“Then here’s how to calculate it,” I replied. “In one hour each man consumes the oxygen contained in 100 liters of air, hence during twenty-four hours the oxygen contained in 2,400 liters. Therefore, we must look for the multiple of 2,400 liters of air that gives us the amount found in the Nautilus.”
“Precisely,” Conseil said.
“Now then,” I went on, “the Nautilus’s capacity is 1,500 metric tons, and that of a ton is 1,000 liters, so the Nautilus holds 1,500,000 liters of air, which, divided by 2,400 . . .”
I did a quick pencil calculation.
“. . . gives us the quotient of 625. Which is tantamount to saying that the air contained in the Nautilus would be exactly enough for 625 men over twenty-four hours.”
“625!” Ned repeated.
“But rest assured,” I added, “that between passengers, seamen, or officers, we don’t total one-tenth of that figure.”
“Which is still too many for three men!” Conseil muttered.
“So, my poor Ned, I can only counsel patience.”
“And,” Conseil replied, “even more than patience, resignation.”