"Jules Verne. Off on a Comet. WORKS" - читать интересную книгу автора

in experiment from the island had not only damaged one of the spars
of the schooner, but had broken Panofka's pipe, and, moreover, had just
grazed his nose, which, for a Russian's, was unusually long.
The discussion over this mishap led to mutual recriminations,
till the sailors had almost come to blows with the garrison.

Servadac was just in the mood to take Panofka's part, which drew
from Major Oliphant the remark that England could not be held
responsible for any accidental injury done by her cannon,
and if the Russian's long nose came in the way of the ball,
the Russian must submit to the mischance.

This was too much for Count Timascheff, and having poured
out a torrent of angry invective against the English officers,
he ordered his crew to embark immediately.

"We shall meet again," said Servadac, as they pushed off from shore.

"Whenever you please," was the cool reply.

The geographical mystery haunted the minds of both the count
and the captain, and they felt they could never rest till they
had ascertained what had become of their respective countries.
They were glad to be on board again, that they might rщsumщ
their voyage of investigation, and in two hours were out of sight
of the sole remaining fragment of Gibraltar.



CHAPTER XV

AN ENIGMA FROM THE SEA


Lieutenant Procope had been left on board in charge of the _Dobryna_,
and on resuming the voyage it was a task of some difficulty
to make him understand the fact that had just come to light.
Some hours were spent in discussion and in attempting to penetrate
the mysteries of the situation.

There were certain things of which they were perfectly certain.
They could be under no misapprehension as to the distance they
had positively sailed from Gourbi Island towards the east
before their further progress was arrested by the unknown shore;
as nearly as possible that was fifteen degrees; the length
of the narrow strait by which they had made their way across
that land to regain the open sea was about three miles and a half;
thence onward to the island, which they had been assured,
on evidence that they could not disbelieve, to be upon
the site of Gibraltar, was four degrees; while from Gibraltar