Chapter 31 - Page 2

I have observed carefully: that the needle,instead of dipping towards the pole as in the northern hemisphere, onthe contrary, rises from it."

"Would you then conclude," I said, "that the magnetic pole issomewhere between the surface of the globe and the point where weare?"

"Exactly so; and it is likely enough that if we were to reach thespot beneath the polar regions, about that seventy-first degree whereSir James Ross has discovered the magnetic pole to be situated, weshould see the needle point straight up. Therefore that mysteriouscentre of attraction is at no great depth."

I remarked: " It is so; and here is a fact which science has scarcelysuspected."

"Science, my lad, has been built upon many errors; but they areerrors which it was good to fall into, for they led to the truth."

"What depth have we now reached?"

"We are thirty-five leagues below the surface."

"So," I said, examining the map, "the Highlands of Scotland are overour heads, and the Grampians are raising their rugged summits aboveus."

"Yes," answered the Professor laughing. "It is rather a heavy weightto bear, but a solid arch spans over our heads. The great Architecthas built it of the best materials; and never could man have given itso wide a stretch. What are the finest arches of bridges and thearcades of cathedrals, compared with this far reaching vault, with aradius of three leagues, beneath which a wide and tempest-tossedocean may flow at its ease?"

"Oh, I am not afraid that it will fall down upon my head. But nowwhat are your plans? Are you not thinking of returning to the surfacenow?"

"Return! no, indeed! We will continue our journey, everything havinggone on well so far."

"But how are we to get down below this liquid surface?"

"Oh, I am not going to dive head foremost. But if all oceans areproperly speaking but lakes, since they are encompassed by land, ofcourse this internal sea will be surrounded by a coast of granite,and on the opposite shores we shall find fresh passages opening."

"How long do you suppose this sea to be?"

"Thirty or forty leagues; so that we have no time to lose, and weshall set sail to-morrow."

I looked about for a ship.

"Set sail, shall we? But I should like to see my boat first."

"It will not be a boat at all, but a good, well-made raft."

"Why," I said, "a raft would be just as hard to make as a boat, and Idon't see -"

"I know you don't see; but you might hear if you would listen. Don'tyou hear the hammer at work? Hans is already busy at it."

"What, has he already felled the trees?"

"Oh, the trees were already down. Come, and you will see foryourself."

After half an hour's walking, on the other side of the promontorywhich formed the little natural harbour, I perceived Hans at work. Ina few more steps I was at