Bruno，eversensitivethroughhisaffectionatereverencefortheiruncle，caughttheyoungster，andcasthimtoearth，whereuponWaldopantinglycried：
\"Goon，please，unclePhaeton。It’snextthingtoamuseumandmenageriecombined，justtohear——\"
\"Willyouhush，boy？\"demandedBruno，yetunabletowhollysmotheralaugh，soridiculousdiditallsoundandseem。
ButProfessorFeatherwitdeclined，hisfoxyfacewrinklinginabashfullaugh。Whethersointendedornot，hehadbeenbroughtdowntoearthfromthatdizzyflight，andnowwasfairlyhimselfagain。
\"Well，mydearboys，Idaresayitseemsallamatterofjestandsporttoyou；yet，afterourridinginthecentreofatornadoforuncountedmiles，comingforthwithhardlyascratchorabruisetoshowforitall，whodaresaysuchthingsmaynotbe，evenyet？\"
\"But，——thosestrangecreaturesaregone；thelastoneperishedthousandsuponthousandsofyearsago，unclePhaeton。\"
\"Soitissaid，andsofollowsthealmostuniversalbelief。YetIhaveseen，felt，cooked，tasted，andatetoitslastmorselasteakfromamammoth。True，thecreaturewasdead；hadbeenpreservedforages，nodoubt，withintheglacierwhichfinallycastitforthtohumanview；yetwhowouldhavecreditedsuchadiscovery，onlyfiftyyearsago？Hewhodaredtoevenhintatsuchathingwouldhavebeenderidedandlaughedat，pronouncedeitherfoolorlunatic。Andso，——ifweshouldhappentodiscoveroneorallofthosesupposedlyextinctcreatureshereinthisterraincognita，Iwouldbeoverjoyedratherthanastounded。\"
Brunolookedgraveatthisconclusion，butWaldowasnotsoreadilyimpressed，and，withshruggingshoulders，hemadeanswer：
\"Well，uncle，I’mnotquitesoambitiousasallthatcomesto。
MayIgiveyoumyideaofitall？\"
CHAPTERVIII。
ADUELTOTHEDEATH。
ProfessorFeatherwitnoddedassent，and，afterabriefchuckle，Waldoresumed：
\"Youcantakeallthosebigfellowswiththejaw-breakingnames，butasforme，smallergamewilldo。Maybeafellowcouldn’tfillhisbagquitesofull，norquitesosuddenly，buttherewouldbeagreatdealmoresport，andamightysightlessdanger，Itakeit！\"
Itwasbynomeansdifficulttodivinethattheprofessorhadnotyetspokenallthatbusiedhisbrain，butthethreadwasbroken，hispipewasout，and，emptyingtheashesbytappingpipe-bowlagainsttheheelofhisshoe，heroseerect，oncemorethemanofaction。
\"Youwillhavetoclearup，lads，forImustmakesuchfewrepairsasarenecessarytorestoretheaerostattoastateofefficiency。Solongasthatremainsinserviceablecondition，wewillalwayshaveamethodofadvanceorretreat。Withoutit——well，I’drathernotthinkofthealternative。\"
Thatdrytoneandquietsentencedidmorethanallelsetoimpressthebrotherswithasenseoftheiruniqueposition。BackcametheremembranceofalltheyhadgatheredconcerningthisstrangescopeofcountrysincefirstsettlingdownfairlywithintheshadowsoftheOlympics，theretoputthatstrangemachinetogether，preparingforwhatwastoproveawonder-tourthroughmanymarvelloushappenings。
Timesbeyondcountingtheyhadbeenassuredbythenativesthatnomortalcouldfairlypenetratethatvastwilderness。Naturalobstaclesweretoogreatforanymantosurmount，withoutsayingaughtofwhatlaybeyond；oftheenormousanimals，suchasthecivilisedworldneverkneworfoughtwith；oftheterriblenatives，tallerthanthepines，largerthanthehills，morepowerfulbyfarthanthegodsthemselves，eagertoslayandtodevour，——soeagerthat，attimes，livingfleshandbloodwasmoregratefulthanalltotheirdepravedtastes！
\"Doyoureallyreckonthereisanythinginitall，Bruno？\"askedtheyoungerbrotherinloweredtones，glancingacrosstowheretheirunclewasbusilyengagedinthosecomparativelytriflingrepairs。
\"Ithardlyseemspossible，andyet——wouldthemembersoffourdifferenttribestellastorysonearlyalike，withouttheyhadatleastafoundationoftruthtogoupon？\"
\"That’sright。Andyet——theinlandseasoundsnaturalenough。Weknow，too，thattherearesuchthingsasundergroundrivers，outsideofJulesVerne’syarns。Butthoseanimals，——orreptiles，——which？\"
\"Both，Ibelieve，\"answeredBruno，withasubduedlaugh。
\"That’sallright，oldman。Ineverwasworthacontinentalwhenitcametosuchthings。Iprefertoliveinthepresent，andso——well，now，willyoujustlookatthatoldcow！\"
InsurpriseWaldopointedacrosstowhereabovineshapeshowednotfarbeyondthepoolatthebaseoftheminiaturewaterfall；
buthisbrotherhadafairerview，and，instantlydiviningthetruth，graspedanarmandhastilywhispered：
\"Hush，boy；can’tyousee？It’sabuffalo，ahillbuffalo，and——\"
\"Quick！thegunsareinthemachine！Down，Bruno，andmaybewecangetashotand——\"
Hiseagerwhisperwascutshort，thoughnotbygripofarmoractbyhisbrother。Arumblingroarbrokeforthfromthefurthersideofthatmountainstream，andasthedensebushesbeyondwereviolentlyagitated，thehillbuffalowheeledthatwaywithmarvellousrapidity。
Justasalongheadandmightyshouldersspreadtheshrubberywideapart，jawsopeningandlipscurlingbacktolaygreatteethbare，whileanotherangrysound，halfgrowl，halfsnort，onlytooclearlyproclaimedthatmonsterofthemountains，agrizzlybear。
\"Smokeo’sacrifice！\"gaspedWaldo，asthegrizzlysuddenlyupreareditsmightybulk，headwagging，pawswavinginqueerfashion，lollingtonguelendingthesemblanceofdrolleryratherthanviciousness。
\"Thisway；toyourguns，boys！\"cautiouslycalledouttheprofessor，whosenoticehadlikewisebeencaughtbythoseunusualsounds，andwhohadalreadyarmedhimselfwithhispetdynamitegun。
\"Careful！He’llmakeabreakforusatfirstsight，unless——downclose，andcrawlforit，brother！\"
Brunosetthegoodexample，andWaldowasnottooproudofspirittohumblehimselfinlikemanner。Althoughthiswastheirfirstglimpseof\"OldEph\"inhisnativewilds，bothbrothersentertainedaveryrespectfulopinionofhisprowess。
Underdifferentcircumstancestheirexpectationsmighthavebeenmorefullymet，butjustnowthegrizzlyseemedwhollyoccupiedwiththebuffalobull，whosesturdybulkandarmedfrontsoresolutelyopposedhisfurtherprogresstowardsthatcommongoal，thepoolofwater。
Theboysquicklyreachedtheflying-machineandgrippedtheWinchesterrifleswhichProfessorFeatherwithaddrawnforthfromthelockeratfirstsightofthedangerousgame。Thusarmed，theyfeltreadyforwhatevermightcome，andstoodwatchingyonderrivalswithgrowinginterest。
\"Willyoulookatthat，now？\"excitedlybreathedWaldo，eyesaglow，ashesawthebullcockitstailonhighandtearupthesoftsoilwithonefiercesweepofitsclovenhoof，shakingheadandgivingventtoalowbutdeterminedbellow。
\"Itmeansafightuntothedeath，Ithink，\"whisperedtheprofessor。
\"It’sdollarstodoughnutsonthebear，\"predictedWaldo。\"Scat，youbull-headedidiot！Don’tyouknowthatyou’renotdeucehightohisace？Can’tyouseethathecanchewyouuplike——\"
\"Areyoumightysureofallthat，boy？\"laughinglycutinBruno；
foratthatmomentthebuffalomadeasuddenchargeathisuprightadversary，knockingthegrizzlybackwardinspiteofitsviciouslyflyingpaws。
\"GreatPeteronabender！IfIever——no，Inever！\"
Eventheprofessorwasgrowingexcited，holdingthedynamitegununderonearmwhilegentlytappingpalmstogetherasanencore。
Naturallyenough，theirsympathieswerewiththebuffalo，sincetheoddsseemedsoimmenselyagainsthim；buttheirdelightwasshort-lived，for，insteadoffollowinguptheadvantagesobravelywon，thebullfellbacktopawandbellowandshakehisshaggyfront。
Withmarvellousactivityforabruteofhisenormousbulkandweight，thegrizzlyrecovereditsfeet，thenlumberedforwardwithclashingteethandresoundinggrowls。
Nothingloath，thebuffalometthatcharge，andforashortspaceoftimethestrugglewasveiledbyshowersofleaf-mouldanddampdirtcastupontheairastherivalsfoughtforsupremacy——andforlife。
Forthatthiswasdestinedtobeadueltotheverydeathnotoneofthosespectatorscouldreallydoubt。Thatencountermayhavebeenpurelyaccidental，butthecreaturesfoughtlikeenemiesoflongstanding。
Astheirrelativepositionschanged，thebuffalocontrivedtogetinanothervigorousbutt，sendingbruinendforenddownthatgentleslopetosouseintothepoolofwater，thatcoolelementcuttingshortasavageroarofmadfury。
Thenthetrioofspectatorscouldtakenotes，andwithsomethingofsorrowtheysawthatthebuffalohadalreadysufferedseverely，bleedingfromnumerousgreatgashestornbythegrizzly’slongtalons，whileonebloodyeyedangledbelowitssocket，heldonlybyathreadofsinew。
Norhadbruinescapedwithouthurt，asallcouldseewhenheflounderedoutofthewater，bentuponrenewingtheduel；buttherewaslittleroomleftfordoubtingwhattheultimateresultwouldbeweretheanimalslefttotheirowndevices。
Likeallbold，free-heartedlads，Waldoeversympathisedwiththeweaker，andnow，unabletoholdhisfeelingsincheck，hegaveashortcry，levellinghisWinchesterandopeningfireuponthegrizzly，justasitwonfairlyclearofthewater。
Stungtofurybythosepellets，thebruterearedupwithahorridroar，turningasthoughtochargethisnewenemy；buterehecoulddomore，theprofessor’sgunspoke，andasthedynamiteshellexploded，bruinfellbackawrithingmass，hisheadliterallysmashedtopieces。
Heedlessofallelse，thewoundedbuffalochargedwithlustybellow，goringthatquiveringmasswithunabatedfury，thoughitslifewasclearlyleakingoutthroughthoseghastlycutsandslashes。
Abriefpause，thenProfessorFeatherwitswiftlyreloadedhisgun，sendinganothershellacrossthestream，thistimemoreasaboonthanaspunishment。
Smittenfairlyintheforehead，thebulldroppedasthoughbeneathaboltoflightning，lifegoingoutwithoutsomuchasasinglestruggleorasinglepang。
\"Twasbetterthus，\"declaredtheprofessor，asWaldogavealittleejaculationofdismay。\"Hemusthavebledtodeathinashorttime，andthiswastruemercy。Besides，buffalomeatisverygoodeating，andthedaymaycomewhenweshallneedallwecanget。Whoknows？\"
Aftertheanimalswereinspected，andduecommentmadeupontheawfullysureworkwroughtbythedynamitegun，theprofessorsuggestedthat，whilehewascompletingrepairsupontheaeromotor，thebrothersshouldsecureasupplyoffishandofflesh，cookingsufficienttoprovideforseveralmeals，fortherewasnotellingjustwhentheywouldhaveanequalchance。
\"Justassoonaswecanputallinreadiness，\"hecontinued，\"I
amgoingtoleavethisspot。Myfirstwishistothoroughlytesttheaerostat，tomakecertainithasreceivednoseriousinjury。
Then，ifallpromiseswell，Imeantobeginourtourofexploration，hopingthatwemay，atleast，findsomethingwellworthythestrangereputationgiventheseOlympicsbythenatives。\"
Withoutraisinganyobjections，thebrothersfelltowork，Brunolookingaftertheflesh，whileWaldoundertooktosupplythefish。Thatwasbutfair，sincehehadbeencheatedoutofcatchingthefirstmess。
Notalittletohisdelight，theprofessorfoundthattheflying-machinewouldpromptlyanswerhistouchandwill，risingeasilyofftheground，thendescendingatcall，evidentlyhavingpassedthroughtheordealofthebygoneeveningwithoutseriousharm。
Still，allthisconsumedtime，anditwasafteralatedinnerthateverythingwaspronouncedinreadinessforanascension：
themeatandfishnicelycookedandpackedforcarriage，apotofstrongcoffeemadeandstowedbeyondriskofleakage，theflying-machineitselfquiveringinthatgentlebreezeasthougheagertofinditselfoncemoreafloatfarabovetheearthanditsobstructionstoeasynavigation。
Waldoexpressedsomegriefatleavingaspotwheregamecameinsuchplentitudetofindthehunter，andtroutsimplylongedtobecaught；butuponbeingassuredofotheropportunities，perhapsevenmoredelightful，hesighedandgaveconsenttomountintospace。
\"Only——don’taskmetotackleanyofthosebigdictionaryfellowssuchasyoutalkedaboutthismorning，unclePhaeton，forI
simplycan’t；they’dgetawaywithmybaggagewhileIwastryingtospelltheirnamesandtitle——andallthat！\"
Withoutanydifficultytheaeromotorwassentoutofandabovetheforest，headingtowardsthenorthwest；thatis，directfortheheartoftheOlympics，ofwhosemarvelsProfessorFeatherwitheldsuchexaltedhopesandexpectations。
Grimandforbiddingthosemountainslookedastheair-shipsailedswiftlyoverthem，openingupawiderviewwhenthebare，ruggedcrestwasonceleftfairlytotherear。Saveforthosebaldcrowns，allbelowappearedasolidcarpetoftree-tops，nowlower，therehigher，yeteverthesame：seeminglyimpenetrabletoman，shouldsuchaneffortbemade。
Oncefairlywithinthecharmedcircle，leavingtherockyridgebehind，ProfessorFeatherwitslackenedspeed，permittingtheshiptodriftonwardatamoderatepace，onehandtouchingthesteering-gear，whileitsfellowheldapairoffield-glassestohiseagereyes。
Allatoncehegaveahalf-stifledcry，partlyrisinginhisexcitement，thencryingaloudinthrillingtones：
\"Thesea，——aninlandsea！\"
CHAPTERIX。
GRAPPLINGAQUEERFISH。
AtnearlythesamemomentbothBrunoandWaldocaughtaglimpseofwater，shiningclearanddistinctamidstthatsombresetting；
butasyetatree-crestedelevationinterferedwiththeprospect，anditwasnotuntilafterthecourseoftheair-shiphadbeenmateriallychanged，andsomelittletimehadelapsed，thataughtdefinitecouldbedeterminedastotheactualspreadofthatbodyofwater。
Thisprovedtobeconsiderable，althoughitneededbutasinglelookintotheprofessor’sfacetolearnthathiseagerhopesandexaltedanticipationsfellfarshortofrealisation。
\"Well，it’saseaallright，\"generouslydeclaredWaldo，givingavigoroussniffbywayofstrengtheninghiswords。\"Icansmellthesaltclearfromthis。Asea，evenifitisn’tquitesolargeasothers，——whatonemighttermalower-casec！\"
Ifnothingelse，thatgenerouseffortbroughtitsrewardinthedrylittlechucklewhichescapedtheprofessor’slips，andakindlyglowshowedthroughhisglassesasheturnedtowardsWaldowithanodofacknowledgment。
\"Barringthesaltyscent，mydearboy，whichprobablyfindsbirthinyourkindlyimagination。So，onthewhole，perhaps’twouldbejustaswelltotermitalake。\"
\"Oneofnomeandimensions，atanyrate，unclePhaeton。\"
\"True，Bruno，\"withanodofagreement，yetwithforeheadcontractingintoanetworkoftroubledlines。\"Naturallyso，andyet——surelythismustbemerelyaportion？Unless——yetIfailtoseeaughtwhichmightbeinterpretedasbeing——\"
Promptlyrespondingtoeachtouchofhanduponsteering-gear，theaeromotorswungsmoothlyaround，sailingonevenkeelrightintotheteethofthegentlewind，bythistimenearenoughtothatbodyofwaterfortheair-voyagerstoscanitssurface：aconsiderableexpanse，alltold，yetbynomeansofsuchmagnitudeasProfessorFeatherwithadanticipated。
Toodeeplyabsorbedinhisownthoughtstonoticethelittlecriesandejaculationswhichcamefromthebrothers，hecausedtheaerostattorisehigher，slowlysweepingthatextendedfieldwithhisglasses。
Hecouldseewhereseveralstreamsenteredthebodyofwater，comingfromoppositepointsofthecompass，andthusconfirmingatleastoneportionofhisexplainedtheory；but，sofarashisvisualpowerswent，therewasnootherconsiderablebodyofwatertobediscovered。
\"Yet，howcanthatcontractedbasincontainallthedrainagefromthisvastscopeofcountry？Howcanweexplainthestubbornfactof——Whatnow，lads？\"
Anabruptbreak，butonecausedbytheeagercryandloudspeechfromthelipsoftheyoungerGillespie。
\"Lookyyonder！Isn’tthatoneo’thosesour-usdictionaryfellowsonabender？Isn’tthat——butIdon’t——no，it’sonly——\"
\"Onlyapartlydecayedtreegoneafloat！\"volunteeredBruno，withamerrylaugh，ashiseagerbrotherdrewbackinevidentchagrin。
\"Well，that’sallright。Itoughtto’vebeenone，evenifitisn’t。What’stheuseincomingallthisway，ifwe’renotgoingtodiscoversomethingbeyondthecommon？Andmysour-usisworthmorethanoneoftheotherkind，afterall；getitashoreandyoumightcookdinnerforasolidmonthbyit；nowthere！\"
ItwaseasilytobeseenthatWaldohadbeengivingfreereintohisexpectationseversincetheprofessor’slittlelecture，buthisnaturalchagrinwasquicklyforgotteninamatteroffargreaterinterest。
ProfessorFeatherwithadresumedhisscrutinyofyonderbodyofwater，slowlyturninghisglasseswhileholdingtheair-shiponatruecourseandevenkeel。
Forabriefspacenothinginterferedwiththesteadymotionofthefield-glasses，butthensomethingcalledforamorethoroughexamination，andlittlebylittlethesavantleanedfartherforward，breathcomingmorerapidly，facebeginningtoflushwithdeepeninginterest。
Brunotooknoteofallthis，and，failingtoseeaughttoaccountforthesymptomswithunaidedeyes，atlengthventuredtospeak。
\"Whatisit，unclePhaeton？Somethingofinterest，oryourlooks——\"
ProfessorFeatherwitgaveastart，thenloweredtheglassesandreachedthemtowardshisnephew，speakinghurriedly：
\"Youtrythem，Bruno；youreyesareyounger，andoughttobekeenerthanmine。Yonder；towardsthelowerendofthe——thelake，please。\"
Nothingloath，Gillespiecomplied，quicklyfindingthecorrectpointuponwhichtheprofessor’sinteresthadcentred，holdingtheglassesmotionlessforabriefspace，thengivingventtoaneagerejaculation。
\"Whatisitallabout，blessyou，boy？\"demandedWaldo，unablelongertocurbhishotimpatience。\"Anotherdriftingtree，eh？\"
\"No，but，——didyouseeit，uncle？\"
\"Isawsomethingwhich——whatdoYOUsee，first？\"
\"Agreatbigsuck，——amonsterwhirlpoolwhichishollowedlike——\"
\"Iknewit！Ifeltthatmustbethetruesolutionofitall！\"
criedunclePhaeton，squirmingaboutprettymuchasonemightintowhoseveinshadbeeninjectedquicksilverinplaceofordinaryblood。\"Theoutlet！WherethesurpluswatersdrainofftothePacificOcean！\"
\"Isay，givemeachance，can’tyou？\"interruptedWaldo，graspingtheglassesandshiftinghisstationforonemorefavourableasalookout。
Hehadseensufficienttocatchtherightangle，andthengaveasuppressedsnortashetookintheview。Halfaminutethus，thenawildcryescapedhislips，closelyfollowedbythewords：
\"NowIDOseesomething！Anditisn’tadriftingtree，either！
Or，thatis，somethingelsewhich——shovehercloser，unclePhaeton！Trueasyoulive，there’ssomethingcaughtinyonderbigsuckwhichis——closer，forloveofglory！\"
\"Ifthisisanotherjoke，Waldo——\"
\"No，no，Itellyou，Bruno！Shoveherover，uncle，for，withoutthisglassishoodooed，we’reneededrightyonder，——andneededmightybad，too！\"
Littleneedofsomuchurging，bytheway，sinceProfessorFeatherwitwasbutslightlylessexcitedbytheirdoublediscovery，andevenbeforetheglasseswereclappedtoWaldo’seyestheaerostatswungaroundtomoveatfullspeedtowardsthatprecisequarterofthecompass。
\"Whatisityousee，then，boy？\"demandedBruno，itchingtotaketheglasses，yetstraininghisownvisiontowardsthatasyetfar-distantspot。
\"Somethinglike——oh，seehowthewaterisrunningout，——justlikeemptyingabathtubthroughaholeatthebottom！Andseewhat——amancaughtinthewhirl，true’syou’reafoothigh，uncle！\"
\"Aman？Here？Impossible，——incredible，boy！\"fairlyexplodedtheprofessor，notyetreadytorelinquishhischerishedbeliefinaterraincognita。
Theair-voyagerswereswiftlynearingthatpointofinterest，andnowkeen-eyedBrunocaughtaglimpseofadriftingobjectwhichhadbeendrawnwithintheinfluenceofyonderwhirlpool，butwhichwasjustascertainlyaderelictfromtheforest。
\"Anotherfloatingtree-trunkforWaldo！\"hecried，withashortlaugh，feelingfarfromunpleasedthattheintensestrainuponhisnervesshouldbethuslessened。\"Tryitagain，lad，andperhaps——\"
\"Tryyourgreat-grandmother’scottonnightcap！Don’tyousupposeIcantellthedifferencebetweenatreeanda——\"
\"Ranting，prancing，cavorting’sour-us’rightoutofWebster’sUnabridged，eh，laddy-buck？\"
\"That’sallright，ifyoucanonlykeeponthinkingthatway，oldman；butifyonderisn’tafellowbeinginamightynastypickle，thenIwouldn’tevenbegintosayso！And——youlook，unclePhaeton，please。\"
Nothingloath，theprofessortooktheprofferedglasses，andbutaninstantlaterhe，too，gaveasharpcryofamazement，forhesaw，clingingtothetrunkofafloatingtree，swiftlymovingwiththosecirclingwaters，alivingbeing！
Andbutafewsecondslater，Brunomadethesamediscovery，greatlytothedelightofhisyoungerbrother。
\"Aman！Andliving，too！\"
\"Ofcourse；reckonI’dmakesuchahowlaboutafloater？\"bluntlyinterjectedWaldo。\"ButI’lldomycrowinglateron。Fornowwe’vegottogetthepoorfellowoutofthat，——justgottoyankhimout！\"
Throughallthishastyinterchangeofwords，theaeromotorwasswiftlyprogressing，andnowswungalmostdirectlyabovethewhirlpool，givingallafair，unobstructedviewofeverythingbelow。
Thesuctionwassogreatthataslopingbasinwasformed，morethanonehundredyardsindiameter，whiletheactualcentrelayanumberoffeetlowerthanthesurroundinglevel。
Half-waydownthatperilousslopeagreattreewasrevolving，andtothis，ashisforlornhope，clungahalf-cladman，plainlyalive，sincehewaslookingupward，and——yes，wavingahandandutteringacryforaidandsuccour。
\"Help！ForloveofGod，saveme！\"
\"White，——anAmerican，too！\"explodedWaldo，takingactionasbybrilliantinspiration。\"Hangoverhim，uncle，forI’mgoing——togofishing——foraman！\"
Waldowastuggingatthegrapnelandlongdrag-rope。Brunowasquicktodivinehisintention，andlentadefthand，whiletheprofessormanipulatedthehelmsoadroitlyastokeeptheflying-machinehoveringdirectlyaboveyonderimperilledstranger，leaningfaroverthehand-railtoshoutdownward：
\"Havecourage，sir，andstandreadytohelpyourself！Wewillrescueyouifitlieswithinthepossibilitiesof——weWILLsaveyou！\"
\"Youbetwejustwill，andright——likethis，\"splutteredWaldo，ashecastthegrapnelovertherailandswiftlylowereditbytherope。\"Playyou’reafish，stranger，andwhenyoubite，hangonlikegrimdeathtoa——steady，now！\"
Fortunatelynothingoccurredtomartheprogrammesohastilyarranged，forthedriftwasdrawingnearerthecentreofthewhirl，andifoncefairlycaughtbythat，nothinghumancouldpreservethestrangerfromdeath。
\"Makeajumpandgrabit，ifyoucan’tdobetter！\"criedWaldo，intenselyexcitednowthatthecrisiswasathand。
Thelongropewithitsironweightswayedawkwardlyinspiteofallhecoulddotosteadyit，andaseachoneofthethreeprongswasmeantforcatchingandholdingfasttowhatevertheytouched，therewasnoslightriskofimpalingtheman，thusgivinghimthechoiceofanotherandstillmorepainfuldeath。
Then，withadesperategrasp，adeath-clutch，hecaughtonearmofthegrapnel，holdingfastastheshockcame。Hewascarriedclearofthetree，andpartlysubmergedinthewaterashisaddedweightbroughttheflying-machinesomuchlower。
\"Up，up，unclePhaeton！\"fairlyhowledWaldo，atthesametimetuggingatthenowtautrope，inwhichhewasablysecondedbyhisbrother。\"Forloveof——higher，uncle！\"
Thenthenoblemachinerespondedtothetouchofitsbuilder，liftingthedrippingstrangerclearofthewhirlingcurrents，swinginghimawaytowardsyonderhigherlevel，whereafallwouldnotprovesoquicklyfatal。Andthentheeagerprofessorgaveashrillcheerashesawtheman，byavigorouseffort，drawhisbodyupwardsufficientlyfartothrowonelegoveranarmofthegrapnelitself。
Knowingnowthattherescuedwasinnoespecialperil，unclePhaetonlefttheair-shiptosteeritselflongenoughforhisnimblehandstotakeseveralturnsofthedrag-ropearoundthecleatprovidedforthatexpresspurpose，thusrelievingbothBrunoandWaldooftheheavystrain，whichmightsoonbegintotelluponthem。
\"Hurrahforwe，us，andcompany！\"criedWaldo，relievinghislungsofaportionoftheirpent-upenergy，thenleaningperilouslyfarovertheedgeofthemachinetoencouragethequeerfishhehadhooked。
CHAPTERX。
RESCUEDANDRESCUERS。
Despitetheirverynaturalexcitement，causedbythisperilanditsfoiling，ProfessorFeatherwitretainednearlyallhiscustomarycoolnessandpresenceofmind。
Readilyrealisingthataftersuchagrimordealwouldalmostcertainlycomeapowerfulrevulsion，hisfirstaimwastoswingthestrangerfarenoughawayfromthewhirlpooltogivehimafairchanceforlife，incaseheshouldfall，throughdizzinessorphysicalcollapse，fromtheendofthedrag-rope。
Thistookbutafewseconds，comparativelyspeaking，though，doubtless，eachmomentseemedanagetotherescuedstranger。
Thentheprofessorslowedhisship，lookingaroundinordertodetermineuponthewisestroutetotake。
Foronething，itwouldbesevereworktodrawthestrangerbodilyupandintotheaerostat。Foranother，unlessheshouldgrowweak，orsufferfromvertigo，bothtimeandlabourwouldbesavedbytakinghimdirecttotheshoreofthisbroadlake。
Assoonastheropewasmadefast，andthestraintakenofftheirmusclesaswellastheirminds，Brunoflashedalookaround，naturallyturninghiseyesinthedirectionofthewhirlpool。
Althoughlessthanacoupleofminuteshadelapsedsincethemanwasliftedoffthecirclingdrift，eventhusquicklyhadtheenddrawnnigh；for，evenashelookedthatway，Gillespiesawthegreattrunksuckedintothehiddensink，thetoprisingwithashiverclearoutofthewaterasthebuttlowered，ahollow，rumblingsoundcomingtoallearsas——
\"Gone！\"criedBruno，inawedtones，asthewholedriftvanishedfromsightforever。
\"SuckedinbyJonah’swhale，forducats！\"screamedWaldo，excitedly。\"Fetchonyourblessed’sour-us’ofboththemaleandfemalesect！Trot’emtothefore，andifmylittleoldsuckdon’ttakethestarchoutoftheirbackbones，——theyDIDhavebackbones，didn’tthey，unclePhaeton？\"
ProfessorFeatherwitfrowned，andshookhisheadinsilentreproof。Morenearly，perhaps，thaneitheroftheboys，herealisedwhatanawfulperilthisstrangerhadsonarrowlyescaped。Itwasfartooearlytoturnthatescapeintojest，evenforonenaturallylightofheart。
Heleanedoverthehand-rail，peeringdownward。Hecouldseetherescuedmansittingfirmlyinthebendofthegrapnel，onehandtightlygrippingtherope，itsmateshadinghiseyes，ashestaredfixedlytowardsthewhirlingdeath-pool，fromwhosejawshehadsomiraculouslybeenplucked。
Therewasnaughtofdebility，eitherofbodyorofmind，tobereadinthatfigure，andwithhisfearsonthatparticularpointsetatrest，forthetimebeing，ProfessorFeatherwitcalledout，distinctly：
\"Isitallwellwithyou，mygoodfriend？Canyouholdfastuntiltheshoreisreached，think？\"
\"Heavenblessyou，——yes！\"camethereply，inhalf-chokedtones。
\"IfIfailingivingthanks——\"
\"Nevermentionit，friend；itcostusnothing，\"cheerilyinterruptedtheprofessor，thenadding，\"Holdfast，please，andwe’llputonaweebitmoresteam。\"
Theflying-machinewasnowfairlyheadedforastripofshorewhichofferedanexcellentopportunityformakingasafelanding，andasthatacceleratedmotiondidnotappeartomateriallyaffectthestranger，ittookbutafewminutestoclearthelake。
\"Standreadytoletgowhenwecomelowenough，please，\"warnedtheprofessor，deftlymanaginghispetmachineforthatpurpose。
Thestrangereasilylanded，thenwatchedtheflying-machinewithpainfullyeagergaze，handsclaspedalmostasthoughinprayer。
Amoreremarkablesightthanthishalf-nakedshape，burnedbrownbythesun，poorlyprotectedbylightskins，withsinewfastenings，couldscarcelybeimagined；andtherewassomethingcloseakintotearsinmoreeyesthanonewhenhecamerunninginchase，armsoutstretched，andvoicewildlyappealing：
\"Oh，comeback！Takeme，——don’tleaveme，——forloveofGodandhumanity，don’tleavemetothislivingdeath！\"
ProfessorFeatherwitcalledbackahastyassurance，andbroughttheair-shiptoalandingwithgreaterhastethanwasexactlyprudent，allthingsconsidered；butwhocouldkeepcoolbloodandunmovedheart，withyonderpiteousobjectbeforetheireyes？
Whenhesawthattheflying-machinehadfairlylanded，andbehelditsinmatessteppingforthuponthesandswithfriendlysalutations，therescuedstrangerstaggered，handsclaspinghistemplesforamomentofdrunkenreeling，thenhefellforwardlikeonesmittenbythehandofsuddendeath。
ProfessorFeatherwitcalledoutafewcurtdirections，whichwerepromptlyobeyedbyhisnephews，andafterafewminutes’
well-directedworkconsciousnesswasrestored，andthestrangerfeeblystrovetogivethemthanks。
Invaintheseweresetaside。Heseemedlikeonehalf-insanefromjoy，andnonewhosawandheardcouldthinkthatallthisemotionarosefromthesimplerescuefromthewhirlpool。Nordidit。
Wildly，farfromcoherently，thepoorfellowspoke，yetsomethingoftheawfultruthwastobegleanedevenfromthosebroken，disjointedsentences。
Fortenyearsanexileinthesehorriblewilds。Fortenyearsnotasingleglimpseofwhitefaceorfigure。Fortenagesnointelligiblevoice，savehisown；andthat，throughlongdisuse，hadthreatenedtodeserthim！
\"Tenyears！\"echoedWaldo，inamazement。\"Whydidn’tyourackouto’this，then？IknowIwould；evenifthewoodswerefullof——’sour-us’andthelikeo’that！Yes，SIR！\"
Alow，huskylaughcamethroughthoseheavilybeardedlips，andthestrangerflungouthishandsinasweepinggesture，sunkeneyesglowingwithanalmostsavagelightashespokewithmorecoherence：
\"Whyisit，younggentleman？WhydidInotleave，doyouask？
Look！Allaboutyouitstretches：acell，——adeath-cell，fromwhichescapeisimpossible！HereIhavefoughtforwhatisevermorepreciousthanbarelife：forliberty；butthoughtenawfulyearshaverolledby，hereIremain，inworsethanprison！
Escape？Ah，howoftenhaveIattemptedtoescape，onlytofail，becauseescapefromthesewildsisbeyondthepowerofanypersonnotgiftedwithwings！\"
\"Tenyears，yousay，goodfriend？Andallthattimeyouhavelivedherealone？\"askedtheprofessor，curiously。
\"Tenyears，——tenthousandyears，Icouldalmostswear，onlyforkeepingtherecordsocarefully，soreligiously。And——pitifulLord！HowgladlywouldIhavegivenmygoodrightarm，justforonefarawayglimpseofcivilisation！Howoften——butIamwearyingyou，gentlemen，andyoumay——praydon’tthinkthatIamcrazy；youwillnot？\"
BoththeprofessorandBrunoassuredhimtothecontrary，butWaldowaslessaffected，andhiscuriositycouldnolongerbekeptwithinbounds。Gentlytappingonehairyarm，hespoke：
\"Isay，friend，whatwereyoudoingoutyonderinthebigsuck？
Didn’tyouknowthefunwashardlyequaltotherisk，sir？\"
\"Easy，lad，\"reprovedtheprofessor；butwithaasmile，whichstrangelysoftenedthathaggard，weather-wornvisage，thestrangerspoke：
\"Nay，kindsir，donotchecktheyounggentleman。Ifyoucouldonlyrealisehowsweetitistomypoorears，——thesoundofafriendlyvoice！ForsomanywearyyearsIhaveneverheardonewordfromhumanlipswhichIcouldunderstandormakeanswerto。
Andnow，——whatisityouwishtoknow，mydearboy？\"
\"Well，sinceyou’velivedheresolong，surelyyouhadn’toughttogetcaughtinsuchanastypickle；unlessitwasthroughaccident？\"
\"Itwaspartlyaccidental。Onethatwouldhavecostmedearlyhadnotyoucometomyaidsoopportunely。Andyet，——onlyforonething，Icouldscarcelyhaveregrettedvanishingforeverdownthatsuck！\"
Hisvoicechoked，hisheadbowed，hishandscametogetherinanervousgrip，allbetokeningunusualagitation。EvenWaldowasjustabitawed，andthestrangerwasfirsttobreakthatsilencewithwords。
\"Howdidthemishapcomeabout，isit，younggentleman？\"hesaid，awansmilecreepingintohisface，andrelaxingthosetenselydrawnmusclesoncemore。\"WhileIwastryingtoreplenishmystockofprovisions，andafterthisfashion，goodfriends。
\"Iwasfishingfromasmallcanoe，andasthebaitwasnottakenwell，Imusthavefallenintoadaydream，thinkingof——nomatter，now。Andduringthatdreaming，thebreezemusthaveblownmewelloutintothelake，forwhenIwasrousedupbyasharpjerkatmyline，Ifoundmyselfnearitsmiddle，withoutknowingjusthowIcamethere。
\"Ihavenoideawhatsortoffishhadtakenmybait，——therearemanyenormousonesinthelake，——butitprovedfartoopowerfulformetomanage，anddraggedthecanoeswiftlythroughthewater，headingdirectlyfortheoutlet，yonder。\"
\"Whydidn’tyouletitgofree，then？\"
\"Thelinewasfastenedtotheprow，andIcouldnotloosenitintime。Idrewmyknife，——oneofflint，butkeenenoughtoserve，——onlytohaveitjerkedoutofmyhandandintothewater。
Then，justasthefishmusthaveplungedintothesuck，I
abandonedmycanoe，jumpingoverboard。\"
\"That’sjustwhatIwaswonderingabout，\"declaredWaldo，withavigorousnodofhishead。\"Yetwefoundyou——there？\"
\"BecauseIamawretchedlypoorswimmer。Imanagedtoreachadriftwhichhadnotyetfairlyenteredthewhirl，butIcoulddonothingmoretowardssavingmyself。Then——youcanguesstherest，gentlemen。\"
\"Andthecanoe？\"demandedWaldo，contentonlywhenallpointsweremademanifest。
\"Isawitdraggeddownthecentreofthesuck，\"withaninvoluntaryshiver。\"Thefishmusthaveplungedintotheundergroundriver，whetherwillinglyornotIcanonlysurmise。
ButallthewhileIwasdriftingyonder，aroundandaround，witheachcircuitdrawingclosertotheawfulend，Icouldnothelppicturingtomyselfhowthecanoemusthaveplungeddown，anddown，and——burr-r-r！\"
Ashudderingshiverwhichwasmoreeloquentthanwords；butWaldowasnotyetwhollycontent，findinganabsorbinginterestinthatparticularsubject。
\"Youcallitariver：howdoyouknowit’sariver？\"
\"Ofcourse，Icanonlyguessatthefacts，mydearboy，\"thestrangermadereply，smilingoncemore，and，withanalmosttimidgesture，extendingonehairypawtolightlytouchandgentlystrokethearmnearesthim。
Brunoturnedawayabruptly，forthatgesture，sosimpleinitself，yetsofullofpathostoonewhoboreinmindthoselongyearsofsolitaryexile，broughtamoisturetohisbigbrowneyesofwhich，boy-like，hefeltashamed。
ProfessorFeatherwitlikewisetooknote，andwithgreaterpresenceofmindcametotherescue，lightlyrestingahanduponthestranger’shalf-bareshoulderwhileaddressinghiswordstotheyoungster。
Atremuloussighescapedthosebeardedlips，andtheirownerdrewclosertothewirylittleaeronaut，plainlydrawinggreatcomfortfromthatmerecontact。AndwithlikeeaseunclePhaetonliftedoneofthosehairyarmstorestitoverhisownshoulders，speakingbrisklythewhile。
\"Thereisonlyonewayofdemonstratingthetruthmoreclearly，myyouthfulinquisitor，andthatisbysendingyouonavoyageofexploration。Areyouwillingtomaketheattempt，Waldo？\"
\"Notthisevening；someotherevening，——maybe！\"drawingbackabit，withashakeofhiscurlypatetomatch。\"But，Isay，unclePhaeton——\"
\"Allowmetocompletemysay，first，dearboy，\"withablandsmile。\"Thatiseasilydone，though，foritmerelyconsistsofthis：yondersink，orwhirlpool，iscertainlythemethodthislakehasofrelievingitselfofallsurpluswater。EverythingpointstoasubterraneanriverwhichconnectsthislakewiththePacificOcean。\"
\"WonderhowlongI’dhavetoholdmybreathtomakethetrip？\"
CHAPTERXI。
ANOTHERSURPRISEFORTHEPROFESSOR。
Thestrangerlaughedaloudatthis，thenseemedsurprisedthataughtofmirthcouldbeawakenedwheregriefanddespairhadsolongreignedsupreme。
\"Youwillcomewithmeto——tomyden，gentlemen？\"heasked，stillnervous，andplainlyloathtodoaughtwhichindicatedareturntohisrecentdrearymethodofliving。
\"Isthedistancegreat？\"askedProfessorFeatherwit，withaglancetowardstheaeromotor，thenflashinghisgazefurther，asthoughtoguardagainstpossibleharmcomingtothatvaluablepieceofproperty。
Morethanevertobeguardednow，sincethewordsspokenbythisexile。Betterdeathinyondermightywhirlpoolthanahalf-scoreyears’imprisonmenthere！
Notsoveryfar，hewasassured，whileitwouldbecomparativelyeasytofloattheair-shipabovethetrees，thereofnoextraordinarygrowth。
Atthesametimethisassurancewasgiven，thestrangercouldnotmaskhisuneasinessofmind，anditwasreallypitifultoseeonesostronginbodyandlimb，soweakotherwise。
ButunclePhaetonwasafairlykeenjudgeofhumannature，andpossessednosmalldegreeoftact。Diviningtherealcauseofthatdread，hetooktheeasiestmethodofallayingit，speakingbrisklyashemovedacrosstotheaerostat。
\"Bearthegentlemancompany，mylads，whileImanagetheship。
Youwillknowwhatsignalstomake，andIcancontrivetherest。\"
Againtherecluselaughed，butnowitwasthroughpurejoy，suchashehadnotexperiencedforlongyearsgoneby。Hewasnottobedesertedbyhisrescuersfromthewhirlpool，andthatwascomfortenoughforthemoment。
Thankstothatguidance，butlittletimewascuttowaste，ProfessorFeatherwittakingtheflying-machineawayfromtheshoreofthelake，floatingslowlyabovethetree-tops，guidinghismovementsbythosebelow，finallyeffectingasafelandinginaminiatureglade，atnogreatdistancefromthe\"den\"alludedtobytheirnew-foundfriend。
\"Itwillbeperfectlysafehere，\"theexilehastenedtogiveassurance，asthatlandingwasmade。\"Then，too，thisistheonlyspotnighathandfromwhichahastyascentcouldwellbemade，evenwithsuchanadmirablemachineasyours。Ah，me！\"
withalongbreathwhichlackedbutlittleofbeingasigh，ashekeenly，eagerlyexaminedtheaerostat。\"Amarvel！Whowouldhavedaredpredictsuchanother，onlyadozenyearsago？I
thoughtwehaddrawnveryclosetoperfectionwhileIwasintheprofession，butthis，——marvellous！\"
Bothwordsandmannergavethekeen-wittedprofessoraclewtoonemystery，andhequicklyspoke：
\"Thenyouwerefamiliarwithaerostatics，sir？Yournameis——\"
\"Edgecombe，——CooperEdgecombe。\"
\"What？\"withundisguisedsurpriseinfaceasinvoice。
\"ProfessorEdgecombe，thecelebratedballoonistwhowaslostsolongago？\"
\"Ay！losthereinthisthriceaccursedwilderness！\"passionatelycriedtheexile；then，asthoughabashedbyhisownoutburst，heturnedaway，pausingagainonlywhenattheentrancetohisdrearyrefugeofmanyyears。
\"Givethepoorfellowhisownwayuntilhehashadtimetorally，boys，\"mutteredunclePhaeton，inloweredtones，beforefollowingthatlead。\"Icanunderstanditbetter，now，andthisis——stillistheterraincognitaofwhichIhavedreamedsolong！\"
Thatrefugeprovedtobealarge，fairlydrycavern，theentrancetowhichwasadmirablymaskedbyvinesandcreepers，whilethestonysoiljustthereretainednotraceoffootprintstotelldangeroustales。
Mr。Edgecombevanished，butnotforlong。Then，showingalight，formedoffatandtwistedwickinahollowedbitofhardwood，hebeggedhisrescuerstoenter。
Nosecondinvitationwasneeded，foreventheprofessorfeltapowerfulcuriositytolearnwhatmethodhadbeenfollowedbythisenforcedexile；howhehadmanagedtoliveforsomanywearyyears。
Withonlythatsmokylamptoshedlightaroundtheplace，criticalinvestigationwasamatteroftimeandpainstaking，althoughageneralideaofthecavernwasreadilyformed。
Highoverheadarchedtherockyroof，blackenedbysmoke，andlookingmoregloomythannaturehadintended。Thesidewallswerelikewiseirregular，nowshowingtinynichesandnooks，thenjuttingouttoformawkwardpointsandelbows，whichwerebutpartiallydisguisedbysucharticlesofwearanddailyuseastheexilehadcollectedduringtheyearsgoneby，orsincehisoccupancyfirstbegan。
Somuchtheprofessortookinwithhisinitialglances，butthenheleftWaldoandhisbrothertolookmoreclosely，himselfgivingthoughttothebeingwhomtheyhadsohappilysavedfromthewhirlpool。
\"ProfessorEdgecombe！\"heagainexclaimed，graspingthoseroughenedhandstopressthemcordially。\"Ioughttohaverecognisedyouatsight，nodoubt，sinceIhavewatchedyourascentstimeandtimeagain。\"
Theexilesmiledfaintly，shakinghisheadandgivinganothersigh。
\"Ah，me！’twasvastlydifferent，then。IonlymarvelthatyoushouldgivemecreditwhenIlayclaimtothatname，solong——ithaslongfadedfromthepublic’smemory，sir。\"
ButunclePhaetonshookhishead，decidedly。
\"No，no，Iassureyou，myfriend；farfromit。Wheneverthetopicisbroughttothefront；wheneveraerostaticsarediscussed，yournameandfamearesuretoplayaprominentpart。
Andyet，——youdisappearedsolongago，neverbeingheardofafter——\"
\"AftersailingawayuponthestormforwhichIhadwaitedandprayed，forsomanyweary，heart-sickmonths！\"
\"Sotherumourran，butweallbelievedthatmustbeanexaggeration，andnotforalongtimewasallhopeabandoned。
Then，moreheartsthanonefeltsoreandsadatthoughtsofyouruntimelyfate。\"
\"Afateinfinitelyworsethanordinarydeathsuchaswascreditedme，\"huskilymutteredtheexile。\"Tenyears，——andeversinceI
havebeenhere，helplesstoextricatemyself，doomedtoalivingdeath，whichnoneothercaneverfullyrealise！Doomedto——to——\"
Hisvoicechoked，andheturnedawaytohidehisemotions。