drops of blood before adding:

"I knew it! It CAN be done, and if the worst should come to pass, why
should it not be done?"

Before an answer could be vouchsafed by either of the brothers, the pall
swooped down upon them once more, and again the supply of natural air
was shut off, while their vessel was rocked and swayed crazily, just as
though the delayed end was at last upon them.

For several minutes this torture endured, each second of which appeared
to be an hour to those imperilled beings, who surely must have perished,
as they lay pinned fast to the floor of the aerostat by that pitiless
weight, only for the precious air-tubes in connection with that cylinder
of compressed air.

After a seeming age of torment the awful pressure was relaxed, leaving
the trio gasping and shivering, as they lay side by side, barely
conscious that life lingered, for the moment unable to lift hand or head
to aid either self or another.

In spite of his far greater age, Professor Featherwit was first to
rally, and his voice was about the first thing distinguished by the
brothers, as their powers began to rally.

"Shall we take our chances, dear boys?" the professor was saying,
in earnest tones. "I believe there is a method of escaping from this
hell-chamber, although of what may lie beyond--"

"It can't well be worse than this!" huskily gasped Bruno.

"Anything--everything--just to get out o' here!" supplemented Waldo, for
once all spirits subdued.

"It may be death for us all, even if we do get outside," gravely warned
the professor. "Bear that in mind, dear boys. It may be that not one of
us will escape with life, after--"

"How much better to remain here?" interrupted Bruno. "I felt death would
be a mercy--then! And I'd risk anything, everything, rather than go
through such another ordeal! I say,--escape!"

"Me too, all over!" vigorously decided Waldo, lifting himself to both
knees as he added: "Tell us what to do, and here I am, on deck, uncle."

Even now Professor Phaeton hesitated, his eyes growing dimmer than usual
as they rested upon one face after the other, for right well he knew how
deadly would be the peril thus invited.

But, as the brothers repeated their cry, he turned away to swiftly
knot a strong trail-rope to a heavy iron grapnel, leaving the other end
firmly attached to a stanchion built for that express purpose.

"Hold fast, if you value life at all, dear boys!" he warned, then added:
"Heaven be k