The next morning, a servant woke Professor Aronnax at four o’clock. Professor Aronnax got dressed quickly and went to the saloon. Captain Nemo was waiting for him there. Captain Nemo asked if Professor Aronnax was ready to go. Professor Aronnax said he was ready.
Ned Land and Conseil were also waiting. They were happy about the trip. The Nautilus was far from the land. Captain Nemo did not want to move the big ship into shallow water. Instead, they used a small boat. The boat carried their diving suit (special clothes that let a person breathe and walk under water).
The night was very dark and there were many clouds. Five sailors rowed the boat toward the south. They moved slowly and quietly. Professor Aronnax looked at the dark water. He knew that millions of oysters lived under the waves here. This was a very large field of pearls.
At half-past five, the sun began to rise. In this part of the world, the light comes very quickly. The sun came through the clouds and Professor Aronnax saw the island of Ceylon. The sailors dropped the anchor. The water was very shallow here. It was only three feet deep.
Captain Nemo said this was the best place for pearls. He told his friends to put on their suits. The sailors helped Professor Aronnax, Ned Land, and Conseil. They put on the heavy rubber clothes. Then they put the air tanks on their backs.
Professor Aronnax noticed they did not have electric lamps. Captain Nemo said they did not need lamps because the sun was bright. He also said that bright lights attract dangerous animals. Professor Aronnax was a little worried. He asked Captain Nemo about guns.
Captain Nemo said they did not need guns. He gave everyone a strong knife. He said a knife was better than a gun under the water. Ned Land also took his big harpoon. Finally, they put on their heavy copper helmets. They jumped into the water and walked on the sand.
They followed Captain Nemo deeper into the sea. Many strange fish swam around their feet. Some fish looked like golden snakes. Others had flat bodies and bright colors. The sun made the water look beautiful. Soon, the sand ended and they walked on large rocks.
At seven o'clock, they reached the oyster banks. There were millions of oysters on the rocks. Ned Land began to pick up some oysters and put them in a net. But Captain Nemo did not stop. He walked to a secret place in the rocks.
Captain Nemo entered a grotto (a small cave under the water). It was very dark inside the cave. Professor Aronnax followed him. Inside the cave, Professor Aronnax saw a tridacne (a giant oyster with a very large shell). This oyster was huge. It weighed 600 pounds.
Captain Nemo put his knife between the two shells of the giant oyster. The shells stayed open. Under the oyster's skin, Professor Aronnax saw a giant pearl. It was as large as a coconut. It was the most beautiful jewel in the world.
Professor Aronnax wanted to touch the pearl. But Captain Nemo made a sign to stop. Captain Nemo wanted the pearl to grow more. He pulled out his knife and the shells closed. Captain Nemo then led the group out of the cave.
Suddenly, Captain Nemo stopped and pointed his hand. He told everyone to hide behind a rock. A shadow moved in the water. It was not a shark. It was a man. He was a poor Indian fisherman.
The fisherman dived down to the bottom of the sea. He did not have a diving suit. He only had a rope and a heavy stone to help him go down. He stayed under the water for thirty seconds. He picked up oysters and then went back to his boat.
The man did this many times. He did not see Captain Nemo or Professor Aronnax. Suddenly, a giant shadow appeared above the man. It was a monster (a very large and scary animal). It was a shark. The shark had open jaws and fire in its eyes.
The shark rushed at the Indian man. The man tried to move away, but the shark’s tail hit his chest. The man fell to the ground. The shark turned on its back to bite the man in half. Professor Aronnax was too afraid to move.
But Captain Nemo was not afraid. He ran toward the shark with his knife. The shark saw Captain Nemo and attacked him instead. Captain Nemo moved very quickly. He hit the shark’s side with his knife. Blood filled the water and the sea turned red.
The fight was very violent. The shark and the man fought for a long time. Suddenly, the shark pushed Captain Nemo down. Captain Nemo fell on the ground and the shark opened its mouth to kill him. Professor Aronnax thought the Captain was dead.
But Ned Land rushed forward. Ned Land hit the shark’s heart with his harpoon. The shark moved with great pain and then it died. Ned Land saved Captain Nemo’s life. Captain Nemo stood up. He was not hurt.
Captain Nemo went to the Indian fisherman. He picked up the man and swam to the surface. Everyone followed him to the fisherman’s boat. The man was not breathing. Captain Nemo and Conseil rubbed the man’s body to help him.
Finally, the fisherman opened his eyes. He saw the four men in their copper helmets and he was very afraid. But Captain Nemo was kind. Captain Nemo gave the man a bag of pearls. Now the poor man was very rich. The fisherman looked at Captain Nemo with surprise.
The group returned to the Nautilus. The sailors helped them take off their helmets. Captain Nemo thanked Ned Land for his help. Ned Land said he only wanted to pay Captain Nemo back for past help. Captain Nemo smiled a little and then he became quiet.
Professor Aronnax thought about Captain Nemo. The Captain hated the world of men, but he helped the poor fisherman. Professor Aronnax told Captain Nemo that he was a good man. Captain Nemo looked sad for a moment.
"That Indian man is from an oppressed (people who are treated unfairly by powerful groups) country," Captain Nemo said. "I also belong to that group of people. I will help them until I die!"