The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-04-03
CHAPTER II.

ONs-NN $3.50 tANA Atcthb
cts the queerest looking thing | ever
saw in my life" The speaker stood with
his hands in his pockets surveying a large
object that certainly was extraordinary.
Don't let the professor hear you,'' whis-
pered Mr.. Frederick Ball. touching the
young man uron the shoulder. HE thinks
it the finest thing in the world. 1t certainly
is the most remarkable"
II didn't mean that it was absurd at ALL
said Royal Sterne. TITS stunning. To
think that we are in for taking a journey in
II! can't get it rightly into my head. ]
seem to be dreaming. 1t beats the Dutchn.'
The young man stood looking at the
aerial vessel for a few moments without
speaking. Presently they were silently
joined by a third.
The airship, as she rested before then
in that vast, high enclosure, was, indeed,
strange enough to inspire dumb, not to
say "dumfounded" admiration.
Five months had realized the great ex-
pectations of u few excited and daring men.
The Hennepin, or rather let US say, the
Wilder airship, after several trials, had
been quietly pronounced by Sergeant Wilt
wig to be perfect for the purpose. And
now, under the munlficent patronage of
the public-spirited millionaire, under the
sublime energy of the Arctic explorer,
under the mighty faith of the inventor,
under the scientific suggestions of the
youthful astronomical tutor. and under
the enthusiastic urginRs of the two
very young gentlemen of the party, the
preparations for an aerial voyage were
about completed. The attainment of the
north pole was believed by every one of
the ak men to be a sure thing. ''only the
expedition must, above all things. be n So
cret one," the merchant had said before
they separated at the dinner. IF success
full will claim n share i'll the honor for
Chicago. Ii not-silence." In this case,
as in SO many others, the nun who paid
decided. and SO it happened that on that
June morning only six men in the world
had an inkling of the most daring project
of the century.
The younger men had overcome the
obstacles to taking Il personal share i'll
this dangerous expedition. each i'll his own
way.
Pm gong Oh a short trip to the west,
and expect to be back in July" wrote
Royal Sterns to his guardian in Boston;
and M the young man had a moderate for
tune of HIS OWE. was usually able to look
out for himself, and was moreover to nome
of age i'll Il week, that guardian asked no
questions. He had only seven days of au-
thority left. and took it for granted that
Ioyhl WIS lsAiHE OK 1HpplllG II no nhd
known the truth, it III doubtful if no would
have offered any objections. He and his
ward were both soma of the FIRST state in
the %unlon," and the good man would p,ob-
4bly have said, II guess Il fellow that's
born IN Maine oan stand the north pole"
Jack Hardy was quite his own master.
II haven't anybody but q jolly old aunt
he had oontided to ROYAL.
"What will she aay?"
"She|' cricd Jack Hardy. "She's been
through Afrioa! She'd go herself If abe
could. We're n family of travellers and OK
plorers. My grandfather fell down Vesu-
vius. / had u great-unole who froze trap
ping in British America. My father and
! mother went round Cape Horn when | wat