And now Duncan bethought him of the balloon.
Surely there was some hope left in that.
As they sat under the shade of some dwarf and straggling trees, our three younger heroes, with Captain Talbot and Morgan, they seriously reviewed the whole question of their situation. Not only Duncan, but even Conal and Frank had become somewhat more earnest in their manner of late. Their sufferings had sobered them.
"Boats, and even a raft, are denied us," said Duncan, "and ships do not come."
"No," answered Talbot; "and yet some British cruiser, or even an Arab dhow, is bound to come this way before very long."
"It is just that which I greatly doubt, sir," said Morgan. "We seem to be landed at the back of the north wind, and out of the way of everything."
"But the balloon," continued Duncan. "I and Conal--"
"And I," interrupted the Cockney boy.
"Well, and you if the balloon is strong enough."
"It would carry you all, and a horse besides," said the skipper with just the ghost of a smile.