, and their owner drew closer
to the wiry little aeronaut, plainly drawing great comfort from that
mere contact. And with like ease uncle Phaeton lifted one of those hairy
arms to rest it over his own shoulders, speaking briskly the while.

"There is only one way of demonstrating the truth more clearly,
my youthful inquisitor, and that is by sending you on a voyage of
exploration. Are you willing to make the attempt, Waldo?"

"Not this evening; some other evening,--maybe!" drawing back a bit, with
a shake of his curly pate to match. "But, I say, uncle Phaeton--"

"Allow me to complete my say, first, dear boy," with a bland smile.
"That is easily done, though, for it merely consists of this: yonder
sink, or whirlpool, is certainly the method this lake has of relieving
itself of all surplus water. Everything points to a subterranean river
which connects this lake with the Pacific Ocean."

"Wonder how long I'd have to hold my breath to make the trip?"

CHAPTER XI. ANOTHER SURPRISE FOR THE PROFESSOR.

The stranger laughed aloud at this, then seemed surprised that aught
of mirth could be awakened where grief and despair had so long reigned
supreme.

"You will come with me to--to my den, gentlemen?" he asked, still
nervous, and plainly loath to do aught which indicated a return to his
recent dreary method of living.

"Is the distance great?" asked Professor Featherwit, with a glance
towards the aeromotor, then flashing his gaze further, as though to
guard against possible harm coming to that valuable piece of property.

More than ever to be guarded now, since the words spoken by this
exile. Better death in yonder mighty whirlpool than a half-score years'
imprisonment here!

Not so very far, he was assured, while it would be comparatively easy to
float the air-ship above the trees, there of no extraordinary growth.

At the same time this assurance was given, the stranger could not mask
his uneasiness of mind, and it was really pitiful to see one so strong
in body and limb, so weak otherwise.

But uncle Phaeton was a fairly keen judge of human nature, and possessed
no small degree of tact. Divining the real cause of that dread, he took
the easiest method of allaying it, speaking briskly as he moved across
to the aerostat.

"Bear the gentleman company, my lads, while I manage the ship. You will
know what signals to make, and I can contrive the rest."

Again the recluse laughed, but now it was through pure joy