revenge. Here was a chance for inflicting on their foes a terrible
vengeance, which in the "Go-Ahead" they could not escape. A public
vengeance, which would at the same time prove the superiority of the
aeronef to all aerostats and contrivances of that nature!

And that is why, on this very day, like a vulture from the clouds,
the aeronef appeared over Fairmount Park.

Yes! It was the "Albatross," easily recognizable by all those who had
never before seen her.

The "Go-Ahead" was in full flight; but it soon appeared that she
could not escape horizontally, and so she sought her safety in a
vertical direction, not dropping to the ground, for the aeronef would
have cut her off, but rising to a zone where she could not perhaps be
reached. This was very daring, and at the same time very logical.

But the "Albatross" began to rise after her. Although she was smaller
than the "Go-Ahead," it was a case of the swordfish and the whale.

This could easily be seen from below and with what anxiety! In a few
moments the aerostat had attained a height of sixteen thousand feet.

The "Albatross" followed her as she rose. She flew round her flanks,
and maneuvered round her in a circle with a constantly diminishing
radius. She could have annihilated her at a stroke, and Uncle Prudent
and his companions would have been dashed to atoms in a frightful
fall.

The people, mute with horror, gazed breathlessly; they were seized