Works of Jules Verne/Five Weeks in a Balloon/Chapter 42
CHAPTER XLII
A LAST SACRIFICE
Doctor Ferguson ascertained his position by the observation of the stars, and found that he was scarcely twenty-five miles from the Senegal.
"All that we can do, my friends," said he, pointing to the map, "is to cross the river; but as there are no boats we must cross it in the balloon, and for that purpose we must lighten it still more."
"But I do not see how we can," replied Kennedy, who was anxious on the score of his guns, "unless one of us decides to sacrifice himself and remain behind; and as it is my turn, I claim that honor."
"Why," cried Joe, "is it not my place?"
"It is not a case of throwing yourself down, my friend," said Kennedy; "but to gain the coast of Africa on foot; now I am a good walker, a sportsman."
"I will never agree to that," said Joe.
"Your generous contention is useless, my brave friends," said Ferguson. "I trust we shall not be put to such straits; besides, in case of necessity we must not separate at all; we must cross the country together."
"Be it so," said Joe, "a little walk will do us good."
"But first," said the doctor, we must do our utmost to lighten the 'Victoria.'"
"By what means?" asked Kennedy. "I am curious to know."
"We must throw away the dilating apparatus, the Buntzen pile, and the coil; in that there is nearly 900 lbs. weight to drag with us."
"But, Samuel, how then shall you obtain the expansion of the gas?"
"I shall not obtain it. We must do without."
"But———"
"Listen to me, my friends. I have calculated to a nicety what ascensional force is left in the balloon. It is sufficient to carry us with the few articles still remaining; we weigh scarcely 500 lbs., including those two grapnels, which I wish to keep."
"My dear Samuel," replied the Scot, "you are more competent than we in such cases—you are the best judge. Tell us what we ought to do, and we will do it."
"I am of course at your orders, sir."
"I repeat, my friends, grave though the decision may be, we must sacrifice our apparatus."
"Let us sacrifice it," said Kennedy.
"Let us go to work, then," said Joe.
It was by no means an easy matter, it was necessary to remove the apparatus piece by piece. First the "mixing" chest was got up—then the blow-pipe, and at last the chest in which the decomposition of the water took place. It required the united strength of the travelers to remove the recipients from the bottom of the car in which they were firmly let in; but Kennedy was so powerful, Joe so skillful, and Ferguson so ingenious, that they succeeded at last. The various pieces were successively thrown overboard, and they disappeared, making large fissures in the foliage of the sycamores.
"The negroes will be considerably astonished," said Joe, "at seeing such articles in the woods; they will very likely make idols of them."
At last they were obliged to remove the pipes fastened in the balloon, and which had been attached to the serpentine. Joe cut the joints of the india-rubber some feet above the car, but as to the pipes it was more difficult, for they were fixed at the upper end by brass wire to the rings of the safety-valve itself.
It was at this juncture that Joe displayed his skill; with bare feet, so as not to tear the envelope, he ascended by the netting, and, notwithstanding the oscillation, climbed up to the top of the balloon. There, after much difficulty, holding by one hand to the slippery surface, he detached the screws which fastened the pipes. They were then easily taken down through the lower part of the balloon and the apertures hermetically fastened up. The "Victoria," thus relieved of a considerable weight, rose in the air and tugged hard at the anchors.
At midnight this work was successfully accomplished, with much labor, however. A hasty repast was eaten, consisting of pemmican and cold grog, for the doctor had no heat to put at Joe's disposal.
Joe and Kennedy were overcome with fatigue.
"Lie down and sleep, my friends," said Ferguson. "I will take the first watch. At two o'clock I will wake Kennedy; at four Kennedy will wake Joe; at six we shall be off, and may Heaven guard us through this last day!"
Without saying anything, the doctor's two companions lay down at the bottom of the car and slept profoundly.
The night was calm; some clouds passed over the moon, whose rays at that time scarce broke the obscurity. Ferguson, leaning against the car, looked about in all directions; he steadily watched the dark carpet of foliage which lay spread beneath and intercepted his view of the ground. The least noise appeared to him suspicious, and he sought for reasons for even a trembling of the leaves. He was in that over-excited state of mind which solitude renders more nevous, and in which all kinds of vague terrors arise.
At the termination of a similar journey, having overcome all obstacles, at the moment of success, fears are so strong, emotions so great, that the point of arrival seems to disappear altogether.
Besides, the situation offered nothing reassuring in the midst of a barbarous country, and with means of transport which, in fact, might fail at any moment. The doctor did not rely absolutely upon his balloon, the time had passed in which he could maneuver it fearlessly.
With these impressions upon him the doctor believed he could hear vague murmurs in that vast forest, and fancied he perceived a fire rapidly flitting between the trees. He kept his gaze fixed, and leveled his night-glass in the same direction, but nothing appeared, and the silence was most profound.
Ferguson had doubtless been under a delusion, he listened without hearing the slightest sound. The period of his watch having now expired, he woke Kennedy, enjoined upon him the utmost vigilance, and lay down beside Joe, who was sleeping soundly.
Kennedy lit his pipe and rubbed his eyes, which he could scarcely keep open. He leaned his elbows upon the corner of the car, and smoked vigorously to keep himself awake.
The most absolute silence reigned around, a gentle breeze moved the tops of the trees, and swayed the car in a most sleep-inviting manner, which Kennedy could scarce resist. He struggled against the feeling, opened his eyelids, looked steadily into the darkness with lack-luster eyes, and at length yielding to fatigue he fell asleep.
How long was he thus? He could not tell when he woke, for he was suddenly disturbed by an unexpected crackling.
He rubbed his eyes and jumped up. An intense heat scorched his face. The forest was in flames.
"Fire, fire!" he cried, scarcely understanding what had happened.
His two companions got up.
"What is the matter?" asked Ferguson.
"Fire!" cried Joe. "But who———"
At this moment yells arose beneath the burning trees.
"Ah! the savages," cried Joe, "they have fired the forest to burn us, no doubt."
"The Talibas, the marabouts of Al-Hadji, depend upon it," said the doctor.
The "Victoria" was regularly surrounded by fire, the crackling of the dead wood was mingled with the hissing of the green branches, twining plants, leaves, all the living vegetation was embraced in the destructive element. On all sides an ocean of flame only was visible. Great trees stood out against the glow with their branches covered with burning embers. This burning mass was reflected upon the ouds, and the travelers appeared enveloped in a globe of fire.
"Let us fly!" cried Kennedy; "let us get out! it is our only chance of safety."
But Ferguson stopped him with a firm hand, and with a trenchant blow he severed the grapnel-ropes. The flames, leaping up towards the balloon, were already licking its sides, but the "Victoria," freed from its bonds, rose more than 1,000 feet into the air.
Horrible yells resounded through the forest, mingled with the loud reports of firearms, but the balloon, wafted by a current which had arisen with daybreak, continued her journey towards the west.