Have you never in the drowsy8 noon of a long summer’s day lain back on the sward watching the evolutions of a rook round its elm, noted9 the rapturous poise10 of its wings and the easy grace of its flight? 96Even such was the flight of the Attila. Let me detail an incident which took place over-night, and the ground for my enthusiasm will be obvious. Hartmann had summoned me to his study, and taken me along to the conning-tower, the passage to which ran under deck from the citadel11. The tower (capped with search-light apparatus12 for night work when requisite) rested on the nozzle or ram-like projecting bow of the a?ronef, and was so constructed as to command a superb outlook. Two men were on watch when we arrived, and these respectfully saluted13 the captain.
“Is the shore far off?”
“About five miles.”
“Any vessels15 in sight?”
“No, sir.”
“All right.”
“Now, Mr. Stanley,” said he, turning to me, “I am going to show you how the Attila obeys its master. We require to load up with sand and refill five or six of the hydrogen compartments16. That strip yonder is one of our favourite docks. Watch me.”
He pressed one of the knobs communicating with the engine-room.
“That stops the force supply to the main shaft17, the revolutions of which will speedily ease down. We are falling fast, do you observe? Hold tight. There!”
97
OVER THE SEA.
99The bow dipped several degrees and we shot onward18 and downward like an arrow. Were we rushing into the sea, the billows of which seemed to leap up at us larger and larger each second? Another pitch, the bow rose considerably19, and we were carried by the a?roplane hundreds of yards upwards20, the onward motion being at the same time inconceivably rapid. Once more these tactics were repeated, and so closely we neared the ocean that the waves must have splashed the screw-blades. Meantime Hartmann rapidly twisted a wheel with each hand.
“This works the sand levers of the bow, that of the stern. Ballast is dropping quickly.”
At once we rose, and to my unconcealed wonder stopped at a height of about 300 feet above sea-level, still, however, riding forward with a lazy careless motion. We were now near the sand-pits, whither a few turns of the screw bore us gently. Hartmann, watching his opportunity, began twisting a small wheel in the centre of a medley21 of others.
“A hydrogen valve.”
We fell sharply, but a touch to the other wheels eased us, and alighting gently on the spit the wheels of the Attila were buried up to their naves22.
It was then getting late, so every one was as expeditious23 as possible. First bag after bag of sand 100was dried and cast into the sand reservoirs, binding24 the craft immovably to the dune25. The process resembled a coaling operation at Port Sa?d, and amused me greatly. I worked hard, and earned a shower of praises. Afterwards I stood by while the five huge centre compartments were filled with the rarefied gas. It was a tedious affair, because each in turn had to be pumped and re-pumped out, then filled with cold hydrogen, then with a fresh supply highly heated so as to contract and become rare on cooling. About one hour was consumed in the operation, and at its close the Attila still lay motionless on the sand-spit. Everything, however, having been duly overhauled26, the sand levers were gently worked, the surplus ballast slipped away, and breaking away from our couch we floated twenty feet above the spit. The three screws were then set rotating, and speed having been attained27, we curved upwards into the bosom28 of the sunset clouds. An experience more superb romance itself could not furnish.
Later on we passed at high speed over Havre, the lights of which twinkled merrily through a mist patch. Next Rouen glided29 away beneath us, and at seven we swept over the gorgeous city of Paris. Satiated in some measure with these sights I stepped down into a court and entered the cosy31 smoking-room. 101Burnett was there, and Brandt, the “philosopher” whom Hartmann had mentioned. I was very fond of German thought, and did not fail to improve the timely occasion. Brandt was not only a metaphysician, but readily listened to my very guarded criticisms of the anarchists32. He was, however, inflexible33, and professed34 the most supreme35 confidence in Hartmann. “He is the heart of the enterprise, and it was he who gave the Attila wings. Look at what he effected with small resources, and you may rely on him with great.” He evinced a sturdy faith in the scheme of supervision36, and prophesied37 as its result a grand moral and intellectual regeneration of man. But, he added, the initial blows will be terrible. One remark filled me with apprehension38. “London,” he said, “in three days will be mere39 shambles40 with the roof ablaze41.”
“Heavens!” I cried, “so soon!”
“Yes. The object of this trip is merely to settle details with some terrestrial friends who meet us to-morrow evening—delegates from the various affiliated42 bodies of Europe.”
Shortly afterwards I had an interview with Hartmann, and urged that some warning might at least be given to our friends.
“By all means,” he remarked, “warn yours to keep 102away from London. One of the delegates will act for you after due inspection43 of the message. For myself, I have already taken my private precautions.”
Diary. Tuesday Morning.—Crossed Dijon and the river Saone in the night. Rising rapidly, as the slopes of the Jura mountains are ahead of us, and “the captain,” as they call him, will insist on keeping high! No doubt it is safer, but I suspect the real truth is that he wants to appear unannounced over London—a portent44 as mysterious as terrible. Shows himself ironical45 and inflexible. I suggest a mild course of action, and he asks me whether I aspire46 to be captain of the Attila. Am becoming nevertheless almost inured47 to the thought of the impending48 calamity49. Brandt says philosophically50 that “the advance of man is always over thorns.” Unhappily the thorns do not always lead to happiness. Will they do so in this case? The bluster51 of the vulgar dynamitards is revolting. Even Burnett is forgetting the end in the means. As to Schwartz, his vile53 parody54 is being sung freely by all the English-speaking hy?nas of his stamp:—
“The dynamite55 falls on castle walls,
And splendid buildings old in story.
The column shakes, the tyrant56 quakes,
And the wild wreckage57 leaps in glory.
Throw, comrades, throw; set the wild echoes flying;
Throw, comrades; answer, wretches58, dying, dying, dying.”
103Am getting to loathe59 the crew, now the novelty of their reception is beginning to wear off.
Tuesday (Afternoon).—Still higher, great discomfort60 being experienced. The barometer61 readings make us three and a half miles above sea-level over the pine-covered summits of the Jura mountains. I find it necessary to breathe much more rapidly, the rarity of the air is unsatisfying. At times a dizziness seizes me, and on examining my hands and body I find my veins62 standing63 out like whipcord. Hartmann shortly eases off the screws—he was experimenting, so it appears, with his machinery64. A change of tactics is observable. He ignores possible sightseers now, probably because he knows that reports from tourists and mountaineers stand no chance of being believed. Hence we almost brush the mountains, and a superb privilege it is. The magnificent pines here surpass anything else of the kind. Sometimes we glide30 midway along a valley with a rushing torrent65 beneath us and these pine-fringed precipices66 on our sides; sometimes we amaze a luckless mountaineer or shepherd as we thread a defile67; sometimes we curve over valley-heads with a grace an eagle might imitate; then, again, we breast the cloud-rack and are lost in its mantling68 fleeces. We are now bearing south-east by south, and are not far off from the beautiful lake of Geneva.
104Tuesday (Night).—Wrote my letter and telegram, and gave them to Hartmann for the delegate. We have stopped over a pine forest some five miles distant from Morges, on the shore of the lake. Switzerland, I am told, was selected as the rendezvous69 because of its central position. Many Russians, Poles, Austrians, and Italians, besides delegates from other nationalities, are expected. They are to arrange details of the forthcoming revolution. Had a friendly talk with Burnett, who once more tried to proselytize70 me. Told him if any one could shake my convictions it is Hartmann and not he. How bloodthirsty the men are getting! Query71.—What if the lust52 for blood grows by what it feeds on? What if this crew gets out of hand? Happily, a strong man stands at the helm.
(Later.)—The convention is in full swing. What enthusiasm must inspire these “tourists,” for, of course, it is in this character that they travel. Most, I hear, are very badly off, their funds being supplied by their associations. A great deal of provisions and matériel has been brought aboard. How well this crusade is organized!
Hartmann remains72 on board, he has never left the vessel14 except on the occasion when he visited his mother. Burnett and Schwartz take his instructions to the delegates, and most of the crew escort them. We are floating very near the ground in a rude clearing on the mountain side, two rope-ladders and some 105cables link us with the soil. After several hours’ conference below, the delegates visit the Attila. Heavens! what desperadoes some look! Yet they control, so Burnett says, vast societies. Hartmann interviews each. He works patiently through the list, and finally addresses them en masse, launching terms of the most animated73 invective74 against modern civilization. Am, of course, excluded, but learn that everything has gone off admirably. Five of the delegates are to join the crew, the rest carry back their instructions. We start early in the morning. What a spectacle there is before us! However, two days’ breathing time is something. Trust that delegate, whoever he is, will not forget the telegram and letter to Lena.
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1
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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belittle
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| v.轻视，小看，贬低 | |
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4
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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economist
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| n.经济学家，经济专家，节俭的人 | |
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merged
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| （使）混合( merge的过去式和过去分词 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中 | |
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enthralled
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| 迷住，吸引住( enthrall的过去式和过去分词 )； 使感到非常愉快 | |
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drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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9
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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10
poise
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| vt./vi. 平衡，保持平衡；n.泰然自若，自信 | |
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11
citadel
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| n.城堡；堡垒；避难所 | |
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12
apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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13
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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14
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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compartments
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| n.间隔( compartment的名词复数 )；（列车车厢的）隔间；（家具或设备等的）分隔间；隔层 | |
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17
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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18
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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19
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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21
medley
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| n.混合 | |
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naves
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| n.教堂正厅( nave的名词复数 )；本堂；中央部；车轮的中心部 | |
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23
expeditious
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| adj.迅速的，敏捷的 | |
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24
binding
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| 有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的 | |
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25
dune
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| n.(由风吹积而成的)沙丘 | |
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26
overhauled
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| v.彻底检查( overhaul的过去式和过去分词 )；大修；赶上；超越 | |
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27
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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28
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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29
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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glide
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| n./v.溜，滑行；(时间)消逝 | |
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31
cosy
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| adj.温暖而舒适的，安逸的 | |
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32
anarchists
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| 无政府主义者( anarchist的名词复数 ) | |
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33
inflexible
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| adj.不可改变的，不受影响的，不屈服的 | |
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34
professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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35
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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supervision
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| n.监督，管理 | |
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prophesied
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| v.预告，预言( prophesy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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39
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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40
shambles
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| n.混乱之处；废墟 | |
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41
ablaze
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| adj.着火的，燃烧的；闪耀的，灯火辉煌的 | |
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42
affiliated
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| adj. 附属的, 有关连的 | |
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43
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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44
portent
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| n.预兆；恶兆；怪事 | |
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45
ironical
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| adj.讽刺的，冷嘲的 | |
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46
aspire
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| vi.(to，after)渴望，追求，有志于 | |
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inured
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| adj.坚强的，习惯的 | |
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48
impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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49
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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50
philosophically
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| adv.哲学上；富有哲理性地；贤明地；冷静地 | |
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51
bluster
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| v.猛刮；怒冲冲的说；n.吓唬，怒号；狂风声 | |
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52
lust
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| n.性(淫)欲；渴(欲)望；vi.对…有强烈的欲望 | |
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53
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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54
parody
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| n.打油诗文，诙谐的改编诗文，拙劣的模仿；v.拙劣模仿，作模仿诗文 | |
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55
dynamite
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| n./vt.(用)炸药(爆破) | |
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56
tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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57
wreckage
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| n.（失事飞机等的）残骸，破坏，毁坏 | |
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58
wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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59
loathe
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| v.厌恶，嫌恶 | |
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60
discomfort
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| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
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61
barometer
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| n.气压表，睛雨表，反应指标 | |
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62
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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63
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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64
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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65
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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66
precipices
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| n.悬崖，峭壁( precipice的名词复数 ) | |
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67
defile
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| v.弄污，弄脏；n.(山间)小道 | |
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68
mantling
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| 覆巾 | |
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69
rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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proselytize
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| v.改变宗教 | |
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71
query
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| n.疑问，问号，质问；vt.询问，表示怀疑 | |
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72
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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73
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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invective
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| n.痛骂，恶意抨击 | |
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