Each had an electric lamp fastened to the waist, which made their path clear and distinct, enabling them to see every object through the glass holes in their helmets.
The captain walked in front with the professor.
Carl and Mont were side by side, and Stump brought up the rear.
Walking was not very difficult, and the supply of air, well charged with the oxygen necessary for prolonged respiration, was all that could be wished. It entered as it was required from the knapsack reservoir, and escaped when used through a turret at the top of the circular helmet.
They proceeded along fine sand, covered with a variety of shells, for at least a mile, when they came to some rocks covered with beautiful anemones.
Innumerable fish sported around them; long, writhing eels, of a prodigious size, with ugly, flat snake-like heads, glided away at their approach, and thousands of jelly fish danced about their heads.
They were not at a great depth, and presumably were near some island, for Mont, looking up, saw the sun overhead, guessing the depth to be about thirty or forty feet.
The sun's rays easily penetrated the waves, and made a kaleidoscope of colors inconceivably beautiful.
If the party could have spoken they would have given vent to their admiration in no measured terms.
The least sound was transmitted easily, showing that the sea is a better conductor of noise than land.