You needn't worry, said Dorothy.
groan He could not control a shudder at the recollection of his recent combat,
and realized the horror of a meeting with such creatures by one who had no
protection from their sharp beaks and talons.
It's no wonder the Japs draw ugly pictures of those monsters, he thought,
People who live in these parts must pass most of their lives in a tremble.
The sun was now shining brilliantly, and when the beautiful islands of Japan
came in sight Rob found that he had recovered his wonted cheerfulness.
He moved along slowly, hovering with curious interest over the quaint and
picturesque villages and watching the industrious Japanese patiently toiling at
their tasks Just before he reached Tokio he came to a military fort, and for
nearly an hour watched the skilful maneuvers of a regiment of soldiers at their
morning drill.
They were not very big people, compared with other nations, but they seemed
alert and well trained, and the boy decided it would require a brave enemy to
face them on a field of battle, Having at length satisfied his curiosity as to
Japanese life and customs Rob prepared for his long flight across the Pacific
Ocean.
By consulting his map he discovered that should he maintain his course due
east, as before, he would arrive at a point in America very near to San
Francisco, which suited his plans excellently.
Having found that he moved more swiftly when farthest from the earth's surface,
because the air was more rarefied and offered less resistance, Rob mounted
upwards until the islands of Japan were mere specks visible through the clear,
sunny atmosphere Then he began his eastward flight, the broad surface of the
Pacific seeming like a blue cloud far beneath him. 16.
Shipwrecked Mariners Ample proof of Rob's careless and restless nature having
been frankly placed before the reader in these pages, you will doubtless be
surprised when I relate that during the next few hours our young gentleman
suffered from a severe attack of homesickness, becoming as gloomy and unhappy
in its duration as ever a homesick boy could be.
It may have been because he was just then cut off from all his fellow-creatures
and even from the world itself; it may have been because he was satiated with
marvels and with the almost absolute control over the powers which the Demon
had conferred upon him; or it may have been because he was born and reared a
hearty, healthy American boy, with a disposition to battle openly with the
world and take his chances equally with his fellows, rather than be placed in
such an exclusive position that no one could hope successfully to oppose him.
Perhaps he himself did not know what gave him this horrible attack of the
blues, but the truth is he took out his handkerchief and cried like a baby from
very loneliness and misery, There was no one to see him, thank goodness! and
the tears gave him considerable relief.
He dried his eyes, made an honest struggle to regain his cheerfulness, and then
muttered to himself: If I stay up here, like an air-bubble in the sky, I shall
certainly go crazy.
I suppose there's nothing but water to look at down below, but if I could only
sight a ship, or even see a fish jump, it would do me no end of good Thereupon
he descended until, as the ocean's surface same nearer and nearer, he
discovered a tiny island lying almost directly underneath him.
It was hardly big enough to make a dot on the biggest map, but a clump of trees
grew in the central portion, while around the edges were jagged rocks
protecting a sandy beach and a stretch of flower-strewn upland leading to the
trees, It looked beautiful from Rob's elevated position, and his spirits
brightened at once.
I'll drop down and pick a bouquet, he exclaimed, and a few moments later his
feet touched the firm earth of the island.
But before he could gather a dozen of the brilliant flowers a glad shout
reached his ears, and, looking up, he saw two men running towards him from the
trees.
They were dressed in sailor fashion, but their clothing was reduced to rags and
scarcely clung to their brown, skinny bodies, As they advanced they waved their
arms wildly in the air and cried in joyful tones: A boat! a boat! Rob stared at
them wonderingly, and had much ado to prevent the poor fellows from hugging him
outright, so great was their joy at his appearance One of them rolled upon the
ground, laughing and crying by turns, while the other danced and cut capers
until he became so exhausted that he sank down breathless beside his comrade.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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