CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Dreams

The next day, the 10th of January, the Nautilus continued on its journey at nearly thirty-five miles an hour. I went up to the platform and found the captain looking at the sea through one of his glass instruments for quite some time. He then turned to another crew-member to say something in their strange language. The other man looked quite upset, with tears in his eyes. I wondered about what the captain was looking for, as we were hundreds of miles away from land. I went down into the sitting room where I found another instrument for seeing faraway distances. I went again to the platform to look when the captain threw the instrument out of my hand.

Had I upset the captain? Had he thought I discovered some secret of his? No, he was not angry with me, as he was now looking again at that spot far away from us.

"Professor Aronnax," he said calmly after a few moments, "I must have you and your companions restricted from this area for now." I was then taken to the room where I spent the first night aboard the Nautilus. Ned Land and Conseil were there, as well.

Our breakfast soon arrived, and Ned was disappointed to see only food from the sea on our plates. Soon enough, Ned fell asleep, and I was surprised to see Conseil fall asleep, as well. I tried to resist sleep, but it was impossible. I could do nothing but close my eyes.

(end of section)