distinguished himself as a cook.



CHAPTER III.

HEAVENLY BODIES.

The following day, while in their observatory, they saw something
not many miles ahead. They watched it for hours, and in fact all
day, but notwithstanding their tremendous speed they came but
little nearer.

"They say a stern chase is a long one," said Bearwarden; but that
beats anything I have ever seen."

After a while, however, they found they WERE nearer, the time
taken having been in part due to the deceptive distance, which
was greater than they supposed.

"A comet!" exclaimed Cortlandt excitedly. "We shall really be
able to examine it near."

"It's going in our direction," said Ayrault, "and at almost
exactly our speed."

While the sun shone full upon it they brought their camera into
play, and again succeeded in photographing a heavenly body at
close range. The nucleus or head was of course turned towards
the sun; while the tail, which they could see faintly, preceded