thirty-five minutes past ten
The Nautilus went with the torrent , rapid as an arrow , in spite of the efforts of the machinery , which , in order to offer more effective resistance , beat the waves with reversed screw . On the walls of the narrow passage I could see nothing but brilliant rays , straight lines , furrows of fire , traced by the great speed , under the brilliant electric light . My heart beat fast . At thirty-five minutes past ten , Captain Nemo quitted the helm , and , turning to me , said : `` The Mediterranean ! '' In less than twenty minutes , the Nautilus , carried along by the torrent , had passed through the Isthmus of Suez . The next day , the 12th of February , at the dawn of day , the Nautilus rose to the surface . I hastened on to the platform .