The Mysterious Island Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Captain Grant's Children

Chapter 83: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (14)
In the living room, Captain Nemo was already sitting there waiting for me.Seeing me, he rose to greet me, and asked if it would be any inconvenience for us to go hunting together.

He never mentioned the reason for his absence for eight days, and I was ashamed to ask him, but simply told him that my companion and I were very happy to go hunting with him.

"But," I added, "may I ask you a question, sir?"

"Ask, Mr. Aronnax, as long as it is a question that I can answer, I will definitely answer you."

"Captain, you say you have nothing to do with land, but why do you still have forests on Crespo Island?"

The captain replied to me: "Professor, my forest is not a forest on land. It does not need the light and heat of the sun. There are no four-legged beasts such as lions, tigers, and leopards in my forest. Everything in the forest grows for me alone. .It's a forest under the sea."

"What? A forest under the sea!" I exclaimed in surprise.

"Exactly, Professor."

"Are you going to invite me to the underwater forest?"

"Yes."

"Walking?"

"Walking, and not getting a drop of sea water on your shoes."

"Walking while hunting?"

"Yes, walking while hunting."

"Do you have a shotgun in your hand?"

"Of course."

I fixed my eyes on the captain of the "Nautilus", without the slightest thought or expression of flattering him.

I think there must be something wrong with his brain. It may be that he has been ill these days. He has been ill for eight days and has not fully recovered yet.It is so pitiful!Let's hope he's just throwing a tantrum, don't go crazy!
My thoughts were all on my face, but Captain Nemo didn't say anything, he just asked me to follow him, and I also wanted to be a resigned person and follow him desperately.We went to the dining room where breakfast was already set.

The captain said to me: "Please eat, Mr. Aronnax, you are welcome, we will talk while eating. Although I promised you to go for a walk in the woods with me, I did not promise you that I would meet you in the woods." to a restaurant. So you try to eat as much as you can, eat the meal as if you might be late coming home for dinner."

I ate this breakfast with relish.For breakfast there are assorted squids, but also sea cucumbers, and delicious zoophytes cooked with several appetizing seaweeds.The drink is synthesized with water and fermented wine, which is extracted from a kind of seaweed called "rose palm" according to the method of Kamchatka people.

At first, Captain Nemo just ate in silence, and after a while he spoke:
"Professor, when I invite you to hunt in the forests of my Crespo Island, you will think I am a contradictory fellow. When I tell you that we are going to my underwater forest, you You must also think that there is something wrong with my brain. Professor, your judgment is a bit rash."

"But, Captain, please believe..."

"Mr. Professor, please listen to me patiently, and then you will know whether you should think that I am a person who is contradictory or out of his mind."

"Okay, Captain, please speak."

"Professor, as long as people bring enough breathable air, they can live underwater. This is a common sense that you and I both know. When workers work on the seabed, they wear waterproof suits, wear metal covers on their heads, and use air pumps. and restrictors to get air from above the water."

"You mean diving equipment," I said.

"Yes, but when wearing a diving suit, a person's activities will be restricted and he will not be so free. He must be connected to the rubber tube that carries the air, which is like a chain that binds himself to the land. It makes no difference, if our Nautilus were tethered in this way, we would not be able to sail far."

"So, how do you move freely?" I asked.

"Use the apparatus invented by Lougarol and Denaruzzi, invented by two of your French compatriots. I have modified it to suit my requirements. This apparatus will allow you to Live under new physiological conditions without harming any of your organs. It has a sealed bottle, made of thick steel, filled with compressed air at a pressure of [-] atmospheres. This bottle is like a soldier's back Like a sac, it is tied on the back of the user with a belt. The upper part of the bottle is like a steel box. Under the control of the air supply device, the compressed air becomes normal air and flows out of the box. The unmodified Lu Grohl instruments generally have two rubber tubes coming out of the steel box, which are trumpet-shaped things that are put on the mouth and nose. One of the tubes is used for inhalation, and the other tube is used for exhalation. According to the needs of human breathing, use the tongue to control the switch of these two rubber tubes. However, the pressure under the sea is very high, so I have to put my head in a copper ball like a diver, and the suction tube And the exhalation tube is connected to this ball."

"Captain Nemo, your idea is really good. However, the air you are carrying should be used up soon. When the air contains only 15.00% oxygen, the air is not suitable for use."

"Of course. But, Mr. Aronnax, remember I told you that the Nautilus's inflator enabled me to fill the tanks at a high pressure, so that the gas tanks of that equipment stored enough air for nine to ten hours."

"If you say that, I have no objection," I said to the captain, "but I don't understand what you use for lighting when you are moving under the sea?"

"I use a Lankov lamp, Mr. Aronnax. I wear a respirator on my back and a searchlight at my waist. The lamp has a set of Bunsen batteries, but I don't use chlorine. Potassium chloride, but use sodium chloride, which is abundant in the sea, to generate electricity. An induction coil receives the incoming electricity and sends it to a light bulb. There is a curved glass tube in the bulb, and there is only a little carbon dioxide in the tube As soon as the light is turned on, the carbon dioxide gas emits a continuous white light. With these devices, I can breathe and see my way.”

"Captain Nemo, you have answered all the objections I raised with good reason, and now I really have nothing to doubt. However, although I accept the Lugerol respirator and the Lankov searchlight , but I have some reservations about the shotgun, the weapon you want me to carry."

"Professor, that's not a powder gun," replied the captain.

"Is it an air gun?"

"Yes. I have neither saltpeter, nor sulfur, nor charcoal. How do you expect me to make gunpowder?"

"Also, captain," I said, "sea water is 850 times heavier than air. To shoot a gun in this environment, you must first overcome this enormous pressure."

"That cannot be a reason. There is now a gun, based on Fulton's design, improved by the Englishmen Felicor and Brett, the Frenchman Furcy, and the Italian Landi, which is fitted with a locking device which will Fire under the conditions you describe. But again, I declare to you that instead of gunpowder I can only use compressed air, which the Nautilus's pumps can supply in large quantities."

"But this air will soon be used up."

"Yes, but don't I still have the Lugerol bottle? It can supply air at any time, just need to install another switch tap. Besides, Mr. Aronnax, when you go hunting, you will see for yourself , Underwater hunting doesn’t need so much air and bullets at all.”

"However, seawater is much heavier than air, and it's difficult to see clearly. The gun's range will not be very far, and the hit rate is not high, right?"

"Sir, every bullet from this gun is fatal, and any animal hit, however slight, will fall down as if struck by lightning."

"What is the reason for this?"

"Because the bullets fired by this gun are not the same as ordinary bullets. It is a kind of small glass ball invented by Austrian chemist Leni Brock. I have a lot of it on board. This small glass ball has a steel jacket on the outside and is also There is a lead-made base added below, like a real Lyton bottle, the voltage inside is very high, even if it is slightly bumped, it will explode immediately, so no matter how ferocious the animal is, as long as it is caught If you hit it, you will fall down and die. You have to remember that this kind of glass ball is no bigger than a four-gauge bullet, and an ordinary gun can hold ten in the magazine."

I stood up from the table and said, "I have nothing more to ask. I just pick up my gun obediently. Wherever you go, I will go with you."

The captain led me to the rear of the Nautilus, past the door of Ned Land's and Conseil's cabins, I called them out, and they immediately followed us.

After a while, we came to a small room on the side of the submarine, next to the engine room, where we had our hunting clothes on the bottom of the sea, and we had to put them on and get ready to go.

Stroll on the submarine plain

A dozen wetsuits hang on the walls of this tiny house, waiting to be donned by sea walkers.To be precise, this small house is the ammunition depot and dressing room of the "Nautilus".

Ned Land was very reluctant to wear these diving suits. He was disgusted by the sight of these diving equipment.

I said to him: "My friend Ned Land, the forest on Crespo Island is a forest under the sea, do you know that?"

Disappointed at the disillusionment of his dream of fresh meat, the harpooner said to me: "Oh, Monsieur Aronnax, are you going to put this on yourself too?"

"Yes, of course I will, Master Ned Land."

The harpooner shrugged his shoulders and said, "Sir, wear what you like! I'll never wear something like that unless someone forces me to."

"Master Ned Land, no one here will force you."

"Conseil, are you going to take the risk too?" Ned Land asked Conseil.

Conseil replied, "I will follow him wherever he goes."

Captain Nemo then called two of the crew, who, as the captain had ordered, came to help us put on this heavy waterproof suit.The waterproof suit is made of rubber, without any gaps, but it can withstand a lot of pressure, and it looks like a soft and resistant armor.This waterproof suit is one-piece, that is, the jacket and trousers are connected together, and under the trousers are a pair of very thick shoes with heavy lead iron plates on the soles.The tops are all woven with layers of copper sheets, like an armor to protect the chest, so that the chest can withstand the impact of water and the lungs can breathe smoothly.The sleeves are connected to the gloves, which are very soft and do not affect the movement of the hands at all.

Looking at the perfect diving suit in front of you, think of those imperfect and flawed diving suits, such as the bark breastplate, sleeveless body armor, marine suit and Diving box, etc. Compared with the two, the diving suit in front of me is really good.

Captain Nemo, Conseil and I, and a mighty Hercules-like Hercules, the god of Hercules in Greek and Roman mythology.He is Captain Nemo's companion, and all four of us have put on our diving suits. Now as long as we put our heads into the metal ball, we are completely equipped.But before putting on the metal orb, I asked Captain Nemo to bring me the shotgun we were going to take.

A crew member took a very ordinary gun and handed it to me.I took a closer look and found that the buttstock of this gun was made of steel plate, hollow, and very large, acting as a compressed air gun.There is a valve on it, pull the trigger, and the air can enter the barrel.The bullet clip is installed inside the gun stock, and there are [-] electric bullets inside. Under the action of the spring, the bullets can be loaded automatically.After one bullet is fired, another bullet will immediately top it up, and it can be fired continuously.

After reading it, I said to Captain Nemo: "Captain, this is a very convenient and practical gun. I am eager to try it right away. But how can we get to the bottom of the sea?"

"Professor, the 'Nautilus' is now parked ten meters below the seabed, and we are ready to go."

"But how do we get out?"

"You'll find out soon."

Captain Nemo was the first to get his head into the round hat.Conseil and I followed his action and put the ball cap on our own heads.The Canadian said "happy hunting, everyone" to us in a mocking tone.A brass collar with screws is on the upper part of the diving suit, and the brass cap is fixed on this collar.There were three holes in the round cap, and it was inlaid with thick glass, so that as long as the head was turned inside the ball, everything around could be seen.As soon as we put on the ball hat, the Lugroel respirator mounted on our back started to play its role.I personally don't feel any difficulty, breathing is very smooth.

I had a Lankov searchlight on my waist and a shotgun in my hand, ready to wait for Captain Nemo's order to set off.However, to be honest, this suit is really heavy, and the soles of the shoes seem to be nailed to the deck when the feet are stepped on in the lead shoes, and there is a feeling that it is difficult to move an inch.

However, such a situation has already been prepared, and I feel that I am being pushed into the small room connected to the wardrobe.My companions were behind me, pushed as I was.I heard the door containing the jammer close behind us, and immediately it was pitch black around us.

A few minutes later, there was a sharp whistle in my ears, and a cold air spread from the soles of my feet to my chest.Obviously, someone opened the water door inside the boat, and the sea outside rushed towards us. After a while, the sea water filled the small house.At this time, another door on the side of the "Nautilus" was opened, and a semi-dark light shot in.Soon, our feet were on the ground under the sea.

Now, how can I describe my walk under the sea?All languages ​​seem so feeble in the face of such a wonderful experience, even with a paintbrush, it is impossible to describe the strange scene in the sea, let alone language?
Captain Nemo went first, and his companion followed us a few paces behind.Conseil and I walked side by side, as if we could communicate through our metal armor.All objects lose some weight in water, that is, the weight of the water they displace. Through this phenomenon, I further understand the principle of physics discovered by Archimedes.The clothes on my body, the shoes on the soles of my feet, the air box on my back, and the thick ball helmet are no longer so heavy. My head can turn around freely in the middle of the ball, like an apricot. Like an almond rolling in its kernel.My freedom of movement has relatively increased a lot, and I am no longer a static object.

Thirty feet below the surface of the ocean, the sun also shines, a force that astonishes me.The sun's rays pass through the water layer powerfully, dispelling the color of the sea water, and I can clearly distinguish objects within 100 meters in the sea water.A hundred meters away, the color of the seabed changed slightly, becoming light blue in the distance, and then there was only a blur, and nothing could be seen.In fact, the water around me is just another kind of air, only denser than the air on the land, but almost as transparent as the air on the land.Looking up, I could see the calm sea.

The sand on the bottom of the sea is very fine, soft, and flat. I walked slowly on it, just like walking on the beach after the tide has receded.This fine sand is blinding, like a mirror, reflecting the sun's rays back with astonishing intensity.Large areas of reflected light reflected back from the beach, shining brightly in the sea.Would anyone believe me if I said that in thirty feet of water I could see as clearly as in the sun?

The sand layer on the seabed is made of shells turned into powder, and we walked on the crystal clear sand layer for a quarter of an hour.The hull of the "Nautilus" like a huge hidden reef has gradually disappeared, but the searchlights on the ship still emit strong light, guiding us back to the direction of the ship in the dark place.This kind of very dazzling white light has only been seen on land, and it is difficult to understand the role of the electric light under the sea.Because the air on land is full of dust, the light looks a little foggy, but the electric light under the sea is particularly transparent and looks very clear.

The plain of fine sand seemed endless, and we kept going.I pushed the water curtain aside with my hands as I walked, and it closed behind me automatically after I walked through, and my footprints quickly disappeared under the pressure of the water.

As I was walking, a shadow came into my eyes faintly in the distance. I took a closer look and found that they were some beautiful rocks, covered with various colorful and beautiful zoophytes.I was stunned to see such a wonderful scenery.

It was ten o'clock in the morning.The sun's rays slanted on the undulating sea.Flowers, rocks, plants, shells, corals, etc. on the bottom of the sea, as soon as they touch the colorful sunlight deformed by refraction, it is like passing through a prism. The colorful kaleidoscope of green, blue, blue and purple has become the most colorful palette in the hands of painters.The view is truly amazing and a feast for the eyes!Regrettably, I couldn't use words to share my novel feelings with Conseil, and I couldn't praise him with him.Nor could I communicate the thoughts of both parties by an agreed gesture, as Captain Nemo and his companions did.I really couldn't think of a better way, so I had to shout to myself in the copper box covering my head, but I also knew that talking like this might waste some air that shouldn't be wasted.

(End of this chapter)