"
It seemed that the travellers by the other balloon
had just the same idea, at the same moment, for the same
kind of flag repeated precisely the same salute with a
hand that moved in just the same manner.
"What does that mean?" asked Kennedy.
"They are apes," said Joe, "imitating us."
"It means," said the doctor, laughing, "that it is you,
Dick, yourself, making that signal to yourself; or, in other
words, that we see ourselves in the second balloon, which
is no other than the Victoria."
"As to that, master, with all respect to you," said Joe,
"you'll never make me believe it."
"Climb up on the edge of the car, Joe; wave your
arms, and then you'll see."
Joe obeyed, and all his gestures were instantaneously
and exactly repeated.
"It is merely the effect of the MIRAGE," said the doctor,
"and nothing else--a simple optical phenomenon due to
the unequal refraction of light by different layers of the
atmosphere, and that is all.
"It's wonderful," said Joe, who could not make up
his mind to surrender, but went on repeating his
gesticulations.
"What a curious sight! Do you know," said Kennedy,
"that it's a real pleasure to have a view of our
noble balloon in that style? She's a beauty, isn't she?--
and how stately her movements as she sweeps along!"
"You may explain the matter as you like," continued
Joe, "it's a strange thing, anyhow!"
But ere long this picture began to fade away; the
clouds rose higher, leaving the balloon, which made no
further attempt to follow them, and in about an hour
they disappeared in the open sky.
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