"Let go, all!" cried the doctor. And the "Victoria" rose rapidly, while the four carronades of the Resolute thundered out a salute as she glided upwards on her perilous journey.
CHAPTER XII
CROSSING THE STRAITS
The air was clear, the wind was moderate, the "Victoria" mounted almost perpendicularly to a height of 1,500 feet, which was indicated by a depression of nearly two inches in the barometrical column.
At this elevation, a more decided current carried the balloon towards the southwest. What a magnificent panorama unfolded itself beneath the eyes of the travelers! The island of Zanzibar was in sight from end to end, and stood out in its rich coloring as upon a huge board; the fields presented an appearance of patchwork, and the large clumps of trees indicated the woods and coppices.
The inhabitants appeared like insects. The cheers and cries died away in the air by degrees, and the reports of the ship's guns vibrated only in the lower concavity of the balloon. "How splendid all that is!" cried Joe, breaking the silence for the first time.
No reply was vouchsafed. The doctor was occupied in observing the barometrical changes and taking note of the various details of the ascent. Kennedy stared at it and could not take it all in.
The sun added to the heat of the blow-pipe and increased the expansion of the gas. The "Victoria" reached a height of 2,500 feet. The Resolute now appeared like a small barque, and the African coast loomed in the west like an enormous line of foam.
"Why don't you speak?" said Joe.
"We are making observations," replied the doctor, as he turned his glass towards the continent.
"Well, I feel as if I must speak," said Joe.
"Fire away, Joe; talk as much as you like."
Joe therefore gave way to a tremendous string of exclamations. The "ohs," the "ahs," and the "good heavens" were something astonishing.
While they were crossing the sea, the doctor thought it
