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Chapter 22. The Lightning Bolts of Captain Nemo

           "ButCaptain"

           "Howmanyhaveyoucounted?"

           "Ahundredatleast."

           "M.Aronnax,"repliedCaptainNemo,placinghisfingersontheorganstops,"whenallthenativesofPapuaareassembledonthisshore,theNautiluswillhavenothingtofearfromtheirattacks."

           TheCaptain’sfingerswerethenrunningoverthekeysoftheinstrument,andIremarkedthathetouchedonlytheblackkeys,whichgavehismelodiesanessentiallyScotchcharacter.Soonhehadforgottenmypresence,andhadplungedintoareveriethatIdidnotdisturb.Iwentupagainontotheplatform:nighthadalreadyfallen;for,inthislowlatitude,thesunsetsrapidlyandwithouttwilight.Icouldonlyseetheislandindistinctly;butthenumerousfires,lightedonthebeach,showedthatthenativesdidnotthinkofleavingit.Iwasaloneforseveralhours,sometimesthinkingofthenativesbutwithoutanydreadofthem,fortheimperturbableconfidenceoftheCaptainwascatchingsometimesforgettingthemtoadmirethesplendoursofthenightinthetropics.MyremembranceswenttoFranceinthetrainofthosezodiacalstarsthatwouldshineinsomehours’time.Themoonshoneinthemidstoftheconstellationsofthezenith.

           Thenightslippedawaywithoutanymischance,theislandersfrightenednodoubtatthesightofamonsteragroundinthebay.Thepanelswereopen,andwouldhaveofferedaneasyaccesstotheinterioroftheNautilus.

           Atsixo’clockinthemorningofthe8thJanuaryIwentupontotheplatform.Thedawnwasbreaking.Theislandsoonshoweditselfthroughthedissipatingfogs,firsttheshore,thenthesummits.

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