"In any case, Joe, it will do no harm to look to our arms."
"That will not hurt us, certainly, Mr. Dick; we now find what a good thing it was not to have thrown them away."
"I trust I shall never part with my rifle," said Kennedy. And he loaded it carefully, for some ammunition still remained.
"At what height are we now?"
"About 750 feet," replied Ferguson; "but we have no means left to seek a favorable current, and in ascending or descending we are entirely at the mercy of the balloon."
"That is a pity," replied Kennedy, "the wind is so light, and if we had only met a storm similar to that a few days ago, we should soon give these robbers the slip."
"They are following us at their ease," said Joe; "it is only gentle exercise for them."
"If we were within range," said Kennedy, "I could amuse myself by dismounting a few of them."
"Yes; but they might also have the range," said Ferguson, "and our 'Victoria' offers an excellent mark for their long musket bullets, and if they were to tear the silk, I leave you to judge what our fate would be."
The Talibas continued their pursuit all the morning. About 11 A. M. the travelers had made fifteen miles towards the west.
The doctor scanned the smallest cloud on the horizon. He feared a change. If they should happen to be driven towards the Niger, what would become of them? Moreover, the balloon was visibly sinking; since their departure it had already lost more than 300 feet, and the Senegal was still twelve miles away, and at the pace they were traveling it would take three hours to reach it.
At this time their attention was attracted by renewed yells. The Talibas were pressing their horses forward. The doctor consulted the barometer and perceived the cause of these cries.
"We are descending," said Kennedy.
"Yes!" replied Ferguson.
"The devil!" said Joe.
In about a quarter of an hour the car was not more than 150 feet from the ground, but the wind was blowing more strongly now.
