South Pole. At that moment a shot
struck the shell of the Nautilus obliquely, without piercing it; and,
rebounding near the Captain, was lost in the sea. He shrugged his shoulders;
and, addressing me, said shortly, "Go down, you and your companions, go down!"
"Sir," I cried, "are you going to attack this vessel?"
"Sir, I am going to sink it."
"You will not do that?"
"I shall do it," he replied coldly. "And I advise you not to judge me, sir.
Fate has shown you what you ought not to have seen. The attack has begun; go
down."
"What is this vessel?"
"You do not know? Very well! so much the better! Its nationality to you, at
least, will be a secret. Go down!"
We could but obey. About fifteen of the sailors surrounded the Captain,
looking with implacable hatred at the vessel nearing them. One could feel that
the same desire of vengeance animated every soul. I went down at the moment
another projectile struck the Nautilus, and I heard the Captain exclaim:
"Strike, mad vessel! Shower your useless shot! And then, you will not escape
the spur of the Nautilus. But it is not here that you shall perish! I would
not have your ruins mingle with those of the Avenger!"
I reached my room. The Captain and his second had remained on the platform.
The screw was set in motion, and the Nautilus, moving with speed, was soon
beyond the reach of the ship's guns. But the pursuit continued, and Captain
Nemo contented himself with keeping his distance.
About four in the afternoon, being no longer able to contain my impatience, I
went to the central staircase.
The panel was open, and I ventured on to the platform. The Captain was still
walking up and down with an agitated step. He was looking at the ship, which
was five or six miles to leeward.
He was going round it like a wild beast, and, drawing it eastward, he allowed
them to pursue. But he did not attack. Perhaps he still hesitated? I wished to
mediate once more. But I had scarcely spoken, when Captain
Nemo imposed silence, saying:
"I am the law, and I am the judge! I am the oppressed, and there is the
oppressor! Through him I have lost all that I loved, cherished, and
veneratedcountry, wife, children, father, and mother. I saw all perish! All
that I
hate is there! Say no more!"
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I cast a last look at the manofwar, which was putting on steam, and rejoined
Ned and Conseil.
"We will fly!" I exclaimed.
"Good!" said Ned. "What is this vessel?"
"I do not know; but, whatever it is, it will be sunk before night. In any
case, it is better to perish with it, than be made accomplices in a
retaliation the justice of which we cannot judge."
"That is my opinion too," said Ned Land, coolly. "Let us wait for night."
Night arrived. Deep silence reigned on board. The compass showed that the
Nautilus had not altered its course. It was on the surface, rolling slightly.
My companions and I resolved to fly when the vessel should be near enough
either to hear us or to see us; for the moon, which would be full in two or
three days, shone brightly. Once on board the ship, if we could not prevent
the blow which threatened it, we could, at least we would, do all that
circumstances would allow. Several times I thought the Nautilus was preparing
for attack;
but Captain Nemo contented himself with allowing his adversary to approach,
and then fled once more before it.
Part of the night passed without any incident. We watched the opportunity for
action. We spoke little, for we were too much moved. Ned Land would have
thrown himself into the sea, but I forced him to wait.
According to my idea, the Nautilus would attack the ship at her waterline, and
then it would not only be possible, but easy to fly.
At three in the morning, full of uneasiness, I mounted the platform. Captain
Nemo had not left it. He was standing at the fore part near his flag, which a
slight breeze displayed above his head. He did not take his eyes from the
vessel. The intensity of his look seemed to attract, and fascinate, and draw
it onward more surely than if he had been towing it. The moon was then passing
the meridian. Jupiter was rising in the east. Amid this peaceful scene of
nature, sky and ocean rivalled each other in tranquillity, the sea offering to
the orbs of night the finest mirror they could ever have in which to reflect
their image. As I thought of the deep calm of these elements, compared with
all those passions brooding imperceptibly within the Nautilus, I shuddered.
The vessel was within two miles of us. It was ever nearing that phosphorescent
light which showed the presence of the Nautilus. I could see its green and red
lights, and its white lantern hanging from the large foremast. An indistinct
vibration quivered through its rigging, showing that the furnaces were heated
to the uttermost. Sheaves of sparks and red ashes flew from the funnels,
shining in the atmosphere like stars.
I remained thus until six in the morning, without Captain Nemo noticing me.
The ship stood about a mile and a half from us, and with the first dawn of day
the firing began afresh. The moment could not be far off when, the Nautilus
attacking its adversary, my companions and myself should for ever leave this
man. I was preparing to go down to remind them, when the second mounted the
platform, accompanied by several sailors. Captain Nemo either did not or would
not see them. Some steps were taken which might be called the signal for
action. They were very simple. The iron balustrade around the platform was
lowered, and the lantern and pilot cages were pushed within the shell until
they were flush with the deck. The long surface of the steel cigar no longer
offered a single point to check its manoeuvres. I returned to the saloon. The
Nautilus still floated; some streaks of light were filtering through the
liquid beds. With the undulations of the waves the windows were brightened by
the red streaks of the rising sun, and this dreadful day of the 2nd of June
had dawned.
At five o'clock, the log showed that the speed of the Nautilus was slackening,
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and I knew that it was allowing them to draw nearer. Besides, the reports were
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