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Chapter 10. The Man of the Waters

           Butyoumustunderstandthat,inpursuingyouoverthehighseasofthePacific,theAbrahamLincolnbelieveditselftobechasingsomepowerfulsea-monster,ofwhichitwasnecessarytoridtheoceanatanyprice."

           Ahalf-smilecurledthelipsofthecommander:then,inacalmertone:

           "M.Aronnax,"hereplied,"dareyouaffirmthatyourfrigatewouldnotassoonhavepursuedandcannonadedasubmarineboatasamonster?"

           Thisquestionembarrassedme,forcertainlyCaptainFarragutmightnothavehesitated.Hemighthavethoughtithisdutytodestroyacontrivanceofthiskind,ashewouldagiganticnarwhal.

           "Youunderstandthen,sir,"continuedthestranger,"thatIhavetherighttotreatyouasenemies?"

           Ianswerednothing,purposely.Forwhatgoodwoulditbetodiscusssuchaproposition,whenforcecoulddestroythebestarguments?

           "Ihavehesitatedsometime,"continuedthecommander;"nothingobligedmetoshowyouhospitality.IfIchosetoseparatemyselffromyou,Ishouldhavenointerestinseeingyouagain;Icouldplaceyouuponthedeckofthisvesselwhichhasservedyouasarefuge,Icouldsinkbeneaththewaters,andforgetthatyouhadeverexisted.Wouldnotthatbemyright?"

           "Itmightbetherightofasavage,"Ianswered,"butnotthatofacivilisedman."

           "Professor,"repliedthecommander,quickly,"Iamnotwhatyoucallacivilisedman!

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