"It is not my intention to leap into it head foremost, or even to swim across it, like Leander over the Hellespont. But as oceans are, after all, only great lakes, inasmuch as they are surrounded by land, so does it stand to reason, that this central sea is circumscribed by granite surroundings." "Doubtless," was my natural reply. "Well, then, do you not think that when once we reach the other end, we shall find some means of continuing our journey?" "Probably, but what extent do you allow to this internal ocean?" "Well, I should fancy it to extend about forty or fifty leagues--more or less." "But even supposing this approximation to be a correct one--what then?" I asked. "My dear boy, we have no time for further discussion. We shall embark tomorrow." I looked around with surprise and incredulity. I could see nothing in the shape of boat or vessel. "What!" I cried, "we are about to launch out upon an unknown sea; and where, if I may ask, is the vessel to carry us?" "Well, my dear boy, it will not be exactly what you would call a vessel. For the present we must be content with a good and solid raft." "A raft," I cried, incredulously, "but down here a raft is as impossible of construction as a vessel--and I am at a loss to imagine--" "My good Harry--if you were to listen instead of talking so much, you would hear," said my uncle, waxing a little impatient. "I should hear?" "Yes--certain knocks with the hammer, which Hans is now employing to make the raft. He has been at work for many hours." "Making a raft?" "Yes." "But where has he found trees suitable for such a construction?" "He found the trees all ready to his hand. Come, and you shall see our excellent guide at work." More and more amazed at what I heard and saw, I followed my uncle like one in a dream. After a walk of about a quarter of an hour, I saw Hans at work on the other side of the promontory which formed our natural port. A few minutes more and I was beside him. To my great surprise, on the sandy shore lay a half-finished raft. It was made from beams of a very peculiar wood, and a great number of limbs, joints, boughs, and pieces lay about, sufficient to have constructed a fleet of ships and boats. I turned to my uncle, silent with astonishment and awe. "Where did all this wood come from?" I cried; "what wood is it?" "Well, there is pinewood, fir, and the palms of the northern regions, mineralized by the action of the sea," he replied, sententiously. "Can it be possible?" "Yes," said the learned Professor, "what you see is called fossil wood." "But then," cried I, after reflecting for a moment, "like the lignites, it must be as hard and as heavy as iron, and therefore will certainly not float."