I turned to my companion; he was busy adjusting the screws of the man-hole, and then, when all was finished to his satisfaction, he came towards me, and led me to the group of handles.
"It is your cruise, madame," he said, with a smile, "therefore you shall be the captain. Draw down the handle on the right."
I pulled it sharply downward, and felt the boat sink under my feet—we were beneath the water.
"Up!" he cried, and I obeyed him, and instantly the vessel's descent was arrested.
"The handle next to it," he said, "an inch down," and as I moved it the boat sprang forward, while he stood by my side, his eyes fixed on the compass, and his hand upon the wheel, now giving a turn to the left, and now to the right.
"We are clear of the cave," he cried, after a moment, "and in the open sea." Then, with a glance at the clock, he continued: "It has taken longer than usual to get away. Let Le Diable show his power, if you would breakfast where I promised. Pull down that handle, madame, as far as it will go."
Grasping it firmly, I obeyed him, and as I did so the boat bounded forward with such speed and suddenness that I should have fallen had he not caught me by the arm.
"Too sudden!" he cried, with his usual chuckle. "You must not drive even the devil too furiously."
I seated myself on a lounge, while he remained at the wheel, his eyes alternating between the compass and a chart.
Presently he became blurred to me, for I had risen unconscionably early, and the motion of the boat, after the first plunge, was conducive to slumber, so that I sank back and knew no more until I felt a touch upon my arm and found him bending over me.