Roy Rockwood

“ The rock on which he was standing was a narrow, barren peak, which just rose above the surface, and that was all.
The remainder of the ledge was under water. If he had not ascended in that place he must have died.
Afar off was what appeared to be a small island. But whether it was an arid desert or not he was unable to tell.
"Perhaps I shall die of hunger and thirst," he muttered; "but death is better here than in the forest under the sea." ”

“ Our fathers never dreamed of gas, of railways, of telegraphs, and I did not suspect the existence of your wonderful ship."
"Shortly, my dear sir," said the captain, "your children—that is to say, the next generation—will travel through the air in flying machines; your railway engines will own electricity as their motive power. There is no end to scientific discovery; the world is in its infancy. We are just emerging from barbarism. Wait and watch, that's my motto. You must not be surprised at anything in these days."
"You are right—we are on the march," said the professor. ”

“ About five yards off a shadow came between the party and the rays of the sun.
Mont thought of the "sea butcher," as the divers of Ceylon call the shark, and trembled a little at the idea.
But he deceived himself, for this time he had nothing to fear from the monster of the ocean.
A living man, an Indian, as black as ink, shot through the water, doubtless an early fisher for pearls. ”

“ But we mustn't do anything rash, you know, Stump," replied Mont. "Captain Vindex is not to be trifled with. A man who can build a ship like this, make electricity take the place of steam, and so store the air as to make it sufficient for use for twenty-four hours, is one of those great spirits who think of everything, and with whom we cannot hope to cope on equal terms." ”

“ There's the professor, now; he could have borne it better than me."
"Thank you, my young friend," said the professor, "the calf of my leg is as susceptible to pain as yours; let us get away, as arrowheads are sharp, and in certain parts of the body mortal."
"Where shall we go?" asked Mont.
"We are not safe here. The savages will return in larger numbers directly, and we shall probably lose our lives, so I propose to seek our boat."
"And go back to the Searcher?" asked Carl.
"Yes."
"Never! I for one will not go!" cried Carl.
"And I can't crawl. I'm as lame as a dog," said Stump, half crying. ”

“ We shall all be sent to the bottom of the sea if I do."
Turning to Homer Woddle, the captain said:
"You see the feeling of my men; what can I do?"
"I'll do it myself," said the man of science [63] grandly. "If no one will attack this monster, the honor and the glory of the task shall belong to me. Give me a boat and loaded guns. It will be hard, indeed, if I cannot put a bullet in him, and lay the mighty brute low. Who will volunteer for this splendid task?"
There was no response.
"What! Are you all cowards? Will no one volunteer?" continued the man of science scornfully.
Mont stepped forward. ”

“ Our hero fancied he heard vague sounds beneath him, but could not be sure.
Who were the strange beings that lived in the floating iron shell?
Kicking angrily upon the iron surface, Mont said:
"You are very inhospitable inside. I am hungry and thirsty. Do you want me to die up here?"
He had no sooner spoken than a flap beside him opened and a railing came up as if by magic.
Half the body of a strong, wiry, thick-bearded man appeared. He held a curious wire net.
The net fell over Mont's head, and he felt himself dragged over the railing and down into the interior of the iron shell. ”

“ I didn't bargain for this!" cried Carl. "If we don't take care, we'll go to the bottom!" [40]
"Don't worry—yet," answered Mont. "I guess we'll get back all right."
Blacker and blacker grew the sky, until absolutely nothing could be seen. Every sail was closely reefed, and the boys strained their eyes to pierce the gloom which hung over them.
Suddenly Stump set up a yell.
"Look out; there is a ship!"
He got no further. A large form loomed up in the darkness. There was one grinding, smashing crash, and then came a shock that split the light-built sloop from stem to stern. ”

“ The professor saw a cocoanut palm, and, knocking off some of the fruit, gave it to the boys, who pronounced it delicious.
"Now," he said, "we will shoot something and dine as we have not dined for a long time."
"I've some salt in my pocket, and Stump has knives," remarked Carl. [136]
"It looks to me," said Mont, "as if we were likely to have a sirloin of tiger for dinner; that forest ought to be full of wild beasts."
"No matter," answered Carl, "anything's better than fish. Come on."
They skirted the forest, fearing to enter it lest they might lose themselves in its dense interior. ”

“ I advise that we remain perfectly quiet and take things as they come."
"May I say a word?" exclaimed Stump.
"Well?" asked Mont.
"I'll get out of this."
"How? It is difficult to break out of a prison on earth, but to get out of one under the sea is impossible."
"Suppose we kill our jailers and take the key? [89] If four Americans aren't a match for a lot of niggers, and one Unknown who can't speak any language, and doesn't belong to any country at all, it's time we shut up shop!" went on Stump. ”

“ I know many savages in the civilized world whom I would cut [153] off with more pleasure. Leave them to me. If it is necessary I will make a terrible example of them."
"You have no cannon."
"I shall not fire a shot, and I shall not wound them in any way, and yet they will fall like leaves in autumn. Go to your friends, and rest perfectly easy," said the captain.
This was a dismissal, and, wondering much, Mont went away.
As he sought his cabin he heard the fierce cries of the savages, who swarmed on the back of the iron ship like flies in summer. ”

“ The wild boar uttered a ferocious grunt, ran a few paces, and fell down dead.
"What is it, sir?" asked Carl.
"A wild boar; do you not see his tusks? Now, Stumpton, set to work, and cut a leg of pork off piggy. You, Folsom, make a fire with the dry [137] wood; it will kindle when I rub two sticks together. You, Barnaby, gather some of this fruit."
"Is it good to eat, sir?"
"You will find it excellent. I recognize it as the breadfruit of the tropics, and, cut up in slices and toasted over the fire, nothing could be better for us with our roast pork," answered the professor. ”

“ That is the result of electricity, which I make myself. My motive power is electricity, and I can attain a speed of thirty miles an hour. The men of the world have not yet discovered half the value of electricity. My machinery is of the finest kind. If I want to sink to the bottom of the sea, I fill certain reservoirs I have with water; when I want to rise, I lighten the ship by letting out the water. ”

“ The negro handed the professor a fresh dish.
"Will massa have some oysters stewed in whale's milk?" he asked; "or some jam made of sea anemones?"
"I'd rather you'd not tell me what the dishes are; it will set me against them if you do," answered the professor with a wry face.
When the repast was ended, Mont jumped [97] up. "I feel better," he said. "Mister Number One."
"Massa call me?" asked the black, who was clearing away.
"Yes. Where are we now?"
"We gone down, massa, and now we lie at the bottom of the sea."
Mont regarded him with undisguised astonishment. ”

“ The savages are another danger."
"Put it to the vote, sir," said our hero.
"Certainly; all you who wish to make an effort to escape from the thralldom in which we are held, hold up your hands."
Every hand was extended.
"To the contrary?"
There was no response.
"Not a hand," said the professor. "I may, then, conclude, that we are unanimous in our wish for freedom, and it is decided that we do not return to the Searcher."
"Hurrah!" cried Stump, proceeding to stand on his head again.
"If you don't stop those street-arab tricks," remarked Mont, "you'll have a fit, after such a meal as you've had." ”

“ I thought you would be sick for the rest of the trip after such an adventure."
"I am pretty tough," answered Mont.
"You look a bit like a sailor."
"Oh, I know a thing or two about the water," [42] replied Mont modestly. "But tell me," he went on, "what sort of a captain have you?"
"Oh, he's a caution, and so is Slog, the first mate," laughed the cook. "The captain is the toughest man this line of ships ever had."
"Humph! That's not encouraging," mused our hero. "Why do the owners keep him?"
"Because he's clever. He may be out in all weather, but he's never lost a ship." ”

“ It was with difficulty Stump managed to limp on one leg, and seemed very grateful when Mont bound up the wound and told him to lean on his shoulder.
"My dear boy," said the professor, "discretion is the better part of valor. I am averse to the taking of human life, for I am a man of science and not a fighter. My advice is to check the advance of those bloodthirsty savages, and when your ammunition is spent, to run. As I am old, and not quick of foot, I will start at once."
So saying, he ran with all speed to the boat.
"Coward!" said Mont angrily.
"What are we to do?" asked Carl blankly. ”

“ This was good news.
"But," said the professor, "if I remember rightly, it is inhabited by savages."
"Certainly."
"Shall we not be in danger?"
"I fear nothing," said the captain. "I have braved danger among civilized nations, and I can afford to despise savages. If you do not wish it, however, I will continue my voyage."
"Don't do that, sir," replied Mont. "I'll chance the niggers. Let us land. I know Carl and Stump would like it."
"And you, Mr. Professor?" said the captain. ”