20000 лье под водой

Chapter 7. A Whale of Unknown Species

           Nearoneo’clockinthemorning,Iwasseizedwithdreadfulfatigue.Mylimbsstiffenedunderthestrainofviolentcramp.Conseilwasobligedtokeepmeup,andourpreservationdevolvedonhimalone.Iheardthepoorboypant;hisbreathingbecameshortandhurried.Ifoundthathecouldnotkeepupmuchlonger.

           "Leaveme!leaveme!"Isaidtohim.

           "Leavemymaster?Never!"repliedhe."Iwoulddrownfirst."

           Justthenthemoonappearedthroughthefringesofathickcloudthatthewindwasdrivingtotheeast.Thesurfaceoftheseaglitteredwithitsrays.Thiskindlylightreanimatedus.Myheadgotbetteragain.Ilookedatallpointsofthehorizon.Isawthefrigate!Shewasfivemilesfromus,andlookedlikeadarkmass,hardlydiscernible.Butnoboats!

           Iwouldhavecriedout.Butwhatgoodwouldithavebeenatsuchadistance!Myswollenlipscouldutternosounds.Conseilcouldarticulatesomewords,andIheardhimrepeatatintervals,"Help!help!"

           Ourmovementsweresuspendedforaninstant;welistened.Itmightbeonlyasingingintheear,butitseemedtomeasifacryansweredthecryfromConseil.

           "Didyouhear?"Imurmured.

           "Yes!Yes!"

           AndConseilgaveonemoredespairingcry.

           Thistimetherewasnomistake!Ahumanvoicerespondedtoours!Wasitthevoiceofanotherunfortunatecreature,abandonedinthemiddleoftheocean,someothervictimoftheshocksustainedbythevessel?

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