The Wizard of the Sea
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Roy Rockwood >> The Wizard of the Sea
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"Not a very encouraging one. We have by chance become possessed of an
important secret. If the secret is worth more than our lives, we shall
either be killed or kept prisoners."
"Forever?"
"Yes, forever," answered the professor gravely. "If the secret is not
very serious, we may be landed on some island. I advise that we remain
perfectly quiet and take things as they come."
"May I say a word?" exclaimed Stump.
"Well?" asked Mont.
"I'll get out of this."
"How? It is difficult to break out of a prison on earth, but to get out
of one under the sea is impossible."
"Suppose we kill our jailers and take the key? If four Americans aren't
a match for a lot of niggers, and one Unknown who can't speak any
language, and doesn't belong to any country at all, it's time we shut up
shop!" went on Stump.
At that moment the door opened, and the negro who had before appeared
entered.
Stump instantly threw himself upon him, and, seizing his throat with his
two hands, held him so tightly as almost to strangle him.
But being a powerful man, he soon disengaged himself, and a fearful
struggle ensued between them.
"Help, help!" cried the negro, in excellent English.
Stump let go his hold at this, and fell back laughing.
"So you can talk English!" he cried; "that's all right. I only flew at
you to see what countryman you were. Now, then, tell us all about this
ship, or I'll give you another dose."
Putting his finger to his lips, the negro gave a peculiar
whistle--prolonged and shrill.
This was evidently a signal, for he had scarcely finished when the
Unknown appeared on the threshold.
He was followed by six powerful negroes, all armed to the teeth.
It looked as if Mont and his friends were to be executed on the spot.
CHAPTER XV.
PRISONERS.
For several minutes the master of the submarine monster gazed in silence
at those in the iron-bound cabin.
Stump stood shivering in a corner.
"Please don't kill us!" he cried. "I--I--didn't mean any harm."
The strange owner of the still stranger craft looked at Stump for a
moment, and then smiled faintly.
"Depart!" he cried to the negroes, and on the instant every one of the
heavily armed men vanished.
Sitting down on the edge of the table, with his arms crossed on his
powerful chest, this strange being seemed plunged in deep thought.
Our heroes regarded him with expectation, not unmixed with awe, for they
were entirely in his power.
Was he about to punish them for the indiscretion of one of their number?
At length he spoke in English.
"Gentlemen," he said, "you see I can speak your language. I did not
answer you at first, because I was undecided what to do with you. I am
well acquainted with the scientific works written by Dr. Woddle, and I
esteem it an honor to have made his acquaintance."
The professor bowed his acknowledgment of this compliment.
"I am also glad to see two intelligent young gentlemen like Mr. Folsom
and Mr. Barnaby."
"You've forgotten me, sir," said Stump. "I'm only an odd boy, but----"
The captain extended his arm, and the hired boy was silent.
"I'm a man," he continued, "who has broken with society and renounced
the world. Had you not molested me and fired at my vessel, I should not
have crippled your ship and upset your boat. The attack came from your
side."
"But, sir," answered the professor, "we took your ship to be some
unknown creature."
"Possibly, but this creature had done you no harm. I saw you all take
refuge outside, and I hesitated a long while what to do with you. I knew
nothing of you. What were you to me? Why should I extend my hospitality
to you? All that was necessary to break off your connection, was to give
a signal to my engineers, and the _Searcher_, which is the name of my
vessel, would have sunk to the bottom of the ocean. I had the right to
do it."
His hearers shuddered at this avowal.
"It seems to me that we are to be prisoners?" observed the professor.
"Certainly."
"But this is an outrage!" exclaimed Mont. "I demand to be put on shore
at the nearest port, or given up to the nearest ship we meet."
"You will none of you ever see the earth again, or set foot upon it,"
replied the captain with much emphasis.
"This floating prison is, then, our tomb--our coffin, in which we must
live and die?"
"Call it what you will," replied the captain. "You have obtained the
secret of my existence. Do you think I could ever allow you to revisit
the world, to let it be known through every newspaper how I pass my
life?"
"How are we to address you, sir?"
"My name is Vindex. By my men I am called the Wizard of the Sea."
"Very well, Captain Vindex of the _Searcher_," said Mont, "we must make
the best of our situation, but I will never give my word that I will not
attempt to escape."
"I like you, boy, for your honesty," said the Wizard of the Sea, "though
I warn you that if you are caught in the attempt, you will be instantly
put to death."
"To death? You dare not!"
The captain laughed in a wild, weird manner.
"Dare not!" he said. "Foolish lad, there are no laws for me. I am the
sole master here. My black slaves only live to do my bidding. What is
your life or death to me? I have no more to say at present. Follow this
negro into another cabin, where a repast awaits you."
He called to someone outside, and, bowing politely, went away, while the
four companions were conducted to a dining room handsomely furnished
and lighted by an electric lamp.
Various preparations invited their attention. The dinner service was of
silver, and everything denoted immense wealth on the part of the owner.
The negro waited upon them attentively.
"What's your name?" asked Mont.
"Me name One, massa."
"One!"
"Yes, massa. There twelve slaves on board this ship, and all have figure
names, me One, other nigger Two, other Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven,
Eight, and so on up to Twelve."
"That's a queer idea," said our hero; "fancy calling out for your
servant, and saying, 'Here, Nine, I want you,' or 'I say, Three, do
this'!"
"It is my opinion," exclaimed the professor, "that Captain Vindex is a
very remarkable man--the most remarkable, in fact, that ever lived. He
has invented a singular ship which can go under the sea at will, but why
not? Was not the invention of steam engines laughed at, as well as the
invention of gas? Who, a hundred years ago, would have believed in the
electric telegraph, by means of which we send a message to the end of
the earth in a minute?"
"Very true," replied Mont. "And don't forget the telephone, and the
submarine boat the government is trying to build. It's a pity a man of
such genius should shut himself up like this, though."
"It is a pity," answered the professor.
"What's worse, though," remarked Carl, "is that he means to keep us as
prisoners."
"If he can," said Stump.
"Don't you be so fast, Stump, my boy," said Mont. "Keep your mouth shut,
or you may get into trouble."
"Very sorry, but I don't like such goings-on, and wish I was back again
on the shore."
The negro handed the professor a fresh dish.
"Will massa have some oysters stewed in whale's milk?" he asked; "or
some jam made of sea anemones?"
"I'd rather you'd not tell me what the dishes are; it will set me
against them if you do," answered the professor with a wry face.
When the repast was ended, Mont jumped up. "I feel better," he said.
"Mister Number One."
"Massa call me?" asked the black, who was clearing away.
"Yes. Where are we now?"
"We gone down, massa, and now we lie at the bottom of the sea."
Mont regarded him with undisguised astonishment.
The _Searcher_ was indeed a wonderful craft.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE MYSTERIES OF THE "SEARCHER."
Many days passed.
The lives of the captives were unvaried by any incident. They saw
nothing of Captain Vindex; were well attended to, slept comfortably, and
had nothing to complain of but their imprisonment.
Books were freely supplied them, but they were not allowed to leave
their cabins.
At the expiration of a fortnight or thereabouts, as well as they could
reckon, negro Number One entered their cabin after breakfast.
Addressing Mont, the negro observed:
"Massa Folsom to come to cappen's cabin."
"Does he want me?" inquired Mont. "All right. Good-by, my friends," he
added, "perhaps you will never see me again. I may be the first victim."
"No fear!" exclaimed Carl. "We shan't be hurt if we keep quiet."
"I'll suggest that you're the fattest, Carl, if there is any question of
cooking one of us."
"Then it won't be true, for you're as fat as a mole. Go on and be cooked
first! I'll have a bit of you," answered Barnaby.
Mont went away laughing. He was not really alarmed, for although he did
not like Captain Vindex, he fancied he was safe as long as he did not
irritate this strange being.
The negro conducted him along a passage which opened into a magnificent
library, full of books, which gave admittance to a drawing room
furnished with all the taste that could be found in Paris or New York.
The space within the ironclad shell had been made the most of, and no
expense had been spared to make the cabin luxurious and well appointed.
The walls were richly papered and covered with valuable paintings. The
ceiling was frescoed, and works of art were everywhere to be seen. Rich
couches and chairs invited rest, and the foot sank in the soft pile of a
Turkey carpet.
Captain Vindex arose as our hero entered.
"Take a seat," he said, as the negro retired, closing the door after
him. "I have taken an interest in you, Folsom."
"Thank you," answered Mont coldly.
The captain smiled, approached the end of the room, and, drawing back a
curtain, revealed a splendid organ.
"Do you like music?" he asked.
"Very much," answered Mont. "Play us something. It will enliven me a
bit. I feel awfully low, and I'll give you a game at dominoes or
checkers afterwards, if you like."
Captain Vindex smiled, and, sitting down, played Sousa's "Liberty Bell
March" with great skill.
"Thank you," said Mont, when he had finished. "Very fine. Now will you
tell me how you manage for air?"
"I will not trouble you with chemical details," answered the captain,
"which you would not understand, but when I do not take in air at the
surface, I have some compressed in the reservoir, which, by means of an
apparatus, is wafted all over the ship."
"And about light and moving about?"
"That is the result of electricity, which I make myself. My motive power
is electricity, and I can attain a speed of thirty miles an hour. The
men of the world have not yet discovered half the value of electricity.
My machinery is of the finest kind. If I want to sink to the bottom of
the sea, I fill certain reservoirs I have with water; when I want to
rise, I lighten the ship by letting out the water. In short, I have
invented everything that is necessary for my safety and comfort."
"Wonderful!" ejaculated Mont.
"Your friend, the professor, would understand me, if I were to explain
to him how everything were managed, but to you it all seems as strange
as the first railway train did to the country people through whose
districts it passed. Engineering science is yet in its infancy. The
world has great discoveries to make. You are at present only on the
threshold of the great unknown."
"You work your ship with a screw, I suppose?"
"Exactly. The helmsman sits in a cabin with a glass front, and the
electric light illumines the sea for some distance, so that all is clear
to him."
"Where did you build this extraordinary vessel?" continued our hero.
"On a desert island in the Pacific. I had the various parts brought in a
vessel that belonged to me from various parts of the world, and the
twelve negroes who are now with me were my only workmen."
"You are rich, then?"
"Money was never any object to me," replied the captain. "If I wanted
gold even now, could I not obtain millions from the bottom of the sea
out of ships that have sunk? And some day I shall find the great
million-dollar pearl for which I am searching. The treasures of the deep
are mine; I am the Wizard of the Sea."
He spoke proudly, and his eyes dilated with rapture.
"You like the sea?"
"I love it. I revel in it. Look at the solitude and freedom I enjoy!
What life can be comparable to mine?"
"But you must feel weary at times," said Mont.
"Never. I read, I think, and, when I want diversion, I shoot."
"Where?"
"In the submarine forests. I have invented a square case to strap on the
back, which is attached to a mask covering the head, and this will
contain enough compressed air to last for several hours' consumption, so
that I can walk under the waves with ease and comfort."
"And your guns?"
"Are air guns, also my own invention. I have several, and each is
prepared to fire twenty shots by a mere movement of the trigger, the
requisite force of air being placed in a hollow of the butt end; but all
these mysteries will become plain to you before you have been long with
me," answered Captain Vindex.
"What time is it?" asked Mont.
Looking at his watch, the captain answered:
"A quarter to twelve, or near midday."
"If you want to give me a treat," said Mont, "I wish you would go up to
the surface and let me have a look at the sea, and breathe the fresh
air."
"Certainly. Come with me to the engine room."
Mont rose, and followed his conductor through several iron passages to
the place where the machinery was fitted up.
A negro saluted the captain.
"Number Twelve," exclaimed the latter, "I wish to ascend."
The engineer touched a valve, and a rush of water escaping was heard.
The pumps were forcing out the water from the reservoirs.
The _Searcher_ began to ascend. After a time she stopped suddenly.
"We have arrived," said the captain.
He led the way up a central spiral staircase, and, raising a small door,
they emerged upon what may be called the deck, or what our hero and his
companions had taken to be the back of the monster.
Touching a spring, an iron railing sprang up, about five feet high.
This prevented any danger of falling into the sea in rough weather, for
it made a small inclosure about twenty feet by ten.
Mont saw that the shape of the ship was something like a long cigar.
The sea was calm and the sky clear; a light breeze fanned their cheeks
as Mont opened his lungs to take in the inviting atmosphere.
There was, however, nothing to be seen. All was one vast desert.
The captain proceeded, armed with a sextant, to take the height of the
sun, which would give him his latitude.
He waited some minutes until the sun attained the edge of the horizon.
Having calculated the longitude chronometrically, he said:
"To-day I commence a voyage of exploration under the waves."
"When you like," replied Mont; "anything for a little excitement."
The captain conducted him downstairs again, the iron railing fell, the
trapdoor closed overhead, and with a bow the strange being left him to
join his companions.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE DEVIL FISH.
"He's about half crazy!"
Such was Mont's conclusion as he joined his companions.
While Mont was telling the others of what he had seen, all were treated
to a surprise.
A panel in the wall slid back.
A large sheet of very thick plate glass, quite transparent, was revealed
to view almost immediately; a flood of electric light lit up the sea for
some distance, and everything was as clear as daylight.
It was as if they were looking at an immense aquarium.
"The captain is giving us a surprise," remarked the professor; "this is
charming."
Innumerable fishes of various kinds, most of which were unknown, even to
a naturalist of Dr. Woddle's standing, passed before them.
Strange, wild, fierce-looking things, with wonderful tails and heads.
Some looking unmistakably voracious, others being long and slimy like
hideous snakes.
They were doubtless attracted by the electric light.
For two hours the four companions gazed at the ever-changing procession,
without the least abatement of their delight.
Presently the door opened, and a negro handed the professor a letter.
He opened it and read its contents aloud.
"Captain Vindex presents his compliments to Professor Woddle, and will
be glad if he and his companions will accept an invitation to shoot in
the weed forests under the sea to-morrow morning at ten o'clock."
"I'll be hanged if I go!" exclaimed Stump. "Not if I know it. I'm safe
here, but I don't want to be chawed up by some strange reptile."
"Silence, boy!" said the professor. "Tell Captain Vindex," he continued,
to the negro, "that we are much obliged to him for his invitation, which
we gladly accept."
The negro bowed and retired.
At the time appointed the professor and the boys were conducted to a
cabin, which may be called the dressing-room, or arsenal, of the
_Searcher_.
Hanging on the walls were numerous helmets, such as divers wear, and a
number of guns reposed on hooks.
At the last moment Stump had determined to accompany the party.
Captain Vindex was already there, and received them graciously.
"I wish you good-day, professor," he said; "and you, too, my boys. I
think we shall enjoy some excellent sport among the sea otters and other
animals worth killing. You, Dr. Woddle, will be able to add to your
knowledge of natural history, for we are about to traverse a forest of
remarkable seaweeds and plants, in which you will find all kinds of
submarine life."
"I am obliged to you for your kindness, sir, and put myself entirely at
your disposal," replied the professor.
At a signal from the captain, two negroes assisted our heroes to put on
their apparel, and clothed them in thick waterproof made of India
rubber, which formed trousers and vest, the trousers terminating in a
pair of shoes with lead soles; a cuirass of leather protected the chest
from the pressure of the water, and allowed the lungs full play.
Supple gloves covered the hands, the helmet was then put on, and the
knapsack of compressed air adjusted on the back.
To each one was given a gun, the butt of which was of brass and hollow.
Here was stored the compressed air which discharged the electric
bullets, one of which fell into its proper place just as the other had
been shot away. The whole mechanism was perfect.
When all was ready they stepped into an empty cabin, the door closed
behind them, and, touching a knob, the captain allowed the room to fill
with water.
Then he opened a door and they walked out into the sea.
Each had an electric lamp fastened to the waist, which made their path
clear and distinct, enabling them to see every object through the glass
holes in their helmets.
The captain walked in front with the professor.
Carl and Mont were side by side, and Stump brought up the rear.
Walking was not very difficult, and the supply of air, well charged with
the oxygen necessary for prolonged respiration, was all that could be
wished. It entered as it was required from the knapsack reservoir, and
escaped when used through a turret at the top of the circular helmet.
They proceeded along fine sand, covered with a variety of shells, for at
least a mile, when they came to some rocks covered with beautiful
anemones.
Innumerable fish sported around them; long, writhing eels, of a
prodigious size, with ugly, flat snake-like heads, glided away at their
approach, and thousands of jelly fish danced about their heads.
They were not at a great depth, and presumably were near some island,
for Mont, looking up, saw the sun overhead, guessing the depth to be
about thirty or forty feet.
The sun's rays easily penetrated the waves, and made a kaleidoscope of
colors inconceivably beautiful.
If the party could have spoken they would have given vent to their
admiration in no measured terms.
The least sound was transmitted easily, showing that the sea is a better
conductor of noise than land.
By degrees the depth increased, and they must have been a hundred yards
from the surface, as the pressure of the water increased.
Mont suffered no inconvenience except a slight tingling in the ears and
fingers.
He moved with ease, and was intensely delighted with the wonderful bed
of sea flowers which gave place to the fine sand they had been
traversing.
A dark mass extended itself before them; and Captain Vindex, extending
his hand, indicated the beginning of the forest.
It was composed of large seaweeds and plants, which extended in a
straight manner, having no drooping branches; all were erect and
motionless.
When displaced by the hand they resumed a perpendicular position.
They scarcely had any roots in the sand, and were evidently nourished by
the water and not by the earth.
Some were long and slender, others short and bushy, covered with
blossoms of various colors; others, again, reached a height equal to our
forest trees.
They had not proceeded far through this dense jungle of weeds, among
which it was difficult to pick a path, when the captain halted.
In front of him was a huge octopus, or devil fish, over three feet in
diameter, with long, terrible arms.
It endeavored to seize the professor, who, sinking on his knees,
shivered in silent terror!
CHAPTER XVIII.
MONT IS LOST.
It looked as if Professor Woddle's last moment had come.
In a moment more the devil fish had the shivering man in its fearful
embrace.
The captain and Mont, however, raised their guns, and with one shot left
it convulsed in its dying agonies.
As they continued to descend into a valley, bounded on each side by high
rocks, the darkness increased, for the sun's rays could not penetrate
more than a hundred and fifty yards.
It was now that the electric lamps became of importance.
As they got lower and lower, Mont felt an oppression about the head, and
a great desire to sleep overcame him.
He lagged behind the others, and with difficulty kept up with them.
Several fine sea otters were seen in front, playing about amongst the
weeds.
The captain fired, and the others followed his example.
Three fell dead, one of which Stump took up and threw over his shoulder.
Suddenly Mont sank down on the ground and immediately fell asleep.
His companions, in the eagerness of their chase after the game that had
escaped, did not notice his absence.
They had proceeded fully half a mile, when Barnaby, looking back, was
unable to discover any trace of Mont.
He at once ran to the captain and made signs, pointing to himself, the
professor, and Stump, and pointing in different directions to intimate
that Mont was lost.
Captain Vindex at once comprehended his meaning.
He retraced his steps, going carefully over the ground they had
trodden.
It was without success, for nowhere could they find the slightest trace
of their unfortunate companion.
Carl would have given worlds had he been able to speak.
He was profoundly agitated, for it was horrible to think that his chum
was lost under the sea, not knowing his way back to the _Searcher_, for
they had come a roundabout way.
Captain Vindex was also annoyed.
If Mont chose he could climb up the rocks and reach the summit.
There he might take off his helmet, and breathe the free air of heaven.
But would he think of this?
Perhaps in his confusion he would wander about in the effort to meet his
companions, and at last be suffocated miserably.
The supply of air with which each was provided was not sufficient to
last more than five hours.
Two of those hours' supply had been already consumed.
It was necessary that Captain Vindex and those with him should think of
returning to the ship.
Making a sign, he led the way back.
Carl felt inclined to stay and die in the attempt to find his friend.
It would have been an immense relief to him to have said something, but
not a sound could he make audible outside his helmet.
With sad and weary steps they traversed the lovely valley, which had
lost all its former attractions for the party.
The forest was passed and the sand regained.
They were not more than two miles from the _Searcher_.
Carl determined to make a last effort.
He seized the captain's arm and pointed pathetically, almost
imploringly, to the dense mass of vegetation behind them.
His mute appeal to go back after Mont was comprehended.
But it was disregarded.
Their own lives would have been in jeopardy had they turned back.
The air in the reservoirs was becoming weak and impure.
Shaking his head in a negative manner, the captain pursued his way.
With a heavy heart Carl followed him, and in time the ship was reached.
They entered the water room, closed the doors, and the captain touched a
bell.
Directly it sounded within the vessel, the pumps were heard at work, the
water gradually lowered, and when it was all out they opened the inner
door and regained the dressing-room.
It was indeed a pleasure to have the helmets removed, for they had
retained them so long that they were oppressed and ill.
The captain was the first to speak.
"I am very sorry for the misfortune that has happened," he exclaimed;
"you must not think me hard-hearted because I returned."
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