Breakfast was served in the morning, as usual.
Eleven o'clock came, and the captain showed no signs of moving.
This apathy appeared incomprehensible to Mont.
Without any difficulty the vessel could have gone out to sea, risen in mid-ocean, and taken in fresh air.
"It is very odd we don't move," he remarked.
"I can't understand it," said the professor. "But everything is so remarkable on board this ship that I have ceased to wonder at anything."
"I've had a taste of niggers, and don't want another," said Stump, who was lying on a mattress with his leg bound up.
"Hark at the reptiles! What a thundering row they're kicking up!" remarked Mont.
"I never heard such a racket," answered Carl; "our skipper must be out of his head not to start the vipers."
The captain appeared in the doorway.