Meanwhile, I was absorbed in my own reflections, and could think of nothing but the strange fear depicted in the Captain’s countenance. I was utterly at a loss to account for it, when my cogitations were disturbed by these words from Ned Land: “Hallo! breakfast is ready.” And indeed the table was laid. Evidently Captain Nemo had given this order at the same time that he had hastened the speed of the Nautilus. “Will master permit me to make a recommendation?” asked Conseil. “Yes, my boy.” “Well, it is that master breakfasts. It is prudent, for we do not know what may happen.” “You are right, Conseil.” “Unfortunately,” said Ned Land, “they have only given us the ship’s fare.” “Friend Ned,” asked Conseil, “what would you have said if the breakfast had been entirely forgotten?” This argument cut short the harpooner’s recriminations. We sat down to table. The meal was eaten in silence. Just then the luminous globe that lighted the cell went out, and left us in total darkness. Ned Land was soon asleep, and what astonished me was that Conseil went off into a heavy slumber. I was thinking what could have caused his irresistible drowsiness, when I felt my brain becoming stupefied. In spite of my efforts to keep my eyes open, they would close. A painful suspicion seized me. Evidently soporific substances had been mixed with the food we had just taken.