Chapter 29 - Page 2

I will give you a proofof that presently if you will let me have my breakfast."

"You shall eat, lad. The fever has left you. Hans rubbed your woundswith some ointment or other of which the Icelanders keep the secret,and they have healed marvellously. Our hunter is a splendid fellow!"

Whilst he went on talking, my uncle prepared a few provisions, whichI devoured eagerly, notwithstanding his advice to the contrary. Allthe while I was overwhelming him with questions which he answeredreadily.

I then learnt that my providential fall had brought me exactly to theextremity of an almost perpendicular shaft; and as I had landed inthe midst of an accompanying torrent of stones, the least of whichwould have been enough to crush me, the conclusion was that a looseportion of the rock had come down with me. This frightful conveyancehad thus carried me into the arms of my uncle, where I fell bruised,bleeding, and insensible.

"Truly it is wonderful that you have not been killed a hundred timesover. But, for the love of God, don't let us ever separate again, orwe many never see each other more."

"Not separate! Is the journey not over, then?" I opened a pair ofastonished eyes, which immediately called for the question:

"What is the matter, Axel?"

"I have a question to ask you. You say that I am safe and sound?"

"No doubt you are."

"And all my limbs unbroken?"

"Certainly."

"And my head?"

"Your head, except for a few bruises, is all right; and it is on yourshoulders, where it ought to be."

"Well, I am afraid my brain is affected."

"Your mind affected!"

"Yes, I fear so. Are we again on the surface of the globe?"

"No, certainly not."

"Then I must be mad; for don't I see the light of day, and don't Ihear the wind blowing, and the sea breaking on the shore?"

"Ah! is that all?"

"Do tell me all about it."

"I can't explain the inexplicable, but you will soon see andunderstand that geology has not yet learnt all it has to learn."

"Then let us go," I answered quickly.

"No, Axel; the open air might be bad for you."

"Open air?"

"Yes; the wind is rather strong. You must not expose yourself."

"But I assure you I am perfectly well."

"A little patience, my nephew. A relapse might get us into trouble,and we have no time to lose, for the voyage may be a long one."

"The voyage!"

"Yes, rest to-day, and to-morrow we will set sail."

"Set sail!" - and I almost leaped up.

What did it all mean? Had we a river, a lake, a sea to depend upon?Was there a ship at our disposal in some underground harbour?

My curiosity was highly excited, my uncle vainly tried to restrainme. When he saw that my impatience was doing me harm, he yielded.

I dressed in