Lack of Air

Thus around the Nautilus, above and below, was an impenetrable wall of ice. We were prisoners to the iceberg. I watched the Captain. His countenance had resumed its habitual imperturbability.

So an impenetrable wall of ice surrounded the Nautilus on all sides, above and below. The iceberg held us prisoner. I watched the Captain. His face had returned to its usual calm.

“Gentlemen,” he said calmly, “there are two ways of dying in the circumstances in which we are placed.” (This puzzling person had the air of a mathematical professor lecturing to his pupils.) “The first is to be crushed; the second is to die of suffocation. I do not speak of the possibility of dying of hunger, for the supply of provisions in the Nautilus will certainly last longer than we shall. Let us, then, calculate our chances.”

“Gentlemen,” he said calmly, “there are two ways we could die in our situation.” (This puzzling man seemed like a math professor lecturing his students.) “The first is to be crushed. The second is to suffocate. I won’t mention starvation, because the food aboard the Nautilus will certainly last longer than we will. So let’s calculate our chances.”

“As to suffocation, Captain,” I replied, “that is not to be feared, because our reservoirs are full.”

“As for suffocation, Captain,” I replied, “we need not fear it because our reservoirs are full.”

“Just so; but they will only yield two days’ supply of air. Now, for thirty-six hours we have been hidden under the water, and already the heavy atmosphere of the Nautilus requires renewal. In forty-eight hours our reserve will be exhausted.”

“Exactly, but they will only provide enough air for two days. We have been underwater for thirty-six hours now, and the stale air in the Nautilus already needs replacing. In forty-eight hours, our reserve will be exhausted.”

“Well, Captain, can we be delivered before forty-eight hours?”

“Well, Captain, can we be freed within forty-eight hours?”

“We will attempt it, at least, by piercing the wall that surrounds us.”

“We will at least try, by breaking through the wall around us.”

“On which side?”

“Which side?”

“Sound will tell us. I am going to run the Nautilus aground on the lower bank, and my men will attack the iceberg on the side that is least thick.”

“Sound will tell us. I’m going to run the Nautilus aground on the lower bank. My men will attack the iceberg on its thinnest side.”

Captain Nemo went out. Soon I discovered by a hissing noise that the water was entering the reservoirs. The Nautilus sank slowly, and rested on the ice at a depth of 350 yards, the depth at which the lower bank was immersed.

Captain Nemo left. Soon, a hissing sound told me that water was entering the tanks. The Nautilus sank slowly and came to rest on the ice at a depth of 350 yards. That was how far below the surface the bottom of the ice bank lay.

“My friends,” I said, “our situation is serious, but I rely on your courage and energy.”

“My friends,” I said, “our situation is serious, but I’m counting on your courage and energy.”

“Sir,” replied the Canadian, “I am ready to do anything for the general safety.”

“Sir,” the Canadian replied, “I’m ready to do anything to keep everyone safe.”

“Good! Ned,” and I held out my hand to the Canadian.

“Good! Ned,” I said, holding out my hand to the Canadian.

“I will add,” he continued, “that, being as handy with the pickaxe as with the harpoon, if I can be useful to the Captain, he can command my services.”

“I’ll add,” he continued, “that I’m as handy with a pickaxe as I am with a harpoon. If I can be useful to the Captain, he can call on me.”

“He will not refuse your help. Come, Ned!”

“He won't refuse your help. Come on, Ned!”

I led him to the room where the crew of the Nautilus were putting on their cork-jackets. I told the Captain of Ned’s proposal, which he accepted. The Canadian put on his sea-costume, and was ready as soon as his companions. When Ned was dressed, I re-entered the drawing-room, where the panes of glass were open, and, posted near Conseil, I examined the ambient beds that supported the Nautilus. Some instants after, we saw a dozen of the crew set foot on the bank of ice, and among them Ned Land, easily known by his stature. Captain Nemo was with them. Before proceeding to dig the walls, he took the soundings, to be sure of working in the right direction. Long sounding lines were sunk in the side walls, but after fifteen yards they were again stopped by the thick wall. It was useless to attack it on the ceiling-like surface, since the iceberg itself measured more than 400 yards in height. Captain Nemo then sounded the lower surface. There ten yards of wall separated us from the water, so great was the thickness of the ice-field. It was necessary, therefore, to cut from it a piece equal in extent to the waterline of the Nautilus. There were about 6,000 cubic yards to detach, so as to dig a hole by which we could descend to the ice-field. The work had begun immediately and carried on with indefatigable energy. Instead of digging round the Nautilus which would have involved greater difficulty, Captain Nemo had an immense trench made at eight yards from the port-quarter. Then the men set to work simultaneously with their screws on several points of its circumference. Presently the pickaxe attacked this compact matter vigorously, and large blocks were detached from the mass. By a curious effect of specific gravity, these blocks, lighter than water, fled, so to speak, to the vault of the tunnel, that increased in thickness at the top in proportion as it diminished at the base. But that mattered little, so long as the lower part grew thinner. After two hours’ hard work, Ned Land came in exhausted. He and his comrades were replaced by new workers, whom Conseil and I joined. The second lieutenant of the Nautilus superintended us. The water seemed singularly cold, but I soon got warm handling the pickaxe. My movements were free enough, although they were made under a pressure of thirty atmospheres. When I re-entered, after working two hours, to take some food and rest, I found a perceptible difference between the pure fluid with which the Rouquayrol engine supplied me and the atmosphere of the Nautilus, already charged with carbonic acid. The air had not been renewed for forty-eight hours, and its vivifying qualities were considerably enfeebled. However, after a lapse of twelve hours, we had only raised a block of ice one yard thick, on the marked surface, which was about 600 cubic yards! Reckoning that it took twelve hours to accomplish this much it would take five nights and four days to bring this enterprise to a satisfactory conclusion. Five nights and four days! And we have only air enough for two days in the reservoirs! “Without taking into account,” said Ned, “that, even if we get out of this infernal prison, we shall also be imprisoned under the iceberg, shut out from all possible communication with the atmosphere.” True enough! Who could then foresee the minimum of time necessary for our deliverance? We might be suffocated before the Nautilus could regain the surface of the waves? Was it destined to perish in this ice-tomb, with all those it enclosed? The situation was terrible. But everyone had looked the danger in the face, and each was determined to do his duty to the last.

I led him to the room where the crew of the Nautilus were putting on their cork jackets. I told the Captain about Ned’s proposal, and he accepted it. The Canadian put on his diving suit and was ready as soon as his companions. Once Ned was dressed, I returned to the drawing room, where the glass panes were open. Standing beside Conseil, I examined the surrounding layers of ice that supported the Nautilus. A few moments later, we saw a dozen crew members step onto the bank of ice. Ned Land was among them, easily recognized by his height. Captain Nemo was with them. Before digging into the walls, he took soundings to make sure they would work in the right direction. Long sounding lines were lowered into the side walls, but the thick ice stopped them after fifteen yards. There was no use attacking the ceiling, since the iceberg itself was more than 400 yards high. Captain Nemo then sounded the lower surface. There, ten yards of ice separated us from the water. That was how thick the ice field was. We therefore had to cut out a section as large as the Nautilus at its waterline. About 6,000 cubic yards had to be removed to make a hole through which we could descend to the ice field. The work began immediately and continued with tireless energy. Digging around the Nautilus would have been more difficult. Instead, Captain Nemo had an enormous trench made eight yards from the port quarter. The men then began working with their screws at several points around its circumference. Soon their pickaxes were striking the solid ice vigorously, breaking large blocks away from the mass. Because the blocks were lighter than water, they rose, as if fleeing, to the roof of the tunnel. The roof grew thicker as the base grew thinner. But that mattered little, as long as the lower part kept getting thinner. After two hours of hard work, Ned Land came in exhausted. He and his comrades were replaced by fresh workers, whom Conseil and I joined. The second lieutenant of the Nautilus supervised us. The water seemed unusually cold, but I soon warmed up as I worked with the pickaxe. I could move freely enough, although I was under thirty atmospheres of pressure. After working for two hours, I returned inside to eat and rest. I noticed a clear difference between the pure air supplied by the Rouquayrol engine and the air inside the Nautilus. The latter was already filled with carbonic acid. The air had not been renewed for forty-eight hours, and its life-giving qualities had grown much weaker. After twelve hours, however, we had removed only a one-yard-thick layer of ice from the marked area. That was about 600 cubic yards! At that rate, it would take five nights and four days to finish the work. Five nights and four days! And we had only enough air in the reservoirs for two days! “Without taking into account,” said Ned, “that even if we get out of this infernal prison, we’ll still be trapped under the iceberg, cut off from any possible access to the air.” True enough! Who could foresee the shortest time it would take to free us? We might suffocate before the Nautilus could reach the surface again. Was it destined to perish in this ice tomb, along with everyone inside it? The situation was terrible. But everyone had faced the danger, and each person was determined to do his duty to the last.

As I expected, during the night a new block a yard square was carried away, and still further sank the immense hollow. But in the morning when, dressed in my cork-jacket, I traversed the slushy mass at a temperature of six or seven degrees below zero, I remarked that the side walls were gradually closing in. The beds of water farthest from the trench, that were not warmed by the men’s work, showed a tendency to solidification. In presence of this new and imminent danger, what would become of our chances of safety, and how hinder the solidification of this liquid medium, that would burst the partitions of the Nautilus like glass?

As I expected, another block a yard square was removed during the night, and the immense hollow sank still deeper. But in the morning, I put on my cork jacket and crossed the slushy mass. The temperature was six or seven degrees below zero, and I noticed that the side walls were gradually closing in. The water farthest from the trench was not warmed by the men’s work and was beginning to freeze. Faced with this new and imminent danger, what would become of our chances of survival? How could we stop the water from freezing and bursting the partitions of the Nautilus like glass?

I did not tell my companions of this new danger. What was the good of damping the energy they displayed in the painful work of escape? But when I went on board again, I told Captain Nemo of this grave complication.

I did not tell my companions about this new danger. Why discourage them when they were working so hard to escape? But when I went back on board, I told Captain Nemo about this serious complication.

“I know it,” he said, in that calm tone which could counteract the most terrible apprehensions. “It is one danger more; but I see no way of escaping it; the only chance of safety is to go quicker than solidification. We must be beforehand with it, that is all.”

“I know,” he said, in a calm voice that could ease the worst fears. “It is one more danger, but I see no way to escape it. Our only chance of safety is to move faster than the freezing. We must stay ahead of it, that is all.”

On this day for several hours I used my pickaxe vigorously. The work kept me up. Besides, to work was to quit the Nautilus, and breathe directly the pure air drawn from the reservoirs, and supplied by our apparatus, and to quit the impoverished and vitiated atmosphere. Towards evening the trench was dug one yard deeper. When I returned on board, I was nearly suffocated by the carbonic acid with which the air was filled—ah! if we had only the chemical means to drive away this deleterious gas. We had plenty of oxygen; all this water contained a considerable quantity, and by dissolving it with our powerful piles, it would restore the vivifying fluid. I had thought well over it; but of what good was that, since the carbonic acid produced by our respiration had invaded every part of the vessel? To absorb it, it was necessary to fill some jars with caustic potash, and to shake them incessantly. Now this substance was wanting on board, and nothing could replace it. On that evening, Captain Nemo ought to open the taps of his reservoirs, and let some pure air into the interior of the Nautilus; without this precaution we could not get rid of the sense of suffocation. The next day, March 26th, I resumed my miner’s work in beginning the fifth yard. The side walls and the lower surface of the iceberg thickened visibly. It was evident that they would meet before the Nautilus was able to disengage itself. Despair seized me for an instant; my pickaxe nearly fell from my hands. What was the good of digging if I must be suffocated, crushed by the water that was turning into stone?—a punishment that the ferocity of the savages even would not have invented! Just then Captain Nemo passed near me. I touched his hand and showed him the walls of our prison. The wall to port had advanced to at least four yards from the hull of the Nautilus. The Captain understood me, and signed me to follow him. We went on board. I took off my cork-jacket and accompanied him into the drawing-room.

That day, I worked vigorously with my pickaxe for several hours. The work kept me going. It also let me leave the Nautilus and breathe pure air directly from the reservoirs through our apparatus. I could escape the stale, depleted air inside. By evening, we had dug the trench one yard deeper. When I returned on board, the carbon dioxide filling the air nearly suffocated me. If only we had the chemicals to remove this harmful gas! We had plenty of oxygen. All that water contained a considerable amount of it. By breaking down the water with our powerful electric batteries, we could recover the life-giving gas. I had thought it through. But what good was that, when the carbon dioxide from our breathing had spread throughout the vessel? To absorb it, we needed to fill jars with caustic potash and shake them constantly. But we had none on board, and nothing could replace it. That evening, Captain Nemo needed to open the taps on his reservoirs and let pure air into the Nautilus. Without that precaution, we could not shake off the feeling of suffocation. The next day, March 26th, I returned to my digging and began the fifth yard. The side walls and the bottom of the iceberg were visibly growing thicker. Clearly, they would meet before the Nautilus could free itself. For a moment, despair seized me, and my pickaxe nearly fell from my hands. What was the point of digging if I was to be suffocated and crushed by water turning to stone? Even the savages, for all their ferocity, would not have invented such a punishment! Just then, Captain Nemo passed near me. I touched his hand and showed him the walls of our prison. The wall to port had advanced to within four yards of the hull of the Nautilus. The Captain understood me and signaled for me to follow him. We went on board. I took off my cork jacket and went with him into the drawing-room.

“M. Aronnax, we must attempt some desperate means, or we shall be sealed up in this solidified water as in cement.”

“M. Aronnax, we must try something desperate, or we’ll be sealed in the frozen water as if it were cement.”

“Yes; but what is to be done?”

“Yes, but what should we do?”

“Ah! if my Nautilus were strong enough to bear this pressure without being crushed!”

“Oh, if only my Nautilus were strong enough to withstand this pressure without being crushed!”

“Well?” I asked, not catching the Captain’s idea.

“Well?” I asked, not understanding what the Captain meant.

“Do you not understand,” he replied, “that this congelation of water will help us? Do you not see that by its solidification, it would burst through this field of ice that imprisons us, as, when it freezes, it bursts the hardest stones? Do you not perceive that it would be an agent of safety instead of destruction?”

“Don't you understand,” he replied, “that freezing the water will help us? As the water freezes, it will burst through the field of ice trapping us, just as freezing water bursts the hardest stones. Don't you see that freezing the water would save us rather than destroy us?”

“Yes, Captain, perhaps. But, whatever resistance to crushing the Nautilus possesses, it could not support this terrible pressure, and would be flattened like an iron plate.”

“Yes, Captain, perhaps. But no matter how resistant the Nautilus is to crushing, it could not withstand this terrible pressure. It would be flattened like an iron plate.”

“I know it, sir. Therefore we must not reckon on the aid of nature, but on our own exertions. We must stop this solidification. Not only will the side walls be pressed together; but there is not ten feet of water before or behind the Nautilus. The congelation gains on us on all sides.”

“I know, sir. So we cannot count on nature to help us. We must rely on our own efforts. We must stop the water from freezing. The side walls will be pressed together. But there is also less than ten feet of water in front of or behind the Nautilus. The ice is closing in on us from all sides.”

“How long will the air in the reservoirs last for us to breathe on board?”

“How long will the air in the tanks last for us to breathe on board?”

The Captain looked in my face. “After to-morrow they will be empty!”

The Captain looked at my face. “After tomorrow, they will be empty!”

A cold sweat came over me. However, ought I to have been astonished at the answer? On March 22, the Nautilus was in the open polar seas. We were at 26°. For five days we had lived on the reserve on board. And what was left of the respirable air must be kept for the workers. Even now, as I write, my recollection is still so vivid that an involuntary terror seizes me and my lungs seem to be without air. Meanwhile, Captain Nemo reflected silently, and evidently an idea had struck him; but he seemed to reject it. At last, these words escaped his lips:

A cold sweat came over me. But should the answer have surprised me? On March 22, the Nautilus was in the open polar seas. We were at 26°. For five days, we had lived on the air reserves on board. What remained of the breathable air had to be saved for the workers. Even now, as I write, the memory is so vivid that I feel a sudden terror. My lungs seem to have no air. Meanwhile, Captain Nemo thought in silence. He had evidently had an idea, but he seemed to reject it. At last, he said:

“Boiling water!” he muttered.

“Boiling water!” he muttered.

“Boiling water?” I cried.

“Boiling water?” I cried.

“Yes, sir. We are enclosed in a space that is relatively confined. Would not jets of boiling water, constantly injected by the pumps, raise the temperature in this part and stay the congelation?”

“Yes, sir. We are enclosed in a relatively small space. Could the pumps continuously inject boiling water to raise the temperature here and stop the freezing?”

“Let us try it,” I said resolutely.

“Let's try it,” I said firmly.

“Let us try it, Professor.”

“Let's try it, Professor.”

The thermometer then stood at 7° outside. Captain Nemo took me to the galleys, where the vast distillatory machines stood that furnished the drinkable water by evaporation. They filled these with water, and all the electric heat from the piles was thrown through the worms bathed in the liquid. In a few minutes this water reached 100°. It was directed towards the pumps, while fresh water replaced it in proportion. The heat developed by the troughs was such that cold water, drawn up from the sea after only having gone through the machines, came boiling into the body of the pump. The injection was begun, and three hours after the thermometer marked 6° below zero outside. One degree was gained. Two hours later the thermometer only marked 4°.

The thermometer then showed 7° outside. Captain Nemo took me to the galleys, where huge distilling machines produced drinking water by evaporation. The machines were filled with water. All the electric heat from the batteries was passed through coiled pipes immersed in the water. In a few minutes, the water reached 100°. It was directed to the pumps, while fresh water replaced it at the same rate. The heat generated by the troughs was so great that cold seawater entered the pumps boiling after passing through the machines. The injection began. Three hours later, the thermometer showed 6° below zero outside. We had gained one degree. Two hours later, the thermometer showed only 4°.

“We shall succeed,” I said to the Captain, after having anxiously watched the result of the operation.

“We’ll succeed,” I told the Captain, after anxiously watching the outcome of the operation.

“I think,” he answered, “that we shall not be crushed. We have no more suffocation to fear.”

“I think,” he answered, “that we won’t be crushed. We no longer need to fear suffocation.”

During the night the temperature of the water rose to 1° below zero. The injections could not carry it to a higher point. But, as the congelation of the sea-water produces at least 2°, I was at least reassured against the dangers of solidification.

During the night, the water temperature rose to 1° below zero. The injections could not raise it any higher. But seawater freezes at 2° below zero or lower, so I was reassured that it would not freeze.

The next day, March 27th, six yards of ice had been cleared, twelve feet only remaining to be cleared away. There was yet forty-eight hours’ work. The air could not be renewed in the interior of the Nautilus. And this day would make it worse. An intolerable weight oppressed me. Towards three o’clock in the evening this feeling rose to a violent degree. Yawns dislocated my jaws. My lungs panted as they inhaled this burning fluid, which became rarefied more and more. A moral torpor took hold of me. I was powerless, almost unconscious. My brave Conseil, though exhibiting the same symptoms and suffering in the same manner, never left me. He took my hand and encouraged me, and I heard him murmur, “Oh! if I could only not breathe, so as to leave more air for my master!”

The next day, March 27th, six yards of ice had been cleared, and only twelve feet remained. There were still forty-eight hours of work ahead. The air inside the Nautilus could not be renewed. And the day ahead would make matters worse. I felt an unbearable weight pressing on me. By about three in the afternoon, the feeling had become intense. I yawned so hard that my jaws felt dislocated. My lungs gasped as I breathed in the burning air, which was growing thinner and thinner. My mind grew numb. I was helpless, almost unconscious. My brave Conseil never left me, though he showed the same symptoms and suffered just as I did. He took my hand and encouraged me. I heard him murmur, “Oh! If only I could stop breathing, so there would be more air for my master!”

Tears came into my eyes on hearing him speak thus. If our situation to all was intolerable in the interior, with what haste and gladness would we put on our cork-jackets to work in our turn! Pickaxes sounded on the frozen ice-beds. Our arms ached, the skin was torn off our hands. But what were these fatigues, what did the wounds matter? Vital air came to the lungs! We breathed! we breathed!

Tears came to my eyes when I heard him speak. If conditions inside were unbearable for us all, how eagerly and gladly we would put on our cork jackets and take our turn working! Pickaxes rang against the frozen beds of ice. Our arms ached, and the skin was torn from our hands. But what did the exhaustion and wounds matter? Life-giving air was filling our lungs! We could breathe! We could breathe!

All this time no one prolonged his voluntary task beyond the prescribed time. His task accomplished, each one handed in turn to his panting companions the apparatus that supplied him with life. Captain Nemo set the example, and submitted first to this severe discipline. When the time came, he gave up his apparatus to another and returned to the vitiated air on board, calm, unflinching, unmurmuring.

All this time, no one continued his voluntary task beyond the allotted time. Once his task was done, each man passed the life-sustaining apparatus to a panting companion. Captain Nemo set the example and was the first to submit to this strict discipline. When his time came, he gave the apparatus to another and returned to the stale air on board. He remained calm and unflinching, without a word of complaint.

On that day the ordinary work was accomplished with unusual vigour. Only two yards remained to be raised from the surface. Two yards only separated us from the open sea. But the reservoirs were nearly emptied of air. The little that remained ought to be kept for the workers; not a particle for the Nautilus. When I went back on board, I was half suffocated. What a night! I know not how to describe it. The next day my breathing was oppressed. Dizziness accompanied the pain in my head and made me like a drunken man. My companions showed the same symptoms. Some of the crew had rattling in the throat.

That day, the usual work went on with unusual energy. Only two yards remained to be cleared from the surface. Just two yards separated us from the open sea. But the air reservoirs were nearly empty. The little air left had to be saved for the workers, with none for the Nautilus. When I returned on board, I was half suffocated. What a night! I cannot describe it. The next day, I struggled to breathe. My head ached, and I was so dizzy that I felt like a drunken man. My companions had the same symptoms. Some of the crew had a rattling sound in their throats.

On that day, the sixth of our imprisonment, Captain Nemo, finding the pickaxes work too slowly, resolved to crush the ice-bed that still separated us from the liquid sheet. This man’s coolness and energy never forsook him. He subdued his physical pains by moral force.

On the sixth day of our imprisonment, Captain Nemo saw that the pickaxes were working too slowly. He decided to crush the layer of ice that still separated us from the water. He never lost his calm or energy. He overcame his physical pain through strength of will.

By his orders the vessel was lightened, that is to say, raised from the ice-bed by a change of specific gravity. When it floated they towed it so as to bring it above the immense trench made on the level of the water-line. Then, filling his reservoirs of water, he descended and shut himself up in the hole.

On his orders, they made the vessel lighter by changing its specific gravity, raising it from the ice bed. Once it floated, they towed it above the immense trench cut at the waterline. Then he filled the reservoirs with water, descended, and enclosed himself in the hole.

Just then all the crew came on board, and the double door of communication was shut. The Nautilus then rested on the bed of ice, which was not one yard thick, and which the sounding leads had perforated in a thousand places. The taps of the reservoirs were then opened, and a hundred cubic yards of water was let in, increasing the weight of the Nautilus to 1,800 tons. We waited, we listened, forgetting our sufferings in hope. Our safety depended on this last chance. Notwithstanding the buzzing in my head, I soon heard the humming sound under the hull of the Nautilus. The ice cracked with a singular noise, like tearing paper, and the Nautilus sank.

Just then, all the crew came aboard, and the double door connecting the two was closed. The Nautilus rested on the ice, which was less than a yard thick. Sounding leads had pierced the ice in a thousand places. The reservoir valves were opened, letting in a hundred cubic yards of water. This increased the weight of the Nautilus to 1,800 tons. We waited and listened, forgetting our suffering in our hope. Our safety depended on this last chance. Despite the buzzing in my head, I soon heard a humming sound beneath the hull of the Nautilus. The ice cracked with a strange sound, like tearing paper, and the Nautilus sank.

“We are off!” murmured Conseil in my ear.

“We're off!” Conseil murmured in my ear.

I could not answer him. I seized his hand, and pressed it convulsively. All at once, carried away by its frightful overcharge, the Nautilus sank like a bullet under the waters, that is to say, it fell as if it was in a vacuum. Then all the electric force was put on the pumps, that soon began to let the water out of the reservoirs. After some minutes, our fall was stopped. Soon, too, the manometer indicated an ascending movement. The screw, going at full speed, made the iron hull tremble to its very bolts and drew us towards the north. But if this floating under the iceberg is to last another day before we reach the open sea, I shall be dead first.

I could not answer him. I grabbed his hand and squeezed it fiercely. Suddenly, weighed down by its terrible overload, the Nautilus sank like a bullet through the water. It fell as if through a vacuum. Then all the electric power was directed to the pumps, which soon began emptying the reservoirs. After a few minutes, we stopped falling. Soon the pressure gauge showed that we were rising. The propeller, turning at full speed, shook the iron hull down to its bolts and pulled us north. But if we have to float under the iceberg for another day before reaching the open sea, I shall be dead first.

Half stretched upon a divan in the library, I was suffocating. My face was purple, my lips blue, my faculties suspended. I neither saw nor heard. All notion of time had gone from my mind. My muscles could not contract. I do not know how many hours passed thus, but I was conscious of the agony that was coming over me. I felt as if I was going to die. Suddenly I came to. Some breaths of air penetrated my lungs. Had we risen to the surface of the waves? Were we free of the iceberg? No! Ned and Conseil, my two brave friends, were sacrificing themselves to save me. Some particles of air still remained at the bottom of one apparatus. Instead of using it, they had kept it for me, and, while they were being suffocated, they gave me life, drop by drop. I wanted to push back the thing; they held my hands, and for some moments I breathed freely. I looked at the clock; it was eleven in the morning. It ought to be the 28th of March. The Nautilus went at a frightful pace, forty miles an hour. It literally tore through the water. Where was Captain Nemo? Had he succumbed? Were his companions dead with him? At the moment the manometer indicated that we were not more than twenty feet from the surface. A mere plate of ice separated us from the atmosphere. Could we not break it? Perhaps. In any case the Nautilus was going to attempt it. I felt that it was in an oblique position, lowering the stern, and raising the bows. The introduction of water had been the means of disturbing its equilibrium. Then, impelled by its powerful screw, it attacked the ice-field from beneath like a formidable battering-ram. It broke it by backing and then rushing forward against the field, which gradually gave way; and at last, dashing suddenly against it, shot forwards on the ice-field, that crushed beneath its weight. The panel was opened—one might say torn off—and the pure air came in in abundance to all parts of the Nautilus.

Half lying on a couch in the library, I was suffocating. My face was purple, my lips blue, and my senses had stopped working. I could neither see nor hear. I had lost all sense of time. My muscles could not move. I do not know how many hours passed like this, but I was aware of the agony coming over me. I felt as if I were going to die. Suddenly, I came to. A few breaths of air entered my lungs. Had we risen to the surface? Were we free of the iceberg? No! Ned and Conseil, my two brave friends, were sacrificing themselves to save me. A little air remained at the bottom of one breathing apparatus. Instead of using it themselves, they had saved it for me. As they suffocated, they gave me life, drop by drop. I tried to push the apparatus away, but they held my hands. For a few moments, I breathed freely. I looked at the clock. It was eleven in the morning. It should have been March 28. The Nautilus was moving at a terrifying speed of forty miles an hour. It literally tore through the water. Where was Captain Nemo? Had he died? Had his companions died with him? At that moment, the pressure gauge showed that we were no more than twenty feet from the surface. Only a thin layer of ice separated us from the air. Could we not break through it? Perhaps. In any case, the Nautilus was going to try. I felt that it was tilted, with its stern lowered and its bow raised. Taking in water had shifted its balance. Then its powerful propeller drove it against the ice from below, like a fearsome battering ram. It backed up and charged the ice repeatedly, breaking it as the field gradually gave way. At last, it struck the ice suddenly and shot forward onto the field, which collapsed under its weight. The hatch was opened, or rather torn off, and pure air poured into every part of the Nautilus.