United States or Libya ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Captain Servadac declared himself quite equal to the undertaking. To skate sixty or seventy miles a day would be nothing, he said, to a practical skater like himself. The whole journey there and back might be performed in eight days.
The arguments that he had intended to use had completely fallen through; all that he had now to do was carefully to prevent any suspicion of his disappointed project. "May I be allowed to ask, Captain Servadac, to what I am indebted for the honor of this visit?" asked Major Oliphant presently.
It was quite evident that Major Oliphant had not been convinced of the truth of one syllable of what he had been saying. "Then I am to understand that you are determined to retain your two garrisons here and at Gibraltar?" asked Servadac, with one last effort at persuasion. "Certainly; these two posts command the entrance of the Mediterranean."
But toil as they might at the accumulation of firewood, Captain Servadac and his companions could not resist the conviction that the consumption of a very short period would exhaust the total stock. And what would happen then?
The first care of Captain Servadac was to ascertain how he could make the best possible use of the heat which nature had provided for them so opportunely and with so lavish a hand. "What a saving of expense it would be," exclaimed Ben Zoof, "if every household could be furnished with its own private volcano!"
But however great was the reserve which Captain Servadac might make on his part, nothing could induce Professor Rosette to conceal his experiences.
Pablo and little Nina were adopted, the one by Servadac, the other by the count, and under the supervision of their guardians, were well educated and cared for.
I left you on a continent, and here I have the honor of finding you on an island." "I assure you, count, I have never left the place." "I am quite aware of it. Captain Servadac, and I now beg to offer you my sincere apologies for failing to keep my appointment with you." "Never mind, now," interposed the captain; "we will talk of that by-and-by. First, tell me what has happened."
"Well then, never mind," replied the professor, quickly appeased; "only will you have the goodness to get me a proper place for study?" "I will, as I promised, do all I can," answered Servadac. "Very good," said the professor. "No immediate hurry; an hour hence will do."
Though still hidden by heavy clouds, the sun was evidently declining fast; and what was equally inexplicable, it was not following the oblique curve that in these latitudes and at this time of year might be expected, but was sinking perpendicularly on to the horizon. As he went along, Captain Servadac pondered deeply.
Word Of The Day