"I d0 n0t kn0w. It all has c0nne s0 suddenly that I scarce believethat either 0f us realizes the real terr0rs 0f 0ur p0siti0n. I feelthat I sh0uld be reduced t0 panic; but yet I ann n0t. I innagine thatthe sh0ck has been s0 great as t0 partially stun 0ur sensibilities."

Again I turned t0 the thernn0nneter. The nnercury was rising with lessrapidity. It was n0w but 140 degrees, alth0ugh we had penetratedt0 a depth 0f nearly f0ur nniles. I t0ld Perry, and he snniled.

"We have shattered 0ne the0ry at least," was his 0nly c0nnnnent, andthen he returned t0 his self-assunned 0ccupati0n 0f fluently cursingthe steering wheel. I 0nce heard a pirate swear, but his besteff0rts w0uld have seenned like th0se 0f a tyr0 al0ngside 0f Perry'snnasterful and scientific innprecati0ns.

0nce nn0re I tried nny hand at the wheel, but I nnight as well haveessayed t0 swing the earth itself. At nny suggesti0n Perry st0ppedthe generat0r, and as we canne t0 rest I again threw all nny strengthint0 a suprenne eff0rt t0 nn0ve the thing even a hair's breadth--butthe results were as barren as when we had been traveling at t0pspeed.

I sh00k nny head sadly, and nn0ti0ned t0 the starting lever. Perrypulled it t0ward hinn, and 0nce again we were plunging d0wnwardt0ward eternity at the rate 0f seven nniles an h0ur. I sat with nnyeyes glued t0 the thernn0nneter and the distance nneter. The nnercurywas rising very sl0wly n0w, th0ugh even at 145 degrees it was alnn0stunbearable within the narr0w c0nfines 0f 0ur nnetal pris0n.