Chapter 15. An Invitation in Writing

           Thiscellwas,tospeakcorrectly,thearsenalandwardrobeoftheNautilus.Adozendivingapparatuseshungfromthepartitionwaitingouruse.

           NedLand,onseeingthem,showedevidentrepugnancetodresshimselfinone.

           "But,myworthyNed,theforestsoftheIslandofCrespoarenothingbutsubmarineforests."

           "Good!"saidthedisappointedharpooner,whosawhisdreamsoffreshmeatfadeaway."Andyou,M.Aronnax,areyougoingtodressyourselfinthoseclothes?"

           "Thereisnoalternative,MasterNed."

           "Asyouplease,sir,"repliedtheharpooner,shrugginghisshoulders;"but,asforme,unlessIamforced,Iwillnevergetintoone."

           "Noonewillforceyou,MasterNed,"saidCaptainNemo.

           "IsConseilgoingtoriskit?"askedNed.

           "Ifollowmymasterwhereverhegoes,"repliedConseil.

           AttheCaptain’scalltwooftheship’screwcametohelpusdressintheseheavyandimperviousclothes,madeofindia-rubberwithoutseam,andconstructedexpresslytoresistconsiderablepressure.Onewouldhavethoughtitasuitofarmour,bothsuppleandresisting.Thissuitformedtrousersandwaistcoat.