|
|
|
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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 I had 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 I could 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.
I was 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? I could not tell. I returned to the saloon. The panels closed, I heard 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 420 fathoms, resting on the ground. The luminous
ceiling was darkened, then the panels were opened, and through the glass I saw the sea brilliantly illuminated
CHAPTER XXI 165
by the rays of our lantern for at least half a mile round us.
I looked 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, I
could 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? I knew not what to think, when near me in a slow voice I heard 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 356 sailors to
surrendering; and, nailing its colours to the poop, disappeared under the waves to the cry of `Long live the
Republic!'"
"The Avenger!" I exclaimed.
"Yes, sir, the Avenger! A good name!" muttered Captain Nemo, crossing his arms.
CHAPTER XXI
A HECATOMB
The way of describing this unlooked-for scene, the history of the patriot ship, told at first so coldly, and the
emotion with which this strange man pronounced the last words, the name of the Avenger, the significance of
which could not escape me, all impressed itself deeply on my mind. My eyes did not leave the Captain, who,
with his hand stretched out to sea, was watching with a glowing eye the glorious wreck. Perhaps I was never
to know who he was, from whence he came, or where he was going to, but I saw the man move, and apart
from the savant. It was no common misanthropy which had shut Captain Nemo and his companions within the
Nautilus, but a hatred, either monstrous or sublime, which time could never weaken. Did this hatred still seek
for vengeance? The future would soon teach me that. But the Nautilus was rising slowly to the surface of the
sea, and the form of the Avenger disappeared by degrees from my sight. Soon a slight rolling told me that we
were in the open air. At that moment a dull boom was heard. I looked at the Captain. He did not move.
"Captain?" said I.
He did not answer. I left him and mounted the platform. Conseil and the Canadian were already there.
"Where did that sound come from?" I asked.
"It was a gunshot," replied Ned Land.
CHAPTER XXI 166
I looked in the direction of the vessel I had already seen. It was nearing the Nautilus, and we could see that it
was putting on steam. It was within six miles of us.
"What is that ship, Ned?"
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pldoc.pisz.plpdf.pisz.plkwiatpolny.htw.pl
|
|
| Cytat |
Dobre pomysły nie mają przeszłości, mają tylko przyszłość. Robert Mallet
De minimis - o najmniejszych rzeczach.
Dobroć jest ważniejsza niż mądrość, a uznanie tej prawdy to pierwszy krok do mądrości. Theodore Isaac Rubin
Dobro to tylko to, co szlachetne, zło to tylko to, co haniebne.
Dla człowieka nie tylko świat otaczający jest zagadką; jest on nią sam dla siebie. I z obu tajemnic bardziej dręczącą wydaje się ta druga. Antoni Kępiński (1918-1972)
|
|
