“That is sufficient, Commodore,” returning the other’s salute, and smiling at his new title. “Be kind enough to have the course laid northeast by east, and discharge gas to keep at about this altitude,” and Cobb passed into his state-room, and donned a heavy overcoat.
As the engines commenced their work the great propeller turned rapidly on its axis, and the Orion, describing a great circle, took a course which would soon bring her over Newfoundland.
Rapidly they passed over the country; the towns and cities, the rivers and lakes, lay far below them, and the scene was like some gigantic panorama.
Emerging from the cabin, Cobb walked to the port bows, where Hugh and Lester were leaning on the rail, and commenting on the grand scenery over which they were being swiftly whirled. An expression of satisfaction overspread his face, and a fire of ambition sparkled in his eye.
“Would that I were never more compelled to descend to earth!” he cried. “Would that I could ever remain thus far away from civilization and society!” and a sad, mournful expression succeeded the former brightness of his countenance.
“Say not so, dear Junius,” and Hugh took the other’s hand in his. “I am sure there is a bright future in store for you. I feel it; I know it!”
“I am not a part of those below,” and he jerked his thumb toward the earth dimly outlined far below them. “I am not a part of that people. No solitary tie, save that of new-found friendship, binds me to them, or them to me, Hugh,” and he pressed the hand that held his. “If I but had the love of her long since dead, long since gone to her heavenly home, then all would be changed. I would live again, would laugh and jest, and be another man. Alas, it is not to be,” and tears filled his eyes, and became crystals of ice in the freezing temperature that pervaded the air about them.
“Brace up, my dear Colonel!” interposed Lester. “Accept the world as you find it! The sun of a week hence may shine on a people shouting your praise to the end of the earth.”
“What care I for praise!” savagely returned the man, as he turned upon the other; then in a kinder tone, he said, “Forgive me, Lester; I know your heart is in the right place.” Twice he crossed the deck in moody silence. “Enough,” he cried, at length, as he stopped in front of them. “Let fate work its decree.” Then turning once more from his friends, his emotion gave utterance to the feelings of his heart: “I abide the time of death, and a return to thee, O Marie, my darling, my girl wife!” Once more he faced them, and in harsh tones exclaimed: “It is over! Let us to business now; we are bound for the pole! For your sakes I hope we return.”
It was 1,500 miles to the banks of Newfoundland, and nearly 5 dial the next day, when the Orion was poised a thousand feet above the Atlantic. Below, plowing her way through the water, was one of the latest transatlantic passenger lipthaleners. Eight hundred and fifty feet in length by a beam of only forty-six feet, the huge spindle rushed through the water with a speed of over forty miles an hour. Sounding the great whistle of the Orion, Cobb threw over a small parachute, to which was attached a bundle of papers of the 12th inst. The lipthalener sounded her whistle in salutation, ceased her course, and sent a launch to pick up the papers. Again sounding the whistle as a parting salute, Cobb ordered gas, and the Orion rose, and was soon hidden in the clouds. The course was then laid due east.