He did not speak,he roared,as,with his body thrown forward,he wrung the Canadian's shoulders.Then,leaving him,and turning to the ship of war,whose shot was still raining around him,he exclaimed,with a powerful voice,"Ah,ship of an accursed nation,you know who Iam!Ido not want your colours to know you by!
Look!and Iwill show you mine!"
And on the fore part of the platform Captain Nemo unfurled a black flag,similar to the one he had placed at the South Pole.
At that moment a shot struck the shell of the Nautilus obliquely,without piercing it;and,rebounding near the Captain,was lost in the sea.
He shrugged his shoulders;and,addressing me,said shortly,"Go down,you and your companions,go down!""Sir,"Icried,"are you going to attack this vessel?""Sir,Iam going to sink it."
"You will not do that?"
"Ishall do it,"he replied coldly."And Iadvise you not to judge me,sir.Fate has shown you what you ought not to have seen.
The attack has begun;go down."
"What is this vessel?"
"You do not know?Very well!so much the better!
Its nationality to you,at least,will be a secret.Go down!"We could but obey.About fifteen of the sailors surrounded the Captain,looking with implacable hatred at the vessel nearing them.
One could feel that the same desire of vengeance animated every soul.
Iwent down at the moment another projectile struck the Nautilus,and Iheard the Captain exclaim:
"Strike,mad vessel!Shower your useless shot!And then,you will not escape the spur of the Nautilus.But it is not here that you shall perish!
Iwould not have your ruins mingle with those of the Avenger!"Ireached my room.The Captain and his second had remained on the platform.
The screw was set in motion,and the Nautilus,moving with speed,was soon beyond the reach of the ship's guns.But the pursuit continued,and Captain Nemo contented himself with keeping his distance.
About four in the afternoon,being no longer able to contain my impatience,Iwent to the central staircase.
The panel was open,and Iventured on to the platform.
The Captain was still walking up and down with an agitated step.
He was looking at the ship,which was five or six miles to leeward.
He was going round it like a wild beast,and,drawing it eastward,he allowed them to pursue.But he did not attack.
Perhaps he still hesitated?Iwished to mediate once more.
But Ihad scarcely spoken,when Captain Nemo imposed silence,saying:
"Iam the law,and Iam the judge!Iam the oppressed,and there is the oppressor!Through him Ihave lost all that Iloved,cherished,and venerated--country,wife,children,father,and mother.
Isaw all perish!All that Ihate is there!Say no more!"Icast a last look at the man-of-war,which was putting on steam,and rejoined Ned and Conseil.
"We will fly!"Iexclaimed.
"Good!"said Ned."What is this vessel?"
"Ido not know;but,whatever it is,it will be sunk before night.
In any case,it is better to perish with it,than be made accomplices in a retaliation the justice of which we cannot judge.""That is my opinion too,"said Ned Land,coolly."Let us wait for night."Night arrived.Deep silence reigned on board.
The compass showed that the Nautilus had not altered its course.
It was on the surface,rolling slightly.My companions and Iresolved to fly when the vessel should be near enough either to hear us or to see us;for the moon,which would be full in two or three days,shone brightly.Once on board the ship,if we could not prevent the blow which threatened it,we could,at least we would,do all that circumstances would allow.
Several times Ithought the Nautilus was preparing for attack;but Captain Nemo contented himself with allowing his adversary to approach,and then fled once more before it.
Part of the night passed without any incident.We watched the opportunity for action.We spoke little,for we were too much moved.
Ned Land would have thrown himself into the sea,but Iforced him to wait.
According to my idea,the Nautilus would attack the ship at her waterline,and then it would not only be possible,but easy to fly.
At three in the morning,full of uneasiness,Imounted the platform.
Captain Nemo had not left it.He was standing at the fore part near his flag,which a slight breeze displayed above his head.He did not take his eyes from the vessel.The intensity of his look seemed to attract,and fascinate,and draw it onward more surely than if he had been towing it.
The moon was then passing the meridian.Jupiter was rising in the east.
Amid this peaceful scene of nature,sky and ocean rivalled each other in tranquillity,the sea offering to the orbs of night the finest mirror they could ever have in which to reflect their image.As Ithought of the deep calm of these elements,compared with all those passions brooding imperceptibly within the Nautilus,Ishuddered.
