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Chapter 15. An Invitation in Writing

           AseconddoorcutinthesideoftheNautilusthenopened.Wesawafaintlight.Inanotherinstantourfeettrodthebottomofthesea.

           Andnow,howcanIretracetheimpressionleftuponmebythatwalkunderthewaters?Wordsareimpotenttorelatesuchwonders!CaptainNemowalkedinfront,hiscompanionfollowedsomestepsbehind.ConseilandIremainedneareachother,asifanexchangeofwordshadbeenpossiblethroughourmetalliccases.Inolongerfelttheweightofmyclothing,orofmyshoes,ofmyreservoirofair,ormythickhelmet,inthemidstofwhichmyheadrattledlikeanalmondinitsshell.

           Thelight,whichlitthesoilthirtyfeetbelowthesurfaceoftheocean,astonishedmebyitspower.Thesolarraysshonethroughthewaterymasseasily,anddissipatedallcolour,andIclearlydistinguishedobjectsatadistanceofahundredandfiftyyards.Beyondthatthetintsdarkenedintofinegradationsofultramarine,andfadedintovagueobscurity.Trulythiswaterwhichsurroundedmewasbutanotherairdenserthantheterrestrialatmosphere,butalmostastransparent.Abovemewasthecalmsurfaceofthesea.Wewerewalkingonfine,evensand,notwrinkled,asonaflatshore,whichretainstheimpressionofthebillows.Thisdazzlingcarpet,reallyareflector,repelledtheraysofthesunwithwonderfulintensity,whichaccountedforthevibrationwhichpenetratedeveryatomofliquid.ShallIbebelievedwhenIsaythat,atthedepthofthirtyfeet,IcouldseeasifIwasinbroaddaylight?

           ForaquarterofanhourItrodonthissand,sownwiththeimpalpabledustofshells.ThehulloftheNautilus,resemblingalongshoal,disappearedbydegrees;butitslantern,whendarknessshouldovertakeusinthewaters,wouldhelptoguideusonboardbyitsdistinctrays.

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