Escape

Though busily engaged in translating the extracts given in the last five chapters, I was also laying matters in train for my escape with Arowhena. And indeed it was high time, for I received an intimation from one of the cashiers of the Musical Banks, that I was to be prosecuted in a criminal court ostensibly for measles, but really for having owned a watch, and attempted the reintroduction of machinery.

Although I was busy translating the extracts in the last five chapters, I was also preparing to escape with Arowhena. And it was high time I did so. A cashier at one of the Musical Banks had informed me that I was to be prosecuted in a criminal court. The stated charge was having measles, but the real reason was that I had owned a watch and tried to reintroduce machinery.

I asked why measles? and was told that there was a fear lest extenuating circumstances should prevent a jury from convicting me, if I were indicted for typhus or small-pox, but that a verdict would probably be obtained for measles, a disease which could be sufficiently punished in a person of my age. I was given to understand that unless some unexpected change should come over the mind of his Majesty, I might expect the blow to be struck within a very few days.

I asked why measles. I was told that if I were charged with typhus or smallpox, a jury might not convict me because of mitigating circumstances. But a conviction for measles was more likely, and measles could be punished severely enough in someone my age. I was led to understand that unless his Majesty unexpectedly changed his mind, I could expect the blow to fall within a few days.

My plan was this—that Arowhena and I should escape in a balloon together. I fear that the reader will disbelieve this part of my story, yet in no other have I endeavoured to adhere more conscientiously to facts, and can only throw myself upon his charity.

My plan was for Arowhena and me to escape together in a balloon. I fear the reader will not believe this part of my story. Yet in no other part have I tried more carefully to stick to the facts. I can only ask the reader to take my word for it.

I had already gained the ear of the Queen, and had so worked upon her curiosity that she promised to get leave for me to have a balloon made and inflated; I pointed out to her that no complicated machinery would be wanted—nothing, in fact, but a large quantity of oiled silk, a car, a few ropes, &c., &c., and some light kind of gas, such as the antiquarians who were acquainted with the means employed by the ancients for the production of the lighter gases could easily instruct her workmen how to provide. Her eagerness to see so strange a sight as the ascent of a human being into the sky overcame any scruples of conscience that she might have otherwise felt, and she set the antiquarians about showing her workmen how to make the gas, and sent her maids to buy, and oil, a very large quantity of silk (for I was determined that the balloon should be a big one) even before she began to try and gain the King’s permission; this, however, she now set herself to do, for I had sent her word that my prosecution was imminent.

I had already won the Queen’s attention and stirred her curiosity. She promised to get permission for me to have a balloon made and inflated. I explained that no complicated machinery would be needed. In fact, we needed only a large quantity of oiled silk, a basket, a few ropes, and so on, as well as some kind of light gas. Antiquarians who knew how the ancients produced lighter gases could easily teach her workmen how to make it. She was eager to see the strange sight of a human being rising into the sky. Her eagerness overcame any doubts of conscience she might otherwise have felt. She set the antiquarians to work showing her workmen how to make the gas. She also sent her maids to buy and oil a very large quantity of silk. I was determined that the balloon should be a big one. She did all this before even trying to get the King’s permission. Now, however, she began trying to get it, for I had sent her word that my prosecution was imminent.

As for myself, I need hardly say that I knew nothing about balloons; nor did I see my way to smuggling Arowhena into the car; nevertheless, knowing that we had no other chance of getting away from Erewhon, I drew inspiration from the extremity in which we were placed, and made a pattern from which the Queen’s workmen were able to work successfully. Meanwhile the Queen’s carriage-builders set about making the car, and it was with the attachments of this to the balloon that I had the greatest difficulty; I doubt, indeed, whether I should have succeeded here, but for the great intelligence of a foreman, who threw himself heart and soul into the matter, and often both foresaw requirements, the necessity for which had escaped me, and suggested the means of providing for them.

As for me, I hardly need to say that I knew nothing about balloons. Nor could I see how to smuggle Arowhena into the basket. Still, I knew we had no other chance of getting away from Erewhon. Our desperate situation inspired me, and I made a design that the Queen’s workers were able to follow successfully. Meanwhile, the Queen’s carriage builders began making the basket. Attaching it to the balloon gave me the greatest trouble. Indeed, I doubt I would have succeeded without the great intelligence of a foreman. He threw himself heart and soul into the task. He often foresaw needs I had missed and suggested ways to meet them.

It happened that there had been a long drought, during the latter part of which prayers had been vainly offered up in all the temples of the air god. When I first told her Majesty that I wanted a balloon, I said my intention was to go up into the sky and prevail upon the air god by means of a personal interview. I own that this proposition bordered on the idolatrous, but I have long since repented of it, and am little likely ever to repeat the offence. Moreover the deceit, serious though it was, will probably lead to the conversion of the whole country.

There had been a long drought. During the later part of it, prayers had been offered in vain in all the air god’s temples. When I first told her Majesty I wanted a balloon, I said I meant to go up into the sky. I would persuade the air god by speaking to him in person. I admit that this plan came close to idolatry. But I repented of it long ago and am unlikely ever to repeat the offense. Besides, serious as the deception was, it will probably lead to the conversion of the whole country.

When the Queen told his Majesty of my proposal, he at first not only ridiculed it, but was inclined to veto it. Being, however, a very uxorious husband, he at length consented—as he eventually always did to everything on which the Queen had set her heart. He yielded all the more readily now, because he did not believe in the possibility of my ascent; he was convinced that even though the balloon should mount a few feet into the air, it would collapse immediately, whereon I should fall and break my neck, and he should be rid of me. He demonstrated this to her so convincingly, that she was alarmed, and tried to talk me into giving up the idea, but on finding that I persisted in my wish to have the balloon made, she produced an order from the King to the effect that all facilities I might require should be afforded me.

When the Queen told the King about my proposal, he first ridiculed it and was inclined to forbid it. But he was a very devoted husband, and in time he agreed. He always did agree in the end to anything the Queen had set her heart on. He gave in all the more readily because he did not believe I could ascend. He was convinced that the balloon would immediately collapse, even if it rose a few feet into the air. Then I would fall and break my neck, and he would be rid of me. He made this case so convincingly that the Queen was alarmed and tried to persuade me to abandon the idea. But I insisted that I still wanted the balloon made. So she produced an order from the King saying that I should be given every facility I might need.

At the same time her Majesty told me that my attempted ascent would be made an article of impeachment against me in case I did not succeed in prevailing on the air god to stop the drought. Neither King nor Queen had any idea that I meant going right away if I could get the wind to take me, nor had he any conception of the existence of a certain steady upper current of air which was always setting in one direction, as could be seen by the shape of the higher clouds, which pointed invariably from south-east to north-west. I had myself long noticed this peculiarity in the climate, and attributed it, I believe justly, to a trade-wind which was constant at a few thousand feet above the earth, but was disturbed by local influences at lower elevations.

At the same time, her Majesty told me that my attempted ascent would become a charge against me. That would happen if I failed to persuade the air god to stop the drought. Neither the King nor the Queen knew that I meant to leave for good if the wind would carry me. The King also had no idea that a steady current of air high above always flowed in one direction. Its course could be seen in the shape of the higher clouds. They always pointed from southeast to northwest. I had long noticed this feature of the climate myself. I believed, rightly I think, that a trade wind blew steadily a few thousand feet above the earth. At lower heights, however, local conditions disturbed it.

My next business was to break the plan to Arowhena, and to devise the means for getting her into the car. I felt sure that she would come with me, but had made up my mind that if her courage failed her, the whole thing should come to nothing. Arowhena and I had been in constant communication through her maid, but I had thought it best not to tell her the details of my scheme till everything was settled. The time had now arrived, and I arranged with the maid that I should be admitted by a private door into Mr. Nosnibor’s garden at about dusk on the following evening.

My next task was to tell Arowhena about the plan and figure out how to get her into the car. I felt sure she would come with me. But I had decided that if she lost her courage, I would abandon the whole plan. Arowhena and I had stayed in constant contact through her maid. But I had thought it best not to tell her the details of my plan until everything was settled. Now the time had come. I arranged with the maid to let me into Mr. Nosnibor’s garden through a private door around dusk the following evening.

I came at the appointed time; the girl let me into the garden and bade me wait in a secluded alley until Arowhena should come. It was now early summer, and the leaves were so thick upon the trees that even though some one else had entered the garden I could have easily hidden myself. The night was one of extreme beauty; the sun had long set, but there was still a rosy gleam in the sky over the ruins of the railway station; below me was the city already twinkling with lights, while beyond it stretched the plains for many a league until they blended with the sky. I just noted these things, but I could not heed them. I could heed nothing, till, as I peered into the darkness of the alley, I perceived a white figure gliding swiftly towards me. I bounded towards it, and ere thought could either prompt or check, I had caught Arowhena to my heart and covered her unresisting cheek with kisses.

I arrived at the appointed time. The girl let me into the garden and told me to wait in a secluded path until Arowhena came. It was early summer, and the trees were thick with leaves. Even if someone else had entered the garden, I could easily have hidden. The night was extremely beautiful. The sun had set long ago, but a rosy glow still lingered over the ruins of the railway station. Below me, the city was already twinkling with lights. Beyond it, the plains stretched for many miles until they blended with the sky. I noticed these things, but I could not pay them any attention. I could pay attention to nothing until, peering into the darkness of the path, I saw a white figure gliding swiftly toward me. I rushed toward her. Before I could think to urge myself on or hold myself back, I had caught Arowhena to my heart and covered her unresisting cheek with kisses.

So overjoyed were we that we knew not how to speak; indeed I do not know when we should have found words and come to our senses, if the maid had not gone off into a fit of hysterics, and awakened us to the necessity of self-control; then, briefly and plainly, I unfolded what I proposed; I showed her the darkest side, for I felt sure that the darker the prospect the more likely she was to come. I told her that my plan would probably end in death for both of us, and that I dared not press it—that at a word from her it should be abandoned; still that there was just a possibility of our escaping together to some part of the world where there would be no bar to our getting married, and that I could see no other hope.

We were so overjoyed that we could not speak. I don't know when we would have found words and come to our senses if the maid had not become hysterical. Her fit made us realize we had to control ourselves. Then I explained my plan briefly and plainly. I showed her the worst side of it, because I was sure that the darker the outlook, the more likely she was to come. I told her that my plan would probably end in death for both of us. I dared not press her to accept it, and I would abandon it if she said so. Still, there was a slight chance that we could escape together to somewhere we could marry. I could see no other hope.

She made no resistance, not a sign or hint of doubt or hesitation. She would do all I told her, and come whenever I was ready; so I bade her send her maid to meet me nightly—told her that she must put a good face on, look as bright and happy as she could, so as to make her father and mother and Zulora think that she was forgetting me—and be ready at a moment’s notice to come to the Queen’s workshops, and be concealed among the ballast and under rugs in the car of the balloon; and so we parted.

She offered no resistance and showed no sign of doubt or hesitation. She would do all I told her and come whenever I was ready. So I told her to send her maid to meet me every night. I told her to put on a brave face and look as cheerful and happy as she could. This would make her father, mother, and Zulora think she was forgetting me. She also had to be ready to come to the Queen’s workshops at a moment’s notice. There she would hide among the ballast and under rugs in the balloon’s car. And so we parted.

I hurried my preparations forward, for I feared rain, and also that the King might change his mind; but the weather continued dry, and in another week the Queen’s workmen had finished the balloon and car, while the gas was ready to be turned on into the balloon at any moment. All being now prepared I was to ascend on the following morning. I had stipulated for being allowed to take abundance of rugs and wrappings as protection from the cold of the upper atmosphere, and also ten or a dozen good-sized bags of ballast.

I hurried my preparations because I feared rain and worried that the King might change his mind. But the weather stayed dry. Within another week, the Queen’s workmen had finished the balloon and its car. The gas was ready to be pumped into the balloon at any moment. Now that everything was ready, I was to ascend the following morning. I had arranged to take plenty of rugs and coverings to protect me from the cold of the upper atmosphere. I had also arranged to take ten or a dozen good-sized bags of ballast.

I had nearly a quarter’s pension in hand, and with this I fee’d Arowhena’s maid, and bribed the Queen’s foreman—who would, I believe, have given me assistance even without a bribe. He helped me to secrete food and wine in the bags of ballast, and on the morning of my ascent he kept the other workmen out of the way while I got Arowhena into the car. She came with early dawn, muffled up, and in her maid’s dress. She was supposed to be gone to an early performance at one of the Musical Banks, and told me that she should not be missed till breakfast, but that her absence must then be discovered. I arranged the ballast about her so that it should conceal her as she lay at the bottom of the car, and covered her with wrappings. Although it still wanted some hours of the time fixed for my ascent, I could not trust myself one moment from the car, so I got into it at once, and watched the gradual inflation of the balloon. Luggage I had none, save the provisions hidden in the ballast bags, the books of mythology, and the treatises on the machines, with my own manuscript diaries and translations.

I had nearly three months’ pension money left. With it, I paid Arowhena’s maid and bribed the Queen’s foreman. I believe he would have helped me even without a bribe. He helped me hide food and wine in the ballast bags. On the morning of my ascent, he kept the other workers away while I got Arowhena into the balloon’s car. She came at dawn, bundled up and wearing her maid’s clothes. She was supposed to have gone to an early performance at one of the Musical Banks. She told me she would not be missed until breakfast, but her absence would certainly be discovered then. I arranged the ballast around her to hide her as she lay at the bottom of the car. Then I covered her with wrappings. Although my ascent was still several hours away, I could not bring myself to leave the car for a moment. So I got in at once and watched the balloon gradually fill. I had no luggage apart from the provisions hidden in the ballast bags, the books of mythology, the treatises on the machines, and my own handwritten diaries and translations.

I sat quietly, and awaited the hour fixed for my departure—quiet outwardly, but inwardly I was in an agony of suspense lest Arowhena’s absence should be discovered before the arrival of the King and Queen, who were to witness my ascent. They were not due yet for another two hours, and during this time a hundred things might happen, any one of which would undo me.

I sat quietly, waiting for the hour set for my departure. I seemed calm, but inside I was in agony, afraid that Arowhena’s absence would be discovered before the King and Queen arrived to watch my ascent. They were not due for another two hours. During that time, a hundred things might happen, any one of which could ruin me.

At last the balloon was full; the pipe which had filled it was removed, the escape of the gas having been first carefully precluded. Nothing remained to hinder the balloon from ascending but the hands and weight of those who were holding on to it with ropes. I strained my eyes for the coming of the King and Queen, but could see no sign of their approach. I looked in the direction of Mr. Nosnibor’s house—there was nothing to indicate disturbance, but it was not yet breakfast time. The crowd began to gather; they were aware that I was under the displeasure of the court, but I could detect no signs of my being unpopular. On the contrary, I received many kindly expressions of regard and encouragement, with good wishes as to the result of my journey.

At last the balloon was full. The pipe that had filled it was removed, after the gas had been carefully secured against escape. Only the hands and weight of those holding its ropes kept the balloon from rising. I strained my eyes for the King and Queen, but could see no sign of them approaching. I looked toward Mr. Nosnibor’s house. There was no sign of disturbance, but it was not yet breakfast time. The crowd began to gather. They knew I had fallen out of favor with the court, but I saw no signs that I was unpopular. On the contrary, many people spoke kindly to me and offered encouragement and good wishes for my journey.

I was speaking to one gentleman of my acquaintance, and telling him the substance of what I intended to do when I had got into the presence of the air god (what he thought of me I cannot guess, for I am sure that he did not believe in the objective existence of the air god, nor that I myself believed in it), when I became aware of a small crowd of people running as fast as they could from Mr. Nosnibor’s house towards the Queen’s workshops. For the moment my pulse ceased beating, and then, knowing that the time had come when I must either do or die, I called vehemently to those who were holding the ropes (some thirty men) to let go at once, and made gestures signifying danger, and that there would be mischief if they held on longer. Many obeyed; the rest were too weak to hold on to the ropes, and were forced to let them go. On this the balloon bounded suddenly upwards, but my own feeling was that the earth had dropped off from me, and was sinking fast into the open space beneath.

I was speaking to a gentleman I knew, telling him roughly what I intended to do when I reached the air god. I cannot guess what he thought of me. I am sure he did not believe the air god really existed, or that I believed it either. Then I noticed a small crowd running as fast as they could from Mr. Nosnibor’s house towards the Queen’s workshops. For a moment my pulse stopped. Then I knew the time had come when I must either act or die. I shouted to the thirty or so men holding the ropes to let go at once. I gestured that there was danger and that trouble would follow if they held on any longer. Many obeyed. The rest were too weak to hold the ropes and were forced to let go. The balloon suddenly shot upwards, but I felt as though the earth had fallen away from me and was sinking fast into the open space below.

This happened at the very moment that the attention of the crowd was divided, the one half paying heed to the eager gestures of those coming from Mr. Nosnibor’s house, and the other to the exclamations from myself. A minute more and Arowhena would doubtless have been discovered, but before that minute was over, I was at such a height above the city that nothing could harm me, and every second both the town and the crowd became smaller and more confused. In an incredibly short time, I could see little but a vast wall of blue plains rising up against me, towards whichever side I looked.

This happened just as the crowd’s attention was divided. Half were watching the urgent gestures of those coming from Mr. Nosnibor’s house. The other half were listening to my cries. Another minute and Arowhena would surely have been discovered. But before that minute was over, I was so high above the city that nothing could harm me. With every second, the town and the crowd grew smaller and harder to make out. Very soon, I could see little but a vast wall of blue plains rising up before me, whichever way I looked.

At first, the balloon mounted vertically upwards, but after about five minutes, when we had already attained a very great elevation, I fancied that the objects on the plain beneath began to move from under me. I did not feel so much as a breath of wind, and could not suppose that the balloon itself was travelling. I was, therefore, wondering what this strange movement of fixed objects could mean, when it struck me that people in a balloon do not feel the wind inasmuch as they travel with it and offer it no resistance. Then I was happy in thinking that I must now have reached the invariable trade wind of the upper air, and that I should be very possibly wafted for hundreds or even thousands of miles, far from Erewhon and the Erewhonians.

At first, the balloon rose straight up. But after about five minutes, we had already reached a great height. I thought the objects on the plain below were beginning to move away from under me. I could not feel even a breath of wind, so I did not think the balloon itself was moving. I wondered what could explain this strange movement of objects that were fixed in place. Then it struck me that people in a balloon do not feel the wind. They travel with it and offer it no resistance. I was happy to think I must have reached the steady trade wind of the upper air. It might carry me hundreds or even thousands of miles, far from Erewhon and the Erewhonians.

Already I had removed the wrappings and freed Arowhena; but I soon covered her up with them again, for it was already very cold, and she was half stupefied with the strangeness of her position.

I had already unwrapped and freed Arowhena, but I soon covered her up again. It was already very cold, and her strange situation had left her half dazed.

And now began a time, dream-like and delirious, of which I do not suppose that I shall ever recover a distinct recollection. Some things I can recall—as that we were ere long enveloped in vapour which froze upon my moustache and whiskers; then comes a memory of sitting for hours and hours in a thick fog, hearing no sound but my own breathing and Arowhena’s (for we hardly spoke) and seeing no sight but the car beneath us and beside us, and the dark balloon above.

Now began a dreamlike, delirious time that I doubt I will ever remember clearly. I can recall some things. Before long, we were surrounded by mist that froze on my moustache and whiskers. Then I remember sitting for hours and hours in thick fog. We hardly spoke, and I heard nothing but my own breathing and Arowhena’s. I could see nothing but the car beneath and beside us, and the dark balloon above.

Perhaps the most painful feeling when the earth was hidden was that the balloon was motionless, though our only hope lay in our going forward with an extreme of speed. From time to time through a rift in the clouds I caught a glimpse of earth, and was thankful to perceive that we must be flying forward faster than in an express train; but no sooner was the rift closed than the old conviction of our being stationary returned in full force, and was not to be reasoned with: there was another feeling also which was nearly as bad; for as a child that fears it has gone blind in a long tunnel if there is no light, so ere the earth had been many minutes hidden, I became half frightened lest we might not have broken away from it clean and for ever. Now and again, I ate and gave food to Arowhena, but by guess-work as regards time. Then came darkness, a dreadful dreary time, without even the moon to cheer us.

Perhaps the most painful feeling, when the earth was hidden, was that the balloon was motionless. Yet our only hope lay in moving forward at tremendous speed. From time to time, I glimpsed the earth through a gap in the clouds. I was thankful to see that we must be flying faster than an express train. But as soon as the gap closed, I was once again completely convinced that we were standing still. No amount of reasoning could shake that feeling. Another feeling was nearly as bad. A child in a long, dark tunnel may fear that they have gone blind. In the same way, after the earth had been hidden for a few minutes, I became half afraid that we might have broken away from it completely and forever. Now and then, I ate and gave food to Arowhena, though I could only guess at the time. Then darkness came. It was a dreadful, dreary time, with not even the moon to cheer us.

With dawn the scene was changed: the clouds were gone and morning stars were shining; the rising of the splendid sun remains still impressed upon me as the most glorious that I have ever seen; beneath us there was an embossed chain of mountains with snow fresh fallen upon them; but we were far above them; we both of us felt our breathing seriously affected, but I would not allow the balloon to descend a single inch, not knowing for how long we might not need all the buoyancy which we could command; indeed I was thankful to find that, after nearly four-and-twenty hours, we were still at so great a height above the earth.

At dawn, the scene had changed. The clouds were gone, and the morning stars were shining. I still remember the splendid sunrise as the most glorious I have ever seen. Beneath us lay a rugged mountain range covered in fresh snow, but we were far above it. We both found it very hard to breathe, but I would not let the balloon descend even an inch. I did not know how long we might need all the lift we could get. Indeed, I was thankful that, after nearly twenty-four hours, we were still so high above the earth.

In a couple of hours we had passed the ranges, which must have been some hundred and fifty miles across, and again I saw a tract of level plain extending far away to the horizon. I knew not where we were, and dared not descend, lest I should waste the power of the balloon, but I was half hopeful that we might be above the country from which I had originally started. I looked anxiously for any sign by which I could recognise it, but could see nothing, and feared that we might be above some distant part of Erewhon, or a country inhabited by savages. While I was still in doubt, the balloon was again wrapped in clouds, and we were left to blank space and to conjectures.

In a couple of hours, we had crossed the mountain ranges, which must have been about 150 miles wide. Once again, I saw a flat plain stretching far away to the horizon. I did not know where we were. I did not dare descend, for fear of wasting the balloon's power. But I had some hope that we might be above the country I had originally set out from. I looked anxiously for any sign that I could recognize, but I saw nothing. I feared we might be above a distant part of Erewhon, or a country inhabited by savages. While I was still unsure, clouds surrounded the balloon again. We were left with empty space around us and nothing but guesses.

The weary time dragged on. How I longed for my unhappy watch! I felt as though not even time was moving, so dumb and spell-bound were our surroundings. Sometimes I would feel my pulse, and count its beats for half-an-hour together; anything to mark the time—to prove that it was there, and to assure myself that we were within the blessed range of its influence, and not gone adrift into the timelessness of eternity.

The weary time dragged on. How I longed for my poor watch! Our surroundings were so silent and still that I felt as if even time had stopped. Sometimes I would feel my pulse and count the beats for half an hour at a time. I would do anything to mark the passing of time, to prove it was still there. I needed to reassure myself that we were still within its blessed reach and had not drifted into the timelessness of eternity.

I had been doing this for the twentieth or thirtieth time, and had fallen into a light sleep: I dreamed wildly of a journey in an express train, and of arriving at a railway station where the air was full of the sound of locomotive engines blowing off steam with a horrible and tremendous hissing; I woke frightened and uneasy, but the hissing and crashing noises pursued me now that I was awake, and forced me to own that they were real. What they were I knew not, but they grew gradually fainter and fainter, and after a time were lost. In a few hours the clouds broke, and I saw beneath me that which made the chilled blood run colder in my veins. I saw the sea, and nothing but the sea; in the main black, but flecked with white heads of storm-tossed, angry waves.

I had done this twenty or thirty times and had fallen into a light sleep. I had a wild dream about a journey on an express train. In the dream, I arrived at a railway station where locomotive engines filled the air with a terrible, deafening hiss of escaping steam. I woke up frightened and uneasy, but the hissing and crashing noises continued. I had to admit they were real. I did not know what they were, but they gradually grew fainter and eventually died away. A few hours later, the clouds broke, and I saw something below me that made my chilled blood run colder. I saw the sea, and nothing but the sea. It was mostly black, but dotted with the white crests of angry, storm-tossed waves.

Arowhena was sleeping quietly at the bottom of the car, and as I looked at her sweet and saintly beauty, I groaned, and cursed myself for the misery into which I had brought her; but there was nothing for it now.

Arowhena was sleeping peacefully at the bottom of the car. As I looked at her sweet, saintly beauty, I groaned. I cursed myself for bringing her into such misery, but nothing could be done about it now.

I sat and waited for the worst, and presently I saw signs as though that worst were soon to be at hand, for the balloon had begun to sink. On first seeing the sea I had been impressed with the idea that we must have been falling, but now there could be no mistake, we were sinking, and that fast. I threw out a bag of ballast, and for a time we rose again, but in the course of a few hours the sinking recommenced, and I threw out another bag.

I sat and waited for the worst. Soon I saw signs that it was near, because the balloon had begun to sink. When I first saw the sea, I had thought we must be falling. But now there was no doubt. We were sinking fast. I threw out a bag of ballast, and for a while we rose again. But a few hours later, we began to sink again, and I threw out another bag.

Then the battle commenced in earnest. It lasted all that afternoon and through the night until the following evening. I had seen never a sail nor a sign of a sail, though I had half blinded myself with straining my eyes incessantly in every direction; we had parted with everything but the clothes which we had upon our backs; food and water were gone, all thrown out to the wheeling albatrosses, in order to save us a few hours or even minutes from the sea. I did not throw away the books till we were within a few feet of the water, and clung to my manuscripts to the very last. Hope there seemed none whatever—yet, strangely enough we were neither of us utterly hopeless, and even when the evil that we dreaded was upon us, and that which we greatly feared had come, we sat in the car of the balloon with the waters up to our middle, and still smiled with a ghastly hopefulness to one another.

Then the battle began in earnest. It lasted all afternoon and through the night, until the following evening. I had not seen a sail or any sign of one, though I had nearly blinded myself looking constantly in every direction. We had thrown away everything but the clothes on our backs. Our food and water were gone too, all thrown out to the circling albatrosses. We hoped to keep the sea at bay for a few more hours or even minutes. I did not throw away the books until we were within a few feet of the water. I held on to my manuscripts until the very end. There seemed to be no hope at all. Yet, strangely enough, neither of us was utterly hopeless. Even when the disaster we dreaded was upon us, and what we greatly feared had come, we still smiled at each other with a ghastly hopefulness. We sat in the balloon’s basket with the water up to our waists.

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He who has crossed the St. Gothard will remember that below Andermatt there is one of those Alpine gorges which reach the very utmost limits of the sublime and terrible. The feelings of the traveller have become more and more highly wrought at every step, until at last the naked and overhanging precipices seem to close above his head, as he crosses a bridge hung in mid-air over a roaring waterfall, and enters on the darkness of a tunnel, hewn out of the rock.

Anyone who has crossed the St. Gothard will remember an Alpine gorge below Andermatt. It reaches the very limits of grandeur and terror. The traveler’s feelings grow more intense with every step. At last, the bare, overhanging cliffs seem to close above his head. He crosses a bridge suspended in midair over a roaring waterfall and enters the darkness of a tunnel cut through the rock.

What can be in store for him on emerging? Surely something even wilder and more desolate than that which he has seen already; yet his imagination is paralysed, and can suggest no fancy or vision of anything to surpass the reality which he had just witnessed. Awed and breathless he advances; when lo! the light of the afternoon sun welcomes him as he leaves the tunnel, and behold a smiling valley—a babbling brook, a village with tall belfries, and meadows of brilliant green—these are the things which greet him, and he smiles to himself as the terror passes away and in another moment is forgotten.

What could be waiting for him when he comes out? Surely something even wilder and more desolate than what he has already seen. Yet his imagination is frozen. He can imagine nothing that could surpass what he has just witnessed. Awed and breathless, he moves forward. Then, as he leaves the tunnel, the afternoon sunlight welcomes him. Before him is a cheerful valley, with a babbling brook, a village with tall bell towers, and bright green meadows. He smiles to himself as his terror fades. A moment later, he has forgotten it.

So fared it now with ourselves. We had been in the water some two or three hours, and the night had come upon us. We had said farewell for the hundredth time, and had resigned ourselves to meet the end; indeed I was myself battling with a drowsiness from which it was only too probable that I should never wake; when suddenly, Arowhena touched me on the shoulder, and pointed to a light and to a dark mass which was bearing right upon us. A cry for help—loud and clear and shrill—broke forth from both of us at once; and in another five minutes we were carried by kind and tender hands on to the deck of an Italian vessel.

That was how things stood with us now. We had been in the water for two or three hours, and night had fallen. We had said goodbye for the hundredth time and accepted that we were going to die. I was fighting off sleep, knowing that I would probably never wake up. Suddenly, Arowhena touched my shoulder and pointed to a light and a dark mass heading straight toward us. We both cried out for help at once, loud, clear, and shrill. Five minutes later, kind and gentle hands carried us onto the deck of an Italian ship.