"IfIcouldbutwashthiscorpseinasolutionofsulphuricacid，"
continuedmyuncle，"Iwouldundertaketoremovealltheearthyparticles，andtheseresplendentshells，whichareincrustedalloverthisbody。ButIamwithoutthispreciousdissolvingmedium。
Nevertheless，suchasitis，thisbodywilltellitsownhistory。"
HeretheProfessorheldupthefossilbody，andexhibiteditwithraredexterity。Noprofessionalshowmancouldhaveshownmoreactivity。
"Asonexaminationyouwillsee，"myunclecontinued，"itisonlyaboutsixfeetinlength，whichisalongwayfromthepretendedgiantsofearlydays。Astotheparticularracetowhichitbelonged，itisincontestablyCaucasian。Itisofthewhiterace，thatis，ofourown。Theskullofthisfossilbeingisaperfectovoidwithoutanyremarkableorprominentdevelopmentofthecheekbones，andwithoutanyprojectionofthejaw。Itpresentsnoindicationoftheprognathismwhichmodifiesthefacialangle。*Measuretheangleforyourselves，andyouwillfindthatitisjustninetydegrees。ButI
willadvancestillfartherontheroadofinquiryanddeduction，andI
dareventuretosaythatthishumansampleorspecimenbelongstotheJapheticfamily，whichspreadovertheworldfromIndiatotheuttermostlimitsofwesternEurope。Thereisnooccasion，gentlemen，tosmileatmyremarks。"
*Thefacialangleisformedbytwoplanes-onemoreorlessverticalwhichisinastraightlinewiththeforeheadandtheincisors；theother，horizontal，whichpassesthroughtheorgansofhearing，andthelowernasalbone。Prognathism，inanthropologicallanguage，meansthatparticularprojectionofthejawwhichmodifiesthefacialangle。
Ofcoursenobodysmiled。ButtheexcellentProfessorwassoaccustomedtobeamingcountenancesathislectures，thathebelievedhesawallhisaudiencelaughingduringthedeliveryofhislearneddissertation。
"Yes，"hecontinued，withrenewedanimation，"thisisafossilman，acontemporaryofthemastodons，withthebonesofwhichthiswholeamphitheateriscovered。ButifIamcalledontoexplainhowhecametothisplace，howthesevariousstratabywhichheiscoveredhavefallenintothisvastcavity，Icanundertaketogiveyounoexplanation。Doubtless，ifwecarryourselvesbacktotheQuaternaryepoch，weshallfindthatgreatandmightyconvulsionstookplaceinthecrustoftheearth；thecontinuallycoolingoperation，throughwhichtheearthhadtopass，producedfissures，landslips，andchasms，throughwhichalargeportionoftheearthmadeitsway。Icometonoabsoluteconclusion，butthereistheman，surroundedbytheworksofhishands，hishatchetsandhiscarvedflints，whichbelongtothestonyperiod；andtheonlyrationalsuppositionis，that，likemyself，hevisitedthecenteroftheearthasatravelingtourist，apioneerofscience。Atallevents，therecanbenodoubtofhisgreatage，andofhisbeingoneoftheoldestraceofhumanbeings。"
TheProfessorwiththesewordsceasedhisoration，andIburstforthintoloudand"unanimous"applause。Besides，afterall，myunclewasright。Muchmorelearnedmenthanhisnephewwouldhavefounditratherhardtorefutehisfactsandarguments。
Anothercircumstancesoonpresenteditself。Thisfossilizedbodywasnottheonlyoneinthisvastplainofbones-thecemeteryofanextinctworld。Otherbodieswerefound，aswetrodthedustyplain，andmyunclewasabletochoosethemostmarvelousofthesespecimensinordertoconvincethemostincredulous。
Intruth，itwasasurprisingspectacle，thesuccessiveremainsofgenerationsandgenerationsofmenandanimalsconfoundedtogetherinonevastcemetery。Butagreatquestionnowpresenteditselftoournotice，andonewewereactuallyafraidtocontemplateinallitsbearings。
Hadtheseonceanimatedbeingsbeenburiedsofarbeneaththesoilbysometremendousconvulsionofnature，aftertheyhadbeenearthtoearthandashestoashes，orhadtheylivedherebelow，inthissubterraneanworld，underthisfactitioussky，borne，married，andgiveninmarriage，anddiedatlast，justlikeordinaryinhabitantsoftheearth?
Uptothepresentmoment，marinemonsters，fish，andsuchlikeanimalshadalonebeenseenalive!
Thequestionwhichrenderedusratheruneasy，wasapertinentone。
Wereanyofthesemenoftheabysswanderingaboutthedesertedshoresofthiswondrousseaofthecenteroftheearth?
Thiswasaquestionwhichrenderedmeveryuneasyanduncomfortable。
How，shouldtheyreallybeinexistence，wouldtheyreceiveusmenfromabove?
CHAPTER36
WhatIsIt?
FORalongandwearyhourwetrampedoverthisgreatbedofbones。
Weadvancedregardlessofeverything，drawnonbyardentcuriosity。
Whatothermarvelsdidthisgreatcaverncontain-whatotherwondroustreasuresforthescientificman?Myeyeswerequitepreparedforanynumberofsurprises，myimaginationlivedinexpectationofsomethingnewandwonderful。
ThebordersofthegreatCentralOceanhadforsometimedisappearedbehindthehillsthatwerescatteredoverthegroundoccupiedbytheplainofbones。TheimprudentandenthusiasticProfessor，whodidnotcarewhetherhelosthimselfornot，hurriedmeforward。Weadvancedsilently，bathedinwavesofelectricfluid。
ByreasonofaphenomenonwhichIcannotexplain，andthankstoitsextremediffusion，nowcomplete，thelightilluminedequallythesidesofeveryhillandrock。Itsseatappearedtobenowhere，innodeterminedforce，andproducednoshadewhatever。
Theappearancepresentedwasthatofatropicalcountryatmiddayinsummer-inthemidstoftheequatorialregionsandundertheverticalraysofthesun。
Allsignsofvaporhaddisappeared。Therocks，thedistantmountains，someconfusedmassesoffar-offforests，assumedaweirdandmysteriousaspectunderthisequaldistributionoftheluminousfluid!
Weresembled，toacertainextent，themysteriouspersonageinoneofHoffmann'sfantastictales-themanwholosthisshadow。
Afterwehadwalkedaboutamilefarther，wecametotheedgeofavastforestnot，however，oneofthevastmushroomforestswehaddiscoverednearPortGretchen。
ItwasthegloriousandwildvegetationoftheTertiaryperiod，inallitssuperbmagnificence。Hugepalms，ofaspeciesnowunknown，superbpalmacites-agenusoffossilpalmsfromthecoalformation-
pines，yews，cypress，andconifersorcone-bearingtrees，thewholeboundtogetherbyaninextricableandcomplicatedmassofcreepingplants。
Abeautifulcarpetofmossesandfernsgrewbeneaththetrees。
Pleasantbrooksmurmuredbeneathumbrageousboughs，littleworthyofthisname，fornoshadedidtheygive。Upontheirbordersgrewsmalltreelikeshrubs，suchasareseeninthehotcountriesonourowninhabitedglobe。
Theonethingwantingintheseplants，theseshrubs，thesetrees-
wascolor!Foreverdeprivedofthevivifyingwarmthofthesun，theywerevapidandcolorless。Allshadewaslostinoneuniformtint，ofabrownandfadedcharacter。Theleaveswerewhollydevoidofverdure，andtheflowers，sonumerousduringtheTertiaryperiodwhichgavethembirth，werewithoutcolorandwithoutperfume，somethinglikepaperdiscoloredbylongexposuretotheatmosphere。
Myuncleventuredbeneaththegiganticgroves。Ifollowedhim，thoughnotwithoutacertainamountofapprehension。Sincenaturehadshownherselfcapableofproducingsuchstupendousvegetablesupplies，whymightwenotmeetwithmammalsjustaslarge，andthereforedangerous?
Iparticularlyremarked，intheclearingsleftbytreesthathadfallenandbeenpartiallyconsumedbytime，manyleguminousbeanlike
shrubs，suchasthemapleandothereatabletrees，deartoruminatinganimals。Thenthereappearedconfoundedtogetherandintermixed，thetreesofsuchvariedlands，specimensofthevegetationofeverypartoftheglobe；therewastheoaknearthepalmtree，theAustralianeucalyptus，aninterestingclassoftheorderMyrtaceae-leaningagainstthetallNorwegianpine，thepoplarofthenorth，mixingitsbrancheswiththoseoftheNewZealandkauris。
Itwasenoughtodrivethemostingeniousclassifieroftheupperregionsoutofhismind，andtoupsetallhisreceivedideasaboutbotany。
SuddenlyIstoppedshortandrestrainedmyuncle。
Theextremediffusenessofthelightenabledmetoseethesmallestobjectsinthedistantcopses。IthoughtIsaw-no，I
reallydidseewithmyowneyes-immense，giganticanimalsmovingaboutunderthemightytrees。Yes，theyweretrulygiganticanimals，awholeherdofmastodons，notfossils，butliving，andexactlylikethosediscoveredin1801，onthemarshybanksofthegreatOhio，inNorthAmerica。
Yes，Icouldseetheseenormouselephants，whosetrunksweretearingdownlargeboughs，andworkinginandoutthetreeslikealegionofserpents。Icouldhearthesoundsofthemightytusksuprootinghugetrees!
Theboughscrackled，andthewholemassesofleavesandgreenbrancheswentdownthecapaciousthroatsoftheseterriblemonsters!
Thatwondrousdream，whenIsawtheantehistoricaltimesrevivified，whentheTertiaryandQuaternaryperiodspassedbeforeme，wasnowrealized!
Andtherewewerealone，fardowninthebowelsoftheearth，atthemercyofitsferociousinhabitants!
Myunclepaused，fullofwonderandastonishment。
"Come!"hesaidatlast，whenhisfirstsurprisewasover，"Comealong，myboy，andletusseethemnearer。"
"No，"repliedI，restraininghiseffortstodragmeforward，"wearewhollywithoutarms。Whatshouldwedointhemidstofthatflockofgiganticquadrupeds?Comeaway，Uncle，Iimploreyou。Nohumancreaturecanwithimpunitybravetheferociousangerofthesemonsters。"
"Nohumancreature，"saidmyuncle，suddenlyloweringhisvoicetoamysteriouswhisper，"youaremistaken，mydearHenry。Look!lookyonder!ItseemstomethatIbeholdahumanbeing-abeinglikeourselves-aman!"
Ilooked，shruggingmyshoulders，decidedtopushincredulitytoitsverylastlimits。Butwhatevermighthavebeenmywish，Iwascompelledtoyieldtotheweightofoculardemonstration。
Yes-notmorethanaquarterofamileoff，leaningagainstthetrunkofanenormoustree，wasahumanbeing-aProteusofthesesubterraneanregions，anewsonofNeptunekeepingthisinnumerableherdofmastodons。
Immanispecoriscustos，immanioripse!*
*Thekeeperofgiganticcattle，himselfstillmoregigantic!
Yes-itwasnolongerafossilwhosecorpsewehadraisedfromthegroundinthegreatcemetery，butagiantcapableofguidinganddrivingtheseprodigiousmonsters。Hisheightwasabovetwelvefeet。
Hishead，asbigastheheadofabuffalo，waslostinamaneofmattedhair。Itwasindeedahugemane，likethosewhichbelongedtotheelephantsoftheearlieragesoftheworld。
Inhishandwasabranchofatree，whichservedasacrookforthisantediluvianshepherd。
Weremainedprofoundlystill，speechlesswithsurprise。
Butwemightatanymomentbeseenbyhim。Nothingremainedforusbutinstantflight。
"Come，come!"Icried，draggingmyunclealong；and，forthefirsttime，hemadenoresistancetomywishes。
Aquarterofanhourlaterwewerefarawayfromthatterriblemonster!
NowthatIthinkofthemattercalmly，andthatIreflectuponitdispassionately；nowthatmonths，years，havepassedsincethisstrangeandunnaturaladventurebefellus-whatamItothink，whatamItobelieve?
No，itisutterlyimpossible!Ourearsmusthavedeceivedus，andoureyeshavecheatedus!wehavenotseenwhatwebelievedwehadseen。Nohumanbeingcouldbyanypossibilityhaveexistedinthatsubterraneanworld!Nogenerationofmencouldinhabitthelowercavernsoftheglobewithouttakingnoteofthosewhopeopledthesurface，withoutcommunicationwiththem。Itwasfolly，folly，folly!nothingelse!
Iamratherinclinedtoadmittheexistenceofsomeanimalresemblinginstructurethehumanrace-ofsomemonkeyofthefirstgeologicalepochs，likethatdiscoveredbyM。LartetintheossiferousdepositofSansan。
Butthisanimal，orbeing，whichsoeveritwas，surpassedinheightallthingsknowntomodernscience。Nevermind。Howeverunlikelyitmaybe，itmighthavebeenamonkey-butaman，alivingman，andwithhimawholegenerationofgiganticanimals，buriedintheentrailsoftheearth-itwastoomonstroustobebelieved!
CHAPTER37
TheMysteriousDaggerDURINGthistime，wehadleftthebrightandtransparentforestfarbehindus。Weweremutewithastonishment，overcomebyakindoffeelingwhichwasnextdoortoapathy。Wekeptrunninginspiteofourselves。ItwasaperfectRight，whichresembledoneofthosehorriblesensationswesometimesmeetwithinourdreams。
InstinctivelywemadeourwaytowardstheCentralSea，andI
cannotnowtellwhatwildthoughtspassedthroughmymind，norofwhatfolliesImighthavebeenguilty，butforaveryseriouspreoccupationwhichbroughtmebacktopracticallife。
ThoughIwasawarethatweweretreadingonasoilquitenewtous，I，however，everynowandthennoticedcertainaggregationsofrock，theshapeofwhichforciblyremindedmeofthosenearPortGretchen。
Thisconfirmed，moreover，theindicationsofthecompassandourextraordinaryandunlooked-for，aswellasinvoluntary，returntothenorthofthisgreatCentralSea。Itwassolikeourstartingpoint，thatIcouldscarcelydoubttherealityofourposition。
Streamsandcascadesfellinhundredsoverthenumerousprojectionsoftherocks。
IactuallythoughtIcouldseeourfaithfulandmonotonousHansandthewonderfulgrottoinwhichIhadcomebacktolifeaftermytremendousfall。
Then，asweadvancedstillfarther，thepositionofthecliffs，theappearanceofastream，theunexpectedprofileofarock，threwmeagainintoastateofbewilderingdoubt。
Aftersometime，Iexplainedmystateofmentalindecisiontomyuncle。Heconfessedtoasimilarfeelingofhesitation。Hewastotallyunabletomakeuphismindinthemidstofthisextraordinarybutuniformpanorama。
"Therecanbenodoubt，"Iinsisted，"thatwehavenotlandedexactlyattheplacewhencewefirsttookourdeparture；butthetempesthasbroughtusaboveourstartingpoint。Ithink，therefore，thatifwefollowthecoastweshalloncemorefindPortGretchen。"
"Inthatcase，"criedmyuncle，"itisuselesstocontinueourexploration。Theverybestthingwecandoistomakeourwaybacktotheraft。Areyouquitesure，Harry，thatyouarenotmistaken?"
"Itisdifficult，"wasmyreply，"tocometoanydecision，foralltheserocksareexactlyalike。Thereisnomarkeddifferencebetweenthem。Atthesametime，theimpressiononmymindisthatI
recognizethepromontoryatthefootofwhichourworthyHansconstructedtheraft。Weare，Iamnearlyconvinced，nearthelittleport:ifthisbenotit，"Iadded，carefullyexaminingacreekwhichappearedsingularlyfamiliartomymind。
"MydearHarry-ifthiswerethecase，weshouldfindtracesofourownfootsteps，somesignsofourpassage；andIcanreallyseenothingtoindicateourhavingpassedthisway。"
"ButIseesomething，"Icried，inanimpetuoustoneofvoice，asIrushedforwardandeagerlypickedupsomethingwhichshoneinthesandundermyfeet。
"Whatisit?"criedtheastonishedandbewilderedProfessor。
"This，"wasmyreply。
AndIhandedtomystartledrelativearustydagger，ofsingularshape。
"Whatmadeyoubringwithyousouselessaweapon?"heexclaimed。
"Itwasneedlesslyhamperingyourself。"
"Ibringit?Itisquitenewtome。Ineversawitbefore-areyousureitisnotoutofyourcollection?"
"NotthatIknowof，"saidtheProfessor，puzzled。"Ihavenorecollectionofthecircumstance。Itwasnevermyproperty。"
"Thisisveryextraordinary，"Isaid，musingoverthenovelandsingularincident。
"Notatall。Thereisaverysimpleexplanation，Harry。TheIcelandersareknowntokeepuptheuseoftheseantiquatedweapons，andthismusthavebelongedtoHans，whohasletitfallwithoutknowingit。"
Ishookmyhead。ThatdaggerhadneverbeeninthepossessionofthepacificandtaciturnHans。Iknewhimandhishabitstoowell。
"Thenwhatcanitbe-unlessitbetheweaponofsomeantediluvianwarrior，"Icontinued，"ofsomelivingman，acontemporaryofthatmightyshepherdfromwhomwehavejustescaped?Butno-mysteryuponmystery-thisisnoweaponofthestonyepoch，norevenofthebronzeperiod。Itismadeofexcellentsteel-"
EreIcouldfinishmysentence，myunclestoppedmeshortfromenteringuponawholetrainoftheories，andspokeinhismostcoldanddecidedtoneofvoice。
"Calmyourself，mydearboy，andendeavortouseyourreason。Thisweapon，uponwhichwehavefallensounexpectedly，isatruedague，oneofthosewornbygentlemenintheirbeltsduringthesixteenthcentury。Itsusewastogivethecoupdegrace，thefinalblow，tothefoewhowouldnotsurrender。ItisclearlyofSpanishworkmanship。
Itbelongsneithertoyou，nortome，northeeider-downhunter，nortoanyofthelivingbeingswhomaystillexistsomarvelouslyintheinterioroftheearth。"
"Whatcanyoumean，Uncle?"Isaid，nowlostinahostofsurmises。
"Lookcloselyatit，"hecontinued；"thesejaggededgeswerenevermadebytheresistanceofhumanbloodandbone。Thebladeiscoveredwitharegularcoatingofironmoldandrust，whichisnotadayold，notayearold，notacenturyold，butmuchmore-"
TheProfessorbegantogetquiteexcited，accordingtocustom，andwasallowinghimselftobecarriedawaybyhisfertileimagination。
Icouldhavesaidsomething。Hestoppedme。
"Harry，"hecried，"wearenowonthevergeofagreatdiscovery。
Thisbladeofadaggeryouhavesomarvelouslydiscovered，afterbeingabandoneduponthesandformorethanahundred，twohundred，eventhreehundredyears，hasbeenindentedbysomeoneendeavoringtocarveaninscriptionontheserocks。"
"Butthisponiardnevergothereofitself，"Iexclaimed，"itcouldnothavetwisteditself。Someone，therefore，musthaveprecededusupontheshoresofthisextraordinarysea。"
"Yes，aman。"
"Butwhatmanhasbeensufficientlydesperatetodosuchathing?"
"Amanwhohassomewherewrittenhisnamewiththisverydagger-amanwhohasendeavoredoncemoretoindicatetherightroadtotheinterioroftheearth。Letuslookaround，myboy。Youknownottheimportanceofyoursingularandhappydiscovery。"
Prodigiouslyinterested，wewalkedalongthewallofrock，examiningthesmallestfissures，whichmightfinallyexpandintothemuchwished-forgullyorshaft。
Weatlastreachedaspotwheretheshorebecameextremelynarrow。
Theseaalmostbathedthefootoftherocks，whichwerehereveryloftyandsteep。Therewasscarcelyapathwiderthantwoyardsatanypoint。Atlast，underahugeover-hangingrock，wediscoveredtheentranceofadarkandgloomytunnel。
There，onasquaretabletofgranite，whichhadbeensmoothedbyrubbingitwithanotherstone，wecouldseetwomysterious，andmuchwornletters，thetwoinitialsoftheboldandextraordinarytravelerwhohadprecededusonouradventurousjourney。
"A。S。!"criedmyuncle。"Yousee，Iwasright。ArneSaknussemm，alwaysArneSaknussemm!"
CHAPTER38
NoOutlet-BlastingtheRockEVERsincethecommencementofourmarvelousjourney，Ihadexperiencedmanysurprises，hadsufferedfrommanyillusions。I
thoughtthatIwascase-hardenedagainstallsurprisesandcouldneitherseenorhearanythingtoamazemeagain。
Iwaslikeamanywho，havingbeenroundtheworld，findshimselfwhollyblaseandproofagainstthemarvelous。
When，however，Isawthesetwoletters，whichhadbeenengraventhreehundredyearsbefore，Istoodfixedinanattitudeofmutesurprise。
Notonlywastherethesignatureofthelearnedandenterprisingalchemistwrittenintherock，butIheldinmyhandtheveryidenticalinstrumentwithwhichhehadlaboriouslyengravedit。
Itwasimpossible，withoutshowinganamountofincredulityscarcelybecomingasaneman，todenytheexistenceofthetraveler，andtherealityofthatvoyagewhichIbelievedallalongtohavebeenamyth-
themystificationofsomefertilebrain。
Whilethesereflectionswerepassingthroughmymind，myuncle，theProfessor，gavewaytoanaccessoffeverishandpoeticalexcitement。
"Wonderfulandgloriousgenius，greatSaknussemm"，hecried，"youhaveleftnostoneunturned，noresourceomitted，toshowtoothermortalsthewayintotheinteriorofourmightyglobe，andyourfellowcreaturescanfindthetrailleftbyyourillustriousfootsteps，threehundredyearsago，atthebottomoftheseobscuresubterraneanabodes。
Youhavebeencarefultosecureforothersthecontemplationofthesewondersandmarvelsofcreation。Yournameengravedateveryimportantstageofyourgloriousjourneyleadsthehopefultravelerdirecttothegreatandmightydiscoverytowhichyoudevotedsuchenergyandcourage。Theaudacioustraveler，whoshallfollowyourfootstepstothelast，willdoubtlessfindyourinitialsengravedwithyourownhanduponthecenteroftheearth。Iwillbethataudacioustraveler-I，too，willsignmynameupontheverysamespot，uponthecentralgranitestoneofthiswondrousworkoftheCreator。Butinjusticetoyourdevotion，toyourcourage，andtoyourbeingthefirsttoindicatetheroad，letthiscape，seenbyyouupontheshoresofthisseadiscoveredbyyou，becalled，ofalltime，CapeSaknussemm。"
ThisiswhatIheard，andIbegantoberousedtothepitchofenthusiasmindicatedbythosewords。Afierceexcitementrousedme。
Iforgoteverything。Thedangersofthevoyageandtheperilsofthereturnjourneywerenowasnothing!
Whatanothermanhaddoneinagespastcould，Ifelt，bedoneagain；
Iwasdeterminedtodoitmyself，andnownothingthatmanhadaccomplishedappearedtomeimpossible。
"Forward-forward，"Icriedinaburstofgenuineandheartyenthusiasm。
IhadalreadystartedinthedirectionofthesomberandgloomygallerywhentheProfessorstoppedme；he，themansorashandhasty，he，themansoeasilyrousedtothehighestpitchofenthusiasm，checkedme，andaskedmetobepatientandshowmorecalm。
"Letusreturntoourgoodfriend，Hans，"hesaid；"wewillthenbringtheraftdowntothisplace。"
ImustsaythatthoughIatonceyieldedtomyuncle'srequest，itwasnotwithoutdissatisfaction，andIhastenedalongtherocksofthatwonderfulcoast。
"Doyouknow，mydearuncle，"Isaid，aswewalkedalong，"thatwehavebeensingularlyhelpedbyaconcurrenceofcircumstances，rightuptothisverymoment。"
"Soyoubegintoseeit，doyou，Harry?"saidtheProfessorwithasmile。
"Doubtless，"Iresponded，"andstrangelyenough，eventhetempesthasbeenthemeansofputtingusontherightroad。Blessingsonthetempest!Itbroughtussafelybacktotheveryspotfromwhichfineweatherwouldhavedrivenusforever。Supposingwehadsucceededinreachingthesouthernanddistantshoresofthisextraordinarysea，whatwouldhavebecomeofus?ThenameofSaknussemmwouldneverhaveappearedtous，andatthismomentweshouldhavebeencastawayuponaninhospitablecoast，probablywithoutanoutlet。"
"Yes，Harry，myboy，thereiscertainlysomethingprovidentialinthatwanderingatthemercyofwindandwavestowardsthesouth:wehavecomebackexactlynorth；andwhatisbetterstill，wefalluponthisgreatdiscoveryofCapeSaknussemm。Imeantosay，thatitismorethansurprising；thereissomethinginitwhichisfarbeyondmycomprehension。Thecoincidenceisunheardof，marvelous!"
"Whatmatter!Itisnotourdutytoexplainfacts，buttomakethebestpossibleuseofthem。"
"Doubtless，myboy；butifyouwillallowme-"saidthereallydelightedProfessor。
"Excuseme，sir，butIseeexactlyhowitwillbe；weshalltakethenorthernroute；weshallpassunderthenorthernregionsofEurope，underSweden，underRussia，underSiberia，andwhoknowswhere-
insteadofburyingourselvesundertheburningplainsanddesertsofAfrica，orbeneaththemightywavesoftheocean；andthatisall，atthisstageofourjourney，thatIcaretoknow。Letusadvance，andHeavenwillbeourguide!"
"Yes，Harry，youareright，quiteright；allisforthebest。Letusabandonthishorizontalsea，whichcouldneverhaveledtoanythingsatisfactory。Weshalldescend，descend，andeverlastinglydescend。Doyouknow，mydearboy，thattoreachtheinterioroftheearthwehaveonlyfivethousandmilestotravel!"
"Bah!"Icried，carriedawaybyaburstofenthusiasm，"thedistanceisscarcelyworthspeakingabout。Thethingistomakeastart。"
Mywild，mad，andincoherentspeechescontinueduntilwerejoinedourpatientandphlegmaticguide。Allwas，wefound，preparedforanimmediatedeparture。Therewasnotasingleparcelbutwhatwasinitsproperplace。Wealltookupourpostsontheraft，andthesailbeinghoisted，Hansreceivedhisdirections，andguidedthefrailbarktowardsCapeSaknussemm，aswehaddefinitelynamedit。
Thewindwasveryunfavorabletoacraftthatwasunabletosailclosetothewind。Itwasconstructedtogobeforetheblast。Wewerecontinuallyreducedtopushingourselvesforwardbymeansofpoles。Onseveraloccasionstherocksranfaroutintodeepwaterandwewerecompelledtomakealonground。Atlast，afterthreelongandwearyhoursofnavigation，thatistosay，aboutsixo'clockintheevening，wefoundaplaceatwhichwecouldland。
Ijumpedonshorefirst。Inmypresentstateofexcitementandenthusiasm，Iwasalwaysfirst。MyuncleandtheIcelanderfollowed。
Thevoyagefromtheporttothispointoftheseahadbynomeanscalmedme。Ithadratherproducedtheoppositeeffect。Ievenproposedtoburnourvessel，thatis，todestroyourraft，inordertocompletelycutoffourretreat。Butmyunclesternlyopposedthiswildproject。Ibegantothinkhimparticularlylukewarmandunenthusiastic。
"Atanyrate，mydearuncle，"Isaid，"letusstartwithoutdelay。"
"Yes，myboy，Iamquiteaseagertodosoasyoucanbe。But，inthefirstplace，letusexaminethismysteriousgallery，inordertofindifweshallneedtoprepareandmendourladders。"
MyunclenowbegantoseetotheefficiencyofourRuhmkorffcoil，whichwoulddoubtlesssoonbeneeded；theraft，securelyfastenedtoarock，wasleftalone。Moreover，theopeningintothenewgallerywasnottwentypacesdistantfromthespot。Ourlittletroop，withmyselfatthehead，advanced。
Theorifice，whichwasalmostcircular，presentedadiameterofaboutfivefeet；thesombertunnelwascutinthelivingrock，andcoatedontheinsidebythedifferentmaterialwhichhadoncepassedthroughitinastateoffusion。Thelowerpartwasaboutlevelwiththewater，sothatwewereabletopenetratetotheinteriorwithoutdifficulty。
Wefollowedanalmosthorizontaldirection；when，attheendofaboutadozenpaces，ourfurtheradvancewascheckedbytheinterpositionofanenormousblockofgraniterock。
"Accursedstone!"Icriedfuriously，onperceivingthatwewerestoppedbywhatseemedaninsurmountableobstacle。
Invainwelookedtotheright，invainwelookedtotheleft；invainexamineditaboveandbelow。Thereexistednopassage，nosignofanyothertunnel。Iexperiencedthemostbitterandpainfuldisappointment。SoenragedwasIthatIwouldnotadmittherealityofanyobstacle。Istoopedtomyknees；Ilookedunderthemassofstone。
Nohole，nointerstice。Ithenlookedabove。Thesamebarrierofgranite!Hans，withthelamp，examinedthesidesofthetunnelineverydirection。
Butallinvain!Itwasnecessarytorenounceallhopeofpassingthrough。
Ihadseatedmyselfupontheground。Myunclewalkedangrilyandhopelesslyupanddown。Hewasevidentlydesperate。
"But，"Icried，aftersomemoments'thought，"whataboutArneSaknussemm?"
"Youareright，"repliedmyuncle，"hecanneverhavebeencheckedbyalumpofrock。"
"No-tenthousandtimesno，"Icried，withextremevivacity。"Thishugelumpofrock，inconsequenceofsomesingularconcussion，orprocess，oneofthosemagneticphenomenawhichhavesooftenshakentheterrestrialcrust，hasinsomeunexpectedwayclosedupthepassage。ManyandmanyyearshavepassedawaysincethereturnofSaknussemm，andthefallofthishugeblockofgranite。Isitnotquiteevidentthatthisgallerywasformerlytheoutletforthepent-uplavaintheinterioroftheearth，andthattheseeruptivemattersthencirculatedfreely?Lookattheserecentfissuresinthegraniteroof；itisevidentlyformedofpiecesofenormousstone，placedhereasifbythehandofagiant，whohadworkedtomakeastrongandsubstantialarch。Oneday，afteranunusuallystrongshock，thevastrockwhichstandsinourway，andwhichwasdoubtlessthekeyofakindofarch，fellthroughtoalevelwiththesoilandhasbarredourfurtherprogress。Weareright，then，inthinkingthatthisisanunexpectedobstacle，withwhichSaknussemmdidnotmeet；andifwedonotupsetitinsomeway，weareunworthyoffollowinginthefootstepsofthegreatdiscoverer；andincapableoffindingourwaytothecenteroftheearth!"
InthiswildwayIaddressedmyuncle。ThezealoftheProfessor，hisearnestlongingforsuccess，hadbecomepartandparcelofmybeing。Iwhollyforgotthepast；Iutterlydespisedthefuture。
NothingexistedformeuponthesurfaceofthisspheroidinthebosomofwhichIwasengulfed，notowns，nocountry，noHamburg，noKoenigstrasse，notevenmypoorGretchen，whobythistimewouldbelievemeutterlylostintheinterioroftheearth!
"Well，"criedmyuncle，rousedtoenthusiasmbymywords，"Letusgotoworkwithpickaxes，withcrowbars，withanythingthatcomestohand-butdownwiththeseterriblewalls。"
"Itisfartootoughandtoobigtobedestroyedbyapickaxorcrowbar，"Ireplied。
"Whatthen?"
"AsIsaid，itisuselesstothinkofovercomingsuchadifficultybymeansofordinarytools。"
"Whatthen?"
"Whatelsebutgunpowder，asubterraneanmine?Letusblowuptheobstaclethatstandsinourway。"
"Gunpowder!"
"Yes；allwehavetodoistogetridofthispaltryobstacle。"
"Towork，Hans，towork!"criedtheProfessor。
TheIcelanderwentbacktotheraft，andsoonreturnedwithahugecrowbar，withwhichhebegantodigaholeintherock，whichwastoserveasamine。Itwasbynomeansaslighttask。Itwasnecessaryforourpurposetomakeacavitylargeenoughtoholdfiftypoundsoffulminatingguncotton，theexpansivepowerofwhichisfourtimesasgreatasthatofordinarygunpowder。
Ihadnowrousedmyselftoanalmostmiraculousstateofexcitement。
WhileHanswasatwork，Iactivelyassistedmyuncletopreparealongwick，madefromdampgunpowder，themassofwhichwefinallyenclosedinabagoflinen。
"Weareboundtogothrough，"Icried，enthusiastically。
"Weareboundtogothrough，"respondedtheProfessor，tappingmeontheback。
Atmidnight，ourworkasminerswascompletelyfinished；thechargeoffulminatingcottonwasthrustintothehollow，andthematch，whichwehadmadeofconsiderablelength，wasready。
Asparkwasnowsufficienttoignitethisformidableengine，andtoblowtherocktoatoms!
"Wewillnowrestuntiltomorrow。"
Itwasabsolutelynecessarytoresignmyselftomyfate，andtoconsenttowaitfortheexplosionforsixwearyhours!
CHAPTER39
TheExplosionandItsResultsTHEnextday，whichwasthetwenty-seventhofAugust，wasadatecelebratedinourwondroussubterraneanjourney。Ineverthinkofitevennow，butIshudderwithhorror。Myheartbeatswildlyattheverymemoryofthatawfulday。
Fromthistimeforward，ourreason，ourjudgment，ourhumaningenuity，havenothingtodowiththecourseofevents。Weareabouttobecometheplaythingofthegreatphenomenaoftheearth!
Atsixo'clockwewereallupandready。Thedreadedmomentwasarrivingwhenwewereabouttoseekanopeningintotheinterioroftheearthbymeansofgunpowder。Whatwouldbetheconsequencesofbreakingthroughthecrustoftheearth?
Ibeggedthatitmightbemydutytosetfiretothemine。I
lookeduponitasanhonor。Thistaskonceperformed，Icouldrejoinmyfriendsupontheraft，whichhadnotbeenunloaded。Assoonaswewereallready，weweretosailawaytosomedistancetoavoidtheconsequencesoftheexplosion，theeffectsofwhichwouldcertainlynotbeconcentratedintheinterioroftheearth。
Theslowmatchwecalculatedtoburnforabouttenminutes，moreorless，beforeitreachedthechamberinwhichthegreatbodyofpowderwasconfined。Ishouldthereforehaveplentyoftimetoreachtheraftandputofftoasafedistance。
Ipreparedtoexecutemyself-allottedtask-not，itmustbeconfessed，withoutconsiderableemotion。
Afteraheartyrepast，myuncleandthehunter-guideembarkedonboardtheraft，whileIremainedaloneuponthedesolateshore。