“And I, too, Dennis!” concurred Ross. “I thought I should have died with awe or fear or joy—I don’t know which it was—to see our own old earth revolving, and the atmosphere throbbing and moving like a sea. I can never be sufficiently thankful!” “Nor I!” agreed Dennis. “It has been the dream of my life! and to think that generations should have been passed over and that _I_ should be the one to see the long-lost secrets laid bare. We have a good deal to be thankful for, our present sanity even, and we ought to thank Him who made us and all creation, for giving us the privilege of seeing outside this wonderful world and bringing us home again in safety with our reason unimpaired, for this last is perhaps the greatest blessing of all!” “I feel as if I had been dreaming!” exclaimed Ross; “it is difficult to realise that the _Regina_ has really taken us so far; it is not yet morning. How beautifully she acts! a child could work her, once the force and switches are understood, thanks to your revered ancestor—may his bones rest in peace—for writing all down so clearly.” “Yes,” agreed Gilbert, “now we have got it at our fingers’ ends we can keep the description in the safe where it was, for we could manipulate her blindfold. It was a capital idea of yours, Dennis, for us to take turns at everything, because we are able to fit in anywhere in an emergency and relieve each other.” “It is much the best, I think,” assented Dennis, “for as our interests are now one, we are bound, in justice to ourselves and each other, and in view of our united safety, to be able each to manage the whole business right through.” “We must have gone through the atmosphere at a great speed,” said Gilbert. “I tested the casing and it was not even warmed, so we are fairly heat-proof. We will have the ship stored with food for a long time and then sail off to Bona. Shall we risk ourselves straight there, or have a few shorter flights first in order to get our heads a little?” “I should say, go straight away,” said Ross, eagerly. “I think we can work her in perfect safety and she is as good and manageable a ship as could be.” “I think so, too,” agreed Dennis, “and we are all almost childishly anxious to go off again.” “I am, anyway!” said Ross, laughing, “so we’ll turn in and sleep the sleep of the just, if not too tired and excited, and begin preparation to-morrow.” With that they all retired to rest; but the experiences of the evening had been too sensational for quiet slumber, and the following morning each had to confess to having had but fitful sleep. The arrangements went on apace, and a few days later, the stores being packed safely, all was ready for the flight to beautiful and beneficent Bona. “I think it would be a good plan to use ether-wave every day, say at six o’clock p.m., and let all our messages be sent to every wave-apparatus on the whole earth,” said Dennis, when discussing final arrangements.