THELOSTCITY。
CHAPTERI。
NATUREINTRAVAIL。
\"Isay，professor？\"
\"Verywell，Waldo；proceed。\"
\"Wonderifthisisn’taportionofthegloriousclimate，brokenloosefromitsnativeCalifornia，anddriftingupthiswayonalark？\"
\"Ifso，saidlarkmustberoastedtoaturn，\"declaredthethird（andlast）memberofthatlittleparty，drawingacurvedforefingeracrosshisforehead，thenflirtingasidesundrydropsofmoisture。\"Ican’trecallsuchanothermuggyafternoon，andifwewereonlybackinwhatthescientiststermthecyclonebelt——\"
\"Wewouldbeallatsea，\"quicklyinterposedtheprofessor，thefingersofonehandvigorouslystirringhisgraypompadour，whiletheotherwasliftedinadeprecatorymanner。\"Atsea，literallyaswellasmetaphorically，mydearBruno；for，correctlyspeaking，theoceanalonecangivebirthtothecyclone。\"
\"Whycan’tyourememberanything，boy？\"sternlycutintheroguish-eyedyoungster，withadmonitoryforefinger，comingtothefront。\"HowmanytimeshaveItoldyounevertosaybluewhenyoumeangreen？Whydon’tyousayKansaszephyr？Orwindy-auger？Ortwister？Orwhirly-gustonacorkscrewwiggle-waggle？Or——well，almostanyotheroldthingthatyoucan’tthinkofattherighttime？W-h-e-w！Whomentionedsittingonasnowdrift，andsuckingatanicicle？Hot？Well，now，ifthisisn’tagenuineoldcyclonebreeder，thenIwouldn’taskacent！\"
WaldoGillespielethisfeetslipfrombeneathhim，sittingdownwithgreaterforcethangrace，backsupportedagainstagnarledjuniper，looseningtheclothesathisneckwhileusinghisotherhandtoplyhiscrumpledhatasafan。
Brunolaughedoutrightatthischaracteristicanticlimax，whileProfessorFeatherwitwasobligedtosmile，evenwhilecompelledtocorrect。
\"Tornado，please，nephew；notcyclone。\"
\"Well，unclePhaeton，haveityourownway。Undereithername，I
fancythething-a-ma-jigwouldkickupahigholdbobberywithaman’spoliticaleconomyshoulditchancetogobu’strightthere！
And，besides，whenIwasaweentylittlefellowIwastaughtnevertocallamanafooloraliar——\"
\"Waldo！\"sharplywarnedhisbrother，turningagain。
\"SolongasIknewmyselftobeinthewrong，\"coollyfinishedtheyoungster，facegrave，buteyestwinkling，astheyturnedtowardshismistakenmentor。\"Whatisit，mydearBruno？\"
\"Thereisonethingneithercyclonenortornadocouldeverdepriveyouof，Kid，andthatis——\"
\"Mybeauty，wit，andgoodsense，——thanks，awfully！Noryou，mydearBruno，althoughmyinbredpolitenessforbidsmyexplainingjustwhy。\"
Therewasaqueer-soundingchuckleasProfessorFeatherwitturnedaway，busyinghimselfaboutthatrude-builtshedandshantywhichshelteredtheprideofhisbrainandthepetofhisheart，whileBrunosmiledindulgentlyashetookafewstepsawayfromthosestuntedtreesinordertogainafairerviewofthestormyheavens。
Farawaytowardsthenortheast，risingabovethedistanthill，nowshowedanugly-lookingcloud-bankwhichalmostcertainlyportendedastormofnoordinarydimensions。
Haditfirstappearedintheoppositequarterofthehorizon，Brunowouldhavefeltastrongerinterestintheclouds，knowingashedidthatthemiscalled\"cyclone\"almostinvariablyfindsbirthinthesouthwest。Then，too，nearlyalltheothersymptomswerenoticeable，——theclose，\"muggy\"atmosphere；thedeathlikestillness；thelackofoxygenintheair，causingonetobreathemorerapidly，yetwithfarlesssatisfyingresultsthanusual。
EvenasBrunogazed，thoseheavycloud-bankschanged，bothinshapeandincolour，takingonapeculiargreenishlustrewhichonlytooaccuratelyforebodeshailofnoordinaryforce。
Hiscrytothiseffectbroughttheprofessorforthfromtheshed-likeshanty，whileWaldorousedupsufficientlytospeak：
\"Tosaynothingofyonderformationwayoutoverthesaltydrink，myworthyfriends，whointimatedthatacyclonewasbornatsea？\"
ProfessorFeatherwitfrownedabitashiskeenlittlerat-likeeyesturnedtowardsthatquarteroftheheavens；butthefrownwasnotforWaldo，norforhisslightlyirreverentspeech。
Wherebutafewminutesbeforetherehadbeenonlyafewlightcloudsinsight，wasnowaheavybankofremarkableshape，itscrestastraightlineasthoughmarkedbyanenormousruler，whiletheloweredgewasbrokenintosharppointsandirregularsections，thewholeseemingtofloatuponalowseaofgrayishcopper。
\"Well，well，thatlooksugly，decidedlyugly，Imustconfess，\"
thewirylittleprofessorspoke，afterthatkeenscrutiny。
\"Really，now？\"drawledWaldo，whowasnothingifnotcontraryonthesurface。\"Barringacertainlittletopsy-turvynesswhichissomethingoutoftheordinary，I’dcallthatacharmingbitof——Greatgunsandlittlecannon-balls！\"
Forjustthentherecameashriekingblastofwindfromoutthenortheast，bringinguponitswingsabriefshowerofhail，intermingledwithgreatdropsofrainwhichpeltedallthingswithscarcelylessforcethandidthosefrozenparticles。
\"Hurrah！\"shrillyscreamedWaldo，ashedashedoutintothestorm，fairlyrevellinginthesuddenchange。\"Whosaysthisisn’t’wayupinG？’Whosays——outoftheway，Bruno！Shutthattrap-doorinyourface，soanotherfellowmaygetatleastashareofthegoodthingscomingstraightdownfrom——ow——wow！\"
Throughthenowdrivingraincameflashinglargerparticles，andoneofmorethanordinarysizereboundedfromthatcurlypate，sendingitsownerhurriedlytoshelterbeneaththescrubbytrees，onehandruefullyrubbingtheinjuredpart。
Fasterfellthedrops，bothofrainandofice，clatteringagainsttheshantyanditsadjoiningshedwithanuproaraudibleevenabovethesullenlyrollingpealsofheavythunder。
Theraindescendedinperfectsheetsforafewminutes，whilethehailstonesfellthickerandfaster，growinginsizeasthestormraged，alreadybeginningtolendthoseredsandsapearlytingewiththeirdancingparticles。Nowandthenanaerialmonsterwouldfall，todrawawonderingcryfromthebrothers，andonmorethanoneoccasionWaldoriskedacrackedcrownbydashingforthfromsheltertosnatchuparemarkablespecimen。
\"TalkaboutyourCaliforniafruit！what’sthematterwithgoodoldWashingtonTerritory？\"hecried，tightlyclenchingonefistandholdingahailstonealongsidebywayofcomparison。\"Lookatthat，willyou？Isn’titabeauty？Seethedifferentshadedringsofwhiteandclearice。See——brother，itisaslargeasmyfist！\"
ButforonceProfessorPhaetonFeatherwitwasfairlydeaftotheclaimsofthis，insomerespectshisfavouritenephew，havingscuttledbackbeneaththeshed，wherehewasbusilystowingawaysundryarticlesofimportanceintoaqueerlyshapedmachinewhichthoseroughplanksfairlyshieldedfromthedrivingstorm。
Havingperformedthisdutytohisownsatisfaction，theprofessorcamebacktowherethebrotherswerestanding，viewingwiththemsuchofthestormascouldbeitemised。Thatwasbutlittle，thankstothedrivingrain，whichcutone’svisionshortatbutafewrods，whilethedeafeningpealsofthunderpreventedanyconnectedconversationduringthosefirstfewminutes。
\"Goodthingwe’vegotashelter！\"criedWaldo，involuntarilyshrinkingastheplankroofwashammeredbyseveralmammothstonesofice。\"Oneofthosechunksoficewouldcrackafellow’sskulljustaseasy！\"
Yetthenextinstanthewasoutinthedrivingstorm，eagerlysnatchingatabraceofthosefrozenmarvels，heedlessofhisownriskorofthewarningshoutssentafterhimbythosecooler-brainedcomrades。
Thundercrashedinwildestunisonwithalmostblindingsheetsoflightning，therainandhailfallingthickerandheavierthaneverforafewmoments；butthen，assuddenlyasithadcome，thestormpassedon，leavingbutafewscattereddropstofetchuptherear。
\"Isn’tthatprettynearlywhatpeoplecallacloudburst，unclePhaeton？\"askedBruno，curiouslywatchingthatrecedingmassofwhatfromtheirpresentstandpointlookedlikevapour。
\"Thosewhollyignorantofmeteorologicalphenomenamightsopronounce，perhaps，butneveronewhohasgiventhemattereitherthoughtorstudy，\"promptlyrespondedtheprofessor，innowiselothtogiveafreelecture，nomatterhowbriefitmightbe，perforce。\"Itismerelynatureseekingtorestoreadisturbedequilibrium；acurrentofcolderair，insearchofatemporaryvacuum，causedby——\"
\"Butisn’tthatjustwhatproducescy——tornadoes，though？\"
interruptedWaldo，withscantpoliteness。
\"Precisely，mydearboy，\"blandlyagreedtheirmentor，rubbinghishandsbriskly，whilepeeringthroughrain-dampenedglasses，afterthatdepartingstorm。\"AndIhavescarcelyadoubtbutthatatornadoofnoordinarymagnitudewillbethefinaloutcomeofthisremarkabledisplay。For，astherecordwillamplyprove，themostdestructivewindstormsareinvariablyheraldedbyafallofhail，heavyinproportiontothe——\"
\"ThenI’dratherbeexcused，thankyou，sir！\"againinterruptedtheyoungerofthebrothers，shrugginghisshouldersashesteppedforthfromsheltertowinafairerviewofthespacestretchingawaytowardsthesouthandthewest。\"Ialwayslaughedattalesofhailstoneslargeashen’seggs，butnowI
knowbetter。IfIwasahen，andhadtomatchsuchapatternasthese，I’dpetitionthelegislaturetochangemynametothatofostrich，——Ijustwould，now！\"
Brunoprovedtobealittlemoreamenabletothelawofpoliteness，andtohimProfessorFeatherwitconfinedhissapientremarksforthetimebeing，givingnoslightamountofvaluableinformationanentthesestrangephenomenaofnatureintravail。
Hespokeofthedifferentvarietiesofland-storms，showinghowatornadovariedfromahurricaneoragale，thenagainbroughttothefrontthevitaldifferencebetweenacyclone，assuch，andthemiscalled\"twister，\"whichhaswroughtsuchdiredestructionthroughoutalargeportionofourownlandduringmorerecentyears。
Whilethatlittlelecturewouldmakeinterestingreadingforthosewhotakeaninterestinsuchmatters，itneedscarcelybereproducedinthisconnection，moreparticularlyas，justwhentheprofessorwasgettingfairlywarmeduptohiswork，aninterruptioncameintheshapeofasharp，eagershoutfromthelipsofWaldoGillespie。
\"Look——lookyonder！Whatafunnylookingcloudthatis！\"
Asmallclumpoftreesgrowinguponarisingbitofgroundinterferedwiththeviewofhisbrotheranduncle，forWaldowaspointingalmostduesoutheast；yethisexcitementwassopronouncedthatboththeprofessorandBrunohastenedinthatdirection，stoppingshortastheycaughtafairsightoftheobjectindicated。
Amightymassofwildlydisturbedclouds，blackandgreenandwhiteandyellowallblendingtogetherandconstantlyshiftingpositions，outofwhichwassuddenlyformedastillmoreominousshape。
Amassofluridvapourshotdownwards，takingonthegeneralsemblanceofaballoon，asitswayedmadlybackandforth，anelongatingtrunkortonguereachingstillnearertheearth，withfiercegyrations，asthoughseekingtofastenuponsomesupport。
Notoneofthattriohadeverbeforegazeduponjustsuchanothercreation，yetoneandallrecognisedthetruth，——thiswasaveritabletornado，justsuchastheyhadreadinawedwonderabout，timeandtimeagain。
NeitheroneofthebrothersGillespiewerecravens，inanysenseoftheword，butnowtheircheeksgrewpaler，andtheyseemedtoshrinkfromyonderairymonster，evenwhilewatchingitgrowintoshapeandawfulpower。
ProfessorFeatherwitwasnolessabsorbedinthiswondrousspectacle，buthiswastheinterestofascientist，andhispulsebeatasordinary，hisbrainremainingasclearandcalmasever。
\"Ihardlybelievewehaveanythingtofearfromthistornado，mylads，\"hesaid，takingnoteoftheiruneasiness。\"Accordingtobothruleandprecedent，yondertornadowillpasstotheeastofourpresentposition，andwewillbeassaferighthereasthoughwewereathousandmilesaway。\"
\"But，——dotheyalwaysmovetowardsthenortheast，unclePhaeton？\"
\"Asarule，yes；butthereareexceptions，ofcourse。Andunlessthisshouldprovetobeoneofthoserareex——er——\"
\"Look！\"criedWaldo，withswiftgesticulation。\"It’scomingthisway，orInever——ISN’Titcomingthisway？\"
\"Unlessthisshouldprovetobeoneofthoserareexceptions，mydearboy，Icanpromiseyouthat——Uponmysoul！\"withanabruptchangeofbothtoneandmanner，\"IreallybelieveitIScomingthisway！\"
\"Itis——itiscoming！Getamoveon，orwe’llneverknow——huntaholeandpullitinafteryou！\"fairlyscreamedWaldo，turninginflight。
CHAPTERII。
PROFESSORFEATHERWITTAKINGNOTES。
\"Tothehouse！\"criedtheprofessor，raisinghisvoicetoovercomeyondersullenroar，whichwasnowbeginningtocometheirway。\"Trustalltotheaeromotor，and’twillbewellwithus！\"
Thewirylittlemanofsciencehimselffelltoworkwithanenergywhichtoldhowseriousheregardedtheemergency，and，actingunderhislead，thebrothersmanfullyplayedtheirpart。
Justashadbeendonemanytimesbeforethisday，aqueer-lookingmachinewasshovedoutfromtheshed，glidingalongthewoodenwayspreparedforthatexpresspurpose，whileProfessorFeatherwithurriedaboardafewarticleswhichpastexperiencewarnedhimmightproveofserviceinthehourstocome，thensharplycriedtohisnephews：
\"Getaboard，lads！Timeenough，yetnonetospareinidlemotions。See！Thestormisdriftingourwayindeadlyearnest！\"
Andsoitseemed，ingoodsooth。
Nowfairlyatitsdreadworkofdestruction，tearinguptheraindampeneddirtandplayingwithmightyboulders，tossingthemhereandthere，asagiantofoldentalesmightplaywithjackstones，snappingoffsturdytreesandwhippingthemtosplintersevenwhilehurlingthemasafarmersowshisgrain。
Justtheonebrieflookatthataerialmonster，thenbothladshungfasttothehand-railofrope，whiletheprofessorputthatcunningmachineryinmotion，causingtheair-shiptorisefromitswayswithasuddenswoopingmovement，thensoaringupwardandonward，inafaircurve，asgracefulandsteadyasabirdonwing。
Allthistooksomelittletime，evenwhilethetriowereworkingasmenonlycanwhendearlifeisatstake；buttheflying-machinewasafloatandfairlyoffuponthemostmarvellousjourneymortalseveraccomplished，andthatereyonderdeath-ballooncouldcoverhalfthedistancebetween。
\"Grand！Glorious！Magnificent！\"fairlyexplodedtheprofessor，whenhecouldriskamorecomprehensivelook，righthandtightlygrippingthepolishedleverthroughwhichhecontrolledthatadmirablemechanism。\"Ihavelongedforjustsuchanopportunity，andnow——thecamera，Bruno！Wemustneverneglecttoimprovesuchamarvellouschancefor——getoutthecamera，lad！\"
\"Getoutoftheroad，rather！\"bluntlyshoutedWaldo，faceunusuallypale，ashestaredatyonderawfulforceinaction。\"OfcourseI’mnotscared，oranythinglikethat，unclePhaeton，but——Iwanttorackouto’thisjustaboutthequickestthelawallows！Yes，IDO，now！\"
\"Wonderful！Marvellous！Incredible！Thatraraavis，anexceptiontoallexceptions！\"declaredtheprofessor，moredeeplystirredthaneitherofhisnephewshadeverseenhimbefore。\"A
genuinetornadowhichhasnoeasterndrift；whichheadsasdirectlyaspossibletowardsthenorthwest，andatthesametime——incredible！\"
Onlyearsofhisowncaughtthesesentencesintheirentirety，fornowthestormwasfairlybellowinginitsmight，formedofavarietyofsoundswhichbafflesalldescription，butwhich，initself，wasmorethansufficienttochillthebloodofevenabraveman。Yet，almostasthoughmagnetisedbythatfrightfulforce，theprofessorwasholdinghisair-shipsteady，loiteringthereinitsdirectpath，ratherthanfleeingfromwhatsurelywouldproveutterdestructiontomanandmachinealike。
ForafewmomentsBrunowithstoodthetemptation，butthenleanedfarenoughtograspbothhandandtiller，forcingthemintherequisitedirection，causingtheaeromotortoswingeasilyaroundanddartawayalmostatrightanglestothetrackofthetornado。
Thatroarwasnowasofathousandheavilyladentrainsrumblingoverhollowbridges，andtheprofessorcouldonlynodhisapprovalwhenthusarousedfromthedangerousfascination。
Anotherminute，andtheair-shipwasfloatingtowardstherearoftheballoon-shapedclouditself，eachsecondgrantingthepassengersavaryingviewofthewonder。
Truetothefirmhandwhichsetitsmachineryinmotion，theflying-machinemaintainedthatgentlecurveuntilitswungaroundwelltotherearofthecloud，whereagainProfessorFeatherwitbrokeoutinecstaticpraisesoftheirmarvellousgoodfortune。
\"’Tisworthalife’sransom，forneveruntilnowhathmortalbeingbeenblessedwithsuchamagnificentopportunityfortakingnotesanddrawingdeductionswhich——\"
Theprofessornimblyduckedhisheadtododgearaggedsplinteroffreshlytornwoodwhichcamewhistlingpast，castfarawayfromthetornadoproperbythoseerraticwinds。Andatthesameinstantthemachineitselfrecoiled，shiveringandcreakinginallitscunningjointsunderagustofwindwhichseemedcomposedofbothiceandfire。
\"Oh，Isay！\"gaspedWaldo，whenhecouldrallyfromthesuddenblow。\"Turntheoldthingtheotherway，unclePhaeton，andlet’sgolookfor——well，almostanything’sbetterthanthisoldcyclone！\"
\"Tornado，lad，\"swiftlycorrectedthemanofprecision，leaningfarforward，andgazingenthralleduponthevisionwhichfairlythrilledhishearttoitsverycentre。\"Neveragainmaywehavesuchanotheropportunityformaking——\"
Theywerenowdirectlyintherearofthestorm，andastheair-shipheadedacrossthattrackofdestruction，itgaveadrunkenstagger，castingdownitsinmates，fromwhoseparchinglipsburstcriesofvaryingimport。
\"Air！I’mchoking！\"gaspedBruno，tearingopenhisshirt-collarwithaspasmodicmotion。
\"Holdmefast！\"echoedWaldo，clingingdesperatelytothelife-line。\"It’sdrawingme——intothe——ah！\"
Eventheprofessorgavecertainsymptomsofalarmforthatmoment，butthenthedangerseemedpastastheshipdartedfairlyacrossthestorm-trail，hoveringtotheeastofthataerialphantom。
Therewasnodifficultyinfillingtheirlungsnow，andoncemoreProfessorFeatherwitheadedtheflying-machinedirectlyfortheballoon-shapedcloud，modulatingitspacesoastomaintaintheirrelativepositionfairlywell。
\"Takenotehowitprogresses，——byfitsandstarts，asitwere，\"
observedFeatherwit，nowinhisglory，eyesasparkleandmusclesaquiver，hairbristlingasthoughfullofelectricity，faceglowingwithalmostpainfulinterest，asthoseshiftingsceneswereforeverimprinteduponhisbrain。
\"Sortofahop，step，andjump，andthat’safact，\"agreedWaldo，nowabitmoreathiseasesincethatawfulsenseofsuffocationwaslacking。\"Ithoughtallcyclones——\"
\"Tornado，myDEARboy！\"expostulatedtheprofessor。
\"Ithoughttheyallwentinholyhurry，liketheyweresentforandhadmightylittletimeinwhichtogetthere。Butthisone，——seehowitstopstodanceajigandboreholesintheearth！\"
\"Anotherexceptiontothegeneralrule，whichisasyousay，\"
admittedtheprofessor。\"Differenttornadoeshavebeentimedasmovingfromtwelvetoseventymilesanhour，onepassingagivenpointinhalfascoreofseconds，atanothertimebeingregisteredasfullyhalfanhourinclearingasinglesection。
\"TakethedestructivestormatMountCarmel，Illinois，inJuneof’77。Thatmadeprogressattherateofthirty-fourmilesanhour，yetitsforcewassomightythatittoreawaythespire，vane，andheavygildedballoftheMethodistchurch，andkeptitinairoveradistanceoffifteenmiles。
\"StilllaterwastheTexastornado，doingitsawfulworkattherateofmorethansixtymilesanhour；whilethatwhichsweptthroughFrankfort，Kansas，onMay17，1896，wasfullyahalf-hourincrossingahalf-milestretchofbottom-landadjoiningtheVermillionRiver，pausinginitsdizzywaltzuponasinglespotforlongminutesatatime。\"
\"Couldn’thavebeenmuchleftwhenitgotthroughdancing，ifthatstormwasanythinglikethisone，\"declaredWaldo，shiveringabitashewatchedtheawfuldestructionbeingwroughtrightbeforetheirfascinatedeyes。
Treesweretwistedoffanddoubleduplikebladesofdrygrass。
Mightyrocksweretornapartfromtheruggedhills，andhugebouldersweretossedintoairasthoughcomposedofpaper。Andoverallascendedthehorridroarofruinbeyonddescription，whilefromthatmisshapenballoon-cloud，withitsflattenedtop，theelectricfluidshoneandflashed，nowingreatsheetsasofflame，theninviciousspurtsanddartsasthoughinnumerablesnakesoffirehadbeenturnedloosebythewinds。
Stilltheaerialdemonboreditsalmostsluggishcoursestraighttowardsthenorthwest，inthis，asinallelse，seeminglybentonprovingitselftheexceptiontoallexceptionsasProfessorFeatherwitdeclared。
Thesavanthimselfwasnowinhisglory，holdingthetillerbetweenarmandside，thebettertomanipulatehishand-camera，withwhichhewastakingrepeatedsnap-shotsforfuturedevelopmentandreference。
Truly，ashemorethanoncedeclared，mortalmanneverhad，normortalmaneverwouldhave，suchagloriousopportunityforrecordingthevaryingphasesofnatureintravailaswasnowvouchsafedthemselves。
\"Justthinkofit，lads！\"hecried，almostbesidehimselfwithenthusiasm。\"Thisalonewillbesufficienttocarryournamesringingthroughalltimedownthecorridorsofundyingfame！Thisalonewouldbemorethanenoughto——Lookpleasant，please！\"
Inspiteofthatawfulvisionsoperilouslyclosebeforethem，andthenaturaluncertaintywhichattendedsucharecklessventure，Waldocouldnotrepressachuckleatthatcomicalconclusion，sofrequentlyusedtowardshimselfwhentheirunclewascoaxingthemtoposebeforehispetcamera。
\"Isit——surelythisisnotsafe，unclePhaeton？\"venturedBruno，asanotherretrogradegustofairsmotetheirapparentlyfrailconveyancewithsuddenforce。
\"Let’scallitaday’swork，andknockoff，\"chimedinWaldo。\"Iftheblamedthingshouldtakeanotiontobalk，andrearbackonitshaunches，where’dwecomeoutat？\"
ProfessorFeatherwitmadeanimpatientgesturebywayofanswer。
Speechjustthenwouldhavebeenworsethanuseless，forthattremendousroaring，crashing，thunderingofallsounds，seemedtofallbackandenveloptheair-shipaswithapall。
Ashowerofsandandfinedebrispouredoverandaroundthem，fillingearsandmouths，andblindingeyesforthemoment，forcingthebrothersclosertotheflooroftheaerostat，andevencompellingtheeagerprofessortoremithistakingofnotesforfuturegenerations。
Then，thinandreed-like，yetservingtopiercethattemporaryobscurityandhorriblejangleofoutersounds，camethevoiceoftheirrelative：
\"Fearnot，mychildren！TheLordisourshield，andsolongashewilleth，justsolongshallwe——Ha！didn’tItellyeso？\"
Fortheblindingveilwastornaway，andonceagainthetrioofadventurersmightwatchyondergrandlyawesomemarchofdevastation。
\"HeadingdirectfortheOlympics！\"declaredProfessorFeatherwit，diggingthesandoutofhiseyesandstrivingtocleanhisglasseswithoutremovingthem，clingingtotillerandcamerathroughall。\"Whatagrandandgloriousguide’twouldbeforus！\"
\"Ifwecouldonlyhitchon——likeatincantothetailofadog！\"
suggestedWaldo，withboyishsarcasm。\"Notanyofthatinmine，thankyou！Icanwait。Nosuchmightyrush。No，——SIR！\"
Therecamenoanswertohiswords，forjustthenthatswoopingair-demonturnedtovividfire，lightningplayingbackandforth，fromsidetoside，ineveryconceivabledirection，untilinspiteofthebroaddaylightitsglorypainedthosewatchingeyes。
\"Didyoueverwitnessthelike！\"awesomelycriedBruno，gazinglikeonefascinated。\"Whocouldorwouldeverbelieveallthat，eveniftonguewereabletoportrayitswondrousbeauty？\"
\"Whataplacethatwouldbeforpoppingcorn！\"contributedWaldo，practicalornothing，evenundersuchpeculiarcircumstances。\"IfIhadtoplaypoppy，though，I’dwantapreciouslonghandletotheconcern！\"
Moreintenselyinterestedthanever，ProfessorFeatherwitpliedhisshutter，takingshotaftershotatyonderaerialphenomena，feelingthatfuturegenerationswouldsurelyriseuptocallhimblessedwhentheresultsofhisexperimentswereoncefairlyspreadbeforetheworld。
Andhenceitcametopassthatstillmorethrillingexperiencescameuntothesedaringnavigatorsofspace，andthatalmostbeforeoneortheotherofthemcouldfairlyrealisethatgreaterdangerreallymenacedboththeirair-shipandtheirlives。
Anotherwhirly-gustofsandandotherdebrisassailedtheflying-machine，andwhilesightwasthusrenderedalmostuselessforthetimebeing，theaerostatbegantoswayandreelfromsidetoside，shiveringasthoughcaughtbyanirresistiblepower，yetagainstwhichitbattledasthoughinstinctwithlifeandbrain-power。
Onceagaintheadventurersfounditdifficulttobreathe，whileanunseenpowerseemedpressingthemtothatfloorasthough——Thankheaven！
Justasbefore，thatcloudwassweptaway，andagainaircametofillthosepainfullyoppressedlungs。Onceagainthetrioclearedtheireyesandstaredabout，onlytouttersimultaneouscriesofalarm。
For，briefthoughthatperiodofblindnesshadbeen，’twasamplysufficienttocarrytheaeromotorperilouslynearyonderstorm-centre，andthoughProfessorFeatherwitgrippedhardhistiller，tryingallheknewtoturntheair-shipforasaferquarter，-’twasallinvain！
\"Haste，——makehaste，unclePhaeton！\"hoarselypantedBruno，leaningtoaidtheprofessor。\"Wewillbesuckedinand——hasten，forlife！\"
\"Ican’t，——we’realready——inthe——suction！\"
CHAPTERIII。
RIDINGTHETORNADO。
Whetheritwasthattheair-shipitselfhadincreaseditsspeedduringthosefewmomentsofdenseobscurity，orwhetherthemadlywhirlingwindshadtakenaretrogrademovementatthatprecisetime，couldonlybeamatterofconjecture；buttheominousfactremained。
Theaerostatwasfairlyoverthedanger-line，and，despitealleffortsbeingmadetothecontrary，wasbeingdrawndirectlytowardsthathowling，crashing，thunderingmassofdestructiveenergy。
Alreadytheinmatesfeltthemselvesbeingsuckedfromtheflying-machine，andinstinctivelytightenedtheirgripuponhand-railandfloor，gaspingandoppressed，breathfailing，andribsapparentlybeingcrushedinbythathorriblepressure。
\"Holdfast——forlife！\"pantinglyscreamedProfessorFeatherwit，ashestroveinvaintocheckorchangethecourseofhisaeromotor，nowforthefirsttimebeyondcontrolofthatmaster-hand。
Afewsecondsofsoul-tryingsuspense，duringwhichtheflying-machineshiveredfromstemtostern，almostlikeahumancreatureinitsdeath-agony，creakingandgroaning，withshrillsoundscomingfromthoseexpanded，curvedwings，asthesuctionincreased；then——
Amercifuldarknessfelloverthosesorelyimperilledbeings，andthevesselitselfseemedabouttobeoverwhelmedbyanavalancheofsandanddirtandmixeddebris。Thencameadizzy，rockinglurch，followedbyashockwhichnearlycastuncleandnephewsfromtheirfranticholds，andtheair-shipappearedtobewhirledendforend，casthitherandyon，wrenchedandtwistedasthoughallmustgotoruintogether。
Ablastasofsuperheatedairsmoteuponthemonemoment，whileinthenexttheywerewhirledthroughanicyatmosphere，thentosseddizzilytoandfro，astheirtoo-frailvehiclespunupwardasthoughonajourneytothefar-awaystars。
Ashriekingblastofwindservedtobrieflyclearawaythechokingdust，affordingthetrioafleetingglimpseoftheirimmediatesurroundings：hurtlingsticksandstones，splinteredtopsoftrees，shrubswithwildlylashingrootsfreshlytornfromthebedofyears，allmadlyspinningthroughablinding，scorching，freezingmassofcrazilybattlingwinds，thedifferentcurrentstwiningandweavinginandout，assomanyhideousserpentsatplay。
Amomentthus，thenthathorriduproargrewstillmoredeafening，andtheair-shipwaswhirledhighandhigher，inadizzydance，thoselucklesscreaturesclingingfasttowhatevertheirfrenziedhandsmightclutch，feelingthatthiswastheendofall。
Furthersightwasdeniedthem。Theywerepowerlesstomovealimb，saveasjerkedpainfullybythoseshriekingcurrents。
Breathwastakenaway，andanenormousweightboredownuponthem，threateningtoproduceafatalcollapsethroughtheirribsgivingway。
Upwardwhirledtheflying-machine，powerlessnowasthosewretchedbeingswithinitscunningshape，smittensharplyhereandtherebysomeofthoseascendingmissiles，yetwithoutreceivingmaterialinjury；untilalastshiveringlurchcame，endinginasuddenfall。
Adizzyingswoopdownward，butnottodeathanddestruction，fortheaerostatalightedeasilyuponwhatappearedtobeasortofair-cushion，and，thoughunsteadyforabriefspace，thensettleduponanevenkeel。
\"Clingfast——forlife！\"huskilygaspedtheprofessor，unwittinglyrepeatingthecautionwhichhadlastcrossedhislips，whichhehadeversincebeenstrivingtoenunciate，faithfultohisguardianshipoverthese，hissolesurvivingrelatives。
\"Idon’t——wherearewe？\"
Waldoliftedhisheadtopeerwithhalf-blindeyesaboutthem，inwhichactionhewasimitatedbybothbrotheranduncle；but，forabriefspace，theywerenonethewiser。
Allaroundtheaeromotorroseawallofwhirlingwinds，seeminglyimpenetrable，apparentlywithinreachofanextendedarm，changingcolourwitheachfractionofasecond，hideouslybeautiful，yetnevertwicethesameinblendormixture。
Ahollow，strangelysoundingroarwasperceptible；oneinstantcomingasfromthefardistance，thenfromnighathand，causingtheair-shiptoquiverandtremble，asasentientbeingmightinthepresenceofatorturingdeath。
\"Look——upward！\"pantedBruno，afewsecondslater，hisfaceaspaleasthatofacorpse，inspiteofthedirtandblotchesofstickymudwithwhichhehadbeenpepperedduringthatdizzywhirl。
Mechanicallyhiscompanionsinperilobeyed，catchingbreathsharply，astheysawaclearskyandyellowsunshinefarabove，——soawfullyfartheywere，thatitseemedlikelookingupwardfromthebottomofanenormouslydeepwell。
AndthenthemarvelloustruthflasheduponthebrainofPhaetonFeatherwit，almostrobbinghimofallpowerofspeech。Stillhemanagedtojerkilyejaculate：
\"We’reinside，——ridingthe——tornado——itself！\"
Thenthosewhirlingwindsclosedquicklyabovethem，shuttingoutthesunlight，hidingtheheavensfromtheirview，enclosingthatvehicleanditsoccupants，astheywereborneawayintounknownregions，withintheveryheartofthetornadoitself！
Yet，incredibleasitsurelyseems，noactualharmcametothetrioortotheirflying-machineasitswayedgentlyuponitsairycushion，althoughfromeverysidecamethehorridroarofdestruction，whileeverandanontheycouldglimpseawrestlingtreeortornmassofshrubberywhizzingupwardandoutward，tobeflungfarawaybeyondthevortexofelectricalwinds。
Oncemorecamethatawfulsenseofsuffocation。Thatpaintedpallcloseddownuponthem，robbingtheirlungsofair，oneinstantfairlycrispingtheirhairwithatouchoffire，onlytosendanicychilltotheirveinsamomentlater。
Invaintheystruggled，fightingforbreath，asafishgaspswhenswungfromitsnativeelement。Whilethathorridpressureendured，man，youth，andboyalikewerepowerless。
Againthepalllifted，foldingbackandblendingwiththosemadlycirclingcurrents，onceagainaffordingaglimpseofyonderfar-awayheavens，somarvellouslyclear，andbright，andpeacefulinseeming！
Weakenedbythoseterriblemoments，BrunoandWaldolaygasping，trembling，faintofheartandillofbody，yetfillingtheirlungswithcomparativelypureair，——pitytherewassolittleofittowin！
ProfessorFeatherwitstillhadthoughtandcareforhisnephewsratherthanhimselfalone，andpantinglyspoke，ashedraggedhimselftothesnuglocker，wheremanyimportantarticleshadbeenstowedaway：
\"Here——sucklife——compressedair！\"
Withhuskycriesthebrotherscaughtatthetubesoffered，themethodofworkingwhichhadsooftenbeenexplainedbytheirrelative。
Oncemorethetubebecameachamber，andthathorridforcethreatenedtoflattentheirbodies；buttheworsthadpassed，forthatpreciouscylindernowgavethemairtoinhale，andtheywereenabledtowaitfortheliftingofthecloudoncemore。
Thankstothisimportantagency，strengthandenergybothofbodyandofmindnowcamebacktotheair-voyagers，andafteralittletheycouldlifttheirheadstopeeraroundthemwithgrowingwonderandcuriosity。
Therewaslittleroomleftfordoubtingthewondroustruth，andyetbeliefwaspasttheirpowersduringthosefirstfewminutes。
Allaroundthemwhirledandspedthosemaddenedwinds，curlingandtwisting，risingandfalling，mixinginandoutasthoughsomeunknownpowermightbeweavingthewebofdestiny。
Nowdull，nowbrilliant，nevertwicethesame，buteverchangingincolourasinshape，whilestripesandzigzagsoflightningplayedhereandtherewithterrifyingmenace，thosewallsofwindheldanawfullyfascinatingpowerforuncleandnephews。
Fromeverysidecamedeadenedsoundswhichcouldbearbutasingleinterpretation：thetornadowasstillinrapidmotion，wasstilltearingandrending，crushingandbattering，leavingdiredestructionandruintomarkitsadvance，andthesewerethesoundsthatrecordeditsuglywork。
Ingoodlymeasurerevivedbythecompressedair，whichwasregulatedinflowtosuithisrequirementsbyadeviceofhisown，ProfessorFeatherwitnowlookedaroundwithsomethingofhiswontedanimation，heedlessofhisownperilforthemoment，sogreatwashisinterestinthismarvelloushappening。
Soutterlyincrediblewasitallthat，duringthosefirstfewminutesofrallyingpowers，hedarednotexpressthebeliefwhichwasshapingitself，gazingaroundinquestofstillfurtherconfirmation。
Hetooknoteofthewindywallsabouttheirvessel，risingupwardformanyyards，irregularinshapeandcurvaturehereandthere，butretainingthegeneralsemblanceofatubewithflaringtop。
Hepeeredovertheedgeofthebasket，todrawbackdizzilyashesawnaughtbutyeasty，boiling，seethingcloudsbelow，——averitableair-cushionwhichhadservedtosavethepetofhisbrainfromutterdestructionatthetimeoffallingwithin——
Yes，therewasnolongerroomfordoubt，——theywereactuallyinsidethedistortedballoon，sodreadedbyallresidentsofthetornadobelt！
\"Whatisit，uncle？\"huskilyaskedBruno，likewiserallyingunderthatbeneficialinfluence。\"Wherearewenow？\"
\"WhereI’mwishingmightyhardwewasn’t，anyhow！\"contributedWaldo，withsomethingofhisusualenergy，although，judgingfromhisfaceandeyes，theyoungsterhadsufferedmoreseverelythaneitherofhiscomradesinperil。
ProfessorFeatherwitbrokeintoaqueerlysoundinglaugh，ashewavedhisfreehandinexultationbeforespeaking：
\"Wherenolivingbeingeverwasbeforeus，mylads，——ridingthetornadolikea——ugh！\"
Theair-shipgaveanawkwardlurchjustthen，anddownwentthelittleprofessortothumphisheadheavilyagainstonecornerofthelocker。Swayingdrunkenlyfromsidetoside，thentossingupanddown，turninginunisonwiththosefiercelywhirlingclouds，theaeromotorseemedatthepointofwreckandruin。
Desperatelythetrioclungtothelife-lines，clenchingteethuponthelife-givingtubesasthatterriblepressureincreasedsomuchthatitseemedimpossibleforthehumanframetolongerresist。
Fortunatelythatordealdidnotlongendure，andagainreliefcametothosesosorelyoppressed。Abriefgasping，sighing，stretchingastheaerostatresumeditslevelposition，merelyrockingeasilywithinthatpartialvacuum，andthenWaldohuskilysuggested：
\"Looksliketheblamethingwassickatthestomach！\"
Nodoubtthiswasmeantforafeebleattemptatjoking，butProfessorFeatherwittookitforearnest，andmadequickreply：
\"Thatispreciselythecase，mydearlad，andIamgreatlyjoyedtofindthatyouarenotsobadlyfrightenedbutthatyoucanassistmeintakingnotesofthiswondroushappening。Tothinkthatwearetheonesselectedfor——\"
\"Isay，unclePhaeton。\"
\"Well，mylad？\"
\"Ifthisthingisreallysickatthestomach，whenwilliterupt？
I’dgiveadollarandahalftojustgetouto’this，scienceornoscience，notesornonotesatall！\"
\"Patience，mydearboy，\"gravelyspokethelittlemanofscience，busilystudyingthoseeddyingcurrentslikeoneseekingafairlysafemethodofextricationfromperil。\"Itmaycomefarsoonerthanyouthink，andwithresultsmoredisastrousthanfeeblewordscantell。Wesurelyareaburdensuchasatornadomustbewhollyunaccustomedto，andIreallybelievethesealternationsarespasmodiceffortsoftheclouditselftovomitusforth；
henceyouwerenearerrightthanyouthoughtinmakinguseofthatexpression。\"
Justthencamearushoficyair，andBrunopantinglycried：
\"I’mswellingup——likeAesop’s——bullfrog！\"
CHAPTERIV。
THEPROFESSOR’SLITTLEEXPERIMENT。
Againthoseinvoluntaryridersofthetornadoweretossedviolentlytoandfrointheirseeminglyfrailship，whiletheballoonitselfappearedthreatenedwithinstantdissolution，thoseeddyingcurrentsgrowingbrokenandfarlessregularinaction，whilethefiercetumultgrewinsoundandvolumeathousandfold。
Allaroundtheair-shipnowshoweduglydebris，limbsandboughsandevenwholetrunksofgianttreesbeingwhirledupwardandoutward，eachmomentmenacingthevesselwithtotaldestruction，yetasfrequentlyvanishingwithoutinfringingseriouslyupontheircuriousprison。
Sandanddirtandfragmentsofshatteredrockwhistledbyinanapparentlyunendingshower，onlywithreversedmotion，flyingupwardinplaceofshootingdownwardtoearthitself。
Speechwasutterlyimpossibleunderthecircumstances，andthefate-tossedvoyagerscouldonlyclingfasttothehand-rail，andholdthosepreciousair-tubesinreadinessfortheworst。
Neverbeforehadeitherofthetrioheardsuchadeafeningcrashanduproar，andlittlewonderiftheythoughtthissurelymustheraldthecrackofdoom！
Thetornadoseemedtoreelbackward，asthoughrepulsedbyanimmovableobstacle，andthen，whilethedinwasabitlessdeafening，ProfessorFeatherwitcontrivedtomakehimselfheard，throughscreamingatthetopofhisvoice：
\"Themountainrange，Ifancy！It’sabattletothe——\"
Thatsentencewasperforceleftincomplete，sincethestorm-demongaveanothermadplungetorenewthebattle，bringingonarepetitionofthatdrunkenswayingsoupsettingtobothmindandbody。