"We are not ninety miles from Gondokoro," said the doctor, referring to the map, "and scarcely five miles from the point reached by the discoverers from the north. Let us now approach the earth, but cautiously."
The "Victoria" descended more than 2,000 feet.
"Now, my friends, be ready for anything."
"We are ready," replied Dick and Joe.
"Good," said the doctor.
The "Victoria" sailed over the bed of the river at a height of scarcely 100 feet. The Nile measured fifty fathoms at this spot; and the inhabitants were tremendously excited in the villages along the banks. At the second degree the river formed a cascade about ten feet high, and was consequently impassable for boats.
"There is the very waterfall spoken of by M. Debono!" cried the doctor.
The bed of the river became extended and dotted with numerous islands, which Ferguson scanned narrowly. He seemed to be seeking a landmark which he had not hitherto perceived.
Some negroes were advancing in a boat beneath the balloon. Kennedy saluted them with a shot, which, without touching them, sent them back to the bank pretty quickly.
"Pleasant voyage!" shouted Joe; "in their place I would not take the chance of returning. I should have a wholesome fear of a monster who could hurl thunder at me at his will."
But now the doctor suddenly seized his telescope and directed it towards an island situated in the center of the river.
"Four trees!" he cried. "Do you see them down there? In fact four solitary trees were observable at the extremity of the island.
"'Tis the isle of Benga; it is indeed!" he shouted.
"Well, what then?" asked Dick.
"There we must descend, please goodness."
"But it appears to be inhabited, Mr. Samuel!"
"Joe is right; if I do not mistake, there are about twenty natives assembled there."
"We must put them to flight, that will not be a difficult matter," said Ferguson.
"All right!" said Dick.
