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Chapter 10. The Man of the Waters

           Ihavedonewithsocietyentirely,forreasonswhichIalonehavetherightofappreciating.Idonot,therefore,obeyitslaws,andIdesireyounevertoalludetothembeforemeagain!"

           Thiswassaidplainly.AflashofangeranddisdainkindledintheeyesoftheUnknown,andIhadaglimpseofaterriblepastinthelifeofthisman.Notonlyhadheputhimselfbeyondthepaleofhumanlaws,buthehadmadehimselfindependentofthem,freeinthestrictestacceptationoftheword,quitebeyondtheirreach!Whothenwoulddaretopursuehimatthebottomofthesea,when,onitssurface,hedefiedallattemptsmadeagainsthim?

           Whatvesselcouldresisttheshockofhissubmarinemonitor?Whatcuirass,howeverthick,couldwithstandtheblowsofhisspur?Nomancoulddemandfromhimanaccountofhisactions;God,ifhebelievedinonehisconscience,ifhehadonewerethesolejudgestowhomhewasanswerable.

           Thesereflectionscrossedmymindrapidly,whilstthestrangerpersonagewassilent,absorbed,andasifwrappedupinhimself.Iregardedhimwithfearmingledwithinterest,as,doubtless,OEdiphusregardedtheSphinx.

           Afterratheralongsilence,thecommanderresumedtheconversation.

           "Ihavehesitated,"saidhe,"butIhavethoughtthatmyinterestmightbereconciledwiththatpitytowhicheveryhumanbeinghasaright.Youwillremainonboardmyvessel,sincefatehascastyouthere.Youwillbefree;and,inexchangeforthisliberty,Ishallonlyimposeonesinglecondition.

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