Таинственный остров

           CyrusHardingrespectedthecaptain’ssilence,andwaitedtillheshouldspeak.

           Aftersomeminutes,duringwhich,doubtless,hepassedinreviewhiswholelife,CaptainNemoturnedtothecolonistsandsaid,

           "Youconsideryourselves,gentlemen,undersomeobligationstome?"

           "Captain,believeusthatwewouldgiveourlivestoprolongyours."

           "Promise,then,"continuedCaptainNemo,"tocarryoutmylastwishes,andIshallberepaidforallIhavedoneforyou."

           "Wepromise,"saidCyrusHarding.

           Andbythispromiseheboundbothhimselfandhiscompanions.

           "Gentlemen,"resumedthecaptain,"to-morrowIshallbedead."

           Herbertwasabouttoutteranexclamation,butasignfromthecaptainarrestedhim.

           "To-morrowIshalldie,andIdesirenoothertombthanthe‘Nautilus.’Itismygrave!Allmyfriendsreposeinthedepthsoftheocean;theirresting-placeshallbemine."

           Thesewordswerereceivedwithprofoundsilence.

           "Payattentiontomywishes,"hecontinued."The‘Nautilus’isimprisonedinthisgrotto,theentranceofwhichisblockedup;but,althoughegressisimpossible,thevesselmayatleastsinkintheabyss,andthereburymyremains."

           Thecolonistslistenedreverentlytothewordsofthedyingman.

           "To-morrow,aftermydeath,Mr.Harding,"continuedthecaptain,"yourselfandcompanionswillleavethe‘Nautilus,’forallthetreasuresitcontainsmustperishwithme.OnetokenalonewillremainwithyouofPrinceDakkar,withwhosehistoryyouarenowacquainted.