Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 1.djvu/260

226 great care, and the pipes leading from the balloon were fastened into the cylindrical chest.

The grapnels, ropes, instruments, rugs, tent, the provisions, and arms were placed in the car as previously arranged. Water was provided at Zanzibar. Two hundred pounds of ballast were taken in in fifty sacks, and placed at the bottom of the car within reach. The preparations were ended about 5 The sentinels patroled continually around the island, and the boats of the Resolute kept watch in the channel.

The negroes continued to display their anger by cries, grimaces, and contortions. The sorcerers went about amongst the excited people fanning their indignation. Some fanatics endeavored to swim across to the island, but they were easily repulsed.

Then the charms and incantations commenced. The rain-compellers, who pretended to be able to control the clouds, summoned up hurricanes and hailstones to their assistance. For that object they collected leaves of all the different trees in the country and made a fire, and sacrificed a sheep by driving a long needle into its heart. But, notwithstanding their ceremonies, the sky continued cloudless, and they were no better for their sheep and their grimaces.

The negroes then abandoned themselves to the most terrible orgies, and got tremendously drunk with "tembo," a potent spirit derived from the cocoa-nut tree, or upon a very "heady" species of beer called "togwa." Their songs without melody, but of correct rhythm, were heard all through the night.

About 6 a farewell dinner was given to the three travelers on board the Resolute. Kennedy, to whom nobody addressed many questions, muttered some indistinct sentences, and never took his gaze from Doctor Ferguson. This was a very melancholy repast. The near approach of the moment for parting inspired many sad reflections in everyone. What fate was in store for these venturesome travelers? Would they ever return to their friends and their happy homes? If their means of transport failed, what would become of them in the midst of savage tribes in an unknown territory in the embrace of an illimitable desert.