This ladder leads to a man-hole made in the hull of the Nautilus, that corresponds with a similar hole made in the side of the boat.

By this double opening I get into the small vessel.

They shut the one belonging to the Nautilus; I shut the other by means of screw pressure.

I undo the bolts, and the little boat goes up to the surface of the sea with prodigious rapidity.

I then open the panel of the bridge, carefully shut till then; I mast it, hoist my sail, take my oars, and I'm off." "But how do you get back on board ?" "I do not come back, M.Aronnax; the Nautilus comes to me." "By your orders ?" "By my orders.