Page:Artabanzanus (Ferrar, 1896).djvu/176

168 'These people,' said he, addressing me, 'think I can do everything, whereas I can do but very little compared with what requires to be done. Their diseases are the results of their own, or their forefathers', wickedness and impenitence. There are men who cannot learn anything by their own or anyone else's experience; they think but little of health, the greatest blessing it is possible for a human being to enjoy.'

'Do they remain here for ever, Doctor?' I asked with some timidity.

'That I am not permitted to tell you,' he curtly answered.

The carriage now came to the door, and we took our seats. It was a heavy vehicle, drawn by four spirited, impatient horses. The Doctor took the reins from a smartly-dressed groom, who climbed up and seated himself beside another, and away we dashed. The street led us into the great square where the fatal battle had been fought. I recognised it by its tall columns to Glory, Victory, Patriotism, and so on, and by the crimson pool in the centre of the so-called Royal Park. What sad emotions, what bitter pangs, for fallen miserable men passed through my heart. We drove on rapidly out into the vast abyss, and straight on to the opposite side. On the way we skirted what appeared to be a large, gray, cloudy-looking rock, but we found, on approaching nearer to it, that it was the lightning balloon, lying prostrate and motionless on the earth, waiting its owner's time for his next important flight. Its hideous driver was there, pottering about, arranging portions of its gear and tackling, hauling on ropes, tightening screws, and hammering bolts here and there. He was singing, or rather shrieking, a most extraordinary song, which sounded in my ears like the filing of a dozen cross-cut saws, mingled with the beating of half a dozen tin kettles, and the hoarse braying of a jackass. The refrain of the song was rather difficult to catch, as the carriage and horses made great