"Professor, can't you do something?" " Fergusson, you fool!" " Hey, what?" "This is madness, stark insanity!" "Are we to be smashed to smithereens in this fool machine?" "That was not my original intention." "Take her up, man!" "Throw out the ballast." "Isn't that how it's done?" "Very true, except that we carry no ballast." " No ballast?" " No ballast except ourselves." "Unless one of us would like to jump overboard to save the others." "Sir Henry?" "It's too late." "Very well, professor, explain what happened." "The general wanted to ascend." "I was happy to oblige." " How?" " Newest Fergusson invention." " Which is?" " Explain it, Jacques." "Yes, sir." "Gentlemen." "The gas circulates through the pipes into this heating chamber." "You turn up the heat, the gas expands and up we go." "You turn down the heat and we drop like a busted balloon." "No!" "No, don't do that!" "Up here, gentlemen, you're safe as in your own beds." "For the first time, a balloon can rise or descend without loss of any gas." "Very ingenious, no doubt." "But was it necessary to treat us to cheap theatrics?" "Oh, my apologies, Sir Henry." "So many of my brilliant inventions have passed unnoticed." "I felt this one might fair better if presented with a certain dramatic impact." "You have proved your point, professor." "Now, may we descend in a less rugged area?" "With pleasure." "Home, Jacques." "Monsieur Randolph, what are you doing here?" "The same as you, sir." "After all, the professor's story will interest my readers too." "Yes, and here is a story that will interest you." "In trouble again." "Haul in the line!" " A fine show, sir." " Very graceful, professor." " Marvelous, marvelous." " Thank you, all of you." "A perfect landing, sir." "More than that, sir, a perfect demonstration, eh?" "Well, gentlemen are you ready to take another trip on my good ship Jupiter?" "I have a pressing appointment, sir." "Ah, that's a pity." "Sir Henry now that my balloon is a proven success, can I count on the financial backing of the Royal Geographic Institute to carry out my plan?" "Your plan, sir, is completely lunatic." "Exploring East Africa in this imbecilic contraption?" " Imbecilic?" "!" " I know Africa." "Neither you nor your toy would last a week." "How dare you refer to Fergusson's masterpiece as a toy!" " "Fergusson's folly," sir." " Sir, you go too far." "I will go farther." "As president of the Royal Geographic Institute I will not recommend one penny for your preposterous project." "And I'm sure our good treasurer agrees." " I do, indeed!" " A good day to you, sir." "And goodbye." "Good morning to you, professor." " What happened up there, professor?" " Sir Henry Vining is a human ostrich." "The first sign of progress, he buries his head in the sand..." " ...and hopes it will go away." " "Ostrich."" "Before my invention, no man could maneuver a balloon without the loss of gas or ballast." "Sir Henry is a dolt, who cannot recognize the greatest breakthrough in science since steam replaced sail." "Then your expedition is off, sir?" "Without the backing of the financial institute, I'm afraid so." "One moment, please." " And who might you be, sir?" " The name is Cornelius Randolph publisher of the Randolph newspapers in America." "I'm very happy to meet you, sir." "How can I help you?" "We can help each other, sir." "Now then, I understand your project is for the exploration and mapping of East Africa, starting from Zanzibar." "That was my intention." " Stupendous story, if successful." " Sir, you could not be more right." "Then go to it, sir, with my blessing and my backing." " Why would you, an American...?" " Circulation, professor." "Circulation." "New Yorkers will be fighting to buy Mr. O'Shay's story of your adventures." " Mr. O'Shay?" " Yes, Donald O'Shay, my star reporter." "Where is this gentleman?" "O'Shay's in Paris at the moment on a special assignment." "I'll have him join you in Zanzibar." "Mr. Randolph, as you Americans say, it's a pleasure to do business with you." "And your Mr. O'Shay will be very welcome." "You'll find him a splendid and inoffensive young man." " Professor?" " I tell you, inspector, again my ship sails within the hour." "This is downright abduction." " If you please, sir." " I do not please." "And I demand to know the reason for this outrage." "They will explain inside." " Professor Fergusson?" " It certainly is Professor Fergusson." "And I've no time for jiggery-pokery." " Somebody's gonna pay for this." " Yes, sir." " Yes, sir." " Your hat, sir." " My hat stays where it is." " This way, please." " I cannot delay another minute." " Professor Fergusson, sir." "My ship sails on the tide." "Never fear, professor, your ship won't sail without you." "Mr. Prime Minister." "Good evening, Professor Fergusson." "I do not understand this last-minute hocus-pocus." "Excuse me, sir." "This honor." " Please be seated." " Thank you." " Brandy?" " Thank you, no." "Her Majesty offers her sincere good wishes." "I'm deeply touched." "But I wasn't aware Her Majesty was interested." "Interested..." " ...and perturbed, sir." " Perturbed?" " By my actions?" " Not yours." "Allow me." "Less than three hours ago, we learned that an expedition of international slave traders will soon leave the west coast and head for the heart of West Africa." "No man's land, huh?" "What is this expedition...?" "If the slavers plant their flag there, they will control the entire territory." " A very bitter pill for us." " True." "We've been planning to explore and develop that territory." "Now we have an urgent incentive:" "The prevention of slavery." "Hasn't the slave trade already being outlawed?" "Yes, but only by the major nations." "If they plant their flag, they'll put everyone to the yoke." " Exactly, professor." " Does make a little of a mess." "Something's gotta be done." "But what's to do?" "We must plant our flag first." "It cannot be done." "Start readying a British expedition, and those slavers will be running for the Volta River before you can hoist your britches over your knees." " That's why you must plant it." " Me?" " How?" " Fool them." "Fly directly from Zanzibar to the Volta River." "A little mild exploring, say a 200-mile flight over East Africa is one thing." "But to fly 4000 miles over unexplored jungle?" "That's another." " It could be suicidal." " Her Majesty realizes that." "She even wagered me a sovereign that you would not take the risk." "Well, Her Majesty has just lost herself a sovereign." "If my life is to be sacrificed, I cannot think of a better cause." "I knew we could count on you." "What about this young American reporter that I've agreed to take along?" " This Donald O'Shay." " Take him." " A perfect witness." " I do not follow." "In case of a legal dispute, the eyewitness report of an American would be conclusive evidence of our claim." "Aye." "And they tell me he's a pleasant, inoffensive young lad this Donald O'Shay." "Ya!" "Ya!" "Here come the marines!" "Let's go!" " Ow, my foot." " Police catch us." "Run." " Me Makia." "Thank you." " Me Donald." "You're welcome." "I hope." "Come on." " So long." " Hurry!" " I think we lost them." " Mr. O'Shay?" " Who are you?" " Jacques, the professor's assistant." " Who is she?" " Slave girl." "She didn't like the fat boy who was buying her." " No, him fat pig." " You rescued a slave?" "They'll cut you to pieces, and kill the rest of us too." "Can't stand the sight of blood, especially my own." "Here they come." "Come on, let's go!" " Where's Fergusson?" " At the British Consulate." "Come on." " Bad news, sir, bad news." " How bad?" "A letter from the prime minister by special courier." " What does he say'?" " The slavers know of your plan to beat them to the Volta." "No." "They left their base a week ago." "How long will it take them to reach the river?" "I'd say six weeks." " That leaves me exactly five." " It's impossible to beat them." " Nonsense, nothing is impossible." " There's something else." "I've had enough surprises for one day." "Let me hear the worst." "You are to be accompanied by the queen's special envoy." ""The professor, I'm sure, will benefit by the invaluable experience and advice of the ex-commandant of Khartoum."" " Sir Henry Vining?" " General Vining, sir." "Formerly known as the Scourge of the Desert." "Am I to be saddled with you, sir?" "All the way across Africa?" "I am equally distressed, sir." "However, a soldier does not question his orders." "You said that my balloon is a toy." "Well, perhaps the prime minister shares my views and wants a steadier hand at the helm." " I'm in command." " I am the expert on Africa." "I'm the expert in balloons." " Gentlemen, every hour counts." " Every minute, sir." "Where in tarnation is that reporter?" "Wasn't he on your ship?" "There was an irksome chap aboard." "We had nothing in common." "You'll have one thing in common:" "Five weeks in a balloon." "Should be very cozy." "What's happening now?" "Hurry, run, run!" "They're right behind us." "Professor, that's the irksome young man." "Professor!" "Professor!" "It's Mr. O'Shay, professor." "Well, gentlemen." " Mr. O'Shay, what jiggery-pokery is this?" " And who is the chicken thief?" "Her name is Makia." "Pretty, isn't she?" "The slave traders whipped her but he saved her." " He what?" " You can't do this in Zanzibar." "It's against the law." "She must be returned immediately." " And the chicken too." " Oh, no you don't." " You should've seen that bullwhip." " Be quiet, sir." "Return this girl to her owner." "And the chicken." "Over my dead body." "That could be arranged, young man." " Listen, you...!" " Hold your temper." "Didn't you cause enough trouble on the ship?" "Tried to kiss Lord Jonathan's daughter without an introduction." "Let me go." "I kill you!" "Fat pig!" "Yeah, that will cool him off." "She'd never learn that in a finishing school." " Mr. Townsend." " What?" " Mr. Townsend, sir." " What is it?" "The marketplace is in an uproar." "Your man helped the American to free that slave girl." "They know he's with you and they're going to destroy your balloon." "And they told me you were an inoffensive young man." "Thank you very much for all you've done." " My carriage is below." "Take it." " Thank you, sir." "Everybody, on the double." "Hurry up." "Get the stuff loaded." "Is it safe?" "Of course not." " After you, general." " Thank you." " They'll be here in a minute." " Jacques." "Jacques!" " Get her up." " The heat's low." "And all that baggage!" " Baggage?" " Thunderation!" "Where did all this trash come from?" " Over with them." "General." " Boy, over." "Over." "Over." "Not that one." "That's mine." "What do you think you're doing?" "Put that down." "That's mine." "Is it indeed?" "Over with it." "Wait a minute, professor." "Now, you just hold that." "That's my new Parisian clothes." "How dare you, sir!" "Why, that's the most preposterous..." "Take your hands off that hat." "You!" "You there!" "Gimme back that coat!" "Why...!" "Fergusson, are those two men leading the mob?" "They were on my ship." "They must be agents of the slavers." " Are you sure?" " Indubitably." "They must've whipped up the mob because of your change in plans." " What change in plans?" " Take her up, Jacques." " What change in plans?" " May as well tell him, professor." "Why not?" "We're going to West Africa, Mr. O'Shay." "West Africa?" "You're crazy!" "Knowing Sir Henry's views on my "toy," I'm quite sure he agrees with you." "I couldn't care less." "But I wanna know why the sudden change in plans." "We are going to plant the flag, sir." " The what?" " The flag." "If you'll start listening and stop jabbering, man." " Will you get down!" " And let these wallah see me grovel?" " Unthinkable." " What flag, general?" "The Union Jack, sir." "If this idiot contraption can stay aloft Britain will keep the heart of West Africa out of the hands of the slavers." "Who cares?" "Why should Randolph Press get involved in British politics?" "Besides, I'm due to winter on the Riviera." "See what these colonials have come to?" "Since we gave them their freedom, they don't know right from wrong." ""Gave us" our freedom?" "Good shot, sir." "There is a small question of illicit slave trading, you know." "If we fail, heaven help the natives." "Fine." "But I'm a reporter, not a reformer." "I demand we return to Zanzibar right now." "Out of the question." " Then I withdraw our financial support." " That's a pity." "How do we pay our hotel bills in the jungle?" "We are quite safe now." "And we've a bunch of planning to be up to." "Four thousand miles of it." "Can you join me in the chart room, general?" " We failed." " Not yet." "Hey, you, Jackie boy, you're my last hope." "I appeal to you as a fellow American." " But I'm Canadian." " You don't look it." "Common mistake." "I'm your next-door neighbor from Niagara Falls." "Will you be a good neighbor and steer this flying booby hatch back to Zanzibar?" " Steer?" "You're joking, of course." " What do you mean by that?" "Only the wind steers a balloon." "Where it goes, we go." "Well, then how do you expect to find a target 4000 miles away?" "It's simple." "The wind blows east to west." "We just hitch a ride." " But we can change course if necessary." " How do you do that?" "There are plenty of crosswinds up there." "We go up, test different levels till we find a breeze blowing in the right direction." "I hear you talking, but it still doesn't make any sense." "And if something gets in our way, we just blow the whistle." "The whistle?" "Hush, man, be quiet." "I tell you the slavers are right here, right now." "You are 200 miles off." " They are here in the Seguela foothills." " Sir, you are wrong." " They're at the Senegal River." " Piffle." "Here am I, what a lucky guy As the world goes floating by" "In the open air, without a care Five weeks in a balloon" "I wouldn't trade my place today With the king of Mandalay" "High and low and away we go Five weeks in a balloon" "With the wonders of nature below me And the limitless sky up above me" "I will touch the stars and bow to Mars Five weeks in a balloon" "During the day I will ride on a sunbeam" "During the night I will rest on a moonbeam" "I'll be lulled to sleep, no counting sheep Five weeks in a balloon" "When I'm floating high up in the blue There is nothing I can't do" "I'm taller than an elephant And twice as powerful too" "So come with me and you will see Why I'm happy as can be" "And you'll be too When you've been through" "Five weeks in a balloon" "Five weeks in a balloon" "Five weeks in a balloon" "There you are, Sir Henry." "If our instruments do not play us false, I shall place us here." " Agreed?" " Agreed." "Take her down, Jacques." " Down?" " Aye, we will not fly after dark." "We might hit a mountain." " Supper when we land, gentlemen." " Now, wait a minute." "What if the natives down there want supper too?" "Us." "You know, they could sneak up on us during the night." "That would be right bad form." "It's an axiom of warfare:" ""No fighting after sundown."" "Well, I hope the natives know the rules." "Three hundred miles today, gentlemen. 'Tis a bonny pace." "If the wind holds, we'll beat the slavers with time to spare." "Coming down." "Easy, boy, easy." " Slowly now." " There's no place to land." "Gently now." "It's a forest for the trees." "Steady, Jacques." "Not a sidewalk cafe in sight." "Aye, they don't serve the guests here, they eat them." " Nothing worse than a man-eating lion." " I hope I'm not his man." "General, what do you think that is?" "You're the expert on African affairs." "I've heard that often." "That is a rampaging rhinoceros." "Vicious brutes." "Better get your gun." "Aye, a vicious brute indeed." "Another rhinoceros, general?" "Careful, boy, that's my prize teapot." "My constant companion since Khartoum." "Never fear, general, I'll guard it with my life." "Dinner's ready, Mr. O'Shay." "Ah, boiled rice, eh'?" "Got any chutney?" "Mr. O'Shay, this is not a fashion parade." "My dear professor, I always dress for dinner." "I must say, professor, the lad shows good breeding." " I've always felt that the mark of..." " Spare us your platitudes." "The victuals will be getting cold." "Spare us your bickerings and let us drink to the success of a very worthy mission." "I'll drink to the success of my mission, which is to get back to civilization and have Uncle Cornelius sue you for breach of contract." " "Uncle" Cornelius?" " What?" "So you're Randolph's nephew." "Now I understand why he wanted to get you out of his hair." "Be that as it may, you're not honoring your contract." "My contract with your uncle was to traverse East Africa." " That's right." " And we are traversing it." "I never said we would not travel further." "So here's to the good ship Jupiter." "Well, I could have sworn I had not touched my wine." "There's plenty more, professor." "Don't I get any chicken?" " I gave you some." " Where?" "I must be getting jungle fever." "Here's a nice wing." "Great Scott!" " A stowaway." " Hi." " Where did you come from?" " Makia hide up there, then hide here." " Why did you do such a silly thing?" " Pasha O'Shay, he save me." "Pasha O'Shay, he own me now, no?" " No." " Where you go, me go." " I don't want her." " Well, give her away." "Yeah, that's a good idea." " You take her, Jacko." " Not me." "I pass to the general." "Good heavens, no." "Lady Vining would never approve." "She's yours, professor." "You flatter me, general." "No one wish me?" "Me go back to Zanzibar." "Stop that girl." "Hey, wait a minute, wait a minute." "You can't go anywhere." "You'll never get past the first lion." "Then me stay." "All own me now." "Me eat." "Well, it seems we have no alternative." "All the way across Africa without a chaperone?" "It's most irregular." "That is not a rhinoceros either, general." "Our table seems to attract the strangest guests." " It certainly does, general." " Quite." "All right, African expert, what would you say those drums mean?" "I never heard them in Khartoum." "I'd wager it's some sort of a message." "A brilliant deduction, general." "Remarkable animal." "By Jove!" " A simian sot." " Hic!" "Go on, pour yourself some coffee." "Here, here." "Like this." "There you go." "How's that?" " Coffee?" " Please." "What's the matter?" "Couldn't you sleep?" "Drums bad." "Maybe we better go back to Zanzibar." "You afraid, little one?" "Evil out there." "Things crawl, bite, gobble up Makia." "Ah!" "You protect me, no?" "Just a moment." "Come here, you." "Now, I want you to get back on guard duty." "Three's a crowd, even in the jungle." "Here, come on." "Let's go, come on." "You were saying?" "You maybe buy Makia." "Keep her for your very own." "Buy?" "People just don't buy each other." "It's uncivilized." "How then you get woman?" "Well, when two people love each other they just get married." "How you make that "get married"?" "Well, you just buy a license go to a preacher and he legally makes you man and wife." "How much cost this license?" " Just a few shillings, that's all." " Ah." "What does "Ah" mean?" "Well, in Zanzibar, girl like me cost many English pounds." "In London, you buy girl legal for just few shillings." "Only difference I see, must be plenty girls there to buy them for so cheap." " You don't understand." " Oh, I do." "Civilized ways is to make laws so you men buy women for almost for nothing." " Cast off, Jacques!" " No, no." "Stay on the ground where it's safe." "The general's right." "Head for the storm cellar." "Our only chance is ride it out." "On the ground, we'll be torn to bits." "Fergusson, you fool." "You dropped the control." "Can you fix it, Jacques?" "The broken plug won't hold much longer." "We must land." " That should make you happy, general." " Mal de mer runs in my family." "In his family too?" "We must find a place to land." "It's a good idea if we can get through this boiled cabbage." "Please, don't mention food." "Open space ahead!" "Hey, that's a pretty big city." "Aye, a town that size, we must've been blown south." "Unless I'm out of my wits, this must be Hezek." "Better dress up a bit." "Natives are always impressed by a uniform." "Come along." "Put away your gun, lad." "As long as they are afraid of the balloon, we might be safe." "I'm counting on it." "A situation like this calls for very careful handling." "General, I bow to your experience." "You'd better take over." "Oh, yes, of course." "My good man, we have a leaky balloon." "You mean that you don't understand the language?" "Good heavens, no." "All natives should learn the Queen's English." "General, I don't know what I'd do without your help." " Moon god." " What's a moon god?" "What's the fellow saying?" "They believe our balloon is the moon and the moon god is paying a visit." " Moon god?" "Me, of course." " No." "O'Shay." "They believe you're the moon god's slave, with your three eyes." "Slave?" "Impertinence." " Me, moon god?" "Why me moon god?" " You're redheaded and handsome." "At least to their uncivilized eyes." " Thank you." " If I'm a slave, what are you?" "I'm the moon god's medicine man." "And there's six sultans in need of my ministration." "Oh." " What did you tell the fellow?" " We'll go along." " Jacques, first-aid kit." " Yes, sir." "The moon god slave will carry that." "And make that a bit of fast." " Yes, sir." " Slave, indeed." "What will they say at the Cavalry Club?" "Probably "piffle."" "What if a sultan dies?" "Well, you'll never make it back to the moon, lad." "Oh, thank you." "Aye, he's sick." "Severe attack of "pombey-itis."" " Pombey-what-is?" " Pombey's a powerful native drink." "Oh, he's looped." "He's fried to the gills." " Any black coffee around?" " Something more stimulating." "Slave, ammonia." "Slave, ammonia." " Play your part, can't you grovel a bit?" " Can't you grovel a bit?" "Get ready to run if this doesn't work." "The sultan's a god here." "Keep your fingers crossed, laddies." "He's telling the sultan who we are." "He's calling for more wine and a feast to boot." "This will last for hours." "He'll never make it to the dessert." "Oh..." "You were quite right, laddie." "He did not make it." "It's a dance in your honor." "Sort of challenge." "Oh, how nice." "Well, carry on, my loyal subjects." "I accept your homage." "Hey!" "Hey!" "Hey!" "Break it up!" "Take your hands off the moon god." "Hey!" "Hey." "Hey, wait a minute." "Wait a min..." "What are you doing?" "Hey, hey." "Wait a minute, fellas!" "Whoa!" "Fergusson!" "Keep chill, man." "They challenge your courage." "Move, and you're a pincushion." "I thought I was a moon god." "Aye, and a punctured one if you don't bide still." "Hey, hey, hey, easy, easy, I'm ticklish." "Easy with those toad stickers." "Easy, now." "That's nice." "Easy." "Fergusson!" "Oh, this is fun." "Watch it." "Boys." "Whoa!" "Hey!" "Watch that." "Take it..." " The fellow's dead drunk again." " Aye, "dead" is the word." "It's time we were toddling." "Fergusson!" " I don't wanna be a moon god." " Steady, laddie, steady." " Your turn to be a moon god, general." " Watch your tongue, sir." "He's calling for Ahmed, the slaver." "Get away from me or I'll kill you, I swear it." "Help me, help me." "You belong to the sultan." "Go to him." " I won't." "I won't." " Wait a minute, what's going on here?" " Terribly bad form." " Be quiet, both of you." "Okay, lassie." "Leave this to us." "And you'd better watch your step." "You're in the presence of the moon god." "Moon god?" "Oh, pardon me." "How come the moon god speaks English?" "Never mind that." "She's leaving with us right now." " No." " Try and stop us." " You're talking to the moon god." " What's that?" "Since when are two moons in the sky?" " What's the toper saying?" " That we are fakes and the jig is up." " Smile." " Run!" "Run." "Take it up, Jacques." "You all right, lass?" " Boy, what a close call." " And who's to blame, sir?" "You, sir." " Me, sir'?" " Moon god, indeed." "Slave." "Take care of the lass." "Watch out!" "Oh, look who's here." " Throw him overboard." " No, that's not our way." "That's a bonny boff, lad." "Thank ye." "What do we do with him now?" " Not quite so violent, sir." " Sorry." "You cur!" " Hey." " Water!" "What are you trying to do?" "Poison me?" "Poison too good for you." "Throw him to jackals." "No, no." "He's now a prisoner of war and must be taken back to stand trial." " What have you got there?" " Nice medals, huh?" "British campaign medals." "Professor, look at these." "China." "India." "Where did you steal these from?" "What?" "I don't steal." "I'm an honest slave trader." "Oh, little things, they come my way once in a while..." "Like this?" "Diamonds?" "Great Scott!" "Look at these!" " Search him." " Yes, go on, search him." "Search him." " These must be worth millions." " You stole these from the sultan?" "Allah gives, Allah takes away." " He certainly does." " I confiscate this booty." " It goes to the British crown." " Not all of it." "International law states we get 50 percent as finder's fee." "That is correct." "I'll hold them for safekeeping." "What's happening?" "Oh, come on down, miss." " Here, take these, Jacques." " Yes, sir." "Don't be alarmed, miss." "He's our prisoner now." "Sit here, young lady." "There." " Thank you." " This is Mr. Donald O'Shay." " Of the Randolph Press, ma'am." " My young friend Jacques." " Ma'am." " Makia you know." " She's been very kind." " Sir Henry Vining." "Military commander of the expedition." "How do you do?" " How do you do?" " And I'm Samuel Fergusson of Scotland." "How do you do?" "I'm Susan Gale from Virginia." "I was teaching at the Dodoma mission when he raided us." "Business is business." "The vicious business, brutal and inhuman." "Aye, that's why we're headed for the Volta River." "The Volta?" "Oh, but you'll never make it." " We will, miss." " Oh, please believe me, I know." " I've lived in Africa for over six years." " We must." "We're racing a band of slavers." "If we plant our flag first we'll prevent the whole area from falling into their clutches." "Oh, I can hardly believe it." "You mean someone's finally taking action?" "Well, not all of us." "It seems that Mr. O'Shay here is indifferent to the suffering of others." "Unless it happens to be a bonny young lass like you or Makia here." "Now, just a minute." "When I said the slave trade's no concern of the newspaper or my assignment..." "Trafficking in human lives is everybody's concern." " Either you're for it or against it." " Well, I am for it." " Miss Gale, you miss my point entirely..." " Sh!" "Listen." "Can you interpret the message of those drums, miss?" "Yes." "They say:" ""White demons are riding across the sky."" ""Catch them."" "And they also say, "Kill them and burn them."" "He'll make a juicy dish." "English roast." "You like pretty dress?" "She real lady now." " You mean the chimp or me?" " Oh!" "Both." "Well, lass, you look bonny in Mr. O'Shay's hand-me-downs." "I never looked as good as that in those clothes." "Positively indecent." "In those clothes I couldn't even give her away." " Where are we now, professor?" " Right here." " Most of our journey is still before us." " And where would the slavers be?" "I'd say crossing the mountains of Kong, traveling slowly." "And I'd say proceeding down the Niger, traveling fast." "Good day, Susan." "Good day, Mr. O'Shay." "Hop to it, everybody." "We have a long day of flying ahead of us." "Gather food and fuel first, then we'll be on our way." "What about breakfast?" "Don't you see I'm fading away?" "You look terrible." "You'll never make it to prison." " Very funny." " The ladies will gather fruit." "Some of us will chop wood and someone will stand guard." "The slave trader will work for his breakfast like everyone else." "Hand him an ax." "I've just lost my appetite." " And what will you do, general?" " Reconnoiter, of course." "When on a military mission, always reconnoiter." "Of course, how foolish of me not to have known." "Come along, Jacques." "You too, Ahmed." "Working makes me nervous." "Pencil, please." "Thank you." " Oh, Miss Gale." " Yes?" "May I talk to you for a moment?" "What about?" "I don't know." "I'm a boy, you're a girl, there must be something we can talk about." "Like what, Mr. O'Shay?" "Like first, my name is Donald." "Secondly, you've been avoiding me since you came aboard the balloon." "Which isn't easy, considering how small it is." "Just because we had a little misunderstanding..." ""Little" misunderstanding?" "Mr. O'Shay, I'm sorry we don't share the same views about slavery." "Since I feel so strongly on the subject, I'm afraid we have nothing to talk about." "Now, Miss Gale, you've got me all wrong." "I mean, just because I said the slave trade was no concern..." " ...of my uncle's newspapers." " Coming, lassie?" "Coming, professor." " Please, excuse me." " Of course." "Young man." "Young man." "Stand guard." "This is dangerous country teeming with danger." "It shoots from this end." " This end?" " That is correct." "What'll they think of next?" "Come on, young woman." "Come along." "Hup, two, three, four." "Hup, two." "Hup, left, right." " Lovely." " Hup, two, three, four." "Hup, two." "Hup, left, right." "Can't you keep in step?" "Come along." "Hup, two, three, four." "Go on." "Hup, two, three, four." "You mean to pasha Donald." "Him good man but you not treat him good." " Your pasha thinks only of himself." " Oh, not so." "Pasha have big heart." "Him save you from slavery." "Save me too." "He saved you?" "How?" "Oh, in Zanzibar, him fight." "Risk life." "Hit slaver over head." "Pasha not like slavery." "Pasha like you." "Well, perhaps I was too severe." "Help!" "Help!" "There's a lion loose!" "Help!" "Help!" "Professor!" "Jacques!" "Help!" "Help!" "Help!" "Help!" "Nice pussycat." "You don't wanna eat me." "I'm too scrawny." "I'm skinny, no meat." "Help!" "Help!" "No, no, pussycat, no." "Go away." "Go away." "Nice pussycat." "Help!" "Professor!" "Jacques!" "Anybody!" "Help!" "Yeah, thanks a lot, fellas." "That was a lion." "Well, thanks anyway, but you guys speak English?" "Can you get me out of here?" "That's it." "That's it." "Thanks a lot." "Thank you." "Thank you." "You don't know how uncomfortable it's been up in there." "My name is Donald O'Shay." "I'm happy to meet you all." "Help!" " Jacques!" " Professor." "Professor." "Help!" "Run for your lives!" "Hurry!" "Hurry!" "Take the balloon up!" "Natives!" "Pull up, Mr. Jacques." "Stand by to take off." "Take the balloon up." "Let's go!" "Come on." "Up!" "Bring her up, professor." " General, don't shoot." " Get it up." "Jacques!" "Down, everybody!" "Mr. O'Shay, as military commander of the expedition, I say flatly one more irresponsible action, and we'll go on without you." " Now, look..." " That is definite, sir!" "Well, I suppose you share his views too." "How can I Donald?" "Look at this." "Boy, it certainly is busy down there." "Bite?" "You first." "Down, up, down, up." "Down, up, down, up." "General, what's this?" "A religious ritual?" "Certainly not." "I must keep fit." "What?" "In this sun?" "With this heat?" "Oh, you English." "You're funny." "I cooked it myself." " Gimme." " You can't have any." "Donald, grab the anchor!" " Professor, do something." " Grab it, Jacques." "Jacques!" "No, Jacques, let go!" "It's gone!" "Bumbling bungler!" " I'm terribly sorry!" " You blundering fool!" "We are doomed!" "Professor, do something." "I'm terribly sorry." " You fool, you blundering fool." " It's sabotage." " Are you in league with the slavers?" " Yes, I'm in league with the slavers." " Are you crazy?" " Allah protect us from our friends." " It's caught in the tree." " What a piece of luck." "Heaven be praised!" "How one man can get into so much trouble I'll never know." "Neither will I." "General." "An excellent idea." "Thank you." "Gentlemen, I..." " I'd like you to know how sorry I am for..." " Being an idiot?" "Young man, you nearly wrecked our project back in Zanzibar." "Later, because of you, we were attacked by natives." "And finally, we were almost marooned in the middle of Africa." "Wait a minute." "You couldn't have dragged me along in this circus if I'd known what it was about." "Now that you know what it is about, you still wish to be out?" "What's the sense of wishing?" " I'm trapped." " Maybe not." "Have a look out there." "Ahmed." "Take a look at that caravan." "Will you tell him where you think it's heading for?" "Oh, to the Nile." "It's a three-months journey." "If they're lucky." "And for a proper remuneration do you think they'd consider taking this young man along?" "Take me along?" "For a diamond of this size, you could buy the whole caravan." " Maybe you could take me along too." " You, sir, are going to the West Coast." "To stand trial for slave trading and kidnapping an American." "I was only asking." "Now, look, you can't slough me off on a camel ride." "I represent Uncle Cornelius." "We're using his money." "You are wrong, sir." "When the plans were changed, this became a British-financed expedition." "Oh, so Uncle Cornelius became expendable." "And so did you." " Except as a witness." " A witness?" " To what?" " The planting of the flag, sir." " So that's why you dragged me along." " Yes." "As an American, your testimony will carry great weight." "But we have a much less troublesome witness, Miss Susan Gale." "So fare ye well, Mr. O'Shay." "Stand by for landing, Jacques." "Sandstorm!" "Aye, the desert wind." "Take her up, Jacques." "Take her up." "Secure cargo." "Quick, inside!" "Everybody inside." "Professor." "Come on, boy." " All right, Jacques, keep the pressure up." " Yes, sir." " I said everybody." " Kismet!" "We are doomed." " Professor." " Steady as you can." "Great Scott!" "Do something." "Can't you do something?" "Lend me your teapot." "I'll make a cup of tea." " What?" " What exactly do you suggest, general?" "Well, I..." "I trust this postpones my camel ride'?" "Only for the moment." "At the first opportunity we shall part company with great pleasure and no regrets." "Oasis ahead!" "Where?" "There." "Over there!" "Down there." "Come down, lad." "Make ready to land." "Here am I, what a lucky guy As the world goes floating by" "In the open air without a care Five weeks in a balloon" "During the day I will ride on a sunbeam" "During the night I will race on a moonbeam" "I'll be lulled to sleep, no counting sheep Five weeks in a balloon" "What's wrong with you?" "In the open air without a care Five weeks in a balloon" "I wouldn't trade my place today With the king of Mandalay" "High and low and away we go Five weeks in a balloon" "With the wonders of nature below me And the limitless sky up above me" "I will touch the stars and bow to Mars Five weeks in a balloon" "During the day..." "I never thought I'd welcome a sandstorm." " I guess you're stuck with me now." " For how long?" "Sir Henry said it was a reprieve, not a pardon." "Oh?" " Is that the way you want it?" " Oh, Donald, I didn't want you to go." "I don't now." "But beating those slavers has to come first." "You're just too big a risk." "Maybe when it's all over we can meet again." "It's a date." "Professor." "Professor, I protest." "I wasn't born to work." "I'm sorry, Ahmed." "We've a lot of catching up to do." "But I don't like it." "Jacques." "Jacques." "Yes, sir?" " Yes, sir?" " Get the heat up, Jacques." " We'll be on our way." " Where would the slavers be, professor?" "Well, if I were asked to make a guess, I would say this jungle area here." "Who woo woo!" "Speaking of dates, would you like something to eat?" "What?" "Specialty of the house are dates - la Sahara." "It's the only thing on the menu." "Donald, you're an idiot." "You're so right." "I don't know what they want." "I'm not a slave." "I sell them." "What are they going to ask me to do next?" "Oh, quit muttering." "Everyone has to do their share." "I'm not muttering." "Shh!" "You wouldn't have a chance." "Keep very quiet, O'Shay." "They don't know that you're up there." "Stay in the cabin, Jacques." "They're afraid of the balloon." "There's nothing you can do for us now, O'Shay." "So push on." "For once in your life do something right." "Plant the flag." "Professor." "Have a care, sir." "There are laws of decency." "It might be wise to do as they say, professor." "They're taking us to see someone." "The beggars must have realized their error." "Probably taking us to the palace to ask our forgiveness, what?" " Highly unlikely." " Why do you always argue?" "I beg your pardon." "Oh!" "Nothing to fear." "That beggar can't hurt anyone." "Is this your idea of a palace, general?" "I am a forgiving man but believe me, I'll write a stinging letter to The Times." " Yes, that'll be a great help." " Someone's coming." " So the white demons come to Timbuktu." " What?" "Jungle drums are an efficient telegraph." "I am the Sheik Ageiba." " Look, my good man..." " I trust you had a pleasant trip." " You know about the journey?" " About your destination also." "The river Volta, is it not?" "Jungle drums are very efficient." "Yes, they are speaking from the west as well as the east." "The slave expedition is now only two days from the Volta." " Professor." " They're ahead of their timetable." "I hardly think you'd have beaten them even if you'd survived." "What do you mean, sir?" "We have survived." " Merely a technicality." " What does that mean?" "It means that you are Christians." "Infidels." "You've dared to enter the forbidden city of Timbuktu." "Dared?" "We were dragged here." "If you had any regard for the law..." "As the chief magistrate of Timbuktu, I have every regard for the law." "Which is very clear in your case." "If an unbeliever enters the forbidden city he must die at sunset the same day, Insha'Allah, it is written." "How long will the slavers pay for this service, Mr. Ageiba?" "There maybe some consideration." "It hardly concerns you." "You'll be joining your ancestors in exactly six hours." "Not the lasses." "The infidel, unfortunately, yes." "The little one will be sold at auction." "I myself should be a bidder." "No." "No." "You, sir, are a villain." "In Timbuktu, it is safer to be a villain than an infidel." " Professor, do something." " Any last request?" "Oh, that's very nice of you." "I should like some hot water." "Beautiful merchandise, huh?" "It's the sultan from Hezek." "What's he doing here?" "It's not the sultan." "It's his cousin, Red Beard." "He's got cousins all over." " Makia." " Be quiet." "Want to get us killed?" "That amorous piece of elegance just offered a hundred and fifty." "Well, you offer..." "You're rich, but you're not supposed to talk." "Say when." "He says she's a skinny chicken, but that..." " That's an old bargaining trick." " Then we win?" "Offer everything." "We must not seem too anxious." "We are supposed to examine the merchandise." "Jacques." "Give him everything." "Wasn't that easy to steal, but..." "She's ours." "Get on the horses." "Get on, quick." "How you get horses?" "And robes?" "Oh, we ran into some strangers." "We persuaded them to lend us these things." " Where are the others?" " Have they sold them?" "No." "They are to die as infidels." " Die?" "When?" " At sunset." "When the muezzin call evening prayer from the minaret and all the faithful, they bow toward Mecca." " How are they to die?" " I do not know." "I'm afraid I do." " Is it now?" " As soon as the holy man is finished." "It will be quick, Susan." "Be brave." "Donald!" "Easy." "Easy." "Careful." "Susan!" "Help me." "Ah!" "The anchor." "The anchor." "Help me, help me." "Jacques, grab my hand." " Let's go." " Jump, Susan, jump." "Jump, Donald." "Jump." "Professor, leap." "Quick, Ahmed." "Shoot!" " Hit him, Makia." "Hit him." " I can't." "Jacques, look out behind you." "Jacques, jump" "Hold on, Jacques." "Lend a hand there." "Look!" "We are doomed!" "Into the cabin, quick." "Full pressure, Jacques." " Get her up." "Get her up." " Take cover." "Into the cabin, everyone." "On the double." " Jacques." " Help me with the wood, hurry." "Not now, Makia, later." "I'll help on control, Jacques." " How's the pressure?" " Low, professor." "Why can't the boy go up and just pull that knife out?" "Aye, a grand maneuver." "Pull out the knife, and poof!" " Poof?" " Aye, poof." "There's a slow leak, general." "The scimitar's wedged in like a plug." "Good." "As long as it doesn't unplug itself." " Is there anything I can do?" " Haven't you done enough?" "That's the third time you've saved my life." " Third time lucky?" " Third time unlucky." "I told you to do something right for the first time." "By disobeying orders, you wrecked the whole thing." " The slavers will get there first." " There's just no pleasing you people." "We can still win." "We have four days to go." " Two." " Less than two." "The slavers are ahead of their timetable." "Then we've gotta risk flying at night." "Aye..." "Aye, that might give us a chance." "Yeah, if we don't hit a mountain." "Oh, shut up." "Take his pack." "Leave him." "Move on." "There it is." "The Volta." "By George, we may beat them yet." "I don't see their flag." "She's ripping away." "Jacques, full pressure." "We must lighten the load." " Everything overboard." " Yes, everything overboard." "Makia, start throwing some of that stuff out." " Jacques, help me." " All right." "You feed that fire." "We're still falling." "Come in here and lend a hand." "Ahmed, go and help Jacques." "What is it now?" "I don't understand all this." " Why bother?" "We are doomed anyway." " Ahmed." " Come on." " All right." "I don't like to do this." "We're still losing pressure." " You won't need this, general." " I say!" " We're gonna hit!" " Aye." "We've come to it." " Everything overboard." " Everything overboard." " No." "No, not the diamonds." " I said everything!" "We've made it." "We've made it." "Not yet, lass." "We've gotta plant the flag." "Look, the slavers." "Why, that dirty swine." " If they cross, we're lost." " Get the anchor." "Tie the cord to the shroud." " Up into the crow's nest, everybody." " Why?" "That is an order, general." "Up, everybody." "Up, lassies." "Balloon." " Up, everybody." " Are you completely off your crumpet?" " Up, everybody." " You are." "Grab the lad, general." "We must destroy the bridge." "The anchor will do it." "Hook the far end." "Throw it." "Throw it." "I'm throwing it." "Release the gondola." "Susan, watch the rock." "Help me." "Help me." "Somebody help me." "Donald!" "Stay near me, Donald!" "Have no fear, professor." "Look out for the rock!" "Donald!" "Hold my hand." "Thank you, professor." "Keep going." "Susan, don't give up!" "Hey, Jacques, come, help me!" "Save me!" "I can't swim!" "I'm all right." "Help Susan." " Here." " Susan, hang on." "Come on, boy." "Save me!" "Donald, Donald, help me!" "I can't swim!" "Donald, help me!" "That man's still alive." "With their flag!" "If he gets across, they've won." "Look." "Hold on, Ahmed!" " Donald!" " He's going over." " It's caught." " Allah be praised!" "You saved me." "Come on!" "On the double, everyone." "Hup." "One, two, professor." "Swine!" "Jump, Donald." "Jump!" "Ah!" "There!" "He's done it, he's done it!" "The lad's done it." " Well done, O'Shay!" " I always knew I'd make it." " What?" " I mean, we'd make it." "Congratulations, O'Shay." "Excellent work." "Thank you, general." "Thank you." "Well, looks like I finally did something right, eh?" "Oh, Donald." "Thank you for your heartfelt sympathy." "Will you help me out?" "Here you are, O'Shay." "Here you are, take my hand." "No, thanks, general." "This is one campaign I'm plotting all by myself." "I hate to spoil things, professor, but how will we get out of here?" "There's your answer, Ahmed." "We ride the river to the coast." "Look." "London, here I come." "What happen to Makia now?" "Don't worry." "I have very definite plans for you." "Like four shillings for a license?" "I wouldn't dream of paying more." "It's been a rough five weeks but I'm sure you'd agree it's been worthwhile." "Professor, I was wrong." "Your balloon was certainly no toy." "And I'm sure Her Majesty will be most gratified at our success." "Thank you, general." "Pity about the teapot."