Promptly responding to each touch of hand upon steering-gear, the aeromotor swung smoothly around, sailing on even keel right into the teeth of the gentle wind, by this time near enough to that body of water for the air-voyagers to scan its surface: a considerable expanse, all told, yet by no means of such magnitude as Professor Featherwit had anticipated. Too deeply absorbed in his own thoughts to notice the little cries and ejaculations which came from the brothers, he caused the aerostat to rise higher, slowly sweeping that extended field with his glasses. He could see where several streams entered the body of water, coming from opposite points of the compass, and thus confirming at least one portion of his explained theory; but, so far as his visual powers went, there was no other considerable body of water to be discovered. “Yet, how can that contracted basin contain all the drainage from this vast scope of country? How can we explain the stubborn fact of--What now, lads?” An abrupt break, but one caused by the eager cry and loud speech from the lips of the younger Gillespie. “Looky yonder! Isn't that one o' those sour-us dictionary fellows on a bender? Isn't that--but I don't--no, it's only--” “Only a partly decayed tree gone afloat!” volunteered Bruno, with a merry laugh, as his eager brother drew back in evident chagrin. “Well, that's all right. It ought to've been one, even if it isn't. What's the use in coming all this way, if we're not going to discover something beyond the common? And my sour-us is worth more than one of the other kind, after all; get it ashore and you might cook dinner for a solid month by it; now there!” It was easily to be seen that Waldo had been giving free rein to his expectations ever since the professor's little lecture, but his natural chagrin was quickly forgotten in a matter of far greater interest. Professor Featherwit had resumed his scrutiny of yonder body of water, slowly turning his glasses while holding the air-ship on a true course and even keel. For a brief space nothing interfered with the steady motion of the field-glasses, but then something called for a more thorough examination, and little by little the savant leaned farther forward, breath coming more rapidly, face beginning to flush with deepening interest. Bruno took note of all this, and, failing to see aught to account for the symptoms with unaided eyes, at length ventured to speak. “What is it, uncle Phaeton? Something of interest, or your looks--” Professor Featherwit gave a start, then lowered the glasses and reached them towards his nephew, speaking hurriedly: “You try them, Bruno; your eyes are younger, and ought to be keener than mine. Yonder; towards the lower end of the--the lake, please.” Nothing loath, Gillespie complied, quickly finding the correct point upon which the professor's interest had centred, holding the glasses motionless for a brief space, then giving vent to an eager ejaculation.