“Why, I think so,” he said, but yet looked anxious, for the Dolphin was creaking and groaning somewhat; “the bottom must be near. Ah, there, I can see it!”
And a wonderful sight it was which burst upon the view of all at that moment.
The bottom of the sea.
They were sure at that moment that they were the only human beings who had ever beheld it at that depth.
It was like a view into another and strange world.
To adequately describe it would be quite impossible.
There were forests of marine plants, some of them gigantic in size, cavernous recesses, the lurking place of strange sea monsters, and coral reefs deeply submerged in sand.
The Dolphin sailed over this wonderful scene, while the voyagers took it all in spellbound.
“If the Veneta is sunk in such a sea as this,” declared Clifford, “it will be difficult enough to get at her on account of the marine growth.”
“You are right,” agreed Hartley. “What do you think of it, Frank?”