So saying, the venerable man beckoned to the various groups that were clustered, ghost-like, in the mist that enveloped the ship. They seemed to draw nearer with listless curiosity, and stood or sat near us, smoking as before, or, still leaning on the side, idly gazing. But the restless figure who had first accosted me, still paced the deck, flitting in and out of the obscurity; and as he passed there was the same mien of humbled pride, and the air of a fate of tragic grandeur, and still the same faint odor of old clothes, and the low querulous cry, "Old clo!' old clo'!" The ship dashed on. Unknown odors and strange sounds still filled the air, and all the world went by us as we flew, with no other noise than the low gurgling of the sea around the side. "Gentlemen," said the reverend passenger for Eldorado, "I hope there is no misapprehension as to our destination?" As he said this, there was a general movement of anxiety and curiosity. Presently the smoker, who had asked me where he was going, said, doubtfully: "I don't know--it seems to me--I mean I wish somebody would distinctly say where we are going." "I think I can throw a light upon this subject," said a person whom I had not before remarked. He was dressed like a sailor, and had a dreamy eye. "It is very clear to me where we are going. I have been taking observations for some time, and I am glad to announce that we are on the eve of achieving great fame; and I may add," said he, modestly, "that my own good name for scientific acumen will be amply vindicated. Gentlemen, we are undoubtedly going into the Hole." "What hole is that?" asked M. le Baron Munchausen, a little contemptuously. "Sir, it will make you more famous than you ever were before," replied the first speaker, evidently much enraged. "I am persuaded we are going into no such absurd place," said the Baron, exasperated. The sailor with the dreamy eye was fearfully angry. He drew himself up stiffly and said: "Sir, you lie!" M. le Baron Munchausen took it in very good part. He smiled and held out his hand: "My friend," said he, blandly, "that is precisely what I have always heard. I am glad you do me no more than justice. I fully assent to your theory: and your words constitute me the proper historiographer of the expedition. But tell me one thing, how soon, after getting into the Hole, do you think we shall get out?" "The result will prove," said the marine gentleman, handing the officer his card, upon which was written, _Captain Symmes_. The two gentlemen then walked aside; and the groups began to sway to and fro in the haze as if not quite contented. "Good God," said the pale youth, running up to me and clutching my arm, "I cannot go into any Hole alone with myself. I should die--I should kill myself. I thought somebody was on board, and I hoped you were he, who would steer us to the fountain of oblivion."