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Chapter 6. At Full Steam

           Theseorderswereexecuted,andthefrigatemovedrapidlyfromtheburninglight.

           Iwasmistaken.Shetriedtosheeroff,butthesupernaturalanimalapproachedwithavelocitydoubleherown.

           Wegaspedforbreath.Stupefactionmorethanfearmadeusdumbandmotionless.Theanimalgainedonus,sportingwiththewaves.Itmadetheroundofthefrigate,whichwasthenmakingfourteenknots,andenvelopeditwithitselectricringslikeluminousdust.

           Thenitmovedawaytwoorthreemiles,leavingaphosphorescenttrack,likethosevolumesofsteamthattheexpresstrainsleavebehind.Allatoncefromthedarklineofthehorizonwhitheritretiredtogainitsmomentum,themonsterrushedsuddenlytowardstheAbrahamLincolnwithalarmingrapidity,stoppedsuddenlyabouttwentyfeetfromthehull,anddiedoutnotdivingunderthewater,foritsbrilliancydidnotabatebutsuddenly,andasifthesourceofthisbrilliantemanationwasexhausted.Thenitreappearedontheothersideofthevessel,asifithadturnedandslidunderthehull.Anymomentacollisionmighthaveoccurredwhichwouldhavebeenfataltous.However,Iwasastonishedatthemanoeuvresofthefrigate.Shefledanddidnotattack.

           Onthecaptain’sface,generallysoimpassive,wasanexpressionofunaccountableastonishment.

           "Mr.Aronnax,"hesaid,"IdonotknowwithwhatformidablebeingIhavetodeal,andIwillnotimprudentlyriskmyfrigateinthemidstofthisdarkness.Besides,howattackthisunknownthing,howdefendone’sselffromit?Waitfordaylight,andthescenewillchange."

           "Youhavenofurtherdoubt,captain,ofthenatureoftheanimal?"

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