hines were only invented a few years ago by the
brothers Wright in America."

"Bastin," said Bickley, "I begin to regret that I did not leave you to
take part in another breakfast yonder--I mean as the principal dish."

"It was Providence, not you, who prevented it, Bickley, doubtless
because I am unworthy of such a glorious end."

"Then it is lucky that Providence is a good shot with a pistol. Stop
talking nonsense and listen. If those were paths worn by feet they
would run to the edge of the rock. They do not. They begin there in that
gentle depression and slope upwards somewhat steeply. The air machines,
which were evidently large, lit in the depression, possibly as a bird
does, and then ran on wheels or sledge skids along the grooves to the
air-shed in the mountain. Come to the cave and you will see."

"Not till we have breakfast," said Bastin. "I will get out a pig. As a
matter of fact, I had no supper last night, as I was taking a class of
native boys and making some arrangements of my own."

As for me, I only whistled. It all seemed very feasible. And yet how
could such things be?

We unloaded the canoe and ate. Bastin's appetite was splendid. Indeed, I
had to ask him to remember that when this supply was done I did not know
where we should find any more.

"Take no thought for the morrow," he replied. "I have no doubt it will
come from somewhere," and he helped himself to another chop.

Never had I admired him so much. Not a couple of hours before he was
about to be cruelly murdered and eaten. But this did not seem to affect
him in the least. Bastin was the only man I have ever known with a
really perfect faith. It is a quality worth having and one that
makes for happiness. What a great thing not to care whether you are
breakfasted on, or breakfast!

"I see that there is lots of driftwood about here," he remarked, "but
unfortunately we have no tea, so in this climate it is of little use,
unless indeed we can catch some fish and cook them."

"Stop talking about eating and help us to haul up the canoe," said
Bickley.

Between the three of us we dragged and carried the canoe a long way from
the lake, fearing lest the natives should come and bear it off with our
provisions. Then, having given Tommy his breakfast off the scraps,
we walked to the cave. I glanced at my companions. Bickley's face was
alight with scientific eagerness. Here are not dreams or speculations,
but facts to be learned, it seemed to