Afewsecondsthus，thenthetornadoconquered，orelserosehigherinpartialdefeat，fortheirprogresswasresumed，andcomparativequietreignedagain。
Thehighercloudscurvedbackward，affordingawiderviewoftheheavensfarabove，and，asalleyesturnedinstinctivelyinthatdirection，Brunoinvoluntarilyexclaimed：
"Stilldaylight！Ithought——howlonghasthislasted？"
"It’sthemiddleo’nextweek；noless！"positivelyaffirmedhisbrother。"Don’ttellme！We’vebeeninhereasolidmonth，bymywatch！"
Insteadofmakingreplysuchasmighthavebeenexpectedfromoneofhismathematicalexactness，ProfessorFeatherwitgaveacryofdismay，whilehurriedlymovingtoandfrointheircontractedquarters，forthetimebeingforgetfulofallotherthanthis，hisgreatloss。
"Whatisit，unclePhaeton？"askedBruno，risingtohiskneesinnaturalanxiety。"Surelynothingworsethanhasalreadyhappenedtous？"
"Worse？Whatcouldbeworsethanlosingforever——thecamera，boys；whereisthecamera，Iaskyou？"
Certainlynotwheretheprofessorwaslooking，andevenasheroaredforththatquery，hishearttoldhimthesadtruth；pastdoubting，theinstrumentuponwhoseaidhereliedtoplaceuponrecordthesemarvellousfacts，sothatallmankindmightseeandhavefullfaith，waslost，——thrownfromtheaerostat，tomeetwithcertaindestruction，whenthevesselfirstcamewithinthetornado’sterribleclutch。
"Gone，——lost，——andnowwhowillbelievethatweever——oh，thisisenoughtocrushone’sverysoul！"mournedtheprofessor，throwinguphishands，andsinkingbacktotheflooroftheflying-machineinalimpanddisheartenedheapforthetimebeing。
NeitherBrunonorWaldocouldfullyappreciatethatgrief，sincethoughtsandcareforselfwerestilltherulingpassionwithboth；butoncemoretheywerecalledupontodobattlewiththeswayingofthewinds，andonceagainweretheysavedonlythroughthatlife-givingcylinderofcompressedair。
Presently，theheart-brokenprofessorrallied，aswashisnature，and，withavisibleeffortputtinghisgreatlossbehindhim，endeavouredtocheeruphiscomradesinperil。
"Sofarwehavepassedthroughalldangerwithoutreceivingmaterialinjury，——toourselves，Imean，——andsurelyitisnottoomuchtohopeforeventualescape？"hesaid，earnestly，pressingthehandsofhisnephews，bywayofadditionalencouragement。
"Yes，"hesitatedBruno，withaninvoluntaryshiver，asheglancedaroundthemuponthosefuriouslyboilingclouds，thencastaneyeupward，towardsyonderclearsky。"Yes，but——inwhatmanner？"
"What’llwedowhenthecyclonegoesbu’st？"cutinWaldo，withdisagreeablebluntness。"Itcan’tgoonforever，andwhenitsplitsup，——wherewillwebethen？"
"Iwishitlaywithinmypowertogiveyoufullassuranceonallpoints，mydearboys，"theprofessormadereply。"IonlywishI
couldensureyourperfectsafetybygivingmyownpoorremnantoflife——"
"No，no，unclePhaeton！"criedthebrothers，inasinglebreath。
"Howcheerfully，ifIonlymight！"insistedtheprofessor，hishomelyfacewearinganexpressionofblendedregretandunboundedaffection。"Butformeyouwouldneverhaveencounteredtheseperils，norever——"
Againhewasinterruptedbythebrothers，andforcedtoleavethatregretunspokentotheend。
"Onlyforyou，unclePhaeton，whatwouldhavebecomeofuswhenwewereleftwithoutparents，home，fortune？Onlyforyou，takingusinandtreatingusasthoughofyourownfleshandblood——"
"Asyouare，mygoodlads！Letitpass，then，butImustsaythatIdowish——well，well，letitpass，then！"
Abriefsilence，whichwasspentingrippinghandsandwitheyesgivingpledgesofloveandundyingconfidence；thenProfessorFeatherwitspokeagain，inanentirelydifferentvein。
"Ifnothingelse，wehaveexplodedonefallacywhichhasnevermetwithcontradiction，sofarasmypoorknowledgegoes。"
"Andthatis——what，unclePhaeton？"
"Observe，mylads，"withawaveofhishandtowardsthosewhirlingwalls，andthenmakingadownwardmotion。"Youseethatwearefloatinginapartialvacuum，yetwherethereisairsufficienttopreservelifeunderdifficulties。Andbylookingdownward——carefulthatyoudon’tfalloverboardthroughdizziness，though！"
"Looksasthoughwewerefloatingjustaboveabedofuglywind！"
declaredWaldo，aftertakingalookbelow。
"Precisely；theaerostatrestsuponanair-cushionamplysolidenoughtosustainfarmorethanourcombinedweight。Butwhatisthegenerallyacceptedview，mydearboys？"
"Youtell，forwedon’tknowhow，"franklyacknowledgedWaldo。
"Thanks。Yetyouarenowfarwiserthanallofthescientistswhohavewrittenandpublishedwholelibrariesconcerningthesestormformations，butwhosefallacieswearenowfullypreparedtoexplode，onceforall，throughknowledgewonbypersonalinvestigation——ahem！"
Strangethoughitmayappear，theprofessorforgotthemutualdangerbywhichtheyweresurrounded，andtrottedoffonhishobby-horseinblissfulpride，payingnoattentiontothehideousuproargoingon，onlyraisinghisvoicehighertomakeitheardbyhisyouthfulauditors。
"Thecommonbeliefisthat，whilethesetornadoesarehollow，eventhroughthetrunkortonguedowntoitscontactwiththeearth，thathollowiscausedbyaconstantsuction，throughwhichasteadystreamofdebrisisflowing，tobesownbroadcastformilesaroundafteremergingfromtheopentopoftheso-calledballoon。"
"Butitisn’tatalllikethat，"eagerlycriedWaldo，pointingtowherethefragmentswereflowingupwardthroughthosewallsthemselves，yetfarenoughfromthathollowinteriortobebutindistinctlyseensaveonrareoccasions。"Lookat’emscoot，willye？Oh，ifwecouldonlyclimbuplikethat！"
ProfessorFeatherwitwaskeenlywatchingandcloselystudyingthatveryphenomenathroughall，andnowhegaveaqueerlittlechuckle，ashenoddedhisheadwithvigour，beforedrylyspeaking。
"Well，itmightbedone；yes，itmightbedone，andthatwithnoveryseriousdifficulty，mylad。"
"How？Whynottryiton，then？"
"Tomeetwithinstantdeathoutside？"sharplyqueriedBruno。"Itwouldbesuicidaltomaketheattempt，evenifwecould；whichI
doubt。"
Waldogaveasuddencry，pointingupwardwhere，farabovethatdestructivestorm，couldbeseenabraceofbuzzardsfloatingonmotionlesswings，whollyundisturbedbythetumultbelow。
"Ifwewereonlylikethat！"theladcried，longingly。"Ifaflying-machinecouldbebuiltlikethoseturkey-buzzards！I
wish——well，Idosupposethey’reaboutthenastiestvarmintseverhatched，butjustnowI’dbewillingtoswap，andwouldn’taskanyboot，either！"
Apparentlytheprofessorpaidnoattentiontothisboyishplaint，forhewasfumblinginthelocker，thenwithdrewhishandanduncoiledanordinaryfish-line，withpaintedfloatattached。
Beforeeitherbrothercouldaskaquestion，orevengiveaguessathispurpose，ProfessorPhaetonflunghookandcorkintothosecirclingcurrents，onlytohavethewholejerkedviolentlyoutofhisgrip，thelineflyingupward，tovanishfromthesightofall。
Thatjerkwaspowerfulenoughtocutthroughtheskinofhishand，buttheprofessorchuckledlikeonedelighted，ashesuckedawaythefewdropsofbloodbeforeadding：
"Iknewit！ItCANbedone，andiftheworstshouldcometopass，whyshoulditnotbedone？"
Beforeananswercouldbevouchsafedbyeitherofthebrothers，thepallswoopeddownuponthemoncemore，andagainthesupplyofnaturalairwasshutoff，whiletheirvesselwasrockedandswayedcrazily，justasthoughthedelayedendwasatlastuponthem。
Forseveralminutesthistortureendured，eachsecondofwhichappearedtobeanhourtothoseimperilledbeings，whosurelymusthaveperished，astheylaypinnedfasttotheflooroftheaerostatbythatpitilessweight，onlyforthepreciousair-tubesinconnectionwiththatcylinderofcompressedair。
Afteraseemingageoftormenttheawfulpressurewasrelaxed，leavingthetriogaspingandshivering，astheylaysidebyside，barelyconsciousthatlifelingered，forthemomentunabletolifthandorheadtoaideitherselforanother。
Inspiteofhisfargreaterage，ProfessorFeatherwitwasfirsttorally，andhisvoicewasaboutthefirstthingdistinguishedbythebrothers，astheirpowersbegantorally。
"Shallwetakeourchances，dearboys？"theprofessorwassaying，inearnesttones。"Ibelievethereisamethodofescapingfromthishell-chamber，althoughofwhatmayliebeyond——"
"Itcan’twellbeworsethanthis！"huskilygaspedBruno。
"Anything——everything——justtogetouto’here！"supplementedWaldo，foronceallspiritssubdued。
"Itmaybedeathforusall，evenifwedogetoutside，"gravelywarnedtheprofessor。"Bearthatinmind，dearboys。Itmaybethatnotoneofuswillescapewithlife，after——"
"Howmuchbettertoremainhere？"interruptedBruno。"Ifeltdeathwouldbeamercy——then！AndI’driskanything，everything，ratherthangothroughsuchanotherordeal！Isay，——escape！"
"Metoo，allover！"vigorouslydecidedWaldo，liftinghimselftobothkneesasheadded："Telluswhattodo，andhereIam，ondeck，uncle。"
EvennowProfessorPhaetonhesitated，hiseyesgrowingdimmerthanusualastheyrestedupononefaceaftertheother，forrightwellheknewhowdeadlywouldbetheperilthusinvited。
But，asthebrothersrepeatedtheircry，heturnedawaytoswiftlyknotastrongtrail-ropetoaheavyirongrapnel，leavingtheotherendfirmlyattachedtoastanchionbuiltforthatexpresspurpose。
"Holdfast，ifyouvaluelifeatall，dearboys！"hewarned，thenadded："Heavenbekindtoyou，evenifmylifepaystheforfeit！
Now！"
Withoutfurtherdelay，hecasttheheavygrapnelintothatmassofboilingvapour，thenfellflat，asanawfuljerkwasgiventheaerostat。
CHAPTERV。
THEPROFESSOR’SUNKNOWNLAND。
Therewasneithertimenoropportunityfortakingnotes，forthatlongropestraightenedoutinthefractionofasecond，throwingallprostrateastheflying-machinewasjerkedupwardwithawfulforce。
Allaroundthemragedandroaredthemightywinds，whilemissilesofalmosteverydescriptionpeltedandpoundedbothmachineandinmatesduringthosefewsecondsofextraordinaryperil。
Fortunatelyneithertheprofessornorhisnephewscouldfairlyrealisejustwhatwastakingplace，elsetheirbrainswouldhardlyhavestoodthetest；andfortunately，too，thatordealwasnotprotracted。
Ahideousexperiencewhileitlasted，thoseviciouscurrentsdraggingtheaerostatupwardoutoftheair-chamberbymeansofgrapnelandrope，thencastingallfarawayincompanywithwreckedtreesandbushes，andevensolidermaterials，allshroudedforatimeindustanddebris，whichhinderedtheeyesightofbothuncleandnephews。
ThroughitallthebrothersweredimlyawareofonefactunclePhaetonwasshrillybiddingthemclingfastandhavecourage。
Allatoncetheyfeltasthoughvomitedforthfromavolcanowhichalternatelybreathedfireandice，theclearlightofeveningburstingupontheiraching，smartingeyeswithactualpain，whilethathorridroarofwarringelementsseemedtopassawayinthedistance，leavingthem——where，andhow？
"We’refallingto——mercifulheavens！Holdfast，all！"screamedtheprofessor，desperatelystrivingtoregainfullcommandoftheirair-ship。"Thetillerisjammed，but——"
Toallseeming，theaerostathadsustainedsomefataldamageduringthatbrieferuptioncausedbytheprofessor’slittleexperiment，foritwaspitchingdrunkenlyendforend，refusingtoobeythehandofitsbuilder，bearingalltocertaindeathupontheearthfarbelow。
Halfstupefiedwithfear，thebrothersclungfasttothelife-lineandglareddownward，noting，inspiteofthemselves，howswiftlyyonderdarktree-topsandgraycragswereshootingheavenwardtomeetthemandclaimthesacrifice。
WithfierceenergyProfessorFeatherwitjerkedandwrenchedatthesteering-gear，utteringwordssuchashadlongbeenforeigntohislips，butthen——justwhendestructionappearedinevitable——awildcryburstfromhislungs，asabrokenbitofnativewoodcameawayinhislefthand，leavingtheleverfreeasofold！
Andthen，withadizzyingswoopandrapidrecovery，thegallantair-shipcamebacktoanevenkeel，sailingalongwithold-timegraceandease，barelyintimetoavoidworsemishapasthecrestofatalltreewasbrushedintheirpassage。
"Saved，——saved，mylads！"screamedtheprofessor，ashisheart-petsoaredupwardoncemoreuntilwellpastthedanger-line。"Safeandsoundthroughall，——praisesbeuntotheLord，ourFather！"
Neitherbrotherspokejustthen，fortheylaythereinhalfstupor，barelyabletorealisethewondroustruth：thattheirliveshadsurelybeensparedthem，evenasbyamiracle！
Thatswoopingturnnowbroughttheirfacestowardsthetornado，whichwasatleastacoupleofmilesdistant，rapidlymakingthatdistancegreaterevenwhilecontinuingitsworkofdestruction。
"Andwe——wereinit！"huskilymutteredBruno，hislidsclosingwithashiver，asheavertedhisface，unwillingtoseemore。
"Heapsightworsethanbeinginthesoup，too，ifanybodyasksyou，"declaredWaldo，beginningtorallybothinstrengthandinspirit。"But——what’sthematterwiththeoldship，unclePhaeton？"
Fortheaerostatwasindulgingitselfinsundrydistressinggyrations，prettymuchasaboy’skiteswoopsfromsidetoside，whenlackingintail-ballast，whiletheprofessorseemedunabletokeepthemachineundercompletecontrol。
"Nothingserious，only——holdfast，all！Ibelieve’twouldbeaswelltomakeourdescent，forfearsomething——steady！"
Justaheadthereappearedamorethanusuallyopenspaceintheforest，and，quiteasmuchbygoodluckasthroughactualskill，ProfessorFeatherwitsucceededinmakingalandingwithnomoreseriousmishapthansundrybruisesandalittleextrateeth-jarring。
Asquicklyaspossible，bothBrunoandWaldopitchedthemselvesoutofthepartiallydisabledaeromotor，theelderbrothergraspingthegrapnelandtakingacoupleofturnsofthestrongropearoundaconvenienttree-trunk，lesttheshipescapethemaltogether。
"Noneed，mygallantboy！"assuredtheprofessor，aninstantlater。"Alliswell，——allISwell，thankstoanover-rulingProvidence！"
Inspiteofthisexpressedconfidence，hehurriedlylookedoverhispetmachine，takingnoteofsuchinjuriesashadbeenreceivedduringthatremarkablejourney，onlygivingoverwhenfairlysatisfiedthatalldamagemightbereadilymadegood，afterwhichtheaerostatwouldbeastrustworthyasuponitsfirstvoyageonhigh。
Then，graspingthebrotherseachbyahand，hesmiledgenially，thenliftedeyesheavenward，toamomentlatersinkuponhiskneeswithbowedheadandhandsfoldedacrosshisbosom。
BrunoandWaldoimitatedhisaction，and，thoughnoaudiblewordswerespoken，neverweremoreheartfeltprayerssentupward，nevermoregratefulthanksgivenuntotheMostHigh。
Boy，youth，andmanalikeseemedfairlyawedintosilenceforthenextfewminutes，unabletososooncastoffthespellwhichhadfallenuponthem，oneandeach，whenrealisinghowmercifullytheirliveshadbeenspared，evenafterallearthlyhopehadbeenabandoned。
Asusual，however，Waldowasfirsttorally，and，aftersilentlymovingaroundtheaerostat，uponwhichtheprofessorwasalreadybusilyatworkbythelastgleamsofthevanishedsun，hepaused，legsseparated，andhandsthrustdeepintopockets，headperkingononesideashespoke，drawlingly：
"Isay，unclePhaeton？"
"Whatisit，Waldo？"
"It’llneverdotobreatheevenahintofallthis，willit？"
"Whyso，pray？"
"Whoeverhearditwouldswearwewerebald-headedliarsrightfromStorytown！Andyet，——diditreallyhappen，orhaveIbeendreamingallthewaythrough？"
ProfessorFeatherwitgaveabrief，drychuckleatthis，risingerecttocastadeliberateglancearoundtheirpresentlocation，thenspeaking：
"WithoutIamgreatlymistaken，mydearboy，youwillhavestillothermarvelloushappeningstorelateerewereturntowhatis，rightfullyorwrongfully，calledcivilisation。"
"Isthatso？Thenyoureallyreckon——"
"Foronething，mylad，wearenowfairlyentereduponaterraincognita，sofarasourownraceisconcerned。Inotherwords，——behold，theOlympics！"
BothBrunoandWaldocasttheireyesaround，butonlyacircumscribedviewwastheirs。Theshadesofeveningweresettlingfast，andonallsidestheycouldseebutmightytrees，ruggedrocks，amountainstreamfromwhosepebblybedcameasoothingmurmur。
"Nothingsomightymuchtobragof，anyway，"irreverentlyquothWaldo，afterthatshort-livedscrutiny。"Itwouldn’tfetchadollaranacreatauction，andformypart，——wonderwhenthegongwillsoundforsupper？"
Thatblunthintwaseffective，and，lettingthesubjectdropforthetimebeing，eventheprofessorjoinedinthehurryforaneveningmeal，towhichoneandallfeltabletodofulljustice。
Althoughsomerainhadfallenatthispointaswell，noseriousdifficultywasexperiencedinkindlingafire，whileWaldohadlittletroubleinheapingupabounteoussupplyoffuel。
Throughcountlessagestheforestmonarchshadbeensheddingtheirsuperfluousboughs，whilehereandtherelayanentiretree，overthrownbysomeunknownpower，anduponwhichthebrothersmadeheavyrequisition。
ProfessorFeatherwittookfromthelockerasupplyoftinnedgoods，togetherwithapatentcoffee-potandfrying-pan，soconvenientwherespaceisscarceandstowage-roomprecious。
Withwaterfromthelittleriver，ittookbutafewminutesmoretoscenttheeveningwithgratefulfumes，afterwhichtheadventuroustriosquattedthereintheruddyglow，eating，sipping，chatting，nowandagainforcedtogivethanksfortheirreallymiraculouspreservationafterallhumanhopeshadbeenexhausted。
AlthoughProfessorFeatherwitwasbutlittlelessthankfulforthewondrousleniencyshownthem，hecouldnotaltogetherrefrainfrommourningthelossofhiscamera，withitsmanysnap-shotsatthetornadoitself，tosaynothingofwhathemighthavesecuredinaddition，whileridingthestormsomarvellously。
Moretotakehisthoughtsawayfromthatlossthanthroughactualcuriosityinthesubjectofferedbywayofsubstitute，Brunoaskedforfurtherlightupontheso-calledterraincognita。
"Ofcourseitisn’treallyanunknownland，though，unclePhaeton？"headded，almostapologetically。"Inthisage，anduponourowncontinent，suchathingisamongtheimpossibilities。"
"Indeed？And，pray，howlongsincehasitbeenthatyouwould，withatleastequalpositivity，havedeclareditimpossibletoenteratornadowhileinwildestcareer，yetemergefromitwithlifeandlimbintact？"
"Yes，uncle，but——thisisdifferent，byfar。"
"Inonesense，yes；inanother，no，"affirmedtheprofessor，withemphaticnod，brushingthetipsofhisfingerstogether，ashemovedbacktoassumeamorecomfortablepositioninsidetheair-ship，thenquicklypreparingapipeandtobaccoforhisregularafter-mealsmoke。
Abriefsilence，thentheprofessorspoke，clearly，distinctly：
"Washingtonhashergreatunknownland，quiteasmuchashastheinteriorofDarkestAfrica，myboys，besidesenjoyingthispeculiaradvantage：whileadventurouswhitemenhavetraversedthosebenightedregionsineverydirection，eventhoughlittlepermanentgoodmayhavebeenaccomplished，thisterraincognitaremainsvirgininthatparticularsenseoftheword。"
"Youmean，uncle？"
"ThathereintheOlympicregionyouseewhatisliterallyanunknown，unexploredscopeofcountry，asforeigntothefootofmankindasitwascountlessagesgoneby。Sofarashistoryreads，neitherwhitemannorredhaseverventuredfairlywithintheselimits；amountainouswastewhichrisesfromthelevelcountry，withintenorfifteenmilesoftheStraitsofSanJuandeFuca，inthenorth，thePacificOceaninthewest，Hood’sCanalintheeast，andthebarrensand-hillslyingtothefarsouth。
"ThisirregularrangeisknownuponthemapastheOlympics，and，risingtotheheightoffromsixtoeightthousandfeet，shutinavastunexploredarea。
"TheIndianshaveneverpenetratedit，sofarascanbeascertained，fortheirtraditionssaythatitisinhabitedbyaveryfiercetribeofwarriors，beforewhosemightandstrangeweaponsnotoneofthecoasttribescanstand。"
"OneoftheLostTribesofIsrael，shouldn’twonder，"drawlinglyvolunteeredWaldo，stiflingayawn，andforcedtorubhisinflamedeyeswithasurreptitiouspaw。
ProfessorFeatherwit，thoughplainlyabsorbedinhiscurioustheory，wasyetquicktodetectthisevidenceofweariness，andlaughedabit，withchangeofbothtoneandmanner，ashespokefurther：
"Thatformsbutapartialintroductorytomylecture，dearlads，butperhapsitmightbeaswelltopostponetherestforamorepropitiousoccasion。Youhaveundergonesoretrials，bothof——Hark！"
Somesoundcametohiskeenears，whichthebrothersfailedtocatch，butastheybenttheirheadsinlistening，anothernoisecame，whichprovedstartlingenough，inallconscience，——ashrill，maniacalscreech，whichsentcoldchillsrunningracesupeachspine。
CHAPTERVI。
ABRACEOFUNWELCOMEVISITORS。
Instinctivelythebrothersdrewnearereachother，asthoughformutualprotection，eachonelettinghanddroptobeltwherearevolverwashabituallycarried，butwhichwaslackingnow，thankstothegreathastewithwhichtheyhadtakenwingattheapproachofthetornado。
"Whatisit？Whatcanitmean？"askedBrunoandWaldo，almostinthesamebreath，asthosefierceechoesdiedawayinthedistance。
ProfessorFeatherwitmadenoimmediatereply，butbytheglowofyondercamp-firehefumbledinsidethemagiclocker，fetchingforthfirearms，thenspeakinginhushedtones：
"Wait。Listenfor——Iknewit！"
Fromtheoppositequartercamewhatmighteasilyhavebeenanechoofthatfirstwildscreech，onlylouder，longer，moresavage，ifsuchathingbepossible。
Preparedthoughtheynowwere，neitherbrothercouldrefrainfromshrinkingandshuddering，sohideouslythatcrysoundedintheirears。Buttheirunclespokeincool，cleartones：
"Thereisnothingsupernaturalaboutthat，mylads。Apantherormountainlion，Idaresay，scentingthefumesofourcookery，andcomingtoclaimashare。"
"Thenitisn’t——Nothingspookish，unclePhaeton？"venturedWaldo，inslightlyunsteadytones。
Theprofessorgaveswiftassuranceuponthatpoint，and，rallyingasfewyoungsterswouldhavedoneunderlikecircumstances，thebrothersgraspedtheweaponssuppliedtheirhands，waitingandwatchingforwhatwastocome。
Once，twice，thricethosesavagecallsechoedfarandwide，butwitheachrepetitionlosingaportionoftheirterrors；andknowingnowthatprowlingbeastssurelyweredrawingnighthecamp-fire，theflyingmachinewasabandonedbythetrio，alldrawingclosertothefire，whichmightprovenoslightprotectionagainstattack。
Thenfollowedaperiodofuttersilence，duringwhichtheireyesrovedrestlesslyaround，strivingtosightthefour-footedenemyereanactualattackcouldbemade。
ProfessorFeatherwitwasfirsttoglimpseapairofgreenisheyesinsilentmotion，and，givingalowhissofwarningtohisnephews，thatsamesoundservingtocheckfurtherprogressonthepartofthewildbeast，hisshortriflecametoalevel，thenemittedapeculiarsound。
Onlythekeenestofearscouldhavenotedthat，foronlythefractionofaninstantlaterfollowedasharpexplosion，thedarknessbeyondbeingbrieflylitupbyayellowishglare。
"That’senough，——bewareitsmate！"criedtheprofessor，keenlyalertforwhatevermightensue；butthewordswerebarelyacrosshislipswhen，withavicioussnarl，afurryshapecameflyingthroughtheair，knockingFeatherwitoverasheinstinctivelyduckedhisheadwitharmflyingupasadditionalguard。
Bothmanandbeastcameverynearfallingintothefireitself，andthereensuedawild，confusedscramble，outofwhichthebrotherssingledtheirenemy，Waldoopeningfirewitharevolver，atcloserange，eachshotcausingtheliontoyellandsnarlmostferociously。
Acat-likerecovery，thenthefatalleapmighthavefollowed，fortheconfusedprofessorwasrisingtohisfeetagain，fairlyinfrontoftheenragedbrute；butereworsecame，WaldoandBrunoweretotherescue，onefiringasrapidlyaspossible，hisbrotherdrivingakeen-bladedknifetotheveryhiltjustbackofthatquiveringforearm。
Onemadwrestle，inwhichbothladswereoverthrown，thenthegauntandmuscularbrutestretcheditslengthinashiveringthroe，deadevenwhileitstrovetoslay。
Justastheprofessorhurriedtothefront，beseechinghisboystokeepoutofperiliftheylovedhim；atwhichWaldolaughedoutright，althoughneverhadhefeltawarmerloveforthesameodd-speaking，queer-actingpersonagethanrightatthatmoment。
"I’mallright；how’sitwithyou，sir？And——Bruno？"
"Withoutascratchtorememberitby，"promptlyassertedtheelderbrother，likewiseregaininghisfeetandtakinghastyaccountofstock。"Nofaultofhis，though！"givingthatcarcassakickashespoke。"Mygracious！Icaughtjustoneglimpseofthem，andIwasreadytomakeaffidavitthateachfangwouldmeasureafoot，whilehisclaws——"
"Wouldpassthroughanelephantandclinchontheotherside，"
declaredWaldo，stoopingfarenoughtoliftoneofthosearmedpaws。"But，Isay，Bruno，howawfullytheyhaveshrunk，sincethen！"
Whethersointendedornot，thischaracteristicbreakcausedamutuallaugh，and，astherewasneithersoundnorsignoffurtherdangerfromlikesource，oneandallsatisfiedtheircuriositybyminutelyinspectingthehugebrute，stirringupthefireforthatpurpose。
"Anuglycustomer，indeed，ifwehadgivenhimanythinglikeafairshow，"gravelyutteredtheprofessor。"Onlyforyourpromptassistance，mydearboys，whatwouldhavebecomeofpoorme？"
"Weactedonourownaccount，aswell，pleaseremember，uncle。
Andevenso，afterallyouhavedoneforussince——"
"Whatwasityoushotat，unclePhaeton？"interruptedWaldo，whowasconstitutionallyaversetoaughtwhichsavouredofsentiment。
"Anotheroneofthese——littlesquirrels，wasit？"
Snatchingupablazingbrand，theladmovedoffinthatdirection，whirlingthetorcharoundhisheaduntilitburstintoclearflame，thenloweringitclosertoabloodyheapoffurandpowerfullimbs，togiveashortejaculationofwonderingawe。
Itwasaheadlessbodyuponwhichhegazed，raggedfragmentsofskinandafewsplintersofbonealoneremainingtotellthatasolidskullhadsorecentlybeenthereon。
ProfessorPhaetongaveanotherofhispeculiarlittlechuckles，ashedrewnear，thenpattedthecompactlittleriflewithwhichhehadwroughtsuchextraordinarywork：aweaponofhisowninvention，aswerethedynamite-filledshellstomatch。
"AlthoughIamratherpunymyself，boys，withthisneatlittlecontrivanceIcouldfairlywellholdmyownagainstmanorbeast，"hemodestlyaverred。
"AmodernDavid，"gravelyaddedBruno，whileWaldochimedinwith：
"WhatadandyJacktheGiant-killeryouwouldhavebeen，unclePhaeton，ifyouhadonlylivedinthegoodolddays！Iwish——andyetIdon’t，either！Ofcourse，itmighthavebeenjollyoldsportrightthen，butnow，——where’dIbe，to-day？"
"Adayonwhichhashappenedamiraclefarmoremarvellousthanallthathasbeensetdowninfairylandromance，mydearson，"
earnestlyspoketheprofessor。"Andwhentheastoundingtruthshallhavebeenpublished，broadcast，throughoutallChristendom，whatpraises——"
"Howthoroughlyweshallbebrandedliars，andfalsificationersfrom’wayupthecrick’！"explodedtheyoungster，makingawrygrimaceandmovingontoviewtheheadlesslionfromadifferentstandpoint。
"Hemeanswell，unclePhaeton，"assuredBruno，inloweredtones。
"Hewouldnotknowinglyhurtyourfeelings，sir，but——mayIspeakout？"
"Whynot？"quickly。"SurelyIamnotonetostandinaweof，lad？"
"Onetobelovedandreverenced，rather，"withpoorlyhiddenemotion；thenrallying，toadd，"Butwhenonefindsitimpossibletorealiseallthathashappenedthisafternoon，whenonefeelsafraidtoevenmakeaneffortatsuchbelief，howcantheboybeblamedforfeelingthatallotherswouldpronounceusmador——wilfulliars？"
ProfessorPhaetonsawthepoint，andmadeawrygrimacewhileroughinguphispompadourandbrushinghiscloselytrimmedbeardwithdoubtfulhand。Afterall，wasthewholetruthtobeeverspoken？
"Well，well，wecandeterminemoreclearlyafterfullyweighingthesubject，"hesaid，turningbacktowardstheflying-machine。
"And，afterall，whathashappenedtousthusfarmaynotseemsoutterlyincredibleafterourexplorationsarecompleted。"
"Ofthisregion，doyoumean，sir？"
"OftheOlympicmountains，andalltheirmountainouschainmayencompass，——yes，"curtlyspokethemanofhopes，steppinginsidetheaerostattoperfecthisarrangementsforthenight。
Waldotookgreaterpleasureinviewingthemountainliontowardswhosedestructionhehadsoliberallycontributed，butwhenhespokeofremovingtheskin，Brunoobjected。
"Whytakesomuchtroublefornothing，Waldo？Evenifwecouldstowthepeltsawayonboard，theywouldmakeafarfromagreeableburden。AndifwhatIfancyliesbeforeusistocometrue，themorelightlyweareweighted，themorelikelywearetocomesafelyto——well，callitcivilisation，justforachange。"
"ThenyoubelievethatunclePhaetonisreallyinearnestaboutexploringthisregion，Bruno？"
"Hemostassuredlyis。Didyoueverknowhimtospeakidly，ortobeotherwisethaninearnest，Waldo？"
"Well，ofcourseuncleisallright，but——sometimes——"
Afriendlypalmslippedoverthoselips，cuttingshortthespeechwhichmightperchancehaveleftastingbehind。Andyettheworthyprofessorhadnomoreenthusiasticacolytethanthissamerecklessspeakingyoungster，whenthetruthwasalltold。
Leavingtheanimalswheretheyhadfallen，forthetimebeing，thebrotherspassedovertowhererestedtheaeromotor，findingtheprofessorbusilyengagedinriggingupaseriesoffinewires，completelysurroundingtheflying-machine，saveforonenarrow，gate-likearrangement。
"Beginningtofeelasthoughyoucouldturninforallnight，eh，myboys？"camehischeerygreeting。
"Well，somehowIdofeelasthough’thesandman’hadbeenmakinghisroundsratherearlierthancustomary，"drylysaidWaldo，winkingrapidly。"Ibelievetheremusthavebeenabitmorewindastirto-daythancommon，althoughneitherofyoumayhavenoticedthefact。"
ProfessorFeatherwitchuckledsoftlywhileatwork，butneitherhenorBrunomadereplyinwords。Andthen，hisarrangementsperfectedsaveforclosingthecircuit，whichcouldonlybedoneafterallhandshadenteredtheair-ship，hespoketothepoint：
"Come，boys。You’vehadaroughbitofexperiencethisday，andtheremaybestillfurthertroubleinstore，hereinthisunknownland。Bettermakesureofafullnight’srest，andthushaveareservefundtodrawuponincaseofneed。"
Therewasplentyofsoundcommonsenseinthisadjuration，and，onlytakingtimetoprocureacanoffreshwaterfromyonderstream，thetwoyoungsterssteppedwithinthatcharmedcircle，permittingtheiruncletoclosethecircuit，andthentestthequeercontrivancetomakesureallwasworkingnicely。
Aconfusedsoundbrokeforth，resemblingthefarawaytootingoftinhorns，whichblendedinharmoniouslywiththeringingofnearerbells，allproducinganoisewhichwaswarrantedtoarousetheheaviestsleeperfromhissoundestslumber。
"Thatwillgivefairwarningincaseanyintruderdriftsthisway，"declaredtheprofessor，chucklingly，thensinkingdownandwrappinghimselfupinaclose-wovenblanket，similartothoseemployedbytheboys。
"Evenaghost，oragoblin，doyoureckon，unclePhaeton？"
"Shouldsuchattempttointrude，yes。Gotosleep，youyoungrascal！"
Butthatprovedtobefarmorereadilyspokenthanlivedupto。
Notbutthatthebrotherswereweary，jaded，andsoreofmuscleenoughtomakeeventhethoughtofslumberagreeable；buttheirrecentexperiencehadbeensothrilling，sonerve-straining，sofarapartfromtheordinaryroutineoflife，thathourspassedereeitherladcouldfairlylosehimselfinsleep。
Still，whenunconsciousnessdidstealovertheirwearybrains，itprovedtobeallthemorecomplete，andafterthatneitherBrunonorWaldostirredhandorfootuntil，wellafterthedawnofanewday，ProfessorFeatherwitshookfirstoneandthentheother，cryingshrilly：
"Turnout，youngsters！Anewday，andplentyofworktobedone！"
CHAPTERVII。
THEPROFESSOR’SGREATANTICIPATIONS。
Astretchandayawn，whichinWaldo’scaseendedinaprolongedhowl，whichwouldnothavedisgracedeitheroftheirfour-footedvisitorsofthepastevening，thenthebrothersGillespiesprungforthfromtheflying-machine，enteringuponaraceforthebrawlingmountainstream，"shedding"theirgarmentsastheyran。
"Firstmanin！"criedBruno，whoseclothesseemedtoslipoffthemorereadily；butWaldowasnottobeoutdonesoeasily，and，recklessoftheconsequences，heplungedintotheeddyingpool，withfullyhalfofhisdaylightrigstillinplace。
Thewaterprovedtobeconsiderablydeeperthaneitherbrotherhadanticipated，andWaldovanishedfromsightforafewseconds，thenreappearingwithlustypuffandsplutter，shakingthepearlydropsfromhisclose-clippedcurls，whileranting：
"Anothervilefabricationnailedtothestandardoftruth，andclinchedbythehammerof——ouch！"
Awildflounder，thentheyoungsterfairlydoubledhimselfup，actingsostrangelythatBrunogavealittlecryofalarm；buteretheelderbrothercouldtakefurtheraction，Waldoswunghisrightarmupwardandoutward，sendingagoodlysizedtroutflashingthroughtheairtotheshore，cryinginboyishenthusiasm：
"Gloryingreatchunks！Iwanttocamprighthereforayeartocome！Willyelookatthatnow？"
Brunohadtododgethatwrithingmissile，and，beforehecouldfairlyrecoverhimself，Waldohadflounderedashore，leavingayeastyturmoilinhiswake，butthenthrowingupadrippinghand，andspeakinginanexaggeratedwhisper：
"Whist，boy！Onyourlife，notsomuchastheghostofawhimper！Thehole’sramjammedchuckfulloftrout，andwe’llhaveamealfitforthegodsif——where’smyfishingtackle？"
Brunopickedupthetrout，soqueerlybroughttolight，reallysurprised，butfeigningstillfurther，ashemadehisexamination。
"ItreallyISatrout，and——howlonghaveyoucarriedthisaboutinyourclothes，WaldoGillespie？"
"Notlongenoughforyoutobuildadecentjokeoverit，brothermine。Justhappenedso。Triedtoramitsnoseinoneofmypockets，andofcourseIhadtotakehiminoutofthewet。
Pool’sjustfullofthem，too，andIwouldn’twonderif——oh，quityourtalking，anddosomething，can’tyou，boy？"
Vigorouslythoughhespoke，Waldowoundupwithashiverandsharpchatterofteethasthefreshmorningairstruckthroughhisdrippinggarments。Hegaveacoltishprance，asheturnedtoseekhisfishingtackle；but，unfortunatelyforhishopesofspeedysport，theprofessorwasnighenoughtobothseeandhear，andatoncetookchargeoftherecklessyoungster。
"Wettothehide，anduponanemptystomach，too！Youfoolishchild！Come，striptothebuff，andputonsomeofthesegarmentsuntil——herebythefire，Waldo。"
Andthustakenintow，theladwasforcedtoslowlybutthoroughlytoasthispersonbesidethefreshlystartedfire，ruefullywatchinghisbrotherdeftlyhandlerodandline，inaremarkablyshortspaceoftimekillingtroutenoughtofurnishallwithabounteousmeal。
"AndIwasthediscoverer，whileyoureapallthecredit，haveallthefun！"dolefullylamentedWaldo，whenthecatchwasdisplayedwithanostentationwhichmayhavecoveredjustatinybitofmalice。"I’llputatinearonyou，AmerigoVespucius！"
"Allright；we’llhaveamerrygotogether，afteryou’vecleanedthetroutforcooking，lad，"laughedhiselder。
Waldogazedreproachfullyintothatbrightfaceforabriefspace，thenbowedheadinjoinedhands，tosobinheartfeltfashion，hissturdyframeshakingwithpoorlysuppressedgrief——ormirth？
Brunopassedanarmcaressinglyoverthoseshoulders，murmuringwordsofcomfort，earnestlypromisingtoneversinagaininlikemanner，providedhecouldfindforgivenessnow。Andthen，withdefttouch，thatsamehandheldhisgarmentfarenoughforitsmatetoletslipawrigglingtroutadownhisbrother’sback。
Waldohowledandjumpedwildly，asthecoldmorselslippedalonghisspine，andduckingoutofreach，theelderjestercalledback：
"Landhim，boy，andyou’vecaughtanotherfish！"
Althoughlaughingheartilyhimself，ProfessorFeatherwitdeemeditapartofwisdomtointerferenow，and，erelong，mattersquieteddown，allhandsengagedinpreparingthemorningmeal，forwhichallteethwerenowfairlyonedge。
Ifgoodnaturehadbeenatalldisturbed，longbeforethatbreakfastwasdespatcheditwasfullyrestored，andofthetrio，Waldoappearedtobethemostenthusiasticoverpresentprospects。
"Why，justthinkofit，willyou？"hedeclaimed，aswellasmightbewithmouthfullofcrisplyfriedmountaintrout。"wherethegamecomesbeggingforyoutobowlitover，andtheveryfishtrytojumpintoyourpockets——"
"Ordownyourback，Amerigo，"interjectedBruno，withagrin。
"Buttonup，oryou’llturntobeaSorry-cus——tomer，oldman，"
cametheswiftretort，withaportentousfrown。"But，jokingaside，whynot？Withsuchhuntingandfishing，I’dbewillingtosignacontractforaroundyearinthisregion。"
"Tosaynothingofexploration，andsuchdiscoveriesasnaturallyattendupon——"
"Thenyoureallymeanitall，unclePhaeton？"
Leaningbackfarenoughtopluckahandfulofgreenleaves，whichfairlywellservedthepurposeofanapkin，ProfessorFeatherwitbroughtforthpipeandpouch，maintainingsilenceuntilthefragranttobaccowaswellalight。Thenhegaveavigorousnodofhishead，toutter：
"Ithasbeenthedearestdreamofmylifeformoreyearsgonebythanyouwouldreadilycredit，mylads；or，infact，thanIwouldbewhollywillingtoconfess。AnditwaswithaneyesingletothisveryadventurethatIlabouredtodeviseandperfectyondermachine。"
"Amarvelinitself，unclePhaeton。Onlyforthat，wherewouldwehavebeen，yesterday？"seriouslyspoketheelderGillespie。
"Iknowwherewewouldn’thavebeen：insidethatblessedcy-nado！"
"Norhere，whereyoucancatchbrooktroutinyourclotheswithoutthetroubleoftakingthemoff，youngster。"
"Andwhereyou’llcatchaprecioushiding，withoutyouletupharpingonthatoldstring；it’swayoutoftunealready，oldman，"
"Titfortat。Excuseus，please，unclePhaeton。We’relikecoltsinfreshpasture，thismorning，"brightlyapologisedBruno，forboth。
Apparentlytheprofessorpaidnoattentiontothatbitofsparringbetweenhisnephews，staringintotheglowingcamp-firewitheyeswhichsurelysawmorethanyellowcoalsorruddyflamescouldpicture；eyeswhichburnedandsparkledwithallthefiresofdistantyouth。
"Thedearestdreamofallmylife！"herepeated，inhalfdreamytones，onlytorousehimself，withaastartandshouldershake，aninstantlater，forcingabrightsmileasheglancedfromfacetoface。"Andwhynot？Howbettercouldmylastyearsbeemployedthaninpiercingthecloudsofmystery，anddoubt，andsuperstition，withwhichthisvasttracthasbeenenvelopedforuncountedages？"
"Isitreallysounknown，then，unclePhaeton？"hesitatinglyaskedBruno，touched，inspiteofhimself，bythatintenselyearnesttoneandexpression。"Ofcourse，IknowwhattheIndianssay；theyarefullofarudesortofsuperstitiousawe，which——"
"Whichisoneofthesurestproofsthattruthformsafoundationforthatverysuperstition，"quicklyinterjectedtheprofessor。
"Itisanundisputedfactthattherearehundredsuponhundredsofsquaremilesofterraincognita，lyinginthiscornerofWashingtonTerritory。Nowhitemaneverfairlypenetratedthesewilds，evensofaraswemayhavebeencarriedwhileridingthetornado。Or，ifso，heassuredlyhasneverreturned，ormadeknownhisdiscoveries。"
"Providedtherewasanythingbeyondtheordinarytoseeorexperience，shouldn’tweadd，uncle？"suggestedWaldo，modestly。
"Thereis，——theremustbe！Nomatterhowwildlyimprobabletheirtraditionsmayseeminourjudgment，itonlytakescalminvestigationtobringafairfoundationtolight。Inregardtothisvastscopeofcountry，gowhereyouwillamongthenatives，questionwhomyouseefit，astoitssecrets，andyouwillmeetwiththesameresults：adeep-seatedawe，abeliefwhichcannotbeshaken，thatherestrangemonstersbreedandflourish，matchedinmagnitudeandpowerbyanarmedraceofhumanbeings，beforewhoseawfulmightothertribesarebutasantsinthepathwayofanelephant。"
Waldoletescapealow，prolongedwhistleofmingledwonderandincredulity，butBrunogavehimacovertkick，himselftoodeeplyinterestedtobearwithacarelessinterruptionjustthen。
"Ofcoursetheremaybesomethingofexaggerationinallthis，"
admittedtheenthusiasticprofessor。"Undoubtedly，thereisatleastafairspiceofthat；but，evenso，enoughremainstobothwakenandholdourkeenestinterest。Listen，andtakeheed，mygoodlads。
"Youhaveoftenenough，oflatedays，noticedthesemountains，andifyouremarktheiraltitude，thevastscopeofcountrytheydominate，thepositiontheyfill，youmustlikewiserealiseoneotherfact：thatanimmensequantityofsnowinwinter，raininspringandautumn，surelymustfallthroughouttheOlympics。
Understand？"
"Certainly；whynot，unclePhaeton？"
"Thentellmethis：wheredoesallthemoisturegoto？Whatbecomesofthesurpluswaters？Foritisanacknowledgedfactthat，thoughriversandbrookssurelyexistintheOlympics，notoneofeitherflowsawayfromthiswidetractofcountry！"
Theprofessorpausedforaminute，tolethiswordstakefulleffect，thenevenmorepositivelyproceeded：
"Youmaysay，whatIhavehadothersofferbywayofsolution，thatallisdrainedintoamightyinlandseaorenormouslake。
Grantingsomuch，whichIreallybelievetobethetruthasfarasitgoes，whydoesthatlakeneveroverflow？Ofallthatsurelymustdrainintoitsbasin，bethatenormouslywideanddeepasitmay，howmuchcouldordinaryevaporationdisposeof？
Onlyaninfinitesimalportion；scarcelyworthmentioninginsuchconnection。Then，——whatbecomesofthesurplusage？"
Anotherpause，duringwhichneitherGillespieventuredasolution；thentheprofessorofferedhisownsuggestion：
"Itmustflowoffinsomemanner，andwhatothermannercanthatbethan——throughasubterraneanconnectionwiththePacificOcean？"
Brunogaveashortejaculationatthis，whileWaldobrokeforthinwords，afterhisownparticularfashion：
"JulesVerneredivivus！Whycan’tWEtakeatripthroughthecentreoftheearth，or——or——anyotherlittleoldthinglikethat？"
"Withthetankofcompressedairasalife-preserver？"laughedBruno，inturn。"Thatmightserve，but；unfortunately，wehaveonlytheone，andwearethreeinnumber，boy。"
"Onlytwo，now；I’msquelched！"sighedthejester，faintly。
Iftheprofessorheard，heheedednot。Stillstaringwithvacantgazeintothefire，hisfacebearingaraptexpressioncurioustosee，hebrokeintoalmostunconsciousspeech：
"Anenormousinlandsea！Wherefloatthemightyichthyosaurus，themegalosaurus，incompanywiththegiganticplesiosaurus！Uponwhoseslopingshoresdisporttheenormousmastodon，thestatelymegatherium，thetremendous——eh？"
ForWaldowasnowafoot，brandishingagreatbranchbrokenfromadeadtree，utteringvaliantwar-whoops，anddealingtremendousblowsuponanimaginaryenemy，spoutingatthetopofhisvoiceafrenziedjargon，whichneitherhisauditorsnorhimselfcouldpossiblymakesenseoutof。
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