Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-06-24
CHAPTER I.

though it was slowly sinking toward
the ocean of white clouds which hung
between it and the earth.
The two inmates OF the car were in
sensible, their faces We're bloodlcss,
their checks sunken. They werc both
young and handsome. Harry Johnston,
an American, was as dark and sallow
US q Spaniard. Charles Thorndyke, an
English gentleman, had yellow hair
and mustache, blue eyes and fine, in
tellectual face. Both were tall, athletic
in build and we'll proportioned.
Johnston was the first to come to con-
sciousncss as the balloon sank into less
rare1ed atmosphere. He opened his eyes
dreamily and looked curiously at the
white face Of his friend in his lap.
Then he shook him and tried to call his
ramo, but his lips made 10 sound.
Drawing himself up little with a
hand ON the edge of the basket, he
reached for water jug and sprinkled
Thorndyke's face. In moment he was
rewarded by seeing the eyes Of the lat
ter slowly open.
Where are we?" asked Thorndyke
in whisper.
II don't know" Johnston answered !;
"getting nearer to the earth, for we
can breathe more easily. l can't rpmcm-
ter much after the professor fell from
the car Ny God, old man! shall new
or forget the horror in the poor fellow 8
eyes as he clung to the rope down there
and begged Us to save him. l tried to
get you to look, but You were dozing
off. I attempted to draw him up, but
the ropo on the edge of the basket was
tipping it, and both you and l came
near following him. tried to keep
from seeing his horrible face as the
rope began to slip through his fingers.
] knew the instant he let go by our
shooting upward.
II came to myself and looked over
when the basket tipped, replied the
Englishman. Il thought l was going,
too, hut l could not stir a muscle to
prevent it. lie said something dcsper-
ately, but the wind blew it away and
covered his face with his beard, 10 that
] could not sec the movement Of his
lips"
1t may have been sCme instructions
TO us about the management Ct the bal
LOOM
II think not-pcrhaps goodby or a
message to his wife ard child. Poor
fellowr'
How long have we been out Of our
hoadsl" And Johnston looked over the
side Of the Car.
Il have not the slightest idea Days
and nights may have passed since he
fell"
THAT is true remember coming to
myself for an instant, and it seemed
that we were being jcrkcd along at the
rate of a gunshot. My God, it was aw-
full! 1t was as black as condensed mid
night, felt your warm body against
me and was glad was not alone. Then
l went off again. hut into "a solt Of
nightmare. thought l was in hell, and
that you were with me, and that Pro
fessor Hlmholtz was satan"
Where can we bc!' asked Thorn
dyke.
II don't kno7 can't tell what is
beneath those clouds. 1t may he eurth,
sea or ocean. We were evidently
whisked along in storm while we
were out of our heads. If we are above
the ocean, we are lost"
Thorndyke looked over the edge of
the Car long and attentively; then he
exclaimed suddenly:
4 believe it is the ocean,
What makes you think so!"
1t reflects the sunlight. 1t is too
bright for land. When we got above the
clouds at the start it looked darker be-
low than it does now. We may he over
the middle of the Atlantic. y
"We are going down." said Johnston
gloomily.
"That VIC are, and it means some
thing serious.
Johnston made no answer. Half an
hour went by. Thorndyke looked at the
sun.
If the professor had not dropped the
compass, we could find our bearings"
he sighed.
Johnston pointed upward Thin
clouds were floating above them. "We
are almost down." he said, and as they
looked over the sides Of the car they
saw the reflection Of the sun on the bos-
ON of the ocean, and q moment later
they caught sight of the blue billows
rising and falling.
II see something that looks like an
island" observed Ihc1ndyke, looking
IN the direction toward which the bal
loon seemed to be drifting. ''It is dark
and is surrounded by light. 1t is ia,
away, but we may reach it if we dc not
descend too rapidly"
''Throw out the last bag of sand"
suggested the America.n. We need it
as little now as we ever SHALL
Thorndyke crt the bag with bis knife
and watchet, the sand filter through the
bottom uf the basket and trail along in
a graceful stream behind the balloon.
The great, flabby bag overhead steadicd
itself, rose slightly and drifted on to-
ward the dark spot in the vast expanse
Of sunlit water. They could now clear
ly see that it was IL small island not
more than mile III circumference.
How far is it," asked Thorndyke.
About two miles," answered the
American laconically. 1T is chance
for us, but a slim one"
The balloon gradually sank. For 20