Music Welcome to snoozecast. The podcast is on to help you fall asleep. Find us at snoozecast.com and if you enjoy our show, please share us with a friend. This episode is brought to you by the Gulf Stream. In the previous episode, the crew of the Nautilus encounters a swarm of giant cuttlefish, one of which entangles the ship's screw, preventing it from moving. Captain Nemo leads the crew in a fierce battle against the creatures, using axes and hard poons. Despite their efforts, one of the crew perishes, leaving Captain Nemo grief-stricken, and the Nautilus remains a drift for days before resuming its course through the Gulf Stream. We pick up at the start of chapter 20. Let's get cozy. Close your eyes.

Relax your body into the softness of your bed. Now, take a few deep breaths. Brats. Chapter 20. From latitude 47 degrees 24 minutes to longitude 17 degrees 28 minutes. consequence of the storm, we had been thrown eastward once more. All hope of escape on the shores of New York or St. Lawrence had faded away. And poor Ned, in despair, had isolated himself like Captain Nemo. Konsei and I, however, never left each other. I said that the Nontalus had gone aside to the east. I should have said to be more exact, the northeast. For some days, it wandered first on the surface, and then beneath it, amid those fogs so dreaded by sailors. What accidents are due to these thick fogs? What shocks upon these reefs, when the wind drowns the breaking of the waves, what collisions between vessels in spite of their warning lights, whistles and alarm bells, and the bottoms of these seas look like a field of battle,'re still lie all the conquered of the ocean. Some old and already encrusted. Others fresh and reflecting from their iron bands and copper plates, the brilliancy of our lantern. On the 15th of May, we were at the extreme south of the bank of Newfoundland. This bank consists of Olivia or large heaps of organic matter. Brought either from the equator by the Gulf Stream or from the North Pole by the counter-current of cold water which skirts the American coast. There also are heaped up those erratic blocks which are carried along by the broken ice and close by a vast charnel house of mollusks, which perish here by millions.

The depth of the sea is not great at Newfoundland, not more than some hundreds of fathoms,

but towards the south is a depression of 1,500 fathoms. There, the Gulf Stream widens. It loses some of its speed and some of its temperature, but it becomes a sea. It was on the 17th of May, about 500 miles from Hart's content, at a depth of more than 1400 fathoms that I saw the electric cable lying on the bottom. Conce, to whom I had not mentioned it, thought at first that it was a gigantic sea serpent, but I undecieved the worthy fellow,

and by way of consolation related several particulars in the laying of this cable.

The first one was laid in the years 1857 and 1858, but after transmitting about 400 telegrams, would not act any longer. In 1863, the engineers constructed another one, measuring 2,000 miles in length and weighing 4,500 tons, which was embarked on the Great Eastern. This attempt also failed.

On the 25th of May, the Nautilus being at a depth of more than 1,918 fathoms,

was on the precise spot where the rupture occurred which ruined the enterprise. It was within 638 miles of the coast of Ireland, and at half past two in the afternoon, they discovered that communication with Europe had ceased.

The electricians on board resolved to cut the cable before fishing it up, and at 11 o'clock at night they had recovered the damaged part. They made another point and spliced it, and it was once more submerged. some days after it broke again, and in the depths of the ocean could not be recaptured. The Americans, however, were not discouraged. Cyrus Field, the bold promoter of the Enterprise, as he had sunk all his own fortune, set a new subscription on foot, which was at once answered, and another cable was constructed on better principles. The bundles of conducting wires were each enveloped in Gata Percah and protected by a wading of hemp contained in a metallic covering. The great Eastern sailed on 13 July, 1866. The operation worked well, but one incident occurred. Several times in unrolling the cable, they observed that nails had recently been forced into it, evidently with the motive of destroying it. Captain Anderson, the officers, and engineers consulted together, and had it posted up that if the offender was surprised on board, he would be thrown without further trial into the sea. From that time, the criminal attempt was never repeated. On 23 July, the Great Eastern was not more than 500 miles from Newfoundland. When they telegraphed from Ireland, the news of the armistice concluded between Prussia and Austria. On the 27th, in the midst of heavy fogs, they reached the port of Hart's content. The Enterprise was successfully terminated, and for its first dispatch young America addressed old Europe in these words of wisdom so rarely understood. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill towards men. I did not expect to find the electric cable in its primitive state, such as it was on

leaving the manufacturing. The long serpent covered with the remains of shells, was encrusted with a strong coating which served as a protection against all boring mollusks lay quietly sheltered from the motions of the sea, and under a favorable pressure for the transmission of the electric spark, which passes from Europe to America in less than half a second. Doubtless, this capable will last for a great length of time.

For they find that the gutta perchia covering is improved by the seawater. Besides, on this level, so well chosen, the capel is never so deeply submerged as to cause it to break. the Nautilus followed it to the lowest depth, which was more than 2,212, and there at lay without any anchorage. And then we reached the spot where the accident had taken place in 1863. The bottom of the ocean then formed a valley about a hundred miles broad, in which Mont Blanc might have been placed without its summit appearing above the waves. This valley is closed at the east by a perpendicular wall more than two thousand yards high. We arrived there on the twenty-eighth of May, and the Nautilus was then not more than 120 miles from Ireland. Was Captain Nemo going to land on the British Isles? No. To my great surprise, he made for the south once more coming back towards European seas. rounding the emerald aisle, for one instant I caught sight of Cape Clear and the light which guides the thousands of vessels leaving Liverpool. An important question that arose in my mind. Did the Nautilus dare entangle itself? That land who had reappeared since we had been nearing land did not cease to question me. How could I answer? Captain Nemo remained invisible. After having shown the Canadian a glimpse of American shores, was he going to show me the coast of France? But the Nautilus was still going southward. On the 30th of May, it passed in sight of Lans End, between the extreme point of England and the Silly Isles, which were left to starboard. If he wished to enter, he must go straight to the east. He did not do so. During the whole of the 31st of May, an Autilus described a series of circles on the water, which greatly interested me. It seemed to be seeking a spot it had some trouble in finding. At noon, Captain Nemo himself came to work the ship's log. He spoke no word to me, but seemed gloomier than ever. What could sat in him thus? Was it his proximity to European shores Had he some recollections of his abandoned country? If not, what did he feel? Remorse or regret? For a long while this thought haunted me, and I thought before long, chance would betray the captain's secrets. The next day, the first of June, the Nautilus continued at the same process. It was evidently seeking some particular spot in the ocean. Captain Nemo took the sun's altitude as he had done the day before. The sea was beautiful, the sky clear. About eight miles to the east, a large steam vessel could be discerned on the horizon. No flag fluttered from its mast, and I could not discover its nationality. Some minutes before the sun passed the Meridian, Captain Nemo took his sextant and watched with great attention. The perfect rest of the water greatly helped the operation. The Nautilus was motionless, it neither rolled nor pitched. I was on the platform when the altitude was taken, and the captain pronounced these words, it is here. He turned and went below. Had he seen the vessel which was changing its course and seemed to be nearing us, I could not tell. I returned to the saloon. The panels closed. I heard the hissing of the water in the reservoirs. The nautilists began to sink, following a vertical line, for its screw communicated no motion to it. Some minutes later, it stopped at a depth of more than 420 fathoms resting on the ground. Illuminous ceiling was darkened, then the panels were opened, and through the glass I saw the sea brilliantly illuminated by the rays of our lantern for at least half a mile round us. I looked to the port side and saw nothing but an immensity of quiet waters. But to starboard, on the bottom appeared a large

protuberance, which at once attracted my attention. One would have thought it a ruin buried under a coating of white shells, much resembling a covering of snow. Upon examining the mass attentively, I could recognize the ever-thickening form of a vessel bear of its masts, which must have sunk. It certainly belonged to past times. This wreck, to be thus encrusted with the lime of the water, must already be able to count many years past at the bottom of the ocean. Who was this vessel? Why did the notless visit its tomb? Could it have been ought by a shipwreck which had drawn it under the water? I knew not what to think. When near me, in a slow voice, I heard Captain Nemo say. At one time, this ship was called the Masei. It carried 74 guns and was launched in 1762. In 1778, the 13th of August, commanded by Apporte Vétrayu, it fought boldly against the Preston. In 1779 on the 4th of July, it was at the taking of Granada with the squadron The Vadmural Eston. In 1781, on the 5th of September, it took part in the battle of Cum de Grau in Chesapeake Bay. In 1794, the French Republic changed its name. On On the 16th of April, in the same year, it joined the squadron Vila Rejo Yu at breast, being entrusted with the escort of a cargo of corn coming from America under the command of Admiral Van Steebel. On the 11th and 12th, Prairieal of the second year, the squadron fell in with an English vessel. Sir, today is the 13th Paryll, the 1st of June, 1868. It is now 74 years ago, day for day, on this very spot, in latitude 47 degrees 24 minutes, longitude 17 degrees 28 minutes, that this vessel, after fighting heroically, losing its three masts with the water in its hold, and the third of its crew disabled, preferred sinking, with its 35 sailors to surrendering, and nailing its colors to the poop disappeared under the waves to cry, long live the Republic. The Avenger, I exclaimed, yes sir, the Avenger, a good name, muttered Captain Nemo, crossing his arms. Chapter 21 A Hakedome way of describing this unlooked-for scene, the history of the patriot ship told at first so coldly, and the emotion with which the strange man pronounced the last words, the name of the Avenger, the significance of which could not escape me. All impressed itself

deeply on my mind. My eyes did not leave the captain, who, with his hand stretched out to sea, was watching with a glowing eye, the glorious wreck. Perhaps I was never to know who he was from once he came or where he was going to.

But I saw the man move, and apart from the savant, it was no common misanthropy, which had shut Captain Nemo and his companions within the Nautilus, but a hatred, either monstrous or sublime, which time could never weaken. Did this hatred still seek for vengeance? The future would soon teach me that, but the anautilus was rising slowly to the surface of the sea, and the form of the Avenger disappeared by degrees from my sight. Soon Soon a slight rolling told me that we were in the open air. At that moment a doll boom was heard. I looked at the captain. He did not move. The captain said, I? He did not answer. I left him and mounted the platform.

Concei and the Canadian were already there. Where did that sound come from, I asked?

And was a gunshot, replied Netland. I looked in the direction of the vessel I had already seen.

It was nearing the nautilus and we could see that it was putting on steam.

It was within six miles of us. What is that ship, Ned? By its rigging and the height of its lower mast, said the Canadian, I bet she is a ship of war. May it reach us, and if necessary, sink this cursed notalless." "'Friend Ned,' replied Kahnze. What harm can it do to the notalless? Can it attack it beneath the waves?' "'Tell me Ned,' said I. Can you recognize what country she belongs to?"

The Canadian knitted his eyebrows, dropped his eyelids, and screwed up the corner of his eyes, and for a moment fixed a piercing look upon the vessel. No sir, he replied.

I cannot tell what nation she belongs to.

For she shows no colors, but I can declare she is a man of war, for a long penit flutters from her main mast. For a quarter of an hour we watched the ship which was steaming towards us. I could not, however, believe that she could see the nautilus from that distance, and still less that she could know what the submarine engine was. Soon, the Canadian informed me that she was a large, armored, two-decker ram. A thick black smoke was pouring from her two funnels. Her closely furled sales were stopped to her yards. She hoisted no flag at her mizzenpeak. The distance prevented us from distinguishing the colors of her penit, which floated like a thin ribbon. She advanced rapidly. If Captain Nemo allowed her to approach, there was a chance of salvation for us. Sir, said Nedland. If that vessel passes within a mile of us, I shall throw myself into the sea, and I should advise you to do the same. I did not reply to the Canadian suggestion, but continued watching the ship. Whether English, French, American, or Russian, she would be sure to take us in if we could only reach her. Presently, a white smoke burst from the four part of the vessel. Some seconds after the water, agitated by the fall of a

heavy body, splashed the stern of the nautilus, and shortly afterwards, a loud explosion struck my ear. What? They are firing at us, I exclaimed. So please you, sir, said Ned.

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