"I knew that would be the end of it,as you slept both soundly and tranquilly.Hans and I have each taken turn to watch,and every hour we have seen visible signs of amelioration.""You must be right,Uncle,"was my reply,"for I feel as if Icould do justice to any meal you could put before me.""You shall eat,my boy,you shall eat.The fever has left you.Our excellent friend Hans has rubbed your wounds and bruises with I know not what ointment,of which the Icelanders alone possess the secret.
And they have healed your bruises in the most marvelous manner.Ah,he's a wise fellow is Master Hans."While he was speaking,my uncle was placing before me several articles of food,which,despite his earnest injunctions,I readily devoured.As soon as the first rage of hunger was appeased,Ioverwhelmed him with questions,to which he now no longer hesitated to give answers.
I then learned,for the first time,that my providential fall had brought me to the bottom of an almost perpendicular gallery.As I came down,amidst a perfect shower of stones,the least of which falling on me would have crushed me to death,they came to the conclusion that I had carried with me an entire dislocated rock.Riding as it were on this terrible chariot,I was cast headlong into my uncle's arms.
And into them I fell,insensible and covered with blood.
"It is indeed a miracle,"was the Professor's final remark,"that you were not killed a thousand times over.But let us take care never to separate;for surely we should risk never meeting again.""Let us take care never again to separate."These words fell with a sort of chill upon my heart.The journey,then,was not over.I looked at my uncle with surprise and astonishment.My uncle,after an instant's examination of my countenance,said:"What is the matter,Harry?""I want to ask you a very serious question.You say that I am all right in health?""Certainly you are."
"And all my limbs are sound and capable of new exertion?"I asked.
"Most undoubtedly."
"But what about my head?"was my next anxious question.
"Well,your head,except that you have one or two contusions,is exactly where it ought to be-on your shoulders,"said my uncle,laughing.
"Well,my own opinion is that my head is not exactly right.In fact,I believe myself slightly delirious.""What makes you think so?"
"I will explain why I fancy I have lost my senses,"I cried."Have we not returned to the surface of Mother Earth?""Certainly not."
"Then truly I must be mad,for do I not see the light of day?do Inot hear the whistling of the wind?and can I not distinguish the wash of a great sea?""And that is all that makes you uneasy?"said my uncle,with a smile.
"Can you explain?"
"I will not make any attempt to explain;for the whole matter is utterly inexplicable.But you shall see and judge for yourself.You will then find that geological science is as yet in its infancy-and that we are doomed to enlighten the world.""Let us advance,then,"I cried eagerly,no longer able to restrain my curiosity.
"Wait a moment,my dear Harry,"he responded;"you must take precautions after your illness before going into the open air.""The open air?"
"Yes,my boy.I have to warn you that the wind is rather violent-and I have no wish for you to expose yourself without necessary precautions.""But I beg to assure you that I am perfectly recovered from my illness.""Have just a little patience,my boy.A relapse would be inconvenient to all parties.We have no time to lose-as our approaching sea voyage may be of long duration.""Sea voyage?"I cried,more bewildered than ever.
"Yes.You must take another day's rest,and we shall be ready to go on board by tomorrow,"replied my uncle,with a peculiar smile.
"Go on board!"The words utterly astonished me.
Go on board-what and how?Had we come upon a river,a lake,had we discovered some inland sea?Was a vessel lying at anchor in some part of the interior of the earth?
My curiosity was worked up to the very highest pitch.My uncle made vain attempts to restrain me.When at last,however,he discovered that my feverish impatience would do more harm than good-and that the satisfaction of my wishes could alone restore me to a calm state of mind-he gave way.
I dressed myself rapidly-and then taking the precaution to please my uncle,of wrapping myself in one of the coverlets,I rushed out of the grotto.
