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

Chapter 91: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (22)
We passed Cartier, Iberia, Siringabadang, Scotus Reefs, the last reefs emerging from the sea.By January 1, the land had completely disappeared from our sight. The Nautilus slowed and became erratic, submerging and surfacing again.

During this voyage Captain Nemo made some experiments concerning the temperature of seawater in different layers of water.These temperature records are usually carried out with very complicated instruments, but whether it is detected by a thermometer made of glass or an instrument made of metal passing an electric current, the data obtained are not completely reliable, nor Not adequately calibrated, and thermometers made of glass often shattered under the pressure of water.But Captain Nemo did not use these instruments to detect the temperature, but personally took a thermometer and dived into different water layers to detect the temperature. His thermometer came into contact with the seawater of each layer, and immediately displayed the degree accurately.

In this way, the "Nautilus" sank to a depth of three thousand, four thousand, five thousand, seven thousand, nine thousand, and even ten thousand meters one after another by relying on filling the water storage tank with water, and sometimes relying on the sloping plate of the right wing of the submarine. Probing.The final result of these experiments is that at depths below 1000 meters, the temperature of sea water at any latitude remains constant at all times—a temperature of four and a half degrees.

Captain Nemo had a real enthusiasm for this kind of experimentation.While watching him do this kind of experiment with great interest, I thought to myself, why did he make these observations?Is it for the benefit of mankind?This is unlikely.Because sooner or later, he and his work records will be buried together in this sea!Unless he gives me the results of his experiments.But that would be tantamount to admitting that my strange voyage has a time limit, but I have no way of knowing when it will last.

At any rate, the captain told me the results of all his experiments.The data form a report on the density of seawater in the planet's major oceans.From the fact that he told me this data, I got a non-scientific personal information.

It was the morning of January 1th, and I was walking on the platform with the captain, and he asked me if I knew the density of seawater in different layers of water.I said I didn't know, and that science hadn't done precise observations in this area.

He said to me: "I have made these observations, and I am quite sure of their accuracy."

I replied: "That's a good thing. But the 'Nautilus' belongs to another world, and the secrets researched by scholars in this world cannot be passed on to land."

After he listened to my words, he was silent for a while before he said to me: "Professor, you are right, the 'Nautilus' has nothing to do with the land, it is another independent world, just like the sun around the earth accompanied by the earth." As irrelevant as those planets are to Earth, the scholars in Saturn and Jupiter did work that no one on Earth could ever know. But since fate has brought you and me together, I can put the results of my observations tell you."

"Speak, Captain, I am all ears."

"You know, professor, that seawater is denser than freshwater, but not exactly the same density. If I express the density of freshwater in terms of one, the density of seawater in the Pacific Ocean is one and twenty-eight thousandths, The density of Mediterranean sea water is one and thirty thousandths..."

"Ah!" Hearing this, I couldn't help thinking, "Did he ever venture into the Mediterranean Sea?"

"The density of seawater in the Aegean Sea is one and eighteen thousandths, and the density of sea water in the Adriatic Sea is one and twenty-nine thousandths."

It seems that the "Nautilus" does not deliberately avoid those densely populated European seas. From this, I deduce that it will take us to the more civilized land and seas in the near future.Ned Land would be very excited if he found out about this special news.

In the next few days, our time was spent doing various experiments, studying the salinity content of water layers at different depths, the electroconductive effect, dyeing effect, and transparent light transmission effect of seawater.Throughout the course of the experiment, Captain Nemo's unique talents were brought into full play, and his affection for me was also shown everywhere.Then, I didn't see him for several days, and I was alone again on the boat.

On January 16, the "Nautilus" stopped motionless at a depth of only a few meters below the sea surface, as if asleep.The electrical appliances on the boat were not activated, and the wheels stopped turning, allowing the submarine to dangle in the sea water.The mechanical movement of the machine was violent, I thought, perhaps something went wrong, and the crew on board were doing the necessary internal repairs.

At this time, my companion and I saw an interesting scene with our own eyes.The parlor panels were open because the Nautilus's searchlights were off and the sea was dark.The sky is covered with overcast clouds, so that the surface water of the ocean lacks sufficient brightness.

Looking at the sea under these conditions, even the biggest fish is just a vague shadow to my eyes.At this time, the "Nautilus" suddenly became bright.At first I thought it was the searchlights that had been turned on, shining the glow of electricity into the water.After a quick observation, I realized I was wrong.

The Nautilus was floating in a layer of water illuminated by phosphorescence, which became particularly dazzling in the dark water.The glow comes from the myriad glowing microbes as they glide across the sheet metal hull, enhanced by reflections from the metal hull.Then suddenly I saw these flashes in the midst of the blazes of water, like molten lead in a great furnace, or like white-hot lumps of metal.In contrast, some bright parts in the water turned into shadows instead, and the original shadows disappeared.No!This is by no means the light emitted from our usual lighting fixtures!There was an unearthly energy in motion there!You will feel that this light is alive!

In fact, it was a group of marine creatures, including deep-sea ciliates and granular nocturnal worms. These are some really small translucent jellyfish balls with very thin tentacles that emit light at night. The number of them is about thirty cubic meters. There can be up to twenty-five thousand centimeters of water.Their light is enhanced by special shimmers produced by jellyfish, sea discs, octopuses, seaweed, and other luminescent zoophytes.The phosphorescent phytomorphs were drenched in oils from the decomposed organic matter of seawater, and possibly mucus secreted by fish.

For hours the Nautilus floated in these glorious waves.I saw those large sea animals playing in the water like fire snakes, and my admiration was even higher.In this luminous but not hot water, I saw beautiful and agile porpoises, the tireless clowns of the sea.There are many swordfish up to three meters in length, and their huge swords often touch the glass in the hall. They have a strong sense of prophecy and can predict the coming of a storm.Then came the smaller fish, swordfish of all kinds, live finfish, wolffish with human heads, and hundreds of other fish, and as they swam by, the Ribbon-like water patterns were drawn out of the glowing sea water.

Is this phenomenon intensified by some change in the air?Could it be that there was a storm on the sea waves?What enchanting magic is this radiant spectacle!However, the "Nautilus" was a few meters below the water and could not feel the force of the storm. It was still swaying leisurely in the sea.We sailed in this way, constantly intoxicated by some novel sights in front of us.Conseil was still observing and classifying the phytophytes, arthropods, molluscs, and fish.The days passed so quickly that I couldn't count them.According to his habits, Ned Land kept trying to change his daily food.We really are snails in our shells, and it's safe to say that it's not that hard to turn yourself into one.

We have adapted to this kind of comfortable and natural life, and no longer think that there is another kind of life on the earth.But at this moment, something happened that made us realize again the strangeness of our situation.

On January 1, the weather was very bad, very bad, and the "Nautilus" just reached the sea area at 18° east longitude and 105° south latitude.The sea was very windy and the waves were strong, and the wind was blowing violently from the east.The readings on the weather gauge have been dropping continuously for several days, indicating that a storm is coming.

I was already there when the mate came to measure the angle on the platform.As usual, I waited for him to say that daily line.However, that day, this sentence became another sentence, still in a language that I could not understand.At the same time, Captain Nemo also appeared, holding the binoculars in both hands, looking towards the horizon.

For several minutes the captain stood motionless, never taking his eyes from the spot framed by the telescope.Then, he put down the binoculars in his hand, and had a few words with the mate.The captain's emotions seemed particularly agitated, as if he couldn't control it.Captain Nemo's ability to control his emotions is relatively good, and he still looks very calm.I could see from their tone and actions that the captain seemed to have objected to something, and the mate gave a very positive answer.I also watched carefully for a while in the direction they were pointing, but saw nothing.

Captain Nemo didn't look at me, or maybe he didn't see me at all, but walked back and forth from one end of the platform to the other.His footsteps were still firm, but lacked the usual regularity.Sometimes he stopped and, with his arms folded across his chest, looked carefully at the sea.What is he looking for in this vast space? The "Nautilus" was hundreds of nautical miles away from the nearest shore, so what could he see?What is he looking for in this endless sea?

The mate picked up the binoculars again and searched the sky stubbornly.Sometimes he walked up and down restlessly, and sometimes stomped his feet vigorously, appearing very nervous, and his mood was in sharp contrast to the calmness of the captain.

Captain Nemo ordered the machine to increase its power, and the machine turned faster.It seems that the secret must be clarified, and it will not be long before the truth will be revealed.

At this time, the officer once again reminded the captain to be careful.The captain stopped, picked up the binoculars and observed for a long time the horizon pointed by the officer.

I also wanted to know what they were looking at, so I got off the platform and walked into the living room, took out my usual binoculars from the living room, returned to the platform, leaned against the portlight windows that formed the protruding part of the platform, and prepared to see the sea and sky. Occasionally search all the scenarios again.

But before my eyes touched the mirror, the telescope was suddenly snatched away.

I turned and saw Captain Nemo standing before me.His features were so distorted that I almost couldn't recognize him.His eyes gleamed eeriely, his teeth were half exposed, his body was stiff, his fists clenched, motionless, his head shrugged between his shoulders, indicating that his heart was burning with intense anger, and his whole body looked It was very scary.My binoculars fell from his hand and rolled under his feet.

Did I accidentally offend him?Or does this eccentric think I've discovered something the Nautilus' guests should not know?

No!His anger was not directed at me, because his gaze was not on me, but was fixed on that mysterious point in the sky all the time.

Later, Captain Nemo finally restrained his emotions, and he returned to his usual appearance from the terrible appearance just now.After he spoke a few words mysteriously to the vice-sensei, he turned to me.

He said to me in a very excited tone: "Mr. Aronnax, I hope you can abide by the terms you agreed with me."

"Captain, what clause are you talking about?"

"Now I want to imprison you and your companions. When I think I can give you freedom, I will naturally lift your confinement."

I stared at him and replied: "You are the master, you have the final say, but can I ask you a question?"

"Sir, you may ask no questions at this time."

His answer was firm, and I knew that all resistance was futile, and there was nothing more to argue about.

I went to the cabin where Ned Land and Conseil lived, and told them the captain's decision.I think readers can imagine how Canadians reacted when they got the news.And, lest we should think too much about the matter, there were already four members of the crew waiting at the door, and they showed us to the very same room in which we had first lived on the Nautilus.

Ned Land wanted to ask questions, but the other party left the room and closed the door after we entered, and of course there was no answer.

Conseil asked me: "Sir, can you tell me what is going on here?"

So I told my two companions a general account of what had happened.Like me, they were also very puzzled, and they couldn't tell why.

I fell into deep thought, Captain Nemo's strange face full of worry was always swaying back and forth in front of me, lingering.I couldn't connect two logical thoughts and I got stuck in all sorts of absurd assumptions.At this time, a sentence said by Ned Land woke me up and freed me from the state of thinking hard.He said:
"Come and see! Lunch is ready!"

He was right, the meal was already on the table.Obviously, the order to serve dinner was given by Captain Nemo, and at the same time he also ordered the "Nautilus" to speed up.

Conseil asked me: "Sir, may I have a word of advice for you?"

"You can say, lad," I replied.

"Well, sir, let's eat quickly! It's better that way, because we don't know what's going to happen."

"Conseil, you are quite right."

Ned Land complained: "To my annoyance, the food they serve is still the same as on the boat."

Conseil said to him: "Brother Ned, what are you going to do if you don't even give us lunch?"

A word from Conseil interrupted all the harpooner's invective.

We sat at the table and ate in silence.I only ate a little bit.Out of caution, Conseil has been swallowing "reluctantly".Although Ned Land was full of displeasure, he never stopped talking.After lunch, we each reclined in our seats.

At this time, the round lamp in the cell went out, and we fell into darkness.After a while, Ned Land fell asleep, and to my surprise, Conseil also fell into a drowsy sleep.While I was wondering why he fell asleep so quickly, I felt my mind start to grow dizzy.I tried hard to open my eyes, but they closed them uncontrollably.I was haunted by a hallucination and was in pain.Apparently they must have put sleeping pills in our meals.It seems that in order to prevent us from knowing some of the secrets here, Captain Nemo didn't think it was enough to lock us up, but let us sleep well!

I heard the sound of the panels shutting, and it seemed to me that the sea, which had turned slightly, had now ceased.So the Nautilus had left the surface of the ocean and returned to the bottom of the still water?

I keep my eyes open, trying to fight sleep.But I couldn't, and my breathing was getting weaker and weaker.I felt like my body was frozen by a severe ice, and it became heavier and heavier.My eyelids covered my eyes like lead, and I could never open them again.A morbid drowsiness full of hallucinations invaded my whole body.After a while, the phantom disappeared, and I fell asleep without knowing anything.

coral kingdom
When I woke up the next day, my mind was extra clear.I was surprised that I was in my own room.So my two companions were as ignorant as I was of all the events of the night, and they were presumably sent back to their rooms in the same ignorance.It seems that only by chance in the future can I solve this mystery.

I thought to myself about leaving the room.Am I already free?Or is he still a prisoner?In fact, I'm completely free!I opened the door, walked through the corridor, and climbed the central iron ladder.The panels that were closed yesterday are now open.I stepped onto the platform, where Ned Land and Conseil were already waiting.I asked them if they knew what happened last night, and they said they didn't have any memories of last night, and they were also surprised. They didn't know when they returned to the room, but they just fell asleep all the time.

The "Nautilus" floated unhurriedly on the surface of the sea, still as quiet and mysterious as usual, without any changes.

Ned Land surveyed the sea with his piercing eyes.There is nothing in the sea.The wind was blowing from the west, whistling loudly, causing the waves to rise high, and the hull of the ship was constantly shaking due to the collision.

After changing the fresh air, the "Nautilus" has been driving under the bottom of the water at an average depth of 15 meters in order to be able to surface quickly. On January 1th, the "Nautilus" was uncharacteristically surfaced many times, and the ship's officer also came to the platform at this time, and the words he often said rang again on board.

Never saw Captain Nemo come out.Except for the expressionless and silent waiter who came to deliver the food on time, I never saw other people on board.

(End of this chapter)