"But Iam busy,sir;Iam working.Ileave you at liberty to shut yourself up;cannot Ibe allowed the same?"This reception was not encouraging;but Iwas determined to hear and answer everything.
"Sir,"Isaid coldly,"Ihave to speak to you on a matter that admits of no delay.""What is that,sir?"he replied,ironically."Have you discovered something that has escaped me,or has the sea delivered up any new secrets?"We were at cross-purposes.But,before Icould reply,he showed me an open manuscript on his table,and said,in a more serious tone,"Here,M.Aronnax,is a manuscript written in several languages.
It contains the sum of my studies of the sea;and,if it please God,it shall not perish with me.This manuscript,signed with my name,complete with the history of my life,will be shut up in a little floating case.The last survivor of all of us on board the Nautilus will throw this case into the sea,and it will go whither it is borne by the waves."This man's name!his history written by himself!
His mystery would then be revealed some day.
"Captain,"Isaid,"Ican but approve of the idea that makes you act thus.
The result of your studies must not be lost.But the means you employ seem to me to be primitive.Who knows where the winds will carry this case,and in whose hands it will fall?Could you not use some other means?
Could not you,or one of yours--"
"Never,sir!"he said,hastily interrupting me.
"But Iand my companions are ready to keep this manuscript in store;and,if you will put us at liberty--""At liberty?"said the Captain,rising.
"Yes,sir;that is the subject on which Iwish to question you.
For seven months we have been here on board,and Iask you to-day,in the name of my companions and in my own,if your intention is to keep us here always?""M.Aronnax,Iwill answer you to-day as Idid seven months ago:
Whoever enters the Nautilus,must never quit it.""You impose actual slavery upon us!"
"Give it what name you please."
"But everywhere the slave has the right to regain his liberty.""Who denies you this right?Have Iever tried to chain you with an oath?"He looked at me with his arms crossed.
"Sir,"Isaid,"to return a second time to this subject will be neither to your nor to my taste;but,as we have entered upon it,let us go through with it.Irepeat,it is not only myself whom it concerns.
Study is to me a relief,a diversion,a passion that could make me forget everything.Like you,Iam willing to live obscure,in the frail hope of bequeathing one day,to future time,the result of my labours.But it is otherwise with Ned Land.
Every man,worthy of the name,deserves some consideration.
Have you thought that love of liberty,hatred of slavery,can give rise to schemes of revenge in a nature like the Canadian's;that he could think,attempt,and try--"
Iwas silenced;Captain Nemo rose.
"Whatever Ned Land thinks of,attempts,or tries,what does it matter to me?
Idid not seek him!It is not for my pleasure that Ikeep him on board!
As for you,M.Aronnax,you are one of those who can understand everything,even silence.Ihave nothing more to say to you.Let this first time you have come to treat of this subject be the last,for a second time Iwill not listen to you."Iretired.Our situation was critical.Irelated my conversation to my two companions.
"We know now,"said Ned,"that we can expect nothing from this man.
The Nautilus is nearing Long Island.We will escape,whatever the weather may be."But the sky became more and more threatening.Symptoms of a hurricane became manifest.The atmosphere was becoming white and misty.
On the horizon fine streaks of cirrhous clouds were succeeded by masses of cumuli.Other low clouds passed swiftly by.
The swollen sea rose in huge billows.The birds disappeared with the exception of the petrels,those friends of the storm.
The barometer fell sensibly,and indicated an extreme extension of the vapours.The mixture of the storm glass was decomposed under the influence of the electricity that pervaded the atmosphere.
