"You mean to pursue your search?" asked Captain Jones.
"Certainly," replied Captain Restronguet with conviction.
"Judging by the state of the river," continued the captain of the "Pride of Rhodesia," "which is still falling, even a boat expedition will be a difficult matter. Why not make a voyage in my craft? We can follow the course of the river at any height you wish, and if Karl von Harburg has attempted flight by means of a boat we shall be bound to overtake him and effect his capture. I can easily find room for a dozen of your men."
"I will gladly accept your offer," replied Captain Restronguet without hesitation. "When will it be convenient for you to start?"
"At once," replied Captain Jones promptly. "We ought to complete the business and be back here well before night. Meanwhile those of your men who are left behind--I will leave some of my crew as well--can proceed with the unloading of the 'Vorwartz.' The gold will be perfectly safe ashore, for there do not seem to be any inhabitants in this district. Even if there are, and they are tempted to give trouble, twenty rifles firing from the deck of the submarine will make them keep a respectful distance."
"Come along, Mr. Hythe; this will be another experience for you," said Captain Restronguet. "Carnon and Carclew you will come with us. Eh? What's that? Mr. Hythe, here's your Irishman anxious to have an aerial trip."
Ascending the swinging ladder the men gained the platform connecting the two deck-houses of the airship. Hythe found himself on a promenade nearly three hundred feet in length and forty in width converging fore and aft, and terminated by the aluminium cabins that afforded sleeping accommodation for the crew and also means of manoeuvring the airship in bad weather.
"Cast off there," shouted Captain Jones.
Those of the airship's crew who remained ashore hastened to unfasten the stout hempen hawsers that held the "Pride of Rhodesia" to the ground. Since the total number of men on board was less than that of the present crew no throwing out of ballast was necessary. The airship rose swiftly and smoothly to a height of eight hundred feet.
"Guess we'd best descend at once," said Captain Jones.