Таинственный остров

           Nebwasonhiskneesbythereporter’sside,motionlessasastatue.

           ThenCyrusHarding,extendinghishandovertheforeheadofthedead,saidsolemnly,"MayhissoulbewithGod!"Turningtohisfriends,headded,"Letusprayforhimwhomwehavelost!"

           Somehourslaterthecolonistsfulfilledthepromisemadetothecaptainbycarryingouthisdyingwishes.

           CyrusHardingandhiscompanionsquittedthe"Nautilus,"takingwiththemtheonlymementoleftthembytheirbenefactor,thecofferwhichcontainedwealthamountingtomillions.

           Themarveloussaloon,stillfloodedwithlight,hadbeencarefullyclosed.Theirondoorleadingondeckwasthensecurelyfastenedinsuchamannerastopreventevenadropofwaterfrompenetratingtotheinteriorofthe"Nautilus."

           Thecoloniststhendescendedintothecanoe,whichwasmooredtothesideofthesubmarinevessel.

           Thecanoewasnowbroughtaroundtothestern.There,atthewater-line,weretwolargestop-cockscommunicatingwiththereservoirsemployedinthesubmersionofthevessel.

           Thestop-cockswereopened,thereservoirsfilled,andthe"Nautilus,"slowlysinking,disappearedbeneaththesurfaceofthelake.

           Butthecolonistswereyetabletofollowitsdescentthroughthewaves.Thepowerfullightitgaveforthlightedupthetranslucentwater,whilethecavernbecamegraduallyobscure.Atlengththisvasteffusionofelectriclightfadedaway,andsoonafterthe"Nautilus,"nowthetombofCaptainNemo,reposedinitsoceanbed.