Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 1.djvu/317

 to your skill, my dear Dick. The taffeta could not resist their beaks. Fortunately they appear to be more frightened than attracted by our balloon."

"Yes, but I have got an idea," said Joe, "for ideas are tumbling in by dozens to-day. If we were to procure a team of eagles, we might harness them to the car, and they would draw us through the air."

"The proposal is seriously made," said the doctor; "but I very much question its practicability with such very restive animals."

"We might train them," replied Joe; "instead of bits we could guide them with blinkers, which would cover their eyes completely. Unloose one eye, they would go to the right or left as the case might be; blind them again, and they would stop."

"You must allow me, my good Joe, to prefer a favorable wind to your harnessed eagles. It costs less to keep—that is certain, at any rate."

"Oh, by all means, sir; but I will keep my idea all the same."

It was mid-day. For some time the "Victoria" had been going along steadily, not flying as it lately had been. Suddenly cries and whistling sounds reached the ears of the travelers; they leaned over and perceived in the open plain a sight not easily to be forgotten. Two tribes were engaged in deadly combat and exchanging clouds of arrows. The combatants were so deeply engaged that they did not perceive the "Victoria." They numbered about 300, and were mingled in an inextricable mêlée; the greater part of them were reddened with the blood in which they appeared literally steeped. It was a horrible sight. At the appearance of the balloon there was a pause, the shouts were redoubled, some arrows were launched at the car, and one of them came near enough for Joe to catch it.

"We must get out of reach," said the doctor. "No imprudence, we cannot allow that."

The battle continued. So soon as an enemy "bit the dust," his opponent hastened to decapitate him. The women mixed in this rout, collected the bleeding heads, and piled them up at either extremity of the battle-field, and often fought among themselves for possession of these hideous trophies.