One day it was observed by those who looked out of the window in
the upper deck that the water above them was clearer than they
usually saw it, and when the electric lights in the room
immediately under the window were turned out it was almost
possible to discern objects in the room. Instantly there was a
great stir on board the Dipsey, and observations soon disclosed
the fact that there was nothing above the vessel but water and
air.

At first, like an electric flash, the thought ran through the
vessel that they had reached the open sea which is supposed to
surround the pole, but reflection soon showed those who were cool
enough to reflect that if this were the case that sea must be
much larger than they had supposed, for they were still a long
way from the pole. Upon one thing, however, everybody was
agreed: they must ascend without loss of time to the surface of
the water above them.

Up went the Dipsey, and it was not long before the great glass in
the upper deck admitted pure light from the outer world. Then
the vessel rose boldly and floated upon the surface of the open
sea.

The hatchways were thrown open, and in a few moments nearly
everybody on board stood upon the upper deck, breathing the outer
air and gazing about them in the pure sunlight. The deck was
almost flat, and surrounded by a rail. The flooring was wet, and
somewhat slippery, but nobody thought of that; they thought of
nothing but the wonderful place in which they found themselves.