Presently Warner’s attention was called to the firearms by a timely caution, for Simon kept turning himself round with a jerk, first on one tack and then on another, as if he could scarcely make out whether they were going back to the Sussex coast or making straightway for mid-Channel.
It was owing to the occasional rotation of the balloon on her own axis that he became so bewildered, and he acknowledged, when the cause was explained to him, that one required a knowledge of practical ballooning to decide the line of advance in the air. It was the rotary motion which made him lose sight of the two ships which he was searching for.
“They have disappeared,” said the aeronaut, in a joke.
“Foundered do you mean, sir?” asked Simon.
“No, but they have turned up behind us.”
On looking back towards the coast, Warner found that they had passed over them in about twenty minutes from the time they left. He then knew that they were going ahead without giving much sign as to their progress, so far as motion or unpleasant sensation were concerned.
“If that is the way big ships are dodging about,” cried Warner, “I must keep a sharp lookout for the lugger.”
“Yes,” said the aeronaut, “and I am instructing you how to do so, though I have no expectations of seeing her yet.”
“If they show fight, sir, we shall present a fine target.”
“Decidedly, Simon, but we shall be able to defend ourselves, and then, you know, we have the advantage of a more elevated position, even if we close with them. Besides, you see those outside contrivances?”