obdurate walls of the pilot-house; but by the time that the barometer
had fallen to fifteen inches the voyagers experienced a distinct
sensation of chilliness, whilst the windows of the pilot-house were
thickly coated with a delicate frost tracery. Still the barometer
continued to fall steadily, though not so rapidly as at first,
indicating that the ship was still soaring upward; and with every inch
fall of the mercury the professor became an increasingly interesting
study of mingled delight and anxiety. At length the mercury, still
falling, registered a height of eleven inches only, and the professor
gave vent to a great sigh of relief. And when it further dropped to ten
inches he could no longer contain himself.
"Gentlemen," he exclaimed, "rejoice with me. The conquest of the
mountains is ours. We are now as nearly as possible on a level with the
topmost peak of Everest, the most lofty projection on the earth's
surface; and in due time I hope we shall have the unique felicity of
planting our feet on that as yet untrodden spot, and of leaving a record
to that effect behind us."
At length the mercury fell to a little below eight inches, and there it
stopped; the limit of the _Flying Fish's_ buoyancy was reached.
The professor stood intently regarding the barometer tube for some time;
then he turned and said to his companions:
"Gentlemen, behold the indisputably lowest reading of the barometer
which man has ever witnessed, and which indicates that we are at this
moment farther from our mother earth than mortal has ever journeyed
before. Humboldt and Bonpland ascended Chimborazo to a height of
eighteen thousand five hundred and seventy-six feet. Gay-Lussac rose in
his balloon to the much higher elevation of twenty-three thousand feet,
only to be eclipsed by your own countryman, Green, who soared to the
astounding height of twenty-seven thousand six hundred feet. But it was
left for _us_, my friends, to achieve the crowning feat of aeronautical
science, by attaining to the extraordinary altitude of thirty-four
thousand six hundred feet, or more than six and a half miles of
perpendicular elevation above the sea-level. _Now_, Sir Reginald, what
think you of your latest acquisition, the _Flying Fish_?"
"I think her by far the most wonderful creation of which I have ever
heard or read, and," (with a bow to the professor) "every way worthy of
the truly remarkable man to whom she owes her existence. If her power
to penetrate the hitherto unexplored depths of the ocean is at all
commensurate with her ability to reach the higher regions of the air, I
foresee that our voyage is likely to be fruitful in startling incident
and in the discovery of many hitherto unsuspected secrets of nature.
Now, what do you propose that we shall next do, professor?"
"I propose," said von Schalckenberg, "that, having tested the _Flying
Fish's_ capabilities of merely rising into the air, we should now
ascertain what she can do in the way of _navigating_ the atmosphere;
after which we will try her powers as a submarine ship. The lowest
depression in the English Channel is to be found in a submarine valley
called the `Hurd Deep;' it is situate about six miles north of the
`Casquets,' and lies ninety-four fathoms (or five hundred and sixty-four
feet) below the surface of the water. I propose (subject to your
approval) to make for this spot and there sink to the bottom, taking
advantage of our presence there to make a first trial of our diving
armour. Does this meet with your approval?"
The baronet and his companions thought it a very capital idea, and the
professor took immediate steps for carrying it out. Opening a case he
produced therefrom a chart of the English Channel, and, directing his
companions' attention to the spot which he proposed to visit, requested
Lieutenant Mildmay to lay off the course and measure the distance in a
straight line. The latter was found to be about one hundred and fifty
miles.
"Which distance," remarked the professor, "I expect we shall accomplish,
in the present calm state of the atmosphere, in about an hour and a
quarter. This high rate of speed will necessitate our remaining in the
pilothouse; but it will, perhaps, be worth while to put up with that
temporary inconvenience on the present occasion, since we have so
exceptionally favourable an opportunity of testing the actual speed of
the ship through the air. If, however, you prefer to be on deck in the
open air, we can of course moderate our speed sufficiently to render
such a mode of travelling pleasant."
It was unanimously decided, however, to remain inside and give the speed
of the ship a fair trial. The professor accordingly turned the vapour
into the engines, slowly at first, but in gradually increasing volume,
until they were revolving at full speed, and the ship's head was pointed
in the proper direction, the automatic steering gear being at the same
time thrown into action to test its capabilities. This done the
professor opened the main air-valve, gradually admitting a certain
quantity of air into the ship's interior, and she at once began to drop
once more earthward.
"We will descend to within about a thousand feet of the sea level," said
the professor. "This will restore us to a more genial temperature, will
give the propeller a denser atmosphere in which to work, and will also
enable us to see somewhat of the country over which we are flying;
whilst our elevation will be ample to take us clear of everything.
Leith Hill, nine hundred and sixty-seven feet in height, is the greatest
elevation at all near our path; but we shall pass some three miles or so
to the westward of it, if the air remains calm; and Saint Catherine's
Point, over which we shall pass, is only seven hundred and seventy-five
feet high. So that we have nothing to fear."
In a few minutes the _Flying Fish_ had dropped to within the proposed
distance of the earth; and, on clearing the windows of the accumulated
frost, it was discovered that the moon (then in her third quarter) had
risen and was suffusing the earth with her feeble ghostly light, which,
slight as it was, enabled the voyagers to perceive that they were
skimming through the air at a tremendous speed. The engines, though
working at their full power, were perfectly noiseless; and the
propeller, though revolving at a rate of fully one thousand revolutions
per minute, caused not the slightest perceptible vibration in the hull
of the ship. A loud humming sound, however, proceeded from it, audible
even above the rush of the air against the sides of the pilot-house.
Leith Hill was soon passed, the waters of the Channel--distinguished in
the faint light only by a thin tremulous line of glimmering silver under
the crescent moon--were sighted, and, almost before they had time to
realise the fact, they had skimmed over the anchorage at Spithead,
across the Isle of Wight, and were floating above the waters of the
Channel. By this time the eastern sky had begun to pale perceptibly
before the coming dawn; the lights of Saint Catherine behind them and
the Casquets ahead gleamed with steadily diminishing power in the
gathering daylight; the half-dozen or so of ships and steamers in sight,
one after the other extinguished their signal lamps; and, just as they
reached their destination and settled lightly as a snow-flake upon the
glassy surface of the water, up rose the glorious sun, flashing his
brilliant beams over land and sea, and awakening all nature into light
and life once more.
As the _Flying Fish_ alighted on the surface of the water, the professor
pulled out his watch and remarked, with evident satisfaction:
"One hundred and fifty miles in just one hour and a quarter! That is
good travelling, and proves the speed of our ship to be exactly what I
estimated it would be. We will now set the force-pump to work; and I
hope, that by the time we are ready to descend, that brilliant sun will
have enshrouded our movements in a concealing mist. We are surrounded
by fishing-boats, as you see, and I have no doubt that we have also been
observed by the light-keepers on the Casquets. It will never do to
disappear before so many curious eyes; they would be filled with horror
at the supposed catastrophe. In the meantime we may as well go out on
deck to enjoy the fresh morning air. As for me, I propose to indulge in
the luxury of a swim."
The main engines had, in the meantime, been stopped, and the force-pump
put slowly in motion, so that the submersion of the hull might be
sufficiently gradual to escape notice.
Five minutes later the professor and his three companions were
gambolling round the ship like so many porpoises--or dolphins, if they
would prefer the latter metaphor--enjoying to the full the invigorating
luxury of their bath in the cool, pure sea-water.
By the time that they were on board again and dressed, the intelligent
George had arranged for them on deck a nice little light breakfast of
chocolate, biscuits, and fruit, for which their swim had given them an
unbounded relish. The meal was partaken of at leisure, and followed by
a cigar, over which they dawdled so long that the _Flying Fish_ was
submerged to the deck before the last stump had been reluctantly thrown
away. The mist which the professor had prognosticated having,
meanwhile, gathered sufficiently to cloak their movements, a cast of the
lead was taken and the ship was found to be in ninety fathoms of water.
The professor, for reasons of his own, deemed this sufficiently near the
deepest point to justify an immediate descent. They accordingly entered
the pilot-house forthwith, closing the door securely after them--the
air-pump was stopped, the sea-cock communicating with the water-chambers
was opened, and the _Flying Fish_, with an easy imperceptible motion,
sank gently beneath the placid waters, to rest, a minute or two later,
on a bed of gravel at the bottom of the Channel.
"Now," said the professor, looking at his watch when the ship had fairly
settled into her strange berth, and had been securely anchored there,
"it is just eight o'clock. We are all somewhat fatigued, and our bath
and breakfast have prepared us nicely to enjoy a few hours' repose. I
therefore propose, gentlemen, that we retire to our sleeping apartments
until two o'clock p.m. George shall call us at that hour and have a bit
of luncheon ready for us, after which we shall have ample time to test
our diving apparatus before dinner."
This proposal met with a very cordial reception, and was duly carried
out, with the result that, half an hour later, the four adventurous
voyagers were sleeping as calmly in their novel resting-place as though
they had been accustomed from their earliest infancy to take their
repose at the bottom of the sea.
CHAPTER FIVE.
A SUBMARINE EXCURSION.
At the appointed hour the imperturbable George, who never could be
betrayed into the slightest exhibition of astonishment at finding
himself in any extraordinary situation which he might happen to be
sharing with his somewhat eccentric master, duly aroused the four
sleepers, and when they were ready, laid luncheon before them with the
same indomitable _sangfroid_ which he would have exhibited had the
transaction been conducted on _terra firma_.
The meal over, the professor led the way below to the diving chamber,
where the adventurous four carefully donned their diving dresses,
inclusive of the armour which Sir Reginald felt so strongly disposed to
ridicule. As this was the first occasion of inducting themselves into
their novel costume, they were rather a long time about it; but when
once they were fairly encased, they were fain to admit that, strange as
might be their appearance, they felt exceedingly comfortable. The
professor was the last to assume the dress, having busied himself in the
first instance in assisting the others; but at length all was ready, and
they filed into the exit chamber, carefully closing the door behind
them. This chamber was illuminated by an electric lamp, the light of
which clearly revealed the whereabouts of the sea-cock, and of the
fastenings to the trap-door, all of which the professor pointed out to
his companions, at the same time explaining the method of working them.
The sea-cock was then opened, and the chamber began to slowly fill with
water.
"Now," explained the professor, "please listen to me. If now, or at any
future time, either of you should experience the slightest sensation of
discomfort as the water rises round you, all you have to do is simply to
open this air-cock, which communicates with the air-chambers, and the
condensed air will at once rush in and expel the water again; then close
the sea and air cocks; open this relief valve, which will allow the
condensed air to disperse itself in the habitable portions of the hull,
and you can at once open the door of communication to the diving
chamber, and disencumber yourself of your dress, remembering always to
close the door behind you. Now, do either of you feel at all
uncomfortable?"
The exit chamber was by this time full of water, and its occupants were,
therefore, completely submerged, and subject to the same pressure of
water as they would be outside, but the armour proved fully equal to its
work in every respect, and its wearers were able to move with just as
much freedom and ease as if they had been on dry land. They accordingly
replied to the professor's inquiry with a brisk negative.
"And can you hear distinctly what I say?" continued the professor.
They replied that they could hear every word perfectly, only realising
when the question was asked that they were completely sheathed in metal
from head to foot, and that, consequently, the fact of their being able
to hear at all was somewhat singular.
"That is all right," exclaimed the professor. "I thought it would be
convenient if we could communicate freely with each other under water,
so I introduced a couple of small microphones into each helmet, hoping
they would answer the purpose. Mine are simply perfect, but I was
anxious to know if yours were also. Now, if you are quite ready I will
open the door."
The next moment the trap-door fell open, and a great black aperture
yawned before them.
"Light both your lamps," exclaimed the professor, "and pick your
footsteps. Remember, you are about to tread on strange ground."
The professor led the way, his armour-clad figure looming up black and
gigantic against the two overlapping discs of illuminated water before
him, and the other three followed closely in his footsteps. On emerging
from the trap-door they turned sharp to the left, and made their way
toward the bow along the tunnel-like passage between the ship's bottom
and the starboard bilge keel. This was soon traversed, and they then
found themselves on a tolerably firm, level, gravelly bottom. Emerging
from underneath the ship's bottom, they now extinguished their lamps for
a moment by way of experiment, and found that so clear was the water
that even at the great depth of ninety fathoms it was not absolutely
dark, a sombre greenish blue twilight prevailing in which the hull of
the ship towered above them vast and shadowy, yet with tolerable
distinctness. This twilight, however, was strongly illuminated at both
ends of the ship by the powerful electric lamps at the bow and stern,
all of which the professor had taken the precaution to light before
descending to the diving chamber.
"Those are our beacons," said the professor, pointing to these lamps,
"and we must be exceedingly careful not to stray beyond the reach of
their rays, otherwise we might experience great difficulty in finding
our way back to the ship. Are you all pretty comfortable in this great
depth of water? We are now five hundred and forty feet beneath the
surface of the sea, or three hundred and thirty-six feet deeper than man
has ever reached before. Why, if we were to accomplish nothing more
than this, we have already achieved a great triumph! Now, let us make
our way toward the deepest spot in this submarine valley; I have an idea
that we shall see something curious when we reach it. This way,
gentlemen; our course is about due west, and we cannot well lose our way
if we descend the slope which seems to commence yonder."
The little party pressed forward, experiencing no inconvenience or
difficulty whatever, save that of making their way through water of such
a density as that which enveloped them, and soon reached the edge of a
rather steep declivity, evidently leading down to the lowest part of the
depression. Before venturing down this declivity they paused to glance
backward, and saw that, though the ship herself had become invisible in
the sombre twilight, all the electric lights were distinctly visible,
the very powerful one on the top of the pilot-house especially gleaming
like the illuminated lantern of a lighthouse. So far, therefore, all
was well; they were still within range of the lights, and they at once
turned and plunged fearlessly into the depression. They had not far to
go, the sides of the depression being steep, and in about two minutes
they found themselves at the bottom, and standing before an immense
confused heap of wreckage of almost every imaginable description.
Shattered stumps of spars, waterlogged and weighed down with a thick
incrustation of barnacles, the accumulated growth of years of immersion;
part of the hull of a ship, so overgrown with "sea grass" as to be
distinguishable as such only from the fact that the channels and channel
irons with their dead-eyes, and even the frayed ends of the shroud
lanyards still remained attached; a twisted and tangled-up mass of iron
rods which looked as though it might at some distant period have been
the paddle-wheel of a steamer, and near it the evident remains of a
boiler and some machinery; the beam of a trawl-net, and bales, boxes,
packing-cases, barrels, and, in short, every conceivable description of
covering in which ships' cargoes are usually stowed were mixed up in
inextricable confusion with heaps of coal, large stones, and other
anomalous substances.
"Just as I anticipated," exclaimed the professor, pointing to the heap
and addressing his companions. "And this, I expect, is the sort of
thing which we shall see in every depression of the ocean's bed which we
may visit. All these matters have been swept hither and thither over
the ground by the action of the tidal and other currents, until they
have happened to drift over this spot, and here they have finally
settled owing to the inability of the currents to move them up the steep
sides of the depression. Let us walk round the heap; we may see
something of interest before we have completed the circuit."
And so they did, though the interest was hardly the kind of which the
professor had been thinking when he spoke. For, whilst standing on the
opposite side of the heap, contemplating the remains of an ancient and
grass-grown wreck, they were startled by the appearance of a sharp
snake-like head with a pair of fierce gleaming eyes which was suddenly
protruded from a gap in the ship's side, and in another moment the
creature--a conger-eel of truly gigantic proportions--emerged from its
hiding-place, and, possibly attracted by the brilliancy of the electric
lights which the party carried, swam boldly toward them.
"What a horrible monster!" ejaculated the colonel, at the same moment
that Lieutenant Mildmay, struck with the savage look of the creature,
exclaimed:
"Why, I believe the brute means to attack us!"
"And, by Jove, here come some more of them!" exclaimed the baronet,
pointing to the hole from which the creature had emerged.
"Draw your daggers, gentlemen!" shouted the professor. "And be not
dismayed; they and our armour are quite sufficient for our protection."
It was perhaps just as well that the professor had sufficient presence
of mind at that moment to say what he did; for his companions, though
their courage had been proved a thousand times before, were now in a new
and strange element to which they had scarcely had time to accustom
themselves; and, moreover, the aspect of the fierce fish as they rushed
forward with open jaws, disclosing their formidable teeth, was
sufficiently weird and uncanny to at least momentarily dismay the
stoutest heart.
Lieutenant Mildmay's anticipation as to the intentions of the fish
proved quite correct. On they came, some thirty or forty in number; and
before the attacked could quite recover from their confusion they found
themselves fairly in the clutches of the snake-like creatures. The
attack was made with the utmost determination and ferocity, the eels
twining themselves so powerfully about the bodies of their foes that it
was almost impossible for the latter to move hand or foot; whilst the
sharp teeth rasped strongly but ineffectually against the scales of the
aethereum armour. The fight, however, though fiercely waged on the part
of the assailants, was soon over, a single stroke of the keen double-
edged dagger--as soon as the assailed could get their hands free--
proving sufficient to instantly destroy the individual fish upon which
it happened to fall. But so fierce were the eels that the conflict
ended only with the slaughter of the last of them. The fish were of
truly enormous size, two or three specimens measuring, as nearly as
could be estimated, fully eighteen feet in length, whilst none were less
than ten feet long. The tour of exploration was then completed without
further adventure; the powerful electric lights of the ship enabled them
to find her without difficulty the moment that they climbed up out of
the depression; and they made good their return with no worse result
than that of excessive fatigue due to their unwonted efforts in forcing
their way through so dense a medium as water of ninety fathoms depth.
So novel an experience as theirs had that day been naturally furnished
the chief topic of conversation at the dinner-table; the professor
especially entertaining his companions with many interesting anecdotes
of strange adventures which had happened to, and curious sights
witnessed by divers at various times and places. At length, during a
lull in the conversation, he said:
"There still remain two trials to which the _Flying Fish_ must be
subjected before we can say that we are fully acquainted with her
powers, namely, a trial of her speed through the water when fully
submerged; and a trial of her behaviour as an ordinary ocean-going ship.
And these trials, I think, should--if you approve, Sir Reginald--be
carried out before we do anything else."
The baronet gave his willing assent to the professor's proposal; and it
was finally arranged that the trials, or, at all events, one of them,
should take place on the morrow.
It having been arranged that early rising should be the order of the day
throughout the voyage, they were aroused at seven o'clock on the
following morning, and sat down to breakfast at eight prompt. By nine
o'clock the meal was over, and the party, pipe or cigar in mouth,
mustered in the pilot-house. Here the first thing the professor did was
to produce a chart, to which, on spreading it open on the table, he
called Lieutenant Mildmay's attention, saying:
"Being a seaman by profession, you are undoubtedly the most skilful
navigator of the party; and I therefore propose--with Sir Reginald's
full approval, which I have already obtained--to confide the navigation
of the _Flying Fish_ to you. Now this,"--making a pencil mark on the
chart--"is our present position; and this,"--pointing to another pencil
mark off Cape Finisterre, which presented the appearance of having been
very carefully laid down--"is the point to which I wish you to navigate
us in the first instance."
"Very good," said Mildmay. "I undertake the charge with pleasure. Only
I must stipulate, that when making long passages you will rise to the
surface occasionally, in order that I may be enabled to take the
observations necessary to verify our position."
"Of course, of course," answered the professor. "Now, are we all ready
to start?"
An answer in the affirmative was given; and von Schalckenberg thereupon
moved the lever which actuated the simple machinery controlling the four
anchors in the bilge keels. The ship being thus released from the
ground, he next opened the cocks connecting the air and water chambers;
a stream of compressed air at once rushed into the latter, forcing out a
certain quantity of water, and the ship began to rise.