“But my partners in this speculation, the Frenchman and the others, will hardly comprehend this hasty exit.”
“Indeed they will,” I replied, “the officer will surely intimate his instructions, and my own way of executing his orders will not be displeasing in the long run.”
“What a magnificent view of fair Brussels, but how insignificant in size. Look at the Tower of Malines.”
“And far beyond,” I added, “you can see Antwerp.”
“I knew by your preparations you were going to ascend.”
“Did you,” I observed, “well, I told no one of my intentions, not even Mr. S——, I thought it would be better to clear off first and explain afterwards. It would have been useless to keep the balloon where it was, and I have no doubt the friends with whom you are connected will appreciate my motives by and bye.”
“We are now passing over a village,” said my companion, “which I have just recognised, and you will be astonished to hear that we are least sixteen miles from Brussels, and that we have not been up more than a quarter of an hour.”
“I am not surprised at our rate of travelling, but rather at your good sight in picking out a place well known to you.”
“Ah,” said the Englishman, “mine is a long sight, you will hardly believe that I command the entire panoramic view as clearly as you do; for instance, do you see anything besides those microscopic dots in that green patch? I mean anything besides the cows which graze in the meadows to the right of the farm-house.”
I looked attentively, and just detected a number of ducks, chiefly white ones, on the banks of a pond, but should not have noticed them unless I had examined minutely.