Works of Jules Verne/Five Weeks in a Balloon/Chapter 8
CHAPTER VIII
THE FAREWELL DINNER
About the 10th of February the preparations were near completion; the balloons, enclosed one within the other, were entirely finished; they had been subjected to a tremendous pressure, and this "proving" raised high opinions as to their powers of endurance, and bore witness to the care brought to bear upon their construction.
Joe was beside himself with joy; he was perpetually moving between Greek Street and the workshop of the Messrs. Mitchell—always busy, but always in good spirits; volunteering information on all sides, delighted above all things to accompany his master. I am of opinion that, to show the balloon, to explain the doctor's ideas, even to let him be seen at a window or during his walk through the streets, gained this worthy lad many a half-crown. He did not intend this altogether, but he certainly had the right to profit a little by the admiration and curiosity of his contemporaries.
On the 16th February the Resolute cast anchor at Greenwich. She was a screw steamer of 800 tons, a fast sailer, and had been commissioned to revictual the expedition to the Arctic Regions under Sir James Ross. Captain Penney was a good-natured man, and was particularly interested in the doctor's journey, which he saw the value of some time before. Penney was more of a savant than a sailor, but that did not militate against his carrying four carronades on board, which, however, had never done any harm, and only made the least warlike of reports.
The hold of the Resolute was fitted up for the reception of the balloon. It was put on board most carefully on the 18th February, and stowed away at the bottom of the vessel so as to avoid the chance of accident. The car and its accessories, the grapnels, the ropes, the provisions, the water-tanks (which were to be rilled on arrival), were all stowed under the eyes of Ferguson himself. They also put on board ten tons of sulphuric acid, and ten tons of old iron, for the manufacture of hydrogen gas. This was a more than sufficient quantity, but it was necessary to guard against possible loss. The apparatus for developing the gas, including about thirty barrels, was placed in the hold.
These various preparations were completed by the evening of the 18th February. Two well-arranged cabins had been prepared for the doctor and Kennedy. The latter, all the time vowing that he would not go, came on board with a perfect armory of guns and rifles, two excellent double-barreled breech-loaders, and a carbine, tested by Purday, Moore, and Dickson, of Edinburgh. With such a weapon the sportsman would have no difficulty to lodge a bullet in the eye of a chamois at 2,000 yards. Added to these he had two Colt's "six-shooters" with the latest improvements; his powder-flask, shot-pouch, lead, and bullets in sufficient quantity did not exceed the weight laid down by the doctor.
The three travelers went on board on the 19th February and were received with great distinction by the captain and officers. The doctor was quite self-possessed but unusually preoccupied with his expedition. Dick was much moved, but tried not to betray his feelings. Joe jumped about, making absurd remarks, and was at once installed as the wag of the forecastle, where a berth had been reserved for him. On the 20th, a grand farewell dinner was given in honor of Doctor Ferguson and his friend Kennedy, by the Royal Geographical Society. Captain Penney and his officers had also been invited, who were very cheerful, and had their healths proposed in flattering terms. Healths were drank in sufficient number to ensure for each guest an. existence of centuries. Sir Francis M——— presided, with repressed emotion, but in a very dignified manner.
To the unutterable confusion of Dick Kennedy, he came in for a large share of the festive compliments. After having drunk to "the bold Ferguson, the glory of England," they found it necessary to toast "the no less courageous Kennedy, his brave companion."
Dick blushed deeply, which was put down to modesty; the applause was redoubled. Dick blushed still more.
A telegram from the Queen was received at dessert. She presented her compliments to the travelers, and her good wishes for the success of their enterprise.
This incident necessitated a new toast to the "Health of Her Most Gracious Majesty."
At midnight, after the most touching farewells and warm grasps of the hand, the guests separated.
The boats of the Resolute were in waiting at Westminster Bridge, the captain took his place in company with his officers and passengers, and a rapid ebb tide quickly carried them to Greenwich. At one o'clock they were all fast asleep on board.
The next morning, the 21st, at three o'clock, the fires were lighted; at five, the anchor was weighed, and with the assistance of her screw, the Resolute threaded her way to the sea.
There is no necessity for us to repeat the conversation which, on board, turned solely upon Dr. Ferguson's expedition. By his bearing, equally as by words, he inspired such confidence that, save the Scot, no one questioned the success of his undertaking. During the long, idle hours on board, the doctor instituted a regular geographical lecture in the wardroom. The young men were passionately interested in the discoveries which had been made during forty years in Africa. He related the explorations of Barth, Burton, Speke, and Grant; he described to them that mysterious land given up on all sides to scientific research. In the north the young Duveyrier had explored the Sahara, and brought back the Touareg chiefs to Paris. Two expeditions, under the authority of the French Government, were being prepared, which, descending from the north to the west, would meet at Timbuctoo. In the south the indefatigable Living-stone was continually advancing towards the equator, and, since March, 1862, he had advanced with Mackenzie up the river Rovoonia. The century would certainly not pass away without Africa being compelled to reveal the secrets hidden in her breast for 6,000 years.
The interest of Dr. Ferguson's audience was more excited than ever when he made them acquainted with the details of his preparations. They wanted to verify his calculations, they argued, and the doctor entered frankly into the discussion.
Generally they were surprised by the relatively limited quantity of food carried. One day they questioned him on this point.
"Does that astonish you?" asked the doctor.
"Certainly it does."
"But for what length of time do you suppose I shall continue my journey? Whole months? That is a mistake on your part. If it be extended we shall be lost, and shall never get back at all. Are you not aware that it is only 3,500 miles, say 4,000 miles, from Zanzibar to Senegal coast? Now, at the rate of 240 miles in twelve hours, not nearly the speed of our railways, by day and night, seven days would be ample to cross the African continent."
"But then you will not be able to see anything, nor to make geographical observations, nor to take notes of the country."
"Well," replied the doctor, "if I be master of my balloon, if I can ascend or descend when I please, I shall be able to halt when I choose, and whenever the winds are so violent as to threaten my safety."
"And you will encounter them," said Captain Penney. "There are hurricanes there which rush at the rate of 240 miles an hour."
"So, you see," replied the doctor, "that at that pace you could cross Africa in twelve hours. You might start from Zanzibar and sleep at St. Louis."
"But," asked an officer, "is it possible that a balloon can be impelled at such a pace?"
"That has been proved," replied Ferguson.
"And the balloon resisted the pressure?"
"Perfectly. It occurred during the year 1804. Garnerin, the aëronaut, started from Paris at eleven o'clock at night a balloon, on which was inscribed in golden letters, 'Paris, 25th month, 13th year, coronation of the Emperor Napoleon by Pope Pius the Seventh.' The following morning, at five o'clock, the inhabitants of Rome perceived the identical balloon hovering above the Vatican; it crossed the Campagna, and fell into the Lake of Bracciano. So you see, gentlemen, that a balloon can exist in such a rapid transit."
"A balloon, yes; but how about a man?" Kennedy asked.
"Just as well. For a balloon is always motionless, in consequence of the air surrounding it. It is not the man who moves, it is the mass of the air itself; so that, if you were to light a candle in the car, the flame would not flicker. An aëronaut in Garnerin's balloon would not have suffered by the rate of progression. However, I do not propose to try such a rapid flight, and if I can anchor during the night to some tree or to some uneven ground, I shall be all right. We shall carry, moreover, provisions for two months, and nothing will prevent our skillful sportsman here from shooting any quantity of game when we get to the ground."
"Ah, Mr. Kennedy, you will, indeed, have some splendid sport," said a young midshipman, with an envious glance at the Scotchman.
"Without counting the double pleasure of partaking in the glory of the expedition," said another.
"Gentlemen," replied Kennedy, "I am very sensible of your kind compliments, but I cannot accept them, I fear."
"Hallo, what's this!" was heard on all sides. "Do you not intend to go?"
"I shall not go."
"You will not accompany Doctor Ferguson?"
"Not only shall I not go with him, but I am here for the express purpose of stopping him even at the last moment!"
Everyone looked at the doctor.
"Don't listen to him," said Ferguson calmly. "It is a subject we never need discuss with him. He knows perfectly well at heart that he will go!"
"By St. Andrew," cried Kennedy, "I swear———"
"Don't swear, Dick, my friend; you have been measured and weighed, you and your powder and shot, your guns and your rifles, so there is no use talking about it."
And it is a fact that, from that day until the day they reached Zanzibar, Dick did not open his mouth upon that subject or any other. Dick was dumb!