Two by two they descended to earth, and, as in New York, carriages awaited them. Evidently preparations for their reception had been made upon a colossal scale. The air was thundering and riven with the voices of the innumerable hosts, brass bands on every hand in full blast, so that it was impossible to hear a word said by the nearest neighbor.
The police, fire, and military forces were out in full strength. The voyagers, mayor of New York and family, were seated in landaus, and with ropes the girls of all the public schools, each dressed in pure white and bearing in her hand an American flag, drew the vehicles through the principal streets of the city. Each of the little maids wore upon her bare head a chaplet of flowers, and the scene was one of indescribable beauty. And as they walked they sang in sweetest harmony,
"See, the conquering hero comes."
Dr. Jones was affected to tears at this sight, and could scarcely contain himself. At last the procession stopped before the grand central entrance of the capitol building. Upon the top steps they were met by the President and his cabinet, many members of both houses, though Congress was not in session at this season. Ministers and plenipotentiaries from nearly every court in the world were also there. Judges, statesmen, and journalists were in attendance by scores. Nothing was left undone that could in any way add to the honor and glory of the hero of the day. The modesty and unaffected dignity with which he received it all, clothed him as with a garment, and was a marvel to even those who knew him best.
But it would prove tedious to the reader if we were to relate in detail all the speech-making and public receptions tendered our friends. The Doctor and Professor before vast audiences told the story of their journey, the planting of the pole, the scientific value of observations made by Professor Gray, etc. The concert and North Pole March were rendered several times.
In a week or so the furore began to subside, and the company were glad to settle down to a comparatively quiet life in a large furnished house, which the Doctor rented. Callers were coming and going continually during several hours daily, and invitations to parties, dinners, concerts, operas, etc., were very numerous. The mayor and family returned to New York after spending a week with the friends. They declared that they envied them their trip to the South Pole, and should never be satisfied until they had enjoyed another sail in Silver Cloud.
The Doctor and Professor were kept very busy in consultation with governmental officials and scientific men. The naval and military departments were especially interested in the probabilities and possibilities of the use of air-ships in warfare. An arrangement was made to take a party of military men on a trip in Silver Cloud. A very successful and brilliant voyage of several hundreds of miles to the south and return was made, during which the Doctor actually encountered an opportunity to exemplify his theory as to air currents. While they were driving rapidly south at an altitude of but four or five hundred feet, he rapidly rose several thousand feet and encountered a splendid northerly current that carried them back to their starting point in a way that pleased the little man wonderfully well. This was a great triumph for the Doctor, and impressed the governmental party as of vast importance, and added immensely to the effectiveness of the ship in the art of war.
The Government made Will a very liberal offer to act as architect and constructor of another ship similar to Silver Cloud, with such improvements as experience had suggested to him. He accepted the offer, and would enter upon his duties immediately after their return from the South Pole. The Government had immediately acquiesced to their proposition to seek the South Pole, and even urged that they get out as soon as possible. The aluminum pole, a fac-simile of the one already planted, was being constructed.
One day, a month after their return, Mrs. Jones and Mattie were summoned to the parlor at an early hour for callers. They found there a large elderly gentleman and two ladies.
"O Mattie!" cried the younger, "don't you know us?"