Chapter 6
The Greek IslandsAT SUNRISE the next morning, February 12, the Nautilus rose to
the surface of the waves.
I rushed onto the platform. The hazy silhouette of Pelusium was
outlined three miles to the south. A torrent had carried us from
one sea to the other. But although that tunnel was easy to descend,
going back up must have been impossible.
Near seven o'clock Ned and Conseil joined me. Those two
inseparable companions had slept serenely, utterly unaware of the
Nautilus's feat.
"Well, Mr. Naturalist," the Canadian asked in a gently mocking
tone, "and how about that Mediterranean?"
"We're floating on its surface, Ned my friend."
"What!" Conseil put in. "Last night … ?"
"Yes, last night, in a matter of minutes, we cleared that
insuperable isthmus."
"I don't believe
