“Monsieur Aronnax,” he said, “do you know the depth of the ocean?”
“I, at least, know the principal soundings that have been obtained,” I replied.
“Can you quote them so that I may correct them if necessary?”
“These are some,” I replied, “that I can remember. If I mistake not, an average depth of 8,200 yards in the North Atlantic, and 2,500 yards in the Mediterranean. The most remarkable soundings have been made in the South Atlantic, near the 35th degree, which have given 12,000 yards, 14,091 yards, and 15,149 yards. To sum up, it has been estimated that if the bottom of the sea were levelled it would give a depth of about five miles and a-half.”
“Very good, professor,” said Captain Nemo; “but we will show you something better than that, I hope. I may tell you that the average depth of this part of the Pacific is but 4,000 yards.”
As he spoke, Captain Nemo advanced to the panel and descended, and I regained the saloon. The screw was set in motion, and we proceeded at twenty miles an hour.
During the days and weeks that passed I saw very little of Captain Nemo. The mate made the direction regularly, which I found entered on the map, so that I could always tell the route of the Nautilus.
Conseil and Land passed the days with me. The former had related the marvellous incidents of our expedition, and the Canadian regretted that he had not accompanied me. But I hoped that another occasion might arise to visit the sub-oceanic forests.
