Perhaps you would like to stay there for a day or two ?" Such a proposal could only have been made ironically.

"But," continued he, "it would be dangerous among the Negroes, Berbers, and Foullanes who occupy, it--particularly as our arrival in an aeronef might prejudice them against you." "Sir," said Phil Evans, in the same tone, "for the pleasure of leaving you we would willingly risk an unpleasant reception from the natives.

Prison for prison, we would rather be in Timbuktu than on the "Albatross."" "That is a matter of taste," answered the engineer.

"Anyhow, I shall not try the adventure, for I am responsible for the safety of the guests who do me the honor to travel with me." "And so," said Uncle Prudent, explosively, "you are not content with being our jailer, but you insult us." "Oh! a little irony, that is all!" "Are there any weapons on board ?" "Oh, quite an arsenal." "Two revolvers will do, if I hold one and you the other." "A duel!" exclaimed Robur, "a duel, which would perhaps cause the death of one of us." "Which certainly would cause it." "Well! No, Mr.President of the Weldon Institute, I very much prefer keeping you alive." "To be sure of living yourself.

That is wise." "Wise or not, it suits me.