Chapter 40 - Page 2

beimprisoned on a rockbound, impassable coast."

"Yes, Axel, it is providential that whilst supposing we were steeringsouth we should have just got back north at Cape Saknussemm. I mustsay that this is astonishing, and that I feel I have no way toexplain it."

"What does that signify, uncle? Our business is not to explain facts,but to use them!"

"Certainly; but -"

"Well, uncle, we are going to resume the northern route, and to passunder the north countries of Europe - under Sweden, Russia, Siberia:who knows where? -instead of burrowing under the deserts of Africa,or perhaps the waves of the Atlantic; and that is all I want to know."

"Yes, Axel, you are right. It is all for the best, since we have leftthat weary, horizontal sea, which led us nowhere. Now we shall godown, down, down! Do you know that it is now only 1,500 leagues. tothe centre of the globe?"

"Is that all?" I cried. "Why, that's nothing. Let us start: march!"

All this crazy talk was going on still when we met the hunter.Everything was made ready for our instant departure. Every bit ofcordage was put on board. We took our places, and with our sail set,Hans steered us along the coast to Cape Saknussemm.

The wind was unfavourable to a species of launch not calculated forshallow water. In many places we were obliged to push ourselves alongwith iron-pointed sticks. Often the sunken rocks just beneath thesurface obliged us to deviate from our straight course. At last,after three hours' sailing, about six in the evening we reached aplace suitable for our landing. I jumped ashore, followed by my uncleand the Icelander. This short passage had not served to cool myardour. On the contrary, I even proposed to burn 'our ship,' toprevent the possibility of return; but my uncle would not consent tothat. I thought him singularly lukewarm.

"At least," I said, "don't let us lose a minute."

"Yes, yes, lad," he replied; "but first let us examine this newgallery, to see if we shall require our ladders."

My uncle put his Ruhmkorff's apparatus in action; the raft moored tothe shore was left alone; the mouth of the tunnel was not twentyyards from us; and our party, with myself at the head, made for itwithout a moment's delay.

The aperture, which was almost round, was about five feet indiameter; the dark passage was cut out in the live rock and linedwith a coat of the eruptive matter which formerly issued from it; theinterior was level with the ground outside, so that we were able toenter without difficulty. We were following a horizontal plane, when,only six paces in, our progress was interrupted by an enormous blockjust across our way.

"Accursed rock!" I cried in a passion, finding myself suddenlyconfronted by an impassable obstacle.

Right and left we searched in vain for a way, up and down, side toside; there was no getting any farther. I felt