The balloon collapsed by degrees, and was falling with the brave travelers holding to the netting, they were doubting whether they should ever reach land, when the Frenchmen rushed into the river and received the three Englishmen in their arms at the moment when the "Victoria" sank at some distance from the bank.
"Doctor Ferguson?" cried the lieutenant.
"The same," replied the doctor, quietly, "and his two friends."
The Frenchmen carried the travelers to the bank, while the balloon, still slightly inflated, was borne by the rapid current, like an immense ball, over the cataracts of the Gouina.
"Poor 'Victoria!'" said Joe.
The doctor could not repress a tear. He opened his arms, and he and his friends embraced each other, under the influence of the emotion which affected them all.
CHAPTER XLIV
CONCLUSION
The expedition which had fallen in with the travelers had been sent by the governor of Senegal. It was composed of two officers, M. Dufraisse, a lieutenant of marines, and M. Rodamel, a second lieutenant, with a sergeant and seven men. For the last two days they had been engaged in seeking the most favorable situation for the establishment of a station at Gouina, when they were witnesses of the arrival of Doctor Ferguson.
One can easily imagine the congratulations which were extended to the travelers. The French being in a position to testify to the accomplishment of the bold design, naturally became witnesses for Doctor Ferguson, when he asked them to testify officially to his arrival at the cataracts of Gouina.
"You will not refuse to sign an official statement, I daresay?" the doctor said to Lieutenant Dufraisse.
"I am ready, whenever you please," replied the latter.
The English were conducted to a guard-house on the bank of the river, where they experienced the greatest attention, and were well entertained. There was drawn
