"It is just that which I greatly doubt, sir," said Morgan. "We seem to be landed at the back of the north wind, and out of the way of everything."
"But the balloon," continued Duncan. "I and Conal--"
"And I," interrupted the c.o.c.kney boy.
"Well, and you if the balloon is strong enough."
"It would carry you all, and a horse besides," said the skipper with just the ghost of a smile.
"Well, we should ascend until we found a wind to carry us towards the mainland, where we could descend and find a.s.sistance."
"It is a forlorn hope, Duncan."
"Seems to me, though, that it is our last chance," said Morgan. "The water can"t last long. What if it rains no more for months. All that could ever be found of us in that case would be our skeletons bleaching in the sun."
"Not so pessimistic, please, Morgan. I still have hope in G.o.d. If it be His will to help us we shall be rescued. If not, it is our duty to submit."
Truly a brave man was Talbot.
And the merchant-service has many a thousand such, who, without doubt, will be of infinite service to their country in our day of direst need--when wild war comes,
"In a fostering power, while Jack puts his trust As fortune comes--smiling he"ll hail her, Resign"d still, and manly, since what must be must; And this is the mind of a sailor."
Talbot arose at last.
"I cannot go," he said, almost solemnly, after gazing for over a minute at the blue above and the blue below, the sky without a cloud, the sea without a ripple. "For weal or for woe, boys, I must stay with my men.
Now am I resigned. I will pray for you, lads, and so shall we all."
"But," he added, "serve out some water and a modic.u.m of wine. G.o.d bless our poor fellows yonder, for their conduct and discipline have been splendid. Many men in their hopeless condition would have broken into the spirit stores and died maudlin drunk, or murderously mad."
The men quickly came to the call of "All hands!" and just as quickly Talbot explained the position, and told them what the three youngsters proposed doing. The cheer that followed his words was not a l.u.s.ty one, but it was very sincere.
And now, though with no nervous haste, the work of arranging and inflating the balloon was commenced and for some days steadily proceeded with.
On the third day dark clouds came sweeping down, and a thunder-storm broke over the island. What a G.o.d-send! Somewhat unusual, too, for the time of year. Not only was the rocky tank filled with water and rapidly-melting hail, but many hollows elsewhere, and every drop was precious.
Compared with Andree"s great Arctic balloon, the _Hope_, as Talbot"s had been named, was quite a baby, but it was strong enough for anything, and could have supported and carried far more than they needed for weeks together.
Long before this, Talbot had instructed his youngsters in the art of managing a balloon, and now there was little more for them to learn on this score.
The inflation was completed at last. The net, a very strong one, was in its place. The car attached, and the splendid ball dragged impatiently at her moorings, as if longing to soar away into freedom.
Food, arms, ammunition, wine, and water--everything was in its place, everything secure, yet handy.
Then the last night came.
It was clear and starry, with a bright scimitar of a new moon in the west.
Duncan slept but little. His mind was in a whirl of anxiety. There were so many things to think about, and they came cropping up in his mind all in a bunch, as it were, all demanding explanation at once.
One thing which would grieve him very much was parting with Vike.
Animals have died of grief many times and oft ere now, and somehow he felt that he would never see his favourite dog again.
But lo! about the first news he got next morning after getting up was that Viking was missing. He had evidently wandered away, it was thought, and tumbled over a cliff.
When the boys went to bathe for the last time that morning they were almost dumb with grief.
But while returning to camp they met Johnnie Shingles and Old Pen.
Both were capering with joy.
"Vike he all right, sah, foh true. Golly, I"se shaking wid joy all ober."
"And where is he?"
"In the sky-car, sah. O ees, he dere shuah enuff."
It was true. Vike evidently knew all about it, and had taken his seat already. Booked in advance!
He could not be coaxed out. But he took his breakfast when handed to him, and a drop of water afterwards.
"Boys," said Talbot, "you must take him. It seems very strange, but it also seems fate."
"Fate be it, then," said Duncan.
And indeed the poor fellow"s mind was greatly relieved.
That very forenoon the great balloon was cast off, and with blessings and farewells on both sides. Upward she soared into the clear blue sky, and was soon seen by those below only as a tiny dark speck, no larger than a lark.
CHAPTER III.--CHILDREN OF THE SKY.
I have been down in a diving-bell, and have traversed or been led through the dark and seemingly interminable seams of a coal-mine, and felt no very exaggerated sense of exhilaration in either situation, but the glad free feeling one has when afloat in a balloon, and after the first nervous shudder of trepidation has pa.s.sed off, is well worth risking life and limb to experience, and is, moreover, in my opinion, a proof that man was made and meant for better things than grovelling on earth like a stranded tadpole thrown out of its pond by the hands of some idle school-boy.
It is always the unknown that strikes the greatest amount of terror into man"s soul. Therefore I claim for my young heroes the possession of an amount of courage and pluck, that you shall seldom find in any other hearts save those of British-born boys.
The balloon ascended with inconceivable rapidity at first, swaying just a little from side to side, and causing the inmates to grasp the sides of the car with some degree of nervous terror. When, however, they found that to fall out would be the most unlikely thing that could happen, they took heart of grace, and began to laugh and talk.
"Isn"t it just too awfully lovely for anything," said Frank. "I say, you know, Conal, I"m a sort of sorry I didn"t bring my fiddle."
"It"s a fine sensation," said Conal. "It must be just like going to heaven."