She rose above them presently and paused.
Here a glorious scene was observed.
The silvery moonlight streamed down unobstructed upon the sea of clouds beneath the airship.
They had a billowy appearance, their constant movement lending them a strange aspect as the lights and shadows changed from moment to moment.
A soft, dark, velvety gloom filled the vault of Heaven, which was only broken by the vivid points of light emanating from the stars that studded the firmament.
It was a silent region.
The air was very rare and exhilarating.
Having stopped the ascent, Barney started the huge driving wheels revolving, and drove the Pegasus ahead.
She looked like silver as the moonlight slanted upon her white metal hull, and to any one on the ocean must have presented a strange, ghostly look with her electric lamps glowing and her searchlight blazing out far ahead.
All night long she swept along through the dizzy height, and in the morning her dazzling lights went out.