lost piece of silex. The hole extended and widened, and was soon sufficiently large to receive the body.
The bearers then approached. The corpse, wrapped in white byssus, was laid in its damp tomb. Captain Nemo, with folded arms, and all the friends of the dead man, knelt down; I and my companions knelt also.
The grave was then covered with the débris, which had been dug out, and which thus formed a slight mound.
When this had been done, Captain Nemo and his men rose up, and approaching the grave all bent the knee once more, and waved a last adieu to their dead friend.
The funeral procession then returned to the Nautilus, repassing in its way beneath the arcades and the long bush-like formations of the coral.
At length the light appeared burning on board. The long gleam led us to the Nautilus. At one o’clock we had regained the ship.
As soon as I had changed my dress, I ascended to the platform, and beset by a crowd of mingled feelings, I sat down near the lighting apparatus.
Captain Nemo joined me. I got up and said:
“So, as I warned you, the man died during the night?”
“Yes, M. Aronnax,” he replied.
“And he now rests among his companions in the cemetery of coral.”
“Yes, forgotten by all—except by us. We have dug his grave, and the polypes will take care to seal up our dead for ever.” And hiding his face in his hard hands, the captain tried in vain to conceal a tear. Then he added:
