Chapter 5. Arabian Tunnel

           Thatsameevening,in21°30’N.lat.,theNautilusfloatedonthesurfaceofthesea,approachingtheArabiancoast.IsawDjeddah,themostimportantcounting-houseofEgypt,Syria,Turkey,andIndia.Idistinguishedclearlyenoughitsbuildings,thevesselsanchoredatthequays,andthosewhosedraughtofwaterobligedthemtoanchorintheroads.Thesun,ratherlowonthehorizon,struckfullonthehousesofthetown,bringingouttheirwhiteness.Outside,somewoodencabins,andsomemadeofreeds,showedthequarterinhabitedbytheBedouins.SoonDjeddahwasshutoutfromviewbytheshadowsofnight,andtheNautilusfoundherselfunderwaterslightlyphosphorescent.

           Thenextday,the10thofFebruary,wesightedseveralshipsrunningtowindward.TheNautilusreturnedtoitssubmarinenavigation;butatnoon,whenherbearingsweretaken,theseabeingdeserted,sheroseagaintoherwaterline.

           AccompaniedbyNedandConseil,Iseatedmyselfontheplatform.Thecoastontheeasternsidelookedlikeamassfaintlyprinteduponadampfog.

           Wewereleaningonthesidesofthepinnace,talkingofonethingandanother,whenNedLand,stretchingouthishandtowardsaspotonthesea,said:

           "Doyouseeanythingthere,sir?"

           "No,Ned,"Ireplied;"butIhavenotyoureyes,youknow."

           "Lookwell,"saidNed,"there,onthestarboardbeam,abouttheheightofthelantern!Doyounotseeamasswhichseemstomove?"