Vigo Bay

The Atlantic! a vast sheet of water whose superficial area covers twenty-five millions of square miles, the length of which is nine thousand miles, with a mean breadth of two thousand seven hundred—an ocean whose parallel winding shores embrace an immense circumference, watered by the largest rivers of the world, the St. Lawrence, the Mississippi, the Amazon, the Plata, the Orinoco, the Niger, the Senegal, the Elbe, the Loire, and the Rhine, which carry water from the most civilised, as well as from the most savage, countries! Magnificent field of water, incessantly ploughed by vessels of every nation, sheltered by the flags of every nation, and which terminates in those two terrible points so dreaded by mariners, Cape Horn and the Cape of Tempests.

The Atlantic! A vast expanse of water covering twenty-five million square miles. It is nine thousand miles long and averages two thousand seven hundred miles wide. Its winding, roughly parallel shores form an immense coastline. The world’s largest rivers flow into it: the St. Lawrence, the Mississippi, the Amazon, the Plata, the Orinoco, the Niger, the Senegal, the Elbe, the Loire, and the Rhine. They carry water from the most civilized countries as well as the most savage! This magnificent expanse is constantly crossed by ships from every nation, sailing under the flags of every nation. It ends at two terrible points feared by sailors, Cape Horn and the Cape of Tempests.

The Nautilus was piercing the water with its sharp spur, after having accomplished nearly ten thousand leagues in three months and a half, a distance greater than the great circle of the earth. Where were we going now, and what was reserved for the future? The Nautilus, leaving the Straits of Gibraltar, had gone far out. It returned to the surface of the waves, and our daily walks on the platform were restored to us.

The Nautilus cut through the water with its sharp spur. In three and a half months, it had traveled nearly ten thousand leagues, farther than the distance around the earth. Where were we going now, and what did the future hold? The Nautilus had left the Straits of Gibraltar and traveled far out to sea. It returned to the surface, and we could once again take our daily walks on the platform.

I mounted at once, accompanied by Ned Land and Conseil. At a distance of about twelve miles, Cape St. Vincent was dimly to be seen, forming the south-western point of the Spanish peninsula. A strong southerly gale was blowing. The sea was swollen and billowy; it made the Nautilus rock violently. It was almost impossible to keep one’s foot on the platform, which the heavy rolls of the sea beat over every instant. So we descended after inhaling some mouthfuls of fresh air.

I went up at once, accompanied by Ned Land and Conseil. About twelve miles away, Cape St. Vincent was faintly visible. It formed the southwestern point of the Spanish peninsula. A strong wind was blowing from the south. The sea was rough and full of waves, rocking the Nautilus violently. It was almost impossible to keep our footing on the platform, which the heavy waves swept over constantly. So we went back down after taking a few breaths of fresh air.

I returned to my room, Conseil to his cabin; but the Canadian, with a preoccupied air, followed me. Our rapid passage across the Mediterranean had not allowed him to put his project into execution, and he could not help showing his disappointment. When the door of my room was shut, he sat down and looked at me silently.

I returned to my room, and Conseil went to his cabin, but the Canadian followed me, looking distracted. Our rapid passage across the Mediterranean had not given him a chance to carry out his plan. He could not hide his disappointment. Once the door to my room was closed, he sat down and looked at me silently.

“Friend Ned,” said I, “I understand you; but you cannot reproach yourself. To have attempted to leave the Nautilus under the circumstances would have been folly.”

“Friend Ned,” I said, “I understand you, but you can't blame yourself. It would have been foolish to try to leave the Nautilus under those circumstances.”

Ned Land did not answer; his compressed lips and frowning brow showed with him the violent possession this fixed idea had taken of his mind.

Ned Land did not answer. His tightly pressed lips and furrowed brow showed how fiercely the idea had gripped him.

“Let us see,” I continued; “we need not despair yet. We are going up the coast of Portugal again; France and England are not far off, where we can easily find refuge. Now if the Nautilus, on leaving the Straits of Gibraltar, had gone to the south, if it had carried us towards regions where there were no continents, I should share your uneasiness. But we know now that Captain Nemo does not fly from civilised seas, and in some days I think you can act with security.”

“Let’s see,” I continued. “We don’t need to despair yet. We’re heading up the coast of Portugal again. France and England are not far away, and we can easily find refuge there. Now, suppose the Nautilus had turned south after leaving the Straits of Gibraltar. If it had carried us toward regions without any continents, I would share your concern. But we now know that Captain Nemo does not avoid civilized seas. I think you can act safely in a few days.”

Ned Land still looked at me fixedly; at length his fixed lips parted, and he said, “It is for to-night.”

Ned Land kept staring at me. At last, his motionless lips parted, and he said, “It’s for tonight.”

I drew myself up suddenly. I was, I admit, little prepared for this communication. I wanted to answer the Canadian, but words would not come.

I suddenly straightened up. I admit, I was hardly prepared for what the Canadian told me. I wanted to answer him, but I couldn't find the words.

“We agreed to wait for an opportunity,” continued Ned Land, “and the opportunity has arrived. This night we shall be but a few miles from the Spanish coast. It is cloudy. The wind blows freely. I have your word, M. Aronnax, and I rely upon you.”

“We agreed to wait for an opportunity,” Ned Land continued, “and the opportunity has arrived. Tonight we’ll be only a few miles from the Spanish coast. It’s cloudy. The wind is blowing freely. You gave me your word, M. Aronnax, and I’m counting on you.”

As I was silent, the Canadian approached me.

As I remained silent, the Canadian came over to me.

“To-night, at nine o’clock,” said he. “I have warned Conseil. At that moment Captain Nemo will be shut up in his room, probably in bed. Neither the engineers nor the ship’s crew can see us. Conseil and I will gain the central staircase, and you, M. Aronnax, will remain in the library, two steps from us, waiting my signal. The oars, the mast, and the sail are in the canoe. I have even succeeded in getting some provisions. I have procured an English wrench, to unfasten the bolts which attach it to the shell of the Nautilus. So all is ready, till to-night.”

“Tonight, at nine o’clock,” he said. “I have told Conseil. By then, Captain Nemo will be shut in his room, probably in bed. Neither the engineers nor the crew can see us. Conseil and I will go to the central staircase. You, M. Aronnax, will stay in the library, two steps away from us, and wait for my signal. The oars, mast, and sail are in the canoe. I have even managed to get some provisions. I have an adjustable wrench to loosen the bolts that attach the canoe to the hull of the Nautilus. So everything is ready for tonight.”

“The sea is bad.”

“The sea is bad.”

“That I allow,” replied the Canadian; “but we must risk that. Liberty is worth paying for; besides, the boat is strong, and a few miles with a fair wind to carry us is no great thing. Who knows but by to-morrow we may be a hundred leagues away? Let circumstances only favour us, and by ten or eleven o’clock we shall have landed on some spot of terra firma, alive or dead. But adieu now till to-night.”

“I admit that,” replied the Canadian, “but we must take the risk. Freedom is worth paying for. Besides, the boat is strong, and a few miles with a favorable wind is no great distance. Who knows? By tomorrow we may be a hundred leagues away. If circumstances favor us, we shall land somewhere on solid ground by ten or eleven o’clock, alive or dead. But goodbye for now, until tonight.”

With these words the Canadian withdrew, leaving me almost dumb. I had imagined that, the chance gone, I should have time to reflect and discuss the matter. My obstinate companion had given me no time; and, after all, what could I have said to him? Ned Land was perfectly right. There was almost the opportunity to profit by. Could I retract my word, and take upon myself the responsibility of compromising the future of my companions? To-morrow Captain Nemo might take us far from all land.

With those words, the Canadian left me almost speechless. I had imagined that, once the chance had passed, I would have time to think and discuss the matter. My stubborn companion had given me no time. And after all, what could I have said to him? Ned Land was perfectly right. The opportunity to escape was almost here. Could I go back on my word and risk ruining my companions' future? Tomorrow Captain Nemo might take us far from land.

At that moment a rather loud hissing noise told me that the reservoirs were filling, and that the Nautilus was sinking under the waves of the Atlantic.

At that moment, a fairly loud hiss told me the tanks were filling. The Nautilus was sinking beneath the Atlantic waves.

A sad day I passed, between the desire of regaining my liberty of action and of abandoning the wonderful Nautilus, and leaving my submarine studies incomplete.

I spent a sad day torn between wanting my freedom and leaving the wonderful Nautilus and my underwater studies unfinished.

What dreadful hours I passed thus! Sometimes seeing myself and companions safely landed, sometimes wishing, in spite of my reason, that some unforeseen circumstance, would prevent the realisation of Ned Land’s project.

What dreadful hours I spent like this! Sometimes I imagined my companions and myself safely ashore. At other times, despite my better judgment, I wished something unexpected would prevent Ned Land’s plan from succeeding.

Twice I went to the saloon. I wished to consult the compass. I wished to see if the direction the Nautilus was taking was bringing us nearer or taking us farther from the coast. But no; the Nautilus kept in Portuguese waters.

Twice I went to the saloon to check the compass. I wanted to see whether the Nautilus was heading toward or away from the coast. But no, the Nautilus remained in Portuguese waters.

I must therefore take my part and prepare for flight. My luggage was not heavy; my notes, nothing more.

So I had to do my part and prepare to escape. I had little to carry, only my notes.

As to Captain Nemo, I asked myself what he would think of our escape; what trouble, what wrong it might cause him and what he might do in case of its discovery or failure. Certainly I had no cause to complain of him; on the contrary, never was hospitality freer than his. In leaving him I could not be taxed with ingratitude. No oath bound us to him. It was on the strength of circumstances he relied, and not upon our word, to fix us for ever.

As for Captain Nemo, I wondered what he would think of our escape. What trouble or harm might it cause him? What might he do if he discovered our plan or if it failed? I certainly had no reason to complain about him. On the contrary, no one could have been more generous with his hospitality. Still, I could not be accused of ingratitude for leaving him. We had made no promise to him. He relied on circumstances, not our word, to keep us with him forever.

I had not seen the Captain since our visit to the Island of Santorin. Would chance bring me to his presence before our departure? I wished it, and I feared it at the same time. I listened if I could hear him walking the room contiguous to mine. No sound reached my ear. I felt an unbearable uneasiness. This day of waiting seemed eternal. Hours struck too slowly to keep pace with my impatience.

I had not seen the Captain since our visit to the Island of Santorin. Would I happen to see him before we left? I both hoped and feared I would. I listened for his footsteps in the room next to mine, but I heard nothing. I felt unbearably uneasy. This day of waiting seemed endless. The hours passed too slowly for my impatient mind.

My dinner was served in my room as usual. I ate but little; I was too preoccupied. I left the table at seven o’clock. A hundred and twenty minutes (I counted them) still separated me from the moment in which I was to join Ned Land. My agitation redoubled. My pulse beat violently. I could not remain quiet. I went and came, hoping to calm my troubled spirit by constant movement. The idea of failure in our bold enterprise was the least painful of my anxieties; but the thought of seeing our project discovered before leaving the Nautilus, of being brought before Captain Nemo, irritated, or (what was worse) saddened, at my desertion, made my heart beat.

Dinner was served in my room as usual. I ate very little because I was too preoccupied. I left the table at seven o’clock. I still had 120 minutes before I was to join Ned Land. I counted them. My agitation grew even worse. My pulse raced. I could not sit still. I paced back and forth, hoping that constant movement would calm my troubled mind. The possibility that our bold plan might fail was the least painful of my worries. But our plan might be discovered before we left the Nautilus. I might be brought before Captain Nemo, angry or, worse still, saddened by my desertion. That thought made my heart race.

I wanted to see the saloon for the last time. I descended the stairs and arrived in the museum, where I had passed so many useful and agreeable hours. I looked at all its riches, all its treasures, like a man on the eve of an eternal exile, who was leaving never to return.

I wanted to see the saloon one last time. I went downstairs to the museum, where I had spent so many useful and pleasant hours. I looked at all its riches and treasures. I felt like a man about to go into exile forever, leaving a place he would never see again.

These wonders of Nature, these masterpieces of art, amongst which for so many days my life had been concentrated, I was going to abandon them for ever! I should like to have taken a last look through the windows of the saloon into the waters of the Atlantic: but the panels were hermetically closed, and a cloak of steel separated me from that ocean which I had not yet explored.

I was going to leave these wonders of nature and masterpieces of art behind forever! My life had centered on them for so many days. I wanted one last look through the lounge windows into the Atlantic. But the panels were sealed shut, and a layer of steel separated me from the ocean I had not yet explored.

In passing through the saloon, I came near the door let into the angle which opened into the Captain’s room. To my great surprise, this door was ajar. I drew back involuntarily. If Captain Nemo should be in his room, he could see me. But, hearing no sound, I drew nearer. The room was deserted. I pushed open the door and took some steps forward. Still the same monklike severity of aspect.

As I passed through the saloon, I came near the door in the corner that led to Captain Nemo’s room. To my great surprise, the door was partly open. I instinctively stepped back. If Captain Nemo was in his room, he could see me. But I heard no sound, so I moved closer. The room was empty. I pushed the door open and took a few steps inside. The room still had the same austere, monklike appearance.

Suddenly the clock struck eight. The first beat of the hammer on the bell awoke me from my dreams. I trembled as if an invisible eye had plunged into my most secret thoughts, and I hurried from the room.

Suddenly the clock struck eight. The first strike of the hammer on the bell woke me from my dreams. I trembled as if an invisible eye had seen my most secret thoughts, and I hurried out of the room.

There my eye fell upon the compass. Our course was still north. The log indicated moderate speed, the manometer a depth of about sixty feet.

There I noticed the compass. We were still heading north. The speed log showed a moderate speed, and the depth gauge showed about sixty feet.

I returned to my room, clothed myself warmly—sea boots, an otterskin cap, a great coat of byssus, lined with sealskin; I was ready, I was waiting. The vibration of the screw alone broke the deep silence which reigned on board. I listened attentively. Would no loud voice suddenly inform me that Ned Land had been surprised in his projected flight. A mortal dread hung over me, and I vainly tried to regain my accustomed coolness.

I returned to my room and dressed warmly in sea boots, an otter-skin cap, and a sealskin-lined byssus coat. I was ready, and I waited. Only the vibration of the propeller broke the deep silence on board. I listened carefully. Would a loud voice suddenly announce that Ned Land had been caught trying to escape? I was terrified, and I tried in vain to regain my usual calm.

At a few minutes to nine, I put my ear to the Captain’s door. No noise. I left my room and returned to the saloon, which was half in obscurity, but deserted.

A few minutes before nine, I put my ear to the Captain’s door. I heard nothing. I left my room and returned to the saloon. It was dimly lit and empty.

I opened the door communicating with the library. The same insufficient light, the same solitude. I placed myself near the door leading to the central staircase, and there waited for Ned Land’s signal.

I opened the door to the library. It was just as dim and empty as before. I stood near the door to the central staircase and waited for Ned Land’s signal.

At that moment the trembling of the screw sensibly diminished, then it stopped entirely. The silence was now only disturbed by the beatings of my own heart. Suddenly a slight shock was felt; and I knew that the Nautilus had stopped at the bottom of the ocean. My uneasiness increased. The Canadian’s signal did not come. I felt inclined to join Ned Land and beg of him to put off his attempt. I felt that we were not sailing under our usual conditions.

At that moment, the propeller’s vibration noticeably slowed, then stopped entirely. The only sound was the beating of my own heart. Suddenly, I felt a slight bump. I knew that the Nautilus had stopped at the bottom of the ocean. My anxiety grew. The Canadian’s signal did not come. I felt like joining Ned Land and begging him to postpone his attempt. I sensed that we were not sailing under our usual conditions.

At this moment the door of the large saloon opened, and Captain Nemo appeared. He saw me, and without further preamble began in an amiable tone of voice:

Just then, the door to the large saloon opened, and Captain Nemo appeared. He saw me and began speaking at once in a friendly tone:

“Ah, sir! I have been looking for you. Do you know the history of Spain?”

“Ah, sir! I've been looking for you. Do you know the history of Spain?”

Now, one might know the history of one’s own country by heart; but in the condition I was at the time, with troubled mind and head quite lost, I could not have said a word of it.

A person might know the history of their own country by heart. But at the time, I was so confused and troubled that I could not have said a word of it.

“Well,” continued Captain Nemo, “you heard my question! Do you know the history of Spain?”

“Well,” Captain Nemo continued, “you heard my question! Do you know the history of Spain?”

“Very slightly,” I answered.

“Very slightly,” I said.

“Well, here are learned men having to learn,” said the Captain. “Come, sit down, and I will tell you a curious episode in this history. Sir, listen well,” said he; “this history will interest you on one side, for it will answer a question which doubtless you have not been able to solve.”

“Well, even learned men have something to learn,” said the Captain. “Come, sit down, and I will tell you about a curious episode in this history. Sir, listen carefully,” he said. “This history will interest you for one reason: it will answer a question you have no doubt been unable to solve.”

“I listen, Captain,” said I, not knowing what my interlocutor was driving at, and asking myself if this incident was bearing on our projected flight.

“I’m listening, Captain,” I said. I didn’t know what he was getting at, and I wondered if this incident had anything to do with our planned escape.

“Sir, if you have no objection, we will go back to 1702. You cannot be ignorant that your king, Louis XIV, thinking that the gesture of a potentate was sufficient to bring the Pyrenees under his yoke, had imposed the Duke of Anjou, his grandson, on the Spaniards. This prince reigned more or less badly under the name of Philip V, and had a strong party against him abroad. Indeed, the preceding year, the royal houses of Holland, Austria, and England had concluded a treaty of alliance at the Hague, with the intention of plucking the crown of Spain from the head of Philip V, and placing it on that of an archduke to whom they prematurely gave the title of Charles III.

“Sir, if you have no objection, let us go back to 1702. You must know that your king, Louis XIV, imposed his grandson, the Duke of Anjou, on the Spaniards. He thought a ruler’s gesture was enough to bring the Pyrenees under his control. The prince ruled more or less badly under the name Philip V, and faced strong opposition abroad. Indeed, the previous year, the royal houses of Holland, Austria, and England had formed an alliance at the Hague. They intended to snatch the Spanish crown from Philip V and place it on an archduke’s head. They had already given the archduke the title of Charles III, though it was too soon for that.

“Spain must resist this coalition; but she was almost entirely unprovided with either soldiers or sailors. However, money would not fail them, provided that their galleons, laden with gold and silver from America, once entered their ports. And about the end of 1702 they expected a rich convoy which France was escorting with a fleet of twenty-three vessels, commanded by Admiral Chateau-Renaud, for the ships of the coalition were already beating the Atlantic. This convoy was to go to Cadiz, but the Admiral, hearing that an English fleet was cruising in those waters, resolved to make for a French port.

“Spain had to resist this coalition, but she had almost no soldiers or sailors. Still, she would have enough money if her galleons, loaded with gold and silver from America, reached her ports. Around the end of 1702, Spain expected a valuable convoy. France was escorting it with a fleet of twenty-three ships commanded by Admiral Chateau-Renaud, because the coalition’s ships were already patrolling the Atlantic. The convoy was supposed to go to Cadiz. But the Admiral heard that an English fleet was patrolling those waters, so he decided to head for a French port.

“The Spanish commanders of the convoy objected to this decision. They wanted to be taken to a Spanish port, and, if not to Cadiz, into Vigo Bay, situated on the northwest coast of Spain, and which was not blocked.

“The Spanish commanders of the convoy objected to this decision. They wanted to be taken to a Spanish port. If they could not go to Cadiz, they wanted to go to Vigo Bay. The bay was on Spain’s northwest coast and was not blockaded.

“Admiral Chateau-Renaud had the rashness to obey this injunction, and the galleons entered Vigo Bay.

“Admiral Chateau-Renaud rashly obeyed the order, and the galleons entered Vigo Bay.

“Unfortunately, it formed an open road which could not be defended in any way. They must therefore hasten to unload the galleons before the arrival of the combined fleet; and time would not have failed them had not a miserable question of rivalry suddenly arisen.

“Unfortunately, it formed an open road that could not be defended at all. So they had to hurry to unload the galleons before the combined fleet arrived. They would have had enough time if a miserable dispute over rivalry had not suddenly arisen.

“You are following the chain of events?” asked Captain Nemo.

“Are you following what happened?” asked Captain Nemo.

“Perfectly,” said I, not knowing the end proposed by this historical lesson.

“Perfectly,” I said, not knowing the purpose of this history lesson.

“I will continue. This is what passed. The merchants of Cadiz had a privilege by which they had the right of receiving all merchandise coming from the West Indies. Now, to disembark these ingots at the port of Vigo was depriving them of their rights. They complained at Madrid, and obtained the consent of the weak-minded Philip that the convoy, without discharging its cargo, should remain sequestered in the roads of Vigo until the enemy had disappeared.

“I will continue. This is what happened. The merchants of Cadiz had the exclusive right to receive all merchandise coming from the West Indies. Unloading these ingots at the port of Vigo would deprive them of that right. They complained in Madrid and won the consent of the weak-minded Philip. He agreed that the convoy should remain confined in the Vigo roadstead, without unloading its cargo, until the enemy had disappeared.

“But whilst coming to this decision, on the 22nd of October, 1702, the English vessels arrived in Vigo Bay, when Admiral Chateau-Renaud, in spite of inferior forces, fought bravely. But, seeing that the treasure must fall into the enemy’s hands, he burnt and scuttled every galleon, which went to the bottom with their immense riches.”

“But while this decision was being made, the English ships arrived in Vigo Bay on October 22, 1702. Admiral Chateau-Renaud fought bravely, though his forces were outnumbered. But he saw that the treasure would fall into enemy hands, so he burned and sank every galleon. The ships went to the bottom with all their immense riches.”

Captain Nemo stopped. I admit I could not see yet why this history should interest me.

Captain Nemo stopped. I admit I still couldn't see why his story should interest me.

“Well?” I asked.

“Well?” I asked.

“Well, M. Aronnax,” replied Captain Nemo, “we are in that Vigo Bay; and it rests with yourself whether you will penetrate its mysteries.”

“Well, M. Aronnax,” replied Captain Nemo, “we are in Vigo Bay. It is up to you whether to explore its mysteries.”

The Captain rose, telling me to follow him. I had had time to recover. I obeyed. The saloon was dark, but through the transparent glass the waves were sparkling. I looked.

The Captain stood up and told me to follow him. I had had time to recover, so I obeyed. The saloon was dark, but the waves sparkled through the clear glass. I looked.

For half a mile around the Nautilus, the waters seemed bathed in electric light. The sandy bottom was clean and bright. Some of the ship’s crew in their diving-dresses were clearing away half-rotten barrels and empty cases from the midst of the blackened wrecks. From these cases and from these barrels escaped ingots of gold and silver, cascades of piastres and jewels. The sand was heaped up with them. Laden with their precious booty, the men returned to the Nautilus, disposed of their burden, and went back to this inexhaustible fishery of gold and silver.

For half a mile around the Nautilus, the water seemed bathed in electric light. The sandy bottom was clean and bright. Some of the ship’s crew, wearing diving suits, were clearing half-rotten barrels and empty crates from among the blackened wrecks. Gold and silver bars, along with cascades of piastres and jewels, spilled from the crates and barrels. They lay in heaps on the sand. Loaded with their precious treasure, the men returned to the Nautilus and unloaded it. Then they went back to this endless harvest of gold and silver.

I understood now. This was the scene of the battle of the 22nd of October, 1702. Here on this very spot the galleons laden for the Spanish Government had sunk. Here Captain Nemo came, according to his wants, to pack up those millions with which he burdened the Nautilus. It was for him and him alone America had given up her precious metals. He was heir direct, without anyone to share, in those treasures torn from the Incas and from the conquered of Ferdinand Cortez.

Now I understood. This was the site of the battle of October 22, 1702. Right here, the galleons carrying treasure for the Spanish Government had sunk. Captain Nemo came here whenever he needed to gather the millions he loaded aboard the Nautilus. America had given up her precious metals for him alone. He was the sole heir to those treasures, taken from the Incas and the peoples conquered by Ferdinand Cortez.

“Did you know, sir,” he asked, smiling, “that the sea contained such riches?”

“Did you know, sir,” he asked with a smile, “that the sea held such riches?”

“I knew,” I answered, “that they value money held in suspension in these waters at two millions.”

“I knew,” I replied, “that they estimated the money suspended in these waters was worth two million.”

“Doubtless; but to extract this money the expense would be greater than the profit. Here, on the contrary, I have but to pick up what man has lost—and not only in Vigo Bay, but in a thousand other ports where shipwrecks have happened, and which are marked on my submarine map. Can you understand now the source of the millions I am worth?”

“Of course. But extracting this money would cost more than it would bring in. Here, by contrast, I only have to pick up what people have lost. I do this not only in Vigo Bay, but in a thousand other ports where ships have wrecked. Those ports are marked on my submarine map. Can you now understand where my millions come from?”

“I understand, Captain. But allow me to tell you that in exploring Vigo Bay you have only been beforehand with a rival society.”

“I understand, Captain. But I must tell you that you have explored Vigo Bay ahead of a rival society.”

“And which?”

“And which one?”

“A society which has received from the Spanish Government the privilege of seeking those buried galleons. The shareholders are led on by the allurement of an enormous bounty, for they value these rich shipwrecks at five hundred millions.”

“A company that has received permission from the Spanish Government to search for those buried galleons. The shareholders are drawn on by the promise of an enormous reward. They value the rich shipwrecks at five hundred million.”

“Five hundred millions they were,” answered Captain Nemo, “but they are so no longer.”

“They were five hundred million,” Captain Nemo replied, “but they are no longer.”

“Just so,” said I; “and a warning to those shareholders would be an act of charity. But who knows if it would be well received? What gamblers usually regret above all is less the loss of their money than of their foolish hopes. After all, I pity them less than the thousands of unfortunates to whom so much riches well-distributed would have been profitable, whilst for them they will be for ever barren.”

“Exactly,” I said. “Warning those shareholders would be an act of kindness. But who knows whether they would welcome the warning? Gamblers usually regret losing their foolish hopes more than losing their money. In any case, I pity them less than the thousands of unfortunate people who could have benefited from that wealth. If it had been well distributed, it could have helped them. But in the shareholders’ hands, it will never do any good.”

I had no sooner expressed this regret than I felt that it must have wounded Captain Nemo.

As soon as I expressed this regret, I felt that it must have hurt Captain Nemo.

“Barren!” he exclaimed, with animation. “Do you think then, sir, that these riches are lost because I gather them? Is it for myself alone, according to your idea, that I take the trouble to collect these treasures? Who told you that I did not make a good use of it? Do you think I am ignorant that there are suffering beings and oppressed races on this earth, miserable creatures to console, victims to avenge? Do you not understand?”

“Barren!” he exclaimed, passionately. “Do you think these riches are lost because I collect them, sir? Do you think I take the trouble to gather these treasures only for myself? Who told you I don't put them to good use? Do you think I don't know there are suffering people and oppressed races on this earth? There are miserable people to comfort and victims to avenge. Don't you understand?”

Captain Nemo stopped at these last words, regretting perhaps that he had spoken so much. But I had guessed that, whatever the motive which had forced him to seek independence under the sea, it had left him still a man, that his heart still beat for the sufferings of humanity, and that his immense charity was for oppressed races as well as individuals. And I then understood for whom those millions were destined which were forwarded by Captain Nemo when the Nautilus was cruising in the waters of Crete.

Captain Nemo stopped after these last words, perhaps regretting that he had said so much. But I had guessed that he was still human, whatever had driven him to seek independence under the sea. His heart still felt the sufferings of humanity. His immense compassion extended to oppressed races as well as individuals. And then I understood who was meant to receive the millions Captain Nemo sent while the Nautilus was cruising in the waters of Crete.