Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

by Jules Verne

For some time past vessels had been met by “an enormous thing,” a long object, spindle-shaped, occasionally phosphorescent, and infinitely larger and more rapid in its movements than a whale.

There remained then only two possible solutions of the question, which created two distinct parties: on one side, those who were for a monster of colossal strength; on the other, those who were for a submarine vessel of enormous motive power.

“After examining one by one the different theories, rejecting all other suggestions, it becomes necessary to admit the existence of a marine animal of enormous power.

“The common narwhal, or unicorn of the sea, often attains a length of sixty feet.

He believed in it, as certain good women believe in the leviathan,—by faith, not by reason.

“You understand then, sir,” continued the stranger, “that I have the right to treat you as enemies?”

“I am not what you call a civilised man! I have done with society entirely, for reasons which I alone have the right of appreciating. I do not, therefore, obey its laws, and I desire you never to allude to them before me again!”

“I am nothing to you but Captain Nemo; and you and your companions are nothing to me but the passengers of the Nautilus.”

But at thirty feet below its level, their reign ceases, their influence is quenched, and their power disappears. Ah! sir, live—live in the bosom of the waters! There only is independence! There I recognise no masters! There I am free!”