目录
第1章一座移动暗礁
第2章全速前进
第3章内德·兰德发火
第4章几个数据
第5章海洋人
第6章一切都用电
第7章邀请信
第8章海底漫步
第9章陆地上的几天
第10章印度洋
第11章一颗千万年的珍珠
第12章阿拉伯隧道
第13章南极
第14章需要空气
第15章巨型乌贼
第16章大屠杀
第17章内莫船长的最后一句话
CHAPTER 1 A Shifting Reef
CHAPTER 2 At Full Speed
CHAPTER 3 Ned Land’s Tempers
CHAPTER 4 Some Figures
CHAPTER 5 The Man of the Seas
CHAPTER 6 All by Electricity
CHAPTER 7 A Note of Invitation
CHAPTER 8 A Walk
CHAPTER 9 A Few Days on Land
CHAPTER 10 The Indian Ocean
CHAPTER 11 A Pearl of Ten Millions
CHAPTER 12 The Arabian Tunnel
CHAPTER 13 The South Pole
CHAPTER 14 Want of Air
CHAPTER 15 Giant Squid
CHAPTER 16 A Hecatomb
CHAPTER 17 The Last Words of Capta in Nemo
摘要
第1章一座移动暗礁1866年是不平凡的一年，那一年海上发生了很多奇怪事件。好几艘船遇见一个长长的、发着光的庞然大物。这东西移动速度极快，没有固定的移动方向，也没有在海上什么地方落脚。这东西或许可以平安无事地待在海上，要不是它干了那种不可原谅的事的话—它对过往船只造成危险。具体说来，它摧毁了英国有名船商丘纳德的一艘船。1867年4月，“斯科舍号”轮船的船体被某物刺穿，穿孔是一个等腰三角形。那船勉强平安回家，但是它所遭受的破坏足以引起公愤，大家都要求除掉这个神秘海怪。当时我在美国。法国政府叫我参加前往内布拉斯加州荒地的一次探险，因为我当时担任巴黎自然历史博物馆的助理教授。到了3月底，我在纽约收拾行装，准备返回巴黎。 我了解很多关于神秘海怪的报道，各大报纸上都有。有些报纸上说，这海怪其实是失事船只漂浮在海面的残骸，或者是一座会浮动的暗礁。但是，这些都无法解释，为什么有人亲眼看见它以很快的速度移动。有些报纸上则说，那是某种水下船只。但是，哪个国家能够在接近保密的状况下制造出如此惊人的一艘船呢？目的是什么？当然，每个国家都有可能。但是，各国政府似乎都一样关心这个危险的情势。我在纽约的时候，有几个人曾经就此事咨询过我。终于，我在《纽约先驱报》上分享了我的观点。我仔细考虑了每个推测，并一一作答。*后我承认，我认为那是一只巨大的独角鲸。独角鲸能长到60英尺长，它有一颗长牙，据说能刺穿木船的侧板。我认为我们看见的那个物种有一般独角鲸的十倍大。我的推测引起了激烈的争论，但是我没有听到别人提出更好的想法。我承认我的推测刺激了“猎怪者”们。他们坚持认为应该对这怪物追踪到底，灭之而后快。美国政府筹划了一项猎杀独角鲸的任务。他们命令“亚伯拉罕？ 林肯号”快速护卫舰前去完成这项任务，由司令官法拉格特负责指挥。 “亚伯拉罕？ 林肯号”护卫舰离开布鲁克林码头前3个小时，我收到如下这封信：收件人：巴黎博物馆教授皮埃尔？ 阿罗纳克斯地址：纽约第五大道宾馆尊敬的先生：如果您愿意参与“亚伯拉罕？ 林肯号”护卫舰探险队的远征，美国政府将万分荣幸地邀请您代表法国助力此项任务的完成。此致，敬礼！J. B. 霍布森海军部部长尽管我未曾动过找独角鲸的心思，但是我立刻决定去。我叫来我的侍从兼助理孔塞伊，告诉他我们有2个小时的时间打点行装并上船。他非常镇定地遵从我的意思，只是问我该如何处理我那么多的收藏品。“宾馆会替我们保管好的。”我让他放宽心。“一切听从先生您的吩咐。”他说。我们到达“亚伯拉罕？ 林肯号”的时候，正赶上护卫舰准备起航。法拉格特司令亲自迎接我，我很快被带到我的船舱—我觉得那里很舒适。然后，我们驶离港口，众人在东河沿岸的各个码头欢送我们。CHAPTER1A Shifting ReefThe year 1866 was marked by strange events at sea. Several ships met with a long, glowing object of enormous size. The thing moved incredibly fast and had no set migration or patch of ocean in which to dwell.It might have been allowed to exist in peace had it not done the one unforgivable thing—it endangered ships. And specifically it damaged a ship owned by the famous English shipowner Cunard.In April 1867, the Scotia was struck by something that pierced its hull with a neat hole in the shape of a perfect triangle. The ship limped home safely, but the damage was enough to bring about the public outcry to rid the seas of this mysterious creature. At this time, I was in the United States. The French government had asked me to join an expedition to the Badlands of Nebraska. This was because I was an assistant professor at the Museum of Natural History in Paris. By the end of March, I was in New York packing for my return to Paris.I was familiar with the stories of the mysterious sea creature. They filled every newspaper. Some said the creature was really floating debris from a wreck or a floating reef. But that hardly explained the high speeds some witnessed.Some said it was some kind of underwater boat, but how could any country create such an amazing craft in complete secrecy? And to what purpose?Each country was questioned, of course. But every government seemed equally concerned about this dangerous situation.During my stay in New York, several people consulted me on the subject. Finally, I did share my opinion with the New York Herald. I considered each theory and responded to it. Finally, I admitted that I believed the creature was a giant narwhal. The narwhal can grow to sixty feet and has a long tusk that has been known to pierce the sides of wooden ships. I believed we were seeing a species ten times the normal size.My theory was hotly debated, but I heard no better ideas presented. I admit my theory added fuel to the “monster hunters.” They insisted the creature be tracked down and eliminated.The United States planned a mission to hunt the narwhal. The fast frigate, the Abraham Lincoln, was called to fulfill the mission with Commander Farragut in charge.Three hours before the Abraham Lincoln was due to leave its pier in Brooklyn, I received the following letter: Pierre AronnaxProfessor of the Paris Museum Fifth Avenue Hotel, New YorkDear Sir,If you would like to join the expedition of the Abraham 94 Lincoln, the government of the United States would take great pleasure in having you represent France on this mission.Cordially yours,J. B. HobsonSecretary of the NavyThough I had given no thought to chasing the narwhal, I decided at once that I must go. I called my servant and assistant, Conseil, and told him we had two hours to prepare and reach the ship. He agreed with complete calm, only asking what to do with my many collections.“The hotel will keep them for us,” I assured him.“Whatever suits Monsieur,” he said.We arrived at the Abraham Lincoln as it was preparing to leave. Commander Farragut welcomed me in person and I was quickly taken to my cabin, which I found pleasant. We then left port as crowds cheered from the wharves lining the East River.
