d
they begin repairing the stern-screw; and then the aeronef could
resume her voyage across the Pacific to X Island.

It was important, above all things, that the "Albatross" should not
be carried too far to the northeast, but unfortunately the breeze
grew stronger, and she could not head against it, or even remain
stationary. Deprived of her propellers she was an unguidable balloon.
The fugitives on the shore knew that she would have disappeared
before the explosion blew her to pieces.

Robur felt much disappointment at seeing his plans so interfered
with. Would it not take him much longer than he thought to get back
to his old anchorage?

While the work at the screw was actively pushed on, he resolved to
descend to the surface of the sea, in the hope that the wind would
there be lighter. Perhaps the "Albatross" would be able to remain in
the neighborhood until she was again fit to work to windward.

The maneuver was instantly executed. If a passing ship had sighted
the aerial machine as she sunk through the air, with her electric
lights in full blaze, with what terror would she have been seized!

When the "Albatross" was a few hundred feet from the waves she
stopped. Unfortunately Robur found that the breeze was stronger here
than above, and the aeronef drifted off more rapidly. He risked being
blown a long, way off to the northeast, and that would delay his
return to Pitt Island. In short, after several experiments, he found
it better to keep his ship well up in the air, and the "Albatross"
went aloft to about ten thousand feet. There, if she did not remain
stationary, the drifting was very slight. The engineer could thus
hope that by sunrise at such an altitude he would still be in sight
of the island.

Robur did not trouble himself about the reception the fugitives might
have received from the natives--if there were any natives. That they
might help them mattered little to him. With the powers of offense
possessed by the "Albatross" they would be promptly terrified and
dispersed. The capture of the prisoners was certain, and once he had
them again, "They will not escape from X Island!"

About one o'clock in the morning the fore-screw was finished, and all
that had to be done was to get it back to its place. This would take
about an hour. That done, the "Albatross" would be headed southwest
and the stern-screw could be taken in hand.

And how about the match that was burning in the deserted cabin? The
mat