9 A Safe Resting Place

CHAPTER 9 A Safe Resting Place I It was now the middle of January. We were headed for the Indian Ocean. The Nautilus was moving quickly and smoothly. I wondered where the great Captain Nemo would take us next. I knew he was studying water temperatures right now. This wonderful vessel allowed him to experiment like no other scientist had before. He could find water samples at depths no other man could reach.

On one particular morning, the weather was stormy, causing the sea to be rough and rolling. There was a strong east wind. I went up on the platform to see the horizon. As I did so, I met up with Captain Nemo. For some minutes he didn't move. He was looking through a glass telescope at something in the distance. He put down his telescope and walked to the other side of the platform. He didn't even see me. He kept stopping to watch the sea. I couldn't guess what he was thinking of. The Nautilus was hundreds of miles from the nearest land. I decided to look on my own. I went to the drawing room and took out a telescope that I used regularly. I had no sooner set my eye to peer through it than it was quickly taken out of my hands. I turned around. Captain Nemo was before me, but I barely recognized him. His face was so different. His eyes flashed with fire. His teeth

were set and his body was stiff. He clenched his fists and puffed out his chest. He didn't move. My glass, which had fallen from his hands, rolled around at his feet. What had I done to make him so angry? No, I wasn't the reason for his mood. His eyes were still fixed on the horizon. He spoke, his words making little sense. "You must do what we agreed upon," he said. I looked at him strangely, letting him know I didn't understand any of this. "You and your companions must stay in your cabins until I tell you otherwise." His words were strong. He wasn't in the mood for arguing. "You are the master," I replied. "But may I ask you a question?" "No," he said. I walked away, knowing it was useless to argue. My friends were as confused as I was. We waited in silence in a cabin. Instead of answers,

though, we got breakfast. We ate. Just then, the lamp that lit the room went out and left us in total darkness. Ned and Conseil were soon asleep. In spite of my best try, I also closed my eyes and drifted off. Something must have been put in our food to make us sleepy. The next day I woke with my thoughts clear. The ship sailed on as if nothing had happened. Maybe nothing had. I met up with the captain at about two o'clock. I was in the drawing room sorting my notes when he opened the door. "Are you a doctor?" he asked, taking me by surprise. "I am," I said. "I worked as a doctor and a surgeon for several years." "Mr. Aronnax, will you take a look at one of my men?" The captain looked worried. "Is he sick?" I asked. "Yes. Follow me." I followed the captain onto the deck and to a

cabin in the sailors' section of the boat. On a bed there lay a man about forty years of age. He was not only sick, he was hurt. His head was covered in loose bandages. I undid the wrapping. It was a horrible wound. I had no doubt that the man was going to die. "What caused the wound?" I asked, trying to imagine what force had done this type of damage to the sailor. Captain Nemo ignored my question. "How is he?" I sighed, then took the captain aside. "He will be dead within two hours." "But what can you do to save him?" the captain asked, his eyes begging now for help. I hated to give him my answer. "There is nothing, sir. Nothing." I watched as Captain Nemo's eyes filled with tears. I didn't think he was capable of feeling sorrow. The captain's hands touched the man gently

and some tears appeared in his eyes. For some moments I stayed to watch the dying man. The sick man lay still, but the captain was the one who most interested me. He would go from near tears to a hardness that reminded me that grown men usually don't cry. Several times I saw him grow uncomfortable because I was still there. Finally I think he realized that I would be of no help. "You may leave now, Mr. Aronnax," said the captain. I left the two alone, feeling sorry for both of them. The dying sailor haunted my thoughts for the rest of the night. The next morning I went to the bridge. Captain Nemo was there before me. As soon as he saw me, he came over to me. "Professor, would you like to take a walk today?" "With my friends?" I asked. "If they like."