Johnston found that he could not breathe freely, and he
understood the trouble of the Englishman.

Captain Tradmos came suddenly to the door. He was smiling as he
motioned toward the wines on the table.

"You had better drink more of the wine," he advised sententiously.

Both of the captives rushed to the table. The instant they had
swallowed the wine they felt relieved, but were still weak.
The captain bowed and went away. Thorndyke's hand trembled as he
refilled his friend's glass. I thought I was gone up," he said,
"I never had such a choky sensation in my life; you are still
purple in the face."

"Eat of what is before you," said the captain, looking in at the
door; "you cannot stand the increasing pressure unless you do."

They needed no second invitation, for they were half-famished.
The fish and meat were delicious, and the bread was delightfully
sweet.

"Look outside!" cried Johnston. The water was now still, but it
was gradually rising up the sides of the boat, and in a moment
it had closed over the crystal roof. Both of the captives were
conscious of a heavy sensation in the head and a dull roaring in
the ears. Down they went, at first slowly and then more rapidly,
till it seemed to them that they had descended over a thousand
feet. Great monsters like whales swam to the vessel, as if
attracted by the lights, and their massive bodies jarred against