The balloon was again lightened by about fifty pounds, it rose sensibly, but not far, and not above the mountains. The situation was terrible. The "Victoria" was going at a great rate, and the expected shock they knew would break her to pieces.
The doctor looked round the car. It was almost empty.
"If necessary, Dick, you must throw the guns out."
"Sacrifice my rifles!" exclaimed the Scot.
"My friend, if I ask you, it will only be when absolutely necessary."
"Samuel!"
"The arms and ammunition may cost us our lives."
"We are close now," cried Joe.
"Ten fathoms!"
The mountain was then ten fathoms higher than the "Victoria."
Joe took the rugs, and the boxes of ammunition, and, without telling Kennedy, threw them over.
The balloon rose and passed the dreaded peak, the silk caught the sun's rays overhead, but the car was still below the rocks, against which it must inevitably be broken.
"Kennedy, Kennedy!" cried the doctor, "throw out arms, or we are lost."
"Wait, Mr. Dick," said Joe, "wait a moment!" And Kennedy, turning round, saw him disappear over the side of the car.
"Joe! Joe!" he cried.
"Unhappy man!" exclaimed the doctor.
The top of the mountain was at this place about twenty feet wide, and the other side was less steep. The car arrived at the edge of this plateau, and glided along upon the pebbles, which were ground beneath it.
"We are passing—we are passing—we have passed!" cried a voice which made Ferguson's heart bound.
The brave Joe was holding on by his hands to the bottom of the car and ran along the summit of the mountain, thus relieving the balloon of his weight; but he was obliged to hold very tightly, for the balloon was inclined to escape him.
When he reached the opposite side, and the precipice opened before him, Joe, by a vigorous effort, raised him-
