Thirty feet of water on the plain would cover the cone with eighteen feet of water, and bear on the air within with the pressure of an atmosphere.
Now, after reflecting well upon it, Dick Sand was led to fear that this inundation might increase considerably.
In fact, it could not be due solely to that deluge poured out by the clouds.

It seemed more probable that a neighboring watercourse, swelled by the storm, had burst its banks, and was spreading over this plain lying below it.

What proof had they that the ant-hill was not then entirely submerged, and that it was full time to leave it by the top part, which would not be difficult to demolish?
Dick Sand, now extremely anxious, asked himself what he ought to do.

Must he wait or suddenly announce the probable result of the situation, after ascertaining the condition of things?
It was then three o'clock in the morning.

All, motionless, silent, listened.