Nobody spoke for some time, and then Dr. O’Hagan said: “The balloon is falling, and, instead of throwing out ballast, I think it might be better, perhaps, to let it come down and to tie it to a tree, and make a fresh start with additional gas in the morning.”

The other aeronauts gave their approval to this plan, and Dr. O’Hagan threw out the grapnel. It caught upon a tree top, and after some difficulty the balloon was brought down and tied fast, while the whole party stepped out of the car.

It was a wild and desolate place, but the four men soon started a fire, and while Mr. Winden and Mr. Jarnville prepared supper, Dr. O’Hagan and Mr. Crutter went to work to arrange some kind of shelter for Miss Dermott for the night.

After supper the five people gathered about the fire, and there really seemed to be a growth of cheerfulness in the party.

“I’ve been thinking,” said Mr. Crutter, “what an outrageous shame it is that this poor child here,” pointing to Miss Dermott, “should actually be in want of food, while I have more money than I know what to do with. I’ll tell you what, Miss Dermott, if you will agree to go back you can have my whole fortune. I’ve left it to an asylum, but I’ll write a new will now, and tell you where you can find the other one, so as to tear it up.”

“I don’t want to go back,” said Miss Dermott.

“I would if I were you,” said Mr. Winden. “It’s a shame for you to go upon such an awful journey as this. And I’ve been thinking, Mr. Jarnville, since you spoke about your smoke-consumer, that my father, who is a wealthy iron-mill owner, has offered a large reward for a perfect contrivance of that sort. If yours is a good one, he will help you to a fortune.”

“I wish I had known that yesterday,” said Mr. Jarnville.

“Yes,” said Dr. O’Hagan, “and if I had known that Mr.Crutter here was being driven to suicide by dyspepsia, I could have helped him, for I have been very successful in treating that complaint. Let me examine you, Mr. Crutter. Yes,” said the doctor, after expending a few moments looking at and talking to Mr. Crutter, “I feel certain I can cure you.”

“I would have given you half my fortune yesterday for such an assurance,” said Mr. Crutter. “But it is now too late.”

“If I had met you then,” said the Doctor, “I should not have been here now.”

“Can’t we all go back again?” asked Mr. Jarnville.

“Impossible!” said Dr. O’Hagan.

“I’ve got nothing to go back for,” said Mr. Winden. “There is no remedy for my trouble, that I an perceive.”

“There are other young ladies who could make good wives,” said Mr. Crutter.

“Oh, I know, but—” said Mr. Winden hesitating, and looking furtively at Miss Dermott. Miss Dermott blushed.

“Suppose we rest for the night and sleep on the matter,” said Dr. O’Hagan. “There’s no use being in a hurry.”