Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 1.djvu/441

 up the official testimony, which is in the archives of the Geographical Society to this day.

"We, the undersigned, declare that on the said day, we saw arrive here, suspended to the netting of a balloon, Doctor Ferguson, and his two companions, Richard Kennedy and Joseph Wilson. The said balloon fell at a few yards distant from us into the river, and was carried away by the current over the cataracts of the Gouina. In testimony whereof we have hereto set our names. Done at the cataracts of the Gouina on this twenty-fourth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.

Here terminated the wonderful journey of Dr. Ferguson and his brave companions. They found themselves amongst friends, in the midst of hospitable tribes, whence communications with the French stations are frequent.

They reached the Senegal on Saturday, the 24th of May, and on the 27th they reached Médine, situated upon the river a little more to the north. Here the French officers received them with open arms, and extended to them all the hospitality in their power. It was found that the travelers could embark almost immediately in the steamer Basilisk, which was going down the river.

Fourteen days afterwards, on the 10th of June, they reached St. Louis, where the governor welcomed them heartily; they had by this time quite recovered from their fatigues. Joe told all who would listen to him that, "It was not much of a journey after all, and if anyone is anxious for excitement I would not advise him to undertake such an one; it becomes tedious at last, and indeed,