基本信息
at shining power. the luminous part traced on the sea an immense oval, much elongated, the centre of which condensed a burning heat, whose overpowering brilliancy died out by successive gradations.
"it is only a massing of phosphoric particles," cried one of the officers.
"no, sir, certainly not," i replied. "that brightness is of an essentially electrical nature. besides, see, see! it moves; it is moving forwards, backwards; it is darting towards us!"
a general cry arose from the frigate.
"silence!" said the captain. "up with the helm, reverse the engines."
the steam was shut off, and the abraham lincoln, beating to port, described a semicircle.
"right the helm, go ahead," cried the captain.
these orders were executed, and the frigate moved rapidly from the burning light.
i was mistaken. she tried to sheer off, but the supernatural animal approached with a velocity double her own.
we gasped for breath. stupefaction more than fear made us dumb and motionless. the animal gained on us, sporting with the waves. it made the round of the frigate, which was then making fourteen knots, and enveloped it with its electric rings like luminous dust.
then it moved away two or three miles, leaving a phosphorescent track, like those volumes of steam that the express trains leave behind. all at once from the dark line of the horizon whither it retired to gain its momentum, the monster rushed suddenly towards the abraham lincoln with alarming rapidity, stopped suddenly about twenty feet from the hull, and died out--not diving under the water, for its brilliancy did not abate--but suddenly, and as if the source of this brilliant emanation was exhausted. then it reappe
