scent.

It is hardly necessary to say who was to make the attempt--Ossaroo was
to be the aeronaut. Ossaroo had voluntarily offered himself for this
perilous performance; and his offer had been accepted.

Not that either of the others were at all afraid to have run the risk.
It was from no desire to shirk the danger that they had appointed
Ossaroo to undertake it; but simply because, once outside, the shikaree
would be far better able to find his way down the mountains: and in his
native language could readily communicate with the villagers, and give a
correct account of their situation.

CHAPTER FIFTY TWO.

INFLATION AND FAILURE.

At length arrived the hour for making that important experiment--as to
whether their aerial ship would prove herself air-worthy.

All three stood around the spot where the chopped grass and shawl-wool
were to be set on fire. This fuel itself appeared underneath--in a
little heap lightly laid, and ready for the touch of the tinder.

Karl had a piece of blazing torch in his hand; Caspar held one of the
stay-ropes, to prevent the balloon from rising too rapidly; while
Ossaroo, equipped as if for a journey, stood by the hamper, in
readiness, when the proper time should arrive, to "pack" himself into
it.

Alas! for the frailty of all human foresight! The most careful
calculations often prove erroneous--not that in the present instance
there was any unforeseen error: for from the very first, Karl had been
distrustful of his data; and they were now to disappoint, rather than
deceive him. It was not written in the book of destiny that Ossaroo
should ever set foot in that wicker car or ever make an ascent by that
balloon.

The torch was applied to the chopped grass and shawl-wool. Both blazed
and smoked, and smouldered; and, more being thrown on, the blaze was
kept up continuously. The heated air ascended through the aperture,
causing the great sphere of stitched skins to swell out to its full
dimensions.

It trembled and rocked from side to side, like some huge monster in
pain. It rose to the height of a few inches from the ground, sank, and
then rose again, sank once more, and so kept on rising and sinking and
bobbing about, but alas! never exhibiting sufficient ascending power, to
raise the hamper even as high as their heads!

Karl continued to feed the furnace with the chopped grass and poshm, but
all to no purpose. The air within was sufficiently heated to have
raised it