“By its rigging, and the height of its lower masts,” said the Canadian, “I bet she is a ship-of-war. May it reach us; and, if necessary, sink this cursed _Nautilus_.” “Friend Ned,” replied Conseil, “what harm can it do to the _Nautilus?_ Can it attack it beneath the waves? Can its cannonade us at the bottom of the sea?” “Tell me, Ned,” said I, “can you recognise what country she belongs to?” The Canadian knitted his eyebrows, dropped his eyelids, and screwed up the corners of his eyes, and for a few moments fixed a piercing look upon the vessel. “No, sir,” he replied; “I cannot tell what nation she belongs to, for she shows no colours. But I can declare she is a man-of-war, for a long pennant flutters from her main mast.” For a quarter of an hour we watched the ship which was steaming towards us. I could not, however, believe that she could see the _Nautilus_ from that distance; and still less that she could know what this submarine engine was. Soon the Canadian informed me that she was a large, armoured, two-decker ram. A thick black smoke was pouring from her two funnels. Her closely-furled sails were stopped to her yards. She hoisted no flag at her mizzen-peak. The distance prevented us from distinguishing the colours of her pennant, which floated like a thin ribbon. She advanced rapidly. If Captain Nemo allowed her to approach, there was a chance of salvation for us. “Sir,” said Ned Land, “if that vessel passes within a mile of us I shall throw myself into the sea, and I should advise you to do the same.” I did not reply to the Canadian’s suggestion, but continued watching the ship. Whether English, French, American, or Russian, she would be sure to take us in if we could only reach her. Presently a white smoke burst from the fore part of the vessel; some seconds after, the water, agitated by the fall of a heavy body, splashed the stern of the _Nautilus_, and shortly afterwards a loud explosion struck my ear. “What! they are firing at us!” I exclaimed. “So please you, sir,” said Ned, “they have recognised the unicorn, and they are firing at us.” “But,” I exclaimed, “surely they can see that there are men in the case?” “It is, perhaps, because of that,” replied Ned Land, looking at me.