Hecalledthisadventurousjourneyapartyofpleasure，andthisgreatinlandseaapond!
"But，"arguedI，"ifwehavefollowedtherouteindicatedbythegreatSaknussemm，wecannotbegoingfarwrong。"
"'Thatisthequestion，'asthegreat，theimmortalShakespeare，hasit。Arewefollowingtherouteindicatedbythatwondroussage?DidSaknussemmeverfallinwiththisgreatsheetofwater?Ifhedid，didhecrossit?Ibegintofearthattherivuletweadoptedforaguidehasleduswrong。"
"Inanycase，wecanneverregrethavingcomethusfar。Itisworththewholejourneytohaveenjoyedthismagnificentspectacle-itissomethingtohaveseen。"
"Icarenothingaboutseeing，noraboutmagnificentspectacles。I
camedownintotheinterioroftheearthwithanobject，andthatobjectImeantoattain。Don'ttalktomeaboutadmiringscenery，oranyothersentimentaltrash。"
AfterthisIthoughtitwelltoholdmytongue，andallowtheProfessortobitehislipsuntilthebloodcame，withoutfurtherremark。
Atsixo'clockintheevening，ourmatter-of-factguide，Hans，askedforhisweek'ssalary，andreceivinghisthreerix-dollars，putthemcarefullyinhispocket。Hewasperfectlycontentedandsatisfied。
Sunday，August16th。Nothingnewtorecord。Thesameweatherasbefore。Thewindhasaslighttendencytofreshenup，withsignsofanapproachinggale。WhenIawoke，Myfirstobservationwasinregardtotheintensityofthelight。Ikeeponfearing，dayafterday，thattheextraordinaryelectricphenomenonshouldbecomefirstobscured，andthengowhollyout，leavingusintotaldarkness。
Nothing，however，ofthekindoccurs。Theshadowoftheraft，itsmastandsails，isclearlydistinguishedonthesurfaceofthewater。
Thiswondrousseais，afterall，infiniteinitsextent。ItmustbequiteaswideastheMediterranean-orperhapsevenasthegreatAtlanticOcean。Why，afterall，shoulditnotbeso?
Myunclehasonmorethanoneoccasion，trieddeep-seasoundings。Hetiedthecrossofoneofourheaviestcrowbarstotheextremityofacord，whichheallowedtorunouttotheextentoftwohundredfathoms。Wehadthegreatestdifficultyinhoistinginournovelkindoflead。
Whenthecrowbarwasfinallydraggedonboard，Hanscalledmyattentiontosomesingularmarksuponitssurface。Thepieceofironlookedasifithadbeencrushedbetweentwoveryhardsubstances。
Ilookedatourworthyguidewithaninquiringglance。
"Tander，"saidhe。
OfcourseIwasatalosstounderstand。Iturnedroundtowardsmyuncle，absorbedingloomyreflections。Ihadlittlewishtodisturbhimfromhisreverie。IaccordinglyturnedoncemoretowardsourworthyIcelander。
Hansveryquietlyandsignificantlyopenedhismouthonceortwice，asifintheactofbiting，andinthiswaymademeunderstandhismeaning。
"Teeth!"criedI，withstupefaction，asIexaminedthebarofironwithmoreattention。
Yes。Therecanbenodoubtaboutthematter。Theindentationsonthebarofironarethemarksofteeth!Whatjawsmusttheownerofsuchmolarsbepossessedof!Havewellthen，comeuponamonsterofunknownspecies，whichstillexistswithinthevastwasteofwaters-amonstermorevoraciousthanashark，moreterribleandbulkythanthewhale?Iamunabletowithdrawmyeyesfromthebarofiron，actuallyhalfcrushed!
Is，then，mydreamabouttocometrue-adreadandterriblereality?
Alldaymythoughtswerebentuponthesespeculations，andmyimaginationscarcelyregainedadegreeofcalmnessandpowerofreflectionuntilafterasleepofmanyhours。
Thisday，asonotherSundays，weobservedasadayofrestandpiousmeditation。
Monday，August17th。Ihavebeentryingtorealizefrommemorytheparticularinstinctsofthoseantediluviananimalsofthesecondaryperiod，whichsucceedingtothemollusca，tothecrustacea，andtothefish，precededtheappearanceoftheraceofmammifers。Thegenerationofreptilesthenreignedsupremeupontheearth。Thesehideousmonstersruledeverythingintheseasofthesecondaryperiod，whichformedthestrataofwhichtheJuramountainsarecomposed。Naturehadendowedthemwithperfectorganization。Whatagiganticstructurewastheirs；whatvastandprodigiousstrengththeypossessed!
Theexistingsaurians，whichincludeallsuchreptilesaslizards，crocodiles，andalligators，eventhelargestandmostformidableoftheirclass，arebutfeebleimitationsoftheirmightysires，theanimalsofageslongago。Ifthereweregiantsinthedaysofold，therewerealsogiganticanimals。
IshudderedasIevolvedfrommymindtheideaandrecollectionoftheseawfulmonsters。Noeyeofmanhadseenthemintheflesh。Theytooktheirwalksabroaduponthefaceoftheearththousandsofagesbeforemancameintoexistence，andtheirfossilbones，discoveredinthelimestone，haveallowedustoreconstructthemanatomically，andthustogetsomefaintideaoftheircolossalformation。
IrecollectonceseeinginthegreatMuseumofHamburgtheskeletonofoneofthesewonderfulsaurians。Itmeasurednolessthanthirtyfeetfromthenosetothetail。AmI，then，aninhabitantoftheearthofthepresentday，destinedtofindmyselffacetofacewitharepresentativeofthisantediluvianfamily?I
canscarcelybelieveitpossible；Icanhardlybelieveittrue。Andyetthesemarksofpowerfulteethuponthebarofiron!Cantherebeadoubtfromtheirshapethatthebiteisthebiteofacrocodile?
Myeyesstarewildlyandwithterroruponthesubterraneansea。
EverymomentIexpectoneofthesemonsterstorisefromitsvastcavernousdepths。
IfancythattheworthyProfessorinsomemeasuresharesmynotions，ifnotmyfears，for，afteranattentiveexaminationofthecrowbar，hecasthiseyesrapidlyoverthemightyandmysteriousocean。
"Whatcouldpossesshimtoleavetheland，"Ithought，"asifthedepthofthiswaterwasofanyimportancetous。Nodoubthehasdisturbedsometerriblemonsterinhiswateryhome，andperhapswemaypaydearlyforourtemerity。"
Anxioustobepreparedfortheworst，Iexaminedourweapons，andsawthattheywereinafitstateforuse。Myunclelookedonatmeandnoddedhisheadapprovingly。He，too，hasnoticedwhatwehavetofear。
Alreadytheupliftingofthewatersonthesurfaceindicatesthatsomethingisinmotionbelow。Thedangerapproaches。Itcomesnearerandnearer。Itbehoovesustobeonthewatch。
Tuesday，August18th。Eveningcameatlast，thehourwhenthedesireforsleepcausedoureyelidstobeheavy。Nightthereisnot，properlyspeaking，inthisplace，anymorethanthereisinsummerinthearcticregions。Hans，however，isimmovableattherudder。WhenhesnatchesamomentofrestIreallycannotsay。Itakeadvantageofhisvigilancetotakesomelittlerepose。
ButtwohoursafterIwasawakenedfromaheavysleepbyanawfulshock。Theraftappearedtohavestruckuponasunkenrock。Itwasliftedrightoutofthewaterbysomewondrousandmysteriouspower，andthenstartedofftwentyfathomsdistant。
"Eh，whatisit?"criedmyunclestartingup。"Areweshipwrecked，orwhat?"
Hansraisedhishandandpointedtowhere，abouttwohundredyardsoff，alargeblackmasswasmovingupanddown。
Ilookedwithawe。Myworstfearswererealized。
"Itisacolossalmonster!"Icried，claspingmyhands。
"Yes，"criedtheagitatedProfessor，"andthereyonderisahugesealizardofterriblesizeandshape。"
"Andfartheronbeholdaprodigiouscrocodile。Lookathishideousjaws，andthatrowofmonstrousteeth。Ha!hehasgone。"
"Awhale!awhale!"shoutedtheProfessor，"Icanseeherenormousfins。See，see，howsheblowsairandwater!"
Twoliquidcolumnsrosetoavastheightabovethelevelofthesea，intowhichtheyfellwithaterrificcrash，wakinguptheechoesofthatawfulplace。Westoodstill-surprised，stupefied，terror-strickenatthesightofthisgroupoffearfulmarinemonsters，morehideousintherealitythaninmydream。Theywereofsupernaturaldimensions；theverysmallestofthewholepartycouldwitheasehavecrushedourraftandourselveswithasinglebite。
Hans，seizingtherudderwhichhadflownoutofhishand，putsithardaweatherinordertoescapefromsuchdangerousvicinity；butnosoonerdoeshedoso，thanhefindsheisflyingfromScyllatoCharybdis。Toleewardisaturtleaboutfortyfeetwide，andaserpentquiteaslong，withanenormousandhideousheadpeeringfromoutthewaters。
Lookwhichwaywewill，itisimpossibleforustofly。Thefearfulreptilesadvanceduponus；theyturnedandtwistedabouttheraftwithawfulrapidity。Theyformedaroundourdevotedvesselaseriesofconcentriccircles。Itookupmyrifleindesperation。Butwhateffectcanarifleballproduceuponthearmorscaleswithwhichthebodiesofthesehorridmonstersarecovered?
Weremainstillanddumbfromutterhorror。Theyadvanceuponus，nearerandnearer。Ourfateappearscertain，fearfulandterrible。
Ononesidethemightycrocodile，ontheotherthegreatseaserpent。Therestofthefearfulcrowdofmarineprodigieshaveplungedbeneaththebrinywavesanddisappeared!
Iamabouttofireatanyriskandtrytheeffectofashot。Hans，theguide，however，interferedbyasigntocheckme。Thetwohideousandravenousmonsterspassedwithinfiftyfathomsoftheraft，andthenmadearushatoneanother-theirfuryandragepreventingthemfromseeingus。
Thecombatcommenced。Wedistinctlymadeouteveryactionofthetwohideousmonsters。
Buttomyexcitedimaginationtheotheranimalsappearedabouttotakepartinthefierceanddeadlystruggle-themonster，thewhale，thelizard，andtheturtle。Idistinctlysawthemeverymoment。I
pointedthemouttotheIcelander。Butheonlyshookhishead。
"Tva，"hesaid。
"What-twoonlydoeshesay。Surelyheismistaken，"Icriedinatoneofwonder。
"Heisquiteright，"repliedmyunclecoollyandphilosophically，examiningtheterribleduelwithhistelescopeandspeakingasifhewereinalectureroom。
"Howcanthatbe?"
"Yes，itisso。Thefirstofthesehideousmonstershasthesnoutofaporpoise，theheadofalizard，theteethofacrocodile；anditisthisthathasdeceivedus。Itisthemostfearfulofallantediluvianreptiles，theworld-renownedIchthyosaurusorgreatfishlizard。"
"Andtheother?"
"Theotherisamonstrousserpent，concealedunderthehardvaultedshelloftheturtle，theterribleenemyofitsfearfulrival，thePlesiosaurus，orseacrocodile。"
Hanswasquiteright。Thetwomonstersonly，disturbedthesurfaceofthesea!
Atlasthavemortaleyesgazedupontworeptilesofthegreatprimitiveocean!IseetheflamingredeyesoftheIchthyosaurus，eachasbig，orbiggerthanaman'shead。Natureinitsinfinitewisdomhadgiftedthiswondrousmarineanimalwithanopticalapparatusofextremepower，capableofresistingthepressureoftheheavylayersofwaterwhichrolledoverhiminthedepthsoftheoceanwhereheusuallyfed。Ithasbysomeauthorstrulybeencalledthewhaleofthesaurianrace，foritisasbigandquickinitsmotionsasourkingoftheseas。Thisonemeasuresnotlessthanahundredfeetinlength，andIcanformsomeideaofhisgirthwhenIseehimlifthisprodigioustailoutofthewaters。Hisjawisofawfulsizeandstrength，andaccordingtothebest-informednaturalists，itdoesnotcontainlessthanahundredandeighty-twoteeth。
TheotherwasthemightyPlesiosaurus，aserpentwithacylindricaltrunk，withashortstumpytail，withfinslikeabankofoarsinaRomangalley。
Itswholebodycoveredbyacarapaceorshell，anditsneck，asflexibleasthatofaswan，rosemorethanthirtyfeetabovethewaves，atowerofanimatedflesh!
Theseanimalsattackedoneanotherwithinconceivablefury。Suchacombatwasneverseenbeforebymortaleyes，andtouswhodidseeit，itappearedmorelikethephantasmagoriccreationofadreamthananythingelse。Theyraisedmountainsofwater，whichdashedinsprayovertheraft，alreadytossedtoandfrobythewaves。Twentytimesweseemedonthepointofbeingupsetandhurledheadlongintothewaves。
Hideoushissesappearedtoshakethegloomygraniteroofofthatmightycavern-hisseswhichcarriedterrortoourhearts。Theawfulcombatantsheldeachotherinatightembrace。Icouldnotmakeoutonefromtheother。Stillthecombatcouldnotlastforever；andwoeuntous，whichsoeverbecamethevictor。
Onehour，twohours，threehourspassedaway，withoutanydecisiveresult。Thestrugglecontinuedwiththesamedeadlytenacity，butwithoutapparentresult。Thedeadlyopponentsnowapproached，nowdrewawayfromtheraft。Onceortwicewefanciedtheywereabouttoleaveusaltogether，butinsteadofthat，theycamenearerandnearer。
Wecrouchedontheraftreadytofireatthematamoment'snotice，poorastheprospectofhurtingorterrifyingthemwas。
Stillweweredeterminednottoperishwithoutastruggle。
SuddenlytheIchthyosaurusandthePlesiosaurusdisappearedbeneaththewaves，leavingbehindthemamaelstrominthemidstofthesea。Wewerenearlydrawndownbytheindraftofthewater!
Severalminuteselapsedbeforeanythingwasagainseen。Wasthiswonderfulcombattoendinthedepthsoftheocean?Wasthelastactofthisterribledramatotakeplacewithoutspectators?
Itwasimpossibleforustosay。
Suddenly，atnogreatdistancefromus，anenormousmassrisesoutofthewaters-theheadofthegreatPlesiosaurus。Theterriblemonsterisnowwoundeduntodeath。Icanseenothingnowofhisenormousbody。Allthatcouldbedistinguishedwashisserpent-likeneck，whichhetwistedandcurledinalltheagoniesofdeath。Nowhestruckthewaterswithitasifithadbeenagiganticwhip，andthenagainwriggledlikeawormcutintwo。Thewaterwasspurteduptoagreatdistanceinalldirections。Agreatportionofitsweptoverourraftandnearlyblindedus。Butsoontheendofthebeastapproachednearerandnearer；hismovementsslackenedvisibly；hiscontortionsalmostceased；andatlastthebodyofthemightysnakelayaninert，deadmassonthesurfaceofthenowcalmandplacidwaters。
AsfortheIchthyosaurus，hashegonedowntohismightycavernundertheseatorest，orwillhereappeartodestroyus?
Thisquestionremainedunanswered。Andwehadbreathingtime。
CHAPTER31
TheSeaMonsterWEDNESDAY，August19th。Fortunatelythewind，whichforthepresentblowswithsomeviolence，hasallowedustoescapefromthesceneoftheunparalleledandextraordinarystruggle。Hanswithhisusualimperturbablecalmremainedatthehelm。Myuncle，whoforashorttimehadbeenwithdrawnfromhisabsorbingreveriesbythenovelincidentsofthisseafight，fellbackagainapparentlyintoabrownstudy。Hiseyeswerefixedimpatientlyonthewidespreadocean。
Ourvoyagenowbecamemonotonousanduniform。Dullasithasbecome，Ihavenodesiretohaveitbrokenbyanyrepetitionoftheperilsandadventuresofyesterday。
Thursday，August20th。ThewindisnowN。N。E。，andblowsveryirregularly。Ithaschangedtofitfulgusts。Thetemperatureisexceedinglyhigh。Wearenowprogressingattheaveragerateofabouttenmilesandahalfperhour。
Abouttwelveo'clockadistantsoundasofthunderfelluponourears。Imakeanoteofthefactwithoutevenventuringasuggestionastoitscause。Itwasonecontinuedroarasofaseafallingovermightyrocks。
"Faroffinthedistance，"saidtheProfessordogmatically，"thereissomerockorsomeislandagainstwhichtheseallashedtofurybythewind，isbreakingviolently。"
Hans，withoutsayingaword，clamberedtothetopofthemast，butcouldmakeoutnothing。Theoceanwaslevelineverydirectionasfarastheeyecouldreach。
Threehourspassedawaywithoutanysigntoindicatewhatmightbebeforeus。Thesoundbegantoassumethatofamightycataract。
Iexpressedmyopiniononthispointstronglytomyuncle。Hemerelyshookhishead。I，however，amstronglyimpressedbyaconvictionthatIamnotwrong。Areweadvancingtowardssomemightywaterfallwhichshallcastusintotheabyss?ProbablythismodeofdescendingintotheabyssmaybeagreeabletotheProfessor，becauseitwouldbesomethingliketheverticaldescentheissoeagertomake。I
entertainaverydifferentopinion。
Whateverbethetruth，itiscertainthatnotmanyleaguesdistanttheremustbesomeveryextraordinaryphenomenon，forasweadvancetheroarbecomessomethingmightyandstupendous。Isitinthewater，orintheair?
Icasthastyglancesaloftatthesuspendedvapors，andIseektopenetratetheirmightydepths。Butthevaultaboveistranquil。Theclouds，whicharenowelevatedtotheverysummit，appearutterlystillandmotionless，andcompletelylostintheirradiationofelectriclight。Itisnecessary，therefore，toseekforthecauseofthisphenomenonelsewhere。
Iexaminethehorizon，nowperfectlycalm，pure，andfreefromallhaze。Itsaspectstillremainsunchanged。Butifthisawfulnoiseproceedsfromacataract-if，sotospeakinplainEnglish，thisvastinterioroceanisprecipitatedintoalowerbasin-ifthesetremendousroarsareproducedbythenoiseoffallingwaters，thecurrentwouldincreaseinactivity，anditsincreasingswiftnesswouldgivemesomeideaoftheextentoftheperilwithwhichwearemenaced。Iconsultthecurrent。Itsimplydoesnotexist:thereisnosuchthing。Anemptybottlecastintothewaterliestoleewardwithoutmotion。
Aboutfouro'clockHansrises，clambersupthemast，andreachesthetruckitself。Fromthiselevatedpositionhislooksarecastaround。
Theytakeinavastcircumferenceoftheocean。Atlast，hiseyesremainfixed。Hisfaceexpressesnoastonishment，buthiseyesslightlydilate。
"Hehasseensomethingatlast，"criedmyuncle。
"Ithinkso"，Ireplied。
Hanscamedown，stoodbesideus，andpointedwithhisrighthandtothesouth。
"Dernere，"hesaid。
"There，"repliedmyuncle。
Andseizinghistelescope，helookedatitwithgreatattentionforaboutaminute，whichtomeappearedanage。Iknewnotwhattothinkorexpect。
"Yes，yes，"hecriedinatoneofconsiderablesurprise，"thereitis。"
"What?"Iasked。
"Atremendousspurtofwaterrisingoutofthewaves。"
"Someothermarinemonster，Icried，alreadyalarmed。
"Perhaps。"
"Thenletussteermoretothewestward，forweknowwhatwehavetoexpectfromantediluviananimals，"wasmyeagerreply。
"Goahead，"saidmyuncle。
IturnedtowardsHans。Hanswasatthetillersteeringwithhisusualimperturbablecalm。
Nevertheless，iffromthedistancewhichseparatedusfromthiscreature，adistancewhichmustbeestimatedatnotlessthanadozenleagues，onecouldseethecolumnofwaterspurtingfromtheblow-holeofthegreatanimal，hisdimensionsmustbesomethingpreternatural。Toflyis，therefore，thecoursetobesuggestedbyordinaryprudence。Butwehavenotcomeintothatpartoftheworldtobeprudent。Suchismyuncle'sdetermination。
We，accordingly，continuedtoadvance。Thenearerwecome，theloftieristhespoutingwater。Whatmonstercanfillhimselfwithsuchhugevolumesofwater，andthenunceasinglyspoutthemoutinsuchloftyjets?
Ateighto'clockintheevening，reckoningasaboveground，wherethereisdayandnight，wearenotmorethantwoleaguesfromthemightybeast。Itslong，black，enormous，mountainousbody，liesonthetopofthewaterlikeanisland。Butthensailorshavebeensaidtohavegoneashoreonsleepingwhales，mistakingthemforland。Isitillusion，orisitfear?Itslengthcannotbelessthanathousandfathoms。What，then，isthiscetaceousmonsterofwhichnoCuviereverthought?
Itisquitemotionlessandpresentstheappearanceofsleep。Theseaseemsunabletolifthimupwards；itisratherthewaveswhichbreakonhishugeandgiganticframe。Thewaterspout，risingtoaheightoffivehundredfeet，breaksinspraywithadull，sullenroar。
Weadvance，likesenselesslunatics，towardsthismightymass。
IhonestlyconfessthatIwasabjectlyafraid。IdeclaredthatI
wouldgonofarther。Ithreatenedinmyterrortocutthesheetofthesail。IattackedtheProfessorwithconsiderableacrimony，callinghimfoolhardy，mad，Iknownotwhat。Hemadenoanswer。
SuddenlytheimperturbableHansoncemorepointedhisfingertothemenacingobject:"Holme!"
"Anisland!"criedmyuncle。
"Anisland?"Ireplied，shruggingmyshouldersatthispoorattemptatdeception。
"Ofcourseitis，"criedmyuncle，burstingintoaloudandjoyouslaugh。
"Butthewaterspout?"
"Geyser，"saidHans。
"Yes，ofcourse-ageyser，"repliedmyuncle，stilllaughing，"ageyserlikethosecommoninIceland。Jetslikethisarethegreatwondersofthecountry。"
AtfirstIwouldnotallowthatIhadbeensogrosslydeceived。Whatcouldbemoreridiculousthantohavetakenanislandforamarinemonster?Butkickasonemay，onemustyieldtoevidence，andIwasfinallyconvincedofmyerror。Itwasnothing，afterall，butanaturalphenomenon。
Asweapproachednearerandnearer，thedimensionsoftheliquidsheafofwatersbecametrulygrandandstupendous。Theislandhad，atadistance，presentedtheappearanceofanenormouswhale，whoseheadrosehighabovethewaters。Thegeyser，awordtheIcelanderspronouncegeysir，andwhichsignifiesfury，rosemajesticallyfromitssummit。Dulldetonationsareheardeverynowandthen，andtheenormousjet，takenasitwerewithsuddenfury，shakesitsplumeofvapor，andboundsintothefirstlayeroftheclouds。Itisalone。
Neitherspurtsofvapornorhotspringssurroundit，andthewholevolcanicpowerofthatregionisconcentratedinonesublimecolumn。
Theraysofelectriclightmixwiththisdazzlingsheaf，everydropasitfallsassumingtheprismaticcolorsoftherainbow。
"Letusgoonshore，"saidtheProfessor，aftersomeminutesofsilence。
Itisnecessary，however，totakegreatprecaution，inordertoavoidtheweightoffallingwaters，whichwouldcausetherafttofounderinaninstant。Hans，however，steersadmirably，andbringsustotheotherextremityoftheisland。
Iwasthefirsttoleapontherock。Myunclefollowed，whiletheeider-duckhunterremainedstill，likeamanaboveanychildishsourcesofastonishment。Wewerenowwalkingongranitemixedwithsiliceoussandstone；thesoilshiveredunderourfeetlikethesidesofboilersinwhichover-heatedsteamisforciblyconfined。Itisburning。Wesooncameinsightofthelittlecentralbasinfromwhichrosethegeyser。Iplungedathermometerintothewaterwhichranbubblingfromthecenter，anditmarkedaheatofahundredandsixty-threedegrees!
Thiswater，therefore，camefromsomeplacewheretheheatwasintense。ThiswassingularlyincontradictionwiththetheoriesofProfessorHardwigg。Icouldnothelptellinghimmyopiniononthesubject。
"Well，"saidhesharply，"andwhatdoesthisproveagainstmydoctrine?
"Nothing，"repliedIdryly，seeingthatIwasrunningmyheadagainstaforegoneconclusion。
Nevertheless，Iamcompelledtoconfessthatuntilnowwehavebeenmostremarkablyfortunate，andthatthisvoyageisbeingaccomplishedinmostfavorableconditionsoftemperature；butitappearsevident，infact，certain，thatweshallsoonerorlaterarriveatoneofthoseregionswherethecentralheatwillreachitsutmostlimits，andwillgofarbeyondallthepossiblegradationsofthermometers。
VisionsoftheHadesoftheancients，believedtobeinthecenteroftheearth，floatedthroughmyimagination。
Weshall，however，seewhatweshallsee。ThatistheProfessor'sfavoritephrasenow。Havingchristenedthevolcanicislandbythenameofhisnephew，theleaderoftheexpeditionturnedawayandgavethesignalforembarkation。
Istoodstill，however，forsomeminutes，gazinguponthemagnificentgeyser。Isoonwasabletoperceivethattheupwardtendencyofthewaterwasirregular；nowitdiminishedinintensity，andthen，suddenly，itregainednewvigor，whichIattributedtothevariationofthepressureoftheaccumulatedvaporsinitsreservoir。
Atlastwetookourdeparture，goingcarefullyroundtheprojecting，andratherdangerous，rocksofthesouthernside。Hanshadtakenadvantageofthisbriefhalttorepairtheraft。
Beforewetookourfinaldeparturefromtheisland，however，I
madesomeobservationstocalculatethedistancewehadgoneover，andIputthemdowninmyjournal。SinceweleftPortGretchen，wehadtraveledtwohundredandseventyleagues-morethaneighthundredmiles-onthisgreatinlandsea；wewere，therefore，sixhundredandtwentyleaguesfromIceland，andexactlyunderEngland。
CHAPTER32
TheBattleoftheElementsFRIDAY，August21st。Thismorningthemagnificentgeyserhadwhollydisappeared。Thewindhadfreshenedup，andwewerefastleavingtheneighborhoodofHenry'sIsland。Eventheroaringsoundofthemightycolumnwaslosttotheear。
Theweather，if，underthecircumstances，wemayusesuchanexpression，isabouttochangeverysuddenly。Theatmosphereisbeinggraduallyloadedwithvapors，whichcarrywiththemtheelectricityformedbytheconstantevaporationofthesalinewaters；
thecloudsareslowlybutsensiblyfallingtowardsthesea，andareassumingadark-olivetexture；theelectricrayscanscarcelypiercethroughtheopaquecurtainwhichhasfallenlikeadropscenebeforethiswondroustheater，onthestageofwhichanotherandterribledramaissoontobeenacted。Thistimeitisnofightofanimals；itisthefearfulbattleoftheelements。
IfeelthatIamverypeculiarlyinfluenced，asallcreaturesareonlandwhenadelugeisabouttotakeplace。
Thecumuli，aperfectlyovalkindofcloud，pileduponthesouth，presentedamostawfulandsinisterappearance，withthepitilessaspectoftenseenbeforeastorm。Theairisextremelyheavy；theseaiscomparativelycalm。
Inthedistance，thecloudshaveassumedtheappearanceofenormousballsofcotton，orratherpods，piledoneabovetheotherinpicturesqueconfusion。Bydegrees，theyappeartoswellout，break，andgaininnumberwhattheyloseingrandeur；theirheavinessissogreatthattheyareunabletoliftthemselvesfromthehorizon；butundertheinfluenceoftheuppercurrentsofair，theyaregraduallybrokenup，becomemuchdarker，andthenpresenttheappearanceofonesinglelayerofaformidablecharacter；nowandthenalightercloud，stilllitupfromabove，reboundsuponthisgreycarpet，andislostintheopaquemass。
Therecanbenodoubtthattheentireatmosphereissaturatedwithelectricfluid；Iammyselfwhollyimpregnated；myhairsliterallystandonendasifundertheinfluenceofagalvanicbattery。Ifoneofmycompanionsventuredtotouchme，Ithinkhewouldreceiveratheraviolentandunpleasantshock。
Aboutteno'clockinthemorning，thesymptomsofthestormbecamemorethoroughanddecisive；thewindappearedtosoftendownasiftotakebreathforarenewedattack；thevastfunerealpallaboveuslookedlikeahugebag-likethecaveofAEolus，inwhichthestormwascollectingitsforcesfortheattack。
ItriedallIcouldnottobelieveinthemenacingsignsofthesky，andyetIcouldnotavoidsaying，asitwereinvoluntarily:
"Ibelievewearegoingtohavebadweather。"
TheProfessormademenoanswer。Hewasinahorrible，inadetestablehumor-toseetheoceanstretchinginterminablybeforehiseyes。Onhearingmywordshesimplyshruggedhisshoulders。
"Weshallhaveatremendousstorm，"Isaidagain，pointingtothehorizon。"Thesecloudsarefallinglowerandloweruponthesea，asiftocrushit。"
Agreatsilenceprevailed。Thewindwhollyceased。Natureassumedadeadcalm，andceasedtobreathe。Uponthemast，whereInoticedasortofslightignisfatuus，thesailhangsinlooseheavyfolds。
Theraftismotionlessinthemidstofadarkheavysea-withoutundulation，withoutmotion。Itisasstillasglass。Butaswearemakingnoprogress，whatistheuseofkeepingupthesail，whichmaybethecauseofourperditionifthetempestshouldsuddenlystrikeuswithoutwarning。
"Letuslowerthesail，"Isaid，"itisonlyanactofcommonprudence。"
"No-no，"criedmyuncle，inanexasperatedtone，"ahundredtimes，no。Letthewindstrikeusanddoitsworst，letthestormsweepusawaywhereitwill-onlyletmeseetheglimmerofsomecoast-ofsomerockycliffs，eveniftheydashourraftintoathousandpieces。No!keepupthesail-nomatterwhathappens。"
Thesewordswerescarcelyutteredwhenthesouthernhorizonunderwentasuddenandviolentchange。Thelongaccumulatedvaporswereresolvedintowater，andtheairrequiredtofillupthevoidproducedbecameawildandragingtempest。
Itcamefromthemostdistantcornersofthemightycavern。Itragedfromeverypointofthecompass。Itroared；ityelled；itshriekedwithgleeasofdemonsletloose。Thedarknessincreasedandbecameindeeddarknessvisible。
Theraftroseandfellwiththestorm，andboundedoverthewaves。
Myunclewascastheadlonguponthedeck。Iwithgreatdifficultydraggedmyselftowardshim。Hewasholdingonwithmightandmaintotheendofacable，andappearedtogazewithpleasureanddelightatthespectacleoftheunchainedelements。
Hansnevermovedamuscle。Hislonghairdrivenhitherandthitherbythetempestandscatteredwildlyoverhismotionlessface，gavehimamostextraordinaryappearance-foreverysinglehairwasilluminatedbylittlesparklingsprigs。
Hiscountenancepresentstheextraordinaryappearanceofanantediluvianman，atruecontemporaryoftheMegatherium。
Stillthemastholdsgoodagainstthestorm。Thesailspreadsoutandfillslikeasoapbubbleabouttoburst。Theraftrushesonatapaceimpossibletoestimate，butstilllessswiftlythanthebodyofwaterdisplacedbeneathit，therapidityofwhichmaybeseenbythelineswhichflyrightandleftinthewake。
"Thesail，thesail!"Icried，makingatrumpetofmyhands，andthenendeavoringtolowerit。
"Letitalone!"saidmyuncle，moreexasperatedthanever。
"Nej，"saidHans，gentlyshakinghishead。
Nevertheless，therainformedaroaringcataractbeforethishorizonofwhichwewereinsearch，andtowhichwewererushinglikemadmen。
Butbeforethiswildernessofwatersreachedus，themightyveilofcloudwastornintwain；theseabegantofoamwildly；andtheelectricity，producedbysomevastandextraordinarychemicalactionintheupperlayerofcloud，isbroughtintoplay。Tothefearfulclapsofthunderareaddeddazzlingflashesoflightning，suchasI
hadneverseen。Theflashescrossedoneanother，hurledfromeveryside；whilethethundercamepealinglikeanecho。Themassofvaporbecomesincandescent；thehailstoneswhichstrikethemetalofourbootsandourweaponsareactuallyluminous；thewavesastheyriseappeartobefire-eatingmonsters，beneathwhichseethesanintensefire，theircrestssurmountedbycombsofflame。
Myeyesaredazzled，blindedbytheintensityoflight，myearsaredeafenedbytheawfulroaroftheelements。Iamcompelledtoholdontothemast，whichbendslikeareedbeneaththeviolenceofthestorm，towhichnoneeverbeforeseenbymarinersboreanyresemblance。
Heremytravelingnotesbecomeveryincomplete，looseandvague。I
haveonlybeenabletomakeoutoneortwofugitiveobservations，jotteddowninameremechanicalway。Buteventheirbrevity，eventheirobscurity，showtheemotionswhichovercameme。
Sunday，August23rd。Wherehavewegotto?Inwhatregionarewewandering?Wearestillcarriedforwardwithinconceivablerapidity。
Thenighthasbeenfearful，somethingnottobedescribed。Thestormshowsnosignsofcessation。Weexistinthemidstofanuproarwhichhasnoname。Thedetonationsasofartilleryareincessant。
Ourearsliterallybleed。Weareunabletoexchangeaword，orheareachotherspeak。
Thelightningneverceasestoflashforasingleinstant。Icanseethezigzagsafterarapiddartstrikethearchedroofofthismightiestofmightyvaults。Ifitweretogivewayandfalluponus!
Otherlightningsplungetheirforkedstreaksineverydirection，andtaketheformofglobesoffire，whichexplodelikebombshellsoverabeleagueredcity。Thegeneralcrashandroardonotapparentlyincrease；ithasalreadygonefarbeyondwhathumanearcanappreciate。Ifallthepowdermagazinesintheworldweretoexplodetogether，itwouldbeimpossibleforustohearworsenoise。
Thereisaconstantemissionoflightfromthestormclouds；theelectricmatterisincessantlyreleased；evidentlythegaseousprinciplesoftheairareoutoforder；innumerablecolumnsofwaterrushuplikewaterspouts，andfallbackuponthesurfaceoftheoceaninfoam。
Whitherarewegoing?Myunclestillliesatfulllengthupontheraft，withoutspeaking-withouttakinganynoteoftime。
Theheatincreases。Ilookatthethermometer，tomysurpriseitindicates-Theexactfigureishererubbedoutinmymanuscript。
Monday，August24th。Thisterriblestormwillneverend。Whyshouldnotthisstateoftheatmosphere，sodenseandmurky，oncemodified，againremaindefinitive?
Weareutterlybrokenandharassedbyfatigue。Hansremainsjustasusual。Theraftrunstothesoutheastinvariably。Wehavenowalreadyruntwohundredleaguesfromthenewlydiscoveredisland。
Abouttwelveo'clockthestormbecameworsethanever。Weareobligednowtofasteneverybitofcargotightlyonthedeckoftheraft，oreverythingwouldbesweptaway。Wemakeourselvesfast，too，eachmanlashingtheother。Thewavesdriveoverus，sothatseveraltimesweareactuallyunderwater。
Wehadbeenunderthepainfulnecessityofabstainingfromspeechforthreedaysandthreenights。Weopenedourmouths，wemovedourlips，butnosoundcame。Evenwhenweplacedourmouthstoeachother'searsitwasthesame。
Thewindcarriedthevoiceaway。
Myuncleoncecontrivedtogethisheadclosetomineafterseveralalmostvainendeavors。Heappearedtomynearlyexhaustedsensestoarticulatesomeword。Ihadanotion，morefromintuitionthananythingelse，thathesaidtome，"Wearelost。"
Itookoutmynotebook，fromwhichunderthemostdesperatecircumstancesIneverparted，andwroteafewwordsaslegiblyasI
could:
"Takeinsail。"
Withadeepsighhenoddedhisheadandacquiesced。
Hisheadhadscarcelytimetofallbackinthepositionfromwhichhehadmomentarilyraiseditthanadiskorballoffireappearedontheveryedgeoftheraft-ourdevoted，ourdoomedcraft。Themastandsailarecarriedawaybodily，andIseethemsweptawaytoaprodigiousheightlikeakite。
Wewerefrozen，actuallyshiveredwithterror。Theballoffire，halfwhite，halfazure-colored，aboutthesizeofaten-inchbombshell，movedalong，turningwithprodigiousrapiditytoleewardofthestorm。Itranabouthere，there，andeverywhere，itclambereduponeofthebulwarksoftheraft，itleapeduponthesackofprovisions，andthenfinallydescendedlightly，felllikeafootballandlandedonourpowderbarrel。
Horriblesituation。Anexplosionofcoursewasnowinevitable。
Byheaven'smercy，itwasnotso。
Thedazzlingdiskmovedononeside，itapproachedHans，wholookedatitwithsingularfixity；thenitapproachedmyuncle，whocasthimselfonhiskneestoavoidit；itcametowardsme，asI
stoodpaleandshudderinginthedazzlinglightandheat；itpirouettedroundmyfeet，whichIendeavoredtowithdraw。
Anodorofnitrousgasfilledthewholeair；itpenetratedtothethroat，tothelungs。Ifeltreadytochoke。