These monsters kept pace in our waters with such precision, they seemed to be standing still, and I could have traced their outlines in miniature on the window.
But we were moving at a moderate speed.
All at once the Nautilus stopped.
A jolt made it tremble through its entire framework.
"Did we strike bottom?"
I asked.
"In any event we're already clear," the Canadian replied, "because we're afloat."
The Nautilus was certainly afloat, but it was no longer in motion.
The blades of its propeller weren't churning the waves.
A minute passed.
Followed by his chief officer, Captain Nemo entered the lounge.
I hadn't seen him for a good while.
He looked gloomy to me.
Without speaking to us, without even seeing us perhaps, he went to the panel, stared at the devilfish, and said a few words to his chief officer.
The latter went out.
Soon the panels closed.
The ceiling lit up.
I went over to the captain.
"An unusual assortment of devilfish," I told him, as carefree as a collector in front of an aquarium.
"Correct, Mr. Naturalist," he answered me, "and we're going to fight them at close quarters."
I gaped at the captain.
I thought my hearing had gone bad.
"At close quarters?"
I repeated.
"Yes, sir.
Our propeller is jammed.
I think the horn–covered mandibles of one of these squid are entangled in the blades.
That's why we aren't moving."
"And what are you going to do?"
"Rise to the surface and slaughter the vermin."
"A difficult undertaking."
"Correct.
Our electric bullets are ineffective against such soft flesh, where they don't meet enough resistance to go off.
But we'll attack the beasts with axes."
"And harpoons, sir," the Canadian said, "if you don't turn down my help."
"I accept it, Mr. Land."
"We'll go with you," I said.
And we followed Captain Nemo, heading to the central companionway.
There some ten men were standing by for the assault, armed with boarding axes.
Conseil and I picked up two more axes.
Ned Land seized a harpoon.
By then the Nautilus had returned to the surface of the waves.
Stationed on the top steps, one of the seamen undid the bolts of the hatch.
But he had scarcely unscrewed the nuts when the hatch flew up with tremendous violence, obviously pulled open by the suckers on a devilfish's arm.
Instantly one of those long arms glided like a snake into the opening, and twenty others were quivering above.
With a sweep of the ax, Captain Nemo chopped off this fearsome tentacle, which slid writhing down the steps.
Just as we were crowding each other to reach the platform, two more arms lashed the air, swooped on the seaman stationed in front of Captain Nemo, and carried the fellow away with irresistible violence.
Captain Nemo gave a shout and leaped outside.
We rushed after him.
What a scene!