Chapter 5 The Nautilus We slept for a long time.
I was glad for the rest because it let my mind think more clearly.
Slowly, we began to wonder where we were and why we were in a cell.
It didn't take us long to notice the heavy air about us.
We were having a hard time breathing.
Just as I began to worry about being in this ship, a rush of fresh air charged in through a vent.
At the same time, the boat began to move.
We discussed our situation.
We decided that it must have been a full 24 hours since we had eaten our last meal.
We were very hungry.
Ned was the only one who really seemed upset.
The lack of fresh air and his hunger made him mean and angry.
When some men finally appeared at our door, Ned jumped on the first one and held him down.
Consail stopped him before he actually hurt the man.
Control yourself, Mr. Land.
And you, Professor, should really listen to me.
The words in French made us stand back in surprise.
The captain of the ship was speaking to us.
Ned stepped back, letting the first man loose.
A few minutes went by before the man in charge spoke again.
Gentlemen, he said.
I speak your language.
I know who you are and what you were doing aboard the Abraham Lincoln.
But, sir, I said, who are you and why are you keeping us here?
My words were calm, but I could feel anger inside me.
I am a man who was tired of the world the way it was.
I have created my own world here, one that I will never leave.
That is fine for you, sir, but what about us?
We are not part of your plan.
I tried not to sound angry because I didn't know his plans.
I know that you have been trying to hunt me down for months, the stranger replied.
For that, I dislike you.
But since you are here against your will, I will try to make it comfortable for you.
You and your friends may have freedom on my ship unless, of course, I see a need to keep you hidden.
If that happens, you may be kept locked in your cabins.
Our visible anger didn't change the man's mind.
You will not regret your time here, the stranger said.
As a man who studies the sea, you will find this land of mine amazing.
I had to agree that this place would be wonderful to explore.
I decided not to argue and asked him his name instead.
You may call me Captain Nemo.
To me, you are just the passengers of De Nautilus.
Two men entered and nodded for Consail and Ned to follow them.
Captain Nemo took me another way.
The walk was short and ended in a beautiful dining hall.
I took my place at a table set for breakfast.
I saw many different foods.
I tasted most of them before the captain spoke again.
The sea is everything.
It covers most of the world.
It makes me feel free and safe from all harm.
I could tell he meant it.
He walked back and forth, talking about everything from the fish to the depth of the waters.
When I sensed he was done, I rose.
The captain motioned for me to follow him again.
We came to a library.
This room was even more beautiful than the dining room.
Every comfort one needed was there.
What better place is there to read than at the bottom of the sea?
I have 12,000 books here, and here there is silence and privacy.
I quickly agreed and went right to the shelves.
I saw books of science and literature.
They were written in many different languages.
The books all appeared to have been read before.
I figured the captain must love this room, coming here often to escape into stories.
Thank you for allowing me to take in such a pleasure.
I said barely able to step away from the shelves.
I didn't know where to start.
The captain laughed in surprise at the new things I was learning.
As much as I knew about the sea, the captain still impressed me.
And yet, the greatest wonders were still to come.
I followed the gentleman on a tour of the Nautilus.
From the bathroom to the kitchen, each room was decorated with excellent taste.
And the works to keep the ship moving and running smoothly were beyond anything I could have dreamed.
The electricity used to run the entire ship left me wanting more information on the fine vessel on which we sailed.
Captain Nemo filled the next several minutes with details about the ship.
As a scientist, I understood how the great monster could both rise above the water and sink so far under.
Any other listener would have had trouble understanding, but I followed his words with great interest.
I still found it amazing that a ship of this type could be built without any country knowing about it.
But it was true, and I honestly believe that no other man in the world would have been able to do so.
Captain Nemo had brains, wealth, and control.
He actually could change the future for people everywhere.
I found this thought both scary and comforting.
I knew I would be spending a lot of time with this interesting man.
Join me on the platform, the captain asked, heading for the staircase.
I climbed up the iron steps and found myself on the upper part of the Nautilus.
Here, the sea was beautiful.
The sky was pure and a light breeze rippled the waters.
I had never felt more excited in my life.
