[Illustration: The Natives regarded with superstitious admiration the smoking vessel.] On the 15th of June the Colonel and his companions arrived at Quilimane, one of the principal towns at the mouth of the Zambesi. Their first thought was to ask for news of the war. They found that it had not yet come to a termination, and that Sebastopol was still holding out against the allied armies. This was a disappointment to the Europeans, now so united in one scientific object; but they received the intelligence in silence, and prepared to start. An Austrian merchant-vessel, "La Novara," was just setting out for Suez; in that they resolved to take their passage. Three days after, as they were on the point of embarking, the Colonel assembled his colleagues, and in a calm voice reminded them how in the last eighteen months they had together experienced many trials, and how they had been rewarded by accomplishing a work which would call forth the admiration of all scientific Europe. He could not refrain from giving expression to his trust that they would feel themselves bound in the common fellowship of a true alliance. Strux bowed slightly, but did not interrupt the Colonel, who proceeded to deplore the tidings of the continuation of warfare. When he referred to the expected capitulation of Sebastopol, Strux indignantly rejected the possibility of such an event, which no union of France and England, he maintained, could ever effect. There was, however, it was admitted on all hands, a propriety in the Russians and English submitting to the national status of hostility. The necessities of their position were thus clearly defined, and under these conditions they embarked in company on board "La Novara." In a few days they arrived at Suez. At the moment of separation Emery grasped Zorn's hand, and said,-- "We are always friends, Michael!" "Always and every where, William!" ejaculated Zorn; and with this sentiment of mutual devotion they parted. The Commission was dissolved. THE END. * * * * * _Works of Jules Verne_, PUBLISHED BY SCRIBNER, ARMSTRONG & CO. THE COMPLETE AND AUTHORIZED EDITIONS. CAUTION. The public are cautioned against any editions of the works named below which do not bear the imprint of SCRIBNER, ARMSTRONG & CO. Any edition of these particular works published under other imprints are PIRATED, and cannot fail to be _inferior in every particular_. Editions bearing our imprint are issued under a direct arrangement with the French and English publishers of JULES VERNE, and are _authorized in text and complete in illustration_. MERIDIANA: