The Arabian Tunnel

That same evening, in 21° 30′ N. lat., the Nautilus floated on the surface of the sea, approaching the Arabian coast. I saw Djeddah, the most important counting-house of Egypt, Syria, Turkey, and India. I distinguished clearly enough its buildings, the vessels anchored at the quays, and those whose draught of water obliged them to anchor in the roads. The sun, rather low on the horizon, struck full on the houses of the town, bringing out their whiteness. Outside, some wooden cabins, and some made of reeds, showed the quarter inhabited by the Bedouins. Soon Djeddah was shut out from view by the shadows of night, and the Nautilus found herself under water slightly phosphorescent.

That same evening, at 21° 30′ north latitude, the Nautilus floated on the surface of the sea, approaching the Arabian coast. I saw Djeddah, the most important trading center for Egypt, Syria, Turkey, and India. I could clearly make out its buildings and the ships anchored at the quays. I could also see ships anchored offshore because their drafts were too deep for the quays. The sun, low on the horizon, shone directly on the town’s houses, bringing out their whiteness. Outside the town, wooden cabins and huts made of reeds marked the quarter inhabited by the Bedouins. Soon the shadows of night hid Djeddah from view, and the Nautilus was underwater in the faintly glowing sea.

The next day, the 10th of February, we sighted several ships running to windward. The Nautilus returned to its submarine navigation; but at noon, when her bearings were taken, the sea being deserted, she rose again to her waterline.

The next day, February 10, we saw several ships sailing into the wind. The Nautilus submerged again. But at noon, when its position was checked, the sea was empty. The submarine rose again until it reached its waterline.

Accompanied by Ned and Conseil, I seated myself on the platform. The coast on the eastern side looked like a mass faintly printed upon a damp fog.

Ned, Conseil, and I sat down on the platform. To the east, the coast looked like a shape faintly printed on damp fog.

We were leaning on the sides of the pinnace, talking of one thing and another, when Ned Land, stretching out his hand towards a spot on the sea, said:

We were leaning against the sides of the pinnace, chatting about various things. Then Ned Land pointed to a spot on the sea and said:

“Do you see anything there, sir?”

“Do you see anything there, sir?”

“No, Ned,” I replied; “but I have not your eyes, you know.”

“No, Ned,” I replied, “but I don't have your eyesight, you know.”

“Look well,” said Ned, “there, on the starboard beam, about the height of the lantern! Do you not see a mass which seems to move?”

“Look closely,” said Ned. “There, off the right side of the ship, about as high as the lantern! Do you see a mass that seems to be moving?”

“Certainly,” said I, after close attention; “I see something like a long black body on the top of the water.”

“Certainly,” I said, after looking closely. “I see something like a long black body on the surface of the water.”

And certainly before long the black object was not more than a mile from us. It looked like a great sandbank deposited in the open sea. It was a gigantic dugong!

Sure enough, before long the black object was no more than a mile away. It looked like a huge sandbank in the open sea. It was a gigantic dugong!

Ned Land looked eagerly. His eyes shone with covetousness at the sight of the animal. His hand seemed ready to harpoon it. One would have thought he was awaiting the moment to throw himself into the sea and attack it in its element.

Ned Land watched eagerly. His eyes shone with desire at the sight of the animal. His hand seemed ready to harpoon it. He looked as if he were waiting for the moment to jump into the sea and attack it there.

At this instant Captain Nemo appeared on the platform. He saw the dugong, understood the Canadian’s attitude, and, addressing him, said:

At that moment, Captain Nemo appeared on the platform. He saw the dugong and understood the Canadian’s attitude. He turned to the Canadian and said:

“If you held a harpoon just now, Master Land, would it not burn your hand?”

“If you held a harpoon right now, Master Land, wouldn't it burn your hand?”

“Just so, sir.”

“Exactly, sir.”

“And you would not be sorry to go back, for one day, to your trade of a fisherman and to add this cetacean to the list of those you have already killed?”

“And you wouldn't mind returning to your work as a fisherman for one day and adding this cetacean to the list of those you've already killed?”

“I should not, sir.”

“I wouldn't, sir.”

“Well, you can try.”

“Well, you can try.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Ned Land, his eyes flaming.

“Thank you, sir,” said Ned Land, his eyes blazing.

“Only,” continued the Captain, “I advise you for your own sake not to miss the creature.”

“But,” the Captain continued, “for your own sake, I advise you not to miss the creature.”

“Is the dugong dangerous to attack?” I asked, in spite of the Canadian’s shrug of the shoulders.

“Is it dangerous to attack the dugong?” I asked, despite the Canadian’s shrug.

“Yes,” replied the Captain; “sometimes the animal turns upon its assailants and overturns their boat. But for Master Land this danger is not to be feared. His eye is prompt, his arm sure.”

“Yes,” replied the Captain. “Sometimes the animal turns on its attackers and overturns their boat. But Master Land has no need to fear this danger. His eye is quick, and his arm is steady.”

At this moment seven men of the crew, mute and immovable as ever, mounted the platform. One carried a harpoon and a line similar to those employed in catching whales. The pinnace was lifted from the bridge, pulled from its socket, and let down into the sea. Six oarsmen took their seats, and the coxswain went to the tiller. Ned, Conseil, and I went to the back of the boat.

At that moment, seven crewmen came up onto the platform. They were silent and motionless, as always. One carried a harpoon and a line like those used to catch whales. The pinnace was lifted from the bridge, pulled from its socket, and lowered into the sea. Six oarsmen took their seats, and the coxswain went to the tiller. Ned, Conseil, and I went to the back of the boat.

“You are not coming, Captain?” I asked.

“Are you not coming, Captain?” I asked.

“No, sir; but I wish you good sport.”

“No, sir, but I hope you have good luck.”

The boat put off, and, lifted by the six rowers, drew rapidly towards the dugong, which floated about two miles from the Nautilus.

The boat set off, and the six rowers quickly brought it toward the dugong. The animal floated about two miles from the Nautilus.

Arrived some cables-length from the cetacean, the speed slackened, and the oars dipped noiselessly into the quiet waters. Ned Land, harpoon in hand, stood in the fore part of the boat. The harpoon used for striking the whale is generally attached to a very long cord which runs out rapidly as the wounded creature draws it after him. But here the cord was not more than ten fathoms long, and the extremity was attached to a small barrel which, by floating, was to show the course the dugong took under the water.

When the boat came within a few cable lengths of the cetacean, it slowed down. The oars dipped silently into the calm water. Ned Land stood at the front of the boat, harpoon in hand. A whale harpoon is usually attached to a very long cord. The cord runs out quickly as the wounded whale pulls it along. But here the cord was no more than ten fathoms long. Its end was attached to a small barrel. The floating barrel would show which way the dugong went underwater.

I stood and carefully watched the Canadian’s adversary. This dugong, which also bears the name of the halicore, closely resembles the manatee; its oblong body terminated in a lengthened tail, and its lateral fins in perfect fingers. Its difference from the manatee consisted in its upper jaw, which was armed with two long and pointed teeth which formed on each side diverging tusks.

I stood and carefully watched the Canadian’s opponent. The dugong, also called the halicore, closely resembles the manatee. Its long body ended in an elongated tail, and its side fins ended in fully formed fingers. Unlike the manatee, it had two long, pointed teeth in its upper jaw. These formed tusks that pointed outward on either side.

This dugong which Ned Land was preparing to attack was of colossal dimensions; it was more than seven yards long. It did not move, and seemed to be sleeping on the waves, which circumstance made it easier to capture.

The dugong Ned Land was preparing to attack was enormous, more than seven yards long. It lay motionless, seeming to sleep on the waves, which made it easier to capture.

The boat approached within six yards of the animal. The oars rested on the rowlocks. I half rose. Ned Land, his body thrown a little back, brandished the harpoon in his experienced hand.

The boat came within six yards of the animal. The oars rested in their supports. I half rose. Ned Land leaned slightly back, waving the harpoon in his practiced hand.

Suddenly a hissing noise was heard, and the dugong disappeared. The harpoon, although thrown with great force; had apparently only struck the water.

Suddenly, a hissing sound was heard, and the dugong disappeared. Although the harpoon had been thrown with great force, it had apparently only hit the water.

“Curse it!” exclaimed the Canadian furiously; “I have missed it!”

“Damn it!” the Canadian shouted furiously. “I missed it!”

“No,” said I; “the creature is wounded—look at the blood; but your weapon has not stuck in his body.”

“No,” I said. “The creature is wounded. Look at the blood. But your weapon hasn’t stuck in its body.”

“My harpoon! my harpoon!” cried Ned Land.

“My harpoon! My harpoon!” shouted Ned Land.

The sailors rowed on, and the coxswain made for the floating barrel. The harpoon regained, we followed in pursuit of the animal.

The sailors kept rowing, and the coxswain steered toward the floating barrel. Once we recovered the harpoon, we resumed chasing the animal.

The latter came now and then to the surface to breathe. Its wound had not weakened it, for it shot onwards with great rapidity.

The latter came to the surface now and then to breathe. Its wound had not weakened it, because it sped onward very quickly.

The boat, rowed by strong arms, flew on its track. Several times it approached within some few yards, and the Canadian was ready to strike, but the dugong made off with a sudden plunge, and it was impossible to reach it.

Propelled by strong rowers, the boat sped along. Several times, it came within a few yards of the dugong. The Canadian was ready to strike, but the dugong suddenly dove away. It was impossible to reach it.

Imagine the passion which excited impatient Ned Land! He hurled at the unfortunate creature the most energetic expletives in the English tongue. For my part, I was only vexed to see the dugong escape all our attacks.

Imagine how furious the impatient Ned Land was! He hurled the strongest English curses at the unfortunate creature. For my part, I was only annoyed to see the dugong escape all our attacks.

We pursued it without relaxation for an hour, and I began to think it would prove difficult to capture, when the animal, possessed with the perverse idea of vengeance of which he had cause to repent, turned upon the pinnace and assailed us in its turn.

We pursued it without stopping for an hour, and I began to think it would be difficult to capture. Then the animal turned on the pinnace and attacked us, driven by a perverse desire for revenge that it would come to regret.

This manœuvre did not escape the Canadian.

The Canadian noticed this maneuver.

“Look out!” he cried.

“Look out!” he cried.

The coxswain said some words in his outlandish tongue, doubtless warning the men to keep on their guard.

The coxswain said a few words in his strange language, no doubt warning the men to stay alert.

The dugong came within twenty feet of the boat, stopped, sniffed the air briskly with its large nostrils (not pierced at the extremity, but in the upper part of its muzzle). Then, taking a spring, he threw himself upon us.

The dugong came within twenty feet of the boat and stopped. It sniffed the air briskly with its large nostrils. They were on the upper part of its muzzle, not at the tip. Then it leaped at us.

The pinnace could not avoid the shock, and half upset, shipped at least two tons of water, which had to be emptied; but, thanks to the coxswain, we caught it sideways, not full front, so we were not quite overturned. While Ned Land, clinging to the bows, belaboured the gigantic animal with blows from his harpoon, the creature’s teeth were buried in the gunwale, and it lifted the whole thing out of the water, as a lion does a roebuck. We were upset over one another, and I know not how the adventure would have ended, if the Canadian, still enraged with the beast, had not struck it to the heart.

The pinnace could not avoid the collision. It nearly capsized and took on at least two tons of water, which had to be emptied out. But thanks to the coxswain, we struck the creature sideways rather than head-on, so we were not completely overturned. Ned Land clung to the bow, striking the gigantic animal again and again with his harpoon. Meanwhile, the creature sank its teeth into the gunwale and lifted the entire boat out of the water, as a lion lifts a roe deer. We were thrown on top of one another. I do not know how the adventure would have ended if the Canadian, still enraged at the beast, had not struck it through the heart.

I heard its teeth grind on the iron plate, and the dugong disappeared, carrying the harpoon with him. But the barrel soon returned to the surface, and shortly after the body of the animal, turned on its back. The boat came up with it, took it in tow, and made straight for the Nautilus.

I heard its teeth grind against the iron plate, and the dugong disappeared, taking the harpoon with it. But the barrel soon rose to the surface. Shortly afterward, the animal’s body appeared, floating on its back. The boat caught up with the dugong, took it in tow, and headed straight for the Nautilus.

It required tackle of enormous strength to hoist the dugong on to the platform. It weighed 10,000 lbs.

It took extremely strong lifting equipment to hoist the dugong onto the platform. It weighed 10,000 pounds.

The next day, 11th February, the larder of the Nautilus was enriched by some more delicate game. A flight of sea-swallows rested on the Nautilus. It was a species of the Sterna nilotica, peculiar to Egypt; its beak is black, head grey and pointed, the eye surrounded by white spots, the back, wings, and tail of a greyish colour, the belly and throat white, and claws red. They also took some dozen of Nile ducks, a wild bird of high flavour, its throat and upper part of the head white with black spots.

The next day, 11th February, the Nautilus’s larder gained some more delicate game. A flock of sea-swallows landed on the Nautilus. They belonged to the species Sterna nilotica, found only in Egypt. Their beaks were black, and their heads were grey and pointed, with white spots around the eyes. Their backs, wings, and tails were greyish. Their bellies and throats were white, and their claws were red. They also caught about a dozen Nile ducks, wild birds with a rich flavour. The ducks’ throats and the tops of their heads were white with black spots.

About five o’clock in the evening we sighted to the north the Cape of Ras-Mohammed. This cape forms the extremity of Arabia Petraea, comprised between the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Acabah.

At about five in the evening, we spotted the Cape of Ras-Mohammed to the north. The cape forms the tip of Arabia Petraea, between the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Acabah.

The Nautilus penetrated into the Straits of Jubal, which leads to the Gulf of Suez. I distinctly saw a high mountain, towering between the two gulfs of Ras-Mohammed. It was Mount Horeb, that Sinai at the top of which Moses saw God face to face.

The Nautilus entered the Straits of Jubal, which lead to the Gulf of Suez. I could clearly see a high mountain towering between the two gulfs of Ras-Mohammed. It was Mount Horeb, the Sinai where Moses saw God face to face at the summit.

At six o’clock the Nautilus, sometimes floating, sometimes immersed, passed some distance from Tor, situated at the end of the bay, the waters of which seemed tinted with red, an observation already made by Captain Nemo. Then night fell in the midst of a heavy silence, sometimes broken by the cries of the pelican and other night-birds, and the noise of the waves breaking upon the shore, chafing against the rocks, or the panting of some far-off steamer beating the waters of the Gulf with its noisy paddles.

At six o’clock, the Nautilus passed some distance from Tor, sometimes floating on the surface and sometimes submerged. Tor lay at the end of the bay, whose waters seemed tinged with red, as Captain Nemo had already observed. Then night fell amid a heavy silence. It was broken at times by the cries of pelicans and other night birds, and by waves breaking on the shore or washing against the rocks. Sometimes the panting of a distant steamer could be heard as its noisy paddles beat the waters of the Gulf.

From eight to nine o’clock the Nautilus remained some fathoms under the water. According to my calculation we must have been very near Suez. Through the panel of the saloon I saw the bottom of the rocks brilliantly lit up by our electric lamp. We seemed to be leaving the Straits behind us more and more.

From eight to nine o’clock, the Nautilus stayed a few fathoms underwater. By my calculation, we must have been very near Suez. Through the saloon window, I saw the rocky bottom, brightly lit by our electric lamp. We seemed to be leaving the Straits farther and farther behind.

At a quarter-past nine, the vessel having returned to the surface, I mounted the platform. Most impatient to pass through Captain Nemo’s tunnel, I could not stay in one place, so came to breathe the fresh night air.

At a quarter past nine, the vessel returned to the surface, and I climbed onto the platform. I was so eager to pass through Captain Nemo’s tunnel that I couldn’t stay in one place. So I came up to breathe the fresh night air.

Soon in the shadow I saw a pale light, half discoloured by the fog, shining about a mile from us.

Soon I saw a pale light shining in the darkness about a mile away, its color partly obscured by the fog.

“A floating lighthouse!” said someone near me.

“A floating lighthouse!” said someone near me.

I turned, and saw the Captain.

I turned and saw the Captain.

“It is the floating light of Suez,” he continued. “It will not be long before we gain the entrance of the tunnel.”

“That’s the floating light at Suez,” he continued. “We’ll soon reach the entrance to the tunnel.”

“The entrance cannot be easy?”

“Getting in can't be easy?”

“No, sir; for that reason I am accustomed to go into the steersman’s cage and myself direct our course. And now, if you will go down, M. Aronnax, the Nautilus is going under the waves, and will not return to the surface until we have passed through the Arabian Tunnel.”

“No, sir. For that reason, I usually go into the steersman’s cage and direct our course myself. Now, if you will go down, M. Aronnax, the Nautilus is going under the waves. It will not return to the surface until we have passed through the Arabian Tunnel.”

Captain Nemo led me towards the central staircase; half way down he opened a door, traversed the upper deck, and landed in the pilot’s cage, which it may be remembered rose at the extremity of the platform. It was a cabin measuring six feet square, very much like that occupied by the pilot on the steamboats of the Mississippi or Hudson. In the midst worked a wheel, placed vertically, and caught to the tiller-rope, which ran to the back of the Nautilus. Four light-ports with lenticular glasses, let in a groove in the partition of the cabin, allowed the man at the wheel to see in all directions.

Captain Nemo led me toward the central staircase. Halfway down, he opened a door and crossed the upper deck to the pilot’s cabin. As you may remember, the cabin rose above the far end of the platform. It measured six feet square and was much like a pilot’s cabin on a Mississippi or Hudson steamboat. In the center stood a vertical wheel connected to the tiller rope, which ran to the back of the Nautilus. Four windows with lens-shaped glass were set into grooves in the cabin walls. They allowed the man at the wheel to see in all directions.

This cabin was dark; but soon my eyes accustomed themselves to the obscurity, and I perceived the pilot, a strong man, with his hands resting on the spokes of the wheel. Outside, the sea appeared vividly lit up by the lantern, which shed its rays from the back of the cabin to the other extremity of the platform.

The cabin was dark, but my eyes soon adjusted. I saw the pilot, a strong man, resting his hands on the spokes of the wheel. Outside, the sea was brightly lit by the lantern. Its rays reached from the back of the cabin to the far end of the platform.

“Now,” said Captain Nemo, “let us try to make our passage.”

“Now,” said Captain Nemo, “let’s try to get through.”

Electric wires connected the pilot’s cage with the machinery room, and from there the Captain could communicate simultaneously to his Nautilus the direction and the speed. He pressed a metal knob, and at once the speed of the screw diminished.

Electric wires connected the pilot’s cage to the engine room. From the cage, the Captain could control the direction and speed of his Nautilus at the same time. He pressed a metal button, and the propeller immediately slowed down.

I looked in silence at the high straight wall we were running by at this moment, the immovable base of a massive sandy coast. We followed it thus for an hour only some few yards off.

I watched silently as we passed a high, straight wall, the solid base of a massive sandy coast. We followed it for an hour, only a few yards away.

Captain Nemo did not take his eye from the knob, suspended by its two concentric circles in the cabin. At a simple gesture, the pilot modified the course of the Nautilus every instant.

Captain Nemo kept his eye on the knob, suspended in the cabin by two concentric circles. At a simple gesture, the pilot adjusted the course of the Nautilus at every moment.

I had placed myself at the port-scuttle, and saw some magnificent substructures of coral, zoophytes, seaweed, and fucus, agitating their enormous claws, which stretched out from the fissures of the rock.

I stood at the porthole and saw magnificent formations of coral, zoophytes, seaweed, and fucus. Their enormous claws waved as they stretched out from cracks in the rock.

At a quarter-past ten, the Captain himself took the helm. A large gallery, black and deep, opened before us. The Nautilus went boldly into it. A strange roaring was heard round its sides. It was the waters of the Red Sea, which the incline of the tunnel precipitated violently towards the Mediterranean. The Nautilus went with the torrent, rapid as an arrow, in spite of the efforts of the machinery, which, in order to offer more effective resistance, beat the waves with reversed screw.

At 10:15, the Captain himself took the helm. A large, dark, deep tunnel opened before us. The Nautilus boldly entered it. A strange roar sounded around its sides. It was the water of the Red Sea, rushing violently down the sloping tunnel toward the Mediterranean. The Nautilus raced with the torrent, as fast as an arrow. Its engines tried to slow it down by turning the propeller in reverse, but could not hold it back.

On the walls of the narrow passage I could see nothing but brilliant rays, straight lines, furrows of fire, traced by the great speed, under the brilliant electric light. My heart beat fast.

On the walls of the narrow passage, I could see only bright rays, straight lines, and streaks of fire. The great speed traced them in the brilliant electric light. My heart raced.

At thirty-five minutes past ten, Captain Nemo quitted the helm, and, turning to me, said:

At 10:35, Captain Nemo left the helm, turned to me, and said:

“The Mediterranean!”

“The Mediterranean!”

In less than twenty minutes, the Nautilus, carried along by the torrent, had passed through the Isthmus of Suez.

In less than twenty minutes, the current carried the Nautilus through the Isthmus of Suez.