“Be that as it may,” said he, “whether the voyage has been made in former times or not, is of little importance:  it is sufficient for us to know that it has been effected in our time, and can be effected again.  I am anxious to repeat the voyage, for the purpose of ascertaining some facts, about which I have been lately speculating; and I wish, besides, to afford you ocular demonstration of the wonders I have disclosed; for, in spite of your good opinion of my veracity, I have sometimes perceived symptoms of incredulity about you, and I do not wonder at it.”

The love of the marvellous, and the wish for a change, which had long slumbered in my bosom, were now suddenly awakened, and I eagerly caught at his proposal.

“When can we set out, father?” said I.

“Not so fast,” replied he; “we have a great deal of preparation to make.  Our apparatus requires the best workmanship, and we cannot here command either first-rate articles or materials, without incurring the risk of suspicion and interruption.  While most of the simple villagers are kindly disposed towards me, there are a few who regard me with distrust and malevolence, and would readily avail themselves of an opportunity to bring me under the censure of the priesthood and the government.  Besides, the governor of Mergui would probably be glad to lay hold of any plausible evidence against you, as affording him the best chance of avoiding any future reckoning either with you or his superiors.  We must therefore be very secret in our plans.  I know an ingenious artificer in copper and other metals, whose only child I was instrumental in curing of scrofula, and in whose fidelity, as well as good will, I can safely rely.  But we must give him time.  He can construct our machine at home, and we must take our departure from that place in the night.”

CHAPTER III.

The Brahmin and Atterley prepare for their voyage—­Description of their machine—­Incidents of the voyage—­The appearance of the earth; Africa; Greece—­The Brahmin’s speculations on the different races of men—­National character.

Having thus formed our plan of operations, we the next day proceeded to put them in execution.  The coppersmith agreed to undertake the work we wanted done, for a moderate compensation; but we did not think it prudent to inform him of our object, which he supposed was to make some philosophical experiment.  It was forthwith arranged that he should occasionally visit the Hermit, to receive instructions, as if for the purpose of asking medical advice.  During this interval my mind was absorbed with our project; and when in company, I was so thoughtful and abstracted, that it has since seemed strange to me that Sing Fou’s suspicions that I was planning my escape were not more excited.  At length, by dint of great exertion, in about three months every thing was in readiness, and we determined on the following night to set out on our perilous expedition.