Calico Classics Illustrated: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
share my opinion with the New York Herald I considered each theory and responded to it Finally I admitted that I believed the creature was a giant narwhal The narwhal can grow to sixty feet and has a long tusk that has been known to pierce the sides of wooden ships I believed we were seeing a species ten times the normal size My theory was hotly debated but I heard no better ideas presented I admit my theory added fuel to the monster hunters They insisted the creature be tracked down and eliminated The United States planned a mission to hunt the narwhal The fast frigate the Abraham Lincoln was called to fulfi ll the mission with Commander Farragut in charge Three hours before the Abraham Lincoln was due to leave its pier in Brooklyn I received the following letter 6
Pierre Aronnax Professor of the Paris Museum Fifth Avenue Hotel New York Dear Sir If you would like to join the expedition of the Abraham Lincoln the government of the United States would take great pleasure in having you represent France on this mission Cordially yours J B Hobson Secretary of the Navy Though I had given no thought to chasing the narwhal I decided at once that I must go I called my servant and assistant Conseil and told him we had two hours to prepare and reach the ship He agreed with complete calm only asking what to do with my many collections The hotel will keep them for us I assured him Whatever suits Monsieur he said 8
We arrived at the Abraham Lincoln as it was preparing to leave Commander Farragut welcomed me in person and I was quickly taken to my cabin which I found pleasant We then left port as crowds cheered from the wharves lining the East River 9
