Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 1.djvu/263

 better to maintain this elevation, as he could observe a greater extent of coast; the thermometer and the barometer, suspended in the interior of the half-opened tent, were almost incessantly consulted; a second barometer, placed outside, was for use during the night.

After two hours the "Victoria," impelled at a rate of a little over eight miles, neared the coast. The doctor determined to approach the earth; he moderated the flame of the blow-pipe, and soon the balloon descended to within 300 feet of the ground.

He perceived that he was just over Mrima, a name bestowed on this portion of the coast of Eastern Africa; thick lines of mango bushes lined the shore, their roots, lacerated by the Indian Ocean, were left plainly visible by the ebb-tide. The sand-hills, which formerly constituted the coast line, rose above the horizon, and Mount Nguru showed its head in the northwest.

The "Victoria " passed close to a village, which, from the map, the doctor pronounced to be Kaole. All the population assembled to utter yells of anger and fear as the travelers passed. Arrows were vainly directed against the air monster, which floated majestically above the reach of their futile fury.

The wind went round to the south, but the doctor was not disturbed by this; on the contrary, he was rather glad to follow the route traversed by Captains Burton and Speke.

Kennedy at last had become as loquacious as Joe, and they mutually exchanged remarks expressive of their admiration. "What is a diligence after this?" said one.

"Or a steamer?" said the other.

"Or a wretched railway?" rejoined Kennedy, "in which you pass through the country without seeing it."

"Give me a balloon," said Joe, "where you needn't stir, and nature takes the trouble to unroll herself at your feet."

"What a magnificent prospect! how splendid it all is! like a beautiful dream in a hammock."

"I wonder if we are to have any breakfast," said Joe, to whom the pure air had given an appetite.

"Happy thought, my lad," said Kennedy.

"Oh! the cooking won't take long; it is only biscuits and preserved meat."

"With as much coffee as you like," added the doctor.