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Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea: Nautilus--was

In Vigo Bay on the Spanish coast the Nautilus came to rest on bottom. Here in 1702 a fleet of Spanish galleons were sunk, and here from this sunken treasure more than a century and a half later this ruler of the underseas came and helped himself whenever it pleased him. "Five hundred millions were there," said Captain Nemo, "but not now. Do you see now how with these and the other treasures of my domain I could pay the national debt of France and not feel it?"

We had now been six months aboard the Nautilus. For me, the scientist, it was a voyage of ceaseless interest; but not so for Conseil and Ned Land. At their request I pleaded with Captain Nemo for our liberty. "You came to my ship without invitation. You will now remain here," was his grim answer.

We had left the southern hemisphere and were in the waters off France and the British Islands when we were pursued by an armed war-ship. Flying no colors, she attacked at once. Her cannon shot rebounded from our iron hull. Captain Nemo, pointing to her, said: "I am the oppressed, and there is my oppressor. Through him I have lost country, wife, children, father and mother. Why should I withhold my vengeance?"

He called out his orders. The Nautilus sank below the sea. We felt her rushing forward, felt the shock of her steel ram piercing the hull of the enemy. Through the glass panels we saw her doomed crew crowding the ratlines, clinging to the rails, struggling in the sea. The Nautilus passed on. I saw Captain Nemo go to his room and kneel before the portrait of a woman and two little children. "How long, O Lord, how long!" he cried out. We steamed north, to that part of the Norwegian coast where lies that dreaded maelstrom which draws into itself all floating things. The Nautilus--was it an accident?--was drawn into the whirlpool. Around and around she whirled. Even her steel hull felt the strain; we could hear bolts being pulled out from her girders. The long-boat was torn from its place on deck and hurled like a stone into the whirlpool. I lost consciousness.

When I came to myself I was in a Loffoden fisherman's hut, and Conseil and Ned Land were chafing my hands.

So ended our voyage of 20,000 leagues under the sea. What became of Captain Nemo and his strange craft I do not know. I hope his powerful ship conquered the maelstrom, even as I hope, if he lived, that his philosophy and powerful will finally conquered his desire for vengeance.