Since he made no allusion to his absence the past eight days, I also refrained from mentioning it, and I simply answered that my companions and I were ready to go with him.
“Only, sir,” I added, “I’ll take the liberty of addressing a question to you.”
“Address away, Professor Aronnax, and if I’m able to answer, I will.”
“Well then, captain, how is it that you’ve severed all ties with the shore, yet you own forests on Crespo Island?”
“Professor,” the captain answered me, “these forests of mine don’t bask in the heat and light of the sun. They aren’t frequented by lions, tigers, panthers, or other quadrupeds. They’re known only to me. They grow only for me. These forests aren’t on land, they’re actual underwater forests.”
“Underwater forests!” I exclaimed.
“Yes, professor.”
“And you’re offering to take me to them?”
“Precisely.”
“On foot?”