CHAPTER FIFTY.
THE SKIN BALLOON.
"Eel-skins," said Caspar, repeating the phrase, as he saw that Karl hesitated before pronouncing an opinion.

"Don't you think they would do ?" Karl had it on the tip of his tongue to cry out--"The very thing!" but something withheld him from making this unqualified declaration.
"They might--it is possible they might," said he, apparently debating the question within himself--"just possible; and yet I fear--" "What do you fear ?" asked Caspar.
"Do you think they would not be strong enough ?" "Strong enough," replied Karl.

"That's not what I fear." "The air can't pass through an eel-skin ?" "No--not that." "At the seams, perhaps?
We can stitch them neatly; and then gum them over at the joinings.

I'll warrant Ossaroo can sew like a shoemaker." The shikaree could do all that.

Karl knew it.