The Washington times., 1904-10-23
CHAPTER X
An UNLOCKED Passenger

II was not until dve days after the
/ gigantic balloon was inflated and fully
stocked from the ships hold that a
favorable south breeze OF sufficient
Z strength and steadiuess sprang up TO
justify the embarkatiOn. The genera
{ cors were kept al work during this time
manufacturing hydrogen az q rate that
would keep the great silk bag filed.
on the morning Of the sixth day
however. the iong-eXpected breeze came
up from the sOuulwest. shifting 20 tha
south as IL increased In velocity. HaIE
q dozen toy balloons had been sent up
and watched with intense interest from
The yachts masthead, ana the WIND
direction and force were thus ascer-
tanned with accuracy.
Van Damn, who was on top Of the
scanoldIng which surrounded the bai-
loon. called out to the Ariel
I'VE may find an upper current that
may shift us somewhat but IL seems 10
me If we start ROW we VIII sail right
into the Oar BuEda country with this
breeze
How about the gasp called out
HaddinE from the Yacht
splendid" answered Van Damn,
'aThe silks as tight as drumhead.
There's Gas enough 10 carry us SIX days,
and I'm the Iightest south wind we VIII
get we viii get there In three
Then I'm fer setting sail, exclaimed
Hadding.
Dorothy heard the shouting and came
upon deck. She found rom waiting
for her.
AN hands ashorer' ne said. Don't
DELAY. Dorothy The boys want 10
get away before this wind shifts-7hys
what's the matter slster2 You are
pale. You are not the one who going
10 risk your neck for sweet science
Dorothy trembIed as she took her
brothers hand 90 steady herself down
the gangPlank. Her voice choked as
she said-
.Tt's suicide. Tom. for those men 20
take this voyage. I wish I'd never
come, TO be a party 10 such folly as
this"
"Don't talk like that. Dolly" remon-
strated her brother. You must give
them cheer. and hope. You've been their
insDiration so far on the voyage, So
that's a dear. keep up your cour-
age until they've gone at any rate
They had Just reached the balloon
house. and stauslaus added with forced
gayety:
ready2"
"All ready What their CHEEKY words
lacked in real merrimenC was made up
in courageous enthusiasm
one by one these brave exp orers
came forward 10 where Dorothy vas
standing. and said g9od-by. shaking
hands with her and Tom, as II the peEil-
Gus trip was TO 1c nothing more Ifan
a few days hunting expedition
The girl bade than godspeed calmly
and cordially, although her heart sank
within her.
Then the three scientists mounted the
ladder leading 20 che car SLanslaus
turned TO his head hunter
THE natives might take the departure
OF the balloon as q signal for general
outbreak, and. Tor safety's sake, wish
YOU would take your men about here
and go down TO the boats and protect
them"
This was translated 10 the hunter,
who called his men together and with
the interpreter did as he was hidden
The crew of the balloon began cut
ting the ropes thar held the great fabric
captive until only one remained
old on" cried Van Damn. from
the car. Tom. take hold OF this rope
and keep the balloon from scr8piug the
side OF the scauoid. When we begin
20 rise. Jet $50. DO yea understand
Yes" answered Stanslaus He took
hold If she rope as it was thrown 10
MIN.
"Aud now send a man over on the
other side to- take this rope-' The line
was tossed into the clearing. but no one
took hold OF IT,
where are your hunters shouted
Van Damn
Down there watching tle boat
and
just then Dorothy sprang Forward.
-'f viii hold it for you. she ran over
and scsEed tEe ropes elu ana Air" u
lauL
TO Be Continued Next SundaEA