That, sir, is being done at this moment. You can hear the pump working. Look at the needle of the manometer; it shows that the Nautilus is rising, but the block of ice is rising with it; and, until some obstacle stops its ascending motion, our position cannot be altered. Just the liberty to go, to come, to see, to observe even all that passes here-save under rare circumstances-the liberty, in short, which we enjoy ourselves, my companions and I. We all three followed in a few seconds, saved by a miracle, and reached the fisherman's boat. Never, sir! he said, hastily interrupting me.
Curious anomaly! fantastic element, said an ingenious naturalist, in which the animal kingdom blossoms, and the vegetable does not! Be quiet, Master Land; and you, professor, will you be so good as to listen to me? Indeed! Is that a fact? Where could one find greater solitude or silence, professor? replied Captain Nemo. Did your study in the Museum afford you such perfect quiet?
If you like, professor. I admit, captain, that I am not yet very familiar with that kind of fish. I told my companions what had passed. They were as much astonished as I, and equally at a loss how to account for it. Really, I said, astonished at these marvels, nothing can be more simple.