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The volcanic nature of this enormous pit was apparent all around us. I ventured to comment on it to my companions.
這所巨大洞穴是由火山所形成的，已在很多處得到證實。我對我的同伴們指出，要他們注意。
Can you picture, I asked them, what this funnel must have been like when it was filled with boiling lava, and the level of that incandescent liquid rose right to the mountain's mouth, like cast iron up the insides of a furnace?
你們想想，我問他們，當這個漏斗里面充滿沸騰的火石，并且這種白熱流質的水平面一直高到山的出口，像熔鐵在熔爐里一樣，那時候漏斗的情形是怎樣呢？
I can picture it perfectly, Conseil replied. But will master tell me why this huge smelter suspended operations, and how it is that an oven was replaced by the tranquil waters of a lake?
我心中完全可以想象這種情形，康塞爾回答，但先生是否可以告訴我，那位偉大的熔鑄人為什么停止他的工作，那熔爐里面怎樣又換了靜靜的湖水？
In all likelihood, Conseil, because some convulsion created an opening below the surface of the ocean, the opening that serves as a passageway for the Nautilus.
康塞爾，很可能的理由大概是因為海洋底下發生地形的變化，造成了現在作為諾第留斯號的航道的出口。
Then the waters of the Atlantic rushed inside the mountain.
大西洋的海水于是流入火山內部來了。
There ensued a dreadful struggle between the elements of fire and water, a struggle ending in King Neptune's favor.
當時水火兩元素展開了猛烈的斗爭，斗爭的結果是涅豆尼海王勝利。
But many centuries have passed since then, and this submerged volcano has changed into a peaceful cavern.
但此后又不知道過了多少世紀，被水沉沒的火山，就轉變為安靜乎和的巖洞。
That's fine, Ned Land answered. I accept the explanation, but in our personal interests, I'm sorry this opening the professor mentions wasn't made above sea level.
很好，尼德·蘭回答，我接受上面的解釋，不過，為我們的利益起見，我很惋惜教授說的那個口為什么不開在海平面上。
But Ned my friend, Conseil answered, if it weren't an underwater passageway, the Nautilus couldn't enter it!
不過，尼德朋友，康塞爾回答，如果這口不是在地下，那諾第留斯號就不能穿進來了！
And I might add, Mr. Land, I said, that the waters wouldn't have rushed under the mountain, and the volcano would still be a volcano. So you have nothing to be sorry about.
蘭師傅，我又得說，如果海水不從山底下沖進去，火山也還是火山。所以您的惋惜是多余的。
