Midnight
I thought I had not heard aright , but I could not repeat my observation , for the Captain 's head had already disappeared in its metal case . I finished harnessing myself . I felt them put an iron-pointed stick into my hand , and some minutes later , after going through the usual form , we set foot on the bottom of the Atlantic at a depth of 150 fathoms . Midnight was near . The waters were profoundly dark , but Captain Nemo pointed out in the distance a reddish spot , a sort of large light shining brilliantly about two miles from the Nautilus . What this fire might be , what could feed it , why and how it lit up the liquid mass , I could not say . In any case , it did light our way , vaguely , it is true , but I soon accustomed myself to the peculiar darkness , and I understood , under such circumstances , the uselessness of the Ruhmkorff apparatus .