Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 1.djvu/228

 can come down again; is there a mountain, I can pass over it; a precipice, I can clear it; a river, I can cross it; a storm, I can go above it; a torrent, I can skim over it like a bird; I can travel without fatigue; I can stop without having need to repose; I can overlook new cities; I can fly with the rapidity of a hurricane. Sometimes high up in the air, sometimes within a few feet of the earth, and the whole of Africa will be mapped out beneath my eyes in the great atlas of the world."

The brave Kennedy was impressed, notwithstanding that the prospects spread before his mind's eyes made him feel somewhat giddy. He gazed at Samuel with admiration, not unmixed with fear, and felt as if he were already suspended in space.

"Let us see about this, my dear Samuel. Have you discovered any means to direct the balloon?"

"Not one. It is a Utopian idea altogether."

"But you will nevertheless go?"

"Where Providence may will, but all the same from east to west!"

"Why so?"

"Because I count upon the trade-winds to assist me; their direction is invariable."

"Oh, indeed, "muttered Kennedy; "the trade-winds, certainly—they might for once in a way—there is something"

"Something! No, my dear friend, there is everything in it. The Government have placed a transport at my disposal. It has also been agreed that three or four vessels shall proceed to the western side about the anticipated time of my arrival there. In three months, at farthest, I shall be at Zanzibar, where I shall set about the inflation of my balloon, and we shall start from there."

"We!" exclaimed Dick.

"Have you then any objection to make? Speak, friend Kennedy."

"One objection! I have a thousand. But, between ourselves, tell me if you count upon seeing the country; if you intend to ascend and descend at will, you must expend a quantity of gas, and there are no other means of proceeding. It is this fact which has hitherto prevented any long journeys through the air."