Works of Jules Verne/Five Weeks in a Balloon/Chapter 41
CHAPTER XLI
HIGH MOUNTAINS
On the 27th of May, at 9 A. M., the country presented a new aspect. The long slopes rose into hills which promised mountains. It was necessary to cross the chain which separated the basins of the Niger and Senegal, and determine the fall of the waters to the Gulf of Guinea or Cape Verd.
As far as Senegal the country is reported as dangerous. Doctor Ferguson knew that, from the reports of his predecessors they had suffered a thousand privations and encountered a thousand dangers amongst these barbarians. The deadly climate carried off the majority of Mungo Park's companions. Ferguson was therefore more than ever decided not to set foot upon this inhospitable soil.
But he had not a moment's rest. The "Victoria" was settling down in a most unmistakable manner. It became necessary to throw out a number of articles more or less useless, and particularly when there was a mountain to be cleared.
This continued for more than 120 miles; they got tired of ascending and descending. The balloon, like the stone of Sisyphus, kept falling back continually. The contour of the balloon already was losing its roundness, and the wind hollowed out large "pockets" in its loose covering.
Kennedy could not help remarking this.
"Is there a hole in the balloon?" he asked.
"No," replied the doctor; "but the gutta-percha has evidently become softened by the heat, and the hydrogen escapes."
"How can we prevent that?"
"It is impossible to do so. Let us lighten the balloon; it is our only way. Throw out all we can spare."
"But what?" asked the Scot, looking round the half-denuded car.
"The tent—it is very heavy."
Joe, whom this order concerned, mounted above the ring which fastened the cords to the netting, and quickly detached the thick curtains and threw them down.
"There is a treat for a whole tribe of negroes," he said. "There is sufficient to clothe a million of them; they are very sparing of the material."
The balloon rose a little, but it soon became evident that it again was approaching the ground.
"Let us descend, and see if we cannot repair the envelope," said Kennedy.
"I tell you, Dick, we have no means to repair it."
"Well, what are you going to do?"
"We will sacrifice everything not absolutely indispensable. I wish at all cost to avoid a halt in these regions. The forests we skimmed just now are nothing but dens."
"What, of lions or hyenas?" asked Joe.
"Worse than that—of men, and the most cruel men in Africa."
"How do you know that?"
"From travelers who have preceded us; then the French who occupy the colony of Senegal, have had dealings with the neighboring tribes. Under Colonel Faidherbe a reconnaissance was made into the country; officers, such as Pascal, Vincent, and Lambert, have brought back the precious documents of their expeditions. They explored the country formed by the bend of the Senegal, where war and pillage have left only ruin."
"How did it come to pass?"
"This way. In 1854, a marabout, of Fouta, named Al-Hadji, said he was inspired by Mahomet, and incited all the tribes to war against the infidels, viz., the Europeans. He carried desolation and destruction between the Senegal and its affluent the Falune. Three bands of fanatics, guided by him, marched through the country with fire and sword. He even advanced into the valley of the Niger to the town of Sego, which was threatened for a long time. In 1857 he went up northwards and invested Fort Medina, built by the French on the banks of the river. This place was defended by a hero, Paul Holl, who for many months, without food or supplies, held out till Colonel Faidherbe came to his rescue. Then Al-Hadji and his band repassed the Senegal and returned into Koarta to continue their rapine and murder. Now this is the country to which he has fled with his troops of bandits, and I assure you I would rather not fall into their hands."
"We shall not do so," said Joe, "if we have to sacrifice our boots to lighten the 'Victoria.'"
"We are not far from the river," said the doctor; "but I foresee our balloon will not carry us even so far."
"If we arrive on the banks, that will be something," said Kennedy.
"That is what we must try to do," said the doctor; "but one thing worries me."
"What is that?"
"We have to cross some mountains, and that will be a difficult operation, since I cannot increase the ascensional force of the balloon, even by the greatest possible heat."
"Wait," said Kennedy, "we shall see."
"Poor 'Victoria!'" said Joe. "I am as attached to it as a sailor to his ship, and I shall not leave it without regret. It is not what it was at the outset, certainly; but then we need not speak evil of it. It has done us excellent service, and it will break my heart to abandon it."
"Rest assured, Joe, if we do abandon it, it will be against our will. It will serve us to the best of its ability. I only ask for twenty-four hours longer."
"It is exhausted," said Joe, looking at it carefully; "it is 'done up,' its life has departed. Poor balloon!"
"If I mistake not," said Kennedy, "I can see the mountains of which you spoke, Samuel."
"Those are they, no doubt," said the doctor, having examined them with his glass. "They appear to me to be very high; we shall have some trouble to clear them."
"Cannot we avoid them?"
"I do not think so, Dick; look at the extent of them, nearly half the horizon."
"They seem to enclose us on all sides," said Joe.
"We must cross over them," said the doctor.
These dangerous obstacles appeared to approach with extreme rapidity, or rather the "Victoria" approached them, and she must ascend at any risk.
"Empty our water-cask," said Ferguson, "we have enough for to-day."
"It is done," said Joe.
"Is the balloon relieved at all?" inquired Kennedy.
"A little, about fifty feet higher," replied the doctor, who did not take his eyes from the barometer, "but that is not sufficient."
The peaks now appeared ready to fall upon the travelers, who were very far from the tops. The water for the blow-pipe was then thrown out, they only kept a few pints, but this was still insufficient.
"We must pass them," said the doctor.
"Throw out the chests, they are empty," said Kennedy.
"Out with them."
"There they go," said Joe, "it is to die by inches."
"As for you, Joe, don't you attempt to repeat your devoted act of the other day. Whatever happens, swear you will not leave us!"
"All right, sir, we will not separate."
The "Victoria" had regained a good height, but the mountain peak still overlooked her. It was a straight edge, which terminated in a regular peaked rampart. It was then more than 200 feet above the travelers.
"In ten minutes our car will be in contact with those rocks if we cannot pass them."
"Well, then, Mr. Samuel," said Joe.
"Keep only the pemmican, throw out all the rest."
The balloon was again lightened by about fifty pounds, it rose sensibly, but not far, and not above the mountains. The situation was terrible. The "Victoria" was going at a great rate, and the expected shock they knew would break her to pieces.
The doctor looked round the car. It was almost empty.
"If necessary, Dick, you must throw the guns out."
"Sacrifice my rifles!" exclaimed the Scot.
"My friend, if I ask you, it will only be when absolutely necessary."
"Samuel!"
"The arms and ammunition may cost us our lives."
"We are close now," cried Joe.
"Ten fathoms!"
The mountain was then ten fathoms higher than the "Victoria."
Joe took the rugs, and the boxes of ammunition, and, without telling Kennedy, threw them over.
The balloon rose and passed the dreaded peak, the silk caught the sun's rays overhead, but the car was still below the rocks, against which it must inevitably be broken.
"Kennedy, Kennedy!" cried the doctor, "throw out arms, or we are lost."
"Wait, Mr. Dick," said Joe, "wait a moment!" And Kennedy, turning round, saw him disappear over the side of the car.
"Joe! Joe!" he cried.
"Unhappy man!" exclaimed the doctor.
The top of the mountain was at this place about twenty feet wide, and the other side was less steep. The car arrived at the edge of this plateau, and glided along upon the pebbles, which were ground beneath it.
"We are passing—we are passing—we have passed!" cried a voice which made Ferguson's heart bound.
The brave Joe was holding on by his hands to the bottom of the car and ran along the summit of the mountain, thus relieving the balloon of his weight; but he was obliged to hold very tightly, for the balloon was inclined to escape him.
When he reached the opposite side, and the precipice opened before him, Joe, by a vigorous effort, raised himself up, and, clutching the cordage, remounted beside his companions.
"It was not more difficult than that," he said.
"My brave Joe—my friend!" exclaimed the doctor, with emotion.
"It was not for you I did it," said Joe, "it was for Mr. Dick's rifle. I have owed him something ever since that affair with the Arab. I like to pay my debts, and now we are quits," added he, handing the sportsman his favorite gun. "I should have been very sorry to have seen you separated."
Kennedy shook him warmly by the hand without speaking.
The "Victoria" had only to descend, which was not difficult. It was soon within 200 feet of the ground and in equilibrium. The earth showed traces of convulsion, and presented many hillocks very difficult to avoid at night with a balloon not under control. Night fell rapidly, and, notwithstanding his objections, the doctor was constrained to halt till morning.
"We will search for a favorable place," said he.
"Ah," replied Kennedy, "you have decided at last?"
"Yes. I have been thinking of a plan which I am about to put into execution. It is only six o'clock. We have plenty of time. Throw out the grapnels, Joe."
Joe obeyed, and the two anchors hung suspended from the car.
"I can see a vast forest," said the doctor, "we shall run above it, and make fast to some tree. I would not consent to pass the night on the ground for anything."
"Why cannot we descend?" asked Kennedy.
"For what reason? I repeat it would be dangerous to separate. Besides, I require your aid in a difficult operation."
The "Victoria" skimmed the tops of the trees, and did not fail to "pull up" quickly; the anchors had caught, the wind fell as evening advanced, and the balloon remained almost motionless above the vast extent of foliage formed by the tops of the forest of sycamores.