After all it is not much matter, since they could not disclose the secret of its source."
"But," said the Scot, "how are we to be assured of the identity of this river with that which travelers from the north have discovered?"
"We shall have certain irresistible and infallible proofs," replied Ferguson, "if the wind only favor us for another hour."
The mountains fell back, giving place to numerous villages, to fields cultivated with the oil plant, dourrah, and sugar-canes. The tribes of these countries appeared excited and hostile. They approached nearer to anger than adoration; they looked upon the travelers as strangers, and not as gods. It seemed to them that in coming to the sources of the Nile they had come to steal something. The "Victoria" was obliged to keep out of musket range.
"To land here would be difficult," said the Scotchman.
"Well," said Joe, "so much the worse for the natives—we shall deprive them of the benefit of our conversation."
"I must descend, nevertheless," replied Doctor Ferguson, "if only for a quarter of an hour. Otherwise I shall not be able to verify the results of our exploration."
"Is that really indispensable, Samuel?
"It is, and we shall descend without the firing of a gun."
"That is my business," replied Kennedy, patting his carbine.
"Whenever you choose, sir," said Joe, preparing himself for fighting.
"This will not be the first time," said the doctor, "that one has worked for science arms in hand; a similar thing happened to a French professor in the Spanish mountains when he was measuring the terrestrial meridian."
"You be quiet, Samuel, and trust to your bodyguard."
"Are we at the place now, sir?" asked Joe.
"Not yet. Indeed we must ascend in order to learn the 'lie of the land' a little."
The hydrogen was expanded, and in less than ten minutes the "Victoria" was floating at a height of 2,500 feet.
They could distinguish from that elevation an inextricable network of streams, which the river received. It flowed more from the west between the hills, in the midst of a fertile country.
