We were again imprisoned, unwilling witnesses of the dreadful
drama that was preparing. We had scarcely time to reflect;
taking refuge in my room, we looked at each other without speaking.
A deep stupor had taken hold of my mind: thought seemed to stand still.
I was in that painful state of expectation preceding a dreadful report.
I waited, I listened, every sense was merged in that of hearing!
The speed of the Nautilus was accelerated. It was preparing to rush.
The whole ship trembled. Suddenly I screamed. I felt the shock,
but comparatively light. I felt the penetrating power of the steel spur.
I heard rattlings and scrapings. But the Nautilus, carried along
by its propelling power, passed through the mass of the vessel like a
needle through sailcloth!
I could stand it no longer. Mad, out of my mind, I rushed
from my room into the saloon. Captain Nemo was there,
mute, gloomy, implacable; he was looking through the port panel.
A large mass cast a shadow on the water; and, that it might
lose nothing of her agony, the Nautilus was going down into
the abyss with her.
Pages:
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527