The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-12-21

DrSt. Joe SAID, ueSpaG1ngly. L our
shots cracked, and four pursuers fell
from theirhorses.
The '.Nictoria' rose and fell again
and rose again directly that the car
touched the ground. 1t seemed as if,
like Antics, it gained fresh strength
by contact with the earth. In the
meanwhile the enemy drew nearer
Heaven is deserting u.s." said Ken
nedy; I'VE can no longer escape them:
we are lost"
Joe said nothing, but looked at his
master.
No" the latter remarked: I'VE can
still throw away one hundred and fifty
pounds"
How so?" Kennedy asked; and the
idea occurred to him that Ferguson
intended to sacrifice himself by leap
ing ont.
Very simply; by cutting away the
car we can hold on by the cords for a
few hour, and reach the left bank Of
the Senegal"
In a second each of the travellers
had thrown away coat and boots, selz-
ed rope and cut it through beneath
him. The car fell to the ground.
''Hurrah" Joe shouted, while the
Victoria rapidly rose three hundred
feet
The Talibas dashed up. The three
companions bound the end of the three
ropes together, each with his left hand,
so they had some sort Of support. The
wind was blowing rather strongly, and
they reached a chain Of hills.
The river. the river. we are on the
Senegal Ferguson exclaimed. In
truth, the Senegal lay at Il distance OF
about half a mile i'll front of them.
The opposite shore, low and fertile,
offered them perfect security, and d
favorable opportunity to land without
grapnei or parachute
It fifteen minutes more, and we are
savear' said Ferguson.
Brt the balloon did not hold out
for this quarter of an hour. 1t sank
slowly and certainly, and in the vicin-
ity Of the hostile shore it came to
earth, on a treeles5 spot, where moth
ing grew but grass, yard in height,
dried by the tropical sun.
at IS all up with u.s. said Kennedy.
Ferguson quickly led his comrades
to the bank, all three holding the
ropes tight, and dragging the balloon
after them. The Senegal has a con-
siderable drop here. There are sever
al waterfalls in the neighborhood, and
the hope of swimming across the
river at once disappeared.
Farewell, my friend.' said Ken
nedy.
Don't despair. Dick Ferguson
replied; L have not yet given up all
hope"
The sight of the dry, withered, tall
grass had aroused an idea III Fergus
sons mind.
I'VE have at least an hour before us
ere the bandits discover and catch up
to us. Let us collect as much of this
grass as we can directly. | want at
least one hundred pounds.
''What for?" Kennedy asked, who
did not yet comprehend.
The gas has poured out of the
balloon; let us try to cross the river
by means of hot air"
Kennedy and Joe set to work with
the utmost speed Ferguson examin
ed the balloon. The largest oritice
was in the lowest part, and this was
cut away: the other holes, further up,
were stopped by knotting the stuff.
The collected grass was then fired.
1t takes but a little time to fill a
balloon with hot air. Que hundred
degrees Fahrenheit suffices to deprive
the air of one half its specific gravity.
The balloon expanded. Ferguson
kept up the fire, his two companions
pluckcd fresh grass, and the Victoria"
soon reassumed her naughty crinOlin-
ish appearance.
Three quarters OF an hour had slip
ped away. At this moment the Tall
bas appeared about half mile to the
north Of the ''Nictoria.' Their yells
and the gallop Of their horses could
be distinctly heard.
They Will be here in ten minutes"
said Kennedy
I'VE must be off in tiver' Fergus
son replied The balloon was two
thirds filled
To the ropesw Ferguson com
manded The balloon tried to rise.
Hold it down with all your might"
was the next order.
The Talibas had arrived within five
hundred yards of them. Their bul-
lets dashed up the sand in front of
the friends.
The travellers stamped Oh the ground
with all their strength; the balloon
rose, and was greeted by salyo from
the Ialibas Joe felt sharp pain III
his left shoulder, but did not utter a
cry. 4 gentle breeze impelled the
balloon to the center OF the river.
Here it sank a little. The bullets Of
the foe struck the water beneath them,
but "a the expiration of ten minutes,
the Victoria" slowly settled down in
vicinity Of the left bank
On this bankEwere standing a dozen
men in naval uniform. affected by
this inexplicable scene which was
going on before their eyes Among
them was naval officer who had read
about DR.. Fergusson's undertaking in
the European papers.
The Victoria" had sank on the sur
face OF the river about fifteen feet
from the bank. The Frenchmen leap
ed into the water and swan to the i'm
periled men.
''Dr. Ferguson q the officer asked.
Himself" the other replied, with
! his two friends"
/ They reached the bank. Ferguson
held the cord of the balloon. but as lie
! leaped out of the water he opened his
hand slightly, and puff of wind