Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 1.djvu/326

 a rapid feeling of hope, and, without understanding all that was going on, he extended his hands towards his would-be helpers.

"He lives, he lives!" cried Ferguson. "Heaven be praised! These savages are in a most excellent fright. We shall save him. Are you ready, friends?"

"We are quite ready, Samuel."

"Joe, slacken the blow-pipe."

The doctor's orders were obeyed. A scarcely perceptible breeze carried the "Victoria" gently over the prisoner, at the same time that it was gradually lowered by the contraction of the gas. For about ten minutes it remained floating in the midst of the waves of electric light. Ferguson darted amongst the crowd his sparkling clusters of light, which shot here and there in rapid and brilliant gleams. The tribe, under the influence of indescribable terror, disappeared gradually into their huts, and the neighborhood of the stake was deserted. The doctor had been right to count upon the fantastic appearance of the "Victoria," which darted rays as from the sun into the darkness.

The car approached the ground. But some negroes, bolder than the rest, began to comprehend that their victim would escape, and returned, yelling loudly. Kennedy seized his rifle, but the doctor ordered him not to fire.

The priest was kneeling down, not having sufficient strength to stand upright; he was not even tied to the stake, as his weakness rendered bonds useless. At the moment that the car touched the ground, the Scot leaned over, and, seizing the priest round the waist, placed him in the car. At the same moment, Joe threw overboard the 200 lbs. of ballast. The doctor expected to ascend with extreme rapidity: but, contrary to his hopes, the balloon, after rising about three or four feet from the ground, remained stationary.

"What is delaying us?" he exclaimed, in terrified accents.

Some savages now came running up and uttering fierce cries.

"Oh!" cried Joe, leaning over, "one of those cursed niggers is holding on to the balloon."

"Dick, Dick!" cried the doctor, "the water-tank!"

Dick understood, and raising one of the chests of water,