Jules Verne

Name: 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas (Walter) — Chapter 6
Author: Jules Verne

Summary

“20,000 Leagues Under the Seas (Walter) — Chapter 6”, published in 1870, is a work by Jules Verne. It explores elements such as Abraham Lincoln, Ned Land and frigate.

Quotes from 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas… (Jules Verne)

Jules Verne, 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas… (1870)

“ Near two o'clock in the morning, the core of light reappeared, no less intense, five miles to windward of the Abraham Lincoln. Despite the distance, despite the noise of wind and sea, we could distinctly hear the fearsome thrashings of the animal's tail, and even its panting breath. Seemingly, the moment this enormous narwhale came up to breathe at the surface of the ocean, air was sucked into its lungs like steam into the huge cylinders of a 2,000-horsepower engine.
"Hmm!" I said to myself. "A cetacean as powerful as a whole cavalry regiment--now that's a whale of a whale!" ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Jules Verne, 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas… (1870)

“ I answered with conviction. "Not even angel-wing clams or salps have ever given off such a powerful light. That glow is basically electric in nature. Besides . . . look, look! It's shifting! It's moving back and forth! It's darting at us!"
A universal shout went up from the frigate.
"Quiet!" Commander Farragut said. "Helm hard to leeward! Reverse engines!"
Sailors rushed to the helm, engineers to their machinery. Under reverse steam immediately, the Abraham Lincoln beat to port, sweeping in a semicircle.
"Right your helm! Engines forward!" Commander Farragut called. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Jules Verne, 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas… (1870)

“ By then Commander Farragut, Ned Land, and I were on the afterdeck, peering eagerly into the profound gloom.
"Ned Land," the commander asked, "you've often heard whales bellowing?"
"Often, sir, but never a whale like this, whose sighting earned me $2,000.00."
"Correct, the prize is rightfully yours. But tell me, isn't that the noise cetaceans make when they spurt water from their blowholes?"
"The very noise, sir, but this one's way louder. So there can be no mistake. There's definitely a whale lurking in our waters. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Jules Verne, 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas… (1870)

“ I added, "it's no more approachable than an electric eel or an electric ray!"
"Right," the commander replied. "And if it has their power to electrocute, it's surely the most dreadful animal ever conceived by our Creator. That's why I'll keep on my guard, sir."
The whole crew stayed on their feet all night long. No one even thought of sleeping. Unable to compete with the monster's speed, the Abraham Lincoln slowed down and stayed at half steam. For its part, the narwhale mimicked the frigate, simply rode with the waves, and seemed determined not to forsake the field of battle. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Jules Verne, 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas… (1870)

“ The edge of its light swept over the sea in an immense, highly elongated oval, condensing at the center into a blazing core whose unbearable glow diminished by degrees outward.
"It's only a cluster of phosphorescent particles!" exclaimed one of the officers. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Jules Verne, 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas… (1870)

“ Driven forward by its powerful propeller, the Abraham Lincoln headed straight for the animal. Unconcerned, the latter let us come within half a cable length; then, not bothering to dive, it got up a little speed, retreated, and was content to keep its distance.
This chase dragged on for about three-quarters of an hour without the frigate gaining two fathoms on the cetacean. At this rate, it was obvious that we would never catch up with it.
Infuriated, Commander Farragut kept twisting the thick tuft of hair that flourished below his chin.
"Ned Land!" he called. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Jules Verne, 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas… (1870)

“ As for me, with your permission I'll go perch on the bobstays under the bowsprit, and if we can get within a harpoon length, I'll harpoon the brute."
"Go to it, Ned," Commander Farragut replied. "Engineer," he called, "keep the pressure mounting!"
Ned Land made his way to his post. The furnaces were urged into greater activity; our propeller did forty-three revolutions per minute, and steam shot from the valves. Heaving the log, we verified that the Abraham Lincoln was going at the rate of 18.5 miles per hour.
But that damned animal also did a speed of 18.5. ”

Jules Verne

Summary

Quotes from 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas… (Jules Verne)

Common terms

Similar works

Get perspective with Kwize: daily news enlightened by great literature