"No," said Captain Vindex, "it is difficult. I always steer the ship myself, and if you like to come into the wheelhouse with me I will show you the way. In a moment the Searcher will sink, and we shall not rise till we are in the Mediterranean."
Mont followed the captain into the pilot's cabin, which was at the bow of the vessel, the wheel working the rudder by long chains carried aft.
The cabin measured six feet square, four round windows of thick plate-glass enabled the helmsman to see on all sides, and the electric light, thrown well forward, made everything as clear as day.
A strong negro, with an eye like a hawk, was at the wheel, but he gave the spokes to the captain and fell back.
"Now," exclaimed the Wizard of the Sea, "let us search for our passage."
Electric wires communicated with the engine room, so it was easy to communicate directly with the engineers by pressing a knob of metal.
Touching this knob, the speed of the screw lessened considerably.
For about an hour the ship passed by a bank of sand, which was varied by rocks, on which Mont saw all kinds of sea weeds, coral formations, and curious fish agitating their fins in alarm at the apparition of the Searcher.
At half-past ten a long and large gallery appeared in front, black and apparently deep.
The ship entered this gloomy tunnel boldly, and an unaccustomed rushing sound made itself heard against the sides, which arose from the waters of the Red Sea rushing into the Mediterranean.