20000 льє під водою

           Thewarmestpartisansoftheenterprisenowbecameitsmostardentdetractors.Reactionmountedfromthecrewtothecaptainhimself,andcertainly,haditnotbeenfortheresolutedeterminationonthepartofCaptainFarragut,thefrigatewouldhaveheadedduesouthward.Thisuselesssearchcouldnotlastmuchlonger.TheAbrahamLincolnhadnothingtoreproachherselfwith,shehaddoneherbesttosucceed.NeverhadanAmericanship’screwshownmorezealorpatience;itsfailurecouldnotbeplacedtotheircharge—thereremainednothingbuttoreturn.

           Thiswasrepresentedtothecommander.Thesailorscouldnothidetheirdiscontent,andtheservicesuffered.Iwillnotsaytherewasamutinyonboard,butafterareasonableperiodofobstinacy,CaptainFarragut(asColumbusdid)askedforthreedays’patience.Ifinthreedaysthemonsterdidnotappear,themanatthehelmshouldgivethreeturnsofthewheel,andtheAbrahamLincolnwouldmakefortheEuropeanseas.

           Thispromisewasmadeonthe2ndofNovember.Ithadtheeffectofrallyingtheship’screw.Theoceanwaswatchedwithrenewedattention.Eachonewishedforalastglanceinwhichtosumuphisremembrance.Glasseswereusedwithfeverishactivity.Itwasagranddefiancegiventothegiantnarwhal,andhecouldscarcelyfailtoanswerthesummonsand"appear."

           Twodayspassed,thesteamwasathalfpressure;athousandschemesweretriedtoattracttheattentionandstimulatetheapathyoftheanimalincaseitshouldbemetinthoseparts.Largequantitiesofbaconweretrailedinthewakeoftheship,tothegreatsatisfaction(Imustsay)ofthesharks.SmallcraftradiatedinalldirectionsroundtheAbrahamLincolnasshelayto,anddidnotleaveaspotoftheseaunexplored.Butthenightofthe4thofNovemberarrivedwithouttheunveilingofthissubmarinemystery.