Mont regarded him with undisguised astonishment.
The _Searcher_ was indeed a wonderful craft.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE MYSTERIES OF THE "SEARCHER."
Many days passed.
The lives of the captives were unvaried by any incident. They sawnothing of Captain Vindex; were well attended to, slept comfortably, andhad nothing to complain of but their imprisonment.
Books were freely supplied them, but they were not allowed to leavetheir cabins.
At the expiration of a fortnight or thereabouts, as well as they couldreckon, negro Number One entered their cabin after breakfast.
Addressing Mont, the negro observed:
"Massa Folsom to come to cappen's cabin."
"Does he want me?" inquired Mont. "All right. Good-by, my friends," headded, "perhaps you will never see me again. I may be the first victim."
"No fear!" exclaimed Carl. "We shan't be hurt if we keep quiet."
"I'll suggest that you're the fattest, Carl, if there is any question ofcooking one of us."
"Then it won't be true, for you're as fat as a mole. Go on and be cookedfirst! I'll have a bit of you," answered Barnaby.
Mont went away laughing. He was not really alarmed, for although he didnot like Captain Vindex, he fancied he was safe as long as he did notirritate this strange being.
The negro conducted him along a passage which opened into a magnificentlibrary, full of books, which gave admittance to a drawing roomfurnished with all the taste that could be found in Paris or New York.
The space within the ironclad shell had been made the most of, and noexpense had been spared to make the cabin luxurious and well appointed.
The walls were richly papered and covered with valuable paintings. Theceiling was frescoed, and works of art were everywhere to be seen. Richcouches and chairs invited rest, and the foot sank in the soft pile of aTurkey carpet.
Captain Vindex arose as our hero entered.
"Take a seat," he said, as the negro retired, closing the door afterhim. "I have taken an interest in you, Folsom."
"Thank you," answered Mont coldly.
The captain smiled, approached the end of the room, and, drawing back acurtain, revealed a splendid organ.
"Do you like music?" he asked.
"Very much," answered Mont. "Play us something. It will enliven me abit. I feel awfully low, and I'll give you a game at dominoes orcheckers afterwards, if you like."
Captain Vindex smiled, and, sitting down, played Sousa's "Liberty BellMarch" with great skill.
"Thank you," said Mont, when he had finished. "Very fine. Now will youtell me how you manage for air?"
"I will not trouble you with chemical details," answered the captain,"which you would not understand, but when I do not take in air at thesurface, I have some compressed in the reservoir, which, by means of anapparatus, is wafted all over the ship."
"And about light and moving about?"
"That is the result of electricity, which I make myself. My motive poweris electricity, and I can attain a speed of thirty miles an hour. Themen of the world have not yet discovered half the value of electricity.My machinery is of the finest kind. If I want to sink to the bottom ofthe sea, I fill certain reservoirs I have with water; when I want torise, I lighten the ship by letting out the water. In short, I haveinvented everything that is necessary for my safety and comfort."
"Wonderful!" ejaculated Mont.
"Your friend, the professor, would understand me, if I were to explainto him how everything were managed, but to you it all seems as strangeas the first railway train did to the country people through whosedistricts it passed. Engineering science is yet in its infancy. Theworld has great discoveries to make. You are at present only on thethreshold of the great unknown."
"You work your ship with a screw, I suppose?"
"Exactly. The helmsman sits in a cabin with a glass front, and theelectric light illumines the sea for some distance, so that all is clearto him."
"Where did you build this extraordinary vessel?" continued our hero.
"On a desert island in the Pacific. I had the various parts brought in avessel that belonged to me from various parts of the world, and thetwelve negroes who are now with me were my only workmen."
"You are rich, then?"
"Money was never any object to me," replied the captain. "If I wantedgold even now, could I not obtain millions from the bottom of the seaout of ships that have sunk? And some day I shall find the greatmillion-dollar pearl for which I am searching. The treasures of the deepare mine; I am the Wizard of the Sea."
He spoke proudly, and his eyes dilated with rapture.
"You like the sea?"
"I love it. I revel in it. Look at the solitude and freedom I enjoy!What life can be comparable to mine?"
"But you must feel weary at times," said Mont.
"Never. I read, I think, and, when I want diversion, I shoot."
"Where?"
"In the submarine forests. I have invented a square case to strap on theback, which is attached to a mask covering the head, and this willcontain enough compressed air to last for several hours' consumption, sothat I can walk under the waves with ease and comfort."
"And your guns?"
"Are air guns, also my own invention. I have several, and each isprepared to fire twenty shots by a mere movement of the trigger, therequisite force of air being placed in a hollow of the butt end; but allthese mysteries will become plain to you before you have been long withme," answered Captain Vindex.
"What time is it?" asked Mont.
Looking at his watch, the captain answered:
"A quarter to twelve, or near midday."
"If you want to give me a treat," said Mont, "I wish you would go up tothe surface and let me have a look at the sea, and breathe the freshair."
"Certainly. Come with me to the engine room."
Mont rose, and followed his conductor through several iron passages tothe place where the machinery was fitted up.
A negro saluted the captain.
"Number Twelve," exclaimed the latter, "I wish to ascend."
The engineer touched a valve, and a rush of water escaping was heard.
The pumps were forcing out the water from the reservoirs.
The _Searcher_ began to ascend. After a time she stopped suddenly.
"We have arrived," said the captain.
He led the way up a central spiral staircase, and, raising a small door,they emerged upon what may be called the deck, or what our hero and hiscompanions had taken to be the back of the monster.
Touching a spring, an iron railing sprang up, about five feet high.
This prevented any danger of falling into the sea in rough weather, forit made a small inclosure about twenty feet by ten.
Mont saw that the shape of the ship was something like a long cigar.
The sea was calm and the sky clear; a light breeze fanned their cheeksas Mont opened his lungs to take in the inviting atmosphere.
There was, however, nothing to be seen. All was one vast desert.
The captain proceeded, armed with a sextant, to take the height of thesun, which would give him his latitude.
He waited some minutes until the sun attained the edge of the horizon.
Having calculated the longitude chronometrically, he said:
"To-day I commence a voyage of exploration under the waves."
"When you like," replied Mont; "anything for a little excitement."
The captain conducted him downstairs again, the iron railing fell, thetrapdoor closed overhead, and with a bow the strange being left him tojoin his companions.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE DEVIL FISH.
"He's about half crazy!"
Such was Mont's conclusion as he joined his companions.
While Mont was telling the others of what he had seen, all were treatedto a surprise.
A panel in the wall slid back.
A large sheet of very thick plate gl
ass, quite transparent, was revealedto view almost immediately; a flood of electric light lit up the sea forsome distance, and everything was as clear as daylight.
It was as if they were looking at an immense aquarium.
"The captain is giving us a surprise," remarked the professor; "this ischarming."
Innumerable fishes of various kinds, most of which were unknown, even toa naturalist of Dr. Woddle's standing, passed before them.
Strange, wild, fierce-looking things, with wonderful tails and heads.
Some looking unmistakably voracious, others being long and slimy likehideous snakes.
They were doubtless attracted by the electric light.
For two hours the four companions gazed at the ever-changing procession,without the least abatement of their delight.
Presently the door opened, and a negro handed the professor a letter.
He opened it and read its contents aloud.
"Captain Vindex presents his compliments to Professor Woddle, and willbe glad if he and his companions will accept an invitation to shoot inthe weed forests under the sea to-morrow morning at ten o'clock."
"I'll be hanged if I go!" exclaimed Stump. "Not if I know it. I'm safehere, but I don't want to be chawed up by some strange reptile."
"Silence, boy!" said the professor. "Tell Captain Vindex," he continued,to the negro, "that we are much obliged to him for his invitation, whichwe gladly accept."
The negro bowed and retired.
At the time appointed the professor and the boys were conducted to acabin, which may be called the dressing-room, or arsenal, of the_Searcher_.
Hanging on the walls were numerous helmets, such as divers wear, and anumber of guns reposed on hooks.
At the last moment Stump had determined to accompany the party.
Captain Vindex was already there, and received them graciously.
"I wish you good-day, professor," he said; "and you, too, my boys. Ithink we shall enjoy some excellent sport among the sea otters and otheranimals worth killing. You, Dr. Woddle, will be able to add to yourknowledge of natural history, for we are about to traverse a forest ofremarkable seaweeds and plants, in which you will find all kinds ofsubmarine life."
"I am obliged to you for your kindness, sir, and put myself entirely atyour disposal," replied the professor.
At a signal from the captain, two negroes assisted our heroes to put ontheir apparel, and clothed them in thick waterproof made of Indiarubber, which formed trousers and vest, the trousers terminating in apair of shoes with lead soles; a cuirass of leather protected the chestfrom the pressure of the water, and allowed the lungs full play.
Supple gloves covered the hands, the helmet was then put on, and theknapsack of compressed air adjusted on the back.
To each one was given a gun, the butt of which was of brass and hollow.
Here was stored the compressed air which discharged the electricbullets, one of which fell into its proper place just as the other hadbeen shot away. The whole mechanism was perfect.
When all was ready they stepped into an empty cabin, the door closedbehind them, and, touching a knob, the captain allowed the room to fillwith water.
Then he opened a door and they walked out into the sea.
Each had an electric lamp fastened to the waist, which made their pathclear and distinct, enabling them to see every object through the glassholes in their helmets.
The captain walked in front with the professor.
Carl and Mont were side by side, and Stump brought up the rear.
Walking was not very difficult, and the supply of air, well charged withthe oxygen necessary for prolonged respiration, was all that could bewished. It entered as it was required from the knapsack reservoir, andescaped when used through a turret at the top of the circular helmet.
They proceeded along fine sand, covered with a variety of shells, for atleast a mile, when they came to some rocks covered with beautifulanemones.
Innumerable fish sported around them; long, writhing eels, of aprodigious size, with ugly, flat snake-like heads, glided away at theirapproach, and thousands of jelly fish danced about their heads.
They were not at a great depth, and presumably were near some island,for Mont, looking up, saw the sun overhead, guessing the depth to beabout thirty or forty feet.
The sun's rays easily penetrated the waves, and made a kaleidoscope ofcolors inconceivably beautiful.
If the party could have spoken they would have given vent to theiradmiration in no measured terms.
The least sound was transmitted easily, showing that the sea is a betterconductor of noise than land.
By degrees the depth increased, and they must have been a hundred yardsfrom the surface, as the pressure of the water increased.
Mont suffered no inconvenience except a slight tingling in the ears andfingers.
He moved with ease, and was intensely delighted with the wonderful bedof sea flowers which gave place to the fine sand they had beentraversing.
A dark mass extended itself before them; and Captain Vindex, extendinghis hand, indicated the beginning of the forest.
It was composed of large seaweeds and plants, which extended in astraight manner, having no drooping branches; all were erect andmotionless.
When displaced by the hand they resumed a perpendicular position.
They scarcely had any roots in the sand, and were evidently nourished bythe water and not by the earth.
Some were long and slender, others short and bushy, covered withblossoms of various colors; others, again, reached a height equal to ourforest trees.
They had not proceeded far through this dense jungle of weeds, amongwhich it was difficult to pick a path, when the captain halted.
In front of him was a huge octopus, or devil fish, over three feet indiameter, with long, terrible arms.
It endeavored to seize the professor, who, sinking on his knees,shivered in silent terror!
CHAPTER XVIII.
MONT IS LOST.
It looked as if Professor Woddle's last moment had come.
In a moment more the devil fish had the shivering man in its fearfulembrace.
The captain and Mont, however, raised their guns, and with one shot leftit convulsed in its dying agonies.
As they continued to descend into a valley, bounded on each side by highrocks, the darkness increased, for the sun's rays could not penetratemore than a hundred and fifty yards.
It was now that the electric lamps became of importance.
As they got lower and lower, Mont felt an oppression about the head, anda great desire to sleep overcame him.
He lagged behind the others, and with difficulty kept up with them.
Several fine sea otters were seen in front, playing about amongst theweeds.
The captain fired, and the others followed his example.
Three fell dead, one of which Stump took up and threw over his shoulder.
Suddenly Mont sank down on the ground and immediately fell asleep.
His companions, in the eagerness of their chase after the game that hadescaped, did not notice his absence.
They had proceeded fully half a mile, when Barnaby, looking back, wasunable to discover any trace of Mont.
He at once ran to the captain and made signs, pointing to himself, theprofessor, and Stump, and pointing in different directions to intimatethat Mont was lost.
Captain Vindex at once comprehended his meaning.
He retraced his steps, going carefully over the ground they hadtrodden.
It was without success, for nowhere could they find the slightest traceof their unfortunate companion.
Carl would have given worlds had he been able to speak.
He was profoundly agitated, for it was horrible to think that his chumwas lost under the sea, not knowing his way back to the _Searcher_, forthey had come a roundabout way.
Captain Vindex was also annoyed.
If Mont chose he could climb up the rocks and reach the summit.
/> There he might take off his helmet, and breathe the free air of heaven.
But would he think of this?
Perhaps in his confusion he would wander about in the effort to meet hiscompanions, and at last be suffocated miserably.
The supply of air with which each was provided was not sufficient tolast more than five hours.
Two of those hours' supply had been already consumed.
It was necessary that Captain Vindex and those with him should think ofreturning to the ship.
Making a sign, he led the way back.
Carl felt inclined to stay and die in the attempt to find his friend.
It would have been an immense relief to him to have said something, butnot a sound could he make audible outside his helmet.
With sad and weary steps they traversed the lovely valley, which hadlost all its former attractions for the party.
The forest was passed and the sand regained.
They were not more than two miles from the _Searcher_.
Carl determined to make a last effort.
He seized the captain's arm and pointed pathetically, almostimploringly, to the dense mass of vegetation behind them.
His mute appeal to go back after Mont was comprehended.
But it was disregarded.
Their own lives would have been in jeopardy had they turned back.
The air in the reservoirs was becoming weak and impure.