Bruno，eversensitivethroughhisaffectionatereverencefortheiruncle，caughttheyoungster，andcasthimtoearth，whereuponWaldopantinglycried：
"Goon，please，unclePhaeton。It’snextthingtoamuseumandmenageriecombined，justtohear——"
"Willyouhush，boy？"demandedBruno，yetunabletowhollysmotheralaugh，soridiculousdiditallsoundandseem。
ButProfessorFeatherwitdeclined，hisfoxyfacewrinklinginabashfullaugh。Whethersointendedornot，hehadbeenbroughtdowntoearthfromthatdizzyflight，andnowwasfairlyhimselfagain。
"Well，mydearboys，Idaresayitseemsallamatterofjestandsporttoyou；yet，afterourridinginthecentreofatornadoforuncountedmiles，comingforthwithhardlyascratchorabruisetoshowforitall，whodaresaysuchthingsmaynotbe，evenyet？"
"But，——thosestrangecreaturesaregone；thelastoneperishedthousandsuponthousandsofyearsago，unclePhaeton。"
"Soitissaid，andsofollowsthealmostuniversalbelief。YetIhaveseen，felt，cooked，tasted，andatetoitslastmorselasteakfromamammoth。True，thecreaturewasdead；hadbeenpreservedforages，nodoubt，withintheglacierwhichfinallycastitforthtohumanview；yetwhowouldhavecreditedsuchadiscovery，onlyfiftyyearsago？Hewhodaredtoevenhintatsuchathingwouldhavebeenderidedandlaughedat，pronouncedeitherfoolorlunatic。Andso，——ifweshouldhappentodiscoveroneorallofthosesupposedlyextinctcreatureshereinthisterraincognita，Iwouldbeoverjoyedratherthanastounded。"
Brunolookedgraveatthisconclusion，butWaldowasnotsoreadilyimpressed，and，withshruggingshoulders，hemadeanswer：
"Well，uncle，I’mnotquitesoambitiousasallthatcomesto。
MayIgiveyoumyideaofitall？"
CHAPTERVIII。
ADUELTOTHEDEATH。
ProfessorFeatherwitnoddedassent，and，afterabriefchuckle，Waldoresumed：
"Youcantakeallthosebigfellowswiththejaw-breakingnames，butasforme，smallergamewilldo。Maybeafellowcouldn’tfillhisbagquitesofull，norquitesosuddenly，buttherewouldbeagreatdealmoresport，andamightysightlessdanger，Itakeit！"
Itwasbynomeansdifficulttodivinethattheprofessorhadnotyetspokenallthatbusiedhisbrain，butthethreadwasbroken，hispipewasout，and，emptyingtheashesbytappingpipe-bowlagainsttheheelofhisshoe，heroseerect，oncemorethemanofaction。
"Youwillhavetoclearup，lads，forImustmakesuchfewrepairsasarenecessarytorestoretheaerostattoastateofefficiency。Solongasthatremainsinserviceablecondition，wewillalwayshaveamethodofadvanceorretreat。Withoutit——well，I’drathernotthinkofthealternative。"
Thatdrytoneandquietsentencedidmorethanallelsetoimpressthebrotherswithasenseoftheiruniqueposition。BackcametheremembranceofalltheyhadgatheredconcerningthisstrangescopeofcountrysincefirstsettlingdownfairlywithintheshadowsoftheOlympics，theretoputthatstrangemachinetogether，preparingforwhatwastoproveawonder-tourthroughmanymarvelloushappenings。
Timesbeyondcountingtheyhadbeenassuredbythenativesthatnomortalcouldfairlypenetratethatvastwilderness。Naturalobstaclesweretoogreatforanymantosurmount，withoutsayingaughtofwhatlaybeyond；oftheenormousanimals，suchasthecivilisedworldneverkneworfoughtwith；oftheterriblenatives，tallerthanthepines，largerthanthehills，morepowerfulbyfarthanthegodsthemselves，eagertoslayandtodevour，——soeagerthat，attimes，livingfleshandbloodwasmoregratefulthanalltotheirdepravedtastes！
"Doyoureallyreckonthereisanythinginitall，Bruno？"askedtheyoungerbrotherinloweredtones，glancingacrosstowheretheirunclewasbusilyengagedinthosecomparativelytriflingrepairs。
"Ithardlyseemspossible，andyet——wouldthemembersoffourdifferenttribestellastorysonearlyalike，withouttheyhadatleastafoundationoftruthtogoupon？"
"That’sright。Andyet——theinlandseasoundsnaturalenough。Weknow，too，thattherearesuchthingsasundergroundrivers，outsideofJulesVerne’syarns。Butthoseanimals，——orreptiles，——which？"
"Both，Ibelieve，"answeredBruno，withasubduedlaugh。
"That’sallright，oldman。Ineverwasworthacontinentalwhenitcametosuchthings。Iprefertoliveinthepresent，andso——well，now，willyoujustlookatthatoldcow！"
InsurpriseWaldopointedacrosstowhereabovineshapeshowednotfarbeyondthepoolatthebaseoftheminiaturewaterfall；
buthisbrotherhadafairerview，and，instantlydiviningthetruth，graspedanarmandhastilywhispered：
"Hush，boy；can’tyousee？It’sabuffalo，ahillbuffalo，and——"
"Quick！thegunsareinthemachine！Down，Bruno，andmaybewecangetashotand——"
Hiseagerwhisperwascutshort，thoughnotbygripofarmoractbyhisbrother。Arumblingroarbrokeforthfromthefurthersideofthatmountainstream，andasthedensebushesbeyondwereviolentlyagitated，thehillbuffalowheeledthatwaywithmarvellousrapidity。
Justasalongheadandmightyshouldersspreadtheshrubberywideapart，jawsopeningandlipscurlingbacktolaygreatteethbare，whileanotherangrysound，halfgrowl，halfsnort，onlytooclearlyproclaimedthatmonsterofthemountains，agrizzlybear。
"Smokeo’sacrifice！"gaspedWaldo，asthegrizzlysuddenlyupreareditsmightybulk，headwagging，pawswavinginqueerfashion，lollingtonguelendingthesemblanceofdrolleryratherthanviciousness。
"Thisway；toyourguns，boys！"cautiouslycalledouttheprofessor，whosenoticehadlikewisebeencaughtbythoseunusualsounds，andwhohadalreadyarmedhimselfwithhispetdynamitegun。
"Careful！He’llmakeabreakforusatfirstsight，unless——downclose，andcrawlforit，brother！"
Brunosetthegoodexample，andWaldowasnottooproudofspirittohumblehimselfinlikemanner。Althoughthiswastheirfirstglimpseof"OldEph"inhisnativewilds，bothbrothersentertainedaveryrespectfulopinionofhisprowess。
Underdifferentcircumstancestheirexpectationsmighthavebeenmorefullymet，butjustnowthegrizzlyseemedwhollyoccupiedwiththebuffalobull，whosesturdybulkandarmedfrontsoresolutelyopposedhisfurtherprogresstowardsthatcommongoal，thepoolofwater。
Theboysquicklyreachedtheflying-machineandgrippedtheWinchesterrifleswhichProfessorFeatherwithaddrawnforthfromthelockeratfirstsightofthedangerousgame。Thusarmed，theyfeltreadyforwhatevermightcome，andstoodwatchingyonderrivalswithgrowinginterest。
"Willyoulookatthat，now？"excitedlybreathedWaldo，eyesaglow，ashesawthebullcockitstailonhighandtearupthesoftsoilwithonefiercesweepofitsclovenhoof，shakingheadandgivingventtoalowbutdeterminedbellow。
"Itmeansafightuntothedeath，Ithink，"whisperedtheprofessor。
"It’sdollarstodoughnutsonthebear，"predictedWaldo。"Scat，youbull-headedidiot！Don’tyouknowthatyou’renotdeucehightohisace？Can’tyouseethathecanchewyouuplike——"
"Areyoumightysureofallthat，boy？"laughinglycutinBruno；
foratthatmomentthebuffalomadeasuddenchargeathisuprightadversary，knockingthegrizzlybackwardinspiteofitsviciouslyflyingpaws。
"GreatPeteronabender！IfIever——no，Inever！"
Eventheprofessorwasgrowingexcited，holdingthedynamitegununderonearmwhilegentlytappingpalmstogetherasanencore。
Naturallyenough，theirsympathieswerewiththebuffalo，sincetheoddsseemedsoimmenselyagainsthim；buttheirdelightwasshort-lived，for，insteadoffollowinguptheadvantagesobravelywon，thebullfellbacktopawandbellowandshakehisshaggyfront。
Withmarvellousactivityforabruteofhisenormousbulkandweight，thegrizzlyrecovereditsfeet，thenlumberedforwardwithclashingteethandresoundinggrowls。
Nothingloath，thebuffalometthatcharge，andforashortspaceoftimethestrugglewasveiledbyshowersofleaf-mouldanddampdirtcastupontheairastherivalsfoughtforsupremacy——andforlife。
Forthatthiswasdestinedtobeadueltotheverydeathnotoneofthosespectatorscouldreallydoubt。Thatencountermayhavebeenpurelyaccidental，butthecreaturesfoughtlikeenemiesoflongstanding。
Astheirrelativepositionschanged，thebuffalocontrivedtogetinanothervigorousbutt，sendingbruinendforenddownthatgentleslopetosouseintothepoolofwater，thatcoolelementcuttingshortasavageroarofmadfury。
Thenthetrioofspectatorscouldtakenotes，andwithsomethingofsorrowtheysawthatthebuffalohadalreadysufferedseverely，bleedingfromnumerousgreatgashestornbythegrizzly’slongtalons，whileonebloodyeyedangledbelowitssocket，heldonlybyathreadofsinew。
Norhadbruinescapedwithouthurt，asallcouldseewhenheflounderedoutofthewater，bentuponrenewingtheduel；buttherewaslittleroomleftfordoubtingwhattheultimateresultwouldbeweretheanimalslefttotheirowndevices。
Likeallbold，free-heartedlads，Waldoeversympathisedwiththeweaker，andnow，unabletoholdhisfeelingsincheck，hegaveashortcry，levellinghisWinchesterandopeningfireuponthegrizzly，justasitwonfairlyclearofthewater。
Stungtofurybythosepellets，thebruterearedupwithahorridroar，turningasthoughtochargethisnewenemy；buterehecoulddomore，theprofessor’sgunspoke，andasthedynamiteshellexploded，bruinfellbackawrithingmass，hisheadliterallysmashedtopieces。
Heedlessofallelse，thewoundedbuffalochargedwithlustybellow，goringthatquiveringmasswithunabatedfury，thoughitslifewasclearlyleakingoutthroughthoseghastlycutsandslashes。
Abriefpause，thenProfessorFeatherwitswiftlyreloadedhisgun，sendinganothershellacrossthestream，thistimemoreasaboonthanaspunishment。
Smittenfairlyintheforehead，thebulldroppedasthoughbeneathaboltoflightning，lifegoingoutwithoutsomuchasasinglestruggleorasinglepang。
"Twasbetterthus，"declaredtheprofessor，asWaldogavealittleejaculationofdismay。"Hemusthavebledtodeathinashorttime，andthiswastruemercy。Besides，buffalomeatisverygoodeating，andthedaymaycomewhenweshallneedallwecanget。Whoknows？"
Aftertheanimalswereinspected，andduecommentmadeupontheawfullysureworkwroughtbythedynamitegun，theprofessorsuggestedthat，whilehewascompletingrepairsupontheaeromotor，thebrothersshouldsecureasupplyoffishandofflesh，cookingsufficienttoprovideforseveralmeals，fortherewasnotellingjustwhentheywouldhaveanequalchance。
"Justassoonaswecanputallinreadiness，"hecontinued，"I
amgoingtoleavethisspot。Myfirstwishistothoroughlytesttheaerostat，tomakecertainithasreceivednoseriousinjury。
Then，ifallpromiseswell，Imeantobeginourtourofexploration，hopingthatwemay，atleast，findsomethingwellworthythestrangereputationgiventheseOlympicsbythenatives。"
Withoutraisinganyobjections，thebrothersfelltowork，Brunolookingaftertheflesh，whileWaldoundertooktosupplythefish。Thatwasbutfair，sincehehadbeencheatedoutofcatchingthefirstmess。
Notalittletohisdelight，theprofessorfoundthattheflying-machinewouldpromptlyanswerhistouchandwill，risingeasilyofftheground，thendescendingatcall，evidentlyhavingpassedthroughtheordealofthebygoneeveningwithoutseriousharm。
Still，allthisconsumedtime，anditwasafteralatedinnerthateverythingwaspronouncedinreadinessforanascension：
themeatandfishnicelycookedandpackedforcarriage，apotofstrongcoffeemadeandstowedbeyondriskofleakage，theflying-machineitselfquiveringinthatgentlebreezeasthougheagertofinditselfoncemoreafloatfarabovetheearthanditsobstructionstoeasynavigation。
Waldoexpressedsomegriefatleavingaspotwheregamecameinsuchplentitudetofindthehunter，andtroutsimplylongedtobecaught；butuponbeingassuredofotheropportunities，perhapsevenmoredelightful，hesighedandgaveconsenttomountintospace。
"Only——don’taskmetotackleanyofthosebigdictionaryfellowssuchasyoutalkedaboutthismorning，unclePhaeton，forI
simplycan’t；they’dgetawaywithmybaggagewhileIwastryingtospelltheirnamesandtitle——andallthat！"
Withoutanydifficultytheaeromotorwassentoutofandabovetheforest，headingtowardsthenorthwest；thatis，directfortheheartoftheOlympics，ofwhosemarvelsProfessorFeatherwitheldsuchexaltedhopesandexpectations。
Grimandforbiddingthosemountainslookedastheair-shipsailedswiftlyoverthem，openingupawiderviewwhenthebare，ruggedcrestwasonceleftfairlytotherear。Saveforthosebaldcrowns，allbelowappearedasolidcarpetoftree-tops，nowlower，therehigher，yeteverthesame：seeminglyimpenetrabletoman，shouldsuchaneffortbemade。
Oncefairlywithinthecharmedcircle，leavingtherockyridgebehind，ProfessorFeatherwitslackenedspeed，permittingtheshiptodriftonwardatamoderatepace，onehandtouchingthesteering-gear，whileitsfellowheldapairoffield-glassestohiseagereyes。
Allatoncehegaveahalf-stifledcry，partlyrisinginhisexcitement，thencryingaloudinthrillingtones：
"Thesea，——aninlandsea！"
CHAPTERIX。
GRAPPLINGAQUEERFISH。
AtnearlythesamemomentbothBrunoandWaldocaughtaglimpseofwater，shiningclearanddistinctamidstthatsombresetting；
butasyetatree-crestedelevationinterferedwiththeprospect，anditwasnotuntilafterthecourseoftheair-shiphadbeenmateriallychanged，andsomelittletimehadelapsed，thataughtdefinitecouldbedeterminedastotheactualspreadofthatbodyofwater。
Thisprovedtobeconsiderable，althoughitneededbutasinglelookintotheprofessor’sfacetolearnthathiseagerhopesandexaltedanticipationsfellfarshortofrealisation。
"Well，it’saseaallright，"generouslydeclaredWaldo，givingavigoroussniffbywayofstrengtheninghiswords。"Icansmellthesaltclearfromthis。Asea，evenifitisn’tquitesolargeasothers，——whatonemighttermalower-casec！"
Ifnothingelse，thatgenerouseffortbroughtitsrewardinthedrylittlechucklewhichescapedtheprofessor’slips，andakindlyglowshowedthroughhisglassesasheturnedtowardsWaldowithanodofacknowledgment。
"Barringthesaltyscent，mydearboy，whichprobablyfindsbirthinyourkindlyimagination。So，onthewhole，perhaps’twouldbejustaswelltotermitalake。"
"Oneofnomeandimensions，atanyrate，unclePhaeton。"
"True，Bruno，"withanodofagreement，yetwithforeheadcontractingintoanetworkoftroubledlines。"Naturallyso，andyet——surelythismustbemerelyaportion？Unless——yetIfailtoseeaughtwhichmightbeinterpretedasbeing——"
Promptlyrespondingtoeachtouchofhanduponsteering-gear，theaeromotorswungsmoothlyaround，sailingonevenkeelrightintotheteethofthegentlewind，bythistimenearenoughtothatbodyofwaterfortheair-voyagerstoscanitssurface：aconsiderableexpanse，alltold，yetbynomeansofsuchmagnitudeasProfessorFeatherwithadanticipated。
Toodeeplyabsorbedinhisownthoughtstonoticethelittlecriesandejaculationswhichcamefromthebrothers，hecausedtheaerostattorisehigher，slowlysweepingthatextendedfieldwithhisglasses。
Hecouldseewhereseveralstreamsenteredthebodyofwater，comingfromoppositepointsofthecompass，andthusconfirmingatleastoneportionofhisexplainedtheory；but，sofarashisvisualpowerswent，therewasnootherconsiderablebodyofwatertobediscovered。
"Yet，howcanthatcontractedbasincontainallthedrainagefromthisvastscopeofcountry？Howcanweexplainthestubbornfactof——Whatnow，lads？"
Anabruptbreak，butonecausedbytheeagercryandloudspeechfromthelipsoftheyoungerGillespie。
"Lookyyonder！Isn’tthatoneo’thosesour-usdictionaryfellowsonabender？Isn’tthat——butIdon’t——no，it’sonly——"
"Onlyapartlydecayedtreegoneafloat！"volunteeredBruno，withamerrylaugh，ashiseagerbrotherdrewbackinevidentchagrin。
"Well，that’sallright。Itoughtto’vebeenone，evenifitisn’t。What’stheuseincomingallthisway，ifwe’renotgoingtodiscoversomethingbeyondthecommon？Andmysour-usisworthmorethanoneoftheotherkind，afterall；getitashoreandyoumightcookdinnerforasolidmonthbyit；nowthere！"
ItwaseasilytobeseenthatWaldohadbeengivingfreereintohisexpectationseversincetheprofessor’slittlelecture，buthisnaturalchagrinwasquicklyforgotteninamatteroffargreaterinterest。
ProfessorFeatherwithadresumedhisscrutinyofyonderbodyofwater，slowlyturninghisglasseswhileholdingtheair-shiponatruecourseandevenkeel。
Forabriefspacenothinginterferedwiththesteadymotionofthefield-glasses，butthensomethingcalledforamorethoroughexamination，andlittlebylittlethesavantleanedfartherforward，breathcomingmorerapidly，facebeginningtoflushwithdeepeninginterest。
Brunotooknoteofallthis，and，failingtoseeaughttoaccountforthesymptomswithunaidedeyes，atlengthventuredtospeak。
"Whatisit，unclePhaeton？Somethingofinterest，oryourlooks——"
ProfessorFeatherwitgaveastart，thenloweredtheglassesandreachedthemtowardshisnephew，speakinghurriedly：
"Youtrythem，Bruno；youreyesareyounger，andoughttobekeenerthanmine。Yonder；towardsthelowerendofthe——thelake，please。"
Nothingloath，Gillespiecomplied，quicklyfindingthecorrectpointuponwhichtheprofessor’sinteresthadcentred，holdingtheglassesmotionlessforabriefspace，thengivingventtoaneagerejaculation。
"Whatisitallabout，blessyou，boy？"demandedWaldo，unablelongertocurbhishotimpatience。"Anotherdriftingtree，eh？"
"No，but，——didyouseeit，uncle？"
"Isawsomethingwhich——whatdoYOUsee，first？"
"Agreatbigsuck，——amonsterwhirlpoolwhichishollowedlike——"
"Iknewit！Ifeltthatmustbethetruesolutionofitall！"
criedunclePhaeton，squirmingaboutprettymuchasonemightintowhoseveinshadbeeninjectedquicksilverinplaceofordinaryblood。"Theoutlet！WherethesurpluswatersdrainofftothePacificOcean！"
"Isay，givemeachance，can’tyou？"interruptedWaldo，graspingtheglassesandshiftinghisstationforonemorefavourableasalookout。
Hehadseensufficienttocatchtherightangle，andthengaveasuppressedsnortashetookintheview。Halfaminutethus，thenawildcryescapedhislips，closelyfollowedbythewords：
"NowIDOseesomething！Anditisn’tadriftingtree，either！
Or，thatis，somethingelsewhich——shovehercloser，unclePhaeton！Trueasyoulive，there’ssomethingcaughtinyonderbigsuckwhichis——closer，forloveofglory！"
"Ifthisisanotherjoke，Waldo——"
"No，no，Itellyou，Bruno！Shoveherover，uncle，for，withoutthisglassishoodooed，we’reneededrightyonder，——andneededmightybad，too！"
Littleneedofsomuchurging，bytheway，sinceProfessorFeatherwitwasbutslightlylessexcitedbytheirdoublediscovery，andevenbeforetheglasseswereclappedtoWaldo’seyestheaerostatswungaroundtomoveatfullspeedtowardsthatprecisequarterofthecompass。
"Whatisityousee，then，boy？"demandedBruno，itchingtotaketheglasses，yetstraininghisownvisiontowardsthatasyetfar-distantspot。
"Somethinglike——oh，seehowthewaterisrunningout，——justlikeemptyingabathtubthroughaholeatthebottom！Andseewhat——amancaughtinthewhirl，true’syou’reafoothigh，uncle！"
"Aman？Here？Impossible，——incredible，boy！"fairlyexplodedtheprofessor，notyetreadytorelinquishhischerishedbeliefinaterraincognita。
Theair-voyagerswereswiftlynearingthatpointofinterest，andnowkeen-eyedBrunocaughtaglimpseofadriftingobjectwhichhadbeendrawnwithintheinfluenceofyonderwhirlpool，butwhichwasjustascertainlyaderelictfromtheforest。
"Anotherfloatingtree-trunkforWaldo！"hecried，withashortlaugh，feelingfarfromunpleasedthattheintensestrainuponhisnervesshouldbethuslessened。"Tryitagain，lad，andperhaps——"
"Tryyourgreat-grandmother’scottonnightcap！Don’tyousupposeIcantellthedifferencebetweenatreeanda——"
"Ranting，prancing，cavorting’sour-us’rightoutofWebster’sUnabridged，eh，laddy-buck？"
"That’sallright，ifyoucanonlykeeponthinkingthatway，oldman；butifyonderisn’tafellowbeinginamightynastypickle，thenIwouldn’tevenbegintosayso！And——youlook，unclePhaeton，please。"
Nothingloath，theprofessortooktheprofferedglasses，andbutaninstantlaterhe，too，gaveasharpcryofamazement，forhesaw，clingingtothetrunkofafloatingtree，swiftlymovingwiththosecirclingwaters，alivingbeing！
Andbutafewsecondslater，Brunomadethesamediscovery，greatlytothedelightofhisyoungerbrother。
"Aman！Andliving，too！"
"Ofcourse；reckonI’dmakesuchahowlaboutafloater？"bluntlyinterjectedWaldo。"ButI’lldomycrowinglateron。Fornowwe’vegottogetthepoorfellowoutofthat，——justgottoyankhimout！"
Throughallthishastyinterchangeofwords，theaeromotorwasswiftlyprogressing，andnowswungalmostdirectlyabovethewhirlpool，givingallafair，unobstructedviewofeverythingbelow。
Thesuctionwassogreatthataslopingbasinwasformed，morethanonehundredyardsindiameter，whiletheactualcentrelayanumberoffeetlowerthanthesurroundinglevel。
Half-waydownthatperilousslopeagreattreewasrevolving，andtothis，ashisforlornhope，clungahalf-cladman，plainlyalive，sincehewaslookingupward，and——yes，wavingahandandutteringacryforaidandsuccour。
"Help！ForloveofGod，saveme！"
"White，——anAmerican，too！"explodedWaldo，takingactionasbybrilliantinspiration。"Hangoverhim，uncle，forI’mgoing——togofishing——foraman！"
Waldowastuggingatthegrapnelandlongdrag-rope。Brunowasquicktodivinehisintention，andlentadefthand，whiletheprofessormanipulatedthehelmsoadroitlyastokeeptheflying-machinehoveringdirectlyaboveyonderimperilledstranger，leaningfaroverthehand-railtoshoutdownward：
"Havecourage，sir，andstandreadytohelpyourself！Wewillrescueyouifitlieswithinthepossibilitiesof——weWILLsaveyou！"
"Youbetwejustwill，andright——likethis，"splutteredWaldo，ashecastthegrapnelovertherailandswiftlylowereditbytherope。"Playyou’reafish，stranger，andwhenyoubite，hangonlikegrimdeathtoa——steady，now！"
Fortunatelynothingoccurredtomartheprogrammesohastilyarranged，forthedriftwasdrawingnearerthecentreofthewhirl，andifoncefairlycaughtbythat，nothinghumancouldpreservethestrangerfromdeath。
"Makeajumpandgrabit，ifyoucan’tdobetter！"criedWaldo，intenselyexcitednowthatthecrisiswasathand。
Thelongropewithitsironweightswayedawkwardlyinspiteofallhecoulddotosteadyit，andaseachoneofthethreeprongswasmeantforcatchingandholdingfasttowhatevertheytouched，therewasnoslightriskofimpalingtheman，thusgivinghimthechoiceofanotherandstillmorepainfuldeath。
Then，withadesperategrasp，adeath-clutch，hecaughtonearmofthegrapnel，holdingfastastheshockcame。Hewascarriedclearofthetree，andpartlysubmergedinthewaterashisaddedweightbroughttheflying-machinesomuchlower。
"Up，up，unclePhaeton！"fairlyhowledWaldo，atthesametimetuggingatthenowtautrope，inwhichhewasablysecondedbyhisbrother。"Forloveof——higher，uncle！"
Thenthenoblemachinerespondedtothetouchofitsbuilder，liftingthedrippingstrangerclearofthewhirlingcurrents，swinginghimawaytowardsyonderhigherlevel，whereafallwouldnotprovesoquicklyfatal。Andthentheeagerprofessorgaveashrillcheerashesawtheman，byavigorouseffort，drawhisbodyupwardsufficientlyfartothrowonelegoveranarmofthegrapnelitself。
Knowingnowthattherescuedwasinnoespecialperil，unclePhaetonlefttheair-shiptosteeritselflongenoughforhisnimblehandstotakeseveralturnsofthedrag-ropearoundthecleatprovidedforthatexpresspurpose，thusrelievingbothBrunoandWaldooftheheavystrain，whichmightsoonbegintotelluponthem。
"Hurrahforwe，us，andcompany！"criedWaldo，relievinghislungsofaportionoftheirpent-upenergy，thenleaningperilouslyfarovertheedgeofthemachinetoencouragethequeerfishhehadhooked。
CHAPTERX。
RESCUEDANDRESCUERS。
Despitetheirverynaturalexcitement，causedbythisperilanditsfoiling，ProfessorFeatherwitretainednearlyallhiscustomarycoolnessandpresenceofmind。
Readilyrealisingthataftersuchagrimordealwouldalmostcertainlycomeapowerfulrevulsion，hisfirstaimwastoswingthestrangerfarenoughawayfromthewhirlpooltogivehimafairchanceforlife，incaseheshouldfall，throughdizzinessorphysicalcollapse，fromtheendofthedrag-rope。
Thistookbutafewseconds，comparativelyspeaking，though，doubtless，eachmomentseemedanagetotherescuedstranger。
Thentheprofessorslowedhisship，lookingaroundinordertodetermineuponthewisestroutetotake。
Foronething，itwouldbesevereworktodrawthestrangerbodilyupandintotheaerostat。Foranother，unlessheshouldgrowweak，orsufferfromvertigo，bothtimeandlabourwouldbesavedbytakinghimdirecttotheshoreofthisbroadlake。
Assoonastheropewasmadefast，andthestraintakenofftheirmusclesaswellastheirminds，Brunoflashedalookaround，naturallyturninghiseyesinthedirectionofthewhirlpool。
Althoughlessthanacoupleofminuteshadelapsedsincethemanwasliftedoffthecirclingdrift，eventhusquicklyhadtheenddrawnnigh；for，evenashelookedthatway，Gillespiesawthegreattrunksuckedintothehiddensink，thetoprisingwithashiverclearoutofthewaterasthebuttlowered，ahollow，rumblingsoundcomingtoallearsas——
"Gone！"criedBruno，inawedtones，asthewholedriftvanishedfromsightforever。
"SuckedinbyJonah’swhale，forducats！"screamedWaldo，excitedly。"Fetchonyourblessed’sour-us’ofboththemaleandfemalesect！Trot’emtothefore，andifmylittleoldsuckdon’ttakethestarchoutoftheirbackbones，——theyDIDhavebackbones，didn’tthey，unclePhaeton？"
ProfessorFeatherwitfrowned，andshookhisheadinsilentreproof。Morenearly，perhaps，thaneitheroftheboys，herealisedwhatanawfulperilthisstrangerhadsonarrowlyescaped。Itwasfartooearlytoturnthatescapeintojest，evenforonenaturallylightofheart。
Heleanedoverthehand-rail，peeringdownward。Hecouldseetherescuedmansittingfirmlyinthebendofthegrapnel，onehandtightlygrippingtherope，itsmateshadinghiseyes，ashestaredfixedlytowardsthewhirlingdeath-pool，fromwhosejawshehadsomiraculouslybeenplucked。
Therewasnaughtofdebility，eitherofbodyorofmind，tobereadinthatfigure，andwithhisfearsonthatparticularpointsetatrest，forthetimebeing，ProfessorFeatherwitcalledout，distinctly：
"Isitallwellwithyou，mygoodfriend？Canyouholdfastuntiltheshoreisreached，think？"
"Heavenblessyou，——yes！"camethereply，inhalf-chokedtones。
"IfIfailingivingthanks——"
"Nevermentionit，friend；itcostusnothing，"cheerilyinterruptedtheprofessor，thenadding，"Holdfast，please，andwe’llputonaweebitmoresteam。"
Theflying-machinewasnowfairlyheadedforastripofshorewhichofferedanexcellentopportunityformakingasafelanding，andasthatacceleratedmotiondidnotappeartomateriallyaffectthestranger，ittookbutafewminutestoclearthelake。
"Standreadytoletgowhenwecomelowenough，please，"warnedtheprofessor，deftlymanaginghispetmachineforthatpurpose。
Thestrangereasilylanded，thenwatchedtheflying-machinewithpainfullyeagergaze，handsclaspedalmostasthoughinprayer。
Amoreremarkablesightthanthishalf-nakedshape，burnedbrownbythesun，poorlyprotectedbylightskins，withsinewfastenings，couldscarcelybeimagined；andtherewassomethingcloseakintotearsinmoreeyesthanonewhenhecamerunninginchase，armsoutstretched，andvoicewildlyappealing：
"Oh，comeback！Takeme，——don’tleaveme，——forloveofGodandhumanity，don’tleavemetothislivingdeath！"
ProfessorFeatherwitcalledbackahastyassurance，andbroughttheair-shiptoalandingwithgreaterhastethanwasexactlyprudent，allthingsconsidered；butwhocouldkeepcoolbloodandunmovedheart，withyonderpiteousobjectbeforetheireyes？
Whenhesawthattheflying-machinehadfairlylanded，andbehelditsinmatessteppingforthuponthesandswithfriendlysalutations，therescuedstrangerstaggered，handsclaspinghistemplesforamomentofdrunkenreeling，thenhefellforwardlikeonesmittenbythehandofsuddendeath。
ProfessorFeatherwitcalledoutafewcurtdirections，whichwerepromptlyobeyedbyhisnephews，andafterafewminutes’
well-directedworkconsciousnesswasrestored，andthestrangerfeeblystrovetogivethemthanks。
Invaintheseweresetaside。Heseemedlikeonehalf-insanefromjoy，andnonewhosawandheardcouldthinkthatallthisemotionarosefromthesimplerescuefromthewhirlpool。Nordidit。
Wildly，farfromcoherently，thepoorfellowspoke，yetsomethingoftheawfultruthwastobegleanedevenfromthosebroken，disjointedsentences。
Fortenyearsanexileinthesehorriblewilds。Fortenyearsnotasingleglimpseofwhitefaceorfigure。Fortenagesnointelligiblevoice，savehisown；andthat，throughlongdisuse，hadthreatenedtodeserthim！
"Tenyears！"echoedWaldo，inamazement。"Whydidn’tyourackouto’this，then？IknowIwould；evenifthewoodswerefullof——’sour-us’andthelikeo’that！Yes，SIR！"
Alow，huskylaughcamethroughthoseheavilybeardedlips，andthestrangerflungouthishandsinasweepinggesture，sunkeneyesglowingwithanalmostsavagelightashespokewithmorecoherence：
"Whyisit，younggentleman？WhydidInotleave，doyouask？
Look！Allaboutyouitstretches：acell，——adeath-cell，fromwhichescapeisimpossible！HereIhavefoughtforwhatisevermorepreciousthanbarelife：forliberty；butthoughtenawfulyearshaverolledby，hereIremain，inworsethanprison！
Escape？Ah，howoftenhaveIattemptedtoescape，onlytofail，becauseescapefromthesewildsisbeyondthepowerofanypersonnotgiftedwithwings！"
"Tenyears，yousay，goodfriend？Andallthattimeyouhavelivedherealone？"askedtheprofessor，curiously。
"Tenyears，——tenthousandyears，Icouldalmostswear，onlyforkeepingtherecordsocarefully，soreligiously。And——pitifulLord！HowgladlywouldIhavegivenmygoodrightarm，justforonefarawayglimpseofcivilisation！Howoften——butIamwearyingyou，gentlemen，andyoumay——praydon’tthinkthatIamcrazy；youwillnot？"
BoththeprofessorandBrunoassuredhimtothecontrary，butWaldowaslessaffected，andhiscuriositycouldnolongerbekeptwithinbounds。Gentlytappingonehairyarm，hespoke：
"Isay，friend，whatwereyoudoingoutyonderinthebigsuck？
Didn’tyouknowthefunwashardlyequaltotherisk，sir？"
"Easy，lad，"reprovedtheprofessor；butwithaasmile，whichstrangelysoftenedthathaggard，weather-wornvisage，thestrangerspoke：
"Nay，kindsir，donotchecktheyounggentleman。Ifyoucouldonlyrealisehowsweetitistomypoorears，——thesoundofafriendlyvoice！ForsomanywearyyearsIhaveneverheardonewordfromhumanlipswhichIcouldunderstandormakeanswerto。
Andnow，——whatisityouwishtoknow，mydearboy？"
"Well，sinceyou’velivedheresolong，surelyyouhadn’toughttogetcaughtinsuchanastypickle；unlessitwasthroughaccident？"
"Itwaspartlyaccidental。Onethatwouldhavecostmedearlyhadnotyoucometomyaidsoopportunely。Andyet，——onlyforonething，Icouldscarcelyhaveregrettedvanishingforeverdownthatsuck！"
Hisvoicechoked，hisheadbowed，hishandscametogetherinanervousgrip，allbetokeningunusualagitation。EvenWaldowasjustabitawed，andthestrangerwasfirsttobreakthatsilencewithwords。
"Howdidthemishapcomeabout，isit，younggentleman？"hesaid，awansmilecreepingintohisface，andrelaxingthosetenselydrawnmusclesoncemore。"WhileIwastryingtoreplenishmystockofprovisions，andafterthisfashion，goodfriends。
"Iwasfishingfromasmallcanoe，andasthebaitwasnottakenwell，Imusthavefallenintoadaydream，thinkingof——nomatter，now。Andduringthatdreaming，thebreezemusthaveblownmewelloutintothelake，forwhenIwasrousedupbyasharpjerkatmyline，Ifoundmyselfnearitsmiddle，withoutknowingjusthowIcamethere。
"Ihavenoideawhatsortoffishhadtakenmybait，——therearemanyenormousonesinthelake，——butitprovedfartoopowerfulformetomanage，anddraggedthecanoeswiftlythroughthewater，headingdirectlyfortheoutlet，yonder。"
"Whydidn’tyouletitgofree，then？"
"Thelinewasfastenedtotheprow，andIcouldnotloosenitintime。Idrewmyknife，——oneofflint，butkeenenoughtoserve，——onlytohaveitjerkedoutofmyhandandintothewater。
Then，justasthefishmusthaveplungedintothesuck，I
abandonedmycanoe，jumpingoverboard。"
"That’sjustwhatIwaswonderingabout，"declaredWaldo，withavigorousnodofhishead。"Yetwefoundyou——there？"
"BecauseIamawretchedlypoorswimmer。Imanagedtoreachadriftwhichhadnotyetfairlyenteredthewhirl，butIcoulddonothingmoretowardssavingmyself。Then——youcanguesstherest，gentlemen。"
"Andthecanoe？"demandedWaldo，contentonlywhenallpointsweremademanifest。
"Isawitdraggeddownthecentreofthesuck，"withaninvoluntaryshiver。"Thefishmusthaveplungedintotheundergroundriver，whetherwillinglyornotIcanonlysurmise。
ButallthewhileIwasdriftingyonder，aroundandaround，witheachcircuitdrawingclosertotheawfulend，Icouldnothelppicturingtomyselfhowthecanoemusthaveplungeddown，anddown，and——burr-r-r！"
Ashudderingshiverwhichwasmoreeloquentthanwords；butWaldowasnotyetwhollycontent，findinganabsorbinginterestinthatparticularsubject。
"Youcallitariver：howdoyouknowit’sariver？"
"Ofcourse，Icanonlyguessatthefacts，mydearboy，"thestrangermadereply，smilingoncemore，and，withanalmosttimidgesture，extendingonehairypawtolightlytouchandgentlystrokethearmnearesthim。
Brunoturnedawayabruptly，forthatgesture，sosimpleinitself，yetsofullofpathostoonewhoboreinmindthoselongyearsofsolitaryexile，broughtamoisturetohisbigbrowneyesofwhich，boy-like，hefeltashamed。
ProfessorFeatherwitlikewisetooknote，andwithgreaterpresenceofmindcametotherescue，lightlyrestingahanduponthestranger’shalf-bareshoulderwhileaddressinghiswordstotheyoungster。
Atremuloussighescapedthosebeardedlips，andtheirownerdrewclosertothewirylittleaeronaut，plainlydrawinggreatcomfortfromthatmerecontact。AndwithlikeeaseunclePhaetonliftedoneofthosehairyarmstorestitoverhisownshoulders，speakingbrisklythewhile。
"Thereisonlyonewayofdemonstratingthetruthmoreclearly，myyouthfulinquisitor，andthatisbysendingyouonavoyageofexploration。Areyouwillingtomaketheattempt，Waldo？"
"Notthisevening；someotherevening，——maybe！"drawingbackabit，withashakeofhiscurlypatetomatch。"But，Isay，unclePhaeton——"
"Allowmetocompletemysay，first，dearboy，"withablandsmile。"Thatiseasilydone，though，foritmerelyconsistsofthis：yondersink，orwhirlpool，iscertainlythemethodthislakehasofrelievingitselfofallsurpluswater。EverythingpointstoasubterraneanriverwhichconnectsthislakewiththePacificOcean。"
"WonderhowlongI’dhavetoholdmybreathtomakethetrip？"
CHAPTERXI。
ANOTHERSURPRISEFORTHEPROFESSOR。
Thestrangerlaughedaloudatthis，thenseemedsurprisedthataughtofmirthcouldbeawakenedwheregriefanddespairhadsolongreignedsupreme。
"Youwillcomewithmeto——tomyden，gentlemen？"heasked，stillnervous，andplainlyloathtodoaughtwhichindicatedareturntohisrecentdrearymethodofliving。
"Isthedistancegreat？"askedProfessorFeatherwit，withaglancetowardstheaeromotor，thenflashinghisgazefurther，asthoughtoguardagainstpossibleharmcomingtothatvaluablepieceofproperty。
Morethanevertobeguardednow，sincethewordsspokenbythisexile。Betterdeathinyondermightywhirlpoolthanahalf-scoreyears’imprisonmenthere！
Notsoveryfar，hewasassured，whileitwouldbecomparativelyeasytofloattheair-shipabovethetrees，thereofnoextraordinarygrowth。
Atthesametimethisassurancewasgiven，thestrangercouldnotmaskhisuneasinessofmind，anditwasreallypitifultoseeonesostronginbodyandlimb，soweakotherwise。
ButunclePhaetonwasafairlykeenjudgeofhumannature，andpossessednosmalldegreeoftact。Diviningtherealcauseofthatdread，hetooktheeasiestmethodofallayingit，speakingbrisklyashemovedacrosstotheaerostat。
"Bearthegentlemancompany，mylads，whileImanagetheship。
Youwillknowwhatsignalstomake，andIcancontrivetherest。"
Againtherecluselaughed，butnowitwasthroughpurejoy，suchashehadnotexperiencedforlongyearsgoneby。Hewasnottobedesertedbyhisrescuersfromthewhirlpool，andthatwascomfortenoughforthemoment。
Thankstothatguidance，butlittletimewascuttowaste，ProfessorFeatherwittakingtheflying-machineawayfromtheshoreofthelake，floatingslowlyabovethetree-tops，guidinghismovementsbythosebelow，finallyeffectingasafelandinginaminiatureglade，atnogreatdistancefromthe"den"alludedtobytheirnew-foundfriend。
"Itwillbeperfectlysafehere，"theexilehastenedtogiveassurance，asthatlandingwasmade。"Then，too，thisistheonlyspotnighathandfromwhichahastyascentcouldwellbemade，evenwithsuchanadmirablemachineasyours。Ah，me！"
withalongbreathwhichlackedbutlittleofbeingasigh，ashekeenly，eagerlyexaminedtheaerostat。"Amarvel！Whowouldhavedaredpredictsuchanother，onlyadozenyearsago？I
thoughtwehaddrawnveryclosetoperfectionwhileIwasintheprofession，butthis，——marvellous！"
Bothwordsandmannergavethekeen-wittedprofessoraclewtoonemystery，andhequicklyspoke：
"Thenyouwerefamiliarwithaerostatics，sir？Yournameis——"
"Edgecombe，——CooperEdgecombe。"
"What？"withundisguisedsurpriseinfaceasinvoice。
"ProfessorEdgecombe，thecelebratedballoonistwhowaslostsolongago？"
"Ay！losthereinthisthriceaccursedwilderness！"passionatelycriedtheexile；then，asthoughabashedbyhisownoutburst，heturnedaway，pausingagainonlywhenattheentrancetohisdrearyrefugeofmanyyears。
"Givethepoorfellowhisownwayuntilhehashadtimetorally，boys，"mutteredunclePhaeton，inloweredtones，beforefollowingthatlead。"Icanunderstanditbetter，now，andthisis——stillistheterraincognitaofwhichIhavedreamedsolong！"
Thatrefugeprovedtobealarge，fairlydrycavern，theentrancetowhichwasadmirablymaskedbyvinesandcreepers，whilethestonysoiljustthereretainednotraceoffootprintstotelldangeroustales。
Mr。Edgecombevanished，butnotforlong。Then，showingalight，formedoffatandtwistedwickinahollowedbitofhardwood，hebeggedhisrescuerstoenter。
Nosecondinvitationwasneeded，foreventheprofessorfeltapowerfulcuriositytolearnwhatmethodhadbeenfollowedbythisenforcedexile；howhehadmanagedtoliveforsomanywearyyears。
Withonlythatsmokylamptoshedlightaroundtheplace，criticalinvestigationwasamatteroftimeandpainstaking，althoughageneralideaofthecavernwasreadilyformed。
Highoverheadarchedtherockyroof，blackenedbysmoke，andlookingmoregloomythannaturehadintended。Thesidewallswerelikewiseirregular，nowshowingtinynichesandnooks，thenjuttingouttoformawkwardpointsandelbows，whichwerebutpartiallydisguisedbysucharticlesofwearanddailyuseastheexilehadcollectedduringtheyearsgoneby，orsincehisoccupancyfirstbegan。
Somuchtheprofessortookinwithhisinitialglances，butthenheleftWaldoandhisbrothertolookmoreclosely，himselfgivingthoughttothebeingwhomtheyhadsohappilysavedfromthewhirlpool。
"ProfessorEdgecombe！"heagainexclaimed，graspingthoseroughenedhandstopressthemcordially。"Ioughttohaverecognisedyouatsight，nodoubt，sinceIhavewatchedyourascentstimeandtimeagain。"
Theexilesmiledfaintly，shakinghisheadandgivinganothersigh。
"Ah，me！’twasvastlydifferent，then。IonlymarvelthatyoushouldgivemecreditwhenIlayclaimtothatname，solong——ithaslongfadedfromthepublic’smemory，sir。"
ButunclePhaetonshookhishead，decidedly。
"No，no，Iassureyou，myfriend；farfromit。Wheneverthetopicisbroughttothefront；wheneveraerostaticsarediscussed，yournameandfamearesuretoplayaprominentpart。
Andyet，——youdisappearedsolongago，neverbeingheardofafter——"
"AftersailingawayuponthestormforwhichIhadwaitedandprayed，forsomanyweary，heart-sickmonths！"
"Sotherumourran，butweallbelievedthatmustbeanexaggeration，andnotforalongtimewasallhopeabandoned。
Then，moreheartsthanonefeltsoreandsadatthoughtsofyouruntimelyfate。"
"Afateinfinitelyworsethanordinarydeathsuchaswascreditedme，"huskilymutteredtheexile。"Tenyears，——andeversinceI
havebeenhere，helplesstoextricatemyself，doomedtoalivingdeath，whichnoneothercaneverfullyrealise！Doomedto——to——"
Hisvoicechoked，andheturnedawaytohidehisemotions。
返回顶部