Five Weeks in a Balloon · Chapter
Mosfeia and the Incendiary Pigeons explained
The Victoria continues its journey over Africa, encountering the city of Mosfeia where a sheik mistakes the balloon for a supernatural phenomenon.
What happens
The Victoria continues its journey over Africa, encountering the city of Mosfeia where a sheik mistakes the balloon for a supernatural phenomenon. The travelers discuss the history of European explorers in the region, including Major Denham, Captain Clapperton, Dr. Oudney, and Vogel. They face an attack from natives using pigeons with incendiary tails, but escape by ascending higher. The chapter ends with the balloon approaching Kernak, where they observe the town from above.
Themes in this chapter
Exploration and Discovery
The chapter highlights the history of European explorers in Africa, including Denham, Clapperton, Oudney, and Vogel, and the dangers they faced.
Survival and Resilience
The travelers survive an attack by incendiary pigeons through quick thinking and the balloon's capabilities, demonstrating resilience.
Colonialism and Cultural Superiority
The natives mistake the balloon for a supernatural being, and Kennedy reflects on how this affects perceptions of European power and civilization.
Characters to notice
- Dr. Samuel Ferguson
Remains vigilant and resourceful, guiding the balloon and explaining the history of explorers to his companions.
- Dick Kennedy
Expresses concern about the natives' perception of Europeans and prepares to defend the balloon during the pigeon attack.
- Joe
Observes the pigeon attack with curiosity and prepares to throw out ballast to ascend.
- Victoria
The balloon proves reliable, carrying the travelers safely through the attack and over the landscape.
- Major Denham
Mentioned as a fearless English explorer who visited Mosfeia and survived an attack by clinging to his horse.
- Captain Clapperton
Referenced as part of Denham's expedition, traveling through the Sudan to Sackatoo.
- Dr. Oudney
Mentioned as a companion of Clapperton who died of fatigue in Murmur.
- Vogel
Discussed as a young explorer who disappeared in the Wadai country, possibly still held prisoner.
Key passages
“Hundreds of streaks of flame crossed each other, and shot to and fro in the air like rockets, forming a regular network of fire.”
Numerous lines of fire crisscrossed the sky like rockets, creating a fiery web.
Describes the visual effect of the incendiary pigeons.
“Thousands of pigeons, their tails garnished with combustibles, had been set loose and driven toward the Victoria.”
A large flock of pigeons with burning materials attached to their tails was released and directed at the balloon.
Explains the source of the fire attack.
“The doctor dared hesitate no longer; and, throwing out a fragment of quartz, he kept himself beyond the reach of these dangerous assailants.”
Without further delay, the doctor released some ballast to ascend out of the pigeons' range.
Shows Ferguson's decisive action to escape the attack.
