Five Weeks in a Balloon / Or, Journeys and Discoveries in Africa by Three Englishmen

es.-The Farewell Dinner.-Departure on the 21st of February.-The Doctor's Scientifi

e within the other, were altogether finished. They had been subjected to a powerful pneumatic pressure in all

even ask him, so proud was he, above all things, of being permitted to accompany his master. I have even a shrewd suspicion that what with showing the balloon, explaining the plans and views of the doctor, giving folks a glimpse of the latter, through a half-o

tion of Sir James Ross. Her commander, Captain Bennet, had the name of being a very amiable person, and he took a particular interest in the doctor's expedition, having been one of that gentleman's admirers for a long time.

th of February, and was then carefully deposited at the bottom of the vessel in such a way as to prevent accident. The car and its accessories, th

ydrogen gas. The quantity was more than enough, but it was well to be provided against accident. The apparatu

lar arsenal of hunting weapons, among which were two double-barrelled breech-loading fowling-pieces, and a rifle that had withstood every test, of the make of Purdey, Moore & Dickson, at Edinburgh. With such a weapon a marksman would find no difficulty in lodging a bullet in

s, the doctor continuing as reserved as ever, and thinking of nothing but his expedition. Dick seemed a good deal moved, but was unwilling to betray it; while Joe was fa

officers were present at the entertainment, which was signalized by copious libations and numerous toasts. Healths were drunk, in suf

licitations of the night. After having drunk to the "intrepid Ferguson, the glory of

ssed for modesty; whereupon the appla

pliments to the two travellers, and expressed her wishes for their safe and successful j

farewells and warm shaking o

in, accompanied by his officers and passengers, and the rapid current of the Thames, aiding the st

roar; at five, the anchors were weighed, and the Resolute, powerfully dri

earing the doctor soon inspired everybody with such confidence that, in a very short time, there was no one, excepting t

s vast, mysterious country, now thrown open on all sides to the investigations of science. On the north, the young Duveyrier was exploring Sahara, and bringing the chiefs of the Touaregs to Paris. Under the inspiration of the French Government, two expeditions were preparing, which, descending from the north, and coming from the west, would cross each other at Timbuc

own to them, in detail, the preparations for his own journey. They took pleasure in verifyi

quantity of provision that he took with him; and one

astonishes you, doe

es, in

k. But you must know that the distance from Zanzibar to the coast of Senegal is only thirty-five hundred-say four thousand miles. Well, at the rate of two hundred and f

e no geographical observations, or r

d and descend at will, I shall stop when I please, especially when too

t. "There are tornadoes that sweep at the rate of

e could cross Africa in twelve hours. One would

ould any balloon withstand the

ed before," re

alloon wit

inscription, in letters of gold: 'Paris, 25 Frimaire; year XIII; Coronation of the Emperor Napoleon by his Holiness, Pius VII.' On the next morning, the inhabitants of Rome saw the same b

ht be; but a man?"

en waver. An aeronaut in Garnerin's balloon would not have suffered in the least from the speed. But then I have no occasion to attempt such velocity; and if I can anchor to some tree, or some favorable inequality of the g

midshipman, with envious eyes, "

ther, "that you'll have the

g with confusion, "I greatly-appreciate-yo

very body, "don't

not

accompany D

but I am here so as to be present at

now turned t

s is a matter that we can't argue with him. At

ew!" said Kenn

and weighed-you and your powder, your guns, and your

r, Dick never opened his mouth. He talked neither about