Yet I decided to return to the Nautilus. We went along a steep, narrow path that ran over the cliff's summit. By 11:30 we had arrived at our landing place. The beached skiff had brought the captain ashore. I spotted him standing on a chunk of basalt. His instruments were beside him. His eyes were focused on the northern horizon, along which the sun was sweeping in its extended arc.
Ik ging echter naar den Nautilus terug en volgde een smal voetpad, dat over den top der klip liep. Om half twaalf waren wij op de landingsplaats; de kapitein had zich met de sloep aan wal laten brengen, met zijn instrumenten bij zich. Hij keek naar den noordelijken gezichteinder, waar de zon haar korte loopbaan beschreef.