Join Host Bree Carlile as she reads the twenty-first chapter of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.

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Today we'll be continuing 20,000 leagues under the sea by Jules Verne chapter 21 Captain Nemo's Thunderbolt we looked at the edge of the forest without rising, my hand stopping in the action of putting it to my mouth.

Ned lands, completing its office.

Stones do not fall from the sky, remarked conceal, or they would merit the name Aralites.

A second stone, carefully aimed, that made a savory pigeon's leg fall from Conceal's hand, gave still more weight to his observation.

We all three arose, shouldered our guns, and were ready to reply to any attack.

Are they apes?

Cried Ned land.

Very nearly.

They are savages.

To the boat, I said, hurrying to the sea.

It was indeed necessary to beat a retreat, for about 20 natives armed with bows and slings appeared on the skirts of a cops that massed the horizon to the right, hardly a hundred steps from us.

Our boat was moored about 60ft from us.

The savages approached us, not running but making hostile demonstrations.

Stones and arrows fell thickly.

Ned land did not wish to leave its provisions, and in spite of his imminent danger his pig on one side and kangaroos on the other, he went tolerably fast.

In two minutes we were on the shore to load the boat with provisions and arms, to push it out to sea and to ship the oars was the work of an instant.

We had not gone to cable lengths when a hundred savages, howling and gesticulating, entered the water up to their waists.

I watched to see if their apparition would attract some men from the Nautilus onto the platform.

But no, the enormous machine lying off was absolutely deserted.

20 minutes later we were on board.

The panels were open.

After making the boat fast, we entered into the interior of the nautilus.

I descended to the drawing room, from whence I heard some chords.

Captain Nemo was there, bending over his organ, and plunged in a musical ecstasy.

Captain.

He did not hear me.

Captain, I said, touching his hand.

He shuddered, and turning round, said, ah, it is you, professor.

Well, have you had a good hunt?

Have you botanized successfully?

Yes, captain, but we have unfortunately brought a troop of bipeds whose vicinity troubles me.

What bipeds?

Savages.

Savages.

He echoed ironically.

So you are astonished, professor, at having set foot on a strange land and finding savages?

Savages?

Where?

Are there not any?

Besides, are they worse than others, these whom you call savages?

But, captain, how many have you counted?

A hundred at least, Monsieur Aranax, replied Captain Nemo, placing his fingers on the organ stops.

When all the natives of Papwa are assembled on this shore, the Nautilus will have nothing to fear from their attacks.

The captain's fingers were then running over the keys of the instrument, and I remarked that he touched only the black keys, which gave his melodies an essentially scotch character.

Soon he had forgotten my presence and had plunged into a reverie that I did not disturb.

I went up again onto the platform.

Night had already fallen, for in this low latitude the sun sets rapidly, and without twilight.

I could only see the island indistinctly, but the numerous fires lighted on the beach showed that the natives did not think of leaving it.

I was alone for several hours, sometimes thinking of the natives, without any dread of them, for the imperturbable confidence of the captain was catching, sometimes forgetting them, to admire the splendors of the night in the tropics.

My remembrances went to France.

In the train of those zodiacal stars that would shine in some hours'time, the moon shone in the midst of the constellations of the zenith.

The night slipped away without any missed chance.

The islanders frightened, no doubt at the sight of a monster ground in the bay.

The panels were open and would have offered an easy access to the interior of the nautilus.

00 in the morning of the 8th January, I went up to the platform.

The dawn was breaking.

The island soon showed itself through the dissipating fogs, first the shore, then the summits.

The natives were there, more numerous than on the day before.

Five or 600, perhaps.

Some of them, profiting by the low water, had come onto the coral at less than two cable lengths from the nautilus.

I distinguished them easily.

They were true pop ones, with athletic figures, men of good race, large, high foreheads, large but not broad, and flat, and white teeth.

Their woolly hair, with a reddish tinge, showed off on their black, shining bodies like those of the Nubians.

From the lobes of their ears, cut and distended, hung chaplets of bones.

Most of these savages were naked.

Amongst them, I remarked, some women dressed from the hips to knees, and quite a crinoline of herbs that sustained a vegetable waistband.

Some chiefs had ornamented their necks with a crescent and collars of glass beads, red and white.

Nearly all were armed with bows, arrows, and shields, and carried on their shoulders a sort of net containing those round stones which they cast from their slings with great skill.

One of these chiefs, rather near to the nautilus, examined it attentively.

He was perhaps a maido of high rank, for he was draped in a mat of banana leaves notched round the edges and set off with brilliant colors.

I could easily have knocked down this native.

It was within a short length, but I thought that it was better to wait for the real hostile demonstrations between Europeans and savages.

It is proper for the Europeans to parry sharply, not to attack during low water.

The natives roamed about near the nautilus, but were not troublesome.

I heard them frequently repeat the word asai, and by their gestures I understood that they invited me to go on land, an invitation that I declined, so that on that day the boat did not push off, to the great displeasure of master land, who could not complete its provisions.

The adroit canadian employed his time in preparing the vines and meat that he had brought off the island.

As for the savages, they returned to the shore about 11:00 in the morning, as soon as the coral tops began to disappear under the rising tide, but I saw their numbers had increased considerably on the shore.

Probably they came from the neighboring islands, or very likely from Papua.

However, I had not seen a single native canoe.

Having nothing better to do I thought of dragging these beautiful limpid waters, under which I saw a profusion of shells, zoo fights, and marine plants.

Moreover, it was the last day that the nautilus would pass in these parts if it floated in open sea.

The next day, according to Captain Nemo's promise, I therefore called conceal, who brought me a little drag, very like those for the oyster fishery.

Not a work.

For 2 hours we fished unceasingly, but without bringing up any rarities.

The drag was filled with midas ears, harps, malaims, and particularly the most beautiful hammers I've ever seen.

We also brought up some sea slugs, pearl oysters, and a dozen little turtles that were reserved for the pantry on board.

But just when I expected at least, I put my hand on a wonder, I might say a natural deformity very rarely met with.

Conceal was just dragging, and his net came up filled with divers, ordinary shells, when all at once he saw me plunge my arm quickly into the net and draw out a shell, and heard me utter a cry.

What is the matter, sir?

He asked in surprise.

Has master been bitten?

No, my boy.

But I would willingly have given a finger for my discovery.

What discovery?

This shell, I said, holding up the object of my triumph.

It is simply an olive.

Porphyry genus olive order of the pectinibranchidi, class of gastropods, subclass mollisca.

Yes, conceal.

But instead of being rolled from right to left, this olive turns from left to right.

Is it possible?

Yes, my boy, it is a left shell.

Shells are all right handed, with rare exceptions.

And when by chance their spiral is left, amateurs are ready to pay their weight in gold.

Conceal and I were absorbed in the contemplation of our treasure, and I was promising myself to enrich the museum with it, when a stone, unfortunately thrown by a native, struck against and broke the precious object in Conceal's hand.

I uttered a cry of despair.

Conceal took up his gun and aimed at a savage who was poisoning his sling at ten yards from him.

I would have stopped him, but his blow took effect and broke the bracelet of amulets which encircled the arm of the savage.

Conceal.

Cried I.

Conceal.

Well, sir, do you not see that the cannibal has commenced the attack?

A shell is not worth the life of a man, said I.

Ah.

The scoundrel, cried conceal.

I would rather he had broken my shoulder.

Conceal was in earnest, but I was not of his opinion.

However, the situation had changed some minutes before, and we had not perceived.

A score of canoes surrounded the nautilus.

These canoes scooped out of the trunk of a tree, long, narrow, well adapted for speed, were balanced by means of a long bamboo pole which floated on the water.

They were managed by skillful, half naked paddlers, and I watched their advance with some uneasiness.

It was evident that these Papuans had already had dealings with the Europeans and knew their ships.

But this long iron cylinder, anchored in the bay without masts or chimneys, what could they think of it?

Nothing good, for at first they kept it a respectful distance.

However, seeing it motionless by degrees, they took courage and sought to familiarize themselves with it.

Now this familiarity was precisely what it was necessary to avoid.

Our arms, which were noiseless, could only produce a moderate effect on the savages, who have little respect for aught but blustering things.

The thunderbolt, without the reverberations of thunder, would frighten man but little, though the danger lies in the lightning, not in the noise.

At this moment the canoes approached the Nautilus, and a shower of arrows lighted on her.

I went down to the saloon, but found no one there.

I ventured to knock at the door that opened into the captain's room.

Come in, was the answer.

I entered and found Captain Nemo deep in algebraical calculations of x and other quantities.

I am disturbing you, said I, for courtesy's sake.

That is true, Monsieur Aaron Axe, replied the captain, but I think you have serious reasons for wishing to see me.

Very grave ones.

The natives are surrounding us in their canoes, and in a few minutes we shall certainly be attacked by many hundreds of savages.

Ah, said Captain Nemo quietly.

They are come with their canoes.

Yes, sir.

Well, sir, we must close the hatches.

Exactly.

And I came to say to you.

Nothing can be more simple, said Captain Nemo, and pressing an electric button, he transmitted an order to the ship's crew.

It is all done, sir, said he, after some moments the p**** is ready and the hatches are closed.

You do not fear, I imagine, that these gentlemen could stave in walls on which the balls of your frigate have had no effect?

No, captain, but a danger still exists.

What is that, sir?

It is that tomorrow, at about this hour, we must open the hatches to renew the air of the nautilus.

Now, if at this moment the Popwans should occupy the platform, I do not see how you could prevent them from entering.

Then, sir, you suppose that they will board us?

I'm certain of it.

Well, sir, let them come.

I see no reason for hindering them.

After all, these Papwans are poor creatures, and I am unwilling that my visit to the island should cost the life of a single one of these wretches.

Upon that, I was going away, but Captain Nemo detained me and asked me to sit down by him.

He questioned me with interest about our excursions on shore and our hunting, and seemed not to understand the craving for meat that possessed the Canadian.

Then the conversation turned on various subjects, and without being more communicative, Captain Nemo showed himself more amiable.

Amongst other things, we happened to speak of the situation of the nautilus run aground in exactly the same spot in this strait where Dermont Derville was nearly lost.

A propos of this.

This Derville was one of your great sailors, said the captain to me.

One of your most intelligent navigators.

He is the captain cook of your frenchmen.

Unfortunate man of science.

After having braved the icebergs of the South Pole, the coral reefs of Oceania, the cannibals of the Pacific, to perish miserably in a railway train.

If this energetic man could have been reflected during the last moments of his life, what must have been uppermost in his last thoughts, do you suppose so?

Speaking, Captain Nemo seemed moved, and his emotion gave me a better opinion of him.

Then, charred in hand, we reviewed the travels of the french navigator.

His voyages of circumnavigation, his double detention at the South Pole, which led to the discovery of Adelaide in Louis Philippe, and fixing the hydrographical bearings of the principal islands of Oceania.

That which your derville has done on the surface of the seas, said Captain Nemo, that have I done under them?

And more easily, more completely than he?

The astrolab in the zele, incessantly tossed about by the hurricane, could not be worth the Nautilus quiet repository of labor.

That she is truly motionless in the midst of the waters.

Tomorrow, added the captain, rising.

Tomorrow at 20 minutes to 03:00 p.m.

The Nautilus shall float and leave the Strait of Torres uninjured.

Having curtly pronounced these words, Captain Nemo bowed slightly.

This was to dismiss me, and I went back to my room.

There I found conceal, who wished to know the result of my interview with the captain.

My boy, said I, when I feigned to believe that his nautilus was threatened by the natives of Papwa.

The captain answered me very sarcastically, I have but one thing to say to you.

Have confidence in him, and go to sleep in peace.

Have you no need of my services, sir?

No, my friend.

What is Ned land doing?

If you will excuse me, sir, answered, conceal, friend.

Ned is busy making a kangaroo pie, which will be a marvel.

I remained alone and went to bed, but slept indifferently.

I heard the noise of the savages, who stamped on the platform, uttering deafening cries.

The night passed thus, without disturbing the ordinary repose of the crew.

The presence of these cannibals affected them no more than the soldiers of a masked battery.

Care for the ants that crawl over its front.

At six in the morning, I rose.

The hatches had not been opened.

The inner air was not renewed, but the reservoirs filled, ready for any emergency, were now resorted to, and discharged several cubic feet of oxygen into the exhausted atmosphere of the Nautilus.

I worked in my room till noon without having seen Captain Nemo, even for an instant.

On board, no preparations for departure were visible.

I waited still some time, then went into the large saloon.

The clock marked 02:30.

In ten minutes it would be high tide, and if Captain Nemo had not made a rash promise, the Nautilus would be immediately detached.

If not, many months would pass ere she could leave her bed of coral.

However, some warning vibrations began to be felt in the vessel.

I heard the keel grating against the rough, calcious bottom of the coral reef.

At five and 20 minutes to three, Captain Nemo appeared in the saloon.

We are going to start, said he.

Ah, replied I.

I have given the order to open the hatches and the pop ones.

The pop ones, answered Captain Nemo, slightly shrugging his shoulders.

Will they not come inside the nautilus?

How?

Only by leaping over the hatches you have opened, Monsieur Aaron Axe quietly, answered Captain Nemo.

They will not enter the hatches of the Nautilus in that way, even if they were open.

I looked at the captain.

You do not understand, said he hardly.

Well, come and you will see.

I directed my steps towards the central staircase.

There Ned Landon conceal were slightly watching some of the ship's crew, who were opening the hatches, while cries of rage and fearful vociferations resounded outside, the ports were pulled down.

Outside, 20 horrible faces appeared.

But the first native, who placed his hand on the stairwell, struck from behind by some invisible force, I know not what, fled.

Uttering the most fearful cries and making the wildest contortions, ten of his companions followed him.

They met with the same fate.

Conceal was an ecstasy.

Ned land, carried away by his violent instincts, rushed onto the staircase.

But the moment he seized the rail with both hands, he and his turn was overthrown.

I am struck by a thunderbolt.

Cried he with an oath.

This explained all.

It was no rail, but a metallic cable charged with electricity from the deck.

Communicating with the platform.

Whoever touched it felt a powerful shock, and the shock would have been mortal if Captain Nemo had discharged into the conductor the whole force of the current.

It might truly be said that between his assailants and himself he had stretched a network of electricity which none could pass with impunity.

Meanwhile, the exasperated pop ones had beaten a retreat, paralyzed with terror.

As for us, half laughing, we consoled and rubbed the unfortunate Ned land, who swore like one possessed.

But at this moment the nautilus, raised by the last waves of the tide, quitted her coral bed exactly at the 40th minute.

Fixed by the captain, her screw swept the water slowly and majestically.

Her speed increased gradually, and sailing on the surface of the ocean, she quitted, safe and sound.

The dangerous passes of the Straits of Torres thank you for joining bite at.

A time books today while we read a bite of one of your favorite classics.

Again, my name is Brie Carlyle, and.

I hope you come back tomorrow for.

The next bite of 20,000 leagues under the sea.

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