But while Miss Chain and Captain Link were exchanging their impressions as to the fantastic forms of cloud and vapour which had gathered beneath them, the aeronaut was intent, with his compass in one hand, looking through an opening in the clouds towards a point of land which he saw in the distance partly surrounded by the sea. Goodall then noticed the course of the balloon as indicated by the compass, not forgetting to watch their drift over the clouds as an additional indication of the way in which they were going; but he was sorry to find that, in trying to avoid his uncle’s house, they were caught on the horns of a dilemma, for a momentary peep through a rift in the clouds enabled him to perceive that they were travelling with great speed in too close proximity to the Channel to be safe. They had completely altered their direction, having risen into the north-east current, which prevailed at about a mile and a half from the earth, and they were now going towards Hastings, and had recrossed the estuary of the Thames without knowing it. However, Harry Goodall did not wish to alarm Miss Chain, or to make known their exact and rather perilous position, which would have to be rectified.
Captain Link began to think that, when the chart and the compass were so frequently consulted, there must be some cause for uneasiness, and, as he knew that the aeronaut had traced with a pencil on his map their course since they left Sydenham, he asked Harry to point out exactly where they were supposed to be at that present moment. The aeronaut hesitated to comply with the request, but gave the mariner and then Tom Trigger the following answer,—
“We have totally changed our direction, and are now under the sway of the north-easterly wind;—but I am going to descend a few thousand feet and sight the earth.”
“But first let me look at your latest pencil mark, Goodall,” said Captain Link.
“You shall; but we are now most likely more within the coast line. Don’t be alarmed, Miss Chain, I am about to make a noise with the valve by opening it somewhat.”
“Oh, I have full confidence in your skill and management, Mr Goodall, though I thank you for warning me.”
The captain and Tom Trigger, both of whom inferred that the balloon might have been getting nearer to the Channel than they had been aware of, preserved a discreet reticence; but they quite understood that until they had passed through the widespread range of clouds, and ascertained whether they were over the sea or land, they could not possibly be free from a considerable amount of doubt. Trigger began to see to the stock of ballast which he was in charge of,—as they were just approaching some Alpine peaks of cloudland, and would soon be passing down through a much denser stratum.
“Oh, dear!” exclaimed Miss Chain, “it is getting dark and damp again!”
“Yes; but the chill will not last long,” said Mr Goodall, soothingly.
“That strong north-easter has given us a sharp turn, Harry,” said the captain.