Only then did they realise how ill they were, for try as they would they could not stand, or indeed rise higher than a sitting posture, and in this position they shuffled along, dragging the still unconscious form of Dawson with them, inch by inch, every foot or so of the way having to rest to regain strength, and in this wise they got near the water. There they rested quite overcome, and all more or less unconscious, staying there for hours, perhaps for days, for most of the time was spent dozing in a semi-unconscious condition and time passed unnoticed, but when they did find intelligence returning to them, there was a distinct breeze, the clouds had lifted, and the stars could be seen. Bewildered, they searched the heavens, and Bolford cried,—“We have altered our orbit again! when we first came here we had Aquarius facing the cave, stationary, ‘in line of sight’ for months, and now we are opposite Aries! Something else has got us now!” In great excitement they all looked out, and there, sure enough, was Aries, and they were crossing. For hours they watched, and Holt remarked, “Never mind where we go, so long as we can live, and this new power is healthier than the last, anyway.” “We shall never get to England now, that’s one comfort!” exclaimed Siddall, in a tone of relief. “No, old man,” responded Congreve, “you need have no more fear. Even the _Regina_ can’t trace us now!” and he attempted a laugh, which ended in a dry cackle. Only then did they notice that their lips and tongues were cracked and hard, and the whole interior of their mouths dry and almost devoid of feeling, their voices sounding hoarse and most untuneful, so it was evident that hearing had returned. “Holt!” exclaimed Keeth, suddenly, “don’t you feel how charged the air is with electricity? I feel myself full of faint prickles!” “I was going to remark the same thing,” replied Holt. “I will have a look outside;” saying which he tried to rise, but failing to do so, he drew a clasp-knife and stuck it in a crack in the rock to assist him, when the metallic blade crackled and sparkled with electricity. Withdrawing the blade and closing it, he turned to Hewitt, saying,—“There’s some powerful current here and no mistake! Look outside, Hewitt, old man; I’m too ill to rise without help.” Hewitt could not go either, so Congreve slowly worked his way to the front, tasting the air and feeling at the rocks, and then going to the opening he put his head outside, withdrew it, and then tested the rocks with his own knife, but to find Holt’s experience repeated. “Anything atmospheric to cause that, Congreve?” inquired Hewitt. “No! nothing!” he replied, shortly. “What do you think?” asked Holt. Congreve did not answer, but put out his head again, and again withdrew it, and stood looking out at the opening. “Don’t you know?” queried Holt and several others, impatiently. “No. I’m thinking!” he muttered, and then remained silently lost in thought for so long that they asked again.