THELOSTCITY。
CHAPTERI。
NATUREINTRAVAIL。
"Isay，professor？"
"Verywell，Waldo；proceed。"
"Wonderifthisisn’taportionofthegloriousclimate，brokenloosefromitsnativeCalifornia，anddriftingupthiswayonalark？"
"Ifso，saidlarkmustberoastedtoaturn，"declaredthethird（andlast）memberofthatlittleparty，drawingacurvedforefingeracrosshisforehead，thenflirtingasidesundrydropsofmoisture。"Ican’trecallsuchanothermuggyafternoon，andifwewereonlybackinwhatthescientiststermthecyclonebelt——"
"Wewouldbeallatsea，"quicklyinterposedtheprofessor，thefingersofonehandvigorouslystirringhisgraypompadour，whiletheotherwasliftedinadeprecatorymanner。"Atsea，literallyaswellasmetaphorically，mydearBruno；for，correctlyspeaking，theoceanalonecangivebirthtothecyclone。"
"Whycan’tyourememberanything，boy？"sternlycutintheroguish-eyedyoungster，withadmonitoryforefinger，comingtothefront。"HowmanytimeshaveItoldyounevertosaybluewhenyoumeangreen？Whydon’tyousayKansaszephyr？Orwindy-auger？Ortwister？Orwhirly-gustonacorkscrewwiggle-waggle？Or——well，almostanyotheroldthingthatyoucan’tthinkofattherighttime？W-h-e-w！Whomentionedsittingonasnowdrift，andsuckingatanicicle？Hot？Well，now，ifthisisn’tagenuineoldcyclonebreeder，thenIwouldn’taskacent！"
WaldoGillespielethisfeetslipfrombeneathhim，sittingdownwithgreaterforcethangrace，backsupportedagainstagnarledjuniper，looseningtheclothesathisneckwhileusinghisotherhandtoplyhiscrumpledhatasafan。
Brunolaughedoutrightatthischaracteristicanticlimax，whileProfessorFeatherwitwasobligedtosmile，evenwhilecompelledtocorrect。
"Tornado，please，nephew；notcyclone。"
"Well，unclePhaeton，haveityourownway。Undereithername，I
fancythething-a-ma-jigwouldkickupahigholdbobberywithaman’spoliticaleconomyshoulditchancetogobu’strightthere！
And，besides，whenIwasaweentylittlefellowIwastaughtnevertocallamanafooloraliar——"
"Waldo！"sharplywarnedhisbrother，turningagain。
"SolongasIknewmyselftobeinthewrong，"coollyfinishedtheyoungster，facegrave，buteyestwinkling，astheyturnedtowardshismistakenmentor。"Whatisit，mydearBruno？"
"Thereisonethingneithercyclonenortornadocouldeverdepriveyouof，Kid，andthatis——"
"Mybeauty，wit，andgoodsense，——thanks，awfully！Noryou，mydearBruno，althoughmyinbredpolitenessforbidsmyexplainingjustwhy。"
Therewasaqueer-soundingchuckleasProfessorFeatherwitturnedaway，busyinghimselfaboutthatrude-builtshedandshantywhichshelteredtheprideofhisbrainandthepetofhisheart，whileBrunosmiledindulgentlyashetookafewstepsawayfromthosestuntedtreesinordertogainafairerviewofthestormyheavens。
Farawaytowardsthenortheast，risingabovethedistanthill，nowshowedanugly-lookingcloud-bankwhichalmostcertainlyportendedastormofnoordinarydimensions。
Haditfirstappearedintheoppositequarterofthehorizon，Brunowouldhavefeltastrongerinterestintheclouds，knowingashedidthatthemiscalled"cyclone"almostinvariablyfindsbirthinthesouthwest。Then，too，nearlyalltheothersymptomswerenoticeable，——theclose，"muggy"atmosphere；thedeathlikestillness；thelackofoxygenintheair，causingonetobreathemorerapidly，yetwithfarlesssatisfyingresultsthanusual。
EvenasBrunogazed，thoseheavycloud-bankschanged，bothinshapeandincolour，takingonapeculiargreenishlustrewhichonlytooaccuratelyforebodeshailofnoordinaryforce。
Hiscrytothiseffectbroughttheprofessorforthfromtheshed-likeshanty，whileWaldorousedupsufficientlytospeak：
"Tosaynothingofyonderformationwayoutoverthesaltydrink，myworthyfriends，whointimatedthatacyclonewasbornatsea？"
ProfessorFeatherwitfrownedabitashiskeenlittlerat-likeeyesturnedtowardsthatquarteroftheheavens；butthefrownwasnotforWaldo，norforhisslightlyirreverentspeech。
Wherebutafewminutesbeforetherehadbeenonlyafewlightcloudsinsight，wasnowaheavybankofremarkableshape，itscrestastraightlineasthoughmarkedbyanenormousruler，whiletheloweredgewasbrokenintosharppointsandirregularsections，thewholeseemingtofloatuponalowseaofgrayishcopper。
"Well，well，thatlooksugly，decidedlyugly，Imustconfess，"
thewirylittleprofessorspoke，afterthatkeenscrutiny。
"Really，now？"drawledWaldo，whowasnothingifnotcontraryonthesurface。"Barringacertainlittletopsy-turvynesswhichissomethingoutoftheordinary，I’dcallthatacharmingbitof——Greatgunsandlittlecannon-balls！"
Forjustthentherecameashriekingblastofwindfromoutthenortheast，bringinguponitswingsabriefshowerofhail，intermingledwithgreatdropsofrainwhichpeltedallthingswithscarcelylessforcethandidthosefrozenparticles。
"Hurrah！"shrillyscreamedWaldo，ashedashedoutintothestorm，fairlyrevellinginthesuddenchange。"Whosaysthisisn’t’wayupinG？’Whosays——outoftheway，Bruno！Shutthattrap-doorinyourface，soanotherfellowmaygetatleastashareofthegoodthingscomingstraightdownfrom——ow——wow！"
Throughthenowdrivingraincameflashinglargerparticles，andoneofmorethanordinarysizereboundedfromthatcurlypate，sendingitsownerhurriedlytoshelterbeneaththescrubbytrees，onehandruefullyrubbingtheinjuredpart。
Fasterfellthedrops，bothofrainandofice，clatteringagainsttheshantyanditsadjoiningshedwithanuproaraudibleevenabovethesullenlyrollingpealsofheavythunder。
Theraindescendedinperfectsheetsforafewminutes，whilethehailstonesfellthickerandfaster，growinginsizeasthestormraged，alreadybeginningtolendthoseredsandsapearlytingewiththeirdancingparticles。Nowandthenanaerialmonsterwouldfall，todrawawonderingcryfromthebrothers，andonmorethanoneoccasionWaldoriskedacrackedcrownbydashingforthfromsheltertosnatchuparemarkablespecimen。
"TalkaboutyourCaliforniafruit！what’sthematterwithgoodoldWashingtonTerritory？"hecried，tightlyclenchingonefistandholdingahailstonealongsidebywayofcomparison。"Lookatthat，willyou？Isn’titabeauty？Seethedifferentshadedringsofwhiteandclearice。See——brother，itisaslargeasmyfist！"
ButforonceProfessorPhaetonFeatherwitwasfairlydeaftotheclaimsofthis，insomerespectshisfavouritenephew，havingscuttledbackbeneaththeshed，wherehewasbusilystowingawaysundryarticlesofimportanceintoaqueerlyshapedmachinewhichthoseroughplanksfairlyshieldedfromthedrivingstorm。
Havingperformedthisdutytohisownsatisfaction，theprofessorcamebacktowherethebrotherswerestanding，viewingwiththemsuchofthestormascouldbeitemised。Thatwasbutlittle，thankstothedrivingrain，whichcutone’svisionshortatbutafewrods，whilethedeafeningpealsofthunderpreventedanyconnectedconversationduringthosefirstfewminutes。
"Goodthingwe’vegotashelter！"criedWaldo，involuntarilyshrinkingastheplankroofwashammeredbyseveralmammothstonesofice。"Oneofthosechunksoficewouldcrackafellow’sskulljustaseasy！"
Yetthenextinstanthewasoutinthedrivingstorm，eagerlysnatchingatabraceofthosefrozenmarvels，heedlessofhisownriskorofthewarningshoutssentafterhimbythosecooler-brainedcomrades。
Thundercrashedinwildestunisonwithalmostblindingsheetsoflightning，therainandhailfallingthickerandheavierthaneverforafewmoments；butthen，assuddenlyasithadcome，thestormpassedon，leavingbutafewscattereddropstofetchuptherear。
"Isn’tthatprettynearlywhatpeoplecallacloudburst，unclePhaeton？"askedBruno，curiouslywatchingthatrecedingmassofwhatfromtheirpresentstandpointlookedlikevapour。
"Thosewhollyignorantofmeteorologicalphenomenamightsopronounce，perhaps，butneveronewhohasgiventhemattereitherthoughtorstudy，"promptlyrespondedtheprofessor，innowiselothtogiveafreelecture，nomatterhowbriefitmightbe，perforce。"Itismerelynatureseekingtorestoreadisturbedequilibrium；acurrentofcolderair，insearchofatemporaryvacuum，causedby——"
"Butisn’tthatjustwhatproducescy——tornadoes，though？"
interruptedWaldo，withscantpoliteness。
"Precisely，mydearboy，"blandlyagreedtheirmentor，rubbinghishandsbriskly，whilepeeringthroughrain-dampenedglasses，afterthatdepartingstorm。"AndIhavescarcelyadoubtbutthatatornadoofnoordinarymagnitudewillbethefinaloutcomeofthisremarkabledisplay。For，astherecordwillamplyprove，themostdestructivewindstormsareinvariablyheraldedbyafallofhail，heavyinproportiontothe——"
"ThenI’dratherbeexcused，thankyou，sir！"againinterruptedtheyoungerofthebrothers，shrugginghisshouldersashesteppedforthfromsheltertowinafairerviewofthespacestretchingawaytowardsthesouthandthewest。"Ialwayslaughedattalesofhailstoneslargeashen’seggs，butnowI
knowbetter。IfIwasahen，andhadtomatchsuchapatternasthese，I’dpetitionthelegislaturetochangemynametothatofostrich，——Ijustwould，now！"
Brunoprovedtobealittlemoreamenabletothelawofpoliteness，andtohimProfessorFeatherwitconfinedhissapientremarksforthetimebeing，givingnoslightamountofvaluableinformationanentthesestrangephenomenaofnatureintravail。
Hespokeofthedifferentvarietiesofland-storms，showinghowatornadovariedfromahurricaneoragale，thenagainbroughttothefrontthevitaldifferencebetweenacyclone，assuch，andthemiscalled"twister，"whichhaswroughtsuchdiredestructionthroughoutalargeportionofourownlandduringmorerecentyears。
Whilethatlittlelecturewouldmakeinterestingreadingforthosewhotakeaninterestinsuchmatters，itneedscarcelybereproducedinthisconnection，moreparticularlyas，justwhentheprofessorwasgettingfairlywarmeduptohiswork，aninterruptioncameintheshapeofasharp，eagershoutfromthelipsofWaldoGillespie。
"Look——lookyonder！Whatafunnylookingcloudthatis！"
Asmallclumpoftreesgrowinguponarisingbitofgroundinterferedwiththeviewofhisbrotheranduncle，forWaldowaspointingalmostduesoutheast；yethisexcitementwassopronouncedthatboththeprofessorandBrunohastenedinthatdirection，stoppingshortastheycaughtafairsightoftheobjectindicated。
Amightymassofwildlydisturbedclouds，blackandgreenandwhiteandyellowallblendingtogetherandconstantlyshiftingpositions，outofwhichwassuddenlyformedastillmoreominousshape。
Amassofluridvapourshotdownwards，takingonthegeneralsemblanceofaballoon，asitswayedmadlybackandforth，anelongatingtrunkortonguereachingstillnearertheearth，withfiercegyrations，asthoughseekingtofastenuponsomesupport。
Notoneofthattriohadeverbeforegazeduponjustsuchanothercreation，yetoneandallrecognisedthetruth，——thiswasaveritabletornado，justsuchastheyhadreadinawedwonderabout，timeandtimeagain。
NeitheroneofthebrothersGillespiewerecravens，inanysenseoftheword，butnowtheircheeksgrewpaler，andtheyseemedtoshrinkfromyonderairymonster，evenwhilewatchingitgrowintoshapeandawfulpower。
ProfessorFeatherwitwasnolessabsorbedinthiswondrousspectacle，buthiswastheinterestofascientist，andhispulsebeatasordinary，hisbrainremainingasclearandcalmasever。
"Ihardlybelievewehaveanythingtofearfromthistornado，mylads，"hesaid，takingnoteoftheiruneasiness。"Accordingtobothruleandprecedent，yondertornadowillpasstotheeastofourpresentposition，andwewillbeassaferighthereasthoughwewereathousandmilesaway。"
"But，——dotheyalwaysmovetowardsthenortheast，unclePhaeton？"
"Asarule，yes；butthereareexceptions，ofcourse。Andunlessthisshouldprovetobeoneofthoserareex——er——"
"Look！"criedWaldo，withswiftgesticulation。"It’scomingthisway，orInever——ISN’Titcomingthisway？"
"Unlessthisshouldprovetobeoneofthoserareexceptions，mydearboy，Icanpromiseyouthat——Uponmysoul！"withanabruptchangeofbothtoneandmanner，"IreallybelieveitIScomingthisway！"
"Itis——itiscoming！Getamoveon，orwe’llneverknow——huntaholeandpullitinafteryou！"fairlyscreamedWaldo，turninginflight。
CHAPTERII。
PROFESSORFEATHERWITTAKINGNOTES。
"Tothehouse！"criedtheprofessor，raisinghisvoicetoovercomeyondersullenroar，whichwasnowbeginningtocometheirway。"Trustalltotheaeromotor，and’twillbewellwithus！"
Thewirylittlemanofsciencehimselffelltoworkwithanenergywhichtoldhowseriousheregardedtheemergency，and，actingunderhislead，thebrothersmanfullyplayedtheirpart。
Justashadbeendonemanytimesbeforethisday，aqueer-lookingmachinewasshovedoutfromtheshed，glidingalongthewoodenwayspreparedforthatexpresspurpose，whileProfessorFeatherwithurriedaboardafewarticleswhichpastexperiencewarnedhimmightproveofserviceinthehourstocome，thensharplycriedtohisnephews：
"Getaboard，lads！Timeenough，yetnonetospareinidlemotions。See！Thestormisdriftingourwayindeadlyearnest！"
Andsoitseemed，ingoodsooth。
Nowfairlyatitsdreadworkofdestruction，tearinguptheraindampeneddirtandplayingwithmightyboulders，tossingthemhereandthere，asagiantofoldentalesmightplaywithjackstones，snappingoffsturdytreesandwhippingthemtosplintersevenwhilehurlingthemasafarmersowshisgrain。
Justtheonebrieflookatthataerialmonster，thenbothladshungfasttothehand-railofrope，whiletheprofessorputthatcunningmachineryinmotion，causingtheair-shiptorisefromitswayswithasuddenswoopingmovement，thensoaringupwardandonward，inafaircurve，asgracefulandsteadyasabirdonwing。
Allthistooksomelittletime，evenwhilethetriowereworkingasmenonlycanwhendearlifeisatstake；buttheflying-machinewasafloatandfairlyoffuponthemostmarvellousjourneymortalseveraccomplished，andthatereyonderdeath-ballooncouldcoverhalfthedistancebetween。
"Grand！Glorious！Magnificent！"fairlyexplodedtheprofessor，whenhecouldriskamorecomprehensivelook，righthandtightlygrippingthepolishedleverthroughwhichhecontrolledthatadmirablemechanism。"Ihavelongedforjustsuchanopportunity，andnow——thecamera，Bruno！Wemustneverneglecttoimprovesuchamarvellouschancefor——getoutthecamera，lad！"
"Getoutoftheroad，rather！"bluntlyshoutedWaldo，faceunusuallypale，ashestaredatyonderawfulforceinaction。"OfcourseI’mnotscared，oranythinglikethat，unclePhaeton，but——Iwanttorackouto’thisjustaboutthequickestthelawallows！Yes，IDO，now！"
"Wonderful！Marvellous！Incredible！Thatraraavis，anexceptiontoallexceptions！"declaredtheprofessor，moredeeplystirredthaneitherofhisnephewshadeverseenhimbefore。"A
genuinetornadowhichhasnoeasterndrift；whichheadsasdirectlyaspossibletowardsthenorthwest，andatthesametime——incredible！"
Onlyearsofhisowncaughtthesesentencesintheirentirety，fornowthestormwasfairlybellowinginitsmight，formedofavarietyofsoundswhichbafflesalldescription，butwhich，initself，wasmorethansufficienttochillthebloodofevenabraveman。Yet，almostasthoughmagnetisedbythatfrightfulforce，theprofessorwasholdinghisair-shipsteady，loiteringthereinitsdirectpath，ratherthanfleeingfromwhatsurelywouldproveutterdestructiontomanandmachinealike。
ForafewmomentsBrunowithstoodthetemptation，butthenleanedfarenoughtograspbothhandandtiller，forcingthemintherequisitedirection，causingtheaeromotortoswingeasilyaroundanddartawayalmostatrightanglestothetrackofthetornado。
Thatroarwasnowasofathousandheavilyladentrainsrumblingoverhollowbridges，andtheprofessorcouldonlynodhisapprovalwhenthusarousedfromthedangerousfascination。
Anotherminute，andtheair-shipwasfloatingtowardstherearoftheballoon-shapedclouditself，eachsecondgrantingthepassengersavaryingviewofthewonder。
Truetothefirmhandwhichsetitsmachineryinmotion，theflying-machinemaintainedthatgentlecurveuntilitswungaroundwelltotherearofthecloud，whereagainProfessorFeatherwitbrokeoutinecstaticpraisesoftheirmarvellousgoodfortune。
"’Tisworthalife’sransom，forneveruntilnowhathmortalbeingbeenblessedwithsuchamagnificentopportunityfortakingnotesanddrawingdeductionswhich——"
Theprofessornimblyduckedhisheadtododgearaggedsplinteroffreshlytornwoodwhichcamewhistlingpast，castfarawayfromthetornadoproperbythoseerraticwinds。Andatthesameinstantthemachineitselfrecoiled，shiveringandcreakinginallitscunningjointsunderagustofwindwhichseemedcomposedofbothiceandfire。
"Oh，Isay！"gaspedWaldo，whenhecouldrallyfromthesuddenblow。"Turntheoldthingtheotherway，unclePhaeton，andlet’sgolookfor——well，almostanything’sbetterthanthisoldcyclone！"
"Tornado，lad，"swiftlycorrectedthemanofprecision，leaningfarforward，andgazingenthralleduponthevisionwhichfairlythrilledhishearttoitsverycentre。"Neveragainmaywehavesuchanotheropportunityformaking——"
Theywerenowdirectlyintherearofthestorm，andastheair-shipheadedacrossthattrackofdestruction，itgaveadrunkenstagger，castingdownitsinmates，fromwhoseparchinglipsburstcriesofvaryingimport。
"Air！I’mchoking！"gaspedBruno，tearingopenhisshirt-collarwithaspasmodicmotion。
"Holdmefast！"echoedWaldo，clingingdesperatelytothelife-line。"It’sdrawingme——intothe——ah！"
Eventheprofessorgavecertainsymptomsofalarmforthatmoment，butthenthedangerseemedpastastheshipdartedfairlyacrossthestorm-trail，hoveringtotheeastofthataerialphantom。
Therewasnodifficultyinfillingtheirlungsnow，andoncemoreProfessorFeatherwitheadedtheflying-machinedirectlyfortheballoon-shapedcloud，modulatingitspacesoastomaintaintheirrelativepositionfairlywell。
"Takenotehowitprogresses，——byfitsandstarts，asitwere，"
observedFeatherwit，nowinhisglory，eyesasparkleandmusclesaquiver，hairbristlingasthoughfullofelectricity，faceglowingwithalmostpainfulinterest，asthoseshiftingsceneswereforeverimprinteduponhisbrain。
"Sortofahop，step，andjump，andthat’safact，"agreedWaldo，nowabitmoreathiseasesincethatawfulsenseofsuffocationwaslacking。"Ithoughtallcyclones——"
"Tornado，myDEARboy！"expostulatedtheprofessor。
"Ithoughttheyallwentinholyhurry，liketheyweresentforandhadmightylittletimeinwhichtogetthere。Butthisone，——seehowitstopstodanceajigandboreholesintheearth！"
"Anotherexceptiontothegeneralrule，whichisasyousay，"
admittedtheprofessor。"Differenttornadoeshavebeentimedasmovingfromtwelvetoseventymilesanhour，onepassingagivenpointinhalfascoreofseconds，atanothertimebeingregisteredasfullyhalfanhourinclearingasinglesection。
"TakethedestructivestormatMountCarmel，Illinois，inJuneof’77。Thatmadeprogressattherateofthirty-fourmilesanhour，yetitsforcewassomightythatittoreawaythespire，vane，andheavygildedballoftheMethodistchurch，andkeptitinairoveradistanceoffifteenmiles。
"StilllaterwastheTexastornado，doingitsawfulworkattherateofmorethansixtymilesanhour；whilethatwhichsweptthroughFrankfort，Kansas，onMay17，1896，wasfullyahalf-hourincrossingahalf-milestretchofbottom-landadjoiningtheVermillionRiver，pausinginitsdizzywaltzuponasinglespotforlongminutesatatime。"
"Couldn’thavebeenmuchleftwhenitgotthroughdancing，ifthatstormwasanythinglikethisone，"declaredWaldo，shiveringabitashewatchedtheawfuldestructionbeingwroughtrightbeforetheirfascinatedeyes。
Treesweretwistedoffanddoubleduplikebladesofdrygrass。
Mightyrocksweretornapartfromtheruggedhills，andhugebouldersweretossedintoairasthoughcomposedofpaper。Andoverallascendedthehorridroarofruinbeyonddescription，whilefromthatmisshapenballoon-cloud，withitsflattenedtop，theelectricfluidshoneandflashed，nowingreatsheetsasofflame，theninviciousspurtsanddartsasthoughinnumerablesnakesoffirehadbeenturnedloosebythewinds。
Stilltheaerialdemonboreditsalmostsluggishcoursestraighttowardsthenorthwest，inthis，asinallelse，seeminglybentonprovingitselftheexceptiontoallexceptionsasProfessorFeatherwitdeclared。
Thesavanthimselfwasnowinhisglory，holdingthetillerbetweenarmandside，thebettertomanipulatehishand-camera，withwhichhewastakingrepeatedsnap-shotsforfuturedevelopmentandreference。
Truly，ashemorethanoncedeclared，mortalmanneverhad，normortalmaneverwouldhave，suchagloriousopportunityforrecordingthevaryingphasesofnatureintravailaswasnowvouchsafedthemselves。
"Justthinkofit，lads！"hecried，almostbesidehimselfwithenthusiasm。"Thisalonewillbesufficienttocarryournamesringingthroughalltimedownthecorridorsofundyingfame！Thisalonewouldbemorethanenoughto——Lookpleasant，please！"
Inspiteofthatawfulvisionsoperilouslyclosebeforethem，andthenaturaluncertaintywhichattendedsucharecklessventure，Waldocouldnotrepressachuckleatthatcomicalconclusion，sofrequentlyusedtowardshimselfwhentheirunclewascoaxingthemtoposebeforehispetcamera。
"Isit——surelythisisnotsafe，unclePhaeton？"venturedBruno，asanotherretrogradegustofairsmotetheirapparentlyfrailconveyancewithsuddenforce。
"Let’scallitaday’swork，andknockoff，"chimedinWaldo。"Iftheblamedthingshouldtakeanotiontobalk，andrearbackonitshaunches，where’dwecomeoutat？"
ProfessorFeatherwitmadeanimpatientgesturebywayofanswer。
Speechjustthenwouldhavebeenworsethanuseless，forthattremendousroaring，crashing，thunderingofallsounds，seemedtofallbackandenveloptheair-shipaswithapall。
Ashowerofsandandfinedebrispouredoverandaroundthem，fillingearsandmouths，andblindingeyesforthemoment，forcingthebrothersclosertotheflooroftheaerostat，andevencompellingtheeagerprofessortoremithistakingofnotesforfuturegenerations。
Then，thinandreed-like，yetservingtopiercethattemporaryobscurityandhorriblejangleofoutersounds，camethevoiceoftheirrelative：
"Fearnot，mychildren！TheLordisourshield，andsolongashewilleth，justsolongshallwe——Ha！didn’tItellyeso？"
Fortheblindingveilwastornaway，andonceagainthetrioofadventurersmightwatchyondergrandlyawesomemarchofdevastation。
"HeadingdirectfortheOlympics！"declaredProfessorFeatherwit，diggingthesandoutofhiseyesandstrivingtocleanhisglasseswithoutremovingthem，clingingtotillerandcamerathroughall。"Whatagrandandgloriousguide’twouldbeforus！"
"Ifwecouldonlyhitchon——likeatincantothetailofadog！"
suggestedWaldo，withboyishsarcasm。"Notanyofthatinmine，thankyou！Icanwait。Nosuchmightyrush。No，——SIR！"
Therecamenoanswertohiswords，forjustthenthatswoopingair-demonturnedtovividfire，lightningplayingbackandforth，fromsidetoside，ineveryconceivabledirection，untilinspiteofthebroaddaylightitsglorypainedthosewatchingeyes。
"Didyoueverwitnessthelike！"awesomelycriedBruno，gazinglikeonefascinated。"Whocouldorwouldeverbelieveallthat，eveniftonguewereabletoportrayitswondrousbeauty？"
"Whataplacethatwouldbeforpoppingcorn！"contributedWaldo，practicalornothing，evenundersuchpeculiarcircumstances。"IfIhadtoplaypoppy，though，I’dwantapreciouslonghandletotheconcern！"
Moreintenselyinterestedthanever，ProfessorFeatherwitpliedhisshutter，takingshotaftershotatyonderaerialphenomena，feelingthatfuturegenerationswouldsurelyriseuptocallhimblessedwhentheresultsofhisexperimentswereoncefairlyspreadbeforetheworld。
Andhenceitcametopassthatstillmorethrillingexperiencescameuntothesedaringnavigatorsofspace，andthatalmostbeforeoneortheotherofthemcouldfairlyrealisethatgreaterdangerreallymenacedboththeirair-shipandtheirlives。
Anotherwhirly-gustofsandandotherdebrisassailedtheflying-machine，andwhilesightwasthusrenderedalmostuselessforthetimebeing，theaerostatbegantoswayandreelfromsidetoside，shiveringasthoughcaughtbyanirresistiblepower，yetagainstwhichitbattledasthoughinstinctwithlifeandbrain-power。
Onceagaintheadventurersfounditdifficulttobreathe，whileanunseenpowerseemedpressingthemtothatfloorasthough——Thankheaven！
Justasbefore，thatcloudwassweptaway，andagainaircametofillthosepainfullyoppressedlungs。Onceagainthetrioclearedtheireyesandstaredabout，onlytouttersimultaneouscriesofalarm。
For，briefthoughthatperiodofblindnesshadbeen，’twasamplysufficienttocarrytheaeromotorperilouslynearyonderstorm-centre，andthoughProfessorFeatherwitgrippedhardhistiller，tryingallheknewtoturntheair-shipforasaferquarter，-’twasallinvain！
"Haste，——makehaste，unclePhaeton！"hoarselypantedBruno，leaningtoaidtheprofessor。"Wewillbesuckedinand——hasten，forlife！"
"Ican’t，——we’realready——inthe——suction！"
CHAPTERIII。
RIDINGTHETORNADO。
Whetheritwasthattheair-shipitselfhadincreaseditsspeedduringthosefewmomentsofdenseobscurity，orwhetherthemadlywhirlingwindshadtakenaretrogrademovementatthatprecisetime，couldonlybeamatterofconjecture；buttheominousfactremained。
Theaerostatwasfairlyoverthedanger-line，and，despitealleffortsbeingmadetothecontrary，wasbeingdrawndirectlytowardsthathowling，crashing，thunderingmassofdestructiveenergy。
Alreadytheinmatesfeltthemselvesbeingsuckedfromtheflying-machine，andinstinctivelytightenedtheirgripuponhand-railandfloor，gaspingandoppressed，breathfailing，andribsapparentlybeingcrushedinbythathorriblepressure。
"Holdfast——forlife！"pantinglyscreamedProfessorFeatherwit，ashestroveinvaintocheckorchangethecourseofhisaeromotor，nowforthefirsttimebeyondcontrolofthatmaster-hand。
Afewsecondsofsoul-tryingsuspense，duringwhichtheflying-machineshiveredfromstemtostern，almostlikeahumancreatureinitsdeath-agony，creakingandgroaning，withshrillsoundscomingfromthoseexpanded，curvedwings，asthesuctionincreased；then——
Amercifuldarknessfelloverthosesorelyimperilledbeings，andthevesselitselfseemedabouttobeoverwhelmedbyanavalancheofsandanddirtandmixeddebris。Thencameadizzy，rockinglurch，followedbyashockwhichnearlycastuncleandnephewsfromtheirfranticholds，andtheair-shipappearedtobewhirledendforend，casthitherandyon，wrenchedandtwistedasthoughallmustgotoruintogether。
Ablastasofsuperheatedairsmoteuponthemonemoment，whileinthenexttheywerewhirledthroughanicyatmosphere，thentosseddizzilytoandfro，astheirtoo-frailvehiclespunupwardasthoughonajourneytothefar-awaystars。
Ashriekingblastofwindservedtobrieflyclearawaythechokingdust，affordingthetrioafleetingglimpseoftheirimmediatesurroundings：hurtlingsticksandstones，splinteredtopsoftrees，shrubswithwildlylashingrootsfreshlytornfromthebedofyears，allmadlyspinningthroughablinding，scorching，freezingmassofcrazilybattlingwinds，thedifferentcurrentstwiningandweavinginandout，assomanyhideousserpentsatplay。
Amomentthus，thenthathorriduproargrewstillmoredeafening，andtheair-shipwaswhirledhighandhigher，inadizzydance，thoselucklesscreaturesclingingfasttowhatevertheirfrenziedhandsmightclutch，feelingthatthiswastheendofall。
Furthersightwasdeniedthem。Theywerepowerlesstomovealimb，saveasjerkedpainfullybythoseshriekingcurrents。
Breathwastakenaway，andanenormousweightboredownuponthem，threateningtoproduceafatalcollapsethroughtheirribsgivingway。
Upwardwhirledtheflying-machine，powerlessnowasthosewretchedbeingswithinitscunningshape，smittensharplyhereandtherebysomeofthoseascendingmissiles，yetwithoutreceivingmaterialinjury；untilalastshiveringlurchcame，endinginasuddenfall。
Adizzyingswoopdownward，butnottodeathanddestruction，fortheaerostatalightedeasilyuponwhatappearedtobeasortofair-cushion，and，thoughunsteadyforabriefspace，thensettleduponanevenkeel。
"Clingfast——forlife！"huskilygaspedtheprofessor，unwittinglyrepeatingthecautionwhichhadlastcrossedhislips，whichhehadeversincebeenstrivingtoenunciate，faithfultohisguardianshipoverthese，hissolesurvivingrelatives。
"Idon’t——wherearewe？"
Waldoliftedhisheadtopeerwithhalf-blindeyesaboutthem，inwhichactionhewasimitatedbybothbrotheranduncle；but，forabriefspace，theywerenonethewiser。
Allaroundtheaeromotorroseawallofwhirlingwinds，seeminglyimpenetrable，apparentlywithinreachofanextendedarm，changingcolourwitheachfractionofasecond，hideouslybeautiful，yetnevertwicethesameinblendormixture。
Ahollow，strangelysoundingroarwasperceptible；oneinstantcomingasfromthefardistance，thenfromnighathand，causingtheair-shiptoquiverandtremble，asasentientbeingmightinthepresenceofatorturingdeath。
"Look——upward！"pantedBruno，afewsecondslater，hisfaceaspaleasthatofacorpse，inspiteofthedirtandblotchesofstickymudwithwhichhehadbeenpepperedduringthatdizzywhirl。
Mechanicallyhiscompanionsinperilobeyed，catchingbreathsharply，astheysawaclearskyandyellowsunshinefarabove，——soawfullyfartheywere，thatitseemedlikelookingupwardfromthebottomofanenormouslydeepwell。
AndthenthemarvelloustruthflasheduponthebrainofPhaetonFeatherwit，almostrobbinghimofallpowerofspeech。Stillhemanagedtojerkilyejaculate：
"We’reinside，——ridingthe——tornado——itself！"
Thenthosewhirlingwindsclosedquicklyabovethem，shuttingoutthesunlight，hidingtheheavensfromtheirview，enclosingthatvehicleanditsoccupants，astheywereborneawayintounknownregions，withintheveryheartofthetornadoitself！
Yet，incredibleasitsurelyseems，noactualharmcametothetrioortotheirflying-machineasitswayedgentlyuponitsairycushion，althoughfromeverysidecamethehorridroarofdestruction，whileeverandanontheycouldglimpseawrestlingtreeortornmassofshrubberywhizzingupwardandoutward，tobeflungfarawaybeyondthevortexofelectricalwinds。
Oncemorecamethatawfulsenseofsuffocation。Thatpaintedpallcloseddownuponthem，robbingtheirlungsofair，oneinstantfairlycrispingtheirhairwithatouchoffire，onlytosendanicychilltotheirveinsamomentlater。
Invaintheystruggled，fightingforbreath，asafishgaspswhenswungfromitsnativeelement。Whilethathorridpressureendured，man，youth，andboyalikewerepowerless。
Againthepalllifted，foldingbackandblendingwiththosemadlycirclingcurrents，onceagainaffordingaglimpseofyonderfar-awayheavens，somarvellouslyclear，andbright，andpeacefulinseeming！
Weakenedbythoseterriblemoments，BrunoandWaldolaygasping，trembling，faintofheartandillofbody，yetfillingtheirlungswithcomparativelypureair，——pitytherewassolittleofittowin！
ProfessorFeatherwitstillhadthoughtandcareforhisnephewsratherthanhimselfalone，andpantinglyspoke，ashedraggedhimselftothesnuglocker，wheremanyimportantarticleshadbeenstowedaway：
"Here——sucklife——compressedair！"
Withhuskycriesthebrotherscaughtatthetubesoffered，themethodofworkingwhichhadsooftenbeenexplainedbytheirrelative。
Oncemorethetubebecameachamber，andthathorridforcethreatenedtoflattentheirbodies；buttheworsthadpassed，forthatpreciouscylindernowgavethemairtoinhale，andtheywereenabledtowaitfortheliftingofthecloudoncemore。
Thankstothisimportantagency，strengthandenergybothofbodyandofmindnowcamebacktotheair-voyagers，andafteralittletheycouldlifttheirheadstopeeraroundthemwithgrowingwonderandcuriosity。
Therewaslittleroomleftfordoubtingthewondroustruth，andyetbeliefwaspasttheirpowersduringthosefirstfewminutes。
Allaroundthemwhirledandspedthosemaddenedwinds，curlingandtwisting，risingandfalling，mixinginandoutasthoughsomeunknownpowermightbeweavingthewebofdestiny。
Nowdull，nowbrilliant，nevertwicethesame，buteverchangingincolourasinshape，whilestripesandzigzagsoflightningplayedhereandtherewithterrifyingmenace，thosewallsofwindheldanawfullyfascinatingpowerforuncleandnephews。
Fromeverysidecamedeadenedsoundswhichcouldbearbutasingleinterpretation：thetornadowasstillinrapidmotion，wasstilltearingandrending，crushingandbattering，leavingdiredestructionandruintomarkitsadvance，andthesewerethesoundsthatrecordeditsuglywork。
Ingoodlymeasurerevivedbythecompressedair，whichwasregulatedinflowtosuithisrequirementsbyadeviceofhisown，ProfessorFeatherwitnowlookedaroundwithsomethingofhiswontedanimation，heedlessofhisownperilforthemoment，sogreatwashisinterestinthismarvelloushappening。
Soutterlyincrediblewasitallthat，duringthosefirstfewminutesofrallyingpowers，hedarednotexpressthebeliefwhichwasshapingitself，gazingaroundinquestofstillfurtherconfirmation。
Hetooknoteofthewindywallsabouttheirvessel，risingupwardformanyyards，irregularinshapeandcurvaturehereandthere，butretainingthegeneralsemblanceofatubewithflaringtop。
Hepeeredovertheedgeofthebasket，todrawbackdizzilyashesawnaughtbutyeasty，boiling，seethingcloudsbelow，——averitableair-cushionwhichhadservedtosavethepetofhisbrainfromutterdestructionatthetimeoffallingwithin——
Yes，therewasnolongerroomfordoubt，——theywereactuallyinsidethedistortedballoon，sodreadedbyallresidentsofthetornadobelt！
"Whatisit，uncle？"huskilyaskedBruno，likewiserallyingunderthatbeneficialinfluence。"Wherearewenow？"
"WhereI’mwishingmightyhardwewasn’t，anyhow！"contributedWaldo，withsomethingofhisusualenergy，although，judgingfromhisfaceandeyes，theyoungsterhadsufferedmoreseverelythaneitherofhiscomradesinperil。
ProfessorFeatherwitbrokeintoaqueerlysoundinglaugh，ashewavedhisfreehandinexultationbeforespeaking：
"Wherenolivingbeingeverwasbeforeus，mylads，——ridingthetornadolikea——ugh！"
Theair-shipgaveanawkwardlurchjustthen，anddownwentthelittleprofessortothumphisheadheavilyagainstonecornerofthelocker。Swayingdrunkenlyfromsidetoside，thentossingupanddown，turninginunisonwiththosefiercelywhirlingclouds，theaeromotorseemedatthepointofwreckandruin。
Desperatelythetrioclungtothelife-lines，clenchingteethuponthelife-givingtubesasthatterriblepressureincreasedsomuchthatitseemedimpossibleforthehumanframetolongerresist。
Fortunatelythatordealdidnotlongendure，andagainreliefcametothosesosorelyoppressed。Abriefgasping，sighing，stretchingastheaerostatresumeditslevelposition，merelyrockingeasilywithinthatpartialvacuum，andthenWaldohuskilysuggested：
"Looksliketheblamethingwassickatthestomach！"
Nodoubtthiswasmeantforafeebleattemptatjoking，butProfessorFeatherwittookitforearnest，andmadequickreply：
"Thatispreciselythecase，mydearlad，andIamgreatlyjoyedtofindthatyouarenotsobadlyfrightenedbutthatyoucanassistmeintakingnotesofthiswondroushappening。Tothinkthatwearetheonesselectedfor——"
"Isay，unclePhaeton。"
"Well，mylad？"
"Ifthisthingisreallysickatthestomach，whenwilliterupt？
I’dgiveadollarandahalftojustgetouto’this，scienceornoscience，notesornonotesatall！"
"Patience，mydearboy，"gravelyspokethelittlemanofscience，busilystudyingthoseeddyingcurrentslikeoneseekingafairlysafemethodofextricationfromperil。"Itmaycomefarsoonerthanyouthink，andwithresultsmoredisastrousthanfeeblewordscantell。Wesurelyareaburdensuchasatornadomustbewhollyunaccustomedto，andIreallybelievethesealternationsarespasmodiceffortsoftheclouditselftovomitusforth；
henceyouwerenearerrightthanyouthoughtinmakinguseofthatexpression。"
Justthencamearushoficyair，andBrunopantinglycried：
"I’mswellingup——likeAesop’s——bullfrog！"
CHAPTERIV。
THEPROFESSOR’SLITTLEEXPERIMENT。
Againthoseinvoluntaryridersofthetornadoweretossedviolentlytoandfrointheirseeminglyfrailship，whiletheballoonitselfappearedthreatenedwithinstantdissolution，thoseeddyingcurrentsgrowingbrokenandfarlessregularinaction，whilethefiercetumultgrewinsoundandvolumeathousandfold。
Allaroundtheair-shipnowshoweduglydebris，limbsandboughsandevenwholetrunksofgianttreesbeingwhirledupwardandoutward，eachmomentmenacingthevesselwithtotaldestruction，yetasfrequentlyvanishingwithoutinfringingseriouslyupontheircuriousprison。
Sandanddirtandfragmentsofshatteredrockwhistledbyinanapparentlyunendingshower，onlywithreversedmotion，flyingupwardinplaceofshootingdownwardtoearthitself。
Speechwasutterlyimpossibleunderthecircumstances，andthefate-tossedvoyagerscouldonlyclingfasttothehand-rail，andholdthosepreciousair-tubesinreadinessfortheworst。
Neverbeforehadeitherofthetrioheardsuchadeafeningcrashanduproar，andlittlewonderiftheythoughtthissurelymustheraldthecrackofdoom！
Thetornadoseemedtoreelbackward，asthoughrepulsedbyanimmovableobstacle，andthen，whilethedinwasabitlessdeafening，ProfessorFeatherwitcontrivedtomakehimselfheard，throughscreamingatthetopofhisvoice：
"Themountainrange，Ifancy！It’sabattletothe——"
Thatsentencewasperforceleftincomplete，sincethestorm-demongaveanothermadplungetorenewthebattle，bringingonarepetitionofthatdrunkenswayingsoupsettingtobothmindandbody。
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