Well indeed was it that he had taken these precautions, for a man falling into the Sargasso Sea, were he the strongest swimmer who ever shot arms out, could not save his life, if he once became entangled among the long snaky weeds.
The balloon rose well, and Antonio turned his telescope anxiously seaward.
Joy of joys! he saw a ship, a great ocean steamer, homeward bound. He could see the men and officers on deck clearly enough, for the open water was only about thirty miles away now.
They evidently saw him, for when he waved his coat they responded. They even dipped their ensign.
What they took him for may never be known.
It is but charitable to believe that the captain of the unknown steamer did not even know that the aeronaut was in need of assistance. Be this as it may, she steamed off and away, and made no more sign.
It was very sad, and Antonio’s hopes now sank to zero.
As he was just about to make the signal for descent, the balloon burst with a loud report.
The captain at once precipitated himself into space, holding fast to the parachute.
The boat, under the command of the third mate, Davie Drake, had been pushed through the weeds into the volcanic lake, and the men were lying on their oars listlessly when they heard the explosion.