that they had got away!

There was an opening into the outer air; I rushed through, and stared in
the growing twilight down the black furrow of the flume. Far in the
distance, and going like a streak, I spied the glittering glass windows
of the little craft. Once I made out the flutter of a saucy hand.

"We shall get them when they reach the valley!" I shouted to the men.
Then I reached for my tube, and sighted it on the lower end of the
flume, far, far below, almost too far away to be clear to the naked eye.

In an incredibly short time the craft reached the end. It traveled at an
extraordinary rate; perchance 'twas weighted; I marveled that its
windows could stand the force of the air. And I scarce had time to fear
that the twain should be destroyed on that upturned spillway before it
was there.

And then an awesome thing happened. As the boat struck the incline it
shot upward into the air at a steep slant. Up, up it went; my heart
jumped into my mouth; for surely they must be crushed when they came
down.

But the craft did not come down. It went on and on, up and up; its speed
scarcely slackened; 'twas like that of a shooting star. And in far less
time than it takes to tell it, the little boat was high up among the
stars, going higher every instant, and farther away from me. And
suddenly the sweat broke cold on my forehead; for dead ahead, directly
in line with their travel, lay the bluish white gleam of Jeos.

So great was my rage over the escape of the dreamer with my woman, at