The _Aeropher_ having risen to an enormous height, being thrown
completely out of the tempest as if shot from a catapult, turned to
descend again. It flew downward like an arrow, filling every soul,
save perhaps that of Lyone, with fear. All were resigned for death;
there could be no escape from the destruction that threatened us.

All this time the centre of the storm had been travelling to the
southeast, or about forty-five degrees out of our proper course.
Suddenly the ship shot downward from the southeastern limb of the
storm, which almost reached the earth at this point. Gazing below, we
discovered a fearful chasm in the face of the earth toward which we
were rapidly flying. It was the canyon of the river Savagil, a
merciless abyss ten thousand feet in depth.

Frightful as was the scene, it might yet prove our salvation if the
ship could escape colliding with the precipitous walls. Were there no
abyss we would certainly be dashed to pieces on the earth itself.

Suddenly the ship heeled over fifty degrees, flinging its living
freight violently against the houses on deck and the lower rail. But
we were saved! One side of the deck grazed the precipice as it plunged
into the canyon. We had passed through the danger before knowing what
had happened.

Lyone was stunned, but safe, the captain had a dislocated wrist, and
others had broken limbs, but none was fatally hurt.

It was a terrible experience.

As the canyon of the river led in a northeasterly direction we did not
emerge from the shelter it gave us to seek fresh conflict with the
cyclone, but kept flying between the formidable walls. We soon knew by
the returning sunlight and the silver clouds that the hurricane had
died away.

The damage done to the _Aeropher_ was quickly repaired. The ceaseless
humming of the fans revolving on axles of hollow steel lulled our
senses once more into dreamy repose.

"Ah," said Lyone, "this is life. I feel as though I were a bird or
disembodied spirit. This aerial navigation is the realization of those
aspirations of men that they might like birds possess the sky. Some
have wished to enjoy submarine travel, to explore those frightful
abysses of ocean where sea-monsters dwell; to behold the conflict of
sharks in their native element, to see the swordfish bury his spear in
the colossal whale. I prefer this upper sphere of sunlight and the
dome of forests, mountains, and valleys of the dear old earth."

"You are right," s