Departure in the Night-time.--All Three.--Kennedy's Instincts.--Precautions.--
The Course of the Shari River.--Lake Tchad.--The Water of the Lake.--The
Hippopotamus.--One Bullet thrown away.
About three o'clock in the morning, Joe, who was then
on watch, at length saw the city move away from beneath
his feet. The Victoria was once again in motion, and
both the doctor and Kennedy awoke.
The former consulted his compass, and saw, with satisfaction,
that the wind was carrying them toward the north-northeast.
"We are in luck!" said he; "every thing works in
our favor: we shall discover Lake Tchad this very day."
"Is it a broad sheet of water?" asked Kennedy.
"Somewhat, Dick. At its greatest length and breadth,
it measures about one hundred and twenty miles."
"It will spice our trip with a little variety to sail
over a spacious sheet of water."
"After all, though, I don't see that we have much to
complain of on that score. Our trip has been very much
varied, indeed; and, moreover, we are getting on under
the best possible conditions."
"Unquestionably so; excepting those privations on
the desert, we have encountered no serious danger."
"It is not to be denied that our noble balloon has
behaved wonderfully well.
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