10 The Sleeping Draft

On January 9, the tide finally gained sufficiently to raise Nautilus from the sandbar at 2:40 in the afternoon, exactly as Nemo predicted. Maria marveled at the precision Nemo commanded with his scientific skill. She kept busy with the sewing. Ship repairs meant replacement uniforms. After a few days, the repairs needed were few yet simple. This allowed her to resume her studies and help with the cooking.

There was a strange accident in the galley. While the cause was unknown, the effect was evident. Carefully heated pots and baking pans suddenly boiled over or burnt inside ovens. Dinner was ruined. When Maria arrived, Senthil was beside himself trying to clean everything up and restart the meal.

He spoke in his strange language and Maria felt the frustration. He grabbed a piece of paper and drew some food items on it. Maria nodded. He wanted her to load replacement food in the dumbwaiter. She had an idea as to the quantities required to feed the crew.

She went down the spiral staircase to the storage holds and loaded the cart. The empty dumbwaiter had another picture inside of it, which she removed before loading the food. She dispatched the dumbwaiter and collected the next food items. When assembled, she found another picture in the dumbwaiter of more food, small items including spices and jellies.

As she went to collect those items, she saw a crewman. Maria said, "Hello." As she entered the locker, she found herself slammed against the shelves. She tried to turn around and realized the crewman had other intentions. She screamed and the man started choking her.

Somehow, she broke free but the man slammed her against the shelves and she banged her head. She was aware he had torn her dress at the shoulder. She felt genuine terror when the man started raising her skirt. Someone pulled the man off her and Maria saw it was Ned.

The two men engaged in a heated brawl. Iravan arrived with several crewmen. When he saw Maria, he became infuriated and took action upon Ned. The offending crewman used that opportunity to flee. Nemo arrived and issued a series of orders. Iravan reluctantly complied and backed away from Ned while two crewmen kept the Canadian restrained. Nemo saw Maria on the floor of the hold.

Nemo issued more orders and crewmen led Ned away. Someone arrived with a blanket. Nemo covered Maria, who was crying beyond reason. He picked her up and carried her. Instead of her cabin, he brought her to his. He tended to her injuries and kept insisting that she had to calm herself.

Maria cried, "Where is Mister Land?"

"He's in the brig for now," said Nemo. "Very soon, I shall dispatch him to the sea."

"You don't understand," sobbed Maria. "He stopped that man from – he stopped that man."

"Are you saying it was one of my crew that did this to you? Impossible! Did he steal your honor?"

"NO!"

Nemo insisted, "Calm yourself. All is well. I will deal with the matter. Stay here."

Nemo hastily returned and he had something for Maria to drink. She did, and very quickly fell into a deep sleep.

"She said it was one of the crew," Nemo told Iravan. "She said Mister Land saved her."

Iravan looked at the sleeping girl and said, "She has no reason to protect Mister Land."

Nemo said, "She's never before lied to us. Was there anyone else there?"

"Senor Diego," said Iravan. "He was fighting with Mister Land. I thought he was the one trying to protect her. No member of our crew would disobey your orders."

"Keep the professor and his apprentice locked in their cabins. Bring Senor Diego to the library."

"Yes sir," Iravan said.

No man would dare defy the captain. Iravan was convinced of this. The idea of Ned Land saving the girl worried him. It might compel a bond between the girl and the troublesome passenger. He tasked two men to accompany him and fulfilled the captain's order. They brought Diego to the library.

Nemo said, "You assaulted the girl."

Diego said, "She called to me."

"Then it's true!"

Diego pleaded, "I didn't understand. I thought her flirtation was sincere. Then she started screaming."

Nemo asked, "Did it ever occur to you that she was perhaps trying to ask for help with the food cart?"

"I don't know," said Diego. "I thought she wanted me."

"When she awakens, I will ask her in great detail what occurred in the hold," said Nemo. "I am greatly distressed at the sight of bruises around her neck. Her dress was torn in a fashion that indicates someone else did the tearing. Do you deny this?"

"I thought she wanted it but she started screaming."

Nemo said in disgust, "Lock him away. I will know the truth of this matter."

Diego shouted, "She wanted it!"

Iravan lost his temper and began pummeling the man against the hull. He ignored Nemo's order to stop. It took five men to restrain the first officer. By the time they succeeded, Diego lay unconscious, his head badly smashed.

Nemo cried in astonishment, "My friend! Look at what you've done!" Turning to the others he said, "Take Diego to his cabin."

Only the two remained. Nemo said, "What has gotten into you?"

"He hurt her," Iravan said. "I'm sorry. I know you have final say in all punishment. He hurt her!"

Nemo said, "You care for her."

"Not as much as you care for her," Iravan said. "Yes, you do care for her. You can hide your interest from the others but not me. I am glad to be of service to you. I will continue to look after her for your sake."

Nemo quietly said, "They murdered my wife and children. My heart is full of hate."

Iravan said, "Despite all that, you saw fit to take her to your cabin to recover. How long has it been? The sea provides all of our needs. Who says the sea cannot provide you with a queen?"

Nemo said, "We have a purpose. I am not ready for a queen."

"Someday you will be and I believe you've already made your choice," Iravan said. "May I return to my duties?"

Nemo asked, "Is that why you plucked her from the water? To be my queen?"

"No," said Iravan. "I could not stand by and watch her drown."

Nemo said, "Then let us end such talk."

Iravan said, "Do not lie to your true self. I shall return to my duties."

Nemo nodded. He sat alone in the library. Then he remembered that he had a badly injured crewman. To do nothing would be detrimental to the wellbeing of the crew. No one would question the punishment doled out by Iravan. Any public criticism of the action would deny authority to his first officer.

Upon inspection of the fallen man, Nemo realized the injuries were severe. The men attempted to treat the wounds but he was fearful the man might expire. After several hours of fits and seizures, the man passed away. Keeping his guests locked away, Nemo led an underwater burial.

When Maria awoke, she was unusually dazed. She suspected that Nemo had given her a sleeping draft of some kind. She lay still until Nemo arrived.

"I will help you to your cabin," Nemo said. "First, I must know what happened. What were you doing in the hold?"

Maria said, "I was gathering food."

"How did you know what to get?"

Maria replied, "Senthil was drawing pictures. I don't know what accident caused all the food in the galley to boil over and burn. He was anxious to get dinner ready. I don't know. I guess he thought I was better suited to get the food. He sent down pictures in the dumbwaiter and I figured what he wanted."

Nemo asked, "What happened with the crewman?"

Maria said, "I'm not sure. I mean, he was down in the hold and I said hello. I went into the locker to get the anemones and he slammed me against the shelves. Then – then he, then I screamed and he started choking me." She began sobbing again. "He tried to – but Mister Land arrived."

Nemo said, "I understand. You need not fear this man. He died because of the injuries received in the altercation. Can you walk?"

Maria nodded. Nemo helped her stand and made certain the blanket kept her covered. As he escorted her to her cabin, Iravan joined them. Once inside, Nemo helped her lay down.

Nemo said, "I know you enjoy cooking but I will not allow you to go down to the hold alone." Maria simply nodded. Nemo continued, "This will not happen again."

"You should have let me drown," Maria said.

"I thought we were past all that," Nemo said. "I believe that Senthil has a plate ready for you. Iravan, send for the steward. I will allow you a moment of privacy. I'm sure you want to change your dress. I will even burn it for you if you wish."

It took several days for Maria to get over her anxiety. She found it difficult even going to the mess hall for food. Study was completely out of the question. She felt that Nemo and Iravan acted with united determination. Something happened between the two.

"I need to learn the language," Maria said. "I can't afford any more misunderstandings."

Nemo said, "That is agreeable. Your French has greatly improved over the course of the last month. I will instruct Senthil to start teaching you basic words and phrases, as he is the one you work with the most. He does not speak English but I'm sure you'll pick up quickly. Iravan and I will of course purpose ourselves to you."

Maria said, "I understand."

Nemo said, "We strive towards a greater purpose yet still suffer from certain petty things we should have abandoned long ago. I do not expect you to understand. Someday, you will."

It was January 18 when a strange event took place. While guards relocated the three men to the brig, Maria was restricted to her quarters. She was accustomed to the confinement but this time the guard locked her inside of her cabin. Something was terribly amiss. She knew that Nautilus was in pursuit of something. A steward brought her food and she ate. In a matter of moments, she was overwhelmed with great exhaustion. She lay down and went to sleep.

The next morning, she awoke and realized the Nautilus was taking on fresh air. She tried the door and found it unbarred, so she made her way topside. There, she found the three men trying to ascertain the events. She learned that after the men ate, they fell into forced slumbers. Whatever Nemo did, he wanted it kept secret from his guests.

She tried questioning Nemo at lunch but he merely said it was of no concern to her. If Iravan wanted to answer, he sat mute. Nemo clearly had not slept at all and his appetite lacked. What could she do? Something greatly troubled the captain and he was disinclined to share.

Then an idea struck him and Nemo asked, "Do you think you can help one of my men?"

Maria asked, "Whatsoever do you mean? Is someone hurt? Is that why you're troubled?"

Nemo said, "One of my men is injured. The head wound is dire."

Maria said, "I'm happy to sit with the man, of course, but you know my skills are limited with that type of trauma. I would think that Professor Aronnax might have some skills. Even if not as a surgeon, he may have some experience working as a physician or at the very least studying such things. He's very learned."

Nemo said, "I may seek him out."

Maria said, "Look, I know you won't tell me what happened but clearly you're distressed about your man. If there is a chance the professor can help, you must pursue it. Otherwise, well I know you and you'll never forgive yourself."

Nemo said, "You may be right."

Maria asked, "Now where is the man? I'll go sit with him for a while."

Iravan escorted Maria to an isolated room in the stern where a man lay. She smelled death but said nothing. Damn her father! The man stared at her blankly while she took his hand. How many times had she done this for wounded sailors? Yet, if it gave a small comfort, how could she not do so? The man had strong, Anglo-Saxon features. She recognized him as one of the helmsmen.

With his breathing labored and muscle spasms across his face, he could not have long to live. She was not a physician but Maria understood this from experience with severe head trauma. She doubted it was a fishing accident.

Nemo arrived with Aronnax and said, "Miss, we are in luck. Professor Aronnax is also a physician and used to be on call at the hospitals. He practiced for many years before joining the museum."

Maria stepped aside to let Aronnax examine the man. She watched as he undressed the blood soaked bandages. Something had smashed open the skull and the brains were exposed. There was a massive blood clot. Never having seen such a wound, Maria withdrew to the back wall and tried not to shake. If the man saw her react so, he might surrender his last breath.

Aronnax dressed the wound and asked, "How was he injured?"

Nemo evasively replied, "That's not important. The Nautilus suffered a collision that cracked one of the engine levers and it struck this man. My first officer was standing beside him. This man leapt forward to intercept the blow. A brother lays down his life for a brother, a friend for his friend. What could be simpler? That's the law for everyone on board the Nautilus. What's your diagnosis of his condition? Come, come, you may speak freely. This man doesn't understand French."

Aronnax said, "This man will be dead in two hours."

"Nothing can save him?"

"Nothing," Aronnax replied.

Maria sensed great anger as well as sorrow. Nemo clenched his fists and he started shedding tears. She had seen captains silently acknowledge grief for the loss of a sailor but Nemo felt genuine sorrow. These men were more than crewmembers. Their bonds ran deep.

Nemo dismissed Aronnax. He turned to Maria and said, "If you wish to stay here, you may do so. The paralysis is taking over and I'm not sure he can even feel your hand."

Maria said, "I'll stay. I've no idea if he can still hear or even see but in the off chance he can then perhaps he'll know some comfort."

She sat in the chair and held the man's hand. She felt the tremors and shakes. She started humming an old chantey. There was no reaction. For a moment, she stopped. Nemo asked her to continue, convinced that the humming brought comfort. For a couple of hours, she stayed, as did Nemo.

There began a series of violent convulsions, the death throws. Maria knew the man's time expired. She tried not to be afraid. Nemo knelt beside the man and said, "Finis Poloniae. Finis Terrae."

Upon hearing those words, the man stopped convulsing. His stare remained frozen. Maria started crying. Nemo said, "We must take care of our friend now. In the morning, we'll lay him to rest. If you're up to it, you may accompany us."

Maria donned her submersible clothes. She was calm yet disturbed. It was an interesting paradox. Perhaps the man felt comfort or nothing at all. It was difficult to tell. Now, it was time for a final respect. Nemo considered the loss a tragedy, as a captain should, but it ran deeper that a single man dying.

Ned entered the chamber, looked at Maria, and said, "You're going too?"

Maria said, "I hope that my lack of skill doesn't impede things."

Nemo said, "My first officer will look after you."

Maria was growing accustomed to the submersion process including the breathing technique. She thought it proper that she attend the burial. Upon landing in the sand, she looked about and saw a wondrous coral region. It was peaceful and beautiful.

She walked with Iravan by her side. Her skill had improved with the undersea walks and she wondered in all of the immense beauty how the men slumbered in death. Descending a gentle slope, they entered a forest garden. Could Nemo show her more beauty? He was full of surprises and clearly had done well to make this place a loving cemetery for his men.

The four men carrying the dead man paused for a moment as the crewmen formed a semicircle around Nemo. They had arrived at the resting grounds. Nemo signaled his men and they began to dig a hole. It took a while to dig through the limestone.

Once completed, the men knelt in prayer as the bearers lowered the body. After a moment, they covered the body. They could not exchange words under water but somehow they shared sentiments and it was a profound moment. They hiked back to Nautilus and Maria went to sleep, exhausted physically as well as emotionally.

The day following, the passengers speculated what may have caused the man's fate. Ned treated Maria as someone that knew but refused to share information. She did not know, for that was how Nemo intended it. It led to another discussion about escape.

"Nemo's won you over," snapped Ned.

Maria said, "You assume too much. Besides, it's impossible to escape. There's only two ways of getting off this boat."

Ned hissed, "Really."

Maria said, "Death or release. Even he won't call the latter freedom."

Aronnax said, "Should the opportunity arise, of course we must seize it."

"Wherever master goes, so shall I," said Conseil."

Maria said, "Now there's a contradiction. You speak of freedom yet your manservant bonds himself to you utterly. Conseil, just once I'd like to hear what you have to think and not what master wishes!"

"Mademoiselle is mistaken," said Conseil. "We value our lives and our freedom."

Aronnax said, "If we're going to escape, we must be united in our undertaking."

Maria said, "You'll do better to bargain for release. You underestimate the captain. Besides, I believe he's genuinely fond of you. He has a purpose for you."

Ned said, "And you?"

Maria casually said, "He's inconvenienced by my presence. Believe it or not, he keeps me here for concern and safety."

Ned said, "If you believe that, you've acquiesced to the deception." With that, the Canadian left.

Aronnax said, "There is an inconsistency. Nemo espouses freedom yet we are not free to leave. He could set you ashore at any time. Instead, he chooses to keep you here. Why? It is for his sake you remain."

Maria said, "If others found out I sailed with him, there is real danger to myself. He has enemies. He fears what they would do to me."

Conseil said, "A simple promise of silence would spare Mademoiselle."

Aronnax said, "I don't think it's a matter of simple promises. We have all seen too much. In his eyes, the world is not ready to know his plans. He shields us to protect us so that one day others might know we were not complicit in his affairs. That suggests to me he will release us."

Maria said, "Someday."

"Indeed," said Aronnax.