“We thought that after being unused for so long, it would be best to take only a short voyage this time,” replied Dennis, “so we have decided to go to Bona.” “Would it be too much for me to ask permission to be one of the party?” inquired Magson, eagerly. “I fear it would not be possible,” said Dennis. “We shall make a few trials in the earth’s atmosphere, but that will necessarily limit the speed, or we should suffer from the heat of friction, but in the journey beyond there might be danger. We cannot be sure that everything will be in working order for rapid transit outside the atmosphere, so we three are taking our lives in our hands and risking it, but we dare not endanger others.” “I will gladly take my chance with you,” said the former sceptic, all his resentment gone and now as enthusiastic as they. “We dare not,” answered Dennis. “Three are few to negotiate a vessel of this size; I should be useful,” he persisted. “I am very sorry, but it would not be possible,” replied Dennis. Magson was deeply disappointed but accepted the decision and continued,— “When you start you will make it known, I suppose, as many people will follow your course with glasses.” “And many will say we have not been, but have merely hidden ourselves,” laughed Ross, scornfully, instantly regretting having put it that way, fearing Magson might perhaps take the remark as personal; but the latter responded, “No doubt of that. It would be better if you could state your course first and then by adhering to it, you would substantiate your statements.” “We shall do that, certainly,” assented Dennis; and after a little more conversation Magson left, feeling that his visit had not been entirely unprofitable in that he had added to his circle of friends and also considerably reduced the swelling in his head. The three friends discussed the projected journey at great length, referring to the papers in the _Regina’s_ safe in order to compare the arrangements made and the stores required on the previous expeditions, but these did not help them very materially, for since that time many of the things taken had become obsolete, and many improvements had been made for curtailing labour. The engines having been built for petroleum would answer for the newer ‘breezol,’ which is made from waste products and has an enormous explosive force, with the advantage of being non-explosive and non-inflammable under the ordinary conditions of storage. The older compressed petroleum was taken away and cubes of ‘breezol’ substituted; these cubes were very small, each representing one gallon, which was equal to twelve or fourteen gallons of petroleum, and sufficient cubes were stored to give ten years’ continuous work on all the engines, even with extravagant use.