imals was
now once more taken up; the ship rising to a height of five thousand
feet into the air and then going ahead dead slow in the direction taken
by the unicorns, the four gentlemen, armed with their most powerful
telescopes, posting themselves in advantageous positions on deck and
minutely examining every yard of the ground over which they passed.
This method of proceeding was continued until nightfall without result;
and it then became evident that the animals of which they were in
pursuit had somehow eluded them.

"Well," said the professor, endeavouring to put a good face upon his
disappointment, as, the ship having been carefully brought to earth and
securely moored for the night, the party left the pilot-house and went
below to take their evening bath previous to dinner, "it is
disappointing, but it cannot be helped. Perhaps we shall be fortunate
enough to encounter them or others to-morrow as we wend our way
southward. And, _a propos_ of our next destination, I have a suggestion
which I should like to make, and which I will lay before you when we
meet at the dinner-table."

Accordingly, when they had fairly settled down to the meal that evening,
Sir Reginald called upon the scientist for his suggestion or proposal.

"I must preface it," said von Schalckenberg, "by informing you that I
have again been diving into my lamented friend's note-book, which I may
say _en passant_ is the most remarkable volume I have ever come across.
And in it I find, under the heading of `Africa,' a most clever and
scholarly disquisition on `the site of ancient Ophir,' the place from
which it is recorded that David obtained gold for the building of
Solomon's temple. I need not inflict upon you the various arguments and
authorities which are cited in the endeavour to identity the position of
this most interesting spot; suffice it to say, that I am morally
convinced I can lay my finger upon it on the map. The principal, indeed
I may say the _only_ reasons why the region has never yet been explored
are, first, its extreme difficulty of access except by sea; and
secondly, the fact that all recorded attempts to penetrate it have been
thwarted by the inhabitants, who are a most jealous, warlike, and savage
race of people. _We_, however, are fortunately possessed of
exceptional, or I should rather say unique, means of approach to this
unknown country; and my suggestion is that we should--"

"Do it," interrupted the baronet. "Mos