Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 1.djvu/277

 "That I can readily believe," said the doctor; "the flesh of the antelope is delicious."

"You can now judge for yourself, sir; dinner is ready."

"Faith," said Kennedy, "these slices of venison have a strange sort of flavor not to be despised."

"Right! I could live upon antelope for ever," cried Joe, with his mouth full, "particularly if I had a glass of grog to wash it down." He prepared the beverage in question, which was relished in silence.

"So far so good," said Joe.

"Very good," added Kennedy.

"I say, Mr. Richard, do you now regret having accompanied us?"

"I should very much like to see the man who could have prevented my coming," said Dick, with a resolute look.

It was then four o'clock in the afternoon. The "Victoria" encountered a more rapid current, the earth was left insensibly, and soon the barometrical column marked an elevation of 1,500 feet above the level of the sea. The doctor was then obliged to keep up his balloon by a strong expansion of hydrogen gas and the blow-pipe worked incessantly. Towards seven o'clock the "Victoria" crossed the basin of the Kanyemé, the doctor took observations also of this vast clearing of ten miles in width, with its villages hidden among baobabs and gourds. There one of the sultans of Ugogo has his residence, and civilization is perhaps less backward. They very seldom sell members of their families there, but beasts and men all live together in the round, unfitted huts, which look like haystacks.

After passing Kanyemé the ground became arid and stony, but after an hour in a fertile valley, vegetation reappeared in all its luxuriance at a little distance from Mdaburu. The wind went down with the sun, and the air even seemed to go to sleep. The doctor searched in vain for a current at different altitudes, and seeing how still everything was he resolved to pass the night in the air, and for greater safety he went up to 1,000 feet high. The "Victoria" remained motionless. The night was starlit, and passed without incident.

Dick and Joe stretched themselves upon their quiet couch and slept soundly during the doctor's watch. At midnight the doctor was replaced by Kennedy.