A few steps off, a monstrous sea-spider, about thirty-eight inches high, was watching me with squinting eyes, ready to spring upon me. Though my diver's dress was thick enough to defend me from the bite of this animal, I could not help shuddering with horror. Conseil and the sailor of the Nautilus awoke at this moment. Captain Nemo pointed out the hideous crustacean, which a blow from the butt end of the gun knocked over, and I saw the horrible claws of the monster writhe in terrible convulsions. This incident reminded me that other animals more to be feared might haunt these obscure depths, against whose attacks my diving-dress would not protect me. I had never thought of it before, but I now resolved to be upon my guard. Indeed, I thought that this halt would mark the termination of our walk; but I was mistaken, for, instead of returning to the Nautilus, Captain Nemo continued his bold excursion. The ground was still on the incline, its declivity seemed to be getting greater, and to be leading us to greater depths. It must have been about three o'clock when we reached a narrow valley, between high perpendicular walls, situated about seventy-five fathoms deep. Thanks to the perfection of our apparatus, we were forty-five fathoms below the limit which nature seems to have imposed on man as to his submarine excursions. | В нескольких шагах от нас чудовищный краб в метр вышиной, вперив в меня взгляд раскосых глаз, готовился наброситься на меня. Хотя скафандр служил достаточной защитой от его клешней, все же я не мог скрыть овладевшего мной ужаса. В эту минуту проснулись Консель и матрос с "Наутилуса". Капитан Немо указал матросу на гнусное членистоногое, и тот, ударив его прикладом, тотчас же убил гада; и я видел, как сводило в предсмертных конвульсиях страшные лапы чудовища. |