ruction for
some months, so that the accumulators might be loaded afresh on
the spot, in case of their being used up.

The _Morse_, after skimming along the surface of the water until
outside the port, was now about to sink. The commandant's place
was no longer in the helmet or kiosque whence he could direct the
route along the surface of the sea. His place was henceforth in
the very centre of the tube, in the midst of all sort of electric
manipulators, his eyes continually fixed on a mysterious optical
apparatus, the periscope. The other extremity of this instrument
floated on the surface of the water, and whatever the depth of
the plunge it gave him a perfectly faithful and clear
representation, as in a camera, of everything occurring on the
water.

The most interesting moment of all now came. I hastened to the
little opening to get the impression of total immersion. The
lieutenant by the marine chart verified the depths. The casks of
water were filled and our supply of air was thereby renewed from
their stores of surplus air. In our tiny observatory, where
General Andre stationed himself above me, a most unexpected
spectacle presented itself as the boat was immersed.

The plunge was so gentle that in the perfect silence of the
waters one did not perceive the process of descent, and there was
only an instrument capable of indicating, by a needle, the depth
to which the _Morse_ was penetrating. The vessel was advancing
while at the same time it descended, but there was no sensation
of either advance or roll. As to respiration, it was as perfect
as in any room. M. de Lanessan, who since entering office has
ordered eight more submarine vessels, had concerned himself with
the question as a medical man also, and, thanks to the labours of
a commission formed by him, the difficulties of respiration were
entirely solved. The crew were able to remain under water sixteen
hours without the slightest strain. Our excursion on this
occasion lasted scarcely two hours. Towards noon, by means of
the mysterious periscope, which, always invisible, floated on the
surface and brought to the vessel below a reflection of all that
passed up above, the captain showed us the _Narval_, which had
just emerged with its two flags near the old battery
_Impre